Steve D

After a summer break, I'm back to work. So far, my master's work has been outlined: The Paradigm Shift in Horror Literature/Pre and Post September 11, 2001. Thanks again to those who guided me with the older horror authors. HP Lovecraft, Stephen King, Robert Bloch, and Ray Bradbury make up the first three chapters of the book. I tried to select authors that only wrote prior to 9/11/01, those who have only written after 9/11, and those who have written in both eras. I am arguing that pre 9/11 horror is bolder than post 9/11. Pre has supernatural elements based on the "unknown," while post relies on suspense and mystery.

Which brings me to fpw.

The Adversary Cycle contains more elements of horror than the Repairman Jack series. The AC books contain more horror (for example, the horrors that Father Bill is subjected too). The RJ series deals more with loss, emotional misplacement, and conspiracies. Both series lead up to Nightworld, but their approaches differ, I believe, based on the time frame of 9/11.

If you would like to help, try to keep this thread on topic. How do the RJ books compare, book for book, with the AC series. Which RJ book compares to The Tomb, for instance? And so on.

I picked up a few fpw books at a dusty old bookshop in Pasadena, where I went with AC and his bro to see the latest Takashi Miilke film (a western, of all things). The books are Freak Show, The Healer, and Shock Rock. I'll be reading them (for the first time) to see if there's anything I can use for chapter four, which deals strictly with fpw's oeuvre. Thanks ahead of time for the help. Swing away. Criticism is most welcome. If I can't take it form you, how will I take it from my advisor?

IN Gateways, when Anya and Jack are going to the site of he accident, Anya sees old alligator tracks. She knows they are old because the mud is dried. If Florida is in the biggest drought in history, where does the mud come from?

The Repairman Jack series is about to wrap up, you had to have given at least a thought to what you'll tackle after. Can you give us a hint?

Went with the family on saturday to check out the latest CGI flick Igor and it was mildly entertaining. The humor was more likely to induce smiles and chuckles rather than belly laughs. The CGI was decent but I wasn't thrilled with the overall look, it looked like a retreaded A Nightmare Before Christmas. My kids liked it but I would think that this will be a good renter for most.

Now I remember why I hate awards shows like the Emmys and the Academy Awards.

How in the world did they think that anyone on television today is a better actor then Michael Emerson? At least last year he lost to Terry O'Quinn, but this was just wrong.

Michael Emerson was robbed once again. What an injustice to a brilliant actor. I'm officially boycotting every television show other then LOST.

Its only 0850 Monday morning and my day is already ruined. :mad:

Was just about to place my pre-order for Bloodline paperback from Amazon's UK site and i noticed that they'd changed the status to "Currently unavailable"
The US dot-com site has it for pre-order but they want $$$$BIG shipping. (I'm a big fan, but a big fan who has to work to a little budget)

Did any UK fans manage to get a pre-order from amazon UK?

I've emailed to ask if they'll be getting any in stock, so sitting tight with my fingers crossed.

Maybe should have jumped quicker...:mad2:

I recommend "Burn After Reading." I don't want to write anything specific about the film because you should just hop on and enjoy the ride, and I think you will. This film jogs along taking unexpected right and left turns that somehow bring it all home. No way could I have predicted anything that happened. Scenes that appeared funny in the ads were not what they seemed in the film, attribute that to the magic of editing and creating movie trailers. But there are loads of hilarious scenes. More importantly, a wildly creative script buttresses this movie. Much of the really funny stuff is in summation dialogues that explain rather than show what happened. That's my one gripe about the movie. I'd rather have seen some of what was described, especially at the end. But that's a relatively minor gripe, one that most people won't even consider.

The actors are all terrific and none is portrayed flatteringly. In tiny roles, Clare Danes and Dermot Mulroney are used in a uniquely amusing way.

There's never been a spy movie like this, and you can't even call it a spy movie. It's a wild and crazy, absurdist sex farce involving government employees romp.

What shows are you watching now, or what shows are you waiting to come on this season?

I'm really excited for Supernatural to come back on, and Heroes is so close I can smell it. (needs a little deo)

I am watching Eureka whenever I can catch it, and this new Fringe show sounds good, too!

What about you?

For some odd reason I decided to spend my weekend watching 2 home invasion films. That was on Saturday. I spent all day Sunday checking my locks repeatedly.

Both films are sufficiently creepy and deal with visitors tormenting a homes occupants.

Funny Games has Naomi watts, Tim Roth and their child being unrelentingly tormented by Michael Pitt and some other dude. It breaks the fourth wall with Pitt frequently addressing the viewer. It was a wonderful film wrought with peril but there was one scene that ripped me from the experience and I was never able to fully get back into the film.

Up until that Scene Funny Games trumped The Strangers.

The Strangers was a more straight up horror film about a couple being held hostage in their home by a group of masked intruders who move with Michael Meyers-esque flair...blending in with the shadows, lurking quietly in the background unbeknownst to their inteded victims.

The strangers succeeds in its simplicity, 2 people trapped in a remote house by faceless intruders who want to taunt them throughout the night until the very end...whatever "the end" might mean for the couple.

2 good movies worth watching back to back.

Given the latest news about the Repairman Jack Movie, namely that:[INDENT]Beacon [is] meeting with a company tomorrow that is interested in partnering with them, and will be going over directors. They think it "could be terrific news for the project." -- FPW
[/INDENT]...how do you feel about another production company partnering with Beacon to get the show (literally) on the road?

A) ...YEAH, BABY! Bring on Jack and the Rakoshi!
B) ...I'm waiting to see what happens before I get my hopes up.
C) ...this can only end in tears!

-Wapitikev