Celebrity Politics

Earlier this summer, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee criticized democratic hopeful Barack Obama as being too much of a celebrity candidate. So isn't it just a wee bit hypocritical for the Republicans to be running a celebrity-celebrity ticket? Seriously, I admire their work. They're funny, talented individuals. But Charlie Chaplin and Tina Fey are simply unqualified to lead this great nation of ours. Stick to show business, folks!

That's why I'm voting Obama-Biden in November. And you should, too.

Books of the Month: August 2008

Dear Readers,
Inspired by Stoppard's 15 Minute Hamlet and Book-A-Minute, I offer you August's book reviews in 10 words or less. Notice any themes? (*= checked out from the library.)

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld
Prep school really sucks. Rich kids are snobs.

The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer
Iran in the early 1980s really sucks. Escaping is good.

Breath, Eyes, Memory* by Edwidge Danticat
Being a Haitian immigrant really sucks. Mothers and daughters disagree.

The Double Bind* by Chris Bohjalian
Being crazy and homeless sucks. The Great Gatsby is good!

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Evangelical Christians suck. Africa is exploited and misunderstood.

What Is the What by Dave Eggers
Civil War in Sudan sucks. Being a refugee really sucks.

Last Night at the Lobster* by Stewart O’Nan
The Red Lobster kinda sucks, but not really. Life? Hard.

How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets by Garth Stein
Having epilepsy sucks. Meeting your teen son doesn't always suck.

News Flash: Evelyn Waugh Was a Dude

We recently saw Brideshead Revisited, which should have been called Brideshead Revisited Revisited. Why? Apparently the 1981 Jeremy Irons version was much better. This film was your pretty standard gorgeous English period piece, in which a large ole castle, Brideshead, features prominently as a main character. And it was a tad wee bit too long. We didn't choose this movie, but tagged along with a friend. So I admittedly didn't know much going in. My post-movie research was most fascinating. Apparently, the original 1945 novel was written by a dude! British Catholics are so funny.

Slings & Arrows

Sometime last year, I heard a brief but powerful review of the Canadian TV series Slings and Arrows. Since I was driving and only partially listening, I don't remember much. But I do remember this show, about a struggling Shakespearean festival, being described as simply one of the best television shows. Ev-ER.

Now, I've read a fair share of Shakespeare in my day. (By "my day" I, of course, mean in junior high and high school. Honors English, thank you very much.) But I'm in no Shakespeare freak. I'd hardly call myself a true fan of the ole bard, but I do appreciate a good soliloquy every now and again. So why then did I remember this review a year later? And why did I have this nagging feeling all year long that I had better watch Slings and Arrows?

Because the reviewers were right. It's the bestest show. Ev-ER. The comedy is dark and brilliant. The drama is intense and heartfelt. I've developed a new-found appreciation for both Kids in the Hall and thespians in one fell swoop. I refrain from saying much, from revealing much. It's just a shame Rachel McAdams had to leave the show to film that horrible Notebook film. This is so much better. (OK, I know she did some other stuff in the interim. But the Notebook? That movie totally sucked.)

Unsolicited advice: watch Slings and Arrows.