Let’s say you get the idea stuck in your craw that you wanted to write or direct a summer blockbuster. To do that, you’ll want to study the best of the best. What you don’t want is something stupid, cynical, or pandering. Look, I get it. For many of us, the summer movie season is a nightmare. We’re ritually bludgeoned with special effects, broad humor, and cloying animation. Ask the average filmgoer, and they might tell you that summer movies aren’t even intended to be good. They exist to move a franchise forward or sell toys. The average filmgoer might even think that an entertaining... Read More

Discover the 10 Best Hikes in Boulder Outstanding hiking trails await you in the city of Boulder, Colorado.  Featuring incredible scenery, Boulder’s tracks provide unforgettable challenges for novices and experts alike.   Before starting out on any hike, always make sure you are prepared for the elements. Well-fitting, broken-in hiking boots are essential – along with several layers of appropriate clothing and a hat. Make sure you take enough drinking water, snacks, emergency food supplies and a medical kit. Don’t forget that your skin can lose a lot of vital moisture during long hikes,... Read More

Pearl Street Mall—an iconic Boulder location where you can find all of your fjallraven or Patagonia branded outdoor needs, an espresso at one of the many coffee shops studded throughout the streets, or CU buff paraphernalia at one of the Campus Stores. Pearl Street is the lively epicenter of Boulder, drawing locals and tourists alike to get a taste of authentic Boulder. Pearl Street was first established in the 1860’s and thought to be named after one of the founder’s wives. Boulder began as a supply town for goldseekers, and the mall was first constructed due to a need for shops and provisions... Read More

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. Until 2012, the screening for prostate cancer, called the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, was the standard for predicting prostate cancer for men 55 and older. Because PSA is a protein produced by both cancerous and noncancerous tissue in the prostate, it was determined to be inaccurate in detecting prostate cancer.  Normal PSA is 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood, but a high PSA levels doesn’t always mean cancer and low levels don’t always mean a healthy prostate. In 2012, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended... Read More

When your local teams are out of the playoffs and kick-off is still months away, the mind starts to wander.  Mine wandered to a routine afternoon game between the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago Cubs in which Nolan Arenado had his 15-game hitting streak snapped, despite the 3-1 Colorado victory. Arenado is having another sensational year hitting .332 with 16 HRs and 54 RBIs.  With six straight Gold Gloves and over 200 career homers, I thought to myself, is Nolan Arenado the greatest Rockie of all- time? To find out the answer I put it to my research department, meaning my laptop and the Starbucks... Read More

We as a culture are constantly on the move, and guidebooks or websites aren’t always something we have access to. Apps that help to facilitate our adventures in the great outdoors can be the difference between going and staying home, because they provide helpful information and a more user-friendly interface than old school maps. The problem is that there are hundreds of outdoor apps on the market: so which ones are really worth it? We’ve compiled some pros and cons of five of the most popular outdoor apps to help you be in the know. 1. AllTrails With a catalogue of over 50,000 trails in both... Read More

Hearing the right song at the right moment can be life-changing. It can put the love of your life into hyper-focus, pull you back from the abyss, and give you the confidence to stand up to someone twice your size. The right song can feel like it was written just for you, yet millions of people can relate to it. Those kinds of songs are not easy to create, much less perform in a way that feels heartfelt. Elton John has been in the business of creating precisely those kinds of songs for decades. Fine, maybe his stuff isn’t necessarily for you, but whether you like his music or not is almost irrelevant.... Read More

Rollin Greens food truck based out of Boulder, Colorado, is bringing something new to the freezer aisle. Healthier than a tater tot, Rollin Greens decided to make millet tots, a superfood based tot that is just as delicious as their unhealthy tater sibling. Millet is a grain that is easily grown in Colorado. It requires very little water to grow, and is so sustainable that it has been around for more than 4,000 years. Millet is easily digestible and has a low rate of allergens, plus it’s packed with nutrients that potatoes do not have, including: Magnesium Calcium Maganese Tryptophan Phosphorus Fiber B... Read More

You know what I love? Camping. You know what I don’t love as much? Paying as much as I would for a hotel room for a night! Luckily, there are plenty of free campsites in and around the front range, and we’ve compiled some for you to get you started!   West Magnolia Ridge 602-610 County Highway 132-W Nederland, Colorado GPS: 39.946961, -105.517587 Elevation: 8711′ If you can brave rough camping accessed by a currently washed-out road, you’re in for a treat. This site is near Nederland and many hiking trails with sweeping views of the forests and mountains. Pets are allowed, and... Read More

It’s almost summer, a time for outdoor activities including sleeping in the great outdoors.  Camping helps us refresh our mind and soul. There’s nothing better than seeing the wilderness wake up as the sun lights up the sky! Camping requires some preparation to keep you warm, safe, and healthy. If you are planning a camping trip this year, keep in mind these essential health and safety tips.   Assess your fitness level.  If you are planning a particularly strenuous trip, make sure you are fit enough to withstand the strain of the journey. You may want to consider working with a fitness... Read More

As a fan I spent many seasons in the South Stands cheering on the Denver Broncos.  Donning a tattered Steve Atwater and holding a local microbrew, I bled orange and blue.  Through the good years with John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Von Miller.  And the bad of Josh McDaniels, Rahim Moore, and Paxton Lynch. Throughout it all, I trusted the Broncos. My cup was half full, filled with the positive expectations of seasons to come. But I don’t see it.  I would love to believe that the issues of the last few seasons were primarily coaching and quarterback play, but that seems too simple.  That our... Read More

  Snarf: eat or drink quickly or greedily What does an obscure name, wacky logo, and bright pinks and blues bring to mind? Snarf’s, of course! The sandwich shop based out of Boulder, Colorado has made a name for itself and spread to locations across the country because of its high quality ingredients and fresh baked bread. The high points of any trip have to be their made-in-house spicy pepper blend (which you can buy jarred–something I only recently learned that has changed my life) and their crispy-on-the-outside chewy-on-the-inside bread. The bread is sourced from Bluepoint... Read More

In our own ways, we all have power. From petitions, to marches, to your own creativity, everyone has the power to push the needle in a positive direction. Film has a power that’s mighty, and one of my favorite things is championing a film, getting absolutely blissed-out, and transforming into a cinematic evangelist. The right film can open eyes, change a life, and make the unbearable a little easier to bear. But what if you had the power to prevent a great film from becoming a train wreck? Office Space and Clue are some of the most beloved comedies ever made. They were also disasters at the box... Read More

Boulder county residents beware–bears have come out of hibernation. The City of Boulder has issued a warning to residents warning them to be aware of potential danger, especially as the bear population has become more prevalent in Boulder, especially east of Broadway. The city has issued a few tips for Boulder residents to stay safe as summer approaches: If you see a bear, stay calm. Don’t run – the bear may chase you. Make yourself look large and back away. Give the bear room to leave. Never throw food to distract a bear. This teaches the bear to approach people for food. Bear-proof... Read More

May 31st is World No Tobacco Day.  7 out of 10 smokers say they want to quit. Quitting tobacco, including chewing tobacco, is one of the best things you can do for your health. Smoking in particular harms nearly every organ in your body, and nearly one-third of deaths from heart disease are the result of smoking and secondhand smoke. Some smokers have switched to e-cigarettes to ease the transition to a smoke-free life.  E-cigarettes are devices that vaporize a nicotine-based liquid which is then inhaled, much like a cigarette.  Is the e-cigarette a better alternative to smoking tobacco?  Here... Read More

Baseball is a team sport.  A 40-man roster in which clutch hitting meets quality pitching, spin rotations and exit velocities are scrutinized to maximize player performance, and managers are asked to adjust strategy and personnel on an ongoing basis in order to win games. Baseball is a choregraphed dance of many.  Defensively, the entire team shifts in unison as a pull-hitter comes to the plate.  The catcher surgically frames the pitch asking for something low and inside, the shortstop signals to the second baseman that he’ll cover the open base if needed, and the right-hander continues to... Read More

While the saying “it’s about the journey, not the destination” is definitely a good one to take to heart, it’s not always 100% true; especially when the destination is a waterfall. We’ve found five waterfall hikes near Boulder that will really make you excited about the destination. 5. Alberta Falls Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, these falls are some of the easiest to reach at the end of a gently rolling 1.7-mile roundtrip loop. Take the kids for a picnic by these scenic falls, dip your feet in the snowmelt, and snap a selfie with the cascading water in the background. 4. Bridal... Read More

I am often asked if I miss having a house. My gut response is rather defensive. I have a house. It just happens to be silver, sits on wheels, and can be transported to any desired location via my car. So, the simple answer is no, I do not miss having a house. I have one. If only life were as easy as the simple answers. The more complicated (and therefore, more realistic) answer is yes, I miss having a house. And I still don’t mean the thing with four walls and windows and a door. Don’t let me fool you—I am most definitely plotting my dream homes over here (yes, plural). One is a black A-frame... Read More

As a human being, I have the ability to hold two completely contradictory ideas in my noggin at the same time. The first idea is that I love superheroes. They’re part of a genre that’s remarkably malleable, and with a bit of creativity, you can tell virtually any kind of story with them. The second idea is that, if superheroes truly existed, they would be terrifying. Let’s talk about Batman, for example. In movies, comics, and other media, he’s a relentless crusader. A protector of the innocent. He’s a hero—one of the good guys. One of his defining attributes is that he always knows... Read More

A couple from Illinois visited Rocky Mountain National Park this week to get married and were startled when a moose came into view in their snowy May background. The couple made several attempts to take pictures and say their vows, but the stubborn guest continued to meander closer and closer. The couple said that they had never seen a moose before, and their photographer noted that the couple was terrified; she kept trying to get them to pay attention to their pictures, but they were in awe of the wildlife. The surprise guest and late spring snowstorm led to some stunning wedding pictures for... Read More