It’s simple, really: when I’m feeling intolerably blue, when the skies cannot seem to shed that husk of gray and the sun is merely a dim memory, and when all of life feels hollow and miserable, I turn to movies. And one in particular, one that conjures up better days and reminds me of people … Read more
I wish man had never gone to the moon. This world has tenderized me. I am a vulnerable adult. We all are. We are up to our ears in fairy dust and horse shit and monkeyshine and moonbeams. So let me tell you what I’m looking for. Let me tell you what I want: I … Read more
If only we could ditch the Turkey. Thanksgiving easily trumps all other Holidays at this point in my life. As a kid, the two week Christmas vacation with presents and the week long Easter vacation with a fun egg hunt overshadowed the four day weekend and “kids’ table”. With the advent of adult cynism the … Read more
I have a pre-feast ritual. It involves staying in pajamas, drinking hot cocoa, snacking on peanut butter toast and the Macy’s parade. It’s like my own inner pre-shift, my personal calm before the storm. Just as important, and maybe a touch underplayed, is the post-feast. First of all, dessert shouldn’t be served directly after the … Read more
It is, of course, a big night for the bars. It’s the busiest bar night of the year, if my memory for statistics serves… Bowing to that, here are a couple bar show picks: Martin Devaney Band and Friends will be at the Turf, The Ike Reilly Assassination at First Ave. I still haven’t found … Read more
So, the foragers have finally swept the local grocery stores… How many people are you hosting for Thanksgiving dinner? The only comfort (for some of us) is that we’ve got the next several days off, so I thought I’d mention a couple free art exhibits, should you care to avert your attention, if only for … Read more
Casino Royale, 2006. Directed by Martin Campbell, written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and the ubiquitous Paul Haggis. Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Giancaro Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Isaach De Bankole, and Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson, who seems obliged to poke his ugly mug into all the big-budget movies. There’s a … Read more
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday for the following reasons: 1. No gifts. I love giving gifts, I just hate pretending to like the teal suede and faux fur vests of my life. 2. It’s not religious. It’ll never be turned into something more palatable and washed out so that everyone feels fuzzy and unoffended. 3. … Read more
Happy short week, eh? There aren’t a lot of notable arts and entertainment happenings going on tonight. But there is that sneak preview party for the Minnesota History Center’s Baseball As America exhibition–although a ticket will set you back a little ways ($25-$50). Won’t it be worth it, though, to hang out with Baseball Hall … Read more
“There simply aren’t enough letters in the alphabet,” Mr. Lyle Baumgartner announced to his freshmen English class one afternoon. “As presently constructed the language is wholly inadequate to express the depth of my feelings.” He stared out at the blank or incredulous faces of his students. He then leaned on his desk with his left … Read more