Issue #5

The Facebook page is growing like wildfire - 5 weeks and we're past 250,000 already. It's good to see some readers commenting below in the last issue, hopefully more will join in. Some very entertaining things to share this week.


FILM: Frontier(s)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814685/

Horror films from France have been among the most twisted and perverse in recent years. Films like Martyrs, L'Interieur (Inside), Haute Tension and Calvaire are notorious in the horror community, and rightfully so. Xavier Gens' Frontier(s) not only fits nicely in this list, I believe it's the strongest film of them all (I'm aware of being in the minority with this opinion). Intense from start to finish, and a somewhat fresh take on the "psycho-backwoods-family" sub-genre. It rides the line between fun and uncomfortable much better than any title on the above list. The film takes itself a little less seriously than the others, and is a more satisfying experience as a result. Check it out, if you have a strong stomach:





TV: The Venture Bros.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417373/

A word of warning, for like-minded individuals: this WILL become an obsession. Animated television's best kept secret, Adult Swim's The Venture Bros. is on a whole other level compared to most TV comedy. Tailored almost specifically for the "geek" crowd, but still broad enough to make the average person laugh. Consistently smart and memorable, and really coming into it's own during the second season. Check out some sample stuff below, then go back and start with the first season (fourth season starts this fall!):





BOOK: The Dark Tower Series (by Stephen King)

Many of the people who criticize Stephen King have never read The Dark Tower. Comprised of over 4200 pages, spread out over 7 books, and crossing over into at least 15 of King's other novels, The Dark Tower story is epic in scope. Start with book 1: The Gunslinger, but don't give up, even if you feel you aren't into the story. Personally, the story didn't really take off for me until halfway into the second book, The Drawing of Three. The first book only skims the surface of what lay ahead, as the characters travel through time, space and dimension throughout the highly-addicting narrative. It's clear that these books are King's masterworks, and become even more personal in the three volumes written after his near-fatal car accident. He weaves this universe into so much of his work, and it has influenced other artists for decades - eg. JJ Abrams show Lost is heavily Dark Tower influenced (no surprise here: JJ now has the movie rights).





MUSIC: The Devin Townsend Band
http://www.myspace.com/devintownsenddtb

Metal fans know Devin Townsend as the insane frontman of the now defunct Strapping Young Lad. Brace yourself kiddies: that is only one of his musical personas. For those that like their music a little less brutal, and a whole lot more progressive, The Devin Townsend Band is going to dominate your playlist. Out of the many albums released, I personally like "Terria" and "Synchestra" the best, but they are all well worth a chance. Also be sure to check out Devin's bizarre concept album Ziltoid: The Omniscient.





UP AND COMING: The Eternal
http://www.theeternalmovie.com/

Ah, vampires. In my youth, vampires and I were all cool. The vamps of Near Dark, Fright Night and From Dusk Till Dawn were great fun. Now, we have Twilight and the romanticized version made popular by Anne Rice defanging one of our most interesting monsters. Every time I hear about a new vampire movie, I think "why bother?". Then I read about The Eternal on a horror site I frequent, and am looking forward to it. As far as I can tell it hasn't even been shot yet, but the story is at least interesting: a vampire becomes tired of living and wants to die, but wants to go down fighting. There's also a graphic novel prequel being written and a low-budget short film called Ending The Eternal that is supposed to take place before the movie. You can check out the graphic novel preview here, and the short film below (or here):

Ending The Eternal




YOUTUBE: Transforminators & Lady Terminator

This week's Youtube is Terminator themed. First up, we have a brilliantly-cut trailer for "Transforminators":




Next is a bizarre clip from the Indonesian "film" Lady Terminator:




Finally, while we're on the topic of things better than being shot in the face, we can't forget rolling luggage. Rolling luggage is the bane of my existence. It doesn't matter where I am - airport, transit, grocery store - I always end up behind it. To me, rolling luggage is the yuppie equivalent of pulling a spikey-ball on a chain behind you everywhere you go. People with rolling luggage don't pay attention to it, and it becomes a rolling hazard. At the very least, it slows you down considerably and makes it difficult to estimate where it is safe to step in front of you. At the most, you trip and fall, maybe in front of a train. Better than being shot in the face, sure. But only slightly.

Until we write again!