Diversions

‘50s Smurfs legend resurrected for 3D remake — and a worthy one at that

It’s understandable if you don’t feel much enthusiasm at the prospect of taking your kid to The Smurfs. You may fear you’re in for a pretty cloying hour and a half. Created in...

Pooh tale best of animal epics

Opening this weekend is Winnie the Pooh, a new Disney feature chronicling the adventures of the title teddy bear and his various pals in the Hundred Acre Wood. I must admit that...

Attempt at first novel ends with arrival of a remarkable look-alike

A little over 10 years ago, mostly at the urging of a friend, I wrote my first novel. It took me about a year, including some lengthy interruptions, and though it was...

Despite its shortcomings, ‘Tree of Life’ grows potentially classic roots

The specific subject of Terrence Malick’s new film The Tree of Life is a mid-century, middle-class, middle-American family—dysfunction and tragedy played out in Norman Rockwell light. Malick isn’t big on specificity, though, and...

‘Meek’s Cutoff’ a beautifully crafted survival tale, but ending falls short

If you’ve ever had any romantic notions of being a covered-wagon pioneer on the American frontier, Meek’s Cutoff will be happy to disabuse you of them. Set in the 1840s, Kelly Reichardt’s film...

Discerning Diner: Yupha’s brings new dimensions to Thai cuisine

Using what friends tell me are my considerable sleuthing skills, I decided to dine inconspicuously at another one of Tempe’s award-winning restaurants, Yupha’s Thai Kitchen. Tucked away behind Windy City Café on the...

Popular ‘Movies-in-the-Park’ series ready for 2011 season

For 30-plus years, Kyrene Corridor families have spent spring and fall evenings watching movies and spending quality time together at Kiwanis Park. In May, Tempe’s Movies in the Park series will continue...

Holy bird smugglers! Where’s Batman when we need him?

The computer-animated kids’ movie Rio begins in the title city, where we see a baby parrot captured for the exotic bird trade. Somehow he ends up stranded in Minnesota, where he grows...
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