AltWeeklies Wire
If You're Not a Diehard David Cross Fan, 'I Drink' Will Likely Disappointnew
There are a few brilliant moments ("A Free List of Quirks for Aspiring Independent Filmmakers," "Ask a Rabbi," "Heaven," "Things to Do When You Are Bored"), but I Drink for a Reason is kind of underwhelming.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
09-28-2009 |
Nonfiction
Did You Know? May Is National Masturbation Monthnew
If you didn't know May was National Masturbation Month, you're not alone. The annual observance doesn't have a hugely high profile. It started in 1995 in -- where else? -- San Francisco, as a response to the forced resignation of U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
05-18-2009 |
Sex
'Courtroom Cowboy' is a Rich, Rewarding Readnew
Along with the court cases, Cipriano introduces us to Jim Beasely the man, a remarkable, evangelical trial lawyer who flew fighter jets, hunted big game and was so committed to work, he was unable to vacation, despite a love of fishing and owning a huge boat.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
01-05-2009 |
Nonfiction
Much-Praised Legal Thriller 'A Cure for Night' Traffics in Stereotypesnew
A large number of the characters in Justin Peacock's book are African–American. The plot pivots around them. There is no story without them. If they read as caricatures -- and offensive ones, at that -- how can this book be successful?
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
10-20-2008 |
Fiction
Thinking About Herbert Hoovernew
Comparing McCain to Hoover without appropriate historical context is about as penetrating as comparing him to Nero or Marie Antoinette, two other enduring symbols of coldhearted public servants.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
09-29-2008 |
Commentary
Pat's Pass: Why the Buchanan Double Standard?new
Come on, media colleagues. Do some Google searching, read his books, and take a stand. Otherwise, there's only one conclusion viewers can come to: that MSNBC and PBS tacitly endorse Pat Buchanan's racist perspective.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
09-08-2008 |
Commentary
Why Do Books Like 'Zombie Haiku' Exist?new
Here's how I imagine it happened: Zombie author/Ohio youth pastor Ryan Mecum said to his friends, over nachos, "What kind of haiku would you write if you were a zombie?"
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
08-04-2008 |
Poetry
'First City Review' Brings a Bit of Lit to Phillynew
If you think about Philadelphia the way some natives do, you might not think it's the best place to start a new literary magazine. But Michael Pollock, editor of the stellar new First City Review, out of Northern Liberties, thinks differently.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
07-21-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
Faye Flam Flubs the Sexy in 'The Score'new
Her sex column, Carnal Knowledge, was probably some of the least interesting writing Flam did in her career, yet here she takes actual content from the column, then squeezes it into a haphazard trajectory.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
07-14-2008 |
Nonfiction
Porn Star Bobby Blake on Racism and Religionnew
Blake's a puzzle, writing frankly about unsavory aspects in his life, but he's also quite serious, talking about racism in the industry, gay marriage, life on the down-low and the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the black community.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
06-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
'Loose Girl' isn't Satisfyingnew
Rather than a compelling tale of modern sexuality, Loose Girl is a milquetoast rendering of crappy sex and icky moments.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
05-27-2008 |
Nonfiction
Finding Thinspiration in a New French Lawnew
Only a country that has sex objects as old as Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert could pass a bill against glamorizing excessive thinness, as France's National Assembly did last week.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
04-28-2008 |
Commentary
Is Obama's Pastor Really That Controversial?new
I guess Noam Chomsky would be a lot scarier if he were black. He'd get a lot more press too. Church of Chomsky, anyone?
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
03-31-2008 |
Commentary
Write Here?new
How do I serve my readers when I no longer know who they are?
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
02-04-2008 |
Media
Tags: media
Don't Cry for Me, Hillarynew
You won't win me over with tears, lady.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Liz Spikol |
01-22-2008 |
Commentary
