Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

The King’s Speech
February 9, 2011 · 31 Comments
<em>The King’s Speech</em>

Death Race 31, Sarah 25; 11 (!) of 24 categories completed
What a triumph of casting The King’s Speech is. Everyone looks perfect for his or her part — especially Guy Pearce as the abdicant, Eve …

The Vine: February 9, 2011
February 9, 2011 · 43 Comments
The Vine: February 9, 2011

Dear Sars,
I’m wondering about the limits of gift etiquette, and I’d be really interested in your view, since I know your gift manners are exemplary.
I have an older sister. The thing about her is that …

I Am Love
February 8, 2011 · 3 Comments
<I>I Am Love</I>

Death Race 32, Sarah 24; 2 of 24 categories completed
I didn’t set out to pay very close attention to I Am Love; it’s nominated for Best Costume Design, so I didn’t think I’d have to. …

The Amy March Shirt Of Justice: Coming Soon!
February 7, 2011 · 115 Comments
The Amy March Shirt Of Justice: Coming Soon!

No sooner had the guest bowed himself out than Jenny, under the pretense of asking an important question, informed Mr. Davis, the teacher, that Amy March had pickled limes in her desk. …
“Bring the rest …

The Wolfman
February 7, 2011 · 19 Comments
<I>The Wolfman</I>

Death Race 33, Sarah 23; 2 of 24 categories completed
I wish I’d seen it in the theater; The Wolfman isn’t quite campy enough to work, but in a few scenes, it’s close, and a Friday-night …

Dogtooth
February 6, 2011 · 14 Comments
<I>Dogtooth</I>

Death Race 34, Sarah 22; 2 of 24 categories completed
Your brother is dead. A creature like the one in the garden tore him apart. On the one hand, he made a huge mistake, venturing out …

Animal Kingdom
February 5, 2011 · 17 Comments
<I>Animal Kingdom</I>

Death Race 35, Sarah 21; 2 of 24 categories completed
This is a brilliant piece of storytelling, right here. For all the rending of garments I do about the ODR forcing me to watch shite like …

The Vine: February 4, 2011
February 4, 2011 · 29 Comments
The Vine: February 4, 2011

I’m getting married this spring in Vegas to my favorite person in the world! Yay!
I’m a pretty laid-back bride, having done this once before in another life, so we’re just looking for the wedding to …

Inception
February 4, 2011 · 33 Comments
<I>Inception</I>

Death Race 36, Sarah 20; 2 of 24 categories completed
I dreaded it. Two and a half hours…about dreams? Didn’t Robin Williams already do this? Didn’t Leonardo DiCaprio, for that matter? And does stupid Juno have …

GasLand
February 3, 2011 · 9 Comments
<I>GasLand</I>

Death Race 37, Sarah 19; 1 of 24 categories completed
GasLand, a doc about the dangers posed to the national water supply by hydro-fracturing (“fracking”), gets off to a precious, over-edited start, and Josh Fox’s grating …