Money Taco Talks

A movie called The Secret is sweeping the world. At least that's what its official Web site claims, along with the fact that the information it contains promises "a new era in humankind". Watch the film, which even Oprah Winfrey is promoting, and you'll discover the secret to everything–"unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted". It, or the book of the same name, could change your life forever, the site exclaims. Apparently, said secret is based on the law of attraction: think about good things happening to you and they will. I can't tell you any more about it, since I don't plan on punching in my credit-card number to authorize a charge of US$29.95 to buy the DVD. And chances are neither will David Granirer. The local registered professional counsellor takes such platitudes as "think positive" and "visualize what you want and all your dreams will come true" and swiftly drop-kicks them out the door.

Reporter-tested cleaning ideas can save time and m

Saving money on cleaning supplies, and making things easier on yourself and the environment, merits critical thought.

Instead, mix white vinegar, which is less than $2 a gallon on sale, with water in a spray bottle, one part water to one part vinegar. You can even use the empty container that held your chemical-filled window and surface cleaner.

Movie Review: Exciting Grindhouse a wild ride

When filmmakers talk about how great the movies were back in the 1970s, they're usually thinking about "The Godfather," "Chinatown," or "Dog Day Afternoon."

Those days are gone, and "Grindhouse" -- the directors' supercharged attempt to resurrect the illicit B-movie double feature -- will have to play sterile, sanitary multiplexes alongside such respectable mainstream fare as "Wild Hogs," "TMNT" and "300," all of which wear the imprint of exploitation cinema with pride (the biker movie, kung fu picture and gorefest, respectively).

Saving money on routine costs

Many small businesses waste money on routine expenditures simply because they don't pay attention. And while money spent on shipping, office supplies, service contracts, travel, phone and Internet services might fall into the category of "small stuff" for some businesses, these routine items can quickly bleed needed cash from your coffers in the blink of an eye.

Stiff competition and thin profit margins have made running lean a necessity for most small businesses, so it's important to establish smart buying habits to protect your profits. The steps you can take are not complicated and do not require fancy financial formulas. When it comes to cutting costs, common sense prevails. A successful approach to saving money on a regular basis relies on small, sustainable steps.

Here are five ways to save your small business money on the simple things:

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Queen Latifah Leads a Trio of Bank Robbers

People started thinking of hip-hop's Queen Latifah as a serious actress after her riveting portrayal of a lesbian bank robber in Set It Off, so perhaps it's no surprise she's ready for another hold-up.

This time it's an inside job, as bank tellers Latifah, Katie Holmes, and Diane Keaton team up to loot their employer in the upcoming Mad Money.

Writing and directing the film is someone else who's had a little experience with cinematic larceny - Callie Khouri, whose script of Thelma & Louise gave us two unlikely outlaws now legendary among lesbian film fans.

Money-hunting trios have given us terrific movies before, from How to Marry a Millionaire to How to Beat the High Cost of Living, so expect this caper to be lots of fun when it hits theaters in 2008.

Army strained to near its breaking point

KILLEEN, Texas -- Occupying a 340-square-mile swath of hill country in central Texas, Fort Hood is the home front for an Army at war.

One of the largest military installations in the world, it is the only post in the United States capable of hosting an Army corps headquarters plus two entire armored divisions: the 4th Infantry, which has recently returned from Iraq, and the 1st Cavalry, which is there now. On Fort Hood, nobody talks about what President Bush calls America's "long war" against terrorism as something in the abstract.

Within the confines of this base, the signs of war are subtle but plain. "Support Our Troops" ribbons festoon most cars. Posters for blood drives ("Save a Soldier's Life Today!") are plastered everywhere. The sight of soldiers on crutches or in bandages is commonplace at the post exchange.

For life-long camerman, it's not a wrap

Andrew Laszlo snapped his first pictures at age 11 in his hometown of Papa, Hungary. He was the cinematographer for his last big-time American motion picture, the musical "Newsies," in 1992. Now he's moved on to teaching film students and authoring books.

In the 70 years between those first photos and today, Laszlo's life has been jam-packed with events both tragic and triumphant. As a teenager, he lost his family during the Holocaust and was sent to two concentration camps, Bergen-Belsen in Germany and Theresienstadt in Czechoslovakia.

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Game review: 'March Madness 2007'

But "March Madness 2007" preceded those events. The game has questionable graphics and gameplay for an Electronic Arts title, and is way more than a step back from "March Madness 2006." That was simply a better game.

There's been some talk in the gaming community that Electronic Arts was so focused on creating a superb "Madden 2007" that game developers lacked focus in creating some of its other sports titles.