Green Oasis

Swing Kids has a promising premise: the struggles of kids in Nazi Germany who love American swing. It touches on a theme that I wonder about often: how much would I sacrifice for my principles? It is regrettably overacted which distracts from the power of the story. Sometimes, less is more.

I’m a sucker for cultural fusion, so I had a lot of fun watching Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Tarantino’s bloody goulash of favorite genres—revenge, kung fu, spaghetti western, blaxploitation—is entertaining to watch. His passion for these genres is obvious. The soundtrack is impeccable. Plus, PussyWagon = Hilarious.

The Prestige performs a magic trick in three parts: the pledge, the turn, and the prestige. I had fun unraveling the mysteries behind this tale of ego, obsession, and sacrifice.

As a newly minted atheist father, I worried about how to teach my children. Parenting Beyond Belief convinced me that teaching my children to be freethinkers was not only acceptable but preferable, even beautiful.

I last read The Old Man and the Sea for seventh grade reading class. What a difference twenty years make! While I’m not yet old, some lessons come only with time: they can’t be rushed. The consciously futile struggle against mortality enriches our stark, youthful views into compassionate, full color vistas.