On the Cultural Gutter, “Heavy Light” traces the origin of Heavy Metal and the important part it played in encouraging me to seek out weird sci-fi, especially if it contained nudity and space janitors.
Read more
When people imitate or spoof the style of hardboiled detective fiction, they’re imitating Mickey Spillane. Because when it comes to elevating tough-guy talk to sublime and absurd levels, it’s hard to beat Spillane.
Read more
Donald E. Westlake, best known for his “Parker” series of thrillers, was hired to write a James Bond movie. In the end, the script was not used, but Westlake reworked the story into an original novel.
Read more
On Diabolique, I’m writing about everything to do with Emmanuelle in A World of Wicker. Part one looks at the life of the “real-life Emmanuelle,” and the infamous book attributed to her.
Read more
On the surface, The Wicker Man is the story of one police constable’s attempt to scrooge up a town’s May Day revelries. Delving deeper into its waters, however, is aided by a few key texts that informed the film.
Read more
Over on the Cultural Gutter, I’m writing about God Emperor of Dune, which I finished reading last month after starting it in 1987. I’m not sure the return was worth the investment.
Read more
Peter Fleming is fated to forever be referred to by his full legal name, “Peter Fleming, Older Brother of James Bond Creator Ian Fleming.” Even those of us who come to praise Peter’s talents can’t resist mentioning Ian.
Read more