Hollywood heavyweights descend on Toronto for annual film festival – and you can, too

There are so many reasons to visit Toronto, the capitol of Ontario, and largest city in Canada. Sitting on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario, it’s the home of magnificent museums (The Royal Ontario Museum, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art), gorgeous gardens (Toronto Botanical Garden, Colborne Lodge), and spectacular sights (the CN Tower, the Toronto Zoo, the Toronto Islands).

Pianist Diane Birch finds success in ‘Bible Belt’

Pianist Diane Birch is one of the hottest young singer-songwriters. Her debut album, 2009’s “Bible Belt,” has made her a rising star, and her live shows have only enhanced that climb.

Music Scene: Gin Blossoms are back

Jesse Valenzuela, guitarist for the ubiquitous ’90s band The Gin Blossoms, called the group’s new album “traditional Gin Blossoms music.” The album, “No Chocolate Cake,” drops Sept. 28.

Movie review: Latest Drew Barrymore movie, 'Going the Distance,' runs out of gas

"Going the Distance” opens with an average-looking Garrett (Justin Long) getting dumped by a hot girl (Minka Kelly). Hours later, he meets Erin (Drew Barrymore) at a bar. They bond over a pitcher of beer and go home together. Six weeks later, she moves back to San Francisco and they decide to do the long-distance thing.

Movie review: Documentary reveals truth about death of former NFL star Pat Tillman

“The Tillman Story”: He was brilliant that night, popping up all over the field, playing with heart and controlled recklessness. He even recovered an Ahman Green fumble late in the fourth quarter to ensure a shutout over a team that one year earlier ran up 77 points on the three-touchdown underdogs. He would go on to have a remarkable season that ended in a last-minute loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. It was the team’s only defeat and cost the Sun Devils a national championship.

Movie review: Second installment of 'Mesrine' better than the first

If you savor gangster pictures in the style of Scorsese and De Palma, make a quick getaway to “Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1,” the conclusion to Jean-Francois Richet’s two-part biopic about the notorious French felon Jacques Mesrine, widely considered to be the Gallic equivalent of John Dillinger.

Looking Up: Eyes alone are plenty, but try binoculars!

There is a good chance many of our readers have a pair of binoculars or know someone with them. Even a lowly pair of binoculars are a valuable instrument for bringing you closer to the night sky.

Movie Man: 'Red Riding' trilogy paints dark portrait of past

If you’re a fan of crime dramas, but you’ve grown tired of the familiar rhythms of “Law & Order” and “CSI,” allow me to recommend — highly recommend — “Red Riding.”

Concert review: Crosby, Stills and Nash go back to garden

Three voices and a guitar. That was the concept when Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield, Graham Nash of The Hollies and David Crosby of The Bryds came together as a super group in the late 1960s.

The Graduate plays off its success with new album, tour

Three years have passed since alternative rock band The Graduate released “Anhedonia.” Now, the band is on a record label (Razor & Tie) and is touring across the country.

The Farr Side: Emmy telecast was well worth it

Thank you, Jimmy Fallon! Finally, an awards show this year we could get excited about. TV’s “Late Night” host and SNL alum did a superb job as host of the 62nd annual Emmy Awards.

Sneak Preview: 'Going the Distance,' 'The American' and other movies opening this week

Real-life lovers Drew Barrymore and Justin Long are cast as a couple struggling to maintain a long-distance relationship in this R-rated romantic comedy.

Flicks: ‘The Expendables’ had no choice but to be bad

“The Expendables” was awful, and the guy who was the best man at my wedding owes me $10.50 and about 90 minutes. Everyone loves lists. Here’s a list of reasons “The Expendables” was terrible, aside from the obvious “It had no choice.”

Wine Wisdom: My list of exceptional whites

I've recently decided to assemble a list of my favorites. I'd be remiss if I did not share that list with my readers.

Movie review: George Clooney travels to the dark side in ‘The American’

Like Clint Eastwood before him, George Clooney possesses the chiseled looks and hypnotic eyes meant for spaghetti westerns. No dialogue is required because mere expressions convey every emotion simmering beneath his ruggedly handsome face.

Book Notes: 'Ice Cold' is a frosty tale of Rizzoli & Isles

Reading “Ice Cold,” Tess Gerritsen’s newest suspense thriller, in the summer heat seems like it would be a good foil to the ubiquitous whine of the air conditioner. In Gerritsen’s latest Rizzoli & Isles novel, there’s so much snow in Wyoming ski country that it’s tough to find out where the bodies are buried.

Wade McIntyre: 5 years after Hurricane Katrina

It's been five years since Katrina struck New Orleans and broken levees loosed water and all hell on the city.

Elizabeth Davies: Without J.J. Abrams, TV is not worth watching

My name is Elizabeth, and I’m addicted to J.J. Abrams.

New Shirley Jackson collection filled with dark delights

She wrote the ultimate tale of blind obedience to tradition - “The Lottery” – that still retains its primitive, chilling power, even as the horror genre nowadays is overrun with pinup boy werewolves and fidgety vampires who sparkle.

Reel Deal: Flaws of 'Expendables' make it fun

The plot is paper thin. The writing is atrocious. The violence is senseless. The action is unbelievable. And the heroes – and villains – are expendable in every way (meaning I simply couldn’t care less who lived or died). But this flick’s flaws are what make it fun. If you bought a ticket to “The Expendables” expecting anything more or less, you just weren’t paying attention. The poster, for crying out loud, features a skull framed by wings of machineguns and mega knives.

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