A Social Theory of Burn Notice

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us..."

"...are looking at the stars."
-- Oscar Wilde

February 8, 2010

Price: Your 2¢

This site is updated Thursday afternoon with a new article about an artistic pursuit generally considered to be beneath consideration. James Schellenberg probes science-fiction, Carol Borden draws out the best in comics, Chris Szego dallies with romance and Ian Driscoll stares deeply into the screen. Click here for their bios and individual takes on the gutter. Our Guest Stars shine here

While the writers have considerable enthusiasm for their subjects, they don't let it numb their critical faculties. Tossing away the shield of journalistic objectivity and refusing the shovel of fannish boosterism, they write in the hopes of starting honest and intelligent discussions about these oft-enjoyed but rarely examined artforms. Contact us here.

Recent Features

In Living Colour

This last month at the Gutter, we've been mixing things up, with the editors writing outside of their usual domains. This week, instead of romance, Chris Szego will talk about movies or comics. Hey, wait! How about movies AND comics? Or rather, comic book movies?

Recently, the theatre’s been a good place for comics. Not just because amazing special effects are possible and seamless, but because there's something else at work: studios are beginning to value the kind of stories comics tell. Okay, it's probably more accurate to say that studios value the immense returns on good comic book movies, but still. Working together, writers and actors are seriously raising the bar when it comes to bringing comics to screen. Which is a good thing (Anyone out there besides me ever see Captain America? If you said no, count yourself lucky).

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Science Fiction Again

empire 80.jpg It's been years since I've read any straight-up science-fiction. You know, the classic stuff by authors like Arthur C. Clarke or Robert Heinlein or Isaac Asimov. But I got back into it recently through A.E. Van Vogt, having picked-up a used copy of Empire of the Atom.

Asian Western Round Up

Tears showdown 80.jpg

This month we're mixing it up at the Gutter with each editor writing about something outside their usual domain. This week Carol Borden writes about movies. She can normally be found here.

The world is clamoring for more Asian Westerns. Or at least I am. I'm talking Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Korean Westerns.

They seem like the best ones around. So saddle up and let's ride.

Forgetful?

A Social Theory of Burn Notice

by James Schellenberg

Grant McCracken posits an “enmeshed male” theory of Burn Notice and a few of the other entertaining shows on the USA Network.

Chuck your 2¢ into the Gutter

A Social Theory of Burn Notice - The Cultural Gutter

Paw through our archives

Science Fiction ~ Videogames ~ Comics ~ Screen ~ Romance ~ Movies ~ Main ~

Pitch in yours.

Of Note Elsewhere

The small pleasures of gaming: Red Dead Redemption and Q*bert.
~The New York Asian Film Festival is coming up and actors Sammo Hung and Simon Yam will be in attending their films Kung Fu Chefs, Bodyguards and Assassins, Echoes of the Rainbow and Eastern Condors. But even if you can't make it, it's worth checking out the films and trailers for the Hong Kong/China and Korea/Thailand/Indonesia line-ups. Yes, Merantau will be playing. Plus, giant killer pig!
~

In the interest of Science: gallery of anatomical drawings of yokai, Japanese folk monsters. Hopefully, no actual yokai were harmed in making these drawings.

~They look a little Social Realist and a little inspiring: Geometric portraits of superheroes.
~

Another reason to love This American Life. Joss Whedon performs part of the commentary track for Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog. (via Film School Rejects)

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