Stephen McClurg

April 17, 2017April 17, 2017

A Project That Could: Erick Forsyth and The Three Graces Studio

Erick Forsyth still is or has been a boxer, bartender, organizer, writer, blacksmith, photographer, and soul disc jockey. He’s probably had a whole range of curious employments I don’t know about. Currently, he’s running The Three Graces Studio, which specializes in blacksmithing and ironwork, wet plate photography, and writing. His ironwork is impressive and photography … Continue reading A Project That Could: Erick Forsyth and The Three Graces Studio

April 15, 2017July 21, 2018

Might as well….

A few friends of mine have worked through the “Favorite Films for Every Year I’ve Been Alive” and it looked like fun. Zine-Queen Delaine Derry Green posted hers on Facebook and digital slayer and general maker-of-things Trey Lane made a rad Storify version of his. My Favorite Film for Every Year I’ve Been Alive 1977: … Continue reading Might as well….

March 19, 2017April 19, 2017

Recently Read: February

Underground Railroad Colson Whitehead 2016 I liked this book, but I didn’t love it like most friends have. I’m not trying to be contrarian and say I’m above the hubbub it’s received. A few things go into this. One is that I genuinely like Whitehead’s writing. His philosophical zombie novel Zone One was a blast … Continue reading Recently Read: February

March 12, 2017

for that single moment we love them ever after

I’m rereading a collection of Bruno Schulz’s writing. It’s dense, lyrical, strange. I had to type up this section below about the reading experience. This reminds me of certain experiences as a young reader, or being an older listener to music of my youth, music that had seemed vital, but only feels frail and false … Continue reading for that single moment we love them ever after

March 11, 2017March 11, 2017

Recent Viewing: February

Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970) I expected to not like this as much the second time around, though it’s been about two decades since my first viewing. I think I like it even more. This is not a movie for everybody: cruelty, violence, and an all little person cast, which then throws up the “exploitation” … Continue reading Recent Viewing: February

March 8, 2017March 8, 2017

That Time of Year You May In Me Behold

School is incessant. Essays pile up. Standardized tests becloud the horizon. My feet are unfailingly wet. Either my children have hydrokinesis and practice on my socks, or they are careless around water. Despite the times, Friday saw the release of Jasper Lee’s Mirror of Wind LP. Jasper’s most well-known music is on the score for … Continue reading That Time of Year You May In Me Behold

February 25, 2017

Recently Read: January Edition

My Ántonia Willa Cather 1918 A vision of the American West that was already gone when this went to print. I love novels from this period. Cather makes the scenery come alive, similar to what Wharton does in Ethan Frome, though often achieving opposite effects. To oversimplify, one could say Ántonia is hot and Ethan … Continue reading Recently Read: January Edition

February 21, 2017

Recent Viewing: January Favorites

“Interplanetary Revolution” (1924) If you think that sounds like a Sun Ra tune, you’re not far off. If you like Russian futurism and constructivism, you’ll likely enjoy this small gem originally made to be a part of another fantastic film Aelita: Queen of Mars (1924). The Soviets send Marxism to Mars! Accattone (1961) Alice, Sweet … Continue reading Recent Viewing: January Favorites

January 12, 2017

Test Prepper

After an unintentional absence, Test Prep is back. This entry is about the original Friday the 13th (1980). I was surprised to enjoy the film after a recent viewing. Once I hit page nine, I realized I was only about halfway through the argument I was setting out involving Northrop Frye’s commentary on genre and comedy and … Continue reading Test Prepper