The last few Gus Van Sant films that I have seen were all part of the filmmakers’ Death Trilogy, which are best characterized as plotless trips through discomfort. Elephant was like experiencing the Columbine tragedy, Last Days a pseudo re-enactment of Kurt Cobain’s demise, and Gerry a battle of attrition, both in the desert, onscreen, … Read more
The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the Ritz Theater. Two hundred and fifty bodies leaned forward in anticipation, and two hundred and fifty sets of eyes stared straight ahead at the empty stage. The audience remained suspended in this moment as the silence caressed their ears and the darkness teased their imaginations. Then, … Read more
Pull out the green clothes and the Irish pride. Today is St. Patrick’s Day, which, according to one avid Secrets reader, is about more than just green beer. SPECIAL EVENTSIrish Ceili Anthony wrote in to tell us about two Irish Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) dances tonight. "My wife and I met at an Irish Ceili and … Read more
Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) Game #64, Road Game #31: Minnesota 121, Seattle 116 Season Record: 15-49 1. Engines In the Backcourt, Stoppers Up Front My decision to keep a life and hold off on getting League Pass this NBA season is biting me this weekend, as the Wolves were … Read more
I spent my 42nd birthday on a motorcycle, riding through the hills of Umbria and stopping for a late lunch in a beautiful little village called Orvieto. It was, from beginning to end, magnificent. Famous mostly for Classico, a distinctive white wine blend, Orvieto is slanted straight up and home to a remarkable cathedral that … Read more
Like Jabba the Hutt, whose only purpose was to give George Lucas an excuse to put Princess Leia in a slave bikini, this year’s $1 billion budget deficit seems only to exist to further divide a legislature already spoiling for a fight. And much like the epic struggle between Empire and the Rebellion, the battles … Read more
Now that it’s actually warming up a bit, try to get outside this weekend, even if it’s just for a short walk. It’s about time we start easing our way out of hibernation and stripping off a layer or two. We certainly need it. Fortunately, Saturday is a big day for outdoor activities — both … Read more
Sex. Money. In-laws. To the enduring litany of couples’ dilemmas, I nominate a new entry: IKEA. IKEA does not discriminate. IKEA’S troubling influence transcends race, religion and sexual orientation, requiring only two people in a relationship. Like all archetypal clashes of domestic life, it’s wicked inevitability starts innocently enough. Here it is: You and your … Read more
With the end of winter around the corner this is a great time for some of the best tasting fish. Smaller fish, such as seabream, Akoudai, and Kinmedai, are at their best, as these fish pack on the fat for the cold winter months. Now, at the end of winter, they are plump and tasty! … Read more
I was pleasantly surprised by my lunchtime visit to Cat-Man-Do, the new Nepali-Tibetan-Indian café at 1659 Grand (just west of Snelling Ave.) in Saint Paul. The menu is pretty limited, compared to most of the local Indian restaurants, with their endless variations on the theme of tandoori, masala, vindaloo and jalfrazee, but Cat-Man-Do does offer … Read more