Janet, Jack, and Some of That Jazz

In the season six episode of Three’s Company—hilariously titled “Some of That Jazz”—Janet (my birthday buddy, the lovely and talented Joyce Dewitt) thinks her dance instructor’s interest in her is strictly for her dancing skills. Jack (one of the best comedic actors of all time, the late John Ritter) knows the teacher (Michael Bell in … Continue reading Janet, Jack, and Some of That Jazz →

Between the Lines

I adore hangout movies. What's a "hangout movie," you ask? Well, it's a movie where a group of characters do exactly what it says—they hang out together, often at work, in bars, apartments, or anywhere, really. They're often found-family films also, and the workplace is central to many of them because sometimes the people you … Continue reading Between the Lines →

From the Vault: Logan’s Run

Logan’s Run was released this week in 1976. Here’s my brief ode from several years back to the retro-futuristic-by-way-of-the-1970s stylings of a cult classic. This piece has been slightly revised from its original form. It's interesting and probably not that surprising that so many future-set science fiction films of the 1970s didn't look anything like … Continue reading From the Vault: Logan’s Run →

Five Easy Pieces

“I don't know if you'd be particularly interested in hearing anything about me. My life, I mean… Most of it doesn't add up to much that I could relate as a way of life that you'd approve of… I'd like to be able to tell you why, but I don't really… I mean, I move … Continue reading Five Easy Pieces →

Zep

For reasons unknown I’ve recently found myself basking in the seismic soundscapes of the Greatest Rock and Roll Band of All Time, Led Zeppelin. Okay, hold up, that’s not quite true. The part about “reasons unknown,” I mean. The part about greatest band ever might actually be true. You wouldn’t get an argument from me … Continue reading Zep →

Bad Girls We Love: Joanne Clayton from Tales from the Crypt

Out of all the segments in the 1972 British anthology film Tales from the Crypt, "...And All Through the House" makes the best use of its short running time, small cast, and limited setting—all of the action takes place in one house on Christmas Eve. It also happens to be genuinely terrifying. Plus it stars … Continue reading Bad Girls We Love: Joanne Clayton from Tales from the Crypt →

Bad Girls We Love: Barb from Black Christmas

When it comes to bad girls of horror, none are badder than Barb from the original, and still-supreme—no matter how many remakes they throw at us—Black Christmas (1974). The film is legendary, and so is Margot Kidder’s performance as the wisecracking, frequently intoxicated sorority sister Barb. It's filled with outstanding performances, including Olivia Hussey as … Continue reading Bad Girls We Love: Barb from Black Christmas →