It’s an odd trend in entertainment and pop culture, but strangely, there are a lot of creative, imaginative and cool creators named John and David. Think about it. Think of all the popular and/or pop culturally influential Johns. John Lennon. John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten). John Belushi. John Cusack. Johnny Depp. John Steinbeck. John Hiatt. […]
“How can you be making a celebrity out of a criminal!” “He broke the law! How can he be a hero?” “You should be ashamed of yourselves for giving fame to a law-breaker!” These are some of the messages I’ve gotten this week from, well, all of three people. And no, they’re not about Batman. […]
Two icons of the Quad-Cities indie scene celebrate birthdays today, on April Fools Day. Moline’s CoOp Records and Rock Island’s Rozz Tox are both blowing out the candles (Rozz Tox’ are probably on cupcakes), and although they’re both suffused with a spirit of fun, their success is serious testament to hard work and an example […]
Anyone read that article sweeping the web about Terry Tilka? He’s celebrating his 30th year of busting his ass as the owner of the coolest bar in the Quad-Cities, one that’s outlived almost every other and fought its way through countless trends, several recessions and umpteen financial curves in the Quad-Cities. Terry started off young, […]
There were few Best Picture nominees at the Oscars this year more divisive than the Queen biography, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Critics, fans of the band and people who like to get irritated on social media were brutally torn up over the film, with several of them calling it “problematic.” I couldn’t agree with you more. Having […]
Could two Quad-Citians bring home an Oscar to Bettendorf? This Sunday, the 91st annual Academy Awards will begin in Los Angeles at 7 p.m. CST, and “A Quiet Place,” written by Quad-Citians Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, was nominated in the sound editing category. Unfortunately, despite a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nom, Beck […]
“A Quiet Place,” written by Quad-Citians Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, was nominated in the sound editing category for the 91st Academy Awards, which announced their noms this morning. Unfortunately, despite a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Award nom, Beck and Woods weren’t nominated in the Best Original Screenplay category, and “Place” lead Emily Blunt […]
It’s ironic that most of the commercials throughout Gillette’s history have involved a man literally looking at himself in the mirror, since its latest and most controversial ad does so metaphorically in a way far more powerful than the previous banal stock image to shill razors. I’m sure most of you have heard about it […]
It’s that time of the year again. Time for critics to line up to roll out their “Best of…” lists. And whether it’s TV, movies or music, they all seem to follow a distinct pattern. I’ve done these lists for years, and it wasn’t until the last few calendar turns that I stepped back from […]
Nikki Gillette has always struck me as someone puzzlingly uncertain as to just how amazing she is. Gillette has been a regular on the performing arts scene in the Quad Cities for a while, as a standup comedian, musician, burlesque performer and actress. She teaches art to kids at Blue Grass Elementary, manages the traveling […]
