With Summer upon us our entertaining heads outside to our yards, pool, boats and vacation rentals. Instead of stocking up on your usual refreshments take a chance on some of the new products coming to the marketplace with wider distribution due to the mergers in the spirits, beer and non-alcoholic beverage industry.
Category: Peter M. Hargrove
Managing Editor
2014 NEW YORK AUTO SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
The New York Auto Show came to town with a bang. Lots of new cars were present along with the usual car junkies and stunning booth babes. The only downside to the show was the presence of the part-time photographer and full-time psychopath reviled by every legitimate journalist and even the paparazzis.
51ST NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL – 2013 EDITION
The 51st Annual New York Film Festival came to town from 27 September through 13 October. As expected, the Hollywoodification of the New York Film Festival was in full effect with the Galas (they love to have those parties) for the Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night.
NEW YORK FRINGE FESTIVAL 2013
Fringe Fests have always been a place to discover new voices, whether it be playwrights, performers or troupes. Established in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947, the concept spread worldwide to Adelaide, Australia; Grahamstown, South Africa and Edmonton, Canada among many others,…
PACIFIC RIM
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots vs. Godzilla in a backyard kiddie pool at night in a thunderstorm during a power outage. It’s not even cheesy, just Cheez Whiz.
2013 SUMMER FANCY FOOD SHOW TOP 10 DISCOVERIES
The foodie contingent is out in droves at the annual International Fancy Food Show annoying vendors as they avow themselves to be “Food Bloggers” and want to take pictures of everything with their fancy electronic gadgets. As one vendor commented, “We all eat food, what makes them think they’re so special?” Nothing much except they’re over-educated, under-employed liberal arts majors or new moms going stir crazy with toddlers underfoot.
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2012
I’ve spent the year skipping multitudes of films a wide array of individuals whose opinion I trust told me to skip. This is the lowest number of films I’ve seen in a single year since I started my career in the entertainment business. I did see all the films which wound up on various Top 10 Lists but as is usually the case, my tastes are not “mainstream.” I’d still suggest you watch the films I’ve chosen as they’ll get you to think outside your comfort zone and maybe there’ll be one or two that you’ll be very happy I have helped you to discover.
25 GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Gifts that keep on giving are ones that recipients can enjoy year round and will go back and visit long after the morning of wrapping paper destruction frenzy. DVDs, books and cds are cost effective gifts that your loved ones will cherish far longer than hats, scarves, socks and grandma’s secret brittle recipe.
50TH NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL – 2012 EDITION
In the year of their major milestone, the impressive 50th Anniversary, the New York Film Festival is on its way to their third incarnation. The First Generation, known as the Richard Roud Years, was top-heavy Francophile central. Generation Two, the Richard Pena Years, will be remembered for its obsession with “Third World Cinema”. Now with the changing of the guard, the festival is heading into the Third Generation, which will become known over time as “The Hollywoodification Years”.
MARGARET – EXTENDED CUT
A young, self-absorbed New York City rich kid attending private school witnesses a bus accident that she inadvertently caused to happen. Suffering from teenage grief and angst, she obsesses over what-ifs to the point that she drags everyone around her into Sturm und Drang Upper Westside sense of liberal entitlement crossed with Jewish guilt.