Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt is out to save the world again in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, another in the very profitable series of action films that Cruise turns to when he needs a bona-fide hit.

A few weeks ago, I just happened to walk into Joe’s Famous Bar & Grill in Burbank. I settled into a seat at the bar and heard the person on stage announce “Here’s a man who needs no introduction!” I turned toward the darkened stage and my face lit up as the familiar silhouette of a tall, lanky man walked up to the microphone. I shouted “RONNIE MACK!”, then giggled and laughed as the stage lights came on.

Part superhero movie, part caper film, part dysfunctional family movie (everyone’s got issues), Antman is a nice surprise, an enjoyable entry in the Marvel superhero series that is seemingly taking over the cinematic galaxy.

RINGO STARR recently celebrated his 75th birthday in front of Capitol Records with an OHM chant of PEACEANDLOVE. This is a tradition that STARR began in 2005 with a few participants which has now blossomed into a few hundred enthusiastic noon time PEACEANDLOVE chanters.

Over the last several years ABC has become known for producing thought-provoking, character-driven dramas, and this summer they offer us a 10-episode mini-series entitled “The Astronaut Wives Club."

Arnold Schwarzenegger is ba-a-ack in his signature role for Terminator Genisys, but the question you may have by the end is why anybody bothered.

Ever since STING wasn’t cast as the Vampire Lestat in Anne Rice’s “Interview With The Vampire” I have viewed casting choices in movies with a touch of skepticism and a sideways glance. But LOVE & MERCY proved itself to be quite an extraordinary film with a soundtrack worthy of a BRIAN WILSON biopic.

Jurassic World has it all, as rampaging dinosaurs chow down on theme park visitors and employees alike, while Vincent D’Onofrio gets to chew up a lot of scenery.

Since the series finale of NBC’s 30 Rock, fans have wondered what is next for the delightfully talented Tina Fey and her producing partner Robert Carlock. Well there’s good news, after a bit of a TV hiatus the dream team came back together, this time with Netflix original series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

In the 1970s as a pre-adolescent I was fortunate to study guitar with a legendary teacher and performer, Joe Corso on Long Island, New York. He required me to read and master traditional music notation, read cord forms and scale techniques for a jazz musician.

The future is once again playing at your multiplex, but it could also be the present, with isolated warring factions amidst a parched wasteland and rapacious leaders who bully the underprivileged masses by hoarding all manner of resources, including water and gasoline.

SCILLA SIEKMANN was the first act that lured me into Skinny’s Lounge in the NoHo Arts District. Once in there, her interpretation of JANIS JOPLIN's “Piece Of My Heart” had me convinced and convicted (like a religious conviction) and I became a huge booster for this multi-faceted vocalist.

On a Monday morning, in June 1979, a limousine pulled in front of Tower Records in West Covina, where I worked at the time. A man and two women exited the vehicle. The trio wore identical black t-shirts with white lettering. As they approached the entrance, I noticed the man carried several albums under his arms.

Avengers: Age of Ultron has plenty of fireworks, as befits a movie with no fewer than seven superheroes, a few more superheroes in waiting, some minor bad guys, and one very major villain at the core.

Ever heard the saying "a good TV show never really dies?" We all know that a beloved show can forever live on in the heart of its fans. Well it turns out, cult classic Community has found a new life itself, this time a part of Yahoo! Screen's new channel. You heard me correct, Yahoo! is making original TV shows now.

Near the end of her recent concert at the Hollywood Masonic Lodge, the British singer Rumer (Sarah Joyce) told the audience that “there are billions and billions and billions of amazing people in the world, and hardly any evil people. It’s just that we hear about them more often.”

Noah Baumbach’s While We’re Young is at its best in the early going, as it explores the emerging relationship between a middle-aged, childless couple (Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts) and an affectionate, energetic younger couple (Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried).

Jogging down Cahuenga Blvd. for a bit of exercise and a browse at The Iliad Bookshop when the Cahuenga General Store was espied beyond Chandler Blvd.

Tammy Johnston is a freelance writer with a passion for music. One of her favorite pastimes is discovering local music treasures. She looks forward to sharing them with you!

With so many cool venues to choose from in NoHo Arts District, a series of three articles is planned to feature a few of those that have stood out. There are several that have a distinct ambiance about them and seem to reflect a specific atmosphere.