Expanding on what I said below on The Mummy, I would be all in favor of a new Universal Horror shared universe, but only if it were actually horror. You know, creeping dread, unsettling suggestions, icy fingers down your spine...any of this sound at all familiar? Then you could build up to having big set-pieces where the … Continue reading Shared Universe Thoughts
Movies
So…What Do I Get for my Income Tax?
A scene from the 1938 Frank Capra classic (pardon my repetition) You Can't Take it With You. The sad thing is, the things listed here would actually be worth paying for. I'd kill to have my income tax only go to pay for battleships and government salaries. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n03_MvqaN4 The clip is also interesting for featuring a really … Continue reading So…What Do I Get for my Income Tax?
New Federalist Essay
My latest piece is up at The Federalist, using King Kong and Godzilla to describe the human condition. Because I do that sort of thing. Sample: I say an anti-war message doesn’t suit Kong because, especially as depicted in this film, Kong is a warrior, and really doesn’t have the option to not fight. His presence … Continue reading New Federalist Essay
Interview with Haruo Nakajima
A respectful, interesting, and long-overdue interview with the man who was Godzilla. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oBNEG8kLfQ
Reviews: Pete’s Dragon
Pete’s Dragon, like Cinderella or The Jungle Book, is a remake of a classic Disney film that not only improves on the original, but also manages to be a refreshingly individual film in its own right. Here’s a movie that doesn’t so much defy formula as simply ignores it; it’s content to simply tell its … Continue reading Reviews: Pete’s Dragon
Seven Things that Were Good About the ‘Super Mario Brothers’ movie:
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m something of a connoisseur of video game movies, so of course I’ve seen Super Mario Brothers many, many times. As far as the genre is concerned, that’s the big one: the first major video game franchise to be adapted for the big screen. Too bad it’s a really terrible movie. … Continue reading Seven Things that Were Good About the ‘Super Mario Brothers’ movie:
Reviews: The Jungle Book
I’ll admit, I’m not a big fan of Disney’s animated version of The Jungle Book. It’s a classic, to be sure, and it’s not in the least a bad movie, but it’s very light fare: just a simple coming-of-age story, and one in which the protagonist is little more than a prop being carted … Continue reading Reviews: The Jungle Book
The Wonders of the Saknussemm Ocean
I've always loved the 1959 film version of Journey to the Center of the Earth, starring James Mason, Pat Boone, Arlene Dahl, and Thayer David (and Gertrude the Duck). Among its many virtues are some truly gorgeous cinematography (most of the underground sequences were filmed at Carlsbad Caverns), excellently designed sets, a witty script, and a marvelous … Continue reading The Wonders of the Saknussemm Ocean
Reviews: Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Whose brilliant idea was it to let the director of Watchmen handle Superman? I thought Zack Snyder was the wrong choice back when I saw Man of Steel, even though I was cautiously favorable of the film. Having seen Batman V. Superman, I not only think he’s the wrong director for this material, but … Continue reading Reviews: Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Reviews: Deadpool
So many movies, even good ones, feel like they were designed in a committee. Even when there is real talent and imagination involved, you can usually feel the frowning producer or studio exec looking over the filmmakers’ shoulders, making sure they stick to the formula and don’t do anything risky. The effect is less … Continue reading Reviews: Deadpool
Serpent's Den 