James Plath (Staff)
Managing Editor
About me
I'm a professor of English who teaches American literature, journalism, creative writing, and American pop culture. Go to Amazon.com and you'll find books by me about Ernest Hemingway and John Updike. I'm also the father of four grown children and two small ones still at home. At the risk of seeming even more ancient, as a kid I went to matinees in Chicago neighborhood theaters to watch double features for just fifty cents. An 'A' movie was usually paired with a 'B' movie, and when both were finished, if you wanted to hang around and watch them all over again, you could. No one kicked you out. That's when my appreciation of film began, and it continues just as strong today.
Before I began teaching I was a feature writer for a short-lived Milwaukee newspaper, and I've been a freelance writer and reviewer since the late 1980's. I began by reviewing books, music, and art exhibitions, and shifted my emphasis to dvds in the fall of 2000, posting my first review for DVD Town in July of 2003. I live relatively close to Peoria, where, according to entertainment industry myth, if something 'plays,' it will do well elsewhere. Aside from movies, my favorite pastimes include reading, gardening, racquetball, fishing, photography, travel (in the photo, I've just finished kissing the Blarney Stone!), enjoying good food and wine, and spending time with my family.
Before I began teaching I was a feature writer for a short-lived Milwaukee newspaper, and I've been a freelance writer and reviewer since the late 1980's. I began by reviewing books, music, and art exhibitions, and shifted my emphasis to dvds in the fall of 2000, posting my first review for DVD Town in July of 2003. I live relatively close to Peoria, where, according to entertainment industry myth, if something 'plays,' it will do well elsewhere. Aside from movies, my favorite pastimes include reading, gardening, racquetball, fishing, photography, travel (in the photo, I've just finished kissing the Blarney Stone!), enjoying good food and wine, and spending time with my family.
My gear and gadgets
A loving patchwork based on those occasional tax refunds: 42"; Hitachi HD plasma widescreen television, Sony DVPNS775 DVD player, Yamaha HTR-5560 receiver, with Sony surround speakers and two antique-but-powerful Realistic Mach Two main speakers I just can't seem to part with.
