It's going to be so difficult to focus on anything but the news today, y'all. That's three of Trump's people in one go. THREE. And those three are much much closer to Trump than I anticipated the FBI would start with. (And the day hasn't even gotten started yet.) The shit-avalanche is getting rolling far faster than I thought it would. Of course, Trump is sloppier and not as intelligent as Nixon. I can't tell you how relieved I am to see all this at last. Of course, it ain't over yet. Still, I'm over here doing a little dance. 

​Let's get started, shall we? 

I will add that there's another voice no one fucking listened to: Hillary Clinton. (I can't find the link right now because--of course--Trump is attempting to connect Hillary to Russia himself.) But HRC was talking about Trump colluding with Russia during the election. No one listened. AGAIN.

​And now...those links.

This is it, y'all. We're only a few days away from Halloween. I don't know about you, but I plan on watching a lot of Horror films this weekend. I plan to add something new too because what's the point in just watching the same films over and over? Anyway...let's get started. First, we'll venture into some classic Stephen King. That means Carrie, The Shining, Firestarter, IT, Christine, Misery, The Dead Zone, and The Stand. Of those seven, my favorites (film-wise) are Carrie, The Dead Zone, and The Shining. (The others have, let's just say, issues.)

If you've never read the book, DO. It's brilliant. There are only a few novels written by white men that are written in the perspective of a teenaged girl that I'm comfortable recommending. This is the first among them. Stephen King did an excellent job of researching and then implementing that research--all without going into creepy-male-gaze directions. Also, I much prefer Sissy Spacek's Carrie to Chloe Moretz's. I love Chloe. She's a wonderful actress. But she simply isn't believable as a welcome matt type girl. She just can't do it. She's also far too traditionally attractive to be Carrie, let's face it. 

Since Weebly ate the post I spent so much time on this morning, I'm going with a list of novels to read in October. How's that? :)

Here we go...

Good morning, y'all. I hope you had a lovely weekend. Are you ready to get rolling? I am. I've got fictitious space marines to be mean to this morning. Let's go!

​Today's videos:

Vampires are actually my least favorite movie monster. This doesn't mean I dislike all vampire stories. I don't. I'm simply super picky about them. In any case, here are my recommendations. The first is a mother/daughter story that spans centuries, Byzantium.

Yesterday, I read an article about a professional film critic that gave up on horror movies. I have to be honest. Most of the reasons he sites are, in fact, ones I agree with. I'm one of those viewers who doesn't sign up to be terrified or grossed out or to indulge in torture fantasies.[1] Every genre has its fashion phases. It's clear to me that the things I enjoy about Horror aren't in fashion any longer. It was clear a decade ago. And that's why I stopped reading and watching for the most part. (Yes, even Stephen King.) Every once in a while I check back in. Every once in a while someone recommends a film that is so spot on for me--like Cabin in the Woods or many of the others I'll mention/have mentioned over the next month. However, I very much relate to what Kenneth Turan said.

This world does not suffer from an overabundance of empathy. We need more, not less.

The things I enjoy in Horror are the psychological character studies--the deep thoughts on what it means to be human or a human monster. (Discomfort is a part of that study. I agree.) I enjoy dark humor. Creepy and spooky and altogether ooky? Sure, sign me up. I'm so in. Darkness can be thrilling and fun.

I'm not up for an experience that keeps me up for several nights running. I don't want horrifying images of violence done to the bodies of women, children, and pets just for kicks. I don't want to witness individuals valiantly and fruitlessly battle against traps in which there is no means of escape. I'm not interested in more religious intolerance and bigotry. There's enough of all of that shit in real life. Why wallow in it? To be honest, I have trouble understanding those who do and are. Yes, there are stories that need unhappy endings. I'm good with those. ZOMG, I loved the film The Mist (2007) and no, it doesn't have a happy ending. (Interestingly enough, the short story did.) Speaking as a writer, endings are difficult to do well. Happy endings are easier. Unhappy endings take even greater finesse in order to be satisfying.

Anyway, I thought it was interesting to see a critic's take on modern Horror. So often when someone denigrates a genre it comes off as Old Man Screaming at Sky™. And I suspect there's some of that in there...but overall, I believe he has a point. It's why I won't watch what I call Torture Porn. What about you? 

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[1] Hey, so not my thing, but to each their own. As long as no one is harmed I won't judge.

I can't believe we're halfway through October already. I'm happy--because this means that this morning was genuinely cold and I hope not to have to turn on the AC unit all day. (Oh, Texas. [sigh]) It makes me sad too because I want October to stretch out for a bit longer. Oh, well.

Let's get busy with the links, shall we? (I've got some writing to do.) We'll start with the new Black Panther trailer. I can't wait.

Public Service Announcement: I'm having a Goodreads Give-away for Blackthorne, starting October 16th. I'll be giving away three hard back copies, signed. (The give-away is restricted to the United States, y'all. Sorry. The postage is just too much for a big fat Epic Fantasy.) 

If you're interested, check-in on Tuesday over at Goodreads for details. Good luck!

So, Stranger Things has a new trailer and I'm going to drop it here before I talk about today's films.

It still looks great, but now I'm wondering how long they can drag this out. (Yeah. Yeah. Shut up, Stina. ;)) And now, on to those movies in no particular order.

October is my favorite month of the year. There are certain things that trigger happy October feelings for me. The first is when the temperatures finally dip into the high 60sF and low 70sF. Then there's breathing in the first scent of fire in someone's fireplace. (It took the place of burning leaves when I moved to Texas.) Then there's reading Something Wicked This Way Comes. And then there's...

Practical Magic. Of course, Practical Magic. No film is perfect. It has some issues, of course--largely in the representation department. (There are no women of color featured in the story. And I can't recall any people of color at all...except maybe the dead guy...maybe.) That said, I dearly love this movie. It's about sisters, family legacies, secrets, women's issues (domestic abuse, motherhood, sexuality...) and the power women can have when joined together for a common cause. Also...love. I've always appreciated how it avoided the stereotypical witch tropes. I'm pleased that someone actually may have spoken to an actual witch, did some research, and may have attended a circle once. It isn't enough. This time of year is horrible in that it propagates the stereotypes that are so damaging to women in general and pagans specifically.[1] Yes, yes. It's all in good fun...that is until someone loses their job because "witches are evil  right?"[2] Anyway, Practical Magic.