The Avenue - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Stellar acting in 'Burn Before Reading' lights up screen

By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 17, 2008

To try to stick "Burn After Reading" into a genre is absolutely impossible. One could call it a comedy, as IMDB.com does, but I think this label does the movie a disservice. Don't get me wrong, you will laugh your head off, but you will also question yourself for laughing at each character's rather depressing life. It's really not a drama, a romance or even a political satire. Rather, the movie transcends genre and focuses on plot, making the style both distinctive and amazingly entertaining.

THE AVENUE | NIGHTLIFE

Bar hop right out of your comfort zone

By GABRIELLE FALCONEIRI | Sep. 17, 2008

I have lived in Gainesville my entire life, and I understand as much as anyone how small this city can seem. After working in the bar scene for so long, I rarely go out without running into somebody I know.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Up–and–coming band doesn't sweat small stuff with 'Sweat It Out'

By MEGAN HERON | Sep. 17, 2008

Their tour bus caught on fire, they were dropped from a record deal, and two of the three original members of the band are out. While this might have spelled the end for many bands, The Pink Spiders pushed on. With their latest album, "Sweat It Out," hitting stores Sept. 23, The Pink Spiders will continue to roll with the punches.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Ninja Gun takes aim at The Atlantic

By HENRY TAKSIER | Sep. 17, 2008

"Our name is really just a bad inside joke," said Johnathan Coody, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the Georgia punk-rock band Ninja Gun, which will perform Saturday at The Atlantic, located at 15 N. Main St.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Band led by 12–year–old guitarist

By LAURA NOVETZKE | Sep. 17, 2008

When he's not going to school, Anthony Kavouklis plays late night gigs, poses for CD photo shoots and rubs elbows with blues legends like Buddy Guy. This creates a balancing act for any adult, but Anthony is 12 years old.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Metallica rises from grave state with "Death Magnetic"

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 17, 2008

Men grow old. Legends live forever. That's a problem for Metallica. Burdened by paradox, the group's mere relevance in 2008 is a testament not to the graying, leather-clad rockers, but to the near-mythic quality of an era gone by. What's now more brand than band was once a pack of pimply twenty-somethings blessed with a terrifically violent combination of speed, volume and, above all, ability. But passing time, foolish decisions and producer Bob Rock, the grim reaper of thrash, all rendered our heroes disposable. Metal doesn't wear well with age. Even "the quartet of deliverance" gets only so many chances to get back on the horse.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

New "90210" not as fresh as original but still one of CW's best

By LaTOYA FERGUSON<br | Sep. 17, 2008

It has been nearly 20 years since Beverly Hills, 90210 debuted, defining a generation with its bad hair, 30-year olds playing high school students and ridiculous polka dot spandex leggings. The new show, simply called 90210, is attempting to define another generation.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Fedora hat takes over fashion world

By ASHLEY ROSS | Sep. 17, 2008

If you're having a bad-hair day, in need of a cover-up for the orange dye that won't wash out of your hair from last week's game or just looking to put a little Humphrey Bogart in your life, the fedora hat is coming back in style more than ever.

THE AVENUE | FOOD

Caramelized onions spruce up meals with sweet, savory flavors

By CHRISTINE HART<br | Sep. 14, 2008

Caramelized onions are one of my favorite side notes that can easily, and with a low-caloric punch, jazz up many dishes be they tacos, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs or a sandwich. Now, before you go trekking off to candy lands and your metaphorical boots get gummed up with pralines and crème brulees, let us better introduce ourselves to the notably uncandy-like subject. Caramelized onions are onions that have been sliced thin and cooked on low to medium heat, often in a bit of fat, until they become golden brown in color, meltingly tender, and both sweet and savory in flavor. They can be delicious eaten straight out of the pan, but their awesomeness lies in their adaptability that shines when they are paired with other dishes.

THE AVENUE | FASHION

Local stores tell Gainesville what not to wear

By ASHLEY ROSS | Sep. 10, 2008

Local stores tell Gainesville what not to wear

THE AVENUE | MOVIES AND TV

Hitman finds emotional side in “Bangkok Dangerous”

By JACK BENGE | Sep. 10, 2008

"Bangkok Dangerous," a new thriller starring Nicolas Cage, manages to deliver some action along with a heavy dose of tired plot devices and distracting camera-work. Taking a cue from Michael Haneke, the Pang brothers decided to direct a remake of their own film in English. In the remake, Cage plays a hit man named Joe who only lives by four rules. The most important of these rules is to know when to get out. This theme plays at the heart of "Bangkok Dangerous."

THE AVENUE | SEX

Sensitive act doesn’t perform well in bedroom

By STEPHANIE DUNN | Sep. 10, 2008

Why is it that guys no longer act like gentlemen, and girls no longer act like ladies?

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Bartender seen it all after years in Gainesville’s bar scene

By GABRIELLE FALCONEIR | Sep. 10, 2008

Football season is officially in full swing, which takes the Gainesville bar scene to a completely different level. For seven weekends every year, Gainesville is transformed from a typical college town into a 48-hour party including everybody from alumni to toddlers.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Game day all-nighter

By JOSH NEDERVELD | Sep. 10, 2008

On Friday, my token spontaneous friend approached me with a proposition for a would-be adventure. The scheme was simple: a night spent waiting in line for ESPN's "College GameDay," the Holy Grail for many university men. It sounded boring, but he promised there would be TWIZZLERS. I said I would go.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Ring My Morningbell; Local band talks about Bonnaroo

By BAILEY PARKE | Sep. 10, 2008

Members of local psychedelic rock band Morningbell were in a daze. They traveled to Bonnaroo this summer as they had the previous two years of the festival. But this year was different. They were not there as fans to enjoy the music of the bands they look up to. They were there to perform alongside them.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Motion City Soundtrack Q&A

By STEPHANIE ROSENBERG Avenue Editor | Sep. 10, 2008

Pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack has been funkifying festival scenes since its formation in 1997 and rocking around the world with the likes of Blink 182, Fall Out Boy and Incubus. The band, which is now working on its fourth album following the success of "Commit This to Memory," will perform in Gainesville at the Real Big Deal Festival on Sept. 13. Bassist and back-up vocalist Matthew Taylor talks with the Alligator about the band's future, travel habits and what they love about the festival scene.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

New Kids stray too far from The Block in new album

By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 10, 2008

Caution: Objects in your rearview mirror are older than they appear.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

MAE Q&A

By CAITLIN HEAD Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

After the merger of their record company Capitol Records and the subsequent release of their new album "Singularity," the members of modern rock group Mae realized something: This isn't working. Despite experiencing severe debt, lack of management and a minor existential crisis, the band set out to find out a new way that did work. Drummer Jacob Marshall talked about the group's upcoming show in Gainesville, its trials with finding management and where it wants to go from here.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Crocs next step with campus tour

By CARLY FAIN | Sep. 10, 2008

Crocs, Inc. and 360 Productions are collaborating for the Crocs Next Step Campus Tour, which will be rolling into Gainesville on Sept. 14.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Mates of State Q&A

By JORDANA FYNE Avenue Writer | Sep. 10, 2008

Minus one organ and plus one new baby, the husband-and-wife musical team Mates of State return to Gainesville for the first time since March 2006. Known for their organ and drum arrangement and catchy, complex pop harmonies, the indie-rock duo shed their signature organ sound on the new album, "Re-Arrange Us." Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel will be toting the new keyboards and their daughters, Magnolia and new addition June, on the road with them Sept. 13 and 14 to the Real Big Deal Festival at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Calling from a houseboat in the middle of a lake, Hammel discusses the band's rearrangements, what it's like touring with two young daughters and why America is ready for change.