Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter In the first episode of the HBO series The Newsroom, a college student asks news anchor Will McAvoy (played by Jeff Daniels) why America is the greatest country on Earth. Before absolutely emasculating her with a lengthy and provocative laundry list of deficiencies in our government, McAvoy tries to …
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Category:Michael DiMilo
The Good People of Texas
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter They say everything is bigger in Texas—the hats, the cars, the buildings, the population, the reputation—even the problems. This is the state that produced the larger-than-life personalities Willie Nelson, Matthew McConaughey, Larry McMurtry, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Buddy Holly—to name only a few. Texans have a lot to …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to the New Hollywood: The Legacy of Tom Hanks
Yeoman 1st Class Donna Lou Morgan, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons In the last few weeks, the Couch Potato has looked at some of old-time Hollywood’s greatest actors, discussing the best films of James Stewart, Paul Newman, Audrey Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn, and John Wayne. Even though this survey has barely scratched the surface …
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The Best Laid Plans
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter After a long hot week in the city, my wife and I took a trip up to our place in the great Northwoods, a family cottage that we’ve owned for over fifty years. The original cabin was a tiny summer cottage with no basement, heat (except a tiny …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of John Wayne
20th Century Fox, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter That languorous drawl, that odd rolling gait, the quick draw, and that look of steely determination comprised the essence of probably one of the most famous of all American cinematic heroes. He starred in countless Westerns, private eye flicks, war movies, and even dabbled …
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The Long Goodbye
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter This past weekend, I attended a memorial service to commemorate the passing of a very old and very dear friend of mine. Because he died eighteen months ago, during the height of the pandemic—while we under quarantine—his family was unable to hold services at that time. Because this …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of Katherine Hepburn
Unknown author Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio publicity photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter Katherine Hepburn was not just an actress; she was a force of nature. Hepburn was a spirited, outspoken, intelligent, and assertive woman who just happened to be one of the most distinctive actresses of her generation. According to Sheridan Morley, one …
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Pulling Off the Band-Aid
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter In chaotic news footage reminiscent of the (to say the least) undignified and disorganized American exit from Saigon in 1975, the U.S. military, diplomatic corps, and translators have been attempting to flee Afghanistan after the seemingly unexpected and lightning-fast Taliban military takeover of the Afghan government. Fearful for …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of Henry Fonda
Henry Fonda in 12 Angry MenUnited Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter Over the course of five decades on the stage and screen, Henry Fonda evolved from playing innocent, usually countrified characters like Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath into strong paternal types like the titular role of Mr. Roberts, the unnamed president striving …
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Lost in the Funhouse
Artwork by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Why can’t we get off this merry-go-round? Despite the availability of safe and effective Covid19 vaccines, the nation is experiencing a new spike in cases—the worse since last winter—especially among children and young adults, in populations that refuse to get vaccinated. Despite seemingly overwhelming evidence that he sought …
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The Couch Potato’s Guide to Old Hollywood: The Legacy of Audrey Hepburn
Paramount-photo by Bud Fraker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Geoff Carter Only a few actresses had the ability to exude the easy elegance, charm, and vulnerability of Audrey Hepburn. Grace Kelly could at times, but she didn’t quite match Hepburn’s otherworldly onscreen presence. Hepburn radiated natural uncontrived beauty and flawless grace, and she seemed …
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That Sinking Feeling
Artwork by Michael DiMilo Article by Geoff Carter “The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.” — Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote de La Mancha (Modern Library (Hardcover)) Shit floats. —Popular adage We’re treading water in a cesspool of information. Flooded with theories, …
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