Great music, atmosphere, problematic character in ‘Llewyn Davis’
The new film, from Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis, may not quite be what viewers expect. After the Coens celebrated the rural, regional folk music of the American South of the 1930s in O Brother, Where Art Thou, a few years back, fans may expect more of the same from the new film, with a more urban vibe. But while Llewyn Davis is set in the Greenwich Village folk scene ca. 1961, and positively teems with yearning, vintage-sounding music that might very plausibly have come from that era, it mines a much darker vein of experience as a down-on-his-luck, would-be folk singer struggles against all odds to get a foothold in the music business.
Films This Week
2013 was a great year for local literature. Find out which books made our top 10 must-read list.
Saturday, Dec. 21, after the Sun enters Capricorn and Winter Solstice begins, Venus (love, finances, beauty, resources and gifts) retrogrades (29 degrees Capricorn). For those still considering gifts for Christmas (a daunting task), here are some imaginative ideas. Consider things that sparkle and shine, resembling stars and planets. Things tasting divine. Things hand-sewn with a bit of tulle, bio-luminescent and incandescent. Things that bubble, boil, bringing a bit of trouble. Things that bend, lean, wave and sway—pink ostrich and peacock plumes. Things soft, satin, made of mohair, angora or llama. 
This holiday season, let your taste buds be your guide
Looking for a fabulous wine to spice up your Christmas dinner? Then let me recommend Beauregard Vineyards’ Pinot Noir 2012, Coast Grade Vineyard ‘667’—a simply gorgeous Pinot that will impress any lover of this varietal.
Santa Cruz native Jesse Scheinin aims to create expansive universe with jazz
The Sea Dubs are back in town and face the Los Angeles D-Fenders tonight at 7:30 at Kaiser Permanente Arena. They went 3-2 during their road trip and look forward to playing seven of their next nine games at home. 
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre celebrates 30 years and its 11th annual production of ‘The Nutcracker’
