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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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

As I’ve previously mentioned, I am a fan of CBS’ Swingtown, and now that I’m learning more about the actors in the show, I like it even more!  For one thing, the main husband is the British in-charge guy (Commodore Norrington I think) in Pirates of the Caribbean, and the girl who plays Trina was [...]

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 [...]

Did somebody make this film in a drunken stupor? It’s AWFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!Awful!I can’t believe I spent a whole hour downloading it. That’s a total of two and a half hours I’ll never get back. Mike Myers stole them from me.Let me count the ways I hate this film:1. It is really racist and offensive. If I [...]

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. [...]

The Music Hall of Williamsburg was at capacity last night, filled with fans eager to sway thoughtfully through this bill of sweet, quiet folk. Amidst hoots of recognition, North Carolina’s Bowerbirds began with Hymns For A Dark Horse opening track “Hooves,” perfectly setting the tone for their lovely set. Phil Moore’s luscious voice floated through [...]

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 [...]

It confounds me that these shows are not only still on the air, but popular.1. HeroesIt’s just a crappy ripoff of the X-Men! Doesn’t anyone else see that?2. 24Terrorism is boring. And so is this show.3. Grey’s AnatomyBlah blah, love, blah blah, medical jargon. I don’t know how this show is supposed [...]