I finally finished Death Note the other night. Overall, it's very good, and definitely a part of the modern canon, and the protagonist is the one of the more hateful, soulless characters I've encountered. However, I do think the first third-to-half of the show is by far the best part, and that it definitely falters … Continue reading ‘Death Note’ Quick Thoughts
Poem – “A Servant When He Reigneth”
Three things make earth unquietAnd four she cannot brookThe godly Agur counted themAnd put them in a book —Those Four Tremendous CursesWith which mankind is cursed;But a Servant when He ReignethOld Agur entered first.An Handmaid that is MistressWe need not call upon.A Fool when he is full of MeatWill fall asleep anon.An Odious Woman MarriedMay … Continue reading Poem – “A Servant When He Reigneth”
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
A Little ’80s Love
I happened across this video the other day; a well-made bit of nostalgia that really does capture a lot of the cultural tone of the era (apart from a severe lack of Jason Voorhees). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATFM5Oq_oCI Same guy also has one for the '90s. Also very good, though serious lack of Beast Wars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93g_40atCgA
Poem – “An Imitation of Spencer”
Golden Apollo, that thro' heaven wideScatter'st the rays of light, and truth's beams,In lucent words my darkling verses dight,And wash my earthy mind in thy clear streams,That wisdom may descend in fairy dreams,All while the jocund hours in thy trainScatter their fancies at thy poet's feet;And when thou yields to night thy wide domain,Let rays … Continue reading Poem – “An Imitation of Spencer”
Two Completely Unrelated Things
Septuagesima Sunday, meaning we're now in pre-Lent and it's time to start settling our penances and easing off the things we're going to give up or cut back on. The other thing...well, I just find this funny:
Friday Flotsam: Anxiety Attacks and Some Better Things
1. Suffered some major depression / anxiety attacks this week, amounting to pretty much a full break down. Been a while since I've had one of those. If you've never had a real anxiety attack, it is like your brain is short circuiting. As you approach the anxious thought / apparently unsolvable problem, your emotions … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Anxiety Attacks and Some Better 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!
Candlemas – Ritual Purity
It's a common misconception that Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, is the occasion of His circumcision. Actually, that's on the 1st of January (Novus Ordo has it as the Feast of Mary the Mother of God), eight days after Christmas, suitably enough. Candlemas, 40 days after Christmas (and the final end … Continue reading Candlemas – Ritual Purity
Serpent's Den 