Even though “The Great Gatsby” has gotten the movie treatment several times in the past, no film adaptation has ever really stood out as the definitive version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated novel. Director Baz Luhrmann’s film is certainly the most visually arresting interpretation of “The Great Gatsby” ever produced. Catherine Martin, who previous worked with Luhrmann on “Moulin Rouge,” “Romeo + Juliet,” and “Australia,” deserves multiple Oscar nominations for her hyper sets and eye-popping costumes. As wonderful as Luhrmann’s “Great Gatsby” is to look at, the enchanting visuals are also ironically the movie’s downfall. In the midst of the art direction, costumes, and music, the story and characters that made Fitzgerald’s book a classic become a mere afterthought.

The scenes were about 20 miles and three hours apart on Thursday, but nonetheless felt much the same.

As thick dark clouds rolled in over Chaparral High School and a light drizzle started to fall, it seemed like Mother Nature stole some of Desert Vista’s thunder.

Even though “The Great Gatsby” has gotten the movie treatment several times in the past, no film adaptation has ever really stood out as the definitive version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated novel.

Ninety feet is the perfect distance between bases, but on Thursday afternoon it must have felt more like 90 miles for Mountain Pointe.

Last week, the Division I and II baseball state tournaments moved to spring training stadiums across the Valley.

Pippa can be a bit shy when she meets new people but with a little bit of time, this little gal opens up to show her peppy, loving and cuddly personality. She has flourished into a sweet, bubbly dog. She loves to play ball with her foster brother and go on walks. One of her favorite activities is playing with toys. Pippa loves to pull all the toys out of the toy box and hide various ones around the house. She’s looking for a home with another young, active, dog that she can play with. Another canine friend also gives Pippa confidence and makes for a great snuggle buddy. Pippa has become quite the ball chaser in foster care as well. She’s looking forward to continuing to hone her ball skills in her new home. Pippa is looking for a patient home that will understand that she is initially shy with new folks, but that with patience she comes around. Daily walks, plenty of snuggle time and lots of toys are all on this little girl’s wish list.

In the United States the average kid (age 8-18) spends 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen or on the phone. To counter sedentary living patterns, national physical activity guidelines for youth have been developed. The guidelines call for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for children and teens. The guidelines are based on the amount of physical activity necessary to promote good fitness, health, and wellness. Only 29 percent of high school students meet the 60-minute daily guideline and 14 percent don’t do any physical activity that causes them to breathe hard or that increases heart rate on any day during the week.

The execution was perfect.

Tommy Martinez stands all of 5-foot-6, maybe 5-6 ½ in his cleats, hits ninth in the Mountain Pointe lineup and is just a sophomore.

The baseball postseason takes a strong belief system.

The Mountain Pointe baseball team began the postseason with the big-picture ideal that it would take 105 more outs to win a state title.

Izzy Marshall’s football career at Arizona State is over before it ever really got started.

The last two sessions of spring football have led to two great rides during the regular seasons.

At the time it was hard to imagine anyone at Opus Field on Saturday being more stunned then Austin “Crash” Hicks.

Take the fam out for a not-so-ordinary night at the ball park, where a host of celebs — including Darnell Dockett, Richard Sherman, Gary Payton, Marcel Reece, Louis Vito, Eddie House, Terrell Owens, Tia Alexander, Claudia Jordan, Lindsey Berg, and of course, Larry Fitzgerald — battle it out in a charity softball game, benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the American Cancer Society, among others.

It’s no wonder that Carter Gladstone has shown a tremendous ability to be patient at the plate.

The Desert Vista volleyball team should be entering the state tournament as the No. 1 seed.

The Desert Vista boys volleyball team took a big step in securing the state’s top seed on Monday with a quick three-set win over Brophy, which entered the match as No. 1 in the rankings.

Their masks may conceal their eyes but it does not impair their vision.

Jake Connell gave up lacrosse and golf since moving here from New York State.

Three years ago, a bunt, overthrow, or bobbled grounder led to a 1-0 win or loss.

Tyler Viza has the stuff to be No. 1, but the Desert Vista senior right-hander has something else pushing him to be Thunder’s ace.