Tag Archives: New York City

Notes on “C.H.U.D.”

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: It stands for cannibalistic humanoid underground dwellers. Released in 1984, “C.H.U.D.” is a late-in-cycle New-York-in-the-’70s movie that in some ways reminds me of Tim Burton’s “Batman,” itself an end-of-cycle New-York-in-the-’70s movie. Certain scenes, like the opening, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged C.H.U.D., Douglas Cheek, Film, horror, movies, New York City, Parnell Hall | 5 Comments

“Citizen Jane: Battle for the City” (2016)

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: As the full title implies, director Matt Tyrnauer‘s documentary profile of writer and urban theorist Jane Jacobs frames her story in terms of confrontation. In this corner we have politician Robert Moses, the power broker of post-World … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Movies | Tagged David Rockefeller, Jane Jacobs, modernism, Nelson Rockefeller, New York City, Robert Moses, Rockefeller Foundation, spontaneous order, urban renewal | 4 Comments

Amazon’s Bricks and Mortar

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: After laying waste to meatspace retail book sellers, Amazon has bizarrely decided to get into the game. Their first NYC store opened over the Memorial Day weekend so I headed down there to check it out. My overall … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing | Tagged Amazon, bookstores, Jeff Bezos, New York City | 7 Comments

Architecture Du Jour

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: “The Glory of Commerce,” completed in 1914, the sculpture that tops the southern façade of Grand Central Terminal. Mercury, representing commerce, is flanked by Hercules, who represents physical labor, and Minerva, who represents intellectual labor. The grouping was … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Beaux Arts, Grand Central Station, Jules-Felix Coutan, New York City | 4 Comments

Handmade Hipsterism v. Glass-and-Steel Globalism

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I was wandering in the East 40s yesterday when I came across a hipster coffee joint. As I looked at the wooden sign in the window advertising their goods, I had to suppress a snicker: an unfinished wooden … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | Tagged Arts & Crafts movement, coffee houses, Frank Gehry, globalism, hipsters, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, neoliberalism, New York City, Peter Zumthor, Thom Mayne, Zaha Hadid | 7 Comments

“The First Monday in May” (2016)

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I semi-enjoyed this new documentary about the annual exhibition and fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum’s fashion wing. Every spring The Costume Institute mounts a major exhibit that opens on May 1st with a lavish party attended by … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Women men and fashion | Tagged Andrew Bolton, Andrew Rossi, Anna Wintour, documentaries, New York City, The Met | 1 Comment

Public Masturbation–EXPOSED!

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes: As a blogger I am obliged to take the side of the pajama-clad reporters against the evil mainstream media. Why, I happen to be in my pajamas at the moment, too, as I write this. For the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Sex | Tagged New York City, public masturbation booth | 4 Comments

Crap Space 2

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: A return to my ongoing project of documenting what I think of as architectural “crap space” — bits (as well as sometimes, alas, huge stretches) of our designed-and-built environment that have zero life whatsoever. First off, I’d like to admit that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged architecture, crap space, New York City | 3 Comments

Architects and the “Vision” Thing

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Via Wired, architects Vishaan Chakrabarti and Gregg Pasquarelli discuss how they would improve New York City: I agree with a couple of their suggestions: more crosstown connections (particularly a crosstown subway) would be nice and fewer cars would be appreciated … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged experts, Gregg Pasquarelli, modernism, Nathan Myhrvold, New York City, spontaneous order, traditionalism, urbanism, Vishaan Chakrabarti | 1 Comment

Edges, Pointiness, Minimalism and Public Seating

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: On a beautiful recent day, my wife and I treated ourselves to a long, leisurely walk — first through the West Village, then down along Hudson River Park, and finally through and beyond Battery Park Marina. The red line shows our … Continue reading →