Who the heck is Lisa Ciurro? Why is she writing a PCR column? What is she
going to write about? These are all valid questions and I'll do my best to
answer them here.
Let me start off with who I'm NOT. I'm not a filmmaker, actor, book author
or screenwriter. I'm not a scholar, professional critic or an expert of
any kind. I've never seen Scarface, Let's Scare Jessica To Death, Phantasm
or M. I've never read anything by Robert Heinlein, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
or Voltaire. Sometimes I start a book and never finish it. I cover my
eyes (but peek through my fingers) during the gory parts of scary movies.
I have no idea what kind of camera a particular filmmaker used for a
certain movie and I don't really care.
What I am is a pop culture enthusiast, plain and simple. I love to read
and to watch movies and TV and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Yes, I read
Moby Dick of my own free will a few years ago, but most recently I read a
supernatural thriller about a woman who could communicate with dead people.
Yes, I frequently watch The History Channel and The Discovery Channel, but
I also watch plenty of USA, SpikeTV, E! and VH-1. There are three DVDs
stacked next to my TV at home: The Searchers, Rebel Without a Cause and
Reno 911! Miami. My tastes don't fit neatly into established categories
and I don't understand those who refuse to watch or read anything outside
their comfort zones. You can't like it if you don't try it.
This leads into the next question of why I'm writing a weekly column for
PCR. The main reason is that I'm bubbling over with enthusiasm for movies,
TV and books and writing this column is more socially acceptable than
standing on a street corner praising Stargate and John Saul. That, plus
Nolan said I could.
I plan to write a lot about books. In addition to the many talented local
filmmakers we know and love (and argue with), there are dozens of talented
authors in the Tampa Bay area. There are also local authors who aren't
quite so talented (just like with local filmmakers), but they deserve
acknowledgement as well. To me, writing a book or short story or making a
film is an accomplishment in and of itself. I'll review a wide range of
genres and authors, with a focus on sci-fi/fantasy/horror fiction by local
authors.
I also hope to explore why certain genres of film and fiction seem to draw
mostly men. Where are all the women and what can we do to make fans out of
them? Is it the "fan boy" mentality? Is it the sexism often found in
sci-fi and horror? Is it the techno-babble? Is it genetic? Am I really
so odd because I love horror movies? I have no idea but I hope to find out.
I might also write about my favorite TV shows, infamous cult cinema
directors, books that have been turned into movies, or the new shade of
lipstick I just purchased. Who knows? You'll have to read this column
each week to find out. (I promise I was joking about the lipstick thing.)
"FANGRRL" is ©2007 by Lisa Ciurro. All graphics, except where otherwise noted, are creations of Nolan B. Canova. All contents of Nolan's Pop Culture Review are ©2007 by Nolan B. Canova.
