The Arts

Freud biography heavy reading, yet interesting

Freud: An Intellectual Biography by Joel Whitebook; Cambridge University Press (c) 2017; 496 pages. By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — When Don Harrison asked if I’d review a new book about Schlomo Sigismund Freud, known to most as Sigmund Freud, I gladly accepted the opportunity. Why? I’m not sure. Not that I’d spend […]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education

Was the whale created by Jonah’s subconscious mind?

Unusual Bible Interpretations: Jonah and Amos, by Rabbi Israel Drazin; Gefen Publishing House, 2016; ISBN-10: 9652298859; ISBN-13: 978-9652298850 By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — I would like to begin this book review with a conversation I had with the publisher of San Diego Jewish World, Don Harrison. He asked me whether there was

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Future historians may rue aspects of U.S. war on terror

By Ken Stone Times of San Diego LA JOLLA, California — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Lichtblau, author of an exposé of the Nazi era’s shameful American aftermath, is worried what a future historian might say about today’s War on Terror. With James Risen, Eric Lichtblau won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for revealing

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Ken Stone, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Cosby lawyer attempts to paint accuser as a romantic interest, not a victim

NORRISTOWN, Pa. — A day after she confronted her alleged attacker in court for the first time, Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand faced a challenge from his lawyers. The defense spent much of its cross-examination Wednesday morning seeking to sow doubt about Constand’s account of the attack and her relationship with Cosby. Cosby lawyer Angela

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘The Imaginary Invalid’ is therapeutic

By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — If laughter is the best medicine, then the Fiasco’s Theatre’s Imaginary Invalid is therapeutic. The house resounded with bursts and howls throughout the show. I remember the Fiasco when they brought Into the Woods to the Old Globe in 2014. Their name comes from a convention in Commedia

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Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Gal Gadot’s Nationality Is Why ‘Wonder Woman’ Is Being Boycotted

“Wonder Woman” and the film’s star, Gal Gadot, have been delivered a taste of the lasso of truth as they’ve entered into non-stop war leading up to the film’s box office debut. After its arrival, many potential viewers are in opposition of the Amazonian warrior’s tale primarily due to Gadot’s nationality. On Friday, June 2,

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Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Teenager is driving force behind ALS benefit concert

  SAN DIEGO (Press Release) —  The July 29 “Striking A Chord” Benefit Concert was conceived by local Carmel Valley resident Megan Spector after her Aunt Marjie Block was diagnosed with ALS. Currently there is no cure for this disease, and the life expectancy of patients is tragically short, typically 2-5 years from diagnosis. Megan’s

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

How a Spontaneous Radio Interview Changed Poor Blind Student’s Life

This 21-year-old blind college student had already been through countless hardships when she went to the Radio City 91.1 station building last month – and she had no idea that winning a radio contest would end up changing her life. Nikita Shukla is a third-year college student who has been studying to be a lawyer

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International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Dogfight,’ a well staged musical, hasn’t dogs or planes

  By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Well, they aren’t Stephen Sondheim—-yet.  But they could be—-in time. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who wrote the lyrics AND composed the music for Dogfight have just brought their rip-roaring, award-winning musical to L.A.  Lucky L.A.! Adapted by Peter Duchan from a 1991 play by Bob Comfort, the musical premiered

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Cynthia Citron, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Ariana Grande’s all-star Manchester benefit is a moving expression of resilience

Success had a clear shape at One Love Manchester, the all-star benefit concert that Ariana Grande presented Sunday evening in that British city. Held less than two weeks after a suicide bombing killed 22 people as Grande finished a May 22 performance at the Manchester Arena, Sunday’s event needed to show that a huge crowd

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

‘Wonder Woman’ lassos $100.5 million at domestic box office

LOS ANGELES — After the worst Memorial Day weekend performance in 18 years, the summer box office needed a hero — or more specifically, a heroine. Thankfully, Warner Bros.’ highly anticipated “Wonder Woman” came to the rescue, like only a wondrous woman can. The DC Comics film adaptation starring Gal Gadot in the title role

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast