too many movie reviews to keep track of

My reviews of ...

... Casino Royale

... For Your Consideration

... The Departed

... Babel

... Happy Feet

... Candy

... Flags of Our Fathers

... Iraq in Fragments

... The Last King of Scotland

... Sweet Land

... are all in this week's Consumables.

i don't make my jukebox selections for the recognition

One of the best places for consistently good music commentary is The Onion, that beacon of cultural satire. I must admit that I had taken The Onion for granted of late -- I don't check the site as frequently as I did, say, five years ago. But I came across this article and remembered how dead-on the fictional newspaper's writers can be. "I Don't Make My Jukebox Selections For The Recognition" is an "opinion piece" written by a very self-satisfied music fan who "considers jukeboxing an art, and not a cheap plea for notoriety." The piece nicely mocks all us music "experts" who love to find any opportunity -- any at all -- to show off the breadth of our, ahem, knowledge.

david thomson on will ferrell

David Thomson's Biographical Dictionary of Film is a reference book I check as frequently as I do my dictionary -- it's a constant companion. Unfortunately, we have to wait years between editions of his book. Thankfully, he's starting to update it an actor or director at a time over at The Guardian. His most recent entry is on Will Ferrell, and it's easily the smartest look at the comedic actor I've read. (I tried myself a few years back.)

penelope cruz vs. borat

I'm sure it's a fight some twisted individuals would love to see. My reviews of Volver and Borat are part of my latest Consumables column.

joanna newsom's new album.

Five songs.

Fifty-six minutes.

Say hello to Ys.

Ugh.

cocaine cowboys

It may seem like a sleazy documentary about the drug wars that overtook Miami in the 1970s and '80s, but Cocaine Cowboys is also a darkly funny, smart perspective on a tumultuous time, told by the good guys and bad guys who saw it firsthand.

Whatever Happened to Moby?

After 1999's Play, he seemed like he was on his way to becoming a superstar. Didn't quite happen, huh? Still, with the release of his new best-of, Go, it's time to reassess.

the queen

The Stephen Frears movie is great, even if you don't care at all about the royal family. Also in Consumables, the Hold Steady and the Pogues make beautiful music (but not together).