Working relationsh­ips

By Ami Worthen It might not surprise Vernon White II’s former teachers and classmates at T.C. Roberson High that this two-time MVP, who was awarded a full basketball scholarship to N.C. A&T State University, is once again tackling a challenge with his trademark persistence, energy and enthusiasm. With a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and […]

WNCAP seeks Restaurant Ambassador­s for Dining Out For Life

From the Western North Carolina Aids Project Dining Out for Life®, presented by Prestige Subaru, returns to Western North Carolina April 24, with participating restaurants in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell and Transylvania Counties donating 20% of sales to support Western North Carolina AIDS Project. Dining Out For Life® volunteers, called Ambassadors, attend […]

Matchstick Men



Matchstick Men has it all — a flawless script (by talented first-timer Nicholas Griffin, and based on Eric Garcia’s novel), energetic and enigmatic direction (Ridley Scott), and unforgettable performances by both tempered pros and a young tyro. Without fireworks or train wrecks or a cast of thousand costumed extras, Matchstick Men works its magic with […]

Confidence



The opening scenes of Confidence, in which a team of young con artists pulls a deadly scam on a hapless small-time crook, are so intense, so visceral, so shockingly terrific that my movie companion and I looked at one another in total surprise. “Whew!” we whispered.”That was good!” In fact, Confidence was so good up […]

Conspiracy Theory



There is more than what (or whom) meets the eye to the obviously talented Mountain Xpress staffers — one of them, production artist Jean Williams, turns out to be a hobbling (she recently broke her ankle) encyclopedia of information about film. I had been bugging her to critique a movie, but she was too shy […]