Quick Hits: May 12

The 2021 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go’s, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters and Todd Rundgren. Tina Turner is now the second woman, after Stevie Nicks, to be inducted twice (she was inducted with ex-husband Ike in 1991). The Go-Go’s, after fifteen years of eligibility,Continue reading “Quick Hits: May 12”

Quick Hits: May 8

On this day in 1958, Hammer Horror films released Dracula (titled Horror of Dracula in the US to avoid confusion with the 1931 Bela Legosi film). Christopher Lee’s Dracula was brooding and sensual, and was the first to incorporate many of the characteristics of the character as we know him today, including fangs and redContinue reading “Quick Hits: May 8”

The Baroness of Barrenness

***** Content warning: infertility ***** Infertility sucks. Obviously, the emotions are infinitely more nuanced than that, but that’s the gist of it. Many people struggle with infertility; an estimated 10-15% of married couples are infertile. Infertility testing is invasive, and treatments are expensive. The stress of the process is intense; relationships have been known toContinue reading “The Baroness of Barrenness”

Quick Hits: May 4

Happy Star Wars day – May the Fourth be with all of you today! The Mummy, starring the delightful Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah, opened on this day in 1999. Oscar-winning actor, humanitarian and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn was born on this day in 1929. Today would have been Paul Gleason’s 82nd birthday.Continue reading “Quick Hits: May 4”

Oscar-palooza, Vol. 2

Continuing my coverage of the Academy Awards, here are some memorable moments from years past. Three winners of the top five awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay): Oscar records: Most nominations for a single movie – 14 Most wins for a single movie – 11: Most nominated individuals: MostContinue reading “Oscar-palooza, Vol. 2”

Quick Hits: April 18

Helen McCrory died Friday at the age of 52, after a long battle with cancer. Perhaps best known for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, she was a formidable theater actress in productions like Macbeth, Twelfth Night, As You Like It and Uncle Vanya. She also portrayed Clair Dowar in Skyfall and AuntContinue reading “Quick Hits: April 18”

Guiltless Pleasures

Initially published in 2021, this post has been edited for clarity. CW: mentions of COVID-19 I’ve always loathed the term “guilty pleasure”. If I enjoy watching/listening to/reading something – and it doesn’t harm anyone else – why should I feel guilty for enjoying it? In the past year, with COVID-19 forcing us to stay atContinue reading “Guiltless Pleasures”