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]

Joshua Tree Park, California

I have puzzled for some time about what attracts many people to a desert landscape. Driving through the Joshua Tree Park, I may have hit upon the answer: for the human eye this ecosystem gives the impression of order and peace. The eye has to look very hard before it finds one creature eating another.  image [Read More]

21 Grams

How do you feel when your heart is failing you, but you don’t know if a donor heart is found in time to save your life? How do you feel when your husband and two little children are killed by an inattentive driver only a few blocks away from home? How do you feel when image [Read More]

“A Joke that has gone too far…”

Britney Spears, After a Dip Into Marriage, Is Free for Whatever Future May Hold By LOLA OGUNNAIKE Forlorn men around the world can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Britney Spears is one step closer to being available again. Confirming reports that her marriage to a childhood friend early Saturday morning in Las Vegas might not last forever, a [Read More]

Is this a Joke, Ann?

I have only read Ann Landers colums perhaps five times in my life. The other day on the road, far away home, I came across a real funny one that I want to share. I wonder if Ann ever thought about doing her column live as a form of stand-up comedy. Too bad we cannot [Read More]