Time to talk books. You know. The things you read on iPads. Or I guess Kindles if you're color blind.

Or so said William Burroughs. But he obviously wasn't describing of "viral marketing".

WTH Blaise? ;)

This is a thread for recommending movies you've seen recently.

I liked the White Ribbon, by Michael Haneke (who also made 'The Piano Teacher' and 'Cache', both of which are very good.)

For Esme, WIth Love and Squalor is one of my favorite short stories. And while I think Catcher In The Rye is somewhat overrated, there will always be a place in my heart for anything he ever wrote pertaining to the wondrous Glass family. (Franny & Zooey, etc.)

It was rumored, quite some time ago, that he never stopped writing. He just didn't feel like publishing. It will be interesting to see what he left behind.

A wonderful obit written by Charles McGrath, here.

Here is one example:

This story and others are here:

http://boingboing.net/2009/12/16/100-word-fiction-con.html

My teenage nephew came back from seeing Avatar, the other day, all afire with enthusiasm.

So I did my best to apply the wet blankets: "ah, I cried: three hours of jejune, Disneyesque, pantheism plus the usual anti-American/anti-white-male/anti-business stereotyping - what's not to scoff at, here?"

So now he's really mad at me. Teenage boys do not like having their passing enthusiasms scoffed at.

* * * * *

as of today. Yes, with a "b" for billion dollars.

http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=avatar.htm

1/3 US domestic and 2/3 outside the US

I haven't seen the movie. Is it worth it? Any thoughts?

I may update with various hissy fits being pitched by reviewers from across the political spectrum. Is "hissy fit" forvm acceptable language?

Tony Judt discusses his ALS. Hat-tip to Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution.

S. Fish paints an interesting picture of a politician who is rising.

Stanley, who isn't a fan, notes the following:

A politician with an authentic voice, well that is refreshing. The individual must reside in a different land.