2004-08-24 - 11:59 a.m. I'm concerned about the most recent Land's End print catalog. Ever since J Crew went from selling rugged, sporty clothes to peddling lifestyle porn, I've looked to the Land's End catalog to provide comforting images of frumpy, sexless people in sturdy but comfortable clothes. The Land's End catalog--with its "tugless" bathing suits, baggy rugby shirts, and tank tops that promise not to reveal your bra straps--is a harbor of safety in a world gone mad, and their prices are good, too. But their latest catalog hints that someone in the board room is waving his hands around screaming, "Edgy! Youth! Sexy!" Granted, it's hard to make rain slickers edgy, but these catalog people can do anything. Saw Garden State yesterday, and I enjoyed it. Cons: a mite precious, and contains a classic kid-telling-off-father scene that was just a little too pat and righteous. Nit-picks: The Shins are used as short-hand for a certain state of mind, which is good for Shins fans, but maybe a little lazy on Zach Braff's part? Pros: it's a sweet film, some genuine yuks, and it really captures the feeling of being in suburban New Jersey, without overdoing the regionalisms. Good, understated performances from everyone, especially the director/star, Braff. An admirable directorial debut. thoughts? (14 comments so far) previous - next blog archive contact