Friday, August 30, 2002


Paul Johnson on Marx
Michael I thought I'd share a little gem from Paul Johnson's incredibly useful and fun book, "Intellectuals" which takes a... posted by Friedrich at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Big Picture, Derbyshire Style
Friedrich -- A wonderful passage in John Derbyshire's column in today's NRO, which can be read in full here. He's... posted by Michael at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Symmetry, Classicism and Eros Reredux
Michael There is no excellent beauty that has not some strangeness in the proportion. -- Francis Bacon Cheers, Friedrich... posted by Friedrich at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Wrong Field Redux
Michael I recall having the same general feeling the first time I walked across the UCLA campus in springtime, with... posted by Friedrich at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

I Went Into the Wrong Field
Friedrich -- Some men had the sense to become professional photographers of "art nudes," one example here. What was I... posted by Michael at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Colby Cosh
Michael I must earnestly recommend to anyone who has a brain and a sense of humor that they stop everything... posted by Friedrich at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Sigmund vs. Science
Friedrich -- A levelheaded science column by Sharon Begley in today's Wall Street Journal (not online) about the unconscious. Of... posted by Michael at August 30, 2002 | perma-link | (2) comments

Thursday, August 29, 2002


Free Reads -- Dorment on Puvis
Friedrich -- Puvis de Chavannes made two paintings of John the Baptist being beheaded. Richard Dorment in the Telegraph compares... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Symmetry, Classicism and Eros Redux
Michael Is it possible that you go for the more mature female? In 1971, when Susan George was in "Straw... posted by Friedrich at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Tales of Sociobiology
Michael Two short tales of the left’s reactions to sociobiology. The first is set during my least-favorite decade, both personally... posted by Friedrich at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Oakeshott for a Day
Friedrich -- Another sample of Michael Oakeshott. If I were a bigger fan, I'd have to walk around wearing an... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Symmetry, Classicism and Eros
Friedrich -- I've read, as who hasn't, news reports over the last few years about how evolutionary theorists have been... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Andrea del Sarto Reredux
Friedrich -- I've been leafing through my del Sarto book thanks to your urging. Classy! And classic. Fascinating how his... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Paul Johnson Reredux
Michael You're quite right about the institutional similarities between the medieval monastic movement and Ivy League colleges. Irish Monks Modestly... posted by Friedrich at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Underclass? What Underclass?
Friedrich -- New, and apparently unpartisan, research shows that very few Brits remain in poverty for their whole lives. In... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Deadbeat Moms
Friedrich -- Research shows that women who lose custody of their kids in a divorce are even less likely than... posted by Michael at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (4) comments

Paul Johnson Redux
Friedrich -- Paul Johnson's discussion of the roles monasteries and monks played in the medieval world has got me thinking... posted by Friedrich at August 29, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Wednesday, August 28, 2002


Adorno
Michael I was leafing through the book review section of the L.A. Times last Sunday when I stumbled across “Thinking... posted by Friedrich at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (4) comments

Stereotypes Redux
Friedrich -- In the last couple of weeks, here's some of what I've witnessed: *At my high-school reunion in Western... posted by Michael at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Cynic's Sanctuary
Friedrich -- This site, Rick Bayan's "The Cynic's Sanctuary," is a well-done charmer, here. A Cynic's Hall of Fame, a... posted by Michael at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Paul Johnson
Friedrich -- What are you reading these days? I'm going through Paul Johnson's "History of Christianity." We're up to the... posted by Michael at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Policy Break -- 9/11 Power Grabs
Dear Michael, As I'm sure you've noticed, the disaster of 9-11 has been repeatedly cited by left-wing editorial page writers... posted by Friedrich at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Times Arts Frownlines 4
Friedrich -- The Times shows its usual lighthearted, companionable touch with arts coverage today. The two headlines on the front... posted by Michael at August 28, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Tuesday, August 27, 2002


Scruton for a Day
Friedrich -- From an interview with my favorite prissy-and-stuffy, contemporary-Right philosopher, Roger Scruton: Our appreciation and understanding of works of... posted by Michael at August 27, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Still Life
Michael While I am crazy about Chardin and other French still life painters, I have also come to adore wild-and-crazy... posted by Friedrich at August 27, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

If I Were an Editor 1
Friedrich -- If I were editing a mainstream news publication, I'd be running lots of coverage of immigration topics right... posted by Michael at August 27, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Rivette Redux
Michael Your Rivette posting got me remembering a hilarious article written by Phillip Pearlstein in "Art in America." Pearlstein had... posted by Friedrich at August 27, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Dutton, Kalb
Friedrich -- An ear-and-mind-opening discussion of the pianist Glenn Gould by the editor of Arts and Letters Daily, Denis Dutton,... posted by Michael at August 27, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Monday, August 26, 2002


Movies -- Rivette
Friedrich – Have you seen many of Jacques Rivette's movies? I haven’t – he’s one of the bigger gaps in... posted by Michael at August 26, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

War on PBS
Friedrich -- Do you watch PBS? I haven't much in years. "Mystery" series, evenings at the Pops, fundraisers, "Three Tenors"-style... posted by Michael at August 26, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Policy Break -- Legal System
Michael I think it's time for all well-intentioned people to declare war on the U.S. legal system. It is a... posted by Friedrich at August 26, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Saturday, August 24, 2002


Carbuncle Awards
Friedrich -- The Carbuncle Awards are given in Scotland to the country's ugliest buildings and towns, with the winner receiving... posted by Michael at August 24, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Why Do I Care?
Michael I ask myself, why do I care about the state of high-falutin' oil painting ("HFOP") anyway? I think because... posted by Friedrich at August 24, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Auster, Video Clerk
Friedrich -- Lawrence Auster speculates, with much rigor, about why it might be that you don't hear Western liberals complaining... posted by Michael at August 24, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Leni Riefenstahl
Friedrich -- A giant who's still with us Leni Riefenstahl turned 100 on August 22nd. Amazing to think that she's... posted by Michael at August 24, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Weekend's Worth of Oakeshott
Friedrich -- Philosopher/poet of politics Some passages from my favorite political philosopher (and namesake), Michael Oakeshott: I regard as an... posted by Michael at August 24, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Friday, August 23, 2002


Free Reads -- Nora Vincent
Friedrich -- Have you ever run across Norah Vincent's columns? She's feisty and brainy -- a tough-minded, rightish-leaning lesbian contrarian,... posted by Michael at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Ashley Redux
Michael I'm happy you also dig Ashley Judd. I'm quite a fan myself. Although I've liked her in several films,... posted by Friedrich at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

"Good Girl" Rerereredux
Michael I actually had mixed feelings about "The Good Girl." It was quite funny in parts, but I basically disliked... posted by Friedrich at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Tivo Redux
Michael We like our Tivo. My wife is the TV watcher in the family, and she loves it. It has... posted by Friedrich at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Andrea del Sarto Redux
Friedrich -- Thanks for the thoughts about del Sarto. I've got a book about him on my shelf that I've... posted by Michael at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

"Good Girl" Re-redux
Friedrich -- Very curious about your observations about "The Good Girl." Mostly on the (perhaps dumb) level of: do they... posted by Michael at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

View from the Right
Friedrich -- I just had lunch with the first person I've met thanks to being fellow bloggers -- Jim Kalb,... posted by Michael at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Andrea del Sarto
Michael I was first attracted many years ago to Andrea by his red-chalk drawings, which are very rich and sensuous,... posted by Friedrich at August 23, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Thursday, August 22, 2002


Altman -- Great Zen Baloney
Friedrich -- I suppose I should have outgrown my idolatry of Robert Altman by now, but I haven't. I re-watched... posted by Michael at August 22, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Academic Art Redux
Michael An interesting rant. While over the top (I simply cannot get as excited about Bougereau and Gerome as he... posted by Michael at August 22, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Academic Art
Friedrich -- You might get a kick out of this piece, here. Blasts modern art, praises 19th-century academic art. And... posted by Michael at August 22, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Fantasy vacation
Friedrich -- Take an architectural drawing tour of Italy, info about it here. Ah, for a little money and time.... posted by Michael at August 22, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Times Arts Frownlines 3
Friedrich -- The arts, ever under siege -- at least according to the New York Times's "Arts" section. Two of... posted by Michael at August 22, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Wednesday, August 21, 2002


Gris Design
Michael I may go out and buy a book on Juan Gris that I've been eyeing--not that we have to... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Cineweblistmania
Friedrich -- Sight and Sound has done their once-a-decade, "Which are the greatest movies of all time?" poll of critics... posted by Michael at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Howard Hodgkin
Friedrich -- Are you a Hodgkin fan? I am, although I know that in edgier eyes that makes me a... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Steyn, Sailer
Friedrich -- A few more good columns today. Mark Steyn on some of the more shocking ways Muslim immigrants are... posted by Michael at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

"Good Girl" redux
Michael I checked out "The Good Girl" on Saturday night, which reminded me of a relationship I once had. (I... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Elvis meets Rubens
Michael I've been listening to a good deal of Elvis recently, and have become obsessed with a strange issue that... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Dreyfus Lauds Heston
Friedrich -- Amazingly insightful, sympathetic appreciation of Charlton Heston (immortal as Moses, above) by, of all people, Richard Dreyfus, here.... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Walter Williams
Friedrich -- Walter Williams has a punchy, "get outta my face, government" column today. I don't know that I've ever... posted by Michael at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Eat this
Michael From a review by Joan Acocella of Felipe Fernandez-Armesto's Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food: But Fernandez-Armesto... posted by Friedrich at August 21, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Tuesday, August 20, 2002


Jack and Diane Rereredux
Michael I'm glad you got a kick out of "Hoosiers." I think Hackman's performance in that is as good as... posted by Friedrich at August 20, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Jack and Diane Reredux
Friedrich -- Coach Hackman I caught up with "Hoosiers'" on your recommendation and enjoyed it a lot, many thanks. It... posted by Michael at August 20, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Horror and Catholics Redux
Michael As for me and horror, I'm not quite sure what to say. If it gets to me, it affects... posted by Michael at August 20, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Horror and Catholics
Friedrich -- I'm surprised to learn that you and horror don't mix well. I was under the impression that all... posted by Michael at August 20, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Carla Gugino
Friedrich -- Glad to hear "Spy Kids 2" is enjoyable. I thought the first "Spy Kids" movie was pretty much... posted by Michael at August 20, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Saturday, August 17, 2002


Voice of sanity
Michael From a review of "Mirroring Evil: Nazi Imagery/Recent Art" at the Jewish Museum: In the end, this show isn't... posted by Friedrich at August 17, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Theory of Amazon 1
Friedrich -- Do you use Amazon.com much? I do as a shopper, and also as surfer -- I can get... posted by Michael at August 17, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Times passes, art changes
Friedrich -- I just killed a little time reading a magazine cover story (by Joe Morgenstern) from 1970 about Barbra... posted by Michael at August 17, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Friday, August 16, 2002


Movies, Painting
Michael Why are movies so darn variable in quality/vibe? I mean, Raphael paintings are better and worse, but they're all... posted by Friedrich at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Free Reads -- Coulter
Friedrich -- A long q&a with Ann Coulter here. And another one here. Her own site is here. Best, Michael... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Free Reads -- Paglia
Friedrich -- Andrew Sullivan interviews Camille Paglia here. Yet more Camille here. And more. Are you a fan? I am.... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Kubrick Rererereredux
Michael Thanks for sending along the Kubrick documentary, which I've watched about half of at this point. Most of the... posted by Friedrich at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Policy Break -- "Liberal", phooey
Friedrich -- I've been waging a (pathetically trivial, admittedly) campaign for a couple of years, refusing to call Democrats and... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Blogging, Movie Update
Michael The job is coming along. Astonishingly, several of my initiatives from earlier in the year seem to be paying... posted by Friedrich at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Art and Religion
Michael It does seem that the rise of "intellectually respectable" American Art eerily parallels the dominance of psychoanalysis (and, of... posted by Friedrich at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Miseducations
Friedrich -- So true. My additional gripe about Ivy educations is that, these days at least, they seem to be... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Leon Krier Redux
Michael Great stuff. Why do you think we never heard about guys like this while we were at our Lousy... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Leon Krier
Friedrich -- Have you run across Leon Krier? An architect and town planner, and (roughly speaking) the intellectual godfather behind... posted by Michael at August 16, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments

Thursday, August 15, 2002


Movies -- Lucia, Delirious, Good Girl
Friedrich -- I confess that I'm not a tax or Social Security wonk, but would be curious to know what... posted by Michael at August 15, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Policy Break -- Tax Takedown
Michael -- In which I take on a letter writer to the Wall Street Journal. [Letter to Wall Street Journal... posted by Friedrich at August 15, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Policy Break -- Social Security forever
Michael -- In which I tear apart... "Social Security (as We Know It) Is Here to Stay" By Martin Mayer... posted by Friedrich at August 15, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Times Arts Frownlines 2
Friedrich -- The NYTimes Arts section today goes four-for-four -- all, repeat all, of the headlines on the front page... posted by Michael at August 15, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Wednesday, August 14, 2002


Waking Dream of Monsters Redux
Michael -- The 1930s "Wolf Man"? No, I haven't seen it. I haven't seen the Bela Lugosi "Dracula" either, or... posted by Friedrich at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Waking Dream of Monsters
Friedrich -- I caught up with "The Wolf Man" last night, which I'd never seen. Do you know it? It... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Times Arts Frownlines I
Friedrich -- One of the few reasons I still look at the NYTimes is because I'm so fond of the... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Jack and Diane redux
Michael Very glad to hear about the cancer-test results. My vacation was probably the best I've taken in years. I... posted by Friedrich at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Jack and Diane
Friedrich -- By the way, how was your vacation? Mine was great: Good cancer-test results out in St. Louis (PSA's... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Fleshy Old Lucian re-re-redux
Michael -- Haven't seen much Auerbach, but the little I have seen makes me curious to see more. I didn't... posted by Friedrich at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Fleshy Old Lucian re-redux
Friedrich Very impressed by Lucian, though more so now that you've pointed out what fascinates you about him. But never... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Fleshy old Lucian redux
Michael Interesting article. What do you think of old Lucian? I had an art teacher who didn't like him, claiming... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Fleshy old Lucian
Friedrich -- Hey, a not-bad Observer article about Lucian Freud, here. Best, Michael... posted by Michael at August 14, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Monday, August 12, 2002


The Uses of Reality
Friedrich -- Journalism vs. fantasy? I suppose that I view "the journalistic" as one element a given work of art... posted by Michael at August 12, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Wednesday, August 7, 2002


Kubrick Rerereredux
Michael -- I rented "Eyes Wide Shut" and hit the eject button about 20 minutes into it. What a snore.... posted by Friedrich at August 7, 2002 | perma-link | (2) comments

Monday, August 5, 2002


Kubrick re-re-redux
Friedrich -- Sherman? I dimly recall from the two books I ever read about the Civil War (a kiddie picture... posted by Michael at August 5, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Thursday, August 1, 2002


Business, Sherman, Thurber
Michael -- To the naked eye, it would seem that we're being very successful and making lots of money. I... posted by Friedrich at August 1, 2002 | perma-link | (0) comments

Mexisex redux
Friedrich -- I enjoyed "Y tu Mama," didn't love it, certainly not as much as many of my movie-critic friends,... posted by Michael at August 1, 2002 | perma-link | (1) comments