Morning, readers.
*The Berlin Film Festival is set to kick off on February 12. Roman Polanski, who will not be attending, will nonetheless submit The Ghost Writer for consideration. The Telegraph reports that Polanski was "delighted" with a recent screening at his chalet in Gstaad, where he is currently enjoying house arrest. Personally, I prefer the [...]

Morning, readers.
*Today: Oscar nominations! They're in. Like as not, we'll have a spot of blog commentary from Tricia Olszewski, who's filing dispatches from sunny SoCal. They say it's 70 out there this a.m.; Tricia should maybe bring her editor along next time. just informed me that she canceled her L.A. trip and is, in fact, [...]

Area Code: The term “DMV,” brought to you by the hard work of local rappers. And phone cards.
Post Profile Brings Up Touchy Subject: What Claim Do Writers Have on Their Bylines?
Meet New Moon Cast Members at Fair Oaks Mall
Das Racist Goes After Sasha Frere-Jones For Being White ‘N’ Educated
Creed Was Never Underrated

Ann Powers, meet Ann Powers.
Ann Powers, you were the subject of a good profile by Ylan Q. Mui in the Oct. 11 Washington Post Magazine. Your real name is Jayne Lytel, and you chose your blogger handle by mashing together your middle name and your grandmother's maiden name.
Ann Powers, you are the rock critic for [...]