The Echo

Bestselling author Jenn McKinlay teaches fan fiction workshop

Fan fiction drove McKinlay into taking a stab at writing murder mysteries — no pun intended. Now, the New York Times bestselling author is teaching a workshop in Phoenix for aspiring writers.

By Stephanie Habib | October 21, 2012

(Photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment)

‘Alex Cross’ comes across as boring, unrealistic

A boring action thriller is worse than a cardinal sin — it’s unforgivable.

By Tyler Verti | October 18, 2012

Audiences watch ‘Honey Boo Boo’ for the dysfunction

The TLC reality series, “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” captures viewer attention with its depiction of the peculiar Thompson family.

By Taylor Costello | October 18, 2012

Arizona Theater Company's "Next to Normal" is running until Oct. 28 at the downtown Phoenix Herberger Theater Center. (Photo courtesy of Tim Fuller)

Contemporary musical focuses on mental illness agonies

Arizona Theatre Company’s “Next To Normal,” is not a typical musical, but it's undoubtedly captivating and ultimately inspiring with its pop-rock musical numbers and dark lyrics.

By Lindsey Lucero | October 17, 2012

Cronin’s ‘The Twelve’ catches sophomore slump

Much of “The Twelve” feels like Cronin is teasing readers with excitement, and then postponing the thrills until an undisclosed date.

By Travis McKnight | October 17, 2012

Weezer performed for fans at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Sunday night during the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix. (Photo by Vince Dywer)

Weezer gains momentum at State Fair show

Alternative-rock band, Weezer, began its show lifelessly at the Arizona State Fair but finally pumped up the volume to deliver an electrifying set.

By Lana Rogoff | October 16, 2012

Ben Gibbard’s 'Former Lives' an intimate triumph

Ben Gibbard still hasn’t lost his touch. Like in the video for “Soul Meets Body,” he is still able to make music fly. Gibbard’s debut solo album, “Former Lives,” shows fans a side to the artist they can’t know from his previous projects.

By Jeremy Conigliari | October 16, 2012

5 reasons why supernatural dramas are all the same

Whether it’s “True Blood,” “Teen Wolf” or “The Vampire Diaries,” supernatural-drama TV shows all have five common plotlines.

By Mikayla Gilbert | October 11, 2012

Metric dazzles for wrong reasons

Sometimes a band's biggest detriment is its desire to be overly entertaining. It was apparent Wednesday night, when Metric's theatrics overshadowed their musicianship.

By Mitchell Bobman | October 11, 2012

Affleck expert at recreating real-life tension in ‘Argo’

For most of “Argo,” directed by actor-director Ben Affleck, the film works from the sheer level of audaciousness at work, only derailed in the end by, of all things, reality.

By Taylor Costello | October 11, 2012

Mainstream horror movies in need of revival

Based on an increasing supply of subpar horror movies over the past several years, the genre must be scrutinized for the purpose of improvement in order to make this Halloween and future Halloweens sufficiently frightful.

By Jeremy Conigliari | October 10, 2012

British rockers The Wombats finally made a stop in Phoenix at the Crescent Ballroom on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Taylor Flamini)

Arizona fans give Wombats reason to visit valley

While the band explained they don’t know why people live in the Valley, they managed to make their first concert in Phoenix energetic and lively.

By Stephanie Habib | October 10, 2012

The Black Keys hammer out true rock greatness

The Black Keys performance on Tuesday made no concessions or reservations. Instead, the set of brash blues-rock reassured the audience that the night belonged to the music of Auerbach and Carney, so deal with it.

By Mitchell Bobman | October 10, 2012

Rock band Metric is set to perform at the Marquee Theater in Tempe on Oct. 10. (Photo courtesy of Metric Official Website)

Must-see Metric show trumps other local events

With five full studio albums and several feature film contributions, Metric has plenty of fan favorites to binge on before its Wednesday show and some new “Synthetica” tracks to put on repeat.

By Yvonne Gonzalez | October 9, 2012

‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ gets movie adaptation

Fans of “Fifty Shades of Grey” rejoice, while haters quiver at the fact that the book series is getting a movie.

By Tyler Verti | October 9, 2012

Ellie Goulding flips her wholesome image with 'Halcyon'

Gone are the days of angelic synth riffs and album covers shot with glitter and spotlights. Goulding’s new record is dark and unrelenting and shows miles of growth beyond the likes of debut album tracks “The Writer” and “Every Time You Go.”

By Stephanie Habib | October 8, 2012

Lemon Andersen will kick off the ASU Gammage "BEYOND" series with his one man show, "County of Kings," this weekend. Photo courtesy of ASU Gammage.

Tony-Award winning actor shares childhood stories

Lemon Andersen’s life in Brooklyn, N.Y was brought to the stage last weekend in “County of Kings,” his one-man play.

By Maria Thompson | October 8, 2012

All Time Low on all-time high with new album

“Don’t Panic” takes all of the great things from All Time Low’s previous records and combines them in great songwriting, heartfelt lyrics, driving guitars and stomping beats.

By Olivia Khiel | October 8, 2012

Fans must catch The Hives in Tempe

On Tuesday, The Hives return to the Marquee Theatre in Tempe.

By Jonathan Fortner | October 7, 2012

Circa Survive performing at the Marquee Theatre Friday night. The band recently produced and dropped a new album titled "Violent Waves." (Photo by Vince Dwyer)

Circa Survive creates waves of energy surging, indie music

A roaring Arizona audience welcomed the Philadelphia-based band Circa Survive, who played a plethora of songs from all of its albums Friday night at the Marquee Theatre.

By Thania A. Betancourt | October 7, 2012

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