“That’ll never happen”: A look back at 2016

In 2016: The United Kingdom voted in a nationwide referendum to leave the European Union; The Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro; Donald Trump was elected President of the United States of America; Peyton Manning retired from professional football; The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame a three games to one deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors… Continue reading “That’ll never happen”: A look back at 2016

Reflections on 3171, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A look back at 2005

In 2005: Saddam Hussein was tried for crimes committed against humanity during his time in power; YouTube launched; Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles; Former FBI agent Mark Felt publicly identified himself as Deep Throat; Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans; The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published twelve controversial drawings of the prophet Muhammad; Angela Merkel was elected Chancellor of Germany; Logo debuted; Lost… Continue reading Reflections on 3171, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A look back at 2005

On Devil’s Island

  Papillon (1973) Safe cracker Henri Charrière (Steve McQueen) is falsely imprisoned for murder and sentenced to hard labor on Devil’s Island where he forms an unlikely partnership with scrawny embezzler Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman) as they attempt to escape. To baby boomers, Steve McQueen is the epitome of cool, the idolized hero of their youth, but his… Continue reading On Devil’s Island

Diana had a Selfish Giant and Kept Her a secret

  The Selfish Giant (2013) When Arbor and Swifty are suspended from school, they begin collecting scrap metal and selling it to Kitten, a local dealer. When he notices Swifty’s affinity for horses, Kitten allows him to work with several of his. A jealous Arbor steals some scrap from Kitten to sell elsewhere. When Kitten finds… Continue reading Diana had a Selfish Giant and Kept Her a secret

In prison; escaping from prison; going to prison

  Caesar Must Die (2012) This film about prisoners in an Italian suburb staging a production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar won the Golden Bear at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival. The director used actual prisoners in the cast, which makes the film interesting, but it didn’t do anything for me.     The Last Stand (2013) Ray… Continue reading In prison; escaping from prison; going to prison