That review I fisked last week sparked some thoughts in my mind about Progressivism and causation. The resulting essay appears today at The Everyman First it must be noted that Aquaman is a very successful film. As of this writing, it’s made 265 million dollars in the US and close to a billion worldwide (according to boxofficemojo.com)—and it’s … Continue reading Aquaman and Causation at The Everyman
Thoughts
Snakes, Snakes, and More Snakes
I'm very fond of snakes, so one of my favorite YouTube channels at the moment is 'Snake Discovery,' which is all about snake and reptile care, with lots and lots of gorgeous different kinds of snakes. But they're almost all colubrids (which are 'standard,' mostly non-venomous snakes such as garter snakes, rat snakes, racers, hognoses, … Continue reading Snakes, Snakes, and More Snakes
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
On Moral Ambiguity
"There are precious few at ease / with moral ambiguities / so we act as though they don't exist." That's a lyric from the show Wicked, in which the Wizard - here portrayed as wholly a bad guy, rather than an ultimately harmless 'humbug' - sings about why he deceived the ignorant and superstitious people of Oz. I … Continue reading On Moral Ambiguity
Things to Know Before Dating a Traditionalist:
After reading the staggeringly tone-deaf list of things to know before dating a feminist, I thought it might be useful to provide a list of what someone - a modern woman within what seem to me to be the typical range of socio-political views - ought to know before dating a Traditionalist (which is my … Continue reading Things to Know Before Dating a Traditionalist:
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
“Something True to Believe”
Every Godzilla fan is familiar with the song All to Blame by Sum 41, which was the official song of Godzilla: Final Wars, the fiftieth-anniversary film and third 'grand finale' of the series (it's been around for nearly sixty-five years; it's had a couple finales). It's actually a decent song, despite some screaming and slightly heavy-handed lyrics. … Continue reading “Something True to Believe”
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’
Apu and Charlie Chan Syndrome
I'm long since finished with 'The Simpsons' outside of the occasional re-run, but I had to comment on this. Apparently, the show has decided to drop the venerable character of Apu in the face of 'controversy' over his 'blatantly racist' portrayal. Said 'racist portrayal', as far as I can tell, amounts to that he has … Continue reading Apu and Charlie Chan Syndrome
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 