Looking Elsewhere Twin Peaks, Citizen Kane, David Foster Wallace, Bono, Sean Bean, and David Brooks Hello, class! I'm Joe Allen, your new substitute teacher, so to speak. You know how Dr. Evil had his "Mini-Me"? For a while, I'm going to be Overstreet's Mini-Me. I'm a new Looking Closer intern, shouting out the news from
On Movies & Media David Brooks on The Social Network David Brooks reviewed The Social Network, and I like his take on it. I especially like this: Many critics have compared this picture to “Citizen Kane.” But I was reminded of the famous last scene in “The Searchers,” in which the John Wayne character is unable to join the social
On Movies & Media David Brooks on Avatar David Brooks in The New York Times turns his attention from America's occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan to humanity's occupation of Pandora: Still, would it be totally annoying to point out that the whole White Messiah fable, especially as Cameron applies it, is kind of offensive?
On Movies & Media The Browser, 6/9: Nicolosi likes "Sex and the City"; Neil Jordan's "Ondine"; Brooks on leadership The Browser: News & links to raise your eyebrows & furrow your brow. * "Sexcess" Let's give her credit... it's a clever post title. (I was rather proud of mine too: "Sex and the CT.") Moviegoing superdelegate Barbara Nicolosi casts her vote in
Will Ferrell The Browser, 5/14: Brooks on "Neural Buddhism"; Fraggles; Scarlett Johansson; Why I'll Miss Dubya Brooks on a new challenge for those who believe in a "personal God" David Brooks talks about why believers' debates with Richard Dawkins are "just a sideshow," and that the real revolution is something like "neural Buddhism." * Fraggle Rock is here to stay
Film Awards Specials: David Brooks on "Munich." Plus, NY Online Critics' Awards, LA Critics' awards. Sunday's specials: David Brooks reviews Munich! In Spielberg's Middle East the only way to achieve peace is by renouncing violence. But in the real Middle East the only way to achieve peace is through military victory over the fanatics, accompanied by compromise between the reasonable elements
On Books & Writing More from David Brooks in Africa Another stirring testimony from Brooks' Africa venture. This week in Africa, I've been impressed by the level of medical expertise and depressed by the lack of moral, sociological, psychological and cultural expertise. The most subtle analysis of human nature I heard came in that church made of
On Books & Writing Brooks on Africa David Brooks finds his perspective on the African crisis changing. "I came here expecting despair, but now realize that we should be redoubling our efforts out of a sense of opportunity." Personally, I've been thrilled by the headlines this week about new aid for Africa. This
On Books & Writing David Brooks on Bono, Rick Warren, Chuck Colson, Evangelicals, the "Culture War," and the War on Poverty David Brooks hits a home run. Here's an excerpt: And when I look at the evangelical community, I see a community in the midst of a transformation - branching out beyond the traditional issues of abortion and gay marriage, and getting more involved in programs to help the
On Books & Writing Off-topic: Who is John Stott? (Hint: He's bigger than Falwell.) David Brooks shows once again why he's one of the most level-headed and important political writers in the country. Read this column, and keep in mind, this isn't a Christian defending the church. This is someone else who has taken the time to listen and to
