Story that is only humorous to me:  I was teaching at Iowa in the spring, and as is typical on the first day, I had all the kiddies introduce themselves.  Name, hometown, major, all that crap.  I also asked for their favorite bands so that I could pass immediate judgment on them.  This one kid said, "Green Day" and I…

Story that is only humorous to me:  I was teaching at Iowa in the spring, and as is typical on the first day, I had all the kiddies introduce themselves.  Name, hometown, major, all that crap.  I also asked for their favorite bands so that I could pass immediate judgment on them.  This one kid said, "Green Day" and I…

Until I either hear the announcement of a different director or hear a denial from MIchael Bay, I'm just going to assume that he will direct these movies.  You should all do likewise. If it's somebody else, then you'll be elated. If it's Michael Bay, then you'll have already prepped yourself for disappointment.

Until I either hear the announcement of a different director or hear a denial from MIchael Bay, I'm just going to assume that he will direct these movies.  You should all do likewise. If it's somebody else, then you'll be elated. If it's Michael Bay, then you'll have already prepped yourself for disappointment.

I think 'Lincoln' has to be the front-runner, because it is Spielberg and DDL and Abraham Fucking Lincoln, but I would not be shocked at all if something else won Best Picture.  I am happy to see all the positive reviews (even if some have reservations on this or that).  There were a lot of ways this movie could have…

I think 'Lincoln' has to be the front-runner, because it is Spielberg and DDL and Abraham Fucking Lincoln, but I would not be shocked at all if something else won Best Picture.  I am happy to see all the positive reviews (even if some have reservations on this or that).  There were a lot of ways this movie could have…

Even beyond those two, the field is absolutely loaded, especially if Tarantino and Bigelow put out the quality of movies most of us expect.  The acting awards will be interesting, too, because despite DDL going all DDL on stuff, he has legit competition from Phoenix and such.

Even beyond those two, the field is absolutely loaded, especially if Tarantino and Bigelow put out the quality of movies most of us expect.  The acting awards will be interesting, too, because despite DDL going all DDL on stuff, he has legit competition from Phoenix and such.

I prefer his nonfiction.  His best work perfectly captures the weird awkwardness of being alive.  See "Supposedly Fun Thing" or "Ticket to the Fair."  Caveat:  I have not read 'Infinite Jest' yet (soon, I keep telling myself, soon I have told myself for several years).  My exposure to his fiction was limited to some…

I prefer his nonfiction.  His best work perfectly captures the weird awkwardness of being alive.  See "Supposedly Fun Thing" or "Ticket to the Fair."  Caveat:  I have not read 'Infinite Jest' yet (soon, I keep telling myself, soon I have told myself for several years).  My exposure to his fiction was limited to some…

I hope Spielberg just bribes the Academy this time around.

I hope Spielberg just bribes the Academy this time around.

Several other words.  Wait, I don't think I understand this game.

Several other words.  Wait, I don't think I understand this game.

New Plan:  Do not make these movies.  There, solved it for the world.  No directors to bitch about, none of the whole making-movies-that-will-never-live-up-to-the-warped-expectations-of-bitter-aging-humans thing.

New Plan:  Do not make these movies.  There, solved it for the world.  No directors to bitch about, none of the whole making-movies-that-will-never-live-up-to-the-warped-expectations-of-bitter-aging-humans thing.

Tough, but I'll probably go with George here.  "It's been done" always cracks me up.  He says it with such disdain.  Or indifference.  Or indifferent disdain—which shouldn't even be a possible thing.  Paul's episode is great, though, and the ending with Homer and Lisa is lovely.

Tough, but I'll probably go with George here.  "It's been done" always cracks me up.  He says it with such disdain.  Or indifference.  Or indifferent disdain—which shouldn't even be a possible thing.  Paul's episode is great, though, and the ending with Homer and Lisa is lovely.

I loved Jeff as a player.  His only problem was that he didn't play things full out once he started scheming them.  Say they boot Penner (or at least strip his idol) in the last tribal before the merge.  Opens things up big time.  As for the closing comments the other night, everybody needs to chill.  Dude was pissed…

I loved Jeff as a player.  His only problem was that he didn't play things full out once he started scheming them.  Say they boot Penner (or at least strip his idol) in the last tribal before the merge.  Opens things up big time.  As for the closing comments the other night, everybody needs to chill.  Dude was pissed…