A little something from the archives to celebrate the monster mayhem in tonight’s release of Godzilla Vs. Kong.
And here’s one more for the fun of it…
And finally…
Go ahead and enjoy Godzilla Vs Kong tonight, but if you want something a little more season-specific for tomorrow as the Easter Triduum starts, Discovery+ is hoping you'll check out their new streaming movie Resurrection. Here's my take over at Aleteia.
The Evil (1978) Psychiatrists try to renovate Satan’s house. A dapper Satan objects. Supernatural nonsense in the way only the late 70's could do it. TIL: Long before Freud showed up, Aquinas, Augustine, and Ignatius were among the scholars beginning to address psychiatry.
Dad Rock Diary: The Everly Brothers - A Date With The Everly Brothers (1960) Sometimes the originals are the best. Laudable Lyrics: The more you look, the more you'll find. Those doubts will fill your head, but think real hard and you might recall the things your old dad said.
Neverknock (2017) Teens told not to knock on a certain door... instantly knock on that door. Demon stuff happens. Pretty watchable for a SyFy flick. TIL: Concerning rules, Chesterton noted that Catholic doctrine & discipline may be walls; but they are the walls of a playground.
One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Inseminoid (1982) "As the births of living creatures at first are ill-shapen, so are all innovations, which are the births of time." - Francis Bacon
The Invisible Man’s Revenge (1944) Final Universal sequel has an escaped lunatic using the formula for blackmail. Okay, but you can tell the series has run its course. TIL: Blackmail assaults agency, therefore the gravity of sins committed by those under its influence is reduced.
Dad Rock Diary: Chicago - Chicago V (1972) A bit overly earnest wordsmithing? Maybe, but the outstanding instrumental work far, far overshadows any such shortcoming. Laudable Lyrics: When it's time to function as a feeling human being, will your Bachelor of Arts help you get by?
Slaxx (2020) Angry blue jeans massacres clothing store staffers. Slips in some social commentary, but mainly relishes the goofiness of its premise. TIL: No, the Bible does not say women can't wear pants. Taken in context, the verses regarding clothing apply to specific occasions.
Still Voices - Elvira Mistress of the Dark (1988) "Knowledge is like underwear. It is useful to have it, but not necessary to show it off." - Nicky Gumbel
Jane and the Lost City (1987) Queen's favorite Flash Gordon helps a woman with chronic wardrobe malfunctions look for diamonds. Best to let them look without you. TIL: The prophet Jeremiah used the hardness of diamonds as an analogy for people who are hardened against the truth.
Funny Book Philosophy: Godzilla in Hell 001 (2015)
Zëiram (1991) Bumbling Japanese bros stumble into another dimension where an alien bounty hunter battles a demonic bio-weapon. Enjoyably zany. TIL: Actually, we're all part of an ongoing invisible spiritual war. Sometimes, it just takes a while to find out what that part is.
One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Velvet Smooth (1976) "A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everybody else." - Anonymous
Satan’s School for Girls (1973) Woman investigating her sister's death finds more than mere murder going on. 70's TV schlock is still the best TV schlock. TIL: Genesis insists there is great enmity between Satan and women, so naturally he wants to corrupt them whenever possible.
Still Voices - Dr. Giggles (1992) "I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Games of Survival (1989) Aliens are forced to fight to the death over a spiky massage ball. There can be only one, but you won't care which. TIL: The Catechism notes, "Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow."
Dad Rock Diary: The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn (1972) Last of the classic seven wraps things up, as it should, with a decidedly spiritual slant. Laudable Lyrics: Oh can you feel the world is pining, pining for someone who really cares enough to share his love with all of us.
Runaway Nightmare (1982) Girl gang kidnaps worm farmers. May also involve the mafia, plutonium, and vampires, but I wouldn't swear to any of it on a Bible. TIL: While the Ancient Jews rarely used the death penalty, kidnapping was among the offenses where the Torah allowed it.
Dad Rock Diary: The Slits - Cut (1979) So, not the most musically complex post-punk ever, but does what's necessary to let you know the ladies mean what they say. Laudable Lyrics: Frequent Mutilation transmits over the air, serving for the purpose of those who want you to fear.
The Sisterhood (1988) Mutant sistahs are doing it for themselves after the apocalypse. Mostly for Lynn Holly Johnson completists. TIL: A Catholic nun lives as a contemplative in a monastery. A Catholic sister ministers within the world. Neither is required to have mutant powers.
And then there’s this…
After Midnight (2019) Heartbroken dude must deal with a monster at his door. Selfish characters are a bit off-putting until you realize that's the point. TIL: Romans does warn, "for those who are self-seeking... there will be wrath and fury." It didn't mention monsters, though.
Things To Come: THE UNHOLY This is based on a James Herbert novel, so it may not end up being just another boring anti-religious screed. Still, given the tone-deaf timing of the release date, I'm not holding out too much hope. We'll see.
Actually, I'm mixed on this. I like the names James Herbert and Sam Raimi attached to it. Plus, the trailer makes it clear the Church is investigating what is going on in the story and doesn't just immediately accept it as something good (just like in real life). BUT, I've been burnt too many times before by Hollywood's portrayal of Catholicism, so I'm leery. Plus, I'm Catholic, so I'm a bit protective of Mary, and that poster and tagline feels just a little too Jack Chick for my tastes.
Really Weird Tales (1987) Basically SCTV meets the Twilight Zone. Hit and miss Canadian humor, but worth it for a cursed Catherine O'Hara. TIL: In 1534, Jacques Cartier presented Canada's indigenous people with prayer beads. Today, roughly 39% of all Canadians are Catholic.
Still Voices - Vengeance of the Zombies (1973) "Mass badly celebrated is an enormous evil. Ah! it is not a matter of indifference how it is said!" - Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
End of the World (1977) Scientists track an alien disguised as a priest. Any good? Christopher Lee claimed he was tricked into making this if that's any indication. TIL: Lord of the World is a 1907 dystopian novel written BY a priest about the Antichrist and the end of the world.
One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Empire of the Ants (1977) "It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?" - Henry David Thoreau
Lucky (2020) Self-help author gets no help wielding off nightly attacker. Allegory for women's issues is well done, but maybe a wee bit more ambiguous than necessary. TIL: Contrary to conventional wisdom, Old Testament laws actually limited the power of men and protected women.
Funny Book Philosophy - Terrific 014 (1954)
The Pom Pom Girls (1976) Jocks and Jills hang out before football season starts. The PG-edit of this is pretty much a dry run for Dazed and Confused. TIL: A bishop's biretta has a purple pom, Vatican staff's are red, priest's are black, and Cardinals, alas, have no pom at all.
Sing A New Song: Cassandra Jenkins An Overview on Phenomenal Nature (2021) Songwriter works through her grief. Nice, but destined to be consigned to an indie flick soundtrack. Laudable Lyrics: If you’re bruised or scraped, or any kind of broken, the water, it cures everything.
Shakma (1990) Bloodthirsty baboon lays waste to LARPers. More entertaining than it should be and the manic monkey is downright unnerving. TIL: The book of 1 Kings notes that Solomon's trading fleet used to bring him gold, silver, ivory, and inexplicably, baboons. Was that wise?
Still Voices - Zardoz (1974) "As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." - Isaiah 62:5
Crash! (1976) Angry amnesiac uses amulet to send car on a rampage. Meh, but still better than the Crash that undeservedly won Best Picture. TIL: Want to confess but have amnesia, dementia, etc? No problem. The sacrament requires sincere contrition, not total recall of specifics.
One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Sssss (1973) "Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who plan evil things in their heart, and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the poison of vipers." - Psalm 140:1-3
BMX Bandits (1983) Local thugs pursue a bike-riding Nicole Kidman to retrieve pilfered walkie-talkies. Goofy but fun Aussie 80's awesomeness. TIL: During WWII cyclist Gino Bartali transported false papers for Jewish families inside his bike frame from the Vatican to monasteries.
Dad Rock Diary: Jefferson Airplane - After Bathing At Baxter's (1967) No hits here, but pretty much the epitome of San Fran psych-rock. Even on Spotify you can smell the patchouli when you press play on this. Laudable Lyrics: Understanding is a virtue, hard to come by.