Many people will go to see “The Last Kiss” with the belief that they are going to see “Garden State: All Grown Up,” but they will be wrong and will likely be surprised at the darkness of Zach Braff’s latest film.

“L.A. Confidential,” which was based on a novel by James Ellroy had everything going for it. Big stars like Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger and Kevin Spacey and a good balance of several plots that all intertwine in a big finish. The film rightfully got nominated for several Academy Awards and it did justice to Ellroy’s novel, while introducing numerous new readers of his work. “The Black Dahlia” isn’t in the same league as “L.A. Confidential.” The cast is decent but not out of this world and director Brian DePalma, whose career is very hit or miss, foul-tips this movie. He makes contact in places, but it doesn’t result in a very good film.

The Coweta-Fayette Auburn Club is hosting a game watching party on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Taco Mac in Peachtree City. All fans and friends are invited to cheer on the Auburn Tigers when they play South Carolina. For more information call 770-486-7466. Auburn fans of all ages are invited. Pictured is Robby Duff (L) and Weston Taylor. Photo/Special.

The Newnan Kiwanis and their guests learned a lot when Jerry Davis, Coweta County School System assistant superintendent for administrative services, addressed the group at the September 12 meeting.
 
According to Davis, the biggest challenge facing the school system is growth. “Normally, we see 750 to 800 new students at the beginning of each school year. This year, we started with over 1,000 new students—and it was a surprise,” said Davis.

The Rising Starr Middle School Symphonic Band is honored to have been invited to the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, March 2007.

Do you like working with plants? Do you enjoy being around people? If the answer to these questions is “yes,” then you might want to become a Master Gardener Volunteer.

On August 21, 2006, The Master’s Academy for the Arts, Inc. opened its doors to over 40 students from around the Southern Crescent for a variety of fine art classes. The school’s administrator, Sharon Salzmann, said, “We are thrilled but not surprised at the great initial response.” The director of the academy, Ben Mason, realized that there was a need for quality instruction that merges the arts with personal faith when he started getting frequent calls soon after his arrival at Carriage Lane Presbyterian Church as their music and worship director a year ago. The vision of The Master’s Academy, the caliber of its instructors and the classes being offered are the attraction for those attending.

Every week, you have two chances of winning big at Bingo. The American Legion Post 57 hosts games on Sundays and Tuesdays at the Coweta Veterans Club in Newnan. And here’s the best part—while you’re having a good time, you’re helping the community.

Southside Theatre Guild will present “Nuncrackers,” the ”Nunsense” Christmas show, Dec. 7-10 and 14-17. Auditions for the show will be Sept. 25-26 at the theater. “Nuncrackers” needs four adult females with strong singing voices, one adult female without a strong singing voice, one male with a strong singing voice and four children, ages 12 and up (two boys and two girls) with good to strong singing voices.

Pirates and treasure maps hit the stage at Newnan Theatre Company in this classic adventure featuring Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver. Adapted from the classic by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Children’s Popcorn Theatre presentation of “Treasure Island” is directed by Lamar Payne and features a cast of local talent.

Rocking the football field in a theater near you

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest film, “Gridiron Gang” tells the true story of Sean Porter, a juvenile detention camp officer with a passion for changing the lives of young delinquents.

Based on the 1993 documentary of the same name, “Gridiron Gang” shows the heartwarming transformation of a group of boys, who have dedicated themselves to a life of crime and violence in the name of their gang, into dedicated athletes who learn to work together as a football team.

The festival season is in full swing this weekend as Fayette and Coweta counties hosts four annual celebrations: the Shakerag Arts and Crafts Festival in Peachtree City, Old Town Sharpsburg’s Fall Festival, the Inman Farm Heritage days, and Tyrone Founders Day.

Rise and shine...it's 4:00 a.m. and time to light the 1,000+ pounds of charcoal beneath the 750 chickens being "qued" for the third annual Chicken-Que. 

Rise and shine...it's 4:00 a.m. and time to light the 1,000+ pounds of charcoal beneath the 750 chickens being "qued" for the third annual Chicken-Que. 

Guest speaker is 15-year old patriot

The guest speaker at this year’s Peachtree City Patriot Day Remembrance on September 10 may raise a few eyebrows, but more likely she will melt hearts and reconfirm confidence in America’s future.

Governor to appear at Fayetteville’s patriotic celebration

The Honorable Governor Sonny Purdue will be the special guest speaker at Fayetteville Main Street’s annual God & Country Night on Sunday, September 10.

Mike Judge’s new film “Idiocracy” wasn’t pre-screened for critics. In fact, it was only released at a few theaters in only eight cities in the country. Atlanta was a lucky recipient of the film, but there have been no ads for the film on local television and only tiny print ads in major metropolitan newspapers. It would appear that 20th Century Fox doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the film and is looking to meet contractual obligations before shipping it straight to DVD. That is a shame, because “Idiocracy” is a fairly sharp satire with a lot of good laughs.

Billy (Luke Benward) is a kid who has just moved to a new house and is a little nervous about his new school and making friends. Nothing seems to go right on the first day when he meets Joe Guire, the school bully. Joe (played by Adam Hicks) wears a big ring on his finger called the Death Ring. Other kids say if he punches you with The Ring, you will slowly become poisoned, and die in the eighth grade.

Phi Mu Fraternity’s national headquarters, 400 Westpark Drive, Peachtree City, Ga., will play host to a casually themed gathering of Georgia sorority sisters on September 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Billed as “State Day,” the festival will prove that sorority membership continues well after college.

It’s the time of year when thousands will flock to Coweta County to stroll along the pine-straw covered paths beneath the shade providing trees for a weekend of shopping, eating and entertainment.

It’s a magical tale of love that teaches us that beauty is only skin deep. Loved by adults and children alike, “Beauty and the Beast” sweeps its audiences into a world of excitement, romance and mystery. Next week Atlantans will get a chance to be swept up by this beloved musical tale when it takes the stage at the Fox Theatre, September 5-10. Brimming with marvelous songs, endearing humor and unforgettable characters, this “tale as old as time” is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Love it, love it, love it!!! That’s what I have to say about the new film “Little Miss Sunshine.” The film is slowly making its way across the country in its yellow VW bus and leaving a wake of fanatic fans in its rearview mirror.

The R-rated comedy was gone for a little while, but it is back in force now. Thanks go to the makers of “Old School,” “Wedding Crashers” and “The 40 Year Old Virgin” for bringing back comedies that don’t have to aim at a broad base of ages and tastes.

While football players are busy practicing on the field, choral members from Starr’s Mill High School practice their notes in preparation for their first vocal kick off of the school year.

Diamond Rio, Danielle Peck perform Saturday

Grammy Award-winning and Grand Ole Opry inductees Diamond Rio with hot, new country artist Danielle Peck will round out the Villages Amphitheater’s summer concert series on Saturday, August 26.

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

“Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight!” For the next two weeks, comedy is exactly what you’ll find at Newnan Theatre Company (NTC). “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” which premiered August 17, will continue this weekend and run through September 3 at the Coweta theatre.

Is “Snakes on a Plane” as cheesy as it sounds?

Of course it is. It is also great fun and is absolutely one of my favorite films of the summer.

When Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) gets rejected by all eight colleges he has applied for, he goes into panic mode. Perhaps he can convince his parents that college is an unnecessary waste of money and that he would rather jump straight into the work force? Or maybe not.

Peachtree City will host a Patriot Day celebration that will be significantly expanded from last year's event.

The free, public family event will be held on Sunday, September 10 at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, with gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and patriotic gathering music starting at 3:30. The official tribute is from 4 to 6 p.m. By Presidential Proclamation, Patriot Day is a day to remember those who were murdered by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, and a day to celebrate American Patriotism.

Vintage military vehicles will converge on Peachtree City September 15-16 for the annual Georgia Military Vehicle Preservation Association (GMVPA) Southeastern Fall Rally and Swap Meet. The event, to be held at Falcon Field, will be the largest public gathering of privately owned military vehicles in the Atlanta area in 2006 and will feature motorcycles, jeeps, trucks, armored cars and other vehicles dating from World War II to Desert Storm.