Disappointing by Joyce Carol Oates standards, but a perfectly good book by the standards of most fiction. A historical work about a gay newlywed who throws himself over Niagra Falls on his honeymoon... more
Disappointing by Joyce Carol Oates standards, but a perfectly good book by the standards of most fiction. A historical work about a gay newlywed who throws himself over Niagra Falls on his honeymoon, and the life if his bride after this tragic event.
A really great essay about the experience of taking psychedelic drugs (in Huxley's case, it was mescaline, I believe) and the ways it can expand our awareness of our own conscious processes. This... more
A really great essay about the experience of taking psychedelic drugs (in Huxley's case, it was mescaline, I believe) and the ways it can expand our awareness of our own conscious processes. This, mind you, from one of the pre-eminent scientists of his day, not just some stoner kid going "wow."
A similar, and equally interesting, read is William James's descriptions of his experiences using nitrous oxide.
Riveting account of one climbing team's effort to scale Mount Everest and the tragedy that strikes several of the climbing teams when an unexpected storm comes in. Krakauer is a really combination of... more
Riveting account of one climbing team's effort to scale Mount Everest and the tragedy that strikes several of the climbing teams when an unexpected storm comes in. Krakauer is a really combination of a writer who's both a good story teller, and keeps you glued to your seat, and a thoughtful commenter, with some valuable thoughts about his subject matter (high stakes alpine climbing expeditions, in this case).
I haven't yet read it, but am looking forward to his book about Pat Tillman.
She and Ashley Judd are the hottest actresses working today, not least of all because they're both so damn smart.
Must see films: Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, a pair of unconventional romantic... more
She and Ashley Judd are the hottest actresses working today, not least of all because they're both so damn smart.
Must see films: Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, a pair of unconventional romantic talkies (both movies are literally two people walking around a city and talking the entire time) that have her paired with Ethan Hawke, directed by Richard Linklater. A couple other great roles: 2 Days in Paris and Killing Zoe (she's the Zoe of the title, even though she's not really a main character; but she still has a great scene).
This would have to go somewhere in my top 10 list of all-time favorite books. Beautiful and sad at the same time. It's especially powerful, I think, because of the juxtaposition of the nostalgic and... more
This would have to go somewhere in my top 10 list of all-time favorite books. Beautiful and sad at the same time. It's especially powerful, I think, because of the juxtaposition of the nostalgic and deeply introspective Mrs. Dalloway, looking back over her life as she gets ready for a party, and the tragically sad story of a shell-shocked soldier whose life intersects hers in random ways as the story progresses.
She and Adam Goldberg give funny, biting performances. This movie is an interesting study in contrasts when compared with Delpy's much sweeter role as Celine in Before Sunrise/Before Sunset.
Brilliant and crazy and deeply provocative. It's one of the most amazing statements about Germany and WWII, but without being in any way a typical take on that story. It's not in any way about the... more
Brilliant and crazy and deeply provocative. It's one of the most amazing statements about Germany and WWII, but without being in any way a typical take on that story. It's not in any way about the Holocaust, essentially. It's a very personal story about a man that sheds light on Germany itself during that period.
