Still don’t know which movies you want to see yet? We can help.

Check out the updated 2008 Ultimate Summer Movie Guide, with dozens of free or cheap flicks throughout the season.

In addition, we’ve added complete lists by

• alphabetical order
• date order

so you can quickly find the right movie at the right time and place.

In addition, you can see video previews of just about every movie listed, along with links to buy or rent them, if you happen to miss them here in town.

See you at the show!

The big 2-0. Yes, City Stages 2008 launches its 20th edition on Friday. (Oh, how we miss the tongue-twisting title sponsor …) In honor of this milestone, we present our best of the fest playlist.

Look for artists from every stage and every style. Enjoy the sonic diversity of these 20 tracks, even if you can’t make it this weekend.

One’s a freebie, the rest will run you about $20 on iTunes.

The songs in detail, after the jump …

(more…)

Time to go to the movies. But not just the standard Hollywood fare at the multiplex.

Welcome to the 2008 Ultimate Summer Movie Guide, with more than 60 movies in over a dozen venues. And most of them are free — some even have free food and drink.

It’s a comprehensive look at all films in all places around Birmingham. So thank you, and enjoy the movie.

Updated with full alphabetical and chronological lists …

(more…)

Meanwhile, Obama makes history

In today’s state primary, Sen. Jeff Sessions handily won the Republican primary, facing state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, who bested two opponents to take the Democratic nomination.

For the Court of Criminal Appeals, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Clyde Jones won for Place 1 on the Democratic ticket, facing the winner of the GOP runoff between appeals court attorney Beth Kellum and former Montgomery County District Judge Lucie McLemore. For Place 2, deputy state attorney general Mary Windom (Republican) will face Montgomery attorney Aimee Cobb Smith (Democrat).

And for Public Service Commission president, Lucy Baxley, who ran uncontested on the Democratic ballot, will face the GOP runoff winner, either Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh (senior adviser to Gov. Bob Riley and former chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party) or Matt Chancey.

(more…)

It’s time to vote in the state primaries. Congressional seats, judges and commissions at stake. Yes, commissions.

Step 1: Find your polling place with this magic form.

Or call Jefferson County, 325-5550; Jefferson County (Bessemer only), 481-4105; or Shelby County, 669-3913.

Step 2: Go to your polling place by 7 tonight.

Step 3: Cast your ballot. (See sample ballots.)

Step 4: Drink heavily. Or if you’re in a dry county, drink heavily.

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

• Notify a poll worker immediately.
• Obtain a complaint/evaluation form (or download jpgs of pages 1 and 2). Print it, fill it out, copy and mail it.
• Call the state attorney general at 1-800-831-8814 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday or fill out this online form.
• And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (325-5203) or Shelby County (669-3713).

Look for results on Wade on Birmingham tonight after polls close.

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

In the long stretch between Super Duper Tuesday and actual Election Day lies the fair state primary. Our guide to Tuesday’s polls …

Q: Where do I vote?

A: The answer is a call away. Jefferson County: 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): 481-4105, Shelby County: 669-3913.

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out the sample ballots (PDF) by county [map] and party …

• Democratic Party: Jefferson (unavailable) | Shelby
• Republican Party: Jefferson | Shelby

(more…)

GOP nominee to tour Black Belt, hit Birmingham fund-raisers

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has returned to Alabama to lure voters in a state that went for Mike Huckabee in February. The Arizona senator will start in Selma this morning, which has already seen visits by Democratic contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

After a swing through the Black Belt, he’ll stop tonight in Birmingham for a fund-raiser at the Sheraton ($1,000 and $2,300 for tickets) and then to Soho in Homewood for a young professionals fund-raiser (a thrifty $100 per ticket).

The Black Belt is among the poorest regions in the nation, though U.S. Steel announced Friday that it would build a $150 million, 75-job plant in Sumter County later this year.

Just 197 days until Election Day.

Can McCain win over the evangelicals and traditional Southern Republicans who voted Huckabee? What do you think?

• • •

Complete Vote 2008 coverage.

The words of Harper Lee live on.

Since January, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative has pushed reading in a big way with Project Mockingbird. Everyone reads the same book, the classic “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

(We still have our well-worn, beloved copy from ninth grade.)

The end draws near, but not without a few events to celebrate:

• Mary Badham, the Birmingham-born actress who played Scout in the film version, will speak from 7 to 9 tonight at the Hoover Library Theatre. Free, but reservation required (205-444-7820).
• The 10th annual author festival Alabama Bound will focus entirely on the book. In between the seminars will be performances by the Four Eagles Gospel Singers and Red Mountain. Free, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Central library.

Plus more chances to discuss the book and see the movie, all on the events calendar.

Diana Ross, Flaming Lips set to headline

Ten weeks and counting until the 20th anniversary edition of City Stages. Organizers have announced the first round of acts performing on Father’s Day weekend (June 13-15) in downtown Birmingham, including:

• Diana Ross
• The Flaming Lips
• Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
• Buddy Guy
• Old Crow Medicine Show
• The Roots
• Citizen Cope
• Sean Kingston
• Galactic
• Will Hoge

Three-day passes go on sale Friday through Ticketma$ter for $37.50 ($45 and $50 closer to the event dates).

What do you think of the lineup? How does it compare to the Crawfish Boil or Bonnaroo? (Same booking agents as Bonnaroo, but also same restrictions on artist exclusivity.) Is it better than the 2007 lineup? Tell us in the comments.

Plus, video previews after the jump …

(more…)

Roger loses Jax State job

biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com

Enterprise’s Roger Shultz has shed more than 100 pounds so far on “The Biggest Loser,” but now he’s shed even more: his job with the Gamecocks.

The former Alabama lineman had served as associate athletics director at Jacksonville State University, but was fired after a nearly six-month absence while in California on the show. He remains in the running for the $250,000 grand prize, to be awarded on the live finale April 15.

He says he might open a gym in Birmingham with his former teammate and TV partner Trent Patterson, one that emphasizes a monthlong approach to fitness. Performa district, anyone?

Plus, he still has “In the Trenches,” his weekly radio show with Stan White in the fall. Oh, and a longer lifespan, blah blah blah.

• • •

Shape up: more “Biggest Loser” at biggestloser.wadeonbirmingham.com.

The good news is that Birmingham Shout is still around for a third year, providing films with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender themes. The bad news is that it’s down to five movies and a short (as opposed to 16 films in 2007), moving up to March instead of April.

Info

• Film schedule: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday at WorkPlay, 500 23rd St. S. [map]
• Tickets: $7 per film, $5 for students and members. All-day pass for $17, $15 for students and members.
• For more info, visit the official site or call (205) 324-0888.
• MySpace profile

Previews after the jump …

(more…)

In honor of the 10th year (more or less) of the Birmingham Area Music Awards, we present a sensational 18-track mix of the nominees. Tonight at the Carver Theatre, Birmingham Weekly will recognize the newest BAMA winners, as chosen by the readers.

Hip-hop, rock, gospel, classical, jazz and pop fill the mix (though it could use a few more ladies, cough). The full playlist will run you about $18 on iTunes.

Check it out for yourself …

1. “Ride On King Jesus,” by Dr. Henry Panion III
2. “You,” by Michael Warren
3. “Heart,” by Ryan Kinder
4. “Worldwide,” by Shonuff
5. “Groove U Baby,” by Mose Stovall
6. “Some Things,” by The Dexateens
7. “We Can’t Lose,” by LP
8. “22 Days Too Long,” by Adam Hood
9. “Mother to Son,” by Langston Hughes
10. “Les Saisons, Op. 37b: Barcarolle (juin),” by Yakov Kasman
11. “The Six Realm: V. The Human Realm,” by Justin Brown, Michaela Fukacova and Odense Symphony Orchestra
12. “Blue Eyed Savior,” by Oteil and the Peacemakers
13. “Horseshoes and Handgranades,” by Thed Weller and John Paul
14. “Favorite Sin,” by Within Reason
15. “Bese Me Mucho,” by Dan Sartain
16. “Sweet Tea,” by Eric Essix
17. “Tilt,” by Wild Sweet Orange
18. “Work,” by Caddle

Tickets for the 7 p.m. awards and concert — with performances by the Sixth Avenue Male Chorus, Thed Weller, Jason Bailey, Eric Essix and Feijoada — are $10 ($15 at the door).

Did your favorite local musician make the nominee list? Who should win tonight? Tell us in the comments.

It’s almost 4,000. That would be the number of U.S. military members killed during the war in Iraq, marking its fifth year today. The deadliest year, so far, was 2007, with 901 killed.

Among the fallen are 75 Alabamians, including those killed since the War on Terror began in 2001. To them, we pay this tribute.

(more…)

	Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander Clanton (the 2,000th U.S. military death in Iraq)
	Sgt. Aubrey D. Bell Tuskegee
	Capt. Donnie R. Belser Jr. Anniston
	Pfc. Joseph R. Berlin Jr. Chelsea
	Pfc. Stephen D. Bicknell Prattville

You shivered in horror at the redneck zombies of “Hide and Creep.” Now, Crewless Productions prepares to launch your fears … into space.

Such is the setup for “Interplanetary,” which our pal Chance Shirley has been filming for more than a year around Birmingham. The sci-fi/horror comedy should be out eventually, but the good folks at Crewless put together a three-minute preview for last weekend’s OmegaCon.

Like “Hide and Creep,” yours truly has a cameo (as seen in the preview below). Despite that, it should be a good flick.

Click image for Quicktime trailer. NSFW!

This limited-edition trailer will be available only until April 1.

For more on the film’s progress and insights from the director, check out the official blog, Everybody on Mars Is Dead.

Also:

• When “Hide and Creep” went national

A burning car in the Georgia woods found six years ago today led back to a Hoover home. Convicted killers Jessica McCord and husband Jeff had set the car on fire, but not before putting the bodies of Jessica’s ex-husband Alan Bates and his wife Terra in the trunk.

The tale of murder and families torn apart served as fodder for an episode on the Oxygen show, “Snapped,” which premiered Oct. 14. The episode repeats at 8:30 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Check out the 10-minute Webisode …

Also:

• Feb. 19, 2003: Classmate’s conviction brings simpler times to mind
• “Snapped: Most Notorious” and “Snapped: Seasons 1 and 2” on DVD [aff. links]. Note: Does not include McCord episode.