Now go party hard like these two. Just three more years with Bush!

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

David Cross in the The Strokes' video "Juice Box"

This is better than MTV, though that's not saying much these days. DoCopenhagen has posted the top 50 indie music videos of 2005. Watch them all here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 01:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thank God 2005 was such a great year in music. 2004 was less than memorable, and we definitely needed some good music to ease the pain of the Bush reelection. This year we teamed up with our good friends at Catch.com, polling our enormous staffs to come up with a well-rounded list. Yes, we have enormous staffs. And no, we don't mean it that way. Thanks for stopping by this year. We'll be back next week after the war on Christmas is over. We're planning a preemptive war against New Years. They have aluminum tubes.

Hopefully in 2006 the trains will be running.

Thanks again to Kevin at Catch.com for collaborating. Check out his hilarious "'Twas the War Upon Christmas" when you're done reading.

20. The Boy Least Likely To
The Best Party Ever
[Too Young to Die]
We guess this is what we get for owning a Culture Club album at one point; liking the heck out of this way-too-quaint-and-daffy effort. We thought we were off the hook because we got Kissing to Be Clever by scamming Columbia House. Guess not. Has anyone seen our crayons? We want to make a drawing for each of these songs. And then rotate them on our refrigerators. We'll start with "Warm Panda Cola."

19. Lightning Bolt
Hypermagic Mountain
[Load]
Not quite as rocking or essential as last year's Wonderful Rainbow, but Hyper and Magic nonetheless. This CD validates "noise" rock by refusing to skimp on the riffs and melody. It totally redeemed all the other unlistenable stuff on the Load label. We would have preferred the title SpasticWiccan Mountain though.

18. Wu-Tang Clan & Various Artists
Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture
[Babygrande]
This experimental collision between Wu-Tang and several of hip hop's underground stars yields a stunning array of inventive samples underpinning a slew of quality tracks that cut right to the marrow. Your head will nod, yes it will. But you will not look dope. RZA is dope. You, not so dope.

17. Animal Collective
Feels
[Fat Cat]
Animal Collective just keep getting better. Sung Tongs made us feel like we'd done some unsettling mix of meth and painkillers. Listening to Feels, the buzz was consistent. We just felt stoned. Feels is beautiful in moments, but paranoia-inducing in others, like you want to unplug the phone and lock the door. Animal Collective's so-called "freak-folk" continues to amaze.

16. Stars
Set Yourself on Fire
[Arts & Crafts]
We always wanted Everything But the Girl to not suck. Stars seem to share our concerns. Set Yourself on Fire is filled from start to finish with some of the year's best melancholy pop tunes. "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" ranks among our favorite songs of the year. If we were giving an award for best string arrangement, "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" would win hands down. And while we're on the subject of best songs of the year, what the hell is up with Pitchfork selecting Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" as the number 4 song of 2005? Admitting to liking R. Kelly's is one thing. (We confess). But Kelly Fucking Clarkson?

15. Various Artists
Run the Road
[Vice]
A UK grime comp released by Vice Records. That's all we're going to say because once a Vice review led us to purchase a Detroit Cobras CD. For that reason, this review will end right about here. Fuck Vice.

14. Shining
In the Kingdom of Kitsch You Will Be a Monster
[Rune Grammofon]
Listening to this for the first time reminded us of the rush we got the first time Last Exit burrowed its way into our ear canals. The first track "Goretex Weather Report" tore our faces off, threw them on the ground, and then fucking laughed at them. These Norwegians take a whole slew of influences and pulverize them into a bunch of instrumentals that reveal new secrets every time you explore them. It's like the ultimate desert island disc because it regenerates itself over and over with each listen.

13. Bloc Party
Silent Alarm
[Vice]
Okay, Okay. People hyped the shit out of this record. But Silent Alarm was the rare exception to the rule where the hype was actually warranted. That said, it would have made a PERFECT five song EP, and could have been trimmed down. Nevertheless, the pure, unbridled suckiness of Andrew WK, should force indie music makers into a ten year sabbatical from anything to do with the word "party." Thank God Bloc Party isn't doing Coors commercials. [Kevin of Catch.com had to be wrestled into submission to include this record since "it sounds like U2." He also "got a little tingly" when we wrestled him into submission. We let him suckle our necks.]

12. M. Ward
Transistor Radio
[Merge]
M. Ward's greatest fault is that he tries to sneak up behind you and it can take him months to walk around and get in your mug, but when he finally does it's a slow build to something quite endearing. All of the grainy film and static tends to delay your appreciation for the complexity and originality of this recording, but it's worth spending a lot of time with. And lately we've been doing a lot of that, much to the dismay of our John Fahey and Bobby Charles recordings.

11. Devendra Banhart
Cripple Crow
[XL]
If Devendra continues to sound this good, we'll stop making fun of him for not wearing shoes onstage.

10. Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs
[Righteous Babe]
Very Rufus-Wainwrightian at times (yes, that's a word), but without the thick layers of drama and taffeta. Supposedly at one time he was trying to lead some kind of alt-swing movement, which was obviously one of the worst ideas ever. This is stuffed with so many great ideas, we don't how they managed to squeeze them
all onto the plastic.

9. Art Brut
Bang Bang Rock & Roll
[Fierce Panda]
We'll admit right off the back that this is an enormously stupid album. They should have named this Drool Drool Rock & Roll. Totally moronic. And fucking brilliant: "My little brother just discovered Rock & Roll/My little brother just discovered Rock & Roll/My little brother just discovered Rock & Roll/He's only 22 and he's out of control." If you love the Modern Lovers' debut as much as we do, well, you're a very smart person.

8. Okkervil River
Black Sheep Boy
[Jagjaguwar]
We weren't that impressed with Will Oldham's release this year, Superwolf. It had some nice moments but was pretty dull overall. Thankfully, Black Sheep Boy filled the void. It had the same folky, Americana vibe. One of 2005's nicest surprises. Edith Frost and Ox helped ease the pain too.




7. LCD Soundsystem
LCD Soundsystem
[DFA]
We've loved James Murphy since his early days with MoWax and U.N.K.L.E. The DFA icon is the sultan of electro-swing. Daft Punk should be doing more than playing at his house party. They should be letting him produce them.

6. M.I.A.
Arular
[XL]
Who knew we'd ever cherish a Sri Lankan rap record?

5. Bright Eyes
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
[Saddle Creek]
He's annoying. And he's not the next Bob Dylan. He told a crowd in Texas who'd paid to see him perform "I don't know if you know this, but I hate your fucking state. I'd put a fucking gun to my head before I'd live in your state... if you were a normal Texan, you'd probably be roping steers and raping Indians." If this record wasn't so wonderful, we'd have a hard time forgiving Bright Eyes for being a Dumb Ass.

4. Chad Vangaalen
Infiniheart
[Sub Pop]
Every once in a while the overall mood of an album will intrigue you more than the actual songs it contains. In this case, we're captivated by both the mood and the songs. Calling this "golden" pretty much covers it.

3. Of Montreal
The Sunlandic Twins
[Polyvinyl]
No one listened to this record. Indie fans have given up on the Elephant Six collective, we guess. But their youngest stepchild, Of Montreal, deserve a chance. This is hands-down the most underrated CD of the year. Its as equally complex as it is melodic. Plus you'll feel a little less gay listening to it than their previous masterpiece, The Gay Parade. That is, unless you listen like to listen to The Sunlandic Twins on your iPod all lubed up and naked in a gay bath in Budapest, like we do.

2. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
[Clap Your Hands Say Yeah]
Sure, a lot of people compare them to the Talking Heads, but what they forget to tell you is that this may be the best Talking Heads album, too. Maybe the best one by Television and Modest Mouse, as well. Hell, throw just about anyone in there and that statement will be true.

1. Sufjan Stevens
Illinois
[Asthmatic Kitty]
Not only the best album to come out this year, but also one of the best concept albums of all-time. Maybe the best. Towering and majestic one moment and solemn and soothing the next (sometimes in the same song), this is an utter triumph and deserves every accolade it's been lavished with since its release. Nearly 75 minutes of music and we wouldn't want to be without one note of it. Ever.

--EP of the year--

Iron & Wine/Calexico
In the Reins
[Overcoat]
Just a wee bit better than the other wonderful EP I&W Samuel Beam released this year (Woman King) because of all of the sawdust,
bullet casings, and peanut shells Calexico has spread across the (killing) floor. There's also a song with whistling on it, which satisfies Rock Rule #347: "Almost without fail, adding whistling to a song makes it better." If you liked Wilco better then than now, you should definitely buy this. If not, you should still buy this. It's just that simple.

Overrated Albums of the Year

Antony & the Johnsons
I Am a Bird Now
[Secretly Canadian]
Five words: Tiny Tim was more talented.

The Hold Steady
Separation Sunday
[Frenchkiss]
Six Words: Frat Boy Rock for Indie Kids.

Wolf Parade
Apologies to the Queen Mary
[Sub Pop]
Seven Words: The Shelf Life of Unrefrigerated Vanilla Yogurt.

Vashti Bunyan
Lookaftering
[Fat Cat]
Wake up and smell the decade. There's a very good reason why Melanie hasn't made a comeback. And nothing on Lookaftering is even remotely close to being as good as Melanie's hit "Brand New Key." And Vashti probably doesn't have a brand new pair of roller skates. Just a pair of sandals. With flowers painted on them. And maybe "Vashti" painted across the middle strap. Except it's misspelled. Because the guy who made the sandals was stoned.

Worst Album of the Year

Fiery Furnaces
Rehearsing My Choir
[Rough Trade]

Holy shit, experimental can be good. But this record sounds like it was mixed by someone who mastered in "Ironic Geek Noise Pop" at the Rhode Island School of Music Deconstruction. It's a prime example of an art school education gone wrong. A horrible, horrible, horrible record.

Best Music Website 2005

BrooklynVegan



FREEwilliamsburg's Most Anticipated Release of 2006

Belle and Sebastian - The Life Pursuit




Catch.com's Most Anticipated Release of 2006

Miighty Flashlight/Mike Fellows and Quasi (favorite albums in 2002 and 2003, respectively)

Thing That Brought FREEwilliamsburg The Most Pleasure In 2005 That Wasn't Music

The Andy Milonakis Show

Thing That Brought Catch.com The Most Pleasure In 2005 That Wasn't Music

Tom Cruise Kills Oprah. Honorable mention: Leeroy Jenkins.

--Click here for Catch.com's Best of 2005 List--

--FREEwilliamsburg's Favorites After the Jump--

1. Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
2. Of Montreal – The Sunlandic Twins
3. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
4. Bright Eyes – I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
5. LCD Soundsystem – LCD Soundsystem
6. Chad Vangaalen – Infiniheart
7. M.I.A. – Arular
8. Okkervil River – Black Sheep Boy
9. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
10. Devendra Banhart – Cripple Crow
11. Stars – Set Yourself on Fire
12. Animal Collective – Feels
13. Sleater Kinney – The Woods
14. Lightning Bolt – Hypermagic Mountain
15. Teenage Fanclub – Man-Made
16. Ox – Dust Bowl Revival
17. Isolée – We Are Monster
18. Stephen Malkmus - Face the Truth
19. M. Ward - Transistor Radio
20. Wu-Tang Clan & Various Artists - Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Needless to say, this strike sucks. And can we trust Bloomberg to facilitate some type of resolution? We can't even trust him to wear the right jacket. He walked across the WINDY Brooklyn Bridge in 25 degree weather wearing a lightweight leather jacket. No hat. No scarf. His mom would be mortified.

Oh well, if you're taking the day off, check out our shopping guide and skip the cold walk into Manhattan.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 08:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)

by John Rickman

AIDS Wolf
The Lovvers LP (Lovepump)

Montreal foursome AIDS Wolf is a band that explodes with restless energy. The group's feedback-heavy freak-outs teeter back and forth between slight mental instability and complete breakdown. Their violent mood swings artfully employ repetition and take tension building to new heights, yet something is missing.

Aside from the fact their lead screamer is obscured behind a wall of guitar, the quartet as a whole fails to communicate much beyond skill and intensity. AIDS Wolf rock but they suffer from a lack of personality.

I feel I know more about them from their group photo—hidden within the fold out cover photomontage of nudist families—than I do through their music.

Download: Multiply by AIDS Wolf

Kites - Peace Trials
(Load)

Christopher Forgues is Kites, a builder of analog electronics who creates his own instruments for the purpose of creating sonic irritations heretofore unimaginable. He tweaks frequencies that crawl up your spine and rumble your gut. His homemade, hardwired machines are at the heart of his latest full-length Peace Trials, but Forgues also scatters a few "folk" songs amidst the buzzing blitzkrieg to bring some flesh and blood to the proceedings.

The apocalyptic lyrics of "Creepy Crawl" are reflective of the oft oppressive Kites sound: 'Doing the creepy crawl / Across the burning sand / Gun turrets revolve / It's hard being a man.' Forgues successfully reconfigures the antiquated mythology of the muse into a new circuit-bent reality, but how that connects with all that noise is up to each individual's imagination.

V/A - Aurora 2
(Merck)

Does all ambient music sound the same to you? Would you rather just listen to the sound of your natural surroundings? Do you think the German label Kompakt should go ahead and release Wolfgang Voigt's next Gas record already instead of another one of their Pop Ambient compilations? If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, then perhaps the new Merck comp Aurora 2 is the aural wallpaper you've been looking for.

Even the biggest followers of Aphex Twin-inspired, instrumental electronica are unlikely to have heard of most of the artists featured on this new compilation, but fear not—it's top notch sublime beatlessness. The artists, which include notables Kettel, Twerk, Cepia, and Shapeshifter, offer up combinations of warm synthesis and cold expansiveness, with a touch of found sound for good measure. Press play and drift away.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The consensus among Democrats and Republicans is Bush broke the law. Nixon used wiretaps and it was deemed illegal. What are we waiting for?

And to make matters worse, now he's calling the leaks to media about domestic eavesdropping program "a shameful act" that "helped the enemy." Nixon didn't like Deep Throat either. This is a clear cut issue, the taps are illegal and a huge infringement on civil rights. It's arguably, even a bigger deal than someone getting a blow job!

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Trent Lott may run for Majority Leader. He said today:

"I want to keep it dangling out there to keep everyone uneasy"

We'd prefer you put it back in you pants, Trent. My tummy hurts now.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 05:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You were always essential counterpoint to NPR. We'll miss the show. Fuck our reactionary FCC.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Make us want to buy a Ford.

Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday said it will run advertisements in gay publications, reversing a decision last week to pull all advertising of its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands from that sector.

In a letter to some gay, lesbian and human rights groups, Ford said it has decided to run corporate ads for all its eight brands, including its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands, in the targeted publications.

"It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire to advertise to all important audiences and put this particular issue behind us," Joe Laymon, Ford's group vice president for corporate human resources, wrote in the letter, which was posted on Ford's web site.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

This is disturbing. They're even spying on Quakers, you know, since they probably have ties to Al Quaeda.

[From MSNBC} A year ago, at a Quaker Meeting House in Lake Worth, Fla., a small group of activists met to plan a protest of military recruiting at local high schools. What they didn't know was that their meeting had come to the attention of the U.S. military.

A secret 400-page Defense Department document obtained by NBC News lists the Lake Worth meeting as a "threat" and one of more than 1,500 "suspicious incidents" across the country over a recent 10-month period....

The DOD database obtained by NBC News includes nearly four dozen anti-war meetings or protests, including some that have taken place far from any military installation, post or recruitment center. One “incident” included in the database is a large anti-war protest at Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles last March that included effigies of President Bush and anti-war protest banners. Another incident mentions a planned protest against military recruiters last December in Boston and a planned protest last April at McDonald’s National Salute to America’s Heroes — a military air and sea show in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

This CNN transcript is hilarious [Thanks John]:

SAM SEDER [Host of Air America's Majority Report]: Listen, as far as the war on Christmas goes, I feel like we should be waging a war on Christmas. I mean, I believe that Christmas, it's almost proven that Christmas has nuclear weapons, can be an imminent threat to this country, that they have operative ties with terrorists and I believe that we should sacrifice thousands of American lives in pursuit of this war on Christmas. And hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer money.

PHILLIPS [CNN Talking Head]: Is it a war on Christmas, a war on Christians, a war on over-political correctness or just a lot of people with way too much time on their hands?

SEDER: I would say probably, if I was to be serious about it, too much time on their hands, but I'd like to get back to the operational ties between Santa Claus and al Qaeda.

PHILLIPS: I don't think that exists. Bob? Help me out here.

SEDER: We have intelligence, we have intelligence.

PHILLIPS: You have intel. Where exactly does your intel come from?

SEDER: Well, we have tortured an elf and it's actually how we got the same information from Al Libbi. It's exactly the same way the Bush administration got this info about the operational ties between al Qaeda and Saddam.

BOB KNIGHT, CULTURE AND FAMILY INSTITUTE: Well, first I want to compliment him on his dry humor, but this is actually a very serious subject, because a lot of people are waking up to realize that the war on Christmas is really the culmination of a war on faith.

And we'd like to compliment you, Bob Knight, for dry humping this stupid issue to death.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've been long time fans of the Brooklyn-via Austin band The Mendoza Line. Their lastest Full of Light and Full of Fire has been flying too far under the radar. It's their best release to date. Like a more laid-back Delagados, their blend of country-tinged Americana is great for those late night, reflective scotches.

We keep coming back to the track "Mysterious in Black." Download it here. It's a nice departure from Mendoza Line's typical alt-country sound. The first time we heard it, we thought it had to be released in the Eighties by some forgotten pop one-hit-wonder. It would fit great on a late Eighties party mix. A great and surprisingly funky track.

Other people seem to be digging this record too:
"Full of Light and Full of Fire contains the prettiest protest songs imaginable." --Entertainment Weekly

"Full of Light and Full of Fire is easily one of the best albums of the decade... Like Born to Run, Pleased to Meet Me, and Being There, Full of Light and Full of Fire is another page in American mythology, an artifact of the withered dreams and fallen hopes of the dispossessed." --PopMatters

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

by Cathy Bruneau

Mini Minimarket

We know, we know. By designating this a "holiday" shopping guide, we've chosen sides in the big "Holiday Friend or Foe" debate. Truth be told, we could care less about the whole controversy. Call it The Williamsburg Christmas Guide if you prefer. Call it The Billyburg Hipster Guide. Rename Christmas "Freedom Day" if you want. It's all the same to us. We only celebrate Festivus anyway.

The controversy we do care about, involves the MTA's shoddy service. Slow weekend commutes and service interruptions are hardly mollified by the fare reductions. We'll pay the extra dollar, just provide better service.

Luckily, we can get all of our shopping done right here in the 'hood. Who wants a cashmere sweater from J Crew anyway?

Plus, in Williamsburg, you get the added pleasure of hearing hipsters debate whether to buy Care Bear belt buckles or limited edition Belgian screamcore CDs as stocking stuffers.

Here's a list of some great local places to do your shopping:

----------------------------------------------------
Clothes and Shoes
----------------------------------------------------

Brooklyn Industries

Brooklyn Industries
www.brooklynindustries.com
162 Bedford Ave at N8th
718.486.6464
Mon-Sat 11-9pm, Sun 12-8pm
One of the first shops to bring life to the neighborhood, this is the Williamsburg Gap. But better indeed, this place is "the" maker of the Brooklyn tee for the masses. Aslan the tiger, the Brooklyn water tower, the L train are among many of its notable symbols. But wait, there's also cords and jackets for men & women, exclusive messenger bags & wallets, jeans, kids tees - all made by the Industries brand. Leather bags are at 40% off for the holiday season. Promote Brooklyn for Christmas and get those T-shirts for the whole family.

Other Brooklyn Industries location:
184 Broadway at Driggs
718.218.9166

Oak & Brooklyn Flat

Oak
150 1/2 Ainslie Street btw Lorimer & Leonard
718 782 3632
Tues-Fri 1-8, Sat 11-8, Sun 11-6
Need something special for the man in your life? You'll certainly find fashionable menswear and toiletries with a British bent in this cute little shop. Sweaters, shirts and jackets by Penguin and Ben Sherman, wallets, restrained yet imaginative cufflinks and ties. Modern fashions straight from the British Home Counties. For women's fashions check out Oak's sister across the street at Canary.

Canary

Canary
145 Ainslie Street btw Lorimer & Leonard
718.782.0521
Tues-Fri 12-7pm, Sat 11-8pm, Sun 11-6pm
This lovely shop and friendly staff will help you peruse through its unique collection of womenswear by local designers at affordable prices. Enveloping tube scarves made from Alpaca wool nestle next to imported French jackets and tops. Lovely belts and bags available too. The owner has a second shop in Park Slope of the same name.

Lawanna's

Lawanna's
196 Bedford Ave btw N7th & N6th
718.302.0006
Mon-Sat 1-7pm, Sun 1-6pm
Yet another Bedford Ave local, this small shop will satisfy the rock star in you. You will find a huge selection of brass belt buckles and unique belts as well as T-shirts and a vast selection of shoes and sneaks. You'll find something new every time you wander in.

Otte

Otte
132 N5th Street inside mini mall
718.302.3007
Mon-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm
A small and tidy shop, this is a great place to find contemporary fashions for women. Designers such as Wrangler, Seven, and Velvet line the racks along with many other Californian designers. You will find one of a kind designs great for all your hipsters as well as shoes and bags. Maybe you could buy yourself that Christmas gift you always wanted.

American Apparel

American Apparel
www.americanapparel.net
104 N6th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718.218.0002
Mon-Thurs 11-9pm, Fri-Sat 11-10:30pm, Sun 11-9pm
If you hipsters have never been into an American Apparel, then you are missing out on a T-shirt layering paradise. Recently added to the streets of Williamsburg, this American staple is your shop to get every cotton possibility in every color you can think of. You never know when you'll need that long sleeve tee for your awesome I Love Bush iron-on. Show your artistry and make your family silk screen T-shirts for Christmas with AA tees.

Pema

Pema
225 Bedford Ave btw N4th & N5th
718.388.8814
Daily 11-8pm
A shop started by Pema Kongpo who sells her brother's hand-made designs and other various well cut clothing lines for men & women at affordable prices. For those who love all things Hippiesque, nothing seems to be over a $100. Great use of silk, cute handbags, knitwear, hats, beaded shoes, and lots of imported Indian style jewelry.

If you are searching for more designs made by her brother, try their sister shop Tibet Boutique in the mini mall opposite. Here you will find the complete Pema line along with beautiful jewelry, stationary and other silk items and dresses.

Tibet Boutique

Tibet Boutique
www.tibetboutique.com
218 Bedford Ave inside Mini mall
718.302.8830
Mon-Fri 12-8pm, Sat-Sun 11-8pm

Triple Five Soul

Triple Five Soul
www.triple5soul.com
145 Bedford Ave Entrance on N9th
718.599.5971
Daily 12-8pm
Yet another small chain exclusively from New York, this brand has managed to keep a selective profile among the urban gang. You'll find sweatshirts with the embroidered Triple Five logo, a great selection of shirts and cords for men and wooly sweaters, shoes and bags for the women, all at affordable prices. Take note of the Holiday coat sale - 25% off this season's must have: furry hooded parkas.

Jean Bar
116 N 5th Street btw Bedford & Berry
718.302.6525
Tues-Thurs 12-7pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-6pm, Closed on Monday
A place where the name says it all, you will find a great selection of brand name jeans for a fraction of the costs of high street prices. Names such as Miss Sixty and Vigoss line the shelves as well as various other brands of clothes. Make sure you add this to your list of locations to check out this Christmas.

Nom De Guerre

Nom De Guerre
www.nomdeguerre.net
88 N6th Street btw Berry & Wythe
728.387.3363
Mon-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-7pm
Another newcomer along N6th Street, this massive space houses a unique line of men's clothes for those who may have the cash to spend this winter. The designs are minimalist, crisp and display a Japanese touch for urban wear. Cashmere sweaters, V necks, along with great jeans and tees line the back wall. Gallery like and sparkling, the shop even sports a line of Nike shoes to go with its house brand.

Sleep

Sleep
110 N6th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718.384.3211
Daily 12-8pm
In a quiet corner of Williamsburg everyone needs their sleep. This shop can help you do just that. Boys, you may want to show how much you love your girlfriends by popping by and selecting some sexy lingerie. If that gives you cooties, then just choose a bathrobe and slippers or perhaps the lovely cotton bedding that decorates one of the two comfortable looking beds. Everybody needs a little luxury over Christmas.

Noisette
www.noisettenyc.com
46b N6th Street btw Wythe & Kent
Mon, Wed, Thurs & Sun 12-7pm, Fri -Sat 12- 8pm, Closed on Tuesday
For a more European edge to your wardrobe, try hitting this little place that arrived a little over two months ago. Shop owner, Stephanie, decided that it was time to share her love for Euro fashions here in Williamsburg. One of kind clothes may justify the stiff prices. We certainly hope that Santa will shop here.

George Miu
112 N6th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718.666.0194
Mon-Tues 4-9pm, Wed-Thurs 2-10pm, Fri-Sat 1-11pm, Sun 1-10pm
If you just can't keep away from shoes, get your man to get you a pair of red cowboy boots from George Miu. Shoes made exclusively by the designer, Nahman Susar, these leather delights come in all colors and shapes with bags to match. Great use of silver and gold and comfortably designed flats for those who find heals to be a nightmare. Make sure to take up the Holiday sale- Buy 2 get 1 free.

Challengher NYC

Challengher NYC
555 Metropolitan Ave btw Union & Lorimer
718.387.6228
Wed-Sun 12-7pm
For unique Christmas gifts made locally, the shop owner/designer sells plenty of inexpensive tees & dresses, scarves, sweaters and underwear. Challengher logo'd bags and pillow cases round off a cute display window.

And why not get your Christmas coif done next door at Lilypad 718 387 9337

Pop

Pop
www.shoppop.com
310 Grand Street btw Havemeyer & Roebling
718.486.6001
Mon-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm, May possibly close Tuesdays
Why go into Manhattan when you can Christmas shop at this recently opened trendy store for men and women. Threads from Ben Sherman, Dickies, Wrangler, Free People, to name a few, sit next to local brands. Inexpensive yet extensive selection of bags, shirts, tees and beauty products. Take note of Satellite radio playing in the shop.

----------------------------------------------------
Wine/Cheese/Food
----------------------------------------------------

Bottle Shoppe
www.bottleshoppe.com (not active yet)
353 Graham Ave btw Metropolitan & Conselyea
718.388.4039
Mon 4-10, Tues-Thurs 11-10, Fri-Sat 11-11, Sun 1-9
You'll find a nice selection of American and European wines and Champagne with $25 and $50 gift certificates also available. They carry lovely material gift bags and gift ideas as well as a selection of Sake. Knowledgeable staff runs wine tasting during the holiday season. Call for details.

Other location at:
301 Bedford Ave btw S1st & S2nd
718.302.3433
Mon 4-10, Tues-Thurs 12-10, Fri-Sat 12-11, Sun 1-9
Delivery with purchase over $25

Other local wine shops: (call for wine tasting times)

Uva Wines
www.uvawines.com
218 Bedford Ave inside mini mall or entrance on N 5th
718.963.3939

Trojanowski Wines
www.north7wines.com
181 Bedford Ave at N7th
718.388.8488

Allman Fine Wine and Liquors
www.allmanliquors.com
268-270 Grand Street at Roebling
718 388 8872

Bedford Cheese Shop

Bedford Cheese Shop
www.bedfordcheeseshop.com
218 Bedford Ave inside mini mall
718.599.7588
Mon-Sat 10-9pm, Sun 10-7pm
For those who don't already know, this cheese shop is the cheese shop of cheese shops. A great place to get penicillin for a party or perhaps a gift basket custom made by the friendly staff. Not only for cheese lovers, this shop has many gourmet specialties for every taste: from tea to biscuits to Christmas cake to jams, you name it. Don't know what to get your aunt this Christmas? You'll know now.

Fortunato Brothers Bakery
289 Manhattan Ave at Devoe
718.387.2281
Sun-Thurs 9-11pm, Fri-Sat 8-12pm
Waistline endangering selection of Italian cookies, cakes, pastries and coffee fill this local favorite neighborhood bakery. Specialty cheesecakes fill the window display whilst chocolate assortments are piled inside. Great selection of Imported Italian Christmas cakes and chocolates by Vergani etc... are available for those who may be throwing a Christmas party or to give as a great post dinner gift.

----------------------------------------------------
Pets
----------------------------------------------------

PS9 Pets
www.ps9pets.com
169 N9th Street btw Bedford & Driggs
718.486.6465
Mon-Fri 12-9pm, Sat 12-8pm Sun 12-6pm
Petco eat your heart out. PS9 has all sorts of doggie sweaters and cat collars, blankets and sleeping beds. You may even find a lovely stylish kitty carrier for your friend's feline. Don't forget that Fido wants his treats too this Christmas.

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Local Artists
----------------------------------------------------

Artists and Fleas
www.artistsandfleas.com
129 N6th Street btw Bedford & Berry
917.541.5760
info@artistsandfleas.com
Sat-Sun 12-7pm (but for the next two weeks until Christmas- will be open Wed to Sun)
A neat find, this artist's indoor market is the perfect place for Christmas bargain hunting. A collection of local artists including Jen Mazer, Lisa Medoff, Love Shine to name a few, you will find beautiful and distinctive jewelry, knits, silk screen T-shirts, books, handmade bags and other gifts. You most definitely can complete your shopping list in one afternoon as well as buy something for yourself before leaving.

One Sixty Glass
www.onesixtyglass.com
160 Berry Street btw N4th & N5th
718.486.9620
If you want to be the coolest friend on the planet, why not give the gift of a glass blowing class. Glass blowing classes run over six weeks and there are gift certificates available. If the classes seem a bit steep, then there are plenty of vases, drinking glasses and various colorful glass items for sale at reasonable prices. At least you can say it was made in Williamsburg!

Brooklyn Flat
150 Ainslie Street btw Lorimer & Leonard
718.302.2138
Brooklynflat@gmail.com
Tues-Fri 1-8, Sat 11-8, Sun 11-6.
A nifty store peddling daintily decorated ceramics, glass and tableware and beautifully designed jewelry by local artists all housed cozily in a converted barn. A few note cards, quirky calendars, and gifts for pet lovers too. Connected to Oak next door.

Maiden Brooklyn
252 Grand Street btw Driggs & Roebling
917 379 1111
Sun-Thurs 2-8pm, Fri-Sat 2-9pm
Once a gallery, this stylish shop still feels as if you are walking into an art mecca. The owners thought it would be a great idea if they could sell what they made. Still a working gallery at the back, they sport nice silk-screen t-shirts and accessories.

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Bikes and Skateboards
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Spokes & Strings
www.nycbikes.com
140 Havemeyer Street btw S1st & S2nd
718 599 2409
Tues-Fri 11-7pm, Mon & Sat 8:30-7pm, Sun 11-5pm
Want a Bike for Christmas? A great way to be environmentally conscious this year, why not check out the line made exclusively in store. If a bike seems a bit much, there are always loads of accessories you can give your bike mad beau without going over budget.

B's Bikes

B's Bikes
262 Driggs Ave corner Eckford
718.349.1212
beezbikes@gmail.com
Mon, Wed-Fri 1-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun12-8pm, Closed Tuesday
Just opened and sells tons of used but refurbished bikes at great prices.

KCDC
www.kcdcskateshop.com
99 N10th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718 387 9006
Mon-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-7pm
For those into skatewear and gear, this place has a huge selection of T-shirts, sneakers by the dozens and loads of skateboards and accessories to boot. You can even try your hand at the indoor Skate ramp. Everything is reasonably priced and there are selections for both men and women. Beats heading for Lafayette Street this Christmas.

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Vintage
----------------------------------------------------

Ugly Luggage

Ugly Luggage
214 Bedford Ave (btw N5th & N6th)
718.384.0724
Mon-Fri 1-8pm, Sat-Sun 1-6pm
A Bedford Ave staple, this little vintage shop has been the place to get used furniture, housewares and luggage for the last 15 years. You can find some beautifully decorated table lamps, small desks, chairs as well as the odd standing globe. Glasses line the back wall decorated with beautiful flowers, bubbles, and even sunsets of Miami for lovers. Everything is realistically priced and wonderfully distinctive. Give the gift of Ugly Luggage.

Ghostown
www.ghostownnyc.com
335 Grand Street btw Havemeyer & Marcy
718 387 0990
Daily 12-8pm
A true blooded vintage store, this is a giant but organized space. Everything is reasonably priced and there is a great deal of well designed rags to choose from. The shop even sports a few of its own designed shirts on circular racks at the front. Take note of the pre-holiday sale, 40% off all tees and 20% off everything. Discounts we can certainly use this year.

Beacon's Closet

Beacon's Closet
www.beaconscloset.com
88 North 11th Street
718.486.0816
Mon-Fri 12pm - 9pm
Sat, Sun 11am - 8pm
The quintessential Williamsburg vintage clothing store.

Maiden Hong Kong

Maiden Hong Kong
502 Lorimer Street at Powers
718 388 8885
Daily 12-7pm, Closed Mondays.
Beautiful vintage clothes restored by the owner for men and women with an Asian twist. Gorgeous but incredibly affordable selection of used jewelry and cufflinks nestle next to Japanese dresses and cards. Tailoring and alterations are also undertaken. A gem of a store in a funky little corner of Brooklyn - around the corner from Brooklyn Flat, Oak and Canary on Ainslie.

Catbird
www.catbirdnyc.com
390 Metropolitan Ave btw Havemeyer & Marcy
718 388 7688
Mon-Fri 1-9pm, Sat-Sun 12-8pm
This quaint shop has a great selection of vintage jewelry, bags and shoes of all kinds. There are gift cards and watches to ogle over and despite the shops tiny size you could spend all afternoon finding something new. A great place to stop in for gifts this Christmas that you cannot miss off your list.

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Music and Books
----------------------------------------------------

Sound Fix

Sound Fix (music)
www.soundfixrecords.com
110 Bedford Ave corner N11th
718.388.8090
Mon-Sat 12-8pm, Sun 12-6pm
Why head for Virgin when there's music right around the corner? A little over a year old, Sound Fix is what Brooklynites like best- A CD, vinyl & coffee shop. There's something for every musical taste from groove, hip hop, rock and electronica, all new and used and at high street prices. Listening stations line the front of the store and a selection of magazines such as Wire and Filter etc... are also on sale. And don't forget to get your best friend those tickets to that gig at N6th this holiday season.

Earwax

Earwax (music)
218 Bedford Ave. at North 5th Street
Inside the Mini Mall
718.486.3771
Mon, Thu and Sat, 11am-9pm; Tue, noon-9pm; Wed and Sun, noon-8pm; Fri, 11am-8pm
New and used CDs and a great selection of used vinyl. Perfect for emo, indie, and electronic fans. For a small shop, they have a great selection.

Spoonbill & Sugartown

Spoonbill & Sugartown, Booksellers
www.spoonbillbooks.com
218 Bedford Avenue (near N. 5th Street in MiniMall)
718-387-7322
One of two great independent bookstores in Williamsburg. Who needs Barnes & Noble?

Clovis Press

Clovis Press
229 Bedford Ave at North 5th Street
718-302-3751
The other great independent bookstore in Williamsburg.

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Babies
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Sam & Seb

Sam & Seb
www.samandseb.com
208 Bedford Ave btw N6th & N5th
718 486 8300
Mon-Wed 11-7pm Thurs-Fri 11-8pm, Sat 10-8pm, Sun10-7pm (Christmas week 10-10pm)
Wonderful little children's shop, this store is filled with goodies for all the young-uns in your life. From games, toys, puzzles and stuffed animals to clothes for babies and kids, hand knits, children's umbrellas and even tiny tutus for girls who want to be aspiring ballerinas. No need to shop at Gap kids this year when you can get an exclusive gift right in your neighborhood.

Flying Squirrel
www.flyingsquirrelbaby.com
96 N6th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718 218 7775
Sun-Thurs 11-7pm, Fri-Sat 11 -8pm
Need a distinctive baby gift for your sister? Come and browse through a huge selection of second hand and nearly-new baby and kid's clothes. You may just find a crib or rocking horse as well, that won't take you over budget. This shop will buy and resell all children's wear and items. A great way to off load those outgrown PJ's and get a Christmas gift as an exchange.

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Spa, Health, and Skin Care
----------------------------------------------------

CeleBritAy
358 Grand Street btw Havemeyer & Marcy
718 384 0914
Thu-Fri 12-9pm, Sat 4-10pm, Sun 12-8pm
Just opened in November, this beautifully designed nook found in a quiet corner of Grand Street has a great selection of Bath & Spa products for those who love pampering at home. Liz, the shop owner and magician behind the products, created her own line, extremely affordable and all made from scratch in her own shop. She has a wealth of skincare knowledge and can give you a great deal of advice for your personal skin type. Don't forget to ask about her custom made gift baskets for Christmas. Unique to Williamsburg, this shop is a breath of fresh air, surrounded as it is by vintage shop mecca.

Happy Now Flat Belly
www.happynowflatbelly.com
583 Driggs Ave Entrance on N6th
718 218 9601
Give the gift of a flat belly. This Pilates center has been the result of many a flat tummy in Williamsburg for the last few years. Classes are open to all levels. Get your friend a 10 class card this Christmas and you'll feel good knowing that that flat stomach was part of your hard work.

Downtime Spa
www.downtimespa.com
115 N7th Street btw Berry & Wythe
718 218 9680
Tues-Fri 11-9:30pm, Sat & Sun 10-6pm
A center for relaxation, this little piece of paradise is a haven for everyone in the burg. From Thai massage to stone therapy to facials and even hairstyling, you can select from great packages all year long. Try the chocolate raspberry pedicure for yourself. Downtime will take groups and also offer many gift certificate options perfect for gift giving. Stop by and see what they have in store.

Mirror Mirror
www.mirrormirrorny.com
318 Bedford Ave btw S1st & S2nd
718 388 0149
Mon-Thurs 12-8pm, Fri-Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-7pm Closed Tuesday
An incredible store that sticks out from the rest, this place has a wonderfully unique range of beauty products for both men & women. The store owner sells hard to find products that you may not get in any old Sephora and at incredibly reasonable prices. Check out the Art of Shaving line and Histoires de Parfum sold exclusively from here in the US. Make sure to check in this Christmas.

Grace's Day Spa

Grace's Day Spa
582 Leonard Street btw Nassau & Norman
718 389 9789
Mon-Fri 11-8pm, Sat 9-3pm
This day spa located near McCarren Park has been a favorite of locals for the last 8 years. Grace, known for her relaxing treatments, is an expert in all types of skin care for men & women, from your basic facial to hair removal, laser acne treatment, endermologie and microdermabrasion and at a quarter of the costs in Manhattan. Grace can advise on the best methods for your skin. Gift certificates and packages are available and a whole range of Phytomer products are great for gift giving.

Run by Grace's husband around the corner is the 111 Nassau Clinic. If you are interested in dermatology, mesotherapy or other cosmetic procedures, these doctors have an incredible wealth of knowledge and offer gift certificates for the holidays.

111 Nassau Clinic
111 Nassau Ave btw Leonard & Eckford
718 349 2349

Siss Nails & Spa
729 Metropolitan Ave btw Manhattan & Graham
718 599 5239
Mon-Sat 9:30am-8pm, Sun 10 - 6pm
For those who would like to give the gift of beautiful nails, this would be the place. Brand new and sparkling, this nail spa has gift certificates and packages perfect for gift giving. And perhaps you may need a polish while vigorously shopping at your local shops this Christmas. Waxing is also on the list of services if you feel the need.

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Miscellaneous
----------------------------------------------------

Mini Minimarket

Mini Minimarket
www.miniminimarket.com
218 Bedford Ave entrance to Mini Mall
718 302 9337
Mon-Fri 12-9pm, Sat-Sun 12-8pm
A great place to begin since its inside the Mini Mall, next to dozens of other great stores. Knock off gifts for everyone on your list at Mini Minimarket. From shoes to locally designed clothing, jewelry, beauty products, T-shirts and even joke type gifts great for Secret Santa. If you need to get ideas for your sister or brother or even something small for a friend, this place is always a great place for fun gifts.

Mikey's Hook Up
www.mikeyshookup.com
351 Graham Ave btw Metropolitan & Conselyea
718 384 3800
Daily 11-7pm
Why head for the Apple store or J&R this year? Closer to home, this little technological paradise is gadget heaven for the audiophile. An authorized Apple reseller, they stock iPods, accessories (covers, car adapters, chargers) and Macs. There is also a selection of audio recording equipment including soundcards, mixing boards and synths. Your techie friend will love you this Christmas.

Other location at:
218 Bedford Ave inside mini mall
718 599 8906
Daily 10-8pm

Red Pearl

Red Pearl
202 Bedford Ave btw N6th & N5th
718 599 0023
Mon-Sat- 11-9pm, Sun 11-7pm
You may have walked by several times but this time, why not walk in. This shop located close to the L train carries a beautiful line of clothing for women, but it doesn't just stop there. As well as jewelry, there are plenty of kitchen and home gifts including cutting boards and picture frames. You will also find candles, beauty products and even fluffy bath robes - your girlfriend will love you forever.

Love Shine
249 Grand Street btw Driggs & Roebling
718 302 2913
Sun-Thurs 1-8pm, Fri-Sat 1-10pm
The most incredible store you will find in Williamsburg will capture your imagination. Run by Alex from Barcelona, this heavenly shop has plenty of unique gifts for all that you know. Take note of the whole wall of beautiful Milagros (miracles), small hearts sculpted from various metals then painted or shined, each made by specific families imported from Germany, Mexico and Peru. Alex and his staff also design and hand make all the bags throughout the store. Or perhaps the finger puppets will capture your heart. Everyway you turn you will find something ultimately spectacular and all with a distinctive origin or story.

Spacial

Spacial Etc.
www.spacialetc.com/spacial/main.html
199 Bedford Ave at N6th
718 599 7962
Mon-Sat 11-9pm, Sun 12-8pm
A wonderful little place that's been on a corner of Brooklyn for a few years now, a husband and wife team started by selling the many knits they crocheted at home. It since has turned into something special. Cute home gifts, beautiful designer bags and wallets, and Camper shoes and boots of all sorts are among a few of the items sold here along with the beautiful knitted hats, gloves and sweaters by the shop brand, Brooklyn Handknit. It's a bit expensive though.

CB I Hate Perfume
www.cbihateperfume.com
93 Wythe Ave at N10th
718 384 6890
Tues-Sat 12-6pm, Sun 2-5 (1-6pm during Dec Christmas period)
Do you know what smells you like? Perhaps not on you, but on someone else? Enter this shop and Christopher Brosius will custom make a perfume of your choosing. If that is not up your sleeve, there are plenty of house made perfumes to choose from as gifts for your girlfriend/boyfriend/mom etc... along with home scents to match.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The White House Christmas card, according to WaPo, fails the "Christmas Friend or Foe" litmus test.

President Bush sent out cards with a generic end-of-the-year message, wishing 1.4 million of his close friends and supporters a happy "holiday season..."

"This clearly demonstrates that the Bush administration has suffered a loss of will and that they have capitulated to the worst elements in our culture," said William A. Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.

Bush "claims to be a born-again, evangelical Christian. But he sure doesn't act like one," said Joseph Farah, editor of the conservative Web site WorldNetDaily.com. "I threw out my White House card as soon as I got it."

Religious conservatives are miffed because they have been pressuring stores to advertise Christmas sales rather than "holiday specials" and urging schools to let students out for Christmas vacation rather than for "winter break." They celebrated when House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) insisted that the sparkling spectacle on the Capitol lawn should be called the Capitol Christmas Tree, not a holiday spruce.

Then along comes a generic season's greeting from the White House, paid for by the Republican National Committee. The cover art is also secular, if not humanist: It shows the presidential pets -- two dogs and a cat -- frolicking on a snowy White House lawn.

"Certainly President and Mrs. Bush, because of their faith, celebrate Christmas," said Susan Whitson, Laura Bush's press secretary. "Their cards in recent years have included best wishes for a holiday season, rather than Christmas wishes, because they are sent to people of all faiths."

Well said, Susan. Not surprisingly, Falwell, who spearheaded the campaign, proves to be a flip-flopper when it comes to his beloved presidential puppet:

The current Bush has straddled the divide, offering generic greetings along with an Old Testament verse. To some religious conservatives, that makes all the difference.

"There's a verse from Scripture in it. I don't mind that at all, as long as we don't try to pretend we're not a nation under God," said the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

But he meant it as constructive criticism:

"Forgive me for using the term 'fat little brother' " Castro said. "It is not a criticism, rather a suggestion that he do some exercises and go on a diet, don't you think? I'm doing this for the gentleman's health." [from Miami Herald]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So Much Noise has MP3's from an Arcade Fire concert on Sept. 29 and another live set from Calexico and Iron & Wine. Grab 'em all here.

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

by Dave Thomas

Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen's Match Point

It's that time of year again, when studios shove anything they think has a hope in hell of an Oscar nod into the final 31 days of eligibility. That, and "Cheaper by the Dozen 2." This month brings us new movies by Woody Allen, Terence Malik, and Peter Jackson [whose King King was just reviewed here]

December 2

AEON FLUX

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Charlize Theron and Frances McDormand reunite from their "North Country" days to tell another story of sexual harrasment, this one set 400 years in the future, involving skimpy clothes and gun battles, and no actual sexual harrasment charges of any kind.

WILL IT SUCK?
Well, they picked the right director. Karyn Kusama helmed "Girlfight," and there's certainly going to be a lot of that. When it comes to the writers, however, I would have shot higher than the duo behind "The Tuxedo."

The addition of "Hotel Rwanda's" Sophie Okonedo to the cast should enusre and all-around waste of talent.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Should see halfway decent numbers. Has a significant following and no direct action competition for miles. $67mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Not even with three nominees in the cast.

------------------------------------

TRANSAMERICA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Road trip flick with Felicity Huffman as a post-op M2F transsexual taking her son to California.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is strong, and with Huffman in the lead, that's no surprise.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The following week, a bigger sexual coup will take the stage, but the following Huffman has garnered from "Desperate Housewives" might come in handy. $10mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Huffman's a near lock for a nod.

------------------------------------

THE KID & I

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Kid with cerebral palsy wants to be an action star so, of course, he teams up with Tom Arnold.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is pretty bad. Director Penelope Spheeris directed, as the cringetastic trailer happily points out, "Wayne's World," but that's not a get-out-of-jail-free card for "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "The Little Rascals." Tom Arnold did the screenplay.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Even if this has bigger stars (including a supposed cameo from Jamie Lee Curtis and The Guvernator) than most limited releases this weekend, it's still a limited release, and not exactly appealing to the right crowd for a limited release. Not that it would do much better wide. $1mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
If Henry Winkler can't get an Emmy for playing a schlub on "Arrested Development," he won't get an Oscar for playing one here.

------------------------------------

FIRST DESCENT

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
"March of the Snowboarders"

WILL IT SUCK?
Do you like snowboarding? That's pretty much the only criteria for this snowboarding doc. If not, I don't see it holding much interest for ya.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Very strong appeal to a very niche audience. $1mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Did not make the list of eligible documentaries.

------------------------------------

BE HERE TO LOVE ME: A FILM ABOUT TOWNES VAN ZANDT

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
In spite of the title, actually a film about Roger Van Norton, a contractor from Des Moines.

Or a profile of famed (well, among musicians) songwriter Van Zandt.

WILL IT SUCK?
Fascinating story. Suffered from depression and alcohol. Fell off a building to see what it was like. Okay, maybe this is fairly typical "Behind the Music" fare, but it's still interesting. Interviews with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle, among others.

Early buzz is good, in spite of being delayed from July.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Palm Pictures not so much with the heavy promotion, but I'll give them props for taste (they also distributed a Tom Dowd doc). $50,000.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Even if it had made the list, it would have had to compete with the higher profile "Devil and Daniel Johnston," also about a troubled musician.

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DECEMBER 9
------------------------------------

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
The "other" epic fantasy classic.

WILL IT SUCK?
I've got pretty high hopes for this one. You've got Andrew Adamson directing, one of the driving forces behind the "Shrek" movies. You've got writing support from him and writers from "Life and Death of Peter Sellers" (and "In My Country," but what are ya gonna do?).

You've also got Tilda Swinton as The White Witch, which, apparently, is a good thing (I've never read the books). And with voice support from the likes of Rupert Everett, Ray Winstone, and Liam Neeson, it looks like we're in for a fun ride.

By the way, did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis knew each other? Actually, if you're a fan at all of these series you probably did. Never mind.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
If it weren't for Mr. Kong, I'd call this the hit of December. As it is, it'll still make much bank. $273mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
This seems very much like a spoiler for me. I could see it getting ignored completely or taking it all (minus acting), but little in between.

------------------------------------

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Gay cowboys!!!

WILL IT SUCK?
Not at all. Caught this at Toronto and lemme tell ya, it's one of the best movies of the year. And for a guy like Ang Lee to surpass himself is quite a feat.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It's a busy time for indies regardless, but I wouldn't wish anyone to have to open against "Memoirs of a Geisha." That having been said, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger have a decent following, and Focus isn't slacking on the press. $15mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
If all goes well, it could be up for Cinematography, Director, Adapted Screenplay, a Best Actor nod for Ledger, and Picture.

------------------------------------

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Pretty much what the title indicates.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good, but just barely. With Rob Marshall (Chicago) at the helm, you'd expect that at least. With screenwriters from "Practical Magic," you might not expect much more. The cast, however, fuggeddaboutit: Gong Li, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi as the geisha herself.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
A little bit of competition from "Brokeback" this week and "Three Burials" the next, but nothing this crew can't handle. $54mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
What this may lack in strong reviews it will make up for in box office. Look for Director and Actress/Supporting Actress nods. Maybe Picture.

------------------------------------

MAREBITO

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
J-Horror about a guy with a camera obsession who takes in a naked, bloodsucking nymph he finds in a parallel universe.

WILL IT SUCK?
The movie is just as random as the premise makes it sound. It's a little bit scary at times, but that's about it. And at no point does it even attempt to make sense. Which, if you've seen a lot of J-Horror, shouldn't be a shock.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
December just isn't the time for Japanese horror flicks. $600,000.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I think it would be neat if Japan submitted a horror film, but this year they picked a movie with Beat Takeshi as a brutally abusive drunk which, from what I've heard, is a hell of a lot more harrowing than any ghost-in-the-machine flick.

------------------------------------

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Judi Dench opens an all-female nude revue in 1930's London.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good, but not overwhelming. Still, it's Stephen Frears ("High Fidelity," "Dirty Pretty Things," "Dangerous Liasons"), so I'm in. Adding to the Dame Denchiness is Bob Hoskins (who apparently has a nude scene) and Christopher Guest as the Easily Offended Rich White Guy.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
A side effect of shooting for an Oscar is a crowded marketplace. $9mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
That's the idea. This will be a good test of whether or not the new Weinstein entity can pan for Oscar gold the way Miramax used to, which is to say, shamelessly. Look for Best Actress and Actor, at least.

------------------------------------

THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Anthony Hopkins plays the man who set the land speed world record in the 1970's by riding a cheetah. Okay, he was actually on a modified motorcycle.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is very good. Looks like writer/director Roger Donaldson is building on the potential he showed with "Thirteen Days" (and didn't so much with "The Recruit").

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It's not that Anthony Hopkins can't open a picture anymore (he can't) or that the title is problematic (it is) but even without all of that, Magnolia doesn't have the marketing muscle of the Weinsteins, Focus, or Sony. $4mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
That's the whole point of this limited December run. The real release will happen in January.

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DECEMBER 16
------------------------------------

KING KONG

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Big-ass ape goes berserk in New York.

WILL IT SUCK?
With the same writing/directing team as the "LOTR" trilogy, not bloody likely. Add to that Jack Black, Adrian Brody, Naomi Watts, and shoulda-got-the-Oscar-for-Gollum Andy Serkis as that big, crazy gorilla and I'm there opening night or sooner.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It's got a two-day head start on "The Family Stone." Like it needs it. $375mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Look for "LOTR"-style non-acting nods: Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, plus a crapload of technical awards. A Serkis nod for Best Actor would be cool, but it ain't gonna happen.

------------------------------------

THE FAMILY STONE

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
No apes? Then who cares?

WILL IT SUCK?
When your meet-my-wacky-family flick is being compared favorably with "You Can't Take It with You," you're on good turf. Luke Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Clare Danes, Diane Keaton, Dermot Mulroney, Craig T. Nelson, and Sarah Jessica Parker round out what looks to be a solid cast. Are we looking at a tolerable holiday comedy?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I give it credit for opening against "King Kong," although the tougher thing would be to open against "Cheaper by the Dozen 2" the following week. $42mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
We'll have to see how the acting categories shake out, but comedy's a tough sell.

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THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Tommy Lee Jones (in his directorial debut) takes on a corrupt border patrolman in an effort to return a corpse to Mexico.

WILL IT SUCK?
From the writer of "Amores Perros" and "21 Grams," so expect it to be harsh. Early buzz is oustanding, and the flick won Best Actor (Tommy Lee Jones) and Screenplay at Cannes (along with a Palme D'Or nod for Jones). Also with Barry Pepper and Dwight Yoakam.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Any other time of year, this would be the 500lb gorilla (excuse the reference). $2mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Maybe a Best Actor nod for Jones. And they tend to like their actors-turned-director. Still, I don't see this being on their radar.

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MASTER OF THE CRIMSON ARMOR (a.k.a. THE PROMISE)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Fairly fakey-looking Wuxia epic from the director of "Farewell My Concubine."

WILL IT SUCK?
In spite of the cheesy-looking fx, this is China's submission for Best Foreign Language Film, so at least they have confidence in it. It's also the most expensive Chinese film to date, which make those fx even more boggling.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
If they could pick a title, it might do better. $600,000.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I'm not seeing the Weinstein Co. Oscar Engine revving up the way it usually does, so I'm not so sure.

------------------------------------

THE PRODUCERS

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Remember that movie "The Producers" which became a musical? Now it's a movie again.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is pretty good, which is not surprising given the smart choices. One, hiring Susan Stroman, who won 5 Tony Awards (two for directing and choreographing this on Broadway) to direct. Two, having Mel Brooks do the screenplay with Thomas Meehan who collaborated with him on "To Be or Not to Be" and "Spaceballs" (and who's been tapped to write the next movie-t0-musical-back-to-movie transfer "Hairspray"). Three, getting Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick back on board after their succesful Broadway run as the leads in this. Four, adding Will Ferrell to the mix as Franz Liebkind, the wacky Nazi.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
I don't really know why they're releasing this limited. Sure, Kong is an issue, but this is really a different demo. Regardless, it should do well. $87mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I think that might be the reason we're looking at a limited release. They may want to go wide in January, when there's less competition. Anyway, look for Screenplay (Adapted this time, when it won in '68 it was Original), and some acting nods.

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DECEMBER 21-28
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CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2: THE CHEAPERING (12/21)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
The family goes on vacation and competes with Eugene Levy's family, which is really a metaphor for Steve Martin and Levy competing for who's selling out more lately.

WILL IT SUCK?
In an evil genius masterstroke, they've replaced the original director with the guy who did "The Pacifier" and "Bringing Down the House." They've kept the same screenwriter who, it pains me to remind you, also did "Just Married." Remember that?

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
This has Big Holiday Hit writ large. $139mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No, but I wouldn't mind seeing Martin co-host with Chris Rock, just to be different.

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FUN WITH DICK AND JANE (12/21)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Remake of the 1977 comedy in which a married couple turns to a life of crime to make ends meet.

WILL IT SUCK?
I'm a big Jim Carrey fan (well, post "Ace Ventura 2," anyway), so I have slightly high hopes for this already which are raised by the pairing of two interesting comedy schools. One comes in the form of the director, who also worked on "Monk" and "Galaxy Quest." We'll call that the Tony Shalhoub School of Gentle Irony. A couple of the writers, including Judd Apatow, have their feet in "Freaks and Geeks," "The 40-Year Old Virgin," and "Strangers with Candy." We'll call that the Twisted School of Subversive Absurdism. Both schools seem at home with the material. And, finally, to lower our hopes slightly is a writer from "Stealing Harvard."

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Don't know that audiences are still feeling the Carrey love and after "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" they may feel that this is more of a re-tread than it actually is. $56mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
As a rule, remakes don't make waves. Especially if their predecessors didn't. ("The Producers" notwithstanding).

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THE RINGER (12/23)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Johnny Knoxville pretends to be retarded in order to fix the Special Olympics. Of course he does.

WILL IT SUCK?
Cartman was able to make this funny for, like, 20 minutes on "South Park." I'm not sure Johnny Knoxville can pull it off for 90 minutes, Brian Cox or no. Still, I give the writer credit for working on a lot of "Family Guy's" and note the executive producer-ship of the Farrelly bros. as a potentially benefitial influence.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
More dumb-ass comedy from "Grandma's Boy" the following week, but this should be able to carve out a small niche in the meantime. $12mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I'm thinking if "Daltry Calhoun" can't make it, this won't either.

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HOODWINKED (12/23)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
"Little Red Riding Hood" gets the "Rashomon" treatment in this animated tale.

WILL IT SUCK?
Not much is known about the writer/directors (all three of them), but the premise is intriguing. The Weinsteins thought enough of it to pick it up at Cannes and release it at the end of the year with, apparently, every other film in their arsenal. Good voice talent, including Anne Hathaway, revisiting the fairy tale spoof genre after "Ella Enchanted," Patrick Warburton, Andy Dick, Glenn Close, Xzibit, & Chazz Palminteri.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
If the Weinstein Co. can get the advertising up, this could do quite well. I'm not convinced that'll happen. $39mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
It's eligible for a nod, but it remains to be seen if the Weinsteins can get it on the radar in time.

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RUMOR HAS IT (12/25)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Jennifer Aniston discovers that she might be the progeny of the characters who inspired "The Graduate." In a metaphysical, socio-political sense, I suppose that could be true.

WILL IT SUCK?
The firing of director Ted Griffin early on and his replacement by Rob "I Haven't Made a Good Movie in Ten Years" Reiner was a little disheartening. But the screenplay is still Griffin's (and really, that's his strength - "Matchstick Men, Ocean's 11") and as for the rest, well, I guess it 's a clever idea, even if it started as a joke in "The Player."

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
It's got a better shot than the second frame of "Family Stone." Seriously, though, I don't know how many Jennnifer Aniston fans resonate with "The Graduate," or vice versa. $33mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Depending upon how much of Griffin's original screenplay remains, there could be a nod in there for him somewhere.

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WOLF CREEK (12/25)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Another one of those crazy-psycho-tortures-unsuspecting-travelers deals.

WILL IT SUCK?
This has the unusual gorefest cache of a Grand Jury nod at Sundance.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
A clever bit of counter-programming. Unfortunately "Bloodrayne" and Eli Roth's "Cabin Fever" follow-up "Hostel" (also about a torture factory) show up the very next week. $4mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
No, but is anyone else freaked out that "torture-fest" is becoming it's own horror sub-genre?

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THE WHITE COUNTESS (12/21)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Ralph Fiennes plays a blind nightclub owner in 1930's Shanghai trying to track down the wizard who defeated him 13 years ago...no, wait, just the blind nightclub owner part.

WILL IT SUCK?
The last (sniff) Merchant (pour some out) and Ivory film. Features the screenwriter behind one of their best-received efforts, "Remains of the Day." Sadly, though, early buzz is not so good.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Merchant/Ivory has not been a money powerhouse for a while. And in this crowded a field, it could have issues. $4mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Outside of sympathy votes on behalf of Merchant, the reviews would need to improve considerably. Otherwise, Fiennes' more likely Actor nod scenario involves "The Constant Gardener."

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MUNICH (12/23)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Eric Bana goes after the Palestinian terrorists who killed hostages at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

WILL IT SUCK?
As if it weren't enough to have Spielberg on board (and, admittedly, for a lot of people it isn't) they went and threw in Tony "Angels in America" Kushner to do the screenplay. Add to that Bana, new 007 Daniel Craig, and Geoffrey Rush and you're talking about a project that doesn't fuck around.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
Again, it's strange to see this as a limited release. I can't think of the last time a Spielberg film was let out that way. Still, the dark subject matter will lend to a smaller b.o. than, say, "War of the Worlds." And a lack of stars won't help much, either. I'm thinking this is the sort of film that will get more critical than financial love. Maybe that's why they went limited. $78mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
Some Oscar pundits see this as the only surefire nod-magnet. Look for Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, and Adapted Screenplay. Probably Score and Cinematography while you're at it.

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CASANOVA (12/25)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Heath Ledger plays the legendary lover.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz is good. Not surprising given director Lasse Hallstrom's track record (regardless of late mishaps such as "An Unfinished Life" and "The Shipping News").

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The star power of Ledger helps, but there are more high profile indies around. $9mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
It's conceivable, but those misfires of late may have taken Hallstrom off Oscar radar for a while.

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THE NEW WORLD (12/25)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Terence Malick's "Pocahontas."

WILL IT SUCK?
Well, how do you feel about Terence Malick? Me, I think "Badlands" is one of the best movies ever made, whereas "The Thin Red Line" is beautiful, but overrated. (Haven't seen "Days of Heaven." Hang my head in shame.) So I've got mixed feelings about this one. However, if there's one thing Malick does right every time, it's casting: Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, David Thewlis, Roger Rees, and Noah Taylor are all on board.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
The two main draws here are Malick and Farrell. With Malick, you're up against Spielberg and Woody Allen, both of whom have bigger followings. But Farrell's a bigger star than anyone in either of those flicks (and post-"Batman" Bale's no slouch, either). This gives "The New World" a fighting chance, especially if nods are forthcoming. $37mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER IT AT OSCAR TIME?
I'd say it's fifty/fifty. If they do, it'll be for Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography, and, surpisingly, the most likely Acting nod is rumored to go to a newcomer in this field of well-knowns: Pocahontas herself, Q'Orianka Kilcher.

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MATCH POINT (12/28)

WHAT'S THE PITCH?
Woody Allen goes all Hitchcocky in this tale of a man with one woman too many in his life.

WILL IT SUCK?
Early buzz on this has Allen back in form, and not just better-than-"Anything-Else" form. We're talking "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" here, folks.

HOW WELL WILL IT DO?
DreamWorks needs to start hyping this now. It's going to be busy enough once awards season is in full swing. If they do, this is positioned to have a shot, even in a crowded field. $4mil.

WILL ANYBODY REMEMBER THIS AT OSCAR TIME?
Talk about getting it in under the wire. With four days to spare, DreamWorks releases this with a qualifying run. Look for Screenplay, at least.

Next month: Half the movies you just read about get their actual wide release. And which sequel is less necessary, "Underworld: Evolution" or "Big Momma's House 2"? The answer won't surprise you.

-- Dave Thomas

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While Falwell continues his inane "Friend or Foe Christmas Campaign," whoever owns this house has enough Christmas spirit for us all. [Thanks Catch.]

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New York Times just announced their top 10 books of 2005. We're delighted to see our favorite author, Haruki Murakami make the list. Read Robert Lanham's review of the book, which appeared in Nylon, afte the jump. And feel free to add your own selections in comments.

Fiction

KAFKA ON THE SHORE
By Haruki Murakami.
Alfred A. Knopf, $25.95.
This graceful and dreamily cerebral novel, translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel, tells two stories - that of a boy fleeing an Oedipal prophecy, and that of a witless old man who can talk to cats - and is the work of a powerfully confident writer.

ON BEAUTY
By Zadie Smith.
Penguin Press, $25.95.
In her vibrant new book, a cultural-politics novel set in a place like Harvard, the author of ''White Teeth'' brings everything to the table: a crisp intellect, a lovely wit and enormous sympathy for the men, women and children who populate her story.

PREP
By Curtis Sittenfeld.
Random House, $21.95. Paper, $13.95.
This calm and memorably incisive first novel, about a scholarship girl who heads east to attend an elite prep school, casts an unshakable spell and has plenty to say about class, sex and character.

SATURDAY
By Ian McEwan.
Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, $26.
As bracing and as carefully constructed as anything McEwan has written, this astringent novel traces a day in the life of an English neurosurgeon who comes face to face with senseless violence.

VERONICA
By Mary Gaitskill.
Pantheon Books, $23.
This mesmerizingly dark novel from the author of ''Bad Behavior'' and ''Two Girls, Fat and Thin'' is narrated by a former Paris model who is now sick and poor; her ruminations on beauty and cruelty have clarity and an uncanny bite.

Nonfiction

THE ASSASSINS' GATE
America in Iraq
By George Packer.
Farrar, Straus & Giroux, $26.
A comprehensive look at the largest foreign policy gamble in a generation, by a New Yorker reporter who traces the full arc of the war, from the pre-invasion debate through the action on the ground.

DE KOONING
An American Master
By Mark Stevens and Annalyn Swan.
Alfred A. Knopf, $35.
A sweeping biography, impressively researched and absorbingly written, of the charismatic immigrant who stood at the vortex of mid-20th-century American art.

THE LOST PAINTING
By Jonathan Harr.
Random House, $24.95.
This gripping narrative, populated by a beguiling cast of scholars, historians, art restorers and aging nobles, records the search for Caravaggio's ''Taking of Christ,'' painted in 1602 and rediscovered in 1990.

POSTWAR
A History of Europe Since 1945
By Tony Judt.
The Penguin Press, $39.95.
Judt's massive, learned, brilliantly detailed account of Europe's recovery from the wreckage of World War II presents a whole continent in panorama even as it sets off detonations of insight on almost every page.

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING
By Joan Didion.
Alfred A. Knopf, $23.95.
A prose master's harrowing yet exhilarating memoir of a year riven by sudden death (her husband's) and mortal illness (their only child's)

Murakami on the Shore

It's fitting that Kyoto-born author, Haruki Murakami, would have two distinct public identities. After all, the characters inhabiting his genre-bending novels routinely live mysterious parallel existences.

Murakami is a best-selling celebrity in Asia. He's also routinely panned by Japanese critics uncomfortable with the success of his metaphysical mysteries, not to mention his protagonists' fascination with Western pop culture.

In America, critics have compared Murakami to Pynchon, Hemingway, and Hammett. Despite meager sales, locating a bookstore where his masterpiece The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle isn't a Staff Pick would be a daunting task. He has what every author dreams of; critical and popular success, only on two separate shores.

His latest, Kafka on the Shore (translated by Philip Gabriel) is Murakami's most heartbreaking novel to date. It’s also his weirdest. Populated by talking cats, Hegel-quoting prostitutes, and a strange dude who calls himself Colonel Sanders, the novel follows parallel plot lines involving a 15-year-old runaway and an elderly man who's one part Forrest Gump, one part Buddha. As I said, it's weird. Thankfully, part of Murakami’s charm is his ability to make the fantastic seem normal. Real.

Structurally, the book is reminiscent of his double-plotted detective spoof, Hard-Boiled Wonderland. Nevertheless, Kafka is more intimately linked to Underground, Murakami's nonfiction examination of evil via the sarin gas attacks on the Tokyo subway.

An ambitious and moving novel, Kafka on the Shore is also deeply flawed, often slipping into head-scratching allegory and failing to tie together disjointed pieces. That said, Murakami (and his fans) seem forgiving, if not inspired by the humanity that resides in imperfections. In a revealing chunk of dialogue about a Schubert sonata, Murakami writes "works that have a certain imperfection to them have an appeal for that very reason -- or at least they appeal to certain types of people."

Exactly.

--Robert Lanham from Nylon

Posted by freewilliamsburg at 09:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)