Category Archives: Film

The Winston Smith Library of Victory & Truth

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Edinburgh-based artist Hans K Clausen is creating an innovative project titled “The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth.”  This visual art installation/ sculpture/ library will be centered solely on George Orwell’s iconic novel 1984 and be built from  1,984 … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, Freedom of Speech, History, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Paris Syndrome

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

This weekend my wife and I watched a very disappointing film which was primary set in Paris at Christmas time. The only thing that it had going for it was the romance of Paris all aglow with holiday lights. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Asia, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Saved for the very end

Posted on December 31, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Reading Rhythms is not a book club. It’s a reading party. Read with friends to curated music. “It’s my party and I’ll read if I want to. What a super concept; I hope that it spreads. Ernest Hemingway only used 59 … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Canada, Europe, Film, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

What do Mickey Mouse and D.H. Lawrence have in common

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On January 1, 2024, thousands of copyrighted works from 1928 will enter the US public domain, along with sound recordings from 1923. They will be free for all to copy, share, and build upon. This year’s highlights include Lady Chatterley’s Lover by … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, History, movies, Music, Theater, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Retro Travel Time

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

For nearly a century kids of all ages in North America have enjoyed playing with  classic the View-Master. Now there’s a wonderful YouTube channel that combines travel and history in a unique format. Created by Dave Machin, the channel remixes … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, History, Photography, Tech, USA | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

An Alternative Christmas Carol

Posted on December 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Carol For Another Christmas was directed by Joseph L. Manckiewics for the United Nations and was written by the inimitable Rod Serling. The unusual 1964 television special was presented without commercial interruptions. It was the first of a series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, Theater, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“Twas the night before Christmas”

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In 2006 Bob Dylan surprised the listeners to his satellite radio show, Theme Time Radio Hour, with a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The poem first appeared in print on December 23, 1823.  No author was cited for the work then called A … Continue reading →

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When Santa was truly Red

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

On this date in1974, an army of more than 100 men, women, and children, all dressed as Santa Claus, invaded central Copenhagen. They paraded through the city in a procession that included a gigantic “Trojan” goose, angels, Danish flags, and … Continue reading →

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Beautiful Iceland

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This holiday weekend I binged watched a mystery series set in Iceland. Of course this led to a bout of nostalgia for one of my favorite places on Earth and a search for videos set in Iceland. The fabulous film … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Advice for Travelers

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In a previous incarnation as a travel writer, I proferred various sorts of advice to travelers. I pontificated on everything from where to visit and what to eat, but I rarely offered instruction to time travelers. The very clever video … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, History, Tourism | Tagged , | 1 Comment