Wetware. Hardware is part of the computer; it’s internal and it’s permanent. Software is executed with the hardware, like a game or program. And wetware are the brains in your head that let you keep …

Tim BerrothFilm reviewer, www.hollywoodjesus.com In Deathtrap, director Sidney Lumet ably crafts Ira Levin’s play into an engrossing thriller with wicked plot twists and a deliciously devious ending. The brilliant Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve (shedding …

Thirty Years Ago Dear Jonathan Saville: I have read all your reviews since you began writing for the Reader, and I have hated them all. But the one in the January 26 issue on the …

So I traveled to Miami this Christmas to see my family, mostly to see my mom, who was diagnosed earlier this year with breast cancer and needs all the cheering up she can get. Two …

We’ve all done it. It doesn’t matter how confident you are, how secure, how much you wear self-love on your sleeve for all to see — if you’re a woman with a pulse, chances are …

Cecil PrattAssistant manager, UltraStar Mission Valley 7 School Daze: Set on a historically black college campus, this film shows the struggles against racism within the black community. Although it presses on a heavy subject, your …

I’ve had the pleasure of having dinner several times with Fourplay’s keyboardist Bob James. One funny time, at Croce’s, Fourplay had a new release out [in 1994]. We were talking about the guest artists featured …

What About Soccer Dads? Please fire the person who approves your cover titles. In “Soccer Moms Are the Absolute Worst” (January 10), the article discusses parents who pressure and berate coaches, referees, and their children …

Thirty Years AgoBallard Smith, executive vice president of the San Diego Padres, had a terrible day at city hall last week. Councilman Larry Stirling called him “Mr. Ballard,” Bill Mitchell forgot Smith’s name altogether, and …

College students often think they are ready for everything. I know I did, but I was sorely mistaken — I was in no way ready for what was about to befall me. After my second …

I had these old roommates that used the word “dinty” to describe a good, hearty meal. I don’t know if it comes from Dinty Moore stew, which is not a good, hearty meal, but I …

Tom PlonkaHockey player from Rhode Island I’m on the water a lot with my boat going to Catalina and Mexico, so I guess I like movies that take you out to the high seas. I …

Thirty Years Ago Soon I will join the bulk of you in the suburbs. I can hardly wait. In my mind is a vision of provincial bliss, complete with the aroma of back yard barbecues …

Francis WeidingerIndependent filmmaker Lost Horizon: Garden of Eden in black-and-white. Frank Capra can be awesome, funny, and satirical. But in Lost Horizon, he got lost. It’s still fun to take the trip and see utopia …

Fifteen Years Ago The death of shopping center czar Ernest Hahn last week got plenty of coverage in the San Diego Union-Tribune. There were three stories and one editorial the day after his death, and …

One:We sit silently together for an hour every day, each of us pretending to be engrossed in the iPod/the book/ the computer/the knitting/the cell phone/the journal we brought to entertain us for the duration of …

I took this girl out on a few dates and things seemed to go really well. And, it got to that point where you aren't sure if you're a couple or not. All indications were …

Josephina Torres Seventh grader, Palm Anime and Manga Club The three DVDs I want for Christmas include Whisper of the Heart because it's a story about a young girl who falls in love and learns …

Thirty Years Ago DENISE: How about going cruising sometime on ATCs?! We can go pick up Mike & Scott. I can dig it!! (Crown Point) Sue. GIRL ON BICYCLE: We shared a smile on 42nd …

Thirty Years Ago Tom Gade stood up and told the assembly that he had voted against critical portions of Mayor Wilson's policy and then proceeded to point out the problems of such a growth strategy. …

Kirsten ElmsScreenwriter As a writer on strike and having just seen No Country for Old Men -- I'm drawn to another Coens' film -- Barton Fink -- about a writer in Hollywood. I love the …

What are you currently reading? "I mostly read textbooks because I'm a business student. I just finished Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi. Tell me …

Lynn WhitehouseSupervisor history/information/interlibrary loan-it, San Diego Public Library I'd like to suggest a DVD that ties with our One Book One San Diego campaign for Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One …

Jenna Age: 17 Occupation: Barista Lives: Normal Heights Jenna I try not to speak with slang. I know raver slang; I used to be one. There's " plurr ": "Peace, love, unity, respect and responsibility." …

Thirty Years Ago While San Diego County has grown sharply, this desert community of 1200 people has stood still. Today Borrego Springs has one auto mechanic, one air-conditioning expert, one plumber, one electrician. If a …

Thirty Years Ago Frank Curran is going to ride the issue of paving Horton Plaza until the opposition collapses under the sheer weight of his persistence. Early this year a downtown study group headed by …

Eric HanauerWriter, underwater photographer, and retired professorwww.ehanauer.com Now's the time my Chicago Cubs usually go into early hibernation. So, I depend on DVDs for a baseball fix to survive a long, cold winter. When It …

DJ: Astra Kelly Station: 102.1 KPRI FM SHIFT: Saturday nights, 9·10 p.m. I was working the front desk at KPRI just after moving to San Diego earlier this year. This was before taking on DJ …

Thirty Years Ago I met Diane Arbus in 1967 shortly after her first major show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. My roommate at Yale, David Lippman, saw that I admired …

Tripp SpragueMusician, trippsprague.com Here are two of my favorite music-related DVDs of recent years. They're very different as far as musical styles, but both capture the passion and excitement of music. Daniel Anker's Music from …

Mike Mehaffey Age: 25 Occupation: Student/Retail Lives: Ocean Beach My slang word is Barney because it's funny and it makes me laugh. A Barney is a dork or a loser -- someone who's goofy or …

Thirty Years Ago WEEKEND NATURE LOVER, Cuyamacas, deserts, etc. Seeks paying passengers to diminish car expenses. At destination we split. Come return time, my Magic Bug will be there. Mike 222-8557. DRIVING TO PHOENIX for …

Babette MangolteFilmmaker and professor, UCSD Visual Arts Department Michael Powell is probably best known for The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus, made after the war with his collaborator Emeric Pressburger. But the films they made …

At church, my dad -- he's a pastor, have I mentioned that? -- sometimes invites the congregation over to the house for pizza and Scrabble. In a few months, it will have been a year since I last talked to my sister.

Thirty Years Ago You've got a good weekly newspaper. One way to make it even better would be to fire that ignorant pseudo-intellectual, Duncan Shepherd. His movie reviews are totally worthless to the general public …

Marisa ScheinfeldDocent and educator programs manager, Museum of Photographic Arts With a new Coens' film coming out, we've chosen to highlight the Coens' cult classic The Big Lebowski for MoPA's next POP (Photos off the …

Title: A Life of Vaginal Heroics Address: http://trickeration.livejournal.com Author: Trickeration From: Paradise Hills Blogging since: 2001 Post Date: September 10, 2007 Post Title: A 99-cent Chicken Sandwich, Justin Now in an itinerant state of mind, …

James Colt HarrisonFilm reviewer, The La Jolla Village News The sparkling Funny Face offers a Fred Astaire-Audrey Hepburn musical set in Paris. Nobody was as good as Astaire as a film dancer. Miss Hepburn proves …

Thirty Years Ago This is not a mañana neighborhood. Its people are tillers of the soil, hard workers even unto the ripening of years. Grandpa Cruz worked in the fields until he was well into …

Pete TombsProducer, Hell's Ground and founder Mondo Macabro, www.mondomacabrodvd.com To fully enjoy our movie and appreciate all the references we're making, you need to see Texas Chainsaw Massacre; that's the seminal horror movie. It's the …

Thirty Years Ago COUSINS MICHAEL and Andrea, met you 22 September Mission Playhouse, please contact Mickey, PO Box 1093, San Diego 92112. KEARNY HIGH is number 1 and we know it. We're the best! Eat …

Tim Fair Age: 21 Occupation: Electrical Engineer Lives: Clairemont I have a couple good examples of aliases me and my friends give random people we see in public situations. For example, my go-to name for …

Thirty Years Ago Vince Miranda, king of the Pussycat Theaters, had blown into town and was visiting his new venture, the Backstage. It was past 9:30 p.m., time for the show, and Miranda was watching …

I finally got Ernie Halter figured out late one insomnia-plagued night. As I lay sleepless with one of his songs spinning around in my head, it occurred to me that Halter's stuff would be just …

George LinAssociate Festival Director, San Diego Asian Film Festival, www.sdaff.org To anyone familiar with the Hong Kong New Wave cinema of the '80s, Patrick Tam needs no introduction. His 1982 classic Nomad confronted realistic topics …

Chris Lonner Age: 21 Occupation: Student researcher Lives: La Jolla My friends and I love playing Halo and we're getting ready for Halo 3 by breaking out our video-game slang. A word that gets thrown …

Thirty Years Ago The phone is answered, and the voice I hear is Mort Sahl's. "In an article in the Los Angeles Times [August 8, 1977], you were quoted as saying that there should be …

Renee HerrellFounder, San Diego Women's Film Festival To prepare for the fifth annual San Diego Women's Film Festival, I recommend the movie that kicked off last year's festival, Come Early Morning, directed by actress-turned-director Joey …

Joshua Rego Age: 21 Occupation: Student Lives: La Jolla My guy friends and I give each other a really hard time about how we act around the ladies. If I think one of my friends …

Thirty Years Ago BOB CLARK: What are you up to? I'm cut off from civilization up here in hicktown with no Reader. "Charlie Mansoneer." YOU BETTER believe there are real women out here, but you …