unsolicited criticism
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Films of 2023
Over the past couple of months I’ve noticed people in pajamas at the movie theater. At first I was annoyed (“People used to dress for Broadway!”), but I suppose whatever gets people to the cinema these days is OK by me. And I dare say that crowds are slowly returning even though A) films are […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XXV
This edition is a little skimpy (slower time of year? fewer new shows due to writers/actors strikes?). I’d like to say I filled my time enjoying the splendor of nature but I think I was just watching more old movies on TCM. Anyway, here’s my TV wrap-up from the past six months. LIKED A LOT […]
Meatball Sandwich Review: Milano’s
Forgive me, Father, it’s been five years since my last meatball sandwich review. I have no ready excuse, though I do know that since my go-to chicken parm provider closed a couple of summers ago, I have been on an unofficial quest to find a replacement. But I never stopped loving you, meatball sandwich. And […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XXIV
As the writers’ strike necessarily drags on — and now the actors are joining them on the picket line — we may run out of new scripted shows. Fear not, I will once again be your guide to series you might’ve missed. Here are the programs I’ve checked out in the past half year-plus. LOVED […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2022
It’s getting to be a bit of a drag for those of who like going out to the movies to see quality releases. Forced by finances, art theaters are devoting a chunk of their screens to big dumb Hollywood dreck. And many movies lucky enough to get a big-screen debut are quickly shuttled off to […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XXIII
Not nearly as many new shows on the list this edition. Is it possible that I watched less TV?!? Perish the thought! Still, I’m not quite sure of the reason. Was I busier watching additional seasons of previous favorites? Or tuning in to more movies, specials, and one-off documentaries? Or just fewer compelling new series? […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XXII
I know, you’ve been on pins and needles, waiting a month for my biannual recap of what I’ve been watching. Flipping from streamer to streamer to network to network with no guidance whatsoever. You can now relax, I’m here with the latest installment. LOVED Kids in the Hall (Amazon) I was in college and then […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2021
Another Covid-screwed year at the movies, and until last Tuesday this was only going to be a Top 9 list. Still, thanks to the reopening of the Clairidge Theater in Montclair (kudos to Evelyn Colbert and the good people of Montclair Film), I was able to see some quality late-year releases on the big screen […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XXI
Though life is a lot more normal now, thankfully there’s still plenty of TV time. Oh who am I kidding, there’s always TV time! (Plus my newish WiFi extender and Amazon Firestick made it much easier to watch streaming stuff on my television.) Here’s another annotated rundown of shows I’ve checked out in recent months. […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XX
Remember the first half of 2021? Yeah me neither. But I did keep track of all the TV shows I checked out, and herewith will share my thoughts on them with you. LOVED Pretend It’s a City (Netflix) This felt like a real pandemic gift, a cranky oasis. Fran Lebowitz became a huge fave of […]
Jack Silbert, curator