The American Civil War began 150 years ago today

I have heard many dissenting opinions during my lifetime as to who fired the first shot: the Union army that was holding Fort Sumter, or the newly-minted Confederate army (which is said to have initiated hostilities with a 10-inch mortar round from nearby Fort Johnston).But there is no dispute about the fact that the bombardment of Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston,...

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Have we learned NOTHING from Joel Schumacher?!?

As if the costume design for the Broadway trainwreck called Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark wasn't bad enough...Here are the duds that'll be worn by the cast of the new touring Batman Live show:Click on over to GeekTyrant for a couple more pics, including a close-up of what must be the most ridiculous Joker costume in the history of anythi...

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Little girl turns to the Dark Side at Disneyland

This video made my day! While at Disneyland with her family Sariah Gallego got picked to jump on the stage of the Jedi Training Academy feature. But this was one girl who wasn't satisfied with being a mere Padawan learner! No, she wanted something... more. She wanted to follow her passion. Even if that meant turning to the Dark Side of the Force.And so in front of everybody including no less a person than Mace Windu, Sariah swore allegiance...

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Back from ActionFest!

I am... frazzled.But then again, four nearly nonstop days of action movies at the world's only film festival devoted to action movies and the (largely unsung) talented individuals who make them happen, will do that to anyone. Heck, just back-to-back nights of Never Back Down 2, Black Dynamite and Hobo With A Shotgun is enough to pack a wallop!Full report coming soon. I gotta decompress first ...

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Sidney Lumet has passed away

I'm still in the mist of ActionFest (report coming soon) and without a digital rig of my own to publish when I wish. But even so, this sort of thing demands a moment to pause and remember...Just read where Sidney Lumet, one of the greatest directors in motion picture history, has passed away. He directed Network, Serpico, The Verdict, and many many other classic films.Think I'll watch Twelve Angry men when I get back home, in his memo...

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Gone to ActionFest in Asheville!

"The Film Festival With A Body Count" is back... BIGGER AND BADDER AND BLOODIER THAN EVER!Yes faithful readers, in a short while I shall depart home for a few days and drive out into the dusk for the mountains of North Carolina. Destination: Asheville. The reason? the second-ever ActionFest! The inaugural festival last year was a huge success (here's the after-carnage...

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Chris sort-of reviews TRON: LEGACY 5-Disc Blu-ray Collector's Set (which also includes original TRON on Blu-ray!)

Tron: Legacy came out on DVD and Blu-ray yesterday. I've been eager to own this ever since catching the movie this past New Year's Eve (click here for my initial review of the movie), not only 'cuz I thought it was a great film and worthy follow-up to the 1982 original Tron, but because I was seriously giddy to see how this flick would look on my high-def home entertainment...

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Light musings on a universal conflict

I most want to do what God would have me to do.I also want to be happy, and I know that true happiness is only found in whatever it is that God requires of us.So why doesn't He tell us in no uncertain terms what it is that He does require of us?But then, if He did, then there would be no such conflict between the spirit and the flesh that each of us possess.And then, life would become extraordinarily boring.Could it be that God doesn't lay it all...

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Question for iPad owners (about Bible software)

Barring any crazy circumstance, I should be getting my iPad 2 next week! Looking forward to having it for... well, all kinds of good stuff :-)So I've already been planning which apps I should buy for it: the list thus far includes iMovie, Garageband (I've waited five years for the chance to use that program 'cuz Apple doesn't make it for Windows), and the iPad/iPhone port of Doom ('cuz in my book it's not a real computer unless it plays Doom).There's...

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Bipolar depressive episode: The next day...

Why am I writing about having bipolar disorder? Well, for one thing: I have it. And since this blog is about me and my thoughts and comments and adventures, the honest and genuine thing to do is to chronicle when my thoughts go full-tilt whacko beyond my control.And I'm a writer. I write about what I know. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of me writing for publication. It sure didn't occur to me back then that someday I'd be running...

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Having another bipolar depressive episode

And once more I understand why some people are driven to commit suicide because of bipolar disorder. Because, death does seem a much preferable thing to what can only be called "anti-life".I have been trying to compose the next installment of Being Bipolar. My mind has arrested me from doing that and from having interest in most of the other things that I enjoy in my life. My thoughts are on a seemingly non-stop cycle of nothingness, if that makes...

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A thought on a Saturday evening

We are to worship God. We are not supposed to worship our understanding of G...

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Look, new trailers for DOCTOR WHO Season 6, or Season 32, whatever!!

I've been in a horrible funk the past few days. Related to my having bipolar disorder? Yeah. But also, quite a bit spiritual. Depression and oppression together are a terrible, terrible thing...But you know what cheers me up? And maybe this'll help cheer others up too if they need it: two new trailers for the coming season of Doctor Who!And if these are any indication... well, good lord this next season is going to be EPIC!"This is the day he...

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On this day...

...ten years ago, I was given the most very wonderful birthday that I have ever received.And on this day, today, all that I can think of, the only thing on my mind, is the overwhelming sense of regret for the people who I have lost. People who I cared for, and still care for, and would have done anything for.To all who it may concern: I tried. I did my best. I never stopped doing what I could to seek God and what He would have me do. I am still...

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THE PEOPLE VS. GEORGE LUCAS coming to North Carolina! I'm finally getting to see my movie on the big screen...

...well, parts of it anyway :-)The People vs. George Lucas, Alexandre Philippe's documentary that has won beaucoups of awards at film festivals all over the world, has just announced a whole bunch of new showings. And one of them is right next door in Winston-Salem! Beginning May 9th it'll be playing at Cine Club on 311 West Fourth Street.So why am I especially stoked about...

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Theatre Guild of Rockingham County presents CHARLOTTE'S WEB beginning this weekend!

For those who are wondering: I am not involved in this production. Between last April (when we did The King and I) and this past month (when we wrapped Gypsy) I was doing community theatre non-stop across four productions. Just needed a bit of a respite from the stage :-)That said, I am exceedingly stoked about Theatre Guild of Rockingham County's production of Charlotte's...

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It snowed this morning

Eight days into spring, and it snowed this morning here in north-central North Carolina. Not only that but it was coming down at a great clip and for awhile was sticking to the ground!Here are some photos that I took around 8:45 a.m. today...I was flying back from a wedding in Florida several years ago, in early April. It was snowing in Greensboro then as we touched down....

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