Miracle Mindset

 Written By: Ken Hulsey As a child growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I heard the haunting tale of the Ditch Witch, also known as La Llorona or The Weeping Woman, recounted around campfires and during sleepovers countless times. While the details varied, the core narrative remained the same - a young mother who, scorned by her lover, tragically drowned her own children. Now eternally cursed, the woman's spirit wanders the banks of the Rio Grande, forever lamenting and searching for her lost offspring.

In Search of...: A Journey into the Mysterious If you have a curiosity for the unexplained, you might remember the captivating television series In Search of... that aired from 1977 to 1982. This show took viewers on a thrilling journey through a world filled with mysterious phenomena, tapping into our innate desire to explore the unknown. It all began with the creative genius of Alan Landsburg, who produced three intriguing documentaries: In Search of Ancient Astronauts in 1973, and In Search of Ancient Mysteries and The Outer Space Connection in 1975. Each of these projects featured the iconic narration of Rod Serling, who many hoped would lead the spin-off show. After his untimely passing, Leonard Nimoy stepped in, bringing his own unique charm to the series as the host.

 Written By Ken Hulsey AND SO, IN EVERY SCENE OF OUR STAR TREK STORY... ...translate it into a real life situation. Or, sometimes as useful, try it in your mind as a scene in GUNSMOKE, NAKED CITY, or some similar show. Would you believe the people and the scene if it happened there? IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE WHO ANSWERS: "THE CHARACTER ACTS THAT WAY BECAUSE IT'S SCIENCE FICTION", DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU.  - The Star Trek Guide: Third Revision - April 17, 1967

Written By Ken Hulsey This has been a profoundly sentimental week for me. It all started when I discovered that an old friend from my church congregation used to live in my hometown of Whittier, California. Before the first service, I found myself reminiscing about the local landmarks with her, which stirred up a deep sense of homesickness. From that point on, everything I encountered seemed to trigger memories of my California roots. It probably doesn't help that I frequently wander around Louisiana wearing my Dodgers baseball cap.

Written By Ken Hulsey In this hilarious Mel Brooks spoof of Westerns, crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes the first black sheriff of the frontier town of Rock Ridge, which is about to be destroyed to make way for a new railroad. Initially, the townspeople harbor racial biases against their unconventional new leader. However, they warm to Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder) after realizing they are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population. This ribald and irreverent classic pokes fun at the Western genre and its tropes, sparing no one and nothing.

 Written by Ken Hulsey This morning I was going through more of my photos from the Monster Island News archive when I stumbled across this one of the puppet used for 'Grumpy' the Tyrannosaurus who menaced the Marshall family in the 70s Saturday morning science fiction series Land of the Lost. I believe that the image originally came from a 1998 Sid & Marty Krofft memorabilia auction when it was sold to a private collector.

Back in the 1970s, the movies had it all: planes were crashing down from the heavens, towering infernos, tales of world destruction, bad-ass cops, a cowboy in a Trans Am running beer across the south, King Kong, Godzilla, intergalactic wars, car chases, car crashes, and, in the case of todays featured trailer a passenger train crashing trough the Chicago rail terminal.

"Woman... woe-man... whoooa-man. She was a thief, you gotta believe, she stole my heart and my cat. Betty, Judy, Josie and those hot Pussycats... they make me horny, Saturday morny... girls of cartoo-ins will leave me in ruins... I want to be Betty's Barney. Hey Jane... get me off this crazy thing... called love.

Written By Ken Hulsey Monster movie fans often have fond memories of 200-foot-tall creatures like Godzilla, King Kong, Rodan, Mothra, and Varan stomping on buildings as terrified townspeople flee in terror. However, the unsung hero who brought these iconic monsters to life has rarely received credit - Haruo Nakajima, a Japanese actor who donned the heavy rubber costumes from 1954 to 1972 to portray Toho's most famous movie monsters.

 Story by Ken Hulsey I've been digging through my archives looking for interesting images to post. Since I've been writing about movies and television for well over twenty years, I have amassed a collection of hundreds of images, so weeding through all of them has been quite challenging. My main problem was simply finding a starting point.  

Written By: Ken Hulsey In my many attempts to review classic films, I often pass over really great movies, sometimes even passing over some of my personal favorites, to tie themes and past topics together. One such film that I have regrettably passed over, for far too long, is the 1986 action/comedy "Big Trouble in Little China". For those of you out there who know me pretty well, you understand that "Big Trouble" is one of my all-time favorite movies, so the fact that I have chosen it to begin getting back to talking about older films should come as no surprise.

Unraveling the Web: Why 'Spider-Noir' is the Ultimate Nostalgic Thrill Ride! Written By Ken Hulsey Terri and I have a new show that we are hooked on, and we stumbled upon it quite by accident. I was actually searching on Amazon Prime for a new documentary series for both of us to watch since we had just finished watching two really good ones by Ken Burns, Louis & Clark, and The American Buffalo, and the advertising for Spider-Noir ( Watch now on Prime Video ) was the first thing that popped up. I was waiting on Terri to finish up in the kitchen, so I watched the trailer for the show and immediately became interested. 

 Photo and Story by Ken Hulsey Sometimes in life, things don’t go as planned. Today, I took a deep dive into my photo archives and resurfaced with a long-forgotten treasure. The above image features the late-night horror host Mr. Lobo standing in front of a statue of the Japanese superhero, Ultraman. This photo was taken outside the famed Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Before I get caught up in the story behind this image, I think it’s a good idea to provide some background on Mr. Lobo and his show, Cinema Insomnia. This information comes straight from the archives of my old blog, Monster Island News:

The Mandalorian: A Journey Through the Stars and a Quest for Belonging The Star Wars universe has captivated audiences for decades, and at the heart of this vast galaxy is a tale of adventure, loyalty, and identity. "The Mandalorian," a beloved series that debuted on Disney+, invites viewers into the life of a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin, affectionately known as Mando, who finds purpose amidst chaos.

 The Enduring Magic of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" For classic rock fans, few albums resonate as profoundly as Fleetwood Mac's iconic record, "Rumours." Released on February 4, 1977, this eleventh studio album not only helped define the sound of the late '70s but also showcased the band's personal and creative dynamics. Hailing from both British and American backgrounds, Fleetwood Mac's unique blend of rock, folk, and pop has captivated audiences for decades.

Discovering Albuquerque’s Revitalized Route 66 Motels From: Visit Albuquerque If you’re looking for a nostalgic travel experience with a modern twist, consider booking a night at one of Albuquerque’s revitalized Route 66 motels. This iconic roadway has long been synonymous with American road trips, and its heart beats through the vibrant hospitality scene of Albuquerque . By the 1960s, Central Avenue, which traces the historic path of Route 66 , was lined with over 100 motels, many of which have been transformed into stylish hospitality options that pay homage to their storied past while providing modern amenities.

  The Magic of Ray Harryhausen: Master of Stop-Motion Animation in Fantasy Film For fans of fantasy movies, few names resonate as profoundly as Ray Harryhausen. His pioneering work in stop-motion animation has enchanted audiences for decades, creating some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history. From sword-fighting skeletons in "Jason and the Argonauts" to mythical creatures in "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad," Harryhausen's creations have inspired generations of filmmakers and fans alike.

As I rumaged through my 90s music playlist on Spotify today, nostalgia washed over me, taking me back to a time when rock music felt raw and real. The early 1990s were marked by an intensity that resonated through the airwaves, a sonic reflection of a world grappling with societal changes. In that era, while many leaned into angst and rebellion, Suzanne Vega emerged as a unique voice with her 1992 album, 99.9 F°, which showcased a significant evolution in her sound and style, bridging folk and rock with a distinctly experimental twist.

Written By Ken Hulsey  A video from Looper that circulated a few years ago, rather accurately depicts just how popular and life-changing an experience seeing Star Wars back in 1977 actually was.  Before I share that video, I want to share my very own experience. The first ever image that I ever saw from Star Wars appeared on a fellow classmate's school folder. It was a scene from the film that featured two Imperial Stormtroopers in combat. I didn't know anything about the movie; in fact, I didn't even know that the characters I was looking at were called Stormtroopers. In fact, I'm sure that I thought that they were supposed to be robots. It honestly didn't matter. From that one image, I knew that I had to see Star Wars. Those two Imperial Troopers were the coolest thing my ten-year-old eyes had ever seen!