Tearing Another Month From The Stendig Calendar
On to September... Links: Stendig Calendar at Unica Home
10 Songs I Can’t Live Without, Vol. 1
An ongoing selection of songs from various artists and genres that I simply can’t live without. This first volume features music from Frank Sinatra, Madeleine Peyroux, Roberta Flack, The Pretenders, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Romeo Void, Ennio Morricone, The Clientele, Led Zeppelin and Alice Smith.
NYTimes Critics’ Picks: ‘In A Lonely Place’
New York Times film critic A.O. Scott looks back at Nicholas Ray‘s 1950 film “In A Lonely Place,” a dark and terrific noir starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame.
Suit Tip: A Gentle Reminder About That Bottom Button
I see this one all the time, and it drives me nuts: a guy in a two (or even three) button single-breasted suit or blazer with all of the buttons fastened. To quote Dom "Stick-Out-Your-Tush" Deluise in Blazing Saddles: WRONNGGG!…
The Myth of Human Progress: A Conversation with Chris Hedges
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Chris Hedges was on The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC yesterday for a fascinating and intelligent conversation yesterday about the state of journalism, politics, society, media and human civilization. The show was extremely enlightening and satisfying…
Bicycle Bicycle
It was a rite of passage as a kid growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland. The bike. The gateway to neighborhood freedom, which eventually gave way to the wider freedom enabled by the car. But those innocent days of youth spent on my simple bike were sweet. Now, as a near middle-age man in New York City, the bicycle has become my favorite way to get around town. A little company here in Brooklyn has rekindled my affection for the simple bicycle: Brooklyn Cruiser.
The Bedside Phone
The number is unlisted. It's a land line or VoIP. Callers can't leave a message (no voicemail or answering machine... on purpose). You can count the number of people who have the number on one hand. Your mother doesn't even…
Blow Out (1981)
In this superlative paranoia thriller from Brian De Palma, John Travolta plays a B-movie sound man who accidentally records a political assassination when he's out recording sound effects. The assassination has a survivor: Nancy Allen, who should not have been…
G.I. Joe Digs Doris Day
A snap of my friend Brian's vintage G.I. Joe action figure at his house in Woodstock, NY. Click here to see more of my photography.
Steve McQueen in ‘Bullitt’ (1968)
I’m still not sure what this movie is about, but it is wonderful to watch. Steve McQueen is the essence of cool in this 1968 caper directed by Peter Yates. Apparently, his character was modeled after San Francisco Police Department inspector Dave Toschi (portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in David Fincher’s 2007 film Zodiac), but minus the bow tie. In addition to McQueen and his inimitable style, as well as a beautiful young Jacqueline Bisset, Bullitt features one of the most exciting car chases ever put on film, with McQueen doing much of his own driving in a Ford Mustang GT 390 fastback.