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Entertainment & Arts

Baby boomer stuff that needs to be retired

He gave us "masters of the universe" and showed an interest in America's manned space program that we wish NASA shared, but lately Wolfe's novels have left fans wanting. We must give him credit for venturing out of his comfort zone, in works such as "I Am Charlotte Simmons," which attempted to explore the world of Generation Y college students at fictional southern Dupont University. It's a long way from Manhattan, where Wolfe lives, but that didn't endear him to a new generation of readers. Literary Review awarded his book its Bad Sex in Fiction award. After bad sales on that book, Wolfe accepted a lower advance for his next, "Back to Blood," which is due out this year. So it might be time to make room on the publishing house calendar for younger writers. After all, who wants to be stuck at a typewriter when there are still white suits out there to be purchased?

He gave us “masters of the universe” and showed an interest in America’s manned space program that we wish NASA shared, but lately Wolfe’s novels have left fans wanting. We must give him credit for venturing out of his comfort zone, in works such as “I Am Charlotte Simmons,” which attempted to explore the world of Generation Y college students at fictional southern Dupont University. It’s a long way from Manhattan, where Wolfe lives, but that didn’t endear him to a new generation of readers. Literary Review awarded his book its Bad Sex in Fiction award. After bad sales on that book, Wolfe accepted a lower advance for his next, “Back to Blood,” which is due out this year.

So it might be time to make room on the publishing house calendar for younger writers. After all, who wants to be stuck at a typewriter when there are still white suits out there to be purchased?  (Scott Eells / Getty Images)

Oliver Stone

Ever since “JFK,” his paranoid-filmmaking tour de force, Oliver Stone has been a bit of a lost soul. He’s tried thrillers (“U Turn”), costume epics (“Alexander”) and even straight-ahead melodramas (“World Trade Center”), but he’s never quite been able to catch that cultural lightning in a bottle he hit in 1991. Even when people expected the hellfire-flinging director of old (such as with last year’s “W”), what they got was never as audacious as the Stone film they created in their minds. His legend has so far remained intact, partially because he continues to do stuff to irritate the right, such as his documentary on Fidel Castro.

His upcoming “Wall Street” sequel, “Money Never Sleeps,” could be a game-changer -- or could be further proof that this bad boy should step away and let his legend do the talking.  (George Frey / AFP)

The Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

Rock ‘n’ roll is not meant for an institution. It’s meant to breathe on stage, or connect through speakers. It’s all about the moment, the emotion, the right now. Look at those Bob Dylan lyrics up top. They’re framed as if they’re a relic, not a song that is passed through time and shared by generations. But oh, the penmanship!

The Rock Hall serves a purpose, sure: It allows veteran critics and cultural observers to pat themselves on the back for honoring their heroes. Please, next you’re going to tell us that rock ‘n’ roll is taught on college campuses . . . .  (Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images)

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