Laughing Matters: The Ben Stiller Show, “A Few Good Scouts”
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. For reasons that are … Continue reading Laughing Matters: The Ben Stiller Show, “A Few Good Scouts”
Beers I Have Known: Asheville Brewing Company Perfect Day IPA
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. I probably haven’t given quite enough credit to Asheville for giving me back … Continue reading Beers I Have Known: Asheville Brewing Company Perfect Day IPA
College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 16 – 14
16. The Sugarcubes, “Birthday” In the destitute era before Kickstarter, bands needed to employ a little more creativity in their fundraising efforts. When Iceland’s the Sugarcubes were trying to scrape together the kronor for their debut single, they looked to … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 16 – 14
From the Archive: Real Genius
Here is another of the short reviews I wrote for the “Movies That Shoulda Been Summer Blockbusters” episode of The Reel Thing, aired during the sweltering season of 1991. Looking at this review now, I’m struck by how little I … Continue reading From the Archive: Real Genius
One for Friday: Freelance Hellraiser, “A Stroke of Genius”
So, in my digital collection, I have a couple versions of Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle.” Sort of, anyway. I’m not sure if mash-up artists have an abiding weakness for the first chart-topper from the young woman who would … Continue reading One for Friday: Freelance Hellraiser, “A Stroke of Genius”
Now Playing: The Big Sick
When I write out Judd Apatow’s name in this space, it’s usually in conjunction with some grousing about his creative shortcomings, which have spread across the field of cinematic comedy like spilled Fresca. Apatow is a rambunctiously creative filmmaker, but … Continue reading Now Playing: The Big Sick
The Art of the Sell: The Big Sick
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. I’m planning to get to my review of The Big Sick tomorrow. As a precursor, I want … Continue reading The Art of the Sell: The Big Sick
Now Playing: War for the Planet of the Apes
As with its immediate predecessors, I admire the franchise film War for the Planet of the Apes for attempting to instill weightier themes into its high-concept hook. Also in accordance with the other offerings since the reboot was rebooted — … Continue reading Now Playing: War for the Planet of the Apes
Martin Landau: 1928 – 2017
In describing his approach to acting, Martin Landau once employed a story about a drunk and a sculptor. In Landau’s recounting, the sculptor is putting the finishing touches on a statue of elephant. In order to get the drunk to … Continue reading Martin Landau: 1928 – 2017
College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 19 – 17
19. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” One of the biggest hits of 1982 had a long, arduous journey to the top of the charts and could have easily disappeared into near-complete obscurity. “I Love Rock … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 19 – 17
Coffee for Two 