Cover: Marquis Mark
Director Philip Kaufman dips his quills into the life of the Marquis de Sade.

News: Nüz
The dark underbelly of the Potbelly Beach project; a kinder, gentler Critical Mass.

Play Maker: Toy expert Mickey McGowan takes a walk through the icons and idle pleasures of Toys 'R' Us.

Bruce Bratton: Opposition to Home Depot grows; this week's movies; upcoming UCSC Extension classes.

Work: Even for the young, retirement is not as much fun as it's cracked up to be.

Add Versifier Reaction: Faced with the death of its longtime poet laureate, California struggles to anoint a new state bard worthy of the grand tradition of Charles B. Garrigus (who?)

Beat Privilege: Fatboy Slim creates the kind of memorably funky dance music that people actually want to groove to in the privacy of their own home.

Sights & Sounds: Santa Cruz's multitalented Rick Walker keeps busy sitting in with folkies and running a live looping show.

Culinary Treasures: O'mei amazes the taste buds with pliant seafood and bold seasonings.

All Downhill: 'Vertical Limit' plummets fast.

Bargaining Basement: Hostage action-drama 'Proof of Life' is barely alive.

Weekly World Web: All Buffy, all the time.