State party platforms a study in contrasts
The Massachusetts Democratic Party will hold its issues convention in a couple of weeks, and now’s a good opportunity to compare its platform with the platform currently endorsed by state…
‘Before Midnight’ offers change of pace in summer sequels
Before Midnight, filmmaker Richard Linklater’s follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, lives up to its predecessors. Nine years after the last film ended, Ethan Hawke and Julie…
Sad days in sports
All sports fans have idols. I won’t call them heroes because that name is reserved for people that wear uniforms without the name on the back and look out for…
Signs from the angels
Do you believe in angels? We live in the country where wildflowers bloom everywhere and anywhere, and I love their unexpected “presents.” They grow in barren regions where no water…
‘This Is the End’ delivers outrageous humor
This Is the End is a movie that’s almost as funny as it is outrageous. And boy, is it outrageous. Co-written and co-directed by Seth Rogen, it features him and…
‘Orchardist’ explores depth of family relationships
The Orchardist is a straight story – a first novel – but without the psychological twists that seem to characterize contemporary fiction. In more or less the mid-19th century, the…
Triple Crown season wraps up
With the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes, the road to the Triple Crown 2013, with all its detours along the way, is now ready for resurfacing. For many horse racing…
Recalling former Gov. Paul Cellucci
Massachusetts lost a decent and respected public servant last week with the passing of former Governor Argeo Paul Cellucci. He was 65 and had been suffering from A.L.S., better known as…
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years… It’s all about our beginnings and our endings and how the days ebb and flow in between. I have always loved that…
Italian wines to make you happy for summer
After strolling down Venice’s cobbled streets, visiting museums and doing the tourist thing from sunrise to sunset, the thought of wine and food enters your mind, as you walk, step…