Author Archives: Tom Garrett

Untimely Police Procedure Review: Running Scared

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Tom Garrett

One of the more powerful and sadly ubiquitous stories of the past year has been the strained relationship between local law enforcement and the public, particularly in certain poor, heavily minority communities. Whether due to misguided militarization of police forces, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Movies, Reviews | Tagged Billy Crystal, Commentary, Gregory Hines, Humor, Law Enforcement, Michael McDonald, Movies, Reviews, Running Scared, Sweet Freedom, Yacht Rock | 3 Comments

What Was Lost

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Tom Garrett

Today’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges represents the culmination of a perfectly executed public-relations campaign. It is impossible not to be impressed by what this activist-driven effort accomplished—I mean in real terms, not the unserious victory slogans of the campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Politics | Tagged Commentary, Constitutional Law, Due Process, Equal Protection, Gay Marriage, Obergefell, Obergefell v. Hodges, Politics, Same-Sex Marriage, The Constitution | 48 Comments

Is Dylann Roof America Personified?

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Tom Garrett

The horrific, racially motivated murder spree by Dylann Roof also served as a call to action for those who see the awful events of Wednesday night as corroboration of their core beliefs about the poisonous nature of American culture. Briefly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News, Politics | Tagged California, Charleston, Commentary, Dylann Roof, General Culture and News, Higher Education, Politics, Racism?, South Carolina, Terrorism | 8 Comments

Gender in Sport, Redux

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Tom Garrett

I’ve seen several spot-on, anti-FIFA commentaries in recent weeks, but this one has nothing to do with corruption. Rather than focus on the scandal that has rocked FIFA, Kate Fagan’s espnW piece took soccer’s governing body to task over “gender verification” testing: … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, General Culture and News, Science, Sports | Tagged Commentary, FIFA, Gender, General Culture and News, IOC, Renee Richards, Science, Sex, Sports, Transgenderism | 1 Comment

Ranking the Viability of Money in the Bank Candidates

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Tom Garrett

From a storytelling perspective, Money in the Bank has easily become one of the WWE’s most critical annual shows, and the only show created in the past decade that cracks the list. Money in the Bank is as pivotal as … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Sports, Television | Tagged Brock Lesnar, Commentary, Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Money in the Bank, Neville, Pro Wrestling, Professional Wrestling, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Sheamus, Sports, Television, The New Day, WWE | Leave a comment

Untimely Movie Review: North by Northwest

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Tom Garrett

After the bad taste in my mouth left by the subject of my last untimely review, I had rather high hopes for North by Northwest. It didn’t disappoint. North by Northwest is like a James Bond film, except if James Bond were … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Movies, Reviews | Tagged Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Commentary, Eva Marie Saint, Movies, North by Northwest, Reviews, Warner Bros., Warner Brothers | 4 Comments

David Letterman, Full Circle

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Tom Garrett

I don’t know which fact is more surprising (depressing?): 1. David Letterman is older than Johnny Carson was when Carson retired. 2. I’m older than David Letterman was when he began hosting Late Night. When Johnny Carson aired his final Tonight … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged Andy Kaufman, CBS, Chris Elliott, Commentary, David Letterman, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Johnny Carson, NBC, Paul Shaffer, Television, The Late Show, The Tonight Show | 5 Comments

A Last Word on Mad Men

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Tom Garrett

I began to get worried at about 10:58. Realizing there wasn’t much time left in the series, I wondered how Matthew Weiner would be able to conclude Mad Men in a way that made sense and was true to the characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Reviews, Television | Tagged AMC, Commentary, Don Draper, Mad Men, Matthew Weiner, Michael Ginsberg, Pete Campbell, Reviews, Roger Sterling, Television | 49 Comments

At the End, What Do We Make of Mad Men?

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Tom Garrett

The “Mount Rushmore of ________” is a tired construct at this point, but still serves a decent enough purpose: Trying to winnow down a presumably deep category to its four best examples can be a worthwhile exercise. When I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Television | Tagged AMC, Commentary, Don Draper, Joan Harris, Mad Men, Peggy Olson, Pete Campbell, Roger Sterling, Television | 1 Comment

Apocalicious

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Tom Garrett

The unmistakable and steady, if slow, decay of our society takes many forms. The markers are varied and numerous, sometimes with an innocent or frivolous countenance that hides the profoundly troubling nature of such signs. I’m not clairvoyant. I don’t … Continue reading →