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.
Let’s Hear It For Strong Women
In my favorite genres of horror and science fiction of the 1950s, women were great at two things: screaming and fainting. Yeah, the guys were always around to protect them while figuring out how to kill the monster, or prevent the alien invasion, or whatever. Fortunately, there were exceptions to the rule, and some of the best films during that era were ones involving strong, smart women.
Those 1950s “B” Movies: Hokey, But Fun
As a New York City kid growing up in the 1950s I watched a lot of that era’s science fiction/horror flicks, mostly on WOR Channel 9’s “Million Dollar Movie.” Giant bugs/animals/people, space invaders, experiments gone awry—all of them scared the crap out of me back then. In subsequent years, re-watching them became more about fun and nostalgia.
The Write Stuff?
I’m finding it hard to wrap my head around the reality that next month will mark one year since I lost my beloved Jacqueline. Often I find myself floating around my empty house in a daze of denial. Still, she made me promise to take care of myself and to keep on truckin’, and so I am.
This Film Might’ve Made Viewers Crabby
I suppose that, given its lurid title, the 1957 sci-fi/horror flick, ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS, could have been presented as a “Guilty Pleasure.” But surprise, the film garnered some decent reviews, and it grossed a million bucks on a paltry $70,000 budget.
Riverside, Iowa: Future Birthplace Of James T. Kirk
My late bride and I used to make one or two trips a year to Iowa. Jacqueline was a born and raised, corn-fed Hawkeye and always enjoyed showing me around the state. One highlight was the small town of Riverside, population a tad over one thousand folks. Its claim to fame: Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE will be born there in about 200 years.
Last Week I Just About Lost IT
I don’t know, maybe it’s an “age” thing. Out of the blue last week I felt compelled to read (re-read, actually) Stephen King’s 1986 humongous horror classic, IT. I had read the book 25-30 years ago, so why bother? Still, I put it on my Kindle and read all 1,174 pages…took me the better part of the week. And it didn’t end there.
Wait, What? More Dinosaurs?!
If you watched the Super Bowl, you saw the trailer for JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH, the seventh film in the ever-popular, money-making franchise. Though a stand-alone story, it is considered a sequel to JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION (2022). It has an all-new ensemble cast, headed by Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali.
SUPER 8 Is A Super Film
The 2011 science fiction/thriller/coming of age film, SUPER 8, has a great pedigree. It was written and directed by J.J. Abrams, and produced by Steven Spielberg. The winner of numerous awards, it did well at the box office and won the praise of many critics. Not bad for a movie starring a bunch of kids.
R.I.P. Bob Uecker: “Mr. Baseball”
We lost a national treasure last week. Bob Uecker, former major league catcher, baseball announcer, comedian, and all-around great guy, passed away at the age of 90. To me, what better way to honor him than to present some of his best lines? I draw from his comedy routines and from two films, MAJOR LEAGUE and MAJOR LEAGUE II.
I Don’t Know Where I’m Gonna Go…
I Don’ Know Where I’m-a Gonna Go…when the volcano blows! What volcano? It’s the one that is located—as the crow flies—about a mile from my California home. Seriously?
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