Humor, The Best

The Soul Storage Company

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On page 29 of the July 24, 2009, issue of the New Yorker various small ads appear for products like the famous AERON chair, the National Geographic expedition to Costa Rica, organic almond butter, etc. On the top right corner my eyes hit upon an ad for the Soul Storage Company.  Its image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

Cloud 9 (Wolke 9)

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The idea of making a film about sexual desires of seniors is brilliant. Such a film was overdue. But Andreas Dresen, the 46-year-old director of Cloud 9 constructed a film about his own desires rather than exploring how seniors cope with society’s predilection to see them as sexless creatures. Dresen’s drama is not about the image [Read More]
Documentary, Movies

The Times of Harvey Milk

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This documentary about the life of Harvey Milk starts at the moment of his election to the city council of San Francisco. Compared the recent motion picture Milk, the film begins a bit slow but then becomes a wonderful depiction of what made Milk a great politician. It is quite remarkable to see him organize image [Read More]
Books, Fiction

Chess Story

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For many years, I have been an admirer of Stefan Zweig without knowing it. One of my favorite films during my college days, Secret Burning, flowed out of his pen.  I learned this after I googled Zweig half way into his wonderful Chess Story. He reveals himself as a master of the psychological drama. This image [Read More]
Diary

The Pope’s Letter

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PM: Is is always better to read someone in the original. I am looking forward to reading the Pope’s encyclica Caritas in Veritate to see whether he has to something say that politicans and business leaders can use to guide their actions. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today I wish to reflect on my Encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. image [Read More]
Drama, Movies

Gran Torino

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Clint Eastwood is now 78 years old.  He has directed 29 movies. Some of them are very good (e.g. Letters from Iwo Jima) some of the very bad (e.g. Bridges of Madison County). He works quickly. Yet in contrast to Woody Allen who also makes one film a year, Eastwood is not repeating himself. The image [Read More]