Howdy readers!

I have emerged from my cloister of doctoral studies with a couple of exciting announcements!

First, last month I had a feature published on StarTrek.com: “Wesley Crusher, Nog, and the College Students of Tomorrow.” It is along the lines of my Ivy On Celluloid series about higher education on film. Check it out if you are interested! I’m personally pretty happy with how it turned out.

Second, I just started a side gig that I am pretty excited about. I’m happy to have joined the team at the the Alamo Drafthouse in Raleigh, NC, which features the absolutely fabulous bar/video rental venue Video Vortex. Long-time readers might recall my Bargain Bin(ge) features, where I reviewed physical media stores and rental outfits across the country, as well as Clerk Picks, where I had my local clerks at Columbus, OH’s Video Central (RIP) pick movies for me to review. Needless to say, I’m excited to be on the other side of the desk now as a concierge.

For those not aware of the Alamo Drafthouse chain of movie theaters, they are a beloved pioneer in the cinema business for their dedication to a strict no-talking and no-phone policy, their frequent retro screenings, zany interactive movie parties, and food/drink offerings with in-theater service. Drafthouse Films, an associated distribution company, has been responsible for re-releasing a couple of movies I’ve covered over the years: Roar and Miami Connection.

Additionally, I’m planning to do a little more writing here over the summer months between the semesters. In the meantime, if you are in Raleigh, swing by the Alamo for a movie, or pick up a VHS/DVD like the good ol’ times at Video Vortex.  Two films can be checked out at a time for no fee if you have them back within 7 days, which has already been pretty handy for me.  I’ve been working through the catalog, and there is quite a wealth of high-quality and hard-to-find movies in the collection. You can even rent a VCR if you don’t still have one you can dust off!