Radio Days — Then and Now: July 18, 2021
This series of posts covers my long, beloved history interacting with the medium of radio, including the music that flowed through the airwaves. Any time I cross the threshold of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s student-run radio station, WWSP-FM, it … Continue reading Radio Days — Then and Now: July 18, 2021
The Art of the Sell — The Terminator movie poster
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. Sometimes to find the most interesting movie posters, it’s useful to look well beyond the boundaries of … Continue reading The Art of the Sell — The Terminator movie poster
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #326 to #324
326. Asia, Asia (1982) Steve Howe was exhausted. The guitarist had spent years trying to keep his longtime band Yes a going concern as key members came and went. Following the release of the 1980 album Drama, the recording of … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #326 to #324
Outside Reading — Golden Palm edition
100 Bewildering Hours at Cannes by Rachel Handler Festival de Cannes should always be covered with the tone of lightly aggrieved amusement that Rachel Handler brings to this piece. Or at least the calculated glamor of the French film showcase … Continue reading Outside Reading — Golden Palm edition
This Week’s Model — Diet Cig, “The Unforgiven”
I thought my time in college radio was the heyday of cool bands convening on album to roar through cover versions other acts’ song. For a stretch the early nineteen-nineties, it seemed like barely a week went by without another … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Diet Cig, “The Unforgiven”
Now Playing — Black Widow
A couple films back, I read someone’s observations on the movie multiplex dominance of Marvel Entertainment. They listed off a few of the business and creative decisions that could be plausibly considered key contributors to the success of the studio … Continue reading Now Playing — Black Widow
Now Playing — No Sudden Move
In his new feature, No Sudden Move, Steven Soderbergh follows the most fundamental rules of modern film noir. The film takes place in a mid-century era of the American past, at roughly the same time when classic Hollywood film noirs … Continue reading Now Playing — No Sudden Move
Laughing Matters — “New York Lonely Boy”
Sometimes comedy illuminates hard truths with a pointed urgency that other means can’t quite achieve. Sometimes comedy is just funny. This series of posts is mostly about the former instances, but the latter is valuable, too. Although I’d quickly concede … Continue reading Laughing Matters — “New York Lonely Boy”
Top Ten Television, 2020-2021 season
On the eve of the main awards-giving entity for the field of television announcing their nominations celebrating the excellence of the season past, I adhere to my tradition, which is by now long-standing, of tossing my modest couple of pennies … Continue reading Top Ten Television, 2020-2021 season
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #329 to #327
329. 10,000 Maniacs, In My Tribe (1987) “I think music can unify people in a way,” 10,000 Maniacs lead singer Natalie Merchant said not long after the release of In My Tribe, the band’s third album. “What can be more … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #329 to #327
Coffee for Two 