Money and Family in Russia

Elena begins with such a long, slowly shifting shot that the image — a bare tree branch, a black bird, an apartment balcony — becomes ominous. The branch blurs into the apartment, which comes into focus as a large, sterile, tasteful place, spacious and passionless, and clearly expensive. Continue reading 

Here’s Danny!

Stephen King announced on his website today that the sequel to The Shining will be released Sept. 24, 2013. King will bring the child character, Danny Torrence (the Esp-gifted/cursed kid who bikes around the Overlook Hotel), back to life in Doctor Sleep, as a middle-aged hospice employee who finds his supernatural powers still come in handy. Here's to 36 years in the making! Continue reading 

Snoozing Through Life

Mike Birbiglia’s life story is determined to come to you in all forms. In 2010, the comedian’s book Sleepwalk with Me and Other Painfully True Stories — a series of stories, half painful and half funny, about the comedian’s life, career and bouts with sleepwalking — was released. Continue reading 

Heroes and Villains

In 2006, director John Hillcoat blew my mind. I went into The Proposition knowing only that it was set in Australia and starred a lot of actors I admire; I came out half shellshocked and entirely awed. Bloody, ugly, intense, beautifully and intelligently made, The Proposition was a movie that wrestled with morality; put tough, deeply flawed characters front and center; and didn’t shy away from truly awful violence. Continue reading 

Funky Oregonisms

Volifonix wins Next Big Thing 2012

It was a battle of opposites at Eugene Weekly’s Next Big Thing finals this year. First up: Paul Quillen — his brooding, acoustic ballads turned Celebration-goer heads who were otherwise occupied on a perfect late-summer Saturday in Eugene with Cart De Frisco and Ninkasi. It ain’t easy filling up an outdoor stage with just voice and guitar, and Quillen had us all holding our breath, listening intently. A relative newcomer to Eugene, Quillen is perfect for the area’s small, intimate venues. Welcome to town, Paul. Continue reading