NOW SHOWING AT A BLOG NEAR YOU

Well, the Internet’s been a busy little place during my impromptu two-week hiatus, so let’s get right to it.

First up is Enbrethiliel over at Shredded Cheddar who passes on Twelve Things about Night of the Demons you might like to know. Along with a lot of fun facts about this classic 80s cheese fest, she tackles the inevitable question that begins “How can you promote movies like this and then be upset about…?” Her answer is well worth reading.

It’s also an answer that Archbishop Charles Chaput might possibly agree with. His Excellency recently participated in Blood on Our Hands: Morality and Violence in Movies, a panel discussion held on the campus of the University of Colorado, and had a few things to say on the topic. Not only do I appreciate his take on the subject, I have to admit I get a little smile envisioning an Archbishop sitting back and watching clips from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Hostel. I have to admit I never saw the higher-ups doing that sort thing back when I was hanging out with the Nazarenes.

Of course, we Catholics often have a much wider view of things than we’re given credit for, sometimes even by ourselves. That’s one of the things Julie D. over at The Happy Catholic got out of Gary Jansen’s new book Holy Ghosts. Read her review to find out some of the other things she took away from Mr. Jansen’s exploration on the Church’s teachings on spooks and other things that go bump in the night. While you’re there, you might also want to browse through her ongoing list of Movies You Might Have Missed. There’s some good flicks on there, although I must say, I’m noticing a definite lack of rubber monster suits in her DVD collection. Tsk-tsk.

That’s a minor quibble, though. If you want to read some major disagreement, then be sure to check out The Sci-Fi Catholic’s begrudging defense of Twilight from the attacks of author Michael D. O'Brien. I think you’ll agree that it’s a rather eloquent and convincing argument for works D.G.D. readily admits are wretched.

And if that’s not enough ruckus for you, then hop on over to the home of drive-in critic extraordinaire Joe Bob Briggs where he tells the world, “If You're Not Catholic, Shut Up!” I actually can’t say I personally agree with every word Mr. Briggs says on the subject of tolerance, but hey, it’s nice to have someone on our side for a change.

Finally, although it has nothing at all to do with movies or the Church, I just had to link to a recent article from the Daily Mail which asks the question, “Is this the world's creepiest robot?” If it’s not, I don’t want to see what is.

And with that little bit of nightmare fuel, I leave you until next time. Sweet dreams.