Author Archives: Blowhard, Esq.

About Blowhard, Esq.

Amateur, dilettante, wannabe.

Quote Du Jour

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: People of experience maintain that it is very sensible to start from a principle. I grant them that and start with the principle that all men are boring. — Kierkegaard, Either/Or

Posted in Humor, Philosophy and Religion | Tagged Kierkegaard | Leave a comment

Jefferson on Judicial Review

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: You seem … to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Politics and Economics | Tagged judicial review, Supreme Court, Thomas Jefferson | 1 Comment

What I’ve Been Watching

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Minimalist movie notes on the last 10 that I’ve seen: 47 METRES DOWN: Liked it. LA NOTTE: Didn’t like it. THE LADIES MAN: Liked it. THE HISTORY BOYS: Liked it. MISSISSIPPI GRIND: Really liked it. LADY BIRD: … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | 3 Comments

The Law is a “Propaganda Weapon,” Says Former Supreme Court Justice

Posted on March 27, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In today’s New York Times editorial page, former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens calls for the repeal of the Second Amendment. In doing so, he attacks the majority decision in DC v. Heller written by Scalia: … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Politics and Economics | Tagged propaganda weapon, Second Amendment, Supreme Court | 2 Comments

Movie Update

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Having seen most of the major movies of 2017, my current top 10 is: 1. FRANTZ 2. MARJORIE PRIME 3. INGRID GOES WEST 4. GOOD TIME 5. I LOVE YOU, DADDY 6. “Finding Frances” episode of NATHAN … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged favorites of 2017, listing movies | 4 Comments

Our Favorite Things in 2017

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As you will quickly notice, we’re a grouchy, grumpy lot, all of whom are too old to keep up with new things, so this list consists of our favorite things we encountered this year whether or not … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Bitcoin, Books Publishing and Writing, Commercial art, Food and health, History, Linkathons, Media, Movies, Music, Performers, Television, The Good Life, Theater, Trends | Tagged Abel Ferrara, Adam Sandler, Alberto Lattuada, Apple, Arthur Fremantle, Ashley Judd, Aziz Ansari, BBC, bitcoin, Bob Odenkirk, carla bruni-sarkozy, Chairlift, Chantal Delsol, Christopher Nolan, Claude Barras, Cluster, CNN, Confederate statues, Cooper Hewitt, Courtney Barnett, Curtis Harding, David Attenborough, david lynch, Derren Brown, Don Miguel Gascon, Donald Trump, Douglas Murray, Eataly NYC Flatiron, Edgar Allan Poe, fake news, Filmstruck, Francois Ozon, Harvey Weinstein, Holt McCallany, Joe Rogan, Jonathan Groff, Keri Russell, Kurt Vile, Larry David, Louis C.K., M. Night Shyamalan, Maison Pickle, Matthew Rhys, michel houellebecq, Moses Sumney, Nadia Reid, Nathan Fielder, Noah Van Sciver, Pere Ubu, Radiohead, Raphael Semmes, Russia, Seth MacFarlane, Slowdive, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Tacitus, Taylor Swift, The Civil War, The Duffer Brothers, Thomas Fleming, Tim Hortons, Tom Scioli, VCV Rack, Wonder Woman, Yeoman Colt, Yumi Zouma | 10 Comments

Couldn’t Do It Today

Posted on December 13, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The lyrics, just in case you didn’t know: Gold Coast slave ship bound for cotton fields Sold in the market down in New Orleans Scarred old slaver knows he’s doin’ all right Hear him whip the women … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged The Rolling Stones | 4 Comments

Notes on “The Shape of Water” (2017)

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In this interview with Matt Zoller Seitz, writer-director Guillermo del Toro says, “Every film is a political film.” After the rock-’em-sock-’em robots of PACIFIC RIM and the Gothic reverie of CRIMSON PEAK, del Toro (along with co-writer … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged Guillermo del Toro, progressives | 2 Comments

Movie Still Du Jour

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A woman inspects some travel posters in Jacques Tati’s PLAYTIME (1967). Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture, Movies | Tagged Jacques Tati, modernism | 2 Comments

Nerds Who Aren’t As Smart As They Think They Are, The First in a Possible Series

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In this NYT profile of 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, Anne’s mother Esther has this to say about her daughter dating Yankee* Alex Rodriguez: “I liked A-Rod, he was a very nice man,” Esther Wojcicki told me. “He … Continue reading →