The Shop Around the Corner, 1940. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch; written by Miklos Laszlo, Samson Raphaelson, and Ben Hecht. Starring James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan, Frank Morgan, Felix Bressart, Joseph Schildkraut, and William Tracy. Available at DVD stores, your public library, and hopefully in whatever paradise we’ll find in the afterlife… Did Margaret Sullavan finally kill … Read more
Volver, 2006. Written and directed by Pedro Almodovar. Starring Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, Chus Lampreave, Antonio de la Torre, and Carlos Blanco. Now showing at the Edina Cinema. As a strong, hot wind rages in a La Mancha graveyard, as groups of determined women scrub and brush down the … Read more
Know what sucks? Pink-Eye before Christmas. Know what rules? A husband who can cook. In my low and itchy state, I couldn’t possibly think about cooking for the fam. In a move that always puts me to shame, he pulls whatever he can find from the fridge and makes a meal. He took a Niman … Read more
I ocassionaly excerpt work from my bulletin board of blogs called groovyman.com. If you are traveling over the holiday, allow “The Road Rake” to offer his comments on how to end arguments between “family DJs” during long drives. Because most people lack the time, talent or inclination to actually master a musical instrument, their “music” … Read more
I’m signing off early for the holiday this year. Wracked as I am by last-minute shopping lists and Catholic guilt, I’m afraid I’ll need an extra day to physically and mentally prepare. I will, however, arrive back in Minneapolis on the evening of December 25, when I’ll carry-on the long-held tradition of meeting my friends … Read more
He was a god like no other. That much was apparent almost right from the beginning. I’ll be the first to admit that I thought there was something sort of funny about the boy; and though you probably won’t find anyone to publicly acknowledge it now, many thought his problems went beyond funny. Lots of … Read more
There’s an awfully pretty boy band playing at the Varsity this eve. And by chance, these are the very fellows I get to meet tomorrow afternoon when a certain publicist lets me crash their photo shoot. Disclosure: Judging by what I hear on the band’s MySpace page, their power-pop sound isn’t exactly my cup of … Read more
Have you ever, in a moment of professional unease, considered making your living as a human guinea pig? It sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Free health care! Sitting around in your bathrobe all day, paging through magazines while contemplating the effects of some mysterious, new drug that’s on the fast-track for FDA approval. In bleaker … Read more
My friend Claudia had some great things to say in a coversation we had the other night about our mutual love of the Sky Mall. She offered to share them and I gladly accepted. Here you go: For most americans, the holiday season involves two, often expensive, components: travel and shopping. Even though I’m from … Read more
I was not invited to this one… I have a hard time with the cookie exchange thing. You’re famailiar with the premise, no? Each guest is to bring a dozen cookies per attendee, you swap your dozens for the others’ dozens and wind up with a fabulous assortment of holiday treats. At least that’s the … Read more