Some Like Their Comedy Too Hot
I’m afraid the American movie house comedy is dead. Or at least it’s seriously limping, holding its side and pushing along an IV drip bag. And I can’t tell you how sad that development makes me. There’s nothing quite like a good rollicking guffaw over a great comic line or a fabulous pratfalling visual in […]
Facebook ’em Danno!
You’ve heard many a discussion about the pros and cons of social media, I’m sure. We’ve hosted a number of conversations on the topic right here on this blog. And words such as “addiction” or “compulsion,” generally rear their heads at some point. I’ve also seen lots of studies on the subject in the course […]
Hail to the Young Khaleesi
Ah, that first birthday party. It’s such a wonderful milestone in a new parent’s life. Yeah, yeah, it’s an important time for the child, too. But hey, they ain’t gonna remember any of it. Mom and Dad, though, will be able to really enjoy that day. They can gather their adult friends together and celebrate […]
The Celeb in Your American Dream
I saw a brief article recently that showed actor/celebrity/eccentric Bill Murray popping in to crash another couple’s engagement photos—this time in Charleston. The pretty betrotheds were posing for the photographer when Murray wandered up, lifted his shirt and started razzing the couple by slapping his belly. So the photog eventually pulled him into the photo […]
If You Build It, They Will Come … and Kill You
Being a gamer myself, I’ll admit that I’ve never been one of those who believe that video games will make killers of everyone and open the door to the ruination of all things. (Comic books have already done that.) But there’s a new breed of online survival game gaining popularity. And from what I’ve read […]
Edge of Tomorrow: Having Your Cake and Obliterating It Too
Within the last couple weeks I’ve reviewed two different films that both deal with some kind of futuristic war and time travel. X-Men: Days of Future Past is all about a soon-to-be someday where mutants and humans are locked in a deadly winner-takes-all war. And just before losing everything, good ‘ol Professor X and pals […]
Do You Know Where Your Smartphone Is?
I’ve got a quick question for you Plugged In readers: What would you say is the most precious thing in your life right now? If you automatically thought of your house or, maybe, your car, that would make sense. Those tend to be big-ticket items for most everybody. But if you instantly thought, “My smartphone,” […]
A Win-Win Web Chat
I’ll admit it. I’ve groused and grumbled from time to time about our all-too-connected, time-sucking techy world—a place where just looking up from your screen tends to take some serious discipline. But somebody in Brazil came up with a simple idea that makes me want to thank Mr. Al Gore for dreaming up the Internet […]
Hey, Hey, Hey, 50 Years of the Cos
You may or may not have heard that comedian Bill Cosby will receive The Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at the American Comedy Awards this year—tomorrow, in fact. It’s a ceremony that honors comedians who have impacted the entertainment industry. And boy, has Cosby. Here’s a guy who’s been around making America laugh about […]
How Long Before it’s Dead and Gone?
They may not quite be dead yet, but it’s time we all admit that the old school ways of getting our music, TV and movies are changing quickly. Remember when you used to have to go to the local cinema to see a new flick? Or you needed to amble over to the record store […]