Essential Performance: Gene Hackman in ‘The Conversation’*
Sean MurphyHarry Caul is a man less concerned with the answers to uneasy questions than the questions themselves. He is a well-regarded surveillance specialist; a self-employed spy who builds his own…
Sue Mingus and the Mingus Big Band: Letting Our Children Hear Music
The Mingus Big Band is bigger than most big bands because they play the music of Charles Mingus. Of the many words one could use to describe Mingus, (and one…
Forever Never Changes: Remembering Arthur Lee
Arthur Lee died almost exactly four years ago (August 3, 2006). I not only am keen to remember --and celebrate-- his life and work, I also appreciate the fact that…
Party Music for the Apocalypse: Mikey Dread’s ‘Beyond World War III’
If Mikey Dread (Michael Campbell) had never decided to pick up the microphone and sing, his status would be secure in reggae history. His groundbreaking weekly show on Jamaican radio,…
Celebrating Chinatown: The Ultimate Summer Movie (and the Perfect American Movie)
Chinatown does not usually make the short list of best American films. In fairness, it probably shouldn’t. It will have to settle for merely being the only perfect American film…