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.
Blowing Shit Up: The “Fallen” Films
As I’ve said before, we guys have it in our DNA to enjoy movies where they’re blowing shit up, whether it’s Mother Nature doing the blowing, or via the good old American way with lots of bombs and other ordnance. The three “Fallen” films, all starring Gerard Butler, definitely fall into the latter category.
Throwback Thursday: Time To Read—Finally!
Since first presenting this post in 2016, I’ve read a heck of a lot more books just for fun. As one of my fridge magnets says, “Yaay Books!”
A Decade Later…Yay!!!
Tomorrow, aka December 3rd, marks ten years past that I had quadruple bypass, open-heart surgery. Wow, a decade! I hadn’t even thought about it till recently. It was a surreal—and scary—time, to say the least.
Throwback Thursday: An Inspirational Sports Movie That You Probably Missed
When it comes to the 2007 film, THE FINAL SEASON, I can’t deny that I’m somewhat biased. I love baseball; my baseball-loving bride is from Iowa, where this true story took place; and I’m quite fond of the state, which I’ve visited numerous times in recent decades.
When Art Creates Life—Happily Revisited
In addition to Thanksgiving, this week is notable for two special anniversaries. Twenty-nine years ago, on November 26th, I met Jacqueline for the first time. Seven years later, on November 29th, she became my bride. I’ve been blessed to have this remarkable woman in my life for nearly three decades…
Throwback Thursday: Rancid Reviews—We Writers Just Have To Live With Them
Don’t we just love those readers who didn’t “get it” when they read our books? I first presented this post in 2016.
A GUILTY Pleasure? I Think Not…
By my own set parameters the 2004 film, THE ALAMO, should be a Guilty Pleasure of the highest order. Its reviews were negative, and it is considered one of the biggest box-office bombs of all time. But I have always felt it is an excellent film that offers a fair, informative account of what occurred at the famous battle in San Antonio, Texas over 180 years ago.
Throwback Thursday: Films About Writers—The Ghost Writer
THE GHOST WRITER, a 2010 political drama directed by Roman Polanski, stars a young Obi-Wan Kenobi (wait, I mean Ewan McGregor) as “The Ghost.” He is never referred to by name, an indication that there will be something “different” about this meticulously paced and intriguing film.
The Warrior Princess: A Middle-Aged Aussie Detective?
New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless is best known for her iconic, kick-butt role as “Xena: Warrior Princess,” in a syndicated television series that ran for 134 episodes from the late 1990s through 2001. She has hardly lacked for work since then, with numerous film and TV roles.
Throwback Thursday—Manhunter: The Screen’s First Hannibal The Cannibal
Most people think of Anthony Hopkins when they hear the name Hannibal Lecter, and rightfully so. Hopkins won an Academy Award for portraying the incarcerated psychiatrist/serial killer in the Best Picture of 1991, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and two subsequent films. But he wasn’t the first.
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