Archive for November, 2008
Posted by pete in Literature, News, Reviews on November 28th, 2008
“Young Sarah is no ordinary girl. She’s been diagnosed as schizophrenic and locked away in a children’s psychiatric ward. But that’s not what makes her special. She also has a very strange—and powerful—gift. Scientists have been studying Sarah’s remarkable psychic power for years, enhancing it, manipulating it…twisting it into something evil. But their plans have gone horribly wrong. How much longer can they control Sarah? And what will happen if her powers are unleashed?”
I was introduced to Nate Kenyon’s fiction with his first book Bloodstone. It was his first novel and I thought it was exceptional. I would not have thought it was a first novel if I did not know that before hand. Nate relies on old fashioned terror and not the explicit gore that is so prevalent today, I was extremely happy with that.
His second book The Reach again published by Dorchester Publishing hit stores on November 25th.
I was not expecting much when I first picked up the book. Young girl with powers, scientists studying and using her for their own purpose etc. It’s been done before but I was in for quite a surprise.
The book starts out with a simple enough storyline about a young girl (Sarah) locked up in a children’s psychiatry ward as a diagnosed schizophrenic. A pyschology student (Jess) is asked by her professor to see if Jess can reach Sara so she can be helped. Simple enough, but this is where it really gets good.
Sarah also has a power that has kept her locked up in there for years, the guinea pig for experiments to harness and develop her powers.
Kenyon’s writing is superb and fast paced. He leads you through the suffering of the little girl with a realism that makes you want to help her too. He also manages to throw in some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. He combines supernatural horror with science seamlessly, which I feel shows the amount of research he must have done for this book.
His characters are well thought out and developed. His writing style is believable, with a great sense of suspense that builds throughout the book until the final few chapters. This is where Kenyon shines.
The ending of this book is fantastic and powerful. In fact I went back and read the last few chapters twice, it left me breathless. One of the best endings of a book I have read in a long time.
He also leaves it where he might just revisit these characters in the future. I certainly hope he does.
If you love tense, suspensful, well written stories with apocalyptic endings this book is for you and is highly recommended by this reader.
Posted by pete in General, Literature, News on November 28th, 2008
Dark Regions Press has announced a new quarterly series called New Voices Of Horror. Each book will only be produced as a 100-copy limited edition hardcover! The first book is Dark Entities by David Dunwoody…
Buy Dark Entities At Horror Mall
Hidden in the dark corners of our reality are the passages to spaces beyond. Is it there that unfortunate souls come face to face with the horrors that move silently about us in everyday life. Take a breath, take a chance, and turn the page…
David Dunwoody, the author of EMPIRE, presents strange and chilling tales in which there is no escape to be found - only confrontation with the dark entities of the author’s imagination. Giant ghouls in a graveyard, rebellious demons chained eternally in Hell, ravenous shape-shifters on a lost island, and the specter of Death himself are awaiting you within the confines of this book to collect your soul. Join us. Take a chance, but will you survive?!
Lavishly illustrated by Tom Moran. This is the very first book in the New Voices of Horror series. The Deluxe edition will include two new stories which will not appear in the other editions, and one additional illustration by Tom Moran. This is sure to be a collector’s item!
“Within the pages of Dark Entities you’ll find a mix of artistic sensibility, extreme characters and gruesome horror - crafted with both skill and aptitude. The sentence structure is lean; the vivid imagery portrayed is not unlike the darkest work from Hieronymus Bosch. Look out world, David Dunwoody has arrived.” —James Roy Daley, author of The Dead Parade
“Has the ability to resonate in your mind…a frightening experience.” —Dr. Pus, “Library of The Living Dead” podcast
There is also a yearly subscription announced. A four book subscription costs $160 and comes with a free slipcase. The publishing schedule for this series is as follows:
Dark Entities by David Dunwoody (Winter 2009)
Shades of Blood and Shadows by Angeline Hawkes (Spring 2009)
Untitled collection by James Chambers (Summer 2009)
Undertow and Other Laments by Michael Kelly (Fall 2009)
Posted by dominic in General, News on November 27th, 2008
After the disappointing Star Wars Prequel Trilogy I had very little hope when I heard that Lucas and his team of yes men were going ahead with a new Indiana Jones movie. However, I was certain the new film would accomplish one thing if nothing more, the release of new action-figures from the original three films. Fans have been salivating for quality figures for over twenty-five years and now would be the time to re-create all our favorite scenes.
Yet, as mainstream toy interest in Indiana Jones wanes, Sideshow Collectables can still be counted on to bring us the 1/6th scaled figures we want.
Having dwelt with Hasbro’s horrible distribution-or lack there of- of their 3 ¾ line, and the impending death of said line, it’s nice to see that some companies aren’t giving up on the fans of one of the most loved trilogies-I don’t count Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and I hope you don’t either-of film history.
Sideshow’s third release in their Indiana Jones 12-inch line is Toht. Features include:
• 12-inch Prometheus male body with 30+ points of articulation
• Authentic likeness of Ronald Lacey as Major Arnold Ernst Toht
• Shirt
• Pants
• Tie
• Jacket
• Trench coat with belt
• Shoes
• Hat
• Glasses
• Switch-out melted portrait
• Interchangeable gloved and ungloved hands
• Interchangeable right hand with medallion burn
• Luger pistol
• Hot Poker
• Collapsible coat hanger w/ chain
• Display base with Indiana Jones logo
• Sideshow Exclusive: Polystone Ark of the Covenant accessory
Yes that last part is true. The exclusive Toht comes with the Ark of the Covenant! But it’s not cheap. The exclusive will suck $170 from your bank account and that’s before shipping and taxes. The regular addition is a little bit more affordable at $99. However, one does need an Ark, don’t you think? Click over to Sideshow and check it out.
Also, Cool Toy Review has posted new pictures of Hot Toys upcoming 1/6th scaled Hellboy and Ape Sapien from Hellboy II. So check those out as well, tis the season after all.
Happy Thanksgiving you crazy kids.
Posted by dominie in General on November 27th, 2008
From all of us at Famous Monsters of Filmland, we wish you a happy feasting day!
Some quick notes for the Holiday and into the weekend, the Sci-Fi Channel will be featuring a series of marathons for your entertainment needs.
James Bond will be taking over the Sci-Fi Channel today beginning at 4/3 C.
Following will be sitcom Mork & Mindy on Friday 8am/7C.
Saturday is Steven King’s Desperation. A writer, a family, a couple and a hitchhiker must fight for their lives when they’re arrested by a sheriff with a taste for murder. Premieres Saturday, November 29 at 9/8 C.
Thank you for your continued patronage and again, we always appreciate your feedback in helping us make FMFL more enjoyable for you.
Posted by dominie in Films, News on November 26th, 2008
We all remember the controversy behind Lionsgate’s limited release for The Midnight Meat Train when The Strangers was allegedly given preferential treatment for theater release. We can’t change what happened, but we can still support the film. Ryuhei Kitamura’s adaptation of Clive Barker’s story, The Midnight Meat Train, arrives on DVD and Blu-Ray everywhere on February 17, 2009 from Lionsgate.
Special features include:
• Anatomy of a Murder: the Making of The Midnight Meat Train featurette
• World of Clive Barker featurette
• Mahogany’s Bag featurette
Bradley Cooper plays struggling photographer Leon Kaufman. his obsessive pursuit of dark subject matter leads him into the path of a serial killer, Mahogany (Vinnie Jones), the subway murderer who stalks late-night commuters - ultimately butchering them in the most gruesome ways imaginable. With his concerned girlfriend Maya (Leslie Bibb) fearing for his life, Leon’s relentless fascination with Mahogany lures him further and further into the bowels of the subways and ultimately into an abyss of pure evil – inadvertently pulling Maya right along with him.
Posted by dominie in Films, News on November 26th, 2008
Director Geoff Sax has dropped out of Black Death, a project announced earlier this year starring Lena Headey, Sean Bean, and Rupert Friend. Shock Till You Drop reports that Christopher Smith (Creep, Severance), who just wrapped on the thriller Triangle, will step in to complete the film. There’s no word on why Sax has dropped the project, but he’s currently working on the drama Frankie and Alice.
Scripted by Dario Poloni, Black Death, set in an apocalyptic medieval world, tells the story of a band of brothers whose quest is to hunt down a necromancer against the backdrop of the first outbreak of bubonic plague in England. A young monk is sent to investigate rumors of people being brought back to life, meanwhile a mercenary arrives in the same village. Against the backdrop of the peaceful village lies a pact with the forces of darkness, orchestrated by the village ruler.
An early one-sheet has also been provided by STYD courtesy of HanWay Films who will be handling international sales for the picture.
Posted by dominie in Events, General, News on November 26th, 2008
Yesterday we announced the Battlestar Galactica auction happening at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California come January 16, 2009. What about for our favorite movies? Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Batman, etc. If you’re a fan with some extra cash stashed away or want to give to the film/TV fan that has everything, Profiles in History, the nation’s leading dealer in guaranteed-authentic Hollywood memorabilia, will be holding a worldwide auction on December 11, 2008. Bidding begins at 12:00 PM PST. Bids can be placed either in person, via mail, phone, fax, or live on the Internet via eBay Live Auctions or at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Auction items include Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, Indiane Jones” hat, whip and machete, inscribed one-of-a-kind books from Ian Fleming, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, and many more. Click on the images below for a sample of items to be sold or click beyond the break for the full press release.
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Posted by dominie in Films, News on November 26th, 2008
French rock musician Johnny Hallyday and French actor Sylvie Testud have signed on to star in a Hong Kong-set crime thriller titled Vengeance reports Variety. Johnnie To, who’s produced a number of films, will direct. Scripted by Wai Ka-fai, Vengeance about a French assassin-turned-chef who comes to Hong Kong to avenge a murder. Lensing is currently underway in Hong Kong and is scheduled to arrive next summer. To regulars Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet, and Lam Ka Tung also star.
Posted by dominie in Films, News on November 26th, 2008
Bloody Disgusting reports that Beacon Pictures is developing a feature film based on F. Paul Wilson’s Repairman Jack, a story in the line of a “contemporary” Indiana Jones. Originally scripted by Craig Spector (Animals), Scott Nimerfo, and Trevor Sands, but now revised by Chris Morgan, the story is set in New York City about a charistmatic NYC repairman who battles evil forces to protect an innocent girl.
Also from Bloody Disgusting: Bold Films, who is currently deep into Joe Dante’s The Hole, will take on another picture named Cedar Ave. The story, scripted by Daniel Weissenberger and Adrian Langley, is a supernatural thriller in which a medical student inherits his estranged father’s house after he passed. After observing several odd characteristics of the house, combined with random “bumps in the night,” we learn that the young man’s father was not only a serial killer, but one of his victims is still alive and trapped in the house.
THR announced that Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone, will make his directorial debut with Twist, a teen thriller from Usonian Entertainment. Ciccone has directed numerous music videos for Madonna, but does this make him right for the job? Usonian’s Nathan Folks and Andrew Nagel will produce the feature, co-produced and written by Jay Milner and Karyn Milner of Clouded Leopard Prods. Keith Middlebrook of FICO Financial Services serves as exec producer.
Posted by dominie in Films, News on November 26th, 2008
According to The Sun Times, stars Robert Pattinson, 22, and Kristin Stewart, 18, will each receive salary boosts for the Twilight sequel New Moon—each is reportedly receiving $10 million more per film plus a percentage of the future movies’ box-office take. That’s six times the $2 million they each earned for Twilight.
The reported salary increase also comes with a much larger story. New Moon will include travels to both Alaska and Italy and in addition to vampires, werewolves are now introduced into the franchise.
I’m sure you’ve already heard the numbers. Twilight grossed $70.5 million over the weekend, which virtually guaranteed the greenlight for New Moon. Now it looks like the third film, based on Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse novel is nearly sealed as well.
Director Catherine Hardwicke has also returned for the sequel reports People.com. Just yesterday we were still unsure when Hardwicke told the AP Sunday, “I want to be sure that [the second film is] going to be done right. I don’t want to rush into it. It’s not like ‘Friday the 13th’ or ‘Halloween,’ you can’t just do it super fast and knock another one out.” The director insisted to be sure that the film’s producers were on the same page going forward before any agreements were made.
Hardwicke has reportedly begun preparations for New Moon set to premiere in 2010. Not only the sequels, the movie’s projected net gross also ensured Summit Entertainment’s position in Hollywood. Prior to Twilight, the studio released only five films, the biggest known of the bunch being In the Valley of Elah which Tommy Lee Jones received an Oscar nomination.
