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
Poem – “The Power of the Dog”
There is sorrow enough in the natural wayFrom men and women to fill our day;And when we are certain of sorrow in store,Why do we always arrange for more?Brothers and Sisters, I bid you bewareOf giving your heart to a dog to tear. Buy a pup and your money will buyLove unflinching that cannot lie—Perfect … Continue reading Poem – “The Power of the Dog”
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.
Poem – “The Three Wise Men”
When Christ was born in BethlehemBeneath a shining starThere came three wise men travellingIn joy to greet their new-born kingWith gifts from countries far. First stepped forth a mighty man,Of the seven hilled Rome,Whose feet on every coast had walked,Whose sword in every land had fought,Whose hand had raised a throne. He said, “An empire … Continue reading Poem – “The Three Wise Men”
Friday Flotsam: The Epiphany and Other Thoughts
1. Happy Feast of the Epiphany! From my reflections this morning: why those three gifts of the magi? The foremost is recognition of Christ’s three roles as King, Priest, and Sacrifice, as elaborated on in the famous song. But there’s something else as well which becomes clear when we consider that these are gifts offered … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: The Epiphany and Other Thoughts
A Brief Vignette
"So, we got this musical, see? It's about gamblers and gangsters and such. I'm thinking we cast that Brando kid.""Ah, good idea boss, but, uh, you know Frank Sinatra's interested in the film too.""Oh, good point. Here's what we do; we cast Brando as the lead and give him the bulk of the singing, and … Continue reading A Brief Vignette
Thought of the Day: On Darwin’s Popularity
The standard narrative for On the Origin of Species is that it changed the way people saw the world and rocked the intellectual foundations of Christian civilization. The truth is, it didn't change anything. People didn't abandon their faith and shift their paradigms because they read Darwin; they ate up Darwin as a perfect narrative … Continue reading Thought of the Day: On Darwin’s Popularity
Poem – “It Was a Very Good Year”
When I was 17, it was a very good yearIt was a very good year for small town girlsAnd soft summer nightsWe'd hide from the lightsOn the village greenWhen I was 17 When I was 21, it was a very good yearIt was a very good year for city girlsWho lived up the stairsWith all … Continue reading Poem – “It Was a Very Good Year”
TCM Remembers – 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IxrVWs80Zw The big one for me, of course, is Akira Takarada; the last major player, either in front of or behind the camera, from the original Godzilla. He was a mainstay of the series ever since, and I'll always be sorry that his cameo in the 2014 film was cut. Other notables include, of course, … Continue reading TCM Remembers – 2022
Serpent's Den 