I apologize for the lateness - I had my choices picked out already, but I just kept putting it off.

Anyway, it's April now, so spring is underway. As I write this, lambing season has started, and we've also experienced a total solar eclipse. For reading, I'll continue where I left off a couple months ago, while I introduce a sci-fi/horror classic for your viewing pleasure.


Reading: The Lord of the Rings, Part Two: The Two Towers (1954) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Now we move into the middle part of the tale, where the Fellowship has been split up due to tragic circumstances and the story subsequently takes two viewpoints. The first follows Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hunting down the Uruk-hai who have captured Merry and Pippin, which leads to the kingdom of Rohan and the horse-riding Men who must make a stand against Saruman's forces at the fortress of Helm's Deep; the second follows Frodo and Sam on their journey to Mordor, where they acquire an unlikely guide - the pitiful Gollum, victim of the Ring - as well as encountering Boromir's noble Brother, Faramir, and the repulsive giant spider-creature Shelob. It's a darker turn with both sorrowful and triumphant moments featuring the first great battle, but the journey is only halfway done.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345339711
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Towers-Being-Second-Rings/dp/0547928203/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Towers-Lord-Rings-Part/dp/0618260595/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Towers-Being-Second-Rings-ebook/dp/B007978PKY/



Viewing: Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979)

A breakthrough for the director, this film was near instantly iconic, introducing a movie monster for the ages and subsequently setting off a new franchise. A group of blue-collar workers in space are summoned by what appears to be a distress signal to an uncharted planet, where they come upon a derelict starship containing a group of strange eggs. One of them hatches and attacks a crew member, setting off a chain of events where their own ship becomes a cage in which they find themselves picked off one by one by the extraterrestrial beast. Featuring incredible set designs for the human settings from Roger Christian as well as the alien creature and ship from legendary artist H. R. Giger, the film is a classic of atmosphere and special effects working in tandem to create a real, foreboding environment, in addition to minimal yet sufficient character development and a premise that would be imitated numerous times over the decades.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/ALIEN-Tom-Skerritt/dp/B00MBNYMDU/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Blu-ray/dp/B00MBNZER8/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Anniversary-Blu-ray-Ridley-Scott/dp/B07P83ZXX4/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Sigourney-Weaver/dp/B00498VS1E/


Have a happy April!

March is here, bringing Spring with it, and it feels great. It took me a bit of thinking, as I didn't want to immediately continue from last time (I'll save that for next time), but I found something for this month. With the reading, I don't actually know if I've read the originals per se, but I've gotten close enough to it to recommend them. As for the viewing, it's something similar to serve as an accompaniment.


Reading: The Complete Fairy Tales (2010) by Charles Perrault

Collected here are what may be the first fairy tales as we understand them today, written by an influential member of the Academie Francaise, though scholars still debate whether they were completely original or based on older variants from earlier sources. Classics such as "Little Red Riding Hood", "The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood", "Puss in Boots" and "Cinderella" mingle with less familiar works, all told with a moral attached to each one. For those interested in the development of the fairy tale and children's literature, this is a must-read.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Oxford-Classics-Hardback-Collection/dp/0199585806/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Oxford-Classics-Hardback-Collection-ebook/dp/B005PUWU3A/



Viewing: Beauty and the Beast (Jean Cocteau, 1946)

The Disney film is so popular that viewers may be forgiven for overlooking an earlier version from France itself, now considered a high point in French cinema, directed by one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, (Cocteau was a poet, novelist, playwright and visual artist as well as a filmmaker). Told with the simplicity of a children's story mixed with surrealist imagery, the film is a postwar tour-de-force and remains one of Cocteau's best known works.


DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Beast-Criterion-Collection-Marais/dp/B00007L4I6/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Beast-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B004WPYO8I/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Beast-English-Subtitled/dp/B004CV8OGU/


Happy Spring, everyone!

Happy February! The weather is wonky, but things seem to be going fine, otherwise. Unfortunately, I've still not picked up my reading, so I have to take a shot in the dark for this month's recommendations. It's stuff that you're probably all familiar with, but I think it's worth checking out again.

Reading: The Lord of the Rings, Part One: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Picking up from my recommendation of The Hobbit from a couple months ago, now we have the first part of the epic romance that sparked the fantasy craze of the late 20th century. The magic ring of Bilbo Baggins is revealed to be the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, the master ring which will restore him to power; having been passed into the possession of Bilbo's adopted heir Frodo, a task is raised to carry the Ring - a creation of evil - to Sauron's kingdom of Mordor and destroy it in Mount Doom, where it was forged, but this is complicated because the Ring has a habit of turning minds to corruption, leading to the head of wizards seeking it for himself and opening up a new front in an approaching war, not to mention working withing the heroes' own party. The book is a long introduction to the greater world of Middle-earth and may seem meandering and unfocused to some readers, but there is nevertheless an irresistible charm to it that has captivated the mind of many a fan.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Ring-Lord-Rings-Part/dp/0345339703/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Ring-Being-First-Rings/dp/0547928211/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Ring-Lord-Rings-Part/dp/061826051X/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Fellowship-Ring-Being-First-Rings-ebook/dp/B007978NPG/



Viewing: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (James Cameron, 1991)

Back in the early months of recommendations (a little over a year in), I chose the first Terminator but forgot to come back for this one, so I'll rectify that. Gaining near universal acclaim as one of the best sequels ever made - arguably superior to the first movie - as well as a milestone in both action films and special effects, the story follows a similar setup as the first with subtle variations so as to make it seem like a natural extension without feeling old. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a new model of the T-800 Terminator, this time reprogrammed as a protector of John Connor (Edward Furlong), the young son of Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) destined to lead the human armies of the future to victory against the malicious artificial intelligence Skynet. Pursuing them is the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), an advanced machine made of liquid metal with shapeshifting abilities. Together, they hatch a plan to prevent Judgment Day by destroying the early prototypes of Skynet, while each of them tries to find something that was missing before - for Sarah, hope for the future; for John, a father figure he never had; and for the Terminator, the value of humanity.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Terminator-2-Judgment-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/0784010188/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Terminator-Judgment-Day-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B00UFMKSDW/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Terminator-Judgement-Ultra-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B074486NBN/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Terminator-2-Judgment-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B07G8FS6X6/



I hope that's good. I didn't want to leave this month without something. I hope you all enjoy it!

There's a new Discord server up for The Lost Pathway, and you'll probably hear more about that from Raven. This topic is actually born out of a brief discussion on that server mixed with my current fascination. I've mentioned that, in the event of my reading slowing down to a near halt, I've become deeply interested in opera, and I would love to discuss it with people, but, as one person on Discord said, where do you start?

I would love to easily link to the library book I'm currently reading that works wonderfully as a primer for the uninitiated (Peter Fox Smith's A Passion for Opera: Learning to Love It - The Greatest Masters, Their Greatest Music), but, unfortunately, it's out of print, and while I'm sure other people aren't as fussy over the condition of a book as I am, getting a used copy may end up being an expensive endeavor, so I'll try to summarize in this post what the author recommends as well as a few side mentions. Hopefully, this will give interested parties a head start.


EARLY OPERA

Having originated in Italy, it seems that, according to Smith, the earliest surviving master available that is still played in the modern repertoire is Claudio Monteverdi, who has three operas which survive in their entirety. Other important developments include Henry Purcell from England, George Frideric Handel from Germany, and John Gay (also from England). Serious operatic reforms were carried out by Germany's Christoph Willibald Gluck. Special mention also goes to France's Jean-Baptiste Lully and Jean-Philippe Rameau.

The recommended operas are as follows:
-Monteverdi: L'ORFEO
-Monteverdi: IL RITORNO D'ULISSE IN PATRIA (The Return of Ulysses to His Homeland)
-Monteverdi: L'INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA (The Coronation of Poppea)
-Purcell: DIDO AND AENEAS
-Gay: THE BEGGAR'S OPERA
-Handel: GIULIO CESARE IN EGITTO (Julius Caesar in Egypt)
-Gluck: ORFEO ED EURIDICE (Orpheus and Euridice)


MOZART

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is identified as the "father" of modern opera, and his works are regularly performed around the world. Seven in particular are of significant interest:

-IDOMENEO, RE DI CRETA (Idomeneus, King of Crete)
-DIE ENTFUHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL (The Abduction from the Seraglio)
-LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (The Marriage of Figaro)
-DON GIOVANNI
-COSI FAN TUTTE (Women Are Like That)
-LA CLEMENZA DI TITO (The Clemency of Titus)
-DIE ZAUBERFLOTTE (The Magic Flute)


THE ITALIAN MASTERS OF "BEL CANTO"

In the aftermath of Mozart, there are three figures who tower over the golden age of Italian opera, working in the "bel canto" (good singing) style: Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini. There's quite a lot to choose from with them, as, between them all, they were quite prolific. Fortunately, Smith's book singles out three operas for each of them for you to start with.

-Rossini: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (The Barber of Seville)
-Rossini: LA CENERENTOLA (Cinderella)
-Rossini: GUILLAUME TELL (William Tell)

-Donizetti: L'ELISIR D'AMORE (The Elixir of Love)
-Donizetti: LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (Lucy of Lammermoor)
-Donizetti: DON PASQUALE

-Bellini: LA SONNAMBULA (The Sleepwalker)
-Bellini: NORMA
-Bellini: I PURITANI (The Puritans)


EARLY GERMAN OPERA

One chapter is devoted to discussing two works by German composers Ludwig van Beethoven (his only opera) and Carl Maria von Weber (his best-known opera).

-Beethoven: FIDELIO
-Weber: DER FREISCHUTZ (The Marksman)


THE MASTERPIECES OF WAGNER

Over the course of two chapters, the major works of Richard Wagner are highlighted.

-DER FLIEGENDE HOLLANDER (The Flying Dutchman)
-TANNHAUSER
-LOHENGRIN
-DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN (The Ring of the Nibelung) - 1. DAS RHEINGOLD (The Rhine Gold) / 2. DIE WALKURE (The Valkyrie) / 3. SIEGFRIED / 4. GOTTERDAMMERUNG (Twilight of the Gods)
-TRISTAN UND ISOLDE (Tristan and Isolde)
-DER MEISTERSINGER VON NURNBERG (The Mastersingers of Nuremburg)
-PARSIFAL


VERDI'S GREATEST WORKS

As a counterpart to Wagner, another two chapters are devoted to the works of Italy's most revered opera composer, Giuseppe Verdi. Of his prolific oeuvre, six are given close consideration.

-RIGOLETTO
-IL TROVATORE (The Troubadour)
-LA TRAVIATA (The Fallen Woman)
-AIDA
-OTELLO
-FALSTAFF

Special mention goes to LA FORZA DEL DESTINO (The Power of Fate) and DON CARLOS.


FRENCH OPERA

When it comes to France, six composers and a corresponding opera are discussed: Hector Berlioz, Charles Gounod, Georges Bizet, Camille Saint-Saens, Jacques Offenbach and Jules Massenet. (In the case of Berlioz, I'm going to add another opera also mentioned as I think it's as important as the chief recommendation.)

-Berlioz: LA D***ATION DE FAUST (The D***ation of Faust)
-Berlioz: LES TROYENS (The Trojans)
-Gounod: FAUST
-Bizet: CARMEN
-Saint-Saens: SAMSON ET DALILA (Samson and Delilah)
-Offenbach: LES CONTES D'HOFFMANN (The Tales of Hoffmann)
-Massenet: MANON


SLAVIC OPERA

Next, we have the operas of Slavic-speaking countries, which includes Russia and surrounding nations. Two composers in particular are focused on: Modest Mussorgsky and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

-Mussorgsky: BORIS GODUNOV
-Tchaikovsky: YEVGENY ONEGIN (Eugene Onegin)

However, the chapter also gives note to several operas that should be familiar to any music student which includes not just another one by Tchaikovsky but those from Mikhail Glinka, Alexander Borodin and Bedrich Smetana (from Czechoslovakia).

-Glinka: ZHIZN ZA TSARYA (A Life for the Tsar) a.k.a. IVAN SUSANIN
-Glinka: RUSLAN I LYUDMILA (Ruslan and Lyudmila)
-Tchaikovsky: PIKOVAYA DAMA (The Queen of Spades or Pique Dame)
-Borodin: KNYAZ IGOR (Prince Igor)
-Smetana: PRODANA NEVESTA (The Bartered Bride)


OPERETTA

The next chapter is about the small mini-operas, or "operettas", that developed as parodies of traditional opera conventions but gained their own renown. Offenbach gets another highlight, and Johann Strauss II and the works of William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan get the spotlight.

-Offenbach: ORPHEE AUX ENFERS (Orpheus in the Underworld)
-Strauss (J. II): DIE FLEDERMAUS (The Bat)
-Gilbert & Sullivan: THE MIKADO


LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURY ITALIAN OPERA

The next chapter is focused on another single figure, primarily, but special mention goes to three composers who turned out significant works that are still in the common opera repertoire: Amilcare Ponchielli, Pietro Mascagni and Ruggero Leoncavallo. All three are famous mostly for a single work each.

-Ponchielli: LA GIOCONDA (The Happy Woman)
-Mascagni: CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA (Rustic Chivalry)
-Leoncavallo: PAGLIACCI (Clowns)

The rest of the chapter is about Giacomo Puccini, who is considered the successor to Verdi as the face of Italian opera. His first two works are briefly mentioned, after which each succeeding opera is analyzed as some of the best of its kind.

-MANON LESCAUT
-LA BOHEME (The Bohemian Life)
-TOSCA
-MADAMA BUTTERFLY
-LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST (The Girl of the West)
-LA RONDINE (The Swallow)
-IL TRITTICO (The Triptych) - 1. IL TABARRO (The Cloak) / 2. SUOR ANGELICA (Sister Angelica) / 3. GIANNI SCHICCHI
-TURANDOT


WAGNER'S SUCCESSOR

Once again, as a counterpoint, the next chapter posits Richard Strauss (of "Also sprach Zarathustra" fame) as the successor to Wagner in German opera. While it is said that all of his operas are worth tuning in to, only three are studied at length:

-SALOME
-ELEKTRA
-DER ROSENKAVALIER (The Knight of the Rose)


20TH CENTURY OPERA

The book finishes up with a discussion of opera in the 20th century, giving particular attention to six individuals with one opera apiece: Claude Debussy, Bela Bartok, Alban Berg, Leos Janacek, George Gershwin and Benjamin Britten.

-Debussy: PELLEAS ET MELISANDE
-Bartok: A KEKSZAKALLU HERCEG VARA (Duke Bluebeard's Castle)
-Berg: WOZZECK
-Janacek: PRIHODY LISKY BYSTROUSKY (The Cunning Little Vixen)
-Gershwin: PORGY AND BESS
-Britten: PETER GRIMES

However, in the lead-up to the discussion, several other composers with important works are pointed out, including Gustave Charpentier, Maurice Ravel, Francis Poulenc, Frederick Delius, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arnold Schoenberg, Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Antonin Dvorak, Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, Francesco Cilea, Gian Carlo Menotti, Scott Joplin, Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein and William Mayer. A few other compositions by Britten and Janacek are also pointed out.

-Charpentier: LOUISE
-Ravel: L'ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES (The Child and the Spells)
-Poulenc: DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES (Dialogues of the Carmelites)
-Delius: A VILLAGE ROMEO AND JULIET
-Vaughan Williams: RIDERS TO THE SEA
-Britten: BILLY BUDD
-Britten: THE TURN OF THE SCREW
-Britten: DEATH IN VENICE
-Schoenberg: MOSES UND ARON (Moses and Aaron)
-Brecht & Weill: DIE DREIGROSCHENOPPER (The Threepenny Opera)
-Dvorak: RUSALKA
-Stravinsky: OEDIPUS REX
-Stravinsky: THE RAKE'S PROGRESS
-Prokofiev: L'AMOUR DES TROIS ORANGES (The Love for Three Oranges)
-Shostakovich: NOS (The Nose)
-Shostakovich: LEDI MAKBET MTENSKOGO UYEZDA (Lady Macbeth of Mtensk)
-Cilea: ADRIANA LECOUVREUR
-Menotti: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
-Joplin: TREEMONISHA
-Barber: VANESSA
-Bernstein: CANDIDE
-Mayer: A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
-Janacek: JENUFA
-Janacek: KATA KABANOVA
-Janacek: VEC MAKROPULOS (The Makropulos Affair)



That sums up what the book pointed out. It's quite a bit, and it might be overwhelming, but I'd rather give you a wide berth to pull from rather than just a couple common choices. The world of opera is a lot bigger than this, and I would hope that this is an adequate introduction. If you'd like to discuss this more, feel free to do so in the comments or the Discord server (if you find us).

Happy New Year, everyone!

First off, I should set the record straight: in addition to what I said last month about my heart not really being in it anymore, I've allowed my own personal reading to come to a screeching halt - I have several books started but none finished. As a result, I'm running low on things to recommend. I still have a couple things left book-wise to put your way, and it hasn't been all bad - I've acquired a deeper fascination with opera and am currently doing a bit of amateur research on it. So I hope I'm starting off the new year right.


Reading: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) by C. S. Lewis

The classic book that contributed to the rediscovery of fantasy, this has the confusing honor of being the first book written but second chronologically of the land of Narnia, encountered this time through a wardrobe in a countryside house; we are introduced to the Pevensie children (Peter, Susan, Edward and Lucy), the devious White Witch, and the transcendent lion Aslan, all of which are now intimately familiar to readers the world over. While it has garnered criticism from both friends and opponents, it's still a good story told with all the trappings of fairy tales, with as much to offer adults as children.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-C-Lewis/dp/0064471047/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Chronicles-Narnia/dp/0064404994/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Witch-Wardrobe-Chronicles-Narnia-ebook/dp/B001I45UFC/



Viewing: Sullivan's Travels (Preston Sturges, 1941)

Originally released to mixed reviews, this film has gradually gained acceptance as one of the best comedies ever made by one of the masters of screwball madcap madness. John L. Sullivan, director of profitable comedies, wants to tackle a film adaptation of a recent novel of social justice and human drama amongst the poor and suffering, but it's quickly pointed out that, due to his rather privileged life, he doesn't know much about suffering. Therefore, he disguises himself as a vagrant in order to observe the life of the poor firsthand, picking up an eccentric young blonde woman along the way. Trouble soon follows, and Sullivan learns both about real destitution and what can bring joy to an otherwise miserable life.


DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00SC8KTHG/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Blu-ray-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00SC8KV4M/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Sullivans-Travels-Joel-McCrea/dp/B00AAKBEE6/


I hope this fills up your January. Happy New Year, once again!

Once again, I apologize for being dreadfully late again, the same as last month. Besides being busy, my heart just hasn't been in it - I don't know how many people read these posts or use them, and it discourages me. But I did want to leave you with something.

So Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary, everyone! Technically, it was January 2018 that I started making these individual recommendation posts as opposed to a continuing topic, but I included a recommendation for December 2017 around that time, so I consider that the "unofficial" start. When it comes to reading, I have something rather typical in mind in regards to content, but the movie at least is holiday related, so there's something festive for you to feast on.


Reading: The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway: The Finca Vigía Edition (1987) by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway is one of the most significant writers in American literature, and this is a collection, while not technically "complete", collects all of the major adult stories published in his lifetime, including such classics as "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber", "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", "Big, Two-Hearted River", "Hills Like White Elephants", and "A Clean, Well-Lighted Place", just to name a few. It serves as a demonstration of Hemingway's consummate modernist skills as well as an introduction before digging into his famous novels.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Short-Stories-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/0684843323/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Short-Stories-Ernest-Hemingway-ebook/dp/B00120954E/



Viewing: Arthur Christmas (Sarah Smith, 2011)

In this underrated CGI collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and England's Aardman Animation (of Wallace and Gromit fame), Santa Claus is an inherited title that has moved into the modern era with state-of-the-art technology to maximize Christmas celebrations. However, one young girl's gift has been left behind in the hustle, and Arthur, the clumsy youngest son of the current Santa Claus, takes it upon himself to deliver it, in contrast to the indifference of his absent-minded father and more business-oriented older brother. Teaming up with his eccentric grandfather and a hyper elf, Arthur has to beat the clock to make this girl's Christmas a happy one. It's a wonderful film with a lot of layers to it, one that eschews the typical cliches of villains and heroes to make a warm, truly festive experience.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-Sarah-Smith/dp/B01JZ82Y4M/
Blu-Ray/DVD Combo: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-Two-Discs-UltraViolet/dp/B008Y1YJ90/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Arthur-Christmas-James-McAvoy/dp/B009SQQRH2/


I'm sorry again that it's late, but I hope that this fills up your holiday. Once again, have a very Merry Christmas, everyone! See you next year!

We're in the last stages of fall now with November. It's also probably the latest I've ever been with a recommendation - we're halfway through the month already. I sincerely apologize, as I've been both busy and distracted. On such short notice, I'm going to recommend something for reading that's familiar to a lot of people, something uncomplicated, as well as a movie that's a particular favorite of mine.


Reading: The Hobbit (1937) by J. R. R. Tolkien

Tolkien's first book - the officially printed introduction to Middle-earth - should be well known by now. In fact, most of you have probably read it, maybe even a couple times over or more. But it's worth revisiting now and then. Before the later sagas made things more complicated, this book is simply a well-told fairy tale, suitable for both children and adults, as well as a cautionary tale of the corruption of greed. Bilbo Baggins is a lovable, quintessentially English character who discovers a knack for adventure, though others such as Gandalf the wizard, Gollum, Thorin the dwarf, or even the dragon Smaug may be someone's favorite. Whether your first or fiftieth time, this book is sure to delight if you have the heart for it.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0345339681/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-J-R-Tolkien/dp/054792822X/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Illustrated-Author-Tolkien-Editions/dp/0063347539/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-75th-Anniversary-J-R-R-Tolkien-ebook/dp/B007978NU6/




Viewing: They Might Be Giants (Anthony Harvey, 1971)

George C. Scott plays a former judge who, upon his wife's death, deludes himself into believing he is the legendary Sherlock Holmes, when his brother tries to commit him to an institution, a psychiatrist tries to put him under analysis but ends up roped into the fantasy, meeting oddball characters and gaining a new perspective on life. Originally based on a play that was performed once in London and then pulled from circulation, this film's screenplay (as well as the discontinued play) was written by James Goldman, author of the award-winning smash play The Lion in Winter, and subsequently shows a great significance in writing, both quirky yet compassionate. It's a feel-good film without being cheap about it. Though it received mixed reviews upon release, I found it to be well worth the time; I would particularly recommend looking for a version that contains the original climax in the grocery store, removed in some home releases.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/They-Might-Giants-George-Scott/dp/B00PX7SVRY/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/They-Might-Giants-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B07Q9XZLT9/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/They-Might-Giants-George-Scott/dp/B01GULLI4Y/


Well, I actually managed to get November in. I apologize for the lateness. I'll try to do better in December. See you then!

October is here, and with it comes the start of the long holiday season. As usual, I've saved some particularly festive recommendations for this month, this time focusing on the general short form, as I've heard that horror is a genre best suited for the short story. I hope it keeps you suitably entertained in the following weeks.


Reading: Night Shift (1978) by Stephen King

Released not long after The Shining, this is King's first short story collection, composed of the pieces he had submitted to numerous magazines in the years prior to writing Carrie, in addition to four stories making their debut here. A classic of the genre, practically every story is a keeper - "Graveyard Shift", "I Am the Doorway", "The Boogeyman", "Strawberry Spring", "Quitter's Inc.", and "Children of the Corn", just to name a few.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Shift-Stephen-King/dp/0307743640/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Shift-Stephen-King/dp/0307947297/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Shift-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B001BANK2S/



Viewing: Creepshow (George A. Romero, 1982)

This is an altogether fun movie, a collaboration between Stephen King's writing and the director of Night of the Living Dead. The gimmick is that it's an anthology film with an all-star cast told in the style of the notorious 1950's EC Comics horror titles like Tales from the Crypt, which means it's a mixture of genuine fear with a strain of macabre humor and even camp. It's a cult classic worth revisiting every Halloween.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Creepshow-Hal-Holbrook/dp/B084SWQNF5/
4K + Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Creepshow-Collectors-Ultra-Blu-ray-UHD/dp/B0BZCM3S54/
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Creepshow-Hal-Holbrook/dp/B008ROGJ2Y/


So that's it for October. Have a ghoulishly Happy Halloween!

It's been a strange summer, with as much rain as heat, but fall is around the corner now, and pumpkin spice has started appearing. For no particular thematic reason, I've chosen a children's classic and its subsequent film adaptation as September's recommendations. Whether you've experienced them before or are just discovering them, I hope they're worthwhile for you.


Reading: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) by Roald Dahl

This is probably Dahl's most famous book, as well as the most adapted to different mediums. Incredibly poor yet resolutely good Charlie Bucket lives in awe of the stories of Willy Wonka, perhaps the world's greatest manufacturer of chocolate, and one day, the opportunity arises to visit his private factory when a contest is held - five lucky children who find special golden tickets in select chocolate bars will be given an exclusive tour. The rest of the story is the result of the contest as the secrets of Wonka's mysterious means of making his confectionaries are revealed and the winning children are whittled away one by one due to their own disobedience or general unpleasantness. Filled with Dahl's trademark dark sense of humor and grotesque personae, the book has attracted as much controversy as praise, but it's a fine piece of entertainment nonetheless.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Roald-Dahl/dp/0142410314/
Trade (Deluxe): https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143106333/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Bucket-Book-ebook/dp/B0093X805W/



Viewing: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart, 1971)

Though not without its own controversy due to Dahl himself disliking it intensely because of changes to the story, this remains the best known film adaptation of the book, beginning in obscurity but later beloved by many due to television and home video and even added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. Though the children are still a major focus, perhaps the most remembered part goes to comic legend Gene Wilder as the eccentric Willy Wonka, filled with a manic yet childlike energy; also of significant note are the memorable songs composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, buoyed by a score from Walter Scharf. One way or another, it's an event that won't soon be forgotten.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory/dp/B005G2OJX6/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory-Blu-ray/dp/1419878573/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Chocolate-Factory-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B091GJD75T/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory-Wilder/dp/B002YNKLJG/


I hope that fills up your month for the time being. Have a great fall!

Now comes August - only four more months left to go in the year! I've tried to work on getting more reading done lately, as well as enjoying the outside more. That said, I definitely have something that didn't take too much thought, and I hope you find it just as enjoyable.


Reading: The Pilgrim's Progress (1678/1684) by John Bunyan

The classic allegory by a simple Bedford pastor and tinkerer is an important book in its own right, because, aside from being one of the best known works of Christian fiction, it's a precursor to - if not an actual candidate for - the first English novel, has never been out of print, and has been cited as an influence by several noted authors. While rather didactic and perhaps not entirely theologically accurate (being of a narrow English Puritan persuasion), it's still a delight to read especially in its original diction, being a travel narrative that has captured the attention of both adults and children for generations.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Progress-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141439718/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Pilgrims-Progress-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B002ZJSV64/



Viewing: Dead Poets Society (Peter Weir, 1989)

Beginning in his native Australia, Peter Weir broke into American cinema in the mid-80's, and this is a highlight of that effort. Set thirty years before the screen date in a Vermont boarding school, the film is an inspirational piece concerning how the students of the English class are encouraged to "seize the day" by their unorthodox teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), whose sometimes madcap methods clash with both the board of educators and some of the parents; one student in particular (Robert Sean Leonard) is driven to take up acting instead of medicine, which will later lead to both triumph and tragedy. It's been a favorite of mine since I first saw it in high school, and I hope that you get the same enjoyment out of it.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Poets-Society-Robin-Williams/dp/6305144168/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Poets-Society-Blu-ray-Robin-Williams/dp/B005TBQS3I/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Poets-Society-Robin-Williams/dp/B0BZL887B5/


So there's your August itinerary. I hope you find yourself with plenty to do!

July brings the heat of summer, but with wildfires up in Canada severely affecting the air quality, that may not be such a good thing this year, so many of you will probably be spending a lot of time indoors. What I have may not be the most inspiring material (I'm not intentionally insinuating anything), but I think it's still worth checking out.

Reading: 1984 (1949) by George Orwell

Orwell's final novel is one of the 20th century's most recognizable works of fiction, codifying both the term "Orwellian" for dystopias and the language of Newspeak for popular culture. Set in an alternate 1984 in which the world is dominated by massive dictatorships, the story is set in a severely run-down England - rechristened Airstrip One - where a government worker named Winston Smith is led to question the ruling Party and enter into a forbidden relationship with a like-minded associate, unaware of the extent to which the Party can go to enforce conformity. A masterpiece of satire, science fiction, and politics, the book has become a rallying cry for calling out government overreach around the world, although Orwell's personal politics may have been misunderstood (he was a democratic socialist).

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/1984-Signet-Classics-George-Orwell/dp/0451524934/
Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/1984-George-Orwell/dp/0452262933/
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/1984-George-Orwell/dp/0452284236/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/1984-George-Orwell/dp/1328869334/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/1984-George-Orwell-ebook/dp/B003JTHWKU/



Viewing: 1984 (Michael Radford, 1984)

Released to coincide with the year of the book's setting, this big budget feature film is quite faithful to Orwell's novel, portraying the misery and grunginess of Airstrip One as well as the casual insanity of the Party, without compromising the ending for Hollywood cheer. John Hurt is the everyman Winston Smith, and screen legend Richard Burton makes his final film appearance as the Inner Party member O'Brien. There's a sexual element that may make some viewers uncomfortable (it's definitely an adult movie), but it's an altogether great film that should probably get more attention than it has.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/1984-Criterion-Collection-Richard-Burton/dp/B07QLNX236/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray-Richard-Burton/dp/B07QLNVTMV/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/1984-John-Hurt/dp/B00993I6D2/


I'm glad to get this on time for once. Stay safe out there - don't spend any more time outdoors than you have to!

Summer begins as we enter June, and I'm glad for the good weather, although I don't look forward to the more uncomfortable heat. While my reading has still remained slow (near nonexistent, actually), I do have something for the month, in addition to a film that I should have recommended a long time ago.

Reading: The Book of Three (1964) by Lloyd Alexander

This is the first volume of the 5-book Chronicles of Prydain, which was one of the first successful series made in the wake of Tolkien's Ring books, as well as one of the earliest young adult fantasy series to start many of the tropes which would follow hereafter. Based on Welsh mythology, the story follows Taran, an assistant pig-keeper to a wizard, who, chasing after an oracular pig, meets a stalwart prince scouting for information on the formidable warlord called the Horned King; after their separation, Taran crosses paths with a stubborn princess and a strange bard, in addition to a bizarre always-hungry humanoid creature, and their journey will take them to the realm of the dwarven Fair Folk, the mystic sanctuary of animals, and the battleground of the Horned King himself. Beloved by readers for decades, this book was one of my own first experiences with high fantasy, and while it's been years since I've read it, I'd love to revisit it again someday, and I think you all would have some enjoyment as well.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Three-Chronicles-Prydain/dp/0805080481
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Three-Chronicles-Prydain-ebook/dp/B005JDR5PQ/



Viewing: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Steven Spielberg, 1989)

One of the last big hits of the 1980s, this film was, for many years, the conclusion of the trilogy, and is, for many, the best of the films (or at least second or near equal to the first). Set in the WWII era once more, this time Jones is recruited to search for the Holy Grail, which is (again) sought by the Nazis as well, but the quest is also personal because it involves someone from his past - his estranged, irascible father, Henry (Sean Connery), an expert in Grail lore. The journey becomes as much about them as it does the Grail as they must confront each other after many years and come to terms with their differences, the choices they've made, and their different approaches to life. The highlight of the film, of course, is the dynamic between Harrison Ford and the legendary Connery as the Joneses, providing as many laughs as they do tears, though it should be noted that the thrilling action sequences are back in full force, featuring a boat chase, a tank battle, and a final confrontation overcoming three trials to find the Grail. It's a classic adventure and a great last hurrah for a decade of grand spectacles.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Last-Crusade-Special/dp/B0014C2FX8
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Last-Crusade-Blu-ray/dp/B00FZIIPUO/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Last-Crusade-Harrison/dp/B0BZ8N65J6
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Last-Crusade-Harrison/dp/B00GIW0MT8/


I hope these can keep you entertained enough as it gets hotter. Have a great June, and keep the sunscreen handy!

I sincerely apologize for keeping you all waiting for so long - I bet you thought I was going to skip this month. Well, my reading has been considerably bogged down, and I had some things to attend to, so I was a bit at a loss as to what I could recommend. Since the last vestiges of winter have passed for now, and I bet some of you are itching to get outside, I decided to go with a rather short choice for the reading, as well as a film that I hope isn't too taxing.

Reading: Animal Farm (1945) by George Orwell

This brief fable - so short it can be read within a day - was Orwell's first book to intentionally fuse fiction with politics, satirizing the ascension of Stalinism through the tale of farm animals who rise up against their oppressive owners to form a more equal society, only for some of them to seize power for their own purposes, thus dooming the great experiment. The relevance may never be lost, sadly, though the names have changed, and Orwell demonstrates astute criticism as well as engaging storytelling.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell/dp/0451526341/
Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-Fairy-George-Orwell/dp/0452277507/
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-George-Orwell/dp/0452284244/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Farm-Fairy-Modern-Classic-ebook/dp/B003K16PUU/



Viewing: Witness for the Prosecution (Billy Wilder, 1957)

Based on a play by Agatha Christie, this is a courtroom drama in which a prestigious barrister is called upon to defend a man accused of murdering a widow for money, made complicated by the prosecution calling his current wife to testify against him. But nothing is as it seems. Headed by the triple leads of Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Marlene Dietrich, the film is yet another stellar outing from the veteran Wilder, an entertaining and often comic thriller worth several rewatches.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Prosecution-Tyrone-Power/dp/B00K6D1QV8/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Prosecution-Blu-ray-Tyrone-Power/dp/B00K6D1S7A/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Witness-Prosecution-Tyrone-Power/dp/B00BWA6HZ4/


The month may be half over already, but I hope these can fill out your time. Enjoy the weather!

Now we're officially in spring again, and it's great to be getting warmer weather (though that's subject to change). While my own reading has slowed down considerably due to being consistently distracted, I have a title in mind, plus its film adaptation, that might suit your tastes.

Reading: The Four Feathers (1902) by A. E. W. Mason

This adventure novel is the best-known work from a now nearly forgotten British writer whose works were the subject of numerous films during his lifetime. On the eve of the 1882 Sudanese Mahdist War, a young officer resigns his commission and is subsequently branded a coward by three of his friends as well as his fiancée, receiving four white feathers to signify their distaste. Upon reflection, the officer undertakes a lone journey to Sudan to covertly work behind the scenes and disprove their accusations, leading to a rescue at the notorious prison at Omdurman. A meditation on masculinity and bravery, the novel may not be discussed too much today, but I believe it still warrants high appraisal.

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Feathers-Classic-20th-Century-Penguin/dp/0142180017/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Feathers-Classic-20th-Century-Penguin-ebook/dp/B0030H7U80/



Viewing: The Four Feathers (Zoltan Korda, 1939)

Of the many film versions of the novel, the 1939 Technicolor epic produced by Alexander Korda and directed by his brother is the most highly regarded, considered one of the best British films ever made. Filmed on location and featuring spectacular battle scenes, it's a testament to old style filmmaking from the pre-war days and should probably be viewed more than once (if time permits - it's 130 minutes, after all).

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Feathers-Criterion-Collection-Clements/dp/B005DI9906/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Feathers-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B005DI994W/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Feathers-John-Clements/dp/B009B6Y8RK/


I hope that fills up your April. See you next month!

March signals the approach of spring, and while winter may last a good while yet, it's good to be getting to that time of year. This month's reading was easy to recommend, but the film took some thought; as a result, they may be a bit lopsided, but I hope you'll still enjoy them.

Reading: The Wind in the Willows (1908) by Kenneth Grahame

This is one of the best-known classic children's fantasies, filled with talking animals and an abiding love of nature that sometimes reaches into the transcendent. Mole, Rat, Badger, and the irascible Toad are legends amongst readers of all ages, their warm-hearted (and sometimes zany) antics etched into our collective memories. It's a rather quick read, but it lasts for life. Share it with your children whenever you can.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143106643
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0074VTHAC



Viewing: To Be or Not to Be (Ernst Lubitsch, 1942)

One of the greatest comedies ever filmed - and quite daring considering the time it was made - this picture is also a firm statement against fascism underneath the lighthearted touch. Josef and Maria Tura (Jack Benny and Carole Lombard) are a renowned husband-and-wife duo of Polish theater actors in Warsaw whose lives are upended when the Nazis invade, and things become even more complicated when a romantic liaison of Maria's, who has joined the underground resistance, catches wind of a spy, forcing Josef and his troupe to abet the Allied cause by impersonating Gestapo officers; it all comes to a head when the group attempts to evacuate Warsaw for free territory - just as Hitler himself arrives for an official theater performance! Thankfully, I believe, this film stands up to repeated viewings, and I hope you'll give it a watch some day.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Not-Criterion-Collection/dp/B00CUKTGSA/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Not-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B00CUKTHHK/


I sincerely hope that we're turning a corner now. See you next month!

Happy February, everyone! The snow's finally caught up with us, but the days are getting longer, so not everything is bleak. This month, both my recommendations come from postwar England in 1946 and are highly regarded but don't get the attention they should from the average person. If you don't know them already, I'm glad to bring them to your attention.

Reading: Titus Groan (1946) by Mervyn Peake

This novel - the first in a surreal sequence left ultimately incomplete by the author's early mental decline and subsequent death - earned high praise from literary critics but may have been too early to catch on with a society shaken by World War II. Set in a sprawling yet sparsely populated city-size castle called Gormenghast, the story begins with the birth of a male heir to the ruling Earl, but the action instead follows the rest of the eccentric family and their servants, subject to a life dominated by endless, tedious rituals whose importance has been entirely forgotten; meanwhile, one servant - a kitchen boy of significant cunning and danger - manipulates his way up the chain of hierarchy to a greater position of power. Told in a rich Gothic style with the eye of an artist (Peake was a professional painter and illustrator), it's a special kind of fantasy that has rarely been imitated, at least in comparison with its contemporaries, and may not appeal to everyone, but it still should be experienced just to see what art is capable of.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Titus-Groan-Mervyn-Peake/dp/1585679070/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Titus-Groan-Gormenghast-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B07MW9PQ88



Viewing: A Matter of Life and Death (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1946)

Regarded as one of the greatest British films ever made by one of the best pair of collaborative directors in the business, this melding of fantasy and romance is a lavish production perfectly suited for the postwar period. An RAF airman survives being shot down and finds love with an American radio operator, only to find that he was scheduled for death by higher powers but escaped simply due to his provided heavenly escort missing him in the English fog; unaware that he may be suffering from a serious brain injury but having found new meaning in life, he appeals his sentence, leading to a tribunal in the afterlife - made up of people from all walks of life and periods of time - to consider whether to grant him additional time on Earth. Spectacularly designed and excellently cast, this is a wonderful example of the possibilities of the filmgoing experience as a serious artform in itself, thankfully restored to its full glory for the Criterion Collection.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Matter-Life-Death-Criterion-Collection/dp/B07C7JGL78/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Matter-Death-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B07CH6415W/


Have a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that the winter will be as enjoyable as it can be.

Happy New Year, everyone! I apologize for the lateness.

So winter is officially here, but at least in the States, the days are slowly getting longer already. I sincerely hope that, with everything going on in the world, we will reach a point of relative peace.

I thought a bit about what to recommend this month, and I decided to go with a couple rather dark entries this time, perhaps suited for those cold winter nights.


Reading: The Witches (1983) by Roald Dahl

This a rather late title in Dahl's catalog and arguably the darkest, being centered on witches - REAL witches, who are loathsome, human-like creatures who take delight in killing and torturing children. The plot follows an English boy and his Norwegian grandmother, who stumble upon a plot by the Grand High Witch to turn all of the children in the world into mice. Called misogynistic by some and frowned upon by some parents due to its macabre streak, the book is nevertheless a devilish dark fantasy that's delightful in its own way for both children and adults.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Roald-Dahl/dp/014241011X/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Roald-Dahl/dp/1984837168/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Roald-Dahl-ebook/dp/B00INIYHJQ/



Viewing: The Dark Crystal (Jim Henson and Frank Oz, 1982)

Having done Muppet-related works for years, Jim Henson took a stab at epic fantasy with this film, which featured a cast made completely of puppet creatures with a voice cast outside of the usual Muppet troupe. An elf-like lad named Jen is sent to find a shard of a large magic crystal whose shattering has given rise to the cruel vulture-like Skeksis, who use the crystal to extend their own lives, while their good counterparts, the Mystics, seek the ways of peace; to heal the land, Jen has to return the shard to the crystal before the conjunction of the planet's three suns, while the Skeksis - responsible for the near-extinction of Jen's race - seek him out for their own ends. Considerably darker in tone than any of Henson's previous works, this is a film that would probably scare younger children, but it is a rich story with incredible puppetry and lavish costumes, designed by illustrator Brian Froud, set against marvelous landscapes. It is well deserving of its cult status.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Crystal-Kathryn-Mullen/dp/B00000JPH6/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Crystal-Blu-ray-Jim-Henson/dp/B0016BWACI/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Crystal-Blu-ray-Kathryn-Mullen/dp/B077ZQMVQZ/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Crystal-Stephen-Garlick/dp/B008Y6M3KW/


Once again, have a Happy New Year!

Not only have we reached the end of the year, but we've also entered the 5th year anniversary of Recommendations!

As a side note, for those unaware, the forum was down for an entire month, thus November was skipped, but we seem to be back (for the time being).

Anyway, Merry Christmas, everyone! I'm sure glad to put this year behind us. Enough has happened that I feel in need of a fresh start. As winter gets underway, here are a couple recent pleasures I've experienced that I hope you find just as entertaining.

Reading: Till We Have Faces (1956) by C. S. Lewis

This novel, a retelling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, was Lewis's final work of fiction, subsequently considered his best and most mature by the author himself as well as friends and fans. The narrator of the story is Orual, a homely princess of the kingdom of Glome and half-sister of Psyche, who rails against the gods for what she considers the unjust suffering of both herself throughout her life and of Psyche when she is offered up as a sacrifice to the God of the Mountain and taken as his bride; a deep misunderstanding of the situation leads Orual to convince Psyche to disobey the command of her new husband, resulting in her exile and Orual's years of misery, only to find that the gods may not be as cruel as previously perceived. A rich tale told arguably better than any of his previous and more better-known works such as Narnia, it is a meditation on love in all its forms, with the Christian themes much more subtle than seen before, representing (perhaps) the pinnacle of the form of fiction for the veteran author.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Till-We-Have-Faces-Retold/dp/0062565419/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Till-We-Have-Faces-Retold-ebook/dp/B01EFM8NMK/



Viewing: Jumanji (Joe Jonston, 1995)

Based on the children's picture book by renowned illustrator Chris Van Allsburg (of The Polar Express fame), the film centers around a mysterious supernatural board game that, when played, causes an African jungle and its deadly inhabitants to cross over into the regular world. The main action of the story takes place in the then-contemporary year of 1995, when two children, recently moved to a New Hampshire home, discover the game, unaware of its powers, and end up releasing a man from twenty-six years earlier who became trapped inside its world; together with the man's old childhood friend - who had been the other player at the time of his disappearance - they have to complete the game that started in 1969 in order to stop the chaos unleashed on an unsuspecting public. It's a rather clever film that, at times, is much darker than the usual expected children's fare and, subsequently, viewing with considerably young children should be approached with caution. Still, it makes for an interesting experience, the kind that makes you feel that they don't make them like this anymore.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Jumanji-Kirsten-Dunst/dp/B073VS8VCG/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Jumanji-Remastered-Blu-ray-Digital-Williams/dp/B075FZF161/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Jumanji-4K-Ultra-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B075G3J9HB/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Jumanji-Robin-Williams/dp/B00170GYES/


Happy Holidays!

The fall season is officially here, as are the Halloween holiday seasonal traditions. As the weather changes, I'd like to once again dip into the spooky side of things with some recommendations suitable for chilly nights and ghostly happenings. May you find as much enjoyment out of these as I did.


Reading: 'Salem's Lot (1975) by Stephen King

King's second published novel tells the story of writer Ben Mears, who returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot, Maine (affectionately nicknamed "'Salem's Lot" or "The Lot") to exorcise some old memories by writing a book about the derelict Marsten House which looms over the town on a hill; coincidentally, the same house has recently been purchased by Austrian antiques dealer Kurt Barlow, though he is never seen publicly. The disappearance of a local boy one night becomes the catalyst for strange happenings, as Ben comes to the realization that the town population is slowly being transformed into a brood of vampires. A mix, in the author's words, of Dracula and Peyton Place, the novel is significant for being one of the first instances of some of King's recurrent themes, such as the underlying corruption of small-town America and the politics of the time represented by the story (in this case, the crimes of the Nixon administration and government subterfuge). A major work of vampire fiction, it remains a favorite of many constant King readers.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Salems-Lot-Stephen-King/dp/0307743675/
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Salems-Lot-Stephen-King/dp/0345806794/
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Salems-Lot-Stephen-King/dp/0385007515/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Salems-Lot-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B0019LV31E/



Viewing: The Lost Boys (Joel Schumacher, 1987)

This black horror-comedy finds a divorced mother and her two sons moving to the California town of Santa Carla, where the elder brother falls in with an eccentric biker gang which invites him into their fold. Eventually, the gang is revealed to be a group of vampires, which the elder brother is slowly transforming into, and the younger brother seeks out the help of two young self-professed vampire hunters to take down the gang and rescue both his family and two other half-vampires who wish to escape the curse. A success with critics and moviegoers, the film is something of a turning point in popular vampire fiction, being aimed more towards a youth culture as opposed to the distinctly middle-age Gothic tales of Hammer, for instance; it manages to balance traditional horror scares with a winking self-awareness, aided by a sleek contemporary visual design and an excellent cast.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boys-Richard-Donner/dp/B004FQX5D4/
4K+Blu-Ray+Digital: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boys-Ultra-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B0B7PZDYFW/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Boys-Corey-Feldman/dp/B003F44QRQ/


Happy Halloween, everyone! Enjoy the fall!

I think books, above all else, should be enjoyed. This isn't to say that they can't instruct or shape our minds in any way, but I think the act of picking up a book should be one we can have fun with, that there should be a delight in doing so. That being said, there are some books that take an extra effort to enjoy fully due to some difficulty with the text. It doesn't mean they're bad but rather that you can't treat them like "ordinary" books. They take extra diligence and concentration, and in the end, there's a different type of enjoyment - you've conquered a challenge, in a way.

There's a certain canon of books that are considered difficult when compared to typical texts, and I'm wondering if anyone has ever encountered them. So, for the fun of it, what are those books that you have found a challenge to get through? What books gave you the greatest trouble? What are, currently, the hardest texts you've ever encountered, that you feel you've had to struggle to get through them?

Normally, I would just be asking this question and stepping aside, waiting for someone else to answer first (usually Raven), but I think I've found my own peak, at least for the time being: Clarissa (1748) by Samuel Richardson. I first discovered this book through Raven, as he says he once studied this work as part of a college class, and I've learned a good deal since then about both Richardson's importance to English literature as well as the book itself in particular. Having had it on my list for some time (and wanting to try it out since Raven said he never read it completely), I recently purchased it and started it out. It isn't the massive length of the book (1500+ pages) that's intimidating but rather the way it's written - it's a really prosaic novel with large, rather unfamiliar words, constructed in a sophisticated manner outside of common speech. I've found myself having to reread parts of it merely for comprehension. That being said, it's quite fascinating and enjoyable in its own right, and while it's going to be slow going, I intend to get through all of it. As of writing this post, I've gotten through 70 pages of it and reached Letter 11 (for those unaware, it's an epistolary novel - composed of a sequence of letters between individuals - made up of 537 letters); I'm aware of what happens due to the summary on Wikipedia, but even when knowing what happens, the act of the telling itself often makes it worthwhile.

I don't ascribe the difficulty to the age of the book - I read Robinson Crusoe some time ago, and that predates Clarissa by 29 years, and yet I found that book quite easy by comparison. It's just Richardson's style of writing, I guess. But I can see myself gradually getting used to it.

So what's your most difficult book? Did you manage to get through it, or was it just so hard that you had to give up? Do you find difficult books enjoyable in any way, or are they more a burden than a recreation? Or is there another answer I'm missing?

It's September, so fall and pumpkin spice are just starting up. We still have some warm days, so as you're enjoying the weather, I thought I'd recommend some classic adventure stories to keep you excited for the time being. These stories have been around all my life, but I've only come to appreciate them rather recently (having encountered the actual unabridged text for the first time just this year, in the book's case). I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I have.


Reading: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870) by Jules Verne

One of the best-known stories by the man considered by many to be the father of modern science fiction, this novel has thrilled the world for over 150 years since its publication and continues to influence new generations of storytellers. The hunt for a sea monster leads a French scientist and his two companions to an amazing discovery: a revolutionary submarine powered by electricity, entitled Nautilus, helmed by the enigmatic Captain Nemo, who has exiled himself from the land and human civilization; the three men, forced to remain aboard the submarine to keep its secrets safe, are taken on a tour of the uttermost depths of the oceans of the world, slowly discovering that the captain has an agenda of revenge and may not be entirely sane. Beloved by all ages, it's been unfairly pigeon-holed to the ghetto of children's literature and ill-served by subpar translations, but time has been kinder and critical appraisals continue to speak well of it. The edition recommended below comes from translator David Coward and released by Penguin in 2017.

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0241198771
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0141394935



Viewing: King Kong (Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1933)

This is the original classic, one of the most groundbreaking films ever made, a thrilling mix of adventure, fantasy, and horror that has inspired numerous filmmakers and is regarded amongst the greatest motion pictures ever made. An ambitious director charters a ship into the unknown region of Skull Island, populated by long-extinct dinosaurs and other wildlife, while his lead actress becomes a sacrifice to the mysterious god-figure of the island - a giant gorilla called Kong. Surprisingly, the beast becomes infatuated with the actress and violently protective of her, which the director uses to his advantage to capture Kong and transport him to New York City; unfortunately, Kong breaks free of his restraints and goes on a rampage in the city, leading to a legendary climax on top of the Empire State Building with the frightened actress in tow. Featuring pioneering camera techniques and tricks to superimpose the cast onto the film for the illusion of size, astounding stop-motion animation from industry legend Willis O'Brien, and a thundering score from composer Max Steiner (one of the first of its kind), this is the film of films, a testament to the uniqueness of the medium that can be taken for granted today and should be viewed by everyone of all ages. It's a moment in time that will never be forgotten.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-James-Ashmore-Creelman/dp/B000EHQTZO/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7CJC7QS
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-Fay-Wray/dp/B001R6AW18


That should fill up your month. Enjoy the season, everyone!

It's the last full month of summer, with just four months left to go in the year, which is both sad and relieving at the same time. For this month, I've picked a favorite of mine in both literature and film that I hope you'll find equally enjoyable. It's dark but not entirely hopeless.

Reading: The Night of the Hunter (1953) by David Grubb

Davis Grubb is an author who may be largely forgotten today, which is a shame, because his first novel is a classic story that's equal parts noir and coming-of-age, a sort of "Harper Lee meets Cormac McCarthy" mash-up. Set during the Depression, it follows two children whose father has entrusted them with $10,000 that he stole out of desperation before being sent to prison and hanged; unfortunately, his cellmate - a deranged serial murderer convinced he is a preacher of God - tries to insert himself into the children's lives by marrying their mother and winning the trust of the townsfolk, leading them the flee into the care of an older woman who looks after lost children and isn't so easily deceived. It's a testament both to the dehumanization of the Depression itself and the resilience of children to weather dark times.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hunter-Thriller-Vintage-Classic/dp/1101910054/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hunter-Vintage-Classics-Classic-ebook/dp/B00QP3RP0O/



Viewing: The Night of the Hunter (Charles Laughton, 1955)

While the book is an unfairly neglected classic itself, it's probably better known for the film adaptation made two years later under the direction of veteran actor Charles Laughton and starring Hollywood bad boy Robert Mitchum as the killer preacher, Shelley Winters as the children's tragic mother, and silent film legend Lillian Gish as the tough old caretaker whom the children come to. Initial response was negative (which led Laughton to abandon directing altogether), but posterity was much kinder, as it is now regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, influencing future generations of filmmakers with its expressionistic style reminiscent of the silent era; it has since been added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry in 1992.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hunter-Criterion-Collection/dp/B003ZYU3U0/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hunter-Blu-ray-Robert-Mitchum/dp/B00HVOFPD0/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hunter-Robert-Mitchum/dp/B01I0LLIRY/


So that's all for August. Stay safe out there!

I apologize for being even later than usual. I let time get away from me.

Anyway, now that July is here, the summer is in full swing. I'll admit to the recommendations this month being last minute, but the book, at least, has some connection to a past recommendation. I hope that these'll keep you occupied and fill out the month.


Reading: The Moon of Gomrath (1963) by Alan Garner

This is the sequel to the ever-popular fantasy classic The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, continuing the story of the children Colin and Susan and their relationship with the wizard Cadellin. This time, after the elves take a mystic bracelet of Susan's in the hope of it being an asset in battles for their own lands, she is possessed by a strange force which renders her catatonic, leading Colin to discover the Old Magic of the world in order to save her. Things become stranger when the children unwittingly unleash the Wild Hunt, leading to another fight between good and evil on the plains of Alderley Edge. This would be the last installment in the story for several decades, before Garner would finally complete it with Boneland in 2012.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Gomrath-Alan-Garner/dp/0008248516/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Gomrath-Alan-Garner-ebook/dp/B00DPZN3AG/



Viewing: Rope (Alfred Hitchcock, 1948)

Based on the play by Patrick Hamilton, this film is the first of Hitchcock's to be shot in Technicolor and is further significant for being constructed in such a way as to appear to be done in one continuous take. Ostensibly inspired by the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, it follows two young men who strangle a classmate, hide his body in a trunk, and proceed to host a dinner party in the room with the trunk; everything goes according to plan until one of the main guests - the teacher who unintentionally inspired them to commit the murder - grows increasingly suspicious over the course of the evening. It's one of the more experimental films in the director's career, as well as his first collaboration with James Stewart, and should prove rewarding on multiple views.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Rope-James-Stewart/dp/B000ECX0O2/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Rope-Blu-ray-James-Stewart/dp/B00BM7A1AO/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Rope-Alfred-Hitchcock/dp/B002RPI2QK/


So that's July for you. Again, I apologize for the delay. I'll try to do better next time.

Sorry I'm late again.

It's June now, and it honestly feels good, at least where I'm at. It's been great to get outside, as it hasn't been that severe of weather so far. I can only hope it will last. I managed to find some recommendations, and as the books go, some may not be be historically fond of it, but from my own personal experience, a book can really be better the second time around under the right circumstances, so I really encourage anyone who doubts it to give it a second chance. For the rest of you, these recommendations may be old, but I think they hold up.

Reading: Don Quixote (1605/1615) by Miguel de Cervantes

Quite possibly the most influential novel in the world, and definitely considered Spain's crowning literary achievement, this is the one that gave new respect to the form and raised its author to international renown after years of setbacks. The main characters - the semi-mad idealist who chooses to become a knight errant and the simple-minded, down-to-earth farmer who becomes his squire - are beyond iconic and have been both given homage and parodied ever since publication. With this, the prose romances of the past gave way to a more realistic story, one in which it is still debated which side Cervantes himself was on. Old works like these sometimes need fresh eyes, so the edition I'm linking to is the 2003 translation from Edith Grossman, which has received significant praise from the likes of acclaimed Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes and renowned American literary critic Harold Bloom. If you haven't experienced it before, give it a chance; if you already have, give it another - it may be worth the effort.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Don-Quixote-Miguel-Cervantes/dp/0060934344/
Trade (Deluxe): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062391666/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Don-Quixote-Miguel-Cervantes-ebook/dp/B001R1LCKS/



Viewing: Ace in the Hole (Billy Wilder, 1951)

This film was a commercial failure upon release (a first for director Wilder), but time has been much kinder, and this acerbically cynical carnival - a literal one, in a way - is now seen as one of the sharpest satires on the power of the media to manipulate and exploit tragedy for personal profit. Kirk Douglas, in one of his finest performances, plays a scrounging reporter always on the lookout for the next big scoop, and upon finding a man trapped in a cave due to an archeological incident, he turns what should be an efficiently humane rescue into a countrywide sensation, twisting the facts and prolonging the attempts to pull the man out in order to savor every moment of the attention America gives to it. Despite its less-than-hopeful mood, it remains surprisingly relevant even today, proof perhaps that journalism hasn't changed much despite technological advances, and as a human character study, it needs to be seen in spite of how uncomfortable it may make you.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Hole-Criterion-Collection-Kirk-Douglas/dp/B000PKG6OE/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Hole-Blu-ray-Kirk-Douglas-Sterling/dp/B07DS6S553/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Ace-Hole-Kirk-Douglas/dp/B00N43TBW8/


So there you have it. I hope the summer finds you in good spirits. See you next month!

https://www.tor.com/2022/05/11/patricia-a-mckillip-1948-2022/

I just got news of this on Facebook. It's a shame, not simply because any death is sad, but because I had read The Forgotten Beasts of Eld and even recommended it one month. It's one of the best fantasy books I've had the pleasure to read, so much so that I picked up an omnibus of her Riddle-Master trilogy soon after (though I've put off reading it, as usual). She's quite highly regarded in the field, and her passing is a significant loss.

May she always be remembered.

Happy May, everyone! Warmer weather is coming, which is always welcome, and while COVID still lingers in places, it would appear that things are truly mending. It took me a bit to think of it, but I have some historical recommendations for you this time - some somber pieces set in 1600's Puritan New England. I apologize in advance if these are too depressing for you, but I believe they're still worth checking out.


Reading: The Scarlet Letter (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Often considered one of America's greatest works of fiction, this classic novel is often assigned in high school but may actually be deeply lost on students, as it's a significantly intelligent piece of prose with Gothic overtones and veins of social criticism. The story focuses on three central figures: Hester Prynne, condemned and ostracized by the village for the crime of adultery but resilient and introspective in her suffering; Arthur Dimmsdale, the minister torn inside by his secret guilt but too fearful of the crowd to confess his sins; and Roger Chillingworth, the old misshapen man with a secret history and a vendetta of vengeance. The interweaving of their lives together is a source of tragedy, revelations, and, quite possibly, forgiveness and absolution. What may escape high schoolers could resonate deeper with older audiences, so if you've put this book out of your mind, give it another read - you might be surprised what you find.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451531353?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143107666?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679783385?tag=randohouseinc16940-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X593C26?tag=randohouseinc16940-20



Viewing: The Witch (Robert Eggers, 2015)

This stylish debut film is a dark meditation on Puritan religious devotion and superstition, centered around a family which has been exiled from a village due to religious differences. Life in the harsh land is only increased by the local belief of a witch living in the neighboring woods; the mysterious abduction of the family's infant child is the first of a series of events that sends them spiraling into paranoia, hysteria, and death, as the rumors of witchcraft may be frighteningly true. Besides great cinematography and acting, what sets this movie apart is its significant attention to historical detail, with the script having been written by consulting documents of the time period to capture the cadences of Puritan language. It's definitely disturbing, but the care put into it sets it above what could have been a cheap ahistorical piece of schlock. It's a wonderful opening to what promises to be a magnificent career.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-DVD-Digital-Anya-Taylor-Joy/dp/B01D2KFSS8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blu-ray-Digital-HD/dp/B01D2KEVZO/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Blu-ray-Ralph-Ineson/dp/6317699771/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-4
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Anya-Taylor-Joy/dp/B01BT3SDQO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZLFNEB6BHPG7&keywords=the+witch&qid=1651461128&sprefix=the+witch%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1



So that's all for May. Again, I apologize if you found this too dark. Either way, I hope to have something much brighter next month. Enjoy the spring!

Happy April, everyone! Spring is here and Easter is coming. There's still a lot going on in the world, and I don't have an answer for it, but I'm not ready to give up yet. This month, I'm digging into the grim side of mystery with a Gothic novel from one of America's best writers and a noir from one of America's most eccentric directors. I hope you don't find this inappropriate - I'll admit that I don't have much else.

Reading: We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962) by Shirley Jackson

This was the final novel written by the esteemed author of The Haunting of Hill House before her untimely death from a heart condition, and some consider it her masterpiece. it's told from the perspective of 18-year-old antisocial Mary Katherine Blackwood, affectionately known as "Merricat", who lives with her sister and uncle in a secluded Vermont mansion, hated and feared by the townspeople for the mysterious conditions surrounding the deaths of the rest of her family; their stasis is disturbed by the arrival of a cousin whose motives may be less than altruistic. It's a brief novel, especially compared to Haunting, but it really may be Jackson's most intense work, featuring a complex protagonist with an askew view of the world.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Castle-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0143039970/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z94EI34FE7CB&keywords=we+have+always+lived+in+the+castle+shirley+jackson&qid=1648928226&sprefix=we+have+always+lived%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Always-Lived-Castle-Penguin-Vitae/dp/0143134833/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/We-Have-Always-Lived-Castle-ebook/dp/B004SS1MH0/ref=monarch_sidesheet



Viewing: Touch of Evil (Orsen Welles, 1958)

Here is a movie with an interesting history, as it was initially held in low esteem by critics upon release but was later reappraised as one of Welles's best films in his catalog, as well as one of the finest film noirs of the era. A Mexican prosecutor (Charlton Heston) is implicated in the murder of two people via time bomb along the U.S.-Mexico border; he and his American wife (Janet Leigh) become further embroiled in danger when he begins to piece together that the aged police captain (Welles) has a long history of corruption due to planting evidence to acquire convictions. Originally edited conventionally due to creative differences with the studio that forces Welles off the project, the film was added to the National film Registry in 1993 and has since been given a makeover in 1998, following a memo from Welles outlining his original vision.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Widescreen-Orson-Welles/dp/6305999872/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray 1: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Blu-ray-Orson-Welles/dp/B07G2D87JH/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3F0R0X4VBDFZ8&keywords=touch+of+evil&qid=1648928251&sprefix=touch+of+evil%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray 2: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Special-Orson-Welles/dp/B09NDYBFNY/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-1
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-4KUHD-Orson-Welles/dp/B09NDZSBXP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F0R0X4VBDFZ8&keywords=touch+of+evil&qid=1648928251&sprefix=touch+of+evil%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Evil-Orson-Welles/dp/B0017122AM/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1648928251&sr=8-1


That's all for April. Have a Happy Easter, and I'll see you next month!

March has begun and spring is around the corner, but it's also bleak days with a way going on in Europe and the ramifications slowly creeping over here. It seems weird to make recommendations now, but I don't want to break the flow, having done it for so long now. I apologize for the lateness, but I was debating on what to talk about this month. Well, I have something now - may it keep you as enthralled as it did me.

Reading: The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (2003) by Robert E. Howard

After years of editorial interference and controversial rewriting, this book represents the first of three collections of the complete stories of sword-and-sorcery pioneer Howard's most famous character, presented as they were originally written. The thirteen tales within contain classics like Conan's debut, "The Phoenix on the Sword", and perennial favorites like "The Tower of the Elephant", "Queen of the Black Coast", "The Scarlet Citadel", and "Black Colossus", as well as miscellanea like original drafts and synopses of stories, notes on names and places, and the seminal essay "The Hyborian Age", which formed the background around which Howard wrote the chronology of his stories. Filled with swashbuckling action and terrifying mythologies, the adventures of Conan are far better that is led to believe from the glut of knockoffs and capitalizing on the brand name, being a mix of hardboiled prose and epic poetry. For those who have never experienced them, I recommend this book as important to understanding the development of the fantasy genre as a whole.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Conan-Cimmerian-Original-Adventures/dp/0345461517/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700851&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Conan-Cimmerian-Barbarian-Book-ebook/dp/B000FBJE24/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700851&sr=8-1



Viewing: Conan the Barbarian (John Milius, 1982)

This is the film that first gained Austrian actor/bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger worldwide fame, and though it's not very faithful to Howard's stories, it's important and enjoyable as a fantasy film in its own right, as well as being the initial spark of the "barbarian boom" of films in the 1980's (ultimately a mixed bag). After watching his tribe and family slaughtered by the cult of the sorcerer Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones), Conan rises from gladitorial slave combat to thievery, and when he and his companions are commissioned by an aged king to save his daughter from the same cult, the barbarian warrior is given the chance to exact his long-awaited vengeance. All in all, it's a competently made film from maverick director/screenwriter Milius and a significant boost in popularity for the classic character.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/0783241895/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1646700903&sr=1-7
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Blu-ray-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B00509KXYO/ref=sr_1_7?crid=Z6JV0I8JHXD9&keywords=conan+the+barbarian&qid=1646700903&s=movies-tv&sprefix=conan+the+barbarian%2Cmovies-tv%2C106&sr=1-7
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Conan-Barbarian-Arnold-Schwarzenegger/dp/B009CG248Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=Z6JV0I8JHXD9&keywords=conan+the+barbarian&qid=1646700875&s=movies-tv&sprefix=conan+the+barbarian%2Cmovies-tv%2C106&sr=1-3


That's all for this month. I sincerely hope we have more to celebrate next time.

Well, winter is well underway now, and as I write this, snowstorms are rolling into Michigan. But it could be worse. Happy February, everyone! I'll admit that I haven't been doing a lot of steady reading because, on one hand, I managed to get my hands on a Nintendo Switch OLED and I'm REALLY enjoying it (though I'm trying to balance myself out and not get obsessed with it). Still, I have something for you this month - I hope you enjoy it.

Reading: The Face in the Frost (1969) by John Bellairs

Regarded by writer-editor Lin Carter as one of the three best fantasy novels written since The Lord of the Rings, this offbeat tale is a mix of horror and comedy from an author best known for his Gothic fantasy-mysteries geared towards young adults. It follows two cantankerous wizards, Prospero and Roger Bacon (not the ones you're thinking of), as they must trace the whereabouts of a mysterious book that may have fallen into the hands of one of Prospero's past rivals and which is being used for macabre ends.  Another point worth making is that Gary Gygax recommended the novel as an inspiration for the creation of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons's magic system.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Face-Frost-John-Bellairs/dp/1497642418/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8EUDI00E2A71&keywords=the+face+in+the+frost&qid=1643771547&sprefix=the+face+in%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Face-Frost-John-Bellairs-ebook/dp/B00J84L45E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771547&sr=8-1



Viewing: The Flight of Dragons (Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, 1982)

Released direct to video in 1982 and loosely based on both a novel by George R. Dickson (The Dragon and the George) and a speculative natural history book by Peter Dickinson (The Flight of Dragons), this animated film from the legendary production company Rankin-Bass is a rumination on the clash of magic and science, in which a young scientist from the 20th century is recruited by an old wizard from the past to lead a party of adventurers to the realm of a dark sorcerer intent on using his powers to influence mankind to use their sciences for mutual destruction; before setting out however, problems arise when a mishap causes the scientist and a dragon to fuse together, after which he must learn how dragons - and the magic world at large - function. Featuring celebrity voices such as the late Jason Ritter, Harry Morgan, and James Earl Jones, it's a bit of warm nostalgia that managed to earn both a DVD release in 2009 as well as a Blu Ray edition in 2018 and is well regarded by many fans.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-Victor-Buono/dp/B002VA5A0C/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2QXD7C1G6PODV&keywords=the+flight+of+dragons&qid=1643771582&sprefix=the+flight+of+dragons%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2
Blu Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-Blu-ray-John-Ritter/dp/B078J5LL36/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771582&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Flight-Dragons-John-Ritter/dp/B00KW26VCW/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643771582&sr=8-2


So that's all I got for now. Until then, stay safe and mind the snow!

Happy New Year, everyone! And I apologize in advance for being late - I let myself be distracted. Well, I don't know how this year is going to turn out, but we might as well make the best of it. After some deliberation, I've found some recommendations for this month; some will be familiar, but there's nothing wrong with retreading fertile ground. So I hope this is a good start to get you through the winter.

Reading: The Summer Tree (1984) by Guy Gavriel Kay

Being the first part of the trilogy The Fionavar Tapestry - the "Canadian Lord of the Rings", if you will - this is the debut novel of an author who has become well established in the fantasy community for turning out critically acclaimed works that parallel certain periods of history, while this series in particular was a response to the glut of Tolkien-inspired works saturating the market in an effort to show how it could be done well (Kay was the uncredited co-editor with Christopher Tolkien of The Silmarillion upon its original publication). Five students at the University of Toronto are pulled into another world, said to be the first from which all others follow, by a mage masquerading as an esteemed professor; while this is meant to be part of a celebration of the royal dynasty, it becomes the opening event in a long struggle when a malevolent deity, the eternal enemy of the Creator, is released from his millennial imprisonment to bring a dreadful winter of war upon the land, and each of the students finds themselves tied in some way to the destiny, both past and present, of this world. It's a great debut as well as a wonderful addition to a subgenre overstuffed with mercurial quality, and it should be better known beyond the confines of the fantasy community.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Tree-Fionavar-Tapestry/dp/0451458222/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HN4DX4LH24M6&keywords=the+summer+tree&qid=1641408795&sprefix=the+summer+tree%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Tree-Fionavar-Tapestry-Book-ebook/dp/B00O2BKM2Y/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408795&sr=8-1



Viewing: Legend (Ridley Scott, 1985)

While some long-time members of this forum will have already seen this movie, I believe it's still worth recommending. Helmed by the director of classics such as Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and Gladiator, this cult classic is an attempt to capture the darker nature of the old fairy tales, following a young forest man (Tom Cruise in a pre-fame performance) called to rescue both a princess and the last living unicorn from the Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), who plans to destroy light and bring on an eternal wintry night. Featuring amazing production design by Assheton Gordon and incredible makeup by special effects legend Rob Bottin (The Howling, The Thing, RoboCop), as well as two different soundtracks for two different versions (new age ambience group Tangerine Dream for the edited American release and legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith for the longer Director's Cut), this imperfect film is fondly remembered by many fans for the effort put into it, and while other later films may have done better, it's still a fascinating experience to try out.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Tom-Cruise/dp/B004QSQMKE/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408705&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Ultimate-Blu-ray-Tom-Cruise/dp/B004QSQML8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1X2NM5KSTS9TC&keywords=legend+blu-ray&qid=1641408705&sprefix=legend+blu-ray%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray (Special Edition): https://www.amazon.com/Legend-2-Disc-Standard-Special-Theatrical/dp/B09NL337SZ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11R123H3BERWR&keywords=legend+blu+ray&qid=1641692017&sprefix=legend+blu+ray%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Tom-Cruise/dp/B003WJ81MA/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1641408705&sr=8-2

And so we begin our new year. I hope you enjoy yourselves with my picks. See you next month!