Author Archives: andrewwilliford

In recent months, I have found myself more fully invested in George Lucas’s Star Wars saga, particularly the stories that take place before the rise of the Galactic Empire, than I had for years thought possible. After years of hiding within the bandwagon of hatred for the prequel trilogy, as well as downplaying my ownContinue reading “That Most Crucial Pawn – An Ongoing Rumination on Anakin Skywalker – Part I”

The unnamed Creature created by Victor Frankenstein is not some bumbling monster that just goes around killing people. He is Victor’s child. And Victor abandoned him. The Creature’s crimes are not mindless. They are the consequences of his very conscious fury toward his uncaring creator. He is a child who did not receive the loveContinue reading “On My Newfound Appreciation for James Whale’s Frankenstein Films – A Personal Essay by Andrew Williford”

Night of the Living Dead (George Romero, 1968) Letterboxd Rating: 5 Stars + Like/Heart One of my all time favorites. I’d even argue it’s one of the greatest American films of all time. This is the kind of stark, boldly political genre cinema we need more of nowadays. Showed this one to my girlfriend andContinue reading “Brief Thoughts on Every Horror Film I Watched in October – Andrew Williford”

Janey locks the door, grasping Mordecai’s sweaty palm with one hand and gripping Papa’s Henry rifle in the other. Mama screeches again, her voice muffled by the walls. It morphs into a whimper and stops, but there is no gunshot this time. All Janey hears is her little brother crying as he holds her hand.Continue reading “Blood, Whiskey, and Fire – A Short Story by Andrew Williford”

SPOILERS AHEAD. The overwhelming majority of what is discussed here will only make sense if you are already familiar with The Last of Us (2013) and The Last of Us Part II (2020). Proceed with caution. Joel Miller: Loving Father Beloved Brother Mass Murderer I think those who cite the unceremonious nature of Joel’s deathContinue reading “On Video Game Violence, Dehumanization, and Becoming Joel: An Ode to The Last of Us Part II”

The fire blazed in the darkness. The only other light in the building was that of the moon peaking through the hole in the wall. The edifice was in shambles. But William decided that it was safer than the others on the block, for the night at least. The rat was almost done. William’s stomachContinue reading ““Try That Again” – A Short Story by Andrew Williford”

OVER BLACK The camera flashes. Yes, I think I can work with this. The polaroid floats down. She pleads. But nothing is heard. Not even the blade. Her mouth unhinges, throat straining, eyes bulging, hands gripping the arms of her chair. Shadow drapes her.   FADE IN: INT. YARD – NIGHT Key in the hand.Continue reading ““Dialectic” – A Poem by Andrew Williford”

He just pushed his best friend off a cliff. He pushed his best friend off a cliff. Crunch-crshzz A gun to a head, a loud crack, eyes roll back, fall back- ward dead. Creezzzhhhhh-crunch The black spot in the corner rocks back and forward, sobbing, bouncing like giggling. White lines crackling, black dots pulsating, aContinue reading ““Ring” – A Poem by Andrew Williford”

Embers break apart, spark. Nothing. Again. And again. And a flame, singeing my hands. Bright red and black. Plop-lop from beneath me. The squid squirms, not trying to escape, but not trying to stay either. Its tentacles merely poke their tips out of the water. My eyes settle. Pitiful thing. My footsteps tap against theContinue reading ““Poor Pitiful Little Thing” – A Poem by Andrew Williford”

I have a soft spot for catching The Godfather (1972) on AMC, edited for language, violence, sexual content (despite being able to attest to its power in its true form on the big screen). This was how I first watched it. I recorded it on my family’s DVR when I was thirteen and I watchedContinue reading “Going Back to Films on Cable – A Personal Essay on Watching The Godfather (1972) – Andrew Williford”