clive barker is without a doubt one of my favourite authors of all time. his style is unlike anything else you can read: the pure descriptive detail is simply amazing, and the sureal and imaginative characters, events and scenarios he conjours up are unbelievabel. yet he does not write in one particular genre: his works are humorous, sexual, often violent, always magical, and often touch on deep aspects of the human psyche and mentality.
weaveworld is one of clive barkers earlier works, released in 1987. it tells the story of a world called the fugue, that was sealed inside a rug decades ago so that its people, the seerkind, could escape destruction from a power known only as the scourge. the seerkind are related to humans, yet can wield magic and cast "raptures", or spells that mess with peoples senses.
the rug is found by a man called Cal Mooney and a woman he meets called Suzanna Parish. however, the rug is also sought out by a witch called Immacolata, one of the seerkind who was exhiled from her people for her witchcraft and who seeks to bring the fugue to an end. she is accompanied by the hag and the magdolene, her two deceased sisters who exist as ghosts, and a salesman called shadwell, who posses a magic jacket capable of giving a person what they truly desire.
the police of this world, led by a cruel and saddistic man called Hobart, are also on the hunt for the fugue, if only to bring the people after it to justice for their many crimes. on top of that, 5 of the seerkind manage to escape the fugue, including a man called jerichau, and a shapeshifter named nimrod.
with all these seperate groups after the rug, each for their own purposes, the human world watches on as raptures are cast, battles are faught, worlds unfold, and the last pieces of magic that humans may hold are put in peril.
this book is classic barker: the whole story is as imaginative and breathe taking as they come, you can see that the author really puts a part of himself into his work. the descriptions range from bizare, to ghastly, to beautiful, but always in amazing detail and with the utmost care taken to make each description unique. weaveworld is a great read, and it will truly inspire anyone with half an imagination. its powerful, its moving, its inspirational, its one of the best books iv read in a long time, and above all else, its different.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
the looking glass wars
i must thank fiona for putting me onto this fascinating piece of reading. i read it a while ago, but altely its been on my mind heaps because i know where i can find the third one. well, the looking glass wars is the first book of the trilogy, and basically the premise of the story is that the alice in wonderland and through the looking glass books that everyone knows are actually not true.
wonderland is a real place, but its in a world suposedly located in the center of the universe, and is the source of all imagination (which serves a similar role to magic in wonderland). alyss is a young princess and heir to the throne of wonderland. however, during a massive celebration, the wonderlanders are attacked by alyss's exhiled aunt, redd, and her army. in the battle, alyss's parents are both murdered, and her childhood friend dodge anderson watches as his father is killed also.
allys and her body guard, hatter madigan, escape into a place known as the pool of tears, which actually transports them to the human world. unfortunately, alyss and hatter madigan are seperated, and alyss is forced to grow up as an orphan, with everyone thinking she is mad because of her stories of wonderland. she meets lewis carol and tells him her story, to which he actually writes alice in wonderland based on these events. alyss is infuriated that her story has been turned into childrens nonsense, and soon forces herself to believe that wonderland was indeed only a figment of her imagination.
while this is going on, redd has taken over wonderland and turned it into a dessolate place where black imagination rules. however, alyss's childhood friend dodge anderson is rallying a resistance against redd, but they lack the power to overthrow her, and believing alyss to have perished 13 years ago, are fighting a losing battle. at the same time, hatter madigan has spent the last 13 years searching the world for alyss, to bring her back to wonderland and restore order.
now anyone who is alive today knows the story of alice in wonderland. this novel plays on that with rather a cynical twist to it. the story is far from sugarcoated, and some scenes are actually quite brutal, particularly the ones where redd is involved. its a fairly easy book to read, and there where no parts i found myself bored with. its a book you can finish with little trouble, yet at the same time it makes you want to take in every word.
a great idea for a story if ever there was one. well written, never boring, and once again, its jsut simply a great story to read. unfortunately the sequal, seeing redd, was no where near as good. but the third book, arch enemy, has just been released, so hopefully it will redeem itself a little bit.
wonderland is a real place, but its in a world suposedly located in the center of the universe, and is the source of all imagination (which serves a similar role to magic in wonderland). alyss is a young princess and heir to the throne of wonderland. however, during a massive celebration, the wonderlanders are attacked by alyss's exhiled aunt, redd, and her army. in the battle, alyss's parents are both murdered, and her childhood friend dodge anderson watches as his father is killed also.
allys and her body guard, hatter madigan, escape into a place known as the pool of tears, which actually transports them to the human world. unfortunately, alyss and hatter madigan are seperated, and alyss is forced to grow up as an orphan, with everyone thinking she is mad because of her stories of wonderland. she meets lewis carol and tells him her story, to which he actually writes alice in wonderland based on these events. alyss is infuriated that her story has been turned into childrens nonsense, and soon forces herself to believe that wonderland was indeed only a figment of her imagination.
while this is going on, redd has taken over wonderland and turned it into a dessolate place where black imagination rules. however, alyss's childhood friend dodge anderson is rallying a resistance against redd, but they lack the power to overthrow her, and believing alyss to have perished 13 years ago, are fighting a losing battle. at the same time, hatter madigan has spent the last 13 years searching the world for alyss, to bring her back to wonderland and restore order.
now anyone who is alive today knows the story of alice in wonderland. this novel plays on that with rather a cynical twist to it. the story is far from sugarcoated, and some scenes are actually quite brutal, particularly the ones where redd is involved. its a fairly easy book to read, and there where no parts i found myself bored with. its a book you can finish with little trouble, yet at the same time it makes you want to take in every word.
a great idea for a story if ever there was one. well written, never boring, and once again, its jsut simply a great story to read. unfortunately the sequal, seeing redd, was no where near as good. but the third book, arch enemy, has just been released, so hopefully it will redeem itself a little bit.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Blacula
ahhhhh you cann certainly tell when watching this movie that they thought BLACK VAMPIRE before they thought up a plot.
Blacula tells the story of an african prince mamawalde who gets turned into a vampire than none other than dracula, and is sealed away until he wakes up in the 70's new york (i think, i could be wrong) and runs into a woman who shares a striking resemblence to his wife.
While he goes around drinking blood and creating a legion of vampires, a detective iinvestigates the strange murders around the city and soon discovers that an ancient evil with some funky sideburns has been awakened.
its so obvious they wanted a black vampire before considering what the synopsis may be. but then again, i suppose its one of those movies that doesnt get value from its plot, but from its concept and execution.
This movie best reflects both cheesey old horror film AND some real strong themes and conventions of Blaxpoitation film.
I mean, the film is horrible to watch in the way that very characters this stereotype and you cant help but laugh.
The music is so much like a 70's cop film, the vampire make up is quite badly done, but these just add to the quality of the film.
Besides an odd smile from the actor playing Blacula every now and then, he does seem to take his role too seriously.
But the film itself, for a 70's film, is directed so smoothly, its almost... soothing. i have fell asleep during this film twice, but not in a bad way to any discredit, just in a way that it lulls me to sleep. hmmm.
anyway, theres my review.
ummmm i havnt rated a film with an outt of 10 prviously, but i may aswell start now.
5/10
its a classic. and its good. but a little silly and obviously no masterpeice. or.... narh scrap that, it''s a masterpeice in its own way.
Blacula tells the story of an african prince mamawalde who gets turned into a vampire than none other than dracula, and is sealed away until he wakes up in the 70's new york (i think, i could be wrong) and runs into a woman who shares a striking resemblence to his wife.
While he goes around drinking blood and creating a legion of vampires, a detective iinvestigates the strange murders around the city and soon discovers that an ancient evil with some funky sideburns has been awakened.
its so obvious they wanted a black vampire before considering what the synopsis may be. but then again, i suppose its one of those movies that doesnt get value from its plot, but from its concept and execution.
This movie best reflects both cheesey old horror film AND some real strong themes and conventions of Blaxpoitation film.
I mean, the film is horrible to watch in the way that very characters this stereotype and you cant help but laugh.
The music is so much like a 70's cop film, the vampire make up is quite badly done, but these just add to the quality of the film.
Besides an odd smile from the actor playing Blacula every now and then, he does seem to take his role too seriously.
But the film itself, for a 70's film, is directed so smoothly, its almost... soothing. i have fell asleep during this film twice, but not in a bad way to any discredit, just in a way that it lulls me to sleep. hmmm.
anyway, theres my review.
ummmm i havnt rated a film with an outt of 10 prviously, but i may aswell start now.
5/10
its a classic. and its good. but a little silly and obviously no masterpeice. or.... narh scrap that, it''s a masterpeice in its own way.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
forsaken
righteo, another song today. unfortunately i know a fair few more songs than movies and books, so there might be a few song reviews on this blog. well the one im looking at today is forsake by dream theater.
the song is about a man who is sleeping at night when he is visited by a vampiress. initially, the man thinks that she is beautiful, and that she will show him beautiful sights and experiences, when in reality, she is draining him of his blood. he is then turned into a vampire, and becomes forsaken, like her.
lyrics:
For a while
I thought I fell asleep
Lying motionless inside a dream
Then rising suddenly
I felt a chilling breath upon me
She softly whispered in my ear
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
I waited painfully
For night to fall again
Trying to silence the fear within me
Out of and ivory mist
I felt a stinging kiss
And saw a crimson stain on her lips
I have to know your name
Where have I seen your face before?
My dear one don't you be afraid
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
Take me far away
Close your eyes
And hold your breath
To the ends of the earth
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Forsaken
Fly away with me tonight
Awaken
Renew my life
Now you are mine
Give yourself up to me
such a great song. the guitar work is precise, but sounds oddly distorted and slightly off centre, as does the rest of the songs instruments to be honest, but thats how its supposed to be. it sorta gives you the impression that the song is like the soundtrack to someones weird dreamings, which is undoubtedly the effect that dream theater wanted to create. the vocals never cease to astound me, James LaBrie has an amazing voice and he always manages to inject so much emotion and meaning into what he sings. also has a great video clip, so watch it everyone!!!
the song is about a man who is sleeping at night when he is visited by a vampiress. initially, the man thinks that she is beautiful, and that she will show him beautiful sights and experiences, when in reality, she is draining him of his blood. he is then turned into a vampire, and becomes forsaken, like her.
lyrics:
For a while
I thought I fell asleep
Lying motionless inside a dream
Then rising suddenly
I felt a chilling breath upon me
She softly whispered in my ear
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
I waited painfully
For night to fall again
Trying to silence the fear within me
Out of and ivory mist
I felt a stinging kiss
And saw a crimson stain on her lips
I have to know your name
Where have I seen your face before?
My dear one don't you be afraid
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Give yourself up to me
Take me far away
Close your eyes
And hold your breath
To the ends of the earth
Forsaken
I have come for you tonight
Awaken
Look in my eyes and take my hand
Forsaken
Fly away with me tonight
Awaken
Renew my life
Now you are mine
Give yourself up to me
such a great song. the guitar work is precise, but sounds oddly distorted and slightly off centre, as does the rest of the songs instruments to be honest, but thats how its supposed to be. it sorta gives you the impression that the song is like the soundtrack to someones weird dreamings, which is undoubtedly the effect that dream theater wanted to create. the vocals never cease to astound me, James LaBrie has an amazing voice and he always manages to inject so much emotion and meaning into what he sings. also has a great video clip, so watch it everyone!!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated
morning all. i thought i'd kick start today with a song i've been listening to this morning. rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated by rise against.
its one of my favourites from rise against, who are one of my favourite bands, and this song always makes me feel better if im a bit down. its upbeat and fast paced, the guitar work and drums are loud and clear, and tim mcIlraths vocals are simply mind blowing. the title of the song is taken from a quote by mark twain when a newspaper reported that he had died. the songs meaning sort of follows this theme, its saying that even when someone thinks you are nothing, worthless, and simply dead, not to lay down and accept defeat, but to prove them wrong. another message in the song is that people who live their lives fearing death are better off dead because living in fear is not really living at all.
lyrics:
So please don't ask me how
I ended up at my wits end and breaking down
Pages torn from books we never read
because we're plugged into this grid
don't pull this plug right now or then we'd really have to live
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end that i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
your words won't save me now
i'm at the edge feeling the sweat drip from my brow
get a grip on yourself is what they say
every hour every day
hands over my ears, i've been screaming all these years
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end that i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
we came in search of answers
we left empty handed again
shots fired into the sky are now returning
where the fuck will you hide?
hiding from the laughter in the closet of our lives
but the door hinges are squeaking letting in thin shards of light
and now a hand's extending outward, quiet comfort they invite
do we dare take what they offer, do we step into the light?
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
its a great song. its upbeat and has a deep meaning to it, without being depressing. more than anything, it highlights the good things about life and how we should all try to live a life worth remembering. and anyone who can write a song like that instantly has my respect and admiration. give it a listen, tell me if you like it or not, enjoy :)
its one of my favourites from rise against, who are one of my favourite bands, and this song always makes me feel better if im a bit down. its upbeat and fast paced, the guitar work and drums are loud and clear, and tim mcIlraths vocals are simply mind blowing. the title of the song is taken from a quote by mark twain when a newspaper reported that he had died. the songs meaning sort of follows this theme, its saying that even when someone thinks you are nothing, worthless, and simply dead, not to lay down and accept defeat, but to prove them wrong. another message in the song is that people who live their lives fearing death are better off dead because living in fear is not really living at all.
lyrics:
So please don't ask me how
I ended up at my wits end and breaking down
Pages torn from books we never read
because we're plugged into this grid
don't pull this plug right now or then we'd really have to live
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end that i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
your words won't save me now
i'm at the edge feeling the sweat drip from my brow
get a grip on yourself is what they say
every hour every day
hands over my ears, i've been screaming all these years
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end that i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
we came in search of answers
we left empty handed again
shots fired into the sky are now returning
where the fuck will you hide?
hiding from the laughter in the closet of our lives
but the door hinges are squeaking letting in thin shards of light
and now a hand's extending outward, quiet comfort they invite
do we dare take what they offer, do we step into the light?
when i die will they remember not what i did but what i haven't done?
it's not the end i fear with each breath, it's life that scares me to death
when we built these dreams on sand
how they all slipped through our hands
this might be our only chance
let's take this one day at a time
i'll hold your hand if you hold mine
the time that we kill keeps us alive
its a great song. its upbeat and has a deep meaning to it, without being depressing. more than anything, it highlights the good things about life and how we should all try to live a life worth remembering. and anyone who can write a song like that instantly has my respect and admiration. give it a listen, tell me if you like it or not, enjoy :)
Introduction.
Good evening and welcome to the newest blog from duo Edgar "Corn on the Cobb" Lovecraft and Dante "The thing that should not be" Alighieri.
I dont much like the description above, i resent the lame poor excuse of comedy that involves monkeys on type writers. It was funny on the Simpsons but nowhere else.
Dante change it.
Anyway thats besides the point. Here we will be reviewing all books and movies and impressing songs or television series we encounter. We may do reviews on the same movies if we have different opinions, yadda yadda yadda.
anyway, enjoy. become a follower, and we hope you can appreciate any suggestions in film, music, literature and television that we make.
And Bilby is a fucking sleeze. stop hitting on fiona she will NOT have a threesome with you and your girlfriend. and you need to shave that filthy beard of yours as well you dirty orangutang.
thankyou.
I dont much like the description above, i resent the lame poor excuse of comedy that involves monkeys on type writers. It was funny on the Simpsons but nowhere else.
Dante change it.
Anyway thats besides the point. Here we will be reviewing all books and movies and impressing songs or television series we encounter. We may do reviews on the same movies if we have different opinions, yadda yadda yadda.
anyway, enjoy. become a follower, and we hope you can appreciate any suggestions in film, music, literature and television that we make.
And Bilby is a fucking sleeze. stop hitting on fiona she will NOT have a threesome with you and your girlfriend. and you need to shave that filthy beard of yours as well you dirty orangutang.
thankyou.
welcome
dammit edgar!!! you beat me to the introduction!!! curse you and your lightning quick fingers. grrr this displeases me.well here is my own personal introduction.
me and edgar love our literature, and one day we where watching a great film and giving all our friends around us a review/commentary of the film, which irritated them so much that they sarcastically sugested we become reviewers and make a blog about this stuff. so we did. ha! we showed you all!!!
so, to get things started off, i'd like to write about one of my favourite films of all time, and one that i have recently been watching non-stop: interview with the vampire.
based on ann rices book of the same name, interview with the vampire tells the story of louis, a vampire living in a modern world, and his re-telling of his life as a vampire to a journalist. turned over 200 years ago by the vampire lestat, louis was a rich plantation owner, but burned it to the ground in a fit of rage brought on by his vampiric nature and lestats disregard for life and love of endulgence.
they move to paris, and louis becomes increasingly more depressed when he realises that lestat can teach him nothing about himself or his nature, and threatens to run away. lestat turns a young girl, claudia, into a vampire, and lestat and louis adopt her as a daughter, forcing louis to stay. claudia eventually kills lestat when she learns she can never grow up because of him, and her and louis escape to europe.
in europe they discover a troupe of vampires known as the theatre des vampires, lead by the charismatic armand. armand desires louis, as he view louis as a vampire with a human soul, and thus truly beautiful. armand organises for claudia and another vampire recently turned by louis to be excecuted by the theatre vampires, and louis, in his anger, kills all the theatre vampires. louis then leaves armands side when he realises that armand had claudia killed.
louis travels back to america, and after discovering that lestat is still alive, but weak and pitiful now, he resolves to live his immortal life, empty and alone. at the end of the tale, the journalist asks to be turned into a vampire, only for louis to become enraged and nearly kill him. the journalist escapes, and drives off, only to be attacked by lestat, who then drives off laughing into the night.
easily one of the best vampire book ever writen (sorry all you stupid fangirls, real vampires dont sparkle), the film version is simply breathetaking. the music is intense and suits the atmosphere, the cinematography is brilliant, the director clearly knew what he was doing, its almost too good to be true. brad pit, tom cruise, and kirsten dunst play louis, lestat an claudia, and each actor does their part a fair bit of justice. each character is just how i imagined them to be in the book, both in terms of looks and the way that they act and talk and move.
i have to say though, the standout performance has to go to antonio banderas as armand. he plays the part perfectly, i cannot detect a single flaw with anything he sais or does in regards to how the character himself would do it. admitably though, some of the camera work and shots are a little off-centre and probably could have been done better, but these shots are few and well spaced between themselves, so you never notice. to be totaly honest, the only flaw in the whole movie is that it had to end. its one of those rare films you can watch over and over again and never get bored with it, infact you enjoy it more the more you watch it.
a must see for any person who calls themselves a movie lover, and also for anyone who knows how proper vampires should act and behave. if you havnt seen this film, you have not lived. its funny, its sad, its violent, its moving, its beautiful, its dramatic, it is loved by everyone who has ever watched it.
just a taste of things to come. till next time.
me and edgar love our literature, and one day we where watching a great film and giving all our friends around us a review/commentary of the film, which irritated them so much that they sarcastically sugested we become reviewers and make a blog about this stuff. so we did. ha! we showed you all!!!
so, to get things started off, i'd like to write about one of my favourite films of all time, and one that i have recently been watching non-stop: interview with the vampire.
based on ann rices book of the same name, interview with the vampire tells the story of louis, a vampire living in a modern world, and his re-telling of his life as a vampire to a journalist. turned over 200 years ago by the vampire lestat, louis was a rich plantation owner, but burned it to the ground in a fit of rage brought on by his vampiric nature and lestats disregard for life and love of endulgence.
they move to paris, and louis becomes increasingly more depressed when he realises that lestat can teach him nothing about himself or his nature, and threatens to run away. lestat turns a young girl, claudia, into a vampire, and lestat and louis adopt her as a daughter, forcing louis to stay. claudia eventually kills lestat when she learns she can never grow up because of him, and her and louis escape to europe.
in europe they discover a troupe of vampires known as the theatre des vampires, lead by the charismatic armand. armand desires louis, as he view louis as a vampire with a human soul, and thus truly beautiful. armand organises for claudia and another vampire recently turned by louis to be excecuted by the theatre vampires, and louis, in his anger, kills all the theatre vampires. louis then leaves armands side when he realises that armand had claudia killed.
louis travels back to america, and after discovering that lestat is still alive, but weak and pitiful now, he resolves to live his immortal life, empty and alone. at the end of the tale, the journalist asks to be turned into a vampire, only for louis to become enraged and nearly kill him. the journalist escapes, and drives off, only to be attacked by lestat, who then drives off laughing into the night.
easily one of the best vampire book ever writen (sorry all you stupid fangirls, real vampires dont sparkle), the film version is simply breathetaking. the music is intense and suits the atmosphere, the cinematography is brilliant, the director clearly knew what he was doing, its almost too good to be true. brad pit, tom cruise, and kirsten dunst play louis, lestat an claudia, and each actor does their part a fair bit of justice. each character is just how i imagined them to be in the book, both in terms of looks and the way that they act and talk and move.
i have to say though, the standout performance has to go to antonio banderas as armand. he plays the part perfectly, i cannot detect a single flaw with anything he sais or does in regards to how the character himself would do it. admitably though, some of the camera work and shots are a little off-centre and probably could have been done better, but these shots are few and well spaced between themselves, so you never notice. to be totaly honest, the only flaw in the whole movie is that it had to end. its one of those rare films you can watch over and over again and never get bored with it, infact you enjoy it more the more you watch it.
a must see for any person who calls themselves a movie lover, and also for anyone who knows how proper vampires should act and behave. if you havnt seen this film, you have not lived. its funny, its sad, its violent, its moving, its beautiful, its dramatic, it is loved by everyone who has ever watched it.
just a taste of things to come. till next time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)