I just watched Porky's (1981) for the first time. Now I know how the guy who made it also made A Christmas Story (1983). For all the sex, they are really similar

It's a minority opinion, but Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (1972) just might be Bob Clark's best film. I love it!

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/c/#children-shouldnt-play-with-dead-things

Before he made Porky's and A Christmas Story, Bob Clark made a handful of excellent horror films including the genre-establishing Black Christmas.

One of his best-reviewed films was Deathdream -- a Vietnam War take on "The Monkey's Paw." Here's my take on it. Next up is "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things."

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/d/#deathdream

I have mixed feelings about Samurai Cop (1991) but overall I'm impressed when anyone can make a passable film with virtually no money -- especially shooting on film.

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/s/#samurai-cop

I just discovered Samurai Cop (1991). Truly amazing if the $7,000 budget is to be believed. It's shockingly good even though silly in the extreme. It's worth watching just for the wig!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7oyfpKHvls

Alex Thompson at Axios writes, "One person close to the president unflatteringly compared [Merrick] Garland to the former FBI director James Comey, claiming they both have been obsessed with the appearance of having integrity rather than just trying to make the right decision." That about sums it up.

https://www.axios.com/2023/12/12/biden-hunter-trigger-bond-deep-complicated

Casey DeSantis encourages Republicans nationwide to vote in Iowa caucus

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/09/casey-desantis-ron-desantis-iowa-election-fraud

A woman found a possum in her Christmas tree. She eventually caught it and called animal control. She said it "wasn’t mean or aggressive." This is true. Unlike raccoons (which are horrible), possums are very nice (although they will growl at you but it's just for show). Regardless: DON'T DO THIS! They are wild animals! Get professionals to do it. Living with a possum in your home for a day is much better and far safer!

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article282814218.html

Remember to respect the Washington Post Guild walkout today

The Washington Post Guild: "On Dec. 7, we ask you to respect our walkout by not crossing the picket line: For 24 hours, please do not engage with any Post content. That includes our print + online news stories, podcasts, videos, games and recipes."

I *do* read WP every day but I will respect this

If you are a Lee Van Cleef fan, you should like Sabato (1969). He plays pretty much the same character as he did in For a Few Dollars More. He's great as a villain but I most enjoy him when he's playing a (mostly) good guy. Also William Berger plays Banjo, a guy who has a rifle connected to his banjo. It's brilliantly silly!

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/s/#sabata

"It's a Wonderful Knife" is a great title for a film. Seems like it is made for 15-year-olds but it's rated R. Well made film but with a very weak script -- too much exposition. But overall, it's enjoyable enough.

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/i/#its-a-wonderful-knife

After years of hearing about it, I finally watched The Green Berets. It's odd because I have a certain fondness for Ray Kellogg. But that was offset by my general dislike of John Wayne. The politics of the film are terrible. But what I found more interesting is just how boring it is -- apart from an impressive nighttime battle scene. Lots of talking and speeches. And it's well over 2 hours long!

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/g/#green-berets

Enter the Dragon (1973) is a surprisingly enjoyable film.

https://psychotronicreview.com/short-takes/e/#enter-the-dragon

When criticizing Elon Musk, many people flex with how they "used to be a fan." This doesn't really work for me. It was *obvious from the beginning* that he a con man and a vicious industrialist. I really don't understand why people are such easy marks for people like him.

I stopped watching Bill Maher years ago. But last night's guests are really mask-off: Ted Cruz, Pamela Paul, and Jordan Peterson. It shows that Maher sees himself as a kind of intellectual without the general knowledge or self-awareness to see the truth.

Let me take that back a bit. As we see in "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" it is normal to make Jane look anemic because that is what we are expected to see as beautiful, I guess. In most filmed versions, Elizabeth is brunette and Jane blond. It's shocking, actually. Thoughless filmmaking.

In "Pride and Prejudice" it is Jane who is supposed to be the most beautiful of the daughters. It's important to the plot. But since Elizabeth is the main character, filmed versions always make her the most beautiful even as they try to cover it with filters and lighting of Jane.

I thought the book "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" was tedious but at least clever. I'm 5 minutes into the film and about to gouge out my eyes.