Illustration by Michael DiMilo Summer Time: Film Review of Janet Planet ★★★★☆ By Geoff Carter We are all familiar with the way that plotlines of traditional mysteries, romances, horror flicks, and comedies play out, but movies that eschew these narrative parameters convey a completely different sort of cinematic experience. When based on subjective impressions and …
Read
Kickass and Milking the Cows
Attribution: Julien Dupré , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, says the keeper displays his keen sense of staying ahead of the game by noting that recent election results pose a serious problem as to who will milk the Wisconsin cows once the migrant workers are all deported? The answer …
Read
Kickass and Little Boy Blue
Attribution: Nursery_Rhymes.djvu: Edward Cogger derivative work: Theornamentalist, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis like to remember things from their long-ago childhoods, and the keeper offers the following which he thinks might be appropriate at this time: “Little Boy Blue Come blow your horn …
Read
Kickass Stands on One Leg
The Pen in Hand Blog featuring Bill Stokes
Attribution: Mathieu Landretti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sandhill_Crane_Scratching_Head_at_Crex_Meadows.jpg
Kickass and “On Wisconsin”
Attribution: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis’s post-election survival as they note that the sun came up and moved in its usual path over Wisconsin’s Capital dome, pausing briefly to shine on the state motto of “Forward,” and lighting up the new …
Read
National Disgrace
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter I used to be proud to be an American. Now I’m a little bit embarrassed about it. While staying in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, about a year ago, we met a Danish gentleman staying in our building. He was an urbane and sophisticated fellow who was a great conversationalist. …
Read
Kickass and the Have-Nots
Attribution: Charles Levy , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper is doing his best to adjust to the fact that provisions of the 2010 “Citizens United” Supreme Court decision have born political fruit for the “Haves” as they continue to buy the “Have Nots” vote and …
Read
Kickass Election Day Choices
The Pen in Hand Blog featuring Bill Stokes
Attribution: Terri Sewell , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Voting_location_in_Alabama_during_2017_election.jpg
Kickass and Election Rapture
Attribution: Jan Luyken , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper, ever anxious to set things straight, has some information for those millions who have obviously confused tomorrows election with either the “rapture” or the “second coming.” Very basic fact checking reveals that the biblical “walking on …
Read
The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movie: Review of “Woman of the Hour”
Illustration by Michael DiMilo A Man’s World: Film Review of Woman of the Hour ★★★☆☆ By Geoff Carter The film Woman of the Year is based on the premise of a serial killer competing on “The Dating Game”. The premise seems preposterous, but it is based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala’s appearance …
Read
The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: The Ten Best Political Movies
Illustration by Michael DiMilo (Originally published 10/23/20) By Geoff Carter Election season is upon us—with a vengeance. Besides the usual bombastic rhetoric, excessive patriotic fervor, and annoying media ad blitzes, we are also dealing with a disinformation campaign that may very likely affect the integrity of the voting process. Artificial intelligence, foreign election interference, and …
Read
Kickass and Wet Dogs
Attribution: kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, is taking the day off on this rainy Sunday because nobody wants to keep company with a wet dog. See more at… The Bill Stokes Author Page