One of my favorite movies to watch when I want to mix up mystery and humor is “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” a 1986 film starring Whoopi Goldberg as a bank worker named Terry Doolittle who uses a computer to help international clients with their transactions. She finds herself in a bit of trouble when she connects…

The children of the 1980s most likely remember the synthetic, musical sounds from video games. Whether it’s the dungeon theme from “The Legend of Zelda” or the overworld theme from “Super Mario Brothers,” the jingles stay with you. More than 40 years later, video games have evolved considerably since then, and so has the music…

Dinner can be an event when you have it somewhere besides your dining room. When you go to a familiar restaurant, you tend to take comfort in the fact that the food will (almost) always be excellent. When you go to a restaurant you’ve never patronized, it can be an adventure as you try the…

Recently, the Jim Henson film “Labyrinth” returned to movie theaters for a limited run. Originally, I thought it was for a milestone anniversary, probably the 40th, but I was surprised when I realized the movie had come out in 1986. Instead, Columbia Pictures, which produced the film, was celebrating 100 years. “Labyrinth” was a departure…

I must have missed the memo that Pride month meant we had to stay as far away from the police as possible and that we had to party like it’s 1969. Singer Sam Smith apparently missed the memo, as well, as they posted a photo on June 26 on Instagram page being flirty with a…

Mars has much to answer for. About this time last year, I penned a blog post about the changes that the candy company was making to its M&M spokescandies, not differentiating between male and female characters anymore, changing their personalities and even giving their footwear a makeover. At the time, I pointed out that we…

Flags are an integral part of life, no matter where you go. Obviously, the most common around is our star-spangled banner known as the American flag. Flags can often evoke a sense of pride. Unfortunately, it seems like flags also generate other emotions like anger and shame, and that’s where I have a problem. On…

Last month, it seemed like a time for rejoicing with the Respect for Marriage Act. While it wasn’t a ringing endorsement for same-sex marriage, it did codify that if one state conferred two people with the same gender a marriage license, that marriage needed to be recognized in the other 49. People came together and…

There’s a line in “Star Wars” that resonates with many people even after 45 years. When Obi-Wan Kenobi faces off in a light saber battle against Darth Vader, he warns: “If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” It’s a powerful line that sets up the subsequent films…

It never seems to fail. Every year, I seem to find at least one thing that is hell bent on taking the Christmas holiday, where everyone is expecting peace and goodwill, and turn it into an epic “Bah, humbug” that will still be remembered when the grandchildren are populating this world. Of course, it’s unusual…

I’ve lived a pretty decent life. I get to put my writing and photography talents to work almost daily with my job at a newspaper, and I use them for other purposes, too, such as writing books and taking photos at random times. I might not be rich, but I’m doing what I enjoy. Of…