Plot:Vampires have been hunting humans for centuries, but times change. Under the leadership of Count Mardulak (David Carridine) a group of vampires has set up shop in a town called Purgatory somewhere in the desert of the American West. They will learn to co-exist with humans, with the help of sunblock, sunglasses, and artificial blood.Continue reading “Review of “Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat” (1989)”
Tag Archives: satire
Review of “Duck Soup” (1933)
This is our latest Saturday pizza and bad movie offering. I saw it originally in college—that is, not recently. I thought it was hilarious and a biting satire, though frankly, I didn’t remember much of it. Plot: The cash-strapped (fictional) country of Freedonia appeals to the wealthy widow Mrs. Gloria Teasdale (Margaret Dumont) for $20Continue reading “Review of “Duck Soup” (1933)”
Review of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963)
Our Saturday pizza and bad movie night featured a flick we’d seen before, a spoof on horror flicks. It plays with tropes familiar in both horror and comedy. Plot: Waldo Trumbull (Vincent Price) and his assistant Felix Gillie (Peter Lorre) run a funeral business in late 19th century New England, cutting corners by reusing theContinue reading “Review of “The Comedy of Terrors” (1963)”
Review of “Gabriel-Ernest” by Saki Halloween Countdown
14) “Gabriel-Ernest” by Saki Plot:On their way to the train station, the artist Cunninghan warns Van Cheele there is a wild beast in his woods. It’s the only thing he’s been able to say on the drive. Van Cheele has chattered the whole time. “A stray fox or two and some resident weasels. Nothing moreContinue reading “Review of “Gabriel-Ernest” by Saki Halloween Countdown”
Review of “The Man in the White Suit” (1951)
Another departure from our usual monster/horror movie for Saturday night is this black-and-white satire of the idealistic individual who upsets everybody’s applecart. It brought to mind a bit of Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Rush’s 2112, and the end of the original Frankenstein movie, but added a bit of humor. Plot:Hapless Sidney Stratton (a really young AlecContinue reading “Review of “The Man in the White Suit” (1951)”
Review of “Hot Fuzz” (2007)
We chose something from this century for our Saturday night pizza and bad movie. We do that once in a while, especially when Svengoolie is a rerun. This particular masterpiece is a sendup of cop buddy movies with a British flare. If you’re watching from this side of the pond, I recommend subtitles. Plot:Nicholas AngelContinue reading “Review of “Hot Fuzz” (2007)”
Letter to Santa
*Unlike my usual reviews, this is a joke for a friend.* Dear Santa: I hope you and Mrs. Claus and the elves and reindeer are all doing well. I hear the North Pole may be a bit warmer than usual. Does this interfere with your operations? I have been a good girl. I don’t smokeContinue reading “Letter to Santa”
Review of “Other Life Forms Are The Most Of Our Problems” by Anya Ow
“They’re just seagulls. Nobody will care. We let a billion animals die during the last fire season, and we still got reelected.”
Review of “The Seven Billion Habits of Highly Effective Robots” by Aidan Doyle
Plot: There is no plot. This is a list of satiric inspirational sayings for robots. A coherent world view emerges, one that is (as it should be) a reflection of own. The list begins: Recharge your batteries. Keep a gratitude journal. I’m grateful this city is our home. I’m grateful The Supreme Council of RobotsContinue reading “Review of “The Seven Billion Habits of Highly Effective Robots” by Aidan Doyle”
Review of “A Plague of Santas” by Emily Dorffer
This is not really a story, as there is no plot. It is a portrait, a satire of the frenzy surrounding Christmas time. And it is cute. “It starts innocently enough in November,” the reader is told. “A shortage of cookies and milk at the grocery store, a faint jingling at night, the lingering scentContinue reading “Review of “A Plague of Santas” by Emily Dorffer”
Reviews of Old and New Stories. Mostly Old 