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"Some boys are very tough. They're afraid of nothing. They are the ones who climb a wall and take a bow at the top. Not only are they brave on the roof, but they make a lot of noise in the darkest part of the cellar where even the super hates to go. They also jiggle and hop on the platform between the locked doors of the subway cars."
--from "Samuel"
A classic Dashiell Hammett mystery, The Thin Man offers complex plot twists and plenty of red herrings. What sets the movie apart from the pack is the chemistry between stars William Powell and Myrna Loy. As Nick and Nora Charles, the couple dash through the film never far from a martini or a clever quip. They exude charm, smarts, and sex, and still manage to solve the murders and set the stage for five likable sequels.
Sure, very few Americans know or understand the sport. Sure, a significant percentage of the first-round games end in scoreless draws. Sure, soccer fans can be a wee bit overzealous at times. Still, with the NBA and NHL championships settled, and baseball playoffs four long months away, there couldn't be a better time for a major world sporting event. And if you take the time to familiarize yourself with some of the rules, players, and strategies, you'll find that soccer played at the highest level is a pretty exhilirating affair.
An all-female, bass-less power trio from the Pacific Northwest, Sleater-Kinney has captured the imagination of fans and critics alike. The power is created by Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, who dynamically interweave both guitars and vocals. Propelled by drummer Janet Weiss, infectious anthems like "One More Hour" and "Dance Song '97" make Dig Me Out an emotional and accessible document of what punk rock can be.
If you're tired of waiting for Kubrick's upcoming Eyes Wide Shut, maybe it's time to brush up on his last film. 1987's Full Metal Jacket follows one marine's journey from Parris Island to the Tet Offensive. The complexities of war and its soldiers are rendered with unflinching realism despite several scenes of almost surreal violence. Oustanding performances by Vincent D'Onofrio and R. Lee Ermey. Based on Gustav Hasford's The Short-Timers and co-written by Michael Herr (Dispatches).
It's D&D Rock, baby. And it's goo-oo-ood. Brought to you by the folks at Elephant 6 Recording Co., the minds behind up-and-comers like Olivia Tremor Control and the Apples in Stereo. Here you'll get songs about kings, magical portals, and various and sundry mythological creatures. This album is guaranteed to increase your armor class at least two levels! Plus a cover of Brian Eno's "Needle in the Camel's Eye." Can you beat that? No way.
Garrett has humbly titled some of his more wicked poems as Flashcards. Here are a couple:
Portrait of the Artist as a Cartoon
Silence, exile, cunning, I resolve to embrace
them gladly, proudly; and then the phone rings
and I trip and fall all over myself
running for it, hoping it's for me,
praying my luck has changed, my time has come.
To a Certain Critic
Walking in the woods, you turn over a rotten log.
Out from under crawls something very snotlike and pale.
If it could open its mouth and talk good English,
you'd know exactly what you sound like to me.
Loaded with classics by The Shangri-Las, The Angels, Lesley Gore, and Dusty Springfield, this 2-CD set is the perfect soundtrack to your next pajama party. And just like a teenager's life, it ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. The biggest revelation of the bunch comes courtesy of The Whyte Boots. One of the few tunes here actually written and produced by a female team, "Nightmare" is a three minute, angst-ridden tour de force that was too tough for radio in 1967.
Combining the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a live auction with the mind-numbing junk of a suburban garage sale, eBay has stumbled onto two great tastes that taste great together. If you've got something to sell, eBay will get you a good price. If you're looking for something to buy, you'll inevitably find it among eBay's thousands of listings. And if you just can't live without that original Mighty Mouse secret decoder ring, go ahead, make a bid...
With his bestselling debut, Emperor of the Air, Ethan Canin established himself as one of the finest story writers in America. The four long stories in The Palace Thief show that he has continued to mature, gaining a subtle understanding of those quiet moments that often define our lives. "The Accountant" is the standout in this wonderful collection.
