MONSTER: Dracula REAL NAME: Vladimir T. Dracula, Jr. COLLECTIVE NAME: Draculae POWERS: immortality, flight, mental domination, control over vermin, moodiness PET PEEVES: inability to eat aïoli FAVORITE WU-TANG CLAN MEMBER: RZA MOST REALISTIC FILM DEPICTION: Seven Golden Candelabras of Dracula (1958, Allied Antiques, USA) *** MONSTER: Wolf Man REAL NAME: …
One of the few pleasures of growing older, from the perspective of cultural criticism, is watching America mythologize itself. Sometimes you have the enjoyment of seeing this happen just as it develops, as H.L. Mencken spotted in his observation of the immediate aftermath of the Dempsey/Carpentier fight; other times, it rolls …
What can possibly be gained by comparing the two film versions of Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie? Beats me, but their recent and sudden appearance on Netflix streaming, combined with vague curiosity and less vague boredom, led me to find out. I’m an unapologetic booster of Brian De Palma, and a …
It was famously said by a man who had never been there that Hell is other people. Like most epigrams, it’s more clever than it is accurate. Hell is other people, yes; but not many. The energy and logistics involved in getting a dead man’s shade into Hell are so …
It is a complicated world, and today’s worker, student, and/or working student intern has to memorize more data points than ever to prove useful to his instructor/employer. In the internet age, when all data is instantly accessible to everyone at all times, you might think that rote memorization would be …
I’m a guy who likes his meat. I figure I have incisors for a reason, and if there’s a dead animal I wouldn’t enjoy eating, I haven’t encountered it yet. More than that, though, I love to cook. A vegetarian diet – or even, may the fishmongers of Seattle forgive …
MOST FREQUENTLY APPEARING WORDS IN THE TITLES OF METAL SONGS I HAVE IN MY MP3 LIBRARY, PRIMARY PHASE Death; black; blood; demon; fire; hell; spell. MOST FREQUENTLY APPEARING WORDS IN THE TITLES OF METAL SONGS I HAVE IN MY MP3 LIBRARY, SECONDARY PHASE Burning, cold; darkness; dead; earth; end; eternal; fires; …
She is not like the women in those other films, those dangerous women that she has come to bury just as surely as she will soon occupy a sad and lonely grave, sunk in a pond, crammed in the trunk of her brand new car. They are professional criminals, or …
The Flash, like some Speed-Force-infused Rodney Dangerfield, don’t get no respect. Despite going through a respectable transition from Golden to Silver Age (and, in the process, inventing the multiverse), being a founding member of the Justice League of America, featuring some top-rate talent in his solo title, displaying one the …
From The Trouble with Principle by Stanley Fish: “Many bad things are now being done in the name of neutral principles, and I hope it is clear by now that it is no paradox to say that bad things are being done by something which doesn’t exist. Indeed, it is crucial …
Since 1583, the British Empire has been a name you can trust for all your industrial, cultural, and brown-people subjugation needs. We’ve brought you the railroad, tbe spinning jenny, the difference engine, and the electronically controlled bassoon, not to mention William Shakespeare and a little show called Doctor Who. Whether we’re …
As I write this, the American government is engaged in yet another air bombardment campaign in the Middle East. In response to a series of relatively minor, but alarming and shocking, provocations by an extremist militant group usually known as ISIS, President Barack Obama — who initially campaigned on a …
(Note to producers: Mr. DeGrasse-Tyson is out with a bad case of sarcoidosis. Because of time constraints, Mr. MacFarlane has volunteered the services of his friend Jud Granderson to complete the voice-over content. Mr. Granderson is a technical consultant on American Dad, has a semi-degree in physical education, a keen interest …
The Libertarian Party of Texas in conjunction with The Leonard Peikoff Foundation and REASON Magazine presents: RONNY A Rock Opera Featuring: TREY PARKER, vocals. TED NUGENT, guitar. PENN JILLETTE, bass. NEAL PEART, drums. Act I, Part 1: “No Reason to Be Over-Optimistic” The “Overture” plays, previewing the musical themes …
Some movies are impossible not to like. Despite your best efforts not to be suckered in, they have some elusive quality – a game cast, eye-catching design, or an indefatigable sense of energy – that win you over. Bride and Prejudice isn’t one of those movies. But it’s so, so …
