A gloriously nerdy collection of oddballs, eccentrics, and a former US president pay tribute to Will Shortz’ puzzles and annual crossword puzzle tournament. I found myself itching to do some crosswords afterward, and when I finally got around to it I felt like I was better at it! Not good enough to inspire thoughts of…

It was interesting to discover after watching this that it’s a remake of a 1968 film – just when the James Bond phenomenon was getting imitated. Having a Bond-like super-playboy face off against a female super-sleuth that is (almost) his match was probably very provocative. The modern version does a little satirizing of these stereotypes…

My dad, without knowing I had this book on my wish list, gave it to me as a birthday present this year. During the past year and a half I’ve undergone a mental revolution reading about the foundations of mathematics and how they relate to my own consciousness. Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem has been a recurring…

A plot-driven film about a character-driven novelist whose story comes to life. It’s amusing, but neither the plot or the characters were very compelling to me. There’s plenty of room for parody and playfulness that just floats by unused, and no background for the characters’ idiosyncrasies is hinted at. Referred by a review on NPR.

All the stories I like have some kind of subconscious element, and in cases like this I don’t mind at all when they are allowed to run free in the “real world” of the story. This movie is bursting at the seams with creative energy and wonderful metaphors. I laughed uncontrollably during parts at the…

I’m automatically skeptical of Adam Sandler, but was pleasantly surprised by this performance. Probably because I relate well to socially inept, repressed characters, even if I don’t fly into uncontrollable rages (yet;). The picture of love as a situation where two people can accept and welcome the impulses that society prohibits is a nice change.…

I start fascinated and confused by a glimpse into the everyday lives of a family in Taipei. I can’t really follow all of the characters and relationships, but my attention is locked in anyway. Eventually I realize the movie is very skillfully building a story that is meaningful and as real as if I had…

I’m surprised how much I liked this telling of the snaring of infamous spy Robert Hansen. I don’t know how well the real story is represented, but it’s been worked into a very suspenseful story with some commentary on government culture that I can relate to somewhat. Certified Fresh

I love John Waters’ humor, and this star-studded, high-gloss production based on his 1988 movie is a fun ride with great performances all around. As it happens I haven’t seen the original hairspray yet, and I’m now inspired to put it on the queue.

I haven’t enjoyed a big fiction read like this in a long time. The dictator of the African nation of Aburiria seems to be a composite of his peers in the real world, Mobutu being the most recognizable to me. It’s a social and political tale that is chock full of strange metaphors and blatant…