Like it or not, it more wise of you to be prepared to follow the structure somebody else wants to put in place – you can benefit from it. It will represent a new beginning of some description that can improve the routine side of...
Read MoreMost fortunate circumstances can open up new opportunities for you though it will not be completely free of the influence of somebody else. The more certain you have been about where you want to head, the better will be your...
Read MoreTaking a new path when it comes to daily routines is inevitable. Finances can play into this though not in a way you might like. Even so, there is some benefit that perhaps you don’t want to accept. You need to mentally focus on...
Read MoreThe NBA free agent season begins tomorrow and this is a very important season this year for the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte returned to the playoffs last season and appear to be a franchise on the rise. However the Hornets have...
Read MoreExclaiming that “It’s HOT” would not only be stating the obvious, but at this point, probably somewhat redundant. Because if you haven’t heard it an up-teen dozen times, you’ve most likely been saying it yourself. Hopefully not...
Read MoreYou have to hand it to the creative talents behind the horror opus Green Room. I can’t recall ever having seen a fright film where a rock group serves as protagonist and the group members are forced to fend for their lives. And...
Read MoreIndependence Day: Resurgence is one of those films that critics were not allowed to screen before its official release. In other words, the studio seems to have no faith in the picture so the feeling is that banning press...
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Hickory – For the past month, FOCUS has advertised a contest offering two $250 cash prizes...
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LeBron James solidified his status as one of the greatest players of all time on Sunday,...
Read MoreA child’s interest changes more often than the tide and is unpredictable as the wind. Case in point, a few weeks ago, due to a day care show and tell incident, the Tot (that’s the live-in grand-saw) suddenly took an obsessive...
Read MoreDePalma (*** ½) R My respect and admiration for director Brian DePalma has been mentioned more than once in the pages of this publication. I say that because it should be taken into consideration before reading my review of the...
Read MoreIf the merits of a film set during the American Civil War were based solely on the technical contributions of the filmmakers, then Free State of Jones would surely rise to the top. The early battle scenes, graphic as they may...
Read MoreHickory – The City of Hickory Public Art Commission (PAC) announces the installation of a new acquisition, “Generations,” by artist Stefan “Steebo” Bonitz. The interactive work, which invites participants of all ages to gong a...
Read MoreDISCLAIMER: “The views, thoughts and opinions contained within this article are those of the writer and his alone. They in no way reflect upon the views, thoughts and or opinions of the FOCUS, the FOCUS staff or any other...
Read MoreI think it’s important to mention that I’m one of the very few, and I do mean very few, who found the beloved 2003 Pixar/Disney concoction Finding Nemo to be merely enjoyable and not much else. The tale of a fish and his quest...
Read MoreThe modestly entertaining 2013 film Now You See Me was a fun, albeit slight, piece of pop filmmaking concerning a group of magicians who called themselves The Four Horsemen and built a career out using their talents to make...
Read MoreWhile spending time reading sports sections this week, I noticed that both the NFL and the NHL may be looking to put franchises in Las Vegas. Though I think the NHL may end up in Vegas first, I am going to spend some time...
Read MoreThose of you reading this review who saw the first installment of The Conjuring some three years ago will most likely remember that film opening with a segment-unrelated to the rest of the pic, involving a vengeful possessed...
Read MoreMe Before You, based on the best selling novel by Jo Jo Moyes and yet another weepie in the ever-popular Young Adult genre, is the kind of film that did a number on this moviegoer. Just when I thought I was ready to dismiss the...
Read More“And even though we ain’t got money, I’m so in love with you honey. Everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning when I rise, bring a tear of joy to my eyes. And tell me everything’s gonna be all right.”- (excerpted...
Read MoreAs I write this, the Cleveland Cavaliers are down 0-2 to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and LeBron James’ critics are already making noise. Questions and statements about James’ having a dismal record in NBA Finals....
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The 2016 NBA Finals are set and we get the rematch many pined for. The Golden State Warriors will...
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Last week we discussed the impending apocalypse (the world ending event, not the bad guy from the...
Read MoreMetropolitan, Barcelona and The Last Days of Disco, the trio of films that put filmmaker Whit Stillman on the map during the decade of the 90s, just never seemed like my cup of tea. I guess every critic has a list of several...
Read MoreIt’s a funny thing about those X Men films. It always seems that when they hit the third installment things seem to go awry. This happened with the original X Men trilogy—witness X Men: The Last Stand—and now it’s happened with...
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Yes, YOU have beaten the odds and you are a survivor (cue “Eye of the Tiger”). Whoa, hold on,...
Read MoreWell my friends, it’s that time of year again when I must, due to other obligations, take a short break from meeting you between the pages of FOCUS. It will pain me to not be here with you each week yet by some colossal cosmic...
Read MoreI spoke briefly last week about the Atlanta Braves. About the classless way they let their manager go. Well, things are not getting any better down in Atlanta. There is some talk nationally that the Braves may end up as the...
Read MoreIt’s been awhile since a film truly showcased the sizeable talents of actress Susan Sarandon but as a testament to her acting capabilities, The Meddler should find its spot among the cream of the crop on the actress’ resume....
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The 2015 Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize winner, The Lobster, is the kind of film for which the...
Read MoreEverything was changing. This much he understood. As far as to the how and why, he had some conception that it had to do with a coming of age and passage of time. The connection between the two was completely lost on him. At...
Read MoreMetaphorically speaking, if you opened your closet door would a skeleton or two fall out? If we’d admit the truth the answer would probably lie somewhere between “Maybe” and a tart “Who wants to know?” Dirty laundry isn’t...
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An annual rite of passage in the NFL is the signing of undrafted free agents upon completion of...
Read MoreIn interviews Seth Rogen seems like such a likeable guy. He comes across as genuine, down to earth and the kind of person you could sit down with and have a great conversation. In his films he’s only as good as his material,...
Read MoreMoney Monster is Jodie Foster’s first feature film directorial effort since The Beaver in 2011 and I guess Foster’s credit as director was one of the reasons why I expected more from this one. Of the handful of movies that...
Read MoreDon Cheadle is an actor I’ve admired since he burst onto the scene in such films as Boogie Nights in the mid 1990s. I’ll have to admit that I never thought of him as being the ideal choice to portray such an iconic figure as the...
Read MoreThe relatively little guard from Davidson College did it again. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors repeated as MVP in the NBA. And he made history as Curry is the first unanimous MVP in league history. Curry gave Golden...
Read MoreDo you Facebook? The majority of you probably answered yes. In that case, whether you’re a daily user or sporadic like me, you’ve realized certain posts make repeated appearances. Therefore, you’ve probably seen the post about...
Read MoreIt would be remiss (not to mention a total a-hole thing to do) not to acknowledge and express gratitude towards positive praise. That said, we’ll take a moment here to extend a sincere thanks to the outpouring of appreciation...
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The 2016 Marvel film that fans have clamoring for, Captain America: Civil War, has finally arrived...
Read MoreIce Cube and Kevin Hart return in the sequel to the surprise hit of 2014 as the two law-men/brothers in law hightail it to Miami, this time around to follow up one of Cube’s leads. If you’re a fan of the original you’ll eat it...
Read MoreLast week I spent time in these pages discussing the needs of the Carolina Panthers. I spoke of how the Panthers would likely address newfound needs in the defensive secondary. I thought Carolina would also look for some help at...
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WRITER’S NOTE: It is this column’s intentions to cater to any and all readers who may traverse...
Read More“When you get where you’re goin’ Don’t forget turn back around And help the next one in line Always stay humble and kind” Excerpt from Tim McGraw’s new hit song “Humble and Kind.” The song is a beautiful and poignant...
Read MoreR.E.M. – Losing My Religion (Video) “Losing My Religion” from R.E.M.’s...
Read More‘Star Trek’ Creator Gene Roddenberry’s Lost Data Recovered From 200 Floppy Disks Documents written by “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry have been recovered from 200 floppy disks owned by the late...
Read MoreWar Nurse, Now 100, Saw It All “I hope you brought your sense of humor,” said Mimi Greeley, greeting a visitor on Wednesday to her apartment, where she was accessorized with a walker, a hot pink feather boa and a...
Read MoreBob Dylan’s Secret Archive TULSA, Okla. – For years, Bob Dylan scholars have whispered about a tiny notebook, seen by only a few, in which the master labored over the lyrics to his classic 1975 album “Blood on...
Read MoreBaby Can I hold you … Tracy Chapman. Tracy...
Read MoreJimmy Fallon Pays Tribute to Prince – The Tonight Show Jimmy celebrates the life and music of Prince by sharing a memorable story of when the Purple One randomly challenged him to a game of...
Read MoreQuestlove Remembers Prince: In This Life, You’re on Your Own When I first got Prince’s album, it was 1982. I was 11, newly in charge of my own record-buying habits. And I couldn’t resist the cover, with its...
Read MoreInside Prince’s Paisley Park: My Amazing Day With the Purple One Paisley Park was smaller than I imagined. In the Eighties, it must have seemed futuristic, but now in 1999, from the outside, it seemed like a car...
Read MorePrince Insider Alan Leeds on ‘Purple Rain’ Hysteria, Warner Bros. Clash For a decade, Alan Leeds was arguably as close to Prince as any other person: The late artist’s former tour manager, president of Paisley...
Read MoreDirector Adam McKay’s breakdown of the financial crisis of 2008 ultimately bites off more than it can chew but still remains a fairly compelling film, largely thanks to its cast, which includes Brad Pitt, Steve Carrell and...
Read MoreHickory – On Saturday, April 16, nearly 2000 festivarians were in attendance at Hickory Hops in Downtown Hickory, NC to enjoy beer, camaraderie and spring weather. The 14th annual beer festival, featuring craft brewed beer...
Read MoreHickory – The 9th Annual Swinging Under the Stars Concert will be held in Downtown Hickory at the “Sails on the Square” on Sunday, May 29, 2016 starting at 6:30pm. This FREE event features the Hickory Jazz Orchestra under...
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By Carys Bowen It’s obvious now that no one in the world expected to hear on Thursday, April 21,...
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You have to hand it to the creative talents behind the horror opus Green Room. I can’t recall ever...
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It goes without saying that Elvis and Nixon is a fun cinematic take on an event that most anyone...
Read MoreThe 2016 NFL Draft starts tonight (Thursday) and continues into the weekend. The Carolina Panthers have one of the more complete teams in the NFL, however there are still some needs on the roster. Here are the needs I see...
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FOCUS Newspaper is now available on smart phones and tablets! Go to the App store for iPhones or...
Read MoreOnce upon a time in a city far, far, away lived “My Lady of Cats” of Charlotte, so dubbed hence her fabulous flare for feline décor proliferated her humble abode with cats of every size, shape and spectacular style. Be it...
Read MoreDirector Jeff Nichols is one of the current crop of directors—and they’re getting fewer and fewer, I might add—whose work I eagerly anticipate. Like many serious fans of cinema, I was enraptured by his second film, Take Shelter,...
Read MoreHickory – On Sunday, April 24 at 7pm, come celebrate the launch of Hickory Station, by Adrian Rice. The free event will be at Olde Hickory Station restaurant in downtown Hickory, by the railroad tracks. There will be a...
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A colleague of mine brought up an interesting point as the two of us exited the theater following...
Read MoreNews came out this week that former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has lost his endorsement deal with Nike. The move from his biggest sponsor is the latest in an ongoing collapse of professional support for the...
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“Daddy, how does this thing fly? A hundred other wheres and whys…You really don’t know but you...
Read MoreWhile I’m admittedly in the camp of those who believe actress Melissa McCarthy’s on screen persona is best when taken in small doses, I couldn’t help but find myself surprised at how much I enjoyed the actress’ secret agent...
Read MoreMacbeth (***) (2015) Directed by Justin Kurzel and featuring great work by Marion Cotillard and Michael Fassbender, this latest version of Shakespeare’s famed play is definitely worth a look and contains a featurette and Q &...
Read MoreLilies of the Field (1963) (** ½) Sidney Poitier may have won his first Academy Award for his role in Lilies of the Field-and he is good here-but it’s a shame the film itself isn’t a bit more substantial. It’s a simple,...
Read MoreHOLY MACKEREL!! Striper! Catfish! Blue Gill! Not sure which one will be on the end of my line first but I garuunnnteeeee there’s gonna be some fishing going on around these here waters! Yeppers, dear ol’ dad bought a 25’...
Read MoreJordan Spieth’s back nine collapse last Sunday at the Masters is being called the most shocking collapse in golf history by many. I am a fan of the young superstar in the sport and I am still finding it hard to believe what I...
Read MoreWe open onto a scene of serene white and dead silence. It quickly dissolves into wispy clouds and then fades into a crisp blue sky. We pan down, catching a glimpse of a mountain peak or island floating in the sky? Atop the...
Read MoreConcussion (2015) (***) In spite of its TV movie trappings, writer/director Peter Landesman’s dramatization of the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu’s (Will Smith) discovery of football-related head trauma manages to be a fairly...
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Every movie reviewer has a film that most folks would be shocked to know the reviewer hasn’t seen....
Read MoreFor years one of my cinematic dream projects has been for someone to bring the story of the life and times of country music legend Hank Williams to the big screen in a way that’s befitting of the late singer. I always felt it...
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