Until Midnight (& Sometimes Later)

I went to see Pixar’s latest offering, Brave. It had its high points and low points–bring your kids, they’ll love it. My full review is at buzzymag.

An excerpt:
The overall themes running through the movie are good . . . did someone at PIXAR see The Hunger Games coming and just know that archery would be the Next. Big. Thing?

‘Nuff said.

New York Times Bestselling authors Mercedes Lackey & Rosemary Edghill have an amazing new book called Dead Reckoning. It’s fast-paced, fun, and well-written–everything I’ve come to expect from these ladies over the years. My review is up at buzzymag.com.

Here is an excerpt:
Yet another entry in the subgenre of zombie steampunk westerns.

This is the story of three young people, Jett Gallatin, [Honoria] Gibbons, and White Fox, brought together by circumstances . . .

If you love it, and you want more, I also recommend The Last Ride of the Iron Cowboy by James Daniel Ross, a novella in the same subgenre . . .

Friday night it was time to tromp into Philly (dodging raindrops all the way), for the June edition of Philly Fantastic at Moonstone Arts Center (aka Robin’s Bookstore). A damp evening featured Kyle Cassidy, Philadelphia-area photographer and writer, speaking about his current projects.

First up was Caitlin R. Kiernan’s The Drowning Girl, a book Kyle found inspiring enough that he worked with Caitlin to create a series of still images: Stills from a movie that never existed. The same photo shoot spawned a book trailer shot by Kyle Cassidy & Brian Siano, who was also in the audience. Kyle showed the trailer–it’s gorgeous and it’s on youtube, go watch it! There was also a slideshow of the stills from the shoot, which may or may not be put an exhibition at some point . . .

Then Kyle showed some of his favorite images from his new book War Paint, and read/told some of the accompanying stories (see my review of the book below).

Outside it rained, and rained more, and hailed. Miraculously, it stopped raining long enough for us to walk the several blocks over to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner and conversation. Also miraculously, I managed to eat there, and not break my diet (I’d been away from the house since noonish, and I was starving!).

War Paint: Tattoo Culture & The Armed Forces
by Kyle Cassidy
Hardcover May 2012
Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4086-4

Over the last few years, I’ve developed an interest in tattoo art (some of you know why). When I saw the publication announcement for War Paint, the concept immediately intrigued me: photos of tattoos on military personnel by one of the best pros around, and the stories behind the art. It’s always interesting to hear why people get the tats they choose.

Publishing the book on Memorial Day really made sense, too. It was already on my list of books to buy “one day”–and it kept moving up. When I realized that Kyle Cassidy was going to be speaking at Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia in just a few weeks, it motivated me to order a copy now–so I could get it inscribed.

In due course War Paint arrived, and I put it down next to the computer to log it in to the library system. Big mistake. The colorful cover images are mesmerizing, enticing you to pick up the book and leaf through it. So I did. I read a few of the stories, and finally put it down and did some work. Then I picked it back up and read some more. The book is positively insidious, sucking you in with beguiling images when you should be working!

Only buy this book if you’re actually interested in reading it, because it will sneak up on you and insist that you look inside. It’s full of well-taken photos paired with fascinating stories–incredible insights into the men and women that defend our country.

It gives the armed forces names and faces and makes them people you know and understand. It makes history personal.

Recommended for anyone who appreciates tattoo art and/or likes hearing “old war stories.” It also makes a lovely gift.

Late, late, late Thursday I spent the dark of the night watching the sixteen President of the United States take out evil bloodsucking fiends. With an axe. Read my review of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter at buzzymag.com.

An excerpt:
Benjamin Walker absolutely shines as Lincoln . . . he has turned axe fighting into an art form, with fight scenes reminiscent of Summer Glau in Serenity, both graceful and deadly.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Director: John Madden Writers: Ol Parker, (based on the novel by) Deborah Maggach Stars: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith

I’ve been going to a lot of movies lately, mostly science fiction/fantasy/adventure or the like, so I took time out this weekend to go to a showing of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel just for a change of pace. Even though it has been in theaters for several weeks, the showing I attended was packed (admittedly it was the Friday early evening show–date night). Everyone in the audience was having a good time–there was much laughing out loud in all the right places.

The film is an absolutely delightful experience, chock full of outstanding acting by a first-rate cast. In addition to top-billed Dench, Nighy and Smith, the impressive cast is rounded out by Tom Wilkinson, Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Celia Imre (Calendar Girls, another British drama I adore) and Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey and Calendar Girls).

The baseline story is about the “outsourcing” of retirees (with limited funding and therefore limited options) to the Marigold Hotel in India. While the hotel is not exactly what they expected, in typical British fashion they try to make the best of their circumstances. The audience is taken along with each of the characters on their voyage of self-discovery–they learn to see the beauty of the country, or rediscover it. Some find serenity, others meet new people and begin new relationships, and in one case, a job leads to a whole new outlook on life.

The common thread running through all of the stories in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is one of people helping people. From so simple a thing as helping a young boy with his cricket swing, to being kind to servants, to helping someone get a “date,” this group of disparate people becomes almost family-like by virtue of living in the hotel together. They come to share in one another’s conquests and failures–they become if not happy, at least content, in their retirement. They come to take joy in what they have.

The stellar performances make you really care about these people and where their lives are going. They elevate an otherwise ordinary script. You want everything to work out–for the characters, for the hotel, for the people they meet in India. It’s a lovely story of life and relationships and making the most of the hand you’ve been dealt.

For those who don’t want watch a slow-moving, emotional, beautifully-done drama, complete with high notes and low, and would rather see action! or a fantasy or sci-fi film, go to buzzymag and check out my reviews of Battleship, Men in Black III, or Snow White and the Huntsman. Up next, Prometheus, Ridley Scott’s return to the universe that gave us Alien.