SeaWorld visitor’s disturbing video of struggling whale goes viral
This is not a good summer for SeaWorld, public-relations wise. First, it was smacked with a $38,500 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in June for operating a workplace that could “cause death or serious physical harm to employees,” more fallout from the 2010 accidental death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at SeaWorld Orlando.…
GORELANDO: Film Review: ‘Frankenstein’s Army’
Abby Normal. I wanted to hate this movie. I wanted to hate it with every fiber of my gore-loving soul. Don’t get me wrong, Frankenstein’s Army is still pretty bad in comparison to the greats, but just like most horror films, bad films aren’t really bad—they just become comedies. Get what I’m saying? The premise…
Celebrate National Lasagna Day with free lasagna at Buca di Beppo!
We don’t make a practice of blogging about every little restaurant special that comes down the pike, but there’s just something about free that we like. Also, the idea of Buca di Beppo, usually home to Brobdingnagian horse-trough type portions of yummy gigantofood, making teensy individual portions of lasagna made us giggle. (We just love…
For Reels Sunday Roundup — July 28th, 2013
News, links, etc: -RIP Bernadette Lafont. (Keyframe Daily) -This week at TCA13, HBO execs Richard Plepler and Michael Lombardo said that HBO would never air the completed pilot for Criminal Justice, a miniseries that James Gandolfini had not completed shooting before dying. Even worse, they’re thinking about reshooting Gandolfini’s part and going ahead with the series without…
Barbie & Ken finally tie the knot!
It’s Friday, and it also happens to be production day for our annual Best of Orlando issue. We’re almost done putting this issue to bed, which makes us really happy and super excited for its release next Wednesday, July 31. But that’s not the only reason we have to celebrate, because we just found out…
“Sharknado” Touches Down in Orlando August 2nd
Watch the skies. SyFy’s “hit film”, Sharknado, featuring Tara Reid, John Heard and a chainsaw wielding Ian Ziering, is getting set to become that rare beast: a made for tv film that gets a theatrical booking. The film — about an inexplicable series of torandoes loaded with sharks — was a smash hit on Twitter, where fans played…
Short Film Friday: We’re All Lost
Closing Time Dir: Brian De Vore Runtime: 12m The night they graduate from university, David and Sophie walk the rainy Amsterdam streets while wondering what comes next. This is a superior short film, and the writer-director Brian De Vore, as well as the leads Pepijn Schoneveld and Loek Beernink, have talent to burn. https://vimeo.com/67788950 **** Superflat Monogram Dir:…
Wet and Wild: Church Street throws Rehab-style pool party
Anyone who’s been to Las Vegas (or any person even remotely familiar with Sin City) would agree that one of the biggest draws for visitors – beyond the gambling, hookers and 24-hour buffets – is the massive pool parties. In fact, one of the most infamous poolside bashes was turned into a reality series on…
Memorial for local photographer Rick Lang Saturday, July 27
Portrait of Rick Lang by Laurie Hagemaier Local photographer Rick Lang, a tireless documenter of the South, passed away July 9. Lang had been a member of the faculty at Winter Park’s Crealdé School of Art since the end of the 1980s and a prolific exhibitor of his own work throughout the Southeastern U.S. See…
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George is my co-pilot: What’s the truth of the Zimmerman SUV story?
George Zimmerman’s new press agent has a few thoughts on Syria. It’s bizarrely ironic how the term “wag the dog” has become almost synonymous with utter gullibility. These days, when somebody responds to a current-events story with the remark “It’s just like that movie Wag the Dog,” the odds are strong that the guy is…
Enzian’s “Blackfish” Opening Date Set
The Enzian has finally set a firm opening date for Blackfish, the controversial documentary about orcas living (and performing) in captivity at seaparks like SeaWorld and Loro Parque in Spain. The film documents several orca incidences, including deaths of trainers, and features interviews with former trainers and marine scientists. Blackfish opens on Friday, August 9th at…
The suds are getting to your head: Beer labels in motion
We’ve reached the most-dreaded point in the summer when you step outside in Orlando for one split-second and you’re immediately dripping with sweat. That time of year when you’re in dire need of keeping cool – otherwise you encounter face-melting swathes of humidity. Cranking down the A/C and holing up in a dark living room…
Shake Shack coming to Winter Park
Winter Park’s burger wars will get added sizzle when New York-based Shake Shack moves into the yet-to-be-built, Trader-Joe’s-anchored retail complex on North Orlando Avenue and Morse Boulevard. Look for a heated rivalry between BurgerFi and Shake Shack, both of which offer a similar experience (crisp-edged burgers, shoestring fries, superthick shakes). Rumors still abound about a Shake Shack opening…
Warlocks National LLC not psyched about Discovery Channel’s “Warlocks Rising” mini-series
Warlocks MC HQ in Orlando On July 5, the Discovery Channel premiered a new show called Warlocks Rising, a documentary mini-series that takes a look behind the scenes of the mysterious and notorious Warlocks Motorcycle Club, which has its mother chapter in Orlando (the clubhouse is right off Edgewater Drive just north of Lee…
The one weird trick this local woman discovered to lose weight fast! The Orlando Sentinel wants you to pray away the love handles
The Orlando Sentinel—either because they’ve run out of actual news to report, or because we’re a city of Ho Hos-eating fatasses who believe chatting with Our Imaginary Friend burns calories and you’ve got to give the people what they want, or both—ran this story on its front page this morning: “Prayer helped Lasheka Mack lose 88…
Video: Jim Korkis’ History of Disney’s Splash Mountain
For over two decades, Splash Mountain has been one of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions, but most riders are unaware of the controversial history behind the ride and its cinematic inspiration. To celebrate last week's birthday of Disneyland's and Walt Disney World's only log flames (opened on Juky 17, 1989 and 1992, respectively), Disney…
Meet “The Lone Ranger” Crew Members 7/25 @ Full Sail
Full Sail is hosting Women in Film and Television’s Florida Speakers event tomorrow afternoon, featuring crew members from Disney’s The Lone Ranger. Full Sail grad Andrew Campbell (a PA), Ann-Maree Hurley (makeup artist) and Todd Warren (Johnny Depp’s stunt double) will be on hand to talk about their experiences in film, on The Lone Ranger…
Gov. Rick Scott unlikely to agree to another review of state’s Stand Your Ground law
Guns don’t kill people, bad public policy does
Beacon’s spare, dreamy electronic music lights up the Social
The sub-bass sounds of Beacon add texture to the Brooklyn duo’s live show
Tallahassee Republicans invite donors on Disney cruise
For $50,000 contribution to the party, guests to receive oceanview room, meals and more
Live Active Cultures
Reviews of Joseph Hayes’ “Slow Ride” and Playwrights’ Round Tables “Summer Shorts”
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19) “I have tried in my way to be free,” sings Leonard Cohen in his song “Bird on a Wire.” In other words, he has done the best he can to liberate himself from his unconscious patterns, bad habits and self-delusions. He hasn’t been perfect in his efforts, but the work he…
Savage Love
I’ve been mostly happily married for 15 years. I’m a straight man. I love my wife. We used to have a great sex life. But after many years, children and just day-to-day reality, our sex life is now pretty unsatisfying. While my wife was barely GGG at the beginning, now she will not go down…
Black Tusk issues a swampy menace to society
Album review: Black Tusk’s ‘Tend No Wounds’ EP
Feedback
Music updates from around town: Downtown Guitar School, Rabbitfoot Records, Tiny Waves
This Little Underground
Our live music columnist checks out the Appleseed Cast, Lemuria and Afeefa & the Boy
Council watch
Billy Manes pays attention to city government so you don’t have to
Get your sweet slush fix at Chibi Boba
Hello kitties! This south Orlando boba shop is nerd-vana
Fuck Buttons release a master album to the cosmos
Album review: Fuck Buttons’ ‘Slow Focus’
Drinking, Nightlife and Parties
Where to drink and party in Orlando this week
Movies opening in Orlando this week
The To Do List, V/H/S/2, The Wolverine
Soapboxer: Repeal Stand Your Ground
The law and the culture that created it encourages people to do stupid things
Hollow Leg cuts theatrics in favor of grisly metal on debut
Album review: Hollow Leg’s ‘Abysmal’
‘Fruitvale Station’ is a heartbreaking tale of a young black man gunned down in his prime
Socially conscious film could not come at a more significant time
Florida’s LGBT advocates explore options for overturning state’s marriage ban
In the wake of the DOMA decision, LGBT Floridians navigate rocky road to equality
"Bullshit artist" Mike Sager is publishing the new new journalism
Writer-publisher recounts how he came to establish a modern haven for long-form nonfiction
On sale this week: Paramore at UCF Arena
On sale: Friday, July 26 Paramore 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 UCF Arena 407-823-6006 ucfarena.com $27.50-$42.50 Down the road: Rob Zombie, July 31 at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre Fuel, Aug. 1 at House of Blues KEN Mode, Aug. 1 at Will’s Pub Sparks the Rescue, Aug. 3 at Backbooth Shogun, Aug. 3…
