DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 31, 2022

The Lift (1983) Malicious elevator murders passengers. Obscure Dutch flick has developed quite a cult following, and really, with that plot, how could it not? TIL: In September 2019, Pope Francis was trapped in the Vatican elevator for 25 minutes. No homicides were reported.

The Many Sins of Jimmy Olsen - Hatred (Hostility) - "Aims directly at the person, indulges a propensity to see what is evil and unlovable in him, feels a fierce satisfaction at anything tending to his discredit, and is keenly desirous that his lot may be an unmixedly hard one."

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 30, 2022

Wrath of the Skunkape (1997) I suppose the fact you own a monkey suit means that you can make a bigfoot movie, but it doesn't mean you should. TIL: If Bigfoot exists and turned out to be some proto-human, it means he has a rational soul and could be baptized if he so chose.

The Many Sins of Jimmy Olsen - Invalid Marriage - "All marriages everywhere in the Latin Church between Catholics and non-Catholics are invalid unless they take place in the presence of an accredited priest and two witnesses."

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 29, 2022

Arena (1989) Human vies for the intergalactic championship. A cheap Rocky in space? Sure, but the old-school practical effects are a blast. TIL: Begun in 1920, Notre Dame's Bengal Bouts is an annual charity boxing tournament. The all-female Baraka Bouts followed in 1997.

The Many Sins of Jimmy Olsen - Homicide - "The unjust taking away of human life, perpetrated by one distinct from the victim and acting in a private capacity... The direct killing of an innocent person is, of course, to be reckoned among the most grievous of sins."

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 28, 2022

Necropolis (1986) Six-breasted witch reincarnated as new wave bleach blonde causes trouble. Lesser known Empire Pictures effort. Can't imagine why. TIL: In 1940, excavations revealed a necropolis underneath the Vatican dating to Imperial times. The Apostle Peter is buried there.

The Many Sins of Jimmy Olsen - Pride (1) - "That frame of mind in which a man, through the love of his own worth, aims to withdraw himself from subjection to Almighty God , and sets at naught the commands of superiors."

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 25, 2022

Lone Wolf (1988) Has some low-budget 80's charm, but still the feeblest entry in the rock n' roller vs. werewolf sub-genre, which is surprisingly a thing. TIL: Dubious legend says St. Patrick once punished the unrepentant Welsh king Vereticus by transforming him into a wolf.

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 22, 2022

Young Doctors in Love (1982) Well-regarded director and great cast of recognizable faces provides a... fair to middling attempt at an Airplane-style comedy. TIL: Jesus is called the Divine Physician for his power and desire to heal all our spiritual, mental and physical ills.

Dad Rock Diary: Doctor and the Medics (1986) Better than remembered offering from the 80's psych-glam revival. The originals are okay, but the Greenbaum cover remains the highlight. Laudable Lyrics: Prepare yourself, you know it's a must, gotta have a friend in Jesus.

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 17, 2022

Hospital Massacre (1981) Scrub wearing lunatic in pursuit of his boyhood crush knocks offs everyone at the weirdest, worst run hospital ever. Oddly stylish for such utter nonsense. TIL: One sixth of all patients in the U.S. are treated in Catholic healthcare facilities.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Hospital Massacre (1981) "Every surgeon carries within himself a small cemetery, where from time to time he goes to pray." - Rene Leriche

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 16, 2022

Horror Hospital (1973) Uber-British rocker vs. Nazi scientist, lobotomized slaves, and a decapitating car. Like a bunch of drunks tried to make a Hammer horror. TIL: With over 600 hospitals and 1,600 care facilities, Catholic institutions are the US's largest healthcare provider.

Still Voices - Hospital Horror (1973) "First need in the reform of hospital management? That’s easy! The death of all dietitians, and the resurrection of a French chef." - Dr. Martin H. Fischer

An finally, in honor of John Carpenter's birthday, here's my review of THEY LIVE from the archives. This was back in my more verbose pre-Twitter days, so be warned.

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 15, 2022

Visiting Hours (1982) Woman-hater slashes his way through a hospital looking for a feminist reporter. Worth it to watch Michael Ironside double down on the crazy. TIL: The first hospital as we know them was founded by St. Fabiola around the year 400. Non-Christians were admitted.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Visiting Hours (1982) "A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints." - Pauline Phillips

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 10, 2022

Curse of the Black Widow (1977) Private eye looks into female killer who has a habit of webbing her victims. Not top-tier Dan Curtis, but still enjoyable TV fare. TIL: Aided by arachnids in his escape from pagan persecutors, St. Felix of Nola is now the patron saint of spiders.

Sing A New Song: David Bowie - Toy (2021) Old guy has a pleasant visit with songs he wrote as a youth. Don't let the horrid cover dissuade you, it's all perfectly nice. Laudable Lyrics: The homeward road is long, you've left your prayers and song, silly boy blue.

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 9, 2022

B.O.R.N. (1989) Cast of "those guys" carry this tale of black marketers kidnapping unwilling organ doors. Quaint and mean-spirited at the same time. TIL: The Catechism says organ donation (voluntary, of course) is a meritorious expression of generous solidarity to be encouraged.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Serial (1980) "BATH, n. A kind of mystic ceremony substituted for religious worship, with what spiritual efficacy has not been determined." - Ambrose Bierce

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 8, 2022

The Witchmaker (1969) Nice girl is targeted for membership by a coven that hates garlic. Goofy and cheap, but some actual nice camerawork here and there. TIL: Legend says St. Columba met Christ who told her if she kept being a witch she would never enter heaven. She chose wisely.

Dad Rock Diary: Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story (1971) Yeah, yeah, but actually, surprisingly good. Even the overplayed Maggie Mae fits in well here. Laudable Lyrics: If you've ever seen how wars are won, you know what it's like to wish peacetime would come.

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 3, 2022

Beyond Atlantis (1973) Fish-eyed islanders take offense to thugs looking for pearls. Could use a bit more action, but at least there's Sid Haig shooting crabs. TIL: One interpretation of Matt. 7:6 is that we toss pearls before swine when we do the right thing at the wrong time.

Tinseltown Testaments: The Blob (1988) “Consuming sinner and saint alike... who shall be lifted up to rapture when the judgment trumpet blows? None but the faithful brothers and sisters... None but the faithful.”

DAILY CALL SHEET: JANUARY 1, 2022

Pig (2021) Someone steals Nic Cage's truffle hog. Think you know what follows? If you guessed anything other than an engrossing exploration of grief, you guessed wrong. TIL: In 2 Kings 4, the prophet Elisha uses seasoned ‘paqua’ (possibly truffles) to feed the starving people.

Funny Book Philosophy: Marvel Spotlight 021 (1975) James Joyce may or may not have been referring to the Church when he said, "Here comes everybody," but if it fits, it fits.