Brian Collins
@bdcollins95.bsky.social
Messy bisexual, genre fiction fan, movie snob, reluctant blogger, they/them. Hosts Science Fiction & Fantasy Remembrance.
#482. The Way We Live Now - Anthony Trollope
Has that classic Victorian lit problem where the most morally upright characters are also the most boring, while the more flawed and outright dastardly characters are the most fun and interesting.
Has that classic Victorian lit problem where the most morally upright characters are also the most boring, while the more flawed and outright dastardly characters are the most fun and interesting.
December 14, 2025 at 11:14 AM
#482. The Way We Live Now - Anthony Trollope
Has that classic Victorian lit problem where the most morally upright characters are also the most boring, while the more flawed and outright dastardly characters are the most fun and interesting.
Has that classic Victorian lit problem where the most morally upright characters are also the most boring, while the more flawed and outright dastardly characters are the most fun and interesting.
#481. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (reread)
Offers a fantasy scenario in which a rich person grows a conscience and is able to change for the better, very interesting.
Offers a fantasy scenario in which a rich person grows a conscience and is able to change for the better, very interesting.
December 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
#481. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens (reread)
Offers a fantasy scenario in which a rich person grows a conscience and is able to change for the better, very interesting.
Offers a fantasy scenario in which a rich person grows a conscience and is able to change for the better, very interesting.
#480. New Hampshire - Robert Frost
Poems that make me yearn to collect firewood, or to take a stroll by a river which divides Pennsylvania from New Jersey, or to see the city's Christmas tree alight at night. Or all three.
Poems that make me yearn to collect firewood, or to take a stroll by a river which divides Pennsylvania from New Jersey, or to see the city's Christmas tree alight at night. Or all three.
December 12, 2025 at 11:44 PM
#480. New Hampshire - Robert Frost
Poems that make me yearn to collect firewood, or to take a stroll by a river which divides Pennsylvania from New Jersey, or to see the city's Christmas tree alight at night. Or all three.
Poems that make me yearn to collect firewood, or to take a stroll by a river which divides Pennsylvania from New Jersey, or to see the city's Christmas tree alight at night. Or all three.
#479. Sula - Toni Morrison
Might be my favorite Morrison so far, slthough I seriously need to reread Beloved. Morrison has a way of writing about sexuality, and even sex scenes, that’s both candid and with a hint of the Christian symbolism she’s so fond of.
Might be my favorite Morrison so far, slthough I seriously need to reread Beloved. Morrison has a way of writing about sexuality, and even sex scenes, that’s both candid and with a hint of the Christian symbolism she’s so fond of.
December 12, 2025 at 8:24 PM
#479. Sula - Toni Morrison
Might be my favorite Morrison so far, slthough I seriously need to reread Beloved. Morrison has a way of writing about sexuality, and even sex scenes, that’s both candid and with a hint of the Christian symbolism she’s so fond of.
Might be my favorite Morrison so far, slthough I seriously need to reread Beloved. Morrison has a way of writing about sexuality, and even sex scenes, that’s both candid and with a hint of the Christian symbolism she’s so fond of.
#478. The Colours of Chloë - Eberhard Weber
Kinda ghostly and spooky, but also serene. Those dueling pianos on the final track... mmmm.
Kinda ghostly and spooky, but also serene. Those dueling pianos on the final track... mmmm.
December 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
#478. The Colours of Chloë - Eberhard Weber
Kinda ghostly and spooky, but also serene. Those dueling pianos on the final track... mmmm.
Kinda ghostly and spooky, but also serene. Those dueling pianos on the final track... mmmm.
#477. Complete Poems - Marianne Moore
As Moore puts it, “Ecstasy affords the occasion and expediency determines the form.”
As Moore puts it, “Ecstasy affords the occasion and expediency determines the form.”
December 10, 2025 at 6:45 AM
#477. Complete Poems - Marianne Moore
As Moore puts it, “Ecstasy affords the occasion and expediency determines the form.”
As Moore puts it, “Ecstasy affords the occasion and expediency determines the form.”
#476. Barry Lyndon (rewatch)
You watch a guy con his way to the top for 90 minutes, and then eat shit for the next 90 minutes. What's not to love?
You watch a guy con his way to the top for 90 minutes, and then eat shit for the next 90 minutes. What's not to love?
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 AM
#476. Barry Lyndon (rewatch)
You watch a guy con his way to the top for 90 minutes, and then eat shit for the next 90 minutes. What's not to love?
You watch a guy con his way to the top for 90 minutes, and then eat shit for the next 90 minutes. What's not to love?
#475. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi
What do you even want me to say? It’s a perfect soundtrack for a perfect TV special. The vocal rendition of “Christmastime Is Here” gives me chills. The ending of “The Christmas Song” makes me ascend. Perfection.
What do you even want me to say? It’s a perfect soundtrack for a perfect TV special. The vocal rendition of “Christmastime Is Here” gives me chills. The ending of “The Christmas Song” makes me ascend. Perfection.
December 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM
#475. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi
What do you even want me to say? It’s a perfect soundtrack for a perfect TV special. The vocal rendition of “Christmastime Is Here” gives me chills. The ending of “The Christmas Song” makes me ascend. Perfection.
What do you even want me to say? It’s a perfect soundtrack for a perfect TV special. The vocal rendition of “Christmastime Is Here” gives me chills. The ending of “The Christmas Song” makes me ascend. Perfection.
#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.