Today I’m joined by occasional culture debater (and previous reality TV fan) Lauren to bitch like an old married couple about today’s Oscar nominations. This is a different kind-of debate than usual as Lauren and I actually agree about most politics and this is purely about entertainment. Just as I don’t quite get reality TV…
Down & Out in Bumblefuck: Down & Out Over the Retirement of Gabrielle Giffords
Yesterday marked the announcement that Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords would step down as she attempts to recuperate from a horrendous assassination attempt that has left her mostly inactive but making great progress. Now many will say that of course this is a huge disappointment for me and my personal beliefs as 1. Giffords was one…
Entertainment Editorial: A Broadway Review of “Other Desert Cities”
Longtime readers of the site know that there’s no greater wildcard than the item I call “Entertainment Editorial.” I might use it to call George Clooney “The King of Fall” and cover his career, I might use it to predict Oscar nominations or which Fall TV shows will survive, or I might use it to…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: My Week with Marilyn
And capping our independent film day comes this movie that maybe isn’t so independent as it got a wide release back in December and has done decent business at the box office. Mostly because people are connecting to Michelle Williams’s excellent portrayal of Marilyn Monroe. What Works: Michelle Williams. She’s this movie’s selling point and…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: Pariah
Rolling on along with our independent movie day comes another film in (very) limited release. It’s called Pariah and is the story of a young black lesbian struggling to find love in Brooklyn even though her very religious mother (played by Kim Wayans in a dramatic role) doesn’t approve at all. What Works: Kim Wayans…
Monday Morning Movie Reviewer: In the Land of Blood and Honey
For those that haven’t heard of this move, or have and don’t remember it, this is Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut and it takes place during the Bosnian War. It’s almost impossible to really talk about this movie without also talking about Jolie herself as you can bet NOBODY would be talking about it if Jolie…
Mom Jokes: Quick Hits
I saw a poor old lady fall over today on the ice. At least I presume she was poor – she only had $1.20 in her purse. Went for my routine checkup today and everything seemed to be going fine until he stuck his index finger up my butt. Do you think I should change dentists?…
Sunday’s Sermon: The Death of Joe Paterno and the Cult of College Football
In a two-for-one first for the site I bring you not one, but TWO Sermons today. So either I’ve gotten a sturdier soapbox than the year I’ve been doing this site or there is a lot to talk about in the world of religion and race this week. Earlier today I recapped all of Mitt…
Sunday’s Sermons: Mitt the Mormon Church Money Launderer? Inside Romney’s Shady Finances
So I know I’m supposed to spend the day after the South Carolina primary talking about Gingrich’s big comeback and how he fought his way past dubious open marriage allegations (probably financed by Romney truth be told) to win a decisive victory that means…something, I guess…Yawn, I’m sorry but I just can’t work up the…
Bubba’s Sex Tips: Picking Up Mormon Chicks
So pretty much it’s borderline impossible to turn on the TV lately without seeing a collection of the ugliest TV actors I’ve ever seen: The Republican candidates for president. And naturally the “star” of the show is the only one who could pass for good looking, Mitt Romney. Now Bubba don’t care for this sausage-fest…
Larger Editorial: Inside the Internet Blackout…A Little More Gray Than You Might Think
For those that might not be aware, several large websites (like Wikipedia) participated in an “Internet Black Out” yesterday as part of a protest against two bills circulating through congress that they think could hurt internet freedom and encourage censorship. The two bills are known by their catchy acronyms “SOPA” and “PIPA.” But don’t let…
Petty Issues: Updated For Rick Perry’s Withdrawal
With this week’s cruise “disaster” in Italy, I’m thinking cruise lines will have to discount their prices for this upcoming year as some consumers will have a knee-jerk reaction of fear. But lightening rarely strikes twice folks and savvier customers will take advantage of the slashed prices, so keep checking prices over the next few…
Now What? (Life Post-Grad): Are Gay Parents, Better Parents?
Of course Now What? mostly deals with issues related to young people but I like to think of it as also having to do with shifts in society and “Now What?” could also refer to what’s next for this big, great, all-over-the-map country of ours. And no where are we less certain (or more divided)…