"42” is far from the first movie to explore racial tensions in sports. We’ve seen this subject depicted in other good films like “Remember the Titans” and “Glory Road.” There are plenty of recognizable figures on display here, such as the underdog nobody believed in, the one man willing to take a chance on that underdog, and the ignorant antagonists that wish to see that underdog fail. Familiarity aside, though, “42” executes just about everything wonderfully. This is a good-hearted picture, carried by sincere performances and passionate direction. Not only is it an inspiring story about overcoming prejudice, but an all around rousing baseball movie too.

Recently, I took one of the most refreshing phone calls I’ve received in a while.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, some individuals reflect on the questions: “Why am I alone?” “Why can’t I make a relationship work?”

If you were to go into a bookstore to find “Marcelo in the Real World,” by Francisco X. Stork, it would be shelved in the young adult section and while it is an excellent choice for young readers (receiving 15 awards since its publication in 2009), it is also a story that will touch adult hearts and keep them turning pages to see how a 17 year old deals with a moral crisis that deeply affects the adults in his world.

Some characters are so despicable and manipulative that the audience should desire to see them receive the most dreadful comeuppance. Despite all of their shameful wrongdoings though, we can’t help but hope that these characters will triumph over the alleged good guys. Who isn’t gunning to see Walter White come out on top in the final season of “Breaking Bad?” Like White and various other antiheroes, the flawed protagonist in “Arbitrage” is a difficult character not to root for. This is primarily thanks to the smart screenplay by writer/director Nicholas Jarecki and a charismatic leading performance from Richard Gere.

Do decency, integrity, ethics, forgiveness, respect, thoughtfulness, self-reflection, kindness, empathy, civility, morality, generosity, hope, and honesty mean anything to anyone today? Are these traits of weakness that separate than sheep from the wolves, the leaders from the followers, the innovators from the implementers? How do we determine what really matters in the world and in our lives, and what tools do we use to know?

Divorce can be ugly, but with a Divorce Asset Search at least the financial part will be honest.

"The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is one of those unexpected movies that will totally take your breath away. Much like “Bridge to Terabithia,” another wonderful live-action fantasy from Walt Disney Pictures, this film catches the audience off guard with its imagination and warmth. Where so many movies marketed to kids are reliant on chases and lazy pop culture references, timeless storytelling and great characters enforce “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” It will be a travesty if children and their parents overlook this brilliant film as it offers the finest family entertainment of the year.

Throughout his decade and a half as an established director, Jay Roach has become known for two types of movies. Mainstream audiences know him best for star-studded comedies like “Austin Powers” and “Meet the Parents.” In recent years, Roach has also demonstrated momentous range as a filmmaker with HBO political pictures like “Recount” and “Game Change.” In “The Campaign,” both sides of Roach come together to produce a political satire. Sadly, the film is mostly deprived of the sidesplitting humor of Roach’s comedies and the incite of his governmental dramas. His conclusive product is a disappointment on both fronts.

A couple years ago, Meryl Streep played an aging woman rekindling the bond with her estranged husband in “It’s Complicated.” “Hope Springs” shares a similar premise in addition to casting Streep as a veteran woman seeking romance once again. While this is familiar territory, “Hope Springs” actually manages to improve upon “It’s Complicated” in almost every department. Where that romantic comedy from Nancy Meyers was basically an extended episode of a sitcom, this film has much more believable characters and situations. It moreover offers a frank look into the lives of a couple in their twilight years.

With a resume that includes a few roles on Broadway and several small supporting credits in film, Zoe Kazan isn’t necessarily a household name. That should all change however, with “Ruby Sparks.” This rising talent exposes her unparallel gifts as an actress and writer in this superb comedy from Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, the husband and wife directing team that previously made “Little Miss Sunshine.” Kazan is quirky, fearless, lovely, and flawless in making the audience fall in love with Ruby Sparks, who is brought to life via an imaginative début screenplay and the single best female performance of the year so far. In short, it’s a perfect marriage of a great role and a compatible actress.

Academy Award-winning director-producer Kevin Costner has been in a long list of successful movies, including "Dances with Wolves," "The Bodyguard" (with Whitney Houston), "Bull Durham" and "Field of Dreams."Recently, he gave a eulogy for Houston, which gained him admiration for its genuine nature. He is also an accomplished musician. His band Modern West is on tour, but it's his role in the History channel's six-hour miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys" that has him talking.

Academy Award-winning director-producer Kevin Costner has been in a long list of successful movies, including "Dances with Wolves," "The Bodyguard" (with Whitney Houston), "Bull Durham" and "Field of Dreams."Recently, he gave a eulogy for Houston, which gained him admiration for its genuine nature. He is also an accomplished musician. His band Modern West is on tour, but it's his role in the History channel's six-hour miniseries "Hatfields & McCoys" that has him talking.

LOS ANGELES — "The Cabin in the Woods" pays homage to a very specific kind of horror movie — young people getting picked off one by one in the middle of nowhere — while simultaneously upending those films' conventions. Five friends go to a cabin in the woods. Bad things start happening. But there's way more going on than meets the eye.

Barack Obama’s open-mic comments to Russian President Medvedev gave us a terrifying insight into the true mindset of our president.

From swimming lessons to all-day camps and even camps for teens, the Ahwatukee Foothills Family YMCA has a program to fit just about any need this summer.

The average American has 116 synthetic compounds in their body, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. We’re exposed to toxins from food additives and preservatives, the environment, smog, exhaust and pollution, heavy metals, digestive distress, dry cleaners, obesogens, non-organic foods, pesticides, xenoestrogens, chemicals, and so much more.

The average American has 116 synthetic compounds in their body, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. We’re exposed to toxins from food additives and preservatives, the environment, smog, exhaust and pollution, heavy metals, digestive distress, dry cleaners, obesogens, non-organic foods, pesticides, xenoestrogens, chemicals, and so much more.

One of the goals at Ambassador Academy in Ahwatukee Foothills is to teach their students about social responsibility. Whether that is instilling a sense of purpose or learning to care about the environment, the students come away with a greater understanding of their place in the world, the principal said.

In a world full of big-box home improvement chains, it's nice to see places like Plaza Hardware thriving in our community.

In a world full of big-box home improvement chains, it's nice to see places like Plaza Hardware thriving in our community.

The world, and especially the United States, are in pretty dismal shape right now. At least that's the perception most Americans hold. Natural disasters seem to be pummeling people all over the globe and there's no one to blame, which adds to the frustration. Christians are being persecuted. Women and children are exploited and sold into the sex trade. Responsible citizens are going bankrupt and families are living on the streets. Should everyone simply raise their hands in surrender and wait for the rapture, or is there a tiny glimmer of good news?

The world, and especially the United States, are in pretty dismal shape right now. At least that's the perception most Americans hold. Natural disasters seem to be pummeling people all over the globe and there's no one to blame, which adds to the frustration. Christians are being persecuted. Women and children are exploited and sold into the sex trade. Responsible citizens are going bankrupt and families are living on the streets. Should everyone simply raise their hands in surrender and wait for the rapture, or is there a tiny glimmer of good news?

Marvin Hamlisch just wanted to be a successful Broadway composer one day, but he received that and much more. He’s also written and composed music scores for 40 different films, including “Sophie’s Choice,” “Ice Castles,” “Ordinary People” and “The Informant,” starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Foes of state Senate President Russell Pearce will get a second chance this week to try to bounce Olivia Cortes from the recall ballot.