From the Vault: Kelly Bundy and the Alternative Family Ideal

This was originally published at my old site four years ago. I've revised it a bit to share here because of actress Christina Applegate's recent disclosure that she has multiple sclerosis. Applegate holds a special place in my heart and has since I was roughly 12 years old, thanks to her funny and sexy performance … Continue reading From the Vault: Kelly Bundy and the Alternative Family Ideal →

OctoberPfest

My love of October is well documented. Autumn is in full swing, replete with crisp air and colorful foliage. Pumpkin coffee and ales of all sorts are flowing like wine everywhere. And of course the best holiday ever is being celebrated with spooky decorations and horror movie marathons—Halloween. It truly is the most wonderful time … Continue reading OctoberPfest →

Happy 25th, Nomi

One of the absolutely monoliths in the world of cult classics, Showgirls opened on this day in 1995. Over the last twenty-five years, I've thought a lot about why I love Showgirls so much and I've come to realize it's basically this: life is a big, epic, chaotic mess and the film masterfully, hilariously, and … Continue reading Happy 25th, Nomi →

Mangia

There’s so little that brings smiles to our faces this year, but when I stumbled on this old photo I couldn’t help but grin and chuckle. Four things I love in one shot: Benicio Del Toro (an excellent actor), Parker Posey (my ‘90s indie movie queen), Italian food (my roots and my lifeblood), and Parker … Continue reading Mangia →

Cheetos, Candy, and the Light: Dangerous Minds at 25

Continuing the theme of back to school from my last post, I've been thinking a lot about how classrooms won't look or feel the same this year. And classrooms now also include the living rooms, kitchen tables, or dens of American households, as so many of us will be working from home and overseeing our … Continue reading Cheetos, Candy, and the Light: Dangerous Minds at 25 →