“[Art Spiegelman] described his current endeavor as ‘recollections of Sept. 11, 2001, and the feeling of imminent death that it brought with it seen from further and further spiraling distances as we move towards a present where we’re equally threatened by Al Qaeda and my President.'” – from the New York Observer.
BEGALA AWARD NOMINEE: “Populated by such real-life characters as William Marcy “Boss” Tweed (Jim Broadbent), the venal Tammany Hall politico and vote buyer, and set against the backdrop of a Civil War that no one seems to want to fight, “Gangs” has the look, feel and sound of authentic history. Still, it makes it clear that the past is ever prologue to a today that is only superficially less wicked. “Remember the first rule of politics,” says Tweed after an underling informs him that the polls have run out of ballots. “The ballots don’t make the votes. The counters make the votes. Keep counting.” To be sure, former Florida secretary of state Katherine Harris never threw a meat cleaver into anyone’s back (one of Bill the Butcher’s milder political “fixes”), but if images of Florida and hanging chads don’t come to mind, then you’re not paying attention.” – Michael O’Sullivan, the Washington Post.
The Dish 