The Avenue
Give this biker a brake
By ERIK VOSS | Oct. 1, 2008I'm an optimist when I look at transportation: If it's faster than walking, it's good enough for me. Stopping never comes to mind.
The Avenue
The Avenue
Film may or may not leave you choked up
By DAVID STUZIN | Oct. 1, 2008A fantastical view of the world's sleazier characters, "Choke" is a surreal softcore porn movie where the story is better - and more appealing - than the sex but just as graphic. Self-proclaimed sex addict and medical school dropout Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell), cons people into loving him by pretending to choke at restaurants and having others save him. He then uses these people for money to keep his dying mother, Ida Mancini (Anjelica Huston), in "nice" hospital facilities. Content in this wayward lifestyle, he meets his mother's new doctor, Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald), who, with an almost angelic demeanor, manages to turn Mancini's life upside down by telling him he might be Jesus's half clone forged from the ancient holy foreskin. It's pretty mind-boggling.
The Avenue
Band mixes moods and grooves for eclectic sound
By ZACH SEYMOUR | Sep. 24, 2008Members of Gainesville band Moodhosa said their sound is hard to explain - even for them. There's a backdrop of gutty, gritty Delta blues, hints of funk, undercurrents of reggae and a smattering of good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. What shapes Moodhosa's groove is exactly what makes rock music great: a respect for the classics, an acknowledgment of contemporaries and a personal touch.
The Avenue
Going green is new trend
By JORDANA FYNE | Sep. 24, 2008The green movement is spreading through America like a forest fire. Even in the celebrity world, green seems to be the new pink.
The Avenue
Reggae–metal band The Expendables not so disposable anymore
By HENRY TASKIER | Sep. 24, 2008In their formative high school years, members of the California reggae-metal band The Expendables claimed they sucked so much as musicians that they labeled themselves "expendable," said Geoff Weers, singer and guitarist for the band. A few years and four albums later on the band's national tour, the name stuck.
The Avenue
Band’s album more catchy than kitschy
By ROBERT HILSON | Sep. 24, 2008As the classic saying goes, incinerate your ride once, shame on the lighter. Incinerate your ride twice, shame on The Pink Spiders. The Nashville power-poppers have a way with flames, but such is the combustible nature of a touring band on the brink. After accidentally torching an equipment trailer between gigs a few years back, they decided to one-up themselves by setting ablaze an entire school bus. The Spiders traveled Partridge Family-style, at least until the tires melted. It does make a great story, so score it a Pyrrhic victory on the road to the top.
The Avenue
A 21st birthday bash: lose the sign
By GABRIELLE FALCONEIR | Sep. 24, 2008One of the most iconic figures in the Gainesville bar scene is the "21st birthday girl." She usually comes in with a gaggle of girls who are borderline overdressed for the bar or club, and she has always already had too much to drink.
The Avenue
Despite transparency, humorous soul of 'Ghost' revealed
By DAVID STUZIN | Sep. 24, 2008I'm going to bring my manhood into question here and say that "Ghost Town" is a cute movie. That's the only apt definition for something that's fun to watch and mildly romantic but doesn't offer the suspense, symbolism or surprise - unless you count the joyous physical proof that Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is still around as surprising - the general population uses to classify a movie as good. But it's a nice movie and worth going to see if you're in the mood for something light.
The Avenue
All my friends tell me…
By ERIK VOSS | Sep. 24, 2008My friends tell me I'm an old man trapped in a 20-year-old's body.
The Avenue
Gay men make good girlfriends, cock–blockers
By STEPHANIE DUNN | Sep. 24, 2008Let me introduce myself. I'm Stephanie, and I'm a fag hag. But let me make a few things clear before your mind conjures up the image of that outspoken MAC makeup artist who so perfectly embodies the stereotype of the textbook fruit fly. I'm not a pudgy hanger-on, and my self-esteem is nowhere near lacking. I don't cling to gay men because otherwise, I'd never get within three feet of a penis. I'm definitely not the kind of girl who thinks that she alone can turn any Britney-squealing, homosexual man into a burly football fanatic. I don't brandish my gay friends like accessories, nor do I harbor any "Sex and the City" fantasies of being a cosmopolitan surrounded by sophisticated sodomites. Somehow, I just always found myself surrounded by gay guys and never thought much of it until everybody started asking me why.
The Avenue
Boycott the talking animals
By ERIK VOSS | Sep. 24, 2008In a few weeks, Disney will release the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," yet another gem from the live-action-films-about-talking-animals genre.
The Avenue
Fashion on the avenue
By REGINA STUZIN | Sep. 24, 2008Your first date with someone is incredibly important. It determines the outcome of the relationship. They say first impressions are everything, and hopefully your first date ends well with no walk of shame (see last week's article).
The Avenue
Up–and–coming band doesn't sweat small stuff with 'Sweat It Out'
By MEGAN HERON | Sep. 17, 2008Their 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
Bar hop right out of your comfort zone
By GABRIELLE FALCONEIRI | Sep. 17, 2008I 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
Fedora hat takes over fashion world
By ASHLEY ROSS | Sep. 17, 2008If 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
Director of Oscar–nominated film visits Gainesville
By JESSICA METZGER | Sep. 17, 2008Tania Hermida is an independent filmmaker with a vision to show truth and important stories. Best known for her role as second assistant director for the Oscar-nominated independent film "Maria Full of Grace," her first feature film "Que tan lejos" (How much further), which will be shown at the upcoming Gainesville Latino Film Festival, was a product of her desire to create a "road film."
The Avenue
New "90210" not as fresh as original but still one of CW's best
By LaTOYA FERGUSON<br | Sep. 17, 2008It 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
Latin film directors visit Gainesville for first time in 4th Annual Latino Film Festival
By JESSICA METZGER | Sep. 17, 2008The Latina Women's League wants to share the diverse stories of Latin America with the Gainesville community. With six independent films, it has organized the Fourth Annual Gainesville Latino Film Festival, which will be different than the past three in that two of the film's directors will make presentations and hold bilingual readings for young children.
The Avenue
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
Band led by 12–year–old guitarist
By LAURA NOVETZKE | Sep. 17, 2008When 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.
