Chattanooga Symphony & Opera music director Robert Bernhardt calls violinist Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott not only "two of the most important classical artists onstage today" but "two of the most spectacular women in the business" and "two of my closest friends in music."

* Name: Michael Vasta * Company: Director of operations for Bluff View Art District

Not all fat is created equal.

CASEY PHILLIPS: It may seem picky to pass judgment on a movie based on its ending, but in the case of “Remember Me,” there’s no helping it.

Scent matters. "For some women it is an important aspect of choosing a partner," said Dr. Avery Gilbert, author of "What the Nose Knows."

CASEY PHILLIPS: When director Tim Burton released his 2005 reimagining of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Johnny Depp, some thought it deviated too much from Roald Dahl's novel, while others felt it was a brilliant, if demented, revision. Substitute "Alice in Wonderland" and Lewis Carroll where appropriate, and you'll have a decent idea how Burton's latest project will be received.

Betty Young can turn a cartwheel, do the splits and balance in a handstand on a man's shoulders.

Katheryn Bigelow made history Sunday night when she became the first woman to win a directing Oscar for “The Hurt Locker.”

The oft-called greatest film of all time, "Citizen Kane," lost out to Welsh coal-mining tale "How Green Was My Valley" in 1942. Rumors circulated that presenter Jack Palance had said the wrong name when Marisa Tomei won the Supporting Actress Oscar for "My Cousin Vinny" in 1993.

When "That Evening Sun" was screened at Shannondale Nursing Home, a gentleman approached producer Larsen Jay and asked: "What is the purpose of this film?"

Director Scott Teems sets the tone of "That Evening Sun" in the first five minutes. There are no words spoken; the music is instrumental. This is not a film, it seems to tell its audience, that's going to rush.

CASEY PHILLIPS : If “Cop Out” was Kevin Smith’s serious attempt at making a buddy cop film, he should have started by burning his copy of “Hollywood Cops for Dummies.” The movie is rife with overplayed stereotypes: the blustering police captain, the brown-nosing rivals, the damsel in distress. It’s only impressive how many are crammed into less than two hours.

ANNE BRALY: It always impresses me that, when there are Mexican restaurants on most every corner in town, La Altena continues to be busy.

The countdown is here. Only one week until the 82nd annual Academy Awards, where the best in film (at least according to a bunch of people who work in film) are recognized.

Picture your dream home.

Dancing is good for agility, endurance and cardiovascular strength.

CASEY PHILLIPS: To the easily confused, “Shutter Island” will be about as much fun as endlessly twisting a Rubik’s Cube. Director Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel is a truly mind-bending film that almost mandates post-film deliberation to figure out. If you can wrap your head around its twists and turns, however, it’s a brilliantly moody, tense thriller.

It is in no way original to call Gabourey Sidibe the Cinderella of the 2010 awards season. It is also in no way unjustified.

They say you need to learn to crawl before you can walk.

Looking to build or remodel a house? Hoping to enhance outdoor space? The Tri-State Home Show is the place to go for ideas.

The room is dark, except for strobe lights. Sultry music pulses from the speakers.

She's been a musician all her life, but it was never Katie Wilson's dream to take the stage.

Reality television star Jason Mesnick, 33, and fiancee Molly Malaney are scheduled to appear at Formal Affair: A Bridal and Event Expo on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Productions of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" are scheduled this weekend in Chattanooga and Dalton, Ga. If the provocative title piques interest, Ensler has done her job.

Every Feb. 14, Andreas Foelz thinks of the Valentine's Day massacre.

CASEY PHILLIPS: At first, Carey Mulligan and “Precious” actress Gabourey Sidibe could hardly be more different, but their biographies now share striking similarities since both are in their mid-20s and recently earned Academy Award nominations for leading-role debuts portraying 16-year-olds facing very adult situations.

Abject apologies in the delay in getting this up.

This play is called "Our Town" ...

CASEY PHILLIPS: In a movie like "Me and Orson Welles," the casting director is under a lot of pressure to put the right person in the lead role. Fortunately, Lucy Beva knew her business when she pegged Christian McKay to play the legendary director/writer.

ANNE BRALY: My first step in the door at Joe Friday’s, I was impressed.

Picture a fine restaurant, a charming companion ... and a wine list that may as well be written in Cyrillic.

Rebecca Parker knew her sisters wouldn't be around for the birth of her first child.

Do you know your downward facing dog from your cat-cow pose?

CASEY PHILLIPS: “The Lovely Bones” is difficult to review since it mockingly defies categorization. At turns, it’s a chilling tale of a serial killer played (almost too well) by a very eerie Stanley Tucci.

HOLLY LEBER: Let's jump right in. If there's one woman I'd like to see recognized this year, it's Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious.'' She was astounding. History isn't in her favor; Best Actress in a Drama hasn't gone to a first-time performer since 1986 (Mar

I had to reinvent myself," she said. "Organizing is what I do. My mother never had to tell me to clean my room."

What's a guy to wear?

These days, mobile phones do everything but windows. (Not Microsoft Windows; they do that.) Now, cell phones can be projectors.

The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera has announced a change in its program.

CASEY PHILLIPS: To most people, the thought of spending two hours slogging through a biopic about an English monarch that doesn’t involve a war probably sounds pretty unappealing.

CASEY PHILLIPS: To most people, the thought of spending two hours slogging through a biopic about an English monarch that doesn't involve a war probably sounds pretty unappealing.

CASEY PHILLIPS: Director Guy Ritchie’s stylish, full-throttle films like “Snatch” and “RocknRolla” are some of my favorites, so when I heard he was directing a Sherlock Holmes movie, I was baffled but secretly hopeful. Traditionally, Holmes is a gentleman detective, which doesn’t seem compatible with Ritchie’s approach, but thanks to excellent casting, especially Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role, the film is a tremendous success.

ANNE BRALY: Since Rob Gentry opened Blue Plate Diner almost four years ago, I’ve seen a remarkable number of dishes come out of the kitchen.

Jillian Michaels might just be the hottest trainer around.

Jillian Michaels might just be the hottest trainer around.

CASEY PHILLIPS: “Up in the Air” is “Juno” director Jason Reitman’s return to the chair, and he has turned out a beautifully shot film that takes a witty, philosophical look at the most fascinating job no one wants.

We didn’t get to see everything we wanted this year.

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Kuwa na Krismasi njema, Joyeux Noel.

CASEY PHILLIPS: For the first time this year, I can confidently write about a movie using the words “Academy Award contender.” Not only is “Invictus” an excellent sports film about South Africa’s run to the Rugby World Cup in 1995, it’s also a passionate portrayal of then-President Nelson Mandela’s efforts to help his country come to terms with itself after the end of apartheid.