edited by Jonathan Doyle

Mafioso (The Criterion Collection, 3.18.2008) Nino Badalamenti is a supervisor in a car manufacturing plant who hasn't taken a vacation in over two years. On his way out the door to visit his beloved childhood hometown of Sicily -- with his blonde wife and daughters -- Nino is handed a package by his boss and asked to deliver it to a powerful and influential Sicilian gangster named Don Vincenzo. Once in Sicily, Nino has a hoot seeing friends and family, but his wife has trouble fitting in and is unfairly dismissed as a snob by Nino's family. Even more worrisome, Nino finds himself entangled in an intricate web of secret mafioso dealings and is eventually sent on an unexpectedly... elaborate errand. (continued)

Upcoming

July 2

Hancock

July 3

The Whackness

July 4

Diminished Capacity

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson

Holding Trevor

Kabluey

We are Together

July 9

Full Battle Rattle

July 11

A Man Named Pearl

August

Eight Miles High

Garden Party

Harold

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Meet Dave

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

The Stone Angel

July 18

A Very British Gangster

Before I Forget

The Dark Knight

The Doorman

Felon

Lou Reed's Berlin

Transsiberian

July 22

Two Tickets to Paradise

July 23

Boy A

Helping Hand

email this story
read comments (3)
post a comment

"There's been a lot of talk lately about film critics who've lost their jobs and their prestige, but there are worse things that can happen to a writer," The Oregonian's Shawn Levy has written. "And, unfortunately, one of these more serious fates has befallen D. K. Holm, the longtime Portland film and book reviewer, curmudgeon, gadfly, and boulevardier who finds himself battling cancer without the security of medical insurance to help him with the gargantuan bills that his care entails.

"Doug's medical prognosis is, thankfully, hopeful. But his economic situation remains dire. This is where you and I come in.

"On April 27 at Cinema 21, a benefit will be held to help provide Doug with a financial cushion. Various of Doug's many Portland friends -- including Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini, filmmaker Patti Lewis, and bluesman Steve Cheseborough -- will perform or present their work, and assorted artworks and dining and entertainment packages will be auctioned off. And donations will be accepted at the door and afterward.

"For complete information about Doug, his writing, and the benefit, as well as details about how you can help if you can't be there on the 27th, visit this page. And keep thinking good thoughts, yeah?"

Busch's Bad Time<< previous | next >>Porn Crumbs

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on April 11, 2008 at 03:00 PM

comment #1

shawn says ...

Thanks for spreading the word on this, Jeff!

Posted by shawn at April 11, 2008 03:53 PM

comment #2

Jean says ...

I've always enjoyed his column at Moviepoopshoot; anyone who hasn't read any of his work should check him out - he's a very intelligent wordsmith & well-informed (he knows his stuff). If you can, spread the word out & help him out however you can - he's deserving of it.

Posted by Jean at April 11, 2008 04:10 PM

comment #3

fnt says ...

This is terrible to happen to anyone, but I've always been a huge fan of D.K. Holm's writing and have search it out. I'll be sure to send something -- be nice if there was a paypal donation site rather than simply an address to mail checks into.

Posted by fnt at April 11, 2008 04:29 PM