We are the stewards of planet Earth. Really? Who appointed us? Last time I checked we were subject to all of the same natural laws of this planet that every other species is. Sure, we have thumbs and build some really nifty things like iPhones and XBox 360s. Some of the more talented of humanity … Continue reading
One of my fondest memories as a child revolves around playing in a rusty playground jungle gym in the dead of autumn surrounded by three huge movie screens, hundreds of people walking around, carrying popcorn, soda and chocolate and cars as far as the eye can see waiting for the show to begin. Sure, the … Continue reading
This is one of those Bond movies that divides people. Many make the mistake of letting George Lazenby ruin it for them. That’s a shame, because so many other things about the film are pitch-perfect — and in all fairness, Lazenby was not that bad. He just suffers from having to follow Connery. Given time, … Continue reading
Question: What’s eating Gilbert Grape? Answer: Nothing. He lives at the end. I know a lot of horror film fans were misled by the title of this film. Sorry about that. The truth is, I wanted to call it What’s Buggin Gilbert Grape, but my producers felt that was too close to John Singleton’s then-upcoming … Continue reading
There are a number of actors with whom I’d like to see on the silver screen again simply because of their untapped talent. But there are others who deserve to be looked upon in a new light because of their screen presence. Whether or not their acting is up to par is beside the point; … Continue reading
Erotic Lit Q&A #3. For decades my family has had this little perverted Q&A game we play. Last week, a few of us tried a variant on it where we take turns writing fucked up erotic literature, only seeing the sentence before the one we’re writing. The result was great. Now, every other Friday … Continue reading
The Mountain Goats make the best music. Let’s throw out that fan-wank conceit that any aficionado’s tastes should be too dense and layered to let any one artist rise to the top. You have a favorite parent, a favorite sibling, just like you have a favorite book or a favorite leg bone. So own it, … Continue reading
I’ve only attended the Minnesota State Fair once, the year I moved to the state. Ever since I’ve avoided it like the plague. For those of you that don’t know, the MSF prides itself on its many ‘on-a-stick’ concoctions. These include anything that can be frozen and/or deep-fried, though some of these ‘tasty treats’ are … Continue reading
A couple of nights ago I had the chance to watch the first two episodes of the new Alan Ball series for HBO TRU BLOOD. I had been seeing some advertising here and there for a drink called Tru Blood, but until all the bus stops in the South Bay converted their advertising to the … Continue reading
Okay. The Goonies. Someone on my staff informed me that I actually made this piece of shit. I didn’t want to believe it, but my old pseudonym is right there in the credits: “Directed By: 8-ball LvR.” I just knew those Party with Stephen King days would come back to haunt me. The Goonies is … Continue reading