I don’t casually give standing ovations. Generally, I remain perfectly content to clap from my seat, even if I thoroughly enjoyed the just completed work. However, upon the final blackout of The Whale, I leapt to my feet to acknowledge the brilliant and award-worthy performance of Shuler Hensley, and to an even greater degree, theContinue reading “The Whale: Theater at its best as Playwrights Horizons does it again”
Author Archives: AaronOOF
Wild With Happy: More wild, less happy, looking for the proper balance
Oh, how I would love to be happy all the time! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? For that very experience, vacationers spend thousands of dollars to visit the happiest place on Earth, Disney World. In so many ways, they leave the real world to enter an entirely different one, filled with multiple resorts, attractions, countries, mallsContinue reading “Wild With Happy: More wild, less happy, looking for the proper balance”
Sunday Soapbox: My “fantasy” of how the Dems could sweep this election – a call to relinquishing leadership
In just two days, we will vote to elect a new president. But as I look forward at the next four years, it seems obvious that regardless of who wins the White House, true and new leadership is required even more in both houses of Congress. I have what I’m sure many would consider aContinue reading “Sunday Soapbox: My “fantasy” of how the Dems could sweep this election – a call to relinquishing leadership”
The Ninth Annual Birthday Post: Another first (on my third Jack Benny Birthday)
If a blog sits dormant, seemingly abandoned, without a new post, is it still a blog? I’ve had a few big firsts since I last officially visited this space one year ago today. I’ve had several drive-bys here, but until now, have not stopped and left anything behind. Maybe not as important as some ofContinue reading “The Ninth Annual Birthday Post: Another first (on my third Jack Benny Birthday)”
The Eighth Annual Birthday Post: I’m turning 4! (My second Jack Benny Birthday!)
I have never been one to celebrate my birthday, at least not since my teens. I don’t precisely remember when I stopped regularly having birthday parties, but I do remember my last one: I had a party when I turned 30, precisely 10 years ago today; 10 days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. IContinue reading “The Eighth Annual Birthday Post: I’m turning 4! (My second Jack Benny Birthday!)”
Happy Oscar: Quick pre-show predix
Shockingly, I meant to write in greater detail leading up to the Oscars tonight, but instead, all I have to set my picks in stone is the ballot I submitted to indieWIRE. I didn’t do too well with the Spirits last night, since I thought the IFP crowd would want to support Winter’s Bone more.Continue reading “Happy Oscar: Quick pre-show predix”
The new TV season: First Take — Lone Star
Kyle Killen, the creator of the new Fox series Lone Star, wrote an open letter beseeching the greater American television audience to watch his show. Why would a writer need to do such a thing? Well, in case you haven’t heard, Lone Star debuted to terrible numbers: In today’s television landscape, a 1.3 rating equatingContinue reading “The new TV season: First Take — Lone Star“
The 48th New York Film Festival arrives in magnificently Social fashion
When I decided to return to this blog and make a serious effort to regularly and consistently post primarily reviews and commentary about film, television and theater, I also told myself I would approach this endeavor with a new writing process. Too often during the original Out of Focus days, quantity and speed took precedenceContinue reading “The 48th New York Film Festival arrives in magnificently Social fashion”
The new TV season: First Take — Outlaw
Earlier today, fans of NBC the world over rejoiced at the news that NBCU topper Jeff Zucker has finally stopped failing upwards. I’m sure he shall live comfortably for the rest of his years, and he will soon run some other sort of media company, but at least he will no longer be able toContinue reading “The new TV season: First Take — Outlaw“
The seventh annual birthday post (and my first Jack Benny Birthday!): Happy World Peace Day!
Over the past six-and-a-half years, I have filled this space with plenty of thoughts, rants and ramblings, and over those same six-and-a-half years, I have also allowed this corner of the interwebs to sit dormant for extended periods of time. However, I’ve remained (somewhat ironically) consistent with one feature: I have never missed a birthdayContinue reading “The seventh annual birthday post (and my first Jack Benny Birthday!): Happy World Peace Day!”
Out of Focus 