Short Takes
October 1, 2009
The Weekend Movie: ‘Coco Before Chanel’
What a film! Subtle characterizations, sophisticated dialogue, country houses to drool over, and a how-she-made-it plot that transforms gritty ambition into a noble calling. Need more convincing? Watch these.
September 29, 2009
Out and About in New York
Over the weekend, I took the junior member and some pals to The Highline. Yes, it’s great at night to watch sexual exhibitionists perform behind the uncurtained windows of The Standard Hotel, but there’s also great family-friendly fun in strolling, reading and just sitting in the Fall sun. (The snack bar is ‘Wichcraft.) Next field trip: up the Hudson to the Maya Lin earthworks art at Storm King.
September 25, 2009
Report from the Field: Willie Nile
U2 was playing across the river, but the place to be was Joe’s Pub, where another Irishman and some scarily accomplished pals played an hour-long set that goes right into my Ten Best Ever file. Willie Nile may be physically small, but he’s got a huge rock ‘n roll heart, and it was on full display — he started with power, passion, other-worldly harmonies and an irresistible beat, and then he put his foot on the gas and cranked it up. The Byrds, Dylan, U2, the Clash, and, at the end, the Ramones: this band channeled other greats while never losing focus on Nile’s special gifts. How good was it? A few hundred people screamed themselves hoarse, me happily included.
September 25, 2009
Coco Chanel
Reviewing The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World’s Most Elegant Woman, I alerted you to a new film about her, "Coco Before Chanel”. It’s just opened in New York and Los Angeles, and the New York Times raves: “The film… bears less resemblance to a standard-issue biopic than to a novel by Émile Zola or Theodore Dreiser. With a mixture of brutal candor and tender sympathy, it charts the rise of an ambitious, difficult woman, taking note of the obstacles and opportunities offered by her time, place and circumstances.” Run to this one (in flats, not heels).
September 21, 2009
Drum Roll: Butler Message Boards
Some of you would like message boards on the site, some don’t. I don’t, for the simple reason that I don’t want to be a censor. Recently, the light bulb went on — Facebook can be the HeadButler.com message boards. So, each day, I’ll post the new piece — and any particularly compelling Short Takes — on the Head Butler page on Facebook. And after you “friend” Butler, you can have at it.