We will be reviewing anything that we find interesting from the present, the past or even the future, including films, bands, art, and literature.

We will be reviewing anything that we find interesting from the present, the past or even the future, including films, bands, art, and literature.

In Priase of Wes Anderson (Redux)

by Tony Shea May 1, 2013

In honor of the birthday of Wes Anderson, I thought it fitting to re-post a piece from October 16, 2012, celebrating the work of this truly original and life affirming filmmaker. Anderson’s next project, The Grand Budapest Hotel, will be released by Fox Searchlight. Though no official release date has been announced, you can bet […]

ESSAYS Read more →

The Possum Sleeps – George Jones – RIP

by Tony Shea April 26, 2013

The legendary George Jones died today at the age of 81. Sometimes known as the Possum to his fans, Jones was a true American original. A former Marine, he was an alcoholic cocaine addict who once, after his wife hid his car keys, rode a riding lawn mower eight miles to the liquor store. Jones […]

IN PRAISE OF... Read more →
Thumbnail image for Let’s Eat 10 Pounds of Meat, Shall We? (Part 1)

Let’s Eat 10 Pounds of Meat, Shall We? (Part 1)

by Jay Hood April 24, 2013

Part 1 No one really believes my wife and I, when we tell them what we are doing for vacation. “Surely, that is not all you are doing? Eating meat?” “Can’t you just do that in Baltimore?” “That seems like an awfully long way to go just for that,” they say. We reassure people that […]

FOOD Read more →

The Ramones – A Day that Would Live in Infamy

by Staff April 23, 2013

37 seven years ago today, the Ramones changed the world of music with their self titled album, Ramones. Along with the albums Leave Home and Rocket To Russia (the second and third albums respectively) Ramones absolutely blazes with the speed and ferocity of its attack. And it’s fun! The Ramones would go on to inspire […]

IDEAS Read more →

In Praise of Frederick Exley

by Thad Weitz March 28, 2013

In honor of what would have been the 84th birthday of American literary cult  icon, Frederick Exley,  Thad Weitz shares a review he originally wrote for Traffic East Magazine of Exley’s masterpiece A Fan’s Notes. Nearly 50 years since its publication, A Fan’s Notes  remains an astonishing meditation on broken dreams and the struggle to […]

ESSAYS Read more →

Benevolent Universe – The Art of Gus Harper

by Tony Shea March 21, 2013

Reminiscent of masters like Diego Rivera and Georgia O’Keeffe, Gus Harper’s work is always highly original and heightened by a mystical sense of possibility. Gus has traveled widely around the world and his work has a symbolic and sometimes hallucinatory quality that crosses cultures. Based in Santa Monica, Gus has had a run of successful […]

ART VS ART Read more →

The Best Cop Show on TV

by Tony Shea March 3, 2013

Southland is now in the third week of its new season on TNT. Created by Ann Biderman and produced, in part, by John Wells of ER, The West Wing, and Shameless fame, Southland makes a strong case for being the finest police drama on television. Now in its fifth season, the show had something of […]

COLUMNS Read more →

My Top Films of 2012

by Tony Shea February 24, 2013

Today marks the end of the Hollywood awards season. The Gloden Globes, the SAG, WGA, and PGA awards are behind us, as well as the Independent Spirit Awards from last evening. All that remains is tonight’s Oscars and another year of cinema history will be behind us. Regardless of how the Acadamy votes however, these […]

FILM Read more →

Lincoln – Best Picture?

by Tony Shea February 1, 2013

Over the last several weeks I have been wading through the Best Picture contenders in this year’s Oscar race, in an effort to pick the winner. Having watched Lincoln now, I feel my job has become considerably easier. So far I have reviewed Django Unchained, Argo, and Silver Linings Playbook. I have also watched Les […]

COLUMNS Read more →

Silver Linings Playbook – Best Picture?

by Tony Shea January 23, 2013

As the Oscars approach, I’ll be reviewing each of the films nominated for Best Picture, and handicapping the contest based on not only the artistic merit of the films themselves, but also some of the political machinations that effect the voting. To see my analysis so far, please click here to read my review of […]

ESSAYS Read more →

Argo – Why it’s NOT the Best Picture

by Tony Shea January 10, 2013

1/13/13 Well, I’m certainly wrong so far. Argo took best Drama at the Golden Globes tonight. Let’s see what happens at the Oscars. TS Argo has been receiving a slew of award nominations lately, including this morning’s Oscar nomination for Best Picture, along with Beasts of the Southern Wild, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty, […]

FILM Read more →

Django Unchained

by Tony Shea December 31, 2012

I always look forward to a new Tarantino film. I want to see what unusual mash up he’ll put together, in his highly personal and idiosyncratic style, filled with its black humor and carnage. And so it was that I felt a twinge of excitement as I went to see Django Unchained, on Friday night. […]

FILM Read more →

In Contempt of: Christmas…Music

by Mike Anthrope December 23, 2012

In Contempt of: A column that celebrates all the things in life I can’t stand. If you’re anything like me, your eardrums are about to explode by now because you’ve heard so much lame Christmas music blaring from the in-built ceiling speakers in every department store and every open car window, the 9,000th rendition of “White […]

COLUMNS Read more →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →