Movie Review: The Last Stand (2013)

Time for the town's defenders to lock and load!

Movie Review: The Last Stand (2013) directed by Jee-Woon Kim Gabriel Cortez (Eduardo Noriega) is the organized crime version of a nepo baby, being a third generation cartel boss. But he didn’t stay on top in the business by being anything less than a ruthless, cunning active criminal. When captured inside the United States, Cortez uses… Continue reading Movie Review: The Last Stand (2013)

Movie Review: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

Aunty Entity oversees the trial by combat.

Movie Review: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) directed by George Miller It has been a number of years since Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) somehow evaded the remainder of Lord Humungus’ raiders at the end of The Road Warrior. How many years? Uhh…look! He’s got camels now! And a monkey! But not for long, as an aviator named… Continue reading Movie Review: Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

Magazine Review: American Short Fiction Summer 2022

Magazine Review: American Short Fiction Summer 2022 edited by Rebecca Markovits & Adeena Reitberger The literary magazine is still alive in America, though I will not say “well” as I have no idea how many people read them. American Short Fiction, an Austin, Texas-based magazine, has been running since 1991. It is, as the title… Continue reading Magazine Review: American Short Fiction Summer 2022

Movie Review: Suddenly

John Baron relishes the chance to cause pain.

Movie Review: Suddenly (1954) directed by Lewis Allen Back during the gold rush, Suddenly, California was the kind of place where things happen in a hurry. Nowadays, it’s a much sleepier town. Slim the deputy (Paul Wexler) jokes to a passing motorist that the town fathers are considering changing the name to “Gradually.” But today’s going… Continue reading Movie Review: Suddenly

Open Thread: Birthday and Church

Sandstone United Church of Christ (Congregational). On the left is the bell tower, dedicated July 4, 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebration.

Open Thread: Birthday and Church Today was my birthday again, as it is every year. As it landed on a Sunday, I was able to get a ride up to my home town to spend some time with my mother and family. We also celebrated my brother and sister-in-law’s anniversary (a little late) and my… Continue reading Open Thread: Birthday and Church

Book Review: Ginny Gordon and the Broadcast Mystery

Book Review: Ginny Gordon and the Broadcast Mystery by Julie Campbell Virginia “Ginny” Gordon is a 14-year-old high schooler in Harristown, a suburb in Westchester County, New York. She belongs to a club called the Hustlers, who start various business ventures and pass them on when they become successes. The other members are 15-year-old John… Continue reading Book Review: Ginny Gordon and the Broadcast Mystery

Movie Review: The Vampire (1957)

Dr. Beecher just hasn't been himself lately.

Movie Review: The Vampire (1957) directed by Paul Landre Dr. Paul Beecher (John Beal) is a typical small-town doctor of the 1950s. He has an office in his house staffed by new pretty nurse Carol Butler (Coleen Gray), and also makes house calls. A widower, he lives with his young (11-12) daughter Betsy (Lydia Reed), who… Continue reading Movie Review: The Vampire (1957)

Movie Review: The Ape (1940)

Dr. Adrien spots Nabu at the window.

Movie Review: The Ape (1940) directed by William Nigh Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Bernard Adrien (Boris Karloff) was expelled from the Robinson Institute for unauthorized experiments with spinal fluid. He moved to an obscure small town and started a practice as a humble country doctor. marrying and starting a family. Ten years ago, there was a… Continue reading Movie Review: The Ape (1940)

Manga Review: Magu-chan: God of Destruction

Manga Review: Magu-chan: God of Destruction by Kei Kamiki In a sleepy seaside village in Japan lives a middle-school girl named Ruru Miyanagi. Her father passed away some years ago, and her mother is working overseas, so Ruru is taking care of herself and money is tight. When she finds an unusual crystal on the… Continue reading Manga Review: Magu-chan: God of Destruction

Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Jack gives being jolly a shot.

Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) directed by Henry Selick Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King, the genius auteur who leads Halloween Town each year in creating the holiday. But it’s the same holiday every year, and he’s bored. This year, after his own duties are done, Jack wanders far afield and discovers the doors… Continue reading Movie Review: The Nightmare Before Christmas