MOVIE
Friday, Sept. 9
Who on Earth would ever imagine Samuel L. Jackson, the ultimate movie badass, partnered up with Eugene Levy, dad of an "American Pie" lover? We didn't see it coming either, but sure enough on Friday, Sept. 9 the duo hits screens in "The Man." Word on the street is this flick is hilarious, and the premise sure sounds likely to elicit laughs. Here's the skinny: Jackson plays a federal agent who ends up paired with Levy, a dental supply salesman, after the bad guys mistake him for one of their own. Levy then must work with Jackson to pull off a sting to catch the men who murdered Jackson's former partner. The plot doesn't really matter; just imagine Levy annoying the hell out of Jackson. Anyone who saw Jackson in "Pulp Fiction" has to be a little curious about how he handles Levy's shenanigans.
HURRICANE RELIEF
Friday, Sept. 9
Bands and promoters across the nation are organizing concerts to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but the Reindeer/Tiger Team show on Friday, Sept. 9 is a bit different.
MUSIC
Monday, Sept. 12
Gritty punk rock and pop-punk can both get a little old. Los Angeles band the Start offer up an alternative, while keeping the direct punk approach the band slathers a pop veneer over its sound giving the final product a straightforward and sleek style. Vocalist Aimee Echo's lyrics are introspective, honest and dark, which makes comparing her to Siouxie Sioux (of Siouxie and the Banshees) all the more accurate. Plus, the pairing of Echo with guitarist Jamie Miller is dynamic and produces a remarkably energetic live show. Expect non-stop dancing on Monday, Sept. 12 when the band opens for Garbage at the Dodge Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and $36 gets you in the door (yes, we know it's pricey - but Garbage is headlining, so blame that band). www.dodgetheatre.com
ONGOING
Instead of dropping $30 at the bar this weekend, SPM encourages everyone to volunteer at Phoenix's evacuee center or the Red Cross, www.redcross.org. Contact the Maricopa County Volunteer Center at (602) 263-9736. Use this week's beer money to help fellow Americans eat. It'd be good to give your liver a break, anyway.
