Welcome to a very special, spook-tacular edition of Kevin’s Korner. This week, as we get our costumes ready, our tricks perfected and our tolerance for candy pushed to its peak. Plus, I have some great movie news, including scary tale involving a Spider-Man villain, the newest film from the Broken Lizard crew, and so much more. So, grab some candy corn and read on. And have a great (and safe) Halloween!
It all happened so quickly. After I heard the first gunshot, a liquid heat consumed my body; my inner ears were on fire and a tingling sensation ran from my head to my toes. Is this real? There was screaming and panic. My tunnel vision kicked in and I turned to the right and started sprinting. My boyfriend Jason’s hand was on my back, pushing me, silently urging me to run faster. The shots didn’t stop. I shoved everyone in my path out of the way — there was no way I was slowing down. I waited for a bullet to hit my calf, my thigh, my back, my head. For a few moments, frozen in time, I was sure I was going to die. It was just like a nightmare. Except it was real. It was Friday night. And it was at BayWalk in downtown St. Petersburg. Read the rest of this entry »
Happy “Avatar Day” everyone, and welcome to another installment of Kevin’s Korner, where I, Kevin, give you more movie news than you could shake a wet noodle at — along with some box office info, a DVD release list, and, of course, some Avatar Images and the trailer itself. So, grab a drink and celebrate Friday, the day the world sees what James Cameron has been doing for the last 10 years.
Be sure to check out Alive in Joburg, the short film that inspired District 9. And for reviews of all the summer’s biggest movies, go to CL’s Movies & Television site.
Somewhere near the middle of Neill Blomkamp’s District 9, corporate bureaucrat Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) and his alien friend Christopher Johnson blast their way into the headquarters of an evil multinational corporation known as MNU in search of the only trace of fuel left on the planet that can get Johnson home. The pair turns wave after wave of MNU security goons to jelly using an assortment of alien weapons before locating their prize and making an explosive getaway with an army of MNU’s finest in land-and-air pursuit. District 9 isn’t a video game adaptation, but watching the movie I kept thinking that it might as well be.
Virally marketed to hell ET flick District 9 will be invading multiplexes next Friday. I’ll have a full review of the film in the paper and online next week (first impression: good but incomplete and a bit nonsensical), but for now you can get primed with a look at Neill Blomkamp’s short film, Alive in Joburg. This short caught the eye of Peter Jackson, who hired Blomkamp to direct the now-defunct Halo movie. When Halo went belly-up, Jackson decided to give Blomkamp the cash to make a feature out of his cool little short. I can tell you that District 9 is a far more evolved take on the material in Joburg (it’s amazing what a few million dollars will buy you), but the short film retains a charm all it’s own. It’s also a good set-up for the feature.
Full video after the jump …
Tuesday, August 4: Roy’s
Island Hop Celebration. The ultimate in Hawaiian-fusion presents a five course tour of the islands, paired with chef-selected Caymus Vineyards wines. $85. 6:30-9:30 p.m., 4342 West Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa (813-873-7697)
Wednesday, August 5: Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits
Potluck Wednesday. Beat the mid-week dinner blahs by stopping by for gourmet take-away — and enjoy a complimentary mini-wine tasting while you wait. This week’s one-stop wonder is shrimp saganaki with tomato, feta cheese, black olives and pepperoncini. $19.95. 5-8 p.m., 1002 S. Howard Ave., Tampa (813-250-9463)
Wednesday, August 5: The NoHo Bistro
Wine Wednesdays. Every week, enjoy a relaxing end to each “hump day” with this tapas and wine tasting. Each Wednesday has a new theme, so don’t miss out on any of these palate-pleasing pairings. This month’s focus is the wines of California, and this week’s theme is “Sonoma Valley.” $15. 6-7 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa (813-514-0691)
Wednesday, August 5: Rigatoni Tuscan Oven
Wild Tuscan Wednesdays. Every Wednesday for the duration of the summer, Rigatoni offers select pricing on high-end items like Alaskan snow crab and oysters, along with beer and pasta specials. $17-$22. 5-10 p.m., 3437 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa (813-879-7000)
Thursday, August 6: Hyatt Regency Hotel
Gourmet Feastival. This 18th annual event benefits the Tampa Centre for Women, and includes a mouthwatering array of decadent cuisine. Participating restaurants include Bin 27, Datz Deli, Chez Bryce, Melting Pot and more food and wine purveyors than you can shake a stick at, along with live music and door prizes. $50 in advance, $60 at the door. 6-9 p.m., 211 N. Tampa St., Tampa (813-225-1234)
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