From the geniuses at Studio Ghibli comes one of the most interesting and wild animations from them yet.

Pompoko focuses on the raccoons of Tama Hills and the development that threatens their land. To fight the encroachment, the raccoons use the ancient art of transformation (in Japanese folklore, raccoons, foxes, and some cats have the ability to shape shift).

Shape shifting comes into play not only in the meandering plot, but in the animation as well, which goes from realistic, to more traditional animation, to simplistic cubist styles all within one scene to show the characters' various emotional states.

Pompoko is unlike any animation you have seen due to the “outside the box” approach to storytelling and design. Part realism, with environmental messages and violence, part goofy children's animation with cute raccoons that love to party, and part modern folklore retelling, this is one wild ride of a movie that will leave you flabbergasted and happy.

If there is one thing I am not as up on as the rest of the world (well, after the bible and sports) it's the latest in popular music. Blame it on not listening to the radio anymore, but it took me three years to actually hear Crazy in Love in its entirety (thanks to a birthday CD from Mike and Shaun) and learn what young teenage girls aching to be older already knew. Basically that Beyonce Knowles rules and even causes me to almost dance-ish in the car.

You know, I really thought I would find so many obnoxious rock star stories about Mr. Cocker and would have to defend my attraction to a total ass. But to my joy, I found more and more good information on the thin, nerdy stud.

He protested Michael Jackson for performing as a Messiah-like figure among children, curates obscure compilation albums, did music for Harry Potter, and he hosts an arts program on BBC.

Oh Diane, you classy lady. Everyone should have a good wrap dress, and obviously hers are the best. I was just reminiscing about the brilliant day when hundreds of her signature dresses were on sale at the Off Fifth in Castle Rock. I actually shrieked in the store, not a common occurrence for me.

But there is more to Von Furstenberg than the one flattering silhouette. This was made particularly clear in her spring collection that had so much going on in both the cuts and fabulously wild prints that it was almost overwhelming to look at.

Plus she looks truly fabulous, and I love the boy toy, I mean, creative director.

These cheap little sugar spheres may as well be drugs, they are so addictive. Anytime I stop by the pharmacy I have to pick up a box.

It takes 14 – 19 days to make a single jaw breaker, and Pan Ferrera, I for one appreciate the hard work.

Here is a virtual tour of the jawbreaker, for those that either

A. love jaw breakers the way I love jaw breakers or

B. are painfully bored.

There is more to Spiegeltent than the lovely outdoor drinking area, there is the spectacular circa 1920s tent itself, in which Marlene Dietrich once performed. The entertainment we partook in was something entirely different than the legendary vamp.

The Found Footage Festival plays all sorts of, well, found footage – from home videos found in the garbage, to cable access, to infomercial out takes. Three dudes run it, Geoff Haas, Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher and give commentary as the videos play.

The Festival is similar to our favorite A/V Geeks (which also showed films the night we went, but we missed them due to reasons I will soon explain) and both seem to be part of a movement of appreciation of the spectacularness of the discarded mundane.

Found magazine, The Cringe Reading Series, and sharing websites like YouTube, Found Photographs, and Flickr all make sharing these treasures easier. The Found Footage Festival and A/V Geeks tour often, so check their websites regularly, and try to attend one where dipshit noise maker Dewanatron does not slow the evening down with some of the most aggravating “music” this side of Chumbawamba.

The show opened with this guy for a HALF AN HOUR! I had just forgotten I had endured him after the found footage festival only to be told he was going to begin another set before A/V Geeks began.

Friends, it was more than I could bear and, my apologies to Skip (who runs A/V Geeks) but we had to get the H out of there (along with the equally annoyed ghost of Marlene, I imagine).

An unexpected little slice of New England in the Bronx (of all places). City Island's residential streets boast adorable homes in various styles including American Craftsman and Colonial Revival with great sea views. There are plenty of antique shops for your browsing pleasure, but not nearly as many as there are seafood restaurants.

For the best deal I have to recommend the Original Crab Shanty, one of the oldest island establishments that has a special of a 1 1/8lb. lobster, two clams, a large shrimp, soup or salad, and a side of linguini. Although none of the meal, sides especially, made the shanty stand out compared to your average seafood joint, the price of 14.95 for all of it sure did.

Believe the hype! Lost really is a great show. I know, I was skeptical as well, but we devoured the entire first season as quickly as possible, and now find ourselves impatiently waiting for people to return season two to the video store.

I don't want to give too much away, not that anything is concluded by the end of season one, but you will just have to trust me and watch because we can't wait to discuss the numbers, the Others, the Hatch, and Sawyer hotness.

This meal is as good as it looks and even better. No cut of meat can beat the filet mignon, and usually I refuse to tamper with it, but this recipe is not tampering, it's perfecting.