"Fireproof" is a movie with a message: You can withstand the fire. But you have to be willing in order to be able – and what you’re made of does matter.

You don't trust it. Neither do I. We'll believe it when we see it, but more than a decade after lead singer Axl Rose first announced it, the semi-mythical Guns'N'Roses album "Chinese Democracy" may actually see the light of day, having been given a Nov. 23 release date, according to Billboard.com.

A few hip-hop heads from Oakland, Calif., with a dedication to old-school hip-hop, a jones for live-band instrumentation and a penchant for a little cheeky experimentalism craft one of 2008's best, most instantly-likeable records in "Droppin’ Science Fiction."

"Leave It All Behind" finds Dutch producer Nicolay indulging his experimental side, adding a lot of the lush synthesizers and touches of electronica and jazz that worked to excellent effect on his recent collaborations. And even though you might wish vocalist Phonte would rap more instead of sing, the duo still craft a fine R&B record.

When I think Florida hip-hop, I think Rick Ross. Or, if I’m thinking negatively, Quad City DJs. What I don’t think of is Non Stop Krooks, who drop a potent mixtape that’s equal parts political exploration and East-Coast hardcore hip-hop aesthetic.

These days, America isn't just polarized politically. It's becoming polarized cinematically.

Former band member of the Del Fuegos aims to make kids’ music cool.

I was on vacation last week, so I didn’t have the chance to write a proper tribute to Paul Newman on the event of his death.

The Tubes rock group and Ira Glass, host of public radio’s “This American Life,” will be featured this weekend at The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Young and old and from far and wide, a wide range of people love the blues. The fans that camp in “Tent City” at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival dedicate a week of their life to their blues city.

The Iguanas’ first CD in five years, “If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times,” is such an invigorating, refreshing blast of musical sunshine, it is incredible to learn some of its background.

Who wouldn’t want to attend a wedding with the likes of Anne Hathaway, Anna Deavere Smith and the normally reclusive Debra Winger on the guest list? But don’t go expecting  a rip-roaring time, because seeing ``Rachel Getting Married'' is the epitome of the wedding from hell.

Men on a mission create rousing "Body of Lies."

The stereotype of online gamers may be wrong. They are by and large not obese teenage boys. Instead, they're older and fitter than the general U.S. population and a surprising number are female, said Scott Caplan, University of Delaware associate professor of communication.

I don’t know how America did it, but it managed to narrow the impressive list of hopefuls on “America’s Got Talent” down to just one.