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Monthly Archives: November 2013
The Books: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, “The Politician,” by H.L. Mencken
Next up on the essays shelf: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, by H.L. Mencken It is certainly no surprise that Mencken, with those libertarian leanings, hated professional politicians. He watched the compromises and saw idiocy, … Continue reading
Stuff I’ve Been Reading
— There’s a new Jonathan Swift biography which sounds excellent. I very much enjoyed reading this review. — Fantastic essay on Grantland about the insidious “Man up” culture we’ve got going on and how dangerous it is. Not to mention … Continue reading
Review: The Motel Life (2013)
I review The Motel Life (which opens today) for Roger Ebert. I loved it. Do not love the poster, which is so generic. The film is not generic at all. It’s deep and beautiful and heartbreaking.
The Books: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, “On Suicide,” by H.L. Mencken
Next up on the essays shelf: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, by H.L. Mencken A mortician friend of Mencken’s tells him that the number of suicides are up. To the mortician, this is good news. … Continue reading
Woody Allen: “Make Love”
This is hilarious. And gross. Maybe it’s a generational thing, calling it “making love”? It seems habitual here in a way that goes beyond comedic requirements. Maybe I’m wrong. But then again, I’ve never referred to the sex act as … Continue reading
Today in history: November 7, 1917
Yesterday’s post was a bit prescient, considering that today is the anniversary of one of the most seismic events of the 20th century: The Russian Revolution (or, at least, that first successful power-grab.) Look at that rogue’s gallery. I love … Continue reading
Posted in On This Day
Tagged Edvard Radzinsky, George Orwell, Grey Gardens, Lenin, politics, Russia, Stalin, Trotsky, Victor Klemperer, war
9 Comments
Snapshots
— Busy busy. Busy writing, busy getting over a killer flu which laid me flat for five straight days. Dammit. I have spent the time sleeping, writing, binge-watching Supernatural (I’m only on season 3, don’t spoil it), and reading Victor … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Theatre
Tagged family, Glass Menagerie, Russia, snapshots, Supernatural, Tennessee Williams, Victor Serge
14 Comments
The Books: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, “The Cosmic Secretariat,” by H.L. Mencken
Next up on the essays shelf: A Mencken Chrestomathy: His Own Selection of His Choicest Writing, by H.L. Mencken Mencken cannot believe in an omniscient and loving God. He looks around at the rampant chaos and cruelty and scorns the … Continue reading
The Books: “Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh” (Alexander Walker)
A Re-post. For Vivien Leigh’s birthday, which is today. Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh, by Alexander Walker I had seen Gone with the Wind as a kid, and while it’s not my favorite movie, it certainly made an impression. … Continue reading
Posted in Actors, Books
Tagged A Streetcar Named Desire, entertainment biography, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh
31 Comments