In ‘Her,’ Scarlett Johansson has Joaquin Phoenix from hello

In the movie “Her,” Theodore Twombly makes his living writing letters for other people. His skills are appreciated. He’s got plenty of repeat clients, folks who trust him to put their thoughts and wishes into the perfect words. I think that would be a pretty cool job. Of course, in Los Angeles of the future,…

Give us one year, Hollywood, to keep things in the present

The big thinkers in the main offices of the Syracuse New Times tasked us writers with a challenge. What would you like to see happen on the beat you cover for the new year. As I’ve been sharing here twice a week, I blog about film for this energetic Syracuse alternative newspaper’s site. The direct…

Shorts, definitely. No pants, however …

I’m a devoted shorts guy. It’s my custom to pull them out of the closet come the end of March and keep them in the rotation well into October. If it’s 60 and I’m playing golf, I pull on the shorts. Or going to the supermarket. Or walking around the block. Lounging around the house,…

And it’s back to a green backyard — and holdout rose bush — in Syracuse

Syracuse was embraced by temperatures in the 50s Saturday. Unfortunately, the unseasonable warmth for Jan. 11 was accompanied most of the daylight hours by rain. No walking for me and Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle. Besides, we had to watch Syracuse dispatch North Carolina from the Carrier Dome on the flatscreen. The Orange remained undefeated…

College basketball ACC season heats up for Syracuse with North Carolina game

The Syracuse University men’s basketball team’s first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference really starts a little past noon today. The Orange will tip off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Carrier Dome. It’s the kind of game folks around Syracuse have been anticipating since it was announced 2 1/2 years ago that…

A movie weekend for a tragic battle, alluring voice, Greek legend and family troubles

It was not pretty, that time spent on the mountain when four American SEALS tried to fend off hundreds of Taliban. “Lone Survivor,” opening this weekend, allows Mark Wahlberg to demonstrate the drama and tragedy. Also opening this weekend is “Her,” where Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with his IOS system voice. Well, it is…

Would you walk out on this frozen lake already?

Driving through Madison County on Thursday, I couldn’t help but sneak glances to my left after I turned east from Route 92 onto Route 20 in Cazenovia. With this deep freeze we’ve shuddered through of late, would the lake be frozen over already? Yes. Yes, it was. So on my way back toward Syracuse, I…

Pardon me for intruding upon your world

For all my life, I’ve tried to explain away my minor road annoyances to bad drivers. The last few days, though, my true Grumpus has emerged. Enough, already. Perhaps it’s the cold. Maybe it’s winter. Could be the lack of daylight. I’m certain, however, it’s not my fault. Two days ago, I’m driving my dear…

The Palace Theatre reminds me why I like it in Syracuse

Sometimes when the thermometer is struggling to reach 0, the wind won’t stay below 20 and the ice seems to make every path in front of you glisten with menace, you wonder. Why, exactly, do I live here? My latest winter pass by my local Syracuse city neighborhood theater gave me a marquee reminder. We…

‘The Lighthouse Award’ has me feeling bright

I send many thanks way, way south to my friend Irene A Waters. The writer and memoirist behind the interesting blog that originates from Australia, Reflections and Nightmares, has nominated me for The Lighthouse Award. Please give the link above a click to read her work about Trog and Animals, as well as admire her…