*by Roland Wakefield

Upon hearing there was going to be a Spider-Man game where you got to be Spidey 2099 I almost considered selling my children and dumping my girlfriend just so I could focus on more important things like playing video games. However, when I found out that being 2099 Spidey was only part of the game play of Spider-Man: Shattered Dimension an unclouded head prevailed.

My interest in Spider-Man spiked around the time 2099 Spidey came out and for three reasons: 1) Being that Spidey didn’t have web shooters any longer, but webbing just grew in his wrists like a cyst and shot out, which was disgusting and awesome to me as a 10 year old. 2) Spidey’s unexplained wall clinging was now justified by huge violent talons that allowed him to rip into walls to climb and he used those talons on his fingers and toes to slap and kick chunks out of villains’ faces. 3) Spider-Man 2099 was Mexican with a Dia De Los Muertos costume. Being Mexican (mostly) myself I found this fascinating. There weren't any other Mexican superheroes and the only one I knew of at the time was the coolest hero ever -- Spider-Man.

All Bookmans locations will have special holiday hours in recognition of Independence Day. We will open at 11 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. - just in time for fireworks. We will resume normal hours Tuesday, July 5 (9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in case you forgot).

We'll use that extra time to brush up on the Declaration of Independence. Meanwhile the Bookmans crew wishes all of you a wonderful 4th of July!

"I ain't got time to bleed."

This weekend The Loft Cinema in Tucson presents a bad-ass predator who takes no prisoners but meets his match in heavily-oiled and pumped-up Arnie in his action flick prime in Bookmans Cult Classic Predator at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9.

Bookmans has been on a wild ride with The Midnite Movie Mamacita for over five years! Starting with a screening of Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! at the well loved Paper Heart Gallery all the way to her most recent home, Madcap Theaters. Cult classic films such as The Room and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World became monthly events not to be missed! Andrea Beesley-Brown, aka "The Midnite Movie Mamacita", has become well-known around the state of Arizona for her unique approach to film programming. Bookmans is excited to continue the ride with her brand-new business adventure in opening the brand new venue, The Royale Cinema, in Downtown Mesa. We asked The Midnite Movie Mamacita about her adventures at The Royale and more.

What experience will The Royale share with cinema lovers?

The Royale will provide a unique and fun experience for cinema lovers. We are an intimate venue that provides an alternative to the multiplex. For example in our lobby we have retro arcade games, a VHS player hooked up to a giant old TV for people to pick and choose a video while they wait and we will focus on retro soda and snacks in the snack bar. As far as the programming goes we will continue to bring the newest independent genre films like Hobo with a Shotgun and Troll Hunter as well as our retro screenings that we are well known for.

Over the years you have had many celebrity guests at your screening, do you have a favorite event?

Oh wow, it's hard to narrow it down...I've been really blessed with the talent that I've gotten to work with, but I think if I had to pick a favorite, my first event with the stars of The Royale with Bookmans readers?

We will be working with Bookmans on a VHS exclusive night, which we are really excited about to showcase features that have never made it beyond VHS, we can't wait to showcase these hidden treasures. We will also be doing MuVChat (text heckling) and a monthly documentary showcase, Becky Bodacious will bring her Camp Cinema to The Royale as well as other events such as Movie Mashterpiece with the National Comedy Theatre.

There you have it, we have no doubt The Royale will rock your socks! We’ve played Dig Dug and Centipede at the theater, watched the movie screen installation, and spoke with the volunteers. You’re invited to The Royale on Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m. for the opening night film, Hobo with a Shotgun. Tickets are available here. Buy them now, this event is expected to sell out!

The Royale Cinema is located at 108 W. Main St. in Downtown Mesa.

Attention Tucsonans and Foodies! If you've been stuck in the kitchen whisking aioli you missed this year's Iron Chef Tucson, many epicureans' dream. This annual event tosses a mixed salad of local talent -- many from Tucson Originals. Relatively new, in its fourth year this competition has grown into a full-fledged weekend affair with Meet the Chefs, a sneak preview prior to the main event. This year Loews Ventana Canyon hosted the two-day event with main sponsor Stella Artois. Enthusiasts can vie for Tasting Tickets to join in on the food fun. Being able to taste the food of Gods isn't cheap. There are only eight tickets and they are auctioned off to the highest bidders.

Executive Chef for Lodge on the Desert Ryan Clark sizzled throughout the competition and took home the title of Iron Chef Tucson 2011. This farm-to-table style cook hasn't let fame go to his head. He graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York on the Dean's List and is named one of the top 16 junior chefs across the nation by the American Culinary Federation. If that doesn't dazzle you then how about having cooked for stars such as Will Smith, Sting, Britney Spears, Wayne Gretzky and Jennifer Aniston? Ryan was kind enough to answer some burning questions that we had for this award winning chef.

Canada is the continent's New Eden in Stake Land playing exclusively in Downtown Mesa’s The Royale. They’re showing this film nightly from July 15 through 21 and Bookmans has tickets just for you!

*by guest writer Tamara McKinney, Program and Communications Manager for Reading Seed Children's Literacy Program

In May 2011, five boards voted to merge and create one powerful organization to lead Tucson’s literacy movement. Each of the organizations, the Literacy for Life Coalition, Literacy Volunteers of Tucson, Reach Out and Read Southern Arizona, Reading Seed and Stories That Soar!, will continue to do its own mission-driven work. By coming together they will be able to do much more in our community by providing a broad spectrum of services from birth through adulthood.

It’s time for the Twitter Treasure Hunt in Flagstaff again and this is your chance to act the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy to win a whole bag of free local business treasure! What’s that now? If you haven’t heard of our Bookmans Twitter Treasure Hunt where you can win great prizes for using your noggin then it’s time to get with the program! All of our markets host one so no matter where you are, follow your local Bookmans tweep (@bookmansflag in this case) and we’ll lead you to local business booty!

"I'm a little bit country.
And I'm a little bit rock 'n roll.
I'm a little bit of Memphis and Nashville
With a little bit of Motown in my soul.
I don't know if it's good or bad
But I know I love it so.
I'm a little bit country
And I'm a little bit rock 'n roll."

Getting a new pet is an exciting journey for an individual or an entire family. It means choosing a pet to suit your needs, picking out a name, finding it a perfect place to sleep and fitting your new friend into your daily life. Most people automaticly see a dog or a cat as a pet but so many other kinds of creatures are waiting to become your little buddy. You'll have the chance to learn about them at our Creature Carnival from 1 to 3 p.m. on July 30 at Bookmans Phoenix.

Due to a contractual obligation after his hugely publicized departure as the host of NBC’s Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien hit the road. He was unable to appear on television, radio or the Internet for six months. The documentary Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop opens exclusively at The Royale this Friday, July 29.