As a literate bunch, I believe there are few Rake readers that appreciate the fine fiction of Mr. Vince Flynn. He is THE new Tom Clancy and lives in the Twin Cities. This statement raises some issues (the literature part, that is). Obviously the key question is whether Tom Clancy writes for the big screen … Read more
Addendum to the October music issue, page 52: It seems we forgot to mention Club Underground, a venue up in Northeast. The club’s booker, Marc Bowen, wrote to say he’s “a little pissed off” about the omission, understandably; and he has since incited a letter-writing campaign… So far, we’ve received no fewer than eight letters … Read more
Here, it seems, is where we are. Right here. And for what purpose are we here? Do we have anything resembling a mission statement? No, no, it appears that we do not have anything resembling a mission statement. Nor, apparently, do we have even a general idea regarding what it is we are up to. … Read more
The art of creating fascinating trailers has certainly improved since I was a kid. Back in the day, previews were nothing more than solemn voice-overs summarizing the coming attraction. Today, many of these pre-feature shorts are more intriguing than the movies themselves, and I don’t know how many times I’ve watched a preview only to … Read more
A quick break from production week to advise those with the time, inclination to leave their offices, homes, to actually go outside to find something to do. Lucia Newell. The Stills. Russian Realism. The Science of Sleep, per the advice of Peter Schilling… Late Breaking: Let us not forget Raking Through Books (with Brad Zellar … Read more
Alfred Krupp, the scion of the Krupp Arms Empire in the late 1800s (and Germany’s richest man) liked to sleep in the barn near a pile of fresh manure. He believed it was good for his health. Typical German eccentric. His story reminds me of the late 1980s Mercedes Benz. I recently drove a pristine … Read more
Three goings on for tonight: 1) Books: Edina Library hosts a panel discussion on the subject of what makes good literature; 2) Theater: a special Monday evening performance of The Master and Margarita; 3) Music: Ode to Cole Porter with Arne Fogle and Maud Hixon at Rossi’s Blue Star.
a plate from the Titanic? So…. I just hooked up with an old friend who happens to be engaged to a guy named Matt who happens to own the kick-ass Bulldog restaurant/bar in Uptown. They are scrub-scrub-scrubbing the place formerly known as Boom/Oddfellows in Nordeast to make room for the next Bulldog. This might irk … Read more
We have all been expelled from the garden, but the ones who suffer most in exile are those who are still permitted to dream of perfection. –Stanley Kunitz, “Reflections” As God was his witness, the guy said, he was not shitting me. What he was telling me was exactly the fucking truth. Look at him. … Read more
Brief Encounter, 1945. Directed by David Lean and written by Noel Coward. Starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Available at your public library. Sometimes it helps to escape a blue weekend with a mindless comedy, some blood and gore, or a spectacular adventure full of explosions. To wander into the local Cineplex with twenty bucks, … Read more