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Tag Archives: Eighties
Ready Player One: Disappointing Spielberg Schmaltz
The long-awaited film adaption of Ernest Cline’s bestseller is here and it’s terrible. I know all about the limitations of movies versus books, so spare methose comments. Ready was always going to be a huge challenge since Cline’s references were a copyright/trademark nightmare. … Continue reading
Posted in In Theaters, Movies
Tagged Cyberpunk, Dystopia, Eighties, Near Future, Science Fiction, Virtual Reality
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The Toys That Made Us, part one
I discovered and got on the bandwagon late with this show, I wholeheartedly admit it. However, it was so great, I’ve watched all four episodes TWICE since I love toys, even at my advanced age. Not just playing with them but … Continue reading
Posted in Action Figures, Toys, TV
Tagged Cold War, Eighties, Fantasy, Seventies, Star Wars
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RIP: Dr. Stephen Hawking
One of the greatest living Physicists passed away today and what made Hawking more remarkable is that he pushed on through despite ALS slowly destroying his body. I think he’s one of the longest surviving people to have the disease. … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, Physics, Science & Technology
Tagged Celebrity Obituary, Eighties
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Rest in Peace John (Johnny B) Bryson
I need to stop going to the back pages of my Marquette alumni magazine whenever I crack it open for the first time. I sometimes discover the passing of a classmate and my generation (Generation X) isn’t that damned old … Continue reading
RIP: David Ogden Stiers
Another rough day in which you see a name you haven’t seen in a while show up on the side of the headlines of FaceBook and you know it can’t be good. Sadly, David passed away Saturday from bladder cancer. … Continue reading
Posted in Movies, TV
Tagged Cartoons, Comedy, Coming-of-Age, Eighties, Regular Show, Seventies, SitCom
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RIP Barry Crimmins
Just got the news a few hours ago. As soon as my car’s radio came right up to Patton Oswalt talking about Barry I knew this wasn’t going to be a happy story. I wish I were wrong. Barry passed … Continue reading
Posted in Brushes with Greatness
Tagged Celebrity Obituary, Eighties, Nineties, Politics, Stand-up Comedy
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Another pro-D&D essay
TED talks tend to be something I take with a grain of salt. You hear some good ides but my complaint is that these “talks” are often Silicon Valley oligarchs lecturing other Silicon Valley oligarchs. Ergo, their “solutions” will flop … Continue reading
Let my freak flag fly #3
Christmas 1981, my parents bought me the boxed set sequel to the Basic Game…Expert! They didn’t know D&D was divided into two different “brands.” I was more into the Advanced, hardback books and needed the Dungeonmaster’s Guide, but I really didn’t … Continue reading
1987: My last Maggi-Maier family Christmas
As I kick back, enjoying the much warmer weather down here in Austin, I remember how at this time 30 years ago, the six of us celebrated at Grandma’s (Maier) house for what would be the last time. Starting in … Continue reading
Gary Numan
Last week, I got to see Gary Numan perform a full show; I had met and watched him a couple years ago through a SXSW showcase at Waterloo Records. Despite the cold rain, Gary played to a sold-out crowd at … Continue reading
It: Worth Seeing
Another second-chance opportunity we got through the local discount theater near work. Economist said it was one of the top ten financially successful movies this year and a rare non-sequel/franchise too. Could’ve fooled me, it didn’t stay at our Alamos for … Continue reading
Rest in Peace Pat DiNizio
I was really saddened to see the sudden blurb on my FaceBook feed this Tuesday night (December 12) about Pat’s passing. Even though I knew about his recent injury, I never would’ve guessed he was in ill health. When the … Continue reading
Let my freak flag fly #2
This artwork by Erol Otus was the cover of my first D&D Basic Set circa 1981. Erol was often someone people really hated because I think he took a more unconventional route. As per this painting: the wizard is a … Continue reading
RIP Tommy Keene
Tommy passed away last Wednesday in his sleep despite being in really good health. The papers said he was 59. Wow! He could’ve fooled me since I had the honor of seeing him open for Matthew Sweet (twice) this Summer … Continue reading
Let my freak flag fly #1
This incarnation is probably the version of D&D most people around my age remember, the terrible Saturday-morning cartoon. Despite being in high school when it debuted on CBS in 1983, I would make the effort get up and watch it. … Continue reading