December 11, 2005 Archive

Video

• Movie Review: The Chronicles of Narnia

  Narnia comes alive on the big screen in a dutiful, if not quite spectacular, adaptation.

  Review in Video — by Nik Dirga — on Dec 11, 2005

• Movie Review: Mysterious Skin

  Strong performances, sensitive storytelling bolster this movie dealing with very difficult subject matter.

  Review in Video — by Mike Cullinan — on Dec 11, 2005

• Oscar Watch: Best Actor

  Join the discussion on potential Oscar nominees

  Opinion in Video — by Chris Evans — on Dec 11, 2005

• Movie Review: Capote and Walk the Line: Two Kinds of Bad Boy

  Text vs. performance: gimme the white-hot stars!

  Review in Video — by Alan Dale — on Dec 11, 2005

• The Trailer Park: The Producers

  Review in Video — by Chris Beaumont — on Dec 11, 2005

• Lost - The Hot Stove League

  What do you think is going on?

  Opinion in Video — by Justene Adamec — on Dec 11, 2005

• DVD Review: Beyond The Sea

  If there were any doubts about the abilities of Kevin Spacey before now, this should put them to rest forever.

  Review in Video — by Richard Marcus — on Dec 11, 2005

• DVD Review: Werner Herzog Shorts

  A fascinating look at the short documentary films of acclaimed director Werner Herzog.

  Review in Video — by Jesse Trussell — on Dec 11, 2005

• Richard Pryor, 1940-2005

  "He just went to as real a place that he could go. He wasn't shy about it." - Bob Saget

  News in Video — by Joan Hunt — on Dec 11, 2005

• Fame Ranking the Batman Actors

  In looking at the stars of the past Batman films, you can witness the rise and fall of fame. What happened to Michael Keaton?

  Opinion in Video — by Chip Ross — on Dec 11, 2005

Music

• Single Review: Katrina and the Waves "Sun Street"

  Katrina Leskanich has haughty neighbors in the mocking "Sun Street."

  Review in Music — by Pam Avoledo — on Dec 11, 2005

• My List of Lists 2005: Music

  My attempt to stem the tide of bad "best of" lists. Am I worse than other music critics? Find out!

  Opinion in Music — by Cameron Archer — on Dec 11, 2005

• Single Review: DHT & Edmee "Someone"

  Edmee longs for her crush to be her boyfriend in the shrill "Someone."

  Review in Music — by Pam Avoledo — on Dec 11, 2005

• Concert Review: Echo and The Bunnymen - Seattle 12/03/2005

  Drake of Thus Spake Drake reviews the Seattle Echo & The Bunnymen show.

  Satire in Music — by Robert Burke — on Dec 11, 2005

• DVD Review: Ben Folds and WASO - Live in Perth

  One piano geek plus power piano chords plus a 90-piece orchestra equals the latest chapter in the Ben Folds performance catalogue.

  Review in Music — by Tim Gebhart — on Dec 11, 2005

• Concert Review: Brendan Benson & SSM in Ann Arbor, 12.2.05

  With his catchy songwriting and unforgettable melodies, Brendan Benson deserves as much fame - and adulation - as he can get.

  Review in Music — by Modern Pea Pod — on Dec 11, 2005

• CD Review: Bright Eyes - Vinyl Box Set (Part II)

  This is a Conor Oberst whose songwriting abilities have expanded considerably since he wrote those songs from 1995 to 1997.

  Review in Music — by Jackson Smith — on Dec 11, 2005

• Concert Review: Coldplay delivers in Austin City Limits taping

  Austin City Limits closed taping for its 31st season on public television with perhaps its biggest star ever -- Coldplay.

  Review in Music — by Patrick Nichols — on Dec 11, 2005

• EP Review: Dogs of Winter - Cut Down to the Quick EP

  Brooklyn-based hard rock band releases their debut EP, which is a collection of five songs that revolve around doomed romances and abusive relationships.

  Review in Music — by George Dionne — on Dec 11, 2005

• Sunday Morning Playlist: Top Twenty Record Producers of the Rock Era

  A salute to the often-overlooked creative forces behind your favorite artists: The Producers. Spector, Albini, Vig, Martin, et. al.

  Opinion in Music — by uao — on Dec 11, 2005

• Single Review: Tom Tom Club "Wordy Rappinghood"

  Tina Weymouth delves into her love of language in the original "Wordy Rappinghood."

  Review in Music — by Pam Avoledo — on Dec 11, 2005

Culture

• Why Happy Holidays Is a More Respectful Greeting

  You don't have to be a Grinch or Scrooge to refuse to celebrate Christmas, but for many Christians of various faith levels that isn't the point. To them, it is almost unAmerican to overlook Christmas.

  Opinion in Culture — by Purple Tigress — on Dec 11, 2005

• Misuse of Facebook May Cost You

  Two important issues every college student faces are their future and their social life

  News in Culture — by Brandon J. Mendelson — on Dec 11, 2005

• Theater Review: Schiller's Mary Stuart at the Apollo

  This body betrays her weakness. It is a traditional female approach to dealing with men, but for this queen a disastrous one.

  Review in Culture — by Natalie Bennett — on Dec 11, 2005

• The Not-Quite-Sunday Funnies: This Week: Trimming the Tree, Reindeer Games, and Christmas Cheers!

  The funnies for December 11,05

  Satire in Culture — by Annie — on Dec 11, 2005

• Day By Day for December 11, 2005

  Chris Muir's excellent Day By Day cartoon, for December 11, 2005

  Satire in Culture — by Chris Muir — on Dec 11, 2005

• Richard Pryor Preaches My "Eulogy"

  We are gathered here today on this sorrowful occassion to say goodbye to the dearly departed.

  News in Culture — by Al Barger — on Dec 11, 2005

• Survey: We Are Not in Worst Era of US History

  Not even close, according to American historians. Some of our young folks beg to differ. So who wins the grand prize for suffering? Read on.

  Opinion in Culture — by Pete Blackwell — on Dec 11, 2005

• The Plight of Stanley "Tookie" Williams

  To be or not to be.

  Opinion in Culture — by Diana Hartman — on Dec 11, 2005

Sci/Tech

• Win Veronica Mars Season One DVDs Courtesy of Blogcritics and Imstar*!

  imstar* turns instant messaging into an immersive adventure with games, life experiences, and lifelike avatars.

  News in Sci/Tech — by Jon Sobel — on Dec 11, 2005

• BugBlog Report 12/11/05: Mozilla, Sony, ISAKMP

  News in Sci/Tech — by Bruce Kratofil — on Dec 11, 2005

Books

• Book Review: Child of my Heart by Alice McDermott

  Review in Books — by Murphy — on Dec 11, 2005

• EBook Review: Alice's Adventures Underground

  Alice's Adventures Underground (the precursor to Alice in Wonderland) as an e-book? Does it work and do others?

  Review in Books — by Sadi Ranson-Polizzotti — on Dec 11, 2005

• Book Review: Very Thai - Everyday Popular Culture by Philip Cornwel-Smith

  Bangkokitis is an extreme form of the culture shock that many tourists experience in foreign lands, magnified by the discordant meeting of modernity and tradition.

  Review in Books — by Natalie Bennett — on Dec 11, 2005

• Book Review: The Speed of Dark, by Elizabeth Moon

  The Speed of Dark is almost perfect, with a fascinating protagonist who has a distinctive voice, and intriguing ethical questions.

  Review in Books — by Bonnie — on Dec 11, 2005

• Book Review: Jesse James - Last Rebel Of The Civil War by T.J. Stiles

  A Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor, or 19th-century hood robbing to give to poor little me and mine?

  Review in Books — by Gordon Hauptfleisch — on Dec 11, 2005

Sports

• Summary of Saturday's SportsCenter: The Reggie Bush Edition

  The night Reggie Bush won the Heisman Award, ESPN had it covered, to say the least.

  Satire in Sports — by Matthew T. Sussman — on Dec 11, 2005

• Mets-Yanks Could Pull Off A Blockbuster Trade

  Okay, I know everyone on both sides might start screaming.

  Opinion in Sports — by Victor Lana — on Dec 11, 2005

• Feelings on Duke Basketball

  The top 10 reasons I feel so strongly about the Blue Devils.

  Opinion in Sports — by Dan McGowan — on Dec 11, 2005

Gaming

• Interview: Ralph Baer

  We all know about Nolan Bushnell and how he made video games the industry it is today, but did he single handedly do this? No!

  Interview in Gaming — by Kevin Cortez — on Dec 11, 2005

• Blogcritics.org Best Games of 2005

  It's pretty much official. This has been the biggest year for video games EVER.

  News in Gaming — by Ken Edwards — on Dec 11, 2005