Where's that Nathan of Fillions?
I'm reasonably impressed with the production. The only thing that I think screams low-budget is Nathan Fillion's costume, but that fact that he's there and doing *mumblemumbule* more than makes up for it. Have I mentioned that I love tool jokes?

As long as it has that amazing sketch with Maurice taunting Bing Crosby, I'd definitely stay. Wherzza beer?

It's a good time to be a reader with unprecedented access - there are a number of seriously cute people writing books these days, though revert to blush-and-stammer when meeting them in person. To regular outside appearances I'm a bubbly bon vivant and craft brew conoisseur, but that lighthearted exterior masks an…

Indiana Beach's fame spread all the way to IL, where I grew up. I think we went once. I was hoping there would be a giant inflatable crow. Alas, no. Who's up for harmonizing on the Menard's jingle?

Not Shitty Steve Martin Films That Were Made After 1991!

And I do have a quibble with Kahn's performance: pronunciation of the name "Dan." GAH!

Certain aspects of ND felt a bit like home in the small town midwest, but what consistently bugged me is that that Napoleon and all the awkward boy/girl stuff was straight out of grade and middle school.

The protofeminist Rape of the Sabine Women has irrevocably messed up my rape humor.

This was definitely fun, and I'm not offended, I just like arguing. And I will belatedly but no less heartily acknowledge that my whimsy too often goes out the window when hot-button words appear, especially when pertaining to female writers, who get enough of that sort of thing from critics. It's an issue near and…

Harlow, I do sincerely congratulate you on your response, which is the first thing you've written on this thread that doesn't condescend genderwise to JCO. I've never taken issue with your other arguments because, as I said before, they're perfectly valid. I'll even add "valuable" and "thoughtful." You're one of the…

Inkheart! Inkheart!
Gracious. This is only the second time (#1 was Weird Al) that a childhood crush has turned out to be a thoughtful, intelligent, and funny person. That and his unabashed embrace of nerdiness makes me all the more excited about his contribution to the film adaptation of Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart."

Harlow, I'd point out that your criticism of Updike doesn't use any pejorative characterizations (though the satire is funny) and your criticism of Oates does (spinster). And sorry, projecting your specious and heavily subjective pseudointellectual hypotheses on Why They Write doesn't change the fact that you used and…

I also object to Harlow's blatantly discriminatory and condescending words. For pity's sake, there's plenty to criticize in JCO's output without stooping sexism. "The Passion of Henry David Thoreau," for example.

Can we have Mo?

As long as they manage to squeeze in Bruce the shark with the line "there is no rule six," I won't mind them sequelizing Nemo.

Nemo isn't my favorite (a toss up between Ratatouille and The Incredibles), but Dory's whalespeak made me as happy as a second grader in corduroy trousers.

Tofu Hut, natch.

I can just hear it…
Zack: B+! AH HA HA! B+! You'll shoot your eye out! You'll shoot your eye out!

Oh goody! "Left Hand" is on my nightstand calling "reeeeead meee!" in a plaintive voice, so I'm glad to know I can devour it once I finish my Aeneid/Lavina 1-2 punch. :D

Whoopee!
As a former sci-fi/fantasy neophyte (I _finally_ read Ursula Le Guin and Octavia Butler), I'm all the more delighted to get a rec list of more contemporary works that are worth reading. Is this ever a refreshing rain on the parade of trade paperbacks!