As Marvel took over the movies, their concurrent attempts to expand their universe into television largely floundered. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the much vaunted series co-created by Avengers helmer Joss Whedon, went from an official, canonical extension of the Marvel Cinematic … Continue reading That Championship Season: Legion, Season One
This series of posts is dedicated to the many, many six packs, pony kegs and pints that have sauntered into my life at one point or another. Back in the days when it was reasonable to move about the country, … Continue reading Beers I Have Known — pFriem Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout
Driveways (Andrew Ahn, 2020). There are few stories of bonding more cliched than the sad, lonely child who befriends a crusty elderly fellow, both growing in charming and moving ways because of the relationship. That makes it borderline miraculous that … Continue reading Then Playing — Driveways; Babyteeth; Collective
407. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Southern Accents (1985) Tom Petty thought it was time for a concept album. With his backing band, the Heartbreakers, Petty had made five albums of solid rock ‘n’ roll with a slew of radio … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #407 to #405
Black Voters Understood What the Stakes Were by Clint Smith In part because of the damage wrought by the pliant disciples of the psychopathic blowhard who has commanded too much of our collective intellectual, emotional, and spiritual energy the last … Continue reading Outside Reading — The Road Leads Back to You edition
For at least the two hundred and sixth week in a row, it’s been a rough week. To meet the intense desire to find something to sooth my anguished inner, Vagabon comes to the rescue. Making it all the more … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Vagabon featuring Courtney Barnett, “Reason to Believe”
With Soul, Pete Docter positions himself as Pixar’s official conceptualizer of the elusive inner lives of humanity. That’s a lofty pronouncement, to be sure, and is especially hoity-toity to apply it to films that are, at their cores, family entertainment. … Continue reading Now Playing — Soul
I make a point of writing something every day, but after today’s catastrophic events in the U.S. Capitol, I am too exhausted and livid and heartbroken to put words together properly, especially about some movie or comic or other diversion. … Continue reading Tomorrow is a highway broad and fair
These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. Gladys Knight & the Pips got their … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “I Wish It Would Rain”
I’m Your Woman (Julia Hart, 2020). Set in the nineteen-seventies, I’m Your Woman casts Rachel Brosnahan as Jean, whose small-time-crook husband (Bill Heck) goes missing not long after he presents her with a baby acquired under mysterious circumstances. For their … Continue reading Then Playing — I’m Your Woman; The Vast of Night; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Coffee for Two 