Thomas M. Willett
@thomasmwillett.bsky.social
Author, media enthusiast (The Memory Tourist), and 1x Jeopardy test reject. Protect LGBTQIA+ rights.
New novel "Lava Lamp" is now available in paperback and digital from major online retailers.
Website: https://thememorytourist.blogspot.com/
New novel "Lava Lamp" is now available in paperback and digital from major online retailers.
Website: https://thememorytourist.blogspot.com/
Pinned
Lava Lamp|Paperback
For many years now, Bel has used the guest room to store the loose ends of her life. Everywhere she looks are memories of a painful past kept hidden for her sanity. Upon hearing that her nephew needs ...
www.barnesandnoble.com
Happy to announce that my third novel "Lava Lamp" is officially available for purchase! You can check it out in paperback here or from other major online retailers for $20.
Digital edition coming June 1.
Digital edition coming June 1.
The wild thing about living a normal life and then coming on here after a long day is trying to figure out what people are talking about. Apparently two presidents had an affair with each other? Is the world just satire now?
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
The wild thing about living a normal life and then coming on here after a long day is trying to figure out what people are talking about. Apparently two presidents had an affair with each other? Is the world just satire now?
Since it's November, I'll just go with every Christmas song ever. Wait until the turkey's been carved.
Name an over played Song.
November 15, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Since it's November, I'll just go with every Christmas song ever. Wait until the turkey's been carved.
Moscow on the Hudson remains his most underrated dramatic performance and I think his greatest testament as an actor. He learned Russian and played saxophone to portray an immigrant living in 80s New York. Also one of his most humanist roles.
November 15, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Moscow on the Hudson remains his most underrated dramatic performance and I think his greatest testament as an actor. He learned Russian and played saxophone to portray an immigrant living in 80s New York. Also one of his most humanist roles.
The funny part of 2025 is that Josh Brolin was in a Stephen King adaptation, but he's much better in the homage King movie Weapons, which I'd argue is his best in a few years.
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The funny part of 2025 is that Josh Brolin was in a Stephen King adaptation, but he's much better in the homage King movie Weapons, which I'd argue is his best in a few years.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
Doing one of those earnest posts where we kindly remind you that we lost half our operating budget over the summer, and that we're looking for ways to keep this whole thing going, and that if you like what we do or that we exist, the best thing you could possibly do to support us is to subscribe
Subscribe - Bright Wall/Dark Room
Subscribe for $29 a year Subscribe now to receive immediate access to each new essay we publish, plus our entire 140+ issue archive. Bright Wall/Dark Room is 100% independent, runs no ads, and strongl...
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November 15, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Doing one of those earnest posts where we kindly remind you that we lost half our operating budget over the summer, and that we're looking for ways to keep this whole thing going, and that if you like what we do or that we exist, the best thing you could possibly do to support us is to subscribe
Updated ranking of Edgar Wright movies after The Running Man. He's still doing fun work, but it's been a while since we got him in top form.
November 15, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Updated ranking of Edgar Wright movies after The Running Man. He's still doing fun work, but it's been a while since we got him in top form.
Just got back from seeing that musical about corn and, you know what, it's everything a traditional comedy should be. Often stories get overcomplicated, but it was a joke-driven experience that's rarely done anymore. Shucked isn't a favorite, but it definitely stands out against competition.
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Just got back from seeing that musical about corn and, you know what, it's everything a traditional comedy should be. Often stories get overcomplicated, but it was a joke-driven experience that's rarely done anymore. Shucked isn't a favorite, but it definitely stands out against competition.
Kind of a mediocre week. What's also weird is that the best movie was the one with the characters I hated the most.
November 15, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Kind of a mediocre week. What's also weird is that the best movie was the one with the characters I hated the most.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
Out here supporting my pal @edgarwright.bsky.social . Can't wait to see what the man is running from.
November 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Out here supporting my pal @edgarwright.bsky.social . Can't wait to see what the man is running from.
Wait... did Stephen King come up with Freevee, or did The Running Man have the worst product placement possible?
November 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Wait... did Stephen King come up with Freevee, or did The Running Man have the worst product placement possible?
Out here supporting my pal @edgarwright.bsky.social . Can't wait to see what the man is running from.
November 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Out here supporting my pal @edgarwright.bsky.social . Can't wait to see what the man is running from.
I know it's the most obvious thing in the world, but finally got to the episode of Detroiters that Danny Brown is on, and lost my mind for a second.
November 14, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I know it's the most obvious thing in the world, but finally got to the episode of Detroiters that Danny Brown is on, and lost my mind for a second.
Not only was I big into third wave ska in high school, but I saw Reel Big Fish 2x during that period. I also remember attending a poetry reading where this ska band played an acoustic number. They wanted to do Sublime's "Date R-pe," but got shot down and did this as one big fun singalong instead.
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Not only was I big into third wave ska in high school, but I saw Reel Big Fish 2x during that period. I also remember attending a poetry reading where this ska band played an acoustic number. They wanted to do Sublime's "Date R-pe," but got shot down and did this as one big fun singalong instead.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
Ahab answered—“Aye.”
November 14, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Ahab answered—“Aye.”
I'm mostly into contemporary shows, but My Fair Lady is wonderfully subversive and has one of the most enjoyable songbooks out there. The characters are layered and I love it as a study of how language defines how we see each other and creates its own class system.
what is the best musical of all time and please explain yourself so i know whether or not to be angry at you
November 14, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I'm mostly into contemporary shows, but My Fair Lady is wonderfully subversive and has one of the most enjoyable songbooks out there. The characters are layered and I love it as a study of how language defines how we see each other and creates its own class system.
In light of Nouvelle Vague, a fun reminder that the man who directed the Best Picture winner The Artist not only did a Jean Luc Godard movie, but also has yet to release a follow-up to said film in the United States in over 14 years despite having quite a few to choose from.
November 14, 2025 at 7:05 AM
In light of Nouvelle Vague, a fun reminder that the man who directed the Best Picture winner The Artist not only did a Jean Luc Godard movie, but also has yet to release a follow-up to said film in the United States in over 14 years despite having quite a few to choose from.
Ray Stevens - "The Streak"
Dickie Goodman - "Mr. Jaws"
Jim Stafford - "My Girl Bill"
Dickie Goodman - "Mr. Jaws"
Jim Stafford - "My Girl Bill"
Name 3 1970s songs.
November 14, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Ray Stevens - "The Streak"
Dickie Goodman - "Mr. Jaws"
Jim Stafford - "My Girl Bill"
Dickie Goodman - "Mr. Jaws"
Jim Stafford - "My Girl Bill"
Fritz Lang's original Dr. Mabuse the Gambler. It's a towering effort that can only be achieved by hubristic youth that captivates beyond the limitations of silent film. Rich with personality and style, the script also pops with so much amorality that can still be seen in more comic booky cinema.
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Fritz Lang's original Dr. Mabuse the Gambler. It's a towering effort that can only be achieved by hubristic youth that captivates beyond the limitations of silent film. Rich with personality and style, the script also pops with so much amorality that can still be seen in more comic booky cinema.
Tomorrow ends my series exploring the short stories of Anton Chekhov. I'm not going to review who's next, but I will say that it's a change of pace and features more than a few tales that were adapted into other media.
I feel like that clue is obvious, so you have fun with that. I'm not spilling.
I feel like that clue is obvious, so you have fun with that. I'm not spilling.
November 14, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Tomorrow ends my series exploring the short stories of Anton Chekhov. I'm not going to review who's next, but I will say that it's a change of pace and features more than a few tales that were adapted into other media.
I feel like that clue is obvious, so you have fun with that. I'm not spilling.
I feel like that clue is obvious, so you have fun with that. I'm not spilling.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
I've liked all of Osgood's movies to varying degrees. KEEPER is the one I really can't stop thinking about. There are some images and ideas in this one that feel like pure deep nightmare language.
A dark trip from Osgood Perkins. KEEPER opens tonight, Thursday November 13th, at the New Bev. Catch it this weekend in 35mm.
November 14, 2025 at 6:26 AM
I've liked all of Osgood's movies to varying degrees. KEEPER is the one I really can't stop thinking about. There are some images and ideas in this one that feel like pure deep nightmare language.
Can't believe it's been a month already since WTF ended. I hope Marc Maron's doing well wherever he's touring these days.
November 14, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Can't believe it's been a month already since WTF ended. I hope Marc Maron's doing well wherever he's touring these days.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
In this entry of A24 A-to-Z, Alex Garland returns to the studio after an eight year break to produce one of his most experimental yet confounding works to date. It's a story about Men, so of course it's complicated.
A24 A-to-Z: #116. “Men” (2022)
A look at a life through the media that helped define it.
thememorytourist.blogspot.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:32 AM
In this entry of A24 A-to-Z, Alex Garland returns to the studio after an eight year break to produce one of his most experimental yet confounding works to date. It's a story about Men, so of course it's complicated.
Reposted by Thomas M. Willett
In Short Stop's penultimate entry on Chekhov, the writer goes "In the Ravine" to find one of his darkest stories while retreading into a lot of familiar themes about wealth, humanity, and who should run a family business.
Short Stop: #22. Anton Chekhov – “In the Ravine”
A look at a life through the media that helped define it.
thememorytourist.blogspot.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 AM
In Short Stop's penultimate entry on Chekhov, the writer goes "In the Ravine" to find one of his darkest stories while retreading into a lot of familiar themes about wealth, humanity, and who should run a family business.
As I try to stay passionate about the theater experience, I am proud to say that if things go according to plan, I will be seeing Running Man in theaters, which would continue the Wright streak of opening day trips since 2010 and opening weekend since 2007. Proud to be keeping that alive.
November 14, 2025 at 4:12 AM
As I try to stay passionate about the theater experience, I am proud to say that if things go according to plan, I will be seeing Running Man in theaters, which would continue the Wright streak of opening day trips since 2010 and opening weekend since 2007. Proud to be keeping that alive.
Can't wait. Missed having her around.
November 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Can't wait. Missed having her around.