2013
You are browsing the archive for 2013.
New Year’s Resolutions 2014
1. Stop thinking about tomorrow. 2. Take more selfies of other people. 3. Live every day like I’ll be dead in three days. 5. It’s so important to be a good listener. Really, really focus on listening to the rockin’ tunes in my new earbuds to drown out the mindless jibber-jabber of all you yutzes. […]
My Internet Radio Playlist, 12/31/13
EPISODE #109: NEW YEAR’S 2014 The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Raymond Scott Quintet — “New Year’s Eve in a Haunted House” The Orioles — “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” Tom Waits — “New Year’s Eve” First Aid Kit — “New Year’s Eve” Amy Allison — “New Year’s Eve” Camera Obscura — “Happy […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2013
After a disappointing tally of 29 new releases seen in a theater in 2012, I vowed to rebound in 2013. But the fates seemed to conspire against me, and I worried about keeping that promise. The Clearview Cinemas chain changed hands, eliminating the “Free Tuesday” plan I had enjoyed so much with my Optimum Rewards […]
Movie Review: Her
3.5 stars out of 5 Spoiler alert: She ends up cheating on Joaquin Phoenix with the guy from the Amazon Kindle commercials. She is her, the artificial-intelligence-enhanced operating system in the latest offering from Spike Jonze. It’s his first film for adults since Adaptation way back in 2002, and his first directorial effort since slumming […]
Movie Review: The Wolf of Wall Street
4 stars out of 5 Take The Great Gatsby plus Wall Street plus Glengarry Glen Ross, blend them in a Goodfellas framework, and out comes The Wolf of Wall Street. Scorsese seems pumped up by the fascinating real-life story being told here, and delivers one of his strongest films in a long, long while. He’s […]
Movie Review: American Hustle
3.5 stars out of 5 As I’m in the holiday spirit, I’m giving this 3.5 stars, but just know that I’m definitely rounding up. What does that “O” stand for in David O. Russell? Overlong? Obfuscate? The Fighter felt too long and meandered a bit. Silver Linings Playbook started out quite strong but devolved into […]
My Internet Radio Playlist, 12/24/13
EPISODE #108: NEW TO ME IN 2013 So far in 2013, I’ve seen 276 musical performances by 240 different acts, 184 of which I was seeing for the first time. Of those, I bought records by 16 of them. The Who — “Happy Jack” [THEME] Kurt Baker — “Don’t Go Falling in Love” Jenny O. […]
Movie Review: Inside Llewyn Davis
4.5 stars out of 5 I am such a dork, and was so wrapped up in the song performance that opens Inside Llewyn Davis, I nearly applauded at its conclusion. But such is the outstanding reality of the movie. It’s not your standard period piece, with actors playing dress-up and practically winking at the camera […]
Record Store Review: Rough Trade NYC
I guess I first heard about Rough Trade when I was in high school (not to be confused with lower-case “rough trade,” which is another story for another day). It was a record label, and also a store, or vice-versa, and it was British and mysterious and cool, with an iconic logo, perfect for us […]
Movie Review: Anchorman 2
3 stars out of 5 So I arrive at the theater, look up at the showtimes, and there’s something called “Anchorman 2” playing. Gee, I wish the filmmakers had made some sort of effort to get word out about this little flick. Maybe somehow try to get the main character in front of the public, […]
Jack Silbert, curator