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]
Drama, Movies

Milk

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Sean Penn is perhaps my favorite living male actor. I see films merely because he is in them. Milk, the interesting real life story of the first openly gay public official in the United States proved that even the most talented actor cannot portray every character.  Despite all of his amazing talents, the task of image [Read More]
Astute Observations, Diary

Michael Jackson Explained

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Robert Hilburn pieces together for the best account to day why Michael Jackson is dead.  Michael Jackson: the wounds, the broken heart Pop music critic Robert Hilburn recalls the years when the public turned its back on the singer. ‘I’m lonely,’ a 23-year-old Jackson said. I’ll always regret that the last conversation I had with Michael Jackson image [Read More]