I guess I won’t be making any more treks to the Tivoli, one of the oldest movie theaters in St. Louis, now that it has been sold to a church. The clergyman in charge of the operation says that in addition to religious services, the Tivoli will still show movies, but I’m guessing they won’t be the kind of edgy, independent flicks that have played there for decades, particularly those rated R (which means you can forget about midnight showings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”). I saw a lot of good movies there — and even more stinkers. It’s a shame to lose a venue like the Tivoli just as we begin to emerge from the pandemic and people venture out to start seeing movies in theaters again. We’re left with the Plaza Frontenac Cinema as the only art house in our area, and the folks at Cinema St. Louis are going to have to find a new home for the St. Louis International Film Festival, too.
Next time a right-winger whines about “cancel culture,” teach them a history lesson with these two words: Dixie Chicks. If those don’t work, try these: Kathy Griffin.Or these: Colin Kaepernick.
A NY Times report says Congressman Matt Gaetz sought preemptive pardons for himself and others in Congress during the final days of Donald Trump’s presidency, but was denied. Does any innocent person ever apply for such a blanket never-go-to-jail card?
Also from the Times: “Evidence is mounting that a tiny subatomic particle is being influenced by forms of matter and energy that are not yet known to science but which may nevertheless affect the nature and evolution of the universe.” I don’t know anything about physics, but I’m pretty sure it’s the same matter and energy that have made it impossible to get any dish in a Mexican restaurant that does not have cilantro in it.
My favorite moment of the week was after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell lashed out at companies that have come out against the GOP’s voter suppression efforts in Georgia and other states on Monday: “My advice to the corporate CEOs of America is to stay out of politics. Don’t pick sides in these big fights.” On Tuesday, he had to backtrack: “I’m not talking about political contributions.” No, of course not — gotta preserve those corrupt campaign dollars at all costs!