L.A. Times: Indians Not Liking 'Slumdog'

Indians don't feel good about 'Slumdog Millionaire'
(Los Angeles Times, 1/24)

Even as American audiences gush over "Slumdog Millionaire," some Indians are groaning over what they see as yet another stereotypical foreign depiction of their nation, accentuating squalor, corruption and impoverished-if-resilient natives.

Yes, the movie's all a cliche, but that doesn't make it any less powerful. See my own review.

WSJ: Why the Prisoner Endures

Why 'The Prisoner' Endures
(Wall Street Journal, 1/20)

Eventually tiring of the John Drake role, Mr. McGoohan was able to persuade his British boss to bankroll a series in which a Drake-like character would explore more meaty themes. He delivered a libertarian classic, somewhat marred by the hurriedly written final episode in which Mr. McGoohan's character leads the Village's other inhabitants in a successful revolt. He finally confronts Number One, who is wearing a false face. When that is yanked off, a monkey mask is revealed. And when that is also pulled off, the face of Mr. McGoohan himself is seen.

Life of Brian: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"

Here are the lyrics and the mp3 file from the closing number from Monty Python's Life of Brian: "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." It's a catchy little tune suitable for any crucifixion.

More than 5000 Friends Now Allowed on Facebook

This tech article suggests that none of us will be hitting our Facebook friend limit anytime soon.

Facebook To Lift 5,000 Friends Limit

However, another article suggests that there is a limit to how many new friends you can add in a day: perhaps 20-30. This restriction is apparently enforced to prevent Spam and to keep Facebook a social site rather than a commercial one. (Imagine if Facebook starting being used for porn distribution. The number of "friends" per account would skyrocket.)

L.A. Times: Dido

A profile of the singer Dido Armstrong appears in the Nov. 18 Los Angeles Times:

Dido picks up sticks, lays down her own groove

I consider her a two-hit wonder ("White Flag" and "Thank You"), and I'm not a fan of her other songs, but her style is interesting.

Paul Simon, Songwriter

This short interview with Paul Simon appears in today's USA Today...

'Lyrics' captures Paul Simon's career

Also, some background anecdotes about some of his most famous songs...

Paul Simon takes a lyrical journey

He is my ideal songwriter, the sort I would like to be.

Notice that he doesn't seem to care whether he makes any money, at least at this point in his life. He just wants to write great songs!

Author Michael Crichton Dies

Los Angeles Times: Michael Crichton dies at 66; bestselling author of 'Jurassic Park' and other thrillers (11/6/08)

Crichton wrote the first "grown up" book I ever read, The Andromeda Strain. For a while, I wanted to be him. Now, I see that he got frozen in time and never really grew as an author. He produced efficient techno-thrillers but never grasped the human world.