By Pete Zarustica Who says murder, corruption and surgery can’t be sort of fun? In his first novel, long-time local sportswriter and sportscaster Don Alexander weaves all that together in an entertaining […]
“Rock Don’t Roll” is on a roll
Welcome return of “Patsy Cline”
It’s a triumphant reopening for the Gem Theatre By Thom deMartino The tide of life flows forever forward: but despite its many trials and tragedies, it is our treasured memories that linger […]
“Nomadland” at home at Oscars
“Nomadland,” the story of a woman, her lonely journey and those like her who drift from temporary job to job, a forgotten but important part of the work force, shone the brightest […]
I spy a tedious “The Courier”
By Jim Tortolano Most true spy stories are not very pulse-pounding. They involve routine, even tedious collection of seemingly innocuous information that somebody else makes sense of. But every once in a […]
Don’t mess with a “Nobody”
By Jim Tortolano Ever have a revenge fantasy? Anything from wanting to punch out the bully from fifth grade, or launching a devastating response to the fashion insults launched at you […]
OC’s big attractions will return
This summer will look a little more normal as three of Orange County’s top attractions plan to be reopened, but don’t expect the experience to match up precisely with your memories. Yes, […]
Bird Talk: some high-flying wings
By Jim and Marilyn Tortolano You’ve heard – or maybe used the term – “just wing it.” That usually means to improvise quickly or carelessly, the outcome of the finished product […]
A bird … a plane … a mistake
By Jim Tortolano Comic book iconoclast Howard Chaykin once quipped that the “Golden Age of comics is … 12.” By that, he meant that the art of sequential story-telling was forever trapped […]
“Coming 2 America” reprises well
By Jim Tortolano In an especially giggle-worthy part of the new “Coming 2 America” sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy film about an African prince who journeys to America to find a […]
Radicalism on trial in “Trial”
By Jim Tortolano Any movie or television show written and/or directed by Aaron Sorkin is bound to be literate, thought-provoking and timely. But his work sometimes gets mired in the left-lane […]
