Are You Also Divergent, Friend?

Twelve Monkeys
Universal Pictures (1995)
This Terry Gilliam classic is turning thirty years ago today.  It's one of my favorite sci-fi and post-apocalyptic films that I've ever seen.

I'm In A Situation I Can't Begin To Explain

Four Rooms
Miramax (1995)
This bizarre comedy anthology from Allison Anders, Alexandre Rockwell, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino premiered in theaters on Christmas Day thirty years ago.

A Sad End To An Incredible Life

Rob Reiner
1947 - 2025
Writer, actor, and director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer were found dead yesterday as a result of stab wounds in their Los Angeles home.  His career spans seven decades which include his iconic role as Meathead in All In The Family, and a directorial resume that includes This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, A Few Good Men, and most recently Spinal Tap II which was just premiered three months ago.

World's Best Spaghetti

Carmen's Family Restaurant sign
Broad Street - Hazleton, PA
On the way to my dad's house yesterday, I noticed that the old sign painted on the side of the Lehigh Tire building is in the process of being covered up by aluminum siding.

Carmen's Family Restaurant opened in 1962 and remained a fixture of the Hazleton area for over forty years.  It was an excellent restaurant with delicious Italian food and a seafood buffet that was second to none.  My dad worked here in the late 70's when he was in college, and I worked here in the mid 90's when I was in high school.  It's also the place where my parents first met.

Carmen's Bakery & Deli remains in business across the street from where the restaurant once was.  They have incredible pitza that crushes both Senape's and Longo's.  They also make excellent breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and other baked goods.

Although the restaurant closed twenty years ago, this sign has remained visible ever since it was first painted, presumably in the early to mid 60's.  However, it appears that this too will be only a memory as soon as the siding is finished.

The Last Song And Dance Man

Dick Van Dyke
Born: December 13, 1925
Happy 100th birthday to the incredibly talented star of my favorite sitcom of all time.

Two Corpses, Everything's Fine

Clue
Paramount Pictures (1985)
The first motion picture based on a board game is turning forty years old this week.

Yeah, And I'm A Kumquat From Queens

The Jewel Of The Nile
20th Century Fox (1985)
The Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner sequel to Romancing The Stone premiered in theaters forty years ago today.

The Whole Bloody Affair

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair
Cinemark - Moosic, PA (2025)
The original Volume One and Volume Two releases of Kill Bill are two of my favorite movies of all time.

I saw these both in the theater during their initial run in theaters and at the Mahoning in 2021 for the first Tarantino A-Go-Go weekend, and I've watched them countless times on DVD over the past two decades, but the cut that has been released to theaters this month is something that has never been seen before.  The Whole Bloody Affair is a combination of Volume 1 and Volume 2 with extended scenes and cuts to make the two films flow together as a single movie.

So, I don't think I'm going to be alone in the opinion that this is now the definitive version of Kill Bill.  No disrespect intended to the original films, but I love the fact that The Whole Bloody Affair doesn't reveal to the audience that BB is still alive until The Bride discovers her at the end of the film.  Also, while I understand that the Volume 1 switch to black and white during The Bride's battle with the Crazy 88's was done to secure an R rating, I thought it felt kind of gimmicky and took away from the scene, so I'm glad to see it gone in this version.

I have only two very mild criticisms about The Whole Bloody Affair.  First, I think they should have eliminated the gimmick where they beep out The Bride's name and the schoolhouse reveal after Elle Driver says it for the first time.  It came across to me as cutesy and unnecessary when Volume 1 was still in theaters, but now that they've been combined into a single film, it seems completely pointless.  The other thing I could have done without was the Yuki's Revenge cartoon after the end credits.  I'm sure it might be entertaining to kids who play whatever video game it's based on, but it just kind of dumb.

Neither of these things are big deals at all though.  The Whole Bloody Affair is an incredible experience that made two of my favorite films better.

A Token Gift

Birthday Gift Coupon
Aladdin's Castle
Oli Oliver of the Aladdin's Castle Arcade group discovered this card while working on a Spy Hunter pinball machine.

The Sun Will Rise Another Day

Merkin Ball
Pearl Jam (1995)
This two song EP from Pearl Jam which was released as a companion to Neil Young's Mirror Ball is turning thirty years old today.  

Long Road
Pearl Jam (1995)

And I wished for so long, cannot stay

All the precious moments, cannot stay

It's not like wings have fallen, cannot stay

Still something's missing, cannot say

Holding hands are daughters and sons

And their faiths are falling down, down, down, down

I have wished for so long

How I wish for you today

Will I walk the long road?

Cannot stay

There's no need to say goodbye

All the friends and family

All the memories going round, round, round, round

I have wished for so long

How I wish for you today

And the wind keeps roaring

And the sky keeps turning grey

And the sun is set

The sun will rise another day

I have wished for so long

How I wish for you today

I have wished for so long

How I wish for you today

Will I walk the long road?

We all walk the long road

I Come From A Planet A Long Way From Here

I found this little guy at the bottom of a tote when I was packing up Christmas decorations last year.  It's a keychain that my grandmother gave me when I was a teenager.  Grandma could be a handful, but she was a generous woman with a good heart.  She knew that I liked aliens, so when she found something with an alien head, she's get it and put it away for me to give to me for Christmas, or my birthday, or just because she thought that I'd like it.

This also reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas songs.  It's not one that I hear on the radio too often, but it's has an ethereal and soothing sound that stops me in my tracks every time I hear it.  It was released by Chris de Burgh in 1975.  The singer/songwriter is probably best known for The Lady In Red and Don't Pay The Ferryman, but I think this is the song of his that I like the best.

A Spaceman Came Traveling

Chris de Burgh (1975)

A spaceman came traveling on his ship from afar

Twas light years of time since his mission did start

And over a village he halted his craft

And it hung in the sky like a star, just like a star

He followed a light and came down to a shed

Where a mother and child were lying there on a bed

A bright light of silver shone round his head

And he had the face of an angel, and they were afraid

Then the stranger spoke, he said "Do not fear

I come from a planet a long way from here

And I bring a message for mankind to hear,"

And suddenly the sweetest music filled the air

And it went

La la la la la la la la la la la

Peace and goodwill to all men, and love for the child

This lovely music went trembling through the ground

And many were wakened on hearing that sound

And travelers on the road, the village they found

By the light of that ship in the sky, which shone all round

And just before dawn at the paling of the sky

The stranger returned and said "Now I must fly

When two thousand years of your time has gone by

This song will begin once again, to a baby's cry"

And it was

La la la la la la la la la la la

Peace and goodwill to all men, and love for the child

Oh, the whole world is waiting

Waiting to hear the song again

There are thousands standing on the edge of the world

And a star is moving somewhere

Yuletide In The Shire

Yuletide In The Shire
Everstar (2003)
This is my favorite Christmas album.  I picked it up during Musikfest 2008 at a Celtic shop called Donegal Square, along with a few other similar CDs, and my wife and I have listened to it every holiday season ever since.

There's not a lot of information online about the recording artists.  The only thing I can find for sure is that they released one other album called Enchanted Journey in the same year.  The website for the label, Sequoia Records, is still online, but it's just a placeholder page with a message that the site is closed for maintenance, along with a few links to listen to the music that they have produced on various streaming services.

Yuletide In The Shire is available to stream on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, and many other sources.  It's a very mellow and peaceful holiday listening experience that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

Sun-Loving Snowman

Snowman Suncatcher
Zayre

God Bless Us, Every Kernel

Mickey's Christmas Carol Coloring Book
Orville Redenbacher (1983)
During the holiday season of 1983, shoppers could pick up a free Mickey's Christmas Carol coloring book with the purchase of two jars of Orville Redenbacher popcorn.

These days, you can usually find these coloring books on eBay for ten dollars or less, but you'll have to supply your own popcorn.

The World Is No Place For An Elf

Santa Claus: The Movie
Tri-Star Pictures (1985)
One of the most interesting holiday movies of the 80's is turning forty years old this week.  It has one of the most interesting backstories for who Santa Claus is and where he came from that I've ever seen put to film.  It also feature excellent performances by David Huddleston and Judy Cornwell as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, who I know best from their roles in The Big Lebowski and Keeping Up Appearances respectively.  It also features a solid performance from Dudley Moore, as well as John Lithgow in one of the most over-the-top roles of his career.

Jeffrey Lebowski and Daisy Bucket

I've seen this movie at least a dozen times since I was a kid and I'm still not really sure what I think of it.  It's got a lot of interesting ideas, but something about it just kind of feels off.  I wish I knew how to put it into words, but it just doesn't look or feel like any other Christmas movie... or any other movie at all for that matter.  Check it out and see for yourself.

Hit The One In The Middle

Rocky IV
United Artists (1985)
The fourth installment in the Rocky franchise, and the film that took the Philadelphia boxer to the Soviet Union to take on Ivan Drago, premiered across the United States forty years ago today.

I'm Bananas For This Coffee

Bananas Foster
Bones Coffee Company (2025)
This is the best flavored coffee I've ever had and they're getting rid of it soon.  Guess I'm going to have to clear out a few shelves in the cupboard.

Cooking Missouri

The Times Leader Cookbook
Times Leader (1985)
This cookbook was two dollars at the Slatington Marketplace.  I did a little research and found that I got it for three dollars less than it cost back in 1985.

Most of the recipes that I saw in here look pretty good, but one of them caught my interest.  My grandmother used to make a hearty ground beef and potato stew that she called Missouri that I especially enjoyed on cold days.  She'd make it in a pot that was big enough to feed the army, so we usually had it for at least two or three days any time that she made it.

I had never heard of any soup or stew called Missouri other than from her, so I always assumed that it was a concoction that she came up with at some point, but there it was in this recipe book.

My grandmother's Missouri had large chunks of potatoes, and I'm pretty sure she either used tomatoes or tomato paste in it too, but I could be wrong about that.  I'm going to have to give this a shot over the winter.

A Wearable Menu

Big League Hat Menu
Howard Johnson's (1963)
I found this children's menu at the Slatington Marketplace over the weekend.  It has a series of cuts that fold the menu out into a hat that could be worn.  My dad still raves about their fried clams to this day.  Everything else on the menu looks pretty good too, but shouldn't the Miss Muffet lunch be curds and whey?

Click here to enlarge the front and back.

More From The Toy Store In The Mall

Black Friday Circular
KayBee Toys (1990)
This advertisement for a sale that began on the day after Thanksgiving 35 years ago was shared on Twitter by Dinosaur Dracula.  Check out the early draft of box art from Super Mario Bros 3.

Next Time We Steal A Plane, I'll Let You Crash It

King Solomon's Mines
Cannon (1985)
The Cannon Films response to the Indiana Jones phenomenon was released forty years ago today.  It was unfairly destroyed by the critics, but it's a hell of a fun adventure flick.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out.

What You Need Is A Shoe Shine

Nick Of Time
Paramount (1995)

This Johnny Depp action thriller premiered in theaters thirty years ago this week.  It bombed at the box office and still doesn't seem to have found its audience, but I think it's an under-appreciated gem from the mid 90's and a movie that's definitely worth watching.

Think About It Twice As Long

The Dream Academy
The Dream Academy (1985)
The first album from The Dream Academy was released forty years ago today.  It's best remembered for its hit single Life In A Northern Town, but instead of talking about that song, I'd like to acknowledge this hidden gem.  It's probably best remembered for its presence in the final scene between Ferris and Sloan in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

The Edge Of Forever
The Dream Academy (1985)

When you were young

Did you ever love somebody

Like I love

I love you now

Cause now that you're older

I see you don't mind

Letting go of my hand in a crowd

You don't wanna hold tight

And when we kissed one night

There's a million hearts

Beating in a row

I wish they go away

I'll say it again

There's a million hearts

It's the break to see

Every time you go away

When you were young

Did you ever fall down

Graze your knee

Want to run to someone

Cause now that older

I've been falling down

I want to run to someone

But there's nobody around

I can feel the sign

There's a million hearts

Beating in my row

I wish they would go away

I'll say it again

There's a million hearts

It's the break to see

Every time you go away

Every time you go away

Think about the things I say

Think about it twice as long

Tell me what's going wrong

In the southern sky

The breeze is so wild

The bridge is so lonely

The reasons that life

Feeling so afraid

Talking about a, two hearts

Beating as one

Now hey

No

I'll say it again

There's a million hearts

Beating in a row

I wish they would go away

I'll say it again

There's a million hearts

It's the break to see

Every time you go away

Dusty Words Lying Under Carpets

Rock A Little
Stevie Nicks (1985)
The third solo album by Stevie Nicks was released forty years ago today.

Talk To Me
Stevie Nicks (1985)

I can see we're thinkin bout the same things

Yes, I see your expression when the phone rings

We both know there's something happening here

There's no sense in dancing round the subject

A wound gets worse when it's treated with neglect

Well, don't turn now there's nothing here to fear

You can talk to me

Talk to me

You can talk to me

You can set your secrets free, baby

Dusty words lying under carpets

Seldom heard, well, must you keep your secrets

Locked inside

Hidden deep from view

Is it all that hard?

Is it all that tough?

Well, I've shown you all my cards

Well, isn't that enough?

You can hide your hurt

But there's something you can do

You can talk to me

You can talk to me

When you're down now

You can talk to me

Talk to me

Though we lay face to face

And cheek to cheek

Our voices stray

From the common ground

Where they could meet

The walls run high

To veil a swelling tear

Well, let the walls burn down

Set your secret free

You can break their bounds

Cause you're safe with me

You can lose your doubt

Cause you'll find no danger here

You can talk to me

Talk to me

When you're down now

You can talk to me

You can set your secrets free, baby

Well, I can see

That expression when the phone rings

And I can see

That we're thinkin' 'bout the same things

Is it all that hard?

Is it all that tough?

Well, now you've taken all my dreams

Isn't that enough?

Well, I can see you, baby

Talk to me, yeah

Well, I can see

That expression when the phone rings

One Last Night At My Home Away From Home

Mahoning Staff Party
Mahoning Drive-In Theater - Lehighton, PA
Prior to this season, the Mahoning was a special place to me where I made friends and enjoyed movies.  It became even more special to me this season when I was welcomed onto the staff.

This is the lot crew, who are affectionately known to each other as the Black Dragons.  Beards are not mandatory despite all evidence to the contrary in this phot.  That's Alex on the far left with Bruno in the center and John on the right in the back row.  The middle row is Darryl on the left with the lot crew manager Dave in the center and me to his right.  Kneeling in the front is Rob on the left and Donnie on the right.  Donne surprised us with the awesome Black Dragons jackets that we're wearing.  This is a genuinely good group of guys and I'm proud to be one of them.

Sandy (the merch manager at the Mahoning) surprised us with these great t-shirts at the staff party.  I can't believe I'm now wearing a large.  There's no way I could have fit into this at the start of the season.  My weight has fluctuated quite a bit throughout my adult life, but I'm not a young dude anymore and I'm really going to have to keep it in check going forward.

My wife is an amazing woman.  I can't imagine that there are very many people in this world who would be alright with their partner spending four nights a week at a drive-in theater for six months out of the year, but she is always loving and supportive.

Our friend group on the lot has grown quite a bit over the past five years.  This is the inner circle who we started hanging out with, and three of the best friends I've ever had.  Mike and Kate are on the left, and that's Cary on the right.  They're three of the most down to earth and genuinely kind and funny human beings that I've ever been privileged enough to call my friends.

I'm going to miss these guys over the winter.

Two other folks who I'm honored to call my friend are the projectionist team of Rob and Krista.  They work their asses off to keep the picture on the screen for the only retro 35mm drive-in theater in the world that is still in operation.  This year's staff party marks the end of an era for the dual Simplex projectors that have been shining on the Mahoning screen every summer for the past 75 years.  They're going to be replaced with newer 35mm projectors that will deliver a brighter picture for the 2026 season.

 

The final double feature to be shown on the 1948 dual Simplex projectors was Teen Wolf and Alien.

One last bonfire to close out the season.