Studying the Polanski brouhaha, and most especially reading the columns and comments of his defenders and champions, puts me in mind of certain Romantic heroes and artists of old. I refer to the poet whose exploits—sexual and otherwise—were famous in … Continue reading →
By now you’ve probably read the news that Patrick Swayze has died. Swayze was an actor and dancer who became famous for the surprise blockbuster film “Dirty Dancing.” But I liked him best in “Ghost,” which didn’t even feature his … Continue reading →
One of my pet peeves is how movies that draw on history often misrepresent it. The phenomenon is at its worst with Oliver Stone epics that purport to be biopics and are mainly a figment of the director’s imagination. It … Continue reading →
Angry White Men. Which means that they must also be Racist Angry White Men—if not overtly racist then certainly covertly so. I mean, what other reason would they have to be angry at our President? According to Michael Crowley, a … Continue reading →
Speaking of movies—and we were—there’s another I’d place on my list of a hundred favorites, and it would be pretty high up at that. It’s Terry Gilliam’s “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen,” a box office and financial disaster when it … Continue reading →
I’m pleased to see that “Groundhog Day” made the cut. But no “High Noon?” For shame, for shame! And whatever is the transcendently schlocky “Titanic” doing there? Special effects and teenage heartthrobs should only get you so far. As for … Continue reading →
I was fiddling around at You Tube the other night, and came across these classics. They reminded me how very much I’d enjoyed Mandy Patinkin’s performance in “The Princess Bride.” It was a good movie with an excellent script. But … Continue reading →
…if I didn’t liveblog the Oscars. Whaaaa?? you say. But I think we need some lightness for a change. And there’s hardly anything lighter than the Oscars. They nearly levitate with their lack of gravitas—not to mention the hot air … Continue reading →
After mentioning the film “Midnight Run” in yesterday’s post—and searching You Tube for relevant videos—I started wondering what it is about that movie that I like so very much. After all, it features the f-word very prominently, and it’s an … Continue reading →
At this point we can safely say that Governor Blagojevich of Illinois is outrageously corrupt in an almost-comic book—or textbook, if you prefer—sort of way. The proof is in the wire. It’s not a case of “he said, she said.” … Continue reading →
Today’s hatred of Palin is driven at least partly by a host of elements connected to class, despite our protestations that we’re a relatively classless society. This particular class consciousness, which disregards Palin’s formidable accomplishments as governor as though they … Continue reading →
What a guy. The news that actor Paul Newman has died at 83 was not unexpected, since his cancer had been announced a while back. But it’s an occasion—especially for us females of a certain age—to sigh and remember just … Continue reading →