Beltmann

Stacy and I miss Riviera more than you know.

I had a blast unpacking this movie. I think it explores individual identity in terms of facades, choices, and contradictions. The movie is populated by characters who envision themselves one way but end up as something else entirely, or appear one way but end up containing multitudes. I also liked the motif of regarding our bodies as evidence of who we are--or at least who other people think we are. (Besides the tattoos and the DNA test, consider the scenes where Kirill demands Nikolai prove his sexuality and where Kirill sizes up Anna, among others.) There are many more things to say abo

I thought you knew better, PopTodd. You are wildly misinformed.

Beautiful indeed.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN GREEN BAY!

I received my first issue yesterday, too.

That was one of the most memorable Packer games of the last 15 years--and the early 14-0 deficit only made the eventual rout sweeter. Two hours later, we're still celebrating strong over here.

That's not blasphemy. It's just factually wrong.

Agreed. I think it's one of the best of 2007--in my Top Five, probably.

Allow me to suggest the above remedy. Then I'm sure you will agree that the right order is: AM BT ST YHF AGIB SBS

Five statements I totally agree with... but I'm hoping the new one will grow on me.

Anybody else see Andrew Sullivan on Colbert last night--he was rhapsodic about Obama. I agree with everything you said, Matt. Hillary's smarts and experience should definitely be assets, not liabilities.

I have found mountains of titles at Netflix that Blockbuster Online doesn't stock. For someone interested in the entirety of cinema, there's a big difference between the two services.

I received a version of that in spring--when it was thoroughly debunked by journalists. I guess it only takes a year for the lies to resume with a shiny new surface.

Right now Obama's speeches are indeed rousing, and, indeed, lacking in policy specifics. However, last night I spent several hours reading his website, particulary his specific proposals and justifications. There's more substance there than he's usually given credit for.

I'm stunned. When I read the first post, my heart skipped a beat. Nat was one of the very first VC'ers to enthusiastically welcome me here, and I always counted her as one of my favorite VC voices. While I never met her in person, I always assumed a meeting was just around the corner...

Just for that, I might wait for DVD.

It opens Jan. 11 here in Milwaukee.

The trouble is, many people aren't interested in learning more. They are interested not in truth but in justifying what they already believe--which is why so many people find comfort in rhetoric.

Yeah, that tune is really good!

I've seen Vol. 1, but not Vol. 2 (but it's a top priority). How does it compare/contrast?

Le Retour a la raison / Man Ray / France / 1923 It's a series of surreal shots of rotating objects, each reflecting light in a different way--none more beautiful than the shot of Kiki's nude torso twisting side to side as spiraling shadows adjust to her curves. Next up: Man Ray's Emak-Bakia (1926).

I'm in the middle of the new Heartbreak Kid, with Ben Stiller. It's not good.

I'm waiting, but I'm gettin' antsy.