December 21, 2008 Archive

Tastes

• How Subway Sandwiches Are Destroying America

  And that's before they terrorized the ruins of society with that "five dollar footlong" song.

  Opinion in Tastes — by Matthew T. Sussman — on Dec 21, 2008

Video

• DVD Pick of the Week: Baghead

  Last shopping days before Christmas, are you ready?

  News in Video — by Chris Beaumont — on Dec 21, 2008

• Movie Review: Yes Man

  “Yes Man” is a pleasant diversion.

  Review in Video — by The Masked Movie Snobs — on Dec 21, 2008

• DVD Review: Latitude Zero

  And Zero would be correct.

  Review in Video — by Matt Paprocki — on Dec 21, 2008

• DVD Review: Dr. Who: The Complete Fourth Series

  Dr. Who: The Complete Fourth Series continues the adventures of the mysterious time-traveller known as "The Doctor"

  Review in Video — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 21, 2008

• DVD Review: Man on Wire

  The fascinating journey of a man who walked across the sky is one of the best films of the year.

  Review in Video — by Dusty Somers — on Dec 21, 2008

• DVD Review: Carlos Mencia - Performance Enhanced, Extended & Uncensored

  Mencia takes on everyone in this one-hour stand-up special.

  Review in Video — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 21, 2008

• Movie Review: Twilight

  Vampires or not, teen angst needs a relevant champion less than 20 years old.

  Review in Video — by Marc Eastman — on Dec 21, 2008

• Wayside Cinema: Harper

  Paul Newman headlines as a private eye in this uneven but offbeat mystery.

  Review in Video — by A.J. Hakari — on Dec 21, 2008

• DVD Review: Mind of Mencia: Uncensored Season 4

  Mind of Mencia: Uncensored Season 4 is the latest DVD release from comedian Carlos Mencia.

  Review in Video — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 21, 2008

• Passport Cinema: A Story of Floating Weeds/Floating Weeds

  The Criterion Collection provides two lovely versions of the same touching tale.

  Review in Video — by A.J. Hakari — on Dec 21, 2008

Culture

• Theater Review (NYC): In The Heights

  The voices are astonishing, the dancing infectious, and the storytelling classic.

  Review in Culture — by Tulis McCall — on Dec 21, 2008

• Oprah Solves Rudeness With Internet Quiz

  TV personality and soul peerer Oprah Winfrey, who has helped humankind help itself with a helpful quiz to determine chronic rudeness.

  Opinion in Culture — by Matthew T. Sussman — on Dec 21, 2008

• Concert Review: The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles - It's a Fabulous Life: Holiday Songs in the Key of Life

  The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles celebrate the holidays with songs, stories, and dance.

  Review in Culture — by Purple Tigress — on Dec 21, 2008

• Obituaries: Don't Make Them Dead Ends

  Who knew obituaries could be such great reading?

  Opinion in Culture — by Art Ravels — on Dec 21, 2008

• The Return of the Prodigal College Freshman

  Some thoughts on the annual migration of college students for holiday break.

  Opinion in Culture — by Joanne Huspek — on Dec 21, 2008

Music

• Concert Review: Raul Malo Christmas Show at Antones in Austin

  Dancing the night away with the cougars of Westlake to the very excellent voice and rocking Christmas tunes of the great Raul Malo.

  Review in Music — by Dave Nalle — on Dec 21, 2008

• Music DVD Review: Rush - Snakes & Arrows Live

  Rush commemorate their two-year Snakes & Arrows tour with their best concert DVD yet.

  Review in Music — by Paul Roy — on Dec 21, 2008

• Music Review: Karmakanic - Who's The Boss In The Factory

  All that potential has come together to produce a work of incredible depth and quality.

  Review in Music — by Jeff Perkins — on Dec 21, 2008

• Interview: Francis Jocky: Music That Feeds The Soul

  I do music for all people to listen to, not just people from here or there, so this makes no sense to me when they say do African music."

  Interview in Music — by Richard Marcus — on Dec 21, 2008

• Music Review: The Verve - Forth

  British rock icons The Verve have made a respectable comeback record. Enjoy it now, before they break up again!

  Review in Music — by Charlie Doherty — on Dec 21, 2008

• Music Review: Cynthia Hilts - Second Story Breeze

  A lot of talent showcased in a small package -- a description that fits both the artist and her new album.

  Review in Music — by Big Geez — on Dec 21, 2008

• Music Review: Erran Baron Cohen - Songs In The Key Of Hanukkah

  Non-Christmas holiday music from the brother of Borat creator Sacha Baron Cohen plays surprisingly well as a standalone record.

  Review in Music — by Tan The Man — on Dec 21, 2008

Books

• Book Review: Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain by Kristen Menger-Anderson

  Quirky, sometimes disturbing, and often disjointed, this book is still worth reading for the well-researched history of medicine.

  Review in Books — by Lynda Lippin — on Dec 21, 2008

• Graphic Fiction Review: The Soddyssey and Other Tales of Supernatural Law by Batton Lash

  A reissued collection of comic stories blends monsters and legal dramedy to humorous and satiric effect.

  Review in Books — by Bill Sherman — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: Glaucia the Greek Slave - A Tale of Athens in the First Century by Emma Leslie

  Darkness, confusion and loneliness give way to light and love as two forsaken adolescents find their way into God's welcoming arms in Ancient Greece.

  Review in Books — by Jennifer Bogart — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: Holy Roller: Growing Up in the Church of Knock Down, Drag Out - Or How I Quit Loving a Blue-Eyed Jesus by Diane Wilson

  I expected great things from Holy Roller and was unfortunately disappointed

  Review in Books — by Lynda Lippin — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: The Abs Diet For Women by David Zinczenko

  A healthy mix of diet and exercise to flatten your belly and get a leaner body.

  Review in Books — by Alyse Wax — on Dec 21, 2008

• How Do You Get Your Books?

  Often ignored, public libraries should be the first source for books.

  Opinion in Books — by Art Ravels — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: The Price - My Rise and Fall As Natalia, New York's #1 Escort by Natalie McLennan

  I was drawn in by The Price - the sex, the drugs, the cash, the luxury hotels, the celebrities, athletes, and generally wealthy men.

  Review in Books — by Lynda Lippin — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: The Spy Within - Larry Chin and China’s Penetration of the CIA by Tod Hoffman

  Spies are ghosts.

  Review in Books — by Lou Novacheck — on Dec 21, 2008

• Graphic Fiction Review: Indiana Jones Omnibus, Volume 2

  Continues the reprinting of long out of print Indiana Jones tales which Indy fans will enjoy.

  Review in Books — by Blake Matthews — on Dec 21, 2008

• Book Review: Don't Stop Believin' - How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed My Life by Brian Raftery

  A great gift for that friend of yours prone to singing badly at parties and other forms of lampshade wearing fun.

  Review in Books — by Glen Boyd — on Dec 21, 2008

Politics

• Satire: Man Made Global Warming, Like The Existence Of God, Is A Proven Scientific Fact -- Jesus Demands That We Believe

  Since all real scientists agree on MMGW, it is an Undeniable Fact.

  Satire in Politics — by Dan Miller — on Dec 21, 2008