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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Movie Reviews by Cinema Siren

Movie Review: 'Star Trek Into Darkness:' Excitement at Warp Factor 10

Film is rated PG-13.

Star Trek Into Darkness has opened in theaters nationwide. Here are the showtimes at the movie theaters showing Star Trek Into Darkness closest to Tysons:  --- Boy, this is going to be one short review. This movie has more spoilers than the 1967 Enterprise had Tribbles…and in the interest of full disclosure, this is written by the Cinema Siren who owns chairs from the Voyager show, can list the original episodes in order of appearance, has a T-shirt with a quote in Klingon, and a model of the Enterprise signed by all the original cast members. That is to say, fandom lives here. Any experience of watching the new release by director J. J. Abrams would naturally be filtered through a brain steeped in Star Trek knowledge and lore. That being …

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Spotlight by Starlight Summer Concert Series Starts June 2

Bands will perform at Mason District and Ossian Hall Parks this summer in Annandale.

The Spotlight by Starlight summer concert series, sponsored by Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and the Friends of the Mason District Park, returns to Annandale in June. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in June, July and August, a variety of bands and artists will take the stage at Mason District Park at 7:30 p.m. If there’s a threat of inclement weather, call 703-324-SHOW(7469) one hour before the start of the show for updates.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Movie Reviews by Cinema Siren

Movie Review, Trailer: Gutsy 'Great Gatsby'

This fearless interpretation by director Luhrmann is well worth seeing. Leonardo di Caprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan star.

The Great Gatsby has opened in theaters nationwide. Here are the showtimes at the movie theaters showing The Great Gatsby closest to Annandale:  -----     REVIEW No question whatsoever, director Baz Luhrmann is someone who elicits strong opinions with his every movie.  Moulin Rouge draws forth a swoony sigh from its biggest fans and an eye roll from its detractors. In an industry that often plays it safe, creating movies like Fast and Furious 6 to keep the easy money flowing, it is always refreshing that someone is taking chances, and certainly Luhrmann has built his career subscribing to the "go big or go home" school of filmmaking.  His new film The Great Gatsby is no exception. Not only does he create the sort of visually over-saturated…

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Fairfax Academy Students Host Fashion Show

The show features looks from nine high school students.

  A year's worth of work comes to a head for Fairfax Academy high school students next week, when their clothing lines will take the stage in a community fashion show. “Everyone has little struggles with their collections, so the coolest thing will be able to see all of our friends come together and see that it was all worth it,” said Sarah Dowell, 17.  Fairfax Academy’s Fashion Design program trains students for a career in the fashion industry. The program, housed within Fairfax High School, is one of six academies in the Fairfax County Public School System (FCPS). Students in academies take these advanced career elective courses to prepare themselves for careers in their chosen field. Juniors or seniors from about 20 different high …

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Movie Reviews by Cinema Siren

Movie Review: 'Iron Man 3' — Less Suit, Still Sensational

PG-13 film in theaters starting Thursday is a 'hoot, wild ride and an emotional journey.'

Let's face it. Those of you who are interested in films of Iron Man's ilk and have waited through a year of Comic-Cons dressed like your favorite Marvel superhero, do not need Cinema Siren to tell you whether to head out this weekend to keep one of Hollywood's biggest studio franchises alive and Robert Downey Jr. out of the poorhouse.   You already have your tickets. It is the souls who usually stay home with a glass of wine watching Downton Abbey, and occasion the multiplex only for the most hyped and well reviewed blockbusters they want to charm into theaters. Find showtimes to see Iron Man 3 near Annandale at Angelika Film Center & Cafe at Mosaic With its mix of magnetic superstar power, exciting action and strong character development…

Monday, April 29, 2013

Top 16: Tornado Hits, Smithsonian Fraud, School Rankings, Dulles Tolls and Mark Wahlberg

Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and DC.

  Patch has 31 community sites in Virginia and D.C. Here are some of the top stories from around the region over the past week.  16. Mark Wahlberg Visits: Actor Mark Wahlberg visited T.C. Williams High School on Wednesday morning for an assembly presented by Get Schooled, a nonprofit that aims to engage high school students in an effort to improve graduation rates and empower more students to achieve in college. “I had to work really hard to get where I’m at,” Wahlberg said. “And I don’t mind working really hard to try and maintain it." 15. Runner Pledges 30 Races: Arlington resident Lauren Bailey is halfway through a personal challenge that has been daunting and exhilarating — running 30 races in one year, the year of her 30th birthday. …

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Weird Virginia: Naked Driver, Forgotten Weed, High-Tech Art and High-End Funny Money

Plus, Iguana models, cell towers in disguise, a Ladybug exodus and two birds ask, "Who cooks for you?"

  Editor's Note: Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and D.C., and not a day goes by that something weird isn't happening somewhere in the area. Here's a look back at some weird goings on over the past week. Drivers at the Lake Ridge commuter lot near Interstate 95 saw more than the road crews and heavy machinery that have become standard commute scenery. Prince William County Police arrested a man April 19 when they found him dancing naked on the hood of his car.  Without question, you should surrender to authorities when police have identified you as the suspect in a grand-larceny case. But we feel compelled to caution suspects about checking their pockets after a 27-year-old Annandale man turned himself in. Police in Falls Church say they …

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Weekend Planner: Campfires, Musicals, Tennis, Car Washes

It's springtime — get out and have some fun!

The weekend is upon us in Northern Virginia and it's time to start making plans for some fun. Patch has compiled a list of events that the whole family can enjoy. Have a great weekend! All About Bats Campfire Several species of bats flit in the late summer sky. Look for them Saturday from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at Hidden Oaks Nature Center at a campfire where you learn fun bat facts and lore plus enjoy an American Indian story of how bats got their wings. Toast marshmallows over the embers. The cost is $6 per person. Register online. For information, call 703-941-1065. 'The Drowsy Chaperone' at West Springfield High School West Springfield’s annual spring musical!  A frothy, fun send-up of musical comedies and their inherent silliness. …

Laura Douglas

9:37 am on Friday, April 26, 2013

The Cranford youth are hosting a car wash at the Lorton Fire Station on Armisted Rd. raising money for the 30 hour famine. Stop by and find out what that means...and get your car washed at the same time!   more ›

Monday, April 22, 2013

Review: Energetic Cast Brings 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' to Life at Annandale High

The Annandale High School drama team brought the comics to life for a truly entertaining performance.

The Lovin' Spoonful's first ever top ten hit single, "Do You Believe in Magic" plays in the background of a stage covered with giant baby blocks. Setting the tone for the innocent and adorable  antics of the teens turned toddlers in Annandale High School's production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The musical called You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown originally started an concept album created by Clark Gesner that gave praise to Charles M. Schulz's famous comic strip, "Peanuts". However, after giving it a listen, Arthur Whitelaw highly supported the notion to turn these songs into a full fledged musical. A stage production quickly debuted off-broadway and won several awards including "Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical". In 1999, a …

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Movie Reviews by Cinema Siren

Movie Review: 'Oblivion' Stunning Yet Flawed Sci-Fi

PG-13 film starring Tom Cruise opens Friday in theaters.

In director Joseph Kosinski's Oblivion, you can see a love for and desire to expand on the great classics of science fiction on film. With the most impressive use of IMAX for a feature film to date, in that respect he has created something new and exciting, with what is essentially a 3-D movie where you don't need the glasses. Production esigner Darren Gilford (of TRON: Legacy) and cinematographer Claudio Miranda (Oscar winner for Life of Pi) make, to quote the movie, "an effective team." The visual landscapes of the film and the meticulousness taken in the action sequences are extraordinary. Here, the integration of CGI (computer-generated imagery) and live filming is another indication of the rapid advancements happening in moviemaking…

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