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!

Sorry for being a few days late again.

So we've come to the end of another year, as well as my fourth year anniversary of doing recommendations. I can only hope that I've encouraged some people to check out things that they might not have otherwise. Anyway, in the spirit of the holidays, I thought I would choose something appropriately festive. It's definitely familiar, but I thought it would be suitable nevertheless. Enjoy!

Reading: A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Books (1843-1848) by Charles Dickens

Sure, everyone has heard of A Christmas Carol, but how many have actually read the original novella rather than relied on the countless adaptations? While some dialogue will be familiar, there's so much more that gets left out that captures the absolute joy of the Christmas season, and it shouldn't be missed. What's more, the version that I'm linking to includes the four other holiday novellas that Dickens would write in the following years, which, to my knowledge, haven't received the recognition of the original story but stand on their own as wonderful works. Whether for the first time or the hundredth, it's a treasure to revisit around this time of year.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199536309/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=a+christmas+carol+and+other+christmas+books&qid=1638767874&sr=8-4
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Oxford-Worlds-Classics-ebook/dp/B003N19DSI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1638767874&sr=8-4



Viewing: A Christmas Carol [TV] (Clive Donner, 1984)

Speaking of the adaptations, there are several worth noting, particularly the version starring Alistair Sim, but the 1984 TV version with George C. Scott in the role of Scrooge is a particular favorite of mine, especially because of Scott's performance. Dark but also cheerful, it's an incredibly faithful retelling of the novella with multiple great performances (Frank Finlay's rendition of Jacob Marley is one of the best). Despite the stigmatism of TV movies, the production value is remarkably high, which further adds to its rewatchability. Even if it isn't your favorite, I still recommend giving this one a watch, at least for comparison's sake.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-Blu-ray-George-Scott/dp/B003VS0CY2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=a+christmas+carol+blu+ray&qid=1638658512&sr=8-1
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Carol-George-C-Scott/dp/B009EEG51G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=LRHYI1X3KFEG&keywords=a+christmas+carol+prime+video&qid=1638691194&sprefix=a+christmas+carol+prime%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-2

So that's all there is. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2022!

First off, I apologize for putting this off for so long. I just let other things get in the way.

So we're just about done with the year now, and another winter is just around the corner. For this November, I thought I might recommend some intriguing thrillers of espionage, mistaken identity, and high adventure; they might not exactly be Thanksgiving material, of course, but I at least hope they'll take your mind off of any negligible worries.

Reading: Casino Royale (1953) by Ian Fleming

This slim volume introduced the world to the legendary secret agent James Bond in a tale more grounded in realism than is normally expected by those familiar only with the film series. In it, MI6 chief codenamed "M" assigns Bond to attend a fabulous casino in the French resort town of Royale-les-Eaux under the guise of a rich Jamaican playboy, with the goal of engaging the mysterious individual known only as "Le Chiffre" - really a noted agent of the Soviet counter-intelligence organization SMERSH - in a game of baccarat, with the express purpose of bankrupting him and thus forcing his superiors to dispose of him; he will be assisted in these measures by fellow MI6 operative Vesper Lynd as well as agents from both American and French intelligence. But, of course, nothing is as simple as it seems in the end. Following in the tradition of British adventure novels with dashes of hardboiled detective fiction mixed in, the novel remains a quite engaging read, a watershed in the spy novel at large.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Casino-Royale-Novel-James-Bond/dp/006329852X/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Casino-Royale-Novel-James-Bond-ebook/dp/B0B395Y5RQ/



Viewing: North by Northwest (Alfred Hitchcock, 1959)

Written to be the biggest Hitchcock film ever made, this is considered one of the esteemed director's best films, following several trademark formulas with panache and craftsmanship. An inopportune moment causes foreign spy Philip Vandamm (James Mason) to mistake advertising executive Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) for an FBI agent named George Kaplan, and Thornhill's subsequent attempts to rectify the matter only inadvertently end up incriminating him further, leading him to become a fugitive from both the law and Vandamm's henchmen. Finding a sympathetic ear in Eve Kendall (Eva Marie Saint), he eventually finds that, due to the circumstances, he may just be instrumental in bringing the enemy operation to justice. Featuring several iconic scenes (including a chase through a field involving a crop duster and an intense finale on Mount Rushmore), a rousing score from Bernard Herrmann, a wonderful supporting cast, and a stylistic opening credit sequence courtesy of graphic designer Saul Bass, it remains a favorite of many moviegoers that should be essential viewing for all film buffs.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Ernest-Lehman/dp/B0045HCJ9E/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1636677849&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Blu-ray-Alfred-Hitchcock/dp/B014IAWFU0/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1636677849&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/North-Northwest-Cary-Grant/dp/B0093Q8W0C/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=north+by+northwest&qid=1636677849&sr=8-1


Again, I apologize for my lateness. I hope you all have enough time to take my recommendations in. See you next month!

Fall is officially underway as we enter October, and the witching season is starting to come alive as well. Pandemic or not, Halloween never fails to come. It's taken a bit to make my choices (which is why I'm a little late this month), but I think I've picked out some suitable recommendations for the holiday. If you're in the festive mood, maybe you could give these a go!

Reading: Carrie (1974) by Stephen King

This is the one that started it all - the first published (but fourth written) novel of horror icon Stephen King, one which he almost discarded if not for the encouragement of his wife. An updating of classic Gothic melodrama, the story centers around bullied and isolated high school teenager Carrie White, victimized by both abusive classmates and her fanatically religious mother (identified, if I remember correctly, as belonging to a cult-like fundamentalist offshoot rather than mainstream Christianity). Unbeknownst to the public at large, Carrie is also in possession of telekinetic abilities which she tries to control. The tension builds as a genuine act of kindness leads to a now infamous prom night of carnage and city-wide destruction. For a debut novel, Carrie is surprisingly fast-moving and attention-grabbing, ranked by some fans as one of the better of Mr. King's works; there is also an undercurrent of feminism beneath the horror that was quite groundbreaking for its time. For fans of King and those who like classic chillers, it's definitely worth checking out.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King/dp/0307743667/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LTTXAJIJGV9K&dchild=1&keywords=stephen+king+carrie&qid=1633478654&sprefix=stephen+king+carrie%2Caps%2C195&sr=8-1
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King/dp/1984898108/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633478654&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B001BANK2I/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633478654&sr=8-1



Viewing: Phantasm (Don Coscarelli, 1979)

Released the same year as Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi scare flick Alien, director Don Coscarelli's independent feature managed to hold its own and amass a significant cult following through a use of childhood themes, foreboding atmosphere, a chilling soundtrack, and an ambiguous dreamlike narrative. When a young boy begins to have suspicions about the tall mortician at the local funeral parlor, he enlists his brother and the local ice cream truck driver to investigate further, leading to the discovery of dwarven hooded creatures, a flying steel ball that kills, and an interdimensional gateway, all maintained by the inexplicably inhuman "Tall Man" who is collecting corpses of the dead for his own nefarious purposes. Despite the box office odds, the film - made up of a cast and crew of relative amateurs - is regarded as a classic of horror cinema that would influence later films in significant ways; four sequels would follow, though they wouldn't gain the acclaim of the first one. Definitely one to watch!

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remaster-Angus-Scrimm/dp/B01LWXBAWN/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633482337&sr=8-6
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remaster-Blu-ray-DVD-Combo/dp/B01LXWKDJW/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633482337&sr=8-6
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Remastered-Michael-Baldwin/dp/B087P5J77X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=phantasm+remastered&qid=1633482370&sr=8-2

So that's all for this years October. I hope the season finds you all well. Happy Halloween!

As the summer officially winds down, we now find ourselves in cooler days (at least where I live). Still, there's enough good weather to celebrate, and after some thought, since the author and I coincidentally share a birthday, I've found my recommendations for this September. Be warned, though: it's not that cheery.

Reading: Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding

A staple of high school reading curriculums, Nobel Prize-winning author Golding's classic novel is a refutation of the boys' adventure novels of the past, which were celebrations of cooperation and innate goodness. In this tale, the group of boys, having been stranded on a desert island, attempt to put together a system of government and responsibility, but eventually, selfishness and petty jealousies give way to animal savagery and lawlessness, resulting in death. While he would go on to write other well-praised works, this is the novel for which the author remains best known, for good or ill. If you haven't read it already, maybe you'll find it worth checking out; if you have, well, perhaps it might be time to give it one more go.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding/dp/0399501487/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725501&sr=8-1
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0143129406/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding-ebook/dp/B000OCXIRG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Lord of the Flies (Peter Brook, 1963)

Released just nine years after the book was published, this black-and-white independent adaptation, which is remarkable faithful to the source material, may be one of the best British motion pictures ever made. Shot with a mostly non-professional cast using some improvised dialog, the film manages to elicit a sense of dread and terror as the darker aspects of the story come to the forefront. It's an absolute classic that I would recommend not only to fans of the book but to simply casual moviegoers who love a good intense film.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Flies-Criterion-Collection-James-Aubrey/dp/B00CEIOHLY/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725663&sr=8-17
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B00CEIOHRI/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725663&sr=8-17
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-James-Aubrey/dp/B00DY0TCSY/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+flies&qid=1630725501&sr=8-4

So that's all for September. I hope you enjoy these next few weeks.

Here we are now in the traditionally hottest month of summer. It's tough, but we can get through it. I apologize for being rather late with this. For a bit, I didn't have anything to recommend, but I was able to come up with something. This month, we're digging into Westerns, straight from the Golden Age of the genre. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Reading: Shane (1949) by Jack Schaefer

One of the most famous Westerns ever written, this novel is set against the historical backdrop of the feud between the land-rich cattle barons and the incoming homesteaders, known as the Johnson County War, in the year 1889. Told from the perspective of a farmer's son recalling his childhood, the central character is a mysterious drifter with an aura of quiet menace about him but an honorable character nonetheless, offering himself as a hired hand to the Starrett family, who are being harassed by rancher Luke Fletcher for possession of the land; while the drifter, who answers to the name of Shane, attempts to keep the peace as best as he can, eventually his skills with a gun will be needed to settle the score when Fletcher's means start turning more violent. This debut from one of the genre's most respected writers is rather short but brilliantly evocative, having been released in more than 70 editions since its initial printing, and remains a truly American novel, filled with both the melancholy and the optimism of the age.

Trade 1: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0544239474/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jack+schaefer+shane&qid=1628280975&sr=8-1
Trade 2: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0826358411/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Trade 3: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Critical-Jack-Schaefer/dp/0803291426/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Shane-Jack-Schaefer-ebook/dp/B0725P6KR2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Red River (Howard Hawks, 1948)

This epic Western, helmed by one of Hollywood's most prestigious directors, follows cattle rancher Thomas Dunson (John Wayne) and his adopted son Matthew (Montgomery Clift, in his film debut), who, as profit dwindles, elect to drive their stock from Texas to Missouri along the Chisolm Trail; as the journey goes on, tension rises as Dunson becomes increasingly more authoritarian and obsessive, leading Matt to seize control and lead the group to a town in Kansas supplied with a railroad, while Dunson follows behind with a plan for vengeance. Filmed in 1946 but not released until two years later, the film is widely regarded as one of the best Western movies ever made, featuring a standout performance from the legendary Wayne in a more anti-heroic, near-villainous role than audiences were accustomed to seeing him in; it's a must-see for fans of well-made films in the grand Hollywood tradition of old. Notably, the film exists in two versions: a 133-minute pre-release version with book-style visual narrations, and a slightly shorter 127-minute theatrical release with voiceover narrations from co-star Walter Brennan. Both versions are included in the Criterion Collection package.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-B-John-Wayne/dp/B00JPUUSK8/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B079VF7Q9P/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Red-River-John-Wayne/dp/B0017VXATO/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



With the high temperatures this time of year, I hope you all manage to stay safe and cool. Enjoy yourselves responsibly!

So here we are in July. The summer is officially underway, but it also looks like the U.S's Pacific Northwest is getting a big heat wave as well, so I guess my advice is to enjoy the weather when you can but stay safe when necessary and make sure to take all precautions.

My reading has been off and on recently, so I have no real speculative titles to recommend this month, but I do have something on hand from history - something that's special to me and perhaps even relevant in today's cultural climate. I hope you all enjoy it as well.

Reading: To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee

An all-time modern classic, Harper Lee's legendary Southern Gothic Bildungsroman has never been out of print since publication and is arguably the most beloved book in American literature. The story is one of childhood from the perspective of young Scout Finch as she grows up in Depression-era Alabama with her brother Jem under the watch of her noble father Atticus, a lawyer who is soon put to the test when he is called to defend an African-American man accused of beating and raping a white woman. While heavily nostalgic, the book is also focused on moral character, exemplified by Atticus Finch - one of the most respected fictional characters ever created - and the ugliness of racism. Many of you are probably familiar with it from high school, as it is a staple of the curriculum, but whether you're encountering it for the first time or the fifteenth, it's still an amazing treasure worth enjoying whenever possible.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harper-Lee/dp/0060935464/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird&qid=1625176876&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Harperperennial-Modern-Classics-ebook/dp/B00K0OI42W/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1625176876&sr=8-1



Viewing: To Kill a Mockingbird (Robert Mulligan, 1962)

Just as well known as the book is the film adaptation, also a classic, anchored by the Oscar-winning performance of legendary actor Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, as well as the child actors such as Mary Badham as Scout Finch. The transfer from film to screen is near total, with only minor details omitted; the result is one of the best films of the 1960s as well as one of the finest adaptations of a novel ever made. A deeply human film, it's a pleasure to watch, and it comes highly recommended for all ages as an important talking point regarding deeply troubling issues.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-50th-Anniversary/dp/B006FE83UE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=TA6G5VUDG2DI&dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird+dvd&qid=1625176953&sprefix=to+kill+a+mockingbird+d%2Caps%2C-1&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Blu-ray-Gregory-Peck/dp/B07G1ZHWFS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird+blu+ray&qid=1625176989&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-Gregory-Peck/dp/B009CGCWHM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=to+kill+a+mockingbird&qid=1625176876&sr=8-2



So that's all for now. Again, I hope you get as much pleasure out of them as I have. I think it's something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Well, I'll see you all next month!

So we've reached June now – 2021 is already halfway behind us. For some, it's probably been quick, and for others, it must have been slow. At least we're moving into summer (although sweltering heat isn't necessarily preferable). I've been indulging in genre fiction recently, so I have some suitably speculative recommendations for you this month.

Reading: Starship Troopers (1959) by Robert A. Heinlein

The classic military sci-fi novel, this is one of the best-known titles by the legendary first Grand Master and perhaps his most controversial, as some critics are unsure of what is fiction and what is an espousal of Heinlein's genuine beliefs. Written in response to the U.S. suspending nuclear testing, the story is set in the far future – one in which public service is required to cast a vote and participate in the Terran Federation's government; the action centers around one such branch of service, that of the elite Mobile Infantry which defends Earth from enemy threats through body-enhancing powered armor. Juan "Johnny" Rico simply meant to get his franchise, but his grueling boot camp training is put to the test when an insect-like alien species from the planet Klendathu (derisively referred to as "Bugs" and "Arachnids") instigate an interstellar war. Originally meant as a juvenile, the novel marked a turning point in Heinlein's career as he moved to more adult-oriented fiction; the brisk, exciting pace is marked with ruminations on the value of service, the effectiveness of capital and corporal punishment, and other subjects, which has led some detractors to label Heinlein a fascist. It's a fun read that doesn't have to be agreed with completely to enjoy.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441783589/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441014100/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein-ebook/dp/B004EYTK2C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Mad Max (George Miller, 1979)

This is the cult classic dystopian film that made Mel Gibson a star and launched the Australian New Wave film movement into international success. Gibson plays Max Rockatansky, a weary cop assigned to a future Australia's Main Force Patrol (MFP) which hunts down the highway's deadliest offenders; he plans to resign after increasing disillusionment, but a tragedy involving his family's death at the hands of a psychotic biker gang drives him over the edge, leading him to take a supercharged V8 Pursuit Special – a car specially made for high speeds – and exact a cold revenge on the gang members. Compared to the later entries, this is a rather tame, low-budget release lacking a lot of the extravagances associated with the franchise, but it's still a great film, its appeal coming from its midnight movie aesthetic and the charisma of its cast, anchored by a young Gibson as the near-unhinged Max and Hugh Keays-Byrne as the flamboyant gang leader Toecutter. It's worth a viewing, especially for those interested in the development of action movies of the later 1980s and their over-the-top anti-heroes.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B00CDDHI5W/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+dvd&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Blu-ray-Mel-Gibson/dp/B08H5BRLRN/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-4KUHD-Blu-ray-Gibson/dp/B08H5DFV1P/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+4k&qid=1622510889&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B000IZXR7U/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5


Hopefully, these will make your summer enjoyable. Get out there when you can and enjoy the weather, but remember to stay safe and respect the boundaries of those who are still trying to get through the pandemic.

Happy May, everyone! NOW it seems that we've finally escaped winter. Of course, we're still going to get rain, but I'd prefer that right now.

I've been reading science fiction lately, having acquired a deep taste for it, but I've already recommended the specific books I'm working on. However, I have something that I've been sitting on for a while, so I'm not totally unarmed. It's a classic in both print and film that I hope you all enjoy.

Reading: The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1970) by George V. Higgins

A landmark of crime fiction, this novel - the debut by former attorney Higgins - is an unglamorous portrayal of the Boston Irish mob, its central character being an aging small-time gun-runner who faces a prison sentence and subsequently weighs whether to turn snitch on his "friends" - a small group of crooks who have been pulling off a string of robberies at the local banks. The man draw of the novel is its dialogue, presented in a realistic style for which Higgins became well known for; the grittiness and unsentimental nature has been noted to contrast with more glamorous works such as the contemporary bestseller The Godfather. Its a quick yet rewarding read that I recommend to both crime fans and readers who appreciate style and cadence even with little action.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Novel/dp/031242969X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Novel-ebook/dp/B003H4I54E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-1



Viewing: The Friends of Eddie Coyle (Peter Yates, 1973)

Three years after the release of the book, it was adapted into an acclaimed film by Peter Yates, director of the Steve McQueen classic Bulitt, and starring the venerable "tough guy" leading man Robert Mitchum (The Night of the Hunter, Out of the Past) as the weary Eddie Coyle. Released between the popular Godfather films, the movie is an underrated 70's masterpiece, told with all the grittiness of its source material mixed with a wonderful cast and a brisk pace that forgoes action for character studies. It definitely comes recommended for anyone who loves the changing New Hollywood landscape of the decade.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Blu-ray/dp/B00SC8KU4S/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Robert-Mitchum/dp/B000IBUP6A/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+friends+of+eddie+coyle&qid=1619894994&sr=8-2

That's it for the May recommendations. I apologize in advance if anyone was hoping for more speculative works. Hopefully I'll have something along those lines next time. Until then, enjoy the spring!

April is here, and it appears that the last vestiges of winter are disappearing (though we're not quite there yet). Despite the pandemic going around, I welcome the change in weather emotionally at the very least – it's nice to step outside the house at last for extended periods of time. At this point in time, I have two great classics of science fiction for us to dive into, and I can only hope it's to everyone's tastes. So here we go!

Reading: Rendezvous with Rama (1973) by Arthur C. Clarke

Winner of some of sci-fi's most prestigious awards upon publication, this late novel in the career of one of the genre's most revered practitioners became a new cornerstone, gathering praise (and some criticism) across the board. Set in the year 2131, it tells the story of a mysterious giant cylindrical object from deep space – labeled as "Rama" by astronomers – which is on a trajectory to pass by Earth; the spaceship Endeavour is sent to investigate, taking its crew to a fantastic encounter with the remnants of an alien world. While short on characterization and somewhat dated, the novel manages to stir a passionate sense of wonder and discovery that keeps the narrative moving forward, serving as a wonderful introduction to Clarke if one has not already done so.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-C-Clarke/dp/0358380227/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34DP4C4QOE8G0&dchild=1&keywords=rendezvous+with+rama&qid=1617243880&sprefix=rendezvous%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-C-Clarke-ebook/dp/B07XD75HGV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1617243880&sr=8-1



Viewing: 2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)

Another of Clarke's contributions, made in conjunction with the meticulous and mercurial director Kubrick, this slow-moving film is widely considered one of the greatest science fiction films ever made and rewards the patient viewer who surrenders to the narrative on its own terms. The evolution of humanity is traced throughout, marked by the appearance of strange black monoliths placed by unknown forces; what they are and the nature of their creators drives the human characters, leading to an expedition sent towards a signal directed at Jupiter, aboard a ship where the computer in charge becomes a deadly threat. It may be short on characterization again (a common drawback of Clarke), but as a visual and auditory experience, anchored by its special effects and particular soundtrack, it's a landmark of cinema worth watching at least once in your lifetime to say that you did so.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Stanley-Kubrick/dp/B004L9GMBC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Re-Mastered-Blu-ray/dp/B07KHKWNPW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
4K: https://www.amazon.com/2001-SPACE-ODYSSEY-UHDBD-Blu-ray/dp/B07KH8W76F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&dchild=1&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Douglas-Rain/dp/B002WS54G8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&dchild=1&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1


So go out there now and enjoy the spring! (But remember to keep socially distanced for safety.)

This is a little late, but I felt everyone should know about it if they don't already.

https://www.tor.com/2021/03/09/the-phantom-tollbooth-author-norton-juster-has-died-at-the-age-of-91/

It's a rather ripe old age, but it's still sad to see him go, because, if you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it yet, The Phantom Tollbooth is one of the most imaginative children's books ever written, and I highly recommend that you read it at least once in your life.

Thanks, Mr. Juster, for such a truly wild ride.

It's March, and spring is in the air. Not to be a downer, but that could be subject to change - you never know nowadays. Still, after having some pretty big snowfalls, it's nice to have much milder weather, as it's uplifting to the spirit. This month's recommendations are nestled in the notorious genre of crime fiction, which I've recently taken a liking to; while it can be pretty dark, I believe that a window into the darkness of the human psyche, while disturbing and depressing, is necessary for being truthful. So enjoy these classics!

Reading: Red Harvest (1929) by Dashiell Hammett

Called to the city of Personville (known colloquially as "Poisonville") for a meeting with the mayor's son, an unnamed operative from the Continental Detective Agency - referred to as "the Continental Op" - uncovers a festering hive of citywide corruption and buried secrets; having experienced some of the most unsavory bits, the Op takes it upon himself to cleanse the city, even if it means pitting the underworld and the town police against each other in a gang war. The first novel from the acclaimed pulp fiction writer Hammett, who would later pen The Maltese Falcon, this novel is one of the earliest examples of "hardboiled" detective fiction characterized by cynical antiheroes, punchy dialog and subtle social analysis. It's a great ride from beginning to end, well worth the price.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Harvest-Dashiell-Hammett/dp/0679722610/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614638752&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Harvest-Continental-Op-Book-ebook/dp/B004G8P2M8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614638752&sr=8-1



Viewing: Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974)

Frequently regarded as one of the greatest films ever made with one of the most celebrated screenplays ever written, this neo-noir follows private detective J. J. "Jake" Gittes investigating a murder linked to the disputes over Los Angeles water rights, of which sultry heiress Evelyn Mulwray and her tycoon father, Noah Cross, are important players; sordid corruption and buried family secrets are unearthed, but ultimately, the question of whether justice can really be done is left lingering. It's definitely one of the finest films of the 70's, though somewhat burdened by the fallout of director Polanski's private life; every performance is exemplary, Jerry Goldsmith's score fits perfectly, and the recreation of 1937 Los Angeles is top notch. It's a low-key film driven by lots of dialog, but it's absolutely fantastic if you're in the right mood.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B073MDN9NF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+dvd&qid=1614638863&sr=8-1
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Blu-ray-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B06XNQS16Z/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+blu+ray&qid=1614638846&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B07FZR4YNY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TLJR4LAGL6F4&dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+prime+video&qid=1614638877&sprefix=chinatown+prim%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1


So that's it for March. Enjoy the spring!

Sorry for the lateness. I actually completely forgot about the forum this month, plus it took me a bit to find some recommendations.

Anyway, here we are in February now. For me, it feels much the same, but for some of you, it may be different. There's not much to say right now, it seems, other than it being a comparatively mild winter (I wonder if that's a bad thing for the climate, though). So while everyone is cooped up in their homes, here are some adventures to take you outside the confines of your mind.


Reading: Kidnapped (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson

One of Stevenson's best known and most highly regarded works, this story follows 17-year-old David Balfour, who has come to his uncle's estate to seek his fortune. However, the greedy man arranges for David to be abducted and sold into slavery, but, while a prisoner on a ship, David escapes with the assistance of the spirited Scottish Highlander Alan Breck Stewart. Eventually, circumstances lead the two to flee across Scotland from charges of murder, and the question remains whether justice will ever be served for the two comrades. Highly popular in its day, the novel escaped a spell of posthumous criticism to be regarded in the mid-20th century as one of the most esteemed examples of historical romance and continues to entice scholars and readers to this day. NOTE: I would highly recommend picking up the Modern Library trade variant listed below, as it is a reprint of a corrected version of the text with an extensive introduction and a Scots glossary for translating some of the words that may escape casual readers.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451531434?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375757252?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U2DQ6Q?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Werner Herzog, 1972)

Set in 1560 during the conquest of the Incas, this film follows a branch of an expedition of Spanish conquistadors in search of the riches of El Dorado, sent into the depths of the jungle to scout ahead and report back within a week's time. As things become difficult, they attempt to turn back, but the megalomaniacal Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski) seizes control, first by proxy then directly, pushed on by mad vision of fortune and glory, dragging his accomplices into insanity and death. A slow-moving film, this German production helmed by famed auteur Werner Herzog - the first of five collaborations with the legendary temperamental actor Kinski - was first acclaimed with cult status and has continued to grow in reputation through the years, being seen as an influence on such later films as Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now; while not action-packed, it's a fascinating experience that may reward multiple viewings.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Aguirre-Wrath-Blu-ray-Klaus-Kinski/dp/B00QJN344G/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1612654243&sr=8-3
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Aguirre-Wrath-God-Klaus-Kinski/dp/B07V6TH8TB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=aguirre+the+wrath+of+god&qid=1612654317&sr=8-1


So that's all I have for now. I hope things stay well for all of you, all things considering.

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm sure that most people are glad to be done with 2020, and I hope that 2021 has a brighter future in store. Hopefully, we can make the most of it. So to kick out the new year, here are a couple classic sci-fi recommendations (which, upon further inspection, are kind of grim, but that's what I've read/seen and what's available).

Reading: Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) by Kurt Vonnegut

One of the most memorable anti-war novels ever written and a masterpiece of black comedy, the plot concerns an ordinary American man named Billy Pilgrim who inexplicably finds himself "unstuck in time" - he constantly jumps to different points in his life at random, from his capture by the Germans during WWII to surviving the firebombing of Dresden to his normal post-war civilian life to his abduction by the absurd Tralfamadorians to be displayed in their alien zoo. Vonnegut's deceptively simple prose masks a deeply introspective mind mixed with pain and humor, and it should be a very brisk read as it really not a very difficult text.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Five-Novel-Modern-Library-Novels/dp/0385333846/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KZKMBTGU3KV6&dchild=1&keywords=slaughterhouse+five&qid=1609524784&sprefix=slaughterhouse%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Five-Novel-Modern-Library-Novels-ebook/dp/B000SEGHT6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524784&sr=8-1



Viewing: Westworld (Michael Crichton, 1973)

This was the directorial debut of sci-fi writer Michael Crichton, who would later pen Jurassic Park, and while this film covers similar ground, it stands on its own in many respects. In the year 1983 (let's say it's an alternate 1983 now), the amusement park Delos offers its guests the excitement of living out their own personal fantasies in one of three scenarios - Western World, Medieval World, and Roman World - all populated by android performers which cater to the human visitors' desires. But what begins as a routine adventure turns deadly when the park's technicians find a computer virus spreading through the androids which causes them to malfunction and begin killing visitors, particularly a stoic gunslinger (Yul Brynner) designed to instigate fights who becomes a relentless stalking killing machine. While it may be better known simply as the basis for a successful modern HBO series, the original film manages to hold up pretty well, despite its "70's-ness", combining action and satire in a crowd-pleasing way. If you're a fan of Jurassic Park, I highly suggest that you check out where it began.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-Paul-N-Lazarus-Jr/dp/B0045HCJKS/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-BD-Blu-ray-Yul-Brynner/dp/B00AATFJK2/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-Yul-Brynner/dp/B000LJ9ZWO/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7


And that's all for now. Let's see what 2021 has in store for us!

It's the third year anniversary of when I started making monthly recommendations. It seems longer, though. Anyway, as the year winds down, I'm sure man of us are actively ready for it. Here's hoping that 2021 has at least some redeeming value to it. As the last recommendations of the year, I'm turning to the works of the great American author Herman Melville for a couple of sea adventures. Perhaps some of you have experienced these before, but whether you have or not, maybe it would be worthwhile to pick them up now for the first or second time.

Reading: Moby-Dick (1851) by Herman Melville

A particular favorite of mine, the classic story of the ship Pequod, captained by the unbalanced Ahab, and the chase for the mysterious white whale Moby-Dick originally sank with little trace until critical reevaluation in the early 20th century, after which it has gone on to be considered a serious contender for the distinction of "Great American Novel." It's a strange work - one that seems to shift format from time to time and often falls into digressions which frequently interrupt the narrative - and casual readers may find it frustrating, especially in comparison to contemporary books, but the for the one who sticks with it and follows the trail wherever it goes, it can be a uniquely rewarding experience of the novel as a serious art form. I recommend at least one reading in your life.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451532287?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067978327X?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade (Deluxe): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143105957?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QCS8VA?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Billy Budd (Peter Ustinov, 1962)

During the Napoleonic Wars, the HMS Avenger conscripts a young sailor names Billy Budd - a sincerely innocent man with a debilitating stammer in times of stress - and the crew gradually takes a close liking to him - all except the brutal master-at-arms, who seeks to destroy the man who represents everything that he loathes in the world. Based on Melville's final posthumously published work, unfinished at the time of the author's death, this film, directed and starred by veteran Academy Award winning actor Peter Ustinov, may not be the most well known film out there, but it's a generally well-put-together effort that has the dubious distinction of being the film debut of classic actor Terence Stamp in the title role. A fine sea tale that serves as a morality play on innocence and evil, I feel it manages to capture the essence of Melville's style and encourage curious casual viewers to give it a shot.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-DVD-R-Robert-Ryan/dp/B00QLWR45U/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=billy+budd+1962&qid=1606978859&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-Blu-ray-Terence-Stamp/dp/B07F1FRRRB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-Terence-Stamp/dp/B085LVCFZ3/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=billy+budd+1962&qid=1606978859&sr=8-1


And so 2020 comes to a close. It's been a very taxing year, to say the least. May better days be ahead of us.

November is upon us. Now we approach the Thanksgiving season and another presidential election. These are troubling times indeed. I would imaging that there's a lot of anxiety going around, so here's some lighter fare to get you through the coming weeks.

Reading: King Solomon's Mines (1885) by H. Rider Haggard

Often considered to be the first "lost world" novel, Haggard's breakthrough was one of the most popular novels of its time, rivaling Treasure Island and influencing later writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Arthur Conan Doyle as well as films and comic books in the 20th century; it continues to be highly regarded to this day, despite some racial tastes of the age. The story follows aged big game hunter Allan Quatermain, who is approached by a wealthy aristocrat and his friend to search for his missing brother, who disappeared into the depths of Africa in search of a lost treasure trove of diamonds reported to belong to King Solomon himself; what they will find is a lost African kingdom ruled by a ruthless tyrant and his wizened hag advisor, who fear the return of the lost rightful prince of the land. A precursor to the Indiana Jones stories, it's an exciting, glamorous ride into exotic places with constant danger, a piece of history not to be forgotten.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812966295?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012E3J4C?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Steven Spielberg, 1984)

The second Indiana Jones feature - set chronologically before the first - finds the adventurer escaping from a Chinese gangster in Shanghai with a lounge singer and a child sidekick in tow to the midst of India, where he stumbles upon a village where the children have been abducted. His attempt to rescue the children takes him to a lavish palace that serves as a front for the Kali-worshipping Thuggee cult, which uses the captives as slave labor to search for the sacred Sankara Stones which they believe will give them absolute power. A much darker film than its predecessor (one which inadvertently let to the creation of the PG-13 rating by the MPAA), this entry is nevertheless a rousing and wonderful addition to the canon, taking advantage of the recent THX special effects technology to deliver a polished, fascinating experience. Despite initial mixed reception, it has overcome it in recent years and remains a must-see.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Special/dp/B0014Z4ON4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&dchild=1&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Blu-ray/dp/B00FZIIYSW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Harrison/dp/B00GIXNAKU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&dchild=1&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-1



So that's all for November. I hope that better days lie in store for all of us.

And so fall has come. Not much seems to have changed, and I'm sure that many of us are feeling a little anxious about things in the political sphere, but if you need to pass the time and take your mind off of things, then I have some seasonal recommendations for the witching season. I hope you like them.

Reading: The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson

Widely considered to be the best haunted house novel of the genre, as well as one of the cornerstones of 20th century horror literature, this novel forgoes visceral violence and much of the literal definition of "horror" for slow-building, psychological terror in the vein of Henry James in addition to thoughtful character studies. The premise is that a scientist, wishing to find physical evidence of the supernatural, assembles a small group of individuals with a history of otherworldly encounters in an ancient hillside mansion rather infamous for its sordid history; over time, unnatural happenings begin to occur as it seems that the house is trying to bring one of the team members under its influence. Written by one of the most respected authors in American literature today, this literary chiller is a significant leap beyond the genre's tawdry clichés and should be read at least once by anyone who loves a well-constructed story.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039989/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+of+hill+house&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Trade [Deluxe]: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143129376/ref=tmm_pap_title_2?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Horror/dp/0143122355/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B004SS1MJI/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2



Viewing: The Haunting (Robert Wise, 1963)

For such a good book, we got an equally good film adaptation. Despite a few character and plot changes, the film mostly follows the novel closely enough, making it one of the most acclaimed horror films ever made. Helmed by the renowned director of such genre classics as The Day the Earth Stood Still, the film is strengthened by both its excellent cast and its claustrophobic set design; the result is a set-piece of subtle macabre overtones and slow-building terror as the mystery of the house is explored. It's definitely a must-see and, in my opinion, infinitely superior to both the panned 1999 remake and the well-received but significantly different 2018 Netflix miniseries.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Julie-Harris/dp/B0045HCJJE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2K0EA3LO7R2CO&keywords=the+haunting+blu+ray&qid=1601570211&sprefix=the+haunting+blu%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Blu-ray-Nelson-Gidding/dp/B00DBNLBAQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2K0EA3LO7R2CO&dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+blu+ray&qid=1601570211&sprefix=the+haunting+blu%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Julie-Harris/dp/B004WNTGYM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+1963&qid=1601570243&sr=8-1


And that's all for now. Enjoy the Halloween season!

I just found this on Facebook through editor/author Ellen Kushner. It's just one more step in the legitimization and mainstream acceptance of fantasy literature, and I thought you all might like to know about it. Personally, if I had the money and travel expenses, I probably would consider studying there myself. Oh well.

https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/university-of-glasgow-centre-fantasy-literature-dungeons-and-dragons-game-of-thrones-644860?fbclid=IwAR1NIdrl1FZE0bLs_APlJZUGdHJqEsdGyTNZWWY7Yb9oRS6OOVEnDSNj7to

So what do think about it?

So now we come to September and the beginning of fall. Oddly enough, it hasn't felt like much of a summer, due to the pandemic, so I'll admit to feeling a bit cheated. Still, one has to try to stay positive. In other news, I'll be turning 33 on the 19th of this month, though that might mean much to anyone but myself. Anyway, here are the recommendations.

Reading: Robinson Crusoe (1719) by Daniel Defoe

One of the earliest contenders to the distinction of being the first English novel, this is the book that prompted me to add adventure titles to the recommendations. The narrative follows the misfortunes and eventual spiritual renewal of one Robinson Crusoe, a man seemingly made for tragedy, as he faces three disastrous sea voyages, the third leading him to be the sole human survivor of a shipwreck on a deserted island somewhere in the South American Atlantic. For 27 years, he manages to survive by constructing living quarters and raising wild goats and wheat, eventually rescuing a captured islander whom he dubs "Friday", before outwitting mutineers and securing his escape. A landmark in realistic fiction upon first publication, the book has remained a perennial classic for generations, although some sympathies will not match up to modern moral standards. Being the originator of an entire subgenre of novel - the "Robinsonade" - it is well worth checking out  both for the compelling story and the historical value.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451530772?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375757325?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AZ2V1U?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (John Huston, 1948)

Based on the 1927 novel by the enigmatic B. Traven, this movie - touted as one of the greatest of all time - follows a trio of poor Americans who prospect for gold in Mexico; while they come close to securing their fortunes, greed and paranoia eventually drive them violently apart, leading to disaster and death. An ingenious blend of Western, adventure and film noir, it features one of the best performances of Humphrey Bogart's career as the shifty Fred C. Dobbs, as well as an Oscar-winning role for Walter Huston as the experienced Howard, not to mention veteran Western star Tim Holt rounding out the trio as the straight-laced Bob Curtin. A high benchmark in the career of John Huston, the film remains as searing and impactful today as when it first premiered.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Sierra-Madre-Humphrey-Bogart/dp/B0049985XW/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1599185775&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Sierra-Madre-Blu-ray/dp/B001P829VY/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=the+treasure+of+the+sierra+madre&qid=1599185775&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Sierra-Madre-Humphrey-Bogart/dp/B001EBWIUO/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+treasure+of+the+sierra+madre&qid=1599185775&sr=8-2


Well, that's all for September. I hope that the fall will prove to be better on all of our spirits.

Well, here we are in August. With all that's been going on, it sure has felt different. I mean, it might be the last full month of summer technically, but for those of us trying to keep safe, it probably hasn't felt like much of a summer anyway. I hope next year is better.

Anyway, the recommendations this month are a bit artsy and probably outside of the comfort zones of the average fan, but I think it's worth a shot.

Reading: Roadside Picnic (1972) by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

In the aftermath of a mysterious visitation by unseen aliens, several landing sites throughout the world have been classified into "Zones", where strange phenomena happen. Redrick "Red" Schuhart is a "stalker" - one who makes illegal expeditions into the Zones in order to retrieve special artifacts to sell on the black market - who, upon an ordinary excursion going wrong, finds himself drawn into a lifetime of underground double-dealing in order to provide for his family, which is also tainted by the influence of the Zones. Perhaps the most well-known work outside of their home country by arguably the most popular science fiction authors in the Russian language, this novel, which underwent heavy censorship by Soviet authorities, remains an influential text, having introduced the word stalker into the Russian language and serving as an inspiration for film, video games, and literature; it remained out of print in the United States for nearly thirty years before a brand new translation appeared in 2012 (which is linked to below).

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Picnic-Rediscovered-Classics-Strugatsky/dp/1613743416/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596571857&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Picnic-Rediscovered-Classics-Strugatsky-ebook/dp/B0087GJ5WI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596571857&sr=1-1-791c2399-d602-4248-afbb-8a79de2d236f



Viewing: Stalker (Andrei Tartovsky, 1979)

The final film made in his native homeland by one of the world's most respected film directors, Stalker is a loose adaptation of the Strugatsky brothers' Roadside Picnic (featuring a screenplay which they themselves wrote), only more abstract and philosophical, featuring long, quiet takes and surreal imagery. Three unidentified men - referred to only as the "Stalker", the "Writer", and the "Professor" - breach the security of the highly fortified, mysterious Zone in search of a strange artifact - a room said to grant the secret desires of whoever enters it; each man has his own reasons for seeking out the Room, which are gradually revealed throughout the film. While quite slow and cerebral compared to both the book and other films at the time, it has since transcended its initial mixed reception to be one of Tartakovsky's most acclaimed works and may probably reward dedicated viewings.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-Feature-Alisa-Freyndlikh/dp/B071YCQJRD/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596571910&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-Feature-Blu-ray-Alisa-Freyndlikh/dp/B06ZY641YQ/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596571910&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Stalker-English-Subtitled-Alisa-Freindlikh/dp/B073X5Z5HX/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596571910&sr=8-2

That's all I got for now. I hope I haven't recommended anything too off-putting or unenjoyable. See you next month!

This is sort of old news now, but I've been meaning to bring this up for a few days.

Anyway, the news is that Wizards of the Coast, publishers of the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game (which they acquired from TSR in 1997), have announced that they are going to be making some cosmetic changes to the games to better represent diversity and change alleged racist content. I first found the announcement on Tor.com, which can be read below and which also links directly to the company statement:

https://www.tor.com/2020/06/29/wizards-of-the-coast-takes-steps-towards-changing-racist-dungeons-dragons-content/

I can't say for sure, but I think that, once upon a time, I might have been a bit troubled by this "politically correct" move, but as I am increasingly finding myself distanced from both straight right or left ideologies, I applaud their intentions. For one thing, here is an article on Black Gate that's also worth reading on the subject:

https://www.blackgate.com/2020/06/30/inherent-evil-is-lazy/

As I've grown more fond of stories, I can see the benefits to this from a writing standpoint. Fantasy - and by extension all genre fiction - can't stay in a bubble or it will stagnate. Yes, that may mean it gives a platform to some positions that you might not necessarily agree with, but if you shut out those voices, then it comes across as exclusionary. It can't stay the same way that it was in the 1950s. The genre needs to grow and adapt to modern developments in culture and even shed a lot of its more problematic material.

For one thing, I don't think that it was ever meant to be that way in the first place, and at least from my limited "research", genre fans have been making these arguments for years. For instance, take the announcement from both links regarding the characterizations of orcs and dark elves (drow), both typical fantasy archetypes. Now some may argue that this may come across as a denial of evil in the world, that what should be called out as sinful and despicable is being treated as valid. However, I don't think the authors and creators of such characters ever meant for them to be necessarily inherently evil - that's just something that imitators and followers have exaggerated and taken out of context. I'm thinking in particular about J. R. R. Tolkien and the orcs. While some, again, may decry this as a move by "PC culture", from what I've read, Tolkien always had difficulty in reconciling his own depictions of the orcs with his devout Catholic beliefs, hence why The Silmarillion was unfinished at the time of his death. It seems that his plan for Middle-earth was always for evil to be a deliberate CHOICE, not something inherent, as if comparatively unattractive species are diabolical by nature, but he had difficulty in finding a proper solution. Everyone who read and capitalized on the books simply ran with the ugly-is-evil and born-evil narratives, to the consternation of many who realized the unfortunate implications. The choices of Wizards of the Coast in this case are simply a long overdue correction of something taken far beyond the original context.

So I'm glad that they're making the effort, because, in a world that's increasingly ambiguous and polarized, treating everything as black and white seems a little too simplistic and reductionist now. In order to be more truthful and honest, writing needs to acknowledge the complexity of life.

So what's you're opinion on the decision? Do you think that "inherent evil" is a lazy way out in writing? How do you go about reconciling right and wrong with ambiguity?

Well, just when it looks like we might be getting a bit better, we're pretty much back to where we started. That's the bad news, unfortunately. I'm afraid I don't have much good news for you, but I do have some recommendations to pass your time. Hopefully, they're keep you light-hearted in these troubling times.

Reading: The Three Musketeers (1844) by Alexandre Dumas

One of the most popular international books of the 19th century (and the title that forever cemented my interest in historical fiction), Dumas's legendary adventure of the young Gascon d'Artagnan and his three companions in the King's Musketeers - grim Athos, jovial Porthos, and mercurial Aramis - pitted against the wiles of Cardinal Richelieu and his scheming agent, Milady de Winter, is one of the most fast-paced, joyfully readable classics that I have had the pleasure of coming across, much of that depending on the translation (Victorian censors of the times eliminated most of the innuendos and sexual underpinings of the original text). The version offered in the links below is a recent translation from 2018 for Pegasus Books by noted RPG-scribe/swashbuckling enthusiast Lawrence Ellsworth, which captures all the excitement of the original French without being anachronistic; as of this writing, Mr. Ellsworth is in the process of retranslating the complete Musketeer Cycle, so keep an eye out for future titles down the line.

Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Musketeers-Cycle/dp/1681776146/ref=tmm_hrd_title_7?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593974270&sr=8-3
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Musketeers-Alexandre-Dumas/dp/1643130404/ref=tmm_pap_title_30?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1593974270&sr=8-3
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Musketeers-Alexandre-Dumas-ebook/dp/B074D4BYCF/



Viewing: The Adventures of Robin Hood (Michael Curtiz and William Keighley, 1938)

Despite some admirable and memorable attempts in the modern era, I think few could deny that this classic swashbuckler is probably the best cinematic depiction of the legendary guardian of Sherwood Forest, played stalwartly by Errol Flynn in one of the most iconic roles of his career. Featuring a supporting cast including Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian (in the third of nine pairings with Flynn), Claude Rains as Prince John, and Basil Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne, the film - a popular hit for Warner Bros. - stands as one of the most iconic adventure films in the history of the industry, aided by one of the great film scores of Erich Wolfgang Korngold as well as one of cinema's most legendary climactic swordfights. Whether you're 1 or 100, it's a treasure to revisit any day.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Robin-Hood-Various/dp/B00407PNWO/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=the+adventures+of+robin+hood&qid=1593974456&sr=8-5
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Robin-Hood-Blu-ray/dp/B0013N3DSE/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=the+adventures+of+robin+hood&qid=1593974456&sr=8-5
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Robin-Hood-Errol-Flynn/dp/B001NVIZ3E/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+adventures+of+robin+hood&qid=1593974456&sr=8-2

Well, that's all for now. I hope the coming months will find us in better spirits.

This post was originally going to be titled "The Enduring Appeal of the Western", but I felt that came across as more of a statement than a question, and this is definitely more of a question. Also, you might remember that I made a post a long time ago asking a similar question about horror (and I EVENTUALLY want to return to that post), and this post is deliberately meant to mimic that.

So, to get right to the point, I want to talk about Westerns. Comparatively speaking, in the long history of literature, the Western - by which I mean stories set primarily in the Western United States in the general years of 1865-1910 - is rather new and, dare I say it, distinctly American in the sense that it's regionally and topically American, although I guess that other countries have their own frontier literature as well. Much like contemporary fantasy, science fiction, and horror, Westerns are tied to cheap pulp fiction and "dime novels" as opposed to "serious" literature, and the writers of Westerns have subsequently spent a good deal of effort in justifying their existence, although there has been a good number of authors who have managed to turn out Westerns that have received serious critical attention.

However, while speculative fiction has risen in popularity and turned a corner in its public perception, you could make a case that the great days of the Western are behind it. From the end of the 1970's onward, Westerns have been steadily declining to the point where one would assume that they are pretty much obsolete and burned out. Yet there is still a sizeable authorship and complementary readership for the Western today, and I would say that the lack of quantity has subsequently led to a rise in quality.

Still, the genre has some historically recurring problematic elements with regards to representation and politics, at least in regards to the portrayals of Native Americans and women as well as a perceived glorification of violence, toxic masculinity, and "Manifest Destiny." So, in this day and age, why is there still such a fascination with the American West? Why do these stories keep coming up again and again?

I ask this slightly rhetorically because, personally, I love Westerns. I didn't use to, of course. Back in my teenage years, soaked in fantasy and video games, Westerns were reserved for something that the old people watched on Turner Classic Movies in the nursing homes but never really held my interest. Then, in my community college years, as part of a project in one of my English classes, I saw Clint Eastwood's final Western film, 1992's Best Picture winner Unforgiven, and I can only say that I was blown away with how good it was (subsequently, Unforgiven is definitely in my top 20, if not my top 10, favorite movies I've ever seen). As a result, I've seen more and more classic Westerns over the years, and my fondness for the genre has grown, despite my reservations with some of the issues I've already mentioned. I also wouldn't have been caught dead reading Western fiction in the past, but as of the writing of this post - June 6, 2020 - I can now count two Western novels among some of my favorite reads: Charles Portis's True Grit (1968) and Jack Schaefer's Shane (1949).

So what is your experience with Westerns and why do you think it has such a hold over the public to this day, though somewhat lessened with time? What's so special about them that we keep revisiting them and creating them? Is this an unhealthy obsession with an era best left to the history books, or is there something timeless in the Western that will never go out of style that can be harnessed for constructive purposes?

I'm a little late here, but better now than never.

Well, we're in June now, and summer is just around the corner. However, while we have started to open up, thing just keep getting bad. I don't know how to help, as it seems everyone thinks they have the right solution.

In lighter news, I've been given the go-ahead to incorporate other non-fantasy genres into the recommendations, so, with a slight cheat, here are some adventurous titles.

Reading: Treasure Island (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson

One of my absolute favorite books, this quick read - easily finished in a couple days or less - is the definitive codifier of the modern pirate mythos, following young Jim Hawkins as a brief association with an old sailor at his parents' establishment leads to the discovery of a treasure map which points to the location of the horde of the notorious pirate Captain Flint; teaming up with a noble doctor, a bumbling magistrate, and a dutiful sea captain, Jim gets roped into danger quickly when the crew of the ship is revealed to be a secret gang of pirates, led by the legendary one-legged sea cook Long John Silver, a man both dangerously charismatic and surprisingly sympathetic. A classic of Victorian boys' adventure tales, Stevenson's first novel is a bare-bones, rip-snorting riot of a story which shouldn't fail to get your sea legs going.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140437681?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Island-Signet-Classics-Stevenson/dp/1101990325/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AFX4DRI?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Raiders of the Lost Ark (Steven Spielberg, 1981)

A watershed in the history of action/adventure films, the first installment of the exploits of occult archaeologist/professor Indiana Jones is considered by many to be one of the greatest films ever made, and for good reason, being a collaboration between visionary director Spielberg and Star Wars creator/writer George Lucas. A homage to the old serials of the Golden Age of Hollywood, this story finds Dr. Jones on the trail of Nazis who seek to unearth the location of the biblical Ark of the Covenant in an effort to make Hitler invincible, tangling with both an old childhood flame and an unscrupulous competitor. Relentlessly fast-paced - so much so that it may be taken for granted today - the film, in my own personal opinion, still holds up to this day and remains a personal favorite.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Raiders-Lost-ARK/dp/B0014Z4OMU/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591234469&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Raiders-Lost-Blu-ray/dp/B00FZIJ18Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2F23ACOSWK882&dchild=1&keywords=raiders+of+the+lost+ark+blu-ray&qid=1591234469&sprefix=raiders+of%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Raiders-Lost-Ark/dp/B00GIWIPVA/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591234469&sr=8-3

Well, that's all for now. I hope we have better days ahead of us. Until then, I'll see you all around.

Recently, I've been thinking about things. While I kind of want to make a large post about it, it's usual for my interest to peter out as I get going, so I'll just try to say what I can. It pertains mostly to reading, though other forms of media fall under it too.

As you may have noticed from my constant posts on the subject, I have a particular obsession with books. Buying books has pretty much replaced my childhood/adolescent fixation on video games, though I'll admit that I still treasure video games and long to get back to them at some point. It's been slow going, what with budgeting myself and even replacing some of the books I previously got with what I feel are nicer, more informative editions. But in a short period - in the span of a couple recent weeks, it seems - books have won me over in a different way, though it's been some time coming, I guess.

You see, I've been spending a lot of time surfing the Internet not just looking for books to buy but reading ABOUT books. I feel that the more I know about the history of a book and its author, the more I enjoy it, which is why I guess I get so enthusiastically excited about getting new books. I'd also like to draw attention to a quote from the last episode of the popular yet controversial Game of Thrones TV series, spoken by the character of Tyrion Lannister:

"What unites people? Armies? Gold? Flags? Stories. There's nothing more powerful than a good story. Nothing can stop it. No enemy can defeat it."

Whether it's movies, video games, books, television, or anything else, nothing beats stories. We can't live without stories. Both directly and indirectly, I've been raised on stories, and I love finding them. As a result, I find that, as much as a good video game, there is an inestimable joy to reading - the pleasure of getting lost in a good tale well told (because I feel a good story depends on how it's told). I've made posts and topics in the past talking about my love of fantasy, and while that hasn't abated, I can't say that I don't favor any other genres any less. No matter what kind of book it is, I can get completely enthralled by it. To speak of some of my most recent selections, it's been wonderful to get pulled into Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and island survival adventures, or the rollicking bravado of Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers, or Charles Dickens's satirical genius in The Pickwick Papers, or even the sheer epic romantic ambition that is Victor Hugo's Les Misérables. Even now, I'm thinking of what I'm going to read next, and I'm excited for it. I just can't get enough of it, and it's taken me so long to fully appreciate it, if I really have reached that point.

But the joy of stories can't be forced. While my high school education was inevitable, the concept of "required reading", though I guess it serves a purpose, rather irks me because I don't think you can make someone enjoy reading - it has to be something you find for yourself. What's more, I really do greatly enjoy old books, but that might not be to everyone's taste, so I would say that it's important to read books that interest YOU personally. Don't necessarily depend on what a bunch of old men have deemed worthy of the "Western Canon" - read whatever you can get your hands on, but do it with caution. Spend your time on good books.

I think there was more I was going to say, but I believe I've forgotten it already. Oh well. At least you have what I've started to get a discussion going, if you should so choose.

Well, May is here, and, like it or not, it looks like we might still be staying indoors for a while. So, until the restrictions pass, here are a few recommendations to pass the time. Some you might have seen before, but I'm kind of running out of titles myself, and it's never a bad thing to revisit classics. I still want to open up the scope of the recommendations to make up for my shortcomings, but until I get the word to do so, I still have a few titles left right now.

Reading: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld (1974) by Patricia A. McKillip

Sybel, daughter of the wizard Ogam, lives on Eld Mountain in Eldwold, surrounded by beasts of legends past - except one, the Liralen, which she desires most to possess - and cares nothing for the world of men...until a young knight brings an infant to her doorstep. Reluctant at first, she takes the child as her own and grows fond of him, but when his father, the King of Eldwold, comes to claim him, this sets off a chain of events that will send her on a path of bitterness and vengeance that may bring war to the world. The inaugural winner of the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1975, McKillip's first novel, published at age 26, is an extraordinarily natural work, a fantasy of what seems an effortless, otherworldly nature; ostensibly for young adults, it is hailed as a modern classic by some and continues to draw new readers in to this day.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616962771/?coliid=I1FA5GE5JCG3R&colid=8VP4IOWRKQ0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Beasts-Eld-Patricia-McKillip-ebook/dp/B083G6HS76/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&coliid=I1FA5GE5JCG3R&colid=8VP4IOWRKQ0&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Ladyhawke (Richard Donner, 1985)

From the director of The Omen, Superman, The Goonies and the Lethal Weapon franchise comes this medieval fairy tale about two lovers cursed by a jealous bishop to live out half-lives - the woman by day as a hawk, and the man by night as a wolf. Into this mix comes a young thief, newly escaped from the dungeons of the bishop, who soon finds that he may be key to breaking the curse. Beautifully shot with wonderful acting (see Leo McKern as the jovial, penitent friar Imperius), period-appropriate costumes, and an interesting yet blatantly anachronistic soundtrack (courtesy of progressive rock outfit The Alan Parsons Project), it's a quite underrated film that probably deserves more than just a cult following.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Ladyhawke-Rutger-Hauer/dp/B01LTHXLWQ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ladyhawke&qid=1588382191&sr=8-4
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Ladyhawke-Blu-ray-Rutger-Hauer/dp/B00W81K9C8/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ladyhawke&qid=1588382191&sr=8-4
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Ladyhawke-Rutger-Hauer/dp/B000PY6BBI/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ladyhawke&qid=1588382191&sr=8-1

So that's it for May. I hope to hear good things from you all very soon!

I've been thinking about things recently. I'm not going to stop doing the recommended reading or my blog series (although the latter is on hiatus due to me not prioritizing it), but here's the thing: I want to expand my horizons somewhat, and, to be honest, I'm only a slow-to-average-speed reader - it usually takes me a while to complete a book, and since I tend to pick up or put down depending on what strikes my mood, I can have 3 or even 5 books going at once now. Therefore, I'm having a bit of difficulty delivering the right recommended reading on time, since I still keep to the rule of recommending only those books which I have personally read or started myself.

So, to broaden my choices, here's what I want to ask. Would it be alright if I recommend and blog about books that don't really have to do with speculative fiction? By that, I'm talking about titles that don't have any fantasy/science fiction/horror elements to them. It kind of goes against the unspoken purpose of this site, I guess, but when I think about the common themes in the books I read and the movies and video games I've experienced, a couple things seem to be present in all of my favorites: a sense of adventure, definite thrills, and a strong attachment to history. Thus, I would like my future choices for recommendations and blog entries to include:

-adventure fiction/romances (stories of quests or incredible happenstance filled with danger and/or excitement)
-thrillers (action, suspense, mystery and related subjects)
-historical fiction (stories explicitly dealing with the subjects of the near/distant past)

While I know Raven has given me a lot of freedom in what I've focused on so far, I don't want to go forward with this without the explicit approval of everyone else who participates on this site (which usually means just Raven). Would you accept these subjects in the recommended reading and the blog, or do you think I'm going too far and I should just stick to fantasy and fantastic themes?

Well, it's April already, and Spring is here...as well as a new viral pandemic, which is discouraging public socialization and will probably have lasting consequences for the world economy. In other words, it's dire times. Many of you are probably staying at home now and are in need of entertainment. Well, it may be a last minute choice for me, but given the circumstances, maybe you may need it right now.

Reading: Peter Pan a.k.a. Peter and Wendy (1911) by J. M. Barrie

One of the most famous stories of the 20th century, the brief tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up is now so ingrained into the public consciousness that it needs no introduction. Will all the various adaptations over the years, it's still worthwhile to check out the original novel, which Barrie tells with delightfulness and charm. Everything is there as one would remember it: sprite-like Peter Pan whisking away the Darling children to the dreamlike Neverland, where they meet mermaids, Indians (an unfortunate racial stereotype), and pirates led by the malicious Captain James Hook - a villain if ever there was one. A simple story on the surface, subsequent critics have ascertained deeper, more mature themes peeking out of the narrative. It's a great tale whether you're 1 or 101.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/081297297X/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1585710507&sr=8-2
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Modern-Library-Classics-ebook/dp/B000FC2IQW/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=peter+pan+modern+library+kindle&qid=1585716977&sr=8-2



Viewing: Peter Pan (P. J. Hogan, 2003)

Less well-known than the Disney animated film and Steven Spielberg's "sequel" is this adaptation from the Australian director of romantic comedies such as Muriel's Wedding and My Best Friend's Wedding. A box office disappointment upon release, having tragically gone up against The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the Kings, the film nevertheless was praised by critics for its general faithfulness to the source material. Managing to balance lighthearted humor with darker, almost frightening fantasy material and buoyed by a terrific cast, this may just be the best cinematic version of Barrie's story released to date. If you have the time and you want an alternative to the more popular titles, check this one out.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Widescreen-P-Hogan/dp/B0001HAISG/ref=tmm_dvd_title_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585710527&sr=8-7
Blu Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Blu-ray-P-Hogan/dp/B004GXKBFQ/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585710527&sr=8-7
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pan-Jason-Isaacs/dp/B002EX7GBC/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585710527&sr=8-7

Hopefully, this will keep you pleasantly occupied. Stay safe and, as always, remember to wash your hands!

And so we move into March, with Spring and Daylight Saving Time right around the corner. This month, I have some medieval-themed recommendations in mind that may pique some users' interests for sure, both being classics. So let's get to it.

Reading: Three Hearts and Three Lions (1961) by Poul Anderson

One of sci-fi legend Anderson's most important fantasies, this tale follows Danish engineer Holger Carlsen, who, during a secret missing in WWII, is mysteriously transported to another world, one where the French chansons du geste are reality and he himself seems to be a character of great importance. In order to return his own world, Carlsen, accompanied by a noble dwarf, a young swan-may, and a Christian Saracen, and aided by his scientific background, must fulfill his purpose in the "Middle World", caught between the opposing forces of Law and Chaos, and find out exactly who he is and why he is so revered and feared. A novel-length expansion of an earlier novella, this classic high fantasy is one of the titles for which the author himself wished to be best remembered, and as such, it's a compelling and engrossing page-turner sure to please fans of Tolkien, Lewis, and other masters of fantastic literature.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Hearts-Lions-Poul-Anderson/dp/1504054962/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1583115119&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Hearts-Lions-Poul-Anderson-ebook/dp/B016CQUL4U/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1583115119&sr=8-1



Viewing: The Secret of Kells (Tomm Moore, 2009)

Young Brendan is an inquisitive lad living at the Abbey of Kells under the watch of his stern uncle when a newly arrived abbot - a master illuminator carrying a special book - enlists his help in finishing the manuscript. To do so will bring Brendan into the nearby woods, where he will encounter both a mischievous faerie and an vicious Celtic deity, but the real danger lies in the invading Viking hordes who draw ever closer to the abbey. Inspired by both Celtic mythology and such works as Richard Williams's groundbreaking unfinished magnum opus, The Thief and the Cobbler, this rather brief Academy Award nominated Franco-Belgian-Irish co-production is one of the most magnificently animated films of the modern era and a love letter to classic hand-drawn animation that should not be missed by anyone. Believe me, you won't regret it!

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Kells-Brendan-Gleeson/dp/B0036TGSW6/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1583115337&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray/DVD Combo: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Kells-Blu-ray-DVD-Combo/dp/B0036TGSWG/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1583115337&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Kells-Brendan-Gleeson/dp/B0045XIFQY/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1583115337&sr=8-3


That's all for this month, but before I go, I have to REALLY insist that you see the movie listed above. It's one of the most surprisingly engrossing movies I've ever seen. To drive the point home, if you haven't seen it already, here's the trailer for it to give you a taste of what you're in for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UuUOXfiz9Q

See you next month!

It's Leap Year, everybody! I don't know what difference it makes in your life (aside from paradoxes in being apprenticed to pirates), but I just thought that I should remind everyone of that. I can't say that my choices for this month are any more special than other months, but they're definitely fantasy related to some extent.

Reading: Kull: Exile of Atlantis (2006) by Robert E. Howard

The forerunner to the later, more renown Conan stories, Howard's Hyborian Age first came into being with these introspective yet exciting sword-and-sorcery tales featuring the Atlantean king of Valusia. Only three of the stories (one being a crossover with another serialized character) were published in Weird Tales during Howard's tragically brief lifetime, which is a shame, because they all resonate deeply as adventures of courage, heroism, and swordplay. Filled with action and evocative images, this collection is not be missed for those interested in the pulp origins of fantasy.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Kull-Exile-Atlantis-Robert-Howard/dp/0345490177/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580590333&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Kull-Exile-Atlantis-Robert-Howard-ebook/dp/B000MAH7PE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580590333&sr=8-1



Viewing: Brazil (Terry Gilliam, 1985)

The middle child of Gilliam's loosely connected "trilogy" (which includes Time Bandits and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen), this Orwellian satire follows a lowly employee in a bureaucratically dystopian future who finds himself assigned to rectify an error which caused an innocent man to be mistaken for a terrorist; in the midst of his frequent daydreams of escape, he becomes embroiled in the real terrorist's disruptive actions and eventually finds himself a target of the government's machinations. Blending the usual Pythonesque humor with bleak social commentary, the film is something of a high point in Gilliam's career, a European success that managed to achieve cult status in the States. If you liked Bandits and Munchausen, you'll not want to miss this one.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Brazil-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray-Jonathan/dp/B009D004X6/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1580590666&sr=8-4
Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/Brazil-Jonathan-Pryce/dp/B00D6BQQ0S/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HRQK2H62KE4R&keywords=brazil+1985&qid=1580590666&sprefix=brazil+1%2Caps%2C311&sr=8-1


I know it's quite a mishmash of styles. I had trouble finding a movie - I had an idea, but I think I'm going to save it for another month, probably during the fall holidays. Anyway, I hope you enjoy them if you have time (and the money) for them. See you next month!