Happy Pentecost everyone! By an unexpected coincidence, on the Church's birthday I ended up with a post going up regarding America's birthday...though not the one you're probably thinking of: There is not space to explore all of these possibilities, so let us go straight to the official choice. The use of July 4th is really … Continue reading America’s Birthday at the Everyman
The Everyman
The 90-Year Reign of Kong
Over at The Everyman, I mark the 90th anniversary of King Kong with a retrospective: The first thing stands out, comparing King Kong to its modern progeny, is that the story is, in style at least, considerably simpler and more artificial than that of films today. There is little effort at verisimilitude in either the … Continue reading The 90-Year Reign of Kong
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
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!
Friday Flotsam: Everyman, Top Gun, Bofuri, and Sabaton
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
‘Good Ole Rebel’ at the Everyman
My latest piece is up at the Everyman: I’m very fond of the postbellum Confederate song ‘Good Ole’ Rebel’. Dating from the bitter days of Reconstruction, it offers a defiant rejection of the new order: Oh, I’m a good ole’ rebel, now that’s just what I am For this ‘fair land of freedom’ I do not … Continue reading ‘Good Ole Rebel’ at the Everyman
Friday Flotsam: Personal News, Some Black Humor, and Talking About the Queen at the ‘Everyman’
1. So, the big news: I’ve put in my two weeks’ notice at work and will be starting a new job come October! This one will be fully remote, which is what I’ve been aiming at ever since I took up coding. I’m hoping it’ll be a bit more active, at least so that I’m … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Personal News, Some Black Humor, and Talking About the Queen at the ‘Everyman’
‘Jaws’ at the Everyman
My latest essay is live at The Everyman, wherein I get to talk about one of my favorite movies and it's take on modern manhood: Brody’s efforts to do his duty as a man and leader are thus stymied by the economic and political interests of the middle-class townsfolk. His job and thus his ability … Continue reading ‘Jaws’ at the Everyman
Detective Philosophy at ‘The Everyman’
My latest essay (first in a little while) is now up at The Everyman, this one critiquing our tendency to insist that this, that, or the other fact 'doesn't matter' by applying the analogy of detective literature. I read a lot of detective fiction (I also write it, though I’ve written much less than I’ve … Continue reading Detective Philosophy at ‘The Everyman’
Friday Flotsam: Oscars Slap at the Everyman, Core Values, and More
1. My latest post went up on The Everyman earlier this week, this one talking about the Oscars slap. I take it as another sign that the social framework is breaking down: For my own part, I think the incident raises some interesting points. First, let’s have no illusions about Will Smith’s personal life, which … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Oscars Slap at the Everyman, Core Values, and More
Serpent's Den 