This video of a tense moment of border patrol agents meeting with their commander has been making the rounds lately. I share it both because it’s yet-another encouraging sign that the stranglehold is unravelling and because it’s an example of something that I’ve been noticing lately. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIMORHoe_m8 The commander’s attitude is what I would call … Continue reading Pseudo-Leadership
Links
‘Megamind’ at the Everyman
Got to do an essay on Megamind at last: There’s really a lot that could be said about this movie. I wouldn’t call it a great film: there are some gaps in the writing and not all the jokes land (though most of them do). But it is a very good film, with strong storytelling, … Continue reading ‘Megamind’ at the Everyman
Flotsam: Heir to the Empire and New Filmmaking
1. I'm dipping my toes into the 'Star Wars' expanded universe with Heir to the Empire. I'm about half-way through, and my impression so far is that it's a lot of fun and a genuinely pretty good extension of the story. There's a good sense that, yes, this is a logical scenario for 'what happens … Continue reading Flotsam: Heir to the Empire and New Filmmaking
Fr. Ripperger on Brainwashing
A very interesting and instructive series on the truth and how we know it and how brainwashing works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCnPhQjVyZM&ab_channel=SensusFidelium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN-XM2qUKjM&ab_channel=SensusFidelium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJUt7uOLw94&t=125s&ab_channel=SensusFidelium
Flotsam: Of Kings, Clothes, and Inspiration
1. Yesterday was the anniversary of the martyrdom of King Louis XVI, so I made sure to go to Mass to ask his intercession, and that of all the royal saints, that we might have good leaders in Church and State. Or, failing that, at least leaders who aren't brain-dead swine. Appropriately enough, the first … Continue reading Flotsam: Of Kings, Clothes, and Inspiration
Kaiju Appreciations: Iris (Updated)
My latest appreciation video is now up. This one's a remake of the very first one, a tribute to Gamera's most vile and sinister opponent, Iris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrHXCS9KQSo Iris is a very interesting figure among the kaiju. He's pretty clearly based on Viras from the Showa Gamera films - an alien squid monster - but they … Continue reading Kaiju Appreciations: Iris (Updated)
TCM Remembers 2021
Talking Bitcoin at ‘The Everyman’
My latest Everyman article went up last week (I was on vacation visiting relatives so missed sharing it 'out of the box'). This one delves into the topic of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. The short version is that I think paying actual money for meaningless bits of data that only have value because people … Continue reading Talking Bitcoin at ‘The Everyman’
‘Twas the Dark Knight Before Christmas
The YouTuber It's Just Some Random Guy was, for me at least, a staple of the early and high days of the superhero renaissance. Entirely using action figures, he'd put out comedic sketches where a DC and a Marvel character compare notes on their latest films (e.g. the first round was Superman Returns and Spider-Man … Continue reading ‘Twas the Dark Knight Before Christmas
You Don’t Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNWZo0UjLNQ Classic skit by the legendary Don Knotts, offered for your enjoyment