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'Food Fight
Battle of the Bands
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"Björn Again: The ABBA
Experience" comes to Centennial
Hall tonight. It's a stage show
that goes beyond the music of
the 1970s-'80s super group to
explore the egos and
relationships of the Swedish
foursome - Benny Andersson,
Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid
Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog.

The origin of ABBA's name has
two stories: One, they used the
initials of their first names; and
two, the name is a play on a
popular Swedish company
named Abba.

Both are true. The band was
originally named after the
Swedish company, but when
their career was booming
internationally - they went on to
become one of the most
successful international pop acts
ever - they realized no one
outside their native Sweden
would get the name play. So they
held a contest with fans to come
up with a name before settling
on ABBA. They eventually had to
negotiate with the company to
use the name ABBA.

Here's our question: In what
business was the Swedish
company?

Those who answer correctly will
have a chance to win a cookbook.

Click here to submit your
answer.

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Caliente Cover
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Aznightbuzz Calendar
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Frankenstein's Monster is closely followed by Machine Gun Joe's Dodge Ram in "Death Race," a film about a prison-sponsored, pay-per-view demolition derby.
photos courtesy of Universal Pictures
More Photos (1):
Review
Death Race
**
• Rated: R for strong violence and language.
• Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson.
• Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
• Family call: Not for kids.
• Running time: 105 minutes.
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'Death Race' likely to drive viewers crazy

By Phil Villarreal
Pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.21.2008
"Death Race" bravely takes on that philosophical quandary every one of us must face: What to do when a ninja breaks into your home, frames you for the murder of your wife and taunts you with a finger-gun motion?
For Jensen (Jason Statham), the answer is obvious. Enter the prison-sponsored, pay-per-view demolition derby, kill the ninja during one of the races — confirming it's him when he once again taunts you with the finger-gun — and win your freedom. Because in the future, racing skill trumps a life sentence.
In a way you've got to respect a movie that keeps a straight face and tosses out a line like "I want you to be Frankenstein," expecting the audience to nod accordingly and grip the armrests. You've also got to respect a studio for daring to remake the brilliantly awful "Death Race 2000," which is as tough a prospect as redoing "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" or "Freaks." You're setting yourself up for failure.
And failure is what "Death Race" is greased with. Failure courses through the pistons, pumps through the engine and out the exhaust pipe. The movie plays like it's based on a video game that wasn't good enough to have been made.
So many illogical things occur that when something that makes sense happens, it throws you off. So you're OK with Jensen, agreeing to assume the identity of the deceased fan-favorite driver Frankenstein, gleefully driving with a navigator (played by Natalie Martinez of "Fashion House") who cops to having helped kill the old Frankenstein. Also at Jensen's side is the mechanic Coach (Ian McShane of "Deadwood"), a lifer who has been granted release but chooses to stay inside. With the chance to mingle with girls who look like Martinez, who could blame him?
The racing action is intense and dramatic, and a post-film message informs you not to repeat the stunts you've seen.
Remember, kids — of all the life lessons you glean from "Death Race," be sure to filter out its driving instruction.

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