Updike Evaluated: The Writer as Matchmaker Updike Evaluated: The Writer as Matchmaker
One measure of his genius lay in his ability to invoke the hard beauty of a man endlessly wandering the labyrinth of his own needs, abusively fearful of broken spells.
Jan 27, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Josephine Hendin
Star Wars Star Wars
The only film ever made that could be said to have cost the United States government billions--in a missile defense system that only Hollywood could make work.
Jan 25, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Robert Hatch
The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath
Hollywood was concerned that the saga of the Joads might send a "pro-Communist" message, but in the end, even Whittaker Chambers liked this film, which says something.
Jan 23, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Franz Hoellering
The Godfather The Godfather
If one Paramount exec had his way, Don Corleone would have been played by Danny Thomas. Fortunately, Francis Coppola had no interest in turning Mario Puzo's novel into Make Room Fo...
Jan 23, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Robert Hatch
City Lights City Lights
Though the era of talking films was well underway, this lovely silent film about the Little Tramp and a poor blind girl remained Charlie Chaplin's personal favorite.
Jan 23, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Alexander Bakshy
Harlan County, USA Harlan County, USA
Barbara Kopple spent thirteen months living and breathing the dust of a brutal coal strike. Out of it came this groundbreaking documentary.
Jan 23, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Robert Hatch
Hammerheads: David Mamet’s Money Plays Hammerheads: David Mamet’s Money Plays
As David Mamet's views become more Manichaean, he's squared the jaws of his tough guys.
Jan 22, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Alisa Solomon
Adventures in Editing: Ted Solotaroff’s ‘Commentary’ Days Adventures in Editing: Ted Solotaroff’s ‘Commentary’ Days
An unfinished memoir by the late literary editor and critic. The first part of a two-part article.
Jan 22, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Ted Solotaroff
Stimulating Reading Stimulating Reading
The economy of reading is rapidly collapsing. If we can bail out banks, why not the book industry?
Jan 22, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Katha Pollitt
Clair de Lune Clair de Lune
We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. The way we look at us lately chills us to the core. We become like those who seek to destroy us. We push ourselves into small tasks that employ us unrewardingly on purpose. We tire, we bore. We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. We rent ourselves to what force will enjoy us into oblivion: wind, drink, sleep. We pimp, we whore. We become like those who seek to destroy us. We cat-and-mouse, roughhouse, inflatable-toy us in our heads' red maze, in its den, on its shore. We revolt ourselves; we disgust and annoy us. We take offense at our being; we plot, we deploy us against us and flummox; we wallow, we war. We become like those who seek to destroy us. If in triumph, our defeat; in torture, our joy is. Some confusion so deep I can't fathom anymore. We appall ourselves; we disgust and annoy us into those we become we who seek to destroy us.
Jan 21, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Timothy Donnelly