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A contemporary of George Grosz and Tristan Tzara, Belgian artist Frans Masereel produced several collections of "woodcut stories." These quickly lead to the artist's widespread popularity in France and the United States. The images in Die Stadt are composed of the simplest colors, black and white, yet represent urban life in the '20s in rich detail.
Bastard Out of Carolina is one of the rare instances of a film being every bit as good as the original book. Adapted from Dorothy Allison's unflinching tale of child abuse in rural 1950's South Carolina, first-time director Anjelica Huston preserves the power and ambience of the original work by refusing to sanitize it. It's a gruesome, depressing story, but one that needed to be told.
It seems like just yesterday that golf simulations consisted of cartoonish players whacking a large white dot towards a flat, light-green circle. No more. Now most golf sims are graphically stunning and the key is finding new wrinkles. This game distinguishes itself by concentrating on the most intriguing major tournament in pro golf, the British Open. Two courses are included, St. Andrews and Royal Troon. The interface is simple and complete, and the soundtrack is great, featuring shot-by-shot commentary from Jim McKay and Michael Bradshaw.
Robert L. Duffus of The New York Times Book Review wrote: "Mr. Dreiser is not imitative and belongs to no school. He is at heart a mysticist and a fatalist, though using the realistic method. He is a totally undisciplined, unorganized power--yet, on the evidence of this novel alone, nonetheless a power."
There are three parts to the history of Dayton, Ohio's Guided By Voices: Before Bee Thousand (BBT), During Bee Thousand (DBT), and After Bee Thousand (ABT). The first and last are rewarding periods to investigate, but nothing will likely match the sheer thrill of listening to Bee Thousand the first few (dozen) times. "The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory" and "Awful Bliss" are just two of many instant classics.
The cards. The chips. The cigars. The odds. The ante. The bet. The bluff. The raise. The royal flush. Dealer's choice. Draw. Hi-low. Hold 'em. Stud. Spit-in-the-ocean. You can play poker for nickels and dimes or for thousands of dollars. No matter whether you win or lose, as long as you know the rules and a little bit of the lingo, you'll probably have a pretty good time.
"The concert was over; the people filed out of the hall chattering and laughing, glad to relax and find the living level again, but my kinswoman made no effort to rise. The harpist slipped its green felt cover over his instrument; the flute players shook the water from their mouthpieces; the men of the orchestra went out one by one, leaving the stage to the chairs and music stands, empty as a winter cornfield."
--from "A Wagner Matinee"
Sure, recent expansion has diluted the quality of Major League pitching, but hell, who cares! It's home run mania! And arguing Junior vs. Mantle vs. Mac vs. Ruth vs. Maris is just one of the pleasures of the grand old game that has been missing since the '94 strike.
When a novel is adapted to the screen, the question invariably arises: "Is the movie as good as the book?" In the case of L.A. Confidential, the new film based on a James Ellroy police procedural, the answer is complicated. The movie is as good as the book. Better, in fact. But the engrossing film also points out that, despite his often EXCLAMATORY style, Ellroy is a master of characterization and emotional intensity.
Cincinnati's Afghan Whigs are a self-confessed "grunge/soul band." Black Love, their fourth album, finds singer Greg Dulli still digging around in all the darkest places. Many of the songs have a cinematic feel, which is not to say that they're insincere. In any case, the storytelling is a strength not a weakness, especially since the Whigs are best enjoyed when they're taking you for a ride. Case in point: the instantly addictive (and incendiary) "Going to Town."
