Janos' new digs on mark

You could drive by Janos Wilder's new restaurant a hundred times without taking notice. Nothing about the exterior calls attention to itself, and the interior of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails has only slightly more personality.

Weeklong event opens tonight

The inaugural Loft Film Fest kicks off tonight with a 25th anniversary screening of Martin Scorsese's "After Hours," followed by a Q & A with stars Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette.

After 'Hours,' a Q & A with star

The Loft Film Fest got a big boost when Griffin Dunne agreed to show up on opening night for a 25th anniversary screening of "After Hours."

See stars shine at Loft Fest

Isn't every week at the Loft Cinema a festival of foreign, independent, classic and cult films? And hasn't it been that way since the Loft was called the New Loft and housed in an actual loft near Arizona Stadium? So what makes the Loft's new film festival, a weeklong event that opens a week…

Rodman here for big wrestling event at TCC

Dennis Rodman and a cadre of pro-wrestling stars are converging on the Old Pueblo for The Ultimate Halloween Brawl on Saturday night at the Tucson Arena.

Tango for Leo to help a mother and child

Mother's Day was almost over when Christina Robinson suffered a devastating stroke, just four days after giving birth to her first child, Leonardo Antonio Robinson Mirocha.

Hated by critics, Wright's novels sold by the millions

In the first quarter of the 20th century, America's favorite author was undoubtedly Harold Bell Wright, a man who lived in Tucson longer than he lived anywhere else.

Foundation works to save Tucson history

The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation is a nonprofit organization that's committed to celebrating and saving structures and other historical resources of the Old Pueblo and Pima County.

Back on screen, 86 years later

Demion Clinco exaggerates not a bit when he tells you that next week's screenings of "The Mine With the Iron Door" is a rare opportunity to see a part of Tucson's history. The 1924 silent film, which was filmed here, hasn't been seen in these parts since it premiered at the Rialto Theatre.

Concerts just announced ...

Rappin' 4-Tay

Big Kahuna for city's b-day

Because nothing says "party" for a former Spanish presidio like a luau, and because people get paid to try to lure you downtown on weekends, and because Ernie Menehune and his Polynesian dancers were available, the Big Kahuna is upon us.

Upcoming at Screening Room: Fritz Lang's 'M,' kung fu

No survey of alternative screens in Tucson would be complete without a shout out to the Screening Room, a plucky outfit that has operated out of a storefront at 127 E. Congress St. for some 20 years.

4 films on migration debut at UA Sunday

The University of Arizona campus regularly screens films that you just can't experience elsewhere.

Cowgirls won't be lonesome at Keeylocko

Inspired by Andy Warhol's "Lonesome Cowboys," filmed in 1969 at a ranch north of Tucson, Marianne Dissard will traipse off to a different cowtown this weekend to make a Western movie while presiding over a dusk-to-dawn party.

They dream in widescreen

When the militia finally tracks down God, he's chilling at a ratty roadside motel outside Paris, Texas. The creator of the universe was the subject of a six-month manhunt, accused of really rotten follow-through.

Escapism, anyone? Summer's hot 10 movies

The summer movie season, which starts with Friday's opening of "Iron Man 2," is filled to the brim with big-budget sequels, starry remakes, rogue spies with attitude, animated family flicks (in three dimensions, naturally) and a handful of original films that might actually be good. Here's o…

Pastime Players reflect many talents

A fascinating documentary about the Pastime Players, a Tucson troupe that showcases the abilities of people with developmental disabilities, is one of 18 feature films selected for the 2010 Arizona International Film Festival.

Little movie theater that could embarking on its 19th film fest

The Screening Room opened on East Congress Street two decades ago, but the storefront theater didn't fully arrive on the downtown scene until about six months ago. That's when its dazzling new marquee was installed.

From 'All About Eve' to 'Z'

Twenty-six Oscar facts (and a few opinions).

Oscarnomics

If two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep beats Sandra Bullock for best actress on Sunday night, she will become the only woman alive with three acting Oscars.

Factory inspires concert and dance party

Andy Warhol adopted the Velvet Underground in 1966, making them the house band at the Factory and the star of his Exploding Plastic Inevitable events.

Dead for 23 years, Warhol still pushes cultural buttons

Andy Warhol once told an interviewer that he ate a sandwich and Campbell's condensed soup every day while he and his brothers were growing up in Pittsburgh.

Tucson goes Pop

Andy Warhol was at the white-hot apex of his career when he and his posse arrived in Tucson to make a movie in January 1968. "Lonesome Cowboys," destined to be Warhol's last film as a director, was shot mostly at Rancho Linda Vista after plans to use Old Tucson failed to pan out.

Love on the silver screen

If you've seen what passes for a romantic comedy lately, you know that Hollywood could stand to learn a thing or two from the classics.

Eye-opening film fest now in its 2nd year

"Eyes Wide Open" is the opening night film in the Fabulous Faygeleh Film Festival, a two-day fest of gay and lesbian films with a Jewish bent.

'Damages' back on FX, starting Monday night

Glenn Close is back for season three of the legal thriller "Damages," dishing out deception, intimidation and plenty of attitude as Patty Hewes, a smart lawyer who might also be evil.

Meet Esmeralda, queen of our desert

"Esmeralda del Desierto" is a haunting 30-minute film that imagines a migrant queen claimed by the Sonoran Desert. Written and directed by Oscar Jimenez, a Tucsonan who grew up in Ajo, it will be shown at the Loft Cinema on Wednesday night.

Jewish film fest is January's big gem show

An absorbing British drama about two people doing their best to overcome family tragedy.

Now playing everywhere, except Tucson

Movies big and small open in "major" U.S. cities, but not here. Not now. Maybe next week.

A great documentarian still hard at work

When I heard that Albert Maysles was coming to Tucson for a tribute to his work, I figured that's pretty much what he does these days.

Hall of Famers will rock HBO on Sunday

M. Scot's Movie Talk

No Movie Talk

M. Scot Skinner's column will return next week.

Yes, former Tucsonan now a leading Man

M. Scot's Movie Talk

Yes, former Tucsonan now a leading Man

M. Scot's Movie Talk

Going back underground to find a gem

M. Scot's Movie Talk

Underground film fest looks unbeatable

M. Scot's Movie Talk

Guess what the Loft has cooked up now

M. Scot's Movie Talk

Tucson Lost Boy stars in documentary

Koor Garang, a 26-year-old certified nursing assistant who likes to be called Chris, was on the phone last week, politely talking about a documentary featuring him and two other Lost Boys of Sudan. All three will be at the Loft on Sunday to answer questions following the screening of "Rebuil…

Devil's in the details on De Anza's last night

M. Scot's Movie Talk

No Movie Talk

M. Scot Skinner's column willl return next week.

Tucson Latin Gay Pride festival includes the premiere of 'I Am'

So here's the funny part.

Three film festivals found here this week

Unlike Tribeca or Telluride, Tucson has tons of film festivals — not just the one. In fact, there's a film festival tonight, a different one on Saturday, plus yet another on Wednesday.

Vampires, zombies and, uh, Ron Jeremy

M. Scot's Movie Talk

The fall movie season will feature more than a few vampire and zombie movies, which won't necessarily make up for the fact that "True Blood" wraps up its second season on Sunday night. Alan Ball's smash-hit HBO series has become required viewing for those who like their vampire stories vivid…

'In the Loop' is satire that feels kinda real

"In the Loop" is a bright, laser-focused British satire about an inane war of words that leads to actual war in the Middle East.

Birthday singalongs on Saturday for MJ

All the lights went out at Madison Square Garden, and the crowd fell silent except for the handful of fans who must yell "Whooooo!" at such moments.

Wildcat nation welcomes world

Like so many cats on campus, Saliwat Muwanga came to Tucson by way of Southern California.

Old underpass doesn't live here anymore

Some newcomers to the Old Pueblo, including at least one reporter I know, are mystified by all the attention devoted to today's grand opening of a stretch of roadway that goes under some train tracks and into downtown.