Cynic by Trade, Romantic by Nature

Friday Rocks: "Wish," by Nine Inch Nails

2010-08-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

This one comes with a birthday dedication. To Dan ... 29 years, on your way to Hell.

Friday Rocks: "This Is Not For You," by Pearl Jam

2010-08-20T15:19:00.000-04:00

My favorite Pearl Jam song, in all its angry and shambling rock glory.

That Damned 'Mosque' Issue Won't Go Away

2010-08-20T09:11:00.000-04:00

It feels like an eternity since I posted a "Debate of the Week" item on the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque." (It's not on Ground Zero, and it's more of a community center with a mosque component.) Yet, as the midterm congressional elections approach, the issue has re-emerged as THE political hot button of the season. So, again, I'm going to ask you: what are your thoughts on this? Do you think

It's been a while.

2010-08-20T08:33:00.002-04:00

But, hey, I have a couple of posts planned today! So bust out that champagne. I'm back, baby!

Friday Rocks: "Sabbra Cadabra," by Black Sabbath

2010-08-06T15:25:00.000-04:00

Boy, am I lazy or what?

2010-08-06T15:21:00.002-04:00

Blogging will resume. Soon. I promise.

Friday Rocks: "Taxi," by Harry Chapin

2010-07-30T12:56:00.000-04:00

Not exactly rockin', but it'll do.

Friday Rocks: "Journey to the Center of the Mind," by the Amboy Dukes

2010-07-23T13:32:00.002-04:00

Inception: What's the meaning of this?

2010-07-20T16:46:00.000-04:00

Predictably, there's been a lot of debate over the meaning of "Inception." I'm curious to read what you think. I'll include some pertinent links and quotes after the jump, in case you want to discuss the movie. SPOILER WARNING IN EFFECT. First, let me offer up CHUD.com critic Devin Faraci's take on the movie: Every single moment of Inception is a dream. I think that in a couple of years this

Movie Review: Inception

2010-07-20T14:11:00.000-04:00

Director: Christopher Nolan Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ken Watanabe, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine "Inception" is quite simply a great time at the movies. It's as fun to watch its intricately designed and thrilling set pieces as it is to try to make sense of the convoluted rules and logic of the simulated dream

Friday Rocks: "CIA Man," by The Fugs

2010-07-16T08:35:00.000-04:00

RIP Tuli Kupferberg.

Movie Review: The Road

2010-07-15T16:08:00.004-04:00

Director: John Hillcoat Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Charlize Theron, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce, Garret Dillahunt, Michael K. Williams, Molly Parker "The Road" is a hopeful movie. Sure, it's set in a barren and scorched post-apocalyptic wasteland that used to be America, and, yes, it seems like most of the survivors of an unnamed catastrophe have teamed up to become roving bands

Movie Review: The Killer Inside Me

2010-07-13T09:06:00.001-04:00

Director: Michael Winterbottom Starring: Casey Affleck, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, Ned Beatty, Simon Baker, Elias Koteas, Bill Pullman Just a warning. I recommend "The Killer Inside Me" enthusiastically, but it's not for everyone. It features some pretty frank depictions of violence against women. It's not glorified or glamorous. It's detestable and disgusting, which is entirely the point.

Friday Rocks: "Light Me Up," by Ween

2010-07-09T17:14:00.000-04:00

"I'm a friggin' man of steel, I got lots of sex appeal,Do you want to make a deal?"

Too hot to blog.

2010-07-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

Jesus. This heat. It is downright oppressive out there. Summer in the northeast sucks the energy out of me. The sun is blazing, the pollution is thick, and the humidity is saturating. Why even bother to move? I'm glad I've been on vacation during this heat wave. I couldn't imagine dragging myself to Midtown every day, sweating my face off at train platforms and bus stops. Unfortunately, the

Friday Rocks: "Evidence," by Faith No More

2010-07-02T16:47:00.001-04:00

I'm mere hours from seeing them in concert. I never believed I'd say that.

LeBron Watch: Going to the Bulls. No, the Heat!

2010-06-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

Or is it the Cavs? I can't take much more of this. Can I induce my own coma and time it to end just at the precise moment it's confirmed where he'll sign? Is that possible? (Although I'm not so sure I'd want to come out of it if, after all the hype and rumor-mongering, he doesn't end up with the Bulls. But if he did end up signing with the Bulls, I'd at least hope that my dear fiancee would have

Friday Rocks: "Somebody Super Like You," from "Phantom of the Paradise"

2010-06-25T08:34:00.000-04:00

I can't get enough. And this time here's an actual clip from the movie! This really, really rocks.

What to do ... what to do ...

2010-06-24T09:08:00.000-04:00

I admit I'm a little spent after The Countdown. All together, that's the most I've written over a sustained period of time since college. It was fun, but it drained my brain battery a little. I'll need to recharge before I get the ideas flowing again. It won't take long, though, I swear. Until then, how about a little "Phantom of the Paradise"? Take it away, Mr. Williams ... I just love it

The Colonel's Countdown: The Complete Top 25 List

2010-06-23T16:00:00.006-04:00

I invite you to include your entire personal favorites list in the comments below. A smaller list will suffice if you haven't put together a top 25. 1. Jaws2. 2001: A Space Odyssey3. The Godfather, Part II4. The Big Lebowski5. Raiders of the Lost Ark6. The Third Man7. The Lord of the Rings trilogy8. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance9. The Godfather10. Blade Runner 11. Scarface (1983)12.

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (No. 1)

2010-06-22T20:09:00.002-04:00

I just want to be clear: These are my 25 favorite films. They're not necessarily the best movies I've seen, although many of them certainly would rank high or near the top of that list. I understand that for some a favorites list is indistinguishable from a best-of list, and that's cool. But it's not my purpose here. I want to celebrate the movies that, for one reason or many, moved me in ways

The Colonel's Countdown: "Controversial" Omissions

2010-06-21T00:01:00.011-04:00

I was going to use this space to discuss in some depth movies I omitted from my Top 25 movies countdown and the list of 25 that missed the cut, but I just started writing about one movie in particular, "The Dark Knight," and I couldn't stop, mainly because I've been inspired by an argument I had with some friends -- including my two best friends and my fiancee! -- the other night at a party. Okay

Friday Rocks: "One Big Holiday," by My Morning Jacket

2010-06-18T12:27:00.000-04:00

This thing just cooks, especially toward the end. Suck it, Skynard!

The Colonel's Countdown: Top 25 Movies (Nos. 3 & 2)

2010-06-18T09:09:00.001-04:00

"Winter is Coming."

2010-06-16T15:13:00.000-04:00

I can't help it. Here's another promo from this good folks at HBO, this time for "Game of Thrones," which is based on George R.R. Martin's unfinished "A Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy novel series. Yes, I said "fantasy," but please, don't run away! Instead, run out and get these books, staring with "A Game of Thrones." Martin doesn't do fantasy in the traditional elves-and-fairies sense. Expect