STATIC SHOTS

Easter 2026

EASTER TREATS!

Cutting it kinda close this year - we've been busy with projects and things leaving us nary a second to celebrate the resurrection. Honestly though, it's during the times when you need to force it in that make it matter most; rainbow eggs and Spring things are happening all around us and if we don't make a special point to stop and touch grass (and eat chocolate) then we might as well be dead when the rain comes. Here are 5 fun holiday snacks to aid us in observing rejuvenation, rebirth, and all that crap. 

- Paul

Reese's Tie-Dye Eggs

I typically wouldn't reach for something so middle-of-the-road; if I'm taking a chance on Reese's they'd better be offering a lot more than chocolate and peanut butter. But it's definitely typical of me to buy something just for the wrapping, which is what I've done here; if you've got an adequate candy dish then something like this double duties as sustenance as well as style. Though frankly I'm a little disappointed: for some reason I thought the foil would be more shimmery or glittery, or at the very least shiny, but really it's more of a matte finish (which is literally another word for "dull"). Whatever, they're colored eggs made of sugar, let's rejoice. 

Jif Peanut Butter Filled Eggs

Very recently, the grandson of the founder of Reese's has claimed that Hershey's no longer uses actual peanut butter in their products. I'm sure that's not surprising; when you try a Reese's right alongside one of these bad boys it presents a startling reminder of what peanut butter is actually supposed to be. Wrapped in a mercifully thin shell of Frankford chocolate, they're rich and they're big - there are only six individually wrapped eggs in here, but each one is a small meal, and each one is like staring into the eyes of a true champion. 

Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Bunny

I don't know the real name of this but the graphics tell the story well enough. I was mostly anticipating a general Krackel or Crunch Bar experience, which it sorta is but not really; it's mostly solid (Frankford) chocolate through & through with an occasional Krispie here and there, so it's not exactly a textural adventure, but the flavor is a miracle of modern science - the chocolate itself tastes like Rice Krispie Treats. At least once during these roundups I have to ask: How'd they do that?

Albanese Cottontail Gummies

These are those non translucent gummies that don't look like little jewels, but instead look like little toys. The flavors are incredibly potent, though a little odd: Blue Raspberry, Grape, Mango, Pineapple, and Orange (for your tropical Easter Festivities). Though not as odd as the shapes: a carrot, a bunny head, and what I finally determined to be a "cottontail", which in reality is just a rabbit's hindquarters. Does this seem kinda suggestive to anyone else, or am I just weird? 

Colonel's Favorite Jellybeans

While it's usually exciting to ask "How'd they do that?" it's never really fun to ask "Why'd they do that?". Every year I try to throw in at least one misfit treat (usually from the Peeps family) and once I saw the Colonel's smug face I didn't put in any extra thought regarding the future I was facing (I shoulda went with the Peeps). The second the bag was punctured the smell permeated my personal space and it filled me with sadness and fear. The "Sweet Corn" flavor was almost tolerable, but that required a lot of lying to myself. Next was the "Gravy" one that cornered me into thinking about more pleasant things to distract me from the horror. I chewed the "Fried Chicken" jellybean and then spit it out, back into the bag with the rest of the wrongdoings. I know "gross jellybeans" are a thing and I try not to be dramatic about these products, but these just about obliterated the fun "haha" novelty of their existence and nearly put me off Kentucky Fried Chicken for life. At least I now have a sense of the agony on the cross (perhaps that was the point). 

STATIC SHOTS

Easter 2025

EASTER TREATS!

It's that time of year again - time to sample the best and brightest junk food that retail outlets have to offer. Sure, I would say that's a year-round activity but Easter time always brings the booty in a prettier package, while also thriving in an ever-expanding diversity of options; Easter continues to be the most creative when it comes to experimental snacks. Whether good or gross it's never not fun and always puts me in the mind of Spring. 

- Paul

Dunkin' Refreshers Jelly Beans

It was no surprise they sidestepped the donut theme, though I'm mildly shocked that they also ignored the more-obvious coffee motif. Instead they went with their secret third thing: fruity iced beverages. Personally my only relationship to this drive-thru chain is literally dunking donuts so I have no frame of reference regarding "Refreshers" -- I can tell you the jelly beans are fantastic though! After the standalone Lemonade flavor the rest are crossbreeds: Peach Passion Fruit, Strawberry Dragonfruit, and Raspberry Watermelon. So if you take two at a time you're liable to get 3-4 flavors at once; I haven't determined my favorite combination yet but I'm having fun experimenting. 

Vanilla Kit Kat

Supposedly this came out last year but I've only just become aware of it -- packaging aside the concept feels kinda Springy and that's good enough for me. The reason it probably flew under my radar is because of its immediate visual similarity to the White Chocolate Kit Kats, but once you've tasted both of them... Honestly I can't tell the difference. To be fair I've not tried them side by side but either way I'm not mad - I like white chocolate, I like vanilla, just enjoy the ride. 

Red Bull Spring Edition Grapefruit & Blossom

One thing I don't particularly like is energy drinks -- I don't like the taste, I don't like the energy. But I'm always jealous because there's such a variety of names and flavors and colors that it feels like a shame to not explore, but ultimately I can't handle the inevitable jitters. So it is this very rare occasion that I've chosen to sample the devil's jet fuel - in its sleek lilac can with the word SPRING branded across it I was practically rendered helpless. And even though 'sugar-free' was the store's only option I still went for it, but I think that's what messed it up; the hint of grapefruit is there, but "blossom"? What is even that? Honestly the absence of sugar created a sense that I was consuming freshly picked flowers -- and I guess you can't get more Springtime than that so whatever.

Reese's Spring Sprinkles

I've enjoyed the volume with which they've fucked with Reese's - pretzels, potato chips, chocolate sauce, other Reese's products, sure throw it all in there, I'll try it. This "Sprinkles" one is definitely one of their least impressive outings - under a blob of chocolate and chalky peanut butter the addition barely adds any flavor, just upsetting little surprises of cement pebbles that make it impossible to regulate your chewing rhythms. I'm sure the colors are pretty, but again, they're buried in the cup so who can say? 

Peeps Rice Krispies Treats

Time for my annual tradition of buying a box of Peeps, trying one, and throwing the rest away. I suffer for my art. I'm also gonna go way out on a limb and say that one of the most identifiable (and appealing) parts of a Rice Krispie Treat is the mouthfeel. When I opened the package I immediately got the smell of the famous Kellogg's cereal squares (how'd they do that??) but the actual act of eating them is reminiscent of nothing other than some regular old Peeps. Granted they share the marshmallow component but without the label I would've never guessed that Rice Krispies were involved in this experience. I suppose I could keep the rest handy for the pleasing aroma. 

STATIC SHOTS

Easter 2024

EASTER TREATS!

We need more of this wretched season like we need holes in our hands. And so as we wind down our One Bad Winter (in a series of many) we see but a soft-hued rainbow on the horizon made of potassium sorbate and confectioner's glaze. This is our second installment in this potential series and should perhaps become a regular thing as the Peeps and PAAS continue to show no mercy and fear no evil; every year there appears to be new creations without sacrificing my constant favorites. That's the world Jesus wanted for us, and I'm here to spread His Word. 

- Paul 

Kool-Aid Jelly Beans

I hit jelly beans pretty hard in my 30s and several teeth later I'm pretty jelly beaned out. But these featured the Kool-Aid Man on the package and like some dipshit millennial I took the bait, because childhood. Unsurprisingly they taste like generic fruit flavored jelly beans, but my qualm is that the flavors listed on the back of the bag are also specifically nonspecific: cherry, grape, orange, tropical punch, and kiwi strawberry. Absolutely unacceptable. This is Kool-Aid, bro; if the flavors aren't "Purplesaurus Rex" and "Sharkleberry Fin" and "Great Bludini" then you're goddamn doing it wrong. 

Lindt Neapolitan Truffles

Never really met a Lindt I didn't like, but they mean business: I can eat one or two and I'm good for a few months/a year. Their richness is on par with doing shots of movie theater butter, and somehow this particular recipe manages to sling an even deadlier wallop: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry together, just like the ice cream. And I'm here to tell you it tastes exactly like the ice cream. 

Dr. Pepper Peeps

I'll continue to seize every opportunity to discuss Peeps - even if I'm just repeating myself: they're gorgeous little playthings but as a food (or even a marshmallow) they're miserable failures. So perhaps some facsimile of a cola could just be crazy enough to make them interesting, or at least tolerable. And they managed to do a tiny bit of both; the smell of Dr. Pepper upon opening the package was an achievement unto itself, and the gritty texture of these maroon chicks stood in for carbonation. But still I'd take an actual marshmallow (or soda) over these freaks.

Reese's Pieces Eggs

These are just business as usual, nothing new or weird, but as the Son of God as my witness I buy these every Easter Season - not because I can't get Reese's Pieces anytime I want (because I'm a grownup) but at no other time are they available in Pieces of this enormity. And yeah, size matters - very much in the sense that it's just that much more peanut butter, which makes a huge difference, especially when you mix these into ice cream (which I typically do). And while I'm a lifelong fan of the original orange/yellow/brown color scheme, these soft pastels play so nicely in a bowl of vanilla. 

Claussen Pickle Flavor Jelly Beans

The flavor so unappetizing they wrote it twice. Gross novelty jelly beans have been around a lot longer than they really needed to be - like, we get it, very cute haha. Apparently some folks eat them unironically and make it their personality, as I'm sure that's the case with these, but I won't be having that. Though even from an objective approach I gotta say these don't work: while they come in a mercifully small 4 oz. bag, the immediacy of "try one for fun" is over and then that's it: you're left with a bag of shit. And it really is shit; the strong scent of pickles immediately escapes an opened bag, but even if that's what your sick palette is into, it doesn't match the flavor of what can be best described as sweetened dill - not like sweet, like bread & butter pickles, but like sour pickles with added sugar. I hate sour, and hell, I'd prefer these were sour, just for continuity sake. I assume these were meant to symbolize Christ's agony on the cross. 

EASTER TREATS!

More than Summer, more than Christmas, more than Valentine's Day, even more than Halloween, Easter Candy is King of Kings. The whole pastel aesthetic is such a delight and an exciting indication of Spring's arrival, but equal to (or perhaps greater than) that is the quality and inventiveness of the candy itself. I mean an egg is a beautiful shape: you can make them out of anything you want, fill them with anything you want, color them however you want; it's just a rainbow medley of perfect ovals filled with divine flavors and their remarkable abundance creates a pronounced facelift for any retail outlet. It's no easy feat disguising a CVS as a world of pure fucking imagination, but that's the power of Christ (and Cadbury) and we should give prayer and thanks to whomever for brightening our world for these coupla months. 

I have plenty of favorites and go-tos but I wanted to share with you some oddities and newcomers that may or may not be worth your time (and mine). 

Walk, don't run, rabbit. 

- Paul

Marshmallow Crispy Treat M&Ms

It's a startling revelation to finally realize that I'm not an M&M guy - they're just sort of daunting and aimless. So when these novelty ones come out my hope is for a little excitement, and I get some of that before the inevitable boredom. As suggested by the non binary character on the package these probably work best when baked into a larger confection - they're ridiculously small and the colors are drab. But on their own a good handful does create the impression of a Rice Krispie Treat.

Froot Loops Jelly Beans

I went into these with a confident skepticism: I'm sure these taste exactly like jelly beans. I shit you not, dear reader, these taste exactly like Froot Loops! Green, purple, yellow, all have different flavors and all taste like they're part of a complete breakfast. How'd they do that?? Now, I love jelly beans, and I love Froot Loops... but this is a troubling adventure of curious mouth feels; I'm eating them out of sheer amazement but it's not satisfying any snack cravings. 

Jelly Belly Sparkling Water

I always fall for sparkling water - with every sip I'm expecting to taste something like soda and then I'm like "what the fuck is this, where's the beef?" But somehow I thought Juicy Pear would be the right amount of blandness to compliment an already dull experience - and boy was I right: it's a good time if you're looking for a sense of a delicious beverage in your mouth that slightly burns your tongue. 

Fruit Punch Peeps

Peeps are like oil paintings: beautiful to look at but taste just awful. I've had marshmallows, they're not supposed to taste like this. But these offered the possibility of maybe a different sensation: better flavor = better Peeps? The result was like snorting Kool-Aid powder while simultaneously pouring Hawaiian Punch into your eyes. Stronger and harder than a bad girl's dream. Again, another promise of a specific flavor fulfilled, but the decadence is so overwhelming that it feels almost criminal. 

Peeps Pepsi

Apart from their aesthetic beauty, Peeps have a soft, pleasing texture. You take away both of these elements and we might have a problem. Credited as "Marshmallow Flavored Cola" it's not too dissimilar from all the Mystery Flavors Coke has been putting out -- that is to say it's exceptionally sweet to the point of palate disorientation beyond any truly discernible seasoning. It tastes better than the candy (though I was good after 1/3 of the bottle) but I wouldn't replace it with the true symbol of the season. 

STATIC SHOTS

Easter 2019

Easter Movies : Aliens, Zombies, and How the Revolution Was Televised

Holidays are weird - all the big ones, anyway. They're all rooted in sex, violence & religion, & they're celebrated with money & food. I love 'em.
Easter is no exception; it may be the freakiest. It certainly has the best candy. But for all its weirdness, it's skimpy in the cinema department... Or are I?
There seems to be 3 kinds of holiday movies. The first kinds are the ones that are directly about the festivities & the day itself (Halloween, Scrooge). The second are where the holiday is just the setting of when the larger story takes place (Die Hard, Jaws). Then there's the third, which can either take dedication, or merely happens by accident. If you watch the same movie at the same time every year, they can become inseparable. I wrap Christmas presents to King of Kong. Jess watches Rushmore when she does our taxes. American Graffiti is a great way to celebrate the first day of summer. There are many. In fact, we've assigned just about every movie to a day or season.
Here, we have our votes for this particularly wacky time of year.


The Jess list

The Secret Garden
One year, for Easter, I got a VHS copy of this film in my Easter basket. More exciting to me than the movie was the sterling silver locket that came with it. I paraded around that day fancying myself as an early 20th century debutante. The film is permanently synonymous with Easter as a result.
Cute side note: after years of reminiscing about this locket I recently happened upon a sealed VHS copy at a flea market, complete with jewelry.

*Even cuter sidenote: While viewing this on DVD four years ago, I proposed to Paul, and he said yes.

Predator
For some reason, Paul and I watch Predator every year around Easter. Probably because we watched it one year and it became some kind of bizarre tradition. Like many films and traditions in the Proulx household.

The Last Temptation of Christ
This is one of my favorite films of all time. Top 100. And what a better time to watch a film about Jesus than on Easter.
Easter. Jesus. Easter. Jesus.

Critters 2
Paul and I are always hunting for holiday-themed horror. Even though Easter is one of your major holidays - Jesus and stuff - there aren't a lot to come by. C2 delivers on so many levels, complete with  Krite egg painting and a giant flesh eating critter ball finale. Great to watch while your painting your own eggs.

Night of the Leepus
Janet Leigh is being chased by giant bunny rabbits.












The Paul list

Black Moon
Talking animals, mythical creatures, a fictional war, psychosexual tension, decadent food. If you're into the creepier subtext of the holiday, this should make perfect sense.

April Morning
TV movie about the battle of Lexington and Concord, based on the novel by Howard Fast. Made for cheap with a few inaccuracies (green leaves in April?), it is, by definition, the perfect time of year for it. And as far as American Revolution movies go, it beats the shit out of The Patriot.

Magical Mystery Tour
Got it for Easter on VHS in '96 or '97, along with the album - cassette tape also. Like Black Moon, it comes with bizarre animal symbolism and lush European countryside.
Plus, the whole "egg man" thing.

Bad Lieutenant
The first time I saw it was in the spring, & I think I kept up with that for a year or two. The religious imagery is pretty thick, and it's not any harder to watch than The Passion, or even Jesus of Nazareth.