The glass bottom boat of the cultural press
Few who have seen it dispute that for most of its run Buffy the Vampire Slayer was at the very least an entertaining, well-made series. A diverse group of scholars thinks it was more. Ben Varkentine walks the halls of Sunnydale High again to see if they’re right.
Auto : Matic (Omega). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Atomic Kitten (Virgin). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Cole (self-released). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Little Black Dress & Other Stories (Ragazza). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Various Artists (Hyena). Review by Ben Varkentine.
When it comes to unmitigated admiration, it’s hard to beat fans of Joss Whedon and his flagship show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Ben Varkentine takes a look at some of the dangers of devotion.
Volume Six (Parasol). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Disco 3 (Sanctuary). Review by Ben Varkentine.
This Is The Glamorous (Beggars Banquet). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Synchro Series (IndigeDisc). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Volume 4 (Restless/Ryko). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Never Trust A Hippy (Realworld). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Imperial (Bella Union). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Data 80 (ForceTracks). Review by Ben Varkentine.
VH-1 thinks they have the ’80s wrapped up with their ten-part miniseries. Ben Varkentine begs to differ, and offers proof.
Tony Bennett – crooner, icon and last man standing. Ben Varkentine (and this DVD) explain why this true American idol is still relevant.
Orchid in the Storm (Hyena). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Do It For Love (U-Watch). Review by Ben Varkentine.
Run-DMC, Ocean’s Eleven, Hyena Records, Wendy Carlos and more – Ben Varkentine gives us his 2002 highlights … and a lowlight.
Carl F. Gauze reviews the not-quite one-woman show, Always… Patsy Cline, based on the true story of Cline’s friendship with Louise Seger, who met the star in l961 and corresponded with Cline until her death.
Carl F. Gauze reviews this interesting look at the surprising history and scandalous etymology of jazz, in Weird Music That Goes On Forever, by Bob Suren.
Two new releases from Free Dirt Records use sound and music to tell stories about our history.
A lady Tarzan and her gorilla have a rough time adapting to high society in Lorraine of the Lions (1925), one of four silent films on Accidentally Preserved: Volume 5, unleashed by Ben Model and Undercrank Productions, with musical scores by Jon C. Mirsalis.
Carl F. Gauze takes in See You at the Movies, another exciting Winter Park Playhouse Spotlight Cabaret featuring Orlando’s own Tay Anderson.
A small town woman finds peace with her family in Rachel Hendrix, part of the 2024 Florida Film Festival, an Oscar®-qualifying festival now in its 33rd year.
Look to the East, Look to the West (Merge Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.
