Everybody likes to think they were the first to come across a great idea, band or film. Trouble is, you’re a nerdy schmuck and unless you’re God Herself, chances are you’re as late to the game as anybody. But some people are truly, truly old-school–like Dame Edna, the cross-dressing drag…
Over the past couple of years, Amy Winehouse and a whole slew of up-and-coming artists have made it their (show) business to capitalize on a nouveau soul revival. ‘Course, Winehouse has made a decided effort lately to work harder on her soulless lifestyle than a soulful sound, but we’re sure…
The Joker may have wondered where Batman got all his wonderful toys, but everybody knows the original king of grown-up gadgetry was James Bond. Self-destructing bags, tear gas disguised as talcum powder, ejector seats and built-in vehicular machine guns: These are a few of an international man of mystery’s favorite…
It’s not like Sally Struthers doesn’t have options. After all, she could have studied high school, TV/VCR repair, computer programming, auto mechanics, PC repair, bookkeeping, hotel/restaurant management, learning the personal computer, electronics or gotten her specialized associate’s degree in business management or accounting. But she didn’t–she decided to keep her…
Cats and cat people get a crap deal when it comes to popular culture. Not only are cat owners destined for a lonely, fur-covered retirement (see “cat lady, crazy”) but movies and TV shows invariably cast the cat as the bad guy (see Cats And Dogs, Inspector Gadget.) Small steps…
When corporate fat cats are stuffing bonus cash into their bankrupt drawers, The Man getting you down seems more inevitable than ever. If the worst recession since your grandma can’t get Him down, what can? Seems to us like Dixie’s Tupperware Party has it figured out: The country’s numero uno…
Yes, Frost/Nixon was a hit film about the famous interview between David Frost and shamed president Richard Nixon. And before Frost/Nixon was a hit film, it was a hit stage play about the same. But I think it’s time for Frost/Nixon to join the ranks of the Dirty Sanchez and…
Everybody who’s anybody–and that means people who know and love This Is Spinal Tap–knows that good music goes to 11. So if the 10 Tenors had just one more tenor, they’d lose the alliteration, but they’d gain awesomeness. Tenors That Go to 11, anybody? The Australian opera group is surely…
OMG, GIRLFRIENDS! Round up your Carries and your Samanthas and your Charlottes–leave that sulky bitch Miranda at home–’cause it’s time to get your makeup on! Girls love makeup! Especially when it’s live! Like at Beauty Live! Exclamation points! And lipstick! Beauty Live bills itself as the largest consumer beauty show…
Women are a rich and varied people who have made many important contributions to society over the course of their history, which dates back roughly 150 years, or whenever it was they started complaining about not having basic human rights or whatever. Today, they can even run for president or…
It’s a blessing that February is as short as it is–halfway through the month, Valentine’s Day creeps up on all the sad sacks out there who end up feeling mopey even if they know better. Hallelujah, then, that March is here before you can say “February 29” and St. Patrick…
If there’s one thing the world of buddy comedies is missing, it’s a wacky tale about a resurrected Egyptian god and his tagalong friend, elementary school-aged Joe. At first things are tense, since the falcon-headed Horus won’t quit pecking at the little boy’s delicate skin, but it all works out…
Art these days takes two forms: art for rich people who like standing around in quiet galleries contemplating the meaning behind some tortured, dead person’s efforts at making squiggly paint lines–it always helps if there’s some kind of exhibit or gallery opening wherein said rich folk get free booze–and the…
My Dearest Muffy, You are my darling, my love, my wearer of quilted Chanel suits like it is, as the less fortunate say, “nobody’s business.” I write to express my painful frustration; for too long, dearest Muffy, we have been investing in contemporary art for no one’s true benefit! When…
Going to Mockingbird Station is always a joy, whether you’re idling behind a soccer mom in a $70,000 gas-guzzler while she loads up her four screaming reasons for not getting divorced, or buying IKEA-quality furniture at twice the price from West Elm. OK, it’s not so bad–the Angelika is more…
Once upon a time, there was a ridiculously spoiled little girl who used to make her father drive her to the Video Library in Arlington nearly every weekend so that she could rent a low-budget, live-action, half-hour version of her favorite fairy tale, The Emperor and the Nightingale. O, what…
In this ever-expanding globalized world, with our ever-homogenized views and cultural reference points, it’s pure magic when someone declares that they’ve got their own world, full of wacky points of view and crazy high jinks. Like Bobby’s World. Or Boy Meets…world. Or Tom Cruise. Or a guy named Ralph with…
There’s this guy who’s known for wandering the streets late at night, kinda drunk, and harassing people by asking them lots of questions. He’s pretty blue, smokes a lot and talks frequently about pirates and other people who are typically missing appendages. No, he’s not the creepy homeless guy who…
Mmm, trite jokes: They go great with hyperbole and a nice Shiraz. Like when someone says “Man, I wish these kids would come with an instruction manual, HAHAHA!” In that case, it’s a great idea to say “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” and order another Shiraz, because you…
Bill Bellamy is much more than just a pretty face. What, you never thought of Bill Bellamy as a “pretty face” to start off with? Honestly, we didn’t either. But apparently he was quite the looker back in his college days at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he won…
Butterflies are all sunshine and puppy dogs, flitting from flower to flower with grace and beauty. Harmless, of course, and even inspirational. Except for the time back in ’92 when one of them flew in my ear while I was playing outside, and I nearly bailed headfirst out of my…
Truly great art should speak to the soul in a profound way; it should stir within the human heart deep feelings and strong convictions. One should be unable to turn away from great art, mesmerized by the sheer power of its content and execution, which should come together in perfect…
