Brian Collins
@bdcollins95.bsky.social
Messy bisexual, genre fiction fan, movie snob, reluctant blogger, they/them. Hosts Science Fiction & Fantasy Remembrance.
#474. A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra
For some reason I was expecting a vocal jazz album, when actually this is closer to a gospel album. The religious Christmas songs are given priority over the Santa songs, which is fine!
For some reason I was expecting a vocal jazz album, when actually this is closer to a gospel album. The religious Christmas songs are given priority over the Santa songs, which is fine!
December 3, 2025 at 6:36 AM
#474. A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra - Frank Sinatra
For some reason I was expecting a vocal jazz album, when actually this is closer to a gospel album. The religious Christmas songs are given priority over the Santa songs, which is fine!
For some reason I was expecting a vocal jazz album, when actually this is closer to a gospel album. The religious Christmas songs are given priority over the Santa songs, which is fine!
#473. 3 Godfathers (1948)
I'm not a Christian, or all that into Christmas, but I do like Christian-themed Westerns that involve Christmas! Not sure there are many of those.
I'm not a Christian, or all that into Christmas, but I do like Christian-themed Westerns that involve Christmas! Not sure there are many of those.
December 3, 2025 at 3:29 AM
#473. 3 Godfathers (1948)
I'm not a Christian, or all that into Christmas, but I do like Christian-themed Westerns that involve Christmas! Not sure there are many of those.
I'm not a Christian, or all that into Christmas, but I do like Christian-themed Westerns that involve Christmas! Not sure there are many of those.
#472. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - Various Artists
Why is it the greatest Christmas album ever? Because no matter what time of the year it is, this shit will get you in a festive mood. That we got Pet Sounds out of it also helps.
Why is it the greatest Christmas album ever? Because no matter what time of the year it is, this shit will get you in a festive mood. That we got Pet Sounds out of it also helps.
December 3, 2025 at 1:14 AM
#472. A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector - Various Artists
Why is it the greatest Christmas album ever? Because no matter what time of the year it is, this shit will get you in a festive mood. That we got Pet Sounds out of it also helps.
Why is it the greatest Christmas album ever? Because no matter what time of the year it is, this shit will get you in a festive mood. That we got Pet Sounds out of it also helps.
#471. Stray Dog (1949)
Maturity is realizing Akira Kurosawa really was one of the best to ever do it.
Maturity is realizing Akira Kurosawa really was one of the best to ever do it.
December 1, 2025 at 3:23 AM
#471. Stray Dog (1949)
Maturity is realizing Akira Kurosawa really was one of the best to ever do it.
Maturity is realizing Akira Kurosawa really was one of the best to ever do it.
#470. Train Dreams
"The dead tree is as important as a living one."
"The dead tree is as important as a living one."
November 30, 2025 at 10:12 PM
#470. Train Dreams
"The dead tree is as important as a living one."
"The dead tree is as important as a living one."
#469. Train Dreams - Denis Johnson (reread)
Any story can have a happy ending, or a sad ending, or something in between. Really it depends on where you decide to end it.
Any story can have a happy ending, or a sad ending, or something in between. Really it depends on where you decide to end it.
November 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
#469. Train Dreams - Denis Johnson (reread)
Any story can have a happy ending, or a sad ending, or something in between. Really it depends on where you decide to end it.
Any story can have a happy ending, or a sad ending, or something in between. Really it depends on where you decide to end it.
#468. Howl and Other Poems - Allen Ginsberg
I always kinda wondered why I never got through all of “Howl” itself until now. Turns out the reason for that is that it sucks. Edgy nonsense, along with most of the other poems here.
I always kinda wondered why I never got through all of “Howl” itself until now. Turns out the reason for that is that it sucks. Edgy nonsense, along with most of the other poems here.
November 30, 2025 at 5:55 AM
#468. Howl and Other Poems - Allen Ginsberg
I always kinda wondered why I never got through all of “Howl” itself until now. Turns out the reason for that is that it sucks. Edgy nonsense, along with most of the other poems here.
I always kinda wondered why I never got through all of “Howl” itself until now. Turns out the reason for that is that it sucks. Edgy nonsense, along with most of the other poems here.
#467. The Actor (2025)
An absurd neo-noir that's kinda whimsical and also kind of an existential nightmare. It's sort of like Lost Highway's less evil nephew, is how I would describe it on the unlikely chance I can convince someone to watch it.
An absurd neo-noir that's kinda whimsical and also kind of an existential nightmare. It's sort of like Lost Highway's less evil nephew, is how I would describe it on the unlikely chance I can convince someone to watch it.
November 30, 2025 at 3:02 AM
#467. The Actor (2025)
An absurd neo-noir that's kinda whimsical and also kind of an existential nightmare. It's sort of like Lost Highway's less evil nephew, is how I would describe it on the unlikely chance I can convince someone to watch it.
An absurd neo-noir that's kinda whimsical and also kind of an existential nightmare. It's sort of like Lost Highway's less evil nephew, is how I would describe it on the unlikely chance I can convince someone to watch it.
#466. Él
Buñuel really likes to shit on male insecurity across his movies, but Él might be the scariest and least funny example of the bunch. Here he connects dots (problematically, but interestingly) between toxic masculinity and untreated mental illness.
Buñuel really likes to shit on male insecurity across his movies, but Él might be the scariest and least funny example of the bunch. Here he connects dots (problematically, but interestingly) between toxic masculinity and untreated mental illness.
November 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
#466. Él
Buñuel really likes to shit on male insecurity across his movies, but Él might be the scariest and least funny example of the bunch. Here he connects dots (problematically, but interestingly) between toxic masculinity and untreated mental illness.
Buñuel really likes to shit on male insecurity across his movies, but Él might be the scariest and least funny example of the bunch. Here he connects dots (problematically, but interestingly) between toxic masculinity and untreated mental illness.
#465. How Green Was My Valley
The beginning of this movie: Mining for coal sounds kinda cool, actually.
The end of this movie: Never mind.
The beginning of this movie: Mining for coal sounds kinda cool, actually.
The end of this movie: Never mind.
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 AM
#465. How Green Was My Valley
The beginning of this movie: Mining for coal sounds kinda cool, actually.
The end of this movie: Never mind.
The beginning of this movie: Mining for coal sounds kinda cool, actually.
The end of this movie: Never mind.
#464. Hard Boiled
Might be better than sex, not gonna lie.
Might be better than sex, not gonna lie.
November 26, 2025 at 3:48 AM
#464. Hard Boiled
Might be better than sex, not gonna lie.
Might be better than sex, not gonna lie.
#463. Spirit in the Dark - Aretha Franklin
Recorded in the midst of Franklin's first marriage failing, this is basically her divorce album. But despite the songs often being about good-for-nothing men and relationships gone bad, it's not dour. In fact, it kinda rocks.
Recorded in the midst of Franklin's first marriage failing, this is basically her divorce album. But despite the songs often being about good-for-nothing men and relationships gone bad, it's not dour. In fact, it kinda rocks.
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
#463. Spirit in the Dark - Aretha Franklin
Recorded in the midst of Franklin's first marriage failing, this is basically her divorce album. But despite the songs often being about good-for-nothing men and relationships gone bad, it's not dour. In fact, it kinda rocks.
Recorded in the midst of Franklin's first marriage failing, this is basically her divorce album. But despite the songs often being about good-for-nothing men and relationships gone bad, it's not dour. In fact, it kinda rocks.
#462. Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror - John Ashbery
Might be at the exact midpoint between being accessible and showing a real power to evoke, in poems that sometimes read like prose passages.
Might be at the exact midpoint between being accessible and showing a real power to evoke, in poems that sometimes read like prose passages.
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
#462. Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror - John Ashbery
Might be at the exact midpoint between being accessible and showing a real power to evoke, in poems that sometimes read like prose passages.
Might be at the exact midpoint between being accessible and showing a real power to evoke, in poems that sometimes read like prose passages.
#461. Interiors
I told my friend at one point during this that the best part of Interiors is that Woody Allen is not in it. This was a bit of a truth Permian extinction for both of us.
I told my friend at one point during this that the best part of Interiors is that Woody Allen is not in it. This was a bit of a truth Permian extinction for both of us.
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
#461. Interiors
I told my friend at one point during this that the best part of Interiors is that Woody Allen is not in it. This was a bit of a truth Permian extinction for both of us.
I told my friend at one point during this that the best part of Interiors is that Woody Allen is not in it. This was a bit of a truth Permian extinction for both of us.
#460. You Must Believe in Spring - Bill Evans
Despite sending himself to an early grave through years of drinking and hard drugs, there's something still oddly life-affirming about Evans's music.
Despite sending himself to an early grave through years of drinking and hard drugs, there's something still oddly life-affirming about Evans's music.
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
#460. You Must Believe in Spring - Bill Evans
Despite sending himself to an early grave through years of drinking and hard drugs, there's something still oddly life-affirming about Evans's music.
Despite sending himself to an early grave through years of drinking and hard drugs, there's something still oddly life-affirming about Evans's music.
#459. The Roaring Twenties
The tragedy of trying to be a decent person in an inherently exploitative business.
The tragedy of trying to be a decent person in an inherently exploitative business.
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
#459. The Roaring Twenties
The tragedy of trying to be a decent person in an inherently exploitative business.
The tragedy of trying to be a decent person in an inherently exploitative business.
#458. Jazz Impressions of Japan - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
A bit orientalist, but not as much as I had feared. This is more of an atmospheric record than Time Out, with less emphasis on drums.
A bit orientalist, but not as much as I had feared. This is more of an atmospheric record than Time Out, with less emphasis on drums.
November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
#458. Jazz Impressions of Japan - The Dave Brubeck Quartet
A bit orientalist, but not as much as I had feared. This is more of an atmospheric record than Time Out, with less emphasis on drums.
A bit orientalist, but not as much as I had feared. This is more of an atmospheric record than Time Out, with less emphasis on drums.
#457. Police Story 2
A lot more Police and a lot more Story!
A lot more Police and a lot more Story!
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
#457. Police Story 2
A lot more Police and a lot more Story!
A lot more Police and a lot more Story!
#456. The Way Some People Die - Ross Macdonald
On the one hand the Chandler influence is apparent, but also Archer is more melancholy than Marlowe and I'd say this is bleaker than any of the Marlowe novels I've read. Would recommend!
On the one hand the Chandler influence is apparent, but also Archer is more melancholy than Marlowe and I'd say this is bleaker than any of the Marlowe novels I've read. Would recommend!
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
#456. The Way Some People Die - Ross Macdonald
On the one hand the Chandler influence is apparent, but also Archer is more melancholy than Marlowe and I'd say this is bleaker than any of the Marlowe novels I've read. Would recommend!
On the one hand the Chandler influence is apparent, but also Archer is more melancholy than Marlowe and I'd say this is bleaker than any of the Marlowe novels I've read. Would recommend!
#455. 'Round About Midnight
Very meat-and-potatoes hard bop jazz record, which means it's the kind of album to make you wanna play the piano while smoking a joint.
Very meat-and-potatoes hard bop jazz record, which means it's the kind of album to make you wanna play the piano while smoking a joint.
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
#455. 'Round About Midnight
Very meat-and-potatoes hard bop jazz record, which means it's the kind of album to make you wanna play the piano while smoking a joint.
Very meat-and-potatoes hard bop jazz record, which means it's the kind of album to make you wanna play the piano while smoking a joint.