By Jeremy Kotin
It has been an absolute pleasure for two years now to regale you with tales of my cultural exploits throughout NYC and beyond. But as with all things, there comes a time when you need to reinvent in order to find renewed vigor in the process. And if my name were Madonna, this would… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. MOVIE Inception
There is no doubt that I was blown away by the visuals of this film, enough to keep me interested for two and a half hours and work very hard to understand the layers of the dream story. But when my brain turned back on with the lights as the credits rolled, I couldn’t… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
In my latest stint of movie-going, I’ve noticed a distinct greater excitement at previews, sometimes more than the main feature. Multiple flicks, edited down into three minute bite size bits is often so far more exciting that by the time the opening credits roll, I’ve forgotten why I stepped inside the theater in the first place. So… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. MOVIE Despicable Me
This is one strange film, especially for kids. I could quickly rip this apart as second rate Pixar (it borrows heavily from Monsters Inc.) but I found myself thoroughly entertained by Steve Carell’s adept villain with a heart portrayal, the adorable three moppets that change his life and more than anything, his yellow… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. MOVIE The Kids Are Alright
This wasn’t quite the saving grace of summer film that I was hoping for. Even as counter programming, I wasn’t completely smitten. The performances are undoubtedly excellent, especially from the always-luminous Annette Bening. But like Lisa Cholodenko’s earlier work, the story meanders a bit too much, missing much of the heart… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
Considering it’s a holiday, this week’s column is going to take a bit of a different form, and admittedly one that can be written more speedily since I refused to open my computer over the course of my three-day mini-break. First, let’s have a collective enjoyment of The Fourth of July. Sure, the celebration of the founding… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. FOOD Hotel Griffou
Stepping down an unassuming staircase decked in candlelight you enter a little world unto itself, of rooms within rooms, serving up delicious seafood centered delicacies. The salmon tartar with ponzu was a perfect start, followed by seared scallops made all the more flavorful with the addition of chorizo to the mix. And you… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. MOVIE Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
This glimpse into the original Queen of Funny is hilarious but more interestingly poignant. It’s a loving portrait of a difficult life and a woman whose career was and is everything to her. She might truly be the hardest working woman in show business, continuing to hone her skills… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
PLAY Race
I have to admit that I had limited interest in this new work from David Mamet. His sharp and quick dialogue has fallen flat on Broadway in recent years, from the revival of Oleanna to the awkward Speed the Plow. But I’m glad I found my way into the theater for what was indeed a… Read More
By Jeremy Kotin
1. PLAY Dusk Rings a Bell
This Stephen Belber play is, simply put, absolutely fantastic. The work itself is engrossingly human and smartly written, but it is the stellar acting from the two-person cast that pushed the 90 minute experience into the sublime. Aside from a rocky start, Kate Walsh shines as a “happy” woman revisiting the… Read More
Tomorrow marks 100 days since the BP oil spill in the gulf. I know they “successfully” capped it, but as long as that sucker is still leaking, I’m saying there is still an oil spill. But this disaster got me thinking a lot about the good old days of folk – when popular music regularly included anthems… Read More
When I was in my formative high school days, going to the Warped Tour was a highlight of the summer. Just old enough to drive, we’d pile about 9 bros and skateboards into mom-duke’s Ford Exploder and drive at high speed to Fitchburg or some other pseudo-municipality in middle Massachusetts, blasting Rage Against The Machine and… Read More