2011 in Review: Top Singles

"We could have had it all......." and so, that's how the year began and lord did she had it all and we along with her!

Of course, others may say that the year started either with someone holding things against her, or another letting us know that she was born this way and that way or the other way, but really, the perfect storm of Adele's voice and that thumping handclapping thunder sound accompaning it was all we needed all year long.

Not that Adele was all there was out there, Patrick Wolf gave the world not one, but four amazing singles; a previously unknown act named Foster The People gave summer it's inescappable and most unlikely hit; and even Robyn, who gave us a handfull of pop masterpieces last year, managed to throw one more our way with the genial "Call Your Girlfriend."

1. Adele's "Rolling in the Deep."
2. Patrick Wolf's "The City."
3. Patrick Wolf's "Together."
4. Foster The People's "Pump Up Kicks."
5. Patrick Wolf's "House."
6. Patrick Wolf's "Time of My Life."
7. Adele's "Someone Like You."
8. Black Key's "Lonely Boy."
9. Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend."
10. Lykke Li's "I follow Rivers."

Honorable mention goes to Adele's shoulda-coulda-woulda never officially released as single "Rumor Has It."  There's just no other song in 21 that deserved to be released more than "Rumor." Shame on you record company!

And speaking of unreleased potential hits, Britney (yes, Britney) Spears release several songs off her Femme Fatale album, some ("I Wanna Go") were no brainers, but the catchiest earworn in the album was never given a release for unknown reasons: "Big Fat Bass." That songs just rocks, bounce, tickles that pop pleasure spot in ways no other song in the album could and it was never given a chance.

2011 in Review: Top Albums

Back in 2010, Lady Gaga's self-aggrandizing ego proclaimed that at the start of the new year, she would deliver not only the album of the decade, but of a generation.  Such bloated statement was met with very little opposition, or better yet, doubt from the masses.  It is no secret that I'm not a fan of Lady Gaga.  I would admit though, that I do find "Bad Romance" to be just about the best thing she's ever done and the peak of her meteorized rise to the top of the charts and her consumption of all forms of media, to the point that between 2009 and 2010 she was everywhere; totally inescapable and bigger than anything else in the world.  Yet, the rest of her work has reek of repetition, and aping the sights and sounds of far better talent.  The reason why she made such an impact was simply because it had been a long time since someone--anyone, was so hungry and desperate for fame and created such a visual assault on the masses, that the media jumped on it with such fervor and the public (who's always listening to the media) simply followed suit.

When her BORN THIS WAY came out, to the surprise of anyone but her most fervent followers, it failed to be neither the greatest album of the decade nor the album of any generation.  What's particular about this, is that this same bloated misfired occurred exactly 5 years before by none other than Brandon Flowers and his band The Killers.  He too proclaimed prior to the release of SAM'S TOWN that it would be one of the greatest albums of all time, etc, etc,. and wouldn't you know it? It was nothing of the sort.  Even more interesting is the fact that The Killers and Gaga, both base their respective greatest album of all time on a series of songs that borrowed heavily from the sound of 80s Bruce Springsteen.  Not to take away from the awesomeness of The Boss, but the lesson here is that channeling Bruce is not going to produce a great album, especially not the greatest album of all time.

I've gone out of my way talking about Lady Gaga, because it was her vulgar excess, overproduced sound that was supposed to rule the charts this year, and yet, she and those like her, released nothing but misfires and instead, the masses turned their attention to more organic, arguably richer, more talented artists such as Adele.

This was the year of Adele; there's no contestation to that, and if she doesn't win every award she's up for during the upcoming Grammy Awards, including Song, Record, and Album of the Year, then the world will surely come to and end in 2012.

Now, Adele gave us a very solid album that rightfully sold more than any other and ruled the charts (still is) and she deserves every accolade that comes her way, but she did not gave us the best album of the year. No. That honor goes to an artist that has consistently given us the very best album of the year, 5 times now.  Someone whom at this point, can without question be called the greatest talent that has come out of the 21st century so far.  And with like most greatest, purest talent, he's not as popular as Gaga or even Adele, he's remained a sort of an underground sensation, revered by many and praised by critics here and far, but mainstream popularity has eluded him, even as he has crafted some of the most catchiest, richest songs of the last decade without sacrificing an ounce of his artistry in the process.

Here's the Top 10 Albums of the year:

1. LUPERCALIA--Patrick Wolf: There's just no better, more thrilling, artistic, melodic, excellent record out there than this.  5 albums in, Patrick Wolf continues to mesmerize and amaze in ways that no other single artist that has come out in the last 12 years has been able to. He is in a class of his own, and this? This masterpiece about what it feels like to have found true, pure, unapologetic love, is a triumph that only one person could have been able to pull off without coming off as sappy or insincere.  We are the more bless to have him with us.
2. LET ENGLAND SHAKE--PJ Harvey: Like only the best of musicians--those who dare to pursue just about every aspect of their talent and take on any challenge outside of their comfort zone, PJ Harvey has built a career on blending and bending her sound in ways only Bjork could challenged. Not one of her albums has ever sound the same as the previous or any of the ones before it, and LET ENGLAND SHAKE is no exception. An album that is vastly rich in not only texture but content, a strange journey filled with heavy stuff, supercharged with political subtext; rightfully winning the mercury prize earlier this year (PJ is the the only artist ever to win it twice!) LET ENGLAND SHAKE is a bizarre masterstroke you owe it to yourself to listen to and be changed by it.
3. EL CAMINO--Black Keys: The Black Keys continue their journey into making the most excellent southern rock around. They really are one of the very best bands out there and there's only few others who can compare to their power. EL CAMINO is catchy without betraying their sound and expands in what their breakthrough, BROTHERS started.
4. FOUR THE RECORD--Miranda Lambert: The rightful heir to superb country of Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert is the ONLY current female country singer deserving of being called "country."  Whereas everyone else chooses to pop-fy their country sound, Miranda continues to honor the tradition of those true country artist that came before her with yet another album that no only pushes her into being in a class of her own, but expand and matures her music even further, and we couldn't be anymore happy for her and for it.
5. BON IVER--Bon Iver: I sort of knew about Bon Iver but never paid attention until this record kept getting so much ink on the press. It's probably the indie album of the year.
6. SUPPOSED UNKNOWN--Eric Himan: and speaking of indie albums of the year, Eric Himan's SUPPOSED UNKNOWN is to my opinion, his best collection of indie-folk-rock to date. Eric has steadily grown into not only a very skilled musician, but vocalist (specially live, where you can really experience the reach of his vocal chops) and a more mature, confident lyricist.
7. WOUNDED RHYMES--Lykke Li: Though I liked songs from Lykke's first album, I was not in love with the whole thing. WOUNDED RHYMES takes Lykke into a whole new level of maturity and song crafting that her debut show promised of, though we weren't completely sure.  In a year of lesser forgettable pop crap like Rihanna and Katy Perry, Lykke Li, like Nelly Furtado before her, shows that you can create amazingly catchy pop with substance, and that's talent that those other studio creations can't touch.
8. CIRCUITAL--My Morning Jacket: A welcome return to form, after the experimental detour of Evil Urges.
9. 21--Adele: Yes, Adele will (and she damn better compare to the other nominees) win the album of the year and every other category she's nominated for at the grammys. Yes, the year belongs to her, yes, she had to massive hits that weren't mere pop songs but instant classics that will stand the test of time, yes, she has an amazing voice that's thunder compare to anyone else's and she uses it to infuses her songs with so much feeling and raw emotions she elevates everything she puts that voice to, into heavenly heights.  But the truth is that 21 though solid, is a flaw album. Some of the middle section songs drag a bit, and some of the lyrics could have been sharper.  They sound great because Adele is singing them, but unlike the highlights: "Rolling in the Deep," "Rumor Has It," "Someone Like You," "Set Fire to the Rain" the aren't unforgettable, just good, and with the time of talent the girl has? she needs more than good songs, she needs great songs to match that voice, something that I have all the confident her third album will have.
10. MYLO XYLATO--Coldplay: One of my all time favorite bands almost didn't make it. MYLO XYLATO isn't the greatest Coldplay album (A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD remains their greatest achievement), but after the uneven, yet still rewarding X&Y and the strong, almost perfect VIVA LA VIDA, they can be allowed to make a more relax album that isn't trying to be the best of anything, just in the same way that Kings of Leon made COME AROUND SUNDOWN, after the whirlwind year they have with the smash that was ONLY BY THE NIGHT.  MYLO XYLATO still is pure Coldplay, full of big sounds, catchy melodies and Chris Martin yearning, and that's all we ever want from them.

Honorable mentions go to Bjork, who came back this year with an album (BIOPHILIA) intended for the tech-savvy age we live in, all out digital advertising campaign and all, and gave us something, as usual, bizarre but more realized than her previous, divisive album.
Tori Amos classical album NIGHT OF HUNTERS for sheer virtuoso piano playing.  That woman remains a prodigy and her skills on this album are beyond good.
Also, though totally disposable, Britney Spears' FEMME FATALE gets a nod for being the poppy, fun, lets not take ourselves too seriously and party album of the year. Exactly what we have come to expect and want from our favorite fembot, and FEMME FATALE is her catchiest collection to date.

Writing Exercise

It was a simple yet magical night that started with a shy smile, and ended with a kiss....

A look across the room spotted a mystery, and a shy, sweet smile was given: a shadow throbbed under the lights, and the room swayed seductively in an air of licorice only lovers could taste.  The shy smile turned flirtatious: it was all that was needed to give the courage necessary to navigate the maze of endless bodies that moved to sound, responded to vibrations, jumped for joy; the need of wanting, the breath on hold in a moment of silence that nothing would go wrong, for belonging, was the promise of the night, the prized announced by the stars, though morning light would be judge and decide on its merit to last or die.

The eyes held onto that smile and the connection made the quest worthy of any danger, if such was to present itself.  The maze shifted and morphed with the rhythm of sights and sounds; a cacophony of declarations were made as lovers abound.  Some were sealed in more than whispers, pitches baritone and contralto; arias that would give pause to the tainted of heart.  Some would strive for things that would never be true; some would have the unfortunate outcome of being stillborn, but not the quest for the smile; not the foreseen eyes that spoke of the future, if only they were to be shown a bit of tenderness in a moment of doubt, which could and would make the conqueror the only one... if only.

Shadows throbbed in the lights, inebriated and feeling bold, scared of being cast off; yearning for solidity and a sense of self that was denied to them by their makers.  Unable to control themselves, they tensed and darkened the path of the conqueror, making the night cry, keeping the stars from handing over the prize.  The smile faded away, and what was left of it, a witch turned into a pulpy drop of blood meant to stain the morning light, and let the new day know, all... it was lost.  The endless bodies parted ways and said their goodbyes, the maze grew pale and a ghost frightened it into a coma never to wake up from.  The shadows imbibe some more in the neons they thought were gold, and were never aware of the shimmer they took from the sky, leaving the world to wander without guidance.  The throbbing lights, blind and unaware of the weight of tragedy, washed down the still body of the would-be conqueror as a kiss bid his eyes goodbye.

The Search For The Perfect Image

In between being busy and distracted by life's happenings, I've been diligently trying to find-create the perfect cover for HADEAN ANGELUS, and so far nothing.  My original idea for a cover, just fell apart, and my second idea... I can't seem to put it together just right, thus forever delaying the release of the book, I mean, without a proper cover I can't do anything!

I had originally planned to have the book out this coming tuesday, which--if you read the book--would have been a perfect date for it! but sadly, not everything happen as planned, so the release date remains up in the air, until this business of the cover can get resolved. I'm going to crossed my fingers that it will be all done before thanksgiving, since that would also be a perfect date.  Stay tuned.....

Keep Wall Street Occupied

I've been (as always) busy with life, so I haven't post as frequently or even talk about subjects that I'm passionated about lately.  But I want to quickly share this video about a way to protest Wall Street, linked to the Occupy Wall Street movement, which I'm fully 100% behind, and I need to talk about it more.  I urge anyone and everyone to watch the video and start following on the steps of it's creator to let banks now that we, the people, will no longer just stand back and do nothing. It's time to act.

Hadean Angelus MCMLXXIX-Volume One-The Twins: Synopsis version 2.0

Ok, so I know I posted an "official" synopsis already, but in the back of my mind I wasn't 100% satisfied (when am I ever satisfied with anything, really?) so I tweaked it a bit and I've come up with a slightly longer, more detailed version, which I may or may not used as the official one.  See if you like this one better:


"Nethan Dohav is dead."  And with that grim announcement, the sprawling, apocalyptic world of Hadean Angelus begins.

Seven years ago, the global conflict began with an explosion, sending the world at large into a steady march towards total destruction.  Now, with the planet engulfed by unchecked chaos and with no discerning end in sight, seventy-nine nations have fallen while millions of lives have been lost.  At the homefront, the youth rebels against the totalitariam Regime; running away from home while being labeled terrorists, bringing forth a civil war that divides the nation even further.

Banding together, the runaways organized themselves and formed the Guerrillas, swearing to take down the totalitariam Regime and take back control of the nation.  But in the midst of this power struggle, a second, mysterious rebel group known as the Insignia emerges, threatening to bring the world to an end.

As one of the leaders of the Guerrillas, Netham's untimely death will set in motion a series of events that will lead his successor, the young Valentina Valentine, to uncover shocking truths about not only those she thought of as allies, but Netham himself, and put her on a collision course with the shadowy figure at the head of the Insignia; a showdown that will ultimately decide the fate of the world.

Introducing "Hadean Angelus MCMLXXIX Volume 1: The Twins" The Official Synopsis.

The World We Once Knew no Longer Exists.

Of the one hundred and ninety-six nations that stood at the start of the global conflict, only one hundred and seventeen remain.  In a scant seven years, seventy-nine nations have been seized, decimated or simply erased from the face of the earth.

Rise of the Totalitarian System.

It’s no secret that within the hierarchy of old men that constitutes the Regime, corruption runs rampant. The Regime has taken our rights away; they know our every move, make our decisions for us, and even go as far as act as if they know our very thoughts dictating what we think or say.  An entity that instills fear cannot be trusted to rule, but without an alternative to turn to, it cannot be stopped.

The Youth in Revolt.

With the national draft reinstated, the youth rebelled against the Regime, refusing to be shipped to their death at the battlefront. Running away from home and leaving their families behind, they are now fugitives being hunted down by the Regime.  Organizing themselves, they start fighting back, until their confrontation with the Regime explodes into a civil war.

The Fight for Control.

With a nation torn apart by the global conflict and the battle between the Regime and the youth rebel groups, a third, mysterious entity collects itself and makes a play to overpower everything, take the nation, and bring the world at large to an end.

The Title Revealed!

I'm double excited to finally reveal the title of my new novel:

"Hadean Angelus MCMLXXIX Volume 1: The Twins."

Yes, I know, it's quite a mouthfull.

But it's such an exciting story!  I also would like to point out that it is going to be my first serial, hence the "volume" in the title.

I've worked on HADEAN ANGELUS for some years now, finding my way around the ins and outs of the story as a whole; not just this first volume, but the full series.  And though I know exactly how many volumes there's going to be of it, I would like to hold that bit of info back for now, and simply concentrate on Volume 1's release.  I'm aiming for a November 1st release date at this point, fingers crossed.

What's the meaning of the title you asked?  It's actually a puzzle piece to a huge, HUGE, secret within the story, and giving the meaning away now, would ruin the pay off of the story.  But fear not, in the next few days, I'm going to be posting bits and pieces of the mechanics of the story and its characters, including the official synopsis of  Volume 1: The Twins.

Stay Tuned.

Quick Film Takes On: "Contagion," "Killer Elite,"Drive," "Moneyball."

Though life has been keeping busier than I would like, I've somehow find the time to see a few movies out and here are my quick thoughts:

DRIVE: More stylish than I thought it would be, with some unexpected parts, a nice soundtrack, and some pretty cute/tender moments interspeted with the violence and the cool camera work driving. Everyone involve does a fine job. Grade: B+

MONEYBALL: Thought people may not see it, Brad Pitt does a very good understated acting on this.  The movie itself is winner, thanks to him and the excellent script and directing job.  Is it an oscar movie? Yes and not quite. Grade: B+

KILLER ELITE: It's not quite the movie the preview made it seem to be, but it has tons of fun moments, especially the two big fights between Clive and Jason, and it proves once and for all that Jason Statham is without a doubt, "the man." Grade: B

CONTAGION: A perfectly ok movie about paranoia in our everyday lives, everyone involve does good on their parts, but it's nothing to rush to. Grade: B

Novel #2 Update: Hardest Part of It All--The Crucial Synopsis.

And here I was so happy that the editing part was completely done, and I was almost halfway done with creating the right cover design, when suddenly someone reminded me of one tiny fact that I have completely forgotten about: the book's synopsis.

And my heart sank.

Not because it is an impossible task, but because summarizing your novel to one or two paragraphs has got to be the hardest part of writing a novel, period.  You have to sell the novel to the potential reader, convey just about everything, or at the very least, the most crucial aspects of the story without giving any surprises away!  Which sometimes means omitting amazing details that would for sure drive people to buy/read the book, but you can't give those details away because they serve a larger story and their impact needs to be discover while reading the book, not on a summary.

So I have stop all work on the cover design, to concentrate on the synopsis.  I must have written about 10 different versions of the synopsis for VIOLET HILL, until I landed on the version I ended up using for the official release.  But VIOLET HILL, when compare to book #2, was a piece of cake.  VIOLET HILL might have been a bit difficult to summarized, but the story itself is very straightforward compare to the new novel.  The new one is perhaps the most complex story I've ever dreamed up; it is a huge, sprawling epic from which book #2 is only a fraction of. 

I already feel a headache coming on......

But fear not, I'm known for putting myself in this type of "against the wall" situations and finding my way out. I am a higly intelligent, confident, practical, resourceful being, and though it may take a dozen drafts, I will end up with the perfect synopsis for it.  Which I will then post here, along with the official reveal of the novel's title.

stay tuned.....

Book Number 2-update

Finishing the editing was probably the easy part.  I have a clear idea of the cover design I want to utilize for my upcoming novel, the only issue is getting that idea to work.  When I was looking for the cover image of VIOLET HILL, I wanted (of course) an image that would represent the story or more importantly convey the feeling of the book, and the image I choose, which I believe I was lucky to come across is perfect: the upside down view to a basement dead end.

For anyone that's read VIOLET HILL, you know that I couldn't have picked a better image to represent the novel. A sense of dread, being trapped with no escape, desperation, claustrophobic fear, and your world and everythig you know completely shuffled into something unknown.  That's all right there in the cover when you read the novel.

I want the cover of book 2 to be just as perfect as that of VIOLET HILL, and so far I haven't being able to nailed it, but I'm positive that I'm going to.

Fingers crossed.

What a Hurricane Can Make You Accomplished.

So this weekend, we, the people of the northeast cost, had to deal with the passing of hurricane Irene. Though there wasn't much damaged at all around my area (NYC) asside from hours and hours of heavy rain and wind, I was most concern with losing power, so I stayed up, burning the midnight oil to finished my final revision of my next novel.  And I'm very happy to say that the mission was accomplished!!

Granted, we did not, in fact, lost power for a second, but the important thing is that I feared we would, so it made me sit down and not moved until this revision was done, otherwise, I can bet I would still be working on it for another week or so.  So even though Irene did cause a lot of damages and some lives were lost, for which I'm very saddened, in some weird selfish way, I have to say thanks to it for pushing me to do what I should have been done with weeks ago.

Next up: working on the cover/backcover design, the pages layout, and overall look of the novel, before my late October/early November publishing deadline.

Wish me luck.

Work in Progress Update

So I'm about half-way through doing the last editing of my next novel. I'm aiming for a late October, early November release.  Pretty exciting!

Movies Review Round-Up

I've seen a few pics in the last couple of weeks and this is my brief thoughts on them:

THE HELP: it isn't history, it's a work of fiction, so I don't know why so many people are hating on it. For what it is, it's a very well acted film, poignant, heartfelt, and enjoyable. Grade: A.

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES: I can't remember the old ones, I think I've only seen the original as a child, and the Marky Mark one, I erased it off my memory. This one is pretty good for a summer movie trying to be a bit more food for thought than your usual fare, and everyone is pretty solid, including Draco Malfoy!  Andy Serkis, once again, makes motion capture tech amazingly vivid and convincing. Grade: B+

COWBOYS & ALIENS: a total rental. It should have been more fun than serious. Grade: C.

THE GUARD: a bit random, off kilter, but typically quirky from ireland, funny, though not as much as I was expecting, but overall, enjoyable. Grade: B

CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE: hands down, the romantic comedy of the year, and the best comedy of the summer. Yes, even better than BRIDESMAIDS. Grade: A.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: Pretty solid, and actually center around it's namesake unlike the disappointment that was THOR. Chris Evans does himself proud. Grade: B

An Amazingly Awesome Reader's Review of "Violet Hill"

on Barnes&Nobles site, Mr Bell wrote one short, yet flattering review of VIOLET HILL OR THE MAD DIARIES OF NICHOLAS RAMPLING. A review he titled: "A grand renewal of a type of story that has long since lost its shine!"  Then proceeds to call my novel "remarkable" and "astounding job" and how he "truly loved it."  But don't let me tell you, read it for yourself here. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page.

I'm feeling most humble and truly appreciative of Mr. Bell's words.

In Memoriam: Amy Winehouse

Very Saddened about Amy's passing. It feels as terrible as when Aaliyah died in the plane crash.
Yes, because of her behavior and drug abuse, we knew that more than likely she wasn't gonna make it, but damn it I held out a bit of hope that she ultimately would come out at the other side of all the darkness around her.
Yes, she was a very troubled young woman, but it doesn't take away from the fact that she was such a raw talent, the likes we seldom get to experience. Making fun of her dead is easy, cheap, and shameful.
At least, her demons can no longer haunt her, she's finally free at last. My heart goes out to her family.

All I can think of now is her exquisite, heartwrenching, and arguably best music video for what I considered her very best song: Back to Black.

HARRY POTTER: Ranking All 8 Films.

I've seen HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2, five times already.  A bit obsessive? Yes.  Had enough of it? No. I will see it as many times as I can managed. It is the end of an era, something that, not just me, but for many, has been part of our lives for over a decade. How can I not relish and re-watch THE END multiple times?  I believe any serious Potterphile should at the very least, watch the movie twice.

But now that I've seen them all, it was inevitable that I (and I'm sure every fan, magazine, blog, etc,) would take time to rank them in terms of greatness. They've all conjured a spell on fans worldwide, but of course, some of them--depending on the director--had a stronger, longer-lasting spell than others.

For all the magical moments, and every thrilling charm cast with visually-arresting, cinematic wizardry, what makes the POTTER films stand apart from most fantasy films (mainly all the copycats that came after it, trying to become the next Potter-like blockbuster), it's the acting, the quiet moments, the way each character latches him or herself onto your heart, no spell require, that makes them, special.  Even the evil characters you can't completely hate, because the level of acting of these British actors is so potent, so natural.... to this day I'm besides myself that not one of them has been properly singled out during awards season.  The films became more like the endearing drama of an orphan boy, his two awesome best friends, and the dire circumstances surrounding him, forcing him to face evil at such a young age, that just happened to be set on a magical realm.  The magic, for all the amount of it that existed, was always secondary to the characters.  That's how Jo Rowling wrote them, that's how (starting with) Alfonso Cuaron and his successors filmed them, that's why movie after movie they became greater and bigger, enchanting even those who've never bothered or care to read the books.

So without any more delaying, here's my ranking of all 8 films:

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN: I know there's a few who don't think highly of PRISONER OF AZKABAN, but that's just foolery. AZKABAN was the film that changed the franchise and set it on it's way to greatness. Alfonso Cuaron brilliantly got the characters out of the light touch of the first two movies and into darker territory, he also got them out of the school uniform and made them more real. Watch the first two films and then this one, and you can just see how he was able to bring the "actor" out of Daniel, Emma, and Rupert. From this point on, they weren't just mere "child actors," they were actors. Also the casting of Michael Gambon as Dumbledore after the passing of Richard Harris was just genius. His Dumbledore is the one people will forever remember, and not because he played it more than the late Richard did, but because he made Dumbledore human, instead of the regal, kind yet detached version from the first two films.  Harry's winter isolation, rebellious/angry attitude, his pain, his realization of having family (Sirius) are all moments that connect you with him.  AZKABAN remains the template by which the succeeding directors base their takes on each following book.  Just try to imagine what HARRY POTTER AND.... would have looked like, have Chris Columbus kept directing or if the other directors had followed his lead?
2. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1: Here's the thing, Part 2 is freaking awesome in every level, and though I don't mind the relentless action, Part 1 has more intimate moments that hit home a bit more. It's the quiet before the storm and it's dreadful. We have an idea of how badly the storm is going to break, but the quiet, the wait, the hesitation, confusion, uncertainty on Harry's, Hermione's, and Ron's faces while on the run with seemingly no one to turn to, makes you feel desperate for them.  Ron's departure, and Hermione's heartbreak, Harry trying to console her with a dance, Harry's face seeing his parent's grave, even freaking Dobby's death, just tears you apart.
3. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2: The end we have all been waiting/dreading, and how emotional it was. After multiple viewings, I have to say, I've started feeling sad for even Voldemort as the last horcruxes were destroyed and he felt it. Even when he brought Harry's supposed dead body back to Hogarts to brag, you could see the trepidation in his eyes, here he was finally unstoppable with harry dead, and yet, even he wasn't sure anymore. Ralph Fiennes played him brilliantly during those final scenes, showing the madness consuming him, and his fear of certain death.  And yet, it was so (understandably) busy that it left very little room for the special moments.  Bellatrix's death seemed rather too quick for her character, and Fred's, Remus', and Tonk's dead should have felt more emotional, yet they didn't quite reach the level they should have been for these characters.  On the other hand, Severus' demise was as shocking and sad as it should have been, and Harry's view of his memories through the pensieve were effective on conveying the tragedy and heroism behind his character. Alan Rickman remains the acting MVP through the whole series, hands down.
4. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX: Sirius death, Bellatrice's emergence, Harry and Cho's kiss, Dumbledore and Voldemort's showdown at the ministry of magic, the delicious malice of professor Umbridge.... taking a clue from Alfonso Cuaron, David Yates took over from Mike Newell's and his uneven rendering of GOBLET OF FIRE, and brought the films back to their "characters first" focus, and the result was as explosive and exciting as Hermoine pointing her wand and shouting: "bombardo!" 
5. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE: Though David Yates skillful eyed should forever be commended for creating magic out of the last 3 books in the series, HALF-BLOOD PRINCE will forever be his least effective. In terms of character development and acting, it is one of the strongest. Michael Gambon does so much with Dumbledore on this one, he should have been nominated in the same way that Ian Mckellen was for THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. Tom Felton gives so much gravitas to Draco, it is like seeing the character anew. But, and though I've tried to judged the films on their own and not compare them to the books, and it is true that all films differ from aspects of the books, the changes on HALF-BLOOD PRINCE are so glaring that they just can't be ignored. Harry and Ginny's kiss, the burning of the burrow and excising Dumbledore's funeral from the film are nearly unforgivable.
6. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS: Looking back, this is probably the most surprising of all the films, because no one expected Chris Columbus to reined in his penchant for showy moments, and actually put greater emphasis on the story. Oh, he still indulges himself on magical aha! set pieces, but not as over the top as the first film.
7. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: The most uneven of all 8 films. Mike Newell tried to compromise between the special effects showmanship and cuteness of the Chris Columbus films, and the character development of Alfonso Cuaron, leaving GOBLET OF FIRE entertaining yet not the soaring epic it should have been. It must be pointed out that he also had to condense the longest book, which also made the film feeling like it was missing something, by everything that was left on the floor of the cutting room.
8. HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE: Though full of magic, and granted, base on the first novel which was very much aimed at kids, Chris Columbus opted to go for the cuteness of his HOME ALONE movies, leaving SORCERER'S STONE a thrilling first look at the world of HARRY POTTER but one with no emotional connection. You never feel worried for Harry and Co. You don't develop empathy during the scene of in which Harry sees his parents in the mirror.  But you do laugh at all the little enchantments cast, all the moments of discovery, and all the cuteness on screen. It doesn't leave you wanting more.

Now, if were counting DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 & 2 as one single movie, which I will probably do in the future the way I now count/see THE LORD OF THE RINGS as one whole movie and not three separate films, then DEATHLY HALLOWS would hands down hold the number 1 position.  Put them together, DEATHLY HALLOWS does possess everything that has enchanted us about HARRY POTTER through out the years. No better end could have been asked.

Goodbye Harry, thanks for the magic.

Some movies have one single scene that tugs at your heart and makes you tear up....Deathly Hallows has about 20 such scenes.
Greatest movie of the year.

I feel like I was there in the forbidden forest, and I was the one struck with the killing curse..... but I wouldn't have it any other way. It trully is the end of an era, the end of innocence as it were. Like childhood, once it's gone, you may carry it with you in memory, but you can't never re-live it, but in many ways, that's what makes it special. Not many movies can make you feel that way.
I can wait to re-watch it over and over and over again.  Goodbye Harry, thanks for the magic.

On Pixar's Cars 2

I am the first to admit that I wasn't exactly super excited for CARS 2, they way I've been with just about every other Pixar film.  But I wasn't exactly excited about the first one, and I ended up loving that one quite a lot.

CARS 2 may not have the emotional punch associated with most Pixar films, and it's eco-friendly message may seem even more blunt to people than that of WALL-E, but at least, Pixar didn't give us the same movie all over again, and that's the single greatest reward watching this, quite entertaining, funny, action-packed sequel.

Yes, Mater gets put front and center as the main character this time around, but he and the little winks here and there, like Geisha cars, Zumo wrestler cars, the Queen of England car, are just too much fun to look at to not appreciate the movie for just a good popcorn film. It also looks marvelous, so shiny and full of lustre and slick, I wanted to reach out and touch the screen. Even the ocean--on the high octane opening sequence--seems more vivid than your average hollywood movie.  Voice-wise, Sir Michael Caine takes top honors as an all out British spy to rival James Bond himself, and John Turturro is a hoot as Francesco Bernoulli, an italian race car that's Lightning McQueen's main nemesis on the tracks.

It is far from what some are calling Pixar's first misfire, they weren't trying to make another Toy Story 3 or a WALL-E, this is more in the vain of just the pure fun of the first CARS, A BUG'S LIFE, and the thrilling action of THE INCREDIBLES, and for that type of escapism, it deserves to be viewed and enjoyed. B+

You have an easier time finding a job than a good roommate in NYC

Which is unexplicably, unbelievable.

I think I've seen now like 20 people in a week, and no one suitable yet.
Most people have a lot of concerns about the area, 'cause you know, there are tons of questionable areas in NYC, also rent prices are frakking high, and the places miserably small.  Add to that, that landlords are assholes, sometimes there's just no good transportation, your roommates are crazy, moody, dirty scumbags, etc.

But NONE of those things apply to me and my place.  It's big enough, the area is one of nyc best neighborhoods, the rent is quite affordable compare to what those around me pay, there's plenty of transportation on my block (4 train lines), the landlord isn't the friendliest person, but he at least is on top of any issue and solves it right away, and I'm the most easygoing person, who doesn't care who you are/do as long as you are clean and pay on time, and are some druggy, party animal.

The issues are that most people, don't seem to read your roommate ad, and ask you tons of questions to things you alredy went out of your way to answer in said ad.
Waste your time by stopping by and telling you they love the place, but they still want to wait to hear from other places for X reason.  Everyone wants to walk around waiting for something they deem better, and therefore wasting your time. Time you could have use to talk to a more potential roommate.
You tell them the move in date is X date, they say yes, then tell you they can't move in that date and can you wait for them.
They say they are available all day, when you clear a time for them, they say can't make it and if it could be hours later or another day. or that something like go check out a restaurant with a friend came up, and apparently that's more important than having a place to live.
Then there's the issue with trying to read people through their white lies. Every single response claims they are super clean, neat, quiet, etc.  C'mon people, though I want someone that is relatively clean, I rather live with someone that honestly says: "I may forget to clean right that instant and leave dishes overnight 'cause I'm super tired, but I make it a point to clean them the next day."  I can live with that. Usually the super everything are the least clean, neat people in the world.

Ok, I'm done venting. I'm hoping I'll find someone relatively awesome today and be done with roommate search hell.

Reading: THE BOY WITH THE CUCKOO-CLOCK HEART by Mathias Malzieu

As of tomorrow I start reading Mathias Malzieu's "The Boy With the Cuckoo-Clock Heart" which I bought about a year and a half ago.  It's a very short story, so it shouldn't take me long to finished it; this is after all my first post "Perpetual Motion" book and I've swore not to ever take so long to read a book, so let's see how I do.

Documentary: "Buck"

I was invited by a good friend to a showing of the documentary BUCK, about Dan "Buck" Brannaman, a horse trainer and practitioner of natural horsemanship, who was the main inspiration behind the book and movie THE HORSE WHISPERER.

Buck is a super likable soul, he's really inspirational, especially how he's form such rapor with horses and how patient he is with the horses owners, teaching them how to communicate with the animals without losing their temper, since Buck suffered from child abuse at the hands of his dad, but it makes sense, that he turn that abuse into something positive.  A wonderful film that should you have a chance, should watch. A.

Joanna Newsom

In the last 48hours, a friend of mine inadvertily linked me to this video performance of Joanna Newsom, whom I've never heard of before.  Now that I do, I'm pretty much getting my hands on everything Joanna Newsom.

This particular song, the sound, her voice, the lyrics, and most importantly they way she performs it; her facial expression, her visible pain, just breaks my heart into infinite pieces.

On: THE DREAM OF PERPETUAL MOTION by Dexter Palmer

Done.  It took me long enough, but I can't believe I'm now done and can start reading other books, which is always a good thing. I'm making a personal vow not to ever take such a long time with a book regardless of how I feel while reading it.

THE DREAM OF PERPETUAL MOTION has a lot going on for it.  The fantastical, steampunk world created by Dexter Palmer is quite striking, the writing is extremely funny, at times curiously quirky, sentimental early on, with a huge magical child eye on its first half, and peppered through out, there's are starlingly dark scenes, that though violent, are balance by a sense of humor to keep them from turning you off from its gore.

Though the story remains compelling, it loses steam after the halfway point, mostly because its main character, Harold Winslow, becomes dour with adulthood (he's recounting his life, and from childhood up to his early twenties his life is most absorbing) and he becomes borderline abstract, almost secondary to all the things happening around him, and not as likable, only because as life dulls him, he becomes a cypher with almost no personality, and I feel like we in turn, lose the sould of the story in the process.  Also, the books starts dragging some, to the point that it becomes hard to continued reading, with things happening, it seems, just to make the story longer but not advancing it in any shape or form.

When the story reaches its climax, it feels as though Harold doesn't even want to be there, he's just doing it so that it all ends as it should; if he was an actor in a movie, this would be the equivalent of him phone it in.  Which makes me sad, because I really enjoy most of the book, and as a steampunk enthusiast, I love the world Dexter created for it, and how cool it all was at the beginning and how intriguing everything was from the point of view of Harold the kid, Harold the teenager, Harold the young adult, until Harold the 30 year old, left us a bit cold.

I'm sure others will find the book riveting from beginning to end, I just wished Dexter Palmer would have not let Harold become more or less a device to tight everything together without giving him a choice.  B-

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 Trailer

My heart just wept, and its pumping with anticipation.

The Dream of Perpetual Motion--Update

Ok, so I haven't finished THE DREAM OF PERPETUAL MOTION, but I'm almost done. I have only 15 pages left to go, which I should be done with tomorrow.

On "Super 8"

A truly nostalgia/throw back to the wonders of early Steven Spielberg movies, with shades of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, THE GOONIES, E.T. and even a bit of STAND BY ME.  It's a very simple straight-forward film, that's hugely entertaining in terms of storytelling, acting, and thrills.  B+

To Read or Not to Read

I have a cold, one of those head/dry colds that's not as nasty as a full on cold bordering on flu, but a cold nonetheless.  This post isn't about me having a cold, of course not, but head/dry colds are so irritatingly maddening, I have to vent! It's been 5 days and it just won't leave me alone.  To make matters worse, it finally got hot here in New York. Our first heatwave took us from mid 70s to mid 90s and tomorrow it's going to hit 100.  A cold and hot weather is not one of my favorite combinations, but I digress.....

The real topic here is that just over a year ago, I bought a copy of Dexter Palmer's THE DREAM OF PERPETUAL MOTION on the fly without knowing anything about it.... and I still haven't finish reading it.

I initially was very into the book.  The premise, the world Mr. Palmer had created for it, the character's, etc., but just after the halfway point, the book started changing and then I felt like it was dragging on and going on in tangents, some good, some not quite interesting, to the point that I put the book down and I haven't pick it up to finish it, even though I only have the last 70 pages to go.  I became so disenchanted with how everything evolved from the promising start, that I can't bring myself to read it the remaining of it.  What's sad, is that it's keeping me from reading anything else that's waiting patiently for me to get to.  I buy books way too often and I currently have about 40 (and counting) waiting for me to crack them open.  And of course, I have a list of books I'm wanting to get because I've heard great things about them, like the new (and one before it) China Mieville novel.

Now, I don't want to sound like I hate THE DREAM OF PERPETUAL MOTION or anything, I still really like a lot it's first half, and though I'm let down to an extent with the second half, in no way I think it sucks, it's just one of those books that you were sure was going one way and it took a turn you aren't quite into it, even as you see the reason why.

But it is keeping me from reading the other novels I have and it's been a year now.  I miss reading things other than my own--I've been doing a lot of editing and though exciting, I also want a bit of a distraction--so I'm hoping that by addressing my PERPETUAL MOTION dilemma here, it's going to give me the push I need to pick up the book, finish it, and move on to the next one.  It's only 70 pages, and though I've been quite busy, I should be able to finish it quickly, but I'm going to give myself a full week to do so. Who knows, maybe the ending will completely make up for my dissatisfaction of the last quarter.

Check back next Wednesday for a review (fingers crossed).

On "Sharp Objects" by Gilliam Flynn

Has anyone read Gillian Flynn's SHARP OBJECTS from 2006?
It was her debut novel, and as far as contemporary horror stories goes, SHARP OBJECTS remains one darkly unsettling, disturbing novel that crawls under your skin and stays there for months.  5 years later, I still recall my reaction to its best and most chilling passages.  What sets SHARP OBJECTS apart from most novels, and really what keeps you from putting the book down, is Ms Flynn's sharp (for lack of a better word) stylize writing, and her talent to make vivid for us, a family, a small town, a handful of mean teenage girls that, though not supernatural monsters, are the stuff of nightmares.  And the pay off? Sick is a word that comes to mind often.

I decided to touch on SHARP OBJECTS because, shortly after finishing the book, I was so taken by it and the damage caused to its main character, that I was inspire to write a song; a sort of theme from the book (I get inspire to write songs to things quite often).  Going through some old files I came across the lyrics sheet, and re-reading it, it immediately took me back to the world within the book and it's horrors, and I decided to post it here so you can have a look.  No matter how many times it happens, it always amazes me when something gets such a strong hold of you that it inspire you in turn, to create other things.

If you've read the book, let me know what you think.

Sharp Objects

I still have that spot baby, awaiting your name/

Come to me and give me peace of mind/don’t you want your angel to be all right?/

Come to me and give me what I need/

I remember the first time/I remember the pain/I remember the release/

Oh yes/the release/

My body starts to hum, as the memories burn brightly in my mind/

And my skin/oh yes/my skin/it screams obscenities back at me/

And I ache/I ache hard/once/

Like a period typed at the end of a sentence/

“Babydoll” you call out in the wind/but little “whore” is all I hear/

I was “wicked” “nasty” “queasy” “harmful” and the words kept coming/

Your mouth was a trap full of pearly white teeth gnawing away hungrily/

Over miles and miles of skin/

Words ripple up and words ripple down/

Yet my body won’t hush, ’cause the cutting tool was never found/

I remember it well/I remember you denied me/I remember you told me I hurt your love/

Oh yes/your love/

You said that I hurt you when I ran away from your side/

What about me and the bleeding I got going inside?/

You were hurt/oh yes/you were hurt/

But I ached/hard/once/

Like a period typed at the end of a sentence/

“Babydoll” you call out in the wind/but little “whore” is all I hear/

I wanted to be “Inarticulate” “duplicious” “worrisome” “tragic” and the damage kept on going/

‘Cause your mouth was a trap full of pearly white teeth gnawing away hungrily/

Over miles and miles of my skin/

Words ripple up and words ripple down/

Yet my body won’t hush, ‘cause the cutting tool was never found/

I still have that clean spot baby, awaiting your name/

Come to me and give me peace/come to me and silence my skin/

Give me your mouth with its full set of pearly sharp objects~

XMEN: FIRST CLASS

I've chose to give XMEN: FIRST CLASS it's own review because it deserves better than being grouped with subpar summer fare.

I knew (hoped really) from the trailer that this had the potential to be the kind of summer movie that excites, at the same time that entertains without insulting your intelligent or gives you cheap thrills. And I'm glad to say that after weeks of stale disappointments, this is the first blockbuster of the season to deliver the popcorn goods.

Matthew Vaughn (LAYER CAKE, KICK-ASS, STARDUST) has yet to disappoint as a director, and he's quickly becoming a favorite of mine; to the point that if I see he's involved, then I make it a point to see it.  And though I'm one of the few that didn't completely hated part 3, LAST STAND, I was glad he had been given the chance to undo the mess that Brett Ratner created with that last movie. (The less said about ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, the better).

The plot is solid, the set pieces perfectly created and scenes choreographed in a more subtle way that allows you to take it all in and not have to search all over the screen to know what's going on.  The action sequence are thrilling, and though not every single character could be wholly fleshed out when you're dealing with this many, not one felt like a cardboard.  Well, with the exception of Emma Frost, but that's not the writers fault, but bad casting. January Jones is a terrible actress. No matter what she's in, she's lifeless, wooden, her expressions are blank, her line delivery monotonous, and she's supposed to be a vamp on this, but an olive swimming on a martini has more sex-appeal.  She's the one and only weak point on the whole film.

Which I'm fine with, because the rest of the cast shines enough to forgive her, none more than the trifecta of Kevin Bacon, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender.  Bacon as Sebastian Shaw, who still remains the most underrated actor of the last 25 years, shines as the movies villain without ever being cartoonish or coming off as demented.  James and Michael, as Charles Xavier/Professor X and Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto respectively, are what keeps you glued to the screen. Not only are they superb in their respective roles, but they breathe so much life and complexity to their characters; their friendship being the heart and soul of the movie.  You actually feel their pain when it's time for them to break apart and go on in their chosen paths.  I can only hope that Matthew is called back to make the sequel and he brings back the whole cast, at the very least, James and Michael.

Oh, there are some funny bits in the movie too, especially the surprise cameos. XMEN has always been more dense and serious in term of storylines and FIRST CLASS, like LAST STAND before it, serves a brilliant balance of seriousness and exciting parts.  A-

Quick Film Reviews

I've tried to distract myself with with my old reliable solution: sitting in the dark, watching movies on the big screen.

Here are my quick takes on the films I've seen:

• BRIDESMAIDS: funny, sweet, and pretty solid in the fact that writers understand that comedies are funnier when the characters aren't cardboards but fleshed out and relatable. B+
• PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES: complete waste of time.  Whatever little excitment was left in this series, this movie killed it. D
• KUNG FU PANDA II: losing some of the novelty of the first one, and not as solid, yet still fun to watch, even as you realized the story was a bit too close to "Legend of the Seeker" but with the brilliant Gary Oldman voicing the craziest, evil-est peacock ever, you sort of forgive the shortcomings. Part III better deliver. B
• PRIEST: though completely disposable, it actually had some entertaining bits, that kept you interested. If only I could say the same thing about PIRATES. C+
• THE HANGOVER II: completely unfunny. I may have laughed once, chuckle another time, but this was the most vile cashed-in, waste of time I've sat through in a while. Frame by frame the same movie and nothing about it is funny or outrageous. F

At A Loss, Searching For Peace.

I'm not usually the "sharing" kind.  I'm more of a "keep it to myself," and more to the point, a loner.  And I believe that it isn't any coincidence that I'm a writer; not as a result of being a loner, but because they naturally go hand in hand.......at least that's how I see it.

To be a writer, for the most part, involves being alone for long stretches of the day (if you have the luxury of time available) or at the very least, X amount of hours during the day. Sometimes locked away in some place, or sitting on some semi crowded public place-yet, your mind itself is far away in some world within your brain, spending time with all of those characters within you.  I can honestly say that I've spend now more time with the characters within me than with the actual people that constitute my circle of friends/relatives etc.

I'm a loner because I don't spend as much time with them or with anyone else period, and yet, I'm not alone because I'm "hanging out" with those whose entire life lies in the infinite realm of my imagination, and they all are, patiently waiting for their turn to be brought to life, so to speak, on papper.
As crazy as it sounds, it is these characters who know the real me, who share my trials and tribulations, just as I share theirs.

But every now and then, I feel the need to share with those outside my head, and in these internet times, the world. Such is the need now.

I brother of mine died, and another has fallen ill, and at this point, it doesn't look good.  Sometimes life beats us up physically, sometimes emotionally, and though I ran into some crazy knife-wielding old man in the subway and he cut my arm, it is my heart, my very soul that feels beaten to a pulp.  My head feels like it is about to explode any day now. The pain of having lost a brother is even harder to bear when the thought of losing another hammers away inside my head.

I've tried to write, to escape, but nothing has come.  All those characters within me have left me alone, which is probably the reason why I'm here sharing a slice of my personal life. It is as if they know this is something that you can't run from, that you must confront and deal with it.  I don't believe, I know I'm tough, and that I will learn to make my peace with it and feel better in time; it is just that I've never experience a lost this close to me, and I wasn't prepare for it to happen so soon, so suddenly.  Threating to occur again in my immediate future, leaving no time to heal in between both.

I sent a copy of VIOLET HILL to a magazine editor this week, something that would have otherwise lift my spirit, but it's significance didn't even register.  I even visited a church-first time in a while-but all I found was a bunch of tourist failing to behave themselves at the house of God, frustrating the clery at hand.

I'm at a loss, there's not much I can do. I may find it at some point, but for now, peace eludes me.

Short Stories

Though I sort of started my affair with writing by daydreaming short stories on long boring afternoons, I've never been that taken by it, dunno. I think everything I dream up, becomes such a huge an idea, that it would never be contained and properly told within a short story format.... or I'm just not that good at it. I guess we must suck at something :(

Haha, with that in mind, I did get inspired to write a trilogy of very short stories around Halloween of '10.  Though not exactly connected, they do share the same basic format; they all contain a specific word(s) blanked out, and they all have a sort of try to say something about death on their own way.  They aren't anything special, but quick, to the point and cool.

They are: The Hand," "The Puppy," and "The Smile."  And you can find them all on their very own tab above.

Thanks for reading.

The Rapture

Hello and welcome to my blog.

My name is Francis and I'm novelist living in NYC.  I just recently published my very first novel, an old fashioned haunted house story entitled: VIOLET HILL OR THE MAD DIARIES OF NICHOLAS RAMPLING, available through amazon in paperback and kindle version.

It's kind of ironic, and quite on point for someone like myself to decide to create a blog and facebook page to promote my work on what's supposed to be the beginning of the end for all of us: The Rapture, according to some radio pastor from California.  Maybe this will be my first and last post, who knows.  If it isn't, then please come back in the next few days as I'll be adding stuff around here until everything looks good, up and running properly.

Cheers.