I am curious if there is anyway to find out a more specific date for the release of the signed first edition of Fatal Error. All it says on Gauntlet is Summer 2010. I could be wrong but I thought before it said Spring 2010. Was there some type of set back? It doesn't matter too much when it comes out, but It always seems easier to wait for something if you know when to expect it. The last month or so of waiting for the new RJ novels have always been the hardest.

A quick search didn't turn up any reviews for this excellent politically-incorrect comedy. Peter(Paul Rudd) is getting married but he doesn't really have any guy friends and has to scramble to find some so that they can stand up at his wedding. After a series of hilarious 'dates' he finally meets the man of his dreams in Sydney(Jason Segal)who introduces Peter to his inner man. This of course creates problems between Pater and his fiance. It's a nice twist on the romantic comedy and very raunchily funny.

Lately in several books I've been reading (latest being Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth, which isn't even real horror) I have come across certain key phrases such as "Secret Historiesn and especially "Other or Otherness". Whenever I read these phrases I freeze and feel myself go cold for a moment much as when I find a Cthullu reference.

I realized, despite the Adversary Cycle not being true Horror for the most part, FPW has manged to instill me with absolute terror at the thought of such things. For this I must say Thank You, Paul. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You. You've given me an honest unintentional emotion due stemming from ink on a page. This is rare these days.

So thanks

Just received word from Cemetery Dance that this was about to ship...I think I ordered it before my son was born...and he's 9 now!

Variety.

The long-brewing feature version of author Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" has begun shooting in Los Angeles as a $5 million indie produced by John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow.

Cameras began rolling over the weekend on a five-week shoot for "Atlas Shrugged Part One" with Paul Johansson directing from Brian Patrick O'Toole's script. Aglialoro would have lost the feature rights if the film wasn't in production by Saturday.
A spokesman for Aglialoro -- the CEO of exercise equipment producer Cybex -- said there will be at least one more "Atlas Shrugged" shot after the current film's completed. Rand's massive novel is divided into three parts, each consisting of 10 chapters.
"Atlas," published in 1957, takes place in a dystopian version of the U.S. in which society has collapsed as the government gains increasing controlover industry. The decline occurs while the most productive citizens, led by John Galt, begin vanishing.
Johansson ("One Tree Hill") portrays Galt. The lead role of railroad executive Dagny Taggart has gone to Taylor Schilling ("Mercy) and the part of Henry Reardon is being played by Grant Bowler ("Ugly Betty").
Michael Lerner ("A Serious Man") portrays lobbyist Wesley Mouch and director Nick Cassavetes has signed on for the Richard McNamara role. Other key cast include Matthew Marsdan as James Taggart and Graham Beckel as Ellis Wyatt.
"Atlas" also stars Edi Gathegi, Jsu Garcia, Rebecca Wisocky, Ethan Cohn, Patrick Fischer, Neill Barry, Christina Pickles and Nikki Klecha.
There have been unsuccessful attempts to bring "Atlas Shrugged" to the bigscreen and TV dating back to the 1970s. In 2007, Angelina Jolie was to star in a Lionsgate version, with Vadim Perelman directing and rewriting "Atlas Shrugged" from a script penned by Randall Wallace. Husband-and-wife team Howard and Karen Baldwin and Media Talent Group's Geyer Kosinski were set to produce.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118020...=2431&cs=1

Ken V.

I peruse the used book sites. I came upon The Book of Skaith by F Paul Wilson and Leigh Brackett. Anyone know about this one?

So yeah, new member, figured I'd start things off with a bang. I read The Tomb about a month ago, and I've pretty much zoomed through the series to date. I usually laze through books, take a week or so to finish it. About the only authors I read quickly are King and Koontz. And then I found Wilson. I was first recommended by my mother, and let me say I haven't regretted it yet.

Let me start off simple. Some people think it might be an insult to read through a book quickly. I usually prefer it if I really like the author. It's so very easy to miss subtle things on your first read, so I do my best to finish it as quickly as I can, and then come back when I'm free, to really appreciate the complex stuff. If I take forever to finish a book, then I spend more time on the plot than on the good stuff. And with Wilson's nuanced books, there's no way I'm going to get everything on one read.

So far, I've been thoroughly impressed. Repairman Jack has drawn me in, for all the good reasons. Just as Wilson said in his article about King; I'm a mutant, and proud of it. I've always voraciously sought horror flicks and books, and I take every chance I can to watch the classics; Dracula,The Blob...Needless to say, I got hooked after just a bit. The Otherness, our good friend R, and even The Lady, have instilled me with nothing but a sense of wonder at such a finely crafted world, with such great influences.

More than just the story itself, I've been constantly impressed by the author. Wilson is staggeringly good, not just at writing a story, but at being thorough. He clearly does his research with the guns, among other things(if not him, we do). He's quite good at detailing things so they flow smoothly, and so things make sense. Even manages to keep a character like Jack firmly rooted in the real and the possible, against such an unreal enemy. I've always loved people that could stay real, when it's so easy to 'cheat'; to give Jack something besides his tenacity and his contacts, to make him clearly a cut above the rest.

And, even more than his writing, his sheer personality. I'm always amazed by how caught up he is with the times. For a 64 year old man, Wilson still knows how things go. Clearly he's accustomed to the internet, or he wouldn't be here. He's shockingly good at making even the most passing moments of young, saggy-pantsed teenagers in his literature convincing. Every time he makes use of younger characters, from his con-men in All The Rage to his young, "Balls in your mouth" Kickers of Bloodlines, I feel as if I'm being played, as if the man we're reading isn't even half the age he reports; there's no denying it, Wilson isn't by any means your usual old man. And I hope we can look forward to many more years, and I can only hope I'm as much fun when I'm in my sixties.

This drink's on me, guys. Here's to plenty more, both beers and books. :cheers:

I was rereading "Conspiracies" recently. I may actually have to agree with Lisa as this being the best novel of them all. As I was rereading this novel I noticed so many clues to the future events. (Hell, when they talked about the Lady I thought they meant Olive) But I found a couple of sentences in this book dealing with "Ladies and Dogs" that I don't see rearing it's head again until "The Haunted Air".

I'll quote, ""Good job Frayne" Melanie said as Cainfield squatted beside her like a dog. Jack almost expected her to pat Cainfields head"

Like I said, I've just recently reread the novel and have seen in several instances FPW is alluding to future novels. I find it interesting that his first allusion toward a woman and a dog was so heavily depicted by the Otherness.

I am certain that this is a subject that has been broached on various occasions and a very polarizing subject as well. However I wanted to pry back the “silver cross” on the film and open this topic up for discussion. I realize that there will be divisive viewpoints on the subject but I’d like to see what the consensus of forum members is.

I am aware of Mr. Wilson’s disdain for the film version of The Keep and I sympathize completely. If I had written something as engaging, exciting, and effectively horrifying as The Keep, only to have it chewed up and spit out by the Hollywood machine as a “representation” of my work, I’d be pretty effin’ pissed also.

I am also aware that there were significant problems during the production of The Keep. Michael Mann did not have the clout to support his “my way or the highway” attitude then as he does now (Public Enemies anyone?). As this was basically, right on the heels of the “Heaven’s Gate” debacle, I would assume that Paramount wasn’t interested in a 3 hour movie about a “demon” holed up in a castle, with Nazis, and Scott Glenn, so the theatrical release was a mish-mash of themes and visuals that never captured the grander notions of unbridled, wanton evil and unwanted but tremendous responsibility to keep that evil in check. Notions and themes found in the novel. I say all of this being a huge fan of all of Michael Mann’s films. Yes, even The Keep.

Allow me to explain.

The first time I saw The Keep I was 12 years old. It was running on cable and when I first watched it I was in complete awe. Admittedly, I also thought “Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn” was covered in awesome sauce (Sorry FPW!). The combination of the acting, the music, the style and action gave me a wide eyed appreciation for film and its possibilities. Think of it, a horror movie with Nazis. The endless ideas poured into my head. I’d see it here and there running on HBO or Prism (for you old school Philly folks) and I would stop everything to view it again and again. Sometimes my mom would be watching too and would say, “What the hell is this crap you’re watching?” or,”Is this a war movie or a horror movie?” and “What’s with the music? Turn it off and go outside.” Obviously my mother knew what she was talking about because there are a hell of a lot more people that feel her way about the movie than don’t.

I did what all 12 year old boys do; I got distracted by other things and forgot about The Keep. But just as Rasalom slumbered within Jim Stevens, The Keep was always there just below the surface.

Ten years later…

I’m having a conversation with a couple of friends of mine about movies we watched as kids and one of my friends brings up The Keep. I immediately reach back into the depths of my brain and remember it and before I know it, I blurt out,” Yo! That movie is awesome!” They both looked at me as if I said I Adolf Hitler was the greatest leader the world had ever known and then begin to ridicule me for my apparent lack of taste in movies. As I was attempting to qualify my statement I realized that I hadn’t seen it for ten years and maybe I needed to see it again to find out if I felt the same way. So I went on a quest to find the VHS tape to no avail (I had moved to Northeast Wisconsin by this time and video stores didn’t carry it for rental. Plus it was 1995 and well, the internet was still in its public infancy). I managed to find a copy for sale at a Sun Coast Pictures, but it was $39.99 and I couldn’t bring myself to purchase it. Then, five years later, I found it on Amazon for $19.99 and bought it. I was rife with anticipation and was thoroughly looking forward to seeing it again. When it arrived I couldn’t wait to see it. My wife had absolutely no interest in watching it because she thought it was a pile of crap when she saw it the first time. So I watched it by myself and suffice to say, I was very disappointed. I realized that maybe my friends were right, maybe it was my inner geek that remembered the adolescent wonder I felt when I saw it for the first time, never paying attention to how disjointed the plot was, how erratic the editing was, or how stupid Rasalom looked. I rewound the tape and put it away wondering how I could recoup a part of the time and money I had spent.

Then something interesting happened…

I was at a book sale at the local library and while perusing I came across a copy of “The Keep” by F. Paul Wilson. Truth be told, I had no idea that this was what the film was based on until I read the first few pages. Well I bought it right there and read it that night. I was literally blown away by the story, the depth of character, and level of fright this story evoked from me. Well, I told my wife about the novel and asked her to read it. She looked at me with a “You must be out yo got-damned mind!” look until I explained to her that the book was incomprehensibly superior to the film and she then realized that I was serious. She read the book and was impressed, which is fantastic considering my wife doesn’t read much fiction at all, and said, “I wish the movie was this good.” That’s when it hit me; I need to re-watch the film with the novel as a point of reference. I did and you know what? I actually liked the movie again. I think it was a combination of things that led me to that conclusion, the biggest being with the exception of the time, setting, and very basic premise, these were two totally different stories each with their own merits. Frankly, I don’t think I need to expound on the merits of the book as none of us would be hanging around this forum if I had to do that. Regarding the film however, I think it is necessary to explain my opinion in order to justify this rather long soliloquy…

While the film is far from exceptional, I find myself enjoying the overall aesthetic of the piece. I enjoyed the visuals (keeping 1983 in mind) including the murky surroundings, the heaviness of the atmosphere and the use of slow motion. The Tangerine Dream soundtrack is a bit cheesy but when Dr. Cuza is marching the talisman out of the depths of the mountain and through the keep, the swelling and ethereal sound of “Talisman” I get a little excited. Some of the special effects, while dated, are still pretty cool to me (Rasalom still looks stupid though). I would be remiss if I didn’t concede that yes, the story misses the mark and some of the acting is a bit over the top (Robert Prosky, anyone??).

In the end I like the film for what it is: a piece of eighties entertainment from an up and coming film director, and one of my guilty pleasures.

I’m looking forward to the day the Director’s cut is available on DVD which will also be the same day that O. J. Simpson finds out who the real killer is…

Cry havoc, and let slip the throwers of flame!

I was hoping you cool kids could settle something for me. A friend of mine seems to think that the creature in Secret Circles is a Rakosh. I don't see how it could be since it was described as having a tentacle. She thinks that this was the Rakosh's tongue. Also, I don't think there were any living Rakosh at the time. I thought there were none until Kasum hatched the egg and bred them in The Tomb.

So, Rakosh or not?