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movie

Movie Review: “The Big Short” Entertains, But First it Has to Educate

What’s a Little Didacticism in a Movie With Margot Robbie & Brad Pitt? Are collateralized debt obligations (“CDO’s”) easier to understand when a gorgeous Margot Robbie — enjoying a champagne bubble bath — explains them? (maybe, if you’re not too distracted). How about when the teacher is Selena Gomez or Chef Anthony Bourdain? That’s the...
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Casting Jonathan Franzen’s “Purity,” the Movie

Born For a Role:  Aubrey Plaza as Pip Tyler Scarcely a dozen pages in to Jonathan Franzen’s terrific new novel, “Purity” (I’m now halfway through), it’s obvious that it’s only a matter of time before the book is turned into a movie. Who’ll be cast as the book’s main characters? My candidate to play the...
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Hey! Why is There a Giant Mercedes-Benz Hood Ornament Orbiting Earth?!?

Product Placement and the Movie “Elysium”; or, “Maybe That’s a Little TOO Exclusive” Yes, product placement is simultaneously becoming more ubiquitous and more subtle (or not) — woven into the very narrative of today’s movies and TV shows. And yes, Mercedes-Benz has spent decades assiduously cultivating an air of luxury and exclusivity for its brand. But I doubt...
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“Admission” Book Review

The Elite College Admissions Crucible Apparently, there’s a superstition — held by Native American Indians, the Amish, and some other cultures — that photographs steal a piece of your soul. I don’t happen to share that belief. But, I do believe that when a young adult has their life — unformed as it may be...
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"The House That Soared"

New Home “Home Run?” Not Exactly You know you’re a Realtor when you notice a headline, like this one in today’s New York Times — ‘The House That Soared’ — and immediately think to yourself: ‘What developer is making a killing in such a tough market for new homes? What was their secret? Where’s the...
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