Monthly Archives: January 2012

A Friend of the Family [Book Review]

An engrossing novel with wry commentary on the dysfunctional nature of family, Lauren Grodstein’s A Friend of the Family is an excellent surprise – one of my favorite novels of the last few years. Though the title and even the … Continue reading

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Steven Spielberg movies, in order [Random Film Review]

Maybe you missed my reviews of War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin, two movies I liked — manipulations and irrational exuberance included. Maybe you wonder where they rank on the Spielberg spectrum? With no additional explanation: 26. Indiana Jones … Continue reading

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My last sportswriting post [Finally apparent truisms]

Yesterday I wrote about Grantland. Today (Grantland-style; I’m aware of the irony) I’m writing about me. I used to want to be a sportswriter. As my career has diverted, I still lurk in social playgrounds with sportswriters. At one time … Continue reading

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How to build a cheeky sports blog with everyone else’s ideas [Grantland Review]

First, there’s nothing wrong with Grantland. Let’s just get that out of the way. It’s fine. As a landing spot for talented essayists yearning to boost their profile, it’s understandable. As a home for willful expansion of silly twitter asides, … Continue reading

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The Adventures of Tintin [Movie Review]

“Settle down, John,” I seethed, muttering to myself. “You haven’t lost your edge. Not even close.” /sips $9-dollar “medium” vat of diet soda “No, there’s nothing wrong with going to the movies. Not even a Spielberg movie. Not even to … Continue reading

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The Art of Racing In the Rain [Belated Book Review]

Who would have thought the most dependable first-person narrator actually isn’t a person at all? After two successive, miserable first-person experiences, Garth Stein’s bestseller The Art of Racing in the Rain somewhat restored my faith. Turns out it is actually … Continue reading

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House of Lies [TV Review]

Are you like me? Have you been a marketer? Business developer? Junior executive? Maybe you’ve shopped for vendors: software companies, management experts, processors, each promising to save you something. Maybe you’ve been privy to boardroom meetings. . Maybe – god … Continue reading

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War Horse [Movie Review]

The critic’s lament: What to do with a movie you’re not supposed to like, but works anyway? Everything about War Horse suggests predictable sneers. The Spielberg pedigree. The treacly John Williams score. The stilted dialogue and occasional paper-thin characters. The … Continue reading

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