It's an important month for us all. We all know that the fate of the free world hinges on the next American election for President. If we as a nation choose wisely as I anticipate we will, then stability will be maintained, and we can look to improvements. If otherwise, then we'll cross those bridges when they are required. I intended this past year to eschew large monthly themes and keep the blog more diverse. I've largely failed, and I won't try that anymore. I love themes. I just do. It structures both my reading, viewing, and my writing, and it's just fun to organize. Here are the themes for this month.
I find Jack H. Harris to be a fascinating figure in vintage cinema. He was the man behind
The Blob, a surprise hit from a truly independent outfit during the height of the monster-movie mania in the late 50s. He quickly produced two more sci-fi monster movies before fading away. He reappeared as a packager of other people's movies, sometimes with some of his input. He continued to show up as a producer mostly until 1991. There are thirteen movies listed in his filmography for which he was responsible for directly or indirectly, and I'm going to take a look at all of them this month. Some I've already reviewed over the years, and I'll get those reviews out and dust them and spruce them up. But many of these movies I'd never seen and more than a few I'd never heard of. I'll let his book
Father of Blob help guide me.
C.S. Lewis wrote a masterpiece for kids and the rest of us with his Narnia stories. The stories are intentionally a bit heavy-handed at times when it comes to Christian theological interpretation. But despite Aslan standing in for Jesus Christ in the mythic realm of Narnia, the stories can be read sans that, but don't get riled if I bring those elements up from time to time. I plan to read the books in their internally historical order and not in the order of publication, which has always been my default. I have also procured some of the companion book or two to assist in a deeper understanding of the Lewis saga.
Expect more Neal Adams material. I've spent the whole year of 2024 to this point showcasing his work and this month will be no different.
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And all sorts of other stuff as well.
And as I mentioned before, we have an election we have to survive. If this doesn't go well, I might have to take to my bed, and all bets are off.
Rip Off
I really hope you get the election result you want but even if the worst happens I don't believe you'd ever retire to bed in despair as you seem far too stoical. You survived Trump before and you will again if necessary. I recall you once saying that you like to escape all the madness by retreating into your favourite books, films and TV shows which sounds like pretty good advice .
ReplyDeleteScrooge McDuck was meant to be Scottish as the Scots are supposed to be mean and miserly but my Scottish father was extremely generous and not at all miserly so that's one national stereotype debunked as far as I'm concerned!
I just returned from casting my vote for Kamela Harris and Tim Walz. The polls are as busy as I've seen them in this town. People were being polite and sociable, so no weirdos aside from one guy well out of the prohibited campaigning range walking up and down the road with a flag, which I can only assume was in support of Sweet Potato Hitler.
DeleteAs a hillbilly, a stereotype that is often cited as lazy, I feel your pain. We are far from lazy. Crazy perhaps, but lazy not so much.
I always look forward to seeing more on Neal Adams, maybe Joe Staton ( and/or Charlton comics) . Not long until the US election now, no offence but regardless of the result I will just be happy not to hear about it on the UK news every 5 mins. But I suspect a rocky road ahead regardless of who is elected with contested figures etc
ReplyDeleteActually I've heard good things about the aftermath. (That is unless Trump wins.) His legal arguments are thin and without the presidency behind him to push this stuff he's relegated to crank. Things must look poorly as more and more Republicans are coming out against him. But we'll see.
DeleteWhat? You mean Yogi and Huck aren't running for President, RJ? That's a major mistake for a start. "But they're cartoon characters" I hear you say. Yeah, but so is Trump - though not so funny.
ReplyDeleteI wish. With a little ink and paint and the nightmare would be obliterated.
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