erudite

Paths of Glory
$2.99
Paths of Glory is a masterpiece. It's one of the greatest anti-war films of all time. It shows a grim and disturbingly violent reality that, at the time, many other war films never dared to enter. Stanley Kubrick and Kirk Douglas achieved this task, and they have done an extraordinary job with it.

There are few heroes and many cowards. These men that have fought against German artillery are rarely think of victory over the enemy. They mostly think of themselves, their families, their girlfriends, and their parents. So when they have been chosen to take the Ant Hill, many of them retreat without hesitation. As a result, Generals Mireau & Broulard order three men from each company to be brought to a court-martial. This ultimately leads to all three men being sentenced to death. Colonel Dax (Douglas), however, is not giving up on his own men, and he finds ways to give them their own reprieves. But will the solutions be enough?

I have been a fan of Kubrick ever since I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey on VHS. Five of his films are among my favorites: 2001, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, Dr. Strangelove, and Paths of Glory. Paths of Glory was immediately added right after I saw this movie on DVD. This shows his masterful directing at an early age. The way he portrays war in a much negative light is something that has probably now been imitated ever since it was released in theaters. It's an almost flawless film, with great performances from Douglas, Menjou, Macready, Meeker, Anderson, Turkel, and others. Not to mention the unforgettable tearjerker ending. I'm glad that I discovered this film.

Grade: A

Vain Erudite and Stupid: Selected Works 1987-2005
$10.98
...but if you're looking for the perfect soundtrack for, say, watching a dead seagull decompose on a lonely beach, this might be the purchase for you.

New Zealand's The Dead C have been making glorious, uncompromising and terrifying noise for nearly twenty years now, with a sound that blends deft touches of early psychedelia with huge visceral slabs of industrial noise. This well-chosen two-disc set makes a great case for their place in the unique musical universe that includes krautrockers like Neu! and Can, as well as NYC noise-rock legends Swans and Sonic Youth.

This is not music for the faint of heart or for those with whimsical musical palettes, but if you dig the sounds of the above bands, and want more like it, this is a great place to dig into these Kiwis' apocalyptic and challenging works.

Voices
$8.99

George Will's Erudite Magnet
$4.00
George Will is one of the few conservatives that get any respect from the left. He's pretty sharp. Be inspired by his clear thinking and popular scholarship every time you see his mug on your fridge.