The bad news first: Crazy Heart, a new film about a washed-up country-music star trying to deal with age, alcoholism, abandoned children, a career in decline — and new hope provided by the love of a younger woman — suffers in comparison to two films it bears much resemblance to: Tender Mercies and The Wrestler.

Read the rest of Greg Akers’ review here.

Didja see the long piece on “indie” Memphis in The New York Times’ travel section today?

Here’s a taste: “This is indie Memphis, a long way from the tourist crush of Beale Street and Graceland, in spirit if not in actual distance. Midtown, just a short drive from a downtown famous for its blues, jazz and barbecue hounds, is its hipster epicenter. a diverse area that is now home to posh cocktail bars as well as divey rock clubs and longstanding juke joints. It parties late, very late, and stays friendly through the night.”

Read it here.

The Memphis Tigers earned their biggest win of the season to date, a 75-72 victory at Marshall.

Read more at Tiger Blue.

Virginia McLean of Friends of Our Riverfront and June West of Memphis Heritage are both forces to be reckoned with.

So who are they? John Branston has the details in City Beat.

Chris Davis turns the camera on the crew of Playhouse on the Square on the eve of its first production in its new building.

The Messenger is a nuanced and moving homefront drama, says Chris Herrington.