In theaters today...

By Kip Mooney

Blog Editor

“Miracle at St. Anna” 

Starring Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Turturro

Directed by Spike Lee

Notorious director Spike Lee frames the tale of African-American soldiers in WWII Italy inside a murder mystery. If he puts story before message, this will probably be one of the year’s best.

(Cinemark Denton, Cinemark Vista Ridge Mall, AMC Highland Village, Rave Hickory Creek)

Poster courtesy moviegoods.com

“Eagle Eye”

Starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson

Directed by DJ Caruso

When a slacker and a single mom receive mysterious phone calls, it’s a battle against the clock pitting technology against human ingenuity.

(Cinemark Denton, Cinemark Vista Ridge Mall, AMC Highland Village, Denton Movie Tavern, Rave Hickory Creek, Studio Movie Grill Lewisville)

Poster courtesy Apple.com

“Nights in Rodanthe”

Starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane

Directed by George C. Wolfe

The deeply wounded couple from “Unfaithful” reunite here as a much more generic but loving couple who meet at a beach and dare to give love a second chance. Adapted from a Nicholas Sparks (“A Walk to Remember,” “The Notebook”) novel. Blech.

(Cinemark Denton, Cinemark Vista Ridge Mall, AMC Highland Village, Rave Hickory Creek, Studio Movie Grill Lewisville)

Poster courtesy moviegoods.com 

“Choke”

Starring Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly McDonald

Directed by Clark Gregg

On the other end of the romantic comedy spectrum, is this twisted tale of a sex addict who cons people out of money by choking at restaurants. Adapted from a Chuck Palahniuk (“Fight Club”) novel. Those with weak stomachs and a straight-line sense of humor need not apply.

(Cinemark Denton)

Poster courtesy movieposter.com

“The Lucky Ones”

Starring Rachel McAdams, Michael Peña, Tim Robbins

Directed by Neil Burger

This dramedy follows three soldiers returning home from Iraq, and the ensuing road trip and realization that life will never be the same.

(Cinemark Vista Ridge Mall)

Poster courtesy moviegoods.com 

“Fireproof”

Starring Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea

Directed by Alex Kendrick

If you want a sermon in movie form, check out banana enthusiast Kirk Cameron in the latest from the Kendrick Brothers (“Facing the Giants”), basically a two-hour ad for a marriage building class/PSA for firefighters.

(Cinemark Denton, Cinemark Vista Ridge Mall, Rave Hickory Creek)

Poster courtesy zimbio.com

Austin City Limits Survivor's Guide

5 tips to enhance this year's fest

By Kip Mooney

Blog Editor

So if you still want catch any act on the lackluster lineup, there's still a chance. Tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday (and scalpers are everywhere). But if you've never been there before, here are some tips that'll make the world's best fest even better:

1) Wear comfortable shoes (and socks)

Sorry, but those Converse, Vans, and other trendy footwear won't cut it when you're trekking back and forth across Zilker Park and (unless you're obscenely rich) walking miles back to your vehicle, you'll need some honest-to-God tennis shoes. Something with arch support.

2) Hydrate before you get there

They only let you bring in two bottles of water, so drink a lot before you get there. Beer will dehydrate you further, so plain ol' H2O (or I suppose Vitamin Water or some other useless trendy drink will suffice) is what you need to keep from dropping in the sweltering Texas heat. (And if you have allergies: keep your meds handy.)

3) Gamble on the lesser-known acts

Sometimes you can discover great bands if you skip the bigger stages (many of which host vain, self-serving sets from top acts). It's worth it.

4) Pace yourself

Sometimes it's OK to miss a band. The AT&T Oasis and H-E-Beach are the perfect opportunities to take a break. ACL's not supposed to be an endurance contest. Enjoy it.

5) Take advantage of the freebies

They're anxious to give you stuff. Grab all the stuff you can (especially the iTunes giftcard).

TV Review: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Anarchy rules on TV's most absurd comedy

You won't see the cast of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" at the Emmys this Sunday, but that's OK. Let those stuffy folks have their pretentious shows. We'll be laughing ourselves silly with this FX comedy.

The show began in 2005, after FX picked up the cheaply-shot pilot. It premiered after the high-concept "Starved," about compulsive eaters. While that show quickly fell by the wayside, audiences flocked to its polar opposite "Sunny," about four friends who run a bar in Philly. Many comparisons have been drawn to "Seinfeld," which also had the same dynamic (three guys, one girl) and almost no plot or story arc.

But this season takes its lack of plot to new heights. Early episodes dealt mainly with the struggles of the foursome running their small business. Now, each episode deals with one outrageous crisis after another.

In Season Four's premiere episode, "Mac and Dennis: Manhunters," the two buddies take the premise of "The Most Dangerous Game" to new heights as they set out to track down and assault a homeless man. Meanwhile, Frank (Danny DeVito) tries to prevent Dee and Charlie from gorging on his stockpile of meat by telling them he served them human flesh. The plan backfires, however, when the duo start craving the mysterious dish.

In the follow-up episode, "The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis," the boys devise increasingly ridiculous concepts to save on gasoline, but of them end up with them running from police or security. Over on the other side of town, Frank and Dee spy on the new husband of Bonnie (Frank's ex-wife and Dee's mother), but Frank grows suspicious of Dee and tortures her for information.

If this brand of outrageous, tasteless humor doesn't sound like your cup of tea, that's OK. "Sunny" is definitely not a show for everyone. But if you jump on board and expect to be appalled, mortified and hurting from laughter, "Sunny" is a show that will, in its own disturbing way, brighten your day.

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