Over at The Everyman, I mark the 90th anniversary of King Kong with a retrospective: The first thing stands out, comparing King Kong to its modern progeny, is that the story is, in style at least, considerably simpler and more artificial than that of films today. There is little effort at verisimilitude in either the … Continue reading The 90-Year Reign of Kong
Movies
RIP Mr. B.I.G.
I just learned that Mr. Bert I. Gordon has passed away at the ripe age of 100. Those with even a passing knowledge of the sci-fi films of the 1950s do not need to be told about Mr. Gordon, nor those who grew up watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, of which he was a frequent … Continue reading RIP Mr. B.I.G.
Kaiju Appreciations: Legendary Kong
As I said, part of my Lenten fast is giving up most video content. However, this doesn't extend to working on my own videos, since I want to pick up on the pace on those. And today I finished and uploaded my latest one: an appreciation for Legendary Kong, the version of Kong from the … Continue reading Kaiju Appreciations: Legendary Kong
Rian Johnson: The Voice of a Generation
Over at The Everyman, I explain why Rian Johnson deserves the coveted title of Voice of a Generation: But amazingly incompetent writers are a dime-a-dozen in Hollywood these days (see also Zack Snyder). It takes more than that to be crowned the voice of a generation. He who would aspire to such a title must … Continue reading Rian Johnson: The Voice of a Generation
Friday Flotsam: ‘Memento’, Prayer, and a Couple Other Things
1. Going to get my other eye's Lasik done at last, so I'll finally be able to gauge just what I think of the whole thing. Pray that goes well and that I don't lose any vile jelly. 2. Last week's movie was Memento, which I had never seen. It's definitely a unique experience and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Memento’, Prayer, and a Couple Other Things
Meanwhile, at ‘The Everyman’, It’s Groundhog Day!
Today I got to talk about the modern classic Groundhog Day at The Everyman: And for once, the accompanying photo is absolutely perfect The film very wisely does not give any kind of explanation for the time loop, avoiding the triteness that any such answer would bring. Ironically enough, this makes the central conceit feel … Continue reading Meanwhile, at ‘The Everyman’, It’s Groundhog Day!
Friday Flotsam: Top Gun and Reptile Videos
1. End of the week and I'm feeling very tired. As seems par for the course lately. Hitting that 'don't seem to be doing anything' part of the cycle. Blah. 2. But working on that, breaking things down step-by-step to try to get myself moving in the right direction. I've been mostly meeting those small … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Top Gun and Reptile Videos
Friday Flotsam: Everyman, Top Gun, Bofuri, and Sabaton
1. First off, my latest piece is up on The Everyman, where I talk about how the world doesn't change (and slip in a little plug for Gentleman Instructed): Again and again, it was the same pattern, and rarely did I find a point that had been genuinely left behind since the 18th century (e.g. … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Everyman, Top Gun, Bofuri, and Sabaton
Fun Fact: The Great Unsung DC Love Match
Revisiting Groundhog Day the other night, I realized something I hadn't noticed before. You know the young engaged couple who show up a couple times ("They're supposed to get married today, but Debbie's having second thoughts.")? These guys Well, they're played by a young Hynden Walch and Michael Shannon, respectively. Better known today in these … Continue reading Fun Fact: The Great Unsung DC Love Match
Friday Flotsam: Half-Heartedly Talking of a Good Book and Couple Charming Films.
1. Happy Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and I'm afraid I have nothing much to say about it. Besides the obvious: "Behold the Lamb of God. Behold Him Who taketh away the sins of the world." 2. I've been oddly out of it this week, to the point that I forgot I even … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Half-Heartedly Talking of a Good Book and Couple Charming Films.
Serpent's Den 