The greatest adventure book ever written. This is the first serious book I ever read when I was 13 years old and started both my lifelong love of reading and my interest in Japanese culture.
James Clavell is a 20th century English writer who wrote a number of excellent adventure stories based in Asia, including Tai-Pan and Noble House. But Shogun is the best, and the first one you should read because this story is chronologically the first in the series.
Shogun is a great and gripping story on many levels. As an adventure novel about the Portuguese crew that gets shipwrecked off the coast of Japan and has to survive. About the culture of Japan in the time of the Shogunate. It's a series of great love stories, especially the one between Blackthorne and Mariko.
But more than anything else this is a book about philosophy, about learning to see the world in a different way, based on a code of behavior and morals completely different than what you have been exposed to.
This is the book to give your
Some people say the great American novel has not been written. They're wrong, and this is it. Published in 1944, it is one of only two major novels written by Ayn Rand; the second, Atlas Shrugged, is more directly political and more influential, but this is our personal favorite.
The hero of the novel is Howard Roark, an architect, but the real theme of the book is the importance of individuals making their own judgments, based on their own values, rather than blindly following the standards set by others. Or, in 3 words, think for yourself.
This is of the great novels of all time, and it includes some of the basic tenet's of Rand's philosophy, such as the idea that people should act selfishly, but in an enlightened long term sort of way.
This is one of the few books that can profoundly change the way you live your life.
What we like most about the book is that, as you are reading it, you know that everything is going to work out and come to a happy ending, but the writing/characters don't insult your intelligence in the meantime. It was a pleasure to read from beginning to end. We thought that the parallel relationships between Jane/Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth/Mr. Darcy were well constructed; the first couple perfectly matched because of their easygoing and non-judgemental characters, the second due to their feisty and proud ways. The nature of the Elizabeth/Darcy relationship allows us to enjoy their witty and playful sparring. Also good that they did not fall in love at first sight, that their love grew when they began to know each other well.
The insufferable natures of Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Lydia, Lady Catherine, etc., make you more appreciate the goodness and intelligence of Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Gardiner, etc. We don't usually, but we laughed out loud when we read what Mr. Bennet said to Elizabeth, after
You should read Dickens. Don't be put off by the fact that he was writing a long time ago, or that you were forced to read him in high school; this is easy, accessible reading, and every bit as entertaining today as when it was written.
We recommend starting with Bleak House, the most autobiographical of Dickens' novels. But there are many great novels by Dickens, such as The Pickwick Papers, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens was a very prolific writer, and once you have discovered how easy he is to read, you will have discovered the source of a lifetime of entertainment.
Bleak House is the story of a lawsuit over an inheritance, and all the people involved in the inheritance; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Among other things, it is a savage indictment of the English legal system of the time - an indictment that is relevant to the American legal system today. But it's also a romance, a family drama, and more, filled with Dicken's usual assortment of fascinating characters.
More than anything else, this is an intelligent and moving romantic story. But its also a book about business, and about the early clashes between industrialists and the laborers who worked for them.
A brilliantly crafted work, just as easy to read today as in 1855. Gaskell pits the agricultural south of England against the industrializing north, and does a very fair job of contrasting the virtues and vices of each; she also has an excellent understanding of business, and gives a fair rendering of the issues for the working class, particularly through the character Higgins, and the "masters", in the form of her love interest, Mr. Thorton.
North and South is a mix of Austen, without the gentleness or humor, but Mr. Thorton is very much a Mr. Darcy character, hard and resolute in his class, but becoming gentler as the story develops. And as in Pride and Prejudice, the heroine, in this case M
This book really captures the essence of entrepreneurialism, and well written. Only reason not ranked higher is that there is nothing really new or profound in this, but making explicit some things I have thought about.
An excellent book, and though very general, and focusing mostly on the US, with many comparisons to France, and a few to other Western European countries, it has some very profound observations about cultural differences. A few comments about Japan, but nothing at all about Latins or the rest of Asia.
The only thing that Attitude Media and Barack Obama will ever agree on is that this was the best show on TV, and Omar our favorite character.
This is, simply, the best crime drama for TV. Ever. Set in the city of Baltimore, there is really nothing terribly different about it in terms of plot; cops vs. drug dealers. But it gives a brilliant and quite insightful view of the way local politics really works in a city like Baltimore. The show is harshly realistic in every way.
The acting and directing is superb. What is truly amazing about the acting is that some of the lead characters are British, and yet adopt perfect Baltimore accents, in particular Idris Elba. Many of the actors, Elba, Dominic West, Michael Kenneth Williams, Amy Ryan, have gone on to become major stars.
Don’t confuse this by comparing it to well done trash like The Sopranos. The Sopranos focused on a bunch of fictional thugs who aren’t worthy of attention. But the Wire is a morality tale, because, as in life, good and evil are so
Fine swashbuckling drama if you happen to be fond of pirates and the sea. For the ladies, some manly buffed pirate types, with suitable scars and tats. For the guys, quite a few fine looking lasses in scanty clothing, or none at all. This show is not going to replace The Wire on your top TV list, or replace Shogun as great drama, but it's well produced escapist TV, it won't (grossly) insult your intelligence, and sometimes that's all you really need. So put the kids in bed, pop the top on a Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, and enjoy.
At Attitude Media we couldn’t have said it better: “I faced it all, and I stood tall, and did it my way/What is a man to say the things he truly feels, and not the words of one who kneels”
The only thing you really need to know is that the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice, based on the Jane Austen novel, is one of the finest films ever made, despite originally being made as a miniseries for TV. Isn’t it amazing the difference that casting can make? The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice is quite good – just not nearly as good as the original A&E version, despite the fact that the more recent one has some good stars, including superstars Keira Knightley, Judi Dench, and Donald Sutherland. And Knightley is a fine Elizabeth Bennet – just not with quite the edge that Jennifer Ehle plays in the AE version. Matthew Macfadyen is not bad as Mr. Darcy – but he does not define the role in the same convincing way that Colin Firth – far less famous in 1995. With the exception of Dench, every character in the 2005 version is fine, and you would think you had seen a fine movie – until you see the 1995 version. One thing is common to both versions is that they stay fairly constant to Austen’s text.
Richard Gere/Jennifer Lopez/Bette Midler/Stanley Tucci
This is a sweet movie, but not in a saccharine sense. We enjoy a lot of Richard Gere movies, and we also find J Lo weirdly endearing. Gere plays an estate lawyer who needs something to break out of his routine work and family life; turns out that something is ballroom dance. This is the kind of movie you could watch with your kids or parents, and not be embarrassed by any of it – but also not be bored. And old fashioned romance, with fine casting.
Intelligent talk movie about the intersection of married life and relatives, especially sisters. A nice date night movie if you're a couple dealing with in-law issues. This is the kind of movie that Edward Norton makes and stars in; small budget, intelligent, talk movies. No car chases here, and that's a good thing.
30-something bachelor, on the cusp of being unhappy with his singleness, begins to examine his lifestyle and goals with the unrequested aid of a fatherless, taunted, mature-beyond-years boy.
Comments: Interesting movie, very good. Hugh Grant stands out as complacent but redeemable Will. The child actor who played mature, sweet, introspective Marcus got it dead on. Also liked self-assured Ellie character. Nice to see female teen portrayed as smart AND nice (not witchy).
Moral: I don't know, really. Of course there's a lot to be said for goodness and treating others with respect, but this movie goes beyond that -- the Will character examines his life and does what few people do: is unhappy with it and actually makes changes. So, I guess, it's about reaching out, even to the most unlikely people, and following through, even though the path may be hidden.
Quotes: "When I hear you sing it's like sunshine." Marcus' mom to Marcus
Next new episode is April 5, 2015 on AMC.
Everyone in the creative class has heard of Mad Men, the 60's based drama about Don Draper and his cohorts in advertising. Why has it been such a success? How few dramas really focus on normal office work, like this one, in a serious way? Most dramas are about cops, or drug dealers, or fireman, or English lords. But this one manages to create drama around a fairly ordinary business like advertising, and that’s not easy to do. And like many successful dramas, this one revolves around a basically good man that has more than this share of flaws and failings, expertly played by Jon Hamm. The supporting cast is great, and Christina Hendricks has done more her part in bringing into vogue the idea that sexy women don’t have to be pencil thin.
Breaking Bad takes a mostly ludicrous scenario – a high school chemistry teacher becomes a big time meth dealer, and turns it into a seemingly plausible drama. Bryan Cranston is great playing Walter White, who evolves from a mostly good man who gets into drug dealing into a ruthless dark character who loves the game too much to quit, even when it costs him everything that he really values. The addiction that is dramatized here is not really one of drugs, but of love of the high that comes from engaging in a high risk, high reward type activity like dealing.
There is no redeeming purpose to this show. You will not be a better person after watching it. But if your brain needs a rest, this half hour comedy about a ruthless female, Vice President of the United States, will serve two purposes:
1) It will be entertaining in a cynical low brow sort of way
2) If you think that problems can be solved through the national political process, it will shed some light on that process. As a former resident of DC, I can say that the show represents a pretty fair, if exaggerated, picture of the political process in DC.
This is based on one of our favorite characters in Breaking Bad, the sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman, played by Jonathan Banks. Saul embodied all that you hope to find in your local junkyard dog lawyer; sleazy TV ads, crowded waiting rooms of “sore neck” personal injury hopefuls, unregistered cash transactions, and very shady connections. But somewhere, deep down, we think that even Saul, like Omar, has a code.
One of the great TV dramas of all time, about a high school football team in "football mad" Texas. This one has it all – the thoughtful coach trying to win – and mold good kids, the big hearted booster that cares to much about winning, the kids with their often touching romances. No matter your age, or whether you care about football or not, this is a fine show. It shows how much can be done with great writing and excellent casting and acting. One note that makes this one particularly mystifying is that the writer who wrote the original script for the movie on which the TV show is based is Buzz Bissinger, who later wrote of his bizarre clothing addiction in GQ magazine.
BoardWalk Empire – This is a period drama about the corrupt mobsters running Atlantic City in the 1920's. We think they could have done a better job of selecting a lead, Steve Buscemi playing Nucky Thompson, but the show has some of our favorite actors (Micheal Kenneth Williams from The Wire does a fine job as Chalky White) Also, the men’s clothing is spot on, thanks to Emmy nominated costume designers John A. Dunn and Lisa Padovani.
This is a fun show that was, for some reason canceled by HBO, despite continuing things of much less value (See "Girls") Two young guys living in New York City try to make a living with various ventures, including starting a fashion line. A fairly realistic, yet very amusing, look at the ups and downs of trying to get by, and have a life, while making your fortune.
Created by Ian Edelman. With Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Lake Bell, Eddie Kaye Thomas.
Hugely popular series about New York based mobsters, focusing on mob boss Tony Soprano and his family. James Gandolfini is impressive in the lead role playing an unusually introspective and sensitive man - at least by mob standards. We think The Wire is much better, but millions loved the Sopranos.
Tastemakers recommend we don pajamas as evening wear, leggings haven’t budged since their millennial comeback and Barneys recently announced in an advertorial, “No longer
