Some days the world is ugly, and you crave beauty, sensitivity, originality, a human connection. Here you go: Lana del Rey’s new song, “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd”
Childhood’s End
Do you wish those balloons crossing our continent are UFOs? Sorry, they’re not. But if there were a “what if” novel, who could write it better than Arthur C. Clarke?
Do you wish those balloons crossing our continent are UFOs? Sorry, they’re not. But if there were a “what if” novel, who could write it better than Arthur C. Clarke?
Alan Furst: Mission to Paris
Alan Furst’s ultra-sophisticated spy novels are about Europe in the years before World War II, but they’re also exquisite little morality plays about right now, right here. Good luck putting this one down.
Alan Furst’s ultra-sophisticated spy novels are about Europe in the years before World War II, but they’re also exquisite little morality plays about right now, right here. Good luck putting this one down.
Try Not to Hold It Against Me: A Producer’s Life
Guest Butler Ronald Fried on Julian Schlossberg, a mega-successful producer who Mike Nichols called “the nicest man in show business.”
Guest Butler Ronald Fried on Julian Schlossberg, a mega-successful producer who Mike Nichols called “the nicest man in show business.”
Thich Nhat Hanh (1926 – 2022): “Breathing In, I Calm My Body. Breathing Out, I Smile. Dwelling in the Present Moment, I Know This Is a Wonderful Moment.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, who was, after the Dalai Lama, the most respected and influential Buddhist monk, died a year ago. Here's everything you might want to know about my wisest teacher --- and some life-improving guidance you just might be able to use.
Thich Nhat Hanh, who was, after the Dalai Lama, the most respected and influential Buddhist monk, died a year ago. Here’s everything you might want to know about my wisest teacher — and some life-improving guidance you just might be able to use.
She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement
They won the Pulitzer Prize. The movie of their book was one of the best films I saw in 2022. Worldwide theatrical gross: a wretched $12.9 million. Academy Award nominations: 0. Perhaps you’d like to read about it, or even watch it.
They won the Pulitzer Prize. The movie of their book was one of the best films I saw in 2022. Worldwide theatrical gross: a wretched $12.9 million. Academy Award nominations: 0. Perhaps you’d like to read about it, or even watch it.
Johnny U: The Life and Times of John Unitas
The Giants are in the NFL playoffs, and New York media is minting heroes. I’m thinking of a real hero -- a dancer, a magician, a performance artist, above all, a leader --- who beat the Giants in what’s been described as “the greatest football game ever played.” Even if you loathe reading about sports, my review of this biography will give you goosebumps.
The Giants are in the NFL playoffs, and New York media is minting heroes. I’m thinking of a real hero — a dancer, a magician, a performance artist, above all, a leader — who beat the Giants in what’s been described as “the greatest football game ever played.” Even if you loathe reading about sports, my review of this biography will give you goosebumps.
The Half Known Life: In Search of Paradise
Pico Iyer is one of the most honored travel writers. He’s also a close friend of the Dalai Lama. In this memoir, his travels take him inside himself. He returns with gold.
Pico Iyer is one of the most honored travel writers. He’s also a close friend of the Dalai Lama. In this memoir, his travels take him inside himself. He returns with gold.
The Red Balloon
This 34-minute film is eminently worthy of its Academy Award for Best Short Film in 1956 and its reputation as one of the Great Films. If you have a child handy --- or want to reconnect with the child in you…
This 34-minute film is eminently worthy of its Academy Award for Best Short Film in 1956 and its reputation as one of the Great Films. If you have a child handy — or want to reconnect with the child in you…
Laurie Colwin
She died in 1992. Thirty years later, she has a cult. Join it?
She died in 1992. Thirty years later, she has a cult. Join it?
My Favorite Film of 2022 is a Film I Haven’t Seen
It’s in very few theaters and isn’t streaming yet. It stars Bill Nighy, and if you'll watch the trailer, you’ll also be eager to see it.
My favorite film of 2022 is “Living,” a film I haven’t seen. (It’s in very few theaters and isn’t streaming yet.) It stars Bill Nighy, and if you’ll watch the trailer, you’ll also be eager to see it.
Picture in the Sand: A Novel
Stephen King: “On rare occasions I read a book that reminds me of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. This is such a book.”
Stephen King: “On rare occasions I read a book that reminds me of why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. This is such a book.”
L’Atalante
“L’Atalante” is on almost every critic’s list of the "best 100 movies of all time.” Few Americans know about it. Fewer have seen it. Give it 87 minutes, and you’ll see why it’s cherished.
“L’Atalante” is on almost every critic’s list of the “best 100 movies of all time.” Few Americans know about it. Fewer have seen it. Give it 87 minutes, and you’ll see why it’s cherished.
The Chocolate War
I watched the second half of “The Fabelmans” as the story of a bullied Jewish teenager. Then I thought of “The Chocolate War,” one of the most banned YA books. In both, the bullied kid asks, “Do I dare to disturb the universe?” --- and does.
I watched the second half of “The Fabelmans” as the story of a bullied Jewish teenager. Then I thought of “The Chocolate War,” one of the most banned YA books. In both, the bullied kid asks, “Do I dare to disturb the universe?” — and does.
The Vintage Guide to Classical Music
An announcer on the local classical music station said, “For most people, this is flu season. For us, it’s the season of oratorios.” True. I’ve heard “The Messiah” twice already and the “Hallelujah Chorus” three times, and it’s early days. Maybe it would be good to step back, and read the story of music. This book soars.
An announcer on the local classical music station said, “For most people, this is flu season. For us, it’s the season of oratorios.” True. I’ve heard “The Messiah” twice already and the “Hallelujah Chorus” three times, and it’s early days. Maybe it would be good to step back, and read the story of music. This book soars.
Between the Folds
A documentary about... origami. Why? Because you will walk around for days with fresh eyes, briefly released from the tyranny of news.
A documentary about… origami. Why? Because you will walk around for days with fresh eyes, briefly released from the tyranny of news.