Favourite Science Fiction Films

There are a lot of debates about the definition of science fiction. There are many different opinions on good and bad movies, and a million ‘best of’ list articles on the internet. I won’t presume to call this a list of best films. This will be a list of science fiction films I have seen…

Ladder to the Sky

It started as a dream The ladder made real Climbing so high Ascending to the sky The ladder from earth To the throne of God Angels wait to take your hand And help you make the journey step by step Earth is in darkness War and strife and suffering But still the ladder waits as…

Problems of a Ghost Writer

The ghosts of writers past haunt me They speak in my mind They flow through my fingers Shakespeare wrote a new sonnet last night Though he objected to the keyboard And demanded pen and paper I don’t think they really understand I can’t go out and say Well, I was speaking to Steinbeck the other…

Silver: The Metal of Magical Protection

In reading and watching a great many fantasy-based stories, something that often comes up is the usefulness of silver as a protection and a weapon against dark forces and evil creatures. I started to wonder why: why silver? What made that so magical in the eyes of ancient peoples? I decided to see what the…

Hierarchy

We’re all equal, the people shout Buzz and wave their banners about Sure, says the spider with a toothy grin My parlour is open, come right in We’re all the same, the people say No one can take our freedom away Sure, says the boss who tries not to gloat Do as I say or…

The Magic of Ray Harryhausen

When I was a kid I loved fairy-tales, fantasy, myths and legends. Movies that told fantastical adventures were watched and re-watched, and I was especially enthralled with the monsters and other fantastical creatures that appeared. I loved any stories which included magic and fantasy. A lot of these old movies would be shown on tv…

Review “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” (1964).

“Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” is a psychological thriller surrounding a murder that happened many years before. It is directed by Robert Aldrich, and stars Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, and Joseph Cotten. The murder, in the end, becomes a side issue to the events of the film. The story starts in the 20s, at the…

Gaslight

I don’t think you’re remembering right That’s not what happened between us last night You’ve misunderstood everything I’ve ever said I don’t understand how I fill you with dread. Let me explain just where you went wrong Let me show you you’ve got it all wrong You are confused and have lost your way Trust…

Review “Get Out” (2017)

“Get Out” is a strongly satirical horror film about an African-American man who visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend. She insists they are not racist, but he very quickly is met with firstly subtle racism of the try-hard type (‘I voted for Obama’) and then increasingly more overt racism. Added to this there…

Laughing Emojis

They scoff and sneer at everything Suffering and pain Elicits an asinine grin Cries for help Lead to laughing faces Suggesting how to make things better Is apparently hilarious When did it become trendy To think only of yourself It’s nothing new, of course But never so blatant as now When did it turn into…