Beltmann

I liked this movie. Some have described it as an Italian Mean Girls, but that's a stretch--this film is far more interested in political rather than social satire. The tone is more melancholic, too, especially in its sad, compassionate depiction of the father, who is envious of others' power and respect and feels made impotent by divisive Italian politics: "We're the victims in all this!" (Plus, the father is played by Sergio Castellitto, who I always enjoy seeing.)

I haven't seen it yet, but that's how the trailer made me feel.

I want the latest update about the rumor that prompted this thread.

At Risk had been sitting on my shelf for years, but for some reason I never got around to reading it until yesterday. The subject matter isn't typical Hoffman--it's a straight-forward drama about what happens to a family when their 11-year-old daughter contracts AIDS--but there's something vital about it, perhaps because it was published in 1988. I'm a Hoffman fan, and this one ranks pretty high among my favorites.

The Office was hilarious tonight.

Sven Nykvist, cinematographer, was born on December 3, 1922. He died on September 20, 2006, aged 83.

Watched this last night. I liked it--it has a good-natured tone, lots of good music, and some funny bits by Chappelle. (I think I most enjoyed Jill Scott's performance.)

Just when I thought it was played out...

If you're like me--and most of you are--you already own I Am Trying To Break Your Heart on DVD and have watched it countless times, much to the chagrin of your family, friends, and neighbors. But if you still need to see it, Sundance has scheduled it several times during October.

Good to hear from ya, ikol.

The Ropes?

Good stuff.

I didn't like either of those, but I love Casualties of War. I'm probably alone in this, but I think that might be the best Vietnam movie of all.

Apparently, I am now old. Yesterday I made an allusion to Back to the Future, and none of the high schoolers caught it. Even worse, after I explained, it became evident that none of them had even heard of the movie. I can't imagine life without Marty McFly being a central point of reference.

My eyebrows tried similar things in college, but had more success with Merrill Bainbridge's "Mouth." Would it be my fault if I could turn you on? Would I be so bad if I could turn you on? When I kiss your mouth I want to taste it Turn you upside down, don't want to waste it I jump on you, you jump on me

This would be incredible good luck... I'm booked solid from October 19-29 [Milwaukee International Film Festival], but would be free on the 31st. If this happens, I'll be there.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu / Cristi Puia / Romania / 2005 Viewers accompany an ailing, aging widower as he travels between four Bucharest hospitals that refuse to seriously regard his claims of head and stomach pains, mostly because those complaints are drenched in the smell of alcohol. His full name is Dante Remus Lazarescu, and that moniker, pregnant with not one but three symbolic meanings, suggests a grim odyssey top-heavy with self-importance, but quite the reverse is true: While the movie does swing for the fences in its hellish, sometimes funny indictment of inefficient medical syst

The set in Milwaukee seemed short as well.

HAPP BIRTHDAY to one of VC's most generous people!

The Good Life - Album of the Year I've never liked Cursive, but this side project by Tim Kasher sounds pretty good. Big thanks to the former student who sent it to me.

Matchbox Twenty?

Started watching this last night but fell asleep within 30 minutes. I'll reserve judgment until I actually finish it, but my first impression was that it's pretty damn silly.

The Rave/Eagles Club building contains five concert halls: The Rave Bar, The Rave Vibe Room, The Rave Hall, The Eagles Hall--and the Eagles Ballroom, which is the large auditorium upstairs. And I'll take the Riverside or the Pabst over all of them.

I've been to the Riverside in Milwaukee, most recently for Belle & Sebastian/New Pornos. It's a very nice venue, far classier than, say, the Eagles Ballroom. It also has a massive balcony.