AltWeeklies Wire
Ang Lee's 'Taking Woodstock' is a Marvelous, Unabashedly Nostalgic Trip Backnew
Lee (born in 1954) is just barely old enough to claim membership in the Woodstock generation, even if he was living in his native Taiwan at the time. Still, the Oscar-winning director nails the groovy vibe as effortlessly as he conjured up 1970s suburbia in The Ice Storm.
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
A Ho-Hum Predictability in 'Adam'new
"I'm not Forrest Gump, you know," deadpans Adam when Beth gifts him a box of chocolates. Unfortunately, Adam is a pedestrian film in which, protagonist's eccentricities aside, you pretty much know what you're going to get.
How the National Death Panel Hysteria Spiraled Out from Little Old Oregonnew
It makes sense that the national "death panel" hysteria has its roots here in Portland. Oregonians have dealt with tricky end-of-life issues in the political arena for over a decade now.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
08-28-2009 |
Politics
Lessons from the Henry Louis Gates Casenew
Profiling appears to be a universal experience in nonwhite America. The clowns who toss coats and car keys are no Klansmen, of course, just grotesque boors who have no idea of the damage done when one brain-dead gesture robs another person of his dignity.
INDY Week |
Hal Crowther |
08-28-2009 |
Race & Class
Diet Kong Fizzes With Fun and Ominous Undertonesnew
Countless bands can trace their beginnings to one or maybe two significant and serendipitously accidental meetings, but Diet Kong, the collaborative effort between the Brooklyn-based, husband-and-wife team of Keith Gladysz and Jenn Penn is highly unusual and touching, even for the most cynical music fan.
New York Press |
William Ruben Helms |
08-28-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Ang Lee and James Schamus Take a Dry Look at Free-Love in 'Taking Woodstock'new
The same year as Woodstock, Arthur Penn's anti-bucolic Alice's Restaurant memorably said farewell to hippiedom's illusions. Penn's insights seemed ahead of his time; It's depressing that he was also ahead of Lee and Schamus 40 years later.
New York Press |
Armond White |
08-28-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
Is 'Project Runway' Walking in Circles?new
As I watched this season's 16 Project Runway hopefuls squinting into the setting sun during their champagne reception, it was hard not to view the scene as a sad little metaphor for the state of the show. What's supposed to feel like the beginning of something new sure looks a lot more like the end of something old.
Boston Phoenix |
Michael Brodeur |
08-27-2009 |
TV
New Hampshire Transplants Live Free -- or Die Tryingnew
They're digging up public squares. They're smoking pot and baring breasts. And they openly carry guns. New Hampshire residents are divided as to whether the Free State Project is a godsend or a nuisance.
Boston Phoenix |
Chris Faraone |
08-27-2009 |
Civil Liberties
Crap Shoot: Many D.C. Pools Contain Bacteria That Could Cause Illnessnew
Though the swimming facilities have plenty of signage apprising bathers of the pool's rules and regulations, there's no sign to update patrons on the germ count. Meaning that every time you take a dip, you're putting your health squarely in the hands of the Department of Parks and Recreation and its corps of very young lifeguards. Is that a smart gamble?
Washington City Paper |
Christine MacDonald |
08-27-2009 |
Science
Altered State: Legalization, Cannabis Clubs and California's Marijuana Sea Changenew
Legalization and pot clubs in California grow increasingly popular, but law enforcement and government officials still can't think outside of the box.
Sacramento News & Review |
Nick Miller |
08-27-2009 |
Drugs
John Surman's Jazz Quartet Shakes Things Up on 'Brewster's Rooster'new
Brewster's Rooster is more of an outlier than it might seem. Granted, aside from the occasional skronk, the album is rather tuneful and approachable. But, in a genre that is contracting rather than expanding, what could be more radical than a musician who sees the entirety of jazz as part of a single lovely continuum?
Washington City Paper |
Brent Burton |
08-27-2009 |
Reviews
Horror Showdown: 'Halloween II' vs. 'The Final Destination'new
Horror sequels Halloween II and The Final Destination both open this week, but neither was screened in time for review. So instead, we've devised this scientific system (note: system not scientific at all) to determine which one might be worth horror fans' time and money.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Josh Bell |
08-27-2009 |
Movies
Who Will Replace Ted Kennedy in the Senate?new
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy early Wednesday morning hastens the issue of succession to the seat he has held since he was elected in 1962, a topic that has gripped the state's political class since Kennedy's brain tumor was discovered more than a year ago.
Boston Phoenix |
David S. Bernstein |
08-27-2009 |
Politics
'Taking Woodstock' is Ang Lee's Lamest Movie Evernew
If this film winds up being all that remains after a nuclear holocaust, it’ll be a valuable document. Otherwise, zzz.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Mike D'Angelo |
08-27-2009 |
Reviews
Tags: Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee
In 'Inherent Vice,' a Dope-Buzzed PI Watches the '70s California Dream Unravelnew
In his zany new novel, Thomas Pynchon goes back to the Golden State to paint a nostalgic portrait of a fictional beach town near LA in the '70s -- when the counterculture finally lost the battle to the forces of control, governmental power and sobriety.
Las Vegas Weekly |
John Freeman |
08-27-2009 |
Fiction
