Last week we learned how to pronounce all things Middle-Earth. But keep in mind, Tolkien was not only a linguist, he was an historian. That means writing stuff down in all those languages he created. Calligraphy enthusiasts, this bit's for you! Accordingly, writing systems are put forth in this subsection, being an essential part of … Continue reading The Lord of the Rings – Appendix E: II. Writing
DSO – The Music of John Williams
It's been a while since my last concert blog. It's also the end of the concert season for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. For this film score fan, what better way to end a season than with the music of the maestro, John Williams? There is no better way. That's not even a question worth entertaining. Through … Continue reading DSO – The Music of John Williams
Monster Weekend and Feedback
I've got a fun weekend lined up. I can't wait. The work day is going to drag something fierce because of it today, but hey... it's Friday. I can get through it. Tonight is my final DSO concert for the season, and it's a good one. The Music of John Williams. I think it goes … Continue reading Monster Weekend and Feedback
Dark Shadows, 2012
Place this one squarely in the category of "it was going to happen to me sooner or later." I had no intention of even writing this review after I finally did watch it. As it was, I went five years without seeing it. So why now? There's no real answer to that other than "because it's there." … Continue reading Dark Shadows, 2012
Kong: Skull Island, 2017
When we talk kaiju -- the giant monsters of the big screen -- Kong is the first name that comes to mind for me. Most will say Godzilla. Whatever. Kong was first, and as far as I'm concerned, he's still the best. Certainly the most interesting. Why? Probably because he's the one with heart. I … Continue reading Kong: Skull Island, 2017
The Phantom of the Opera: The Lost Chapter by Gaston Leroux, Caitlin G. Freeman (translator)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, novels were first published in serialized formats in newspapers or magazines. It wasn't uncommon for whole chapters to be rewritten, added, or otherwise removed before the story was finally collected as a complete finished novel. Think of it as a means for an author to allow readers to beta read … Continue reading The Phantom of the Opera: The Lost Chapter by Gaston Leroux, Caitlin G. Freeman (translator)
RIP, Stephen Furst
2017 claimed another one over the weekend that hits close to home. Comic and dramatic actor, director, producer, activist, and diabetes spokesman Stephen Furst passed from complications of his condition. This is a guy that's been making me laugh for pretty much all of my life, from Animal House to The Dream Team. I consider that one of the … Continue reading RIP, Stephen Furst
The Lord of the Rings – Appendix E: I. Pronunciation of Words and Names
If you've ever had the distinct pleasure to really listen to the late great Christopher Lee discuss his passion for Middle-Earth, odds are very good you heard him pronounce things extremely deliberately, and perhaps with a touch of high-handedness. If you've not heard it, listen in particular to anytime he says the name "Gandalf," be it interviews … Continue reading The Lord of the Rings – Appendix E: I. Pronunciation of Words and Names
Sonic Safety Nets and Other Updates
Seems like I tend to do these personal updates on Fridays. I suppose it's kind of a mental exorcism so that I can reboot for the weekend? Sure, that makes sense. Let's go with that. At any rate, I dug around in some interesting stuff this week, and I don't know who cares, but I … Continue reading Sonic Safety Nets and Other Updates
Stoker’s Manuscript by Royce Prouty
It's a fairly standard conceit to treat Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel as a chronicle of an actual event, be it a literal chronicle or as a story designed to cover the truth about what really happened. This sort of thing has been a part of literature almost as long as the story has been … Continue reading Stoker’s Manuscript by Royce Prouty
