Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
A Journey Into The Sea Of Trees
If you’re a movie buff, you would probably jump at the chance to see a film starring Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and Oscar nominees Naomi Watts and Ken Watanabe, three outstanding actors. Well, they all performed in the 2015 drama, The Sea of Trees, and I’ll bet that most of you didn’t see it. For that matter, hardly anyone else in the world did either. And I think that’s a shame.
A Film That Only A Writer Could Love?
With regard to the 2016 biographical drama, GENIUS, I could have added “Films About Editors” to my blog as a new series. But really, how many films have book editors, such as the legendary Maxwell Perkins, as the lead character? (Marvel presents, “Red Pencil Man”? Naaah…)
The Year Of The Wolf
Who knows, maybe there were a few extra full moons in 1981. Whatever the case, Hollywood appeared to wax lycanthropic with three wolf-themed films, including today’s subject, The Howling.
“I Had Once Heard Of Iowa”— More Fun Movie Quotes
If you’re reading this on its posting date, Monday the 21st, then I’m on my way back from Iowa after a visit with my bride’s family. So what better film to choose for my first quote?
Films About Writers—Papa: Hemingway In Cuba
I first saw this 2016 film six months ago, during a limited release in the U.S. I’m talking REAL limited—hardly in any theaters, and in most cases for no longer than a week. But no way was I going to miss a film about one of our greatest—and most messed up—writers.
Myths And Legends: The Mad Gasser Of Mattoon
This is one weird story…and I do mean weird. It occurred a long time ago, and to this day the “explanations” are no more than guesswork and speculation. Some even say that the incidents didn’t happen, that they were the result of mass hysteria. In any case, curl up around the campfire, kiddies, and I’ll tell you about the Mad Gasser of Mattoon.
Bestselling Authors Make Great Film Directors—Not!
The bestselling author in question here is none other than Stephen King. His directorial effort, singular, is the 1986 “science fiction action horror comedy” film, Maximum Overdrive, based (loosely) on his short story, Trucks. The movie was a disaster both critically and at the box office, and King, who in an interview many years later swore that he was “coked out of his mind” during the entire production, vowed never to direct another film. He has kept that promise.
Films About Books: In The Mouth Of Madness
It is pretty well accepted that reading books can influence people in many ways, both positively and negatively. But can they drive readers to madness and murder?
Guilty Pleasures: Wild Wild West
I may be the only person on the planet who found the 1999 “steampunk western action comedy” film, Wild Wild West, a “pleasure” to watch. Heck, even its star, Will Smith, hated this movie. But, as I’ve said a thousand times, I’m easily entertained…
The Body Snatchers: The Novel That Spawned Four Film Versions
During my many decades—or is that centuries?—living on this planet I have encountered a number of people who’ve shared the same childhood nightmare. In it, they awaken one morning to discover that their mother is not their mother, or their favorite uncle is no longer their uncle…or sister, or father, or whomever. More than likely these folks, as kids, saw the same movie—the 1956 version of the classic sci-fi thriller, Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
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