Posted in Academy Awards, Movies, Health on Feb 10th, 2020
The latest stats, info and how to protect yourself from the Coronavirus. The 92nd Academy Awards and the steep ratings decline; Quentin Tarantino still can't get a Best Director award and The Irishman gets 10 nominations but no awards.
Check out weaponofselfdistraction.com for more missives and occasionally interesting stuff.
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Posted in Movies, Self-Improvement, People on Nov 17th, 2019
Back from a break, but not back from a continuing social media respite: why be constantly reminded of what you don't have? A rambling review of the movie JoJo Rabbit...and an obscure but cool song.
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Posted in Music, Books, Movies on Oct 22nd, 2019
The Fall Movie Preview features a special guest, Tyler Smith from the very cool movie review website and podcast Battleship Pretension. Tyler gives details and recommendations on the best movies coming out this fall, including Joker, The Lighthouse, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Knives Out, The Irishman, Won't You Be My Neighbor, Uncut Gems, Richard Jewell, Marriage Story and The Report. Plus, Steve guests on the new episode of the Three Sides of the Coin Podcast!
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Posted in Entertainment, Sports, Movies, Dating on Mar 25th, 2019
Direct from Chicago, Steve's friend Barrie weighs in on the dumb things guys do in the world of online dating. Featuring "best practices" to help avoid profile photo foibles and idiocy at Bumble, Tinder, Match.com and more. Swipe right! Plus, Jordan Peele's mystery/horror thriller Us does a record $70 million opening weekend. And, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!
basketball, dating, movies, romance
Visit www.weaponofselfdistraction.com for more distractions
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Posted in , Entertainment, Music, TV & Film, Books, Movies on Jan 17th, 2019
This week's interview is with pop culture journalist Bryan Reesman. He's contributed to over 100 media outfits including The New York Times, Billboard, E! Online, American Way magazine and dozens of others. And he has written liner notes for albums from AC/DC, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Filter, Toto and many others. In addition, Bryan penned the best-selling 2016 bio Bon Jovi: The Story and he contributed four chapters to the new book Rock Stars at Home.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Bryan takes us through the start of his career, and how he's found a niche and success writing about music, movies, books, live theatre, and even food. We go deep into writing liner notes, music fandom, the changing face of media consumption, his love of electronica, keeping up with so much to watch at Netflix and much more. And what he's looking forward to watch, hear, and read in 2019...whew!
For more on Bryan and what he's up to visit www.bryanreesman.com
Visit WeaponofSelfDistraction for various things to read, listen to, and watch.
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Posted in Entertainment, Music, Books, Movies on Dec 18th, 2018
Ezra Croft, artist and co-author of the super-cool book The Art of Being Bill is a guest. The book is the largest collection of Bill Murray fan art and Ezra tells about the inspiration behind it, the greatness of Murray and how the book all came together. Plus, its National Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day (Tuesday, 12/18), the backlash behind the backlash around "Baby It's Cold Outside." And the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2019 class: Def Leppard, Stevie Nicks, Radiohead, The Zombies, Roxy Music and Janet Jackson. And why its positively criminal that the great Todd Rundgren wasn't inducted years ago.
You can get The Art of Being Bill at Amazon.com. And how cool is this book cover?

Find out more about #AnswerThePhoneLikeBuddyTheElfDay here. Go to Spotify, YouTube, iTunes or your favorite indie record store to listen to the greatness of Todd Rundgren.
#podcasts
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Ostensibly live from New York, for New York Comic Con. The Fall Movie Preview, One Movie At A Time: A Star Is Born. Louis CK continues his "comeback" and "You Can't Make This Up": A drug-dealing drive-thru window.
#podcast #NYCC #movies #NYC
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Posted in Music, Animals, Academy Awards, Movies on Sep 10th, 2018
After a month away, the podcast returns.
A new book on Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin: All the Albums, All the Songs - Expanded Edition looks at every song on every Led Zeppelin album. The Fall Movie Preview begins, one movie at a time; this week: Creed II. R.I.P. Burt Reynolds and goodbye to the short-lived new Oscar category, "Most Popular." New music from old guys: Steve Perry and Paul McCartney. And September is Happy Cat Month!
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Back after a few weeks as its summer! Boycotting straws: did you know Americans use 500 million straws every day?!? Plus, those little roly-poly pill bugs do more than you think (and they're not really bugs)! Incredibles 2 is awesome...break-ups are easy/easier...and a club I really want to join.
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Posted in Entertainment, Comedy, Movies on Dec 11th, 2017
It's definitely the best movie about hockey ever made, and possibly the best sports comedy, period: Steve and his guest, editor, music journalist and all-around great guy Dennis take a deep dive into the 1977 movie Slapshot.
#nowplaying #podcasts #podcast #hockey
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