Reviews

AFI Top 100 #021 Chinatown

TLS investigates a complex web of murders, real estate deals, incest and cover-ups in 1930s Los Angeles. Forget all those other noir films, it’s Chinatown. [Aggregate score: 10]

AFI Top 100 #085: A Night at the Opera

Operatic hijinks ensue as TLS covers the second (and better) Marx Brothers movie on the AFI list, A Night at the Opera.
[Aggregate score: 7.6]

AFI Top 100 #062: American Graffiti

TLS travels back to 1962 to discuss number 62 on the AFI, George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” The Wolfman says, have a popsicle! [Aggregate score 6.75]

Literature: The Game of Smash and Recovery by Kelly Link

TLS grapples with the problems of A.I. and identity in this intriguing although often opaque short sci-fi story. [Aggregate score: 7.5]

Literature: The Effluent Engine by N.K. Jemisin

Sail away on a methane-powered dirigible with TLS as we embark on a steampunk spy thriller/romance in this story. [Aggregate score: 7]

AFI Top 100 #033: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

TLS gets themselves committed in order to review this AFI film about life in a psyche ward. [Aggregate score: 9.75]

Literature: You, Disappearing by Alexandra Kleeman

We attempt to hold onto what we’ve got while it lasts during a review of this dreamily evocative short story.
[Aggregate score: 8.25]

AFI Top 100 #009: Vertigo

The Signals start to experience some unsteady, and some may say even nauseous, feelings over highly acclaimed Hitchcock classic, Vertigo.
[Aggregate score: 7.6]

AFI Top 100 #060 Duck Soup

TLS endures the Marx Brothers’ satirical political shtick-storm that is “Duck Soup.” We never forget a movie, but in this case we’ll make an exception, with a hey-nani-nani and a *honk honk.* [Aggregate score: 2.25]


Literature: The Junky’s Christmas by William S. Burroughs

TLS taps the vein of “The Junky’s Christmas.” William S. Burroughs’ bittersweet tale of a down-on-his-luck addict during the holidays, and to determine whether he/they are filled with the Christmas spirit, or the Grim Reaper. [Aggregate score: 9.25]