Sneakers
One of my favorite movies, Sneakers, is 20 years old this year, and I'm glad to see that it has a solid, if not small, fan base. For those who haven't seen it, it is a caper movie with an amazing cast, script, and score. Despite a cast which included Robert Redford, James Earl Jones, David Straitham, Sidney Poitier, … Read More
Why Is Today Like No Other Day
Because this happened 55 years ago today: The Quarry Men skiffle group played, fronted by a guy named John Lennon. And another guy showed up to hear him. That other guy was Paul McCartney. I remember coming into the fete and seeing all the sideshows. And also hearing all this great music wafting in from this little Tannoy system. It … Read More
The Newsroom Doesn’t Blow
HBO's "The Newsroom" just got renewed for a second season, despite several bad reviews. Even some Sorkin fans seem a little dismayed. The first two shows have aired, and I absolutely love it. In fact, I am enjoying it more than "Studio 60" when it first aired. "The Newsroom" has all the Sorkin staples — most notably, the fast banter. … Read More
Carrie Underwood Backlash
This past weekend, Carrie Underwood gave an interview with the Independent UK newspaper about her support for gay marriage. This was her big quote from the interview: "As a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love and want to marry," Underwood told the Independent. "I can't imagine how that … Read More
Tupac And The Future
I'm not a fan of Tupac, or rap music in general, but I must say that his recent performance at Coachella 2012 was incredibly life-like for someone who has been dead for 15 years. Of course, it's not Tupac at all, but a recorded holograph of Tupac. And it makes you wonder what's in the future for entertaiment. Can I … Read More
Girls: What Sex In The City Should Have Been
I never cared much for Sex In The City. The women were whiny bitches, and not like ANY woman I EVER met in New York City (even the well-to-do ones who could sit around all day having coffee and salad). So, hats off to HBO for venturing into the fray the right way, with Girls, which seems to be, you know, … Read More
OMG! Thomas Elliott Visits A Shopping Mall!
Watch as celebrity Thomas Elliott pays a visit to a Virginia shopping mall. Within 7 minutes, the security guards are escorting him through the mall. Within 10 minutes, he's shutting down stores so he can visit them. One catch… Thomas Elliott isn't a celebrity and he's not famous. He got a few of his friends to act like he was…. … Read More
Beatles To Reunite? Not Really.
But kind of. But maybe not. Sgt. Pepper may have recruited new members to the Lonely Hearts Club Band. Four sons of the four Beatles may be looking to form a group of their own. James McCartney has reached out to Sean Lennon, Dhani Harrison and Zak Starkey to create the next generation of The Beatles, the BBC reports. In an interview Monday, the 34-year-old … Read More
Downtonspeak
I sort of always suspected that the folks in and around Downton weren't speaking quite correctly. Ben Zimmer of Language Log noticed some anachronistic expressions, too. He gives his analysis here. Further thoughts at Obsidian Wings.
Twelve Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Groundhog Day
The movie, not the day. From Buzzfeed. 1. Bill Murray was bitten by the groundhog twice during shooting. 2. Director Harold Ramis originally wanted Tom Hanks for the lead role, but decided against it, saying that Hanks was “too nice.” 3. Tori Amos was considered for the role of Rita. 4. A family of groundhogs was actually raised for the … Read More
The Ferris Bueller Super Bowl Ad
You saw it here first.
The Hats Of Downton Abbey
There are lots of them.