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.
Endgame: How Do You Top This?
If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), you have more than likely seen the eagerly awaited AVENGERS: ENDGAME. But in case you haven’t, you need not worry that there are any spoilers in this brief homage. All I want to say is that this twenty-second film in the MCU offers three memorable hours of a riveting story to its viewers.
“Que Sera, Sera”—RIP, Doris Day
A national treasure is gone. Singer, actress, animal rights activist Doris Day passed away last week at the amazing age of ninety-seven from complications of pneumonia.
Myths And Legends: The Mary Celeste—A Real-Life Ghost Ship
A natural disaster? An assault by pirates? A murderous plot by the crew? An attack by a giant sea creature? Paranormal activity? All of these suggestions, and more, have been tossed about with regard to the mystery of the MARY CELESTE, a bizarre incident that remains unresolved to this day, nearly a century and a half later.
Smoke Signals: A Well-Deserved Honor For A Great Film
Earlier this year it was announced that the 1998 film, SMOKE SIGNALS, was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress as being “…culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” This is quite an honor for a movie that was made with an all-Native American cast and crew (other than a few cameos by non-indigenous folks).
Films About Writers: House
The 1986 comedy/horror flick, HOUSE, not only fits the bill as a film in which the main character is a writer, but more specifically, a horror writer. I’ve written about a bunch of movies in my “Films About Writers” series, and quite a few of them focus on we who write the scary stuff. Weird…
Harry And The Predator: A Sad Ending
During his all-too-brief career—and life—actor Kevin Peter Hall was billed as “…the tallest man on stage and screen.” At over 7’2” the assessment was spot on. It also led to some memorable roles for this gentle giant from Pittsburgh.
Cheyenne—The Tragedy Of Fort Robinson
In the excellent Native American film, POWWOW HIGHWAY, we join Philbert Bono as he leaves his home on the Northern Cheyenne reservation in Montana for a “vision quest.” Philbert stops at historical sites that are meaningful to the Cheyenne, including the former location of a military outpost, Fort Robinson, in Nebraska. Along with this gentle young man, we read the commemorative plaque and, like him, are horrified by what occurred there. This is an incident that cannot be forgiven, and should never be forgotten.
The Word Of The Day Is…Godzilla!
So why is an old guy like me so excited about the upcoming Godzilla movie? (GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, release date May 31st. Next month!) Okay, I’m seventy-three (going on thirteen), and I’ve always loved monster movies, and I’ll still love ’em when I’m a hundred and three.
Myths And Legends: The Flannan Isles Lighthouse
File this one under “unsolved mysteries,” an incident that has confounded researchers, as well as ordinary people, for over a century. How did three lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mòr, site of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse, vanish one day without a trace?
“I Crap Bigger Than You”—Lines From A Comedy Classic
Billy Crystal is one of my favorite performers, and his 1991 film, CITY SLICKERS, is a gem, much loved by critics and moviegoers alike. As you would guess, he has many of the best lines in the film…but not all. There are plenty of contributors in this laugh-a-minute story.
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