Hollywood enlists again
Although the new movie Tears of the Sun describes a fictional incident, its plot resembles some actual events from recent history closely enough to exhibit a certain degree of contemporary relevance. Like Behind Enemy Lines and Black Hawk Down, it deals with a small, discrete military engagement within the context of a larger series of…
Snuffing and huffing
Snuffing and huffing Rocket contemplates his ticket out of the ‘hood in “City of God.” People familiar with the work of Brazilian filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, who crafted the offbeat comedy Maids, might be floored by his latest big-screen effort. City of God is every bit as violent as Narc, just as gritty as Amores Perros,…
Aftermathematics
Certainly, one of the terrorists’ motivations in planning the attacks of 9/11 was to cripple our economy. In addition to destroying its most prominent symbol, and all the people inside it, they hoped to deal a crushing blow to our finances as a nation. According to no less an authority than New York Governor…
News briefs 3.12.03
Honeoye Land revisited Recently, we reported a story first floated by the Honeoye Herald: how the Finger Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America plans to sell 165 acres of land located just south of Honeoye Lake. The land was an unrestricted donation to the Council by the late Emil Muller, whose once extensive…
Sacred architecture: The church’s one foundation, or two
Talk about retro. When you read the religious tracts about planned renovations at Sacred Heart Cathedral — the Bishop of Rochester’s home church on Flower City Park — you have to wrap your tongue around some Latin. Like domus Dei and domus ecclesia, seemingly esoteric phrases that define the debate over Sacred Heart.…
Facing the crisis
In the midst of preparations for war, with budget crises looming in Albany, in Monroe County, in City Hall, it’s easy to overlook one of the biggest crises of all: the waste of minds that is taking place in the Rochester school district. We’ve heard about that crisis so often that we’re bored with…
Reader Feedback 3.12.03
Schools and money, the war, mail talk back
When art speaks louder than words
It’s hard to write about art that is just beautiful. Or perhaps I should say, mostly beautiful. The artists whose work is on show at the Visual Studies Workshop are variously able to elaborate on spiritual dimensions… philosophical connections… historical underpinnings. But I find most of it unnecessary. For me, the value of their work…
Cabinet of curiosities
The note is no more than three inches high and six inches wide. The handwriting has faded, but the object’s significance is palpable. My Dear Mrs. Post: Please shelter this sister from the house of bondage till five o’clock — this afternoon — she will then be sent on to the land of…
Carol, you fool
Someone contacted the office a few months ago to tell us that Carroll’s, an Irish bar and restaurant on East Main Street across from East High, has the only jukebox in town stocked with Shane MacGowan CDs. This sounded like a dubious claim, but one worth looking into. Had MacGowan, a notorious sot,…
