Short Takes
March 2, 2010
Blogroll: I Love Paris
…and so I have a crushette on Nichole Robertson, an American copywriter from New Jersey who gets to live in Paris for several months a year with her husband and two sons. Nicole has a jeweler’s eye, a advertiser writer’s crisp prose, and priorities I admire: “Paris is a big source of inspiration to me, but unlike the stereotypical Francophile, I could care less about the fashion, the diet paradoxes or the "hot" spots. I like the way the light hits the centuries-old buildings, the unique juxtaposition of ancient and modern, the appreciation for beauty, the attention to detail, and of course the food.” A number of sites — Bonjour Paris, first and foremost — offer sprit-refreshing virtual visits to Paris. Add Little Brown Pen to the list — and to the Head Butler blogroll.
February 28, 2010
Matt Damon/Paul Greengrass: First See ‘Battle of Algiers’
The screenwriter of “Green Zone” (in theaters on March 12) describes it as “Three Days of the Condor” meets “Battle of Algiers.” Hmm. “Green Zone.” That’s Iraq. Title put you off? You avoid “political” movies? No matter — you’ll see this one. It stars Matt Damon. And was directed by Paul Greengrass, who collaborated with Damon in two small films you may have seen: “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum.” (He’s also the director of a great, neglected film called Bloody Sunday.) If you haven’t seen it, you have homework for “Green Zone” — Battle of Algiers, the greatest political/war movie ever made. Your reward for Remedial Viewing? The “Green Zone” trailer….
February 21, 2010
Amazing Clint Eastwood Scene: “The Ugliest Bitch”
In ‘White Hunter, Black Heart,’ Clint plays film director John Huston. (Thanks for this, Larry.)
February 17, 2010
Josh Ritter: It’s That Time
Josh Ritter’s new CD, So Runs the World Away, comes out May 4th. An advance copy has come my way — and I play it so often it’s wrecking my life. Not kidding. These songs are urgent and beautiful, worldly and ethereal — they grab hard and don’t let go. Readers who live in cities where Josh and the Royal City Band will be playing and don’t snap up tickets now are going to feel extremely silly later. But don’t listen to me; do listen to ‘Change of Time.’
February 14, 2010
Italian Gourmet — At A Discount
Gustiamo — the ultra-special Italian importer of artisanal food — meets you half-way (maybe more). The ladies write:
10 years of a $15 flat shipping fee — no more. If you place an order on Gustiamo.com, shipping charges are now calculated on the basis of how many items you are purchasing. This is how it works now: base shipping charge is $5.75, with $2.00 increments for every item and a maximum of $19.75. This means that if you buy only 1 item (hope not!), shipping charges are $7.75; if you buy 20 items (hope yes!), shipping charges are maximum $19.75. This is for ground delivery. Of course, if you are in a rush and prefer to have your order shipped overnight, you still have that option.
