Doc about the fabled 88-year-old New York hotel is for a while pretty interesting, examining the interaction between the superb (and discreet) staff and the celebrity jet-setters that stay there. Woody Allen does his clarinet concerts in the bar, which was made famous by Bobby Short. Its history and refinement conjure up a fading, more elegant age. But then you realize that you, in all likelihood, will never, ever stay there, and that you are watching, considering most people’s dire financial straits these days, a rather tone-deaf infomercial consisting of being talked at by smug one-percenters. Nope. (92 min)
Don Morton
Don Morton has viewed some 6,000 movies, frequently awake. A bachelor and avid cyclist, he currently divides his time between Tokyo and a high-tech 4WD super-camper somewhere in North America.You may also like
Shinbashi Tamakiya’s Modern Take on Edo’s Traditional Delicacy: Tsukudani
How a centuries-old Japanese staple is making waves with unexpected pairings
Inside the Nordic Pavilion at Expo 2025
Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway
Mastering Train Etiquette in Japan: A Quiet Ride Through Culture
Your realistic guide to navigating Japan’s trains like a local
The Japanese Aesthetic of Transparency: From Hokusai to Pocari Sweat
"Toumeikan" is symbolized by water and made visible by the color blue
Tokyo Day Trip: Discovering Omiya, Saitama
Holy history and miniature trees
Exploring Aso Kumamoto
Life on the edge of the Earth
Matcha Samurai: Tradition Meets Humor
Setting the record straight on Japanese culture