Last month I emerged from screening It: Chapter Two with great satisfaction and went on to write a review asserting that the IT movies were practically gospel for horror fans. A month has passed and in that time, I was able to see multiple variations of reviews for the film and watch the IMDb rating drop to a 7.0 out of 10, with a dip in the 6 range highly likely in the … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Joker’ Justifies Great Rating
Columnists
The Movie Man: No Decisions to Make: You Have To See ‘IT: Chapter Two’ AND Follow Kevin’s New Website!
Amazing. Just amazing. That is the simplest description I can give for IT: Chapter Two. Although I had never read the whopping 1,000+ page novel, I could tell throughout the screening that this adaptation was just what Stephen King, Pennywise, and the Losers deserved. IT: Chapter Two follows up on the events of Chapter One, set 27 years further. We come back on the … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: No Decisions to Make: You Have To See ‘IT: Chapter Two’ AND Follow Kevin’s New Website!
Talking Transportation: Commuting Can Make You Sick
It shouldn’t come as much surprise to learn that commuting, especially by car, is hazardous to your health. Research now shows that the longer your drive, the greater the risk of obesity, heart attacks and even low birth-weight babies for moms-to-be. At fault are a number of factors: STRESS: Being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic increases your cortisol and adrenaline … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Commuting Can Make You Sick
A la Carte: Add Flavor to ‘Everything’ with Chile Crisp, Basil Pesto
I have written two recipes for today’s column. The recipe for chile crisp is from a writer, who always has a jar of it in his refrigerator. He puts it on everything from “eggs, guacamole [and] pizza.” It does seems spicy, so if you make it, try a little less than a quarter cup of red pepper flakes, although I like spicy, especially for breakfast. The other recipe is the … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Add Flavor to ‘Everything’ with Chile Crisp, Basil Pesto
Reading Uncertainly: ‘The Meaning of Human Existence’ by Edward O. Wilson
Who are we? Edward O. Wilson, the eminent Harvard biologist and noted student of ants, describes our strange species in a remarkable and memorable book. In 15 brief, succinct and challenging chapters, each less than 10 pages, he suggests that, at once, we are far more and far less than we imagine. His is a daunting title but the contents live up to expectations. First, far … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly: ‘The Meaning of Human Existence’ by Edward O. Wilson
Legal News You Can Use: How do you Know When to Return to Work after a Burn Injury?
Burn injuries are serious. They can lead to infections, deformities and other chronic issues with your body. Severe burns range from the most painful to those that leave you without the nerve endings you need to recognize pain. When you're at work and exposed to fire, hot items or chemicals that could cause burns, you must take steps to stay safe. Those steps could be … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: How do you Know When to Return to Work after a Burn Injury?
Talking Transportation: The Train Ride From Hell
It was the railroad trip from hell: the hottest day of the year, stuck for five hours on a sold-out Amtrak train where only half the cars had air conditioning. The ride to Washington days earlier had been uneventful, almost on time and pleasantly cool, even though I’d made the mistake of taking a Northeast Corridor train, not Acela. Its older Amfleet cars, though recently … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: The Train Ride From Hell
A la Carte: Baby Carrot Soup is Best Served Chilled
Okay, I am having more fun this summer than I have in, at least, two years. Last year was fine, too, as was the summer before. But this year, I am pain-free, since I had my hip replacement on July 1. A couple of Sundays ago I went to our boules party and saw people I rarely see except during the summer and our Christmas party in early December. I am not on a team this year, … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Baby Carrot Soup is Best Served Chilled
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Identity’ by Francis Fukuyama
Stanford University’s Francis Fukuyama always challenges our minds. From his The End of History and the Last Man, addressing our futures after the end of the Cold War (1992), and continuing with The Origins of Political Order (2011) and Political Order and Political Decay (2014), two monster 600+ page tomes, his newest, and briefest (a slim 183 pager!) is Identity. Who on … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Identity’ by Francis Fukuyama
Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Soul of America’ by Jon Meacham
This is an engrossing reflection on past American leaders, elected and publicly acknowledged, and how they have shaped our peculiar, yet resilient, form of governance. Meacham leads us in a thorough review of our history: early (and conflicted) visions, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, its aftermath (Reconstruction, the Klu Klux Klan), Teddy Roosevelt, … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘The Soul of America’ by Jon Meacham
A la Carte: Corn Cacio e Pepe is a Perfect Summer Dish
Writing is a solitary pursuit, but, unless you write science fiction or fantasy stories, you become one with your protagonists, whether victims or predators. But if you write nonfiction, and I consider food writing nonfiction, you picture yourself with your readers and, in most cases, you have to go out to learn what you eat, what to shop for and what to cook. I have been … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Corn Cacio e Pepe is a Perfect Summer Dish
Reading Uncertainly? ‘Doing Justice’ by Preet Bharara
This is an entrancing, literate, and thought-provoking review of the experiences of the former U. S Attorney for the fabled Southern District of New York, now on the faculty of the NYU School of Law. “Justice is a broad and hazy subject”, he writes. “It is one of the most elusive and debatable concepts known to mankind, and disagreements over its meaning have spawned … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘Doing Justice’ by Preet Bharara
The Movie Man: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ is Deemed an “Entertaining Delight”
New York City’s web-slinging superhero takes the stage all the way across the pond in Marvel’s newest installment, Spider-Man: Far from Home, and proves to be an entertaining delight. Following up on the events of Avengers: Endgame in which the half of universal life that disappeared in what is referred to as “the Blip” has returned, Peter Parker and his classmates venture on … [Read more...] about The Movie Man: ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’ is Deemed an “Entertaining Delight”
Talking Transportation: Airlines That Are No More
Rail fans call them “fallen flags”… railroads that are no more, like the original New Haven and New York Central Railroads. But before I start getting all misty-eyed, let’s also pay homage to airlines that have flown away into history. Like PEOPLExpress, the domestic discount airline ,which flew out of Newark’s grungy old North Terminal starting in 1981. Fares were dirt … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Airlines That Are No More
Talking Transportation: Summer Vacation … Fly or Drive?
Going on vacation this summer? If so, the question is … how to travel: drive, take the train or fly? (I’m eliminating the bus option because, well, life is too short to endure that kind of misery. I have no problems with commuting by bus, but a 10-hour ride is not going to happen!) In most cases, the choice depends on how far you’re traveling and what your budget allows. For … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Summer Vacation … Fly or Drive?