David M. Brown's Blog, page 108
October 25, 2011
Free on Amazon (US): Short Stories I-IV
I know everyone loves a freebie (I'm no exception) and I'm really pleased that Amazon.com have now made Short Stories I-IV free on Kindle. Obviously, it can also be read on Kindle software and I'm reliably informed by Mrs B that this can also be downloaded for free from Amazon.
<A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_... Widgets</A>Obviously FREE = No Risk but I know time is just as important (if not more so) as money so here's a sampler, a little try-before-you-don't-have-to-buy if you like!
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More from The World According to Dave
Fezariu's Epiphany: New cover reveal!
Merry Monday Link Love | The World According to Dave
Introducing the Fezariu's Epiphany Book Trailer
Other reading you may enjoy:
Bloggers supporting authors: I Read Banned Books #1 ('Adopt an Indie')
Review: Doodling – Jonathan Gould (Book Bags and Cat Naps)
Aside | Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime (Blue Archipelago Reviews)
Save money on an Amazon Kindle 3G with promotional offers (Blue Archipelago Reviews)
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October 24, 2011
Merry Monday Link Love #6
It's Monday and Mondays can sometimes be a little bit blue.
So, here's the Merry Monday Link Love post to brighten up the day and spread a little blog love.
All you have to do to take part is add your blog! However, in order to keep the link love flowing it would be great if you could visit at least one blog on the list to spread the Monday cheer! Oh and feel free to copy the linky code to your own blog – but only if you want to!
Have a great Monday.
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October 20, 2011
Blog tour stop: Dark Days of Demons 2011 – Kerri Nelson
I'm really pleased to welcome another author to the blog today. Kerri Nelson is new to The World According to Dave but certainly not new to writing: in fact she has a great deal of experience under her belt as you can see from her biography below! Kerri is visiting today to share news of her new release, Courting Demons (which sounds like great fun) and talk about how she'd cast her characters for the big screen… Keep your eyes peeled at the end of the post for giveaway information!
About the book
Paisley Barton was already having a bad day before she turned her husband into a rat.
First, she was fired by her boss and then came home to find hubby in the shower with a naked blonde chick. They say that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned but this break-up may just unleash hell on Earth when Paisley casts a spell of vengeance against her philandering husband.
After her spell casting inadvertently opens a portal between dimensions, Paisley finds her family home transformed into a nightly courtroom for settling disputes between demons of the underworld and she's the judge! If that's not enough, she's got to deal with a charming, ancient demon named Camden who wants to be her personal bodyguard while trying to explain her husband's sudden, mysterious disappearance to sexy police Detective Dalton Briggs.
But Paisley will show them all that an everyday working mom is better equipped than most to deal with the mystical mayhem…and with a tempting demon hottie and a flirtatious young detective vying for her affection, she soon learns that being single again isn't so bad after all.
"When a wronged wife turns her cheating husband into a rat, you know you have to keep reading! Kerri Nelson offers up a lot of fun and wild magic in Courting Demons!" –Bestselling author, Linda Wisdom, Demons are a Girl's Best Friend
And now, over to Kerri!
Casting Call Courting Demons Style
I would imagine that a great number of authors daydream about what it might be like to see our novels on the big screen (or even the television screen—for that matter). I'm one of those authors. My big dream is to see Hollywood leading actors portray my heroes for the world to see. As long as Hollywood doesn't mess it up…and frankly, what are my chances there?
But, if I were the casting director of my book Courting Demons, I think I'd go with a cast that isn't your typical Brad, George, Jennifer, or Sandra. I'd go with some actors and actresses who really look the part, exhibit the character's traits that I know inside and out (since I created them) and who haven't really gotten the recognition they deserve in the hyped up world of glitterati.
[image error]The lovely Jami Gertz as 'Paisley Barton'
So, for my main character of Paisley Barton…a 30-something working mother of two children who is very smart but slightly bumbling and who has really had a rough time of it but manages to keep her sense of humor in tact…I'd cast actress Jami Gertz.
You might remember Jami from the old school vampire movie "The Lost Boys"; as the girlfriend of storm chaser character played by Bill Paxton in "Twister" or from many of her other television and movie roles throughout the last couple of decades. The photo attached to this post of her is what I sent to my brilliant and talented cover artist (Christine Griffin) and I really thing she did her justice on my cover, what do you think?
A devilishly handsome Paul Bettany as 'Camden'
For my demon body guard the ancient seducer—Camden—I'd cast the actor Paul Bettany. First of all, he has that sexy British accent (grrr) and I don't believe he's been totally over used in movies like some other leading men have been. You might have to look him up but for those of you who've seen these movies—he was there: "Legion" or "Wimbledon" or "Master & Commander".
The 'scrumptious' Josh Duhamel as 'Dalton Briggs'
Lastly, for my younger man—hottie police detective who is new in town and slightly out of his element with both Paisley and the paranormal world that is crashing down all around them—Detective Dalton Briggs—I'd cast the scrumptious Josh Duhamel. For the ladies out there, I probably don't even need to follow that announcement up with anything more. But he'd most notably remember for his role in the television series "Las Vegas" and one of my personal fave movies "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton". If you haven't seen it, I can promise a funny movie with a sweaty, shirtless wood chopping scene that…well…we'll call it gratuitous and well worth it.
So, for fun, I'd love to hear what you think of my choices. If you've read the book, do you like my casting decisions? If not, does it tempt you to want to read more? And who's your fave "underused" actor or actress in Hollywood today?
Thanks for hosting today at The World According to Dave. What a blast!
© Kerri Nelson 2011
Kerri's biography
Kerri Nelson discovered her love of writing at an early age and soon became a columnist for her local newspaper winning the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.
After a fifteen year career in the legal field, Kerri fulfilled her lifelong dream of publication and is now an award winning multi-published author of nearly every genre under the sun (and moon) and also writes young adult fiction under the penname K.G. Summers.
A true southern belle, she comes complete with a dashing southern gentleman and three adorable children for whom she often bakes many homemade treats.
Kerri is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America as well as numerous chapters including Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal Writers and her Presidency of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.
Read more about Kerri's books at her website: www.kerrinelson.com
Follow her on Twitter here: www.twitter.com/kerribookwriter
Visit her industry blog here: www.thebookboost.blogspot.com
Giveaway details
Leave a question or comment to be entered to win today's prize: A copy of the book A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies!
Then, enter to win Kerri's book tour Grand Prize Kindle by following her on tour and e-mailing her the answers to each question of the day at the end of tour. The more questions you answer, the more entries you gain.
Question of the Day:
Who is the other cop character in the story who doesn't like Paisley?
Details on how to enter to win the GRAND PRIZE Kindle at the end of the "Dark Days of Demons Tour" can be found here.
Thank you again to Kerri for visiting today. To read an excerpt of Courting Demons click here (external link). Courting Demons is available to buy from all good bookstores including Amazon or you can buy a print copy direct from Jupiter Gardens and get a free gift with each order (while stocks last). Best of luck with the rest of the tour, Kerri, and of course with Courting Demons.
October 19, 2011
Night Owl Reviews: Full Moon Web Hunt ends Oct 31st
**20th Oct: I thought I'd repost this today to let everyone know that there's still time to enter the Full Moon Web Hunt, which ends on 31st October. There are great prizes to be won so have a look at the details below and get your entries in while there's still time. Good luck and if you win be sure to come back and let me know!**
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted a distinctly spooky banner in the sidebar so I thought I'd take a moment to fill you in.
This year The World According to Dave is one of the participating sites in the Night Owl Reviews Full Moon Web Hunt.
Here are the instructions, as issued by Night Owl Reviews themselves:
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Visit each sponsor's website and find the special hidden graphic. Graphics will be within 1 click of the sponsor's homepage. You must find all of the required find graphics to be eligible for entry. Complete the entry form and post each sponsors unique web hunt word next to their name. Once you complete the form you will need to click "Submit" for your entry details to be submitted. You must find at least 25 of the hidden graphics to be entered including all of the required finds…40 to be entered for the grand prize. [Read more...]
There are five whopping great prizes to be won so this is definitely worth your time and I'm pretty certain that you're guaranteed to find some great blogs along the way. The hunt starts on 1st September and ends, of course, on the 31st October.
Happy hunting!
October 18, 2011
Memoirs of a Travelling Tolderian Salesman #7
I've been exploring the world of Elenchera for more than a decade now. Over time I've been privileged to learn of some amazing events:- gods at war, voyages of discovery, near extinction of ancient races, the elevation of magic as the necessity of all, slaves breaking free of their shackles and inventions that changed the world forever. Chronicles of Elenchera are hard to come by with the legendary historian Hawkswood having written the most prized accounts of the Elencheran timelines. In my endless search I did manage to find one book that I have found most useful in sharing something of this very different world.
"Memoirs of a Travelling Tolderian Salesman" was written by a unique individual known as Norman Verne. Who is Norman and where does he come from you might ask. Well, Norman is/was a toldere from the island of Lemanto. Tolderes? You must have heard of them. They're canine headed men, a jovial bunch that love buying and selling, you could say the Del Boy of their world though a little more successful. In 26338 of the Fifteenth Shard Norman Verne became the first travelling tolderian salesman when he boarded a ship and left Lemanto behind, not returning for 79 years. In that time he is said to have travelled throughout Elenchera, visiting familiar lands in the east and the fledgling colonies in the west. I intend to use this blog to share extracts of Norman's journey. This book only covers the early years of his journey but if I happen upon any later instalments you'll be the first to know. Take my hand and let us delve into the world of Elenchera together.
17th December 26345
The Kaluminian merchant, Theobald, turned out to be my lifesaver. Having washed up on Kaluminia with only a handful of my goods left to sell I feared not only was my journey over but I wouldn't be able to afford passage home to Lemanto. Whatever decision I made I knew working for Theobald was the only way to escape my predicament. It didn't take a salesman like me long to earn enough to go home but when Theobald proposed arranging a vessel to bear me back to Lemanto I was quick to refuse. Instead I decided to continue my work for him until I not only had enough to resume my journey for many months but I wanted some new stock as well. As a result I spent seven long years in Kaluminia. Had I not been treated so well by Theobald, the experience would have been too much but in the end those years seemed to whistle by like the ocean winds.
As I pen these words I have long since left Kaluminia, taking a ship heading due east with the north coast of Valadomiar always in sight. Rather than land on Elenchera's largest continent the ship made its way down the east coast of Valadomiar before turning further east towards the island of Ephetona. Fierce mountains line much of the coastline in Ephetona and make it a seemingly formidable place for invaders to land their ships. Not that Ephetona hasn't suffered invasions and conquests, you understand. This isolated island bears the scars of a turbulent period of Elenchera's history, one we tolderes know only too well.
Going back through history Ephetona was first settled by one of the six gods of Arlvayamond – Zoltan. The ruler of the dwarves for the first six Shards, Zoltan saw potential not in the land of Ephetona but in the underground. He built a vast network of mines beneath the earth known as Anvil and these myriad tunnels and passages were the perfect place to lure invaders who dared step foot on Ephetona. In fact landing on Ephetona used to be a straightforward task. Zoltan built one city – Propriety – on the surface where garrisons were stationed to watch over the island but save a few isolated villages that was all that stood on the surface of the land. Zoltan's death at the end of the Sixth Shard was a cruel blow to the dwarves but they fought on and remained prosperous.
The Cavaller Wars (16875-19473) fought between the dwarves on Ephetona and the elves on Glamador over the tiny archipelago – The Cavaller Islands – was a source of woe for both lands. By the Twelfth Shard the dwarves on Ephetona were weak and exhausted having lost the Cavaller Wars and when an Almitikan force from Valadomiar landed on the island they were ill-equipped to repel it. Consequently the dwarves were removed from power over Ephetona and they have suffered centuries of slavery ever since. We tolderes shared in the same fate as the dwarves. We were rounded up and sent to the colonies to build new settlements and be sent into battle against insurgents rather than have the colonists risk their numbers. Our history is so shameful and being here in Ephetona only confounds that.
The island capital, once Propriety, is now named Shasundera while the land once unblemished is filled with towns and villages. A council – Solidarity – rules the republic and ironically the settlers in this land rebelled against their homeland in Almitiko to break free of their influence. They take away the freedom of the dwarves through violence only to turn on each other for the same liberty. I can't criticise too heavily, of course. The tolderes are far from innocent in the pages of Elenchera's history but we have never made slaves of those we defeated in battle, not even our fiercest rivals – the elamorgias from Junetor.
The streets of Shasundera are awash with trade and activity and I find it easy to do business here though the shame I carry is palpable. I content myself with just a day's worth of trade in Shasundera before deciding to seek out the more remote towns and villages. Perhaps I'll make for the mountains and see if it's possible to head beneath the earth and bear witness to the fallen kingdom of Anvil. I imagine the rusted weapons and helms still lying deep in the crevasses or the long since dried blood that stained the rocks. Dwarves are said to still mine the underground just as their ancestors did. The only difference now is they yield the fine minerals from the rock with chains around their ankles and hands.
Being here in Ephetona suddenly makes me question my desire to eventually go to West Elenchera. With this island bearing the hallmarks of the colonial boom that began in the Twelfth Shard how will I fare out in the west where the colonies are still very new and slavery is more prevalent even than here. Despite my long absence from Lemanto I don't feel I have done enough to warrant a return there yet. When I do go back I want to have seen as much of this world as I can. I must face the colonies in the west at some point. There is no avoiding it. Just not yet, I'm now ready to face what's over there now. I need more time. Time to understand how we can do this to each other.
October 17, 2011
Fezariu's Epiphany: New cover reveal!
Fezariu's Epiphany has an amazing new cover courtesy of Dafeenah at Indie Designz. How many drafts did it take? Unbelievably, just one! Dafeenah asked a number of questions and even though I thought my answers were poor, she must have some incredible psychic powers because when I opened the first draft it was everything I could have hoped for.
I'm really confident that this captures the feel of Fezariu's Epiphany very well and I'm very excited to share it below:
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October 15, 2011
#SampleSunday: Fezariu's Epiphany
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This #SampleSunday post is taken from Chapter 20 of Fezariu's Epiphany. Fezariu, now a fully trained mercenary, is ready to take on his first assignment but being a mercenary means more than glory and rewards: it means risking your life for a cause you may not even believe in.
No sooner had the merchant ships homed in on the burning city of Redemption than Mattias' crew surrounded him and began demanding to know what course they should take. Fezariu retreated from the exchange as Mattias tried to ease the rising wave of fear amongst his crew.
'Listen up, we all need to just keep calm,' Mattias said, his hands held out before him, palms down, creating a comfortable distance between himself and his anxious crew. 'We don't know why the city is ablaze. If it is to do with valkayan rebels then these mercenaries are here to quell such insurgence. It is our job to get them safely to their destination. Archangel University paid me handsomely for this venture. I have never failed in my duties before and I am not prepared to start now.' Mattias looked along the coastline at the inferno engulfing large sections of Redemption. It was too distant to hear but Mattias already knew the raging flames would be unable to disguise the inevitable sounds of clashing weapons and screaming men, women and children.
[image error]While disorder continued to reign throughout the merchant ships, General Bayard emerged above deck, took one look at Redemption and pushed his way through the growing crowd of mercenaries and ship's crew until he was side by side with Mattias on the prow.
'What course are you taking?' General Bayard demanded.
'I have ordered my ships to divide and remain on course for the harbour,' Mattias replied. He pointed towards the west side of the burning city where a group of ships lay anchored and unharmed. 'We'll get your mercenaries safely into the harbour and after that you're on your own. Sorry to leave you in the lurch but I have my men and my ships to consider.'
'Don't worry, Mattias. We're used to being abandoned in the thick of a hostile environment. This will be a good test for my new recruits.' General Bayard turned from Mattias and looked for the largest gathering of mercenaries. 'Hold your ships steady, Mattias, and make sure your men don't panic. I had best prepare my mercenaries for battle.'
'Understood. Good luck to you, General.'
General Bayard left Mattias to deal with his frantic crew who were still insistent on forfeiting their pay, turning the ships around and retreating to safety. Mattias stood firm and ordered them back to their positions. The crew only abided by Mattias' instructions when he warned them that any man who refused to obey would be seeking a new ship to sail on in future.
General Bayard made his way to the centre of the flagship and gathered the mercenaries together. He nodded to the senior members of the gathering and smiled as they allowed the new mercenaries to come forward.
'Some of you will be afraid, others ready to fight,' General Bayard said. 'We don't know what to expect once we land at the harbour but have your weapons at the ready. Before we have even landed we are sure to come under enemy fire so move quickly, find cover and await further instructions. We have commanders on each ship so there will be ample authority to refer to if you find yourselves unsure of our next move. Be prepared for anything in the city, watch the backs of those with you, fight hard and may all of you see another dawn.'
[image error]General Bayard
General Bayard turned from the new mercenaries who now looked around uncertainly. Some drew their weapons immediately, others couldn't take their eyes from Redemption whose flaming buildings were now clear in their vision and the sounds of fierce fighting echoed throughout the smoke-filled fiery skies above.
Fezariu stood with his sword in both hands and his heart racing. He had moved to the stern of the flagship away from the largest cluster of mercenaries and crew. Tessera, Vintaro and Arshea soon joined him; all of them were armed and expectant of conflict any second.
'This is fantastic,' Vintaro said, racing to the edge of the ship. 'Our first real battle and on our first assignment as well. What an opportunity this is to show those valkayan rebels what we're made of.'
'I wouldn't be so eager to enter the city, Vintaro,' Fezariu replied. 'With the extent of the fire burning inside those walls I would say the tide of battle is very much in favour of the valkayans right now.'
'The slaves certainly seem organised,' Arshea said. 'Are we ready for this?'
'We'll know soon enough,' Tessera replied. 'If we all stay close together we're sure to be okay. Isn't that right, Fezariu?'
'Definitely,' Fezariu said. 'Arshea, Vintaro and I will be facing the valkayans up close. We'll find you a useful platform to cover us with your bow, Tessera. We just need to watch out for each other.'
The merchant ships, having sailed far apart from one another, were now drawing closer together as they closed on the harbour of Redemption, which appeared unblemished by the fierce fighting behind the towering walls encircling the city. On the tips of the walls stood the varied forms of the valkayans who were now waving their arms and pointing towards the sea. It quickly became apparent that they had spotted the merchant ships.
It happened so quickly that no word of warning could be issued by anyone before it was too late. The valkayan slaves, in the ascendancy in their fight for freedom, had seized a group of small catapults and now pointed them directly towards the ocean. With eager but ferocious cries of revolt they fired the first projectile – an enormous rock – that struck a merchant ship close to Mattias' flagship. The missile smashed through the base of the mast, crushed a group of startled mercenaries and crew before leaving a large tear in the hull that crippled the ship and caused it to soon gather water.
[image error]Vintaro
With the increased frequency of projectiles hurtling from the city walls towards the ocean, Mattias found himself in the midst of a mutiny on his flagship. His crew, consumed by terror, began steering the ship away from the harbour, prompting the other vessels to change course. By the time the flagship had turned only three vessels were still afloat. Those that had sunk had seen the bulk of those on board drowned but a small group of adept mercenaries had shrugged off the obstacle of the ocean and were now swimming towards the quiet cover of the harbour before beginning their assault on the city.
From the stern of the flagship, Fezariu observed the mercenaries in the ocean closing on the harbour and immediately sheathed his sword.
'Over the side,' he said to the nearby mercenaries.
'What do you mean over the side?' Vintaro asked, incredulous. 'They're abandoning the city. There's nothing we can do about it.'
'We still have an assignment here and I am not going to let the cowardice of these merchants prevent me from fulfilling my duties. These ships won't survive the night but we will if we abandon them now.'
'I'm with you, Fezariu,' Tessera said, securing her bow over her shoulder.
Together, Fezariu and Tessera leapt from the stern of the flagship and began swimming towards Redemption leaving behind a gathering of indecisive mercenaries.
'He must be mad,' Vintaro growled, before a projectile flew narrowly past the flagship and struck another merchant vessel, causing irreparable damage and a mass exodus of mercenaries into the ocean. Vintaro grimaced and looked back at the fading forms of Fezariu and Tessera before puffing his cheeks. 'Madness has never seemed more appealing.' With that, Vintaro secured his axe by his side and abandoned the flagship as well.
Arshea watched Vintaro initially struggle in the cold water before finding his rhythm and swimming quickly away from the flagship. To his left another of the merchant ships was struck by the valkayans' projectiles and immediately capsized in the face of the mortal wound inflicted upon its hull.
'This may be foolish,' Arshea said, looking up at the fiery skies and thinking of Melea, 'but I love you too much to see our story ended on this night.'
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Film Review #98: Wolf Creek
With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it's not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it's something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I'm happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I'll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.
Wolf Creek (2005)
In May 2008 I went travelling for a month taking in Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia and was blessed with the fortune of having no major incidents save being left behind by a tour bus at a night safari! The backpacker life can be a dangerous one which is why I opted for an organised tour. Greg McLean's Wolf Creek depicts a rare but very real threat that faces any travellers on foreign soil. Said to be based on a true story, the film is loosely linked to the death of Peter Falconio in 2001, but is it any good?
Two English girls Liz Hunter (Cassandra Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Kestie Morassi) are at a party in West Australia when they meet Australian Ben Mitchell (Nathan Philips). The trio decide to travel together from Broom to Cairns which will see them head through the Outback. Along the way they stop off at Wolf Creek, a large crater formed by a falling meteor, but on returning to their car they find not only have their watches stopped but their car won't start! Help arrives in the form of local Aussie Mick Taylor (John Jarrat) who offers to tow the trio's car back to his home near a mining shaft and repair it free of charge. It seems a good offer and on arrival Mick gives the group water while he tends to their vehicle. Little do the trio know that the water is drugged and when Liz wakes the following day she finds herself tied up but that is nothing compared to what her two companions are going through!
We have a bit of build up at the outset of the film as Liz and Kristy have to contend with leering men in bars making unsubtle remarks but their meeting with Ben is something positive, especially for Liz who falls for him. We have a bit of will they/won't they to contend with which is seemingly settled at Wolf Creek with some passionate kisses but thankfully that's all you'll have to sit through before the story gets going. Mick Taylor soon makes his appearance and seems polite and helpful in his dealings with the group right up to the point they are back at his isolated home and sitting round a campfire. Ben makes a less than tactful remark about Crocodile Dundee which draws a very long and uncomfortable stare from Taylor who speaks no words, simply stares at Ben, most likely judging what to do with him. When Taylor hands the group some water many audiences will likely be suspicious and they'd have good reason to be. Liz wakes the following day and struggles to release her bound wrists and gag. Once free she explores Taylor's home and soon hears Kristy screaming! She then witnesses Taylor toying with Kristy who is tied up, with her jeans removed and blood all over body, likely a combination of physical and sexual violence given the remarks of Taylor. Liz manages to orchestrate an escape for her and Kristy but the ordeal is far from over.
Rather than adopting the same approach as Hostel in having the trio tortured for the duration of the film we can enjoy a tense cat and mouse chase as the resourceful Liz flees with Kristy but Taylor is in hot pursuit. He takes on both Liz and Kristy on separate occasions which I can't really detail here as it will spoil things but let's just say the exchanges are bloody and dramatic to say the least. Liz shoots Taylor while initially escaping with Kristy and after he is floored by the gunshot she tries to fire at him again while he is lying prostrate only for the gun to be empty. This is crucial as a second gunshot would have finished Taylor off but instead he is able to hunt down his prey with a wounded neck for his trouble but this only spurs him on to demonstrate what a ruthless monster he is. The audience will be left speculating if any of the trio manages to get out of their predicament.
Wolf Creek is probably too bloody for some people with severed spines, crucified victims and gunshot fatalities to contend with before the end. The bulk of the film focuses on the plight of the two girls and only when their stories have resulted in death or freedom do we move onto the fate of Ben. It seems a strange way to approach the narrative having us suddenly switch to him after everything we've experienced before. Although this is a tense film there aren't many scary moments, more gory ones really which will suit many audiences. The film is portrayed as a true story, with some blurb at the end about the outcomes for the trio but this seems pointless given that the authenticity tag was merely for publicity reasons. That said this is the sort of film that will make some people wary of seeing the Outback if they head for Australia on their next holiday. I can safely say I'm glad I saw Wolf Creek after my holiday in Australia which also included an excursion or two in the Outback!
Wolf Creek is a decent but bloody horror film that will probably make some people think twice about backpacking. The narrative suffers a little especially with the elimination of Ben halfway through only to bring him back in at the end. Compared to many horror films I've seen this year this is a very good one but at the same time it's not spectacular.
Verdict: 7/10
October 13, 2011
Dave's Jukebox #12: Yes
Many of us at some stage will have had that hypothetical question about if you were stuck on a desert island what would you take with you. In a similar vein I will be sharing all the songs that I would put in my own personal jukebox, not necessarily to take to a desert island, you understand, but just the many songs that would make me sad should I never hear them again. In order to make things a little interesting I'm going to permit myself just one song from each group or singer, which will be something of a test but one I'll embrace. I hope you enjoy some of my choices and would be intrigued to hear selections from your own personal jukebox, these days MP3s or Ipods, but I'm sure you'll forgive me on this occasion.
McAlmont & Butler – Yes (1995)
Released in the UK in May 1995, this collaboration between David McAlmont and Bernard Butler peaked at #8 in the charts but is an undoubted classic. Butler was in the wilderness somewhat having sadly left Suede after a row with lead singer Brett Anderson. Butler's pairing with McAlmont for this song showed his continued potential and it's no surprise that when Suede disbanded in 2003, Anderson contacted Butler and they not only settled their differences but formed a new group, The Tears (2004-5) which showed much promise but didn't survive beyond a great debut album.
I'll confess that when I first heard "Yes" I believed the singing was from a woman and even when I found out the truth my mother (another big fan of this song!) refused to accept my claims. The song seems to be about a relationship that has ended some time before but now one person is looking to reconcile things. However, McAlmont sings from the perspective of someone who has been wronged yet their ex has now got back in touch, perhaps to try and start the relationship again. McAlmont stands strong and dismisses this person's advances, assuring them that he is feeling much better with life and that he has no interest in them.
While many songs talk of broken hearts it's nice to come across ones like this where the perspective is someone who has become stronger as a result of a relationship ending. McAlmont reflects a difficult relationship, "whatever it was you couldn't stand about me" but there is a lot of hope in the present, "Yes I do feel better, yes I feel alright," but the best comes with the dismissal of revisiting this past relationship, "I feel well enough to tell you what you can do with all you've got to offer." I've often thought Soft Cell's Say Hello Wave Goodbye would be a great way to end a relationship with someone who has wronged you, but McAlmont and Butler's Yes is more appropriate for those of us that have been walked all over by someone we loved. It's underlying message is that we're stronger now for that experience, we don't need you in our lives again and we're happy as we are. A fabulous song.
October 9, 2011
Film Review #97: Blazing Saddles
With prices for cinema tickets now reaching ridiculous heights it's not often I will treat myself to a new release unless it's something I simply cannot wait for. Instead, I'm happy to content myself with a cheap DVD or a film on TV which may have slipped through my critical net and, believe me, there have been far too many. Whether the films featured here are recent or old I'll still be providing my honest opinion on them and, with the benefit of hindsight in many cases, may offer a slightly different take to contemporary reviewers.
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Time to hang my head in shame once again and inform you that Mel Brook's classic western satire Blazing Saddles is one of many films that has slipped me by in my time. Only this year did the opportunity come along to try out this comedy with a reputation that preceded it. I was expecting something special given all the praise heaped on Blazing Saddles but how would it stand up to my contemporary and critical viewpoint?
Set in 1874 in the American Old West a group of railroad workers find their plans are scuppered when they encounter quicksand. They have no choice but to take a detour which involves heading through the town Rock Ridge where everyone has the surname of Johnson! State Attorney General Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) wants to acquire the land on the cheap so orchestrates a raid on the town led by Taggart (Slim Pickens) involving the devastation of homes, the murder of the townspeople and the raping of horses! The townspeople respond by writing to Governor LePetomane (Mel Brooks), whose only tending to the affairs of state is in liaisons with his secretary! Lamarr persuades the Governor to appoint condemned black railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) to become the new Sheriff of Rock Ridge in the hope the white townspeople will prefer abandoning their town rather than have a black man maintain order. Lamarr's plan is to leave the town abandoned before acquiring the land but he doesn't count on the ingenuity of Bart and his deputy Jim (Gene Wilder).
Blazing Saddles begins with Bart working the railroads and standing up to the white men that frequently condemn him and his fellow black workers. Bart narrowly avoids death in quicksand and finds his boss, Taggart, more concerned about retrieving a handcar from the sand than the two black men whose lives are in peril. Bart manages to save himself and his friend and responds to Taggart's lack of concern by hitting him over the head with a shovel. This results in a planned execution for Bart but Lamarr intervenes and has him sent to Rock Ridge as the new sheriff. The townspeople have banners of welcome ready but are stunned when Bart rides into town. They want his blood but Bart manages to slip away to the sheriff's department by pretending to take himself hostage! The townspeople are thoroughly convinced by the deception and Bart soon settles into Rock Ridge though few, if any, of the residents are settled with him!
A key friendship is at the heart of Blazing Saddles and that is between Bart and Jim who was once known as "The Waco Kid" and despite being debilitated somewhat by drinking he still has the fastest hands in the West. Over time this sheriff and his deputy begin to maintain order in Rock Ridge and even the odd townsperson is able to acknowledge Bart, though still with some difficulty. Lamarr sends the ruthless Mongo (Alex Karras) to kill Bart but he befriends the black sheriff instead. Lamarr's next plan is to have the good sheriff seduced by German beauty Lili von Shtupp (Madeline Kahn) only for her to be outplayed by Bart. The film builds up to a grand finale where Lamarr and Taggart lead a vast army comprised not just of cowboys but Nazis and bikers as well! Bart's plans for the raiders are ludicrous but highly amusing including a small gate in the middle of a vast landscape that the raiders need loose change to get through. Rather than just ride round this tiny obstacle they head back to acquire the necessary change! A fake town is also built with fake inhabitants, which also manages to confuse everyone. This is all utterly silly but that's the point!
As I neared the end of Blazing Saddles I was disappointed not to have enjoyed it more. Don't get me wrong it has some great and amusing moments with Little and Wilder both being brilliant but despite an ending as ridiculously brilliant as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), where the raiders and townspeople carry their conflict off the film set into a neighbouring set where a musical is being filmed and then to a cafeteria, I was left feeling a little let down by the end credits. This is by no means a bad film, it's a good one, but I think given all the praise heaped on it I was expecting it to be better.
Blazing Saddles is an undoubted comedy classic that everyone should give a try. It boasts some very funny moments, a memorable cast and plenty of absurdity befitting of Brooks but in the end I was left lamenting that special ingredient that was preventing this being the masterpiece that many fans and critics argue it is today. This is still a film all comedy fans should try but for me it wasn't as good as I was hoping which is a real shame.
Verdict: 7½/10
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