Safety, Diversity and Tourism

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December 22, 2023

Congressman and former University of Oklahoma quarterback J.C. Watts once said: “I like to call the ethos I grew up with ‘Oklahoma values.’ But you’d be just as accurate if you said ‘American values.’ Except for our lack of a seacoast, Oklahoma has a little bit of just about everything that’s American.”

And what’s more American than sports? Baseball has been referred to as “America’s pastime,” but the same could be said of many competitive offerings. After all, Oklahomans begat a broad range of athletes, from Jim Thorpe and Mickey Mantle to Shannon Miller and John Smith, one of the greatest American gymnasts and wrestlers, respectively.

Sporting and athletic commissions help to bolster athletes like these, as well as sporting events around the state. Oklahoma’s State Athletic Commission was created to protect, maintain and improve the safety and welfare of participants in combat sports, as well as educate the general public. Combat sports are known more specifically as professional boxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts (MMA) and kickboxing. The OSAC also compiles a list of upcoming events in the combat sports arena and is covered by the Oklahoma State Health Department.

The Tulsa Sports Commission focuses on promoting and drawing events to the Tulsa area to build tourism, which contributes significantly to the local and state economy. One powerful example of this work is how in 2022, the Tulsa Sports Commission brought the Pro Golf Association (PGA) Championship to Tulsa, which contributed to Tulsa’s biggest year in tourism history. The event attracted 24,526 visitors to town, who occupied 62,077 hotel rooms over the course of the championship. During the event, 156 of the most elite golfers competed at Southern Hills Country Club; the event had a $157 million impact on Tulsa’s economy with an average $4,844.50 of spending per visitor. This contributed to the most successful tourism month in Tulsa’s history.

The Tulsa Sports Commission promotes sporting events and draws tourism to the city. Photo by Press Pause Films courtesy the TSC

Sports tourism is also big for OKC, says Adam Wisniewski, Visit Oklahoma City’s vice president of sports.

“Our job is to utilize sports to create an economic impact and tourism,” he says. “We want to bring sporting events here that will make people outside of Oklahoma City visit our destination, and take their outside dollars and spend them here with our local restaurants, hotels and attractions.”

According to figures provided by Visit OKC, during their last fiscal year (Aug. 2022 through July 2023), sporting events they supported generated an estimated economic impact of $92 million. The positive economic impact of the OKC Thunder can’t be understated; when the previous Seattle SuperSonics became the Thunder, their exit from Washington was reported to have cost the city over $12 million. In year one in OKC, the Thunder reportedly infused an additional $525 million into the economy.

Athletic commissions are charged with keeping sports and spectators safe, while also attracting new and diverse sports to Oklahoma to keep our economy thriving.

What’s Ahead

With OU leaving the Big 12 Conference and joining the Southeastern Conference, game attendance and overall economic impact are expected to grow substantially in 2024.

In Tulsa, the Hardesty National BMX Stadium will host Round Five of the UCI (United Cycliste Internationale) BMX Racing World Cup on April 27, which is also expected to bring in significant tourism revenue and focus global attention on Tulsa’s world-class BMX facility.

Main image cutline: Tulsa is set to host round five of the BMX Racing World Cup in April. Photo by Tyler Layne Photography courtesy the TSC

The Art of Playing

By

Drew Joseph Allen

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December 22, 2023

In a world saturated by video games, anime, comic books, and popular TV shows and films, cosplaying is a popular way to show enthusiasm and form a community of like-minded individuals. The term ‘cosplay,’ short for costume play, was coined sometime in the mid-1980s, but the activity has been around long before that.

“Cosplaying is a hobby and artistic expression in which individuals dress up in costumes and accessories to represent specific characters from anime, manga, video games, movies, TV shows and other forms of pop culture,” says Rachel Karch, an administrator with the group Oklahoma Cosplayers. “Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the hobby, cosplay is a creative and inclusive space where everyone can enjoy and express their love for their favorite character.”

The amount of involvement can vary from individual to individual – all depending on how deep you want to go.

“Cosplay doesn’t have to break the bank,” says Jake Hookham, co-chair for Cosplay Alliance Tulsa. “It isn’t just the costume, it’s about the player and their connection to the character.”

Cost is always a factor, but if you’re not flush with cash, that doesn’t have to stop you.

“Some cosplayers simply enjoy wearing costumes they’ve purchased or put together with minimal effort, and this is perfectly fine and welcomed within the community,” says Karch. “The beauty of cosplay is that it accommodates a wide range of enthusiasts, from those who devote countless hours and resources to their craft, to those who approach it as a fun and casual way to express their fandom.”

Hookham is currently building two costumes from Power Rangers and Five Nights at Freddy’s, both of which will, in total, cost him a little under $400.

“Where costs are saved is being thrifty – finding the materials and doing the work yourself,” says Hookham. “Where costs are increased is when you commission an artist to build or create an outfit for you.”

Getting Involved

Although New York and San Diego are some of the biggest places to show off your cosplay, Oklahoma is no slouch to the scene. New World Comic Con, OKPop, Tokyo in Tulsa, Sooner Con, StarWars Fest and Okicon are a few of the most well known events in the state.

“There are also many cons put on by local libraries, such as the Sapulpa STEAMCON and other one-day events,” says Hookham.

Besides Oklahoma Cosplayers and Cosplay Alliance Tulsa, Oklahoma is home to many groups dedicated to the activity.

“There’s OKIE Super Heroes; they use cosplay to raise funds for sick children as well as visit them in the hospital,” says Hookham.

There are divisions of Star Wars fan groups such as the 501st and Rebel Alliance.

“Many of these groups can be found on social media platforms like Facebook, where members share their work, discuss techniques and organize meet-ups or events,” says Karch. “These communities provide cosplayers with valuable resources, support and opportunities to connect with others who share their interests.”

Featured image cutline: Cosplay, or costume play, allows enthusiasts of TV shows, movies, comic books or anime to dress up as their favorite characters. Photo courtesy Oklahoma Cosplayers

Helping to Heal

By

Gina Dabney

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December 22, 2023

Founded in 1969, The American Art Therapy Association describes art therapy as a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families and communities through active art-making, creative processes, applied psychological theory and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

While this activity may not be the most popular form of therapy in and of itself, the field continues to grow due to passionate scholars of the craft.

Maureen Harvey, who has a masters in human relations with a concentration in art therapy from the University of Oklahoma, leads art and nature groups for personal growth at Shawnee’s Mabee-Gerrer Museum. Previously, she worked at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City as a creative arts therapist, retiring in 2014. Harvey says that because trauma is stored in the primitive part of the brain, art therapy helps to resolve it.

“Art therapy,” she says, “helps build a bridge from pictures – primitive – to language – logic.”

In her 18 years working within the acute-care inpatient psychiatric ward at the VA Medical Center, Harvey had an effective process with each patient. After receiving a large piece of paper and oil pastels, the patient was asked to draw anything they liked. This process revealed the patient’s current state of mind.

Corretta Harding, who has a doctorate in international psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, as well as a masters of human relations from the University of Oklahoma, has a private art therapy practice in Oklahoma City.

Anyone seeking art therapy can expect to participate in an assessment, goal setting and art activities to address issues and set goals. An art therapist is trained to understand how different art mediums can help a person explore topics in a nonverbal way. Harding, who has provided coaching services to people within the U.S. and overseas, has worked with children in therapeutic foster care and learned about their history, thoughts and trauma through art therapy.

“The children didn’t have that pressure of how they should, or could, say anything,” she says.

Brittany Dray, a licensed marital and family therapist, as well as a board certified art therapist, works at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health in Oklahoma City. Art therapy, which can help with coping, self-expression, self-efficacy and pain management, can benefit anyone and everyone – including entire communities. For example, Dray was a part of “Oklahoma’s Largest Puzzle Ever-ish,” a project created through the hospital in collaboration with artists Gabriel Friedman and Denise Duong.

“The 90-piece puzzle continues to foster community spirit through its public display, sharing the visual stories of patients and families,” she says.

Getting Involved

Those interested in becoming an art therapist should visit arttherapy.org for a list of approved programs. You can also visit the art therapy credentialing board at atcb.org/new-applicants.

Those wanting to instead receive/participate in art therapy should check if a provider has current national art therapy credentials at atcb.org/find-a-credentialed-art-therapist.

Sweeping Down the Lane

By

Sharla Bardin

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December 22, 2023

The state of Oklahoma and the Winter Olympics have something in common: both harbor athletes who are passionate about the sport of curling. And those Okie enthusiasts are hoping others will want to slide into the fun.

Curling is a sport in which two teams of four players each slide granite rocks, also called stones, down a sheet of ice toward a target. Each team tries to get more of its stones closer to the center of the target.

Fans of the sport say it’s a game that appeals to a variety of ages and ability levels. Curling also creates camaraderie among players, be it through league play, tournaments or just enjoying a drink after a match. Tulsa and Oklahoma City both offer clubs where players come together to compete or learn how to play.

“We just have a great time,” says Eric Vardeman, founder and president of the Tulsa Curling Club. “It’s a very social sport and a very social group. You can be as competitive as you want, or you can be as recreational as you want.”

Fair warning, though – curling can be addictive.

“I did one class and I got hooked,” says Mark Ngo, president of the Oklahoma Curling Club in OKC.

The Oklahoma City club meets at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena in Edmond, while the Tulsa club currently plays at the Oilers Ice Center. Ngo and Vardeman say that the Winter Olympics often spur interest in the sport locally, and both are encouraged by the passion they’ve seen so far. They hope their respective clubs can help grow a love for the sport, too.

Ngo says his dream “is to get enough memberships that we could start moving forward to get our own facility.” Vardeman mentions that the Tulsa group is excited about soon moving into the new WeStreet Ice Center, which is expected to open next year and will offer the club more space.

Those who are curious about curling can check out either club’s instructional classes to get started. For more information, visit okcurling.com and tulsacurlingclub.com.

Getting Started

Want to give curling a go? Vardeman and Ngo offer tips for that first class.

• Dress in layers. It may be cold on the ice initially, but you’ll warm up fast and may want to shed some clothes.

• Wear comfortable, rubber-soled athletic shoes. Curlers don’t play on ice skates. Instead, there are sliders that fit on shoes for play. Both clubs provide the equipment needed to participate in an instructional class.

• Give yourself some grace. It’s OK if you struggle a bit in your first classes. “It’s not a hard sport to learn, it’s just going to take some time to learn it,” says Vardeman.

• Make having fun the primary goal. Don’t take it too seriously.“We just ask people to have a good time,” says Ngo.

Image cutline: Typically played from fall to spring, curling involves two teams of four players, who slide granite rocks down a sheet of ice toward a target. Photo courtesy Tulsa Curling Club

A Slice of Cowboy Country

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

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December 22, 2023

Enabled in part by the intersection of numerous railroads and a massive western livestock market, Oklahoma National Stockyards emerged during 1910 as a public livestock market in southwest Oklahoma City. Massive packing plants simultaneously arrived next door to ‘the Yards,’ producing all kinds of meat products. These included Morris & Company, which later became Armour & Company, as well as Schwartzchild & Sulzberger, which later became Wilson & Company. As a result, a small city known as Packingtown enveloped thriving enterprises.

Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the four-block Packingtown area, renamed Stockyards City Historic District, is perched where Exchange Avenue and Agnew Avenue intersect I-40 and I-44. While fully renovated and modern, the area remains an island within OKC, with ambiance and appearance that haven’t changed much in the last century. The buildings are a bit weathered and the hitching posts are gone, but cowboy hats and boots are sold and worn everywhere, along with all things western.

The thriving area is home to historic and even world-famous business ventures. Two of those, birthed in 1910, include the iconic Cattlemen’s Steakhouse and Exchange Pharmacy – OKC’s oldest continually operating restaurant and pharmacy, respectively.

Stockyards City emerged in the 1910s and still provides ample tourist and business opportunity today. Photos courtesy Stockyards City

A host of other well-known shops and businesses cater to famous and global visitors, farmers, ranchers and locals. Those include National Saddlery, founded in 1926, which is a major go-to location for buckaroo gear. Additionally, the Professional Rodeo Association headquarters, which opened many doors for females in the rodeo world, is over 2,400 members strong and resides in the district. There are also authentic American Indian shops, plus trendy and cutting-edge retailers.

The Stockyards City Main Street Association keeps businesses buzzing and growing. The group’s annual family-friendly events, which lasso big crowds, are reminders of the Old West flavor that never really left the area.

But in the beginning, railroads and cattle drives were integral to the Yards’ origins. During the area’s first year in operation, over half a million farm animals thundered onto the scene. Hay, corn and oat sales hit over $74k by 1934. The Yards evolved into a cattle auction in 1961, became the nation’s number one cattle market by the 1980s, and the largest cattle auction in the world by 1996.

Over 102,000,000 head of livestock have now passed through the Yards, which includes 32 acres of cattle pens, plus real cowboys on horseback, and is the world’s largest stocker and feeder cattle market.

The venture has a contemporary and global presence that continues as a major cog in the area, state and national economic engine. Along with ranchers and buyers, the public is welcome at Monday and Tuesday auctions, with times posted on Facebook every Sunday night.

Rousing Beginnings

During Oklahoma’s early years, influential politicians pushed hard within the state’s landscape to create a sturdy infrastructure. This initiative included the 1910 transition of the state capital from Guthrie to OKC, the latter of which boasted a population of 60,000 at the time.

Part of this plan involved generating OKC’s first major industry – the Yards plus packing plants – an enterprise hub that created 2,400 jobs and held firm as OKC’s largest employer for years.

A commercial district mushroomed around the hub, plus housing and transportation, meeting the needs of workers, and farmers and ranchers who brought their livestock into the district.

Root for the Home Team

By

Carol Mowdy Bond

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December 22, 2023

Sporting events appeal to a broad range of people – from die-hard fans to those just looking for a fun night out on the town. If you’re on the hunt for another team to follow or just an event to visit, support one of these Oklahoma-based sporting franchises.

OKC Dodgers Baseball

The Oklahoma City Dodgers “has been continuous since 1962,” says Alex Freedman, the team’s director of communications. “The team was known as the 89ers from 1962 to 1997, the RedHawks from 1998 to 2014 and the Oklahoma City Dodgers since 2015.”

The Dodgers won league titles in 1963, 1965, 1992, 1996 and 2023. Last season, the team won 90 regular season games, which is the team’s most during the Bricktown Era – since 1998 – and the most generally since 1965 (91 wins).

Notable players who have moved onto the majors include Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), Walker Buehler (LA Dodgers) and Nelson Cruz (Washington Nationals), among others. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning many players move up to the majors through the LA-based team.

“When the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series in 2020, 16 of the 26 players on the roster, and 8 of the 9 on the field when the final out was made, were former OKC players,” says Freedman.

OKC Dodgers; Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos

FC Tulsa Soccer

FC Tulsa is Oklahoma’s premier professional soccer club. Founded in 2015 as the Tulsa Roughnecks FC, the team relaunched under its current name prior to the 2020 season. That’s due to brothers and Tulsa natives J.W., Ryan and Kyle Craft, who purchased the franchise. FC Tulsa plays in the USL Championship, the second division of U.S. soccer.

In February 2020, the team signed the first broadcast television deal in club history. Additionally, FC Tulsa became the sixth professional U.S. club to represent the PUMA brand.

Despite the 2020 pandemic, the team finished with a record-breaking campaign that saw the club go 6W-2L-7D, snagging a USL Championship playoff berth – the second in club history.

FC Tulsa offers an adult indoor league for ages 16 and over. Plus, the Craft family launched north Tulsa’s first fully-funded youth soccer league. FC Tulsa Training Academy also offers soccer camps and clinics.

OKC Spark Softball

With the USA Softball Hall of Fame complex in Oklahoma City, it makes sense that OKC is the softball capital of the world. Thus, the 2022 launch of OKC Spark Softball created a boon for women’s fastpitch in the state. One of four teams in the Women’s Professional Fastpitch League, the Spark is the newest team in both Oklahoma and in women’s pro fastpitch at large.

Swinging into action during June 2023, the team’s first six games, played at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond, included a roster featuring fan faves from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma. These days, most Spark home games are played at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium.

The team’s inaugural season ended in August; in the eight-week summer season, the team amassed 21 wins. Additionally, pitcher Donnie Gobourne was the WPF strikeout leader with 104 strikeouts in only 16 appearances.

Tulsa Drillers Baseball

Double-A minor league team the Tulsa Drillers is the affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club and currently plays in the Texas League. The team began in 1977, when the two-year-old Lafayette Drillers were moved to Tulsa, keeping the name.

The Drillers have been Texas League champions four times – in 1982, 1988, 1998 and in 2018. Notable pro players that got their starts with the Drillers include retired pitcher Ubaldo Jiménez, retired shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and currently LA Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler.

OKC Blue Basketball

The Oklahoma City Blue competes in the NBA G League as a member of the Western Conference. The franchise began in 2001 as the Asheville Altitude in Asheville, N.C. The team relocated to Tulsa as the Tulsa 66ers. In 2008, the Oklahoma City Thunder purchased the team, relocating them to Oklahoma City.

As a professional basketball team affiliated with the Thunder, the Blue plays home games at OKC’s Paycom Center. As of this writing, the team is ranked 18 of 31 teams in the league.

OKC Blue; Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

Tulsa Oilers Hockey

In terms of on-ice performance and longevity, the Tulsa Oilers hockey team is one of the most successful professional sports franchises in North American history.

Founded in 1928, the team has a 90+ year history, and began as an expansion member of the American Hockey Association. During the team’s inaugural season, the Oilers won the American Hockey Association Championship.

The Oilers team has existed as four separate franchises in five different leagues. In 2013, the Stevens brothers purchased the Oilers. Fans may enjoy home games in Tulsa’s state-of-the-art BOK Center, which is the 42nd largest indoor entertainment venue in the U.S. As of this writing, the Oilers are ranked No. 4 in the Western Conference of the ECHL.

Featured image credit: OKC Blue; photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

Kicking off 2024

By

Staff

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December 21, 2023

Start your new year off right with a variety of performances and showcases on the stage.

In Tulsa, Celebrity Attractions starts strong with Hairspray, running Jan. 2-7 at the Tulsa PAC. Other goodies at the PAC include Amahl and the Night Visitors on Jan. 6-7; the show, presented by Tulsa Youth Opera, follows the three kings and their trip to Bethlehem. Stick around for Tulsa Symphony’s Ebb and Flow, playing Jan. 13 with in-demand composer Sarah Hicks. Theatre Tulsa welcomes its first show of the year at the PAC: Annie, running Jan. 19-Feb. 4. Other can’t-miss performances this month include comedian Anthony Jeselnik at River Spirit Casino Resort on Jan. 27 and Signature Symphony’s Inspirations, playing at the TCC Van Trease PACE on Jan. 27.

In OKC, the Civic Center Music Hall beckons with performances galore. Begin the month with the OKC Philharmonic, which offers Rachmaninoff! on Jan. 13 and Funky Fresh & Sugar Free on Jan. 14. Stick around for Les Miserables, presented by OKC Broadway, coming to town Jan. 16-21. Other performances in OKC include comedian Trey Kennedy on Jan. 13 at the Criterion; the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration by the Norman Philharmonic on Jan. 15 at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church; and Armstrong Auditorium’s presentation of the Vida Guitar Quartet.

Around the state, don’t miss comedian John Mulaney at Winstar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville on Jan. 20; Gaslight Theatre’s presentation of As You Like It, Jan. 20-28 in Enid; and Come From Away, Jan. 23-24 at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo caption: Celebrity Attractions; photo courtesy Celebrity Attractions

January Welcomes it All

By

Staff

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December 21, 2023

Thunder — Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

You’ll enjoy a dynamic combo of sporting events in every corner of the state this month.

In Tulsa, the highly ranked Oilers continue their home games at the BOK Center on Jan. 5-7, 12-13 and 26-28. If micro-sprint racing is more your speed, don’t miss the Chili Bowl event, Jan. 7-13 at Expo Square. You’ll want to circle back to the BOK Center Jan. 19-20 for the Professional Bull Riding’s Unleash the Beast rodeo event.

Pro, semi-pro and college basketball are all in full swing this month. Our beloved NBA team, the OKC Thunder, plays at home – the Paycom Center –Jan. 2, 11, 13, 23, 29 and 31. Stick around the arena for the G-League OKC Blue on Jan. 2-3, 9-10 and 21. OU’s b-ball offerings can be found at Norman’s Lloyd Noble Center on Jan. 6, 13, 27 and 31 for the women and Jan. 6, 17, 23 and 27 for men. In Stillwater, visit the Gallagher-Iba Arena on Jan. 2, 6, 16, 23 and 27 for the Cowboys and Jan. 10, 17, 20 and 28 for the Cowgirls.

Other sporting goodies around the state include the Stampede at the E, Jan. 3-6; the International Finals Rodeo, Jan. 11-14; and the Kicker AMA Arenacross and Freestyle Motocross Show, Jan. 19-20 – all at Guthrie’s Lazy E Arena.

Photo caption: OKC Thunder; photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

High-Octane Fun

By

Staff

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December 21, 2023

Chili Bowl 2 — Photo courtesy Chili Bowl

Although the holidays are behind us, you can still get your skate on at the following: Broken Arrow’s ice rink, 418 S. Main, through Jan. 7; Norman’s Crest on Ice, 2550 Mt. Williams Dr., through Jan. 7; Edmond’s ice rink, Mitch Park, through Jan. 15; and OKC’s Devon ice rink, Myriad Botanical Gardens, through Jan. 29.

In Tulsa, monthly events beckon – visit the First Friday Art Crawl in downtown Tulsa on Jan. 5 or the Second Saturday Architecture Tour at 100 E. Second St. on Jan. 13. Other must-visits include the Tulsa Martin Luther Jr. King Day Parade, beginning at N. Detroit Ave. and John Hope Franklin Blvd. on Jan. 15, as well as the Go Short, Go Long, Go Very Long races on Jan. 20 throughout the Tulsa River Parks Trail System. In the latter, runners can choose between 5-, 10-, 25- and 50K races. Lastly, venture to Expo Square for the Green Country Home and Garden Show on Jan. 26-28 and the Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show on Jan. 29-Feb. 4.

Offerings are varied in Oklahoma City and range from the Arcadia Lake Eagle Watch on Jan. 5-7 to the Oklahoma City Spirit Fair – where visitors can pick up new spiritual gifts – on Jan. 6-7 at the Reed Conference Center. Head to the OKC Fairgrounds for the OKC RV and Boat Show from Jan. 12-14 and the OK Home and Garden Show from Jan. 19-21. Lastly, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration in the Gardens runs Jan. 15 at Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Around the state, visitors can enjoy the First Day Hike on Jan. 1 at a variety of state parks. For some high-Octane action, visit: Duncan Monster Truck Wars, Jan. 20 at Enid’s Stephens County Fairgrounds; the Mad Dog Demolition Derby, Jan. 20 at the Claremore Expo Center; and the Red River Showdown Go-Kart Racing event, Jan. 26-27, also at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. Lastly, head to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade and Celebration on Jan. 15 at Muskogee’s Martin Luther King Community Center.

Photo courtesy the Chili Bowl

Sleeper Hits Await

By

Drew Joseph Allen

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December 21, 2023

It’s January! As usual, the pickings are slim, but we’ll see what we can cobble together for one of the most depressing months of the year!

First up is Night Swim. Based on a short film, the plot revolves around the Waller family as they move into a new fixer-upper, only to find that a supernatural presence haunts the backyard swimming pool. The trailer is essentially an extended scene of the popular pool game Marco Polo. I’m not sure how good the idea of “spooky water” will be, but with horror producer hot-shots James Wan (director of The Conjuring) and Jason Blum (producer of sleeper hit M3GAN), this could have some hidden ingredients I just can’t see yet. Dive into the deep end on Jan. 5.

For some good ol’ action, look no further than The Beekeeper. Jason Statham stars as Mr. Clay, a former operative in a group called Beekeepers. Now he’s an actual beekeeper. When his friend gets robbed, he naturally takes it upon himself to absolutely obliterate all the criminals involved. The trailer has lots of death, bee jokes and the ever popular “this one guy took out all my men” lines. The plot seems comically undercooked, but Statham is a lauded action star through and through; that might just be enough to get you to the theaters when it opens Jan. 12.

Mean Girls; photo courtesy Paramount Pictures
Main image cutline: Nightswim; photo courtesy Universal Pictures

For a musical twist on a classic comedy, check out Mean Girls. Based on the hit Broadway musical … which is based on the hit 2004 film … which is based on the hit 2002 book Queen Bees and Wannabes, this iteration takes the original plot and adds in music and dance. Starring Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys) as Cady, and relative newcomer Renee Rapp as Regina (who played the same role in the Broadway musical), the film looks like an excellent trip back in time with a few fun changes to the formula. Tina Fey returns to write the script and star in her original role as Ms. Norbury, with another return performance by Tim Meadows as Principal Duvall. Don’t miss out on being so fetch when it arrives on Jan. 12.

For a heist film, try Lift. Kevin Hart stars as a world class thief who is tasked with robbing a plane mid-flight. If he fails, he goes to prison for all his previous illegal deeds. Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket) and Jean Reno (Leon) also show up as a part of Hart’s crew and the main antagonist, respectively. The trailer is full of corny jokes and Ocean’s 11-style robbery shenanigans. If you’re bored on a Friday night, this movie might do the trick when it lands on Netflix Jan. 12.

Lastly, for an anime film nearly 25 years old, grab tickets for Cowboy Bebop: The Movie. Originally released in 2001, the film follows the bounty hunters Spike, Jet, Faye and Ed as they deal with an international terrorist who plans to use a biological weapon on innocent civilians. Based on the wildly popular anime of the same name, the film has beautiful animation, wonderful voice acting and some great fight choreography. Knowing a bit about the show helps, but it’s not needed to enjoy the story. It’s in theaters January 21-23.

What’s Ahead

Getting Involved

Getting Started

Rousing Beginnings

Most popular

Editor's choice

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