Local company connects volunteers with community projects
With hard times hitting lower-income local families, it can be a challenge to allocate money to spend on birthday celebrations.
Use the fields below to perform an advanced search of statepress.com - Arizona State Press's archives. This will return articles, images, and multimedia relevant to your query.
28 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
With hard times hitting lower-income local families, it can be a challenge to allocate money to spend on birthday celebrations.
There are many things one can do over winter break, but the one fail-safe activity that won't break the bank is going to the movies. There are many good films coming out during the next month or so for students to enjoy while trying to fill up newfound free time over the holiday break. 1. "Out of the Furnace" (Dec. 6)With a star-studded cast including Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana and Woody Harrelson, "Out of the Furnace" is likely to be a big hit among movie-goers and critics. When Rodney Blaze (Affleck) mysteriously disappears, his protective, older brother Russell (Bale) takes matters into his own hands to try and track him down. This drama thriller looks to be one of the best movies of the season. 2. "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (Dec. 13)This film continues the journey of "The Hobbit" and The Lord of the Rings and will likely not disappoint fans of the series. The dwarves, with the help of Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue on their quest to reclaim their homeland from Smaug, all the while Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring. 3. "American Hustle" (Dec. 18)"American Hustle" follows the story of con man Irving Rosenfeld and his partner Sydney Prosser, who are forced to work for an FBI agent who pulls the pair into the New Jersey world of power brokers and the mafia. Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner all star in this crime drama that is almost certain to be extremely successful among critics and viewers. 4. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" (Dec. 18)The much-anticipated sequel to the hilarious film "Anchorman" follows Ron Burgundy as he makes his return to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm. With Will Ferrell, Steve Carrell and countless other big-name celebrities, this film will definitely be a hit, as these comedic characters have become a staple since the first film's debut. It promises to become another classic. 5. "Inside Llewyn Davis" (Dec. 20)"Inside Llewyn Davis" tells the story of a week in the life of a young, aspiring singer as he navigates the folk scene of 1961. Oscar Issac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman and Garrett Hedlund star in this film that will likely contain great performances, but also great music. A single from the film featuring Marcus Mumford of Mumford and Sons has already been released on iTunes. The music will make this film great, and if the other tracks are anything like, "Fare thee Well" by Mumford and Issac, then this film will likely be a favorite among folk fans. 6. "August: Osage County" (Dec. 25)This film looks at the lives of the women of the Weston family, who are brought together by a family crisis that brings them back to the home in which they used to live, and to their dysfunctional mother. Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep and Julianne Nicholson star in this drama that is surprisingly comedic. 7. "Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones" (Jan. 3)This is a series that refuses to die. Regardless of the overall quality of the films, however, it is a crowd-pleaser. This chapter in the saga follows the story of the "marked" ones and brings in new characters to be tormented by the very angry spirit that tormented Katie in the first film. It's likely to scare audiences with the same documentary-style shooting and paranormal activity as seen in the previous films. 8. "Lone Survivor" (Jan. 10)Starring Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster and Eric Bana, "Lone Survivor" is based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission, "Operation Red Wings" in which four members of SEAL Team 10 were faced with the task of capturing or killing Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah. The team was quickly compromised and under attack during this mission, giving the film its title. This film will have drama and a lot of action as the team and the mission is compromised. 9. "Her" (Jan. 10)"Her," starring Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Adams is an unconventional love story to say the least. Theodore (Phoenix), a lonely writer, develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased home operation system that is designed to meet his every need. The system, voiced by Johansson is always there for Theodore, in a way that no human is, while Amy (Amy Adams) is the neighbor that really sympathizes with Theodore, more than she would like. This film, though quirky, is full of emotion and will likely be up for awards come this year's award season.10. "The Legend of Hercules" (Jan. 10)In a story that hasn't been told since Disney's animated version in 1997, "The Legend of Hercules" delves even further into Greek mythology. The film stars Kellan Lutz as Hercules, which will probably bring in viewers on his sex appeal alone. There are many films coming out this winter that are sure to not only do well with audiences but with critics as well. Reach the reporter at alexa.dangelo@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @alexa_dangelo
Instead of braving the crowds and suffering through endless lines this coming Black Friday, one can have a lovely afternoon at CityScape Phoenix’s Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market. This market provides a great alternative for those looking to do a little shopping, while avoiding the masses.This event has free entry to the public and will feature local shops and boutiques. In its second year, this Alternative Black Friday event has much to offer from 20 local vendors, a mimosa bar, local beer and even a preview of the ice rink with a $6 admission and skate rental fee. Marketing director for CityScape, Celine Hacche said the event doesn't interfere with the other stores like Lawless Denim and Urban Outfitters' Black Friday sales."It’s the cure for all the holiday shopping madness: sleep in, shop local, listen to live music, drink mimosas, go ice skating and still get lots of cool stuff," Hacche said. " ... you’re shopping with a conscience by buying recycled antiques from local merchants."The vintage market will feature Meat Market Vintage, Antique Sugar, Grow-Op, Annie Boomer Vintage, Steel Magnolia and Ruby Mae among others. Similar to a Paris flea market, they will be selling vintage clothes, salvaged, mid-century furniture, antiques, jewelry and home goods and décor. Ben Funke, owner of Meat Market Vintage, said the event is like a "dream come true.""Where else in Phoenix can you go on Black Friday to buy an original 1980's ALF shirt, drink mimosas and do 500 laps in an open-air ice rink all before noon?" Funke said.Funke answered his own question by concluding, "Certainly not Walmart."According to Funke, who opened Meat Market Vintage in 2005 as solely online, and in 2010 moved into a shop on Mill Avenue in Tempe, his store has a wide variety of items to offer. At Meat Market Vintage you can find just about anything from between the 1940s to 90s, including t-shirts, leather and denim jackets, dresses, turquoise jewelry and house ware.Another store featured in the Alternative Black Friday will be Antique Sugar, and its owners are very excited to be participating in the event for the first time this year. "Black Friday is usually a dead business day, so we are looking forward to it because we hear the market does very well," Anna Sanchez, owner of Antique Sugar, said.Antique Sugar offers a variety of vintage items including men and women's clothes from anywhere between the 1920s and 1980s. It also has a large stock of accessories, from eyewear and ties, to gloves and luggage.From ice skating to sipping mimosas while walking around vendor's booths, the Alternative Black Friday Vintage Market should have something for everyone.Reach the reporter at alexa.dangelo@asu.edu or follow her on twitter @andangelo15
While award season in Hollywood tends to focus more on what the stars are wearing on the red carpet or who will win Best Picture, a different category is getting a bigger spotlight this year. There are 19 animated films in the running for the category of Best Animated Film at the 86th annual Academy Awards, which take place on March 2, 2014. From the current list of 19, at least two and at most five, will be nominated for Best Animated Film at the Oscars this year. Among the unofficial list of titles are crowd-pleasers that boomed at the box office or are likely to be successful upon release, such as “The Croods,” “Despicable Me 2,” “Frozen,” “Monster’s University” and “Planes.” These Disney and Pixar feature flicks are the kinds of movies that people of all ages thoroughly enjoy, and most will probably learn a life lesson by the time the ending credits roll. Pixar has swept the animated categories in the award seasons for the past several years; however, with this year's list of contenders, it will be a close call. Disney’s “Planes” and “Frozen” will likely be in big competition with Pixar’s “Monster’s University.” Both production companies are notorious for creating movies that people typically praise during award season. As with every other Oscar category, there are a whole host of films that many movie-goers have never heard of before. Although the more obscure films aren't necessarily fan favorites, they sometimes end up winning on account of the high quality of the movie. Dark horses, such as 2009's “The Secret of Kells” have earned nominations that displaced more high-profile titles. This year's list of lesser known animated films include: “Ernest and Celestine,” “Khumba,” “A Letter to Momo," “Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion” and “The Wind Rises.” Of all of these contenders, “Khumba” has the biggest star-studded cast, with voiceovers from Liam Neeson and Steve Buscemi, while “Ernest and Celestine” explores the friendship of two mismatched animals in what appears to be a truly heart-warming film. The other titles are foreign, mostly Japanese, and don’t carry the same fanbase in the U.S.; however, that shouldn’t take them out of the running just yet. Oscar nominations will be officially announced on Jan. 16, 2014. These 19 animated films have been submitted for the honorable award, but keep in mind, only five at most will receive nominations. This year, it is looking like the nominations will stay close to home with many exceptional Disney and Pixar films in the running.Reach the reporter at alexa.dangelo@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @alexa_dangelo
"The Exonerated" is a dramatic play that sets itself apart from most plays out there that attempt to entertain the audience. While it manages to entertain, it also invokes great thought in the audience about the faults in the American justice system, all the while managing to induce laughter.
Movies based on history can sometimes be lackluster, but “Parkland” incorporates a historical event with masterful storytelling.
Within the three years since its premiere, "Walking Dead" has become a TV staple in most U.S. households. The show's fans have become intertwined with the characters, their stories and have even mourned the loss of many beloved (and not-so-beloved) characters.
Many TV shows these days fall through the cracks and lose viewers, especially in the summer months. However, this has not been the case with CBS’s smash hit “Under the Dome.”
This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.