Pepper waiting for the dogs to be subbed in.
Pop Culture Ephemera
- Minions & Monsters (2026) (Directed by Pierre Coffin): “Oh, James. You painted such a wonderful picture with your beautiful gibberish.” – Goomi. These lovely henchmen have been part of the movies for sixteen years and now seven films. There’s just one word for this entry in the franchise – “charming.” We meet our hero Minions, James (the dreamer) and Henry (the hype man best friend). They are joined by their deaf Minion friend, Ed, and the hilarious new leader Minion, Dick.
The movie works best when it’s let loose in early Hollywood without the need to reference or tie into other entries in the series. There are more than enough nods to Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and more to give the adults some chuckles. The story of the Minions rise and fall and rise again in old Hollywood hits a bump with the introduction of Goomi (Trey Parker), where the “monsters” of the title come into play. Thanks to Dort (Jesse Eisenberg), resembling Gort from The Day The Earth Stood Still, the film hits the right notes at the end. It’s really an enjoyable 90 minutes that works best when the Minions are allowed to be at their most chaotic.
- The Bear – “The Original Beef of Chicagoland” (S.5 E.8) (FX) (2026): “To break patterns, you have to break patterns.” – Carmy. This show will go down as an all-timer for me. I am reviewing my previous Top 100 TV Shows of All-Time and there’s no doubt that this would probably make my Top Thirty. A show that I thought was about Carmy’s journey, then pivoted to Sydney or Richie and the revelations that they had about themselves. By the final episode, they just came right out and said what was always in front of our eyes, it’s about family.
Final episodes will rarely be universally satisfying, and I don’t expect this to land perfectly with everyone. It hit the perfect note for me. The penultimate episode is really the final episode, and this serves as more of an epilogue to pull together the themes. The beauty of this season for me was seeing the arc of chaos to perfection on that night of the first seven episodes of the season. I’m bonded to these characters, their lives, and the Bear. I don’t want or need more. Sometimes you find the family that you need.
- Boston – “Peace of Mind” (from Boston) (1976): “Now everybody’s got advice, they just keep on givin’ / Doesn’t mean that much to me.” Tom Scholz wrote the ultimate song about finding a good work/life balance before we ever knew that was a thing. This is an amazing song in so many ways. It sounds like it was recorded and produced in the most advanced studio in Los Angeles, instead of Scholz’s basement in Watertown, MA. This song wouldn’t have the cultural impact of “More Than a Feeling,” but it has become just as much a part of the classic rock landscape. It’s amazing that this didn’t top the charts when released as the third single from their debut album. I can’t imagine Arena Rock without it.
- Citizen Kane (1941) (Directed by Orson Welles): “I guess Rosebud is just a… piece in a jigsaw puzzle… a missing piece.” – Jerry Thompson. I saw this in theaters for the 85th Anniversary. It’s probably the third time I’ve seen it in theaters and much like Casablanca (1942), there’s something new I uncover with every viewing. The question I ask as I sit in the dark is usually, “Does this still have something to say to modern audiences?” The answer this time was “Yes, it’s still a poignant tale of a flawed man.” The two salient points I walk out with have to do with the flawed examination of a man’s life after it is over, and the story of a man who wants to be loved and respected without giving that same love back.
Welles hired Gregg Toland as cinematographer, who had worked with John Ford. Orson was famously influenced by John Ford’s work, especially Stagecoach (1939). The camerawork here takes those lessons and moves the ball further down the field in a way the will circularly influence Ford’s camera in The Searchers (1956). The circular structure of the plot is a lesson for all directors (looking at you, Tarantino). The highlights of the story are given away in the newsreel at the very beginning of the film. As we revisit each of the main points in Kane’s life, the next time through is more informed and deeper in meaning than the “news” version of the story. The story of a man larger than life brought down to size has never been told so well on so many levels. There’s no mistake that this film is held in such high regard.
- Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (2026) (Directed by Lee Cronin): “What was our daughter doing in a 3,300-year-old sarcophagus?” – Charlie Cannon. For about 20 minutes, I was fooled that this might be one of the more interesting horror films in the past few years. Then, a film with “mummy” in the title turned into a straightforward demonic possession film with all of the corresponding tropes. The idea of a child disappearing and coming back years later out of nowhere, from a sarcophagus, is interesting. A mummy that’s alive instead of centuries old starts to flip the genre into new realms. Then the wheels wobble and eventually come off with a bloated run time and daughter, Katie Cannon, acting more demonically possessed than mummified. It’s a dark film that never rises above body horror to make any kind of statement or live up to the long line of traditional Mummy films.
Best of the Rest
- In 2011, Christian rock band, Stryper, covered Boston’s “Peace of Mind.” The connection between the Orange County Christian rock band and Boston might not be self evident. Michael Sweet, the frontman for Stryper, toured with Boston from 2007 to 2011; Tom Scholz of Boston plays on this version and helped arrange it; and then Tracy Ferrie, bassist of Stryper, would go on to join Boston in 2012. It’s a solid cover version that doesn’t try to do much different with the song.
- I’m trying to follow the news about IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO) just to make sure they follow through on the Second Season. Executive Producer Andy Muschietti gave some good details. A season based in 1935 is a great idea. The Brady Gang from the book will be the Bradley Gang, but it sounds close to the events of the book. It’s going to be interesting because this is really a bridge to the next season and the explosion of the Kitchener Iron Works which will make a tense Season Three.
- There was a certain relief to see a headline that said that Texas is not America’s snake capital. I was less than amused to read that Texas has the most snakes, but only 15 venomous species. Arizona is the leader of the pack with 20 venomous species, but that doesn’t give me much peace of mind. This article goes on to detail the bodily reaction to the bites of numerous venomous snakes. I really should have closed that tab.
Sunday Morning Tuneage Flashback
- Sunday Morning Tuneage from 8/1/2010, my Tuneage was my San Diego Comic-Con report. I flew in on the Wednesday, and the highlight was a trip with very hungry Strikeforcers to Lucha Libre Taco Shop and an incognito appearance there by Joey Chestnut. “Jaws” was there to eat 30 bacon-wrapped hot dogs to beat their restaurant record.
Thursday started with Jeff Smith and lots of Bone news. (we’ve yet to see that movie!) I spent an hour listening to the greatness of Stan Freberg. There was a wonderful panel with the full cast of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and a fun panel with Penn & Teller. The highlight of the day was the ability to sit at a table with Mary-Louise Parker and Michael C. Hall for short interviews. Parker and I had laugh while imagining the possibilities of her in a Pixar film. Michael C. Hall smiled at me while he answered my question about ever doing a show that didn’t involve dead bodies.
Friday was a crowded collection of panels that included the awesome Drew Struzan talking about his movie posters, and the cast of Archer (FX) showing the first episode of their second season. A true highlight was William Stout telling stories of Frank Frazetta and Al Williamson. The panel for Batman: The Brave and the Bold (Toon) was highly entertaining for a show that I watched with my children. The highlight of the day was the “Peanuts at 60” panel with Jeannie Schulz. They were debuting their newest and final television special. I was impressed with the animation, music, and writing. I may have only watched it once since then, and this seems like a good time to revisit it.
Peanuts – Happiness Is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown (FOX) (2011): “I have affixed to me the dirt of countless ages. Who am I to disturb history?” – Pig-Pen. I was spot on with my initial thoughts on this special. It’s the first since He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown (2006) and the last until The Peanuts Movie (2016). It’s the first with no input from Charles Schulz, producer Lee Mendelson, and director Bill Melendez had passed away. The script is almost word for word out of the old strips. It’s written by Craig Schulz (son) and Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine). The music is done lovingly in the style of the previous specials by Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo). The color palette and animation style is easily mistaken for the earliest specials; a far cry from the computer animation of the next film. It aired on FOX between Thanksgiving and Christmas from 2011 to 2013, but it’s mostly forgotten. I think the hour length and not specific to a holiday makes it hard to program. Ultimately, the lesson about everyone having a thing that gives them comfort is one that I want to embrace.
1976 in Review
- July – Batman #277 (DC Comics): Cover by Ernie Chan. Written by David Vern Reed. Art by Ernie Chan. This is a poster-worthy cover, if there ever was one for Batman in 1976. Bruce Wayne and his girlfriend visit Florida in “The Riddle of the Man Who Walked Backwards.” It turns into an episode of Scooby-Doo with Batman battling a man in a sea-monster costume trying to smuggle dope.
- July 12 – Family Feud (ABC) would debut on weekday afternoons, hosted by Richard Dawson. Other than a couple of years on hiatus, the show has remained a staple of the game-show world both daytime, prime time, and in repeats.
- July 12 – Sports Illustrated. Randy Jones of the San Diego Padres was 15-3 going into mid-July 1976. Jones would pitch three innings of the All-Star game, giving up two hits and allowing no runs to get credit for the National League victory. Despite going 7-11 the second half of the season, Jones would win the Cy Young award over other 20-game winners like Don Sutton, Jerry Koosman, and Steve Carlton.
What the Hell Did I Put in My Mouth?
H.E.B. Ridged Chips:
Citrus & Cayenne
These sneaky little chips are great with your summer cookout. That citrus flavor is mostly just a strong lime-forward taste. It’s the way that the cayenne kicks in afterwards that make these such a fun chip. H.E.B. didn’t skimp on the pepper as you can see on the chip. It takes a few seconds but when it kicks in, your first instinct is to put more into your mouth. I really enjoyed these and had a hard time putting them down.
Pop-Tarts: Super Stuffed – Strawberry Blast
The issue with the Super Stuffed line is that you better love the filling. Each bit here is a much higher ratio of jelly to frosting and pastry than you have experienced in your Pop-Tart lifetime. The strawberry filling is a little much for me compared to the chocolate-fudge pudding of the other release. Maybe a 25% more instead of 50% more would have been a good compromise.
Pringles: Beer Cheese Burger
The partnership between Miller Lite and Pringles that began last year is an interesting choice. It’s a beer that is popular at bars and backyards but isn’t one that you would choose to partner with a good burger. Don’t be fooled by what looks like a wonderful backyard-grilled burger on the cover. The flavor profile of burger patty, mustard, onions, and cheese is that of a fast-food, basic burger. In fact, I really had to concentrate to get any taste of the cheese. Then it tastes like you dipped the whole thing in a flat beer. That malt aftertaste is not my idea of a good time. I needed some help from the dog to finish these.
“I understand about indecision
But I don’t care if I get behind
People livin’ in competition
All I want is to have my peace of mind” – Boston
