It is an unequivocal Good Thing that someone has made a movie --- Cadillac Records --- about the down-and-dirty Chicago music that began as blues and morphed into rock. Not enough of us know...

The radio industry lost a giant on Saturday when Bill Drake died.

For any kid who grew up in the 60s, radio was a huge part of their life. It's not like today. Back then if you were a teenager, radio was your constant companion. You had a favorite station,...

In case you're not aware, today, December 1st, 2008, marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, with this year's theme continuing its message to "Lead, Empower & Deliver." It was originated by the World Heath Organization back in 1988 to raise awareness, and over the last 20 years, more...

I watched one of the two Best Worst Movies in film history this weekend - Big Trouble in Little China (the other Best Worst Movie is Army of Darkness). Whether brought on by the natural high of a leftover-filled stomach, or the artificial high of Thanksgiving night Maker's...

True Blood is not on right now, to the disappointment, not to say withdrawal symptoms, of the millions addicted to its veinous entertainment . HBO's vampire series is over for the season, not to return the Louisiana backwater where it's set until next June. Bill Compton, the "good" vampire...

I'm sure you've all been reading the reports of Batman's death. Much like the death's of Superman (in 1992) and Captain America's death (in 2007, which I wrote about at the time) the media always seems to pay attention to the world of comic books when something major...

Let those without a heart beating in their breasts give Australia less than four stars. Those who boo kids at Easter Egg hunts, yell at referees at junior hockey games, sneer at sunrises, cut in line in front of little old ladies, give out healthy snacks at Halloween, talk during...

Acclaimed Indian actress Nandita Das recently turned to film directing, and screened her first film Firaaq at this year's Thessoloniki International Film Festival. Her film, championed by Salman Rushdie, highlights a problem that is not often enough (except for now) discussed outside the country: the acute tension between Hindus and...

I told readers of the "China Beat" (the place I blog most) that my next few posts would all deal with my recent trip to Beijing and Shanghai, but news about the long-awaited Guns N' Roses release, "Chinese Democracy," stirring up controversy in the PRC is something that I...

Last Friday night ushered in bone-chilling temperatures. Nonetheless, I ventured outdoors. Why? I accepted an invitation to a book launch and reception hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The book in question? Trinidad Noir.

I enjoy attending book launches and...

Our nation's incoming leader has weighed in on the pressing topic of a college football playoff. It was first mentioned on Monday Night Football on election eve, with a response to a question from Chris Berman -- who was clearly out of his element -- as to what one thing...

"The news is still big, it's the newspapers that got small."

The merits of the essay linked below speaks for itself. As for film criticism, the future clearly lies with blogs and sites like this, where quality prose can breathe and live and find whatever readers find it worthy. But...

Millions of people have been bitten by the vampire recently. Twilight's gorging of the weekend box office (earning $70.6 million, the second highest ever for an indie film), and HBO's True Blood season finale are its metaphorical bloody bite marks.

For those of you who haven't partaken of...

Philosopher George Santayana famously wrote that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Unfortunately, even those who do remember the past may also be condemned to repeat it. So I was reminded while watching Milk, the new Gus Van Sant...

Whether it's sweet potatoes, cornbread, yams, or turkey, every family has their own favorite traditional Thanksgiving recipes. Families aren't the only ones who know how to cook up something, though. Television also has its own special Thanksgiving recipe. And it feeds an audience.

You start with one premise of your...