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By Kyle, October 23, 2009

Anagrams
By Lorrie Moore

Moore explores thirtysomething angst while cleverly playing with language and conventions of plot, narrative, and character. This book will make you both laugh out loud and think deeply about the various paths a life can take.

- Jessica

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By Kyle, October 16, 2009

Cassandra’s Dream

The brothers, played by Ewan McGregor and Colin Ferrell, were my favorite part of this movie. It’s not Woody Allen’s greatest film, but if you enjoy old-fashioned thrillers in the style of Hitchcock, this one is worth your time.

- Jessica

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By Beth, August 25, 2009

The Angel’s Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

3 stars

A stylish, suspenseful read. Ruiz Zafon’s cinematic writing style evokes a gothic, Modernist Barcelona that both intrigues and frightens.

- Jessica

It All Started with a Dog
by Leigh Somerville McMillan

4 stars

- Cheryl

The Little Stranger
by Sarah Waters

This phenomenal haunted house story called to mind the best work of Daphne DuMaurier, Shirley Jackson, and Patrick McGrath.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heavenn
by Susan Jane Gilman

Ignore the ridiculous book cover and title and check out this gripping description of a trip to China gone horribly, horribly wrong.

- Beth

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By Kyle, August 25, 2009

Pafuera telerañas

By Bebe, 2005

3 stars

Fun, smart, sexy pop along the lines of Ingrid Michaelson, Yael Naim, or Feist, but en español.

Jessica  at Bordeaux

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By Jenny, July 31, 2009

Big Love

5 Stars

I never thought I would enjoy a show about polygamists, but Big Love has captured my attention. The acting is great, the characters are complex and the storyline could not be more complicated. This show has made me really appreciate Chloe Sevigny as an actress, but it’s Grace Zabriskie, who plays the crazy grandmother, that steals every scene she’s in.

- Kyle

Jekyll

Jekyll is a recent BBC television drama that takes the novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and reinvents the tale in modern day England. This cutting edge horror show has a complicated structure that takes you on a wickedly funny thrill ride. The show is filled with fresh original characters. But it’s Jekyll and Hyde, both played by the brilliant James Nesbitt, that hold the show together. Nesbitt’s portrayal of Hyde is astonishing because he creates the character using no prosthetics. So grab yourself a bag of popcorn, sit back with your favorite beverage, and enjoy!

- Bill

Six Feet Under

5 stars

I think this show is even better than The Sopranos. Not for the squeamish or prudish, this show explores love and death of all types. Excellent writing, characters, and acting.

- Jessica

SCTV

SCTV is a television series that aired in the early 1980’s. Its cast was formed with comedians out of the original Second City comedy troupe of Chicago, as well as Toronto Second City troupe members. Many comedy greats of the 70’s and 80’s came through the Second City organization, some going to the SCTV series and others graduating on to Saturday Night Live. SCTV cast members included Dave Thomas, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, and Andrea Martin, John Belushi and Dan Akroyd. The many sketches in this collection hold up rather well despite their early 80’s time frame. Many politicians, TV stars, TV shows, and various celebrities were spoofed, which is what sketch comedy is all about. Some skits were truly inspired, such as a takeoff on Chariots of Fire which they renamed “Chariots of Eggs” and starred the pop duo Hall and Oates.

- Ric

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By Jenny, July 30, 2009

Persepolis
By Paronnaud, Vincent; Satrapi, Marjane; Mastroianni, Chiara

5 stars

If you love to watch movies for the visuals, this is a must-see. This movie animates Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel about life in revolution-era Iran. But the movie isn’t all looks–it has plenty of substance with its touching familial relationships and edgy humor.

Word Wars: Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Game Circuit
By Anchor Bay Ent.

5 stars

I didn’t think a movie about a board game could make me cry, but this one did. The filmmakers expose the humanity of the Scrabble champions without being sentimental. This is a must see for documentary lovers and anyone who enjoys seeing otherwise ordinary human beings in their element.

Into the Wild
By Penn, Sean

3 stars

I read the book by Jon Krakauer before checking out the movie. Not quite as fantastic as the book, but I enjoyed seeing the places described in the book and comparing the movie’s depictions to those I had imagined while reading.

HUD
By Newman, Paul; Ritt, Martin

5 stars

I was stunned by the phenomenal acting in this movie. The visuals and the themes of the movie are also breathtaking. A must see!

The Graduate

Funny and stylish. 4 stars.

- Jessica

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By Jenny, July 30, 2009

The Apartment
By Wilder, Billy

5 stars

Can’t wait for the return of TV’s Mad Men? Then check out this Billy Wilder romantic comedy, first released in 1960.

C.C. Baxter, played by Jack Lemmon, has two aspirations: to climb the corporate ladder at a Manhattan insurance firm, and to land a date with Miss Kubelik, the lovely elevator operator in his office building, played by Shirley MacLaine. To ingratiate himself with his superiors, Baxter loans them his apartment for their extramarital trysts with secretaries and telephone operators. But when he realizes that his Don Draper-esque boss, played by Fred MacMurray, is carrying on with the girl of his dreams, he must choose between the job and the girl.

MacLaine is delightful, Lemmon is hilarious, and MacMurray is a cold-hearted snake you’ll love to hate. So until Mad Men returns, check out The Apartment to get your fix of impromptu office parties, mid-century fashion and design, and vintage cocktails. Tom Collins, anyone?

- Jessica