They say the perfect thing to do during times of economic depravity and plundering budgets is to head back to school, so, I thought I’d give it a shot. O.K. So it’s not exactly school and I’m still not going to be called Doctor Skelton, which I trust some eastern college with a Victorian heritage will rectify by awarding me with an honorary degree soon, but I am going to take a class at the magical and wondefully tactile, Open Book. It’s a typography class that looks like it strikes a good balance between theory and practice. And really, the whole thing is an excuse just to hang out at Open Book amongst all the metal and wood typesets and old school printing press. Ancient to the Future.

The Royal Tenenbaums DVD Criterion Collection is a seven course meal of a DVD and one of the best uses of the medium I have seen yet. It reminds me of old vinyl records that had huge gatefolds, inserts, posters, literature and photos. This stuff was just never possible with VHS or at least no one ever took the trouble to package anything remotely interesting with VHS. The RT DVD is full of great illustrations and house schemas drawn by Wes Anderson’s brother. The director’s commentary is pure pedagogy and the extra footage and interviews, especially the stuff with Bill Murray is brilliant. Is there anyone better than Bill Murray? I can think of no one.

After seeing this Mike Myers video for the upcoming Austin Powers. I am excited to see the third installment of the trilogy. Bring it. High Art all the way. The best part of this Austin Powers will definitely be the infusion and the tipping the hat to the ultimate swinger Michael Caine, who will star as Austin’s father. Caine’s 60’s – 70’s spy action proves that he is the bawdiest British bad ass. The Ipcress File, Alfie, The Italian Job (featuring the new passion of the attention deficit American poseur, The Mini), Funeral in Berlin are all excellent Caine fodder.