December 31, 2025: Turn The Page

"I'll never get used to anything. Anybody that does, they might as well be dead." – Holly Golightly

NOTES:

I am touring Route 1 in northern Maine and typing this on New Year's Eve in the University of Maine at Machias library. Please excuse any typos.

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Please search for: World Food Program Donate Now. Thank you.

BOOKS: Truman Capote

Let's start with a film adaptation and please do not tell me this is a Holiday movie. Nope. And even if it was, it was ruined by Mickey Rooney's ridiculous and racist performance in a bit part.

Note for the younger set: Audrey Hepburn was a Belgian-English actress and humanitarian who became a fashion and film icon. She plays Holly Golightly in the 1961 film and speaks the above quoted lines that began these reviews.

But my point here is: please read the book.

The "Breakfast at Tiffany's" screenplay was written by George Axelrod, based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name. Capote was unhappy with the film's deviations from his original story, particularly the commercial Hollywood happy ending. 

But to be fair, if you want a Hepburn movie that features her charisma and power, make sure you see "Roman Holiday."

And this very good documentary about Hepburn.

Back to Truman Capote. Here is a holiday short story that deserves your attention and has been ruined by constant film adaptations that transform it into Hallmark pulp. It is a masterful and perfect short story.

BOOKS: The Mitch Tobin Series by Donald Westlake

The books in order of publication above clockwise one to five. These novels were written by Donald Westlake using the pen name Tucker Coe from 1966 to 1972. These are multiple suspect mysteries with an edge. The protagonist in this series is a disgraced police officer, Mitchel Tobin, who feels responsible for his partner's death. In these stories "Mitch" keeps getting pulled into investigations that his loving wife hopes will transform him and lift him out of his deep regret.

If you love mysteries and thrillers, and love the history of the genre, there are certain writers you must read. Donald Westlake made it seem easy. His writing has a natural flow, confidence, and a sly sense of humor.

SCREEN: Taylor Swift "The End of An Era The Six Episode Docuseries"

Wait. What? Dan Domench is recommending a Taylor Swift documentary? Has he lost his mind?!

In the past, I organized a few theatrical productions and managed to promote a few concerts, but seeing what Taylor Swift's team did in this docuseries is astonishing.

I know her material can be sentimental to say the least. I know there are Gurl Power elements that can feel exhausting, even to women. I am aware that the focus on her new love and engagement is part of the performance.

She is telling us, straight out, that she is a showgirl living her private life in public. That's a fractal of her art and she knows it.

This tour is a worldwide phenomenon, and in these hard times, feels hopeful. If ever there was lightning in a bottle, this is it–both stunning in effort and complexity.

In my opinion, this behind the scenes documentary is better than her concerts. She is a pro and yes, there is a con going on. She is always performing for the camera. Always. Go ahead, try to resist it. See if you can watch this and not be moved.

SCREEN: "Wake Up Dead Man" A Knives Out Mystery written and directed by Rian Johnson

This is Rian Johnson at his best. Here he is mashing together a few tasteful horror elements with the classic locked door murder mystery puzzle.

The performances are fantastic and the directing is all about the story and not about camera moves. But then, I have a soft spot for Johnson.

He wrote and directed the 2005 film "Brick" (NOT THE RECENT NETFLIX HORROR FILM). This "Brick" is one of my favorite movies of all time. A film noir set in a high school with the classic 1930s clipped dialogue.

END NOTE

Happy New Year! I know and trust 2026 will be a good year. Love and compassion and hard work and community always wins.

We stayed at this lodge in Gouldsboro, Maine. There was no one else there. No other guests. No managers. No housekeeping. No one. It was a bit like The Shining but with no axes.

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