Around 2AM yesterday, Joseph Kelly Sr. was driving along the Vine Street Expressway when he saw a homeless man in a wheelchair marooned on the median. He pulled over and crossed three lanes on foot to try to help the man across the street. As one car slowed down to let them pass, another struck that vehicle and then ran into Kelly and the other man, killing them both. A 17-year-old male knocked on the......

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days Two friends and roommates in Communist Romania in the late '80s find themselves with a problem: one of them is pregnant and needs an abortion, but abortions are illegal. They find a man who will perform one anyway, but he won't accept money, and demands an "alternate" commodity instead. Eeww. This is getting great reviews, but it also sounds......

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. Persepolis This film adaptation of Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, which was co-directed and co-written by Satrapi herself, along with Vincent Paronnaud, is getting amazing reviews. It follows the trials and tribulations of an outspoken Iranian girl during the Islamic revolution. The English language version of the film being screened here features the voices of Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands, and Iggy Pop, with Catherine Deneuve and......

A tall, icy glass of our favorite internet junk, just for you. It may be an ad for a book about Spam, but it's also a really neat little movie featuring stop-motion animation via artfully toasted bread! (Via Sarah) Lake Superior State University has concocted its 33rd annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. Meanwhile, on the eve of the American Dialect Society (ADS) voting for its......

There is a new Queen of Soul. Sorry Mary, Alicia, and Jill, but there is a woman from Brooklyn who's reminding us all of how it's done. Her name is Sharon Jones, and she and her backing band, the Dap-Kings, will slay your ears and make you yearn for a time when people sang (and didn't sample), "Diamond in the back, sunroof top, diggin' the scene with a gangsta lean." Jones brings the soul while......

UPDATE: Oops! I forgot links! I've added them now, and made a few other tweaks. What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer &c. (Tue, 8PM-9PM, CBS) - The extremely odd, but quite lovable, 1964 classic about the reindeer with the glowing red nose, the elf who really wants to be a dentist, a bunch of misfit toys, and the Abominable Snow Monster. CBS is also airing Frosty the Snowman and......

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. Finishing the Game - We posted the preview for this one a ways back. It's a mockumentary about director Robert Clouse's attempt to finish the film Game of Death after the untimely death of its star, Bruce Lee. In Finishing the Game, Clouse starts a frantic search for an impersonator to replace Lee, and much wackiness and Hollywood satire ensue. Sounds like fun, but keep in......

Wednesday The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society presents the critically-acclaimed Orion Quartet in a concert of Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. Perelman Theater (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $22.50 Thursday Lehigh's Zoellner Arts Center presents Teatro Lirico D’Europa’s production of Rossini's most beloved comic opera, The Barber of Seville. Baker Hall (Lehigh University); 8 PM; $45 Friday The individual members of the Network for New Music Ensemble go solo, playing new solo music that has influenced their......

Editor Jim's coworker Bob submitted this video to us, and we couldn't help but post it. Because, well, it's well done. And we love Queen.......

Monday As part of the Music and Conversation series, Andrea Ceccomori and Elitza Harbova will perform and discuss works for flute and piano by living Italian and American composers. Roberts Hall (Haverford College); 4:15 PM; FREE Tuesday The Philly Orchestra continues its run of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, now paired with works by Rihm and Reinecke. Check out Phillyist's review here. Verizon Hall (Kimmel Center); 8 PM; $38-$113 Friday As part of the Last......

Performance: Fatboy (Brat Productions) (no future performances) I'm exhausted, so it's just as well the festival is over. I know, compared to other diarists, my eight plays were nothing, but it was a lot of theatre in a very short time by my standards. And it ruled. Some of the plays were great, more were so-so. But it felt incredibly good to watch live people performing (as opposed to all those filmed people I......

Lawrence Richette, 48, the son of veteran Common Pleas Judge Lisa A. Richette, was arrested Tuesday for beating his 79-year-old mother at her Center City home. "He was released on his own recognizance yesterday - his birthday - pending a preliminary hearing Oct. 29." He was also ordered to stay away from his mother, for obvious reasons. But the story gets worse (better?). When NBC10 reporters knocked on his door for a comment, he......

Every Tuesday and Thursday, we'll be posting events that are going on sale during the current week. This Tuesday post only collects the early announcements, so definitely check back on Thursday for the latest ticket news. Flyleaf Tink's Entertainment Complex, Scranton Tue, 9/18/07, 7PM $15 On sale: Wed, 10AM, Ticketmaster Cute Is What We Aim For Chameleon Club, Lancaster Fri, 9/21/07, 7PM $12 On sale: Wed, 10AM, Ticketmaster CMT on Tour 2007: Sugarland Change for......

Here's how you're in luck. There are still tickets available for tonight's Crowded House show at the Mann Music Center. You know, the one where Pete Yorn is opening for them? We're going to be honest. We love Crowded House. They have albums on our list of desert island discs, without question. We refuse to be embarrassed about how ridiculously excited we are to see a band who had their first stateside hit when......

This Wednesday The Institute of Contemporary Art hosts A Midsummer Night's Screening, two presentations that are connected to the current exhibition "karen kilimnik." The first presentation, which begins at 7:30 and will loop throughout the evening, is an episode of the classic TV show The Avengers entitled "A Touch of Brimstone." Detailing the exploits of the Hellfire Club, it was banned from American TV due to a little number Emma wears as "The Queen......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. Creature Comforts (Mon, 8PM-8:30PM, CBS) - A new US version of the popular UK show created by Wallace & Gromit's Nick Park. It involves clay, stop-motion animated animals sharing their opinions on life. If it's anything like the original, the dialogue will consist of actual interviews with real people that end up being quite amusing when coming out of the mouths of gorillas and panthers. Unwrapped (Mon,......

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. The Hip Hop Project - This documentary, produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, is about Kazi, a once-homeless teenager who now works with teenagers in New York City to craft hip hop songs from their personal lives as "a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery." Russel Simmons has helped to fund the Hip Hop Project, even, along with Bruce Willis, donating a recording studio......

A tall, icy glass of our favorite internet junk, just for you. For more exciting space stuff, besides the whole Earth-like planet thing, check out some images from the Hubble of stars being born and dying in a "nearby" nebula. (Via Editor Jill) The US Department of Health and Human Services is using Shrek as a spokseman for an anti-obesity drive, but "the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood says the soon-to-open Shrek the Third sequel......

Bands I Caught: Fursaxa, Fan of Friends, War on Drugs, King Kong Ding Dong Venue: The Parlor Tucked away on South Broad next to "You, Me, and Wee" (which, incidentally, seems like the perfect venue for another POPPED! band, Pissed Jeans), the Parlor is a surprisingly cozy venue, despite its unremarkable storefront. I slid through the front door and followed klip//collective's electric-blue polka dots of light back to the main room, where I caught Fursaxa......

Films: Hula Girls, The Guardian’s Son, Life Support Future Screenings: Hula Girls, Saturday, April 7th, Ritz East at 9:30PM The Guardian's Son, Saturday, April 7th, Ritz East at 2:15PM Life Support: Sunday, April 8th, Ritz East 2:30PM This is the first time I have become involved with the Film Festival and honestly, I don't know why it took me so long. I enjoy film and thoroughly enjoy watching films from around the world. For my......

The best of the internet, squirted out in flavorful neon globules, just for you. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (and the lesser known National Association of Recording Merchandisers) have put together a list of the 200 definitive albums that everyone must own - so we assume they want you to go out and buy the ones you don't have right now, please! Amazon is making the process easier by listing them all on......

I had the pleasure of attending the 2007 Philadelphia Flower Show in the final of its 8-day run from the 4th to the 11th this past Sunday. I use pleasure in the most sensuous sense; walking into the Convention Center in the final throws of all its horticultural splendor, one is met by a kind of photosynthetic explosion with colors, fragrances, textures, palpable earthiness, and the sound of hundreds of other people expressing their feelings......

Those in touch with Philly's restaurant pulse have undoubtedly heard of the Queen Village Moroccan joint Marrakesh. Although it's only steps from a high-traffic area of South Street, the place is almost impossible to discover accidentally, since it's buried on Leithgow Street (really an alley) and has almost nonexistent outdoor markings. Even if you have trouble finding the entrance, your adventure is only beginning. In almost every imaginable aspect, Marrakesh provides for an extremely interesting......

I'll admit it: part of the reason I was so disappointed by this movie is because I'd just recently read the comic books it was based on (reading the source material almost always ruins the movie), and because I had such high expectations for it. But the rest of the reason is because it's just not a very good movie. By now, I assume you know the story, based on the short comic series by......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. BCS Championship Game: Florida vs. Ohio State (Mon; 8:15PM-12AM; Fox) - Finally, the ultimate college football bowl game is here! The underdog Gators fought through a brutal schedule to win the SEC title, and now face-off against the Buckeyes (including Heisman Trophy-winning Troy Smith) for the first time in the big one. (Link) I Love New York (Mon; 9PM-10:30PM; VH1) - One of the most obnoxious characters......

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary. And now, the awkward......

Now that I've seen it, I'm not surprised at the bad reception Darren Aronofsky's new film The Fountain received at some of the film festivals it played at and, indeed, at the screening I attended. A lot of people are not going to like it. A lot of people are going to be puzzled and confused and irritated by it - as many of my fellow audience members were. And if you go expecting a......

What's new and/or interesting at Philly theaters this weekend. American Hardcore - A documentary film adaptation of a book by Steven Blush, this is a look at the wave of popular and influential anti-establishment punk (is that redundant?) bands that arose during the Reagan era - including Minor Threat, The Circle Jerks, Black Flag, and the Dead Kennedys. Awesome. We don't see how this could be bad. Trailer Showing at: Ritz at the Bourse Copying......

Choral season is upon us! With both Choral Arts Society and Singing City opening on the same night, it's a tough call. You'll just have to read the descriptions and decide for yourself. Monday 1807 and Friends, a musical ensemble dedicated to “the unusual gems in the great treasure trove of chamber music,” presents the Florian Trio, composed mostly of Philadelphia Orchestra members, in a program of Schubert, Paganini, and more. Academy of Vocal......

What's new and/or interesting in Philly theaters this weekend. Most Likely to Suck: Domestic Import - Set in Philadelphia (although filmed in California), this film tells the supposedly true story of a couple - Marsha and David - who decide to hire a live-in maid, and the wackiness that results. Marsha is pregnant, messy, and obsessed with taking in strays; David has a neatness obsession. Oh, they're mismatched! The comedy! Marsha's parents convince them to......