My latest piece is up at The Federalist, and it's all about the Christmas classic Die Hard and what makes it a Christmas movie. Since the question hinges on there being a difference between a Christmas movie proper and a movie set around Christmas, it seems that a Christmas movie proper is a film that has some … Continue reading Yes, Virginia, ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas Movie
Movies
A Matt Walsh Fisk On Superheroes
At present the distinction [between highbrow and lowbrow books] is certainly used to allow us the satisfaction of despising certain authors and readers without imposing on us the labour of showing that they are bad. — C. S. Lewis, High and Low Brows. Matt Walsh is one of my favorite commentators. There are few people who … Continue reading A Matt Walsh Fisk On Superheroes
Presenting my ‘Must See’ List for 2019
A whole lot of trailers dropped this week, but for my part, I only really cared about two. First, obviously, is Avengers: Endgame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6hldpSTF8 Yeah, this looks pretty fantastic. They're not showing much yet; this trailer is mostly about letting the audience know that yes, the Avengers are going to keep fighting. Love the logo reassembling at … Continue reading Presenting my ‘Must See’ List for 2019
Trivia Break: Queen of the Monsters
I'd like to introduce you to actress Mie Hama. She's a rather interesting person: born during World War II to blue collar parents, her home was destroyed in a bombing raid and she grew up poor. By the age of sixteen, she was working as a fare collector on the bus, and it was there … Continue reading Trivia Break: Queen of the Monsters
Celebrating 30 Years of Mystery Science Theater 3000
By an interesting coincidence, I am exactly as old as one my favorite shows: Mystery Science Theater 3000. This show has had a huge influence on me, particularly when it comes to developing my sense of humor and appreciation for the obscurer side of the entertainment world. Now, as the show turns thirty years old, I explore … Continue reading Celebrating 30 Years of Mystery Science Theater 3000
Catholic Match Post on ‘Bringing Up Baby’
Basing another post off of one of my favorite films. In case you need a recap, the film features Mr. Grant as a milquetoast scientist too wrapped up in his career to have a life and Miss Hepburn as an insane socialite who becomes fixated on him after a few chance encounters. Then she acquires a … Continue reading Catholic Match Post on ‘Bringing Up Baby’
Thoughts on ‘Freddy vs. Jason’
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I have a habit of referencing Freddy vs. Jason as a go-to example of solid writing. So, for Halloween, I figured I'd delve a bit into why. 2003's Freddy vs. Jason was the final film for both the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street franchises, at least … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Freddy vs. Jason’
Thoughts on ‘The Cabin in the Woods’
The other day I watched The Cabin in the Woods for the first time. I have to say, for a film with such a high reputation, I was really not impressed. The set up is that it's your standard '80s horror film; a bunch of college students go out to a, yes, cabin in the woods, where … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘The Cabin in the Woods’
Halloween at the Federalist
New post up at the Federalist discussing the original Halloween: To understand this film, it is necessary to understand its monster. The thing in “Halloween” is usually referred to as Michael Myers, the name of the young boy in the opening. However, that’s not how Nick Castle is credited. He’s listed as playing “The Shape.” What … Continue reading Halloween at the Federalist
Thoughts on ‘The Social Network’
The other day I watched The Social Network as part of research for a script I was working on. I thought the film was pretty good overall, and that it presents a depressingly perceptive image of the world we live in. The film purports to tell the story of how Facebook got started, with Harvard … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘The Social Network’
Serpent's Den 