Poop wine and scorpion vodka are just some of the stars of a new exhibit on revolting alcohol at the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmo in Sweden.A large jug of a yellowish semi-translucent liquid is the centre piece of the new exhibit: wine made from human excrement."This is traditional Korean medicine. This is not something that people drink anymore. It's an historic drink and … [Read more...] about Poop wine? Vile alcohol on show at Swedish museum
David Skal offers 31 ‘Fright Favorites’ films for Halloween season
Review by Doug Gibson David J. Skal has a long resume of writing genre-intensive books on the horror genre. I'm sure many readers have enjoyed his film, etc., critiques in The Monster Show and Hollywood Gothic. And his biography of Bram Stoker, Something in the Blood, was an informative, provocative read, one of my favorite birthday gifts. Just a few days ago, Skal's new … [Read more...] about David Skal offers 31 ‘Fright Favorites’ films for Halloween season
‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’ Plays It Safe, Which Is Why It Works So Well
Most people love a good romantic comedy and, when they are done well, they are usually worth praise. It is one of the few genres in film that transcends above the others and reaches all sorts of audiences and people. The Broken Hearts Gallery is a story about love and, more accurately, it is one about heartbreak and how one deals with it in life. Heartbreak is something … [Read more...] about ‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’ Plays It Safe, Which Is Why It Works So Well
‘Tenet’ Is Ambitious and Messy
Christopher Nolan has, finally, released Tenet despite a pandemic and a global theater shutdown that forced him to move the film's initial release from July to September. Was Tenet's adamant devotion to the theater experience worth it and will enough people see the movie to ensure that it is a financial success? This remains to be seen. Tenet follows a spy, … [Read more...] about ‘Tenet’ Is Ambitious and Messy
‘Mulan’ Fails to Impress
At long last, Mulan is ready to be seen. Having gone from theaters, to a delayed release, to exclusively being available on Disney+ for $30, the movie has had a bumpy road. So was it all worth it? The story is one that we already know. Mulan is a young girl, expected to marry and bring honor to her family. Instead, she disguises herself as a man in order to take the … [Read more...] about ‘Mulan’ Fails to Impress
Trump’s coronavirus nemesis
Bob Woodward’s book “Rage” has raised hopes around the world that the Covid-19 coronavirus could see the end of Donald Trump’s reign over America in the November 3 elections. But they may be disappointed. At first glance, Woodward’s account of how Trump boxed himself in by admitting that he deliberately played down the pandemic’s lethal menace to Americans looks like a blow … [Read more...] about Trump’s coronavirus nemesis
A Little Weekend Humor, Or Not
A friend just emailed me that he volunteered for the Russian coronavirus vaccine trials and just got his first shot this morning. He tells me: "Letting you all know that I've volunteered for the Russian vaccine trials. I received my first shot at 8.30 AM PDT this morning." And continues, his writing turning to gibberish: Google translated the "gibberish" into: … [Read more...] about A Little Weekend Humor, Or Not
Switzerland is sharply decried by UN experts for an anti-terrorism draft law
Switzerland is preparing an anti-terrorism law that could violate international human rights standards and encourage suppression of political dissent worldwide, UN human rights experts said today. This is a surprising assessment about a country that has long excelled in human rights protection through numerous international conventions. It also houses a large number of … [Read more...] about Switzerland is sharply decried by UN experts for an anti-terrorism draft law
Schluff Gezunt, Sleep Well
I don’t recall many nights during my childhood without hearing two words before going to sleep, “Schluff Gezunt.” I doubt that our children, and our grandchildren when they visit, still to this day, wouldn’t say the same thing. “Schluff Gezunt” a Yiddish expression, means “sleep well.” What a lovely way to put yourself in the best position to sleep well each and every … [Read more...] about Schluff Gezunt, Sleep Well
WHO’S JONESING TO INJECT TRUMP’S MIRACLE VACCINE?
Here’s a pop quiz. Which of these rash acts is the stupidest? a) Frying your hand in cooking oil b) Breaking your thumb with a hammer c) Swimming laps in a polluted river d) Volunteering to be Donald Trump’s guinea pig If you were nuts enough to do a, b, or c, at least you’d know what kinds of treatment would nurse you back to health. But signing up for a … [Read more...] about WHO’S JONESING TO INJECT TRUMP’S MIRACLE VACCINE?
Remembering 9/11 (Cartoon)
TRUMP KNEW. END OF STORY.
In American law, criminal negligence is conduct in which a person ignores a known or obvious risk, or disregards the lives and safety of others. We now have the perfect defendant. It turns out – not that we’re surprised – that the failed casino owner knew all along that he was gambling recklessly with the lives and safety of the citizens he’d sworn to protect. As you … [Read more...] about TRUMP KNEW. END OF STORY.
ALL THE PRESIDENT’S LIES (Cartoon)
Political ideology may explain why despair spreads faster than hope during times of conflict, study suggests
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that messages of hope and despair during times of conflict differently affect people depending on their political ideology. While Leftists are more influenced by these messages, Rightists appear more difficult to sway.In times of enduring conflict, it appears that despair circulates more quickly and more … [Read more...] about Political ideology may explain why despair spreads faster than hope during times of conflict, study suggests
The Electoral College Game – Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania was extremely close in 2016 and likely will be again. Like Florida, it’s a major battleground State, but unlike Florida, Pennsylvania has gone to the Democrats every election since Bush the First in 1990. What happened to switch Pennsylvania is somewhat different from what happened to flip Florida. Trump won by 0.7% or only 44,292 votes of nearly 6,000,000 … [Read more...] about The Electoral College Game – Pennsylvania
Trump and the coronavirus (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a political and comic strip cartoonist. His favorite expression “WHAT A HOOT” certainly sums up his outlook on his life and work which are inexorably entwined. Mike’s warm, easygoing and zany demeanor is evidence that his personality matches his creative talents. As … [Read more...] about Trump and the coronavirus (Mike Peters Guest Cartoon)
What Is the Risk of Catching the Coronavirus on a Plane?
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tried to alleviate fears of flying during the pandemic at an event with airline and rental car executives.”The airplanes have just not been vectors when you see spread of the coronavirus,” DeSantis said during a discussion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Aug. 28. “The evidence is the evidence. And I think it’s something that is … [Read more...] about What Is the Risk of Catching the Coronavirus on a Plane?
Presidential Loose Lips Might Sink Ships
In the “Inauguration Issue” (January/February 2017) of Politico Magazine, Journalist Garrett M. Graff – describing how the president of the United States "has more access to official secrets than any other human being in the country—and the potential to know more about the world than anyone else on the planet,” had a prescient warning: Given Trump’s behavior so far, it … [Read more...] about Presidential Loose Lips Might Sink Ships
Trump v. Woodward
If you wondered about Trump’s intelligence level previously, Bob Woodward’s new book “Rage” should reinforce the fact that the president’s intelligence is not one of his strong points. First of all, why should Trump have given eighteen hours of interviews, mostly on tape, to one of the most incisive and clever journalists around. What did Trump have to gain aside from puffing … [Read more...] about Trump v. Woodward
Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah!
If the Constitution had established an office of National Cheerleader, Donald Trump would have been given pom poms. Instead, he was given the power of the chief executive, about which he is clueless. Trump only knows how to be a booster — to sell. Well – lie and sell. He doesn’t know how to plan, manage, oversee, or guide. What’s more, he lacks the wisdom or vision to set a … [Read more...] about Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah!