His Majesty Colin Firth
The King's Speech's princely rewards. by Marjorie Skinner THE KING'S SPEECH comes bursting into Portland theaters this week flanked by an impressive seven Golden Globe nominations. (I know it's just...
View ArticleOne Day at a Time
Last exit to Splitsville! by Ann Romano MONDAY, DECEMBER 13 It's official: Hollyweird has a serious case of the "splits"! No less than three of Tinselturd's lovey-doveiest couples called it quits...
View ArticleFake Gun, Real Death
For the fourth time this year, a Portland man is shot and killed by police, this time for wielding a fake gun. by Denis C. Theriault THE FOURTH FATAL police shooting this year of a Portlander battling...
View ArticleWhat America Deserves
The impotence of being Fockers. by Zac Pennington FULL DISCLOSURE: Until last Thursday, I was able to count myself among the few filmgoers in America to successfully circumvent my civic obligation to...
View ArticleMy, What A Busy Week!
More Busy Week than can fit under the tree! THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 PROCRASTINATE—If you're the type to wait until the very last possible minute to buy presents, I'm going to surprise you by saying...
View ArticleLETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Back to the future! TEARING CHEMO PORTS SINCE 1994 MR. [WM STEVEN] HUMPHREY—I loved your piece about the 10 most fascinating people ["Fascinating!" I Love Television, Dec 9]! I shared it with my...
View ArticleI Love Television™
Rudolph could stand a few improvements. by Wm. Steven Humphrey ATTENTION: There are some serious problems with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And for those of you who are still reading, I'm going to...
View ArticleIn Other News
News briefs! Wipe the crumbs off your hands when you're done. by Mercury staff Portland City Council on Wednesday, December 15, ended 2010 on a costly note—approving a $338,477 settlement with an...
View ArticleHall Monitor
Next up for Portland's proposed downtown booze ban? Microbrews and the Eastside. by Denis C. Theriault BAD NEWS, tallboy drinkers! On Friday, December 17, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)...
View ArticlePeacock Lane: A Critical Overview
The Mercury's most annoying and astute critics take on Peacock Lane. by Mercury Staff IN HIS ESSAY "WHAT IS ART?," noted 19th century author and critic Leo Tolstoy postulated that art's mission is to...
View ArticleBetween Two Escalators
Four new galleries sprawl in an upper level of Pioneer Square. by Matt Stangel MONUMENTAL HOLIDAY-THEMED decorations hang from Pioneer Place's glass roof: Strung like beads, reflective globes cluster...
View ArticleWestern Promises
True Grit? Truly badass. by Erik Henriksen "HE IS A PITILESS MAN, and fear don't enter into his thinkin'," says one of True Grit's characters about US Marshal Rooster Cogburn, before adding one more...
View ArticleI, Anonymous
Bummed Out by Anonymous To the jerks who ruined my lunch break: I was sitting outside of my work (appropriately perched more than 10 feet from any door connected to an operating business), desperately...
View ArticleThe Shelter Bed Shuffle
Opening emergency shelter beds for sex-trafficking victims is a good first step, but it's not enough. by Andrea Vedder NEXT MONTH, Portland will open its first emergency shelter beds for underage...
View ArticleUp & Coming
This Week's Noteworthy Shows. THURSDAY 12/23 THE HONUS HUFFHINES, LUCKY BELTRAN, METROPOLITAN FARMS (Plan B, 1305 SE 8th) The Honus Huffhines' Bandcamp page (where you can stream the entirety of their...
View ArticleTroubled Waters
Undertow: More than just Brokeback on the beach. by Marjorie Skinner DREAMS AND ILLUSIONS wend their way through Undertow, a nuanced romance from first-time director Javier Fuentes-León. Its setting—a...
View ArticleWill Patrons Come Home to Roost?
Megan Henzel's understated Roost serves up big meals to small crowds. by Tony Perez THERE'S A DANGER in recommending, too loudly or too often, that place you like near your house. What if it gets too...
View ArticleSavage Love
Honor Thy Mother by Dan Savage I'm writing to you under the influence of a little alcohol (as I'm not sure I'd have the courage to write to you about this sober). I've got an awkward (understatement)...
View ArticleIn the Shadows
Touring the weirdness of Christmas at Portland's Catholic Grotto. by Sarah Mirk JUST OFF NE SANDY and 85th, beyond the lights of the Howard Johnson and the Quality Used Tires, you'll find the World's...
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