Back in 1996, when I was publishing my short-lived zine, zuzu's petals — which, in a wonderful bit of circularity, played a significant role in my getting married! — I wrote a pretty cynical essay about why I loved It's A Wonderful Life, not so much for its purportedly uplifting message, but rather for its "unintentionally subversive message".
Category: Pop Culture
On comics and other pop culture topics, including archived Comic Book Commentary posts from 2005-2007.
Review: The Incredible Hulk
I skipped The Incredible Hulk in theaters because I was fully expecting to be disappointed, but my son really wanted to see it and Iron Man was unexpectedly good, so we picked up the DVD and I was pleasantly surprised. Ed Norton isn't as dynamic an actor as Robert Downey, Jr., unlikely to carry a … Continue reading Review: The Incredible Hulk
Apology Unnecessary
There's a bit of a tempest in a teapot happening over at Montclair State University thanks to a "controversial" episode of the Keith Knight comic strip, The K Chronicles, that was published last week in the student newspaper, the Montclarion, and included the word "nigger". Twice! Well, kind of... Seemingly lost on most of those … Continue reading Apology Unnecessary
The Most Fantastic Genre
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZGqSRtDbEw] PopCultureShock posted this great little clip about the new Blue Beetle -- Mexican-American Jaime Reyes -- and Junot Diaz' Oscar Wao, wherein Diaz notes: "The most fantastic genre can't keep up, or refuses to keep up, with how much our country has changed. And so people can dream about aliens, and they can dream … Continue reading The Most Fantastic Genre
What If…FOX hosted the debate?
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l63SRpGXBHE] It's like a mash-up of so many of my favorite things! PS: I'll be back on a regular posting schedule, here and on Spindle, very soon. Seriously.
Things to Do
Montclair Honeybee Fest Originally uploaded by bloomfieldguy Last night, we were suprised to hear the sound of jazz music coming through our front window, at first thinking our neighbor might be having a party, then realizing it was LIVE music from a concert going on in Watsessing Park. According to the Essex County website, it was the … Continue reading Things to Do
Bloomfield Cyclist Assaulted by NYPD Rookie
The cyclist in the middle of the latest NYPD controversy is Christopher Long of Bloomfield, NJ, who is a lot more Zen than I'd be considering the cop is clearly an outright liar and thug: "I'm really sorry, but I'm not talking to the press," Christopher Long, 29, said as he manned an organic fruits-and-vegetables … Continue reading Bloomfield Cyclist Assaulted by NYPD Rookie
Cory Booker: Hero?
Despite my previous reflexive defense of East Orange, I'll admit to buying in to the some of the negative perceptions of Newark, and was originally going to post a link to a great article on Newark's Mayor Cory Booker that I just got around to reading in last month's Esquire (with the inane Mike Myers … Continue reading Cory Booker: Hero?
Thrillerfest 2008
Thrillerfest kicked off yesterday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel here in New York and I had the pleasure of attending the full day -- I'll be back tonight and most of Saturday -- meeting some great people, picking up some interesting books, and taking in some insightful information on the publishing game from the perspective … Continue reading Thrillerfest 2008
Goodbye Potter’s Field
Home ownership is a key theme in one of my favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life, and as I called our current landlord this morning to officially let them know we won't be renewing our lease, I couldn't help but recall the scene where Mr. Martini is moving his family into their new home courtesy … Continue reading Goodbye Potter’s Field