Steep (2007)

For the week of Friday, August 15, 2008
CATEGORY: Movies

My thirteen-year-old son put this movie on Netflix and I was glad he did. Steep is an amazing documentary film about extreme skiing. There is great footage of the American West and Alaska, the French Alps and other spots. The interviews, in the style of Ken Burns, are quite good and candid, without looking scripted. I particularly like the story of Bill Briggs, who climbed in 1971 to the top of Grand Teton in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and skied down. There is a good look at the Europeans who later did the same thing down the French Alps in Chamonix. There is also the surreal story of Doug Coombs, interviewed throughout, who skied Alaska with such incredible speed and daring. It may be August, but this movie is for any time of year.

Under the Same Moon (2007)

For the week of Sunday, August 03, 2008
CATEGORY: Movies

Last year at the Sundance Film Festival Under the Same Moon was the second best selling movie and at its premier it got a standing ovation. While there are some technical issues that seem a bit unbelievable, including the stupidity of the border patrols and INS raids, Under the Same Moon shines in its amazing casting, cinematography, drama and storytelling. I was surprised that it is not in more mainstream theaters. I highly recommend this movie.
Buy at Amazon

38:24 Life of the Cowboys

For the week of Friday, May 30, 2008
CATEGORY: Miscellaneous

A great radio show bit from Garrison Keillor
Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman. It is a ten minute ramble as leading political personalities, save for Barack Obama, show up in the same hot springs. A great script and voices that are simply amazing. Hear the best part with the player below - starring John McCann, Hillary Clinton and Bill, and other notable soakers.



http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2008/04/26/

Black Guy Asks Nation For Change

For the week of Tuesday, May 06, 2008
CATEGORY: Miscellaneous

Fortunately, near where I work is a newsstand. There, if I am lucky and there are any left, I can pick up "The Onion." One always needs comic relief in this day of "blow with the wind" marketing and politics. I think if I hear the word "green" associated with another product or marketing campaign, I am going to simply throw up. So when I read the headline "Black Guy Asks Nation For Change" I knew I was in for a good short read. Now if all the rural voters, who seem to flock to the comforting white candidates could read this and simply confront their own insecurities about a "Black Guy" as president, it may actually happen. Black Guy Asks Nation For Change. I, for one, answer "yes."

see: http://www.theonion.com/content/news/black_guy_asks_nation_for_change

Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder

For the week of Friday, April 11, 2008
CATEGORY: Music

Here is an amazing video of Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder playing harmonica together. This is a truly magical performance that few have seen. Enjoy!