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Art

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Two photography exhibits - David LaChapelle and “First Contact”

Many people confuse comedian/actor Dave Chapelle with accomplished photographer David LaChapelle.  I assume that at least some people walk into photo exhibitions of the latter and muse quietly to themselves, “Well, he was great as Rick James, but I had no idea he was so versatile!”  Or perhaps switch on the Chapelle show and wonder [...]

Books

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The Gum Thief

Douglas Coupland’s latest effort, The Gum Thief (out in paperback October 2nd), is another addition to his collection of novels exploring the difficulty of acquiring and maintaining a satisfying sense of self in today’s fractured world. His novels tend to focus primarily on the postmodern struggle that is finding one’s place in this [...]

Booze

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The View (the bar, not the fine television series)

Ah, rotating restaurants. For a classy time, 70’s-style, there’s no smoother way to eat than in a restaurant built like a merry-go-round. Far from the nauseating experience you might expect after seeing Johnny Depp try in vain to disembark from the crazily rotating bar at Circus Circus in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, actual [...]

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Celebrity Douchebaggery

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The complete Tom Cruise Scientology video, available for download

If you haven’t already watched Tom Cruise’s weirdo Scientology video (made for internal use by the cult), have no fear! It’s back online, and better than ever, thanks to the ongoing work of Anon, the hackers taking the COS down. The full 40 minute video includes the famous rambling one-sided Tom Cruise interview [...]

Food

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Blue Ribbon (Brooklyn)

Usually the words “Blue Ribbon” don’t conjure in my mind a very high-class image.  I think instead of the watery but much-beloved Pabst Blue Ribbon, which kept me and Liz nice and tipsy throughout our college years.  Note that PBR was actually cheap and hickish back in Tucson; in New York, it carries with it [...]

Movies

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Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

When I originally heard them folks in Hollywood were adding a fourth film to the beloved Indiana Jones trilogy, I couldn’t help but think this was a somewhat awful idea. It irks me when tired movie makers dig up and reuse an idea that is already solid in movie history and holds an important place [...]

Music: Albums

Albums card

Fleet Foxes

When considered without any contextual information, it’s difficult to group Fleet Foxes immediately within the tumultuous Seattle music scene from which they’ve emerged. With their long beards, country guitar sound, and tale-telling lyrics, one imagines rather that their self-titled debut is the result of its members spending several months strumming strings ‘round a camp fire. [...]

Music: Concerts

Concerts card

David Ford

In a time not lacking in sensitive guitarists who would love to spill their weepy hearts all over us, David Ford succeeds in making his musings unique with his charming demeanor and stunning performance techniques. The singer-songwriter categorization may not thrill every music fan, but last night at the Bowery Ballroom Ford quickly put doubt [...]

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Theater

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Why haven’t they made My Best Friend’s Wedding into a musical yet?

With a new movie musical coming out every other day, I wonder why nobody’s thought of turning rom-com favorite My Best Friend’s Wedding into the next Broadway sensation.  Think about it.  The soundtrack is comprised almost entirely of Burt Bacharach/Hal David songs, so you’ve got your music theme right there.  And it’s a cheesy, wedding-related [...]

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TV

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The Best and Worst of Network Late Night

Best Overall Host: Conan O’BrienHe’s still funny, even if he’s lost a bit of his zing over the years, and I think he’ll make a fine Tonight Show host. As long as he doesn’t have to carry over any of Jay Leno’s schtick.Worst Overall Host: Carson DalyJust give up! Nobody watches this [...]