Beltmann

I think SNL is pretty bad these days, but I actually think the cast is decent--it's the writers that need serious help. And I can't explain it, but Bill Hader cracks me up no matter what he's doing. He's an unacknowledged bright spot.

YHF and BT are my clear favorites, although AGIB and ST aren't too far behind.

Precious is a genuinely great American movie. It's certainly among the best I've seen so far this year.

Today is Day 7 of the 11-day Milwaukee Film Festival. I've seen 15 movies already and plan to catch at least 11 more. So far my favorite is Storm, another great film by Hans-Christian Schmid. I've also enjoyed The Beaches of Agnes, Lake Tahoe, Bronson, 9.99, and The House of the Devil.

That's awesome. I'm not sure this counts, since I was the one playing Wilco. But here goes: I teach high school literature, and tonight was our Parent Mini-Night, which allows parents to experience an abbreviated version of their child's daily schedule, as if they were in school, too. I usually have music on in the classroom, so I had it playing tonight, too. After one of the classes, a dad came up and said, "Are you a Wilco fan?" (One of the songs in the rotation was "Sunken Treasure.") He explained that he was a big fan all the way from the UT days, so we had a great three-minute conv

Cherry Blossoms / Doris Dorrie / Germany-France / 2008

Yeah, but those are free-market death panels, which makes all the difference.

Because if Obama is Hitler, then I don't have to justify my irrational hatred and fear of him; if he's Hitler, his evil is self-evident and needs no further justification. Other than that, I got nuthin'.

Especially here.

One of the things I really like about Sullivan--I read him every day--is that he's willing to let his opinions evolve right there on the screen for all of us to witness. He often writes about how blogging isn't about foolish consistencies or doubling-down on ideology; it's refreshing to read a political writer unafraid to shift opinion or admit mistakes. Unlike most bloggers, he sees his blog as a give-and-take, a place where the discourse in his own head is there for all to observe. I also think he takes a longer, wider view of American traditions than most conservative pundits. (Let me s

Rumba / Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon, Bruno Romy / Belgium / 2008 In this stylized comedy, Dom and Fiona are married schoolteachers who love to competitive dance on the weekends. But when a a freak car wreck leaves Fiona legless and Dom memory-impaired, hilarity ensues. It's imperfect, but who wants to complain? After all, this is the closest anybody has come to Jacques Tati or Buster Keaton in years. The trailer (and some clips) will give you some idea: Rumba

That's very cool! I really liked this movie. Next semester I'm teaching a new course called "Film as Social Criticism," and I'm planning to show it as an example of what A.O. Scott called the "Neo-Neo Realism."

Ha, I tried to correct a typo and the interface went haywire for a second... fixed now, though!

That stat does not, as you said, "clearly" show Obama's proposals are unwanted. Two arguments: 1. Most people aren't catastrophically ill, and therefore most people are happy to report satisfaction with their insurance. But if they become catastrophically ill, they may find themselves far less enamored with their current plan. It's easy to be "OK" with your plan while it's working, and not worry about later when you might be hit with denial of coverage, rescission, or a lifetime benefit cap. In other words, 80% might be currently happy, but that doesn't mean they always will be. Such p

I ran into Mark Borchardt in a Target once. Also, I ran into Mike Schank once... he was drunk and stumbling in the alley behind a movie theater.

Nifty! (Welcome back, by the way!)

I love that you love it. I love it, too. I'm not sure I've listened to another album more since June. It's been in particularly heavy rotation this past week.

Agree on all counts, and I'll also second Wise Enough, who noted that the Wiggles aren't the same since Greg left. We took our daughter to see them two years ago, and she had a blast. In my view, though, the show (with Sam) was rather rote and dull; it felt like they were bored and going through the motions merely for the paycheck. Overpriced, yes. They are returning to Milwaukee soon. Thankfully, my daughter, now five, has moved on. She now prefers Feist, Jenny Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, She & Him, some Wilco, and, yes, Hannah Montana. I have great hopes for the boy, who is 17 months ol

Boston, and not just the first album.

It's a list, made by some people at a magazine addicted to lists. Rather than challenge their readers, or suggest some kind of "official" doctrine, Entertainment Weekly's main goal is merely to reflect conventional taste while sprinkling a few surprises along the way. Like all such lists, this one is interesting primarily for the discussion it provokes. Just for fun, I made a playlist of all 50 songs in the order prescribed by EW--had to join a few mp3s to account for #19--and then added at the end an extra 25 songs that I wouldn't want to overlook. Been listening with the kids all day.

I think it's interesting how there seems to be wide disagreement about which W(TA) songs are great, good, or meh. I suppose that speaks well about its ability to connect with varied listeners.

Indeed. I hated that piece of crap. Actually, pretty much anything Harmony Korine goes near sucks (with the possible exception of Kids).

That was my initial reaction, too. But then it occurred to me that stopping short makes thematic sense--after all, if the song is about having only one wing, how can it really take flight?

Good grief!