J.H. Bogran's Blog, page 9
November 11, 2015
SPECTRE
Despite the bad reviews that have surfaced lately, I still took the family to see the new James Bond movie. How could I not? I’ve been a fan for the most part of my 43 years. When I was in my teens during the 80s, I was able to see all of the James Bond films from the 60s and 70s. For some reason I can’t recall, the producers saw fit to issue a theater release of them. At a pace of one per month, it took me over a year to catch up. But I consider myself privileged to have experienced all of them in a movie theater, as they were meant to be seen.
I believe every fan grows fond of the first Bond they meet. For me, it was Roger Moore, whom I even met personally when he visited Honduras as a Unicef ambassador. My kids have a soft spot for Pierce Brosnan. However, we all agree that Daniel Craig did a good job of shedding 40 years of patterns and customs with the new beginning that was Casino Royale. That was until now.
So it is safe to say we enjoy the films—all of them, even the maligned Quantum of Solace. Spectre has garnered some bad rep, and yet it is the first movie from Craig that has all the classic elements of a Bond film: the walk down the barrel, the pre-credits sequence, the gadgets, the women, the cars, the unique henchman, and the megalomaniac antagonist with contrived ways of killing 007. Don’t fool yourself, Spectre has it all. In fact, the movie has so many references to previous ones that this should have been the anniversary feature instead of Skyfall.
I think people are put off because we have grown accustomed to a different kind of Bond movie. Daniel Craig’s previous entries have set us up to expect a sober, gadget-free agent, one that is almost too real. So now that we get this throwback action flick which evokes its predecessors it is bad-mouthed. Specter may not a perfect movie, but I consider it's a good Bond movie if you judge it by the average of 20+ films standards and not just the last three.
I believe every fan grows fond of the first Bond they meet. For me, it was Roger Moore, whom I even met personally when he visited Honduras as a Unicef ambassador. My kids have a soft spot for Pierce Brosnan. However, we all agree that Daniel Craig did a good job of shedding 40 years of patterns and customs with the new beginning that was Casino Royale. That was until now.
So it is safe to say we enjoy the films—all of them, even the maligned Quantum of Solace. Spectre has garnered some bad rep, and yet it is the first movie from Craig that has all the classic elements of a Bond film: the walk down the barrel, the pre-credits sequence, the gadgets, the women, the cars, the unique henchman, and the megalomaniac antagonist with contrived ways of killing 007. Don’t fool yourself, Spectre has it all. In fact, the movie has so many references to previous ones that this should have been the anniversary feature instead of Skyfall.
I think people are put off because we have grown accustomed to a different kind of Bond movie. Daniel Craig’s previous entries have set us up to expect a sober, gadget-free agent, one that is almost too real. So now that we get this throwback action flick which evokes its predecessors it is bad-mouthed. Specter may not a perfect movie, but I consider it's a good Bond movie if you judge it by the average of 20+ films standards and not just the last three.
November 7, 2015
Douglas Preston and Lincold Child discuss about Crimson Shore
This month The Big Thrill released my interview of the authors Preston and Child. We had a nice chat about their newest book with protagonist Agent Pendergast.
We also discussed about their method of writing and if it had changed over the years, and of course, as a Honduran myself, I had to ask about the recent descovery that Mr. Preston participated with National Geographic.
Here it is:
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2015/11/crimson-shore-by-douglas-preston-lincoln-child/
We also discussed about their method of writing and if it had changed over the years, and of course, as a Honduran myself, I had to ask about the recent descovery that Mr. Preston participated with National Geographic.
Here it is:
http://www.thebigthrill.org/2015/11/crimson-shore-by-douglas-preston-lincoln-child/
July 12, 2015
2015 Thriller Award Winners.
I share this news basically for two reasons: one that I really really wanted to be present but couldn't make the trip to NYC. And the second, or perhaps the first one if I wanted so damn self-centered (:-) ), is that I coordinated a group of terrific authors/ITW members as a panel for the Best Paperback Original novel. It was an honor and quite a privilege to read so many wonderful novels.
They winners are:
BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL
Megan Abbott – THE FEVER (Little, Brown and Company)
BEST FIRST NOVEL
Laura McHugh – THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD (Spiegel & Grau)
BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL
Vincent Zandri – MOONLIGHT WEEPS (Down & Out Books)
BEST SHORT STORY
Tim L. Williams – “The Last Wrestling Bear in West Kentucky” (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine)
BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
Elle Cosimano – NEARLY GONE (Kathy Dawson Books)
BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL
C.J. Lyons – HARD FALL (Legacy Books)
They winners are:
BEST HARDCOVER NOVEL
Megan Abbott – THE FEVER (Little, Brown and Company)
BEST FIRST NOVEL
Laura McHugh – THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD (Spiegel & Grau)
BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL
Vincent Zandri – MOONLIGHT WEEPS (Down & Out Books)
BEST SHORT STORY
Tim L. Williams – “The Last Wrestling Bear in West Kentucky” (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine)
BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
Elle Cosimano – NEARLY GONE (Kathy Dawson Books)
BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL
C.J. Lyons – HARD FALL (Legacy Books)
July 5, 2015
The ITW's Thriller Roundtable
As you know, I coordinate the Thriller Roundtables for the ITW. It is a nice gig that allows me to interact with many wonderful authors from around the globe.
For the month of July, and as part of the Tenth Anniversary of Thriller Fest, we organized the topics around one of the main events of the fest: meeting the agents.
We have four wonderful topics that will be discussed by top-notch agents. Here is the list:
Jul 6 - 12 What is the most common mistake writers make in approaching an agent? Jul 13 - 19 What is the added-value of agents in the self-publishing model? Jul 20 - 26 Do agents have regrets about the story that got away? Jul 27 - Aug 2 When should a writer change agents? Are agents wary of writers with low sales seeking such a change?
The first topic is already open and the agents participating are: Janet Reid, Jennifer Weltz, Albert Longden, Kimberly Cameron, Helen Heller, Michelle Wolfson, Alec Shane, Beth Phelan and John Raab.
The direct link is HERE!
For the month of July, and as part of the Tenth Anniversary of Thriller Fest, we organized the topics around one of the main events of the fest: meeting the agents.
We have four wonderful topics that will be discussed by top-notch agents. Here is the list:
Jul 6 - 12 What is the most common mistake writers make in approaching an agent? Jul 13 - 19 What is the added-value of agents in the self-publishing model? Jul 20 - 26 Do agents have regrets about the story that got away? Jul 27 - Aug 2 When should a writer change agents? Are agents wary of writers with low sales seeking such a change?
The first topic is already open and the agents participating are: Janet Reid, Jennifer Weltz, Albert Longden, Kimberly Cameron, Helen Heller, Michelle Wolfson, Alec Shane, Beth Phelan and John Raab.
The direct link is HERE!
June 10, 2015
Treasure Hunt at $0.99
For a limited time, my debut novel Treasure Hunt is set at $0.99.
Although not written as a historical novel, the action takes place in 1998. The fact that I wrote the first draft that year being the only reason, although it saw the first light of publishing until 2008, by then cell phones had taken over the world, but the editor and I felt it would be a disservice to the story if we were to update it.
So...here it is, prepare to step back in time to a place where there were people were no smart phones, laptops were heavy, and smoking had not become such a hated practice.
I give you: Treasure Hunt:
The Hunt is on!
When The Falcon -- a master thief and man of unquestionable honor despite his profession -- gets a cryptic message from Bill Porter, a prisoner who’s finishing a twenty-year sentence, he’s intrigued.
Twenty years ago, Bill hijacked a plane carrying a fortune in gold, money and jewels. Before he was caught, he stashed his ill-gotten goods where no one would ever find them.
Now, after spending twenty years in prison, Bill is ready to get out and start a new life. But the F.B.I. is watching him and Bill knows, the minute he tries to retrieve his hidden treasure, they’ll grab him, send him back to jail and confiscate the goods.
The Falcon agrees to retrieve the money and deliver it to Bill's daughter, Jamie, for a cut.
But, after The Falcon rescues Jamie from lowlife crooks, he acquires a willing and equal partner in his daring deeds. A partner who can match his passions with her own.
With danger dogging their heels, the pair races to Central America where they will have the fight of their lives on their hands.
Although not written as a historical novel, the action takes place in 1998. The fact that I wrote the first draft that year being the only reason, although it saw the first light of publishing until 2008, by then cell phones had taken over the world, but the editor and I felt it would be a disservice to the story if we were to update it.
So...here it is, prepare to step back in time to a place where there were people were no smart phones, laptops were heavy, and smoking had not become such a hated practice.
I give you: Treasure Hunt:
The Hunt is on!
When The Falcon -- a master thief and man of unquestionable honor despite his profession -- gets a cryptic message from Bill Porter, a prisoner who’s finishing a twenty-year sentence, he’s intrigued.
Twenty years ago, Bill hijacked a plane carrying a fortune in gold, money and jewels. Before he was caught, he stashed his ill-gotten goods where no one would ever find them.
Now, after spending twenty years in prison, Bill is ready to get out and start a new life. But the F.B.I. is watching him and Bill knows, the minute he tries to retrieve his hidden treasure, they’ll grab him, send him back to jail and confiscate the goods.
The Falcon agrees to retrieve the money and deliver it to Bill's daughter, Jamie, for a cut.
But, after The Falcon rescues Jamie from lowlife crooks, he acquires a willing and equal partner in his daring deeds. A partner who can match his passions with her own.
With danger dogging their heels, the pair races to Central America where they will have the fight of their lives on their hands.
December 13, 2014
Treasure Hunt is currently FREE at Amazon
As a pre-christmas gift, I'm giving away my debut novel Treasure Hunt for a limited time at Amazon.
The Hunt is on!
When The Falcon -- a master thief and man of unquestionable honor despite his profession -- gets a cryptic message from Bill Porter, a prisoner who’s finishing a twenty-year sentence, he’s intrigued.
Twenty years ago, Bill hijacked a plane carrying a fortune in gold, money and jewels. Before he was caught, he stashed his ill-gotten goods where no one would ever find them.
Now, after spending twenty years in prison, Bill is ready to get out and start a new life. But the F.B.I. is watching him and Bill knows, the minute he tries to retrieve his hidden treasure, they’ll grab him, send him back to jail and confiscate the goods.
The Falcon agrees to retrieve the money and deliver it to Bill's daughter, Jamie, for a cut.
But, after The Falcon rescues Jamie from lowlife crooks, he acquires a willing and equal partner in his daring deeds. A partner who can match his passions with her own.
With danger dogging their heels, the pair races to Central America where they will have the fight of their lives on their hands.
Grab your FREE copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNRX3XK
The Hunt is on!
When The Falcon -- a master thief and man of unquestionable honor despite his profession -- gets a cryptic message from Bill Porter, a prisoner who’s finishing a twenty-year sentence, he’s intrigued.
Twenty years ago, Bill hijacked a plane carrying a fortune in gold, money and jewels. Before he was caught, he stashed his ill-gotten goods where no one would ever find them.
Now, after spending twenty years in prison, Bill is ready to get out and start a new life. But the F.B.I. is watching him and Bill knows, the minute he tries to retrieve his hidden treasure, they’ll grab him, send him back to jail and confiscate the goods.
The Falcon agrees to retrieve the money and deliver it to Bill's daughter, Jamie, for a cut.
But, after The Falcon rescues Jamie from lowlife crooks, he acquires a willing and equal partner in his daring deeds. A partner who can match his passions with her own.
With danger dogging their heels, the pair races to Central America where they will have the fight of their lives on their hands.
Grab your FREE copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNRX3XK
December 3, 2014
Guest speaker at a local college.
Many thanks to the class of World Lit at Unitec San Pedro Sula for reading FIREFALL, and for asking so many questions during my guest speaker day in their class room this week.
Glad to see young ones reading for the benefit of future generations.
Glad to see young ones reading for the benefit of future generations.
November 13, 2014
Firefall has a new 5-star review.
A 5 star review for Firefall. This time the reviewers calls me a "rare talent" and something about Mickey Spillane that is not quite a comparison. Loved it!
I'm telling you, hearing from strangers loving ones work is GOLD.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm telling you, hearing from strangers loving ones work is GOLD.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Happy to see Once Cipotes is getting noticed.
In this article, Indiewire lists Once Cipotes as eligible for the 2015 Oscars.
I'm proud to say I wrote the screenplay for that movie, so I'm happy it is getting some traction.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/sydneylev...ypes=og.shares
I'm proud to say I wrote the screenplay for that movie, so I'm happy it is getting some traction.
http://blogs.indiewire.com/sydneylev...ypes=og.shares
November 10, 2014
A Dark Knight shaken, not stirred
Ever since my mother took me to see my first James Bond film back in the early 80’s, I’ve been a die-hard fan. I was lucky at the time the producers made an anniversary promotion and brought the movies for a tour labeled “The James Bond Film Festival.” Thus, I’m proud to say that, with the exception of Thunderball, I’ve watched all of the films in a movie theater.
I’m also a fan of Batman and Christopher Nolan’s epic rendition of the character. A couple of days ago I was watching The Dark Knight Rises for the empth time when something reminded me of The World is not Enough. On further thought I noticed more similarities. I thought it’d be fun to throw them out there and see who else thought I’m on to something.
1. The Dyeing Henchman:
This is the one that I first noticed. In TDKR we are led to believe Bane is the main villain, but it turns out to be he is nothing but a henchman working on the orders of another mastermind. He is also in the process of a slow painful death alleviated only by the heavy dose of drugs administered by the characteristic mask.
In TWINE, a renowned terrorist named Renard attacks MI6 and James Bond is sent after him. Renard was already the target of a previous hit that put a bullet to his brain, but he didn’t die right away. The man feels no pain and will grow stronger until the day he dies.
2. The old lover-switcharoo
Until this movie, Bruce Wayne’s love interests have been platonic, and with sad endings. In TDKR he falls for Miranda, who later turns out to be the main villain, and Batman is left to find comfort in the arms of a Cat-Woman. I must concede that his taste is flawless.
The sexual innuendoes and love interests are a staple of the Bond franchise as much as the gadgets from Q-branch and the cars. In this entry he goes against his orders and sleeps with Elektra King, only to discover she is a manipulative bitch who broke his heart. But don’t worry, she’s not Vesper Lind. While investigating a decommissioned missile silo, he meets Dr. Christmas Jones and ends the movie with her in one of the most lame double-entendres in the franchise when he lies in bed with her and claims: “I thought Christmas only came once a year.”
3. That evil daughter
Further to being evil-doers, it turns out that Miranda is the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, yet another villain who played against the Dark Knight in Batman Begins, and lost his life catching a train.
And guess what, Electra King happens to be the daughter of a powerful business man. Technically, he’s not a bad guy, but his business tactics could be questionable. For example, he refused to pay ransom for his daughter but promptly ditched dough to buy some intelligence information to serve his current project.
4. A farewell to arms
Alfred, the loyal servant in Wayne Manor has had enough, and after a touching scene by Oscar-winner actor Michael Caine, Alfred bids the caped crusader farewell.
TWINE is the last movie in which Desmond Llewellyn played the famous character of Quartermaster, or simple “Q” to his friends. His last scene has the following exchange:
5. Play dead
The public thinks, on two occasions, that Batman is gone forever. The first when Bane got rid of him and exiled to a prison abroad, and time again when Batman flew away with a bomb towards the bay and it goes off.
James Bond, on the other hand, is not afraid to go into an oil-pipe and play high-speed racing to disarm a nuclear devise. The bomb goes off and people think the agent went down.
6. Is it “Nuclear” or “Nucular”?
Granted, I’m making fun of a former president and Gene Hackman’s incarnation of Lex Luthor in Superman IV, but bear with me.
The final threat in the TDKR comes from a nuclear device that will blow Gotham City out of the map.
And, the climax of TWINE happens aboard a nuclear submarine set to explode in Istanbul.
So we have a bomb to destroy an emblematic city, although the intentions behind these acts are quite different. One is revenge, while the other is money.
7. Wasn’t it a secret?
It was a bit annoying that EVERYBODY seemed to know Bruce Way was Batman; everyone except Commissioner Gordon, of course.
And what can be said about the most famous “secret” agent in the world? His connection to MI6 was well known to both foes and friends, especially in this movie.
And there you go, 007 points where you can see similarities between The World in Not Enough, which is deemed as the weakest entry during the Pierce Brosnan tenure, and The Dark Knight Rises, which became a global blockbuster and the epic finale for a trilogy.
PS: Do you know what else they may in common? James Bond will return, and so will Batman. Always.
I’m also a fan of Batman and Christopher Nolan’s epic rendition of the character. A couple of days ago I was watching The Dark Knight Rises for the empth time when something reminded me of The World is not Enough. On further thought I noticed more similarities. I thought it’d be fun to throw them out there and see who else thought I’m on to something.
1. The Dyeing Henchman:
This is the one that I first noticed. In TDKR we are led to believe Bane is the main villain, but it turns out to be he is nothing but a henchman working on the orders of another mastermind. He is also in the process of a slow painful death alleviated only by the heavy dose of drugs administered by the characteristic mask. 
In TWINE, a renowned terrorist named Renard attacks MI6 and James Bond is sent after him. Renard was already the target of a previous hit that put a bullet to his brain, but he didn’t die right away. The man feels no pain and will grow stronger until the day he dies.
2. The old lover-switcharoo
Until this movie, Bruce Wayne’s love interests have been platonic, and with sad endings. In TDKR he falls for Miranda, who later turns out to be the main villain, and Batman is left to find comfort in the arms of a Cat-Woman. I must concede that his taste is flawless.
The sexual innuendoes and love interests are a staple of the Bond franchise as much as the gadgets from Q-branch and the cars. In this entry he goes against his orders and sleeps with Elektra King, only to discover she is a manipulative bitch who broke his heart. But don’t worry, she’s not Vesper Lind. While investigating a decommissioned missile silo, he meets Dr. Christmas Jones and ends the movie with her in one of the most lame double-entendres in the franchise when he lies in bed with her and claims: “I thought Christmas only came once a year.”
3. That evil daughter
Further to being evil-doers, it turns out that Miranda is the daughter of Ra’s Al Ghul, yet another villain who played against the Dark Knight in Batman Begins, and lost his life catching a train.
And guess what, Electra King happens to be the daughter of a powerful business man. Technically, he’s not a bad guy, but his business tactics could be questionable. For example, he refused to pay ransom for his daughter but promptly ditched dough to buy some intelligence information to serve his current project.
4. A farewell to arms
Alfred, the loyal servant in Wayne Manor has had enough, and after a touching scene by Oscar-winner actor Michael Caine, Alfred bids the caped crusader farewell.
TWINE is the last movie in which Desmond Llewellyn played the famous character of Quartermaster, or simple “Q” to his friends. His last scene has the following exchange:
5. Play dead
The public thinks, on two occasions, that Batman is gone forever. The first when Bane got rid of him and exiled to a prison abroad, and time again when Batman flew away with a bomb towards the bay and it goes off.
James Bond, on the other hand, is not afraid to go into an oil-pipe and play high-speed racing to disarm a nuclear devise. The bomb goes off and people think the agent went down.
6. Is it “Nuclear” or “Nucular”?
Granted, I’m making fun of a former president and Gene Hackman’s incarnation of Lex Luthor in Superman IV, but bear with me.
The final threat in the TDKR comes from a nuclear device that will blow Gotham City out of the map.
And, the climax of TWINE happens aboard a nuclear submarine set to explode in Istanbul.
So we have a bomb to destroy an emblematic city, although the intentions behind these acts are quite different. One is revenge, while the other is money.
7. Wasn’t it a secret?
It was a bit annoying that EVERYBODY seemed to know Bruce Way was Batman; everyone except Commissioner Gordon, of course.
And what can be said about the most famous “secret” agent in the world? His connection to MI6 was well known to both foes and friends, especially in this movie.
And there you go, 007 points where you can see similarities between The World in Not Enough, which is deemed as the weakest entry during the Pierce Brosnan tenure, and The Dark Knight Rises, which became a global blockbuster and the epic finale for a trilogy.
PS: Do you know what else they may in common? James Bond will return, and so will Batman. Always.
