Children of the Corn (2009)

It's been YEARS since i've watched the 1984 film, and longer yet since i've read the book.

This film is based on Stephen King's short story of the same name, which was published in 1977. 

I'm going to write this post as I watch the movie.

 It already looks a whole lot less campy than the older film. I also already find the female lead "Vicky" annoying as all get out. I hope she gets better or slightly more likable. I understand that she is stressed by the terrible "opening" situation of being stranded and possibly having killed someone BUT she already proved herself to be insufferable before that took place. 

Yeah, I don't like her. Preachers daughter, loses her shit over seeing a corn poppet in the belongings they found. Not even with the explanation that it may just be local historical craft does she calm down. If it had been a "get rid of it. i just have a bad feeling about it" it might have been believable. 

These people are not observant. (Which I could understand if the movie took place in modern times but this is the 70s, I would think people would be a bit more curious and investigative.)

I think it should also be noted that though i'm all for creative casting it may have been poor casting to choose an african american actress as the woman in this tale, or at very least to make her so... upper class/higher than thou? In the story I don't recall Vicky being mentioned as brown skinned, and I DO recall her being referred to as an "ex prom queen". Now forgive me (and please do enlighten me) if I am wrong, but Nebraska still had forced segregated schools up through the 70s and a mixed couple would have not been so commonplace/would probably have been less privileged in that time and place. A lot of the things shes doing and her reactions while fine for a hysterical white woman of the time would not have been remotely okay seeming for any woman of color. Regardless of situation.

Burt is just dumb. I don't understand why he didn't just try to actually leave the town instead of just hiding in the cornfield and keeping near to where he could still hear the children. Though I do like that all the action is giving him war flashbacks.

Alright. That was new. He who walks behind the rows is doin his own thing and since when does corn have the abilities of vines? 1. cornstalks don't bend like that. 2. the man would be cut up like he went through a cheese grater.

One thing I wasn't expecting in this reiteration of Children of the Corn: The kids actually aren't all that creepy or terrifying. It's their lack of empathy and character that makes them the threat.

There was no real feeling behind this one. No real terror, they tried to play it much too straight and failed from lack of feeling in their actors.

I probably wouldn't watch it again, I give it a 4/10 rating.

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Children-Corn-David-Anders/dp/B002KH4KSY 

Elf Quest: The final Quest VOLUME TWO

Managed to find both this and the previous entry's book in the library at the same time so why not read them in a row! (The next book is available for pre-order currently but not in libraries or on the market yet.)


Elf Quest: The final Quest   VOLUME TWO
by: Wendy and Richard Pini

Elf Quest is another series that has a highly recognizable style to it, Wendy's art is beautiful and stylized. This series started way back in 1978 and is still continuing! (It's totally worth it to read all the previous volumes.)

This is a compilation of issues #7-#12 of the "final quest" segment of ElfQuest. It is in full color.

There were many characters in this issue that I was not expecting to appear! My favorite (Rayek) Is back, and there are huge amounts of character growth again amongst the players. The key word once again is: Change. 

Many characters experienced transformation this time around. Some VERY late in the game, but game changing in their own right. Timmian reveals many things that are overwhelming and in at least one case MADDENING. Cutter's son Sunstream becomes invaluable and may be the catalyst that brings the entire world together... or tears it apart.

Humans once again begin to play their part, some in good ways. Some in terrible ways. At least one in a COMPLETELY unexpected and surprising way.

I truly cannot wait to read VOLUME THREE when it comes out. 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Elfquest-Final-Quest-Wendy-Pini/dp/161655410X

and signed/special editions of the whole collection here:  http://elfquest.com/shop/

The signed editions are very affordable and I think I will splurge on them when I go to start up my elfquest collection.

ISBN: 978-1-61655-410-1

Elf Quest: the final Quest VOLUME ONE

Ahhhh ElfQuest. One of the series' that i've loved for ever so long.
Today we journey into:

 Elf Quest: The final Quest   VOLUME ONE
by: Wendy and Richard Pini

Elf Quest is another series that has a highly recognizable style to it, Wendy's art is beautiful and stylized. This series started way back in 1978 and is still continuing! (It's totally worth it to read all the previous volumes.)

This is the compilation of the first six issues of comics from the "final quest" line. It is in full color, and rather magnificent. It's been some time since i've read the series but I will always remember the general happenings of it. This selection seems to focus on three things. Cutter's daughter Ember, a human named Angrif Djun who is bringing back war and trouble to the tribes, and the thoughts that the Palace of the High Ones is changing everyone (whether for good or bad, we do not know.)

It is full of births, deaths, but most of all: Change. 

I wasn't expecting to like Ember this time around but she has grown up quite a bit. Before she was very annoying and out of place as a character to me, but its all come full circle and shes become a character fighting for her own power. The team gets into quite a few hard spots but it all works out in one way or another.

This is full of re-caps on some characters so it was a great refresher course. Though to get the full experience DO read the others!

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Elfquest-Final-Quest-Wendy-Pini/dp/1616554096

and signed/special editions of the whole collection here:  http://elfquest.com/shop/

The signed editions are very affordable and I think I will splurge on them when I go to start up my elfquest collection.

ISBN: 978-1-61655-409-5

Persepolis

Persepolis is one that I read years ago, before I began to have memory problems. At some point I also saw the film version. (Unfortunately all I remember of it is the song "Eye of the Tiger" playing during it, and its unique style that mimics the illustrative comic book style.) I may end up watching the film tomorrow and making a review of it as well.

The Complete Persepolis
Author/artist: Marjane Satrapi

This book has a very unique style to it, and to me is immediately identifiable as Ms. Satrapi's work.

It should be noted that this is the "complete" version of her tale, it has been published in a two volume set as well as a four volume set.  All parts have been translated into english by: Mattias Ripa (for the first of the 2 part set, or the first two of the 4 part set) and Blake Ferris  for the remainder.

This is not a story for those easily shocked. This is a memoir piece of a very hard (and continually hard) time in Iran. It is a wartime piece, a piece that happens during the revolution. A lot of the ideas in it will seem completely alien to those who have never experienced alienation or huge shifts to your fundamental rights.

This woman grew up during a turbulent time where things were rapidly changing and life grew increasingly dangerous. She tells her life, as one of the privileged few who was able to escape radical ideals (if even for a short while, with the ability to go abroad for schooling) and experience her own way of "finding herself" on her own terms instead of being abruptly forced into the life imposed upon other young women of her generation.

It is a good read. A tale of change, learning, and the human condition. I look forward to reading this again at some point and potentially reading other works by Ms. Satrapi if I can find translated copies.

It is especially poignant in our current time, when racism and fear have become once again unveiled and rampant throughout our communities. 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Persepolis-Marjane-Satrapi/dp/0375714839

ISBN: 978-0-375-71483-2

First book post/review! Sharaz-De

First book post!

Yesterday I renewed my library card with Fort Vancouver Regional Library. FVRL is the biggest library system in my area and has many good aspects that have grown on its site. For example: It has sixteen locations and instead of having to go to each location personally to pick up a book I might be specifically looking for, I can have it added to my hold list and sent to my local chapter. I can also return any of the books to any FVRL chapter instead of just the one that I checked them out at.
This is completely wonderful, but the reason I would come home with 40 books a week some times.

Nowadays my memory has slightly faded and I have a harder time retaining information, but I shall try my best to talk about these books in their entirety. =)


Sharaz~De: Tales from the Arabian Nights
Written and illustrated by Sergio Toppi


The first thing that hits you with this book is the illustrations.
I've never run into Toppi's work before, but for lack of better comparison it reminds me of the imagery in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

The artwork is simply captivating; a maze of ink lines on stark white pages. Spattered throughout with tales in dreamlike colors. 

The story is that of Shaharazad of the 1001 Arabian nights. Presented here is Sharaz~De telling her tales to save herself and those other young women of her world. Eleven tales are told, including those of the King himself, in graphic novel format. As Sharaz~De begins spinning her web of safety the nights all begin with a new tale, and end at daybreak with the order of more from the King. In thus, she passes her time through her cunning of saving not only her life but those around her. 

It is a short and easy read, and I simply adore the illustrations which depict only people of non Caucasian nature (and do so beautifully). 

I'd read it again, and possibly add it to my collection. 

Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Sharaz-Arabian-Nights-Sergio-Toppi/dp/1936393484/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479536618&sr=8-1&keywords=sharaz-de

ISBN  978-1-936393-48-0

Testing... Testing... one. two. three.

Hi all!

So to start things off, I am Amara. 

This will be my first time committing to a blog (the others i've done in the past were more of updates for friends... before I was all that connected on facebook.)

I just this week moved out of my parents house and in with a few friends. I got rid of a lot of my things, but I still have too many VHS tapes and books. My hope is to watch and read everything that i've got, all the while writing reviews (and summaries?) Some more in depth than others, about all of the media that I have at my disposal. 

This blog will serve as a place for me to decide what to keep, as well as hopefully inspire some of you fine folks to read or watch some of the films and books. Conversation about such things is great as well. I will eventually be branching this out to keep it going by visiting the local library for more materials. Book/movie suggestions are welcome. 

Depending on the book or movie, I may end up posting some of my illustrations/fanart as well. We will see if anything inspires me as we go along, yes?

This post is to let you guys know what to expect and whatnot. I will not be starting this up until the dust of moving is settled. 

Stay tuned, and if you like what you see... Feel free to tell your friends!