June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Film Review
As adulthood unfolds — spouses, careers and responsibilities consume our time — forging new friendships feels less like an inevitability and more like an absurd social experiment. Andrew DeYoung’s “Friendship” leans into that absurdity with the unhinged comedic brilliance of Tim Robinson, delivering a cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud exploration of male connection
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Food Dude
In 1903, brothers Francesco, 21, and Luigi, 17, Graziano left their Calabrian hometown San Morello to emigrate to the U.S. Like many Calabrians before them, and many more later, their way winded to Des Moines. They found jobs working for the Great Western Railroad until 1912. Then they decided that
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Des Moines Forgotten
In 2009, I was an arrogant 24-year-old who was cutting my teeth in the film industry and getting to know the lay of the land in the Des Moines market. One name that came up constantly was Mike Pace. I even saw his name on a building that read “Mike
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Joe's Neighborhood
“Directly beneath me, in this hotel’s rubble-strewn basement, a massive concrete chamber has been discovered and there is evidence to suggest that that vault once belonged to Al Capone, the richest and most powerful gangster of his time.” So began Geraldo Rivera on April 21, 1986, in a much-watched live
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Center Stage
Thanks to its strategic development, Des Moines Performing Arts is able to accommodate the needs of Broadway’s biggest national touring shows. “Hamilton” is such a show and returns after its inaugural three-week run in 2018 for an eagerly anticipated two-week run in June. A tradition of being able to
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Sound Circuit
The year 1997 is remembered for the release of the movie “Titanic” and the first “Harry Potter” novel. In the music world, the most played rock song was “If You Could Only See” by Tonic. Tonic’s success continued with six more top-10 singles, two Grammy nominations and millions of records
Read More →“The Ritual” [NYR] | 98 minutes Director: David Midell Writers: David Midell, Enrico Natale Stars: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene “The Ritual” follows two priests — one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) — who must put aside their differences to
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in People & Pets
One might imagine greyhounds, known for their speed, want to race day in and day out. Yet Dylan and Catherine Lyons discovered, in the case of their greyhounds, it is not true. After they adopted their greyhounds, Buddy and Han, Dylan thought he would be a runner when he took
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Lunch With...
Brenda Tran is an indomitable spirit. She survived as a child battling hunger amidst the bombings of the Vietnam War. Her Vietnam Café Express has survived COVID shutdowns and ever-dwindling traffic at the Merle Hay Mall food court. In our mind, she has endured multiple upheavals with the patience of
Read More →
June 04, 2025 by Brent Antisdel
in Walks of Life
Many pet owners view their animal companions as part of the family — deserving of the best care, lots of attention, and at least a few perks. Besides the usual walks, pet beds and toys, some of these pampered pets get extra special treatment: pup cups from drive-throughs, birthday parties,
Read More →
