Links for the Day (October 3rd, 2008)

1. "A Wordsmith Rallies to Reclaim ‘That Guy’": Times article from a few days ago about columnist and family friend Ed Lowe. We wish him well in his recovery.

["Longtime readers of Newsday can recall some pretty remarkable Ed Lowe columns over the years. But perhaps the most dramatic Ed Lowe story is the one he is now living. Mr. Lowe suffered a near-fatal stroke in January. After months on life support and being unable to speak, he is back home, living with his companion, Susan Hennings, in her cozy house here on Nassau Road. He kept his life but not his lifeblood — his words. Ed Lowe can no longer write, and he is crushed. He has begun to speak again, but he is far from regaining that gift of gab that made him one of the most prominent raconteurs in these parts."]

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2. Jason Bellamy announces the Politics & Movies Blog-a-thon.

["Come Election Day – er, maybe a few days after – some of us will be celebrating and some of us will be sobbing. But, assuming we’ve been keeping up with the coverage, all of us will find ourselves with a little extra free time and a pang of regret that the whole blessed affair ended so quickly (just go with me on this). So on that note, in the spirit of keeping the rash of political mania burning just a little longer, or if only to provide a welcome diversion from the election’s outcome, The Cooler is pleased to announce the Politics & Movies Blog-a-thon, taking place right here November 4-9."]

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3. The latest installment of Aaron Aradillas' Internet radio show "Back By Midnight." This episode is dedicated entirely to The Godfather restoration, and features interviews with actress Talia Shire, cinematographers Allen Daviau and Gordon Willis, and myself (making a case for The Godfather Part III, among other points). Access through either link or embedded player above.

["A discussion with actress Talia Shire in conjunction with the Blu-ray release of The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration. Also, cinematographer Allen Daviau will discuss the restoration process. Finally, film critic Keith Uhlich will make a case for the greatness of The Godfather Part III."]

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4. "NYFF. Junkets Dispatch. 1.": House contributor Vadim Rizov rates the New York Film Festival press conferences.

["The New York Film Festival's press screenings aren't just a clubby way for New York's circle of critics and journalists to catch up on world cinema together; it's also a chance to see many of the world's premiere directors speak about their work. But many of the questions turn out to be excessively vague or unhelpful; wasted opportunities abound. I recently sat in on as many panels as I could and took some notes on what went down. "]

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5. "Boy, 7, breaks into zoo, feeds animals to croc": And, oh yeah, there was some debate last night.

["A 7-year-old boy broke into a popular Outback zoo, fed a string of animals to the resident crocodile and bashed several lizards to death with a rock, the zoo's director said Friday. The 30-minute rampage, caught on the zoo's security camera, happened early Wednesday after the boy jumped a security fence at the Alice Springs Reptile Center in central Australia, said zoo director Rex Neindorf. The child then went on a killing spree, bashing three lizards to death with a rock, including the zoo's beloved, 20-year-old goanna, which he then fed to "Terry," an 11-foot, 440-pound saltwater crocodile, said Neindorf."]

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Quote of the Day: Ernest Hemingway

"I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?"

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Image of the Day (click to enlarge): No smoking for you, Ms. Davis! (Danke, Odie)



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Clip of the Day: "Don't Vote"

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"Links for the Day": Each morning, the House editors post a series of weblinks that we think will spark discussion. Comments encouraged. Suggestions for links are also welcome. Please send to keithuhlich@gmail.com.