August 19 , 2006
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watching HBO rome
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Posted at 05:00 EST
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I finally got my pre-ordered HBO Rome season one in the mail early this week and have been steady marathoning the episodes since Thursday. I think I'm the last active AW Roman to watch the thing, but I can see what the fuss is all about. I'm completely hooked! My favorite character is (by far) Atia of the Julii. I want to be her when I grow up. Husband's favorite is Titus Pullo, can't blame him. Funny well crafted character, you can't wait to see what bs he gets himself into next. Only on episode 5 right now, will probably watch the rest tonight. |
September 29 , 2005
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favorite horror novels
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Posted at 21:30 EST
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This is an updated post of my favorite novels in the horror genre..
THE WITCHING HOUR - Anne Rice
I actually read this book ages ago, but have re-read it twice now. Anne Rice really creates a fabulous world in most of her novels, and this one is I think the best. You can see this house, see it's ghosts, see these crazy women. Great read.
THE DESCENT - Jeff Long
Fabulous book! Enthralling, horrifying, absorbing and just unbelievable writing! Really! Humanity has been unfortunate enough to find an alter-race existing underground in caverns, they have horns, eat their dead, and practice ritual scarification to please their God. Their God who is in fact, the Devil. This is one of the best books I've ever read. My husband's current favorite as well.
Vampire Chronicles - Anne Rice.
Of course, this must be included. I only liked the first (interview) and the third (Queen of the Damned) personally, but did find them extrodinairy detailed reads, and very enjoyable. Especially that third. Many did not like it, but me? Well, 4000 yr old Egyptians, and a lost race of Redheaded Witches, what do you think?! Also, recently read the latest in this series, called Blood and Gold, about a Roman vampire, Marius. Most of the recent vampire chronicles have frankly sucked ass, but this one was a suprising exception. Loved it!
IT - Stephen King
I read this book in HighSchool years ago, but is still one of my all time favorites. Very absorbing, very frightening, one of the few books that I've read with all the lights on!
The Last Vampire - Whitley Strieber
I love this book! His first in this series, the Hunger was made into a movie and very popular, but I didn't enjoy it as much as this one personally. This one details how the 'Keepers' (vampires) were the originating race, and Kept humans as cattle, interbreeding them and causing their advance out of caves and into cities and technology. A very scary, but sexy book!
THE ALIENIST - Caleb Carr
I can't believe this book hasn't been made into a movie yet! There's been alot of talk it will eventually though. Great book, very popular, but very good. 19th Century forensic work, Serial killers, cut and ripped child prostitutes, all the basics for good frightening reading.
THE HEART OF A WITCH - Judith Hawkes
By all accounts, very much a 'fluff-read', but this book captured my imagination more than any other of it's genre recently. The story is just spooky, and very engrossing. And for once, the main charactor isn't such a great person. (I'm so tired of books being written from the 'heroines' point of view)
Some books that I would like to read are The Exorcist (I've heard the book is fantastic), Stephen King's The Shining, Lilith - the third book in Whitley Strieber's vampire series, and and and.. I can't think of any more!
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July 1 , 2005
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Damn that Anna Hippon
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Posted at 11:00 EST
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She's alerted me (by accident on her part) to a new book out by my favorite author; Tom Robbins. I do not think there is a single other writer in the universe like him, he is wholly unique. Twisted, hilarious, outlandish writing guaranteed with every book. He is also known for having two stories in one book, one now and another in ancient times though his books do not have a historical fiction feel to it.
An excerpt of my old review on skinny legs and all (favorite book of all time);
Every book by Tom Robbins, but ESPECIALLY Skinny Legs and All. Oh my god! Soo good! The main charactors are Cherie, an artist, Bud her large dumb newlywed husband, an Arab and a Jew who own a restaurant together across from the UN, a desert spoon a can of beans and a remarkable charactor duo (my favorite ever) of a walking stick and a conch shell. Dont ask!lol, just read it! History of Phoenicia, Goddess Worship, and the last phoenician princess' dance of the seven veils. Wow!
But also read Anna's journal with an excerpt of his latest title; From Villa Incognito by Tom Robbins
If your brain is off center and you enjoy fiction, this is a sure bet! Another title of his that I highly recommend is Jitterbug Perfume.
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February 18 , 2004
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Pandaemonium
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Posted at 05:00 EST
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After Vortigern mentioned to me that he watched and loved Jesus Son, another film I listed in favorites, I thought of this film Pandaemonium as it has the same lead actress. (Samantha Morton, from In America) and thought he would enjoy it as much as I did.
It's storyline is the rivalry and working relationship between poets Samuel Coleridge and William Wordsworth, set against the political upheaval of it's times. Although this is an historical film, it's not pretty and candlelit like most are. And it's fantastic, really. I highly recommend it, was one of the best films I saw that year.
Here are some links to it -
BBC -Films and reviews
IMDB's listing
Enjoy!
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February 10 , 2004
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I forgot some serious favorites!
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Posted at 10:00 EST
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Oops. How on earth could I leave out Fight Club?? "If I had a tumor, I would name it MARLA."
Also, books - cannot forget The Stand. Ok, I think Stephen King is a drooling idiot personally, and dont get me started on his movies (unless it's shawshank redemption...wait, that's another major movie favorite) or his trashing of Stanley Kubrick's Shining. (I LOVE Stan the man, cried when he died..hey that rhymed!) but some of his books are just fantastic. The Stand for one. heck, for two or three. GREAT book. Also Bag of Bones (recent one) and IT. Oldie but a goodie of his.
Ok, more movies.. Full Metal Jacket. Yes it's a war movie, yes it's bloody and crazy, and yes it's his best film in my opinion. (StanKubrick's I mean) It's so good, and not just because of the USMC sequences.
Farewell my Concubine -Sementaway agreed on this one. Great movie.
Speaking of Sem, I can't leave out her irish studmuffin's (Fenton) Monty Python, else he'll hit me with a stale biscuit or something. Though for me, personal favorite isn't Holy Grail (which is hilarious) but Meaning of Life.
Want great Monty Python pics? THEN GO HERE
 Also, in books A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Timeless and eloquant. But makes me hungry tired and feel like I'm dirty and starving every time I read it. |
February 3 , 2004
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More books, and some favorite movies
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Posted at 14:00 EST
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First the movies:
The Last Emperor - an all time favorite of mine. Joan Chen is stunning, and what a phenomenal actress. A Bernardo Bertolucci film, he is a fantastic director in that his films always have an artistic quality that I rarely if ever see elsewhere. In fact, when I think of his name, I see the color blood red and gold, he is such a vibrant worker. This film is no exception, it's like a brilliant canvas.
The Remains of the Day - Subtle, frustrating and very involving. It is not an action movie, it takes it's time in telling the story and building the charactors, very much as it should be imo. Rarely do I get so involved in a movie I'm yelling at the charactors, but this one every time I watch it I scream at Anthony Hopkins and his boss every 5 minutes. A movie enjoyable time after time for me.
The Road to Perdition - I LOVED this movie. Also took it's time to allow story to unfold, charactor build and involve the viewer. So well done, yes it's long, yes you have to have some time to set aside to really enjoy it fully, but it's a magnificent movie. Perfectly done, and I honestly think it's Paul Newman's best, well best that I can think of anyway. I like movies that don't rush everything with action, and allow the people to become real for me, involve me in their issues.
Ok, there are several more but I wont get in depth with reviews..
Jesus' Son - a movie that stayed with me in mind for a long time after viewing.
Pirates of the Carribean - lol, yep, I loved this movie, just big fun and am a big fan of Depp's anyway, and NO not because he's 'dreamy', but because he takes risks. (though i obviously mean in other movies, hell this is disney)
A Bug's Life - my favorite all time CG toony movie, it's SO funny and very well done.
Romper Stomper - dont ask. I enjoyed it though, and Russel Crowe was fabulous in it really.
Jean De Florette/Manon of the Spring, both fantastic flicks. The damned French get it right as usual. In fact, there are about 20 French films I'd rec'd given the time and room to do so.
Kama Sutra - A love story; Very beautiful film, a little too romantic for mosts tastes, but good. I am a big fan of Mira Nair's so am probably biased.
Lost Horizon - GREAT film!! Even in half restored form, one of the best films ever made (imo).
Leprechan - IN SPACE!; gorgeous filming, very artistic, just kidding.
As for books, I forgot to mention The Eight (also Magic Circle) one of my alltime favorite books, very good. And.. damn, I can't think straight. sorry, threw my back out and am in ALOT of pain today.
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January 8 , 2004
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Got a treasure trove of books in
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Posted at 18:00 EST
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From my mother, mom-in-law, and sister I got the best gifts ever, a huge load of new books to read. Some of them look to be future favorites, just really classic books.
One is 'The Nazi Officer's Wife' by Edith Hahn Beer. I got that one from my mom-in-law Brigitte, this subject is one we often discuss since she is German (moved to states in late 60's as a newlywed) and me being Jewish -from my mother's side. Looks like it will be a really good book.
Another is 'Call the Darkness Light' by Nancy Zaroulis. Also from my mom-in-law. Apparantly an older book, written in 1973, Brigitta says that this is one of her all-time favorite books ever, and that I will probably love it as it's good historical fiction.
My mother (also Shalom Nebuchadnazzar!) sent me tons of great books, all by Steinbeck. She's been really getting into his works lately, and I expressed a desire to read a few, not having read him since, hmm.. maybe 9th grade (I was a complete book nerd in HS, very very sad little thing, but loved to read!) and I absolutely cannot wait to start devouring these as well.
My sister (also lina Aristophanes here, lol! I know, we are a family of AW nutters!) sent me a load of books as well, her and I having very much the same tastes literary speaking, and well in pretty much everything else as well. One in particular I'm looking forward to is 'Revelations of the Dark Mother' by White Wolf. All about Lilith, a topic near and dear to both of us. Also really looking forward to rereading some favorites I lent her several years ago, since I was moving and could not take everything with me. This worked out great by the way, as now it's been some time that I've read them, and can happily reread them without remembering too much. Especially some favorites, Restoration by Rose Tremain (great book!) and my beloved In Watermelon Sugar by Richard Brautigan.
Great story, and always makes me think of when mr.2cheeses and I first met on the rifle range while in the Marines. He came over to the squad bay I was living in after that day carrying this book with him, and almost fled in terror for his life when Jake the Snake (my pet ball python) attacked him. I'd thought that Jake ran away, was very traumatizing for me. This guy I liked may kill my lost pet snake. I was more afraid for toms sanity though.
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September 27 , 2003
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adding to favorites!
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Posted at 03:23 EST
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I can't believe I forgot this one, but I have to add it in here. One of my recent all time favorite books (3 years recent anyway) is The Red Tent by Anita Diamont.
The story is of Dina of Bible legend, daughter of Jacob. The story is about her and her four Mothers and their trials and tribulations. She as the only female child of Jacob reminisces of the many trials and tribulations she experienced in childhood all centered around the Red Tent, where the women reside. Very fascinating read of women's lives at that time, detailing medical/herbal help, childbirth, and Goddess Worship seperate from the men's worship of El. Very very good, very engrossing. If you are a man reading this, don't discard this book for being a 'female book'. I was worried it was, but my husband read it as he was sick of hearing me talk about it and is as much if not more of a book lover than I am. He loved it, said it was just excellent story telling, regardless of sex. |
September 20 , 2003
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Favorites (so far)
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Posted at 20:36 EST
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I just know I'm going to come in here and delete some and add others, as like movies my favorites are constantly changing with my moods. I know alot of you wont even have heard of some of these, but I like some popular fiction, and some strange fiction! My life in reality is so wacky, I like my fiction to have equal parellels.
- The Entire Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. The first was the biggest suprise, as I thought it would be a romance novel and was going to trudge my way though it. The second and the fourth though are my absolute favorites.. just great storytelling!
- Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.. this book is written like the main (male) charactor has every right to act the way he does.. that the 14 yr old vixen wants it! Totally twisted, and that's great by me. It's hard to try to get someone to side with the villain.
- River God by Wilbur Smith... there are two more in the series, but I really only loved the first. My husband loved both the second and first, but what does he know!
- Sometimes a Strange Notion by Ken Kesey is a book that I was forced to read (by hubs, is his favorite aside from Ayn Rands Atlas Shrugged) and though it was until app 1 third of the way through the book that it finally sank it's hooks into me, I have to say this is not the best story, but by far the best writing I've ever read. Kesey is King!!
- Every book by Tom Robbins, but ESPECIALLY Skinny Legs and All. Oh my god! Soo good! The main charactors are Cherie, an artist, Bud her large dumb newlywed husband, an Arab and a Jew who own a restaurant together across from the UN, a desert spoon a can of beans and a remarkable charactor duo (my favorite ever) of a walking stick and a conch shell. Dont ask!lol, just read it! History of Phoenicia, Goddess Worship, and the last phoenician princess' dance of the seven veils. Wow!
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