Thus far, I’ve refrained from posting about a monthly charitable endeavor my household has embarked upon, largely because — a few exceptions notwithstanding and some pretty clear viewpoints creeping into my pop culture commentary from time to time — I’ve … Continue reading Strategic Acts Donation — March 2017
As per tradition, I follow my countdown of the top ten films of the year by turning my attention to the acting that most enthralled me while the previous calendar was still tacked to the wall. The guidelines I set for myself are simple: I draft up the version of a nominating ballot I would submit were I a member of the Academy’s Acting Branch, ranking the five performances in each category and forcing myself to be assiduously honest. That means setting my own sentimental preferences and occasionally ignoring the strategic category shifting that takes place. Both of those factor … Continue reading Twenty Performances, or The Folly of Working Without Annette
I read a lot of comic books as a kid. This series of posts is about the comics I read, and, occasionally, the comics that I should have read. Around 1983, anguished teen superheroes were all the rage. Marvel’s Uncanny X-MenUncanny X-Men was establishing a stranglehold on the top of the sales charts, and DC’s revamped take on the Teen Titans was a rare sensation to emerge from that publisher at that time. There was perhaps no clearer proof of the trend than the emergence of Cloak and Dagger. Introduced in the pages of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man, Cloak and … Continue reading My Misspent Youth: Marvel Team-Up Annual #6 by Bill Mantlo and Ron Frenz
For some indiscernible reason, today’s date is weighing on me a little more heavily than in past years. I think the pervasive attempts to use the ever-distancing tragedy of that 2001 day to prop up political agendas and inspire cheap shots against the other side have simply done me in this year. It’s worth noting that the disheartening spectacle is coming from all parts of the political spectrum, even from those I consider fairly closely aligned with my own views on the issues of the day. With that in mind, I’ll just yield the space to a track from what … Continue reading Clear blue holds its breath
From the October 31st, 1981 edition of Billboard: That’s right. This crap has been going on for ages. I’m honestly sympathetic to the creators who’ve had their viable marketplace chipped away by the ease of sharing copyrighted material, even as … Continue reading Same As It Ever Was
Just one more piece of an especially good weekend for the guy who holds the keys to Air Force One these days: I’m so pleased that “Solsbury Hill” has become the go-to song for fake trailers. Continue reading Eagle flew out of the night, he was something to observe
I recently watched the 1979 film Real Life, the first feature directed by Albert Brooks. There’s plenty to say about it as a film and a comedy, especially in light of its retroactive relevance as a satire of reality-based filmmaking in a programming era in which no city’s pampered, appalling self-absorbed housewives are safe from the profitable scrutiny of Bravo’s fleet of cameras. Separate from the facets that are the usual fodder for cinematic analysis, I found something particularly striking. At two completely different points, Brooks uses the word “abortion” in punchlines. Indeed, in the second instance, the word is … Continue reading Strong and warm and wild and free
I’ve traveled many miles today, leading a brain that’s operating on the paradoxical dual settings of “Won’t Shut Down” and “Can’t Create Anything.” So I’ll rely on another person’s ingenuity to provide you with this: Just remember this splendid Toothpaste … Continue reading Won’t move over, won’t get gone, won’t move over
Here’s the funny thing. If Glenn Beck went on television Monday night and rattled off this exact same monologue, the majority of his demented audience would be nodding along, mouths pressed tight into determined indignation. (Due credit.) Continue reading Leave you here wearing your wounds, waving your guns at somebody new
That has been spread widely across the Interwebs today, but I want to add my digital “Hear! Hear!” I’ve long liked Barney Frank, but I think he may have just become my new favorite Member of Congress. (Posted simultaneously to “Jelly-Town!”) Continue reading I can face your threats, stand up tall and scream and shout about it
Coffee for Two 