Pandemic

Humble beginnings Imperceptible tremors Slowly shaping Shifting *** First it captured their sight Then it took over their hands They sat for longer Unable to stand *** Mutated strains adapted Found in small pockets Over time Taking over the mind *** Disconnection from reality Inability to recognize loved ones Overflowing anxiety, panic attacks Low self-esteem,... Continue Reading →

Arrested Development (2006-2018)

Have you ever watched a show that gets funnier with time? This is one of those shows. The personal stories and the narratives are so well written that I can notice new subtleties with every re-watch. This show is witty, however, I think that season 4 was a bit of a stretch that recovers some... Continue Reading →

Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2005)

This is another one of those shows that gets funnier with time. I first came across the series when I was single, but I must say that I was able to better appreciate the subtleties after having kids. Every character in the show is cast so well that you would have no doubt that they... Continue Reading →

The Struts

The Struts are an English rock band from Derby, Derbyshire, England. The band consists of vocalist Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliot, and drummer Gethin Davies. Formed in 2012, the original lineup was composed of Spiller, Slack, bassist Jamie Binns and drummer Rafe Thomas. The band's influences include Queen, the Darkness, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, the Killers, the Smiths, Oasis, the Libertines, Michael Jackson, the Strokes,... Continue Reading →

Focus (2015)

The story follows Nicky (Will Smith) a veteran thief who meets a grifter, Jess (Margot Robbie). This is a very clever fun comedy packed with action and unexpected twists. They meet in a hotel bar while she is playing a damsel in distress asking to be rescued from a date that has gone sour. After... Continue Reading →

Russian Doll- (2019)

Feeling stuck? Then this show is definitely for you! This is the child of Natasha Lyonne's imagination who wrote the script and also stars in the series. I absolutely loved her performance, she depicts a confident, tough cookie really well. The plot centers around Nadia, who seems like a typical New Yorker, working as a... Continue Reading →

Bulshit Jobs: a theory (D. Graeber)

"Your job is more like a boss' unzipped fly that everyone can see but also knows better than to mention." This is a good read for those looking to demystify the emotional realities of the post industrial labor market while doing so with some humor. Graeber compares wage labor to slavery and an alternative form of sadomasochism that has been widely accepted in our societies. If you feel like you don't know what the heck you are supposed to do in your job and live with constant fear that they will realize that there is no reason for it to exist, you are not alone. Click on the title to read the full review.

Brad Mehldau

He made his first debut as a jazz musician in 1991. Mehldau was one of the original member of the Joshua Redman Quartet who last played together in 1994. They recently reunited to release their new album RoundAgain. His album Largo is probably one of the best modern Jazz compositions I have heard. Below is... Continue Reading →

Lalo Schifrin

I bet $100 dollars you did not know that some of the 1970's classic movies theme scores from internationally famous films was composed by an Argentinian. Three of his most widely known tunes are the classic 1970's Jaws, James Bond and Mission Impossible theme songs. He is famous for being able to blend the sound of the big orchestra with that of improvisational jazz. Every song is carefully crafted to transport the listener through time and space. He can tell a story by solely using a melody. Click on the title to read the full review and see my top picks.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

This latin band features a mix of ska, jazz, folk, reggae and funk all wrapped up on a big band sound. It is very easy to find yourself dancing even to their saddest songs. Vicentico and Flavio (who wrote most of the songs) were born in the mid 60's at the beginning of a very politically violent period in Argentina. This experience certainly left a mark on the band members who often write about their experiences and stories they witnessed during this process. Click on the title to read the full review.

The Lobster (2019)

This film employs a dystopian setting to depict the reality of the binary world that we live in and the poor mating choices that people make based on fear. This is a very dark comedy that treads lightly on the edge of tragedy. The major take away of this movie is that unlike we have been told, love is not blind. Click on the title to read the full review.

The Hives

The Hives is a Swedish rock band that rose to prominence in the early 2000's. Their music has a very hard core British garage rock revival sound. To me they sound like a blend of Queens of the Stone Age, the Rolling Stones and a little bit of 80's techno rock. The lead singer's look on the cover of their Tyrannosaurus Hives album reminds me of Alex McDowell's character in Clockwork Orange (1962). Click on the title to read the full review and see my top picks.

Misbehaving (Richard H. Thaler)

This book is an excellent read for anyone desiring to become smarter about money and decision making in general. It is also a must read for social scientists, especially those interested in formulating effective public policy. Click on the title to read the full review.

Everybody Lies (Stephens- Davidowitz)

This book uses a powerful digital truth serum to extract some insights about human nature and the reasons why we lie. Click on the title to read the full review.

The Danish Girl (2015)

In my view this is a true love story, of a love so great that was able to evolve with the individuals as they grew into their true selves. This is a tale of a love that transcends genders, relationship labels and it lasted a lifetime despite the constant pain and disappointment. Click on the title to read the full review.

V for Vendetta (2005)

Quarantine, curfews, economic turmoil and compliance with health laws. Does it sound familiar? "Imagine a virus so deadly and that only you have the cure, how much power can that afford you?". Meet V, a different kind of super hero! Click on the title to read the full review.

Inception (2010)

Inception is another masterpiece from Christopher Nolan and it is considered cinematography at its finest. This movie is so layered that it is hard to keep this review brief. The plot centers on dreams within dreams if that were possible. The imagery switches between time and setting using cinematography as a guiding point to keep the story together. Sit tight and prepare to feast your eyes and your imagination, this is going to be a wild ride. Click on the title to read the full article.

Clocks and Clouds

I have gotten into a state of nirvana while listening to these songs and solving mathematical equations. There is not much else to say other than they are amazing to listen to. Click on the title to read the full review and see my top picks.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

The story balances on a tight rope between mental illness and an amazing capacity for creativity, reminding us of the link between deep trauma and an active imagination. Perhaps this is why some of the greatest artists in history were also often tortured by demons. Click on the title to read the full article.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Although the book is considered literary nonsense, I think that Charles Dodgson conveys the very familiar feeling of disconcert that we all experience while going through different life stages. The book was written in 1865 but somehow managed to remain timeless when it comes to describing the struggle between societal pressures and a coming of age. Click on the title to read the full article.

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑

%d bloggers like this: