How is everyone’s weekend going? Watching any college basketball?
The last couple days have been really fun. The instant ‘Cinderella’ aspect of the NCAA Tournament makes it so compelling. Oral Roberts over Ohio State? North Texas over Purdue? Only in a single elimination tournament format could what took place Friday and Saturday matter as much as it does. I hope those players and coaches enjoyed their one shining moment on the national stage.
This week’s Six includes articles on the rise and fall of a Hollywood film star, a famous novelist pens his farewell column about his home state and universities cancel spring break with predictable results (students didn’t get the email).
Let’s proceed with the Six.
The Rise and Fall of Armie Hammer
These are the stories that Vanity Fair does so well. Actor Armie Hammer had it all—talent, looks and a beautiful family—only to have it all come crashing down. His downfall might have surprised the people who knew nothing about his family’s complicated legacy. An engaging read from VF.
I had no idea that the novelist, Carl Hiaasen, was still writing newspaper columns for the Miami Herald. I knew he used to do that, got his start in newspapers, but not that he still was. Well, he’s not anymore as the crime novelist who wrote “Bad Monkey,” “Razor Girl,” and “Tourist Season” pens his final column about the wacky weirdness of Florida.
Can’t Borrow That Library Book? Blame Amazon
As if we needed another reason to be skeptical of Amazon and it’s monopolistic business practices. Unable to get that downloadable digital or audio version of your favorite author’s new book from the local library? Amazon won’t sell it to them. Insightful read from the Washington Post.
Universities Cancel Spring Break. Guess What Happens
I read this and my first reaction was to go all John McEnroe…you cannot be serious! Southern schools such as the University of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida cancelled spring break this year for Covid-related reasons. But did they actually believe that 19, 20 and 21 year olds would stay on campus and take virtual classes titled ‘wellness days?’ Spring break wellness to college students predictably, doing what college kids are going to do. And that’s hit the beach and party like its 1999.
A Review Of The Film “The Sound Of Metal"
This film has gotten a lot of attention the past few weeks as it received a bunch of Oscar nominations. I streamed this film earlier this week and really enjoyed it. A drummer in a heavy metal band suddenly, without any warning, loses his hearing. The film works due to the virtuoso performance from lead actor Riz Ahmed and a cast of terrific supporting characters. This article is a review of the film from Tribune critic Michael Phillips.
President Biden Takes a Tumble
When I hopped on Twitter Friday I saw that ‘Gerald Ford’ was trending. My first thought was, ‘is it the late former president’s birthday?’ No, a fall while walking up the stairs on Air Force One by President Biden (reports were he’s just fine) had twitterers reminiscing about President Ford’s infamous fall in the 1970’s, famously parodied by Chevy Chase on “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.”
Have a great rest of your weekend everybody. Thanks for reading as always.
Have a suggestion for the Sunday Six? Send email to jon@jonjkerr.com.