MOVIE: Every national election year reminds us of that part in The Dark Crystal where the hideous Skeksis systematically drain the Gelfling’s “essence” and drink it to increase their power. If you don’t know the scene we’re talking about, you need to go see it on the big screen tonight – a regular-sized TV monitor just doesn’t do Jim Henson’s creepy masterpiece justice. The one-night-only screening will be introduced by one of the film’s puppet makers, Cheryl Henson, daughter of Jim. She’ll be joined by Robbie Barnett, who operated some of the main Skeksis; the pair will sign merch after the screening. more ›

REMINDER: Don't forget about the Atlantic Antic Festival, which we wrote all about yesterday. more ›

It's not enough that David Wright is the new sex symbol for New York's baseball teams, now four other Mets get in on the action. Well, sort of. The July 17th issue of Sports Illustrated (on newsstands now) has the five members of the New York Metropolitans on the cover with the title, "Welcome To Rip City, The Adventures of Captain Red Ass And the Intrepid Mets." Of course, with that whole Sports Illustrated curse thing, this can't be good for Mets fans. Left to right, the cover is Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Delgado, and Jose Reyes - four of the six Mets All Stars. more ›

Often Gothamist runs opinion pieces relevant to life in New York and reviews of recent books and performances. The judgments expressed below are entirely those of the author. more ›

As we try to get over the possible snub of NYC by Matthew Bourne’s adaptation of Edward Scissorhands, at least we can console ourselves with the usual mind-bending assortment of theater that’s definitely here now. more ›

yamaholiday! more ›

Mario Stipinovich, Designer more ›

With such strange, non-wintery weather, it can be hard to comprehend that the holiday season is upon us – or at least it would be if retailers weren’t so insistent with their decorating and constant gift idea promotions. Theater companies are doing their part, too, gearing up with a wide variety of traditional and anti-tradition productions. One of these, closer to the latter pole, is Balletto Stiletto at La MaMa. It’s loosely based on the Grimm Brothers’ “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” and tells the story of “the Appliance King of New Jersey” who locks his nine daughters in their room each night only to find every morning that their shoes bear the signs of long hours of partying. If it doesn’t sound like it has much to do with the holidays, well, that’s just one more thing it has going for it. more ›

Gothamist also liked this quote in the Times article:

In addition to his popularity among children, who watch his cartoon show, [Spongebob Squarepants] has become a well-known camp figure among adult gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."

Here's John Boorman's filmography. Hope and Glory came out in 1987, the same year as Empire of the Sun, which ostensibly is another World War II film with a young boy at the center. Gothamist has come to find Empire of the Sun one of Steven Spielberg's best works, something much more sweeping and majestic than originally thought. Check out Roger Ebert's reviews of Hope and Glory and Empire of the Sun. And we're looking forward to the U.S. release of the documentary, Gunner Palace, about soldiers at Uday Hussein's palace - it's been getting amazing buzz while at the Toronto Film Festival. Some other war movies: Dr. Strangelove, Das Boot, Ran, Grand Illusion, MASH and Three Kings.
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