2012
You are browsing the archive for 2012.
New Year’s Resolutions 2013
1. Geeeeeet my eeeeeeeeeeeee keeeeeeeeeeey fixeeeeeeeeeeeeed. 2. Apprendre à parler français. 3. Really take the bull by the horns (only if I somehow become a matador or rodeo clown). 4. Stockpile untaken wooden nickels; purchase a wooden certificate of deposit. 5. Resolution No. 5 is brought to you by Chanel No. 5, the perfect fragrance […]
Movie Review: Searching for Sugar Man
3.5 stars out of 5 Back in the summer, I saw the trailer for Searching for Sugar Man and thought, “I must see this movie.” The story was absolutely fascinating to me. Forty years ago, a U.S. musician named Rodriguez made a couple of albums that no one bought. He was promptly forgotten and then […]
Movie Review: Django Unchained
3 stars out of 5 Late in the film, a puffy-looking Quentin Tarantino shows up, speaking with an Australian accent. And that perfectly encapsulates this movie: Quirky, entertaining, random, and totally bloated. I’m looking back at my 3.5-star review of Inglourious Basterds, and much of the same applies here: form over content, style over substance, […]
My Internet Radio Playlist, 12/25/12
EPISODE #56: NEW TO ME IN 2012 The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Sharon Van Etten — “All I Can” Hilly Eye — “Loopy” Hospitality — “Eighth Avenue” The Operators — “The Look” Dipers — “Bed Bugs Are Back” Davey Crockett. — “Alvaro” Dead Dog — “Little Miss ICU” Cola Jet Set — “El Sueño […]
Movie Review: Argo
4 stars out of 5 It had been a long time since I’d heard the name Bani Sadr. I was only 10 years old when the Iran Hostage Crisis began. But it was big, big news and we all followed the developments, the names, the ever-increasing day count. The Shah. Ayatollah Khomeini. Ted Koppel. Novelty […]
Movie Review: Lincoln
4 stars out of 5 About 90 minutes in, I was thinking, “I will reluctantly give this four stars out of five.” My feeling was, very well made, expertly performed, and definitely an important story to tell… but was I enjoying myself? And yet, Steven Spielberg once again worked his magic on me, and I […]
Graffiti! Young Filmmakers! Jersey City!
All this and more in the lead story I wrote for today’s Jersey City Independent. They’re good kids and I really enjoyed meeting them!
My Internet Radio Playlist, 12/18/12
EPISODE #55: HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2012 The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Bruce Springsteen — “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” The Qualities [Sun Ra] — “It’s Christmas Time” Alabama Sacred Harp Singers — “Sherburne” Allo Darlin’ — “Only Dust Behind” Joey Ramone — “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” The Mockers — “(There’s […]
Predicting John Sterling’s Home-Run Call for Kevin Youkilis
THe New York Yankees signed White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (what? he played for another team?) to a one-year, $12 million contract. This raises a burning question for Yankees fans. And it’s not “Will Youk be a competent fill-in for injured A-Rod at the hot corner” or “Will Youkilis and Joba finally bury the […]
Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook
3 stars out of 5 Times is tough, so kudos to Silver Linings Playbook for giving us two movies for the price of one. I think I could’ve enjoyed either of these movies. But maybe not both. The inescapable commercials for this film seemed to hint at a goofy romantic comedy. A rom-com, as the […]
Jack Silbert, curator