Annie Hall

During the first thirty minutes of the movie I wanted to scream out after every sentence of the dialogue: Brilliant!!! The rest of the movie is excellent as well. Woody Allen could (perhaps should) have stopped writing, acting and directing movies after Annie Hall (1977), and he would have deserved to be inducted into the image [Read More]

Calling All Ids: Freudians at War

D. D GUTTENPLAN filed this interesting report from Britain in today’s NYT. I have one recommendation for British vacationers in Spain and Portugal, age 18 and above, who are thinking about seeing a psychotherapist. Look up the local catholic priest. He does not charge any money for a talk therapy. LONDON, May 28 – Who image [Read More]

Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chlo

I have heard the main piece of this synphony many times but never with the ears that were given to me tonight. It reminded me of the momentus transition in the history of life when animals moved from the sea onto the shore. I wonder if I will have same association after having listened to image [Read More]

Twins Reunite After 20 Years

Here is a fascinating story I recently came across again as I started to read a book on what is known about the similarities in behavior of identical twins raised apart. New York. As soon as Tamara Rabi arrived at Hofstra University, she noticed the bizarre behavior. People she had never laid eyes on would smile, wave [Read More]

Science Diet Canine Food

For some people going on a diet used to be a frightingly solitary affair. Do not despair! The end of solitude is here. Thanks to the Science Diet company, your dog can now go on a diet with you. This is a barrier-shattering moment in the relationship between the canine and human races. Canines finally [Read More]

On the Waterfront

This movie directed by Elia Kazan holds up even 50 years after its making. Labor unions in America no longer enjoy the power they did after World War II when their struggles with management made the front page of newspapers almost every day.  If the movie were made today the corrupt union boss would be image [Read More]

In America

  A young Irish family emigrates to Manhattan to start a new life. But first the old life has to be left behind, and this proves to be harder than anticipated. Although death seemingly looms behind every corner, life struggles mightily to get back on its feet. This is a wonderfully perceptive film. Jim Sheridan image [Read More]

The Science of Love

The Economist (print edition) Feb 12th 2004 published an interesting report about what scientists know about the chemistry of romantic feelings. I get a kick out of you Scientists are finding that, after all, love really is down to a chemical addiction between people OVER the course of history it has been artists, poets and playwrights who image [Read More]

Mariage in 17th Century America

Cynthia Rosen filed this interesting report in her Deva Vu column of the Wall Street Journal. Couples in the U.S. Used to Marry Early,Often and Informally In a Connecticut village in the 17th century, an unmarried couple moved in together. One day, while out for a stroll, they ran into the local magistrate. “John Rogers,” the magistrate [Read More]