Michael Scott is a strange kind of case for the Couch, because almost nobody who has ever watched The Office would call him well adjusted. He interrupts, overshares, makes his employees' lives harder in pursuit of making them love him, and occasionally says something so inappropriate that even his most patient staff members visibly flinch. … Continue reading The Character Couch – Michael Scott
So… They Remade Carrie… Again
Stephen King's Carrie has been adapted so many times that, at this point, I'm beginning to wonder if Hollywood has some sort of contractual obligation to dump a bucket of pig's blood on a teenage girl every decade or so. We got Brian De Palma's classic film in 1976, a made-for-TV adaptation in 2002, and … Continue reading So… They Remade Carrie… Again
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 118
Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Be sure to share your own memories and … Continue reading Rewatching Smallville – Episode 118
The Worst 9 – Cinderfella
Cinderfella 1960 Directed by Frank Tashlin Same disclaimer as always, because a movie this beloved by a certain generation of viewers deserves it more than most: this list comes straight from my Flickchart rankings, built from thousands of head-to-head matchups between films I've actually watched. It isn't a verdict on quality, and it definitely isn't … Continue reading The Worst 9 – Cinderfella
The Silence Between Stars
The Marigold had been drifting for six hours before anyone noticed the signal had stopped answering back. Dessa Cross noticed first, because she was the one who'd been arguing with it. She sat hunched over the comms panel in the cockpit, headset askew, repeating the same hail into the void like a woman haggling with … Continue reading The Silence Between Stars
Question of the Week #507
Welcome back to another Question of the Week here at The Confusing Middle! Last week we wrestled with a version of the future that doesn't feel like science fiction at all, the idea of being seamlessly linked into every communications path until logging off stops being an option. This week's question pulls the lens in … Continue reading Question of the Week #507
The Character Couch – Leslie Knope
Pull up a chair. Today's guest walked in fifteen minutes early, brought a binder, and has already reorganized the waiting room by color-coded folder. She's thrilled to be here. She's also, I'd wager, a little worried this session is going to find something she can't fix with a well-timed breakfast of waffles and whipped cream. … Continue reading The Character Couch – Leslie Knope
Yellow Brick Road to Enlightenment: How Much of Oz Is Actually Theosophy?
I have spent a lot of time on this blog picking apart the things I loved as a kid to see what makes them tick. Usually that means an episode of Smallville or a movie I can't stand. This time it means something a little older and a little stranger: the actual belief system quietly … Continue reading Yellow Brick Road to Enlightenment: How Much of Oz Is Actually Theosophy?
How The Lord of the Rings Rewired Fantasy for Film and TV
There was a stretch of time, not even that long ago in the grand scheme of things, when "unfilmable" was the word permanently welded to J.R.R. Tolkien's name. Too much internal monologue. Too much walking. Too many appendices. Hollywood had already taken a swing and mostly whiffed, and the conventional wisdom held that fantasy simply … Continue reading How The Lord of the Rings Rewired Fantasy for Film and TV
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 117
Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Be sure to share your own memories and … Continue reading Rewatching Smallville – Episode 117
