Starz Denver Film Fest -- 'Who's Afraid of the Wolf?'

"Who's Afraid of the Wolf?" (watch it)
Using the tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" as its frame, this Czech film follows the story of a divorce through the eyes of a young girl. Director Maria Prochazkova sprinkles elements of animation throughout the movie, adding an amusing stylish touch. Dorota Dedková, who plays the main character Terezka, carries the film as her innocent outlook provides a sweet, lighter tone to an otherwise unpleasant subject.

Starz Denver Film Fest -- 'Con Artist'

Over the course of the next week, I will be blogging about the movies I catch at the 32nd Starz Denver Film Festival. They may not necessarily be in the order in which I watch.

"Con Artist" (watch it)
One part whimsical, one part sad portrait about the life of eccentric artist Mark Kostabi. The film is a characterization of a man seeking love, acceptance in his own life, yet is unable to find it due to his inept ability to relate to reality. Like those obsessed with getting their faces on YouTube and Facebook, according to Director Michael Sladek, Kostabi is addicted to fame. However his methods of garnering attention and his process of "creating art" -- he openly employs a staff to mass produce his work -- have made him an outcast in the art community. Love him or hate him, "Con Artist" provides an engrossing look at Kostabi.

Farewell, Geocities

Oh, Geocities, it's been a great run.

For 14 years, you've given countless people the opportunity to build their own personal websites.

Thanks for the memories.

Online Escape: CNN's Rick Sanchez calls out Fox News

Spring fashion: The Mushmouth look

Apparently the Mushmouth look is going to be the rage come Spring.

This Sept. 13, 2009 file photo shows the spring 2010 collection of Thom Browne is modeled during Fashion Week in New York. (Photo courtesy AP)

Online Escape: Why pommelhorses are necessary in the middle of every town

A scene from "Gymkata."

Joe vs. the Tijuana Mama

I figure now that I'm over my flu from last week, I test my might against a staple our local gas station has to offer: The Tijuana Mama.

For those who are unaware, the Tijuana Mama is a packaged pickled sausage commonly found in gas stations and truck stops. It also touts itself to be "300% Hotter" — we're assuming it means hotter than the "Hot Mama," but it doesn't specify it anyway on the label.

From a glance, it appears to be a super-thick, but shorter version of the Slim Jim, albeit there's a pocket of redish-orange oil at one end of the packaging. The ingredients are an amalgam of chicken, pork and beef mixed in with a variety of sodium-based additives and food coloring.

I won't lie – at this point I am beginning to regret my decision to buy this.

The first bite wasn't what I expected it to be. It's much softer than I had anticipated. The pickled flavor carries a stronger taste than I expected. The spiciness of the Tijuana Mama grows stronger with subsequent bites, but it's a welcome one, numbing the salty, meat-like flavors I'm ingesting.

It's unlike anything I've ever eaten before. The consistency is like a big, mushy Slim Jim, but the taste is unique all its own: a battle between overpowering pickled and spicy flavors with salty undertones.