Andrew O’Hehir at Salon.com has written a brilliant review of Michael Bay’s latest blockbuster, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. O’Hehir’s article is the Shakespearean drama of movie reviews – lyrical and inspired, both comedy and tragedy. It is a stunning critique of the cinematic logic of Summer blockbusters. The whole thing should be read, but let . . . → Read More: “As a performance-art act of juvenile id-fulfillment, it’s magnificent”  Our society is built on the inexorable logic of choice. If we didn’t choose it, then it’s probably not good. As a result of our obsession with choice, we discovered, some time during the twentieth century, the equally inexorable pain of choice anxiety. Too many options and we can’t cope. See the following video [thanks to Nick for . . . → Read More: Liking nuance  When a culture builds something big and intends it to last, it tells us a lot about what story that culture is living out of. Ancient Egypt built pyramids to ensure the resurrection of their Pharaonic internees. Medieval Europe built cathedrals to draw the eye of the beholder upwards to the transcendent. Imperial China built the Great . . . → Read More: The ten thousand year clock 
Half a week has passed since downtown Vancouver was set aflame by riots following an ice-hockey match. Taking their disappointment to the streets, fans of the Vancouver Canucks burned cars, smashed and looted stores and fought police in response to their teams Stanley Cup final loss. It was a shocking meltdown in one of the world’s . . . → Read More: We didn’t start the fire (but we love how we look in its light)  I saw the poster ad below on the side of a National Bank last week. As I started reading down the poem, my cynicism grew… Congratulations! Today is your day; You’re off to great places, You’re off and away! You have brains in your head, You have feet in your shoes; You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on . . . → Read More: In Defense of Culture: confessions of a cultural critic…  You’ve already decided that the world needed to see how exotic your last holiday was, and how you spent New Years. Your recent status posts have been funny, full of pathos and acerbic wit. You have a camera app that allows people to see your life in grainy sepia, as that conveys just the right edge . . . → Read More: The Museum of Me |
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