Selma - Movie Review

Selma PG-13 128 mins B+
A different side of MLK

Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Giovanni Ribisi, Andrew Young, Lorraine Toussaint, Wendell Pierce, Tessa Thompson, Alessandro Nivola, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Martin Sheen, Oprah Winfrey and Common

I wasn't looking forward to watching this film. These black historical dramas tend to get me all tied up in knots. 12 Years a Slave was good, but I don't need to see it again. Selma was better than I expected. The performances are solid, the film is timely, and the political aspect between MLK and President Johnson is highly intriguing.

It was not the best film of 2014, but deserved to be in the conversation.

Single, Carefree, Mellow - Book Review

Published February 2015

Single, Carefree, Mellow: Stories - Katherine Heiny A
The Happiest Unhappy

I listened to the audio version of Katherine Heiny's short story collection, Single, Carefree, Mellow. As soon as I finished I immediately went to the bookstore and bought the hardcover. These stories are whip-smart and scandalous. The characters are intoxicating. Heiny's introspection, wry humor and infinite sadness made this a thought-provoking and titillating read.

For more on Katherine Heiny check out the article below by Alexandra Alter via the The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/books/katherine-heinys-road-to-single-carefree-mellow.html?_r=0

The Feast of Love - Book Review

Published April 2000

The Feast of Love - Charles Baxter B
All You Can Eat

Charles Baxter's third novel, The Feast of Love, begins and ends with twenty year-old Chloe. She wasn't my favorite character, (that distinction is a tie between Bradley and Diana) but it's not until Chloe appears that things get good. The beginning of the novel feels a little trite with the whole insomnia driven moonlit walk blah, blah, blah... But, when the story finally started to pull me in (somewhere around chapter five) it was hard to not to be completely engrossed in Baxter's world of longing, heartbreak and passion.

The Feast of Love is told through a series of interwoven vignettes and alternating perspectives. The cast of characters include; Bradley, the nice guy looking for love. Kathryn, Bradley's first wife who leaves him for another woman. Diana, Bradley's second wife and the type of woman nice guys inevitably fall for. David, Diana's married lover. Chloe and her boyfriend Oscar. And finally, Harry and Esther, an older couple (Bradley's neighbor) who didn't interest me much.

Baxter really gets love and disappointment right. He made me long for a time when love was a feast of possibilities and passions. He also reminded me how unoriginal loneliness can be. Other than a few moments when it seemed like the novel was trying too hard to be philosophical and an ending that lasted a few pages too long, The Feast of Love is quite appetizing.

(Film Adaptation) Feast of Love Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUSMZIgvARM