Steven Seagal, Meet Your Boswell

When we heard that Vern recently released a book called Seagalogy, we were perplexed. Why would the voice of badass cinema write a book about NFL cheerleaders?

Then we noticed that it's not Sea Gal-ogy. Seagal. As in Steven Seagal. More badass, less hotpants-clad ass.

To quote Vern's PR email:

More than 5 years in the making, the new book SEAGALOGY by Vern is the first serious analysis of the films of Steven Seagal. Using his trademark sense of humor (but none of the condescending irony so often used to denigrate action cinema) the self-proclaimed "outlaw film critic" Vern delivers an in-depth study and a sincere celebration of the world's only aikido instructor turned movie star/director/writer/bluesman. The book explores the developing motifs and personal themes of Seagalogy throughout over 30 films, from the gritty street violence of ABOVE THE LAW through the crazed environmental epic ON DEADLY GROUND, bizarre direct-to-video efforts like OUT FOR A KILL and guest appearances like the Korean film CLEMENTINE and the Billy Crystal comedy MY GIANT. It also finds the thematic links between those films, Seagal's two albums, various TV appearances, commercials, and even his all natural energy drink, Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt.

Yeah, blah blah blah. But Vern's sight promises it's "the book that will shake the very foundations of film criticism, break their wrists and then throw them through a window." SOLD!

The only Seagal movie we can remember seeing is Under Seige, and we haven't sought out his oeuvre since. But Vern's a forthright kind of guy and we're willing to be enlightened.

It's also got an introduction by David Gordon Green, if the words of Vern aren't enough for you.

(Also, apparently Urban Justice is Seagal's best film in years. FYI.)