Sideways Glance

Russian filmmakers must either avoid using profane dialogue or seek alternative ways to show their films, now that Russian 'mat' is no longer permitted in public performances

It wasn't that long ago that the American beer landscape was a wasteland of watery lagers. But now more than 3,000 breweries and craft brewers like Sean Lewis are churning out world-class beers that influence brewers and beer lovers worldwide.

Since 1991, the Ig Nobel prizes have been awarded, tongue firmly in cheek, to researchers whose work "first makes you laugh, then makes you think." The theme of this year's Ig Nobel ceremony? Food. And with that, we have this review of the Ig Nobel Cookbook, Volume I.

Bluegrass covers of pop and rock music abound abound. But none have quite the back story of The Henhouse Prowlers' version of "Chop My Money,"a cover of a Nigerian hip-hop mega-hit that created a frenzy in the country when the band toured there this summer.

The latest trend in tourism doesn't look like tourism at all. With the help of some adventurous tour guides, young urbanites are seeking out the world's most unusual, gross and often dangerous locales.

Tired of all the homogenized, pseudo-intellectual music you hear on most public radio? Yeah, The World's Clark Boyd is too. He argues it's time to go back to basics. And he says a good place to start is with Aussie rock greats AC/DC.

Funeral homes are offering more and more alternatives these days when it comes to burials. For example, Danish funeral director Sille Kongstad's come up with a cleaner, greener way to take a last spin through Copenhagen. It's a bicycle-powered hearse, and it is truly one sweet final ride.

No more ties. No more "losing," but still "winning." All bets are off at the World Cup in Brazil, and if you lose, you're going home. So now that it's serious, it means that Americans overseas have to decide where their loyalties lie. From his perch in a Brussels cafe, The World's Clark Boyd comes to terms with Tuesday's clash between the US and Belgium.

With so many players and referees from different parts of the globe it's a wonder that World Cup soccer games operate as smoothly as they do. But, miscommunication has occurred on the field. In fact it was one incident during the 1966 World Cup in England that gave birth to the red card, yellow card system.

The World Cup is trouble for anyone on the fence about soccer. Everything from scoreless ties to animals predicting the outcome of the games is enough to drive someone nuts. Still, The World's Clark Boyd is trying to fall in love with the "beautiful game." And that's why he's rooting for Belgium.