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Madison at the Movies: Team Jacob member ‘moved’ by ‘New Moon’

I find the drama of the teenager to be equally compelling and fascinating. That’s why I think I must have been a 13-year-old girl in a past life, because “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” moved me in ways that can’t be explained otherwise.

While it’s not the deepest exploration of teenage angst, I’m an unabashed fan of the “Twilight” series. For the two people who haven’t heard of “Twilight,” it’s basically a trashy Harlequin-style romance featuring sparkly skinned vampires, werewolves and lovesick teenagers written especially for the female demographic.

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Here in the Dark: 'An Education' review
You should be naturally suspicious of Peter Sarsgaard’s Svengali, David, the moment he pulls his sports car alongside 16-year-old schoolgirl Jenny in the British dramedy “An Education,” but like everyone on screen, you’ll let down the guard with his every winsome smile and polite gesture.

MercyMe heads up contemporary Christian rock at Freedom Hall
Multi-platinum and Grammy-nominated band MercyMe will present “An Evening with MercyMe” Sunday, Nov. 22, at Freedom Hall Civic Center. Tenth Avenue North and Jonny Diaz will join forces to open the show.

Stepping Out for weekend of Nov. 20-22
MUSIC

Cowan: Bluegrass, newgrass and a whole lot more
He’s been in a lot of lineups and played and sung plenty of musical styles, and John Cowan’s distinctive voice has seemed to fit them all. He laughs when he talks about where he fits into the bluegrass genre.

Sunday nights are dull without 'Mad Men'
Wow! What has happened to Sunday nights?

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out come to Down Home
The Down Home will host a performance by award-winning bluegrass group Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out on Thursday at 9 p.m.

Magic & whimsy - Storytelling center’s new gift shop reflects the organization’s sensibilities
The gift shop at the International Storytelling Center no longer is what you’d expect. A recent redesign has given the shop a new look, a new direction and new merchandise chosen to appeal to customers who may know little about storytelling. Yet the items thoughtfully interpret what lies behind the telling of tales ­­— whimsy, magic, fantasy, art, beauty, nature and a bit of fright.

50 years later, mass killings still senseless
Fifty years ago today, a family in the town of Holcomb, Kan., was brutally murdered. Herbert Clutter, his wife, Bonnie, and their teenage children, Kenyon and Nancy, were killed after two men broke into the home in search of money.

The Watercooler: Russell plays bold 'Survivor' game
How can the Galu alliance continue to underestimate the old Foa Foa on “Survivor”?

The Watercooler: ‘Glee’ better without grown-ups’ nonsense
While “Glee” is definitely among my favorite new shows this season, it has been wildly uneven in the weeks since its premiere. It has given us a few standout episodes, including “Preggers” and last night’s “Wheels,” but its sublots often have distracted from the stories that work.

The Watercooler: 'Biggest Loser' eliminates two, sends contestants into tizzy
How can any human being lose 17 pounds in seven days and 100 pounds in nine weeks? Even more insane: How can someone lose 17 pounds in seven days and 100 pounds in nine weeks and still be sent packing on “The Biggest Loser?”

Challenging ‘Lion’ has JRT actors roaring
Dysfunctional families are nothing new, and if you walk by the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre on practice nights right now you will think a family of dysfunctional actors live there.

Asheville Film Festival to offer "Precious" in slate of independent films
Minus the red-carpet glitz and glamor, Asheville, N.C., is ready to roll on its annual film festival this week, and though you might not see the likes of Ron Howard, Tess Harper or Jennifer Tilly milling around town this year, the event will deliver what counts: a showcase of independent films.

The Watercooler: Lame challenges just make 'Race' contestants cry
For last night’s nonelimination leg, producers of “The Amazing Race” must have figured if they couldn’t defeat the remaining teams with an awesome challenge, they might as well make them cry with a frustrating one.

Slow and steady - Lace makers take their time creating intricate designs with woven threads
Bobbin lace makers aren’t the hurrying kind. They spend hours and months on their work and turn thread into bookmarks, doilies, pillow cases, clothing, lace for collars and bonnets and whatever else strikes their fancy.

Blue Spiral exhibits worth the trip
You won’t be sorry if you head to Blue Spiral 1 gallery in Asheville, N.C., for the latest exhibits. The current shows are on display through December and don’t just feature works of great beauty.

The Watercooler: DVR lifesaver for TV fan
My DVR continues to work overtime on Thursday nights, and I’m loving it. Last night offered particularly strong episodes of the shows I’ve watched so far.

Happenin' First Friday showing its ETSU pride
It looks like one of the biggest and busiest First Fridays yet, as four art exhibits, a handful of bands, the Little City Roller Girls and the East Tennessee State University men’s and women’s basketball teams are part of the free monthly downtown arts and music festival on Friday, Nov. 6.

Stepping Out for weekend of Nov. 6-8
MUSIC

Thompson's goes back into OverDrive
One of the area’s favorite old-time pickin’ parlors and dance halls, David Thompson Produce, swings back into action Saturday, Nov. 7, after 10 weeks off during harvest season.

Madison at the Movies: Hipster horror flick ‘Devil’ lacks depth
Ti West is a filmmaker I really wasn’t aware of until I began reading as the online community talked about his latest film, “The House of the Devil.”