Fruitvale Station (2013)
Mar24

Fruitvale Station (2013)

Bearing a Very Bitter Fruit: Fruitvale Station (2013)   I discovered something pretty unpleasant about myself yesterday. Oh, it was nothing like the fact that I can be very critical of other people’s shortcomings—despite having been graced with so very many, myself.  Nor was it that I have a bad tongue in my head when I’m in a foul mood about something. It was something much simpler and much worse:  put bluntly, it seems that I...

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Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
Mar24

Mortality by Christopher Hitchens

No Backtracking, Even in the Trenches Mortality by Christopher Hitchens   Death has this much to be said for it: You don’t have to get out of bed for it. Wherever you happen to be They bring it to you—free. —Kingsley Amis     Have you ever been amused when people who have been viewing an opened casket comment on how well the corpse looks?  Well, I think that Christopher Hitchens would appreciate the irony of the cover on...

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No Contest: The Pillars of the Earth Vs. A Game of Thrones
Mar18

No Contest: The Pillars of the Earth Vs. A Game of Thrones

No Contest: The Pillars of the Earth Vs. A Game of Thrones   And there’s something else to blame the hideous St. Patrick’s Day ‘celebrations’ for: introducing into my life The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.  I’m not going to repeat my feelings on National Drunk Day; they have, if anything, gotten even more sour since last year.  And if you’re sufficiently interested you can read ‘Blood and Vomit’ from twelve months ago on...

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Enough Said  (2014)
Mar18

Enough Said (2014)

I Wanted to See the Poetry-Reading Vegan: Enough Said (2014)   Yes, it’s a romantic comedy; and yes, I loved it.  I’m beginning to hate that term ‘chick flick’.  You know, we male horror movie buffs can enjoy a good romance as well.  At least they should be able to if they want to be rounded individuals.  Otherwise they turn into those peculiar guys with no social skills that we sometimes avoid at conventions. So yes, I loved Enough...

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American Frontier Spirit:  Dallas Buyers Club  (2013)
Mar18

American Frontier Spirit: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

American Frontier Spirit: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)   “The Law doesn’t seem to make much common sense sometimes.  If a person has been found to be terminally ill they ought to be able to take just about anything they feel will help.”                                                                                                                      —Dallas Buyers Club   I came very close to not seeing director Jean- Marc...

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