Dusty Somers

The Daily’s Life & Arts staff voted on the best films of 2010. Some expected contenders for the list, including “Black Swan” and “True Grit” had not been screened in Oklahoma by press time, which accounts for their absence. READ MORE

Brian Regan has built a career on pointing out the ridiculousness inherent in everyday life, from the overly specific directions on Pop-Tarts packaging to the knee-jerk social reactions that make people say stupid things in public — like exclaiming “You too!” to the waiter who just told you to enjoy your meal. READ MORE

Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly rejected State Question 744, a ballot initiative that would have required the Legislature to increase funding for public education. The measure failed in a landslide, with 81.41 percent of voters voting “no,” with 100 percent precincts reporting. READ MORE

Oklahoma State Question 744 is a proposed constitutional amendment that, if passed, will require the Oklahoma State legislature to increase funding for public education. If the measure passes, it will require the Oklahoma state budget to fund public education to, at minimum, the per-student average of six neighboring states — Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico. READ MORE

Republican state Rep. Ken Miller and Democrat Stephen E. Covert are facing each other in the race for state treasurer. Miller, who defeated former state Sen. Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, in the July primary with 63 percent of the vote, said he is most qualified because of his background in economics and his experience working with the state budget.  READ MORE

Democrat Emily Virgin and Republican Kent Hunt face each other in the race for the House District 44 seat. District 44 encompasses the heart of Norman, including OU. The position was previously held by Bill Nations, D-Norman, who is vacating the seat because of term limits. READ MORE

For most of us, the airport is a necessary evil. A gateway to better things. A holding pattern until we’re at the place we really want to be. READ MORE

The delightfully weird sheen of Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show” hasn’t dulled with age, and nearly 40 years after its London premiere, the show marches on with its tuneful melodies and brazen humor — impervious to self-parody or good taste. The Lyric Theatre production, now on stage through Oct. 30, embraces the show’s inherent campiness with conviction and delivers a theatrical experience that should please “Rocky” virgins and veterans alike. READ MORE

“Never Let Me Go” looks a lot more like Merchant Ivory than Philip K. Dick, but make no mistake, this is a science fiction film, albeit with barely a single trapping of the genre. READ MORE

My expectations of "The Social Network" changed immediately upon viewing its first theatrical trailer — a haunting, melancholy piece scored with a Belgian female choir singing Radiohead's "Creep." That trailer is practically a short film on its own, exploring the modern psyche that thrives on recognition — any recognition, even if it's artificial and comes at the expense of once-valued privacy. Heady stuff for a two-and-a-half minute promo. READ MORE