Monthly Archives: April 2007

Do You Know This “Very Great Man”?

The history of Western theater and film notes few people who mastered multiple roles in the production of their art. Thespis, the originator of the Greek theater,  wrote, directed, and starred in his plays. Since that time, few individuals have hit the trifecta of production. In the English Renaissance, Shakespeare wrote the plays, held a […]

Out Of the Abundance of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks

 Violating a social taboo has been a universal technique for generating laughter in a cohesive society. For example, in some tribal societies, the clown-shaman could make the group laugh by pretending to drink cow urine and enjoy the taste. This may be the Ur “shock” comedy. However, rather than universal, most comedy is social, that […]

The Sopranos: The Present Evil Age on HBO

From the days of the early Medieval theater, Satan and his demons- in whatever contemporary guise they appear – have been the most alluring characters on stage or film. Representing the world of this Present Evil Age in all its “glory”, Satan speaks the vernacular while the other characters speak Latin.              Subsequent Satans use […]

GOOD NEWS! Death Has Been Defeated!

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus “Apart from the Gospel of the Kingdom, death is the mighty conqueror before whom we are all helpless. We can only […]