Author Archives: AaronOOF

Have you ever seen Imitation of Life? It was a 1959 Douglas Sirk melodrama starring Lana Turner, Sandra Dee and Juanita Moore. It’s a really great movie, even if some of its dramatic moments seem a bit corny by modern standards. But Sirk was the master of the ’50s melodrama, and you may be slightlyContinue reading “WHY THE O.C. IS SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE BEAR (AND TEEN SOAP)”

I admit it: this is the one I’ve been waiting for. As I’ve expressed previously on this blog, I am a huge fan of Avenue Q. The only people more excited than I when the show won this past year’s big Tony awards were those who actually created and worked on the show. So I’mContinue reading “THE GOTHAMIST INTERVIEW – DEC. DAY 5: JEFF MARX & ROBERT LOPEZ”

Wow, my love letter to Brian De Palma seems to have attracted a few interesting comments that I feel elicit some response. Where to begin … First of all, Ed said that I shouldn’t judge De Palma on a moment. Just to be clear, my little story about him snubbing me has no impact onContinue reading “WALTZING DE PALMA: A COMMENT ON THE COMMENTS”

I was sick all day yesterday, which is why I was M.I.A. from posting other than about the interview. However, I had to take the chance to mention that the final week of Film Forum’s excellent “Essential Noir” series begins today and includes some of the best films ever called film noir. Today and tomorrowContinue reading “MUST-SEE NOIR: A TOUCH OF THE PAST“

When we were trying to determine how to create our now patented diverse lineup of Gothamist Interview subjects, Lily said to me, “What do you think of using a Getty photographer.” Meaning, a person who takes pictures for Getty Images, one of the largest photography companies in the world. I thought it was a greatContinue reading “THE GOTHAMIST INTERVIEW: DEC. DAY 4 – SCOTT GRIES”

So last night was the final culmination of a decade-plus desire of mine – to finally see the Pixies live. The four older people (they don’t look quite like this photo anymore — all the guys’ heads are shaved bald and Frank Black is more portly than ever) up on stage at Hammerstein still manageContinue reading “WE’RE OBVIOUSLY NOT WITH THE BAND”

Brian De Palma hates me. I’ve determined that is the only explanation for why he is slowly ripping out my heart and giving me an extreme migraine. I’m pretty sure I’ve alluded to this once or twice before (but I’m not going to go search for it), but James Ellroy’s The Black Dahlia is oneContinue reading “WHO KNEW BRIAN DE PALMA HATED BEING A ROLE MODEL SO MUCH HE’D MAKE IT PERSONAL”

Today is the final day of Hannukah (at least until sundown), and in honor of my tribemates, Lily (an honorary Jew) and I present a Gothamist Interview today with a true Heeb. But Nancy Schwartzman is much more than simply the creative director of the great “New Jew Review” Heeb Magazine (wait, what did youContinue reading “THE GOTHAMIST INTERVIEW: DEC. DAY 3 – NANCY SCHWARTZMAN”

So much to write, so little time. I hope to respond to George as well as address the Golden Globe noms and the fact that Sideways seems to be sweeping the critics awards (maybe even later today), but for now, I actually have something that you’ll likely find far more interesting than my ramblings. It’sContinue reading “THE GOTHAMIST INTERVIEW: DEC. DAY 2 – SHIN-PEI TSAY”

The next three days definitely include some major highlights for the continuing “Essential Noir” series at Film Forum. Today (for one day only) is a double-bill featuring one of the most iconic of all noir characters, Raymond Chandler’s great creation – private eye Philip Marlowe, and tomorrow and Thursday feature two films from the greatContinue reading “THE DARKNESS CONTINUES: THE NOIR OF MARLOWE AND LANG”