“Love makes you do stupid things.” (Fred Flintstone)
Sad to learn about the passing of pop music legend Brian Wilson (1942-2025). One of the founding members of the Beach Boys, Wilson was a songwriter who also served as a singer, musician, and record producer.
He was often acclaimed for his clever approaches to pop music and served as an icon for so many who came after him. Over the coming days, lots of people will no doubt talk about Wilson’s contributions through the Beach Boys and as a solo artist. Wilson wrote so many amazing songs.
But I’m here to talk about “This Isn’t Love”—the song he wrote for the 2000 movie The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.
This great Brian Wilson song made its debut in the movie, playing an interesting role in the overall plot. And then it gets performed during this scene—where bachelor Fred Flintstone wants to propose to his future wife, Wilma Slaghoople. I love this whole section of the movie. And I continually play the part where Fred sings Wilson’s then brand-new song “This Isn’t Love.”
If you have never watched the movie—(which I highly recommend)—there is actually lots of story taking place as the song is performed. (Which is why I almost always start to cry.)
The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas | Fred Proposes To Wilma
As for historic songwriter Brian Wilson, he apparently never released his own studio recording of “This Isn’t Love.” All that’s available is his live version. Which you can listen to below...
“This Isn’t Love” (Live At The Roxy Theater)
More online about remembering Brian Wilson
“Heartbroken to announce our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.” (BrianWilsonLive)
Brian Wilson death: His Beach Boys career and beyond (USA Today)
10 essential songs from the Beach Boys maestro (Shortlist)
Carnie Wilson Recalls Best Memories With Dad Brian Wilson Before His Death (US Weekly)
Brian Wilson Dies at 82: Had been living with neurocognitive disorder (Pitchfork)
More about Monster Complex
The zombie detective deals with organized crime (involving, of course, actual monsters)… Plus there’s a TV show in the works! “Series fans will be pleased to see Shamble still going strong.”
The Truth is Out There—as writer Joe Harris returns with even more cases for Mulder and Scully. “I am absolutely over the moon to work on this new series.”
This new comic spotlights 1940s comedy duo Abbott & Costello dealing again with monsters—and meeting up with 1970s monster hunter Kolchak: The Night Stalker! (Totally a candy bar mashup!)
Music duo Boyce and Hart wrote all those songs for The Monkees. But they also hit the charts with their own hits, and appeared on TV shows like I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, and Flying Nun.
Hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror, Shirley Jackson’s 1959 gothic horror novel THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE has been adapted for the movies, stage, and TV.
Here’s a big list of classic monster movies. Watch for examples from all the Universal Monster series—including some Frankenstein movies, as well as those with the Wolf Man, Dracula, and more!
Want to meet some Sword & Sorcery writers? We’re working on a list with several authors who have explored their own takes on Sword & Sorcery fiction.
Godzilla has returned in like 40 movies. There are many arguments for which are the best. But which of Godzilla’s movies are the worst?
For centuries, storytellers have explored various ideas about the nature of the devil. But this article is really just so I can show you some funny music videos.
Ghosts in your attic? Zombies in your neighborhood? We got options for you. “I had two goals: 1) promote weird detectives, and 2) expand the subgenre [with] new characters.”
Turns out that Carla’s new house was built on top of a prison graveyard. What can go wrong? “Why, I could no more close my eyes in that cauldron of blood than sever my own arm. Oh, yes, well. Angels on your pillow.”
Conan the Barbarian has grappled with many kinds of threats. But which was deadliest? The official Conan podcast explores the monsters the Cimmerian has crossed blades with over the years.
A depressed, reclusive vampire musician is rejoined by his centuries-old wife in this off-kilter romantic drama. Watch the videos for info about the making of the movie.
In the new horror comedy novel Brokeula, what’s scarier—the monster or the marketing scheme? “Horror demands a sort of fiction-reflected-reality. Casted against zombies or vampires.”
Looking for some monster movies worth checking out? Here are THIRTY creature features that deserve more attention—from undersea threats to weird city disasters to kaiju battles!
Sword & sorcery icon Conan the Barbarian debuted in a 1932 issue of Weird Tales. In the decades since, Conan has appeared in more books, plus movies, comic books, and more.
When the original show was cancelled, Star Trek was going to come back a cartoon. Outlining the shaky beginnings—and surprising victory—of the 1974 show Star Trek: The Animated Series.
Holmes’ new novel blends historical fiction with Southern gothic psychological horror. “We survive and thrive in little pockets—but it’s always temporary when oppression is the rule of the day.”
Over his long career, the famed comedy storyteller’s works have included 1974’s Young Frankenstein, 1987’s Spaceballs, 1995’s Dracula: Dead and Loving It, plus so much more.
How the woman who wrote for Wonder Woman rethought the world of Sword & Sorcery. “I’ve been a fan of strong female characters and pulp and fantasy and all of that forever.”
“I’m doing my best to get this 57-year-old gear in shape.” Brendan Fraser talks up how The Mummy: Book of the Dead is now a work in progress. (Scheduled to hit theaters October 2027.)