Category Archives: Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV

Mary’s Dress Waves

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Al

“So, Al, is he your favorite singer?” I hesitated. Stammered, really. “Uh, uh, th-that’s kinda…I mean, there so many different types of music, you know.” Cheryl had no hesitation. “Yeah, he is.” We’d just picked up Michael and Julana, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Mary’s Dress Waves

One After 909

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Al

Cheryl (muted, from the bathroom): “What time is it?” Me (looking at my watch with the giant digits): “Nine-oh-nine. [Pause a beat] You know what song that always makes me think of?” Cheryl: “Uh, lemme see… mmm … [lowering and … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | 1 Comment

Star Wars – A Reminiscence

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Al

Four decades ago, in a city far, far away, I started seeing intriguing billboards all over Venice and West LA: Most of us thought this was some type of Star Trek rip-off – “Wars” and “Trek” each having four letters, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV, Venice Stories | Comments Off on Star Wars – A Reminiscence

Leviathan: Movie Review

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Al

“Leviathan” reverberates in western Judeo-Christian canon first in Job, then in John Hobbes’ early enlightenment tome. The 2014 Russian eponymous movie allows for either connection. Near its end, the Old Testament story is explicitly referenced. But for the first two … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Leviathan: Movie Review

The Boys In The Boat

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Al

The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown I’m a sucker for a good athletic success story, no matter what the sport. I’ve devoured and drooled over accounts of Seabiscuit’s exploits, the travails along the Iditarod dog sled race, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on The Boys In The Boat

Reamde

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Al

Pigeonholing Neal Stephenson might take as long as one of his recent novels. Starting with 1999’s Cryptonomicon, his most recent seven novels have averaged about 900 pages each. And we’re not talking large type versions. His debut effort, the sophomoric … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Reamde

Ghost Boy

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Al

Martin Pistorius was 12 when a mysterious neurodegenerative disorder slowly unwound his body, and eventually shut his mind. By the time he was 16, he was immobile and in a coma. His parents never lost hope in his recovery, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Injuries and Recovery, Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Ghost Boy

Inherent Vice

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Al

This is not the best movie you’ll see this year, or even this month. But it is the first, and possibly only screen adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s unique style and viewpoint. Anderson has done a fair job of wringing some semblance of sense from Pynchon, and provided a workmanlike, un-romantic snapshot of that place and time that was the Santa Monica Bay 40 years ago. For that, I thank him for his service. Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Inherent Vice

The Bone Clocks

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Al

David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks relies on facile prose and keenly drawn characters to distract the reader from the brief, but recurrent battles between transmigrating, immortal souls who wander in and out of the lives of his six narrators. Holly … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on The Bone Clocks

Birdman

Posted on November 29, 2014 by Al

Remember Michael Keaton? Henry Winkler’s manic morgue mate in Night Shift? Mr. Mom? The zany zebra-suited guide to the after life for Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis in Beetlejuice (who helped Catherine O’Hara channel Harry Belafonte in a rousing rendition … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews: Books, Movies, Music, TV | Comments Off on Birdman