1. As I say, last weekend was a silent, Ignatian retreat for me; an intense few days of prayer and meditation, with no conversation, no media, nothing to distract me. Long days of talk, prayer, meditation, talk, prayer, sacrament. It was a wonderful experience that I feel brought some much needed clarity and a greater … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Retreat Reflections and Bad Movies
Movies
Reviews: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
On the surface, 1947’s Miracle on 34th Street is somewhat unlikely as an all-time classic. The story sounds like something you’d find in a cheesy, made-for-TV special, perhaps something from the Hallmark channel: a kindly old man working as a mall Santa Claus claims to be the real Santa Claus, spreads the Christmas spirit everywhere … Continue reading Reviews: Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Black Friday / Cyber Monday Recommendations
It is now time to think seriously about buy Christmas presents for all the leech-like parasites people we love. If you're here, then many of you probably have readers, or film lovers, or sci-fi enthusiasts on your list. With that in mind, I've got a few recommendations for you to consider. First of all, and … Continue reading Black Friday / Cyber Monday Recommendations
Friday Flotsam: ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ and Going Back
1. The big exciting thing from this past week I think deserves it's own post, so I'll talk about that one later. 2. I pulled up 2013's Jack the Giant Slayer earlier this week. You know, I'm a little torn on that; on the one hand, it's silly, cheap-looking (especially in the costumes), it's depiction … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’ and Going Back
Flash ‘Apollo 13’ Reaction
The other night I finally got around to seeing Apollo 13, and it was the most enthralling and satisfying film experience I've had in a very long time. Damn, I'd almost forgotten we used to make movies like this; gripping accounts of actually worthwhile true events, focusing on intelligent, mature, professional men working to solve … Continue reading Flash ‘Apollo 13’ Reaction
Thought of the Day: Bram Stoker’s Classic Story
From Fathom Events, I discovered that tonight they're showing Francis Ford Coppola's Bram Stoker's Dracula (which may be the most ludicrous adaptational title expansion on record). I find that they begin their summary this way: Based on Bram Stoker's classic and dark love story about the vampire who travels from Eastern Europe to England in … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Bram Stoker’s Classic Story
Fun Horror Movie Anecdotes
Here are a handful of entertaining behind-the-scenes horror film stories: -The cast and crew of Frankenstein are gathering to drive to location. It's the day they film the (in)famous scene where the monster encounters little Maria, and the crew are nervous. Boris Karloff is in full makeup and costume, and 7-year old Marilyn Harris has … Continue reading Fun Horror Movie Anecdotes
Reviews: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)
There are some curious superlative exceptions in the history of cinema. The great epic of the American screen – Gone With the Wind – was made by someone other than Cecil B. DeMille. Humphrey Bogart’s greatest romantic role was opposite someone other than Lauren Bacall. And, in my opinion, the best and most frightening horror … Continue reading Reviews: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932)
Kaiju Appreciations; Death Ghidorah
Got another Kaiju Appreciation up over the weekend, this one for Mothra Leo's first opponent, Death Ghidorah. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0dWe48OyNw&t=84s So, Death Ghidorah heralds from the first of the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, which spun off Mothra in a whole different direction. The twin fairies are now an older and younger sister duo, with a third, evil … Continue reading Kaiju Appreciations; Death Ghidorah
Match-Up: Smog vs. Thing
A fun thought experiment to follow up yesterday's review: (For our purposes, we'll posit a human-scale Hedorah) This match-up struck me about the time I was working on my 'Hedorah Appreciation' update. Two viral, nigh-indestructible aliens whose original forms are all-but unimaginable, pose an existential threat to all life on Earth, and can regenerate from … Continue reading Match-Up: Smog vs. Thing
Serpent's Den 