Together, we at the Junk Shop have a great deal of knowledge about a great many things in the SF/fantasy genre … but there are some odd gaps in our nerd cred. Here we confess to completely missing out on classic shows or movies or whatever that are givens for most people in fan culture. Whether it’s lack of time or lack of access or just plan lack of interest, these are the normally-beloved things we don’t get.
There’s been this trend of late, blaming this generation or that for all the world’s problems — “Boomers destroyed the economy!””Millennials are killing [everything]!” “Gen Xers all want participation trophies!” — and that’s not what this post is about. What it is about is recognizing and appreciating the influences and factors that contribute to some of the trends and attitudes associated with certain generations, and pointing out why some of those generational groupings may be too broad and/or inaccurate.
The Elseworlds (or ‘imaginary story’) concept is a tried and tested formula in comics, but it also exists in other media, although nobody calls it that. In particular, it has frequently appeared in (mainly American) serial television productions since the 1960s at least.
So we are entering the tail end of 2018, a tumultuous year in many ways; from social change, political upheaval, international crises, deaths of respected public figures, some great comics …
After reading Hatcher’s “Non-Existent Gift Guide” I got to thinking about all the movies and stuff I’ve searched in vain for over the years, thinking I’d add to his list with a list of my own. Then I thought I should check one more time just to be sure on a few items. Turns out Patton Oswalt was right. He called it ETEWAF: Everything That Ever Was–Available Forever. And it seems like almost everything is available now.
Okay, the election is behind us and the holiday season is not yet here. We have been given a breather, a moment in which to pause and reflect. So let’s fix Planet of the Apes!
In which Julie and I travel out of town to dine out at a moderately famous restaurant and attend a local theatrical production.
