“We’d been in his pool and lying naked on pads, absorbing a dose of cancer.”
The Square Foot Garden: Gardening Made Easy
Why do I feel about "Local Hero" the way others feel about "The Godfather?" The theme: There is never a straight path to a happy ending.
Why do I feel about “Local Hero” the way others feel about “The Godfather?” The theme: There is never a straight path to a happy ending.
Tallis Scholars: Miserere
It feels like a century since Easter 2021, when I last published this review. The music is 400 years old, and yet it never gets old. Do you have 12 minutes for beauty?
It feels like a century since Easter 2021, when I last published this review. The music is 400 years old, and yet it never gets old. Do you have 12 minutes for beauty?
Weekend Butler: Life Happens Through People
And when it doesn’t? A character test begins. You grind it out. You look to the sky and ask for help.
And when it doesn’t? A character test begins. You grind it out. You look to the sky and ask for help.
John Coltrane: My Favorite Things
There’s plenty of ugly around, way too much of cruelty. Beauty is in shorter supply. Let’s have some.
There’s plenty of ugly around, way too much of cruelty. Beauty is in shorter supply. Let’s have some.
Akira Kurosawa: Something Like an Autobiography
30,000 attended his funeral — including 5,000 people from the film industry. Who is this director?
30,000 attended his funeral — including 5,000 people from the film industry. Who is this director?
Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai
No one knows that Leonard Cohen rushed to Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. This short book is about much more than a musician singing for soldiers.
No one knows that Leonard Cohen rushed to Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. This short book is about much more than a musician singing for soldiers.
Once
An 88-minute movie. Filmed in 17 days, on a $150,000 budget. Then the song from the movie won the Academy Award, and….
After the Oscars, a cleansing: An 88-minute movie. Filmed in 17 days, on a $150,000 budget. Then the song from the movie won the Academy Award, and….
The Big Goodbye: ‘Chinatown’ and the Last Years of Hollywood
Let’s talk asbout favorite-ever movies. Most men say “the Godfather.” I vote for a film of more sophisticated criminality.
Let’s talk asbout favorite-ever movies. Most men say “the Godfather.” I vote for a film of more sophisticated criminality.
Films to Stream, Films To Avoid
The Head Butler serves up the Amazon Prime links and tart takes --- movies you want to see, movies you want to avoid.
The Head Butler serves up the Amazon Prime links and tart takes — movies you want to see, movies you want to avoid.
Reunion
He came into my life in February 1932 and never left it again. . . I can remember the day and the hour when I first set eyes on this boy who was to be the greatest source of my happiness and my greatest despair.
He came into my life in February 1932 and never left it again. . . I can remember the day and the hour when I first set eyes on this boy who was to be the greatest source of my happiness and my greatest despair.
Weekend Butler: It’s Always Something. Calm.com. The Stoics. A Russian Poet. Dreamy Music. And Something Completely Different.
It’s always something. With wisdom gained from the focus group — thanks again, all — I completed the novel. Michael Tonello was enthusiastic about my adaptation of Bringing Home the Birkin.
It’s always something. With wisdom gained from the focus group — thanks again, all — I completed the novel. Michael Tonello was enthusiastic about my adaptation of Bringing Home the Birkin.
‘Daily Rituals: How Artists Work’ and ‘Daily Rituals: Women at Work’
These books are more relevant today than when they were published, and for the simplest of reasons — artists don’t go to offices.
These books are more relevant today than when they were published, and for the simplest of reasons — artists don’t go to offices.
Claudio Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin (Vespro Della Beata Vergine)
A reasonable adjective for last week: turbulent. In war and politics, and also in my life. In times of trouble, I turn to classical music and the usual suspects.
A reasonable adjective for last week: turbulent. In war and politics, and also in my life. In times of trouble, I turn to classical music and the usual suspects.
Weekend Butler: A Totally Relevant Comedy to Stream. Asking for a Friend: Do You Know This Woman? Avoid Andy Warhol. A Complicated Love Story. And More.
So what’s funny? No Russian accents.
So what’s funny? No Russian accents.
The Empathy Diaries: A Memoir
There’s a secret to be unearthed.
There’s a secret to be unearthed.