The Art of the Ad: The Computer Revolution

Computer ads from the 1960s through the early 1980s are bursting with optimism for a future made easier—and better—through technology. Now that we’ve all assimilated, plugged in 24/7, the jury is out on whether that’s “better” or not. Now we just shrug with every iOS update, allow our data to be harvested, and rot our … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: The Computer Revolution →

All the Colours of Edwige Fenech

This December, on Christmas Eve, French-Italian actress and producer Edwige Fenech turns 75, which offers as good a reason as any to celebrate this living legend. If you’ve never so much as dipped a toe in the beautiful and strange world of 1970s Italian giallo films, you might be questioning that “living legend” assertion. For … Continue reading All the Colours of Edwige Fenech →

RIP Jane Birkin

When I was growing up, all I knew of Jane Birkin could be summed up in three words: leggy, glamorous, and beautiful. She existed in my pop culture sphere as an unattainable, unspeakably gorgeous human being who was a photographer’s dream subject. Later, I learned she was a model, a singer, an actress, lent her … Continue reading RIP Jane Birkin →

Bad Girls We Love: Eve from See No Evil, Hear No Evil

The third of four cinematic collaborations between comedy legends Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) was a cable television staple in the early to mid-1990s. That’s where I saw it, over and over again, probably on my beloved WPIX-11. The film’s plot sounds like the setup for a joke: … Continue reading Bad Girls We Love: Eve from See No Evil, Hear No Evil →

Lovely Rita

Oh! lovely Rita, meter maidWhere would I be without you?Give us a wink and make me think of you “Lovely Rita” by the Beatles It’s been a long time since I last saw I Am Sam (2001), but the other night I slid the disc into the player and gave it a spin. This rewatch … Continue reading Lovely Rita →

Is This Thing On?

Ever feel a bit like Susie Diamond the first time she takes the stage with the Fabulous Baker Boys? You know, when she forgets to flip the switch on the microphone and no one in the audience hears her—until she turns on the mic just as she answers Frank Baker in frustration, “What fucking switch?!” … Continue reading Is This Thing On? →

Wolfish for Margot Robbie

When it comes to the under-forty set of modern actors, few impress me more than Margot Robbie, who turned 33 earlier this week, on July 2nd. Wait a minute, she’s only 33?!? It feels like the Aussie actress and producer has been around forever. But it was just ten years ago that she had her … Continue reading Wolfish for Margot Robbie →