The Art of the Sell — “Goodfellas” trailer
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. In the summer of 1990, I worked in a video store. One the perks of such a … Continue reading The Art of the Sell — “Goodfellas” trailer
Now Playing — Thor: Ragnarok
Approaching the ten year mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s increasingly difficult — for me, anyway — to examine the offerings from the comic book publisher turned moviemaking behemoth outside of the context of their making. Taken on its … Continue reading Now Playing — Thor: Ragnarok
Playing Catch-Up — Get Low; Ex Libris: New York Public Library; What We Do in the Shadows
Get Low (Aaron Schneider, 2009). A wry comic drama all baled up in folksy charms, Get Low is so thoroughly pitched toward star Robert Duvall’s strengths that its difficult to imagine the film existing in a universe without him. Duvall … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up — Get Low; Ex Libris: New York Public Library; What We Do in the Shadows
College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — 32 – 29
32. The Creatures, “Fury Eyes” Siouxsie and the Banshees were coming off of one of their biggest hits — the single “Peek-A-Boo” from the 1988 album Peepshow — when key band members Siouxsie Sioux and Budgie slipped away to a … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — 32 – 29
From the Archive — Richard Linklater films
On the occasion of Last Flag Flying, the new Richard Linklater feature, arriving in theaters — at least in New York City — here are, I believe, all of the reviews of the Texas filmmaker’s work that I’ve written, but … Continue reading From the Archive — Richard Linklater films
One for Friday — Eva and the Heartmaker, “Superhero”
When I was on the radio, I used to get overly enthused about about those instances in which I could make a tangential connection between a song I played and some current event stirring chatter outside of the confines of … Continue reading One for Friday — Eva and the Heartmaker, “Superhero”
The New Releases Shelf — Lotta Sea Lice
There’s plenty to like about the music of Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, but I honestly don’t know that it would have ever occurred to me that the pair would make dandy collaborators. While they both exhibit an arch cleverness … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf — Lotta Sea Lice
Beers I Have Known — Southern Tier Brewing Company Warlock Imperial Stout
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. In past years, our household has engaged in an exercise every autumn, performing … Continue reading Beers I Have Known — Southern Tier Brewing Company Warlock Imperial Stout
Greatish Performances #32
#32 — Essie Davis as Amelia Vanek in The Babadook (Jennifer Kent, 2014) In some ways, actors in horror movies have it easy. There is a clear vernacular to the art of duplicating terror, honed through decades upon decades of … Continue reading Greatish Performances #32
Laughing Matters — Jerry Seinfeld on Halloween candy
Sometimes comedy illuminates hard truths with a pointed urgency that other means can’t quite achieve. Sometimes comedy is just funny. This series of posts is mostly about the former instances, but the latter is valuable, too. “What is this? What … Continue reading Laughing Matters — Jerry Seinfeld on Halloween candy
