The elections to the European Parliament on June 9, 2024, raised more interest, but also more concern than ever because of the rise of the populist movement in the continent. Every five years, the 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected by universal suffrage in a number proportional to the size of the states' population, e.g., France is allotted 81 … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: French Populists Surge in Euro Parliamentary Elections, But Are Unexpectedly Denied Victory in France
Columnists
The Movie Man: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a ‘Warranted Sequel,’ Continues the ‘Creative Spark’
Inside Out 2 is a warranted sequel. So often studios will crank out sequels for business reasons, despite the fact there is either no way to continue a story that has already been resolved; or that the sequel could not live up to the standard set by the original. Thankfully that is not the case, here. In 2015’s Inside Out, Pixar gave, what I consider, to be one of their most … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Inside Out 2’ is a ‘Warranted Sequel,’ Continues the ‘Creative Spark’
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for May: ‘The Month of Expectation, Wishes and Hope’
“The darling buds of May” is such an apt phrase for one of the most enchanting months with bloom on spring bulbs and flowering trees, the Amelanchier, the Dogwood and the Cherry to name a few and the new awakening red foliage of Maples winking in the sun. By now, you have probably removed most of the winter debris, pruned broken branches and re-edged borders. Do … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for May: ‘The Month of Expectation, Wishes and Hope’
The Movie Man: No Film Festivals Likely for ‘Unfrosted’ but it’s Still “Amusing, Captivating … Worth the Watch”
Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted, a non-canonical biopic of the invention of the pop-tart, contains a star-studded cast (led by Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, and Jim Gaffigan … along with cameo after cameo from A-list entertainers) that goes full-on ridiculous in this outrageous campy satire of The Sixties, and guarantees constant laughs throughout. For the record, I doubt this … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: No Film Festivals Likely for ‘Unfrosted’ but it’s Still “Amusing, Captivating … Worth the Watch”
A View From My Porch: American Idioms and Colloquialisms—“Let’s Blow This Popsicle Stand!”
Several weeks ago, my nine-year-old grandson, William, was introduced to the expression, “Let’s blow this popsicle stand;” and he asked his dad what was it all about. He was referred to me with a, “He used to say it all the time,” which I do not recall. Please note that he now prefers to be called “Will,” like the playwright; and so, I told him that this might be a good … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: American Idioms and Colloquialisms—“Let’s Blow This Popsicle Stand!”
Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For April: The Month of ‘Suns in Showers’
Those April showers that come our wayThey bring the flowers that bloom in May.And when it’s raining, let’s not forget,It isn’t raining rain at all, it’s raining violets.~From a song by Al Jolson~ April is the month of activity in the garden, and our old nemesis, weeds are beginning to rear their heads, so we need to extract the little devils before they take hold and are … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For April: The Month of ‘Suns in Showers’
The Movie Man: ‘Poor Things’ Takes ‘Surreal Fantasy Approach to Science-Fiction … Spares No Sensitivity’
When I first watched the coming-of-age teen comedy Superbad in 2008, I was immediately won over to Emma Stone as Jules, the object of Jonah Hill’s affection. As the years passed and she released hit after hit (Zomebieland, Easy A, and The Amazing Spider-Man), I knew she would have a successful career as the new “it” comedy girl ranking alongside comediennes such as Gilda … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Poor Things’ Takes ‘Surreal Fantasy Approach to Science-Fiction … Spares No Sensitivity’
A View From My Porch: A Rhetorical Question on Scamming—Just How Dumb Do They Think We Are?
A Disclaimer: Despite the title, this “View is not about politics. Rather, I am responding to the report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that, “Nationwide, cases of consumer fraud are skyrocketing;” and review the magnitude of the problem. I also discuss some of the most common and recent forms of consumer attacks, and add a few personal cyber-war stories, which—in … [Read more...] about A View From My Porch: A Rhetorical Question on Scamming—Just How Dumb Do They Think We Are?
Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For March: The Month of ‘Wait and See’
‘Those March winds shall blow, and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then poor thing? He’ll hide in the barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing’. March is a month of ‘wait and see’ as we anticipate walking around our gardens. This morning, I walked outside, into a westerly breeze and a gentle sun. I took a deep breath and as … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For March: The Month of ‘Wait and See’
Legal News You Can Use: Why Are Fatal Accidents Becoming More Common in the US?
In most of the developed world, the death rate from car accidents is going down. This has also been true in the United States, at least over the last 90 years or so. Between 1920 and 2010, for instance, the death rate from car accidents dropped consistently every decade. But, in recent years, the death rate for Americans has been ticking back up. Fatal accidents … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Why Are Fatal Accidents Becoming More Common in the US?
The Movie Man: “‘Dune Part II’ Delivers in Every Way Imaginable”
Dune: Part II exceeded my expectations and, like the first installment released in 2021 (which I also reviewed), deserves to be ranked among iconic science-fiction movies including 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Star Wars, and Blade Runner. I think the simplest way to summarize my feelings is that, whichever way one screens it—whether it be iat a theater or streaming via a … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: “‘Dune Part II’ Delivers in Every Way Imaginable”
Check Out Our ‘Movie Man’s’ Reviews of Some of the Top Oscar Contenders
HOLLYWOOD/LYME–In the preceding months, our very own Movie Man , Kevin Ganey, has 'penned' reviews of what have become some of the leading films now vying for the most coveted Oscars on Sunday evening. Kevin's crystal ball was clearly working well because in each case, he correctly predicted that these movies would be nominated for Oscar awards. Check out his compelling … [Read more...] about Check Out Our ‘Movie Man’s’ Reviews of Some of the Top Oscar Contenders
The Movie Man: ‘Barbie’ May not Receive the Awards it Deserves, But is Unquestionably ‘One of the Best Movies of the Year’
It’s not every day when a movie about a child’s toy touches the souls of its audience and brings awareness to social issues. Then again, we are living in extraordinary times we never anticipated (the Red Sox and Cubs both have World Series championships, and American politics resembles trashy reality TV). In fact, perhaps it is an even more fertile era to bring all the … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Barbie’ May not Receive the Awards it Deserves, But is Unquestionably ‘One of the Best Movies of the Year’
A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial
In my last “View,” I considered General Lafayette’s life and crucial role in America’s War of Independence and reviewed his first visit to Old Lyme in 1778 (also see below.) My inspiration for this topic was the installation of Lafayette Trail markers commemorating stops he made in what is now known as his “Farewell Tour” in Old Lyme and my hometown, Fredonia, N.Y. in … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: More on the Marquis: Lafayette’s Farewell Tour— The Bicentennial
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’
This winter, as in other winters; when I need a blossom boost, I enjoy the fragrance of paper white narcissus that I planted in tall glass vases. I surrounded the bulbs with seashells from White Sand Beach here in Old Lyme and kept them in a dark cool area keeping the shells and the bulbs moist as the roots developed. When the bulb foliage reached about six inches, I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’