December 13, 2006 Archive

Culture

• The Holidays: Is That All There Is?

  How could our frothing-at-the mouth holiday frenzy possibly live up to the hype?

  Opinion in Culture — by Elvira Black — on Dec 13, 2006

• The Christmas Without

  We lost our home to a fire two weeks before Christmas in 1969. Despite the loss, it was a special Christmas.

  Opinion in Culture — by Donnie Marler — on Dec 13, 2006

• Miserable in Her Marriage, In Love With Her Friend - Venus in Pisces Square Saturn: Astrology-Based Advice

  Dear Elsa, I have been married for six years, and I am dreadfully unhappy with myself.

  Opinion in Culture — by Elsa — on Dec 13, 2006

• I'm Dreaming of a White Hot Christmas

  It's that time of year again: Surf, sun, feral parrots, dangerous spiders, and iced-chocolate frappes. It's Christmas Down Under, and not to be laughed at.

  Opinion in Culture — by the silver surfer — on Dec 13, 2006

• Theater Review: Jamaica Farewell - A One-Woman Tour de Force

  A young woman’s madcap journey to America in the 1970s, it is a funny, moving night at the theatre.

  Review in Culture — by Kathy Jones — on Dec 13, 2006

• Day By Day for December 13, 2006

  Chris Muir's excellent Day By Day cartoon, for December 13, 2006

  Satire in Culture — by Chris Muir — on Dec 13, 2006

Video

• Why the Grinch is My Yuletide Hero

  The Grinch didn't steal Christmas. He liberated it.

  Opinion in Video — by Ray Ellis — on Dec 13, 2006

• TV Review: NCIS - "Driven"

  While definitely not one of the better episodes, “Driven” makes up for the weak plot with the evolution of relationships.

  Review in Video — by C. Michael Bailey — on Dec 13, 2006

• DVD Review: Ali G Indahouse - The Movie

  ... if you liked Da Ali G Show or Borat, this movie is right up your alley.

  Review in Video — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 13, 2006

• TV Preview: TNT's Original Holiday Movie A Perfect Day

  TNT's new holiday movie A Perfect Day premieres December 18. Get a sneak peek now!

  Review in Video — by Jackie — on Dec 13, 2006

• DVD Review: The Fox and the Hound 2

  Disney has gone back into the vault to produce another direct-to-DVD sequel of one of their classic films.

  Review in Video — by Josh Lasser — on Dec 13, 2006

• Actor Peter Boyle Dies at 71

  Character actor best known for playing the grumpy Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond.

  News in Video — by Lisa McKay — on Dec 13, 2006

• Reality TV Casting Call: The Amazing Race 12

  News in Video — by TV with MeeVee — on Dec 13, 2006

• DVD Review: St. Elsewhere - Season One

  One of the forerunners of current medical dramas finally makes its first appearance on DVD.

  Review in Video — by Josh Lasser — on Dec 13, 2006

• The Trailer Park: Children of Men

  Are you ready for the end of the world?

  Review in Video — by Chris Beaumont — on Dec 13, 2006

• DVD Review: Christmas Evil

  You better watch out, you better cry real loud, this whack' o-crazy Santa may be coming your way. Hey!

  Review in Video — by ILoz Zoc — on Dec 13, 2006

• The Trailer Park: The Good Shepherd

  See the birth of the CIA.

  Review in Video — by Chris Beaumont — on Dec 13, 2006

• TV Review: Robin Hood - "Peace? Off!"

  An emissary from the Middle East arrives to negotiate peace with Prince John, but the Sheriff has plans to use him as ransom...

  Review in Video — by Dan Owen — on Dec 13, 2006

• DVD Review: Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut

  Out of a plethora of Superman DVDs being released this season, the very best is Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut.

  Review in Video — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 13, 2006

• Movie Review: Hunter S. Thompson - Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride

  The film pulls away the Gonzo veneer for a peek inside by those who saw him as a close friend and confidant.

  Review in Video — by Lono — on Dec 13, 2006

Sci/Tech

• Failure To Protect Critical Habitat Puts Endangered Species At Risk

  We aren't the only inhabitants of this world. We share it with numerous other living organisms.

  Opinion in Sci/Tech — by Richard Marcus — on Dec 13, 2006

Music

• Blues Bash: 28th Annual Blues Award Nominees Announced

  Some familiar names among this year's nominees...

  News in Music — by Josh Hathaway — on Dec 13, 2006

• New Decemberists DVD and The Daily Music and Tech News

  Decemberists DVD,Scissor Sisters to tour US and Microsoft recall patch in today's update.

  News in Music — by Katharine Donelson — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: Los Amigos Invisibles - Superpop Venezuela

  An unseen mix of Latin and seventies music with traditional influences. It feels like a holiday!

  Review in Music — by Chapin — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: A John Waters Christmas

  Bad tastemeister John Waters offers his own unique take on the Xmas music collection.

  Review in Music — by Bill Sherman — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: Mos Def - "Undeniable"

  Mos Def's Grammy-nominated song from the upcoming Tru3 Magic sounds oddly familiar, and not in a good way.

  Review in Music — by Adam Hoff — on Dec 13, 2006

• Retro Redux: Remembering The Music Of The Cotton Club

  It was a popular Harlem night club that featured black performers but was restricted to an all-white clientele...

  Opinion in Music — by Big Geez — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: Lucinda Williams - Alternative Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

  Lucinda Williams cut a completely different version of her classic album before making her classic album. Turns out the original is pretty classic too.

  Review in Music — by Mat Brewster — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: New Orleans Christmas (Various Artists)

  New Orleans, Christmas Music, Dukes of Dixieland, Ellis Marsalis, Ingrid Lucia, Heritage Hall Jazz Band, Putamayo World Music.

  Review in Music — by gette — on Dec 13, 2006

• A Wonderful Christmas Time?

  For every Christmas song that is the musical equivalent of fallen snow, there are two that are steaming reindeer turds.

  Opinion in Music — by Jason Middlekauff — on Dec 13, 2006

• Music Review: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Live At The Fillmore East, March 6 & 7, 1970

  The fact that it sounds so good makes it even more disappointing.

  Review in Music — by El Bicho — on Dec 13, 2006

Books

• Book Review: The Thrill of the Chaste by Dawn Eden

  The Thrill of the Chaste is a candid look at the devastating effects that the casual sex mindset wreaks on women.

  Review in Books — by John Bambenek — on Dec 13, 2006

• Book Review: Time to Emigrate? by George Walden

  An extended letter to his children, who are considering leaving the United Kingdom for parts further afield.

  Review in Books — by Marty Dodge — on Dec 13, 2006

• Book Review: Morbid Cravings, A Novel by Gladys Furphy and Jessica James

  What is “normal”? A well-established, successful woman impaired by an eating disorder, or her werewolf persona.

  Review in Books — by Marcus Lessa — on Dec 13, 2006

• Book Review: Out of Time by Patrick G Cox

  Three Navy men from the 19th century end up on a battleship in mid-space 400 years later.

  Review in Books — by Marty Dodge — on Dec 13, 2006

• Book Review: The Hidden Assassins by Robert Wilson

  "Nothing is straightforward in terrorist attacks."

  Review in Books — by Nancy Fontaine — on Dec 13, 2006

• Alexander the Great and the War in Iraq: An Interview with Children's Author Katherine Roberts

  "...the real achievement is always sitting down at the blank page to write the next story."

  Interview in Books — by Ambrose Musiyiwa — on Dec 13, 2006

Sports

• FC Barcelona Readies For World Cup For Club Teams

  The battle used to be a match between the best team in Europe and the best team from South America. But the setup changed.

  News in Sports — by Lawntennisnews — on Dec 13, 2006

• Reflections On The College Football Season

  The Critic looks at the season from a cranky perspective.

  Opinion in Sports — by The Critic — on Dec 13, 2006

• Q: Why Isn’t Juggling A Competitive Sport?

  Mental Floss question of the day.

  News in Sports — by Mental_Floss — on Dec 13, 2006

• An Oxymoron: On Air Talent In Sports

  Don't you love sports broadcasters who share arcane information? No, I don't either.

  Opinion in Sports — by The Critic — on Dec 13, 2006

• FC Barcelona Struggles to Win, Sevilla Wins Vs Real Madrid

  Sevilla takes over the second spot in the Primera Division beating Real Madrid. Ronaldhinho wins again for FC Barcelona.

  News in Sports — by Lawntennisnews — on Dec 13, 2006

Gaming

• Nintendo DS Review: Children of Mana

  When a die-hard beat-'em-up fan complains about repetition, you know there's an issue.

  Review in Gaming — by Matt Paprocki — on Dec 13, 2006

• Xbox Live Arcade Review: Small Arms

  The Xbox Live Arcade continues to be the home of mediocraty.

  Review in Gaming — by Jason Westhaver — on Dec 13, 2006

Politics

• Case Studies of Experts on Drugs

  Case Studies of Experts on Drugs

  Satire in Politics — by Paotie — on Dec 13, 2006