A daring attempt at a problematic play
The first theatrical film of The Merchant of Venice, which took so long to arrive here it might well have been transported by gondola, reminds us of the difficulties accompanying the production of a volatile and controversial work in our time. Whatever its merits, over the span of centuries, and especially in an age that…
To have and have not
Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai obviously knows what it is to yearn. Be it a longing for someone or something, or even the wish to be free from such an unbearable desire, Wong’s films are infused with a melancholy ache that other filmmakers don’t convey nearly as well. And movies like that are my kryptonite.…
Talk about feelin’ good
Most drummers can trace back to when the beat first hit them and latched on. There are umpteen assorted tales of banged up pots and pans or cardboard boxes and fed-up parents and the undeniable urge to hit, to keep time. Eighty-one-year-old Eddie Israel is a jazz legend who has run with some of the…
Boot camp at the dojo
A mother sent us a letter introducing martial arts instructor Kamae McNeill, “on behalf of… parents and their children whose lives have been touched by Dr. Kamae.” With the letter was a binder full of written comments by parents whose kids had participated in McNeill’s free, four-day summer martial arts camp. And they all raved.…
Body count 3.2.05
The totals: 1,489 American soldiers, 173 Coalition soldiers, and approximately 16,123 to 18,395 Iraqi civilians have been killed in Iraq from the beginning of the war and occupation to February 27. American soldiers killed from Feb 23-27: Corporal Kevin M. Clarke, 21; Tinley Park, Illinois | Lance Corporal Trevor D. Aston, 32; Austin, Texas |…
Turning Main Street’s vital corner
When Renaissance Square is built — and more than half of the needed $230 million in funding is already lined up — it will have an immeasurable effect on Rochester’s downtown. For good or ill, the project will alter the character of downtown’s architecture. Both of the finalists for the design of Renaissance Square —…
Ready for the fight: the Dems’ new leader
Rick Dollinger takes over the Monroe Democratic Party at a tough time. It has the reputation of being both weak and fractious. Republicans control county government and nearly every suburban town. In the County Legislature, Republicans repeatedly ignore Democratic initiatives, sometimes even ignoring their requests for public documents. Republicans vastly outperform the Democrats in fundraising.…
Reader feedback 3.2.05
Social Security’s ‘crisis,’ Pittsford’s rural character
Family valued 3.2.05
‘The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington’ Theatre Young Kids Enjoy, or TYKEs, is our very own professional theatre for the very youngest audiences. Their premier season continues March 5, 6, 12, and 13 with The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington. My British sister-in-law brought the Paddington books (by Michael Bond) as well as…
Put me in the water
Water flows down the river. Jungle sounds in the background. Thunder. More water rolling over rocks. A man puts a painted canvas into the river. New Age music, more jungle sounds, and monkey chatter. The painting floats by, only to be pulled out, carefully wrung, and taken to a cave where it is smoothed out…
Breasts, guys, and videotape
The boys huddle in groups, slouching in their hooded sweatshirts and Carhartt jackets, hands jammed into their jeans pockets. When pressed they’ll admit why they came out this snowy Saturday night. “I’m here to see tits,” Frank from Dansville says when I sit next to him at the bar at Water Street Music Hall. He…
Life on the sidelines
George Beahon wrote more than 5,200 sports columns during nearly a 50-year career for Rochester’s Gannett papers. Author Curt Gerling, in his 1957 book Smugtown, U.S.A., called Beahon “the poor man’s Red Smith.” Smith worked for the New York Herald Tribune and later the New York Times. Many people — even the 84-year-old Beahon —…
