Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

On this edition of Parallax Views, we return to the weird and wonderful world of Charles Band's Full Moon Features as filmmaker joins us to discuss his new movie Blade: The Iron Cross, a continuation of the beloved horror franchise The Puppet Master but this time focused solely on the most iconic puppet in the series. John joined us while babysitting his child during the conversation due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic so this conversation proved a bit wild, but trust me when I say that it's a fun listen. Previous Parallax Views guest and friend of the show Chris Alexander of Delirium Magazine (who played a part in making this interview happen) provides a summary of BLADE: THE IRONC CROSS below: "For decades the fans have been clamoring for it, and now Full Moon delivers with the first standalone feature debut of one of its most beloved (and most frightful) characters: the hook-handed maniac puppet, BLADE. Charles Band's PUPPET MASTER series continues as an unspeakable evil from Blade's past emerges in the form of a murderous Nazi scientist named Dr. Hauser. As Hauser's heinous crimes are discovered, the psychic war journalist, Elisa Ivanov, awakens Blade, and together the bloody journey of revenge begins. It's Herr Hauser's reanimated undead army versus a possessed doll and a beautiful vengeance-seeking clairvoyant. Who will win, and how will it affect the Full Moon Universe? Find out in BLADE: THE IRON CROSS." Ash of the Horror Vanguard podcast joined me to co-host this episode. In addition to discussing Blade: The Iron Cross, John also talks with us about the popularity of the Puppet Master franchise, John's interest in the story and characters of Puppet Master, Full Moon's Deadly Ten (which allowed fans to watch the production of ten Full Moon movies, including Blade: The Iron Cross, through a real-time livestrea), the comic book feel of Blade: The Iron Cross, the trials and tribulations of low-budget filmmaking, obtaining a sleek, professional look with a low-budget, the crime noir aesthetic of Blade: The Iron Cross, the title puppet Blade as an Antifa soldier and the historical references to actual underground Nazi/fascist movements from the 20th century in the movie, why Blade has become the fan favorite of the Puppet Master franchise (and nerdy trivia about Klaus Kinski's connection to the franchise courtesy J.G. Michael), and more! We even get a fun story about John's experience working with Clint Howard, brother of Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard, on one of his previous films, Pigster. CHECK OUT BLADE: THE IRON CROSS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT FULL MOON FEATURES! SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

 On this edition of Parallax Views, in the age of dissent that has followed the police killing of George Floyd what is the importance and role of nonviolent protest in the United States today and through it's history? Michael Long, editor of We the Resistance: Documenting a History of Nonviolent Protest in the United States (City Lights Books; 2019), joins us to help unpack that question and provide a few answers. We begin the conversation by discussing the importance of nonviolent protests in today's tumultuous environment and how such protests stretch far back into the history of the United States with groups like the Christian religious sect known as The Quakers. From Michael explains what a nonviolent protest entails and what ingredients make up a successful nonviolent protest. Additionally Michael discusses the power of nonviolence over violence, the bravery required to be a nonviolent protester, and protests as a reaction to police states conditions. We also talk about key figures and moments in the history of nonviolent protests including Frederick Douglas, the Bonus Marches, and Helen Keller's support of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) or Wobblies. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, John Perkins, the New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of an Economic Hitman, joins us to discuss how his engagement with spirituality and shamanism led him away from doing the dirty work of the IMF and World Bank to working towards justice and the betterment of society as outlined in latest book Touching the Jaguar: Transforming Fear Into Action to Change Your Life and the World. We begin by discussing the book the made first gained John attention (and garnered controversy), Confession of an Economic Hit Man. John explains what his work for the World Bank and IMF as an "Economic Hit Man" entailed as well as detailing a related group of figures known as "The Jackals". According to John these "Economic Hit Men" and "Jackals" engaged in activities that were designed to control and exploit the Third World. John also tells us how he slowly began to stray from this path eventually culminating in his NYT bestseller Confessions of an Economic Hit Man after 9/11. Moreover, John tells us about the spiritual vision quest he went on in which he was told by a shaman to confront his fears by "Touching the Jaguar" and how this began his road to a change in perception. In this regard, we discuss the way our perceptions shape the way we understand ourselves and other people. Moreover, John explains what he calls the "death economy" and how we can transcend beyond it by creating a "life economy". During this portion of the discussion we also talk about ayahuasca, the perception trap, techniques for changing one's perception, the practice of meditation, John's experiences with people in the business world today, decolonization, and much, much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, the elegantly beautiful Barbara Ann Moore joins us to talk about her life journey from being a Playboy Playmate to becoming a ballroom dancing champion, featured as a Fembot in the first Austin Powers movie, and having passionate, romantic fling with Donald Trump in the 1990s. Barbara has had a fascinating life and she tells all in the incredibly diverse conversation. We even discuss her appearance in the raunchy TV sitcom Married... with Children alongside David Faustino (Bud Bundy), a Jim Carey story from the days of his fame as Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, and her engagement to 90s action star and heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas of the hit TV The Renegade. As Barbara demonstrates in this always engaging conversation she's much more than just a pretty face. We discuss matters related to relationships, the ins-and-outs of glamor modeling, how modeling can create a sense of alienation, and her podcast Life, Laughter, Happiness. And yes we do discus Playboy's Hugh Hefner as well as her experience of having a romantic fling with current President Donald Trump. All that and much, much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Amber Yang, the Restorative Justice Specialist and Wellness Coordinator for the Novato Unified School District, joins us to discuss her latest piece at Project Censored entitled ""Alternatives to Policing—The Case for Public Health and Community Development Investments". We begin the conversation by discussing Amber's work related to Restorative Justice and what it means. In particular she relates some of her experiences working with high school students. From there we delve into the issue of policing and the Defund the Police movement. Amber addresses what Defund the Police actually means in the context of policing as having become an increasingly militarized institution starting with LBJ's War on Poverty on through Nixon's War on Drug, the War on Terror, and now the War on COVID-19. Amber argues that the movement is not about entirely getting rid of police entirely but rather imagining new modes of community engagement to deal with issues related community safety. In this regard, Amber notes the community programs that are currently happening which act as a an alternative to policing in keeping communities safe. In addition, Amber notes that issues like racial and socio-economic inequality as well as police brutality are systemic issues. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, legendary writer and filmmaker John Sayles joins us to discus his new novel Yellow Earth and other assorted topics of interest. For the uninitiated, John Sayles is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and Golden Globe-nominated filmmaker whose social conscious cinematic credits include 1980's highly influential Return of the Secaucus 7, the critically-acclaimed 1987 coal miner union drama Matewan, 1991's City of Hope, 1992's award-winning Passion Fish, the star-studded 1996 neo-western mystery Lone Star, 1997's Men With Guns, and 2010's Philippine-American War period dram Amigo among others. Additionally, John is an accomplished short story writer and novelist whose books include Pride of the Bimbos (1975), Union Dues (1977), The Anarchists' Convention (1979), Los Gusanos (1991), and A Moment in the Sun (2011). John joins us on this edition of Parallax Views to discuss his latest novel Yellow Earth (2020; Haymarket Books), which details the volatile social changes that occur in a small town in the aftermath of a shale oil boom. A timely novel that deals with the subject of fracking, John tells us the basic plot of Yellow Earth as well giving some details on the issues that arise from fracking and the economic impacts of boom-and-bust cycles that effect people in his story as well as real life. John and I then discuss some biographical details of his life, including being raised in Schenectady, New York. We then talk about John's thoughts on film school and how gaining experiences outside of the film world is invaluable. Additionally John and I talk a little about his coal mine union drama Matewan, his involvement in the subversive world of Roger Corman "B-Movies", the monster movie he wrote called Alligator (1980), the Ayn Rand-inspired character in Yellow Earth and why Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is so attractive to some people, what keeps him from giving into cynicism, working with the legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, we take a break from the ruckus of currents events to take trip, an excursion if you will, down to Camp Crystal Lake. Yes, Camp Crystal Lake, otherwise known to locals as "Camp Blood"... the stomping grounds of the pop culture icon Jason Voorhees. Since the 1980s, hockey mask wearing, machete-wielding murder machine Jason Voorhees has hacked and slashed his way through enough camp counsellors to attain the status of movie monster royalty in the world of horror movies. The Camp Crystal Lake killer has even managed to spawn comic books, a video game, and, believe it or not, a board game. Unfortunately for his fans, Jason hasn't been seen on the big screen since his last cinematic appearance, 2009's Friday the 13th reboot. That's where our guest on this edition of Parallax Views, Vincente DiSanti of Womp Stomp Films, comes into the picture. An independent filmmaker, Vincente decided that he'd make his own Friday the 13th fan film in lieu of the official cannon being caught up in legal entanglements. And thus he, with the help of a small but faithful cast and crew, made Never Hike Alone. Now you may be thinkin to yourself, "A fan film? Isn't that amateur hour?" Well, in the case of Never Hike Alone the answer is a resounding, "No." Exquisitely paced at a lean, mean 54 minute running time, Never Hike Alone is professionally produced, looks great, and arguably blows a number of the official Friday the 13th sequels out of the water. And fans seem to agree as the movie has played multiple film festivals and is now getting a web-series follow-up starting with the prequel Never Hike in the Snow. Vincente joins us to discuss how the project came together, his experiences on set, independent filmmaking during the coronavirus pandemic, and much, much more on this fascinating edition of Parallax Views that digs into the trials and tribulations of independent filmmaking. WATCH NEVER HIKE ALONE: A FRIDAY THE 13th FAN FILM FREE ON YOUTUBE SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests and demonstrations it has generated, the militant Civil Rights activist Malcolm X seems as relevant as every. But was he really just an leading activist of the Civil Rights era who advocated for racial and economic justice, a staunch opposition to white supremacy, and support of Black Internationalism? Dr. Michael E. Sawyer, author of Black Minded: The Political Philosophy of Malcolm X, argues Malcolm X should not just be understood as an activist but also a political philosopher who engaged in a practice of "Thinking in Motion" and that this Malcolm X must be reckoned as such. In this conversation we discuss how Malcolm X has been treated culturally and within the education system, what Malcolm X means by Blackness and being "Black Minded", Malcolm X as having a philosophy that is corporeal in nature, the role of the body and geographical space in X's thought, black masculinity, and much, much more. Additionally, we attempt to tie Malcolm X's thought to the present moment in this timely episode of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, in 1965 and '66 massacres occured in Indonesia. It was, simply put, a coup that led to a changing of the guard in regards to those who held power in Indonesia's leadership. And it was by movers and shakers in Washington, D.C. Decades later a full, crystal clear picture of what happened to Indonesia in late September and early October of 1965 still eludes us. In The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World, journalist Vincent Bevins, who has written for such publications as The New York Times and The Washington Post, doesn't necessarily answer all the lingering questions that remains about the Indonesian massacres and the U.S. involvement in them. He does, however, raise even more startling questions that should shake readers to their very core and make them reconsider the Cold War, the CIA, the Third World, 20th century history, and the world we inherited from the century past. In this conversation we discuss many of the major themes an details of The Jakarta Method as well as talking about Vincent's time in Brazil where he witnessed the rise of the controversial Jair Bolsonaro. He fills us in on what the Third World Movement was, the struggle of nations like Indonesia to gain independence after WWII, and how D.C leadership, like the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover, held a paranoid view of communism during the "Red Scare" that would have an effect on the entire world. We discuss the work of two CIA figures, Howard Jones and Frank Wisner (as well as Wisner's "Gang of Weirdos"), and their role in Indonesia as well as how JFK figures into the story of the U.S.'s relationship to Indonesia in the mid-20th century. And, of course, we discuss the events leading up to the Indonesian massacre of '65/'66, the questions they've left behind, what came after those massacre (including in places like South and Central America), and what it all means in regards to the present day. All that and more on this extremely fascinating edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, America find itself in tense times and a moment of multiple crises. From coronavirus/COVID-19 to the protests sweeping across the nation after the police killing of George Floyd, the United States has been dealing with a great deal of turmoil. But how did we get here? One of America's foremost public intellectuals, Noam Chomsky, joins us in an attempt to answer that question and provide some hope in regards to how we can respond to these interesting times. Dr. Chomsky likely needs no further introduction. He is one of the most astute and noted critics of neoliberalism and one of Democracy's most ardent supporters. In this conversation we discuss why democracy matters (and why some hate it), the crisis that he refers to as "The Neoliberal Plague", Edward Bernays and the power propaganda exerts on our thinking, and more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY