Some November and December literary goodies to add to your holiday gift basket

As Halloween approaches, so does the rest of the holiday season and while it's become a tad overwhelming with the rush to deck the halls during your turkey dinner as we ring in the new year, books do allow us to slow things down a little.

There are plenty of blockbuster titles due to hit the shelves that will fill your gift giving needs(and to put your wish list as well) but a few of these upcoming books that I have chosen to highlight for November and December might also do the trick. At the very least, one or two of them should make the soon to be cold nights the perfect time for some page turning warmth:

HIDING OUT IN PLAIN SIGHT:

 Brock Clarke's latest novel, The Happiest People In The World, has it's leading man on the run but, despite changing countries, not far enough away from trouble.

Henry Larsen,aka Jens Baedrup, had to leave his native Denmark due to a controversial cartoon of his and is now living in upstate New York working as a high school guidance counselor. His hopes for his new life are high and there is even a potential new love in his life.

Unfortunately, that new relationship has a few downsides, such as his new lady love Ellen being married to Matty,the local school principal that Henry's former CIA contact Locs is desperately in love with. Oh, and by the way, Henry left behind a wife in Denmark, who's not too happy with him right about now. As Henry goes forth into the brave new world he's now in, a wake of unintended chaos is trailing behind him and getting closer all the while.

I happily recall discovering Clarke's engaging eccentric realm with An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England and this new book from him appears to be another wild ride worth reading. A satirical look at our current worries about security with a dash of lovelorn drama and the perils of hiding in plain sight, The Happiest People In The World should be a real joy (November):

A PAIR OF JOKERS:

Iconic comedian Martin Short takes a semi-serious look at his life in his memoir I Must Say, but not too serious as the book's subtitle, "My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend" shows.

Short talks about his career from his days as a member of Second City to SCTV and Saturday Night Live, plus his movie making adventures. He also delves into his personal side, including the loss of his beloved wife to cancer and how he has learned to cope with such sorrows over the years.

For fans of Short, a extra treat here is that many of his classic characters such as Jiminy Glick, Jackie Rodgers Jr. and of course, Ed Grimley are given their turn at the mike to share their side of this story of the man many consider to be "the comedian's comedian". A thoughtfully smart and smile worthy peek into one man's life and art(November):

 In Scot Saul's biography Becoming Richard Pryor,  the comedic legend's life and times are thoroughly examined, as extensive research into not only his childhood but his turbulent road to fame as well.

Based upon numerous interviews, previously unpublished journals and other sources, Saul paints a full portrait of Pryor as a man who lived his art on his sleeve and broke new ground in both the world of entertainment and race relations. His rises and falls over the years have made Richard Pryor an amazing man to watch as well as a major force for change.

This is the second book to come out about Richard Pryor within the last couple of years and I hope that many more will follow, as he was a true comedic genius that each new generation should get to know(December):

A PACK OF PAPERBACK PRINCESSES:

I have signed up for a couple of blog tours this season, featuring paperback editions of a pair of novels that ought to be suitable for stocking stuffers or bedside reading.

At the moment, I'm in the midst of While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell, which takes a very different approach to the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Our narrator is Elise, a young woman who rises from a serving girl at the palace to the position of lady's maid to Queen Lenore.

Lenore's desire to have a child leads her to a less than divine alliance with her domineering aunt Millicent and when her husband the king banishes Millicent from his court, fear for their newborn daughter Rose becomes the order of the day. Meanwhile, Elise has ambitions of her own that slowly yet surely interfere with her own personal happiness.

Blackwell gives this well known fairy tale a nifty tweak and so far, it's quite the engaging read. I'll have a full review of the book soon and all I will say is that it's not very Disney, not in the traditional sense at least(November):

My other blog tour read is Stephanie Thornton's The Tiger Queens, a fictional focus on the women behind the throne of Genghis Khan's empire.

One of the major ladies here is Borte, destined at birth to be part of a sweeping change which comes in the form of Temujin, a warlord whose blood brother she falls in love with. Regardless of her heart's desire, she is made into his queen and their daughter Alaqai becomes a warrior maiden in her own right.

Other formidable women make their mark here, such as ambitious widow Sorkhokhtani and prisoner turned loyalist Fatima. This should be an interesting look at the unacknowledged female power and influence of one of history's best known dynasties and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it this season with all of you(November).

LITERARY LEGENDS OF THE FALL:

Sherlock Holmes never seems to die, despite even his creator's attempt to take him out over Reichenbach Falls at the hands of his arch nemesis, who was also said to perish. That deadly meeting is the headliner of Anthony Horowitz's new thriller, a follow-up to the author's previous Holmesian tale House of Silk.

Moriarty has a Pinkerton operative named Frederick Chase seeking the truth behind the the supposedly fatal encounter. Teamed up with Scotland Yard investigator Athelney Jones, Chase is in pursuit of any criminal contenders to the now vacant throne held in the underworld by the Napoleon of Crime.

Their quest takes many turns, with a good number of candidates but one particular target in mind, a devious American counterpart to Moriarty that may be eager to expand his considerable horizons. Even if you're not a big Sherlock Holmes fan, this novel sounds like a smart and snappy journey into that classic detective wonderland(December):

Priya Parmar takes a fresh look at two of the central members of the Bloomsbury Group with her novel Vanessa and Her Sister that gives painter Vanessa Bell her own voice.

She and her siblings, including the moody Virginia , decide to make a new home in the neighborhood of Bloomsbury in 1905, where their artistic friends find a welcome haven from the critical eye of  their personal and professional elders. Both Vanessa and Virginia struggle with their muses yet it is when Vanessa falls in love with Clive Bell that their harmony is truly threatened.

Forced to chose between being Virginia's mainstay and a loving wife and mother, Vanessa makes choices that offer a less than best situation for all concerned. This should be an interesting read for more than just English Lit lovers as this tale of two sisters resonates with heartfelt spirit through time(December):

Whether or not you're gift giving, I hope some of these books make their way to you before the time for new calendars approaches. Even if you are, just remember that it is the thought that counts, although it wouldn't hurt to know a little about that special book you're planning to give to someone special(especially the title!):

The Penguin's slip-up on Gotham, some marriage counseling for Sleepy Hollow and Death Comes to Pemberley on PBS

A lot of scheming is going on in Gotham right now, with our good buddy Oswald Cobblepot making his moves to get in the good graces of Don Mancini by suggesting a way to make a certain casino robbery happen.

However, Oswald came this close to blowing his big chance by willingly confessing to Mancini his past ties to Fish Mooney(and by extension, the Falcones,his new boss' rivals). That nearly cost him more than his fancy new job but fortunately, Jim Gordon backed him up with the Don when called upon to do so.

Penguin, my man, you're doing so well here-don't be so trusting with your secrets, especially to a crime boss! I know, they really wouldn't take him out at this point yet it's hard not to root for this creepy cutthroat and yeah, I do want to see him face off with Fish Mooney by the end of this season:

Things are tense enough as it is on Sleepy Hollow, with the whole preventing the End of Days deal, for Ichabod and Abbie to handle without the bond between Crane and Katrina(currently playing double agent with the Headless Horseman) getting a bit more shattered.

The main menace of the week was "The Weeping Lady", a local ghost story come to life who had a strong interest in drowning ladies who appeared to have "Crane on the brain".

 Sadly, that proved to be fatal for one nice person(can't somebody hire Laura Spencer on a permanent basis for one series already?) which lead to Ichabod rushing to save Katrina and finding out she was more complaisant in the creation of this haunted spirit. Seems that in life, her name was Mary and she was Ichabod's former girlfriend who came to America to bring him home but after a confrontation with Katrina, just happened to fall to her death.

Katrina then hid the body and sent Ichabod a Dear John letter from Mary, which lead him to believe that she went back to England and no longer considered them an item.

That didn't go over well with Ichabod as he pointed out that Katrina has this bad habit of not telling him things(being a witch, knowing he was destined to be a Witness and casting that spell which bound him to the Horseman for starters) and her staying with the enemy, who was also her ex-fiance doesn't help matters much.

Then again, Ichabod did romance his best friend's girl, which lead to Brom selling his soul in the first place, so perhaps him being judgmental and jealous is part of the problem as well. Just trying to be fair, altho I do think that Katrina has been a little too "I'm doing this for your own good and can't tell you right now" for way too long here. Maybe when the Cranes get some down time, they should chat up a marriage counselor(not Dr. Phil!) but hopefully, their issues can be worked out before the Horseman decides to take his renewed connection with Katrina to the next level:

Jane Austen fans and mystery lovers will be sharing the remote this weekend as part on of Death Comes to Pemberley premieres on PBS this weekend.

Based on the P.D. James novel, this miniseries has Elizabeth and  Mr. Darcy dealing with a murder as her sister Lydia makes a dramatic entrance, proclaiming that her scoundrel of a husband Wickam may have killed one of their mutual friends. Darcy takes a search party out on the grounds and they discover Wickam crying over the body of his old Army companion Denny and confessing to his murder.

Yet, the case may not be as cut and dried as that, compelling Darcy to look into the matter on his own. A few of the secrets he unearths casts a different light on Wickam, not to mention a few other folks in the bargain.

Some Austen fans were less than thrilled with the book, yet I found myself enjoying it more than I had originally thought I would. Yes, this is a more somber take on Elizabeth but she is a bit older(the story takes place a few years after the events of P&P) and she does have a serious situation on her hands here.  All I'm saying is give this a chance; we don't always get Jane Austen themed mysteries on the small screen and this will certainly liven up a couple of quiet Sunday nights indeed:

RANDOM NOTES:

OLIVE KITTERIDGE: More miniseries goodness coming our way, as HBO will be airing this two parter(based on Elizabeth Stout's award winning novel) on November 2 and 3. The book was wonderful and this adaptation is well cast, with the likes of Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins and yes, Bill Murray himself at the helm:

A pair of fine ladies from my fall reading

I'm making some progress with my fall reading(have yet to crack open one of my James Ellroy picks, however) and much to my surprise, have seen something in common with two of the heroines on my list.

 Both of them are in very different places in time and history, yet they share an independent spirit and feel burdened by the roles that society insists that they assume. Granted, they each handle their particular set of circumstances in completely different ways but if these two got a chance to chat, they would have plenty to compare and contrast.

The heroine of I Shall Be Near to You(a debut novel by Erin Lindsay McCabe that I received from Blogging for Books) is Rosetta, a native of New York State during the Civil War. When her beloved Jeremiah announces his intention to join the Union army, in order to earn enough money to take the two of them out West to start their own farm, she demands that they get married right away. He's happy to do so and for a brief time, they enjoy some wedded bliss.

Eventually, Jeremiah leaves with his regiment and Rosetta finds it hard to stay behind. She's a rough and tumble kind of girl, used to working on the farm with her father rather than sitting inside and sewing with the ladies. Her mother-in-law expects her to fall in line but that ,and a violent encounter with a childhood bully, convinces Rosetta that her true place is with her husband.

She takes off on her own, cutting her hair short and enlisting as "Ross Stone", Jeremiah's cousin. Upon seeing her join his troop, Jeremiah is furious but reluctantly accepts the fact that she's not going anywhere without him, at least for now. As the approach of true battle draws near, Rosetta must do her best to not only protect her husband and herself but to honor the trust of the troop as well.

This novel is one of those books that you know right off of the first page is going to be a good read. Erin Lindsay McCabe has based this story on the numerous accounts of women who did disguise themselves as men during the Civil War to fight for their country and this fictional tale gets right into the heart of Rosetta, who is a fine example of what these courageous warrior maidens must have been like.

 Rosetta's struggles to fit in with the troop(some of whom know her secret, due to being boys from back home) as well as with civilian life that demands a girl remain in her place(by both men and women of the time) is well portrayed and realistic. I Shall Be Near to You was sent to me in hardcover but it is available in paperback and should certainly be on the top of many reading group lists out there. What is most touching about this story is Rosetta's deep down to the bone love for Jeremiah, a devotion that is sweetly epic to see:

Joan Aiken's look at the "second heroine of Jane Austen's Emma", entitled Jane Fairfax gives much more of a backbone to the character than some might give her credit for. We met Jane as a child, when she tries to be a friend to the high and mighty young Miss Woodhouse but the latter's jealousy shuts that down just as Jane goes off to live with Colonel Campbell's family.

There, Jane is keenly aware that she is expected to become a governess when she grows up and is willing to accept that fate, even though as the time goes near, the Campbells are not quick to send her off just yet.


Jane does find the path that society has laid out for her and Rachel Campbell(who longs to be an artist) very trying and wishes that she had the rank and financial independence of Emma to do more with her life.

 Being practical about her situation does not prevent her from falling in love with Matthew Dixon, who Rachel also has her heart set upon. By standing aside in that romance, Jane finds to her surprise that long time friend Frank Churchill has declared his love and wants to marry her but must keep their engagement secret from his disagreeable aunt.

Austen fans are well aware of how this story goes and yet, Aiken brings a freshness to this character along with some depth into her relationship with Frank Churchill. Her rankling at the constraints of her situation in life fits well into the Austen mold and allows her intelligence to shine though. While Frank's actions during their secret keeping in Highbury do have extra meaning behind them, he is not completely let off the hook here either.

Emma herself is not the true villain of this piece(several characters, both old and new, can claim that distinction) but her self centered nature is properly displayed. Overall, this take on Emma is a worth while read that does justice to it's inspiration. It is nice to see Jane Fairfax get her fair share of the romantic spotlight without compromising her full value as a smart and capable woman. Frank should certainly endeavor to deserve her,indeed:

 Well, I have some ways to go with my fall reading(which may extend into winter) and I do plan to take part in a couple of blog tours this season, which should be fun. So much to read, so little time as they say and yet, I can't help but be all about the books:

Azar Nafisi gives us a passport to The Republic of Imagination

Meeting a fellow reader is always a charming experience, especially in print form, and I eagerly recall when I first came across one of the true champions of promoting love of literature that we have today, Azar Nafisi.

 Her 2003 memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran, chronicles her struggles to teach Western Literature at the University of Tehran which lead to her setting up a secret reading group for several of her female students. Having a private space where they could relax and be themselves, along with being able to discuss the works of Nabokov, F. Scot Fitzgerald and Jane Austen without fear of reprisal, was a both a blessing and a risk, although one worth taking.

Now, she is about to release another literary themed memoir entitled The Republic of Imagination, whose theme is best described in it's subtitle" America in Three Books".

 As a citizen of the United States since 2008, Professor Nafisi was determined to express both her admiration and critiques of her new country via some of it's finer examples in fiction. Her only problem was similar to that of a kid in a candy store; too much goodness to choose from.

One book that she definitely knew she wanted to start with was The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain's most controversial classic. Her love of that book is based upon the determined independence of Huck, who became willing to defy social conventions in order to aid Jim in the enslaved man's quest for freedom. In her opinion, one of the biggest villains of the story is Tom Sawyer, whose antics serve to hinder both Huck and Jim for his own personal amusement(and I do believe she has a point there).

Despite the efforts of many to ban this book and/or censor it's language, Professor Nafisi feels that Twain's way with words is what makes this novel a true hallmark of American literature that blazed the path that many others have followed, making it an essential must read for all:

Next on her list is Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis, where it's title character is a man who devotes himself to being as ordinary as possible, believing that the pursuit of money and middle class values is the key to happiness.

However, disillusionment falls upon Babbitt and his loved ones, to the degree that his supposedly idyllic life in the town of Zenith is revealing itself to be a mirage of material bliss. Frankly, I haven't read this book but Professor Nafisi's vivid description of the book's theme of resisting the temptations of conformity to be intriguing and well worth checking out.

 In many ways, Babbitt still rings true today, as we embrace many a false reality and must strive even more to prevent being just the star of our own media show:

The third book of Professor Nafisi's focus is The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Carson McCullers' debut novel that showcases an unlikely quartet of folks who all share the same emotional touchstone.

 From young Mick to the gruff John Blount as well as the aloof Dr. Copeland and quiet observer Biff  Brannon, these offbeat residents of a small Southern town confine in John Singer, a deaf mute man, their lonely hopes and dreams.

When Singer gives into his own despair, the others must find their own way towards dealing with life for good or ill. In discussing this book, along with McCullers' biographical history, Professor Nafisi displays the need for connection that this story represents and perhaps a more nuanced approach to how we deal with loneliness and desolation in our own lives as well as present society:

She rounds this all off with an epilogue that honors James Baldwin and what his work means to the spirit of America, a most fitting ending indeed.

What makes The Republic of Imagination more than a scholarly look at significant books in our culture are her blend of personal reminiscences and observations regarding reading and education, with a strong critical eye on the debate around the Common Core curriculum.

Regardless of how you may feel about that particular subject, Professor Nafisi gives the casual reader a true understanding of what is objectionable about this program and sound reasons for better solutions for the challenges facing both teachers and students. Beyond all of that, The Republic of Imagination is a salute to the beauty of freedom of thought that our nation should ardently cherish and develop for the generations to come.

The book will be released this week and book lovers everywhere ought to add it to their must read piles as quickly as possible. The Republic of Imagination is a heartfelt ode to the art of literature that enhances achievement for society rather than distracts from it as some would claim and gives us all real food for thought:

The Penguin gets a promotion on Gotham,Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. having a May-velous time and the rise of Cutthroat Kitchen

Things are still not perfect on Gotham(yet it was good that Barbara finally told Gordon about her past with Montoya) but watching the sinister moves of Oswald Cobblepot more than makes up for that.

After he reconnected with Gordon,who is not a happy camper about Oswald being back in town, our future Penguin managed to get a foot up the new mob ladder he's on by making himself useful during a armed heist at the restaurant he's been washing dishes for. By saving some of the cash from the counting room in the back, Oswald further cemented trust with Don Maroni, who gave him a promotion to manager, now that the position is gruesomely open.

Of course, our bad boy was behind that caper and his unassuming manner made it simple for him to poison his partners in crime(those cannoli did look to die for). Between that and giving his new buddy Jim some helpful hints about who is out to fix the vote on the property known as Arkham, Oswald is smartly playing both sides of the fence but who knows how long his cleverness will last:

Melinda May was given a good share of the spotlight this week on Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., as a field mission with Coulson lead to a total Face/Off battle between herself and a Hydra double.

 I sincerely echoed Coulson's sentiments when he said "I can't believe I'm the only one seeing this!"-my inner child was shouting for joy during that bout. Seeing May not only in throwdown mode but in strong emotional form(as she kept refusing Coulson's wish to put him down if his alien enhanced mental state lead to dangerous waters) was a firm level up both for the character and the audience to boot.

May will still be snarky at time and that's always welcome yet allowing her to develop some in depth personality tones is important. Melinda May should be more than just an action figure here but seeing her kick ass when necessary is fun,too:

I think it's safe to say at this point that Cutthroat Kitchen has become the new Chopped, especially now that the show is doing holiday themed episodes and is in the midst of a celebrity tournament along with it's regular run.

The concept may be wacky(four chefs take on harsh cooking challenges that are bid on by each other) but Alton Brown does make it work. I will admit that he wasn't always a Food Network favorite of mine but the man has grown on me.

 He's basically a culinary geek in the best sense; smart and funny,plus a great sense of humor that he's not afraid to aim at himself Plus, the inventiveness of the sabotages is amazing to behold.

They don't always repeat them(a few returning ones like the kid sized kitchen are worth the wait) and it's great to see just how creative the chefs really are when faced with lack of utensils and less than refined ingredients.  Often is the case that the chef who doesn't have any sabotages is the one who screws up the most(overconfidence, not a good thing!).

So, if you're in the mood for watching weirdness with food, Cutthroat Kitchen is the place to be. Chopped is still going strong but it's fun to have such a deviously delightful culinary sporting arena such as this:

RANDOM NOTES:

TOP CHEF:  Speaking of cooking competitions, the queen mother of them all is back for a new season in Boston with a few fresh changes. Between the Sudden Death Quickfire(which I think is a way for them to keep Last Chance Kitchen well stocked with contenders) and former TC-All Stars champ Richard Blais as a regular judge, the frying pan should be hot enough to make the latest set of culinary contenders want to stay out of the fire:

Checking out the Oscar bait set out at the Movie Trailer Park

As we get closer to the end of the year, the good folks in Hollywood rush to release as many "quality" films as they can in order to qualify for the big awards season that begins in mid-winter.

While plenty of these movies are respectable in both content and entertainment value, one can't help being slightly cynical about the timing of their theatrical runs. However, it's not the fault of any of these flicks about such obvious preening for prizes so let's take a look at a few trailers that are definitely being earmarked for Oscar consideration and give them a fair shake there:

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING: Eddie Redmayne stars as a young Stephen Hawking, whose keen intellect is already winning him acclaim and whose romance with Jane Wilde(Felicity Jones) is a huge plus in the emotional column there. His rising star becomes threatened as the rare physical illness that drastically changed his health and life begins to take over. With the support of Jane and others, Hawking manages to make his considerable mark on the scientific world.

There are a lot of reasons for this to be seen as prime Oscar material; based on a true story(for the early part of Hawking's life at least) overcoming physical challenge and most of all, British. The film is already getting some good word on the film festival circuit and should earn more praise upon it's worldwide release.

However, there is more to this than meets the eye.  Redmayne is an excellent actor who has been seen in mostly supporting roles, even in My Week with Marilyn which earned his leading lady Michelle Williams an Oscar nom.  Felicity Jones is also a wonderful actress who American audiences may soon see as Black Cat in the next Amazing Spider man movie(plus, has played a Jane Austen heroine which gives her double bonus point in my opinion) and this movie could be a major break out moment for them both. Jones and Redmayne are truly talented and it would be nice for them to get the acclaim they deserve:

THE IMITATION GAME:  This look at the team that cracked the Nazi's Enigma Code during WWII focuses on group leader Alan Turing(Benedict Cumberbatch), whose cool demeanor made it difficult for others to work with him.

Despite his temperament, Alan bonded with his crew of off beat brainiacs and helped out the war cause tremendously with their work. His reward for that was a ruthless prosecution for "gross indecency," due to his admission of being gay which was once a capitol offense in Great Britian.

As with Theory of Everything, this film also has similar favorable qualities in gaining Academy Award preference what with  it's true story setting and dealing with prejudice of a bygone age(which in some respects is sadly still with us today). The cast is made up of a strong amount of prime British talent such as Keira Knightley, Charles Dance and Mark Strong. Yet, many of Cumberbatch's fans will be fervently hoping that this role gets him a Best Actor nod and who knows, it may very well do that:

WILD: Reese Witherspoon is already receiving Best Actress buzz as the lead in this adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's memoir of her solo trek across the Pacific Crest Trail. This soul searching quest to clear her mind and spirit was a widely heralded best seller and with Nick Hornby as the screenwriter, it should translate very nicely to the big screen.

Witherspoon is also the executive producer,so this being a star vehicle for her is no big surprise. While I'm not drawn to stories about folks going on a walkabout, I do give her credit for taking on a role that promises to test her real limits as an actress there. Witherspoon does want to be taken seriously and if this film helps to achieve that goal, more power to her there:

BIRDMAN: Michael Keaton is not claiming that this movie is a comeback but plenty of people are,nonetheless. Keaton plays Riggan Thomson, a former star of a comic book film franchise who is preparing to return to the limelight as the lead in a Broadway show.

The story is filmed in numerous long takes and made up of a stellar supporting cast that includes Edward Norton, Emma Stone and Naomi Watts. While Keaton says that none of his Batman experience drew him to this part(and I do believe him on that), comparisons will be made and Best Actor talk is going on as we speak.

Birdman does look like an interesting movie with it's own weird sense of style, something that frankly mainstream films could use right about now. In addition to Keaton being considered for Oscar honors, writer/director Alejandro González Iñárritu should also reap some of the benefits of this indie crossover film's potential success as well:

There will be other films that get Oscar talk going but I would be greatly surprised if any of these four are not in major contention. This doesn't mean that movies released earlier this year will be ignored completely but cinematic followers know all too well the impact of recent exposure for possible award nominees.

I do also hope that certain smaller movies don't get lost in the shuffle such as Belle(which I saw recently on DVD and it was marvelous) and To Be Takei, a heartfelt documentary about cult actor George Takei.

His journey from unjust internment during WWII here in the States to science fiction icon and outspoken defender of LGBT rights is a fine example of American spirit and to see him on stage with an Oscar would be a grand moment in entertainment history. Oscar does favor the underdog at times and for a film like this to be nominated and win would be the ultimate Hollywood happy ending:

Gotham needs to get into gear,The Flash is off to a running start and American Horror Story sets up it's Freak Show

It's only three episodes in and already folks are less than impressed with Gotham but I'm still willing to give it a chance.

Granted, the show is rather wobbly on it's feet and needs to build up some serious momentum yet part of the impatience is due to this being a Batman series without the Caped Crusader being able to man the helm.

 However, I think they may be able to over come that within a few episodes yet I do have a major complaint; what is up with that long angle lens approach to Montoya's brief kiss with Barbara Kean?

If you haven't been watching, Barbara is Jim Gordon's girlfriend and Officer Montoya appears to be a former lover of hers who,due to her position in the police department, is hearing bad things about Gordon and passing on those doubts to her exe.

The ladies had a major scene this week and when Montoya went into for a kiss, we went from close up view to all the way across the room. Look,behind the scenes people, I'm happy to see that Montoya's sexuality(and yes, it did happen in the comics) is being incorporated into the series but don't be so hesitant about it. I can handle the whole "old lover bad mouthing the current lover" trope but pulling away like that breaks the intensity of the scene and intensity is something that this show is in dire need of at the moment.

Truth be told, I'm sticking around Gotham for Oswald Cobblepot, our potential Penguin, who has made his way back to the city and is slipping back into bad society. His showing up at Gordon's door in the last moment of this past episode was a sit and take notice ending there.

In a weird way, Oswald's story line reminds me of Miller's Crossing, a Coen brothers movie where a mobster spared the life of a snitch out of pity and both of them wound up regretting it in the end. I'm not saying that this sub plot is award winning stuff but the actor playing Oswald brings a solid mix of smarmy toadying with true deadly menace that makes you wonder what he'll do next and for a predictable villain to become so unpredictable is no easy feat:

Meanwhile, the opening episode of The Flash this week has made a nice first impression as both ratings and reviews agree on it's promising merits. The tone is lighter than Arrow but just as cleverly done and yes, we already had a brief crossover.

I like how well Barry Allen's back story(a blend of classic canon and a recent reboot) has been developed here, plus his band of high tech supporters are an intriguing bunch. The typical love triangle between Barry, his childhood friend Iris and her current beau Eddie was to be expected but I hope that doesn't completely overwhelm the show's upcoming plot points.

As I am still a season behind with Arrow(finally finished S1 on DVD!), it's good to jump into this series at it's very beginning and it does pair well with Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(really good season over there, especially now that Simmons is a double agent embedded into Hydra) on Tuesday nights. The Flash so far is a lot of fun and worth keeping up with:

American Horror Story put up it's tents for a fourth season last night, with the theme of Freak Show being placed center stage in Florida of 1952.  The main ring of the story line had conjoined twins Dot and Bette recruited for Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities, a traveling show hoping to set down roots.

 The long hidden from the world girls happen to be on the run from the law, due to the untimely death of their mother, another complication that owner Elsa is more than ready to deal with. There's a lot going here, with a murderous clown on the loose and several of the sideshow performers tired of being treated as second class citizens looking to dispense some street justice of their own.

The initial set-up is interesting but since Coven went on and off the rails last time, I do hope that Freak Show is better equipped to stay on solid ground. Whimsey is fine and dandy but gets old really fast. Still, plenty of engaging strangeness to tune into here:

RANDOM NOTES:

PROJECT RUNWAY: We've got some diva action from last week spilling over into tonight's episode as eliminated designers are asked to return in order to assist the remaining ones in a challenge involving the outfits that gave them the boot in the first place. Korina was sent packing, not only for her lousy work but her cattiness and disparaging of her fellow competitors during the judging, in my opinion.

Korina was given a second chance and lost out to Char(who she resents due to Char being saved earlier on by Tim Gunn from an elim) who she is now asked to work with. I have never liked Korina, due to her "why can't they see how wonderful I am?" attitude and her whole demeanor last week was terrible to say the least. Apparently, for this challenge, she's throwing another tantrum and all I can say is that if she wants to leave so badly, then by all means,Tim, show her the door!:

Have a Happy Halloween with Fanny Price,Slayer of Vampires!

With October mainly being a countdown to Halloween, it's only fitting that I offer a little treat to horror fans and Jane Austen admirers alike with a special sale on my latest e-book,Fanny Price: Slayer of Vampires.

This Mansfield Park mash-up is told through a series of letters(found by a modern day descendant) that our heroine Fanny wrote to her seafaring brother William but never sent, chronicling the strange behavior of new neighbors Mary and Henry Crawford.

With their sharp wit and sharp sets of fangs, this sinister brother and sister act cast a spell of amiability that leaves the Bertram family,particularly Fanny's beloved Edmund, most vulnerable to their deadly charms. Can Fanny use the odd items left in her care by her late Uncle Norris in order to save her Mansfield kin or will keeping Lady Bertram awake during tea time be too much of a distraction?

As you can guess, there is some humorous peanut butter mixed into the chocolatey goodness of vampire lore and Jane Austen, which is a flavor combination most suited for this season.

 If you'd like to add this eerie Austen themed book to your e-reader goodie bag, just go to Smashwords and use the coupon code UE59E during your purchase to get a 50% discount off of the regular price. The sale ends on Oct.31, so don't be tricked into missing out on this fearsome Fanny treat!

This book is listed at Goodreads and Library Thing and if anyone would like to post a review of it by Halloween, I do have some Fanny Price pins to give away. I'm only able to ship in the US(sorry, limited resources!) and your write-up doesn't have to be a rave, some good honest feedback will be appreciated.

 With 2014 being the 200th anniversary of MP, I hope that many fans of this underrated Austen novel will find some fun to be had here. Especially those of you who find  Henry Crawford's devilish ways most delightful(he and Buffy's former beau Angelus would certainly be quite the pair of lady killers indeed):

If you would prefer a less gruesome yet still fanciful Austenesque story, my earlier foray into this field, The Austen Avenger, is available for free downloads not only at Smashwords but Barnes & Noble, ITunes and Scribd as well.

This novella follows around Andy, a guy more familiar with Wonder Woman than Elizabeth Bennet, who believes he has discovered a new superhero in our midst. Granted, she talks a bit like Emma Thompson and instead of leaping tall buildings in a single bound, uses her sense of sensibility to defuse retail rage and put rude persons in their place.

However, she is most helpful in giving Andy a much desired introduction to the girl of his dreams and that alone makes him determined to be her potential sidekick, if need be. The Austen Avenger may not have her own movie franchise just yet but it is nice to see a heroine who strives to be a champion of universal truth, polite justice and the Austen way:

Halloween may not be seen as an ideal time for Jane Austen but even that good lady enjoyed a little Gothic thrill now and then, as Northanger Abbey proves in abundance. Even a few of the novels referenced in that book such as The Mysteries of Udolpho and The Monk have plenty of spine chilling moments to keep you turning pages late into the night, as Catherine Morland was want to do.

So, whether your seasonal reading is in penny dreadful print or eerie electronic format, literary scares are readily at hand for your treat bag of books to devour on All Hallows Eve. Just don't skimp on the mood lighting, candle or otherwise:

Taking a Fright Fall ride with Stephen King's Christine

I joined in a reading challenge this past week,the Fright Fall Read-a-thon held by Seasons of Reading, whose main requirement was to read at least one scary book from either the horror or mystery genre.

I went with horror and decided to experience a blast from my literary past with Christine by Stephen King. This was my first official Stephen King novel to read,having experienced his work up till then through film adaptations such as The Shining and Carrie.

The paperback copy that I picked up back in 1983 had a movie tie-in cover(which,sadly, I had to replace) and the store that I got it from was right next door to the movie theater where I also saw director John Carpenter's  cinematic interpretation of this killer car story. More about the movie later,let's get to the page turning.

 Christine is the name of the custom painted red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury that sad sack high school senior Arnie Cunningham spots one day,riding along with his football star buddy Dennis Guilder, and instantly falls in love with the battered old wreck that's for sale.

 Pretty much everyone in Arnie's small social circle tries to talk him out of buying the car,particularly his domineering mother Regina, but this car is the one thing that Arnie refuses to back down on.

The real trouble is that the car has some nasty vibes attached to it,courtesy of it's former owner Roland LeBay,who dies not long after the sale is completed. LeBay's vicious nature was only enhanced by his unwavering devotion to Christine, a car he insisted on keeping even after his wife and daughter died within it.

 At first, Arnie's appearance seems to improve along with Christine's and he even manages to have a girlfriend, Leigh Cabot. However, the other woman in the picture is a jealous as well as vindictive lover and soon enough, many of Arnie's rivals become roadkill. Unfortunately, the list of friends and enemies soon blurs, with Arnie' very soul and sanity hanging in the balance.

Many people have called Christine "Carrie for guys" and to some extent, that is a fair comparison. However, being a teenage girl at the time I first read the book, I can tell you that it was just as easy for me to identify with Arnie Cunningham as it was to Carrie White.

In a few ways, I could connect a little more to Arnie, being a nerdy type with intellectual interests that teachers appreciated but my peers did not. I wasn't as lucky as Arnie to have a friend who would back him up during assaults by school bullies(and yes, girls can get as physical with each other as boys when it comes to that) but also fortunate that my vulnerabilities didn't lead me to an unhealthy obsession like it did for him:

 In rereading Christine, I did find that some elements of the book still hold true today. Arnie's overly ambitious parents, the social hierarchy of teens and just how attached some lonely people get to inanimate objects.

Granted, I'm not a car person(then or now) but the personal joy that a person with not much of an outside life can have for something like porcelain figurines, vinyl records or rare comic books can become a welcome substitute.

 Many times, it leads to finding a strong passion that brings about a better and more fulfilling life yet there are those who get sucked into a sinking spiral that they just can't get out of and Arnie is the poster boy for that particular pitfall. Like any poor soul tempted by the dark side, he's way in over his head before long and a bit too enticed by the demonic entity in his path to notice:

While the film adaptation strips down most of the sub plots in the book(which makes for a better movie,in my opinion) and has Christine as the ultimate source of evil(in the book, Roland LeBay's twisted spirit was the driving force,so to speak), both versions touch strongly upon the emotional violence that's powerfully present here.

A good portion of the book is told from Dennis' perspective and while Christine is a feature figure in his nightmares, the transformation of his good natured best friend into a cold and callous stranger is the true horror facing him. They've been best friends since childhood and memories of those more innocent times are what haunt Dennis the most.

 Arnie's romance with Leigh also takes a deadly turn yet the real impact of what is happening to Arnie is more keenly felt by Dennis,who knows him better than anyone.  It doesn't take an evil car to break up most childhood friendships yet regardless of the supernatural setting, the slow motion destruction of Arnie and Dennis' relationship is very relatable and a true thread that runs down deep into the seam of the story:

I know that many fans think that Christine is a straight out clunker and while I would agree that's overwritten in many parts, the book does have some merits. You could argue that Christine is a possession story, with the demon(be it LeBay or his car) sadly winning out in the end.

 Both the book and film leave open the possibility that this particular type of monster could be released yet again, which is not as remote or such a sequel step stone as it seems. We still have lonely and troubled souls among us who are tempted by numerous shiny trinkets that are pure poison one way or another. If anything, Christine can be seen as a cautionary tale of looking for folks like that or at least pointing them in a better direction.

I thank my fellow readers in the Fright Fall Read-a-thon and Seasons of Reading for giving me a great excuse to get behind the sinister wheel  of this mean machine once more and do recommend giving the book(and the film) a shot, if you haven't before. Christine does have some thrills to offer even if you take the long way around:

The Year of Freddy Fear awakens to a New Nightmare

Welcome back to another installment of The Year of Freddy Fear, where we look at the Nightmare on Elm series,along with other horror films starring Robert Englund. For Halloween, I think this next entry should be quite the meta monster show as creator Wes Craven returned in 1994 to make his final statement on the whole franchise.

Wes Craven's New Nightmare takes place ten years after the first NOES film and focuses on the real life people who made the movie, particularly actress Heather Langenkamp who played Nancy, the first heroine of the series.

She,along with Robert Englund,studio head Robert Shaye and Wes Craven himself, play fictionalized versions of themselves who are promoting the tenth anniversary of the original film. There's also talk of making a new Freddy film but Heather is not up for that.

 Some of that reluctance on her part is due to a stalker that leaves her strange messages and creepy phone calls. She also has a strong yet undefined sense of unease, not helped by the frequent aftershocks of an earthquake(which happened during the filming and was incorporated into the story line) going on every other minute. Things get even scarier for Heather when her nightmares start coming true, such as the demise of her husband Chase, an F/X artist who was working on a new version of Freddy's glove.

Turns out that Wes is writing a new script that is chronicling everything that's happening to them all as an ancient spirit of evil has latched onto Freddy's persona and with no more movies being made, decides to break into the real world. In order to do that, he has to get by the guardian of the gate who is, of course, Nancy and this Freddy is no gruesome goofball as seen in the last couple of Elm Street films. This incarnation is a more vicious opponent than any one on or off screen has  dealt with before:

To protect not only herself but her young son Dylan(Miko Hughes, who many horror fans will recall was the resurrected kid in Pet Cemetary), Heather must take on the Nancy mantle in order to stop this Freddy once and for all.

There are numerous throwbacks to the original NOES(including the "screw your hall pass!" line) as well as allusions to some of the other films, such as Freddy's glove being an organic part of his hand(Nightmare 2), having medical authorities try to control you for your "own good"(Nightmare 3) and the need to save a child from the dangers of the dream world (Nightmare 5). These mentions are done subtly and might not be picked up on by newcomers but they are well placed here.

A big scene that even newbies could recognize right off the bat is a grisly replay of the infamous Tina death, with sympathetic babysitter Julie being ripped around a hospital room as a terrified Dylan watches  in despair. It's the first major scene where we get a real good look at this  particular rendition of Freddy and he is one nasty character,folks:

Robert Englund does get to play himself at times, which is a nice bonus as he appears to be a likable guy happy to camp up as Freddy for the fans.  However, during a phone conversation or two with Heather, it becomes clear that he is also being haunted by Freddy dreams and is expressing those night terrors through painting.

It would have been interesting to see Englund actually being menaced by a darker version of his renowned movie monster but it makes sense,thematically, to have Heather put in the center of the story. After all, you could see the NOES movies as a wicked twist on the Beauty and the Beast myth and it's the girl that's meant to take down the Big Bad in the end there.

This was a movie that mainly the critics loved(most of them,anyway) for the meta story telling and creativity on display. It's the lowest grossing film in the franchise and pretty much overlooked by the fans, which is a real shame.

 New Nightmare shows that there is more to this genre that screams and gore, not to mention that Heather Langenkamp gives one hell of a performance. As she slowly becomes Nancy yet stays true to herself, Heather shines and reminds us of that unassuming girl next door we first met all those years ago. Only this time, her maturity becomes a crucial element in approaching this malevolent battlefield yet again.

 Perhaps it was a bit before it's time there but Wes Craven's New Nightmare is definitely worth a viewing ,especially by it's intended audience:

Tune in next time, when we check out Robert Englund down South in 2001 Maniacs, and in the mean while, do have a horrifying Halloween with New Nightmare.

During my research for Freddy's Dead, I heard director Rachel Talahay on video saying that she and the crew were, in a sense ,having their own final say on the NOES movies and when it comes to New Nightmare, it was right and fitting of Wes Craven to present his own farewell to Freddy and friends(as for the fans, we'll see that sinister salute by the end of this year, I promise) to us all:

Outlander's cliffhanger,HTG With Murder's first class and Selina Kyle takes center stage on Gotham

For those who haven't read the books, this mid season break for Outlander is tough to bear(I've only read the first one myself) but on the other hand, it does give you time to catch on and/or get a little head start on what's to come.

The action here was harder to handle, as Claire and Jamie faced two sexual assaults, with our man Fraser making one hell of a hero's moment as he broke in on that twisted bastard Black Jack Randall during the second one. While Claire is a strong heroine in her own right, I see nothing wrong in allowing Jamie to let his badass side  come forth.

The only major departure from the book was showing Frank's struggles to keep up the search for his wife, particularly since the local cops have concluded that she ran off with that mysterious "highlander" spotted early on.

That made good sense, as Frank was obviously going through a ton of emotional pain over this(the book is told from Claire's p.o.v.) and capturing that on screen gave a more rounded view to the character, not to mention an interesting compare and contrast to his dreadful ancestor. Yes, it was a little hokey for Frank to reach the circle of stones in his present time just as Claire was nearing them in the past but hey, this is a romantic tale, folks.

Outlander will return on April 4, with a very eager fan base awaiting it's arrival. Between this and Game of Thrones, weekends this upcoming spring should be rather fanciful with fantasy indeed:

 We got to see more of Selina Kyle(who prefers to be called "Kat") on Gotham this week, as she and her street friends were the targets of a sinister child snatching ring. Her scenes weren't dialogue heavy but she clearly has the attitude of the iconic anti-heroine down pat.

Meanwhile, our not so good buddy Oswald Cobblepot is slowly but surely making his way back to Gotham. His plans may seem erratic for the moment but make no mistake about it, this bird has a clear trajectory in mind, not to mention claws and no sense of humor about his nickname.


 Getting back to our Cat Girl, in trying to finesse her way out of juvie, Selina made contact with Jim Gordon and offered to help him out in regards to finding the Waynes' killer. Granted, she was there at the scene yet the assassin was well concealed in his get-up, so I do have a few doubts about how well she really can identify the guy.

Then again, it is an angle worth pursuing for Selina, particularly since she doesn't have a lot of cards to play in this game. She is definitely being set up as a major player and should not be underestimated by any means:

The debut episode of How To Get Away With Murder aired last week and I am looking forward to seeing what happens tonight. Annalise Keating is quite the powerhouse, both on and off campus, and the balance of secrets and lies in her life should be fun to watch.

It's a little too soon to tell about her special set of students at the moment or why they're involved in concealing the murder of a certain someone there(watch the show if you want to know!). The only one amongst them to make a solid impression is Wes, the kid from a struggling background whose talents Annalise has clearly picked up on and chosen him to be her potential protege. Or, is she seeing Wes as the perfect patsy for a yet unknown scheme?

Either way, I'm in. Hopefully, HTGAWM is more than a sharp set-up and that it becomes the must see series that it appears to be:

RANDOM NOTES:

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: The new season, subtitled "Freak Show", begins next Wednesday and ought to be a good way to stir up some Halloween vibes this season. I'll give it a chance, mainly since this is reportedly the last season Jessica Lange will be one of the headliners. Let's hope that Angela Bassett and Kathy Bates(who are back for this wild ride) will take over from where Lange leaves off here: