Andyland, USA

    It’s that early morning window when you’re not entirely sure if you’re dreaming or awake yet. Your mind drifts. You feel rested for the first time in a long time. You’re still trying to figure out things as you slip into consciousness. “What day is this? I have no clue. I don’t recall the last time I slept so well.” You also note that the house is quiet suddenly, really quiet. “Huh, I can’t hear the air conditioner or the radio I had on when I fell asleep last night.”       You hear your phone make a sound, and you realize that the power has gone out. You slowly open your eyes and see the ceiling fan is still moving, but slowing to a stop. “Huh, I wonder what caused the power to go out?” You think. You can’t hear any rain going on, there hasn’t been any thunder. “Maybe just a power surge, but that usually pops right back on and this has been off for a bit.”       If you’re anything like me, you have a brain that tends to take simpl...

The collaborative efforts of British filmmakers Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger are among some of the most celebrated films ever made. In their homeland, the films the pair made together are often considered to be among the finest films to ever come out of Britain. Together, Powell & Pressburger shared the credits of producer, writer, and director on 24 films they made between 1939 and 1972—usually under the production moniker of  “The Archers.”   Some of their more celebrated films include: “The Life and Death of Col. Blimp,” “The Red Shoes,” “Black Narcissus,” and the film I’m going to talk about today, newly released on blu-ray by The Criterion Collection, 1946’s “A Matter of Life and Death.” I first saw “A Matter of Life and Death” earlier this year at the behest of a dear friend. Simply put, the movie floored me. Between the amazing color pallet—that I’ve never quite seen any other movie achieve—the story, the acting, this was one of those films tha...

"Hey There, Andy!" is dead--long live "Hey There, Andy!" When I began this blog years ago, it was to be a web archive for my Batteries Not Included column that appeared in The Loafer. At the time I called it "Hey There, Andy!" as I just liked how it sounded and wanted to get things up and running as quickly as possible. But since then things changed, the web presence for my column got better, I got busy with other things, my dad got sick, and I started to refer to the hub as all things I do as "Andyland, USA."  So it came time to do something about "Hey There, Andy!" Frankly, the name didn't serve me anymore. So, folks, stay with me as I introduce the new coat-o-paint on the place, and dub this Andyland, USA! You'll see a lot more of my usual shenanigans here in the future. I just hope you'll continue to support me on this crazy ride of putting the words together. Hugs and kisses, Your Humble Mayor, ...