Is There Really Life After Death?

NDE's or Near Death Experiences is one of the most interesting when it comes to peeking behind the veil of death.

Some believe it is proof positive that death is not the end and others believe it's just a flush of Ketamine related chemicals.

Here are some excellent links that should give you a nice overview of the conversation:

NearDeath.com

IANDS

Skepdic

Howstuffworks

Infidels.org

David Perry's Experience

Journal of Scientific Exploration

From the Telegraph

Ketamine

DamnInteresting.com

Children's NDE's

NDERF

Later.

Paul Parducci

Memorial Day Weekend

A marker on an unknown soldiers grave.

This weekend I think of you all.

Thank you,

Paul Parducci

Party Chit Chat:Padre Pio and Stigmata

Next time you are at a loss for conversation starters at a party bring up; Stigmata.

One of the most investigated and documented cases in modern times was the Stigmata of Padre Pio cananonized a Saint by the Catholic church in 2002.

Here's more on Stigmata.

Later,

Paul Parducci

A Movie You Don't Hear Too Much About

Paul Morrissey is a director who was closely associated with Andy Warhol during the days of the Factory. He is a resolutely independent filmmaker with a definite vision. Nothing more can be asked of an Artist.(Of course you can ask many more things of an Artist, but you know what I'm getting at.)
Here is the trailer for his film "Flesh For Frankenstein," Shot in Italy in 1973.
It's not for everyone (especially kids )but if you see it you won't soon forget it.
Later,
Paul Parducci

Guy Maddin

I could give you a lot of Film School jargon about one of my favorite Filmmakers: Guy Maddin. Instead I'll let the man speak through his brilliant work. Here is "The Heart of the World."
Later,
Paul Parducci
My buddy Stephen is Blogging about his latest in New York.

Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo: Filmmaking Without a Net

Fitzcarraldo is a film about ambitious dreaming. The kind of dreaming that is usaulally beaten out of you by age eleven or twelve here in the Western world.

Made without the computer effects we take for granted these days it is a stunning testament to the genius and recklessness of Herzog who worked (and worked his cast and crew) under unbelievably difficult conditions. Werner Herzog was at his auteur best and Klaus Kinski was never better.

I encourage all to see it.

I also encourage all to dream!

Later,

Paul Parducci

Great piece on it here.

The Brilliant, The Funny:Tom Poston

One of the greats has just passed away:

Tom Poston

Rest in Peace Mr. Poston you will be missed.

Later,

Paul Parducci

George Romero's Day of the Dead

Just watched George Romero's 1985 Day of the Dead. It is the least discussed of his Zombie masterpieces. Night of the Living Dead is of course both the genesis of the modern Zombie movie as well as the benchmark. The original 1978 Dawn of the Dead is also considered a classic. However, as I see it,"Day of the Dead" although planned (from what I have heard) as the third of a trilogy has gotten short shrift. Last seasons Land of the Dead was wonderfully executed and an extension of the myth of Zombiedom.(particularly with it's theme of Zombie development) But "Day" for this cinema consumer is Romero's darkest vision. With it's subterranean setting and edge of sanity performances, it is a must add for your queue.

Later,

Paul Parducci

PS: Sherman Howard's performance as Bub is a stand out.