Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A Cinematic Feast: “Welcome to the Rileys” (2010)
Recent Articles
The American (2010) – A Cold Story Served Well Like Chilled Caviar
THE AMERICAN is a philosophical exercise on what constitutes “The Reality.” Can we [Read More]
Growing Up with Harold Bloom
Going through my library this weekend, I came across an old copy of Harold Bloom’s [Read More]
Critics in Love
This blog isn’t wont to dole out dating advice. Thinking upon my own predicament [Read More]
Arts and Letters
The Poetic Voice of Generation Me
Poets from around the world—from Vietnam and the Netherlands and Brazil and Canada, quite different from one another, coming from quite distinct literary traditions—were [Read More]
Movie Review — Shutter Island (2010), a Psychological Thriller Masterpiece
A masterpiece by Martin Scorsese on the level of Taxi Driver and Goodfellas. The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio in his usual [Read More]
Science and Technology
The Military and the Meaning of Science
The other day, I read an article in the New York Times regarding the American [Read More]
TED: Ideas Worth Spreading
Thanks to StumbleUpon, the most enjoyable social media/bookmarking site thus far (and the [Read More]
Sunita Williams Runs Boston Marathon in Space
The Independent reports that Sunita Williams, the woman who will soon hold the record for [Read More]
Humanities
Loneliness of Learning
I’m at a seaside resort somewhere in the Aegean. I’ve just visited the Temple of Apollo today. Built 2,700 years ago, the temple was surrounded by stone blocks [Read More]
Narcissus and scholarship revisited
Yesterday, I received a postcard from a friend studying in Rome that had the Italian Renaissance painter Caravaggio’s famous depiction of Narcissus staring at his own [Read More]
Pop Beat
Levi Johnston Not Mature Enough to Marry Bristol Palin
Something tells me Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s loss of the Vice Presidency may have [Read More]
It’s Possible to BE Green Without Looking Green
I get totally depressed when I go shopping and I’ve come to realize lately that I [Read More]
Beware of Mineral Makeup Marketing Myths
Being a girl, the fact that I thoroughly enjoy wearing makeup should not come as a shock. [Read More]
Current Affairs
America’s Real Treasure
Here is a commencement speech that every American (and every culture vulture, for that matter) should read. In this important speech retired U.S. Justice David Souter defends the U.S. Supreme Court against charges of “activism” and explains why a simple-minded [Read More]
Boundaries and Identity in the Age of Globalization
Boundaries are a must to preserve identity. Individuals need a boundary. And so do nations, football fans, and lovers. [Read More]
Defending Western Civilization Against “Equality Before the Law” Fetishism
“Democracy is not a suicide pact.” – Amitai Etzioni I’m sick and tired of those bleeding-heart liberals who defend [Read More]
Am I the Only One Who Pays My Taxes?
I feel like a real schmuck. The sad fact is that the reason I feel like an idiot is because I’m honest. On the day I’m [Read More]