Fast Times with Phoebe

Legendary 1980s star Phoebe Cates turns 57 today. For many Gen Xers, Cates was the only religion we cared about back then. Her memorable monologue in Gremlins has remained an annual holiday favorite, which I’ve written about previously. Her roles in Private School and Drop Dead Fred were big favorites, but it was her work … Continue reading Fast Times with Phoebe →

40 Years of Dark Phoenix

The culmination of several years' worth of serialized storytelling, Marvel's Uncanny X-Men #137 hit newsstands and comic book shops forty years ago this summer. I didn’t read it until 1984, when it was collected in this then-newfangled thing called a graphic novel, which I begged my mother to buy for me from the local bookstore, … Continue reading 40 Years of Dark Phoenix →

High Priestess of Horror

“I think it's very amazing that I do horror films when I had this awful childhood. But maybe that's why I'm good at it.” Ingrid Pitt grew up in Nazi occupied Poland. She survived the concentration camps. A few years later she was a young mother who started a career in film at a time … Continue reading High Priestess of Horror →

Breathless Forever

I'll bring the wine, you bring your scarred psyche. Dr. Chase Meridian, from the late Joel Schumacher’s extravagant blockbuster Batman Forever (1995), will never be mistaken for some of Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman’s finest work. That’s neither here nor there, though, when you’re talking about the deliciously campy performance she delivers as the good doctor. Breathless … Continue reading Breathless Forever →

Return to Crystal Lake

With the original Friday the 13th (F13) celebrating its fortieth anniversary recently, I decided to revisit the film that launched the franchise, and then wound up rewatching the next seven sequels after that. This was an impromptu marathon, perfectly made for these lockdown times, but one I'm glad I embarked upon, even if I'm feeling … Continue reading Return to Crystal Lake →

“I Restore Myself When I’m Alone”: On Marilyn Monroe and Introversion

Even if introverts are having a wonderful time at a social gathering, we still walk away drained by it, and when we're suffering through forced socialization it's even more depleting to our souls. Time alone is key, so we can recharge for another attempt at tackling this extrovert-friendly world we live in. That's why Marilyn … Continue reading “I Restore Myself When I’m Alone”: On Marilyn Monroe and Introversion →

Notorious

Wes Craven’s debut film The Last House on the Left (1972) was slapped with the "notorious" label for reasons that are glaringly apparent if you just watch the film. This notoriety, spurred on by critics losing their minds over the horrific violence of the film, only made people want to watch it more. Deep Throat … Continue reading Notorious →