If any piece of classic American literature should be depicted on film with wildly decadent and boldly inventive style, it's "The Great Gatsby." After all, who was the character of Jay Gatsby himself if not a spinner of grandiose tales and a peddler of lavish dreams?

Along with Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises,” “Iron Man 3” is one of the rare superhero threequels that doesn’t disappoint. While Jon Favreau remains an executive producer and co-star, he passes on the directorial duties to Shane Black of “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.” Black maintains all the action, humor, and character development that made Faverau’s first two films so enjoyable, while also incorporating his own unique signature. His film continues to raise the stakes and pushes its characters to their critical limits. In addition, “Iron Man 3” makes some hilarious commentary on the media’s role in terrorism with several inspired twist. The result is the darkest of the “Iron Man” trilogy and, ironically, the funniest.

In the galaxy of big-screen superheros — a rather glum lot — Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man is the snappy one.

Future bids to oust public officials through recall could get a lot harder under the terms of legislation given preliminary approval Tuesday by the Senate.

Clean elections

Hoping to avoid another ouster of one of their own, Republican legislators on Thursday voted to change the rules for recall elections.

Arizonans may finally get a break this year from what has been a perennial debate over two high-profile issues.

For free and festive light displays Ahwatukee Foothills residents don’t have to go too far. Many residents have decorated their homes with lights and inflatables to bring in the holiday spirit.

Gift giving feels good, and can feel even better if you know your purchase is helping those less fortunate. Luckily, a number of home décor retailers partner with charitable organizations; many do so year-round, with additional initiatives during the holiday season.

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the United States has to bolster ties with Mexico — including recognizing the benefits of migrant labor — or get used to the idea of China setting the international agenda on its own terms.

A federal judge on Wednesday virtually cleared the way for Arizona to require police to question suspected illegal immigrants.

Arizona, already at odds with the federal government and civil-rights groups over immigration, is adding voter ID and the Voting Rights Act to the disputes.

Civil and immigrant rights groups asked a federal judge late Tuesday to block SB 1070 from taking effect despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last month siding with the state.

Local First, Arizona’s annual summer campaign to encourage Arizonans to “go local” for a week is here. Independents Week, which is a national campaign, shine the spotlight on locally owned, independent businesses through July 7. A list of participating businesses can be viewed on the Local First website, www.localfirstaz.com.

2010:

2010:

2010:

The nation's high court on Monday cleared the way for Arizona to force state and local police to check the immigration status of those they have stopped.

The nation's high court on Monday cleared the way for Arizona to force state and local police to check the immigration status of those they have stopped.

It should it not be of any surprise that our racist elected officials in this state would be doing anything differently in raising the “birther issue” once again. We must all remember that Arizona was the last state in the union to approve MLK Day as a legal holiday.

It should it not be of any surprise that our racist elected officials in this state would be doing anything differently in raising the “birther issue” once again. We must all remember that Arizona was the last state in the union to approve MLK Day as a legal holiday.

This time four years ago, the mantra of “change” took center stage in our national political lexicon.

In the past several years the local media has worked hard to try to tie Russell Pearce to the J.T. Ready that preached hate, and it is a lie.

In the past several years the local media has worked hard to try to tie Russell Pearce to the J.T. Ready that preached hate, and it is a lie.