Average Joe
@socialjoe.bsky.social
Politics, economics, humor, movies, and woodland exploration.
Manhattan Melodrama (1934) has very charismatic lead actors, but it's not enough to distract from the gears that are grinding out the story are in plain view the whole time. Ridiculous setup, obvious conclusion, but some fun along the way. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★★½ review of Manhattan Melodrama (1934)
The movie presents an interesting thought experiment, but there's just not much covering the machinery that's set in motion to grind out the story. That's probably why they needed three very charismat...
letterboxd.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Manhattan Melodrama (1934) has very charismatic lead actors, but it's not enough to distract from the gears that are grinding out the story are in plain view the whole time. Ridiculous setup, obvious conclusion, but some fun along the way. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Reposted by Average Joe
The thing that annoys me the most about the fear of “attacks” federal agents face for their families is not literal - what they actually fear is social exclusion and ostracization. They were afforded privileges of existing among decent people and now they are left with only themselves when truthful.
February 16, 2026 at 1:31 PM
The thing that annoys me the most about the fear of “attacks” federal agents face for their families is not literal - what they actually fear is social exclusion and ostracization. They were afforded privileges of existing among decent people and now they are left with only themselves when truthful.
Finishing School (1934) is a late pre-Code that delivers on the era's promise of stories that speak realistically about society's ills. It's also a strong dramatic tale with engaging characters. And just the right amount of humor. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★★★★½ review of Finishing School (1934)
This movie shows how the wealthy transfer their core values to their children, while exposing that the most important of those core values is "do whatever you want, just don't get caught." Another imp...
letterboxd.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Finishing School (1934) is a late pre-Code that delivers on the era's promise of stories that speak realistically about society's ills. It's also a strong dramatic tale with engaging characters. And just the right amount of humor. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Reposted by Average Joe
American authoritarians are hobbled because they cannot understand care, cannot recreate it, and are suspicious of it.
Their alliances are built on fear and fear is fragile.
They are also afraid of people who will help others AND oppose authoritarian goals.
Their alliances are built on fear and fear is fragile.
They are also afraid of people who will help others AND oppose authoritarian goals.
Authoritarians cannot understand regular people because they themselves are cowards
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Woke Antifa's Secret Weapon
www.firewalledmedia.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:22 PM
American authoritarians are hobbled because they cannot understand care, cannot recreate it, and are suspicious of it.
Their alliances are built on fear and fear is fragile.
They are also afraid of people who will help others AND oppose authoritarian goals.
Their alliances are built on fear and fear is fragile.
They are also afraid of people who will help others AND oppose authoritarian goals.
Reposted by Average Joe
Authoritarians cannot understand regular people because they themselves are cowards
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Woke Antifa's Secret Weapon
www.firewalledmedia.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Authoritarians cannot understand regular people because they themselves are cowards
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Fear motivates them, so they assume it motivates everyone. They can't imagine risking their lives for a stranger, for free
It's why they've beat a public retreat in Minneapolis, and it's how we'll ultimately win
Reposted by Average Joe
New comic on the "SAVE America" Act which would lead to massive voter suppression www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
Cartoon: The 'SAVE our dictatorship' Act
Follow me on Bluesky or Mastodon
Related |� GOP's new voter suppression bill won't SAVE ...
www.dailykos.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:19 PM
New comic on the "SAVE America" Act which would lead to massive voter suppression www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
Yup
I've been thinking it's weird that the FBI & the news are so frantic about this kidnapped and murdered old white woman, like there's no white girls kidnapped or murdered to panic about, but then I remembered that the FBI & news would prefer if we didn't think about kidnapped white girls for a while
February 11, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Yup
Reposted by Average Joe
"Maybe all we do is frustrate," Star said. "Give someone one more day with their daughter or their dad.
"But if you lost your dad, or you lost your daughter, you would give anything to have one more day with them. And that’s what we can do.”
My latest for Slate
"But if you lost your dad, or you lost your daughter, you would give anything to have one more day with them. And that’s what we can do.”
My latest for Slate
Activists Are Fighting ICE Even Though It Could Get Them Killed. Here’s Why.
ICE is still trying to subjugate Minneapolis. It's still failing.
slate.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:18 PM
"Maybe all we do is frustrate," Star said. "Give someone one more day with their daughter or their dad.
"But if you lost your dad, or you lost your daughter, you would give anything to have one more day with them. And that’s what we can do.”
My latest for Slate
"But if you lost your dad, or you lost your daughter, you would give anything to have one more day with them. And that’s what we can do.”
My latest for Slate
A Modern Hero (1934) is a disappointing effort from G.W. Pabst and Richard Barthelmess. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★½ review of A Modern Hero (1934)
This movie suffers from the lack of a sympathetic character. Obviously the main character is intended to be a cautionary tale, but the movie would have been more compelling with some character to root...
letterboxd.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:52 PM
A Modern Hero (1934) is a disappointing effort from G.W. Pabst and Richard Barthelmess. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Reposted by Average Joe
The term "polarization" implies a false equivalence between violent movements and vulnerable people trying to defend themselves. www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
Cartoon: 'Polarization'
Follow me on Bluesky or Mastodon Related |� Trump reportedly wants to give right-wing media $100M to recruit ...
www.dailykos.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
The term "polarization" implies a false equivalence between violent movements and vulnerable people trying to defend themselves. www.dailykos.com/stories/2026...
You're Telling Me! (1934) takes the basic structure used in other WC Fields films and adds a princess. And it mostly works! #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★★★ review of You're Telling Me! (1934)
The story -- which is just the basic structure used in many WC Fields films, but this time there's princess -- holds up. Most of the comedy holds up. But there are about 10 minutes total of the film t...
letterboxd.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:37 PM
You're Telling Me! (1934) takes the basic structure used in other WC Fields films and adds a princess. And it mostly works! #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Heat Lightning (1934) features well-drawn characters, great acting, and a compelling story. Even though the basic plot has been replicated countless times in the years since, the movie holds up very well. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★★★★ review of Heat Lightning (1934)
Over the course of 24 hours a variety of people come to Olga's gas station. The movie does a great job of sketching out their lives with just enough to let our imaginations fill in the gaps. The entir...
letterboxd.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Heat Lightning (1934) features well-drawn characters, great acting, and a compelling story. Even though the basic plot has been replicated countless times in the years since, the movie holds up very well. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Classic.
Plus,some 1930's lore. Got to get the book Tal references.
Plus,some 1930's lore. Got to get the book Tal references.
TODAY: the myth
the icon
the legend
the peanut butter and jelly sandwich
on the making of a myth, and how it became ubiquitous
(alas, george washington carver did not invent peanut butter)
buttondown.com/theswordandt...
the icon
the legend
the peanut butter and jelly sandwich
on the making of a myth, and how it became ubiquitous
(alas, george washington carver did not invent peanut butter)
buttondown.com/theswordandt...
Notable Sandwiches #136: Peanut Butter & Jelly
Welcome back to Notable Sandwiches, the feature where David & I traipse through the garden of earthly delights that is Wikipedia’s List of Notable...
buttondown.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Classic.
Plus,some 1930's lore. Got to get the book Tal references.
Plus,some 1930's lore. Got to get the book Tal references.
Reposted by Average Joe
I wrote about the media largely buying the administration’s PR spin: “The claim that someone like Homan would represent a pivot or a more conciliatory approach is only reasonable if you’ve neglected to do even a cursory google search. There’s little meaningful daylight between him and Bovino”
Make No Mistake About Trump's Minnesota 'De-Escalation'
Reading the corporate media over the past few days, you might come away with the impression that national (and international) outrage over state-sanctioned terror and killings of civilians in the stre...
religiondispatches.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I wrote about the media largely buying the administration’s PR spin: “The claim that someone like Homan would represent a pivot or a more conciliatory approach is only reasonable if you’ve neglected to do even a cursory google search. There’s little meaningful daylight between him and Bovino”
Reposted by Average Joe
"Headlines call it a 'crackdown' on immigration and a 'clash' between the government and 'protesters,' when in reality it’s murderous occupying forces being confronted by people who just want to live free of their violence."
Crackdown
Writing through history and heartbreak.
www.thehandbasket.co
January 29, 2026 at 4:01 PM
"Headlines call it a 'crackdown' on immigration and a 'clash' between the government and 'protesters,' when in reality it’s murderous occupying forces being confronted by people who just want to live free of their violence."
I've Got Your Number (1934) features some decent comedy and a reasonable crime story, but it's weighed down by its fatal flaw: an unlikable protagonist. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★★ review of I've Got Your Number (1934)
Other than having an unlikable protagonist, the movie's fine. Unfortunately that's a fatal flaw unless it's handled really well. Which in this case it is not. Pat O'Brien plays Terry, a telephone repa...
letterboxd.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I've Got Your Number (1934) features some decent comedy and a reasonable crime story, but it's weighed down by its fatal flaw: an unlikable protagonist. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
The Lost Patrol (1934) still holds up, but I did find myself having to cut it some slack due to its age and how many times the same sort of scenario has played out on screens large and small since it was released 90+ years ago. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/film/the-los...
letterboxd.com/film/the-los...
The Lost Patrol (1934)
A World War I British Army patrol is crossing the Mesopotamian desert when their commanding officer, the only one who knows their destination, is killed by the bullet of unseen bandits. The patrol's s...
letterboxd.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:33 PM
The Lost Patrol (1934) still holds up, but I did find myself having to cut it some slack due to its age and how many times the same sort of scenario has played out on screens large and small since it was released 90+ years ago. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/film/the-los...
letterboxd.com/film/the-los...
Reposted by Average Joe
The cruelty of it. Cold-blooded. Never in my life. What are we to do in the face of such evil?
Dispatches from a truck stop in the middle of goddamn nowhere
Dispatches from a truck stop in the middle of goddamn nowhere
Minneapolis Execution
Another person dead at the hands of ICE
www.firewalledmedia.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:41 PM
The cruelty of it. Cold-blooded. Never in my life. What are we to do in the face of such evil?
Dispatches from a truck stop in the middle of goddamn nowhere
Dispatches from a truck stop in the middle of goddamn nowhere
Reposted by Average Joe
An Aristocrats-style joke except the family bombs Venezuela and invades Canada and fucks Greenland in the ass, snuffs NATO and defiles its corpse, and at the end it's "the anti-interventionists!"
January 23, 2026 at 7:49 PM
An Aristocrats-style joke except the family bombs Venezuela and invades Canada and fucks Greenland in the ass, snuffs NATO and defiles its corpse, and at the end it's "the anti-interventionists!"
Reposted by Average Joe
Our library of pre-Code films has been eye-opening, jaw-dropping and overall amazing. Lionel Barrymore walking around, Gable no mustache, Norma Shearer breaking down barriers (and surprise sightings of Sterling Holloway). So, so, so much more. See them if you can!
January 22, 2026 at 11:09 PM
Our library of pre-Code films has been eye-opening, jaw-dropping and overall amazing. Lionel Barrymore walking around, Gable no mustache, Norma Shearer breaking down barriers (and surprise sightings of Sterling Holloway). So, so, so much more. See them if you can!
During America's Bicentennial, I saw "1776-1976" on plenty of things.
Fairly sure it’s unintentional, but the end date on this mug being sold by the Smithsonian does make it sound a little like they’re saying America dies in 2026…
January 19, 2026 at 10:35 PM
During America's Bicentennial, I saw "1776-1976" on plenty of things.
Search for Beauty (1934) starts out well enough, but then it takes a surprisingly bad turn. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
A ★½ review of Search for Beauty (1934)
The movie starts out as a pretty standard pre-Code film with a scam being run that involves pushing the boundaries of public acceptance (in this case, for sexy pictures in magazines). The movie has pl...
letterboxd.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Search for Beauty (1934) starts out well enough, but then it takes a surprisingly bad turn. #MovieReview #FilmSky
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
letterboxd.com/average_joe/...
Still true.
A comic from 2022 on the dangers of unaccountability and kicking the can down the road. As recent elections demonstrate, voting is still extremely important.
January 11, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Still true.