Shamrockskullscarabs - Shamrocks, Skulls & Scarabs

Ready to pounce an unseen victim or victims, the tiger draws our attention to it first before our minds wander to the raging storm and billowing vegetation in the background and foreground. It is an inspirational, haunting piece on the powers of desperation or determination, where our subject drags us in its devotion to the point of ignoring everything else that's happening elsewhere.

Perhaps that was the mind-state that Henri Rousseau was experiencing at the time of the painting's creation. A late bloomer in the art scene, he could have been desperate or determined enough to make a breakthrough into the art world. And that desperation or determination is poured into the painting where despite the dangers of the raging storm, our tiger is either very desperate or very hungry for food. Either way, it is a very dangerous mix to have that state of mind.

Perhaps, it was a good thing that his artwork was accepted at the Salon des Independants. Wonder what would have happened if the painting was rejected again, in that state of his?

Henri Rousseau, Tiger in a Tropical Storm, 1891.

Catcalling :3

"Your handwriting. the way you walk. which china pattern you choose. it's all giving you away. everything you do shows your hand. everything is a self portrait. everything is a diary."

Chuck Palahniuk

The Sandman (2022)

For those who have read the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman, watching this adaptation is akin to being Destiny of the Endless and his book, albeit a different variant. We are merely spectators in the grand scheme of things and it is not in our will nor power to change the events unfolding before us. In this variant, The Sandman (2022) adapts the first two collections of the Sandman comics, Preludes and Nocturnes (Issues 1 - 8) and The Doll's House (Issues 9 - 16). There are a total of 75 issues totaling 10 collections, so expect a few more seasons to come for this dreamy show.

Overall, I would say this is quite a successful adaptation of this brilliant series by Neil Gaiman. Each cast member brings their all to make this adaptation a memorable one. Tom Sturridge remarkably plays the physically powerful yet emotionally vulnerable Dream of the Endless, and Boyd Holbrook brilliantly plays the deadly yet seductive serpent the Corinthian. Even Kirby Howell-Baptiste, who played Dream's older sister Death, delivers a stunning performance despite appearing in only one episode. Honestly, the entire show is just brilliant from its cast to its cinematography. I can't wait for the next season to come to Netflix. I can only dream it will be as brilliant as this one.

Sweet Dreams.

I would watch it.

Suitable for inducting future children of the night into the horror genre, for horror fans new and old, this film is an essential viewing featuring horror icon Bela Lugosi in the titular role of Dracula.

Overall, this film has quite the suspenseful cinematographic atmosphere though it can feel a bit stiff and disconnected at times. Some of my favorite scenes involve Dracula getting out of his coffin under his creepy crypt or when the camera focuses on his eyes when he compels his victims. Honestly, Lugosi brings out the Stranger Danger!!! bell warnings every time he appears on the screen.

Aside from Bela Lugosi, I personally felt that Dwight Frye and Edward Van Sloan, who played Renfield and Dr. Van Helsing respectively, really stole the show with their acting especially Frye when portraying Renfield's madness. Sloan really brings out Dr. Van Helsing's confidence in dealing with Dracula with his arsenal of crosses and wolfsbane.

The entire movie is roughly over an hour so it's a good pick for a quick horror sesh and as I've said before, due to the lack of blood and at most, suggestive biting from Dracula himself, the movie can be a good introduction to young minds ready to be warped into the horror genre.

Happy Hauntings!

“The best aid for supplication is humility.”

— Imam Ali (a.s.), Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9945

Bookstore in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1899. 

‘Our Town’s Libraries’ which I drew for the @nytimes recently… Speaking of libraries, I have a new book out titled REVENGE OF THE LIBRARIANS and I am visiting Brooklyn NY, Philadelphia PA, and Columbus OH with it in the next week. Visit tomgauld.com for details…

Encounter 

by Felix Riano