In 2006, The Winter Olympics were held in Turin, Italy; Twitter launched; The Human Genome Project published the last chromosome sequence; Montenegro became an independent nation; Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet; The United States population passed 300 million people; No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock was sold for $140 million, becoming the most expensive painting at the time; Saddam… Continue reading Reflections on 3172, Year of Our Lady of Discord: A look back at 2006
Tag: Metafiction
The year after Big Brother started watching us all: A look back at 1985
In 1985: Ronald Reagan began his second term as US President; Mikhail Gorbachev assumed power in the Soviet Union; Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeated Rowdy Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff in the inaugural Wrestlemania; Elmo first appeared on Sesame Street; New Coke debuted and, after a disastrous couple of months, was removed from US stores; David… Continue reading The year after Big Brother started watching us all: A look back at 1985
Best of the 1980s
The Shining (1980) Writer Jack Torrance takes a job as a winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel which was built on a Native American burial ground. Haunted by the numerous evil spirits which populate the hotel, Jack slowly loses his mind and unsuccessfully attempts to kill his wife, Wendy and young son, Danny. Contrary to what… Continue reading Best of the 1980s
Saving Spider-Man from drowning
Waterworld (1995) In a world covered in water after global warming melts the polar ice caps, a mysterious Mariner (Kevin Costner) becomes a reluctant protector of Enola and her guardian Helen when Enola is hunted by The Smokers whose leader, Deacon (Dennis Hopper), believes she possesses a map to the mythical Dryland tattooed on her… Continue reading Saving Spider-Man from drowning
The trees are glowing
Afterglow (1997) When Lucky Mann (Nick Nolte) discovered his fifteen year old daughter was the result of an affair between his actress wife, Phyllis (Julie Christie), and one of co-stars, he responded violently and their confused daughter ran away. Lucky and Phyllis moved to Montreal where they suspected their daughter was living, but agreed to… Continue reading The trees are glowing
The daytime panic in the streets of Mecca
Day for Night (1973) French melodrama Je Vous Présente Paméla stars an older screen legend, a younger sex symbol, and a British actress (Jacqueline Bissett). During filming, the cast and crew wish the interminable, troubled shoot would end. In a charming bit of camera winking meta narrative, the director, Francois Truffaut, plays Ferrand, the director of the… Continue reading The daytime panic in the streets of Mecca