http://www.theculturalgutter.com/ This site is updated Thursday at noon with a new article about an artistic pursuit generally considered to be beneath consideration. James Schellenberg probes science-fiction, Carol Borden draws out the best in comics, Chris Szego dallies with romance, and each month we feature a Guest Star writer on a gutter subject on their choosing. While the writers have considerable enthusiasm for their subjects, they don't let it numb their critical faculties. Tossing away the shield of journalistic objectivity and refusing the shovel of fannish boosterism, they write in the hopes of starting honest and intelligent discussions about these oft-enjoyed but rarely examined artforms. en-us 2009-07-03T20:14:25-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/robogeisha_the_geisha_war_begins.html "Geisha is Robot." Geisha fight samurai, giant temples and lady tengu. Geisha also transform. ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-07-03T20:14:25-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/karl_malden_rip.html Mladen Sekulovich, aka Karl Malden, has died at 96. He was in many, many entertainments, including Meteor, the legendary 1970s cop show The Streets of San Francisco, some very respectable films and many, many Westerns like How The West Was... Notes Carol Borden 2009-07-03T16:22:01-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/in_support_of_my_latest.html In support of my latest Screen article, there's nothing disappointing about these re-imagined posters by Olly Moss. Or x-factor-e's De Niro stream. Or the endlessly entertaining Film the blanks (Sudoku for film geeks). ... Notes Ian Driscoll 2009-07-02T09:04:30-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/interview_with_joe_lansdale.html Champion Mojo storyteller Joe Lansdale talks about what makes him a champion: a crazy number of upcoming stories, a Jonah Hex animated short and his mighty understanding of the publishing industry.(Thanks, Chuck!)... Notes Carol Borden 2009-07-01T13:05:17-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/screen/cant_we_all_just_get_along.html (Forecast calls for mild spoilers.)Watching Jody Hill’s Observe and Report, you may find yourself experiencing a sensation of disappointment. If you do, that’s a good thing.... Screen Ian Driscoll 2009-06-30T15:01:23-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/asian_movies_are_dead_in_america_and_no_one_cares.html "If the post-"Crouching Tiger" boom in Asian cinema was an irrational, Dutch-tulip-style bubble, then the virtual disappearance of Asian films from American screens is an equally irrational overcorrection." Andrew O'Herir interviews Grady Hendrix (NYAFF and formerly Kaiju Shakedown), Keith Allison... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-29T14:56:12-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/comickaze_in_cambodia.html One page, one artist, one hour--2 countries. See some of the Cambodian comics here. ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-28T13:39:07-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/talking_shit_about_grant_morrison_and_alan_moore.html Savage Critics Jeff Lester and Graeme McMillan talk some shit about Grant Morrison and Alan Moore, smart shit. And if that's not enough, the talk a lot about other comics. But hearing them talk about Grant Morrison and Alan Moore... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-27T14:07:17-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/twilight_remixed.html It was bound to happen: Buffy vs. Edward. (via Smart Bitches). ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-26T14:18:46-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/lathed_vs_laved.html The Smart Bitches beg us all, "FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS TURGID, STOP USING THE WORD LATHE" because it's "NOT SOMETHING ANY MAN WANTS DONE TO HIS MANJUNK." They have woodworking videos, too. ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-26T14:05:53-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/comics/alan_moore_knows_the_score.html “It's nice to hear all the old songs, isn't it?”--the Devil, The Black Rider I was surprised to hear the old songs in Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Century: 1910 (Top Shelf, 2009). I probably... Comics Carol Borden 2009-06-25T15:58:46-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/nyaff_2009_video.html Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-24T16:17:43-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/nyaff_2009_and_hypnotic_escapism.html The New York Asian Film Festival wants to help you escape joblessness, global pandemics and despair. Why don't you let it? (Info here). ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-23T13:15:49-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/45_ways_of_looking_at_the_mario_bros.html The Design Inspiration collects 45 portraits of the Mushroom Kingdom's favorite heroes, Mario and Luigi. ... Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-22T13:14:53-05:00 http://www.theculturalgutter.com/notes/yuen_woopings_true_legend.html Notes Carol Borden 2009-06-21T14:32:53-05:00