No one would ever classify Quentin Tarantino as a documentary filmmaker. His sometimes glorious mashups of genres, styles and cultures capped with legendary violence have made him the leading American auteur director. His vision, writing and craft are uniquely his own. Audiences have a strong idea of what they'll see on the screen at a … Continue reading Quentin Tarantino’s Hollywood reality
Talking movies and TV
Tim Conway was always funny, always likable
This is a review I wrote in 2013 about Tim Conway's autobiography in 2013. The comedian passed away today at age 85 after nearly a lifetime of making people laugh. Rest in peace, Mr. Conway and signature characters like Dorf, Mr. Tudball and the world's oldest man. “What’s so Funny? My Hilarious Life,” by Tim … Continue reading Tim Conway was always funny, always likable
A few of my favorite things . . .
I can pretty much condense my general interests into four basic categories: Writing, movies, books and sports. I like food and drink, too so throw that in there. But outside of those things, I'm not much for hobbies. I don't build stuff or tinker around on computers. I'm not in to gardening or keeping a … Continue reading A few of my favorite things . . .
The worst crime in Stokes County history remains a source of fascination
Author's note: First shared in January 2019. The first thing you notice is how small the headline is. The publication date was New Year's Day 1930 in the primary weekly newspaper covering Stokes County in that particular time. It's from the now former Danbury Reporter, founded by the Pepper family in Danbury. Today it's known … Continue reading The worst crime in Stokes County history remains a source of fascination
Another Festivus miracle! There will be no airing of grievances . . . today
Today -- that's Dec. 23 according to Seinfeldian lore -- is Festivus. It's a completely goofy pre-Christmas celebration / holiday that wasn't exactly fictional even when it was first widely introduced in a season nine episode of the long-running 1990s TV situation comedy "Seinfeld." Yes, Festivus, motto "A Festivus for the rest of us," existed … Continue reading Another Festivus miracle! There will be no airing of grievances . . . today
That time Susan Sarandon visited Graham
I wrote this at about the time the film "Bull Durham" celebrated its 10th anniversary in 1998. The baseball film comedy just turned 30 in June so it's time to share it again. A big chunk of the popular movie starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon was filmed at minor league ballparks and other locations … Continue reading That time Susan Sarandon visited Graham
Witnessing the Long Island Medium
A skeptic from birth and a registered contrarian for more than three decades of good and dedicated standing I'm probably the last person most would expect to find at a program that involves a psychic, a medium, a fortune-teller, a tarot-card reader, a palm-reader, a tea-leaf scatterer, a Magic 8-Ball shaker or those who worship … Continue reading Witnessing the Long Island Medium
It’s time to honor legendary musician Joe Thompson who linked past and future
They call it the Joe and Odell Thompson Legacy Project. There is something so right about it. In fact, it might be the rightest thing I've read about in a while. What was presented to Mebane city leaders Monday night and reported in the Burlington Times-News was an overview of the Joe and Odell Thompson … Continue reading It’s time to honor legendary musician Joe Thompson who linked past and future
1956: The year Elvis visited Burlington and left high school gyms way behind
One of my favorite features we published during my second tour of duty with the Burlington Times-News was this one by Alamance County historian Walter Boyd. It's about the 18 hours music icon Elvis Presley spent in Burlington in February of 1956, including a performance at Williams High School. That story published in 2015, in … Continue reading 1956: The year Elvis visited Burlington and left high school gyms way behind
History, irony and ‘Olympic Pride, American Prejudice’
Nearly everyone who knows much about the history of Olympic sports in the United States has heard of Jesse Owens. Many of them are aware he won four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. Most of those understand that as an African-American he did so under the glare of Adolf Hitler and … Continue reading History, irony and ‘Olympic Pride, American Prejudice’
Madison's Avenue 