June 2008
122 posts
Twitter inspires extra-short short stories - Los... →
In the spirit of the micro-blogging service, contestants compose concise works of literature called TwitLit.
The Twitter micro-novel writing contest got some good press: http://tinyurl.com/5p34s3
Perfect Pitch: The Drama of Collegiate A Capella :... →
Scott Simon talks with Mickey Rapkin about his new book, “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory,” which weaves together the drama of three groups trying to claim glory without…
May 2008
95 posts
Variety’s website just froze my browser for the zillionth time. Why can’t they get it together with that site?!
I forgot how exhausting being at the office is. I could have used at least three naps today. And I thought being at Cannes was tiring!
After a month out of the office and all I found on my desk were two pieces of junk mail. Don’t know whether to be upset or overjoyed.
After talking about homemade bolognese sauce in Cannes with @karinalongworth and @jamesrocchi, came home and presently cooking up a batch.
Wouldn’t you know it? One of our biggest clients has a huge issue at six o’clock in the morning on a holiday. It never ceases to amaze me.
I may have been in France too long. I just said “merci” to the Latino waitress at the diner. She probably thinks I’m just being pompous..
Ahhhhh! Home sweet home. And after only 22 hours of traveling from Cannes to Los Angeles.
Made it to Heathrow on way back to Los Angeles. This is such an unfriendly airport and yet it’s amazing how many airlines fly through here.
On the bus to the Nice Airport to begin the long journey home to Los Angeles. Au revoir Cannes. I will miss you. See you next year!
Wim Wenders’ movie “Palermo Shooting” is beyond awful. It received boos at its Cannes screening. Looked beautiful though.
Charlie Kaufman’s first film “Synecdoche, New York” was an uncomprimising, glorious mess. A valiant effort with many faults.
Had to wake up early for the screening of Charlie Kaufman’s directorial debut, “Synedoche, New York”. Cannes has officially exhausted me.
People are still buzzing about Soderbergh’s “Che”. It got mixed reviews and wasn’t as good as most wanted it to be, including me.
People are still buzzing about Soderbergh’s “Che”. It got mixed reviews and wasn’t as good as most wanted it to be, including me.
It’s intermission at the screening of “Che”. So far it’s pretty good. They served sandwiches because the movie is long.
Okay, I am jammed into a throng of critics waiting in line at the Debussy. Some of them really could is a shower. Can hardly breath.
I am standing in line for the screening of Steven Soderbergh’s “Che”. It’s 4.5 hours long in two parts. Line is packed.
65,000+ people in Cannes and I wind up running into @karinalongworth on the Rue d’Antibe. How awesome!
Just saw a horrible film, “The Headless Woman” dir. by Lucrecia Martel. Worst film I’ve seen at Cannes this year. And it’s in competition!
Saw Clint Eastwood’s directorial effort “Changeling” in Cannes. Based on horrifying true story, the film is above average, not overly great.
As expected the Cannes press screening of Clint Eastwood’s film “The Changeling” is packed. Got a good seat though.
Saw “Two Lovers”, the James Gray film starring Joaquin Phoenix and Gwyneth Paltrow. It was rather trivial and completely predictable.
Saw the Dardenne brothers’ “Silence of Lorna”. Was one of the better films at Cannes so far. Engaging and moving story. Audience liked it.
Natalie Portman is on the red carpet for the gala premiere of “Indian Jonesl” in Cannes and she looks fantastic - drop dead gorgeous.
The celebrities keep coming down the red carpet in Cannes for “Indiana Jones” - Christian Slater, Salma Hayek, Dennis Hopper.
Wow! The premiere of “Indian Jones” in Cannes has brought everyone out. So far Michael Moore, Coen Brothers, Harvey Weinstein, Brian Grazer.
“Indiana Jones” was nothing special. Wsnt worth the wait or the hype. Cannes audiience was non-plussed. Lower thy expectations - big time!
The crush of people trying to get into the Indiana Jones screening in Cannes was unbelievable. Can’t believe I made it through alive.
Everyone who is in Cannes on Twitter - there will be a tweet up at 11:30 p.m. at the Grand Hotel bar this evening.
The press conference for Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is packed. Journalists are practically hanging from the ceiling.
Woke up at 7:30 a.m. To see the Walter Salles film screening in competition. Frankly, I can’t even remember the name of it.
“Tyson” was an interesting documentary, though it would be hard not to be. Not a totally great doc, but engaging and brutally honest.
Mike Tyson just got a rousing ovation in Cannes when he was introduced before the documentary about him which is screening at the festival.
The audience was cheering at the end of the Woody Allen film. One of the best films so far in Cannes. To bad it’s not in competition.
Just got out of the press screening of Woody Allen’s latest “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” here in Cannes. It was very good. People loved it!
Headed into the Debussy Theatre to see James Toback’s documentary on Mike Tyson. It’sb my fourth film of the day.
Saw “A Christmas Tale” by director Arnaud Desplechin. Will get mixed reviews. It was so French, but what else would you expect from Cannes?
Saw “Hunger” last night, the official selection about Bobby Sands and the Irish hunger strikers. Good, powerful film but very dark.
They just had a huge fireworks display on the beach in Cannes. It was pretty awesome.
“Three Monkeys” divided the Cannes audience. Some loved it, some hated it. Very slow paced, engaging story and beautifully shot. Liked it.
I’ve just been informed there is no such word as Turkish, that the correct word I’d Turkic. Hope I didn offend anyone.
Apparently the press conference is more about Angelina Jolie’s pregnancy than “Kung Fu Panda”. Sheks answering the questions politely.
Got to the screening of Three Monkeys, the Turkish film in competition, way too early. Got a good seat though.
Just interviewed Julianne Moore and now waiting for the “Kung Fu Panda” press conference to begin. Looks like Angelina Jolie might show up.
Saw Pablo Trapero’s “Leonera” (Lion’s Den) a morning screening in Cannes. Gritty Argentine film with great lead actress. Pretty good film.
Cooking videos online: Recipes like Mom used to... →
Online cooking videos are the ultimate in quality and quirky DIY lessons. Where else can you get cooking with Christopher Walken?
Just getting out of “Waltzing With Bashir”, the animated Israeli film by Ari Folman about the Beirut war. It was pretty good, though bleak.