DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 31, 2022

Reeker (2005) Strangers stranded in the desert are menaced by a malodorous entity. Not bad, but definitely has a been there done that kind of feel. TIL: While in the desert, Satan tempted Jesus with three shady short cuts to gaining influence: wealth, spectacle, and politics.

Still Voices - Gorgo (1961) "Hell is a city much like London, a populous and smoky city" - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Dad Rock Diary: Kahvas Jute - Wide Open (1971) Dual guitar goodness from down under, though not as heavy as that instrumental lineup might suggest.  Laudable Lyrics: Shadows fall and we are left here in the darkness, but when sunlight fades there's no fear for me.

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 26, 2022

Hysterical (1983) Hudson Brothers vehicle has a woebegone writer calling on doofus scientists for help with a haunted lighthouse. Okay horror spoof, but needs a few more laughs. TIL: The patron saint of lighthouse keepers is St. Venerius, though no one remembers why anymore.

Dad Rock Diary: The Loading Zone... - The Loading Zone... (1968) Ubiquitous Bay Area opening act in the psychedelic 60's is actually a pretty solid soul outfit, though a love of horns is definitely required. Laudable Lyrics: Don't lose control, don't lose control of your soul.

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 23, 2022

The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch (1968) Title characters terrorize a young girl at her new home. Effective kiddie-horror complete with that extra loopy Japanese touch. TIL: You'd think it would be St. Patrick, but no, it's St. Amabilis who is invoked for snake bites.

Still Voices - The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch (1968) "We grow gray in our spirit long before we grow gray in our hair." - Charles Lamb

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 22, 2022

Shark Side of the Moon (2022) Astronauts find angry Russian shark-folk on the moon. How does a 2022 film manage to have Kroft Supershow level effects? TIL: One of the moon's largest craters is named for Jesuit priest Christopher Clavius who helped create the Gregorian Calendar.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Shark Side of the Moon (2022) “When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.” -Mahatma Gandhi

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 15, 2022

Habit (1995) Drunk obsesses over a vampire who is slowly draining him. Enjoyment will hinge entirely on one's tolerance of 90's NYC indie cinema. TIL: Like a junkie's habit, "attachment to sin" is the secret enjoyment of the benefits of that sin even as you try to overcome it.

And then there’s this…

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 13, 2022

Trancers (1985) 23rd century cop travels back in time to stop a villain from altering the future. Terminator knock-off is fun in its own right. TIL: When asked what God did before he created time, Augustine jokingly said He was making Hell for people who ask questions like that.

My latest for Aleteia is a look at Ron Howard's new film Thirteen Lives, a true story of faith and hope in the most hopeless of situations.

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 12, 2022

All About Evil (2010) Deranged daddy's girl makes homemade snuff films to save the family theater. Kind of like if John Waters made slashers. TIL: Pope Francis asks that we pray for small businesses to find ways to stay open and serve their communities. Not this way, though.

Still Voices - Pink Flamingos (1972) "Caring about beauty, it is necessary to start with the heart and soul, otherwise no makeup will help." - Coco Chanel

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 11, 2022

Slaughterhouse Rock (1988) Dead Toni Basil tries to help teens survive a Freddy Kruger wannabee at Alcatraz. Fun olio of 80's tropes; no brains required. TIL: When Alactraz opened chapel attendance was lite. Is it good or bad Catholics attendees outnumbered Protestants 47 to 12?

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: The Neptune Factor (1973) "If the fish had not opened its mouth, it would not have been caught." - Old Proverb

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 9, 2022

What Josiah Saw (2021) A father's wonky religious vision exacerbates old family traumas. Good southern-gothic horror, but only for fans of the dark, grim, and utterly bleak. TIL: The Church sometimes acknowledges private revelations, but only if they don't contradict the Faith.

Still Voices - Repulsion (1965) "When one door closes another opens, but all too often there is a long hallway in between." - Rick Jarow

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 5, 2022

Dark Planet (1997) Warring factions cooperate, in theory, to explore a wormhole. One must assume Michael York is working off time in Purgatory here. TIL: Some theologians analogize wormholes and the Eucharist as both warp space-time to bridge two infinitely separated locations.

Dad Rock Diary: Pink Floyd - A Saucerful of Secrets (1968) How to follow one of the greatest psychedelic records, especially after Syd has left? Eh, just create one of the greatest space rock albums ever. Laudable Lyrics: Now, now, now is the time, time, time to be, be, be aware.

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 4, 2022

The Lost Empire (1984) Enter the Dragon but all the heroes are scantily-clad women. If that's all you require knock yourself out as there's little else. TIL: Easiest way to start a flame-war on Catholic social media? Ask what is culturally appropriate modest dress for the ladies.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: The Lost Empire (1984) "All who have meditated upon the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depend upon the education of youth." - Aristotle.

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 3, 2022

Bad Channels (1992) Turd-headed alien seizes a radio station and uses it to shrink women for... well, it never really says. No law says these things have to make sense. TIL: Vatican Radio was such an unrelenting critic of Nazism, Goebbels ordered it monitored on a daily basis.

One Sheet Words of Wisdom: Bad Channels (1992) "Gossip is the Devil's radio." - George Harrison

DAILY CALL SHEET: AUGUST 1, 2022

Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter (1968) Herman's Hermits pin all their hopes on greyhound racing. Utter fluff, but just too pleasant to dislike. TIL: Legends say that when St. Paul The First Hermit died in 342 AD, two lions appeared to help St. Anthony dig his grave.

Still Voices - Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (1968) "The rush of power to the head is not as becoming as a new hat." - Helen Van Slyke