Cover: The Big Picture
In the 1950s, sword-and-sandal epics gave Americans a lesson in empire building. Now that all the old enemies have been vanquished, what does Ridley Scott's new 'Gladiator' have to teach us?

News: Shell Shocked
The tale of an aquafarmer's abalone dream, quelled by local fisherman and environmentalists in Half Moon Bay.

Metropolis News Extras

• Cupertino: Cupertino natives hit the Pacific Coast Trail to raise money for rain forest preservation.
  
• Campbell: Low marks for high spirits.
  
• Los Gatos: Main Street hotel is on its way up.

Tongue Fu: Couples relearn the lost art of the kiss.

Public Eye: Restaurateur poised to close Ocean Harbor. SJ councilor accuses paper of censorship. Brotherly power play.

Work: Computer geeks, literary geeks and sci-fi geeks have one thing in common.

Beck and Call: Beck plays pop-culture diplomat at May 2 Shoreline concert.

Blue Notes: Reluctant guitar hero John Scofield continues to 'Bump' on his new album.

Two Firsts, Two Seconds: Works by Grieg and Lees outdistance dull Dvorák and shallow Rimsky at SJ Symphony.

Aural Fixation: P-Roach highlighted the last live-music night at Palo Alto's venerable club.

Audiofile: Reviews of new CDs by Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Ghostlike Sun.

Punk Shot: 'The Filth and the Fury,' a new documentary by Julien Temple, evokes the heady days of musical anarchy when the Sex Pistols took aim at society's ills.

Arena Action: 'Gladiator' is big on action, short on wit.

Dishing it Out: The four heroines of 'Luminarias' have some bones to pick with men.

Widow Dressing: Kristin Scott Thomas gets involved with three suitors 'Up at the Villa.'

Dream On: 'I Dreamed of Africa' offers dreamy scenery but little drama.

That Slum of a Decade: David Frum's new book reminds us that the '70s were about a lot more than disco.

Fish Story: Scott's Seafood pampers its patrons with a panoramic valley view and impeccably fresh marine delights.

A La Carte: Mountain View cooks come out of their kitchens for A La Carte & Art festival.