Category Archives: review or meta-review

Emergent Thoughts

Posted on August 5, 2026 by JE

I was recently thinking about Randolph Mantooth (omnia mutantur; nihil interit), which naturally made me think of EMERGENCY! (1972-1979), which made me think of Julie London, because I’m wired that way, which made me think of how her ex-husband, Jack … Continue reading →

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Gradual Improvement: Charles Webb’s THE GRADUATE vs. Mike Nichols’

Posted on July 28, 2026 by JE

When I find out that a movie I like is based on a book, I frequently seek out the book. It’s not just that I like books better than movies (though a case could be made, I guess). There’s just … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, books, comedy, movie review, review or meta-review | 6 Comments

Reader’s Block: THE THIEF WHO COULDN’T SLEEP by Lawrence Block

Posted on July 13, 2026 by JE

I’ve been hearing about Lawrence Block’s crime fiction since forever, but I finally got around to reading some. Now I wish I’d done it decades ago.

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Two Loners: ZATOICHI’S REVENGE (1965) and PERSONAL SHOPPER (2016)

Posted on June 29, 2026 by JE

I watched these two movies last night back-to-back and found that, oddly, they had a lot in common—although maybe the main thing they had in common was the guy watching them. Both involve solitary characters who face off against monsters. … Continue reading →

Posted in dream, fantasy, history, magic, movie review, review or meta-review, sff, sword-and-sorcery | Tagged | 2 Comments

A Spell Against Tedium: in conversation with Cynthia Ward’s “Bored of the Swords”

Posted on June 24, 2026 by JE

It’s natural not to name names in a general broadside like this, but I also think that it may be a mistake; one is as likely to wound friend as foe. However, since I’ve been writing for decades about an … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, books, fantasy, fantasy art, magic, Morlock, review or meta-review, sff, sword-and-sorcery, writing | 1 Comment

A Walk Around the Parker: Westlake’s THE HUNTER and Boorman’s POINT BLANK

Posted on May 22, 2026 by JE

I recently rewatched John Boorman’s Point Blank, which caused me to reread the novel it was loosely based on, The Hunter by Donald Westlake (writing as Richard Stark). The Hunter is very low on my always-reread list, and would not … Continue reading →

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Escape is No Escape

Posted on April 23, 2026 by JE

For escape, in the midst of the grading storm that always accompanies finals, I’m reading Innes’ England Under the Tudors (3rd ed; 1911). It scratches a longstanding itch to sort out the reigns and events of the pre-Liz Tudors, and … Continue reading →

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Permanent Records

Posted on November 2, 2025 by JE

I’ve been dabbling in the used-record market to feed the maw of my newish turntable. One thing I’ve really wanted was Cal Tjader’s Tjader Plays Mambo (1956), which is long out of print. I managed to find a copy in … Continue reading →

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October 23: The Day of Might

Posted on October 23, 2025 by JE

At the Fortress of Engitude, we’re celebrating the Day of Might, proclaimed by the late, unceasingly great Howard Jones as a day for celebrating sword and sorcery, heroic fantasy, and heroic fiction generally.

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This Means Snore: THE WAR OF THE ROSES by William Adler

Posted on September 3, 2025 by JE

I’ve never seen the Danny De Vito film The War of the Roses (1989). It came out during the first Christmas season that I celebrated with my first wife and my first child. I had lots of things to occupy … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Myth & Legend, review or meta-review | 1 Comment