RHONDA: Whatie Who?

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders

My husband was out of town last week, which means my daughter got to watch “American Idol.” Which means we caught the show that’s on directly after Idol (that night, anyway) starring Christian Slater. Slater apparently lives here on the rock now, at least part time. I know this because I thumbed through Oprah O!osterhout’s Conch Color a couple months ago and it happened to be The Christian Slater Edition. It was a series of photos of Slater, looking progressively annoyed, as I recall.

Regardless, I thought we should watch the new Christian Slater show to support the work of our island neighbor.The series is called “Breaking In.” It’s kind of funny–probably funnier if I’d been following the storyline from the beginning, but I didn’t know it existed until that night.

And frankly, I don’t need much of a plot to keep me watching Christian Slater. I don’t know or care if he’s gay. He could simply sit in a chair for half an hour pronouncing “s” words with “sh” while doing that crooked smirk/eyebrow thing, and I’d watch the whole thing. I have loved Christian Slater’s lishp forever, like since “Heathers” came out when I was thirteen.

MICHAEL BARNES: Terrorism: Part 3

by Michael Barnes

This column is the third and last on the root causes of the current terrorism acts, directed against the United States and her allies. It is best understood if the reader has also read the two previous columns. The first provided a historical perspective and the second examined the likely scenarios that may result.

The war against terrorism is more properly described as a war between the modern age and traditional Arab culture. It is not likely to end until Islam, especially radical Islam, embraces reform or has it forced on them. Forcing anything from the outside is usually more difficult than encouraging change from within.

What we hear in America, especially after the killing of Osama bin Laden, are more promises to attack. It seems that temporary cease-fires will be ineffective. From our standpoint, what the countries of Islam are going to have to do is to fix the root issues that cause the problems. Here’s a review.

FILM: What’s on at the Tropic

by Phil Mann

Another literary adaptation joins JANE EYRE and ATLAS SHRUGGED, which are held over.

It’s WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, based on Sara Gruen’s best seller about a sexy circus performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon – Walk the Line, Legally Blonde), her sociopathic circus-owner/ringmaster husband August (Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds), a wandering young veterinary student Jacob (Robert Pattinson – Twilight) and the very special elephant Rosie (Tai – Larger Than Life, Operation Dumbo Drop).

Just this list of characters makes it sound enticing. The circus is no fancy three-Ringling extravaganza, but a ratty, tatty, traveling show barely making it in 1931 hard times. When it loses its star animal attraction, a horse ridden bareback by Marlena, all seems lost, until August finds an elephant act and discovers that young Jacob has a way with these animals.

Bartender of the Week

Who is your favorite drink-server? Let us know!

RICK is a bartender at Rick’s Bar on Duval Street.

His specialty drunk is a World Famous Bloody Mary.