R.L. Stine is an author best known for the “Goosebumps” series of children’s horror novels originally published in the 1990s and popular for their scares, plot twists, and flashes of humor. Stine’s books have outsold Stephen King’s, at least if … Continue reading
The Boston Public Schools have embraced a bad map projection, specifically Gall-Peters. The so-called Peters projection is promoted as "more accurate," but this is at best misleading. Even The Boston Globe, in most respects a pretty good newspaper, neglects to … Continue reading
In the latest drive-thru prank from Rahat, the evil puppet from the Saw movies goes to several fast food places in search of tacos, burgers, and chicken nuggets. As usual the reactions range from amusement to shock to both at … Continue reading
My friend Bryan Jones has said that Benedict Cumberbatch looks like he was drawn by Steve Ditko — the artist behind the original Doctor Strange comics — so he was natural choice for the role. Early in the film Dr … Continue reading
When I first saw Russell Crowe’s character here I thought I was looking at John Goodman, not that I’m one to scold anybody about weight gain. Anyway, we’re in 1970s Los Angeles, and Crowe earns a living beating up people … Continue reading
This a Disney production, though the Pixar influence is obvious, both in terms of the excellent computer animation and Pixar’s approach to story development. The setting is a world of intelligent mammals who generations ago did away with predators eating … Continue reading
The March 6 issue of The Nation has an interesting short article by University of Michigan history professor Juan Cole on progress toward obliterating ISIL (the self-proclaimed "Islamic State" also called ISIS and Daesh). Unfortunately the article doesn't appear to … Continue reading
To repeat myself, some of the best long-form political journalism is being done on comedy shows. Samantha Bee, for example, has done a number of programs about the status of refugees in the U.S. on her TBS show Full Frontal, … Continue reading
I've been sick with bronchitis, middle-back pain, and other things, but I seem to be getting better. Below a group of stand-up comics from East India Comedy perform a two-minute song making fun of Donald Trump. (Not safe for work, … Continue reading