Deadman's picture

    MOFT: Episode 5 (Californication)

    I don't think 2008 was a very good year for pop culture.

    The Hollywood writers' strike seemed to have lingering effects, delaying the return of some of my favorite TV shows past the point of anticipation all the way to indifference. Probably can't blame the strike, but most of the year for movies was also generally a disaster, with the summer slate being a particular disappointment (I was even let down by The Dark Knight).

    Michael Wolraich's picture

    Roland Burris, we hardly knew ye

    There's nothing wrong with Roland Burris and there's nothing wrong with the appointment

    -- Roland Burris

    Mortimus's picture

    NFL Playoffs - Figuring Out Who To Root For

    First let me start off by saying that this isn't a particularly easy post for me to write. It'd be an honor to delight you all with a long diatribe about the Jets annual implosion, but that would conflict with one of the great joys of being their fan. That of course is the joy of pocketing all the rage and torment into the pit of my stomach and then watching it explode at the most inopportune times like a bootleg 8th century jack-in-the-box.

    Orlando's picture

    Around the World in 80 Songs: Brazil

    My New Year’s resolution for 2009 is to keep myself entertained. And, I ask you, what could be more entertaining than launching a worldwide exploration of music together? We’ll be starting our tour in South America—specifically Brazil, because I have a special place in my heart for all things Brazilian.

    Befitting such a large and geographically diverse country, the musical styles of Brazil run the gamut from Bossa Nova to Rap to Metal. But my favorite style, not just of Brazil, but of any music anywhere, is Samba.

    Deadman's picture

    Cancer: Early diagnosis and the Canary Foundation ...

    A few weeks ago, I wrote about how insufficient the typical yearly doctor physical seems for adequately diagnosing diseases, and how modern technology could be used so much more effectively. Interestingly enough, the latest Wired magazine cover story addresses this very issue with a specific focus on the battle against cancer. It's a fascinating read.

    Michael Wolraich's picture

    Film Review: The Wrestler - Hulk Hogan in Shades of Blue

    In American cinematic tradition, The Aging Warrior, usually played by Sylvester Stallone, returns to the arena for one last heroic battle against The Arrogant Challenger, defying expectations and muscular degeneration to prove that he's The World Champion For Eternity. The Wrestler, a moving, melancholy character study about a fictional pro-wrestler of a certain age, is not one of those films. There is no epic battle between Aging Warrior and Arrogant Challenger. There is no Arrogant Challenger, period.

    Deadman's picture

    Questions: The Happening Edition

    Just got done watching The Happening, written, directed and produced by M. Night Shyamalan, and felt the need to do a question column on it. Yes, they are mostly rhetorical.

    1) The

    2) Absolute

    3) Worst

    4) Major

    5) Motion

    6) Picture

    7) In the

    8) History of

    9) American

    10) Filmmaking

    Series: 
    Orlando's picture

    Review: Doubt is Without Question the Best Movie I Saw in 2008

     

    It seems somewhat unnecessary to rave about a Meryl Streep performance. Ditto with Philip Seymour Hoffman. But in Doubt, they’ve both turned in flawless performances that left me with my jaw on the floor. The two screen giants are joined by Amy Adams. I’ve never seen Adams in a dramatic role before and I was impressed. In Doubt she more than holds her own.

    Orlando's picture

    Rest in Peace, Roland Burris

    Ah, vindication.

    Yesterday, I felt like I was the only one criticizing the Roland Burris pick for Roland Burris (as opposed to Blagojevich having the gall to make an appointment in the first place).

    Today, the truth about Burris and his planet-sized ego is coming out.

    Some fun links:

    Burris already has his grave site, complete with a massive memorial.

    Topics: 
    Prophet's picture

    Top Ten Albums of '08 - Numbers 3, 2 and 1

    Let's get right to it...  Before the new year (mercifully) rings in.

    (you'll have to click through for numero uno...)

    3.  Fleet Foxes: Fleet Foxes

    Deadman's picture

    MOFT Of The Year!! (Cottonelle's Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes)

    Ok, so 2008 won't go down as one of the best years in recent memory. We've had a financial collapse of historic proportions, a housing meltdown, a credit crunch, a $50 billion investment scam, a failing U.S.

    Orlando's picture

    Roland Burris and the Sad, Sad State of Illinois Politics

    Roland Burris? I haven't paid much attention to Illinois politics in a while, but when I was still paying attention, Roland Burris, a once respected elected official, had turned into a sad caricature of himself.

    Some highlights: 

    Topics: 
    Michael Wolraich's picture

    Premium New Year's resolutions for every occasion - now on Ebay

    Don't spend begin the new year without a resolution! At Premium Resolutions, Inc., we supply the finest New Year's resolutions for every situation. Visit us on EBay today! Here are a few samples of our offerings:

    For elite anti-pirate officers of the Indian navy:
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    I resolve to avoid the Indian navy.
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    The Zaftig Redhead's picture

    Got a Question? The Obama Transition Team has Answers -- and Plenty of Sunlight

    The Obama Presidential Transition continues to be one of the speediest ever -- this bodes well for the new president's ability to decisively govern in these chaotic times. While the team has tried to keep some things -- like the vetting of potential cabinet officers -- close to the vest, in other ways the transition process has been one of the most open and interactive in history. The Obama team is playing it smart, and converting their grassroots machinery from that of a get-out-the-vote operation to policy participation.

    Topics: 
    Orlando's picture

    What is Israel Doing?

    I used to watch The West Wing. In one of the very first episodes, the fictional president gets a briefing from the fictional Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in which the term “proportional response” is explained. The president is angry because terrorists shot down a military transport plane carrying someone with whom he had a personal relationship and he is ready to unleash the power of the United States military in retribution. The Chairman patiently explains that when they shoot down one of our planes, we take out a target that would be considered equitable.

    Topics: 
    Michael Wolraich's picture

    New Year's Resolution Generator ™

    New Year's Eve is over. Visit the THE VALENTINE GENERATOR™.

    It's that time of year again. Resolution time. We're all supposed to come up with some great goals for 2009. But worthwhile goals aren't easy to come by. Sure, you could promise to quit smoking or abusing pigeons or getting naked in public or whatever boring resolution you make every year and violate three days later, but you've been there and done that.

    Mortimus's picture

    Are the Yankees' Free Agent Signings...

    The Scariest Economic Indicator of all?!?!

    Wall Street is a barren stretch of gloom and tumbleweed, unemployment could sniff double digits in '09, yet the Yankees are spending money as if its 'the day after tomorrow.'

    $423.5 million in total salary
    Mark Teixiera - 8 years, $180 million
    C.C. Sabathia - 7 years, $161 million
    A.J. Burnett - 5 years, $82.5 million

    In less than 10 days the Pinstripes poured through enough money to make even Dennis Kozlowski blush.

    Topics: 
    Deadman's picture

    Predictions ... Revisiting old ones and making new ones

    In my most recent question column earlier this week, I asked for readers' predictions for the upcoming year ... aside from Genghis bravely predicting that Obama would become POTUS, I didn't get too many responses.

    So I'm going to ask for your predictions again, while repeating some of the predictions I made and adding a couple of more, before I revisit some calls I made this year.

    Prophet's picture

    Top Ten Albums of '08 - Numbers 6, 5 and 4

    Well, I believe I've managed to achieve the slowest roll-out of a top ten list.  You know you're in bad shape when you start before everyone else and you're still on number 7 come Christmas.

    Therefore, we're going to speed this up a bit.  Here are my choices for numbers 6, 5, and 4.  (3, 2, and 1 to come)

    Orlando's picture

    Threat Level ORANGE or Merry Christmas from NORAD: Your Tax Dollars at Work

    After 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security gave us a nicely color-coded Fear Chart, so that we, the American people, would know just exactly how afraid we are. You know how Deadman was saying the other day that he uses the Weather.com minute-by-minute forecast to know when to walk his dog? That’s kind of how I am with the Homeland Security Fear Chart. Because without it, I wouldn’t have any idea how scared I was.

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