unsolicited criticism
Movie Review: The Ides of March
3.5 stars out of 5 The thing about politics: It’s too political. And this movie—though very well-made, smartly written, and sharply performed—unfortunately doesn’t have much more to say than that. Clooney has already proved himself more than competent behind the camera. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck, and Leatherheads: All good, […]
Movie Review: Jack and Jill
2 stars out of 5 I can see movies for free on Tuesdays. So occasionally, I’ll see something on a Tuesday that I otherwise might not choose to see. Today was such a Tuesday. Now, Jack and Jill has been absolutely panned by critics. Still, that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. You see, I’ve enjoyed […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition III
Edition I caused a seismic shift in the Nielsen ratings. Edition II sparked a move away from online streaming back to traditional TV viewing. So brace yourself, friends, as it is time for Edition III. The following shows were not on my previous lists, unless otherwise indicated. RECENT FAVORITES American Horror Story (FX, Wednesdays at […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition II
“Jack, it’s been 7 long months since you last told us what you were watching on TV,” begins one of the countless similar notes crowding my in-box. “Please please please update us on your viewing habits.” The public has spoken, and I will capitulate. The following shows were not on the previous list, unless otherwise […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2010
The gifts are unwrapped, the champagne glasses are washed and put away for another year. The holidays are over and it’s time to return to normalcy, except…something is gnawing at you. Something is… missing. Ah, yes. Jack’s list of the top movies of the year gone by. This is the second time I’ve publicly shared […]
I Highly Doubt You Have Any Interest in What I’m Watching on TV
But I’m going to tell you anyway. I have never been ashamed to admit that I’m extremely fond of television. Oh, I know, it rots the brain and making weak for form writeal of languaging. I don’t care, I likes it! So here are the shows I’ve been watching recently. CURRENT FAVORITES Boardwalk Empire (HBO, […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2009
I like going to the movies. I’m like Binx Bolling, but without the charming New Orleans accent. So as 2009 reaches the end of its reel, or, uh, one last delicious digitally-projected byte—oh shut up for god’s sake—I thought I’d run down the films I liked best. Now, as I’ve aged, I’ve become more suspicious […]
Disneyland
Isa and I were invited by friends to Disneyland this week. We’d never been, so we accepted the offer. We parked, and waited in line for a tram. Then we waited in another line for a security check. Then we waited for tickets. The inside of the park: We walked down the fabled Main Street, […]
Lee Israel Is Real
How heartening it has been over the past week and a half to see the phoenix-like return of my friend Lee Israel. She has soundly disproved F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tired axiom “There are no second acts in American lives.” By my count, we’re up to at least Lee’s fourth act. And who knows, she may […]
Who Are You, Third Guy on the Pineapple Express Poster?
You’re not Seth Rogen. You’re not James Franco. You’re not Jason Statham, I know that. So, who are you? Oh, it’s a rhetorical question. I could go to the official website and learn your identity. I could read the credits on the poster and see three additional names and figure it out by process of […]
Jack Silbert, curator