Monday, February 25, 2008

About the Province Column


I appreciate people asking about the inconsistent appearance of the Friday Province column.


Let me shelter behind the traditional "creative differences" defense.


The column is expected to be there this Friday, Leap Day, the 29th and then continue once every two weeks.

About the Oscars


Only two points.


When the first 79 Best Pictures flew by, a disturbing trend was clear. Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather and so on, year after year, great, unforgettable, timeless movie classics. Until a few years ago, when suddenly the Best Pictures were third rate crap. Witness last year's "The Departed."


Thus, "No Country," in which the Coen Brothers cannibalized their own best work, "Fargo," and left us with drek, takes home the prize.


Second point.


Isn't it about time to discontinue the Best Song category?


This is a prize that made great sense when Hollywood was not only making musicals, but making great musicals and when toiling under the palm trees were the likes of Sammy Cahn, Johnny Mercer, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Irving Berlin.


Every one of the nominated songs last night, as has been the case, for so many years now, was a flat dud that will not be on the charts, that no one will sing, that no one will buy. It's an embarrassment.

Families of Gangsters and Bombers


The front-page story in this morning's Sun is such a convoluted and terrifying tale you must read it yourself in its entirety.


Gangsters and terrorists apparently are best of friends, relatives or in fact the same people in this neck of the woods.


And our criminal justice system is doing What to respond to this?

Look Out! It's Tiger Time


Tiger Woods is better than ever. It's a thing to behold.


Pull up a TV set and enjoy.

Mack The Knife