Eighty years ago next year, the Abbott and Costello film, Buck Privates hit theaters. It was a tense time in the United States because we knew we would be in the Second World War at some point, but we didn't know when. President Roosevelt had just reinstated the draft, so men were shipped off to the … Continue reading You’re In the Army Now
One Month Until the Leap Year Blogathon
The Leap Year Blogathon is fast approaching, and who else is stoked about it? We have a plethora of Leap Day-related topics on offer that I never considered but am excited to find out about, and I can't wait to share my fellow bloggers' posts with all of you. It's gonna be awesome! Have you … Continue reading One Month Until the Leap Year Blogathon
The Farmer Takes A Wife
Here come the bride and groom... Here's our second post-wedding story in two weeks, and this time we're going silent with the 1926 film, The Canadian. I had heard of this movie but didn't know much about it, so when it came time to dive in I was pleasantly surprised. The film begins with Frank Taylor … Continue reading The Farmer Takes A Wife
Reading Rarities: The Zombie Survival Guide
Well, here we are, starting off a new year and a new decade by talking about that most menacing of threats, the Zombie Apocalypse. Dun dun dun... I'll be honest, while I'm not much of a horror fan, I'm even less enamored with zombies. They're undead like vampires, although they're not nearly as elegant, and … Continue reading Reading Rarities: The Zombie Survival Guide
The Second So Bad It’s Good Blogathon Is One Month Away
One month, all. One month until we cringe, we groan, and we split our sides laughing at the ludicrousness of bad cinema, glorious and otherwise. Have you signed up yet? Do you know anyone who might be interested in joining us? All the details can be found here. If you can't send in a post, … Continue reading The Second So Bad It’s Good Blogathon Is One Month Away
After Happily Ever After
Carole's back, everyone... Carole Lombard was a successful comedienne, but she was not immune to a movie of hers tanking at the box office. That came in the form of 1939's Made For Each Other, which starred Carole opposite James Stewart. Produced by David O. Selznik and directed by John Cromwell, it's an uncomplicated story of … Continue reading After Happily Ever After
Hello, Portici, Hello
I've got a mystery on my hands. Literally. Last Tuesday I got a package from Amazon in the mail, and when I opened it, found a Blu-ray of The Dumb Girl From Portici, along with a note on the receipt that read, "Dear Rebecca: Thanks a million." That's it. No signature. Cue the profound mystification. My face … Continue reading Hello, Portici, Hello
Mutants Among Us
Earl Grey. Hot. Oh, wait. 😉 One of my favorite of Patrick Stewart's non-Star Trek roles is that of Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, a paen to the marginalized and disenfranchised among us. It's hard to believe the first movie is twenty years old this year. And that it's from a time when the bulk of … Continue reading Mutants Among Us
My Favorite American Short Stories
Which short stories do you like? It's nice to be able to easily dive in and out of a story and still feel like something's getting done. Naturally, English majors have to read a lot of these kinds of stories, which is fun most of the time, but can also be a pain in the neck … Continue reading My Favorite American Short Stories
Stage To Screen: This Is the Army
This is the Army, Mister Jones. No private rooms or telephones. You had your breakfast in bed before, but you won't have it there anymore. (Irving Berlin, "This Is the Army," 1942.) Happy New Year! Welcome to the wild and wacky world of the Irving Berlin Wartime Musical. Nothing like starting off 2020 with a mix … Continue reading Stage To Screen: This Is the Army
Taking Up Room 