George R.R. Martin's Blog, page 143
September 9, 2013
Michael Chabon Visits Santa Fe
Michael Chabon, the only writer ever to win both a Pulitzer Prize and a Hugo Award, will be visiting Santa Fe next weekend, and we have the honor of hosting him at the Jean Cocteau Cinema.
He'll be here this Saturday, September 14. The event starts at 7:00 pm. He'll be reading from TELEGRAPH AVENUE, his latest novel. I'll be interviewing Michael as well, talking books and writing and life & times and such. Followed, of course, by a booksigning.
Admission is free with the purchase of a hardcover book, $5 with the purchase of a paperback.
We have a goodly stock of Chabon titles in stock at the theatre -- not only TELEGRAPH AVENUE (in both hardcover and paperback), but also his Hugo-winning YIDDISH POLICEMAN'S UNION, his Pulitzer Prize-winning THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY, the marvelous swashbuckler GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD (echoes of Fritz Leiber and Harold Lamb, illustrated by the incomparable Gary Gianni), his book of essays MAPS AND LEGENDS: READING AND WRITING ALONG THE BORDERLANDS, and other titles.
The Cocteau only seats 120, and we're getting a lot of interest in this event, so if you'd like to come join us for an evening with Michael Chabon, phone the theatre at 505-466-5528 ASAP to order a book... and thereby reserve a seat.
You can also order a book, and a seat, through the Cocteau website at
http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com/
See you at the show!
He'll be here this Saturday, September 14. The event starts at 7:00 pm. He'll be reading from TELEGRAPH AVENUE, his latest novel. I'll be interviewing Michael as well, talking books and writing and life & times and such. Followed, of course, by a booksigning.
Admission is free with the purchase of a hardcover book, $5 with the purchase of a paperback.
We have a goodly stock of Chabon titles in stock at the theatre -- not only TELEGRAPH AVENUE (in both hardcover and paperback), but also his Hugo-winning YIDDISH POLICEMAN'S UNION, his Pulitzer Prize-winning THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY, the marvelous swashbuckler GENTLEMAN OF THE ROAD (echoes of Fritz Leiber and Harold Lamb, illustrated by the incomparable Gary Gianni), his book of essays MAPS AND LEGENDS: READING AND WRITING ALONG THE BORDERLANDS, and other titles.
The Cocteau only seats 120, and we're getting a lot of interest in this event, so if you'd like to come join us for an evening with Michael Chabon, phone the theatre at 505-466-5528 ASAP to order a book... and thereby reserve a seat.
You can also order a book, and a seat, through the Cocteau website at
http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com/
See you at the show!
September 7, 2013
Mr. Potatohead at Jean Cocteau
Those of you in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, come join me tonight at the Jean Cocteau (418 Montezuma) for our first live performance.
We want the Cocteau to offer more than just films. In the months and years to come, we will also showcase author readings and interviews and signings, magic, comedy, and... live music. And tonight will be our first concert. The Jean Cocteau Cinema was a Santa Fe icon, so to help us launch its second life, we're featuring two other iconic local performers -- Gregg Turner, late of the Angry Samoans, and the Wolf Boy himself, Stephen W. Terrell, performing selections from the Pandemonium Jukebox.
The show starts at 9 pm. Admission only $5. We do not, alas, have our liquor license yet (though we're working on it)... but we will have plenty of pizza, popcorn, pastries, soft drinks to accompany the music.
And for those whose mommies let them stay out late, after Turner and Terrell we have our midnight show (which actually starts at 11pm), V/H/S 2.
((The midnight movie is a separate admission)).
See you at the show.
We want the Cocteau to offer more than just films. In the months and years to come, we will also showcase author readings and interviews and signings, magic, comedy, and... live music. And tonight will be our first concert. The Jean Cocteau Cinema was a Santa Fe icon, so to help us launch its second life, we're featuring two other iconic local performers -- Gregg Turner, late of the Angry Samoans, and the Wolf Boy himself, Stephen W. Terrell, performing selections from the Pandemonium Jukebox.
The show starts at 9 pm. Admission only $5. We do not, alas, have our liquor license yet (though we're working on it)... but we will have plenty of pizza, popcorn, pastries, soft drinks to accompany the music.
And for those whose mommies let them stay out late, after Turner and Terrell we have our midnight show (which actually starts at 11pm), V/H/S 2.
((The midnight movie is a separate admission)).
See you at the show.
Yadda Yadda Y'All
For those of you who cannot get enough of me pontificating, here's a new interview from LoneStarCon, and the AUSTIN CHRONICLE:
http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/books/2013-08-29/lonestarcon-3-the-george-r-r-martin-interview/
http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/books/2013-08-29/lonestarcon-3-the-george-r-r-martin-interview/
September 6, 2013
Back From Texas
... with a little friend.
His name is Hugo.
Thanks to all of you who gave "Blackwater" your vote. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the episode enough to vote it our genre's greatest honor.
Thanks to Rory, for coming all the way from Glasgow to help me accept the award. He's just as tough as advertised; not only did he survive a Hugo ceremony, he downed TWO ghost pepper shots at the BWB party. And thanks to HBO for sending him, with a special tip o' the hat to Mara and Stephanie, who made it happen.
Thanks to David Benioff and Dan Weiss, world's greatest showrunners. My name is on the "Blackwater" script, but there's an awful lot of their writing in there as well, including that amazing original scene between Bronn and the Hound (I wanted to show that at the Hugos as our clip, but, er, LoneStarCon was concerned about the young lady sitting in Bronn's lap, so we went another way).
Thanks to Neil Marshall, who directed the hell out of "Blackwater," stepping in with barely a week's notice to make the episode everything we dreamed that it could be. (And he's back this year for another battle! There's a brave, brave man).
Thanks to our amazing cast and incredible crew. The wildfire explosion was a thing of beauty, truly, but it's the performances of Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Conleth Hill, Jerome Flynn, Rory McCann, Sophie Turner, Jack Gleeson, Sibel Kekilli, Eugene Simon, Roy Dotrice, Stephen Dillane, Liam Cunningham, Finn Jones, Charles Dance, and the rest of our company that made "Blackwater" what it was, bringing the words to life, and creating scenes that will linger in memory long after the green fire has faded. The SFX were great, but without characters to love and hate and fear for, the big explosion is just a light show.
And yes, I was surprised when Paul Cornell called out our name. I had hopes, of course, but DOCTOR WHO has taken this category in six of the past seven years, and we were up against not one Doctor, but three. For those who care about such things, "Blackwater" had the most first place votes, but the Doctor was closing in on us as the lower ranked DR. WHO episodes were eliminated and their votes cascaded into the others. It was only when the episode of FRINGE dropped out and their votes moved to us that "Blackwater" went over the top. Ah, the complexities of the Australian ballot...
FWIW, this was the second Hugo for GAME OF THRONES, and the sixth for me. I've won in five different categories now. And no, it never gets old.
So once more, to all of you:
THANKS!
His name is Hugo.
Thanks to all of you who gave "Blackwater" your vote. We're thrilled that you enjoyed the episode enough to vote it our genre's greatest honor.
Thanks to Rory, for coming all the way from Glasgow to help me accept the award. He's just as tough as advertised; not only did he survive a Hugo ceremony, he downed TWO ghost pepper shots at the BWB party. And thanks to HBO for sending him, with a special tip o' the hat to Mara and Stephanie, who made it happen.
Thanks to David Benioff and Dan Weiss, world's greatest showrunners. My name is on the "Blackwater" script, but there's an awful lot of their writing in there as well, including that amazing original scene between Bronn and the Hound (I wanted to show that at the Hugos as our clip, but, er, LoneStarCon was concerned about the young lady sitting in Bronn's lap, so we went another way).
Thanks to Neil Marshall, who directed the hell out of "Blackwater," stepping in with barely a week's notice to make the episode everything we dreamed that it could be. (And he's back this year for another battle! There's a brave, brave man).
Thanks to our amazing cast and incredible crew. The wildfire explosion was a thing of beauty, truly, but it's the performances of Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Conleth Hill, Jerome Flynn, Rory McCann, Sophie Turner, Jack Gleeson, Sibel Kekilli, Eugene Simon, Roy Dotrice, Stephen Dillane, Liam Cunningham, Finn Jones, Charles Dance, and the rest of our company that made "Blackwater" what it was, bringing the words to life, and creating scenes that will linger in memory long after the green fire has faded. The SFX were great, but without characters to love and hate and fear for, the big explosion is just a light show.
And yes, I was surprised when Paul Cornell called out our name. I had hopes, of course, but DOCTOR WHO has taken this category in six of the past seven years, and we were up against not one Doctor, but three. For those who care about such things, "Blackwater" had the most first place votes, but the Doctor was closing in on us as the lower ranked DR. WHO episodes were eliminated and their votes cascaded into the others. It was only when the episode of FRINGE dropped out and their votes moved to us that "Blackwater" went over the top. Ah, the complexities of the Australian ballot...
FWIW, this was the second Hugo for GAME OF THRONES, and the sixth for me. I've won in five different categories now. And no, it never gets old.
So once more, to all of you:
THANKS!
August 18, 2013
Finland, Finland, Finland
In the comments section to the post immediately below, someone asked about voting for this year's Hugo Awards. Alas, Hugo voting closed some time ago... for the 2013 awards, at least.
You can still cast your vote at LoneStarCon, however... not for the Hugo Awards, but for site selection.
It's the fans who nominate and vote for the Hugos, and the fans who decide where the world science fiction convention will be held. Unlike Dragoncon (always in Atlanta), Comicon (always in San Diego), or other megacons of their ilk, worldcon moves to a different city every year, just as it has since its founding in the 1930s. Cities wishing to host worldcon must put together a concom, find a suitable site and hotels, and bid for the rights to hold the con. Bidding, like American presidential elections, sometimes seems to go on forever, but the actual site selection ballot takes place two years in advance.
At this year's San Antonio worldcon, LoneStarCon 3, fans will decide where the worldcon goes for 2015.
(The site of the 2014 worldcon was determined at Chicon 7, last year's worldcon. The winner was London, England).
There are three contenders for 2015: Spokane, Washington; Orlando, Florida; and Helsinki, Finland. All three will be campaigning vigorously and throwing parties at Texas, I'm sure, selling pre-supporting memberships, and bending the ears of everyone who cares to hear about their wonderful cities, amazing facilities, and experienced committees. So who to choose?
As it happens, I've been to all three cities. Back in the mid 90s, I was GOH at a small regional con in Spokane. Nice fans. The city has its charms, and the surrounding countryside was lovely. It's a small city, though, and it was a small friendly low-key con, which makes me wonder if the committee is ready to tackle something as large and contentious and complex as worldcon.
Orlando hosted the worldcon once before -- MagiCon in 1992 -- and was supposed to be the site once even earlier -- SunCon in 1977. But SunCon was a disaster, had to move to Miami Beach after the fans voted for Orlando, and still ranks as one of the worst worldcons ever. MagiCon was much better... but hot, swelteringly hot. I have fond memories of the Peabody Hotel, but the new Orlando bid isn't using the Peabody, instead they will actually be inside Disney World, using Disney facilities. I like visiting Disney parks from time to time, and I love attending worldcon, but that does not mean I want to mix the two. The Orlando convention set-up has some undeniable advantages... I love the idea of having all of worldcon under a single roof, without elevators... but if you've ever been to Disney World or Disneyland, you probably know that there will be drawbacks as well. Under the Mouse's roof, the Mouse's rules apply. And what with global warming and all, Orlando in 2015 will probably be even hotter than Orlando in 1992. Just thinking about it makes me want to turn the air conditioner up to "ARCTIC BLAST."
Fortunately, I think there's one choice for 2015 that stands head and shoulders above the other two:
No, no, no, NOT England. England is next year. I'm talking FINLAND! Helsinki!
Singing, dancing, fish-slapping, reindeer, lingonberries...
Well, no, not really. But Parris and I were guests at Finncon just a few years ago, and we had a great time. Helsinki is a great, lively, historic city, and the Finnish fans are terrific... warm and friendly and hospitable. They all speak English, by the way. Every Finn we met spoke English. So no one need worry about getting lost in a country where you cannot understand the language. You can eat reindeer and lingonberries if you have a yen... but there's plenty of other types of food for those who'd rather not. Saunas are omnipresent... but not compulsory, if you are the shy sort who would rather not take off your clothes around other people. Helsinki's not quite north enough for a midnight sun, but we got a ten-oclock-at-night sun, and that was pretty cool too. Hell, you could even find good pizza. (I prefer never to go anywhere where you cannot find good pizza).
Even more than the charms of the city, however, it was the competence and experience of the committee that impressed me. We have had too many badly-run worldcons in recent years (need I mention Montreal, anyone?). The Finncon we attended was huge, drawing something like 30,000 people to Helsinki as I recall. That's six times as large as any worldcon since the 80s, yet the con ran smoothly start to finish, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I have no doubt that a Helsinki worldcon would be well run as well... and I know the Finnish fans would love to show your their city, their castles, the herds of reindeer wandering the streets. Oh, there's vodka too. And saunas. Did I mention the saunas?
But seriously... if you'd like to know more about the Finnish bid, check out their website here: http://www.helsinkiin2015.org/
Anyway, those of you who will be attending LoneSTarCon should be sure to visit the site selection booths, check out the literature for the competing bid, then sign up for 2015 and cast your ballot.
Me, I'll be voting for Helsinki... to put the "world" back in worldcon.
(And for KANSAS CITY IN 2016 as well, but that vote is next year, in London).
You can still cast your vote at LoneStarCon, however... not for the Hugo Awards, but for site selection.
It's the fans who nominate and vote for the Hugos, and the fans who decide where the world science fiction convention will be held. Unlike Dragoncon (always in Atlanta), Comicon (always in San Diego), or other megacons of their ilk, worldcon moves to a different city every year, just as it has since its founding in the 1930s. Cities wishing to host worldcon must put together a concom, find a suitable site and hotels, and bid for the rights to hold the con. Bidding, like American presidential elections, sometimes seems to go on forever, but the actual site selection ballot takes place two years in advance.
At this year's San Antonio worldcon, LoneStarCon 3, fans will decide where the worldcon goes for 2015.
(The site of the 2014 worldcon was determined at Chicon 7, last year's worldcon. The winner was London, England).
There are three contenders for 2015: Spokane, Washington; Orlando, Florida; and Helsinki, Finland. All three will be campaigning vigorously and throwing parties at Texas, I'm sure, selling pre-supporting memberships, and bending the ears of everyone who cares to hear about their wonderful cities, amazing facilities, and experienced committees. So who to choose?
As it happens, I've been to all three cities. Back in the mid 90s, I was GOH at a small regional con in Spokane. Nice fans. The city has its charms, and the surrounding countryside was lovely. It's a small city, though, and it was a small friendly low-key con, which makes me wonder if the committee is ready to tackle something as large and contentious and complex as worldcon.
Orlando hosted the worldcon once before -- MagiCon in 1992 -- and was supposed to be the site once even earlier -- SunCon in 1977. But SunCon was a disaster, had to move to Miami Beach after the fans voted for Orlando, and still ranks as one of the worst worldcons ever. MagiCon was much better... but hot, swelteringly hot. I have fond memories of the Peabody Hotel, but the new Orlando bid isn't using the Peabody, instead they will actually be inside Disney World, using Disney facilities. I like visiting Disney parks from time to time, and I love attending worldcon, but that does not mean I want to mix the two. The Orlando convention set-up has some undeniable advantages... I love the idea of having all of worldcon under a single roof, without elevators... but if you've ever been to Disney World or Disneyland, you probably know that there will be drawbacks as well. Under the Mouse's roof, the Mouse's rules apply. And what with global warming and all, Orlando in 2015 will probably be even hotter than Orlando in 1992. Just thinking about it makes me want to turn the air conditioner up to "ARCTIC BLAST."
Fortunately, I think there's one choice for 2015 that stands head and shoulders above the other two:
No, no, no, NOT England. England is next year. I'm talking FINLAND! Helsinki!
Singing, dancing, fish-slapping, reindeer, lingonberries...
Well, no, not really. But Parris and I were guests at Finncon just a few years ago, and we had a great time. Helsinki is a great, lively, historic city, and the Finnish fans are terrific... warm and friendly and hospitable. They all speak English, by the way. Every Finn we met spoke English. So no one need worry about getting lost in a country where you cannot understand the language. You can eat reindeer and lingonberries if you have a yen... but there's plenty of other types of food for those who'd rather not. Saunas are omnipresent... but not compulsory, if you are the shy sort who would rather not take off your clothes around other people. Helsinki's not quite north enough for a midnight sun, but we got a ten-oclock-at-night sun, and that was pretty cool too. Hell, you could even find good pizza. (I prefer never to go anywhere where you cannot find good pizza).
Even more than the charms of the city, however, it was the competence and experience of the committee that impressed me. We have had too many badly-run worldcons in recent years (need I mention Montreal, anyone?). The Finncon we attended was huge, drawing something like 30,000 people to Helsinki as I recall. That's six times as large as any worldcon since the 80s, yet the con ran smoothly start to finish, and everyone seemed to have a great time. I have no doubt that a Helsinki worldcon would be well run as well... and I know the Finnish fans would love to show your their city, their castles, the herds of reindeer wandering the streets. Oh, there's vodka too. And saunas. Did I mention the saunas?
But seriously... if you'd like to know more about the Finnish bid, check out their website here: http://www.helsinkiin2015.org/
Anyway, those of you who will be attending LoneSTarCon should be sure to visit the site selection booths, check out the literature for the competing bid, then sign up for 2015 and cast your ballot.
Me, I'll be voting for Helsinki... to put the "world" back in worldcon.
(And for KANSAS CITY IN 2016 as well, but that vote is next year, in London).
Con Time!
Convention season is truly upon us.
It seems like just yesterday that I returned from the San Diego Comicon, but in less than a week I will be on the road again... first down to Albuquerque for our annual local NM sf con, Bubonicon, and then off to the red wilds of Texas for LoneStarCon 3, the world science fiction convention, this year being held in San Antonio. [There are links to both of these cons on the appearances page of my website, for those who'd like more details].
Here's the schedule of my public events and appearances for each con:
BUBONICON
==========
Friday Aug 23 7:30 pm READING
Saturday Aug 24 12:00 noon Dark Fantasy discussion, w/ Tim Powers
5:20 pm mass autographing
LONESTARCON 3
================
Thursday Aug 29 4:00pm signing
Friday Aug 30 5:00pm READING
Saturday Aug 31 4:00pm Howard & George Show, w/ Howard Waldrop
Sunday Sept 1 8:00pm HUGO AWARDS
Monday Sept 2 11:00am signing
Some will observe that this schedule looks light. Hoo hah. These are only my public events. What's not showing here are all the parties, lunches, parties, breakfasts, parties, dinners, business meetings, and... did I mention the parties? The parties are the heart of any good con, and I expect to be at several. I am, alas, not the party animal I was twenty years ago, but I still love hanging with others writers, and my fellow fans. And yes, I still consider myself a fan.
I have been going to SF cons since 1971 (and comic cons since 1964). Some are better than others, mind you, and I've seen a lot of changes over my years... some of which are cool, others that I really hate, but cons are still are important part of my life. Especially worldcon. I've said this a hundred times, but let me say it once more -- bookstore signings are great if all you want is to get your book signed, but if you really want to meet me (or any of the other SF or fantasy writers whose work you have enjoyed), hang, talk, flirt, drunkenly debate the state of the field or the nature of the universe, you need to come to a convention.
Speaking of signing, though... if you look at the schedule above, you'll see that I've got an autographing at Bubonicon (the mass signing, a truly terrific concept, where all the writers at the con are available to sign in the same room at the same time, a collector's nirvana), and two dealer's room signing for LoneStarCon. If you want your books defaced with my illegible scrawl, you should try to get yourself to one of those. I am not going to be signing in the hallways, before or after panels, while eating dinner (or lunch, or breakfast), and I am REALLY not going to be signing books at parties. Parties for partying, not autographing. It is a major lapse of con etiquette to ask me (or any other writer) to sign your books at a party. The only worse no-no is is thrusting a manuscript or screenplay -- or these days, a self-published book -- into my hand for me to read and/or blurb. So don't. Please.
The big excitement at any worldcon is, of course, the Hugo Awards, the oldest major honor in our field, and still the most important. (I hope you all nominated. I hope you all voted). GAME OF THRONES is up this year in the "Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form" category, for the season two episode "Blackwater," which I scripted. Last year we won in "Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form," but this year the competition is fierce, since we're up against an episode of FRINGE and three, count 'em THREE, episodes of DOCTOR WHO. The Doctor has pretty much owned the Short Form category ever since it was created, and it remains to be seen if we can prevail against three Doctors at once. I'd rate us as underdogs, but we shall see. If we do somehow prevail over the Doctor, his companions, and all those legions of Daleks, Time Lords, and Whoovians, however, I will have some terrific help in accepting the award. HBO is flying in our very own Hound, Rory McCann, to accept the award on behalf of Dan and David and the rest of the cast and crew (all of whom are very busy at the moment filming season four), should we win. Parris has been been trying to convince him to wear his kilt to the awards ceremony. Come to the Hugos and find out if she's been successful.
(And if we lose, feel free to buy me a drink afterward and tell me 'you wuz robbed.' You'll need to find me at the secret chili party first, though, drowning my sorrows in a bowl of Keith Kato's hottest red).
It seems like just yesterday that I returned from the San Diego Comicon, but in less than a week I will be on the road again... first down to Albuquerque for our annual local NM sf con, Bubonicon, and then off to the red wilds of Texas for LoneStarCon 3, the world science fiction convention, this year being held in San Antonio. [There are links to both of these cons on the appearances page of my website, for those who'd like more details].
Here's the schedule of my public events and appearances for each con:
BUBONICON
==========
Friday Aug 23 7:30 pm READING
Saturday Aug 24 12:00 noon Dark Fantasy discussion, w/ Tim Powers
5:20 pm mass autographing
LONESTARCON 3
================
Thursday Aug 29 4:00pm signing
Friday Aug 30 5:00pm READING
Saturday Aug 31 4:00pm Howard & George Show, w/ Howard Waldrop
Sunday Sept 1 8:00pm HUGO AWARDS
Monday Sept 2 11:00am signing
Some will observe that this schedule looks light. Hoo hah. These are only my public events. What's not showing here are all the parties, lunches, parties, breakfasts, parties, dinners, business meetings, and... did I mention the parties? The parties are the heart of any good con, and I expect to be at several. I am, alas, not the party animal I was twenty years ago, but I still love hanging with others writers, and my fellow fans. And yes, I still consider myself a fan.
I have been going to SF cons since 1971 (and comic cons since 1964). Some are better than others, mind you, and I've seen a lot of changes over my years... some of which are cool, others that I really hate, but cons are still are important part of my life. Especially worldcon. I've said this a hundred times, but let me say it once more -- bookstore signings are great if all you want is to get your book signed, but if you really want to meet me (or any of the other SF or fantasy writers whose work you have enjoyed), hang, talk, flirt, drunkenly debate the state of the field or the nature of the universe, you need to come to a convention.
Speaking of signing, though... if you look at the schedule above, you'll see that I've got an autographing at Bubonicon (the mass signing, a truly terrific concept, where all the writers at the con are available to sign in the same room at the same time, a collector's nirvana), and two dealer's room signing for LoneStarCon. If you want your books defaced with my illegible scrawl, you should try to get yourself to one of those. I am not going to be signing in the hallways, before or after panels, while eating dinner (or lunch, or breakfast), and I am REALLY not going to be signing books at parties. Parties for partying, not autographing. It is a major lapse of con etiquette to ask me (or any other writer) to sign your books at a party. The only worse no-no is is thrusting a manuscript or screenplay -- or these days, a self-published book -- into my hand for me to read and/or blurb. So don't. Please.
The big excitement at any worldcon is, of course, the Hugo Awards, the oldest major honor in our field, and still the most important. (I hope you all nominated. I hope you all voted). GAME OF THRONES is up this year in the "Best Dramatic Presentation - Short Form" category, for the season two episode "Blackwater," which I scripted. Last year we won in "Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form," but this year the competition is fierce, since we're up against an episode of FRINGE and three, count 'em THREE, episodes of DOCTOR WHO. The Doctor has pretty much owned the Short Form category ever since it was created, and it remains to be seen if we can prevail against three Doctors at once. I'd rate us as underdogs, but we shall see. If we do somehow prevail over the Doctor, his companions, and all those legions of Daleks, Time Lords, and Whoovians, however, I will have some terrific help in accepting the award. HBO is flying in our very own Hound, Rory McCann, to accept the award on behalf of Dan and David and the rest of the cast and crew (all of whom are very busy at the moment filming season four), should we win. Parris has been been trying to convince him to wear his kilt to the awards ceremony. Come to the Hugos and find out if she's been successful.
(And if we lose, feel free to buy me a drink afterward and tell me 'you wuz robbed.' You'll need to find me at the secret chili party first, though, drowning my sorrows in a bowl of Keith Kato's hottest red).
August 15, 2013
Amazon Exclusive
Looks like the folks at Amazon are planning something rather special for the Blu-Ray/ DVD of Season 3 of GAME OF THRONES.
Take a look at this spectacular packaging for the boxed set:
Do note: this is a LIMITED edition, and exclusive to Amazon. Not sure how many they are making, but they are limiting sales to two per customer.
So if you'd like one, pre-order now at:
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Complete-Limited-Exclusive/dp/B00DY9GSAU/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376601653&sr=1-3&keywords=game+of+thrones+season+3
Take a look at this spectacular packaging for the boxed set:
Do note: this is a LIMITED edition, and exclusive to Amazon. Not sure how many they are making, but they are limiting sales to two per customer.
So if you'd like one, pre-order now at:
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Complete-Limited-Exclusive/dp/B00DY9GSAU/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1376601653&sr=1-3&keywords=game+of+thrones+season+3
August 14, 2013
Jean Cocteau Lives!
The grand re-opening week at the Jean Cocteau has gone by in a blur. Only two more days to catch ORPHEUS and FORBIDDEN PLANET... for free. So far, everyone seems to love the new art deco look of the entryway and concessions area, and our famous popcorn. And the crowds have been great. Of course, you'd figure that, with admission being free and all.
This weekend will be our first true test. On Friday we start charging for admission.
We're going to continue to offer an eclectic mix of films. Something for every taste, we hope.
Next up are SHOUTING SECRETS and EUROPA REPORT. Check 'em out.
SHOUTING SECRETS
EUROPA REPORT
And for those of you who are allowed to stay up late, here's a taste of our Midnight Movie (11pm, actually) next Friday and Saturday.
RAPTURE-PALOOZA
See you at the movies ((I hope)).
This weekend will be our first true test. On Friday we start charging for admission.
We're going to continue to offer an eclectic mix of films. Something for every taste, we hope.
Next up are SHOUTING SECRETS and EUROPA REPORT. Check 'em out.
SHOUTING SECRETS
EUROPA REPORT
And for those of you who are allowed to stay up late, here's a taste of our Midnight Movie (11pm, actually) next Friday and Saturday.
RAPTURE-PALOOZA
See you at the movies ((I hope)).
August 11, 2013
The Long Weekend
The Grand Re-Opening of the Jean Cocteau Cinema came off as scheduled on Friday evening... something I scarcely would have believed a week ago. We made it with... ah... minutes to spare. Work was still going on when I arrive at the theatre an hour before opening.
All in all, it was a great weekend.
We had full houses for almost all our matinees and evening showings, and good crowds for the two midnight shows as well. Large, enthusiastic, diverse crowds -- young and old, of every race and ethnicity, native Santa Feans and newcomers to town and tourists just here for the weekend, geeks and straights, boys and girls, old folks and children, hardcore SF fans and devotees of the French new wave... they all mixed and mingled in the Cocteau's gorgeously redesigned cafe area, enjoyed our first art exhibition, and then filed into the hall to enjoy the films... and meet our special guest.
Yes, it's Robby himself, the star of FORBIDDEN PLANET, who was on hand to help introduce the show. . . and pose for pictures with visitors. If you missed the chance to attend our opening weekend, have no fear... Robby will be there all week.
Robby was a huge hit, I can safely say. FORBIDDEN PLANET, Jean Cocteau's ORPHEUS, and our midnight offering of DARK STAR also seemed to go over well. And, yes, the Cocteau's famous popcorn was back, with real butter, all the old toppings, and some new ones as well.
We did have a few glitches, as any new enterprise will. Our ice machine broke down even before we opened, requiring the staff to rush out for bags of ice. And the heating element on our brand new pizza warmer died. But everything else seems to work well. I hope all the folks who attended had a great time. I know that I certainly did.
There's been some great press about the reopening. Here's a sample:
http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-7622-top-10-rad-things-at.html
My thanks to all those who made this possible:
-- Meredith Haber and Karen Meredith, my realtors, who helped me acquire the Cocteau,
-- Ty Franck, the "bad cop," who helped work out, well, almost everything,
-- the amazing Jayne Franck, whose stunning redesign of the lobby and concession area wowed everyone who saw it,
-- Marshall Thompson of Constructive Assets, who fixed all the stuff that needed fixing, and turned Jayne's designs into reality,
-- my ace minions, Pat Rogers, Raya Golden, and Tyler Smith,
-- my new minions, the staff of the Jean Cocteau, who acquitted themselves marvelously,
-- and last but not least, Jon Bowman, my general manager, who booked the films, hired the staff, popped the corn, turned on the lights, and generally helped turn my rather insane dream into technicolor reality.
The Jean Cocteau first opened its doors in 1984, and closed them in 2006. A twenty-two year run is nothing to sneeze at, but here's hoping the new Jean Cocteau will help to entertain, enlighten, and delight the people of Santa Fe for at least twice as long.
All in all, it was a great weekend.
We had full houses for almost all our matinees and evening showings, and good crowds for the two midnight shows as well. Large, enthusiastic, diverse crowds -- young and old, of every race and ethnicity, native Santa Feans and newcomers to town and tourists just here for the weekend, geeks and straights, boys and girls, old folks and children, hardcore SF fans and devotees of the French new wave... they all mixed and mingled in the Cocteau's gorgeously redesigned cafe area, enjoyed our first art exhibition, and then filed into the hall to enjoy the films... and meet our special guest.
Yes, it's Robby himself, the star of FORBIDDEN PLANET, who was on hand to help introduce the show. . . and pose for pictures with visitors. If you missed the chance to attend our opening weekend, have no fear... Robby will be there all week.
Robby was a huge hit, I can safely say. FORBIDDEN PLANET, Jean Cocteau's ORPHEUS, and our midnight offering of DARK STAR also seemed to go over well. And, yes, the Cocteau's famous popcorn was back, with real butter, all the old toppings, and some new ones as well.
We did have a few glitches, as any new enterprise will. Our ice machine broke down even before we opened, requiring the staff to rush out for bags of ice. And the heating element on our brand new pizza warmer died. But everything else seems to work well. I hope all the folks who attended had a great time. I know that I certainly did.
There's been some great press about the reopening. Here's a sample:
http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/article-7622-top-10-rad-things-at.html
My thanks to all those who made this possible:
-- Meredith Haber and Karen Meredith, my realtors, who helped me acquire the Cocteau,
-- Ty Franck, the "bad cop," who helped work out, well, almost everything,
-- the amazing Jayne Franck, whose stunning redesign of the lobby and concession area wowed everyone who saw it,
-- Marshall Thompson of Constructive Assets, who fixed all the stuff that needed fixing, and turned Jayne's designs into reality,
-- my ace minions, Pat Rogers, Raya Golden, and Tyler Smith,
-- my new minions, the staff of the Jean Cocteau, who acquitted themselves marvelously,
-- and last but not least, Jon Bowman, my general manager, who booked the films, hired the staff, popped the corn, turned on the lights, and generally helped turn my rather insane dream into technicolor reality.
The Jean Cocteau first opened its doors in 1984, and closed them in 2006. A twenty-two year run is nothing to sneeze at, but here's hoping the new Jean Cocteau will help to entertain, enlighten, and delight the people of Santa Fe for at least twice as long.
August 9, 2013
Opening Night!
Jean Cocteau Cinema'
418 Montezuma
6:30 pm
Pizza, popcorn, and
FORBIDDEN PLANET.
Be there to be square.
418 Montezuma
6:30 pm
Pizza, popcorn, and
FORBIDDEN PLANET.
Be there to be square.
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