Monthly Archives: May 2008

Big thanks to Michael and Corwin

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Just a quick note before my brain goes on vacation for a few days. This website was created in many ways, thanks to Mr. Reed’s class here in Seattle — by Chief Sealth High School students, Michael and Corwin (for those who didn’t know, the city of Seattle was named after Chief Sealth). You can read more about the creation process at the West Seattle Blog.

Quickly: Mr. Reed’s web design class sent a shout out for local businesses to work as clients for his web design students. In turn, they created the sites. Great job, all around. Many a Friday morning spent together. And here’s to Michael finishing System Shock. One of the creepiest first-shooter video games, ever (and precursor to Bioshock).

Someday, I know my co-op playing wife is going to want the disk back.

NBC’s Fear Itself to take over ER timeslot

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…for the summer at least. But the best part of this story is good horror making a comeback on something other than paid television (or the now defunct Monster HD on DISH). Starting to feel more and more like speculative horror is on the upswing. Sure beats the run on serial killer books/flicks so many horror writers were forced into during the 1990’s. This show’s producers come from Showtime’s Masters of Horror series. Here is NBC’s press release on Fear Itself:

“Fear Itself” is a provocative, new 13-episode suspense and horror anthology series set to push the boundaries of this classic genre through a host of provocative talent, both in front of and behind the camera, including award-winning, sought-after directors John Landis (“An American Werewolf in London”), Darren Bousman (“Saw II, III and IV”) and Ronny Yu (“Bride of Chucky”); actors Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”), Shiri Appleby (“Charlie Wilson’s War”), Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”), Cynthia Watros (“Lost”), Eric Roberts (NBC’s “Heroes”) and John Billingsley (“Star Trek: Enterprise”); and writers, including Joe Gangemi (“Wind Chill,” the novel “Inamorata”), Steve Niles (“30 Days of Night”) and Dan Knauf (“Carnivàle,” “Supernatural”).

Check out more about the show at NBC’s Fear Itself website. The show premieres on June 5th. Make sure to get the popcorn ready.

Posted in TV

Guillermo & Gaiman to team up?

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Since I’m on a Guillermo del Toro run, here’s another for all you Marvel web slingers out there: Not only is Guillermo del Toro in the running to do The Hobbit, he’s also in line to create a Dr. Strange flick. Remember the Doc from Marvel comic books? Funky SOHO mansion, cool cape, Master of the Mystic Arts ala Steve Ditko? And the word on the street is del Toro wants Neil Gaiman to write the screenplay.

If you’ve read Gaiman’s The Sandman comic books or graphic novels, you’ll know why this would be a perfect fit. Groundbreaking stuff, back in DC’s early Vertigo days. And for all you purists out there — too bad, but del Toro says he won’t be using the cape. We’ll have to wait and see about Wong.

El Orfanato (The Orphanage)–must see horror flick

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Ever have a movie stick with you for days? I haven’t been as drawn into a ghost story, or jumped so many times by superbly crafted directing, in years. No wonder El Orfanato won so many awards. It may be the best ghost story since 1981’s Ghost Story with Fred Astaire–based on the book by Peter Straub.

El Orfanato‘s narrative reminded me of Turn of the Screw by Henry James and The Awakening by Kate Chopin. But in producer Guillermo del Toro’s moody style (it’s directed by Juan Antonio). I’m not going to give anything away, but I doubt this movie would be made in the US right now, which is a shame. The film dips into del Toro’s Devil’s Backbone type of creepiness.

I’m certainly no critic, and recommending any type of genre movie is a stretch (it’s all so subjective), but if you’re in the mood for a brilliant ghost story go rent El Orfanato. Just be prepared to jump once or twice.

Maybe even scream.

Cory Doctorow hits Seattle

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Sci-fi author Cory Doctorow will be in Seattle this month, on a book tour for his new YA Little Brother. If you haven’t yet heard about Cory, you can check out more at his website craphound.com. He’s pushing the envelope for downloadable content for writers, which is always nice. Envelopes should be pushed. And pushed. And I don’t just mean those containing query letters. Here are the places you’ll be able to see Cory. He’ll be here from the 17th-20th, at Elliot Bay and the downtown Seattle Library. Tor is financing the tour, which gives you a hint what they think of the book. The cover even has a quote from Neil Gaiman. Why does Cory give away his books for free online? Read this post, and you’ll get an idea.