Category Archives: wyattb

What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years, by Ricky Riccardi

Posted on October 20, 2012 by wyattb

Several years ago I stumbled upon a blog about Louis Armstrong’s career (dippermouthblogspot.com) written by Ricky Riccardi.  Now Riccardi has written What a Wonderful World:  The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years. He is currently the project archivist for the … Continue reading →

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The Accidental City: Improvising New Orleans by Lawrence N. Powell

Posted on October 6, 2012 by wyattb

I bought this book at Faulkner House Books on Pirate’s Alley in New Orleans and read at least half of it in the New Orleans airport, on the plane and in the Chicago airport on the way home.  Let’s put … Continue reading →

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Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (DVD)

Posted on September 23, 2012 by wyattb

I saw the Gary Oldman film adaptation of this classic John Le Carré novel last winter, which made me curious about this BBC series of produced in 1979.  Even though I knew “the story” from the film, I found this … Continue reading →

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The Music Room by Dennis McFarland

Posted on October 12, 2010 by wyattb

Dennis McFarland’s The Music Room is one of those novels that you don’t forget. I first read it 20 years ago. When my aunt recently mentioned it, I immediately knew the book she was talking about. I decided to read … Continue reading →

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Deliverance by James Dickey

Posted on September 1, 2010 by wyattb

I saw an article in the New York Times discussing the 40th anniversary of the publication of Deliverance and decided to give it a try. Although reading it was not always a pleasant experience, I’m not sorry about my decision. … Continue reading →

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3 Days of the Condor

Posted on July 30, 2010 by wyattb

3 Days of the Condor is a classic 70’s film that had somehow escaped my attention until now. Although I’m not a big fan of Robert Redford, he is adequate in this part. Faye Dunaway is fine. The real star … Continue reading →

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Gosford Park directed by Robert Altman

Posted on June 30, 2010 by wyattb

I was excited to see Robert Altman’s take on the 1930’s-era country house murder mystery in the theatre, but when it was over, my reaction was “Wait, who did it?” Then I watched it again on DVD and was intrigued … Continue reading →

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Rosemary’s Baby directed by Roman Polanski

Posted on May 28, 2010 by wyattb

In Rosemary’s Baby Roman Polanski and cast deliver not just a great “scary movie”, but a great movie. The pervasive feel of the film is paranoia tinged with the eternal presence of darkness. Few films have ever delivered such an … Continue reading →

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Moon

Posted on April 30, 2010 by wyattb

This 2009 film may remind you of “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Sam Bell (played by Sam Rockwell) is stuck on the dark side of the moon with only Gerty the robot for company. He gets occasional pre-taped video messages from … Continue reading →

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The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

Posted on March 31, 2010 by wyattb

The Sound and the Fury is one of the few novels that I have read many times. I find something new in it with each reading. It is also one of the most difficult novels I have read. The story … Continue reading →

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