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Movies
A Cacophonous, Carnal Catastrophe
9 Songs opens with Matt (Kieran O'Brien) waxing nostalgic about his recently ended passionate love affair with Lisa (Margo Stilley) as he glides over the omnipresent whiteness of the South Pole. This is but one of a few gorgeous shots of this quiet, barren landscape and these shots are unfortunately the only real reason to sit through 9 Songs. More
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Literary Arts
William Greider's The Soul of Capitalism
With forty years of journalism and five best-sellers on the American economy and politics under his belt, William Greider is oddly optimistic. In his new book The Soul of Capitalism, Greider, for years Rolling Stone's main political reporter, declares that diverse, grass-roots efforts in far-flung corners of America are opening doors to a new, moral economy. More
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Literary Arts
Kenneth M. Pollack's The Threatening Storm
During my weekend forays I visited two bookstores and found vastly different displays in regards to our man of the hour, Saddam Hussein. At Books Inc. in Laurel Heights, I discovered The Complete Idiot's Guide to Middle East Conflict. At City Lights, I found four shelves devoted to a possible war with Iraq. The funny thing was that in neither spot did I find the book I'm reviewing today, The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq, by Kenneth M. Pollack. More
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Literary Arts
José Saramago's The Cave
A beautifully written tale by a man that obviously loves words as much as his characters love their clay, José Saramago's The Cave is a pleasant relief. It is refreshing to read an author that genuinely likes his characters and doesn't have to use sarcasm to pique our interest in their lives. More
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Music
Remixed
I spoke with Bebel from her home in Manhattan. More than an interview, this was a friendly conversation with the woman who introduced Brazilian bossa nova to a new generation of listeners. If you never knew, Bebel is the daughter of João Gilberto and Miúcha, the royalty of Brazilian's sensual pop music. Bebel's first album, Tanto Tempo, was an international best seller. Her second self-titled album was released last year. Our conversation took place on the eve of the release of Remixed, dance versions of Bebel's Grammy nominated sophomore album. More
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Galleries
Most people know Elliot. You know someone who knows Elliot if you don't know Elliot yourself. Chances are good you have been invited to a performance, art opening, or some kind of event at Build, the intimate gallery space at 483 Guerrero, between 16th and 17th Streets. Sometime in the year 2000, after graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute with a B.F.A. in interdisciplinary studies, Elliot Lessing took over the storefront art space. Previous to assuming a role as Executive Director of Build, Lessing ran Art Hut, a space for site-specific artist installations based in the living room of his home in the upper Haight. In the last insta More
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Restaurants
Right Next Door
The French words ‘à côté’ denote, ‘right next to, being nearest, and on the sideline.’ We tend to want to be ‘à côté ‘to the star players, the movers and groovers in life, and, in this case, the night life. Well, there is a cuisine scene with stage presence on College Ave in Rockridge called À Côté , being a mere door away from its sister restaurant and namesake inspiration -- Le Citron. It’s a hip haven offering Spanish/French styled tapas and ample dishes hinging on a multi-Mediterranean theme More
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Literary Arts
Behind the Scenes of One of America's Biggest Natural Disastersl
The countdown begins. In about four months, the city will be awash in PR beckoning out-of-towners to come "celebrate" the centennial anniversary of the notorious 6.9 magnitude quake which killed a reported 63 people, injured thousands, and destroyed 490 city blocks. The question is, when a curious tourist shambles up to you, will you be ready to field the questions? Lucky for us, Simon Winchester's new book is a great read for geologist/non-geologist and Left or Right Coaster alike. The book is part armchair travel, part history primer, part geologic survey, and part polemic. More
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Movies
Blow stays between the lines
Before the lost souls in Boogie Nights could snort their way into tweaked-out fits of ranting and raving, and before Scarface had a chance at landing himself in front of that insanely huge pile of coke, there was an innocent Boston boy named George Jung. Young George watched his hard-working father (Ray Liotta) slave away, only to find himself continually broke or out of work, or both. George's mom (Rachel Griffiths) never worked, but she craved the nice material possessions that her devoted husband couldn't afford, so she left them, and every time she came back, George watched his dad take her, unconditionally, into his arms again. So at a y More
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Movies
Sexed-up, Subversive Laughs
The opening scenes of John Waters' latest and greatest film, A Dirty Shame, reveals an uptight, high-strung woman in need of rest and relaxation, and her amorous husband is more than willing to assist her in that area. But she adamantly refuses as it's not even noon, and only perverts do it in the light of day. You see, she's a 'neuter' and she'd be damned if she would succumb to any filthy carnal desires on her way to work. More
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