tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8676084381102325342024-02-19T05:55:45.668-08:00Press Start: The Blog of C.W. SmithThe official blog of YA author, Christopher William Smith. A place for nerd-dom, music, video games, books, films, animation, and anything else that might make one a geek.clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-31792428117085271122013-02-27T08:10:00.001-08:002013-02-27T08:10:52.666-08:00The 30-Year-Old Intern<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Breaking into the publishing world is not fun. From any
standpoint. Whether you want to be a writer, an agent, an editor, or whatever
else. Possibly the only easy way into publishing is gaining employment in a
basement mailroom. But seeing as I’ve already done the mail-sorting thing, I
figured that I’d try another route into this whole shebang: an Internship.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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It’s been years since I penned my first story for my
undergraduate degree, a five-pager written for my “Intro to Creative Writing”
course. For the most part, I hated that class. However, it was the first time I
realized how much I enjoyed writing—no, not enjoyed, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loved</i> writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since I
was in Kindergarten—where I’d dictate the story to my teacher, who then let me create
the illustrations—I’ve written off and on, always enjoying myself but never
really having aspirations to be a Writer. That all changed in my intro course,
when I realized how much I wanted to tell stories. I haven’t looked back since.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpe9b-9OQA76Zth4XDayt-Hv0NFtoE8W9iFJenmNsjEZgf8NWJFjwgpVqo_xDZ79mF9X0uUam_KZc4zUOFKRvFSNnt9CaiuiugHmlo0wfNG3ldt0Ks-AQRhSrLSeIenH0JDwXuRSqkh1c/s1600/30yoIntern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpe9b-9OQA76Zth4XDayt-Hv0NFtoE8W9iFJenmNsjEZgf8NWJFjwgpVqo_xDZ79mF9X0uUam_KZc4zUOFKRvFSNnt9CaiuiugHmlo0wfNG3ldt0Ks-AQRhSrLSeIenH0JDwXuRSqkh1c/s1600/30yoIntern.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sure, I’ve questioned my purpose or if I’ve chosen the right
path. I mean, what writer doesn’t feel like they’re just wasting their time
when the rejection letters start rolling in, especially the impersonalized form
rejections? But I keep on, simply because of my love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s led me through some highs and lows, everything from
publishing short stories to hearing “No thank you” after “No thank you” in
regards to my master’s thesis novel. And, honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if
my writing aspirations aren’t a key factor with my building anxiety issues.
Still, I knew things would get better. And they have, on multiple levels.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First and foremost, I met my amazing writing counterpart,
<a href="http://cantfightthewrite.blogspot.com/">Holly Cagney</a>, with whom I’ve now written one completed manuscript and am on the
verge of finishing a first draft of our second novel. It’s been ridiculously
fun writing with her and rekindles my love for the written word every time it’s
my turn to write the next section of our novels.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Next, I realized how much I not only enjoy writing, but how
much I enjoy editing. I’m not talking about my own work. Fuck no. I hate
revision. It’s a necessary evil to writing, but I’d much rather be like Cynthia
Ozick and say that when a story or novel is finished, it’s finished, no
questions. But working on others’ material? I heart it almost as much as
writing itself. This realization led me on a quest to figure out what it would
take to become an editor in this overcomplicated publishing world. Everything
direction I found pointed to an internship.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I poked around the internets, trying my best to track
down any literary internship. Problem was, the majority of them all want you to
be able to work in house—complete with fetching coffee, sorting files, and
answering phones. I’ve done that as an editorial assistant—and got paid for it.
I wasn’t about to do such a thing for free. Besides, I can’t, seeing as I’m not
living in one location long enough to cover a full stint of an internship.
Worse still, the few satellite internships I found had just passed their
deadlines. But I still discovered two to apply to.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Any of you job hunters out there know that these odds blow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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For once, though, the writing world wasn’t going to simply
ignore me or raise my hopes only to shat them back out on me with an
oh-so-courteous, “Thank you for letting us consider your work. Unfortunately…” </div>
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<br /></div>
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One of those two emailed me back. One of those two exchanged
a couple more emails with me. One of those two scheduled a phone interview,
whereupon a sixth-month internship was offered.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now, I’m interning for the <a href="http://www.andreahurst.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Hurst & AssociatesLiterary Management.</a> Through them, I’ve been working with both Andrea and
<a href="http://www.andreahurst.com/literary-management/about/margaret-bail/" target="_blank">Margaret Bail</a> (an extremely wonderful person, by the by), helping assess
manuscripts, trolling through the slushpile, and will be able to see the rest of the
“back end” of the publishing process. I couldn’t be happier.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It may seem weird to some to become an intern in your
post-graduate life, working for free for the next sixth months, but when you’re
deadest on accomplishing one of your lifelong goals, a step like this feels
pretty fucking fantabulous. So go ahead, call me a 30-year-old intern because
it’s exactly where I want to be—side-stepping my way into the publishing world.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-26623592648269299952013-01-02T06:00:00.000-08:002013-01-06T17:21:18.489-08:00"The Next Big Thing" Blog Hop<br />
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<span style="background: white;"><i>My good friend, <a href="http://www.aestueve.com/5/post/2012/12/next-best-thing.html">A. E. Stueve</a>,
asked me to participate in the blog hop of “The Next Big Thing.” You know, one
of those setups for some good ol’ fashioned self-promotion. Basically, it asks
a few questions of writers and what they’re currently working on. So, without
further ado…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">1) What is the working title
of your next book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Frenetic Connections<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">2) Where did the idea come from for the book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Seeing as it’s one that I’m
working on with my coauthor, Holly Cagney, it stemmed from one of those
conversations where we were, mostly, talking about something else, and the
novel grew from tossing around a few “What about…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">3) What genre does your book fall under?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Young Adult Contemporary—though for the
older crowd since the characters are on the verge of graduating,
and seeing as the novel is set in Vegas…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">4) What actors would you choose to play the part
of your characters in a movie rendition?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Much as I love Michael Cera
and think he’d do a great job here, I’m thinking that Andrew Garfield would
knock one of the narrators, Donovan, out of the park. As for the other
narrator, Frances, while she doesn’t really <i>look</i>
the part, who wouldn’t want Ellen Page?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your
book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">When <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Frances</st1:place></st1:country-region> gets
Donovans valuables stolen on the Vegas Strip, their flight home isn’t the only
connection in jeopardy of being missed. (This totally came from my coauthor, so in this vein, I guess I cheated.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">6) Will your book be self-published or
represented by an agency?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">The goal is to be
represented, though it’s a bit from the querying stage still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">7) How long did it take you to write the first
draft of the manuscript?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">As mentioned above, it’s
still not ready to be queried, and that probably has quite a bit to do with the
fact that the manuscript isn’t finished yet. Still, we’ve only been working on
it about a month, and even with the holidays, we’ve gotten about ¼ of the way
through our word count goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;">8) </span></span><span style="background: white;">What other books
would you compare this story to within your genre?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any of the YA romances with multiple narrators, but most
notably <i>Nick & Norah’s Infinite
Playlist</i> by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">Most of it stems from
enjoying the coauthoring setup as much as I have. Once we finished the first
book, we knew that we were going to write another. And while the last novel was
more on the “quiet” side of things, we wanted this one to be—and I quote,
“Mother Fuckin’ LOUD.” So, since I was currently living in Vegas and got to
know the area fairly well, well, it doesn’t get much louder or more frenetic
than Vegas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">10) What else about the book might pique the
reader's interest?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;">While it’s set in Vegas—and
even much of it taking place on The Strip—this isn’t the typical Vegas most are
used to through the traditional Las Vegas films, <i>The Hangover</i>
and the like. This is less party-tastic and more a tribute to all the colorful
characters that inhabit this space, including cosplayers like Winnie the Pooh
and Kratos from the <i>God of War</i> video
game series. It’ll hopefully be a peek into the Vegas that most don’t see or
ever know—unless you’ve lived there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="background: white;">There you have it. And if you’re interested in
what others are doing, there should be some posts coming next week, Jan. 9.
from a few folks I know. (I’ll provide links as I receive confirmation of their
participation.)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-39826335646952172112013-01-01T06:00:00.000-08:002013-01-01T06:00:09.138-08:00Top Films of 2012: Number 1 - Cloud Atlas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdwhg0B9N2x0ruaQBV2MozQqP9cWg1pvtFQe_f0YtWnFWCYVapb0BNN1lj" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQdwhg0B9N2x0ruaQBV2MozQqP9cWg1pvtFQe_f0YtWnFWCYVapb0BNN1lj" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After some rave reviews and a recommendation from a trusted
mentor, I read this book during my MFA stint. While I enjoyed the novel well
enough and could see what Mitchell was going for, it just didn’t seem to “hit”
me like so many other readers. It was good, but I didn’t see why it impacted
others as it had. So when I first heard about the possible adaptation brewing
between Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, I was more than a little interested.
(I’ve been a huge fan of Tykwer since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Run
Lola Run</i>, and say what you will about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matrix </i>sequels, the Wachowskis can put together some of the best
sequences and eye-candy better than most currently working directors.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In short, the film simply blew me away. It finally “hit” me.
Hard. Right in the chest, and I don’t think another film affected me with such
a huge emotional impact as this one did. I finally understood what everyone was
talking about with the novel and what Mitchell had attempted. But why I think
this worked better for me is not only that I’m a visual person, but the
blending of the six stories completely and wholly, rather than Mitchell’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">matryoshka</i> presentation in the novel,
made the connections in the narrative that much stronger, and both visually and
emotionally engaging. Seriously, some of the montage sequences of this film are
simply mind-blowing; the editing and thematic links created between the “Cut
Tos” build a whole so much bigger than the individual parts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On top of that, the acting is wonderful—even if it’s a bit
too easy to get caught up in the “Who is the actor playing in this section?” as
you watch. Hugo Weaving is all sorts of amazing as “The Devil Georgie” and
“Nurse Noakes.” And while there’s nothing particularly “amazing” about Hugh
Grant’s characters, he was the only actor that I completely missed all of his
other roles, so take that as you will. (I will be more than a little
disappointed if there isn’t some “Best Actor/Actress” love shown to this film.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Visually, too, this film is stunning, as it has a wonderful
juxtaposition of a gritty, down-to-earth beauty combined with a glowing/horrific
version of the future. Really, though, considering the directors, I’d have been
more surprised if the film HADN’T been aesthetically pleasing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, though, what makes the film work is the editing.
Yes, it might not be something most folks notice or will pay any attention to,
but condensing and jumping through time as this film does <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without </i>a skilled editor? Well, it would’ve been shit, plain and
simple. This, in particular, I will be more than a little annoyed if Alexander
Berner does not get an Oscar nomination for this film. He’s what makes this
film work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True, it may be over-bloated and pompous to some, but when
you consider the source material and how cohesive of a narrative these
directors were able to create? You should be able to ignore a bit of
overindulgence from time to time. Because, in the end, a film that produces
such an emotionally-engaging romance film that spans hundreds of years in terms
of settings and characters, well, it’s almost impossible to be unimpressed by
the accomplishment of these directors.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-14238669203929543512012-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002012-12-31T06:00:10.480-08:00Top Films of 2012: Numbers 2 & 3 - The Avengers & Looper<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As promised, here are
Films Two and Three for the year. These, of course, are in a particular order…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/looper-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/looper-poster.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Number Three –<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Looper</i>: </b>Like so many films, I’d
heard about this one LONG before any real footage or info started showing
up—basically because I stalk certain directors via IMDB, and Rian Johnson is
one of my stalk-ees. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brick </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Brothers Bloom</i> are both excellent
films, even if the former trumps the latter. So when I heard about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Looper</i>, its premise, and the actors
involved, I wanted it so, so badly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, as I tend to do when I’m anticipating a film,
it builds into unrealistic proportions. Sadly, when I first watched this at the
midnight showing, I left the theatre feeling more than a little disappointed.
Sure, I’d enjoyed it well enough, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a phenomenal
job at mimicking Bruce Willis’ speech patterns and mannerisms (really, it’s
worth it just to see this mighty fine bit of acting). But I still felt like, in
the end, it ruined itself in many ways.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I received a ranting praise email from a good friend of
mine that made me rethink the film. I decided to give it another shot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On second viewing, everything “clicked” much more wholly
than the first time. Maybe because my initial expectations had already been let
down and I knew what to expect. Maybe seeing it in the day with a fresh mind,
rather than one that had been up for too many hours as it was, helped. Maybe I
simply saw it for what it was: a story of hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whatever the reason, I loved this film, and highly recommend
it to any and all. Johnson has created a future that’s as freakishly possible
as Mike Judge’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Idiocracy</i>—though even
more likely. This grounding allowed the time-travel and such to simply “exist,”
along with the other fantastical elements. And, ultimately, its theme of hope
and “love trumping all” made this one even more emotionally engaging than you’d
expect a sci-fi film to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/TheAvengers2012Poster.jpg/220px-TheAvengers2012Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f9/TheAvengers2012Poster.jpg/220px-TheAvengers2012Poster.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Number Two – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Avengers</i>: </b>How can you NOT have
enjoyed this film? Seriously, this is a prime example of what films were made for
in the first place: an escape of pure entertainment.</div>
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However, entertainment alone doesn’t always cut it, which is
why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Avengers </i>earns its Number Two
spot. This film is AMAZINGLY balanced. Yes, the majority of these characters
have had their own films to build their characters and back stories. But you’d
think they’d all be fighting for screen time and one might be left wondering
“Whose story is this?” Yet Joss Whedon managed to give each and every character
their own ideals and growth throughout the film. (One might still argue that
Robert Downey Jr. takes the spotlight with Iron Man, as usual, but even so, the
other characters are one small notch below him in terms of screen time and
character growth.)</div>
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It’s full of humor, has excellently staged action sequences,
and still manages to slip in not only some fantastic lines, but also a few
“deeper” thoughts that deserve consideration, from self-sacrifice to being a
part of a team to what it means to wield power over others.</div>
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I think out of every film I saw this year, not one held my
attention and kept me entertained as this one did, from second one to the final
“bonus” scene after the whole of the credits.</div>
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It’s times like this, when Hollywood actually makes a
“smart” choice by turning such a project over to the right hands, that give me
hope for future films—not only in the comic book realm, but for films in
general. There are a handful of directors that may not have the “Spielberg” and
“Scorsese” status, but I’ll be damned if they can’t make a mighty fine film,
and both Whedon and Johnson fall into this category.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-26862648071480418122012-12-28T10:55:00.000-08:002012-12-28T10:55:13.322-08:00Top Films of 2012: Honorable Mentions Part 2<br />
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<i>Here is the other half
of my “Honorable Mentions” for the year. Numbers Two and Three will be revealed
on Monday, and Number One will drop on Tuesday.</i></div>
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<b><i>Wreck-it Ralph</i>:</b> Being the videogame nerd that I am, of course I
was drooling over this film, as it looked to pay tribute to so many things that
I hold dear. I’ll admit, it takes a bit to really pick up some steam, but once
it does, this turned into one of the more heart-warming and wonderfully put
together films of the year. Besides, all the subtle videogame nerd-dom had me
giggling for much longer than is probably healthy.</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><i>Moonrise</i></b></st1:placename><b><i> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype></i></b></st1:place><b>: </b>Not many directors have such a distinct visual style as Wes
Anderson, and like him or not, his films can be identified as such within
watching less than a minute of them. Anyone with that sort of vision and style
deserves props, and I think he carries through once again with his cross
between absurdity, emotional insights, and energetic presentation. His films
have that element where you think anything and everything could happen—and
often does. Yet even at it’s most unbelievable, he manages to hold it together
into one cohesive piece. As always, I look forward to his next work.</div>
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<b><i>Django Unchained</i>: </b>For whatever reason—I’m guessing simply the
timeframe in which I watched them—I never much cared for Taratino’s earlier
films. It wasn’t until <i>Kill Bill</i> that
I was anticipating the release of his films (this because I knew how much he’d
been influenced by samurai flicks, and I couldn’t wait to see what he’d do with
them). But since then, his films have grown and grown, with <i>Inglorious Basterds </i>being nothing short
of amazing. And while <i>Django</i> isn’t
quite as good as <i>IB</i>, it managed to
keep me entertained, laughing, and cringing for the entirety of its two hours
and 45 minutes. This, mostly, worked because of his gift of dialogue and
conversation (not many can write a conversation like him). Plus, the
performances are too good to ignore, on all fronts, from Jamie Foxx to
Christopher Waltz and even Leonard Dicaprio. Each and every actor and actress
is spot-on in this film, and I will be more than a little surprised if this
film doesn’t garner some heavy Oscar nominations—if not wins—on this front.</div>
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<b><i>Ruby <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Sparks</st1:city></st1:place></i></b>:
When I first saw the trailer, I thought it was a reverse version of <i>Stranger Than Fiction</i>; however, while
watching, that view quickly shifted. <i>Ruby
Sparks </i>is very much its own film with its own ideas and an original
presentation. It navigates from the laugh out loud comedy to the uncomfortable
to the downright dark, yet still manages to stay cohesive as one unit. Really,
this film is all about relationships and what we do for, with, and even how we
manipulate one another to shape them into who we want—or expect—them to be.
That commentary, alone, makes this film worth watching. And, you know, I like
Paul Dano, too.</div>
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<b><i>Silver Linings Playbook</i>: </b>Like Tarantino and McDonagh, David O.
Russell squeezes perfect performances from his actors and actresses—despite his
explosive temper. (Google the clip of him and Lily Tomlin on the set of <i>I Heart Huckabees.</i>) This one is no
different, as everyone—and I’m including Bradley Cooper in this—is wonderful.
It’s a dysfunctional love story where everyone involved is broken in some way
or another. So the different levels of redemption and what’s considered “normal”
become that much more emotionally engaging, as it makes one question what, in
the end, can truly be qualified as “healthy” and “The Norm.” True, it plays out
much the way you’d expect and guess, but between the great acting,
squirm-in-your-seat uncomfortable scenes, and the emotional resonance, this
film is just shy of hitting my top three.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-76590362107257079212012-12-27T12:08:00.000-08:002012-12-27T12:08:27.662-08:00Top Films of 2012: Honorable Mentions Pt. 1<br />
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<i>Continuing on with my
“odd” presentation of the year-end films, I’m breaking these last parts into
four sections. You get five “Honorable Mentions” today, five tomorrow, then my
“Tops” on Monday and Tuesday next week. (There were too many movies that I felt
like I enjoyed equally, and ranking them was stupid. However, three did, indeed,
rise to the top.)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>As you read, please
note the following: Yes, I have seen </i>The Hobbit<i>, and while I enjoyed it, I enjoyed these films more. Also, at this
writing, I have yet to see</i> Argo, Lincoln, Life of Pi, <i>or </i>Les Miserables. <i>Take that
as you will.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>These come to you in
no particular order, simply five today, five tomorrow.</i></div>
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<b><i>Seven Psychopaths</i>: </b>I love Martin McDonagh. After watching <i>In Bruges</i>, I knew this would be a
director I’d be following for the length of his career. And while I didn’t
quite like <i>SP</i> as much, this is still
a very enjoyable film. Mostly, I think he’s a director that can get some
wonderful performances out of every actor he works with. (He’s the reason I
started liking Colin Farrell.) Everyone is spot-on in this film. And while the
“meta” portions of the film almost become a little too self-indulgent at
times—reminded me of <i>Adaptation </i>in
some ways—the colorful characters and dark humor carried me along for a wonderful
ride.</div>
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<b><i>Safety Not Guaranteed</i>: </b>I worried this film would be one of
those “quirky for quirkiness’s sake” films. However, I was glad to see that my
worries were unfounded. There might be a few scenes that feel “oddball” just
because they could be, but overall, the heart of the film lies in its
examination of relationships, how they form—if they form at all—and the lasting
impacts they can have when you remember the past in different lights. Plus,
both <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Aubrey</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Jake Johnson are all sorts of
wonderful. True, the ending might—and seems to irk—many, but it worked for me,
as I couldn’t see it wrapping up any other way.</div>
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<b><i>Hunger Games</i>: </b>Like the last few Harry Potter films, this one
was so much better than it deserved to—or was expected—to be. Don’t get me
wrong, I enjoyed the novel enough, but I never thought the film would have been
so well-realized, taking the novel from a “fantasy” and turning into something
that felt much more grounded and “real” than I expected it would be. It’s a
shame Lionsgate pushed out the writer/director simply because he was going to
“take too long” for the next films. They had a good thing going, and I won’t be
surprised if the second film will do what the second novel did for me: all but
kill the series. Still, this one on its own is more emotionally engaging and
well-acted than I ever thought possible for an adaption of this series.</div>
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<b><i>The Dark Knight Rises</i>:</b> As one of my friends said, there is
simply no way Nolan would be able to top <i>The
Dark Knight</i>. Heath Ledger’s Joker is now the stuff of cinematic legend in
terms of mind-blowing performances. But, to me, this one didn’t even top <i>Batman Begins</i>. Honestly, I don’t think
it really works as its own, singular film—like the other two do. Yes, it’s
entertaining enough, and I love much of what Nolan has done here, but without
the other two films, this would’ve been less than “Meh.” That being said
though, as a finale to the trilogy, this film does an amazing job tying up all
the threads and giving a sense of closure to the trilogy that’s a rarity these
days. (Plus, I don’t care what others say, Anne Hathaway nailed Catwoman.)</div>
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<b><i>Pirates! Band of Misfits</i>:</b> I read Gideon Defoe’s first two
Pirates! books more than a few years back—and thoroughly enjoyed them. So when
I heard Ardman was adapting the first one into a stop-motion film, I eagerly
anticipated this one for quite awhile. And the waiting was worth it. This film
is all sorts of amusing, with bizarre one-liners and an extremely well balanced
sense of humor, as it keeps both the kid-friendly “physical/visual” humor and
“asides” for the older crowds in check. Plus, this film is face-melting when
you think of all the detail and time that must’ve gone into filming some of
these scenes. In particular, the bubbles on the beer are ridiculous. Kudos to
the filmmakers that had the patience to animate such things. Films don’t get
much more fun than this one—especially when keeping to a “family friendly”
audience.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-18861547765354817112012-12-25T11:42:00.000-08:002012-12-27T12:02:26.105-08:00Top Films of 2012: The Visual FeastsAs promised yesterday, today's post focuses on those films that were visually stunning in one capacity or another. While some are good films as a whole, others were simply chosen because of their aesthetics. Without further ado, here are my picks--in no particular order.<br />
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<ul>
<li><i>Snow White and the
Huntsman</i>: Say what you will about Kristen Stewart, her Derek Zoolander “One
Look,” and her acting in general, but you’d have a hard time arguing that this
isn’t a visually impressive film. From the hallucinogenic swamp to the realization
of the fantastical creatures to the fluidity of the mirror and milk and crow
mush, this is a grotesquely gorgeous film. Yes, it has some serious flaws
overall, but aesthetically, it’s more than worth your time.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>ParaNorman</i>: Unlike
the above film, I loved this one on more levels than its looks alone. It would
definitely make my Top-Ten list of the year. But, taken on looks alone, this is
the prettiest stop-motion film that I’ve ever seen. I don’t know how many times
I lost myself in the visuals and thought: “I can’t believe this is
stop-motion…” I’ve tried my hand at such films, and to not only work in that
exacting of a medium but to also create such a beautifully realized world…
well, there are no words for this accomplishment.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>Rise of the Guardians</i>:
In film school, I was often taught the importance of the close-up. The more,
the better became the mantra. And while I still hold this to be true, there is
something to be said about a perfectly composed extreme wide-shot, and <i>RotG</i> has some amazing wide-shots. Almost
mind-blowingly so. It’s a film that took full advantage of its animated medium
and produced some of the most well-composed frames and nothing short of
jaw-dropping visuals of any film this year. Period.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Dark Shadows</i>:
Overall, I didn’t really care for this film. But, in terms of Tim Burton fully
and completely realizing his “vision,” I don’t think he’s come close to this
level of sophistication in any of his earlier works.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>We Need to Talk About
Kevin</i> and <i>Killing Them Softly</i>:
I’m lumping these two together, as they are very much in the same vein. For
being films with such dark themes and melancholic/disturbing/disheartening
tones, these are still beautifully shot films. I’m always impressed when a film
without all the fantastic elements and special effects can still be so visually
engaging, and both of these films did it for me—even if I felt like shit after
having watched them.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>Skyfall</i>: When I’d
heard Sam Mendes was directing this, I went from being like “Oh, another Bond
film” to “I can’t wait for this freaking film!” Mendes has always impressed me
with his visuals, right from the start with <i>American
Beauty</i>, and I knew that he’d be a good choice for Bond. He did not
disappoint. Not only was there both stark and lush beauty in this film, he
added something that’s been missing from Bond films for years: heart. True, I
won’t argue with the purests that say it “misses the point” of what the earlier
Bond films are, but for someone who never gave two shits about Bond before
these last few films, I am more than impressed with how these films have
grown—despite the slight stumble of <i>Quantum
of Solace.</i></li>
</ul>
<br />clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-88725697777741177532012-12-24T09:18:00.002-08:002012-12-27T12:02:37.856-08:00Top Films of 2012: The Biggest Surprises<br />
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For films, while I plan on doing a “Top-List,” I’ve decided
to break them down a few different ways this year, since I think there were
some noteworthy films for one reason or another, but they may not have been the
“best” overall. You know? So, for today, I want to cover the films that I was
most surprised by that came out this year—in no particular order. (Mostly, I’m
trying to buy some time to ensure that I can see a few other of these “end of
year” releases before I make my final picks. Tomorrow will cover what I’ve
dubbed, “The Visual Feasts.”)</div>
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<ul>
<li><i>Men in Black III</i>:
It’s taken years for the first film to grow on me. I never really liked it upon
its initial release, and it’s only after multiple viewings that I’ve decided
that I do, indeed, enjoy that film. That being said, I skipped the second film
entirely and have yet to actually watch it. However, with this one, not only
did I think the trailers looked rather amusing, but I also wanted to see
Jemaine Clement as the villain. (That guy is so awesomely weird.) So, possibly
against my better judgment, I went to see this film—and thoroughly enjoyed it.
It has some good humor and quotable one-liners, it does a good enough job with time-travel,
and it has much more heart and soul than I ever would have thought possible for
a <i>Men in Black </i>film. Plus, James
Brolin as Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K is almost as impressive as <i>Looper's </i>Joseph Gordon-Levitt
as Bruce Willis as Joe.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>Frankenweenie</i>: I’m
in the generation that’s pretty much grown up with Tim Burton’s career, and
I’ve seen all of his films—most many times over—to date. This includes his
original short of <i>Frankenweenie</i>. So
when I first heard about this one, I thought it was rather lame that he has not
only been remaking others’ films, but now, he is also remaking his own films. After
the trailer’s release, I had even less desire to see it. However, being the animation
junkie that I am, I saw it in spite of my misgivings. And I’m glad I did. The
tributes to all the horror classics are too good to pass up. The teacher—holy
shit, the teacher—Mr. Rzykruski has some of the best lines and commentary on
today’s schools and learning environments that I’ve seen/heard in years.
Lastly, even with its kid-film status, it managed to creep me out still.
(Seriously, the bat/cat transformation… pretty sure I wouldn’t have slept for
weeks as a child.)</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><i>Cabin in the Woods</i>:
I like Joss Whedon. But I honestly didn’t have high hopes for
this one. It looked fun enough, for sure, but nothing too wonderful or
noteworthy. However, there were few films that I saw this year that had me
laughing as much as this one. So much dark humor… And where <i>Frankenweenie </i>paid tribute to the horror
films of old, <i>Cabin in the Woods</i> took
all those often-used tropes and flipped each and every one of them on their
heads. It’s definitely a film more for those familiar with horror flicks, but
if you don’t mind some blood and guts with your laughs, this is a good place to
go.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><i>21 Jump Street</i></st1:address></st1:street>:
I never watched the show growing up, and even though I knew Jonah Hill had
turned this into his “baby” of a project, I didn’t really care about it. I
didn’t even bother to check it out in the theatre. But when I had my
Blockbuster Pass for a few months this year, I picked it up off the shelf—and
laughed until my ribs were sore. True, it may go “too far” for some in a few
instances, but for those that are more than okay with laughing at the perverse,
this is a hilarious film. And like <i>Fight
Club</i> made me look at Brad Pitt in a different light, this one did the same
for Channing Tatum. Anyone that can play into his stereotypes and,
basically, make fun of themselves in a film, well, they’re okay in my book. And
Tatum is downright ridiculous. Watch the “Fuck Yeah” portion of the film and
just TRY not to laugh at him crashing the band room.</li>
</ul>
<br />clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-65657485567687945782012-12-23T14:25:00.000-08:002012-12-23T14:25:48.155-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: #1 - Purity Ring's "Shrines"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the number one, I’m sure there will be more than a
few folks shaking their heads and wondering what in the world is wrong with me,
but out of all the albums I picked up and listened to this year—which was
upwards of 50 to 60—I had so many of these tracks stuck in my head and found
myself listening to this album more often than was probably healthy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Really, I think it’s the simplicity of this band that really
drew me in. Most of the tracks only have a few different elements working
together. The music never becomes overwhelming or too “full” by way of too many
sounds and instruments going on all at once. This, of course, works that much
better to showcase Megan James’ lovely voice—even when it’s manipulated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve always been a sucker for these types of bands as it
is—seeing as Portishead, Hooverphonic, and any track by Massive Attack with a
female vocalist are some of my all time favorites—I probably didn’t have much of choice in choosing this one as
the top album for me this year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Normally, the bizarre—if not outright nonsensical—lyrics
would irk me, as I tend to like my music to make <i>some</i> form of sense. But Purity Ring does just enough to keep
everything together and coherent—even if they’re more than a little “off.”
Tracks like “Fineshrine” and “Grandloves” and “Crawlersout” give enough hints
to a story/emotion/revelation that they help pull together some of the more
nonsensical lyrics that permeate this album. “Fineshrines,” in particular, has
one of my favorite choruses: “Get a little closer,
let fold/ Cut open my sternum, and pull/ My little ribs around you.”<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, though, it’s the chillaxed nature of the whole
album that sells me. It’s something that can be listened to at any moment of
any day and be fitting in its calming rhythms and echoing beats. Think of it as
The XX with a bit of a dubstep injection and you’ll have a good idea of what
this band sounds like.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with the three aforementioned tracks, some good ones
to check out are “Cartographist” and “Obedear.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For me, at the end of the day—or year in this case—I have to
think about what albums that I have not only listened to a crapton as is, but I
also can see myself listening to for years to come. And I have a feeling that
anytime a track from Purity Ring’s first LP pops up on my iPod—or whatever my
next-gen player ends up being—it’ll put a smile on my face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>BONUS BAND: </b>Along
with Purity Ring’s album, the next most listened to album of the year for me
was Grouplove’s 2011 release, “Never Trust a Happy Song.” From the first time I
heard “Colours” on an acquaintance’s playlist, I was hooked. They only got
better from there, as I do believe that “Itchin’ on a Photograph” is one of the
best opening tracks to any album. Ever. Such a wonderful track that sets up the
playful and slightly melancholic nature of the rest of the album. Truly, this
is a band that you can just tell that they’re having fun with their music. Even
if I hadn’t caught them in concert this year—and they put on one hell of a
show, by the by—I think their infectious energy is apparent on every track,
with each one distinct and unique. If you haven’t been listening to Grouplove,
do it. Now. Go.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-14619079676979369052012-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:002012-12-22T21:37:53.755-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: #2 The Lumineers' "The Lumineers"This year ushered in a whole new wave of music that I opened myself up to. True, this indie-folk scene is on the rise--thanks mostly in part to Mumford & Sons--but I wasn't aware of it, really, until <a href="http://cantfightthewrite.blogspot.com/">my writing counterpart</a> introduced me to this band, starting with "Stubborn Love."<br />
<br />
The lyrics alone drew me in, as I love the simple honesty and truth that permeate the majority of their songs. And if they aren't sharing insight into life and love, they know how to create a fun song that makes you want to be in some dark and dingy dive bar, sipping a whiskey, ready to sing and dance along to each and every song. Tracks like "Classy Girls," "Dead Sea," and "Ho Hey" are more than lively enough to push you from your seat, want to grab the nearest person, and start dancing, regardless of where you are.<br />
<br />
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On the flipside, their quieter songs like "Slow It Down" and "Charlie Boy" and especially "Morning Song" might not make you want to move, but they make you <i>feel</i>, which is equally important.<br />
<br />
I think that it's the fact that this band knows how to navigate the upbeat with the down, and the lead singer Wesely Schultz's voice is the perfect amount of scratchy and tremulous that works in both styles. And really, the whole album is an excellent balance between the faster and slower tracks. This is a band that knows the importance of moving through emotions, giving some downtime to relax from all the up, up, up.<br />
<br />
It'd be easy for folks to compare this band to Mumford & Sons, or say that they're ripoffs or whatever, but you'd be doing yourself and the band a huge disservice. The Lumineers are very much their own, with their own sound, and as I said before, the lyrics alone make this band worth your time. Seriously, if you're into the growing indie folk scene and haven't heard of these guys, go, buy their album. It's a good idea; I swear.<br />
<br />
<b>BONUS BAND:</b> Though in this case, it will be bands. To carry along with the "lesser known" indie folk bands, you should also do yourself a favor and track down The Head and the Heart's self-titled album, and Shovels and Rope's "O Be Joyful." Both are most excellent and well worth your time. In particular, check out Head and Heart's "Rivers and Roads" and Shovels and Rope's "Circus." If those don't suck you in, well, then I guess the indie folk scene just isn't for you.clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-22495715518852664142012-12-21T09:36:00.000-08:002012-12-21T09:36:38.844-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: #3 The Shin's "Port of Morrow"Yes, I'm one of the many that had no idea who The Shins were until I saw Zach Braff's <i>Garden State</i>. But regardless of how you feel about the film as a whole, he got Natalie Portman's line right when she says, "This band will change your life." Ever since, I've nabbed up each of their new albums, and each one has lived up to their past offerings--if not bettered them. So, despite having James Mercer's side project of Broken Bells to tide me over, I've been eagerly awaiting a new album from this band. Usually, the more excited I get for something to be released, the more I build up my expectations, which ultimately leads to my disappointment with the final product. However, "Port of Morrow" didn't disappoint.<br />
<br />
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Right from the opening track of "The Rifle's Spiral," I knew I was in safe hands. The simple way it builds the drum beat and layers on the rest of the song, it is one of the best opening tracks for any album this year. Plus, it sets you up for what's to follow. While this is still The Shins you know and love, it's easy to hear that there's a bit more polish--and a bit more pop--leaking through. This, to me, shows even more with the second track of "Simple Song." And as it often tends to be for me, even though it's the main single off the album, it's one of my least favorites. I still like the song, don't get me wrong, but there are so many better tracks. (It's songs like this that make me wonder how much control an artist or band has when choosing their singles.)<br />
<br />
Much as "Port of Morrow's" upbeat tracks are good, it's the more downtempo tracks that are the most enjoyable. From "40 Mark Strasse" to "It's Only Life" to the title track, these are the songs that tend to carry the more "haunting" tones that The Shins use as a signature. (The title of their song, "Caring is Creepy" is one of the more fitting ones, as I think there is an unease to much of their music, but that's what tends to make it so interesting.)<br />
<br />
Honestly, the worst part about the album is its length. At ten tracks, it doesn't last nearly as long as one might want, but they've always been a band that seems to live by the "quality over quantity" rule. It never feels like any of their songs are fillers, those nonsense or forgettable tracks that almost every band has one or two of on a disc.<br />
<br />
And even though the entire album is worth your time and money, these tracks in particular help make the album shine:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>"The Rifle's Spiral"</li>
<li>"It's Only Life"</li>
<li>"Bait and Switch"</li>
<li>"For a Fool"</li>
<li>"40 Mark Strasse"</li>
</ul>
<div>
There you have it, more than half the album is nothing short of fantastic--a way better ratio than most. So, if you're a fan of The Shins, I don't know why you don't already own this, but you should. And if you're new to them, this is a good enough place to start, as long as you keep in mind that their older work becomes more "raw" the earlier it gets. But it's equally good. The Shins, man, they really will change your life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>BONUS BAND: </b></div>
<div>
The Glitch Mob is, yes, categorized as dubstep. (Personally, I still don't see how dubstep is a separate entity from techno as a whole. It's simply another branch like Jungle or Trance or Drum and Bass... But I'll leave that argument for the purists.) Still, the beats and rhythms this band creates are all sorts of amazing. And they're probably a bit more accessible than some of the other dubstep-ers, since they tend to be a little less distorted and glitchy--in spite of their name. The best place to start is "Between Two Points," since it actually has a singer and lyrics. If you like the beats in that song, you'll probably like the rest of their tunes, too. It's a perfect blend of chillaxing and just enough of a danceable beat that it makes you want to move.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-74323116242836849342012-12-19T07:28:00.001-08:002012-12-19T07:28:28.712-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: #4 Porcelain Raft's "Strange Weekend"Apparently this is the year for film inspirations...<br />
<br />
I first heard Porcelain Raft in the trailer for <i>Celeste and Jesse Forever</i>, with their album opener, "Drifting in and Out." The dreamlike rhythm that did, indeed, drift in and out, carried me along, and I'm pretty sure I watched the trailer for that film more than once just for the song. Then, of course, I remembered that these were the internets, and not only could I find out WHAT song it was, but I could also buy the damn thing--which I promptly did.<br />
<br />
The band reminded me quite a bit of Beach House, who also put out a pretty solid album this year, but something about "Strange Weekend" simply lulled me back time and time again, as this album ended up with some pretty heavy rotation. And I'm fairly sure that the few folks I made a mix for this year have, at least, one track from this album.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The one thing that I will give the naysayers is that the lyrics are, often, less than stellar. Most of the time, the songs tend to repeat their short chorus/verses, but it's one of those instances where the singer and his melodies grow into the songs themselves, the rhythm and beats and vocals all blending into one mesh of earhole goodness. Basically, I'm saying the lyrics don't really matter with music like this. Yes, it would be a plus if there was something profound in each song--though I do quite like the lyrics for "Backwords" and "Unless You Speak From Your Heart"--but the whole is much greater here than when you break it into the individual pieces.<br />
<br />
What really made this album work for me is the fact that almost every track has become one that I've played, then replayed, then replayed again before moving on. Tracks like "Put Me to Sleep," "Is It Too Deep For You?" and "Shapeless & Gone" leave you hanging, wanting more, and the only way to get that is to press that double-arrowed button on your iPod to hear that song again.<br />
<br />
And even though the album works as a cohesive dreamspace, each unit has its own feel and distinct emotion. The aforementioned "Unless You Speak From Your Heart" has an alternating circus/celestial feel. Bizarre as that sounds, it creates a melancholy that fits the lyrics perfectly. Same for "Backwords," as right from the humming intro to the slow building beat, it sucks you into this calm space that grows and grows until it makes you feel as if you'll explode with emotion and the only way to quell it, is to re-listen to the track.<br />
<br />
While the whole album is worthwhile, any of the specifically mentioned tracks are more than worth your time--especially if your a fan of Beach House, possibly Radiohead, Washed Out, or any other dream-ballad from the 80s.<br />
<br />
I think this is definitely an example of how much my music tastes have "chilled out," but if artists keep making music like this, I'm more than okay with finally growing into another sound.<br />
<br />
<b>BONUS BAND:</b> Bombay Bicycle Club<br />
I happened upon this band through an Amazon recommendation, and it was a mighty fine recommendation at that, too. After devouring their 2011 album, "A Different Kind of Fix," listening to the final track, "Still," more times than I'm willing to admit, I picked up their earlier albums and all three have been chosen frequently since I acquired them. Excellent stuff if you're into Radiohead, Sunny Day Real Estate, or Death Cab for Cutie.clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-51320696937430311482012-12-18T14:27:00.000-08:002012-12-18T14:27:57.994-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: #5 - Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that the honorable mentions are out of the way, on to
the “real” picks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Normally, I’ve always thought these types of albums are
stupid. The ones that seem to be put together for a quick buck to capitalize on
a particular name or license—seeing as the music isn’t even a part of the film
proper. (Two songs in the credits don’t really count as being “in film.”)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
But when I first heard the final track during those
credits—the latter of the two, “Kingdom Come” by The Civil Wars—and recognized
that it was Civil Wars, I thought I’d track the song down. Once done, I read
through the rest of the bands that contributed to the album and was impressed.
However, I didn’t buy this straight away. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t until Amazon sold it for a sweet deal of $2.99
that I picked it up. Some of the best $3.00 I’ve ever spent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only does this album have some extremely solid tracks by
those artists I already knew and enjoyed—The Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, The Punch
Brothers, and Glen Hansard—but it also introduced me to some new and outright
fantastic bands: Secret Sisters, Birdy, and The Low Anthem. Really, this album
has some excellent tracks if you’re into the indie-folk scene. (Yes, it’s a
rather hipster album, but I’m becoming more and more comfortable with my
emerging hipster.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even the bands or artists that I don’t much care about have
some solid offerings here, namely that of Kid Cudi’s “The Ruler and the
Killer.” (After reading more than one of my students essays analyzing his
lyrics, I’d pretty much written him off as anyone I’d ever care about. But,
damn, this is a wonderful track with an excellent beat and singing style.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately, though, what finally impressed me about this
album is how many of the songs were actually written for/inspired by the story.
It’s not a huge thing, and perhaps the songs could’ve been better otherwise,
but I can’t help but give a few props to those that can pay tribute to another
creation while making their own unique offering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True, the album has some duds—I can’t stand Maroon 5—but the
highlights overshadow the downers. Even if you ignore the rest of the album,
you need to check out the following tracks:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">“Abraham’s
Daughter” by Arcade Fire</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">“The
Ruler and the Killer” by Kid Cudi</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">“Kingdom
Come” by The Civil Wars</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">“Run,
Daddy, Run” by Miranda Lambert and Pistol Annie</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">“Just
a Game” by Birdy</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In particular, I’ve listened to that final track by Birdy
countless times. That girl has a gorgeous voice, and this is a perfectly toned
song for what the film turned out to be, and is an excellent close to an album
that’s way better than it ever had the right to be.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-50925509613925179452012-12-17T12:18:00.001-08:002012-12-17T12:18:32.356-08:00Top-Five Albums of 2012: Honorable Mentions and Singles<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the music portion
of this year, I’ve honed it down to five albums—even though there are many more
I’d like to mention. Seems like it was a fairly good year for music—at least
for me. Ultimately though, I decided which albums I listened to the most/became
the most obsessed with after hearing them. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And as a bonus, I’m
also going to include another band that was new to me this year, even though
they didn’t come out with an album this year. Those will be in no particular
order.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">First up, though, are
the honorable mentions, the albums that I quite liked but were just not
listened to quite as much and/or they’ve received more than enough praise
elsewhere already.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order):</b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sigur
Ros’ “Valtari” – I’ve been a fan of them since I first heard “The Nothing
Song” on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vanilla Sky.</i> Each and
every album has been a good one in my eyes, and I’ve listened to all of
them much more than is probably healthy. This one, in particular though,
has even more of an ethereal quality to it. So many have said their music
is “transcendent,” but I never thought it applied until this album. It’s
simply “holy,” and there’s no other word for it.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Santigold’s
“Master of My Make-Believe” – What’s there to say? Really. This is simply
a fun and great pop/hip-hop mashup. Personally, she reminds me of a bit
more “radio friendly” version of M.I.A. But she definitely has enough of
her own sound and design to stay wholly unique. Honestly, this album is
worth it just for “Disparate Youth,” “GO!,” and “Freak Like Me.”</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Sea
Wolf’s “Old World Romance” – This was a late find, but it’s already had
some heavy rotation. He reminds me of a Beck/Aqualung/Band of Horses
mash-up, and “Whirlpool” is an amazing track.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Deftones’
“Koi No Yokan” – This is a great blend of the older and newer stylings of
Deftones, and even though I’ve only had a few listens on it, it’s a solid
album. Not many bands can shift, change, and grow for as many years as
this band has and continue to be both new and retain their original sound
like Deftones have. If you’re a past fan, there’s no reason you shouldn’t
have bought this album.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">How to
Destroy Angels’ “An Omen” – Much as I wanted a full-length release, this
is still another excellent entry to Trent Reznor’s new band. While it’s
more of “background” music than anything you’ll really sing or hum or rock
out to throughout the day, it’s a handful of good tracks nonetheless.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Singles:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Either they weren’t on
a full release album, or the album as a whole didn’t quite make it, these are a
few tracks that I listened to way more than I should have.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Dragonette’s
“Lay Low” and “My Legs” – I know. It’s ridiculous. This is music for
college sorority girls as they’re headed out to some big party, but Glob
help me, these songs are way TOO catchy and—in my eyes—perfect examples of
how fun bubble-gum pop music can be.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">M.I.A.’s
“Bad Girls” – The beat for this… holy crap… just holy crap… When it hits
the “0:40” mark, the groove just cuts straight to the core. Love it.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Bad
Veins' “Dancing on TV” – This track is too fun. Reminds of the best of
Weezer and has some wonderful lyrics to go along with it.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Owl City’s “Dreams and Disasters” –
While the album as a whole is fairly decent, this track rises above and
beyond the others in a BIG way. Love the beat. Love the lyrics. It’s
another example of pop done right.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">The
XX’s “Angels” – Dreamlike and beautiful, from the music to the lyrics.
Nothing more needs to be said.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;">Placebo’s
“B3” – I’ll write more on this band at another point in time, but not only
was I surprised that they were still putting out tunes, but that this was also
a mighty fine little ditty from their EP of the same name.</li>
</ul>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-35069742670305608842012-12-16T08:30:00.000-08:002012-12-16T08:30:02.293-08:00Top-Five Reads of 2012: #1 Jeff Lemire's SWEET TOOTH<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I love this series so much that it’s not even right. But considering that I’ve already <a href="http://chriswsmith.blogspot.com/2012/09/pissed-off-book-reviews-jeff-lemires.html">ranted and raved about it</a>, instead of
spewing even more fanboy nonsense, I offer a short list of books that barely
missed the top five.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order):<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8kQl6Mkdkmf-KtGV_I8iZ1GC2dJeJ92T41uxc7uum-VLwpiFEiw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8kQl6Mkdkmf-KtGV_I8iZ1GC2dJeJ92T41uxc7uum-VLwpiFEiw" width="131" /></span></a></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Imaginary Girls </i>by Nova Ren Suma</span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I
loved, loved, loved the writing in this book. It is simply too beautiful
and haunting. This is, most definitely, how someone should build a
setting/general location and bring it wholly and fully to life.</span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist</i>
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan</span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The
film entertained me well enough, but it didn’t blow me away. So I was
more than a bit surprised that the novel is nothing short of amazing. The
writing is so solid, it moves at a perfect fast-pace, and it’s so full of
energy and insight that it’s almost impossible to put the damn thing
down.</span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Graffiti Moon </i>by Cath Crowley</span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">More
than anything, the language and writing itself is what made me like this
book so much. Story-wise, it works on a basic level and kept me reading,
but the writing is so gorgeous that it’s more than a bit enviable.</span></li>
</ul>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.
1 & 2</i> by Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neill (Illustrator)</span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Many
in the comics’ world consider <st1:city w:st="on">Moore</st1:city>
the God of Comics, and it’s not surprising. So far, everything I’ve read
of his is simply mind-blowing. These two books are most excellent reads
on so many different levels that I can’t even begin to discuss them in
such a short spot. Also, if you want the perfect example of an anti-hero,
<st1:place w:st="on">Moore</st1:place> has
done WAY too good a job with his rendition of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde than
should have been allowed. (The art, too, is all sorts of joy and
joyness.)</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTE0f9Am-Pcgws5onxD32HiXs9smmioMnfY3UDfzQSZ322RMna8tQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></a></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: medium; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I Kill
Giants</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> by Joe Kelly, </span><span class="medreg" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">J. M. Ken Nimura, </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">(Illustrator)</span></li>
</ul>
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_Hu0ejRT1wcj8Y0AhPKWoPtlr4u_-MVMA7s1cyLWBAS_muVTe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT_Hu0ejRT1wcj8Y0AhPKWoPtlr4u_-MVMA7s1cyLWBAS_muVTe" width="129" /></a></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">o </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is how magical realism should be done. The
metaphor works beautifully, and it really ends up being a very heart-wrenching
read. One that takes a long time to leave the ol’ noggin.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>Ready Player One</i> by Ernest Cline</span></li>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="circle">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There
is just enough about this book that bothers me to keep it from the
top-five, but it is close. It is super entertaining. And, really, if
you’re into MMORPGs, the 80s, or videogames at all, you MUST read this
thing. In the end, I think the plot trumps the theme, but it’s such a fun
and enjoyable read that it’s hard not to love every page.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-24532795296999820622012-12-15T09:33:00.000-08:002012-12-15T09:33:50.696-08:00Top-Five Reads of 2012: #2 Stephen Graham Jones' DEMON THEORY<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This was one of the first books that I read
this year, way back in January, yet I’ve continued to think about it from time
to time. Anything that lingers that long deserves a high place in my eyes, as
too, too much is forgettable.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Even more, this is the first book that I've
ever "Not wanted to put down." Part One of this book sucked me in,
sank its gargoyle fangs into my neck, and wouldn't let me stop reading until I
reached Part Two. Really, I read that whole first chunk (also probably because
there are no “official” chapter breaks) in one evening/night. Though, it
might’ve been the fact that I couldn’t stop chewing my already nubbins of
fingernails down even further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-sPJEK2nAH6yI-fe4RWT3WL5TVyt96XeEtBWNZeDsS_f-3Lib" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-sPJEK2nAH6yI-fe4RWT3WL5TVyt96XeEtBWNZeDsS_f-3Lib" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I loved the tone, right from the get go. It
felt like a well-versed tribute to the horror genres of old. It felt like a
“thinking man’s” horror story, and that’s what pushes it above and beyond a
regular “scary” story—especially with all the film references. I was giddy with
all the allusions and footnotes and explanations peppered throughout the novel.
Each new note either made me feel smart for already knowing the reference, or if
I didn’t know what the hell Jones was talking about, then I liked learning the
explanations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">Film nerdiness aside, the fast-pace,
playfulness, frightening moments, and the twisting of basic horror-genre tropes
dug their claws deeper into my “Don’t put this book down” impulse. The pace
helped keep that sensation alive, too. The novel clips along at a wonderful
pace but still doesn’t forget to take the time for a few jokes—some darker than
others, but always amusing. And</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">Jones pays tribute to
and pulls from every film out there, while at the same time builds something
very original—and something that I would love to see hit the big screen in the
full, trilogy form (though that might take away from that “thinking man” feel.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Basically, if you’re into horror, you need to
read this book. And if you simply like a scary story, then this is just as much
for you. I’ll admit, I don’t normally read much by way of horror or scary
stories—and I hardly watch many such films anymore—but if more folks wrote like
Jones, then I’d be more than willing to wade through all the blood and gore.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-60064128495354298892012-12-14T07:24:00.000-08:002012-12-14T07:24:28.595-08:00Top-Five Reads of 2012: #3 Daniel Handler's WHY WE BROKE UP<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Illustrated by Maira Kalman</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">I can see why some folks have—or will have—an
issue with this book, as some of it can be a bit of a stretch in terms of how
the events unfold. Even the naïveté of our narrator might need that Mary Poppins’
remedy to swallow. Plus, you know simply from the title where this book is
going and what’s going to happen, so there are no surprises for the ending here.
It’s definitely more of a story for the journey than a story for the ending.
Plus, the writing isn't quite the norm for most YA books. But that's what makes
this one so good to me.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The writing is gorgeous. I love Min’s voice.
It’s insightful, spiteful, and full of wit. As she paints every scene, we
witness a new heartbreak unfold, one more of those “insignificant” moments that
when we reflect on them, we see where everything was going wrong, and we can’t
help but wonder, “Why in the world did it take me so long to figure this shit
out?” To me, that’s what makes this book so real, because of its focus on the
power of hindsight and how we tend to assign such meaning to the smallest of things,
which are illustrated in simple and wonderful paintings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3rNDcpuzftcdc8mC46pfsUEGUgwSYoU5ZMqTTaZIrpTFX21NFvg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3rNDcpuzftcdc8mC46pfsUEGUgwSYoU5ZMqTTaZIrpTFX21NFvg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It’s easy to think that this book could’ve
worked just as well without the illustrations. I honestly don’t think I
would’ve liked it any less, but the visual anchors work quite well, too.
Besides, can you really argue with some beautiful artwork?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">The last thing I loved about this book was all
of the film references. They were so obscure and bizarre that even the film
nerd in me had to google more than a few of them. And that’s saying something,
seeing as I not only have a film degree, but I also have watched a crapton of
films in my life—including many “oldies” and foreign films. So it’s nice to
know that there are folks out there with even more film-nerdom within them than
even I have. I tip my “useless knowledge” hat to you, Daniel.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
Even taking his writings as Lemony Snickett on their own, <span style="background-color: white;">Mr. Handler is quickly becoming one of my favorite
authors, and this book's original voice and success in telling a love story
that's doomed from the beginning but still keeps a reader invested lifts his
rank even higher in my world of Christopher.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Like <i>Ida
B.</i>, this one won't be for everyone, but I loved it. A lot. It hit all the
right “quirk” notes that I need in a story, and it hit them as cleanly as a
shot from either Katniss or <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Merida</st1:place></st1:city>’s
bows.</span></span></span></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-73066326001538227602012-12-12T08:30:00.000-08:002012-12-12T22:05:44.220-08:00Top-Five Reads of 2012: #4 Mark Haskell Smith's HEART OF DANKNESS<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It’s true: I studied writing under this man;
however, this isn’t simply lip service to the guy that helped out my own
writing exponentially. It wouldn’t be on this list if I didn’t feel like it
should be there. This book more than earns its place in my top five.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/04/03/Heart_of_Dankness_cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/04/03/Heart_of_Dankness_cover.jpeg" width="127" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">I'll admit, too, that I'm a fan of Smith's
novels. What that says about me and my sense of humor, well, I'll let you be
the judge...</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"> <span style="background: white;">But the biggest thing a reader
might wonder about this book is how an author that primarily writes fiction
would do in the non-fiction realm. For Smith, he's made the transition
phenomenally well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">This book has his trademark, no-holds-barred
sense of humor, which most likely will offend the general populous in some form
or another. Meanwhile, he not only presents us with some wonderful and colorful
folk, but he also provides a ton of current information on the Cannibus Cup,
the legalization movement, and even manages to slip in some philosophical ideas
on what it means to be "Dank."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">The best part is simply how “human” he paints
this culture and subculture. Too many in the general populous think of drugs
and still have that back-alley, shady/skeevy dealer that comes to mind. Or
maybe they simply imagine Hollywoodized drug lords. But Smith manages to bring
this down to the realistic level that many never see, how those people that
choose to be in this industry believe in what they’re doing, so much so that it
moves into passion, if not obsession, for providing a quality product and
producing something truly amazing. Most of these folks aren’t out to nab that
quick buck or live that “high” life (pun intended) which so many films paint;
they grow because they love their work, and can we really begrudge someone for
following a passion?</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Seriously, I can't recommend this book enough.
And, no, it's definitely not just for "stoners." It's a thoughtful
and insightful book that's written for the intelligent reader that has a sense
of humor and wants to know a bit more about Cannibus culture. Sure, stoners
will like it, too, but to mistake this book as one for pot heads is doing
yourself a disservice.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></span></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-57898761893920765632012-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:002012-12-12T08:00:06.431-08:00Top Five Reads of 2012: #5 Katherine Hannigan's IDA B<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">For those of you that
follow my Goodreads, much of this will already be known to you, but for the
next few posts, I’m going to breakdown my Top-Five Reads. These are simply
books that I read this past year. While a few came out here in 2012, they can
have been released anytime in the past. All that matters is that I read them.
This year. Enjoy.</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/481/files/import/i-ed54646ea5a5afbdce4cf0b669150525-Ida%20B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/481/files/import/i-ed54646ea5a5afbdce4cf0b669150525-Ida%20B.jpg" width="134" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;">I don't think I'm the demographic for this
book. At all. But holy crap... I loved this book so much.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">On the cover of my copy, there’s a blurb from
Kate DiCamillo: "I feel a deep gratitude that Ida B. exists." On
first read, I thought that was a rather odd thing to say about a book.
Definitely not the traditional blurb that I'm used to (“I couldn’t put it
down!” or “I was spellbound!” or some other such nonsense). Yet, after having
read the book, I see what she means. </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">This isn't simply a story to be told and
entertained by and forgotten. This is a story that shoots straight to your core
and simply makes you FEEL: happiness, sadness, anger, and everything in
between. My emotions rollercoastered right along with Ida B's, and I couldn't
have been happier about it—mostly because of the narrator’s way of seeing the
world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">The voice in this book is nothing short of
amazing. Any author and would-be author has constantly heard about voice, about
what your narrator sounds like. It's a concept drilled into you. Yet it's still
such a rarity to see and hear and feel such a well-developed voice as Hannigan
creates in this book. You can HEAR Ida B the whole way through, and it's a
voice that you want to listen to. Despite often used images, Hannigan still
manages to make Ida's outlook so unique that you can't help but love the way
the story is told. And by the end, you want more, to follow this wonderful
character around a bit longer, if only to keep hearing this voice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I'm not saying that anyone and everyone should
run out and buy this book, as I don't feel like it's one for everyone, and
there will be many that it simply won't resonate with. But, like DiCamillo, I'm
just glad that this book exists. To me, this is why I write, in hopes I can
create something that will click so strongly with even a single person.</span></span><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>P.S. Much as I wanted to 8-bit the covers for these, I simply don't have the time, as my top albums and films of the year will follow.</i></span></span></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-69991885473373073732012-11-19T10:49:00.000-08:002012-11-19T10:49:28.373-08:00Songs that Made Me Like the Band: "Passenger"<br />
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Seeing as I spent last night rocking out to Deftones—for the
first time—live at Vegas’ House of Blues, I figured it would be a perfect time
to discuss what drew me to this band in the first place.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yxUWrtgN5W_sdHYeadaurLDqMa_nrijrfG1ZpTKolLrjbPTyzG5IkH95UjkqKuRnXUUX0q8lcMVfsVgnpQwdqFNgjzSZ-8GD_li-lVVbXt9uydk_x5MFuDI90WincpGeomkRmRtWZ_wl/s1600/White+Pony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yxUWrtgN5W_sdHYeadaurLDqMa_nrijrfG1ZpTKolLrjbPTyzG5IkH95UjkqKuRnXUUX0q8lcMVfsVgnpQwdqFNgjzSZ-8GD_li-lVVbXt9uydk_x5MFuDI90WincpGeomkRmRtWZ_wl/s1600/White+Pony.jpg" /></a>All of my friends rocked out to Deftones long before I did.
Most of them started when their second album, <i>Around the Fur</i> dropped. This was also right about when Deftones
toured with Korn (after the joint venture of “Wicked” on Korn’s <i>Life is Peachy</i>) and had become that
“smaller sort” of popular <span class="il">band</span>. "My Own Summer
(Shove It)" seemed to be all over the radio and my friends’ sound systems.
My cousin, in particular, was already hanging their posters on his walls and was
quite enamored with the album. As a result, I was forced to listen to it on one
too many occasions. But, for <span class="il">me</span>, their sound didn’t mesh.
I didn't think <st1:city w:st="on">Chino</st1:city> fit the <span class="il">band</span>,
or that the band didn’t fit <st1:city w:st="on">Chino</st1:city>.
Those first two albums sounded <span class="il">like</span> two people having
separate conversations but were too stubborn to give in and join the other. On
its own, the <span class="il">band</span> sounded good, and if he’d been soloing
it up, I would’ve liked <st1:place w:st="on">Chino</st1:place>,
too. But together, the two positives became a negative.<br />
<br />
Of course, everyone thought I might have down syndrome and didn't know what the
balls I was talking about. I suppose I couldn't blame them since, at this
point, my earholes were living on a steady diet of Korn, The Cardigans, and
Failure. And despite Deftones having been compared to Korn, I couldn’t get on
board with them.<br />
<br />
Then <i>White Pony</i> came out, and their first single, "In the House of
Flies" already had <span class="il">my attention</span>: It was so different
than their last two albums, and I actually thought the <span class="il">band</span>
and <st1:city w:st="on">Chino</st1:city> were
working together—finally. My friends snagged this album up, and “Passenger” was
one of the first tracks my good friend Aaron forced on <span class="il">me</span>,
as Tool had become another of our crew's favorites. (I mean, really, Maynard
has a killer voice. As my coauthor put it, “Voice of calm, words of chaos.” One
of my favorite male singers, hands down.) </div>
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So when I heard that track, <span class="il">all of the
dissonance of Deftones’ previous albums</span> came crashing down around <span class="il">me</span>, replaced by this stunning rhythm and dream-<span class="il">like</span>
quality to the vocals. And the way the chorus builds each time with Maynard's
"Roll the windows down..." holy shit, it made <span class="il">me</span>
want to do just that. <span class="il">Like</span> this was a <span class="il">song</span>
that demanded to be blasted in the wee small hours of the morning, when it’s at
its darkest moment, with every window down, hand playing in the air currents,
and screaming the <span class="il">lyrics</span> at the top of my lungs.<br />
<br />
Sadly, I don't recall ever having actually done that, but this <span class="il">song</span>
made <span class="il">me</span> feel <span class="il">like</span> Deftones,
finally, found their distinct voice. There were still a few “off” tracks with <i>White Pony</i>, some a bit too disjointed
for <span class="il">me</span>, but when their next, self-titled, album dropped,
I thought they nailed it. And the three subsequent discs are—in my opinion—most
excellent.</div>
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Oh, and the concert? I screamed along to “Passenger.” And
even without Maynard, it was bad ass. Bad. Ass.</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-53684390335072409212012-11-05T10:07:00.000-08:002012-11-05T10:07:26.028-08:00Meet My Writing Counterpart: Holly Cagney<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Since my first collaboration with Holly Cagney is on the verge of being queried--and is already making the contest rounds--we thought it would be good to introduce each other. (You can find her interviewing me over on <a href="http://cantfightthewrite.blogspot.com/">her blog, here</a>.) Without further ado, meet my co-author for </i>FIRE, LIGHTS, AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Give us a snapshot of who Holly is by providing a list.
Name three things you “love,” three things you “hate,” one thing you “fear,”
and one thing that you “know.”</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3PUHdGZNzLBvxvSpU-9DY5vfpfoFr5SD_gJ_Xms7cj8XlQGc8lpN2ea7slYXJE38TRYg9o9GZJEvdyADNSwWCECRMoSUsE5y_SC8qXrQMhYTSTVNTjKjLNvZwgbz_fEwCs_S-DX815Do/s1600/8-bit+Holly.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL3PUHdGZNzLBvxvSpU-9DY5vfpfoFr5SD_gJ_Xms7cj8XlQGc8lpN2ea7slYXJE38TRYg9o9GZJEvdyADNSwWCECRMoSUsE5y_SC8qXrQMhYTSTVNTjKjLNvZwgbz_fEwCs_S-DX815Do/s320/8-bit+Holly.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Bread </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Creating </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3.Love</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hate: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Filth </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Scraping noises </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Sickness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fear: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oblivion</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Know: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You’re not alive unless you’re
living.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>In your personal bio, you’ve said that you were inspired to
write because of your great-grandmother’s writings. Would you mind explaining a
bit more of that? How do your writings differ—and how are they similar?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I learned that my
great-grandmother had been an author (published by Simon and Schuster), I
wanted so badly to follow in her footsteps. I think a lot of that had to do
with being adopted and not really having my own past. After I was adopted, I
really clung to my new family’s history and let it become a part of my own. And
once I tried writing, I was hooked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our writings differ in the obvious.
She wrote adult fiction, with the exception of one children’s novel (<i>The
Hoogles and Alexander</i>). I, of course, write young adult. We do have
similarities, though. Her writing was very much inspired by her own life, and I
think a lot of mine is, too.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Have you ever thought about genre or style-hopping in your
writing? What is it that started you on the YA path and has kept you there?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">YA has such a heartbeat. That’s what
really drew me to writing it. There’s so much room for pain and insecurity, but
at the same time, it can hold intense love and magic. I feel alive when I write
YA. I feel present. And that’s really what YA is about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have genre-hopped within YA, for
sure. My first novel was a thriller, my second an urban fantasy, my third a
paranormal…then I finally landed on contemporary, where I’ve stayed. Sometimes
you have to try everything to find out what you love most. I love reading
contemporary YA the most, and I derive the most enjoyment from writing it, as
well. But even within contemporary, my style has changed. I started out writing
commercial contemporary, but lately, I’ve seen myself shifting more toward
literary. It’s all about finding what awakes your passion for writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>What YA book do you wish you had written, and why?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a hard question! Can I pick two?
I’m going to anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For commercial, it would be <i>Anna
and the French Kiss</i>. This is really the model of how to write a great
commercial contemporary YA. It has a unique MC, it keeps you reading, and it
has love…which we all need, whether we’re willing to admit it or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For literary, it would be <i>Imaginary
Girls</i>. This book chilled me to the
bone, yet the writing was so painfully beautiful that I couldn’t put it down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What’s something that you had to learn the “hard way” in the
writing world? What advice might you offer others?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To take rejection in all forms. I
cried when I got my first critique. It was hard to take. And then there’s not
making it into contests…being the loser amongst winners. And, without a doubt,
there’s the actual rejection from agents. Those can hurt a lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But you HAVE to do these things in
order to succeed. You must have your work beta-ed and critiqued to make it
stronger. You must put your work out there to see if it’s relevant in today’s
YA climate. And if you want to be a traditionally published author, you must
submit to agents. It’s growing pain. Without the pain, you will not grow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What
is the biggest surprise about being a co-author? What makes it different from
your own writing?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The biggest surprise was how easy it is. I really
wasn’t sure how two writers who’re used to doing their own thing, their own way,
could be able to come together for one cohesive novel, but it clicked. It
really clicked hardcore. For me, it was like having your subconscious come
alive. All those ideas that you’ve forgotten or didn’t know how to articulate
suddenly spring to life in the form of this other person. Because of this, I
think you really have to find the right person to co-write with. I think it has
to be an organic process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You know, it’s not different from my own writing.
That’s why I love co-writing so much. I didn’t have to sacrifice who I am as a
writer to be a co-writer. But it’s better…richer. It’s like my writing 2.0. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Once your book(s) sell(s), where do you see your writing life
going?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides writing a hell of a lot more,
I see myself interacting with people. I would love to go on a book tour and
interact with readers. I would love to have an agent and meet said agent. I
would love to go to conferences. I would really, really, really love to meet
other writers and go on writing retreats. Writing can be such a solitary
experience, so I’m ready to get out there and interact. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would it
be—and why?</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My great-grandmother, Dorothy Langley! I would love to hear
which relatives inspired which characters. I would love to hear where her
inspiration for writing came from and how it evolved. I could imagine myself
sitting by a fire with her, warm tea in hand, listening to her tell me abo<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=867608438110232534" name="_GoBack"></a>ut her passions, ideas…and maybe even a few inside tips on
how to become an amazing writer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Take a few moments to stop by and say, "Hi," to Holly. You can also find--and I recommend following--her at <a href="http://cantfightthewrite.blogspot.com/">her blog</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/HollyCagney">her Twitter account @HollyCagney.</a> And if you want to check out our co-site, "Chris + Holly = Novels," <a href="http://chris-and-holly.com/">click here.</a></i></b></div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-86273414629979038602012-10-23T10:00:00.000-07:002012-10-23T10:00:01.186-07:00Mary Poppins, All Grown Up<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
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At South Pointe Casino, their theatre has been putting on a
“Classic Series” recently, showing films that haven’t graced the big screen in
a number of years. While I’ve been able to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ben Hur, Singin’ in the Rain, </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Chinatown</i>, my most recent
venture was to see that of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mary Poppins. </i>(All
of which were complete with film grain, glorious film grain!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx3hrOkIeL62ASAbf2UtvB7IHXsZno2-a2ip4ooooPJrRWJtFUiXgmqvwQFFWCAa3fD7pXi4inpMvUKuQeWhyphenhyphenNA0Hq3bsmw4BBh8471QUv6HrnVkIyl3eGRR6E9Ju2xpoINUAZkeq5EkF/s1600/Mary+Poppins.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx3hrOkIeL62ASAbf2UtvB7IHXsZno2-a2ip4ooooPJrRWJtFUiXgmqvwQFFWCAa3fD7pXi4inpMvUKuQeWhyphenhyphenNA0Hq3bsmw4BBh8471QUv6HrnVkIyl3eGRR6E9Ju2xpoINUAZkeq5EkF/s320/Mary+Poppins.png" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a kid, I didn’t much care for the MP. I watched it
because it was allowed—and/or on—and had an animated sequence. But I never
really enjoyed the endless songs or all of those “real” people—regardless of
their fan-fucking-tastical nature. My viewings over the years have been sparse,
and the last time I saw it, I remember that my biggest revelation was noticing
that Uncle Albert (the nutbar giggling on the ceiling of his house) is also the
voice of the Mad Hatter in Disney’s animated version of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice in Wonderland</i>. Outside of that connection, my response hadn’t
changed: too much singing, not enough animation, and that “Step in Time”
song/dance goes on for far, far too long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And really, who didn’t watch this film as a child and get
creeped out by Dick Van Dyke’s portrayal of Mr. Dawes Senior? The look in his
eye before he snatches the tuppence from Michael… Some mighty fine acting on
his part, as it freaked me out as a child and was still more than a little
unsettling as an adult. Sadly though, this always seems like such a focal point
of the film, his monstrousness—followed in turn by his laughing himself to
death. I don’t know how many quips and comments I’ve heard about this over the
years, the Scrooge-like transformation that is more than a little ridiculous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, my recent viewing flipped my proverbial shit, as it
became an entirely new film to my “adult” eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While rewatching the thing, I questioned who actually owned
the film. And like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Knight</i>,
where the film isn’t the titular character’s—it’s totally Harvey’s—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mary Poppins</i> isn’t about Mary or Bert or
even the two, doe-eyed kids. It’s Mr. Bank’s film. Period. He’s the one who
changes. He’s the one who grows. And in the end, he’s the only one who “learns”
anything. (Yes, the children see their father in a new light, but they never
hated him or had much of a problem with him to begin with—even though they had
every right.) It’s all about George and the inversion of his world, from being
one of order, where he’s entirely in control, to one where he’s stripped of his
title and stature, and has little to no say over what’s happening in his life
and household.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially for the time of the film’s release, where the
American Dream was kickin’ down noggin-doors and blasting through the American collective
consciousness—talk about the thematic opposite. Yes, having a successful family
was an important ideal of the time—and still supposedly is—but it hinged on the
husband’s success, what he provided and the status he achieved in life.
Ultimately though, it’s this exact ideal and ladder-climbing pursuit that
George must give up in order to find happiness.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(This is taken further when Mr. Banks breaks the fourth wall
of film and stares down the audience—twice, no less—as Bert dispenses his two
cents about life, Mary Poppins, and what it means to be happy.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, George’s exclamation of “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”
is the equivalent of a “Fuck You” to Mr. Dawes Senior, his current lifestyle,
and—in essence—the American Dream. He doesn’t care about his social status or
amassing a Scrooge McDuck cache of cash, as long as he has joy in his life, joy
brought about by his wife and children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And, yes, I’ll admit that he doesn’t have to worry for long.
It all ends on a happy note—as Disney films do, regardless of how the source
material concludes. But that doesn’t decrease the importance of George’s
choice. After his dark and solitary walk to the bank, he doesn’t know that it
will all work out. Rather than become a distraught and bitter man, he finally
realizes that he’s been broken all along, and it’s only letting go of his self
expectations, his class, and his life that fixes him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess this is why the film has its “Classic” status, as
any story that grows and changes as you do has to amount to something
worthwhile…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right?</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-79863278720829624712012-09-26T12:51:00.000-07:002012-09-26T12:51:15.366-07:00Pissed Off Book Reviews: Jeff Lemire's Sweet ToothToday marks the beginning of a new series of posts for me. As I intend to continue my "Songs That Made Me Like the Band" posts—though I probably need to come up with a better name—I intend to continue these as well. For these, I realized that there are some books and stories in the world that simply make me angry. And I'm not talking about being angry because I'm offended or because the book sucks; I'm angry because I'm jealous that I didn't think of it first—or have as much talent as these authors/creators/illustrators. The more angry I am, the better the story. To kick this whole thing off, I'm taking a look at the beautifully ugly world that is Jeff Lemire's <i>Sweet Tooth </i>series.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
After reading Lemire's <st1:place w:st="on">Essex</st1:place> trilogy (you can see my snippet reviews<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/203123011" target="_blank"> here</a>, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/204721652" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/208513145" target="_blank">here</a>), I tracked whatever else I could: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/212879125" target="_blank"><i>The Nobody</i></a> and the first volume of <i>Sweet Tooth</i>. I enjoyed both, but it was Sweet Tooth that I couldn’t
stop thinking about. Unfortunately for me, the library did not have the newer volumes,
and my lack of funds kept me from purchasing them. Luckily for me, I happened
upon the graphic novel section of the library the other day and was happy to
discover that they’d finally acquired the next three volumes of the series.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHRy8lSLrBRvukKjAg5yZBi-hEZlptg3lWN-zJwIZrxw0P8uGpfjuDtO2LgUpo5OzZ_xuHU6XpU0Zj2gSoa9J869iv5Oe0PdkIZnpOcqvVWE-iPK5UG0S7Bs1X9Kjt1DlBXaIbfjbWC4S/s1600/Gus.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHRy8lSLrBRvukKjAg5yZBi-hEZlptg3lWN-zJwIZrxw0P8uGpfjuDtO2LgUpo5OzZ_xuHU6XpU0Zj2gSoa9J869iv5Oe0PdkIZnpOcqvVWE-iPK5UG0S7Bs1X9Kjt1DlBXaIbfjbWC4S/s1600/Gus.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In short, I devoured them. I read all three within the span
of an hour or two and wished and wished that volume five was available. (This
one, I have, in fact, preordered. Broke or not, I need this stuff.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These books are amazing. Where I wasn’t 100 percent sold
with the first volume, I had no idea that
this story would build into something that would piss me off. And these books have angered me to no end, with their amazing characters, ugly—albeit fitting art style—and page layouts to melt the face.<br />
<br />
The series has been compared to Mad Max, and it's an apt comparison, as these are set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. But then you have to toss in the hybrid kids—all of the children since a plague ravaged the world have been born half-human, half-animal. We follow the exploits of one of these offspring, Gus, a.k.a. Sweet Tooth. There's what's left of the government, turned militia, who stops at nothing to find a cure for the mysterious plague. A large chunk of the population has a religious devotion to the hybrid kids, figuring that they're the next step in evolution. And there are the survivors, simply trying to scrape out a living in this decimated world. If it sounds bizarre, that's because it is. However, odd as the premise may be, the characters are what carry you through this stark and violent world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lemire has this way of humanizing everyone and everything in
his stories. It doesn’t matter if he’s writing about the titular deer-boy
child stumbling through the apocalyptic world in his naïveté or if he’s writing
about the gruff and brutal anti-hero of the lot or if he’s writing about the
doctor forced into unethical experimentation in order to find a cure. Each one of these
folks exemplifies everything that is wonderful and horrible in each of us. Even
if you don’t like these people, you can’t help but care about them, want them
to make the right choice, to keep their moral compasses intact, and—above all—you want them to survive. They can’t give up, because it would simply be too heartbreaking,
and the outlook for the future too grim. Besides, the art has already painted a grim enough picture...</div>
<br />The rough lines
and misshapen proportions and oversized heads and other defects most artists
would erase and rework until they looked right, these imperfections Lemire leaves intact. But they compliment the story perfectly. It gives
the whole series this honest and raw feel that not only reflects the world that
Lemire has created, but it also shows who these characters are. They’re
imperfect, and Lemire isn’t trying to hide that fact. At all. And those that
tend to look like monsters, often are. To the casual viewer, the art might look
childish or even unskilled, but you’d be fooled. All you have to do is look to
his layouts to understand that there is a genius at work here.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The layouts, you say? Yes. Mother. Fucking. Layouts.
This guy is a genius. I’ve never freaked out about a page’s design, but these
books do some of the coolest things that I’ve ever seen in any comic to date.
Most are very untraditional, and most are a reflection of the arc/theme
of that particular issue. For example, one issue is modeled after a children’s
picture book and even has to be turned sideways in order to read the thing.
Another issue has HUGE panels that fill up almost the entire page, but there is
a small bar that runs across the bottom with one of the characters dictating into his
tape recorder, which—of course—compliments what’s happening in the larger
panels. I would say more, but it’s best if you simply see these things for
yourself. In short, Lemire creates the best possible ways to tell his story, stepping
WAY outside of the traditional comic panels and ultimately producing one of the
most interesting story presentations that I’ve seen.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, these books aren’t for everyone. And many might
take a look at them and think I’ve lost my mind. But give them a chance, take
the time to inhabit this ugly and beautiful world that Lemire has created, and
I have a feeling that it’s a dreamscape that you’ll be just as angry about as I
am.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsJzQtMrfETRRSOsIQYe6QlR-YlGOif3dD2ehC6gy3OJSHHV_YHAdqg8JLfQV_0G7Y4XR1owQ7JBt2q1YOQPyFpkMczsxOQQ3fKqRBr7JmEEcqH3r4bRW9zbQUEYscAemUF_i3I8UJLtg/s1600/Angry+Faces.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsJzQtMrfETRRSOsIQYe6QlR-YlGOif3dD2ehC6gy3OJSHHV_YHAdqg8JLfQV_0G7Y4XR1owQ7JBt2q1YOQPyFpkMczsxOQQ3fKqRBr7JmEEcqH3r4bRW9zbQUEYscAemUF_i3I8UJLtg/s1600/Angry+Faces.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anger Rating (out of 5)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-77389655784153334852012-09-18T09:48:00.001-07:002012-09-18T11:52:29.121-07:00Dissecting DoryWith its recent re-release in 3-D—and, yes, I'll be one of the first to admit that this is simply a way to make a quick buck—I couldn't help but go see
<i>Finding Nemo</i>. (Really, animation is my vice. Even if the movie looks horrible, I'll still shell out $10.00 to watch it in the theatre.) And, like I remember first being all those years ago, the film caught me off guard. It's one of those films that I rarely think about and have, maybe, watched it six or seven times since its initial release in 2003, but anyone would be hard-pressed to say that it isn't a good bit of storytelling. Even if you don't always—or ever—like Pixar's films, those guys know their elements of a narrative and have that shit down to a science.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBLmjJt7XXeFY3qFLXxHuUAmZ_dj_HTY7IMLCb9cnacl73lV8B4UQtjpzt3SJX-Y6k7WNbpqwA0-qSe7y-Um1NLvxJYryAmnD3yvy0dvjjmcrzQu2abCASUHZQyqAv4-bcZhyphenhyphenNNWacOhJ/s1600/Dory+Transparent.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBLmjJt7XXeFY3qFLXxHuUAmZ_dj_HTY7IMLCb9cnacl73lV8B4UQtjpzt3SJX-Y6k7WNbpqwA0-qSe7y-Um1NLvxJYryAmnD3yvy0dvjjmcrzQu2abCASUHZQyqAv4-bcZhyphenhyphenNNWacOhJ/s1600/Dory+Transparent.png" /></a></div>
What I realized this time around, though, is that it's one thing, and one thing alone, that makes the film: Dory. The combination of spectacular animation, spot-on dialogue, and Ellen DeGeneres's outstanding voice-acting blend into one of the best characters in recent years—and the driving force for the film.<br />
<br />
In all honesty, I could care less about Marlin, the little lost Nemo, and even the tank full of escape-obsessed fish, but Dory punches me in the heart every time. She may be the best argument for ignorance is bliss that I've ever seen, as her good humor and unwavering optimism stem from her lack of focus or being able to remember, or be aware of, the current plight. But that's what makes her so special. Nothing can get her down. She finds the fun and life in every moment, from bouncing on jellyfish tops to spiraling along with the water inside the whale's mouth. And she's always willing to help, regardless of what she's doing—seeing as she probably has no idea what she's doing—but she's always, always putting others before herself. She's a perfect picture of selflessness, something you so rarely see in anyone or anything these days—real life or in the fictional world.<br />
<br />
The only time you see her "selfishness" (please note my lack of punning that could've been) leak through is when Marlin is about to abandon her. (If this doesn't tear you up or, bare minimum, choke you up, then I'd start checking yourself for a "Manufactured by Skynet" label somewhere.) Even then, it's not truly selfishness, which is why I put it in quotes. She doesn't want him to leave because he makes her a better version of herself. She remembers things more easily. With him, she feels "home." And isn't that something we shouldn't begrudge anyone for wanting? Shouldn't it be okay to want to be with someone that makes you better than you would be alone—or even with another?<br />
<br />
Even at the end of that scene, she doesn't begrudge Marlin for leaving, or even like him any less. If anything, it just makes you think that Marlin really is just an orange and white-striped dicknose.<br />
<br />
It amazes me that one character can have such an affect on a story. That they can make or break the entire thing. Which goes to show why it's better to focus on your characters over the action. Sure, plotting is good. Action needs to happen. But in the end, if we don't have characters that our readers and viewers will click with on an emotional level—or simply fall in love with them—then what's the point of the story in first place?clickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05592794449606763809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-867608438110232534.post-48695334948783390542012-09-11T11:13:00.000-07:002012-09-11T11:14:36.956-07:00Songs That Made Me Like the Band: "It's Saturday" by Marcy Playground<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0riCds6pcpyP-I0uZbrHUSZVODLyqaS4SgLz7wL6ZzUP4VC4e54Ijk4isXzgZH_KpLsl_fronJaEZ537BSIrwMIzpTVOzJ27e672nZtWEo6ukvDqOWHyhaT7j6pHe1pQHaPKrLnc3TNkb/s1600/Marcy+Playground+Shapeshifter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0riCds6pcpyP-I0uZbrHUSZVODLyqaS4SgLz7wL6ZzUP4VC4e54Ijk4isXzgZH_KpLsl_fronJaEZ537BSIrwMIzpTVOzJ27e672nZtWEo6ukvDqOWHyhaT7j6pHe1pQHaPKrLnc3TNkb/s320/Marcy+Playground+Shapeshifter.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: 9.5pt;">Some bands just don't do it for me the first
time around. I'll hear their first single, or their first album,
and think much like <i>Despicable Me</i>'s<i> </i>Gru: "This... This is garbage."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;">But then there are those few bands that randomly produce a song that--as Terry Pratchett might say--makes my heartstrings go <i>twang</i>. I've always thought it odd how that happens, like once that string is plucked, then all of the band's other songs sound wonderful--except,
usually, for that first single. The first song/single/album still seems to remain one that I
don't like.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">And, really, I seem to have a number of these,
enough that this will probably become a series. Anyway...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">One of the first bands that I can remember this happening with is Marcy Playground. I don't
know about you, but I thought "Sex and Candy" was one of the
lamest/most boring songs that I'd ever heard. I didn't understand why in the
world the radio kept playing it over and over and over again, and there were so
many people that were obsessed with that song and constantly talked about how
good a band MP is. I didn't buy it--the album or the enthusiasm. Perhaps it was the first hinting of my
"hipster curse" in that I tend to have a stigma towards super-popular
things.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">But then, in my junior year of high
school, "It's Saturday" hit the airwaves. I couldn't believe this was the same band that produced that earlier garbage, as this
song is just so ridiculous and fun. Compared to everything else on the radio at the time, I remember this being one of the more original tracks at the
time, and I instantly fell love, counting down the days until the album's
release. And what solidified my love for the song was how many fans of "Sex and Candy" couldn't stand this track.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">After I bought this album--which not only remains
my favorite of theirs, but it also is probably in my top 10 favorite albums, if
I actually took the time to sit down and figure it all out--I devoured the
thing, listening to it in its entirety far too many times. Anyone that can sandwich "love" songs like "Love Bug" and "All the Lights Went Out" with other tracks like "Secret Squirrel" and "Pigeon Farm," and they can make it work towards a complete album. Well, that's pretty fucking brilliant if you ask me.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="background-color: white;">Despite their
decline in popularity, I've stayed a fan of their music and grabbed up their three additional albums. (They are the one concert that I've been to here in Vegas,
too. They played a--get this--FREE show, and there were, maybe, 100 people in the audience. It was all sorts of amazing.) I even purchased their first album, finally, which other than "Sex
and Candy" (a song I actually don't mind too much anymore), I liked the rest of the
album.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">This is why I've always tried to keep an open mind
when it comes to music, as it will lead me to new and better bands, and it lets
me re-evaluate a band with each new release. They may produce garbage for years, but it only takes the one song to rope me in.</span></span></span></div>
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