Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

I'll be back with the fallout from the election next week. But until then here's a Halloween Hangover episode of the show that consists of my appearance on Jason Myles' Pop Life. Toure Reed also joined the program. We talked about teen-campers in the woods horror movies from FRIDAY THE 13TH and SLEEPAWAY CAMP franchises to more obscure titles like THE BURNING, MADMAN, and CHEERLEADER CAMP. Toure gave his thoughts on Joss Wheadon's CABIN IN THE WOODS and its tongue-in-cheek "meta" approach to horror. Realize everyone is burned out from the election, so hopefully this episode will be some type of reprieve.

For the grand finale of this year’s Parallax Views Halloween-themed series, host J.G. Michael dives deep into the world of horror comics with none other than Stephen Bissette, legendary artist and penciler from Alan Moore’s iconic Saga of the Swamp Thing. In this episode, Bissette reveals the eerie origins and turbulent history of horror comics, starting with the foundational impact of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and its most well-known cover artist, Basil Gogos, which captivated a generation of horror enthusiasts. From there, the conversation explores the 1950s moral panic that vilified horror comics, leading to the creation of the restrictive Comics Code that effectively snuffed out horror comics for decades. Bissette and Michael delve into the legendary horror tales published by Warren with Creepy and Eerie, as well as EC Comics' iconic titles like Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror. The conversation highlights artists who shaped the genre, including Wally Wood and Gene Colan, whose work on Tomb of Dracula remains a horror classic. We also delve into the connection between the 60s/70s counterculture, underground comix, and horror comics by discussing the way in which horror comics were available in places like headshops in the 70s and how artists like the great Richard Corben of Heavy Metal fame worked in both the underground comix and horror comics spaces. Moving into his own groundbreaking work, Bissette discusses his boundary-pushing horror anthology series Taboo, a space where comics could embrace uncensored horror storytelling. They also explore Bissette’s acclaimed run on Swamp Thing, with a particular focus on the legendary issue "The Anatomy Lesson." Bissette recounts how the eerie villain Jason Woodrue, aka the Floronic Man, came to feature as the main antagonist in the first arc of his Swamp Thing and shares how he modeled the character's unsettling look on Peter Cushing’s portrayal in Hammer’s Frankenstein films. The conversation also covers the rebirth of gothic horror in the late 1950s, the cultural fascination with giant monster sci-fi films in the early 50s, and the impact of censorship in comics, drawing fascinating parallels to contemporary book bans by Christian nationalist groups. With an exploration of censorship's effects, the genre's evolution, and chilling themes still relevant today, this episode is packed with rich insights for horror lovers and comics fans alike.

In this Halloween "spooky season" episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, we delve into the unsettling world of true crime cinema with Chuck Parello, a filmmaker renowned for his work on notorious serial killer films. Parello began as the publicist for John McNaughton’s groundbreaking and controversial Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, which faced a grueling battle with the MPAA that refused to grant it an R-rating despite extensive cuts. J.G. and Chuck discuss the haunting power of Henry, the terrifyingly quiet portrayal of the titular character by Michael Rooker, and how the film isn’t a straightforward biopic of infamous killers Henry Lee Lucas, who came to be known as "The Confessions Killer" for fabricating many of his claims in exchange for special privileges, or Otis Toole but rather a unique examination of monstrous characters. Chuck then details his own sequel, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Part II, where Henry is drawn into the world of arsonists, shedding light on the creative origins of that choice. The conversation continues with Chuck’s film Ed Gein, which diverges from fictionalized films inspired by the Butcher of Plainfield—such as Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs—and instead stays grounded in the actual life and psyche of Ed Gein. Featuring Steve Railsback, known for his unnerving performance as Charles Manson in the 1970s TV miniseries Helter Skelter, Railsback’s portrayal of Gein is both unsettling and oddly tragic, showcasing a different side of the infamous killer. Chuck and J.G. also discuss The Hillside Strangler, a disturbing portrayal of Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono's deadly partnership, in which C. Thomas Howell and Nicholas Turturro take on chilling roles as the murderous cousins whose combined force drove them to escalate their crimes in late 1970s Los Angeles. Further, Chuck shares insights on his upcoming project on the Sunset Strip Killers/The Sunset Slayers (Doug Clark and Carol Bundy) and how he was originally was slated to direct the 2002 Ted Bundy biopic before Oingo Boingo’s Matthew Bright ended up with the job. They tackle ethical questions surrounding the portrayal of real-life killers, the potential for exploitation, and the cultural obsession with true crime, shedding light on the complex responsibilities of filmmakers in this genre. This episode is a must-listen for fans of horror, crime thrillers, and serial killer cinema, as it examines the artistry and ethics of bringing these haunting real-life tales to the screen.

Get ready for a spine-tingling dive into 1988’s cult horror classic Night of the Demons on the latest episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael! Kicking off the Halloween “spooky season” series, J.G. welcomes Chris MacGibbon of the Spooky Picture Show, a die-hard fan and researcher of Night of the Demons. Chris has delved deep into the film’s eerie legacy, speaking with the cast, unearthing behind-the-scenes stories, and contributing to the Blu-ray releases of Night of the Demons and its sequels. Together, they discuss what makes this iconic film—and its sequels and remakes—so unforgettable in horror history. Tune in as they explore everything from the haunting atmosphere and cult following to the demon-filled, blood-curdling thrills that keep fans returning to this Halloween favorite year after year. Among the topics covered: - The making of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS (1988), which was filmed on a low-budget over a few weeks with some of the shooting taking place in gangland territory - The on-set romance between special effects artist Steve Johnson and scream queen Linnea Quigley (who plays Suzanne in the film) after Johnson had to create a mold of Linnea's breasts - Australian director Brian Trenchard-Smith's NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2; although the first movie had comedic elements, NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2 dove into full-on horror farce territory - The strange and troubled history of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 3 in Canada and its connections to the children's horror TV shows Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps - The rather disliked 2009 remake/reimagining of NIGHT OF THE DEMONS starring American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth, Freddy Vs. Jason's Monica Keena, and Terminator 2's Edward Furlong - How NIGHT OF THE DEMONS director Kevin S. Tenney ended up working on the film after making the cult classic Witchboard - Republic Pictures and the unexpected success of Night of the Demons on the home video market - Amelia Kinkade, the actress who plays the goth-girl-turned-demon-possessed-villain-of-the-series Angela, and her other life as a pet psychic; also discussion of her awesome dance scenes in Night of the Demons and Night of the Demons 2 where she dances to the gothic post-punk band Bauhaus and the death metal band Morbid Angel! - And more!

In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, we dive into the world of private military companies (PMCs) with Morgan Lerette, author of Guns, Girls, and Greed: I Was a Blackwater Mercenary in Iraq. Morgan shares his firsthand experiences as a Blackwater mercenary in Iraq, offering candid thoughts and criticisms of Blackwater's controversial activities and its founder, Eric Prince. We explore Blackwater mercenaries' interactions with Iraqi civilians, diplomats, and fellow contractors, as well as Morgan's broader critiques of the PMC industry. The conversation also touches on journalist Jeremy Scahill's journalism that specialized in heavily criticizing Blackwater, along with unique anecdotes like female military personnel tanning around Saddam Hussein's palace, the day-to-day life and drudgery of a Blackwater employee, Christmas in Baghdad, how Morgan helped put a grifter who claimed to be a CIA operative in jail, and Iraqi kids selling Morgan bootleg copies of Star Wars movies and adult. Don't miss this in-depth discussion on the gritty realities of war, mercenary culture, and the ethics of private military operations.

On this edition of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, we dive into the world of climate science and denial with acclaimed author David Lipsky, discussing his latest book, The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial. Lipsky's narrative unravels the journey from the early days of climate awareness to the rise of misinformation and denialism that has shaped public perception and policy today. Lipsky explores the prophetic warnings of global warming, like the New York Times' 1956 prediction of parrots in the Antarctic, and the contrasting spectacle of Senator James Inhofe's 2010 igloo on the Washington Mall, mocking climate change with a sign reading, "Al Gore's New Home: Honk If You Love Climate Change." The discussion highlights the groundbreaking work of James Hansen, an academic at Columbia University who was an important voice warning the world about the dangers of climate change and serves as one of the real life heroes in Lipsky's book. We delve into Hansen's involvement in the Pioneer Venus project and how research into Venus's atmosphere helped scientists understand the catastrophic potential of a runaway greenhouse effect—a scenario he feared could threaten Earth’s future, driving him to speak out for the sake of his grandchildren. We also delve into the role of big business in science denial, with a focus on the tobacco industry and the Phillip Morris Science Action Plan. Lipsky illustrates how tactics developed by the tobacco industry to spread doubt about the dangers of smoking were later adapted to promote climate denial. Companies used these methods to create uncertainty around the scientific consensus on global warming, employing PR strategies that aimed to manipulate public perception. Lipsky brings to light the financial interests and industries that fueled climate denial propaganda, referencing the controversial 2007 documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle. He introduces the concept of "The 25," the key figures in climate denialism, a term inspired by Steven Milloy's admission that there were only "25 of us" fighting against climate science. Lipsky traces how these denialists, some with backgrounds in defending tobacco, transitioned to spreading disinformation tied to the oil industry. The episode also touches on Lipsky's thought-provoking hypothesis about societal complicity in climate denial. While J.G. Michael suggests that powerful entities like the oil industry and groups such as the Moonies were actively pushing climate skepticism, Lipsky adds that society at large may have subconsciously wanted the denialists to be right because of our dependence on fossil fuels. He suggests that instead of taking collective action, we find it easier to blame oil companies and denialists, ignoring our own unwillingness to make lifestyle changes. This, however, is not to say that Lipsky let's oil companies and interest groups off the hook, but rather points at the way we, as a society, have failed to take action when it comes to the warming of our planet. We discuss the years of inaction on climate change by Republican administrations and the Democratic Party’s missed opportunities, specifically during the presidency of Barack Obama. Despite organized climate denial losing ground in recent years, societal action on climate change remains insufficient. Figures like Bjorn Lomborg and Dr. Timothy Ball have faded into obscurity, yet Lipsky argues that our lack of decisive action indicates that we, as a society, might now be the ones in denial. Finally, we examine the influence of Republican pollster Frank Luntz, who reframed the conversation by popularizing the term "climate change" to make the issue seem less alarming and downplay the urgency of global warming. Join us for a conversation that covers the heroes and villains of climate science, the spread of disinformation, and how the American character has played a role in this tragicomic battle for the truth. Whether you're a climate advocate or curious about the history of climate skepticism, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most critical issues of our time.

Recovering from Hurricane Milton. Please accept my apologies for not being able to post a new episode. I am safe but need a few days of mental vacation giving the nerve-wracking past few days. On this edition of Parallax Views, we delve into the explosive story of a software company and corporate landlords accused of engaging in a criminal conspiracy to artificially jack-up prices in the U.S. rental housing market. Lee Hepner of the American Economic Liberties Project joins the show to discuss the scandal-plagued software company RealPage and algorithmic price-fixing in the U.S. rental housing market as well as what was recently described in The Atlantic as the emerging "AI Price Fixing Dystopia". We'll talk about how the relationship between vacancies and rental prices has changed since the introduction of software of the kind RealPage is selling, the significance of the RealPage antitrust case, and how scandals like this tie into the issue of evictions and homelessness. We'll also delve into broader issues related to cartels and the threat monopoly capital poses to U.S. consumers, the Google antitrust lawsuit and Judge Amit Mehta ruling that Google is a monopolist in violation of antitrust laws, the significance of the Google antitrust lawsuit and what could come of it, the Federal Trade Commision's Lina Khan and Department of Justice Jonathan Kanter & the antirust project, how price fixing also ties into food and airline prices, countering anti-antitrust propaganda, the concept of "greedflation" as the cause of inflation, and much, much more.

On this edition of of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, British reporter and book critic Samuel McIlhagga joins to dissect Anne Applebaum's latest work, Autocracy Inc., and his critique of it in his Jacobin article, "Anne Applebaum’s Dystopia of Rules." Together, they explore Applebaum's analysis of rising authoritarianism, her framing of the battle between democracy and autocracy, and how her perspective may overlook key complexities. McIlhagga challenges Applebaum's conclusions while agreeing with some parts of her general analysis, offering a deeper critique of the political narrative she builds, particularly in the context of global politics today. Amongst the topics we cover are NATO, multipolarity and the concept of the multipolar world, France's Emmanuel Macron and European intellectuals/political figures preparing for a world where Europe won't be able to rely on the U.S. (especially in the case of a 2nd Donald Trump Presidency in the White House), autocratic states that are U.S. allies vs. autocratics states that are U.S. enemies, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Latin America, the post-WWII order, geopolitical tensions, thinkers adjacent to Applebaum like Timothy Snyder, the Middle East, Israel/Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, and much, much more.

In this episode of Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael, historian Brandan P. Buck discusses his Reason magazine article, "Rachel Maddow's Prequel Is a Deceptively Framed History of the Radical Right." Buck critiques Maddow's portrayal of a Nazi Fifth Column attempting to influence America in the lead-up to WWII, arguing that while Nazi spies and groups like the Silver Shirts existed, their influence on U.S. non-interventionist sentiments is overstated. Citing sources like noted Holocaust historian Deborah Lipstadt’s book Beyond Belief, Buck challenges Maddow’s claims. He also emphasizes how antiwar opinions in the U.S. were shaped by the American experience of WWI and argues that Maddow does not highlight how that experience informed anti-interventionist sentiments prior to U.S. entry into WWII. Additionally, the episode explores Maddow's overestimation of groups like the Silver Shirts and the American Bund, whose actual membership was far smaller than her claims of widespread influence. This is not a defense of anti-interventionism during WWII but a critique of media oversimplification and historical distortion. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of U.S. antiwar movements, media narratives, and the importance of accurately framing historical events.

Musa al-Gharbi, a sociologist and author, dives deep into the complex cultural contradictions of today's elite in the wake of the woke vs. anti-woke debates. He discusses symbolic capital's pivotal role in shaping ideologies and critique of both sides' superficially transformative activism. Al-Gharbi also dissects the shortcomings of corporate diversity training and how polarization undermines social justice advocacy. Reflecting on the impact of digital advancements, he urges for a balance between control and freedom in this era.