Karen Stintz runs for mayor, announces she has no idea how to identify a mayor
February 28, 2014
“We thought we were getting a responsible leader.”
It’s safe to say that Rob Ford has surprised a lot of people during his time as mayor. No one expected him to be videotaped smoking crack, hanging out with convicted criminals in parking lots late at night, or waging a public relations war with the chief of police.
But let’s not pretend there weren’t any signs pointing to the possibility Ford might not be entirely mayoral. Continue Reading
American Hustle has style, but can’t back up its ambition
January 7, 2014
American Hustle opens with a balding and pot-bellied Christian Bale performing the intricate ritual of arranging his combover. There’s some obvious symbolism in his character, Irving Rosenfeld, pretending to be someone he’s not: He’s a con man, leading desperate people on with the promise of loans that will never materialize in exchange for some very real fees. As his partner and lover, Amy Adams masquerades as an English noblewoman with ties to British banks.
But the scene, full of glue and merkins and hairspray, also hints at one of the film’s weaknesses: It is very concerned with how it looks. The film is set in the late 1970s in New Jersey and Long Island, and director David O. Russell wants to make sure you know it. This was clear from the earliest promotional posters, which showed off the clothes, hairstyles, and, in the case of the female cast members, cleavage of the era. Continue Reading
How to start the year
January 2, 2014
New Year’s Resolution: Begin every day with Please Mr Kennedy, from Inside Llewyn Davis. It’s entirely delightful.
(Note: Not an actual New year’s Resolution.)
The best song about Blade Runner in 2013
December 23, 2013
This is a surprisingly lovely song by Grumbling Fur that appropriates Rutger Hauer’s final monologue from Blade Runner.
If you’ve forgotten, the original:
We know why Rob Ford lies. What’s everyone else’s excuse?
November 8, 2013
While Rob Ford’s flaws, both political and personal, have been well documented, he’s rarely lacked political support. While some city councillors have abandoned his bullying, ignorant leadership he’s maintained support from plenty of politicians who have spent so much time looking the other way it’s a wonder they can still move their necks.
Spooky Songs for Ghouls & Ghosts: A Hallowe’en Playlist
October 29, 2013
It’s almost Hallowe’en. Truthfully, I listen to weird and spooky music for most of the year, but only occasionally does this become socially acceptable.
- Yes, there are two Nick Cave songs. Normally, I would consider this to be cheating, but he has an entire album about murder, so I think it’s fair game.
- Many of these, particularly in the back half, are quite long. This Dust Makes That Mud goes on for about 30 minutes, and is menacingly hypnotic at a certain point. Turn it up properly loud, then be scared when it stops.
- Too long for the list was Boris’ Absolutego, which is an hour of brooding, terrifying drone. Etna is a nice substitute, I think.
- Monster Mash was the first dance song at my wedding. I am terribly sentimental.