From the Archive — The Beatles
This was written for my former online home, as part of a recurring feature I dubbed “Flashback Friday.” It amazes me that we’ve reached a point nearly fifty years after the break-up of the Beatles and the scruffy fella see … Continue reading From the Archive — The Beatles
One for Friday — Close Lobsters, “What is There to Smile About”
Thirty years ago, in 1988, Close Lobsters released the EP What is There to Smile About. It was part of a very typical strategy to take every measure to ensure not too much time passed between new recordings for bands … Continue reading One for Friday — Close Lobsters, “What is There to Smile About”
Now Playing — Inventing Tomorrow
Younger generations could be forgiven if they were filled with fury over the planet that has been knocked into disrepair for them. I truly believe that history will incredulously record that the greater political society knew of all the ways … Continue reading Now Playing — Inventing Tomorrow
Now Playing — Crime + Punishment
Any documentarian depicting a current, ongoing social hardship has an inherent added challenge in the filmmaking process. Simply put, reality doesn’t always play along. The desire to wrap up stories with some level of finality — not necessarily tidily, but … Continue reading Now Playing — Crime + Punishment
Now Playing — Skate Kitchen
Director Crystal Moselle’s debut feature was a documentary, the acclaimed depiction of isolated, movie-obsessed brothers called The Wolfpack. It is fitting, then, that Moselle’s first full-length fiction offering is reliant on the foundational skills of observation and spinning a compelling narrative out of the distinctive individuals she meets when traversing the big world with a keen eye. Skate Kitchen takes its name from a crew of young women skateboarders in New York City who Moselle first encountered by chance, recruiting them for the short film That One Day before fleshing out the material to cover the requite ninety-plus minutes. The … Continue reading Now Playing — Skate Kitchen
Now Playing — Support the Girls
The following should be an obvious point: The setting of a movie is important. By this, I don’t mean that only films settled into certain locales can have value. It’s that the setting — whatever the setting — should inform … Continue reading Now Playing — Support the Girls
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #868 to #865
868. Laurie Anderson, United States Live (1984) ”Since I tour a lot, especially in Europe, ‘I’ve frequently found myself sitting across the dinner table from people who ask me, ‘How can you live in a country like that?,’” Laurie Anderson … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #868 to #865
From the Archive — Rachel Getting Married
Sometimes I simply get sad that there won’t be any more Jonathan Demme movies. This was written for my former online space. One of things I most admire about Jonathan Demme as a director is his ability to take on … Continue reading From the Archive — Rachel Getting Married
One for Friday — Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, “Circle”
Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1988, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians released the album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars. Without their lead singer’s name out in front, the band had spent a couple years gigging around the Deep Ellum … Continue reading One for Friday — Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, “Circle”
Beers I Have Known — Coney Island Brewing Company Merman IPA
This series of posts is dedicated to the many, many six packs, pony kegs and pints that have sauntered into my life at one point or another. I’ve discovered that when it’s brutally hot outside in New York City, there are ample solutions available, often served in pint-sized doses. Previous entries in this series can be found by clicking on the “Beers I Have Known” tag. Continue reading Beers I Have Known — Coney Island Brewing Company Merman IPA
Coffee for Two 