Tag Archives: Forrest Hartman

July 15, 2009 · 7:46 am

Harry Potter is still magical

Daniel Radcliff play Harry Potter in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Daniel Radcliff play Harry Potter in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

It’s been two years since boy wizard Harry Potter graced the silver screen, and he’s not so boyish anymore. Fact is, Potter and the now monumentally famous actor who portrays him, Daniel Radcliffe, have become strapping young men, which seems appropriate for a fantasy saga that has grown increasingly bold and dark.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” draws from and builds on the gloom that’s been creeping into the franchise, but that’s no surprise to fans of the J.K. Rowling novels. The Potter faithful are well aware that “Half-Blood Prince” is packed with nasty dealings, all involving the revival of the evil wizard Voldemort. It’s important to mention the Potter faithful because this movie, more than any of the previous films, requires a primer.

Director David Yates, who also helmed 2007’s “The Order of the Phoenix,” assumes that his audience knows who the characters are, understands what they mean to each other and has at least basic knowledge of the evil stalking the title character. One needn’t read the books to get caught up, but a viewing of the five prior movies will help … a lot.

Click here for full review: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090715/ENT/90715001/1056/Harry-Potter-is-still-magical

2 Comments

Filed under Movie Reviews

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

July 14, 2009 · 6:49 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for July 14

Virginia Madsen, left, and Kyle Gallner, right, star in the horror thriller “The Haunting in Connecticut.”

Virginia Madsen, left, and Kyle Gallner, right, star in the horror thriller “The Haunting in Connecticut.”

It’s a slow week on the home video front with only one major theatrical release making its way to DVD. Fortunately, that mainstream title is being propped up by the DVD debut of a fascinating foreign film that was nominated for an Oscar in 2008.

Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Video Verdict

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

July 12, 2009 · 9:10 pm

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is about more than the great view

Henry Woronicz, new executive producer for Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, says audiences this year should expect a lot more than lapping waves and a great view.

“One of the challenges of this festival is that the venue is so beautiful that you’ve got to make the plays equally interesting,” Woronicz said. “You really have to because if they lose interest in the play, they have these wonderful dinners and glasses of wine. “» Friends of mine, over the years, have seen a play there and I always ask them what they saw, and they can never remember. They talk about the venue. They talk about how beautiful it was sitting on the beach.”

Woronicz says he wants his audiences to walk away talking about the plays.

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090712/LIV/907120305/1089/Much-ado-about-Lake-Tahoe-Shakespeare

Leave a comment

Filed under Features

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

July 7, 2009 · 6:56 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for July 7

Nicolas Cage, left, and Chandler Canterbury star in the science-fiction thriller "Knowing."

Nicolas Cage, left, and Chandler Canterbury star in the science-fiction thriller "Knowing."

Major DVD releases this week range from a Nicolas Cage drama to an action movie starring Dakota Fanning, and all have roots in science fiction and the supernatural.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Video Verdict

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 6, 2009 · 7:36 am

World Music Series hits Reno July 8

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

For years, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada presented a July world music series that ranked among the most popular activities at Artown. So, when the Food Bank decided to try something different, Artown staff stepped in.

“We’ve taken over,” Artown executive director Beth Macmillan said. “It’s a very relevant genre that needs to be offered to the community. I think it really introduces our community to different cultures through the arts.”

That means Wingfield Park will once again play host to world music shows at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. As in the past, admission will be by donation, but this year, cash offerings will help pay Artown’s concert costs.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090706/ENT/907060310/1056/Sounds-from-around-the-world

Leave a comment

Filed under Features

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

July 1, 2009 · 6:58 am

Artown opens today in Reno

The 2009 Artown festival kicks off Wednesday, marking the beginning of 32 days of arts and entertainment events spread throughout Reno and Sparks.

The festival officially starts in the morning with a variety of ongoing art exhibitions, but the day’s main event is the opening ceremony — scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wingfield Park — followed by a free concert by folksinger Richie Havens.

Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/NEWS/90630045&s=d&page=1#pluckcomments

Leave a comment

Filed under Features

Tagged as , , , , , ,

June 30, 2009 · 6:40 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for June 30

John Cena plays New Orleans police officer Danny Fisher in the thriller “12 Rounds.”

John Cena plays New Orleans police officer Danny Fisher in the thriller “12 Rounds.”

This week’s DVD releases include two amped up action flicks and a concert movie featuring one of America’s top teen acts.

Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Video Verdict

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 23, 2009 · 7:25 am

Video Verdict: New DVDs for June 23

Isla Fisher is on a permanent spending spree in the romantic comedy "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

Isla Fisher is on a permanent spending spree in the romantic comedy "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

This week’s video releases range from a family friendly fantasy starring Brendan Fraser to an R-rated animated film that won a Golden Globe.

Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Video Verdict

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , ,

June 19, 2009 · 11:55 am

Like free movies? Reno’s got them

Paul Rudd, left, and Jason Segel in "I Love You Man." The film will be showing free of charge at the University of Nevada, Reno on June 23.

Paul Rudd, left, and Jason Segel in "I Love You Man." The film is showing for free at the University of Nevada, Reno June 23.

There might not be any free lunches, but there are free movies. At least there are in Northern Nevada.

For years, Artown has offered free movies in Wingfield Park during the month of July, but this summer free flicks aren’t limited to a single month. Heck, they aren’t even limited to the family friendly fare that has always been Artown’s trademark. There’s a series at the University of Nevada, Reno, for instance, that doesn’t include anything rated softer than PG-13. And tell me that a showing of “Dirty Dancing” at the Grand Sierra pool doesn’t have the potential to be a tad provocative?

Intrigued? Then grab your calendar and make plans. Here’s the skinny on several free movie series running throughout the summer.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090619/ENT/906190373/1056/ENT/Free-flicks-help-stretch-your-family-s-budget

2 Comments

Filed under Features

Tagged as , , , , , ,

June 19, 2009 · 9:57 am

Reno club keeps R/C cars on track

Dan Walls of Reno likes racing radio-controlled cars for many reasons but one  is that he can put them through hell.

“It keeps me going, keeps me young,” he said. “I’d never drive my real car like this. I can drive this like I stole it.”

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009906190359

Leave a comment

Filed under Features

Tagged as , , , , ,