Ethan Russell's American Story

A Man, A Decade, A Pot Load of Photos. Ethan Russell photographed them all: Beatles, Stones, The Who, etc. One of the 1960's premier rock cameramen, his photos and thoughts on those tie-dye days are available in several formats over at Amazon. Just know that Russell's An American Story was edited by my charming wife, Joy. That plug should be good for a favorite dish or a Get-Out-Of-In-Law-Dinner card.

Brave Review Up at F.O.G.

Image: Quadruple A

Image: racingwest.com

What do ancient Scotland and Indianapolis have in common? Go, learn, reflect right now. The answer may surprise and delight you like a bale of found jolliness.

Brave Review: Kooky 70s Stuff

Image: Rifftrax

Tomorrow my review of Brave at Forces of Geek explains why Pixar's latest animated release is One Day at a Time without Schneider.

Little Games Hitler Played

Hitler toys with a German film exec.

 Much has been written about the atrocities of Adolph Hitler. But new information has surfaced indicating that the Nazi leader hated hanging up first. Along with a love of Bavarian pastries and exterminating everyone east of Germany, Hitler would terrify callers by making them be the first to break a telephone connection. Try and wait out the Fuhrer and you'd find yourself beaten into ragu by the Gestapo. He would also page through the Berlin phone book, call a random number and, without identifying himself, say, "Hello? Hang up your phone at once." If the party asked, 'But who is this? Why have you rung me up in the first place?', then Hitler would assume they were stalling so that he'd terminate the call. That party would be beaten into a reddish mist by the SS. Evil dictators are bad. Evil quirky dictators suck.

That's My Boy Review Up at F.O.G.

Reiki energy is sent into the nostrils to eliminate unsightly boogers.

The dry wit of Adam Sandler returns but this time combined with a social consciousness, tackling a little known issue and extolling the virtues of therapy.

Image: ambergristoday.com

So Long, Ray Bradbury

So sad, yet he lived a rich full life and produced a literary legacy that will last a bit, I think. His childhood friend was the great Ray Harryhausen. Read a smidge on Mr. Bradbury here.


Image: Rubicon Theatre Company

Prometheus Review up at F.O.G.

A surprise bad guy fools all those who think this film somehow piggybacks on Alien. No, there is so much more. Discover how much over at Forces of Geek.

Titan Prometheus and a friend prepare for dinner.

Image: pantheon.org

Thank You Some For Giving All

And a pleasant Memorial Day to everyone else.

h/t: themcglynn.com

Snow White and The Huntsman Up at F.O.G.

He came, he saw, he darned the luck! Read more at F.O.G.

The Huntsman Returns

Back in a venue you'd hardly suspect for reasons as murky as the absence of crime. Learn more this Thursday at Forces of Geek.

h/t: AunTime

Moonrise Kingdom Up at F.O.G.

My war on film precociousness continues.

A Mr. Wu Update

You may not have heard, but he's a window cleaner now.


h/t: mkcwebmaster

Battleship Review Up at F.O.G.

Non-precocious teens clutter up action film. Learn more right here, I say.

On the Coyote Trail

My former Team in Training coaches, Jimmy and Kate Freeman, are the founders of Coyote Runners. They and their dynamic peers present a philosophy on life and the open trail. Good stuff for non-runners too. Meanwhile I walk three times a week for less than 3 miles an outing and remain content to do even that much. It can be—and has been—worse.


h/t: Virginia Garner on Facebook

Paul Rugg's New Look Blog

Under new management and showcasing a character from a big blockbuster film of ten years ago. Read about how to pitch an animated series and how to chide thieves.

The Avengers Review Up at F.O.G.

Who crashed the film and wouldn't get out? Learn more at Forces of Geek.

The Dutchman Recalls Riots

The Dutchman weighs in on my riot post.

"Ah, the good times. Of course when I recall those halcyon days of yore and irony, I am reminded of my foolish choices as well. The .22 noise maker had been a gift to my ex-girlfriend/fiancé, who lived in a Silverlake adjacent neighborhood. A porn actress, nude model and gifted fine artist, I have always been attracted to women with interesting backgrounds, diverse experiences and daddy issues. She owned a Papillion that craped everywhere, all the time, except during their frequent walks through their gang infested community. I figured it would be convenient to carry in her purse and its characteristic crack when fired would alert the locals to canvas the area for her body. Eventually we broke up mostly over 2nd amendment issues and some interests of mine she couldn’t bring herself to participate in. She said they were humiliating, unimaginative, not nearly degrading enough and hard on her leather-restraint budget.

At the time of the riots I was married to a depressive Australian, so I kept all my firearms nearby in a customized rig I could throw on if I was going out alone. No need to tempt the Gods if things went badly during an Ashes test match or the America’s Cup. The nine was based on the recommendation of some LAPD officers I made the acquaintance of. They spoke highly of the seventeen round clips and ease of re-loading, so I made my purchase. That is why, in the ignorance of my youth, I was decked out in such an outlandish selection of weapons.

Today, I favor 12’s for close up work and long guns for when I want to reach out and touch someone. As I have matured I have embraced Chaos theory which my neighbors and other potential opponents believe is that the future is not predictable but determined by initial conditions. I of course believe outcomes are determined by a super-secret organization run by Bernie Kopell."

Riots Recalled

My wife remembers the LA riots of a generation ago. I was employed at Warner Bros. out in Sherman Oaks back then. However, no one actually worked that Thursday. Everyone was crowded around a television in Tom Ruegger's office watching the looting of the Beverly Center Shopping Mall. Smoke from the arson fires drifted into the San Fernando Valley and would worsen over the next two days.

We were sent home. My future wife stopped by my Glendale apartment and we watched the chaos on TV. Coverage was non-stop. As we snacked on the couch, seeing familiar places burn or be picked clean by street locusts, Joy coined a term for us: "Riot Potatoes."

The Dutchman, an old friend and veteran sit-com cameraman, lived in Tinsel Town several blocks north of Hollywood Boulevard. When looters sacked a shop just down the street, his fellow neighbors agonized over whether to block off their cul de sac with cars. But no one wanted to volunteer his vehicle. At that moment, The Dutchman strolled into a knot of worried homeowners wearing a 9mm semi-auto on one hip and sporting a .22 semi-auto in a shoulder holster. Holding up his hands, he waited for their full attention then said, "Let us not reason out of fear."

The irony drew a few smiles, as intended, and the looters eventually moved west instead of north.

Time flies faster than Iron Man.

Image: the daily wh.at

Ahoy! 'Pirates' Review Up at F.O.G.

Pirates are so cute and cuddly lately. But this film decided to counter-punch. Find out how and why at Forces of Geek.

Paul Rugg Tossed Off Own Blog!

You knew it was coming, like 2012 or middle age.

But Paul Rugg has been asked to leave blogging.

Learn why and how here and now!

Image: wdw