A Small-Business Documentary Sparks Discussion

Laura Palotie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:59:40 -0500

Last night I attended a small-business forum organized by Manhattan's Community Board 4 that addressed the problematic future of New York's small businesses. The meeting was held in conjunction with a screening of Virginie Alvine-Perrette's documentary, Twilight Becomes Night, in which she recorded the gradual disappearance of several mom-and pop stores in the city. I first met Perrette while interviewing her for an Inc.com article (you can read it here).

Recession Fashion

Laura Palotie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:14:36 -0500

The depressing economy may be prompting us to keep our wallets shut, but so far it's doing very little to curb our fashion obsession. Amidst widespread corporate layoffs, our nation elected a new president, and the subsequent fashion coverage follows: This is how you can get Michelle Obama's look, and this is what you should purchase for your next job interview.

Can We Laugh at Obama?

Laura Palotie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:42:36 -0500

After witnessing two years of emotional wrangling and finger-pointing, most of us are relieved to put the election season behind us. But as the nation transitions from the erratic, divisive Bush-era into the historically momentous presidency of Obama the rhetoritician, some journalists are declaring crisis mode on a flourishing art form: the political satire. Bush-impersonations have gone past the point of cliché, but no comedian is yet to figure out how to nail the uniquely relatable stateliness of Barack Obama.

How the Recession is Impacting Music, Too

Laura Palotie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:45:08 -0400

As the effects of the financial crisis ripple beyond Wall Street, there has been much talk about how various demographics will be impacted. You may have read the account of one dismayed cab driver in New York Magazine, for example, or a New York Times piece detailing the dimming of New York's culture of greed (think lavish restaurants, pricey hotels and exclusive clubs).

Is Hollywood Benefiting from the Current Recession?

Laura Palotie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:21:07 -0400

The U.S economy may be in shambles, but for the movie industry, the next two months seem to signal a nice upsurge. Not only does the most universal form of escapist entertainment tend to fare especially well during economic downturns, but the end of October also signals the unofficial peak of the yearly Academy Awards-race.

Once Again, Oliver Stone Surprises Critics

Laura Palotie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:12:26 -0400

Multiple Oscar-winner Oliver Stone may be adapting new tones as a filmmaker, but he has certainly not lost his ability to surprise those who claim to understand his style and artistic motivations. After the director adapted a shockingly apolitical approach to the events of September 11th and instead turned them into a small-scale tale of survival in World Trade Center, some expected his biopic of George W. Bush to signal a return to the fearless societal criticism that made Stone famous.

Celebrities Rock the Vote...Do We Still Listen?

Laura Palotie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:05:46 -0400

The idea of comparing Barack Obama to Paris Hilton may be preposterous, but the Democratic Candidate's status as a full-fledged cultural icon is undeniable. While Che Guevara used to be the most likely political figure to end up on an Urban Outfitters shirt, stylized Obama-graphics now represent the trendiest in T-shirt design. Thanks to Obama's youth-friendly image, catchy rhetoric and comfort with the digital realm, he's the first candidate in decades to authentically appeal to the primary consumers of pop culture.

Emmys Hit by an Academy Awards-Curse?

Laura Palotie — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:40:26 -0400

Last Sunday's Emmy awards, like the night's big winner, Mad Men, failed to attract the desired fan attention; at 12.2 million viewers, the awards show's ratings were the worst since 1990. But unlike the decorated and critically praised AMC series whose viewership has crawled in the 920,000-range since last season, the telecast received almost universally lukewarm responses from critics (USA Today called it "hideously awful").

'In the Family' Demonstrates Inspired First-Person Filmmaking

Laura Palotie — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:18:29 -0400

Earlier this week, I attended the New York premiere of filmmaker Joanna Rudnick's first-person documentary, In the Family, at the Paley Center for Media. Scheduled to run on October 1st on PBS, the film chronicles Rudnick's efforts to explore the psychological effects of a genetic mutation (BRCA) that dramatically increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in its carriers. Rudnick herself was tested positive for the mutation in her mid-20s, making her a central figure in the resulting narrative.

Spielberg Draws on Rear Window, Gets Slapped with a Lawsuit

Laura Palotie — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:12:53 -0400

When Disturbia, the pre-Transformers Shia LaBeouf-vehicle hit theaters last year, most critics made reference to its similarities to Hitchcock's universally hailed Rear Window. Both featured a murderer next door, an intently curious neighbor who sees something not intended for his eyes, and a neighborhood that's slow to catch on to his suspicions. Perhaps most importantly, both feature main characters who are somehow immobilized (one by an injury, the other by an ankle bracelet).