We are obsessed with impending war, but it is also St. Patrick's Day. Perhaps this is fitting, since the Irish have a special feel for the tragic, for pain and for somehow finding beauty amid the ruin. On this day "Angela's Ashes" author Frank McCourt and friends launch a Web site called BabynamesofIreland.com, which will tell you the grand tale behind your son or daughter's name. (NY Post) Besides the origins of Kaitlin and Kieran there is a particularly timely legend on the site about a fight full of bull.
Well, since we're all Irish today, John Kerry can be too. He showed up at a St. Patrick's Day breakfast and made fun of the fact that most had assumed he was Irish because of his last name (his people are Austrian Jews). He quipped to the Boston crowd: "So who said I don't have the matzoh balls to be here?" (AP)
Harry Potter mania continues. Seems a copy of the fifth adventure, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," signed by author J.K. Rowling, will be auctioned on eBbay, with proceeds going to the deaf-blind charity Sense. The lucky winner will have to wait to pick up the book until the release date: June 21.
Members of the Rat Pack (except for Joey Bishop) are heading for the great big saloon in the sky after hearing this one: Celine Dion signed a contract with Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas to do five shows a week, 40 weeks a year for three years (starting March 25). The reported payday? Start shaking that martini, baby, because this dame is getting $100 million plus 50 percent of the profits. Who says the house always wins? (Time)
Pop princess shows panty line! Kylie Minogue showed up in Melbourne, Australia, to show off her newest project: underwear. The lovely lingerie was modeled by professionals. Kylie wore a dress and a smile. (Sydney Morning Herald)
We knew they'd work it out. James Gandolfini and the HBO gang sat down over the weekend and called off their lawsuits. Jimmy will get more money this year than before, and we're glad. We can't live without Tony. Shooting on Season 5 should start March 24. When the season will air is anyone's guess. (NY Daily News)
And if you get OD'd on the war coverage and want something to go with your Bushmill's, tune in to the Sundance Channel tonight for a profile of Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan about whom his own father said, "He had a brilliant brain -- still has -- a few million brain cells later." We can relate. (CNN)
Salon reviews of Harry Potter films:
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
The long-awaited movie is faithful to J.K. Rowling's book, but the fantasy isn't very fantastic and the evil just isn't dark enough.
By Andrew O'Hehir, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"
Despite terrific special effects and funnier gags, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" finds a way to make J.K. Rowling's marvelous series into a deadly bore.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
Hippogriffs, Dementors and Harry, oh my! Director Alfonso Cuaron finally decants the essence of J.K. Rowling's work and brings us one of the greatest fantasy films of all time.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
Harry and his friends are growing up, but this latest Potter film may leave you struggling with your own childhood demons.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
Patches of magical beauty rescue this sprawling adaptation of the fifth book in J.K. Rowling's beloved series.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
The sixth film in J.K. Rowling's series has beautiful special effects, and something even more rare: Magic.
By Stephanie Zacharek, Salon
Other Salon articles related to the films:
Harry Potter doesn't get "Blue Velvet"
The boy has no profound psychosexual life, which keeps the film from being dangerous -- and important.
By David Thomson, Salon
Harry Potter and the art of screenwriting
Michael Goldenberg talks about the pleasures and pitfalls of adapting "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" for the big screen.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
The sexual awakening of Hermione
How "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson is navigating the tricky transition from adorable child actor to mature adult.
By Joy Press, Salon
Salon reviews of Harry Potter books:
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," like all great escapist reading, takes you happily back to where you already were.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"
With her fourth Harry Potter book, J.K. Rowling takes her young hero to his darkest adventure yet.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
No, Hogwarts isn't a hotbed of drugs, smoking and sex (at least not yet). But J.K. Rowling's rich and huge new installment unmistakably brings our bespectacled hero into adolescence.
By Laura Miller, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"
Harry learns more about his mysterious nemesis -- and the brutal reality of being 16 -- in J.K. Rowling's tricky, but ultimately satisfying, penultimate volume in the "Harry Potter" series.
By Laura Miller, Salon
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"
Does J.K. Rowling's final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," provide the magical ending to the beloved series her readers so desperately long for?
By Laura Miller, Salon
Other articles related to the books:
Dumbledore? Gay. J.K. Rowling? Chatty.
What happens when authors like J.K. Rowling can't stop telling their own stories?
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
A.S. Byatt and the goblet of bile
The author's recent New York Times Op-Ed shows that she doesn't understand why so many of us love Harry Potter. Maybe it's just too much fun.
By Charles Taylor, Salon
A list of their own
Has Harry Potter changed the course of the New York Times Book Review -- and the children's book market -- for good or for evil? It depends on whom you ask.
By Kera Bolonik, Salon
Of magic and single motherhood
Bestselling author J.K. Rowling is still trying to fathom the instant fame that came with her first children's novel.
By Margaret Weir, Salon
Harry Potter's girl troubles
The world of everyone's favorite kid wizard is a place where boys come first.
By Christine Schoefer, Salon
Can 35 million book buyers be wrong? Yes.
The cultural critics will, soon enough, introduce Harry Potter into their college curriculum, and The New York Times will go on celebrating another confirmation of the dumbing-down it leads and exemplifies.
By Harold Bloom, The Wall Street Journal
On the Potter lifestyle:
Potterpalooza
For the Quidditch players, wizard rockers and would-be witches who gathered at a New Orleans Harry Potter convention, this is the dawning of their summer of love -- and loss.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
For Harry Potter fans about to rock, we salute you
A global network of Potter-influenced bands inspired kids like 8-year-old Darius to make their own wizard rock. Will fans keep the music alive?
By Elisabeth Donnelly, Salon
The end of the affair
For almost a decade, Harry Potter and Tony Soprano have been my intimate companions. Now it's time to disentangle myself from their lives and say goodbye.
By Rebecca Traister, Salon
Wizard people, dear reader
The first chapter in the famed unauthorized "re-telling" of the Harry Potter films.
A Look at Werewolves from WOLF MAN to NEW MOON
Open Salon box office in review (10/18/09)
Is there enough of me left for a novel?
You Say Childless Like It's A Bad Thing