What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role
does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
While I currently work in retail and educational fields
respectively, I would much rather be some sort of scientist akin to the
character of Walter in the show Fringe.
As for this site, it gives me something to do that allows keeps my
writing chops up when I'm not working on a novel or my blogs.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
I have always loved The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It spoke to me as a child and has continued to do so every time I have read it, but with something different every time. The most interesting part is how the author words who he wrote it for: the child that became his friend Leo.
Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
Bella from Twilight is by far the most idiotic character of all time that she is profound in her stupidity. With the most obvious reasons being that she is dating a guy 100 years older than her and not realizing that he probably has a better grasp of his emotions than she does or the fact that he is basically a goth version of a Disney prince. The more symbolic of reasoning is that we look towards characters in search of life, yet she is in search of a man that is a vampire, in short, she is searching for death. This does nothing for anyone. Not to mention it took four freaking books for them to say "Hey, I like you, then I can't be with you," and concluding with "Just kidding, I still love you." To approach it from a writer's stand point, bad writing usually has repetitive wording and Stephanie Meyer used the word "beautiful" more times than there were pages. I guess being Mormon, she isn't allowed to research Vampires, Werewolves, or use a Thesaurus. I don't recommend this book to anyone ever. If that Twilight Zone episode where the world ended and I was the last man standing, but could only read Twilight, I would burn it.
If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
I would totally be Doctor Who. Well, I would be every Doctor possible except for Colin Baker. He was kind of a tool. The rest of them were pretty amazing. They had great positivity and a freaking time-machine/spaceship.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
The movie Harvey is my go-to-when-sick/stressed/need-to-relax movie. There is a scene that only Jimmy Stewart can nail so perfectly that the movie can't really be remade.
(http://youtu.be/IYU6mSIF8ww)
Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
I feel that The Amazing Spider-Man was a crap-tacular piece of shit. The choices in actors, with the exception of Emma Stone and Dennis Leary, were total crap. Also, the writing of the villain was trying too hard to be the Joker in Dark Knight. Aside from this movie, I've never been to the theater and legitimately booed the movie as it was playing.
If you could pit two characters from different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
I think I would pick Navajas from Desperado and Machete from Machete to basically go to town on each other. Navajas totally has the distance and style going for him as he only uses throwing knives with cross-styled hilts. Machete though has more aggression and weapons training. I figure that Navajas gains style points, but Machete would win in the long run.
What character from book, game, or movie have you had a crush on?
Molly Michon from Christopher Moore's The Stupidest Angel. Sure, she may be bipolar and even have multiple personalities, but so have all my ex girlfriends. The only difference here is that Molly wields a sword, kills zombies, and refers to herself as Kendra: Warrior Babe of Outland while wearing a metal bikini. HOW COOL IS THAT?!
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
Currently I am trying to work through all of Hemingway's major novels that were published before his death. Though I think I still want to read of Lovecraft's work. I currently have a large bound version of his fiction and I still need to get through it.
If you had to come up with a cross over story, which characters would you chose to unite, and what would the basic story be? (This can include Television)
I don't really like to come up with crossover stories, but I like to look for potential crossover stories. Like the same guy plays the mathematician in Good Will Hunting that plays the scientist in Thor and The Avengers. I like to imagine that it's the same character and that Will Hunting exists in the same world as Iron Man and Hulk.
If I had to actually make my own crossover, I think it would be great if Sam Beckett from Quantum Leap somehow leaped into the body of Rory Williams/Pond on Doctor Who as the TARDIS somehow materializes inside the S.S. Enterprise. All nerds everywhere would explode in excitement.
If you could share a meal, or a cup of coffee with any five authors, who would they be? What two questions would you want most to ask?
Brian Lee O'Malley, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Green, and Christopher Moore would be the five authors I would hang out with. The main question most authors get are "Who inspires you" or "What made you think of this." Those questions suck. I would probably ask what music they listen to and if they wanted to go to a casino.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
An interview with Rachel T.
What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
--I am currently a swim instructor and lifeguard at two health clubs and am working toward an AEA certification so that I would be able to teach water aerobics. My future ambitions include but are not limited to event planning, becoming an aquatic director, and/or editing and publishing.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
--The Harry Potter Series, I love that you can visually see J.K. Rowling evolving as a writer as her character's evolve along with her. I also love listening to this book on tape because Jim Dale made me feel as if I was a student at Hogwarts.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
--I love reading memoirs. I find it fascinating to dive into another's life and see things the way that they saw them play out, some of my favorites are It Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies and Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
--When I was a preteen I really connected to Ella from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I loved how spunky she was and always pictured myself when I read and reread that book.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
--Pride and Prejudice with Kira Knightly. The cinematography and acting make me fall in love with each character over and over again. And Matthew McFaden is pretty easy on the eyes as well.
Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
--I am not a fan of the Scary Movie movies. I never ever laughed in any of them and I actually walked out of the movie theater in Scary Movie 4.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
--I am not a fan of murder mysteries at all. I have only read a few and the few that I have read have scared me from ever wanting to read any more.
If you could pit two characters form different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
--Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider vs Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Laura croft would win hands down because I feel that she is more of a vicious fighter who is willing to play dirty.
What character from book, game, or movie have you had a crush on?
--Besides Darcy played by Matthew Macfaden? I loved Tristain played by James Franco in Tristan and Isolde. I almost died when he died on screen and loved the choice of love or honor and devotion to your king that was played out in it.
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
--I really should give Pride and Prejudice another try. I remember hating it when I read it in high school but I love the movie so much that I think I might be able to appreciate Jane Austen's style a bit more. Other books on my list? The Kite Runner, Robin Hood, The Secret Garden, She Said Yes, The Other Boleyn Girl. At least those are all the ones I can see on my book shelf across the room.
--I am currently a swim instructor and lifeguard at two health clubs and am working toward an AEA certification so that I would be able to teach water aerobics. My future ambitions include but are not limited to event planning, becoming an aquatic director, and/or editing and publishing.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
--The Harry Potter Series, I love that you can visually see J.K. Rowling evolving as a writer as her character's evolve along with her. I also love listening to this book on tape because Jim Dale made me feel as if I was a student at Hogwarts.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
--I love reading memoirs. I find it fascinating to dive into another's life and see things the way that they saw them play out, some of my favorites are It Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies and Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Unbearable Lightness by Portia De Rossi.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
--When I was a preteen I really connected to Ella from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I loved how spunky she was and always pictured myself when I read and reread that book.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
--Pride and Prejudice with Kira Knightly. The cinematography and acting make me fall in love with each character over and over again. And Matthew McFaden is pretty easy on the eyes as well.
Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
--I am not a fan of the Scary Movie movies. I never ever laughed in any of them and I actually walked out of the movie theater in Scary Movie 4.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
--I am not a fan of murder mysteries at all. I have only read a few and the few that I have read have scared me from ever wanting to read any more.
If you could pit two characters form different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
--Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider vs Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Laura croft would win hands down because I feel that she is more of a vicious fighter who is willing to play dirty.
What character from book, game, or movie have you had a crush on?
--Besides Darcy played by Matthew Macfaden? I loved Tristain played by James Franco in Tristan and Isolde. I almost died when he died on screen and loved the choice of love or honor and devotion to your king that was played out in it.
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
--I really should give Pride and Prejudice another try. I remember hating it when I read it in high school but I love the movie so much that I think I might be able to appreciate Jane Austen's style a bit more. Other books on my list? The Kite Runner, Robin Hood, The Secret Garden, She Said Yes, The Other Boleyn Girl. At least those are all the ones I can see on my book shelf across the room.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
An Interview with Heidi B.
What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
I currently work in print, managing the mailing of a few periodicals and catalogs. It’s a great job and I’m really enjoying it, but it is definitely not what I studied in school. I’d love to do something involving archaeology, specifically Viking-age Scandinavian archaeology, or just to live in Sweden. I used to write short stories fairly often, but for the past 5 years or so I’ve not really put any effort into creative writing. I am hoping that writing for this site will help get me back into writing, as I’ve had a few story ideas kicking around for a while.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
I don’t think I have one specific book that I could read over and over, but rather I have a few different series of books I tend to read at least annually. They all do a really good job creating worlds I’d love to live in, and I think that’s what keeps me reading them again and again. Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy is one that I reread fairly often.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
I usually stick to fantasy novels, because I’m a big fan of fantastical worlds, magic systems, giants and dragons and wizards, etc… I think reading should allow the reader to “escape” the real world, and fantasy makes that way more fun.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
There are so many characters in the books I’ve read over the years that I see pieces of myself in, but I think the one character I’d consider most like myself is Surreal from Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy. Surreal is a red-haired high level witch prostitute assassin, and while out of those characteristics I am only red-haired (and dyed at that!), her personality is closest to mine. She’s no-nonsense and makes sure everyone knows how she can more than handle herself in any situation she’s thrown in. She’s also incredibly sarcastic, snarky and pretty much an all out badass bitch, and I like to think if I lived in the world of that series I’d be much like her.
Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
I think I fall a little in love with all the characters in books I read, but honestly the one character I just can’t stand is goddamn Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter. I’m sure it’s just a case of me disliking the character so much due to excellent writing, but my god, I just want to smack her stupid frog face whenever I read Order of the Phoenix.
If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
Karsa Orlong from Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Because then I’d get to be bigger than everyone and tougher than everyone and also kill everyone including GODS.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
There are many movies that I will watch over and over again because, like with reading, I enjoy escapism. There are few movies that I will drop everything to watch when I notice them on cable, though. These are: Mrs. Doubtfire, Beetlejuice, Overboard, and Jurassic Park. There is no rhyme or reason to these movies, I just really, really like them.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
While I’d like to sit here and say Twilight, honestly, any books that get people who probably wouldn’t read otherwise are good. Twilight isn’t a good novel for many, many reasons, but I’m not going to steer someone away from reading it because at least they’re reading. Maybe it’ll get them into reading other, better novels, and then hey! It did a good!
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
Probably #1 on my must read list is the A Song of Fire and Ice series. I absolutely love the television adaptation, and it’s hailed as a great fantasy series. There is really no excuse for why I haven’t yet read it.
I currently work in print, managing the mailing of a few periodicals and catalogs. It’s a great job and I’m really enjoying it, but it is definitely not what I studied in school. I’d love to do something involving archaeology, specifically Viking-age Scandinavian archaeology, or just to live in Sweden. I used to write short stories fairly often, but for the past 5 years or so I’ve not really put any effort into creative writing. I am hoping that writing for this site will help get me back into writing, as I’ve had a few story ideas kicking around for a while.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
I don’t think I have one specific book that I could read over and over, but rather I have a few different series of books I tend to read at least annually. They all do a really good job creating worlds I’d love to live in, and I think that’s what keeps me reading them again and again. Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy is one that I reread fairly often.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
I usually stick to fantasy novels, because I’m a big fan of fantastical worlds, magic systems, giants and dragons and wizards, etc… I think reading should allow the reader to “escape” the real world, and fantasy makes that way more fun.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
There are so many characters in the books I’ve read over the years that I see pieces of myself in, but I think the one character I’d consider most like myself is Surreal from Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy. Surreal is a red-haired high level witch prostitute assassin, and while out of those characteristics I am only red-haired (and dyed at that!), her personality is closest to mine. She’s no-nonsense and makes sure everyone knows how she can more than handle herself in any situation she’s thrown in. She’s also incredibly sarcastic, snarky and pretty much an all out badass bitch, and I like to think if I lived in the world of that series I’d be much like her.
Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
I think I fall a little in love with all the characters in books I read, but honestly the one character I just can’t stand is goddamn Professor Umbridge in Harry Potter. I’m sure it’s just a case of me disliking the character so much due to excellent writing, but my god, I just want to smack her stupid frog face whenever I read Order of the Phoenix.
If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
Karsa Orlong from Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Because then I’d get to be bigger than everyone and tougher than everyone and also kill everyone including GODS.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
There are many movies that I will watch over and over again because, like with reading, I enjoy escapism. There are few movies that I will drop everything to watch when I notice them on cable, though. These are: Mrs. Doubtfire, Beetlejuice, Overboard, and Jurassic Park. There is no rhyme or reason to these movies, I just really, really like them.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
While I’d like to sit here and say Twilight, honestly, any books that get people who probably wouldn’t read otherwise are good. Twilight isn’t a good novel for many, many reasons, but I’m not going to steer someone away from reading it because at least they’re reading. Maybe it’ll get them into reading other, better novels, and then hey! It did a good!
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
Probably #1 on my must read list is the A Song of Fire and Ice series. I absolutely love the television adaptation, and it’s hailed as a great fantasy series. There is really no excuse for why I haven’t yet read it.
Monday, November 19, 2012
An Interview with Jonathan B.
What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
Currently, I am working for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee as a Teaching Assistant. I’m also a tutor at my campus’s Writing Center. As for my academics, I’m focusing on history with a special emphasis on the American Civil Rights Movement, circa 1960. In my spare time, I write fiction and maintain a blog over at my homepage. You should visit. I’ll wait.
When I grow up, I want to be a professor of history and write academic and fiction works. Although it may not seem like contributing to this site will help me achieve my goals, this will help me maintain a steady practice of writing critical analysis. Although the phrase “review” gets tossed around a lot, I think “critical review” may be more appropriate. After all, you could barf up a couple hundred words, but are you really contributing anything?
Although, to be fair, that’s my rationalization for producing multiple reviews in excess of 2,500 words.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
I don’t really do that, to be honest. I used to read Tailchaser’s Song at least once a year growing up. But it’s been a really long time since I sat down and read a fiction book after going through it once. I have the same problem with movies, really.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
Tough to say. I think horror, because they tend to be the most consistently entertaining. But, and this is a issue, good (as in actually scary) horror tends to be very hard to come by.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
Ah, yes, the reflection question. How I hate thee. In any case, before I matured into my beautiful butterfly form, I was an angsty twit, endlessly pontificating but trapped in place. As such, the narrator from Fight Club. You know. Before be descended completely into madness. And without the ability to throw a punch.
On second thought, Hermione Granger.
Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
Lev Grossman’s The Magicians had some of the most unappealing characters I’ve read. The only one I liked doesn’t get nearly enough screen time, and the remaining others were so utterly useless and petty that I actively started wishing for them to die. I’ve hated characters before, but they really tested my patience by the end of the book.
And then, of course, the main character takes all of his development and chucks it out the window. Incredibly frustrating.
If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
I’m pretty happy with myself as-is. But if I had to pick someone, McReady from Who Goes There? would be pretty awesome. Particularly, his ability to remain calm under duress. I’m a worrier by nature, and it would be nice to be able to be somewhat more detached. Not too much, though.
Also, coming up with the badass blood test was pretty awesome.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
I have the same problem with movies as I do books – I usually watch them once. The fact that one particular former significant other would obsessively watch the same movies endlessly over and over again makes me far less likely to return to any particular movie. A great way to ruin comedies is to watch them seven times in the course of one week.
However, there are a few exceptions. The Beast of Yucca Flats, because Mystery Science Theater 3000 made fun of it. I could probably quote it’s odd and confusing narration verbatim by now. Galaxy Quest is another that I’ve seen a million times; one day, my father and I contracted some horrible 24 hour bug. We were deposited (surprisingly) upright in the living room, the TV was turned on and changed to one of the movie channels. Galaxy Quest had apparently just arrived on home video or something, because we saw nothing but that movie until noon, when we were finally able to muster up the strength to change the channel.
The movie I’ve watched the most of my own volition was The Thing (1982). Because it is awesome.
Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
Ha. Yes
It’s pretty typical to go and point a finger at a particular bad director. Uwe Boll’s films, for instance, are pretty universally terrible, but there’s a certain hilarious earnest charm in them. Although House of the Dead reminded everyone that sometime’s it’s okay to crush a child’s dream of being an actor/film maker, there’s such a wonderful glee about the entire thing that I can’t stay made at it.
I get mad at movies where competent people are clearly fucking with the audience. Stephanie Meyers Presents: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part One (Of Two) is a great example of a director/editor treating their audience like a bunch of idiots. Unnecessarily long shots, extended music montages, and periods which have no baring on the plot all combine to make what thin story there is stretch to beyond a reasonable point. There is no reason the movie should be as long as it is without understanding that 1) Harry Potter’s last book was split into two cinematic outings and 2) the producers like money. I felt utterly insulted being in that theater, and this is coming from a guy who actually stepped up to bat for the series at one point.
Then there are movies which are made which are weird for weird’s sake and people sit around and actively perpetuate and unnecessary opinion. Eraserhead is one of those films that is a series of disconnected scenes which could have been creepy if handled better, but it just gets so lost in its own weirdness that ceases being a movie. I’ve heard people describe it as “bleak” and “scary” and the ultimate “what the fuck”. But the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t really succeed at anything other than being loosely connected shots about a puffy haired dweeb who knocks a girl up and their offspring looks like a Thing forgot to fully transform into a dog. Art! Or something, I guess.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
Tisha. I had to read that shitty thing in my high school Freshman English class. To be entirely fair, I’m sure it was just that teacher who mishandled the book in class that ruined it for me. But I just remember every chapter being an unbelievable slog. I didn’t care what was happening, even though ten years later I would be reading very similar stories in my academic career. In any case, I ended up unusually hostile toward this book. Maybe I’ll give it a try again, but definitely not in the near future.
If you could pit two characters form different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
Kurt Russell as Snake Pliskin from Escape from New York against his creepy kidnapping rapist from Overboard. Why? Because I want a eye-patch wearing badass to stomp the ever-living shit out of that redneck. Think it’s okay to enslave someone because they’re mean to you? Two in the head, asshole. And then, Kurt Russel as R.J. MacReady from The Thing could scream “Yeah, fuck you too!” before chucking a lit stick of dynamite on the guy’s quivering corpse.
Talk about why a character from a book/game turned to movie where the character is considerably better in the book/game. One that is considerably better in the movie.
Luna Lovegood was better in the books, because she had more time with the audience than in any of the Harry Potter movies. That’s simply a matter of screen time – the actress they got to play her was awesome, and anyone who doesn’t think so can walk into an open sewer.
The narrator in the movie adaptation of Fight Club is significantly more sympathetic. It’s better on some levels, but not on others.
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
I need to finish up the Hunger Games series. I really adored the first book, and I look forward to how everything plays out... even if I haven’t heard the best things about the finale.
Further, I need to finish reading Fear the Hunted by my friend Jinn Nelson.
But both of those are going to have to wait until my thesis is finished.
If you had to come up with a cross over story, which characters would you chose to unite, and what would the basic story be?
See, here’s the thing: I’d want to write a story where all the characters in all the plays I’ve written and Project Northwoods have a huge battle. As it turns out, the big bad of one of the stories has figured out a way to merge realities and, in an effort to annihilate all existence, is using this big war to trigger something particularly nasty.
Yes, I’m sure it’s been done before, but this is my fantasy.
But, relying on actually published stuff, I want to see the protagonists of twenty four random bestsellers square off in an arena, fighting to the death. Namely so I can giggle maniacally when Christian Grey is pierced by the hard shaft of an arrow (see what I did there?).
If you could share a meal, or a cup of coffee with any five authors, who would they be? What two questions would you want most to ask?
Tad Williams, H. P. Lovecraft, Hideo Kojima, Dr. Seuss, Stephen King
1) What scares you?
2) What keeps you writing?
Currently, I am working for the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee as a Teaching Assistant. I’m also a tutor at my campus’s Writing Center. As for my academics, I’m focusing on history with a special emphasis on the American Civil Rights Movement, circa 1960. In my spare time, I write fiction and maintain a blog over at my homepage. You should visit. I’ll wait.
When I grow up, I want to be a professor of history and write academic and fiction works. Although it may not seem like contributing to this site will help me achieve my goals, this will help me maintain a steady practice of writing critical analysis. Although the phrase “review” gets tossed around a lot, I think “critical review” may be more appropriate. After all, you could barf up a couple hundred words, but are you really contributing anything?
Although, to be fair, that’s my rationalization for producing multiple reviews in excess of 2,500 words.
What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
I don’t really do that, to be honest. I used to read Tailchaser’s Song at least once a year growing up. But it’s been a really long time since I sat down and read a fiction book after going through it once. I have the same problem with movies, really.
If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
Tough to say. I think horror, because they tend to be the most consistently entertaining. But, and this is a issue, good (as in actually scary) horror tends to be very hard to come by.
Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
Ah, yes, the reflection question. How I hate thee. In any case, before I matured into my beautiful butterfly form, I was an angsty twit, endlessly pontificating but trapped in place. As such, the narrator from Fight Club. You know. Before be descended completely into madness. And without the ability to throw a punch.
On second thought, Hermione Granger.
Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
Lev Grossman’s The Magicians had some of the most unappealing characters I’ve read. The only one I liked doesn’t get nearly enough screen time, and the remaining others were so utterly useless and petty that I actively started wishing for them to die. I’ve hated characters before, but they really tested my patience by the end of the book.
And then, of course, the main character takes all of his development and chucks it out the window. Incredibly frustrating.
If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
I’m pretty happy with myself as-is. But if I had to pick someone, McReady from Who Goes There? would be pretty awesome. Particularly, his ability to remain calm under duress. I’m a worrier by nature, and it would be nice to be able to be somewhat more detached. Not too much, though.
Also, coming up with the badass blood test was pretty awesome.
What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
I have the same problem with movies as I do books – I usually watch them once. The fact that one particular former significant other would obsessively watch the same movies endlessly over and over again makes me far less likely to return to any particular movie. A great way to ruin comedies is to watch them seven times in the course of one week.
However, there are a few exceptions. The Beast of Yucca Flats, because Mystery Science Theater 3000 made fun of it. I could probably quote it’s odd and confusing narration verbatim by now. Galaxy Quest is another that I’ve seen a million times; one day, my father and I contracted some horrible 24 hour bug. We were deposited (surprisingly) upright in the living room, the TV was turned on and changed to one of the movie channels. Galaxy Quest had apparently just arrived on home video or something, because we saw nothing but that movie until noon, when we were finally able to muster up the strength to change the channel.
The movie I’ve watched the most of my own volition was The Thing (1982). Because it is awesome.
Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
Ha. Yes
It’s pretty typical to go and point a finger at a particular bad director. Uwe Boll’s films, for instance, are pretty universally terrible, but there’s a certain hilarious earnest charm in them. Although House of the Dead reminded everyone that sometime’s it’s okay to crush a child’s dream of being an actor/film maker, there’s such a wonderful glee about the entire thing that I can’t stay made at it.
I get mad at movies where competent people are clearly fucking with the audience. Stephanie Meyers Presents: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part One (Of Two) is a great example of a director/editor treating their audience like a bunch of idiots. Unnecessarily long shots, extended music montages, and periods which have no baring on the plot all combine to make what thin story there is stretch to beyond a reasonable point. There is no reason the movie should be as long as it is without understanding that 1) Harry Potter’s last book was split into two cinematic outings and 2) the producers like money. I felt utterly insulted being in that theater, and this is coming from a guy who actually stepped up to bat for the series at one point.
Then there are movies which are made which are weird for weird’s sake and people sit around and actively perpetuate and unnecessary opinion. Eraserhead is one of those films that is a series of disconnected scenes which could have been creepy if handled better, but it just gets so lost in its own weirdness that ceases being a movie. I’ve heard people describe it as “bleak” and “scary” and the ultimate “what the fuck”. But the fact of the matter is that it doesn’t really succeed at anything other than being loosely connected shots about a puffy haired dweeb who knocks a girl up and their offspring looks like a Thing forgot to fully transform into a dog. Art! Or something, I guess.
Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
Tisha. I had to read that shitty thing in my high school Freshman English class. To be entirely fair, I’m sure it was just that teacher who mishandled the book in class that ruined it for me. But I just remember every chapter being an unbelievable slog. I didn’t care what was happening, even though ten years later I would be reading very similar stories in my academic career. In any case, I ended up unusually hostile toward this book. Maybe I’ll give it a try again, but definitely not in the near future.
If you could pit two characters form different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
Kurt Russell as Snake Pliskin from Escape from New York against his creepy kidnapping rapist from Overboard. Why? Because I want a eye-patch wearing badass to stomp the ever-living shit out of that redneck. Think it’s okay to enslave someone because they’re mean to you? Two in the head, asshole. And then, Kurt Russel as R.J. MacReady from The Thing could scream “Yeah, fuck you too!” before chucking a lit stick of dynamite on the guy’s quivering corpse.
Talk about why a character from a book/game turned to movie where the character is considerably better in the book/game. One that is considerably better in the movie.
Luna Lovegood was better in the books, because she had more time with the audience than in any of the Harry Potter movies. That’s simply a matter of screen time – the actress they got to play her was awesome, and anyone who doesn’t think so can walk into an open sewer.
The narrator in the movie adaptation of Fight Club is significantly more sympathetic. It’s better on some levels, but not on others.
What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
I need to finish up the Hunger Games series. I really adored the first book, and I look forward to how everything plays out... even if I haven’t heard the best things about the finale.
Further, I need to finish reading Fear the Hunted by my friend Jinn Nelson.
But both of those are going to have to wait until my thesis is finished.
If you had to come up with a cross over story, which characters would you chose to unite, and what would the basic story be?
See, here’s the thing: I’d want to write a story where all the characters in all the plays I’ve written and Project Northwoods have a huge battle. As it turns out, the big bad of one of the stories has figured out a way to merge realities and, in an effort to annihilate all existence, is using this big war to trigger something particularly nasty.
Yes, I’m sure it’s been done before, but this is my fantasy.
But, relying on actually published stuff, I want to see the protagonists of twenty four random bestsellers square off in an arena, fighting to the death. Namely so I can giggle maniacally when Christian Grey is pierced by the hard shaft of an arrow (see what I did there?).
If you could share a meal, or a cup of coffee with any five authors, who would they be? What two questions would you want most to ask?
Tad Williams, H. P. Lovecraft, Hideo Kojima, Dr. Seuss, Stephen King
1) What scares you?
2) What keeps you writing?
Monday, November 12, 2012
Review Number Nineteen
Today I posted review number nineteen. That is huge...okay, not as huge as number twenty but that will be coming. Before I reach that mark I am going to be spending the next few weeks posting to the blog on Mondays instead of new reviews. Each week will be an interview with one of the reviewers currently submitting to the site. Today, I am going to do a little more talking about myself, next week you will get to read more about Jonathan B. All this to build up to review number twenty, I am so excited for this. Without further ado, here’s the first interview.
1. What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
I currently work in customer service for a grocery store, am a full time student at UW-Milwaukee, and am an AWEsome girlfriend. I’d eventually like to drop the gig at the grocery store. As thankful as I am for the job, because it provided income, health insurance, friends, and a lot of valuable work experience, I’d much rather get paid to do something with books or writing. Possibly find myself in publishing, or even open my own book/movie store, you know along the same lines as the site. I also intend to keep on being an AWEsome girlfriend, at least until the AWEsome befriend makes me an AWEsome wife. This site, is going to work to hone my skills as a writer, keep me working on a schedule and organized, teach me skills I otherwise wouldn’t have (website admin and designer) and work as a portfolio of sorts.
2. What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
This is a difficult decision, mostly because a lot of really good books are a part of a series, and it is really difficult to just read one without there being a tugging desire to read the rest. However, to name one and only one it would come down to The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s just so small, and real, and sad, and beautiful.
3. If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
Hands down Young Adult, mostly because it has everything: love stories, action, mystery, thriller, fantasy. Also, because I have a feeling it will keep me feeling young, or at least able to keep up with the young(er).
4. Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
When I first came up with this question it didn’t seem to difficult, then again maybe it is why I didn’t ask for all the questions to be answered. Hrm... possibly Shay from Scott Westerfeld's Uglies. Kind of adventurous, wants to think for herself but also wants to be excepted by others, holds grudges, likes to have fun, can help in a crisis. She’s got a lot going for her, even if it is mostly because she is surgically altered.
5. Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
Now that I am actually answering this I am saddened to know that not every reviewer answered Professor Umbridge from Harry Potter. I wanted her tortured and dead a lot more the Lord What’s-his-name. I think the most awful thing about her is she was supposed to be a “good guy,’ makes her ten times more evil if you ask me. Then again, maybe that was an easy answer.
6. If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
Not so much on the personality front, but honestly, Bella Swan, post birthing the human-vampire hybrid. Pretty, super fast and strong, don’t really need the “super power,” will live until someone kills her, which could be along time, doesn’t need to waste money on groceries, buying clothes because she no longer fits in what she has, or lotion filled with glitter. Yeah, that could be an awesome life... but only if someone were around to share it with me... but as Bella Swan I could make that happen couldn’t I?
7. What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
I think it’s a toss up between Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Empire Records. The first is beautifully filmed, the costuming, the sets, the filmography, the soundtrack, just make for a good film, and it’s a classic story. The second, it’s quick passed, humorous, has a great soundtrack, and tons of one liners. And it’s sprinkled with stars much to the effect of the 80's brat pack, you know, the talent of Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and St. Elmo’s Fire.
8. Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
S1mOne and Mirror Mirror. Take a look at the Half in the Bag review of Jack and Jill staring Adam Sandler and his entourage. I am sure that movie would make this list too had I watched it. I went into each of these movies expecting a lot more then what I got. What I got, instead of a the potentially awesome story and display of images I was hoping for (or even formulaic comedy), was ham fisted idea after ham fisted idea that someone somewhere said that’s a wrap, edited the pile of junk we have and called it a day. Don’t sell me on a movie that is about the evil queen and then give me the same tired story I already know (Brave missed with this too). The idea of replacing a live human with a computer generated simulation, had the potential to question why the industry doesn’t move in this direction... it could potentially keep costs down, again look at Jack and Jill, and it was this shallow flick about people falling in love with someone that doesn’t exist. Blah.
9. Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
A common answer to this is no, because as long as people are reading something, even if it is notably a pile of fecal mater, is better than them not reading at all. I have to agree. I can’t even suggest books that are against my own beliefs or I personally feel are a waste of time, because it is a good thing to be versed in things you don’t agree with, it gives credibility to your opinion, also, one mans pile of fecal mater is another mans pile of manure growing and cultivating a love for reading or rewriting.
10. If you could pit two characters from different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
My mind is drawing a blank, probably should have answered this question, or at least have been mulling it over when I initially wrote the question over a month ago, now I can only think of characters that are just complete opposites where one wouldn’t stand a chance at winning. Like Keira Knightley from Domino and Pride and Prejudice, cage match those two characters and the bounty hunter wins. Leonardo DiCaprio fro What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and any other role he has ever played and that kid would be gone in a sorrowful second - I’m sure his other character would be remorseful but really he’d be better asset to society. I GOT IT! Robert Pattinson from Harry Potter and Twilight. Would magic win against vampire nigh-invincibility? Ultimately, if Cedric didn’t realize he would have to explode then burn Edward, the most he would get would be ahead start. That’s not even considering Edwards mind reading skills. Sorry, the win goes to the vampire.
11. Talk about why a character from a book/game turned to movie where the character is considerably better in the book/game. One that is considerably better in the movie.
Jack Torrance of the book The Shining was by far better than the Jack Torrance portrayed by Jack Nicholson. He was human, and struggled in the book, he was just flat out creepy moving to insane in the movie.
Lauren from Twilight is by far better in the movie, because she doesn’t exist, an excellent editing choice, but kind of a cheep pick for this purpose. Jessica from Twilight is better in the movie as well, kind of a stuck up little prat that is only Bella’s friend when it helps her socially. A much better friend and person in the movies than the book.
12. What character from book, game, or movie have you had a crush on?
Okay, the movie option was probably a little on the easy side, especially because it is less the character and more the actor... even though it is a high likely that the actor has lost his identity to the character he plays. So Imma pick a book. Why back when I was a young las I read a series by L.J. Smith called Dark Visions. There were two guys vying for the leading ladies affection, well, it’s a bit more complicated then that, but damn was I team Gabriel all the way. ... it has been over a decade since reading the book, so I can’t really go into details why, but I know Rob just wasn’t enough... maybe it was the short name?
Note: Can’t stand the updated cover to the book.
13. What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
This could be long so I’ll keep it to one of each. To read: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. To watch: Casablanca. To play: I need to finish playing Portal then on to Portal 2.
14. If you had to come up with a cross over story, which characters would you chose to unite, and what would the basic story be? (This can include Television)
I’d really like to see a cross over with Breaking Bad and Burn Notice. Barry ends up being Walters money launderer, possibly because his crazy wife gets murdered. That would be nice. Chuck Finley could make an appearance to try and lure out Walter for Hank but finds out that he can’t do a thing knowing Barry is involved not to mention Walter ain’t that bad a guy, at least in comparison to say Anson or Larry. That could be good.
15. If you could share a meal, or a cup of coffee with any five authors, who would they be? What two questions would you want most to ask?
J. K. Rowling, Emily Giffin, Stephen King, Maurice Sendak (yes, I know he’s dead) and Ann Rice. First, I’d like to tell Anne this, “My high school history teacher’s name was John. The name wasn’t an issue until the government tried drafting her.”* Then I’d like to ask who’d they would like to meet, and if they’d ever taken a moment to read one of their books reviewed on 24 Pages Per Second, when they say no, I’d give them a card to the link and a sly wink. Nah, I’m just kidding I am not that smooth.
*Anne Rice born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien, thanks to all the various links on a google search that started with that exact information.
1. What do you currently do for a living? What do you want to do? What role does contributing to this site play in your current or future goals?
I currently work in customer service for a grocery store, am a full time student at UW-Milwaukee, and am an AWEsome girlfriend. I’d eventually like to drop the gig at the grocery store. As thankful as I am for the job, because it provided income, health insurance, friends, and a lot of valuable work experience, I’d much rather get paid to do something with books or writing. Possibly find myself in publishing, or even open my own book/movie store, you know along the same lines as the site. I also intend to keep on being an AWEsome girlfriend, at least until the AWEsome befriend makes me an AWEsome wife. This site, is going to work to hone my skills as a writer, keep me working on a schedule and organized, teach me skills I otherwise wouldn’t have (website admin and designer) and work as a portfolio of sorts.
2. What is one book you could read over and over again and why?
This is a difficult decision, mostly because a lot of really good books are a part of a series, and it is really difficult to just read one without there being a tugging desire to read the rest. However, to name one and only one it would come down to The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s just so small, and real, and sad, and beautiful.
3. If you could only read books in one genre, which one and why?
Hands down Young Adult, mostly because it has everything: love stories, action, mystery, thriller, fantasy. Also, because I have a feeling it will keep me feeling young, or at least able to keep up with the young(er).
4. Of all the characters you have read, which one seems to have a personality most like yours?
When I first came up with this question it didn’t seem to difficult, then again maybe it is why I didn’t ask for all the questions to be answered. Hrm... possibly Shay from Scott Westerfeld's Uglies. Kind of adventurous, wants to think for herself but also wants to be excepted by others, holds grudges, likes to have fun, can help in a crisis. She’s got a lot going for her, even if it is mostly because she is surgically altered.
5. Who is your least favorite character or couple in a book? Why?
Now that I am actually answering this I am saddened to know that not every reviewer answered Professor Umbridge from Harry Potter. I wanted her tortured and dead a lot more the Lord What’s-his-name. I think the most awful thing about her is she was supposed to be a “good guy,’ makes her ten times more evil if you ask me. Then again, maybe that was an easy answer.
6. If there was one character you could emulate, either looks, personality and or ability, who would it be and which traits in particular?
Not so much on the personality front, but honestly, Bella Swan, post birthing the human-vampire hybrid. Pretty, super fast and strong, don’t really need the “super power,” will live until someone kills her, which could be along time, doesn’t need to waste money on groceries, buying clothes because she no longer fits in what she has, or lotion filled with glitter. Yeah, that could be an awesome life... but only if someone were around to share it with me... but as Bella Swan I could make that happen couldn’t I?
7. What movie have you watched the most? Any particular reason?
I think it’s a toss up between Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Empire Records. The first is beautifully filmed, the costuming, the sets, the filmography, the soundtrack, just make for a good film, and it’s a classic story. The second, it’s quick passed, humorous, has a great soundtrack, and tons of one liners. And it’s sprinkled with stars much to the effect of the 80's brat pack, you know, the talent of Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, and St. Elmo’s Fire.
8. Are there any movies that you felt were a waste of time and or money? Elaborate.
S1mOne and Mirror Mirror. Take a look at the Half in the Bag review of Jack and Jill staring Adam Sandler and his entourage. I am sure that movie would make this list too had I watched it. I went into each of these movies expecting a lot more then what I got. What I got, instead of a the potentially awesome story and display of images I was hoping for (or even formulaic comedy), was ham fisted idea after ham fisted idea that someone somewhere said that’s a wrap, edited the pile of junk we have and called it a day. Don’t sell me on a movie that is about the evil queen and then give me the same tired story I already know (Brave missed with this too). The idea of replacing a live human with a computer generated simulation, had the potential to question why the industry doesn’t move in this direction... it could potentially keep costs down, again look at Jack and Jill, and it was this shallow flick about people falling in love with someone that doesn’t exist. Blah.
9. Are there any books that you would make a conscious effort to avert others from? Why?
A common answer to this is no, because as long as people are reading something, even if it is notably a pile of fecal mater, is better than them not reading at all. I have to agree. I can’t even suggest books that are against my own beliefs or I personally feel are a waste of time, because it is a good thing to be versed in things you don’t agree with, it gives credibility to your opinion, also, one mans pile of fecal mater is another mans pile of manure growing and cultivating a love for reading or rewriting.
10. If you could pit two characters from different movies played by the same actor/actress against each other in a fight, which two characters and why? Who would win?
My mind is drawing a blank, probably should have answered this question, or at least have been mulling it over when I initially wrote the question over a month ago, now I can only think of characters that are just complete opposites where one wouldn’t stand a chance at winning. Like Keira Knightley from Domino and Pride and Prejudice, cage match those two characters and the bounty hunter wins. Leonardo DiCaprio fro What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and any other role he has ever played and that kid would be gone in a sorrowful second - I’m sure his other character would be remorseful but really he’d be better asset to society. I GOT IT! Robert Pattinson from Harry Potter and Twilight. Would magic win against vampire nigh-invincibility? Ultimately, if Cedric didn’t realize he would have to explode then burn Edward, the most he would get would be ahead start. That’s not even considering Edwards mind reading skills. Sorry, the win goes to the vampire.
11. Talk about why a character from a book/game turned to movie where the character is considerably better in the book/game. One that is considerably better in the movie.
Jack Torrance of the book The Shining was by far better than the Jack Torrance portrayed by Jack Nicholson. He was human, and struggled in the book, he was just flat out creepy moving to insane in the movie.
Lauren from Twilight is by far better in the movie, because she doesn’t exist, an excellent editing choice, but kind of a cheep pick for this purpose. Jessica from Twilight is better in the movie as well, kind of a stuck up little prat that is only Bella’s friend when it helps her socially. A much better friend and person in the movies than the book.
12. What character from book, game, or movie have you had a crush on?
Okay, the movie option was probably a little on the easy side, especially because it is less the character and more the actor... even though it is a high likely that the actor has lost his identity to the character he plays. So Imma pick a book. Why back when I was a young las I read a series by L.J. Smith called Dark Visions. There were two guys vying for the leading ladies affection, well, it’s a bit more complicated then that, but damn was I team Gabriel all the way. ... it has been over a decade since reading the book, so I can’t really go into details why, but I know Rob just wasn’t enough... maybe it was the short name?
Note: Can’t stand the updated cover to the book.
13. What are some titles that fall into your "I need to read/watch/play" list.
This could be long so I’ll keep it to one of each. To read: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. To watch: Casablanca. To play: I need to finish playing Portal then on to Portal 2.
14. If you had to come up with a cross over story, which characters would you chose to unite, and what would the basic story be? (This can include Television)
I’d really like to see a cross over with Breaking Bad and Burn Notice. Barry ends up being Walters money launderer, possibly because his crazy wife gets murdered. That would be nice. Chuck Finley could make an appearance to try and lure out Walter for Hank but finds out that he can’t do a thing knowing Barry is involved not to mention Walter ain’t that bad a guy, at least in comparison to say Anson or Larry. That could be good.
15. If you could share a meal, or a cup of coffee with any five authors, who would they be? What two questions would you want most to ask?
J. K. Rowling, Emily Giffin, Stephen King, Maurice Sendak (yes, I know he’s dead) and Ann Rice. First, I’d like to tell Anne this, “My high school history teacher’s name was John. The name wasn’t an issue until the government tried drafting her.”* Then I’d like to ask who’d they would like to meet, and if they’d ever taken a moment to read one of their books reviewed on 24 Pages Per Second, when they say no, I’d give them a card to the link and a sly wink. Nah, I’m just kidding I am not that smooth.
*Anne Rice born Howard Allen Frances O'Brien, thanks to all the various links on a google search that started with that exact information.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Fall Line Up - Well, Future Line Up
Why, hello there. I know that I don’t come here often enough but it seems like that will be changing in the near future. It has been an interesting adventure starting up my own web site, and here we are, four months later and finally starting to ease into a rhythm.
Come October 8th you will start to see regular updates of the web page. Every Monday will be either a new review, or a blog post. Blog posts will also start being authored by other reviewers. So, instead of just reading me prattle on about how great and wonderful I think this shtick is, you will get to hear from Jonathan B., Heidi B., Rachel T., Fernando B., and any reviewers that we accumulate into the fold over the course of time. Their first reviews will be a bit of an introduction, a type of interview of sorts, and then blog posts in the future will note who is penning it. I’m not certain what will be submitted for the blog, but I’m looking forward to sharing their voices and points of views.
Wednesdays, starting October 10th I will start adding content to the Facebook page. This will include polls to see who has read or watched the title that had been reviewed that Monday, and which was better. I may post discussion questions, these could be of an academic caliber looking into the themes and context of the story. They may be more sociable, like who would be best if the movie was redone, to direct or act. The question may not have anything to do with Monday’s review. There is a wide range of things to post and I hope that it 1) doesn’t become redundant (i.e. the same questions every week) and 2) people respond.
The second part is going to be the most critical. For starters, the site is ultimately for engagement, not just with the story but with those who have shared the experience. If people, readers and reviewers alike, don’t start and /or participate in a dialog we are missing out on a significant part of the engagement. Also, this is going to be a good spot to see what we, as reviewers, are getting right and need to improve upon. I find myself way too excited to have people that want to contribute, and way too guilty that I can’t pay them for their efforts to be too critical of their work. Some may argue with me, but if this were a job, and not just a passion, I would ask a lot more of my contributors than I currently do. Lastly, the more people who partake in the discussion or sharing of reviews/posts, the more people that see what we are doing, and possible want to be there for the experience.
I know that for the time being that discussion will be thin. Currently our Facebook page has 22 fans, and this really is the only number I have for people that stop by and give the site a look. I’m sure there are more, but there is no way to be sure. I do believe however, that if the few fans we got keep spreading the word we will grow into an awesome community of book readers, movie watchers, and discussants of both.
So, stay tuned, for what is soon to come, a more regularly scheduled program, brought to you by the reviewers of Twenty Four Pages Per Second.
Come October 8th you will start to see regular updates of the web page. Every Monday will be either a new review, or a blog post. Blog posts will also start being authored by other reviewers. So, instead of just reading me prattle on about how great and wonderful I think this shtick is, you will get to hear from Jonathan B., Heidi B., Rachel T., Fernando B., and any reviewers that we accumulate into the fold over the course of time. Their first reviews will be a bit of an introduction, a type of interview of sorts, and then blog posts in the future will note who is penning it. I’m not certain what will be submitted for the blog, but I’m looking forward to sharing their voices and points of views.
Wednesdays, starting October 10th I will start adding content to the Facebook page. This will include polls to see who has read or watched the title that had been reviewed that Monday, and which was better. I may post discussion questions, these could be of an academic caliber looking into the themes and context of the story. They may be more sociable, like who would be best if the movie was redone, to direct or act. The question may not have anything to do with Monday’s review. There is a wide range of things to post and I hope that it 1) doesn’t become redundant (i.e. the same questions every week) and 2) people respond.
The second part is going to be the most critical. For starters, the site is ultimately for engagement, not just with the story but with those who have shared the experience. If people, readers and reviewers alike, don’t start and /or participate in a dialog we are missing out on a significant part of the engagement. Also, this is going to be a good spot to see what we, as reviewers, are getting right and need to improve upon. I find myself way too excited to have people that want to contribute, and way too guilty that I can’t pay them for their efforts to be too critical of their work. Some may argue with me, but if this were a job, and not just a passion, I would ask a lot more of my contributors than I currently do. Lastly, the more people who partake in the discussion or sharing of reviews/posts, the more people that see what we are doing, and possible want to be there for the experience.
I know that for the time being that discussion will be thin. Currently our Facebook page has 22 fans, and this really is the only number I have for people that stop by and give the site a look. I’m sure there are more, but there is no way to be sure. I do believe however, that if the few fans we got keep spreading the word we will grow into an awesome community of book readers, movie watchers, and discussants of both.
So, stay tuned, for what is soon to come, a more regularly scheduled program, brought to you by the reviewers of Twenty Four Pages Per Second.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Ignoring my own plan
I came at this whole project with the intent of doing things in stages, with x amount of reviews set as a bench mark before moving forward. Yet, I think I have ignored every intention to date.
First, I wanted to write a review for each genre, all on my own, before making the site live and before taking on other reviewers. That didn't happen. I ended up making the site live so when I presented it class it was the real deal. Though, mat the time it was mostly a mock of a site, or a wire model of one, it was live.
I wanted ten reviews posted before launching a Facebook page. I had seven.
I wanted two reviews in each genre before looking into affiliate programs. I think I posted my first advertisement banner two reviews ago. Now granted, that is only one banner, but I will still come up short in the next few weeks as I look into adding a banner to each page for iPage and also other programs.
I wanted to wait to have solid following before I started rocking the boat and complicating reviews. You know, as soon as they start feeling complacent with the same old format throw in some more in depth reviews of things that have crossed more then two media plains. Like, a book that is also a movie, another movie, and a video game.
The thing is, I am way too excited about everything this could be and just don't want to wait. Though I know I should really work on gaining content and establishing the site, my mind is already trying to figure out what to do next, how to get more people involved. So, here are some things I'm looking to get done in this next month (gotta get it all sorted out before school starts.)
Commenting: I haven't had the time to sit down and figure out how to do it on the site directly. Honestly, I never might. This may be something I eventually pay a professional for. However, at the tail end of each article is a link directly to where I share the article on Twenty Four Pages Per Second's Facebook page. It is something somewhere. I just hope the threads start on the page and continue there.
Blog: Heidi B. asked if the reviewers could start writing blog posts, to help with having content more regularly then once ever two months. I, personally, think this is a fabulous idea. How we will manage to execute it, is something that needs to be hammered out, but it;s a safe bet that readers will be getting to know more then just me in the future.
Pictures: If you follow us on Facebook, you'll notice a few pics that reflect reviews to come. I really am hoping that there will be more of this to come. However, it seems we really only have one Photoshop Jedi, and between his reviews for Twenty Four Pages Per Second, his own web site, making College students smarter, and entertaining his girlfriend (that's me) he's a busy man. So I can't predict how often we'll get his photoplasties, maybe the rest of us will have to brave the internet and Gimp. Also, in the near future, I hope to prominently have displayed the heads of all the reviewers on their personal bio walls, and yes, I did mean for that to come out that way.
Affiliates: Once this next bunch of reviews are published, I'm going to go head on with the affiliate program idea. What this means, is that each page will have just a bit more than words and the current five colors. Along with banners for iPage, readers will find ads for books, movies, Kindle, and probably Netflix. With these ads will also be disclosure statements, informing readers that we don't get paid to advertise, nor do we get paid to write opinions about the products we advertise, but we do get paid every time a reader clicks on an add and then makes a purchase. The reader gets the product they want and we get a small part of what they spent. Commerce. A beautiful thing.
Less Reviews More Frequently: Though this next deadline is going to be exempt, Heidi also mentioned staggering the release of the reviews. This is definitely a possibility. With five reviewers on board and two months between each deadline, it is highly feasible to have enough content to release a review every week or so. Maybe stagger it with a blog post. As much as I like putting it all out there at once, I can try my hand at patience.
Themes: Okay team, I know I haven't officially run this by you, and hadn't planned to until after Deadline #2, but, sticking to the current Deadline schedule we will have Deadlines that fall in October, December and April. Meaning Halloween, Christmas and April Fools (yes, I know there are other months and holidays but I don't care about them like I do these). I don't necessarily want a Horror-athon for October, but I'd love to see stories that include Halloween, or things we like to dress up as for Halloween. I'd like winter or holiday stories for December, and some smart-ass shenanigans for April Fools. Jonathan B. threw out the idea of taking a really bad movie that wasn't based on a book, and coming up with a "review" like it was. This would encourage us all to flex those creative muscles.
Harry Potter Gang Bang: This is the working title, okay, it isn't the working title at all actually, but Jonathan thinks it is funny. Anyways. I mentioned earlier how I didn't want to muddy up the basic format of the reviews. Well, this wont do that, Jonathan intends to do that for The Thing for Deadine #3. Instead, it would take the same format and apply it to the same book and movie combo as many times as we have reviewers. We all seem to have an attachment with H. Potter, and who could blame us, and it doesn't seem right to only have one person review it, or to have a person only review one of the books. My suggestion is that we all do it. At the same time. I book every six months. The first review to come out in February. But, that's just an idea.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Notes and Stuff
The first deadline for reviews was this past Friday. I am thoroughly impressed that everyone, besides myself, made it. In the future I will not plan deadlines so close to all day outings with school children, that was rough. Still waiting on a few corrections and then all the reviews will be posted. The best part about the first deadline was seeing what I communicated well and not so well to my contributors, not to mention how quickly answers and corrections are made.
A few notes going forward.
Each of the reviews are numbered versus named. Take a look at the URL for each and you will see what I mean. The first number is the number of the review over all, the second is the number in that particular genre. I am keeping a spread sheet if this information, it also includes the title, date it is posted and the reviewer name. There is a small error with this. Because my spread sheet wasn't pulled all the way to the right, I mixed up the column I use to see which number line I am on with the ones that are preset in the program. So number seven is actually number six and when I get to posting the real number seven it will be labeled six. This information is really for any nerds that are paying attention. And just so it is clear, I use the term lovingly.
My next note is this: It is kind of hard to write a review about a book and movie when you don't have them next to you to reference. My last review was Jumanji. I had borrowed both the book and movie from the library and then tried to do a review after returning them. This was silly. Not that having them in front of me at the time would have added a whole lot of detail to the review, but there is a line or two that may not have been so vague. This is something I will make sure to keep in mind for future reviews. Nothing like just running the movie in the background on my computer and being able to stop/pause or rewind/fast-forward, as often as needed.
Come the end of the week I hope to have Watchmen done, and V for Vendetta is lying in wait to be the second Comic entry, though I need to finish True Grit first. Myself and my fellow reviewers will have to be busy little bees for the following month, I'd like two reviews in each genre before I start affiliate programs. This is a deadline for myself, just so there is a wide range of content available. The next deadline is August 5th and I'm excited to see how much more content can be filled between then and now.
A few notes going forward.
Each of the reviews are numbered versus named. Take a look at the URL for each and you will see what I mean. The first number is the number of the review over all, the second is the number in that particular genre. I am keeping a spread sheet if this information, it also includes the title, date it is posted and the reviewer name. There is a small error with this. Because my spread sheet wasn't pulled all the way to the right, I mixed up the column I use to see which number line I am on with the ones that are preset in the program. So number seven is actually number six and when I get to posting the real number seven it will be labeled six. This information is really for any nerds that are paying attention. And just so it is clear, I use the term lovingly.
My next note is this: It is kind of hard to write a review about a book and movie when you don't have them next to you to reference. My last review was Jumanji. I had borrowed both the book and movie from the library and then tried to do a review after returning them. This was silly. Not that having them in front of me at the time would have added a whole lot of detail to the review, but there is a line or two that may not have been so vague. This is something I will make sure to keep in mind for future reviews. Nothing like just running the movie in the background on my computer and being able to stop/pause or rewind/fast-forward, as often as needed.
Come the end of the week I hope to have Watchmen done, and V for Vendetta is lying in wait to be the second Comic entry, though I need to finish True Grit first. Myself and my fellow reviewers will have to be busy little bees for the following month, I'd like two reviews in each genre before I start affiliate programs. This is a deadline for myself, just so there is a wide range of content available. The next deadline is August 5th and I'm excited to see how much more content can be filled between then and now.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Some Changes
I've made some changes to the first three reviews on the site. Before the changes each review had "by: (reviewer name)" changed it to Reviewed by: (reviewer name) and I added the authors name to the title. This will be carried out through the rest of the reviews posted. Not sure why I didn't include the authors name during the first run, probably just an over sight, but it is fixed now. Also, I will be sure to start adding the year the movie came out to each review. This will be especially important for titles like True Grit which came out in 1969 and 2010, both based on the same book.
I will be playing around with appearance over summer, adjust font and font size, mostly with titles, headings, and author names, not really a fan of them currently, but I'm still trying to muddle through the basics. Also, I'll be looking into how I can integrate links right into the reviews without it throwing off the format. This little issue is why the url to the blog is posted in full instead of a quick link. It would be great to be able to reference another source in a review and give the reader direct access, a lot like what Cracked does within its articles, or this blog for that matter.
I will be playing around with the blog as well. I'd like to incorporate the banner from the web site here to create some continuity, and also adjust the color scheme, at least for the links which seem to want to show up light gray and almost to light to read. I'm also thinking of doing screen shots of the web site and posting them here, mostly to document the progression it has taken, though honestly, a lot has already changed since it was beta (yeah, I'm calling it beta.) I just expect it to change a lot more in the coming months and it would be nice to look back and see what it once was.
I will be playing around with appearance over summer, adjust font and font size, mostly with titles, headings, and author names, not really a fan of them currently, but I'm still trying to muddle through the basics. Also, I'll be looking into how I can integrate links right into the reviews without it throwing off the format. This little issue is why the url to the blog is posted in full instead of a quick link. It would be great to be able to reference another source in a review and give the reader direct access, a lot like what Cracked does within its articles, or this blog for that matter.
I will be playing around with the blog as well. I'd like to incorporate the banner from the web site here to create some continuity, and also adjust the color scheme, at least for the links which seem to want to show up light gray and almost to light to read. I'm also thinking of doing screen shots of the web site and posting them here, mostly to document the progression it has taken, though honestly, a lot has already changed since it was beta (yeah, I'm calling it beta.) I just expect it to change a lot more in the coming months and it would be nice to look back and see what it once was.
Friday, June 1, 2012
So much to write on so little time...
There is no small selection of materials to choose from. There are so many titles and genres that I am surprised my head isn't spinning with all that I want to undertake. Currently, I have True Grit and Watchmen in the works, and I am planning to head on over to the library to commandeer Jumanji for a quick Children's post for the weekend. As much as I want to sit down and start producing content for the site, my mind keeps drifting to other thoughts and ideas, and my time is still taken up with two "real" jobs.
June 15th is the first deadline for submissions and it wont get here fast enough. I am impatiently waiting to read the reviews for The Mist, The Secret Life of Bees and Fight Club, and start rounding out my content. By this deadline I plan to have posted at least two more reviews myself, so Jumanji and either of the other two I am working on.
Then there are the titles that reviewers have taken "dibs" on, like: The Princes Diaries (myself) or Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events and Ella Enchanted (Rachel T.) Bubba Ho-Tep and The Prestige (Jonathan B.). I even got word that there could be a fifth reviewer who would like to take on Les Miserables! As for Heidi B. (wow, there are a lot of B's working on this project, I assure you, we aren't related) though I haven't received anything in regards to titles she wants to do, she has declared her works will be mostly in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres, but I would like to note, I have interest to do The Shinning. I'm hoping to see some, if not all, of these reviews by the August 5th deadline. Also, I'll have to squeeze in some romance novels, possibly A Walk to Remember and The Notebook.
This is just a sampling of what is to come in the next two months.
Oh wow, just two months?
I better get reading.
June 15th is the first deadline for submissions and it wont get here fast enough. I am impatiently waiting to read the reviews for The Mist, The Secret Life of Bees and Fight Club, and start rounding out my content. By this deadline I plan to have posted at least two more reviews myself, so Jumanji and either of the other two I am working on.
Then there are the titles that reviewers have taken "dibs" on, like: The Princes Diaries (myself) or Lemony Snicket's: A Series of Unfortunate Events and Ella Enchanted (Rachel T.) Bubba Ho-Tep and The Prestige (Jonathan B.). I even got word that there could be a fifth reviewer who would like to take on Les Miserables! As for Heidi B. (wow, there are a lot of B's working on this project, I assure you, we aren't related) though I haven't received anything in regards to titles she wants to do, she has declared her works will be mostly in the horror, sci-fi, and fantasy genres, but I would like to note, I have interest to do The Shinning. I'm hoping to see some, if not all, of these reviews by the August 5th deadline. Also, I'll have to squeeze in some romance novels, possibly A Walk to Remember and The Notebook.
This is just a sampling of what is to come in the next two months.
Oh wow, just two months?
I better get reading.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Hi! So glad you found your way here.
Hi.
So this is the blog for the web site Twenty Four Pages Per Second. I'm glad that somehow you have found yourself here. Maybe you'll find yourself there (at the web site) and you'll enjoy what we have to offer, or are hoping to offer in the future. Maybe you are already a fan of the site and that is why you are here in the first place, welcome!
For those that are already familiar with the site, you may want to skim if not skip this part, because it will be mostly redundant, then again, maybe you want to revel in my excitement and read on with enthusiasm, just as I keep eating, sleeping, and breathing what I am trying to accomplish here.
It is thoroughly argued that books are better than movies, and where this is true in a lot of cases, there are plenty of exceptions. Twenty Four Pages Per Second will be a site dedicated to reviewing books, plays, and video games along side all of their movie adaptions. IMDb boasts over 29,000 titles when you use the key words based-on-novel, making the idea for my site no small undertaking. Now granted, that number probably includes a lot of movies that have been made and remade, and titles that aren't printed in English (for now, we are that limited) but that doesn't put a big dent in what is out there to read/play and watch.
Luckily I am not a team of one. Though I had no doubt my partner in crime, Jonathan, would want to participate, I really didn't think I would garner any outside interest to contribute until well after the site was up and running and full of content. However, right out of the gate I had two lovely ladies declare their desire to participate. I am happy to have them both and look forward to seeing what they choose to review and what medium they felt was the better portrayal of the story.
There are a few desires that went into this idea:
First, I want to do something I love. Who doesn't? I can't think of too many better ways to spend my time other than reading, watching movies, or writing. There is just nothing better than escaping into another world, whether I do all the heavy lifting or let the "experts" in Hollywood do it for me. Even better than the reading and watching is discussing it, and I find that I am much more eloquent when I take pen to paper (or in this case fingers to a keyboard.) The only problem with the later is not a whole lot of people can see it, and thus lacks discussion. So this is good opportunity to do all the things I love with as a big of an audience as possible.
Second, I wanted to design my own web site. Everything about the site is my own doing except the logo and background image, those I thank Kim Z. for. The color, font, layout, navigation, content decisions all me. Though the site is up and fully operational, it by no means reflects the work of an expert. However, as this project moves forward I hope to expand my html and css skills and slowly give the site a more polished look.
Third, I wanted to create a thing, a piece of something in this vast world that will be shared with more than my family and friends. Maybe, that is as far as this will ever go. Just a thing that a few people and myself worked on at some point in our lives, but I really hope this will go far beyond me and those on my personal Facebook page.
Looking back to the discussion part of my efforts: At this time there is no place for discussion on the site. This is done for two reasons. Number one being that I haven't figured out how to do that yet. I know that my web host offers software to do it, but eventually I may want to take on the challenge of figuring it out on my own. The number two reason, and really in importance should be number one, I have a life and would like to not have it wasted on taking care of trolls. There will be plenty of people that will post just to press buttons or to spam, and honestly I don't have the time to police the site. This is where the blog and social networking sites come in. Each have their own systems to keep users in check, and as long as those services are free I will be taking advantage of them.
Eventually the site will have advertisements. I will make sure that there is nothing so annoying as the pop-out ones that take over your whole screen because you had the audacity to inadvertently move your mouse over it. I'd also like to point out that these aren't ads that I am being paid up front for. The only way Twenty Four Pages Per Second will be making any revenue is if readers click on the advertisement and make a purchase with one of the companies the site is affiliated with. If you are a fan of the site I'd urge you to remember our links when you do your on-line shopping. Not only will you be getting product that you already intended to buy, but you will be contributing to the longevity of the site and the potential success of Twenty Four Pages Per Second as a brand.
As for the blog, I wanted a better way to interact with any readers that come this way. I place to keep them informed on what is to come. To walk through some of the thought processes behind the site, or the reviews, and to get feedback from those willing to give it. There is still a lot that I am trying to figure out about the site and for now Blogger lets me accomplish one more thing without too much work on my part. Considering how much reading and movie watching I need to start doing, who's going to begrudge me an easy button for the time being?
So this is the blog for the web site Twenty Four Pages Per Second. I'm glad that somehow you have found yourself here. Maybe you'll find yourself there (at the web site) and you'll enjoy what we have to offer, or are hoping to offer in the future. Maybe you are already a fan of the site and that is why you are here in the first place, welcome!
For those that are already familiar with the site, you may want to skim if not skip this part, because it will be mostly redundant, then again, maybe you want to revel in my excitement and read on with enthusiasm, just as I keep eating, sleeping, and breathing what I am trying to accomplish here.
It is thoroughly argued that books are better than movies, and where this is true in a lot of cases, there are plenty of exceptions. Twenty Four Pages Per Second will be a site dedicated to reviewing books, plays, and video games along side all of their movie adaptions. IMDb boasts over 29,000 titles when you use the key words based-on-novel, making the idea for my site no small undertaking. Now granted, that number probably includes a lot of movies that have been made and remade, and titles that aren't printed in English (for now, we are that limited) but that doesn't put a big dent in what is out there to read/play and watch.
Luckily I am not a team of one. Though I had no doubt my partner in crime, Jonathan, would want to participate, I really didn't think I would garner any outside interest to contribute until well after the site was up and running and full of content. However, right out of the gate I had two lovely ladies declare their desire to participate. I am happy to have them both and look forward to seeing what they choose to review and what medium they felt was the better portrayal of the story.
There are a few desires that went into this idea:
First, I want to do something I love. Who doesn't? I can't think of too many better ways to spend my time other than reading, watching movies, or writing. There is just nothing better than escaping into another world, whether I do all the heavy lifting or let the "experts" in Hollywood do it for me. Even better than the reading and watching is discussing it, and I find that I am much more eloquent when I take pen to paper (or in this case fingers to a keyboard.) The only problem with the later is not a whole lot of people can see it, and thus lacks discussion. So this is good opportunity to do all the things I love with as a big of an audience as possible.
Second, I wanted to design my own web site. Everything about the site is my own doing except the logo and background image, those I thank Kim Z. for. The color, font, layout, navigation, content decisions all me. Though the site is up and fully operational, it by no means reflects the work of an expert. However, as this project moves forward I hope to expand my html and css skills and slowly give the site a more polished look.
Third, I wanted to create a thing, a piece of something in this vast world that will be shared with more than my family and friends. Maybe, that is as far as this will ever go. Just a thing that a few people and myself worked on at some point in our lives, but I really hope this will go far beyond me and those on my personal Facebook page.
Looking back to the discussion part of my efforts: At this time there is no place for discussion on the site. This is done for two reasons. Number one being that I haven't figured out how to do that yet. I know that my web host offers software to do it, but eventually I may want to take on the challenge of figuring it out on my own. The number two reason, and really in importance should be number one, I have a life and would like to not have it wasted on taking care of trolls. There will be plenty of people that will post just to press buttons or to spam, and honestly I don't have the time to police the site. This is where the blog and social networking sites come in. Each have their own systems to keep users in check, and as long as those services are free I will be taking advantage of them.
Eventually the site will have advertisements. I will make sure that there is nothing so annoying as the pop-out ones that take over your whole screen because you had the audacity to inadvertently move your mouse over it. I'd also like to point out that these aren't ads that I am being paid up front for. The only way Twenty Four Pages Per Second will be making any revenue is if readers click on the advertisement and make a purchase with one of the companies the site is affiliated with. If you are a fan of the site I'd urge you to remember our links when you do your on-line shopping. Not only will you be getting product that you already intended to buy, but you will be contributing to the longevity of the site and the potential success of Twenty Four Pages Per Second as a brand.
As for the blog, I wanted a better way to interact with any readers that come this way. I place to keep them informed on what is to come. To walk through some of the thought processes behind the site, or the reviews, and to get feedback from those willing to give it. There is still a lot that I am trying to figure out about the site and for now Blogger lets me accomplish one more thing without too much work on my part. Considering how much reading and movie watching I need to start doing, who's going to begrudge me an easy button for the time being?
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