Kaleidoscope

While we're waiting for Chicago-based Ork Posters to come out with their much-anticipated (at least by me) Philadelphia neighborhoods poster, we'll settle for "The Heart," which, with its modern lettering and sharp design, makes my own geeky little ticker go thump-thump. Hit orkposters.com to add yourself to the Philly mailing list, and in the meantime, rest assured that you'll never have to wonder where your ventricles are.

Self-described "rogue taxidermist" Beth Beverly and her cohorts have unveiled Porkchop, a Fishtown artist collective brimming with ragtag potential. This Thursday they'll host a group art show ($5 to enter), complete with aerial dance, bottomless beer cups and a piñata filled with "alterna-treats," whatever that means. They've got a Facebook page, but we suggest you wing it. Just wander up to 1536 N. American St., pop your head in Pork Chop's door and see where the night takes you.

Computer animation of the Pixar variety can be breathtakingly cool, but rarely is it beautiful in the same way as Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli films. These fantastical stories, like his masterpiece Spirited Away, are set against expansive backgrounds that look more like fine art than cartoon sets. Before going to Ponyo (read Sam Adams' review), catch up on Miyazaki's better-known fare, like Howl's Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke, then dig deeper with Porco Rosso, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and My Neighbor Totoro.

Most of the praise for Julie & Julia (read Cindy Fuchs' review) goes to Meryl Streep for her commanding performance as Julia Child. But it's Stanley Tucci, as Child's husband, Paul, who is truly impressive. A consummate character actor, Tucci knows when to step back and let Streep lead. And he looks positively creeptastic as the villain in the upcoming, locally shot The Lovely Bones. But my fave Tucci film is The Imposters, with fellow "hey I know that guy!" guy, Oliver Platt.