In the summer of 1993, Marvel Comics did something that would make modern crossover events look quaint by comparison: they unleashed pure, unfiltered chaos across New York City in the form of a 14-part storyline that spanned five different Spider-Man titles. Maximum Carnage wasn't just a comic book story—it was a publishing experiment, a merchandising … Continue reading Maximum Carnage: When Symbiotes Ran Wild in New York
New York
The Trio Behind Friends: How Three Writers Created TV Magic
Picture this: It's 1993, and three television writers are sitting around trying to figure out how to capture the anxiety of being a twenty-something in Manhattan without enough money, clear life direction, or functional romantic relationships. Their solution? Create a show about six people who somehow afford enormous apartments while working as a waitress, a … Continue reading The Trio Behind Friends: How Three Writers Created TV Magic
The Black Market Below Bleecker
Dave Winters considered himself a rational man. He recycled when convenient, tipped exactly 18%, and had strong opinions about people who took the elevator to the second floor. He worked in data analytics, lived alone in a reasonably-priced Greenwich Village apartment (inherited from his grandmother, thank you very much), and had never once entertained the … Continue reading The Black Market Below Bleecker
68 – Mary and Max
Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s … Continue reading 68 – Mary and Max
Question of the Week #212
Ignoring all financial considerations, would you rather spend the next five years confined to the city of New York or to the environs of Morro Bay, a beautiful, isolated town on the California coast? I mean, I pretty much ignore all financial considerations as it is... why is this different? Just kidding. "Confined" makes it … Continue reading Question of the Week #212
A to Z Challenge – The Other Guys
The Other Guys 2010 Directed by Adam McKay Quick Synopsis... While an elite pair of New York City cops nabs headlines for their amazing heroics, fellow boys in blue Allen and Terry toil in obscurity as lowly desk jockeys, until a big break finally gives them a chance to tackle real police work. Can someone explain … Continue reading A to Z Challenge – The Other Guys
A to Z Challenge – Big
Big 1988 Directed by Penny Marshall Quick Synopsis... A 12-year-old yearns to be a grown-up, and when he makes that wish at a fortunetelling machine, he awakes the next morning as a 30-year-old man. He lands a job at a toy company, but despite his success, he finds himself pining for all he left behind. What … Continue reading A to Z Challenge – Big
Question of the Week #101
An eccentric millionaire offers to donate a large sum to charity if you will step--completely naked--from a car onto a busy downtown street, walk four blocks, and climb back into the car. Knowing that there would be no danger of physical abuse, would you do it? If I have learned anything from my puritanical upbringing, … Continue reading Question of the Week #101
AFI #41 – King Kong
King Kong 1933 Directed by Merian C. Cooper & Ernest B. Schoedsack Netflix says... Delivering action, adventure, chills and thrills, this precedent-setting monster movie tells a timeless tale of man vs. beast. While shooting in the jungle, filmmaker Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong) discovers an awe-inspiring marvel of nature: a 50-foot gorilla dubbed Kong. Subduing the … Continue reading AFI #41 – King Kong
AFI #43 – Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy 1969 Directed by John Schlesinger Netflix says... To earn cash as a freelance sex stud and work toward his dream of becoming a kept man, hayseed hustler Joe Buck heads to New York City, where an improbable friendship blossoms when he meets seedy con man Ratso Rizzo. I'm gonna go ahead and say … Continue reading AFI #43 – Midnight Cowboy
The Confusing Middle 