Author: Jim Stalker

Film – Best of 2009

Mostly because of their darker natures, these three films were not among my favorites in 2009.  I cannot recommend them – despite their undeniable excellence – for a variety of reasons. Mainly, I like movies to be fun and escapist – these are not. Two of these films are on many top 10 lists. The…

Robben Ford

I suppose at a Robben Ford concert, along with a one drink minimum, is a one musician per table minimum as well. His type of music, rich with harmonic complexity, has a limited yet intensely loyal appeal. To many guitarists he is a legend. Whatever configuration of musicians he assembles to tour with, will draw…

Golden Globes

Award shows are a bit of an American obsession. There are the big three, Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys and then there is everything else (I counted 15 off the top of my head). All these events try to balance stodgy star-studded formality with hip irreverence. The Oscars are the gold standard for the former, and…

Film – Best of 2009

My days of loving the obscure art house film is over. I am also through with the totally depressing, and “realistic” films about some social cause. These generally make up the bulk of most film critics lists – not mine. No Precious or Up in the Air on my list – which are both well executed films. Only one…

Elvis turns 75

How does one who only knew the fat, sequined, goggle-sunglasses wearing Elvis give a damn for his 75th birthday? Consider that Elvis, more than any other figure, is ground zero for rock and roll. He was the tipping point, the one who through his Sun recordings and RCA debut defined rock and roll for everyone that followed….

24 – Season 8

For those unfamiliar with 24, here’s the plot: Counter terrorist super-agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) reluctantly gets pulled into yet another plot against the United States often involving the president and national security. Frustrated by the bureaucracy of his employer CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit), Jack eventually breaks all the rules, thwarting the crisis within 24…

Television – Best of 2009

TV continued it’s Renaissance providing entertainment superior to what can be found at the movies most weeks. Some veteran shows continued to satisfyingly plug along (Lost, House, 24, Family Guy, Amazing Race, and Idol) while some faltered (Rescue Me, 30 Rock, Damages) and one excellent show, Battlestar Galactica, ended its run. All available on DVD….

Oscar 2010

Get ready for the Oscar broadcast March 7 on ABC hosted by Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Be sure to download the official ballot here for following along. I am a little nervous about this years Oscars. While I like Alec Baldwin, he’s clearly the best thing on 30 Rock by a mile, I wouldn’t call him…

Grammy 2010

The music business is an outright disaster. While it’s never been a place where talent, craft, and excellence coincide with the purchases and popularity of the very fickle general public – it has been a business where the goal was crystal clear – sell a ton a records. Selling records earned an artist respect and lots of…