Subliminal Advertising

Book Cover Has Some Extremely Clever Subliminal Advertising.

Eight Writers On Why They Run

Peter Hessler, Joyce Carol Oates, Malcolm Gladwell, and others weigh in about finding inspiration on the trails.

Twin Peaks: The Return

Ahead of David Lynch’s revival, I went back and binged on the original series, interested to know if it would still capture me like it did 27 years ago. I was only a few years older than the fictional 17-year-old Laura Palmer when I sat with my mom and best friend Erik each week, religiously invested in Special Agent Cooper probing Laura’s grisly death. My mother didn’t laugh at the dark humor that Erik and I enjoyed over the slain girl’s mom wailing long past when other directors would have yelled “cut!” We had grown up on Lynch’s Blue Velvet and were more than prepared for the dramatic swings—after all, Dennis Hopper snuffing up oxygen through a mask is practically normal. Still, both generations were glued-fast to the intrigue.

My full review is at Criminal Element.

“Who in the world am I?”

Did you watch Westworld 1.03: “The Stray” on HBO? Of course, your faithful reviewing bot did and here's a sample of my review:

I guess if you want to gift a robot a thought-provoking piece of literature, then Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) is a fine choice. “Who in the world am I?” Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) reads aloud from the classic that Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) passes to her in another of their covert meetings.

But it would seem Dolores has an equally provocative “present” in return when she asks Bernard the whereabouts of his son. He dodges the question by telling her it would be too hard for her to understand, but is intrigued why she would pose the question in the first place. To have a conversation, she needs to ask personal questions, Dolores explicates, and it would appear by his expression that she has pleasantly surprised Westworld’s head of programming with her advanced cognitive abilities.

When Dolores awakes in her bed (probably a good thing he didn’t give her the mathematician’s sequel, Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871), where the conclusion suggests everything is a dream within a dream), she uncovers the gun she had found buried in the ground and now keeps hidden away in her dresser drawer. Hidden? It would seem not much could be kept squirreled away for long with the amusement park’s Big Brother ability to call up and scan specific locales.

*Rest of my article can be found at Macmillan's Criminal Element blog.

Movies + Math = A Beautiful Formula

Here's my latest article: Movies + Math = A Beautiful Formula 

The Stranger

Back in high school did you have to read THE STRANGER by Camus? Over at Macmillan's Criminal Element I take a fresh look at this classic.

“Would you believe…”

Get Smart at 50: Shrewd and Still Intelligent

E Equals...

I'm at The Life Sentence with Dial E for Espionage. A discussion of Hitchcock's spy films.

Washburn, Mims, and Foley

I'm at Macmillan's Criminal Element with Women Authors Leading the Western Charge.

The Gadgetless and Tired Assassin

My article, The Gadgetless and Tired Assassin: James Bond’s Short Stories, is live at Criminal Element.

False Memories

This article reminded me a bit of BLADE RUNNER's replicants created by the Tyrell Corporation. In particular, Rachel's implanted false memories. It seems, based on this piece, its just as easy a Jedi mind trick on flesh and blood.

Smiley as Puppeteer

I'm reviewing the eight George Smiley novels for Criminal Element and I'm up to The Spy Who Came in From the Cold that put John LeCarre on the map.

Sonic Screwdrivers, Anyone?

I'm at Macmillan’s Tor.com today with Is it Time to Lose the Sonic Screwdriver Again?

The Welcome Return of the Impatient and Cantankerous Doctor Who

My article on Doctor Who, companions, and Peter Capaldi is up at Tor.com.

Science Fiction Detective Mash-Ups

My first article for Tor.com on Eight Essential Science Fiction Detective Mash-Ups.

How the West was Funny

I'm over at Criminal Element with How the West was Funny: 10 Can’t-Miss Comedies. I’m always looking for a good laugh and I know I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. Maybe when you get a chance you can click over there and name for me some Western comedies that you’ve enjoyed.

Population 25

Vic in some serious trouble in “Population 25." My review at Criminal Element.

All My Earps

I'm at Criminal Element with All My Earps: The Many Film Faces of Wyatt Earp.

Wyatt Earp Gun

Wyatt Earp Gun Sells for $225,000 at Auction. (hat tip: Jason K)

Moving beyond the Charles Bukowski American lowlife cliche

Los Angeles Times: Charles Bukowski's voice took shape in L.A., and seeing his works through its lens helps dispel an unfair reputation.