Governor poll: Kean tops, McGreevey flops

Governor poll: Kean tops, McGreevey flops

Former Gov. James E. McGreevey can confess all he wants, but he is the most disliked living chief executive in the state, according to a new poll.

But for former Gov. Thomas H. Kean Sr., he and New Jersey are still perfect together, state residents say.

Kean, a popular Republican governor in the 1980s who touted the "New Jersey and You: Perfect Together" tourism pitch amid a booming economy, remains the most popular of the seven living former governors and Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

More than half the respondents -- 55 percent -- had a favorable opinion about Kean, compared with an 11 percent unfavorable rating, a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey newspapers poll shows.

State residents rated former governors and the current governor in the poll. It seems good economic times, or at least the ability to deliver a quip, burnish the gubernatorial image in the eyes of votes.

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TIFF Wrap-Up: Five Gorgeous Films and One Ugly One

TIFF Wrap-Up: Five Gorgeous Films and One Ugly One

It feels great to be home after 18 days on the road covering the Telluride and Toronto film festivals. I saw a lot of fantastic films over the last few weeks, and a few that were a little ... well, not so great. After the peace and tranquility of Telluride, it took me a little adjusting to get accustomed to Toronto. Now that a couple weeks has passed, I can kind of look back with a sense of humor on my day spent traveling to Toronto. It went something like this:

7AM -- Load up suitcases into rental car (stylin' Ford Escape) and drive the three or so hours to Gunnison, the airport from which I will be departing.

9AM -- Get stuck on a mountain pass behind three semis hauling livestock, a rental RV hauling a car, and numerous cars between me in a no-pass zone that stretches for miles.

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Film review: The Queen (12A)

Film review: The Queen (12A)

103mins. Drama. Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Sylvia Syms, Alex Jennings, Helen McCrory, Roger Allam, Mark Bazeley. Director: Stephen Frears.

HELEN Mirren delivers a tour-de-force portrayal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Stephen Frears' compelling portrait of the aftermath of the death of Princess Diana in August 1997.

Screenwriter Peter Morgan and his team of researchers have sifted through huge volumes of information to ensure the film is as historically and factually correct as possible.

Shakespearean Festival Kicks Off Fall Season

Shakespearean Festival Kicks Off Fall Season A true Shakesperarian classic, a modern musical about the old west and a tender love story set during the depression -- the Tony award winning, Utah Shakespearean Festival kicks off its Fall season this Friday and promises a variety of theatrical experiences. The Merchant of Venice is a story of love and humor, racism and greed. It is perhaps Shakespeare's most controversial comedy with one of his most memorial characters, Shylock. The struggle for justice and mercy, the complexity of humankind, and the nature of forgiveness and love are themes the show's director says are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago. J.R. Sullivan, Director, Merchant of Venice: "But the plays passions are what touch people right now and frighten us too, and given the political and social atmosphere we live in today.

Advance Tix

Advance Tix Searl Pickett Classical Music Series, featuring classical guitarist in October, saxophone quartet in November, piano duet in February and violinist in March, tickets at box office or by phone, all concerts at 7:30 p.m.; pre-concert receptions at 7 p.m., Windhover Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan St., Fond du Lac, $40 for series; $12 single concert when available, (920) 921-5410, www.windhover center.com. Center Stage Jazz Series: Forever Ella (tribute to Ella Fitzgerald), Oct. 20; Nick Contorno's Big Top Brass Band, Nov. 10; Janet Planet, Jan. 26; New Century Dance Orchestra, March 2; series tickets cost $50; individual performance tickets cost $15 (if available), purchase tickets at Windhover Center for the Arts, 51 Sheboygan St., by calling 921-5410 or visiting www.windhovercenter.com.

FANTASTIC FEST '06 REPORT PART 2

FANTASTIC FEST '06 REPORT PART 2 Note from Devin: Thanks to Travis, a volunteer at this year's Fantastic Fest, for taking some time to write up what he's seen. Many films at Fantastic Fest don't get wider releases, which means I won't be seeing them at press screenings, so it's great to have an early word on some interesting and weird movies.Check out part 1 of Travis' great coverage right here.As Fantastic Fest nears its finale Id like to enclose a checklist of must-haves to any brave troops daring the trip to Austin in 2007. The most essential item (besides your obvious virginity) is most certainly a pair of haggard denim shorts. Whether its a pair from Dr. Funkes wardrobe or something a tad longer, no one can question your credentials in a snazzy pair of carpenter pant cut-offs (this can be accented nicely with a backwards Devils Reject s fitted cap as wellif you feel like going for broke).Item two on the list is pale skin topped off with an obscure anime t-shirt two sizes too small or three sizes too big.

'The Best Man' reasserts its political shrewdness

'The Best Man' reasserts its political shrewdness

There has been no shortage of terrific contenders for "top-of-the-ticket" in this fall's highly competitive local theater campaign. But this particular delegate from Chicago is proudly and unequivocally casting her ballot for the spiky, savage, wonderfully sophisticated Remy Bumppo Theatre Company revival of "The Best Man." Gore Vidal's clipped, cutting, brilliantly insightful evocation of the American political scene -- and the array of flawed creatures who buzz around it -- is a winner on every level.

Though Vidal's play bowed on the stage in 1960 -- as the Eisenhower years were about to cede to Kennedy's "Camelot" days -- it retains the delicious smell of fresh ink and hot blood. The characters' clothing may be vintage (credit designer Cybele Moon), but there's little else that is not very much of the moment -- whether it's talk about the candidates' character, the careful massaging of image, the impact of polls, the temptation for mud-slinging, the propensity for womanizing, or the do's and don'ts of political wives.

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