RYAN MEYER
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NOTHING PEAK BLOG

4: Poetry Review: "Pansy," by Andrea Gibson

8/25/2018

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store.andreagibson.com
I’ll start off by saying that Andrea Gibson is one of my all-time favorite poets. Their words have struck a chord with me from the first time I listened to “Staircase” and “Photograph” when I was in high school, and since then, I’ve seen them live twice, own a few of their books, and have met them in person and given them a big hug. Andrea is kind, sincere, and vulnerable, and they use those qualities to their advantage in their work, allowing lightning to strike, charging every line with powerful energy. With the announcement of their newest book of poems Lord of the Butterflies releasing this fall, I wanted to post a review of my favorite collection of theirs, Pansy.  
 
Pansy (2015) is a collection that grabs the reader by the hand and whisks them away into a world that doesn’t hold back. Pansy teaches them that, in order to survive, they mustn’t hold back, either. This is our world, one that leaves its mark on us in many ways, sometimes physical, sometimes painful. While Andrea does write and speak with beautiful metaphors and imagery in a calming voice that hugs you hard and holds you close, their poems remind us that yes, these are poems, but they are also snippets of a life. It is clear that Andrea has lived a rollercoaster of a life, but through it all, they still have the beautiful view in the distance in their peripheral. Amongst poems of heartbreak, sexual identity, and social upset, there are pieces that pay homage to Gibson’s dog Squash, for example, cooing, “Never had a better reason to / stop playing dead than that day / I saw your face at the shelter: / your little nose / pressed against the cold glass / staring up at me / like I was a gay Noah’s Ark.”
 
I still think about the poem “The Madness Vase, AKA The Nutritionist,” an ode to life that cries to the heavens a culmination of hurt shared between us all, as the world cries back in the shapes of life and loss. But hope still peers through the cracks in each of Gibson’s works. “What I know about living is the pain / is never just ours. / Every time I hurt I know / the wound is an echo, so I keep listening / for the moment the grief becomes a window, / when I can see what I couldn’t see before.”
 
I’d list every poem in the book, but if I had to pick some of my favorites besides those I’ve mentioned already: “Elbows,” “Angels of the Get-Through,” “To the Men Catcalling My Girlfriend While I’m Walking Beside Her,” “Plum,” and “Truce.”
 
I could talk about each of Andrea’s poems, examining every sentence and every line. But I recommend reading them for yourself, even listening to the audio tracks on the album versions as you read along. Only then can you truly feel the emotions that are wrung from this poet’s hard-working lungs. I have learned a lot, not only about poetry and spoken-word, but also about myself, through their writing.
 
There are so many words to say but no way to say them, without quoting each of their works to relay my feelings about them. I felt the same way when I met Andrea, a few years ago; barely able to formulate sentences because I had so much to say, I simply asked for a hug, and I wish I could give them a hug for each poem I’ve read of theirs, because they deserve it, for both their hardships and their achievements. Pick up a copy of Pansy, and don’t put it down, but maybe keep a box of tissues nearby, just in case. 

- Ryan

Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here. ​
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3: 5 Best Horror Movies to Watch With Friends

8/10/2018

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This past week was National Friendship Day. What screams “friendship” more than a good ol’ scary movie with some pals? If you’re anything like me, nearly any horror movie is at least entertaining to watch, if not a genuinely good film. It’s hard to find those in the horror genre. What’s even harder, though, is finding a movie that you can invite your friends, horror-lovers and non-horror-lovers alike, to watch. For example, you probably won’t invite just anyone to watch 2016’s literary period piece The Witch (or “The VVitch,” if you’re annoying). Robert Eggers’ slow-burn demonic drama isn’t a popcorn flick, and isn’t necessarily something you can chill out with friends and enjoy; nor is it a good background-noise film for parties. That’s not to say not just anyone can enjoy it, but you need to know what you’re in for, and I wouldn’t consider it “fun.” It’s not party friendly! But hopefully I can help, if you’re trying to plan a movie night that you can enjoy with friends of many tastes. Here are my top five. 

5. Friday the 13th
​(dir. Sean S. Cunningham, 1980)

A classic is always a good way to go. If you’re hosting a gathering and you’re playing a classic for friends, chances are you know a few fun facts about the movie, and at parties, sharing little-known info can be a good conversation starter. Now, don’t get too carried away. If you yak through the entire movie, your friends will think you’re being a know-it-all, and no one wants that. Cunningham’s summer teen slasher is a staple in the horror genre, giving us one of the first iterations of the “first-person” killer, placing viewers into the killer’s perspective. It gives us, as smart-ass movie watchers, a better chance to laugh at the victims’ overdramatic expressions and unrealistic screams. Plus, the cheesiness of the early ‘80’s shines through this film like the sun shines on Camp Crystal Lake. And, for your guests who may be unfamiliar with this franchise, they might get roped into one of the most successful and long-running series in horror history. Friday the 13th is fun, raw, and it takes itself just seriously enough to be in for some party guest commentary.

​4. An American Werewolf in London 
​(dir. John Landis, 1981)

I’ll be honest, I first saw An American Werewolf in London fairly recently, only within the last few years. But it only took one watch for it to become one of my favorites. It’s a lot funnier than its ‘80’s counterparts like Friday the 13th and The Thing, but it sure has its iconic moments that will keep your party’s eyes glued to the screen. For one, it has arguably the best werewolf transformations in cinema, and that alone is worthy of a home screening. The film is peppered with goofy banter, as it centers around a pair of young men backpacking in England whose trip goes horribly awry. From suspicious townspeople to over-the-top gore and crazy visuals, American Werewolf has a cult status topped only by its fantastic special effects and makeup, achieved by award-winning artist  
Rick Baker. This film is hilarious, unforgettable, and at times, disturbing; you’ll be sure to get a rise out of your guests without freaking them out too much. 

​3. Frankenstein 
(dir. James Whale, 1931)

​Everyone knows the story of Frankenstein, the scientist with the God-complex who realized far too late that his willingness to be a father was next to nonexistent. But I’m sure there are some who have never seen Whale’s film adaptation, the (surprisingly) much less depressing and terrifying, but still one of the most notable horror films in the genre. While it can be charming at points, following Frankenstein’s monster as he fish-out-of-water-s his way through town as a clueless creature, the film is severely dark and strikes fear into our hearts. It’s one of the pillars of classic monster movies. Even if your party is a drag, force your friends to watch at least one of the Universal monster classics. They’re cheesy in their own right, but they are a necessity. Frankenstein is no exception; it’s timelessly watchable, and relentlessly entertaining. 

​2. Poltergeist 
(dir. Tobe Hooper, 1982)

We return to the ‘80’s (I’m not sorry; it is pretty much one of the best decades for horror) with one of the few PG-rated popular horror films. Hooper’s supernatural flick is equally charming as it is seriously spooky. You’ve got your average ‘80’s family with big hair, your classic ‘80’s musical score, and your timeless “oops you moved into a house built atop a Native American burial ground and now your family is being tormented by the restless dead.” Those silly suburban folk! And, I mean, if you have an oversized clown toy that you designate a rocking chair to in the corner of your bedroom, I’m sorry, but you’ve signed yourself up for a bad time. Anyway, movies like this are easy to digest. Sure, some of the visuals stick with you after the credits roll, but Poltergeist is a rollercoaster of genres and emotions. You can’t go wrong. I just wouldn’t show them too many other Tobe Hooper horror movies (Texas Chainsaw isn’t what I’d call a party experience for everyone, although it is one of my favorites). 

1. Trick ‘R’ Treat 
(dir. Michael Dougherty, 2007)

I feel so strange that my number one pick is something out of the last fifteen years, but Trick ‘R’ Treat is just one of those movies that has its sinister moments while remaining a crazy fun time throughout. It’s an anthology collection loosely tied together by one of the coolest horror characters. Sam is just such a cute little guy—until you find out why he hasn’t finished that jack-o-lantern lollipop he carries around. This is a studio film wearing an indie film’s bed sheets, and that’s not a defeating factor, in this case. It’s one of those “what in all hell are we watching?” kinds of movies that cannot be missed. I think if all guests know not to take Trick ‘R’ Treat too seriously, everyone will have a blast. You’ve got urban legends, forest cults with dark secrets, and children who aren’t what they seem, all wrapped up in a blood-soaked bow. You and your friends will flinch, laugh, and shriek with joy. Don’t count this one out! 
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Source for photos: IMDb.com
Runners-Up:
  1. Halloween (dir. John Carpenter, 1978); most people have seen this slasher classic. Give them something different!
  2. The Evil Dead (dir. Sam Raimi, 1981); I’d say this indie would fit in better with a group with stronger affinities for the genre. But that’s not to say it isn’t a crazy wild ride.
  3. Saw (dir. James Wan, 2004); again, this one’s more for the gore-hounds, but its injection into a wider audience than most recent horror remains noteworthy.

​Have I missed any horror films that you think would be a good fit to show to friends with many tastes? Comment some of your favorites and they might appear on future lists! Also let me know what lists you’d want to see next on the Nothing Peak blog.
 
Until Next Time,

-Ryan 

Buy Haunt here. Preview my books here. Find me on social here. 
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