The promising first half of George Stevens’ Texan epic sets up a tiresome three-and-a-half-hour descent into mediocrity. Displaced northern bride Liz Taylor slowly fades from the center of the story, nouveau riche James Dean is woefully misused, children come and go, and Rock Hudson’s stubborn cattle rancher is granted an improbable redemption. Giant keeps pulling [...]
P.S.1
I use contemporary art like a day spa. In case I’m feeling out of sorts, a visit to Long Island City’s own art haven P.S.1 never fails to rejuvenate — it’s just slightly stranger than you expect, and I always leave in high spirits. This time around, there were endless video loops of cats tearing [...]
http://jurgenfauth.com/2007/12/17/ps1/
Cleopatra, Sith, Death Proof
Prompted by the grand finale of Rome, we took another look at Cleopatra, which is one of those movies I can rewatch every few years. Compare-and-contrast is a fun enough game, and Marcy, who was never entirely sure which of the HBO characters were fictional, was entertained by noting differences in motivation and plot. Every [...]
http://jurgenfauth.com/2007/04/10/cleopatra/
Rome, Season 2
It’s rare that a TV show ends before it has outstayed its welcome. Rome, which offered equal parts history, soap opera intrigue, gore, and soft porn, has run its course now, and the adventures of Vorenus and Pullo will be missed. The series covered the events of Joseph L. Mankiewicz’ Cleopatra — one half per [...]
http://jurgenfauth.com/2007/04/04/rome-season-2/







