Mainstream TV dramas, most of which are produced in statist Hollywood, are still far from libertarian-leaning. But “Parenthood,” which as recently as last fall had Jasmine talking about how good she felt voting for Obama in 2008 (without any follow-up about her thoughts on his performance as president), is bucking the trend with a storyline that launched […]
I was intrigued by the idea of the “Empire and Rebellion” series, a loose thematic trilogy featuring novels focusing on each of the three main characters between Episodes IV and V. I can’t say no to a good Han Solo novel, Luke has been underexplored in novels of this time period, and Princess Leia had […]
Awhile back, I engaged in a chicken-or-egg-style argument with a co-worker about mid-20th-century civil rights legislation: Were the laws piggybacking on public sentiment, or did they shape public sentiment? The more I think about it, neither extreme is correct. Many citizens were ahead of the law (they believed blacks and whites should have equal rights, […]
While it’s often been noted that “Star Wars” has elements of Westerns, “Kenobi” (August 2013) is the first novel to fully embrace the genre. John Jackson Miller, who between this and “Lost Tribe of the Sith: The Collected Stories,” has earned a spot on my short list of elite “Star Wars” authors, finds the perfect subject for […]
These are the comics, TV shows and movies I’m most looking forward to in the year ahead:
Starting with its nearly 20-minute uncut opening shot of George Clooney and Sandra Bullock floating in space making repairs on a scientific satellite, the entire hour and 40 minutes of “Gravity” is packed with “How’d they do that?” filmmaking. Courtesy of writer-director Alfonso Cuaron, who also helmed the third and best “Harry Potter” film and the […]
“American Hustle” starts by showing Christian Bale’s combover — understatedly termed “elaborate” by Amy Adams. It’s a perfect lead-in for a movie about a con-man and –woman (Bale and Adams), a corrupt politician (Jeremy Renner), an FBI agent (Bradley Cooper) who’s not above using entrapment, and Bale’s young wife (Jennifer Lawrence) who’s not above using their […]
These were my 10 favorite movies of 2013: 1. “The Way Way Back” — The title could refer to filmmakers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash looking back at their childhoods in the 1980s or to the rear-facing station wagon seat where Liam James is relegated on family trips. James breaks out among a talented cast just with […]
These were my 10 favorite shows of 2013: 1. “Bunheads” (Season 1, ABC Family) — I know “Bunheads” was the best show on TV in 2013 because it appealed to both the heart and the mind. And also because — with its dance numbers that attempted to illustrate the mood of the story — it was a […]
“Drinking Buddies” is proof that a movie can be enjoyable to watch even if it fails to make a resonant thematic point. It realistically shows how romances and relationships operate thanks to naturalistic, almost improvisational, performances by four actors playing likable, flawed characters. It had me smiling and frowning. Yet I doubt I’ll remember this film […]