tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35318141955976474152024-02-19T16:59:03.751-05:00My Year In CrimeDan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.comBlogger512125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-58714924584212923932011-08-20T08:53:00.007-04:002011-08-20T09:43:03.881-04:00Been a Long Time Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQYaD55wHwcGbTNC47k2r1AlJ1rMlSd1uuZZRTNygKY2GGShKWdy_fy1ur5r0EQlEYxqMvw916qddEvOLifbeGpPNyyg0Wr97ad4lqVKmnrKCXV3iSMbOSDAUmrLqnsLCRQhChxbJEwQ/s1600/wm3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQYaD55wHwcGbTNC47k2r1AlJ1rMlSd1uuZZRTNygKY2GGShKWdy_fy1ur5r0EQlEYxqMvw916qddEvOLifbeGpPNyyg0Wr97ad4lqVKmnrKCXV3iSMbOSDAUmrLqnsLCRQhChxbJEwQ/s320/wm3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The West Memphis Three are Free!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zRgomMXTnoU" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://freewestmemphis3.org/">http://freewestmemphis3.org/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wm3.org/">http://www.wm3.org/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/19/west-memphis-three-free_n_931449.html#s333744&title=West_Memphis_Three">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/19/west-memphis-three-free_n_931449.html#s333744&title=West_Memphis_Three</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNkkUPnrFXOXTnk2yuE0QC3MCCcQ?docId=e94b345d04af4b1ba4257eb03a03d698">http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gNkkUPnrFXOXTnk2yuE0QC3MCCcQ?docId=e94b345d04af4b1ba4257eb03a03d698</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KXobZPf97FA" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5bi4I8epJ7k" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-1377034677499870182011-07-14T09:36:00.000-04:002011-07-14T09:36:19.062-04:00Emmy nominationsWhile the list is filled with the usual nominees (which i just don't feel like posting), there is one actor that is finally getting the recognition he deserves.<br />
<br />
Walton Goggins. It's about damn time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvFjCkiilePm_6L_li84B_mmIbDP2nTE__Qcw0pDJNdycyhS7psXNwbFLJ8jrJECoCCwWvW-b_As__hMmCp0Vne26UOW1ha_kRaFpXFlRCdYeRLH-ZBRca5wkqIbmwUTMFm6vudnE0RE/s1600/walton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvFjCkiilePm_6L_li84B_mmIbDP2nTE__Qcw0pDJNdycyhS7psXNwbFLJ8jrJECoCCwWvW-b_As__hMmCp0Vne26UOW1ha_kRaFpXFlRCdYeRLH-ZBRca5wkqIbmwUTMFm6vudnE0RE/s320/walton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-12746400486994785892011-06-26T08:51:00.000-04:002011-06-26T08:51:00.491-04:00Cover of the WeekBecause I felt like honoring the man for one more day. I would actually like to find this book. Has anyone read it?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFCEKorUs-mSZ_PadSPaZZodND-BzTQORtI0CYggm589caAefoayo0XXVWLOibeWh8DaD9WAzVxlNAgqJCOk9Iz43huqPhaDzjHy2mk2UDF-6Zq1uDEVZwq3n3zLis2uZrJRhR7wW0HA/s1600/columbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFCEKorUs-mSZ_PadSPaZZodND-BzTQORtI0CYggm589caAefoayo0XXVWLOibeWh8DaD9WAzVxlNAgqJCOk9Iz43huqPhaDzjHy2mk2UDF-6Zq1uDEVZwq3n3zLis2uZrJRhR7wW0HA/s400/columbo.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-88352692406852779782011-06-25T08:49:00.000-04:002011-06-25T08:49:03.542-04:00RIP Peter Falk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjCzX4Q5j3YVt65FEI0rMmGI-MDfuC-zxv8wPa4Gp3OVRYP7Kvw72r-jbbK9Cr9LZUv4bYJfLrScKeAKtCBu-ysiTtQfLCl-Fa1umPMWj1IjgCbAYQopGWTLYPvs7xTLK5Yb0SDLhyphenhyphenmM/s1600/peter_falk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjCzX4Q5j3YVt65FEI0rMmGI-MDfuC-zxv8wPa4Gp3OVRYP7Kvw72r-jbbK9Cr9LZUv4bYJfLrScKeAKtCBu-ysiTtQfLCl-Fa1umPMWj1IjgCbAYQopGWTLYPvs7xTLK5Yb0SDLhyphenhyphenmM/s400/peter_falk.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-4339450992715003852011-06-13T12:23:00.000-04:002011-06-13T12:23:26.434-04:00David Simon vs. Eric HolderNot much hope for a Season Six of The Wire<div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2011/06/wire-creator-david-simon-has-counter-offer-eric-holder/38706/">http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2011/06/wire-creator-david-simon-has-counter-offer-eric-holder/38706/</a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-83270481517849462262011-06-07T09:37:00.001-04:002011-06-07T09:37:01.169-04:00Out Today on Dvd/Blu-RayBreaking Bad Season 3<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24LNPIm5CnK3l68zGSrobfcdb0m1hAeekwrfLo2Vc5wieRwXjb1L4PZX5y7dzpM9ZT1LsdrwGl3nKIkCxe9gLAG-edrCkg_0QqFCag_K7J5n38RpRnlr6ZDkug1oAMeeFyunct0CZ5ZU/s1600/Breaking_Bad_season_3_DVD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24LNPIm5CnK3l68zGSrobfcdb0m1hAeekwrfLo2Vc5wieRwXjb1L4PZX5y7dzpM9ZT1LsdrwGl3nKIkCxe9gLAG-edrCkg_0QqFCag_K7J5n38RpRnlr6ZDkug1oAMeeFyunct0CZ5ZU/s320/Breaking_Bad_season_3_DVD.png" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Burn Notice Season 4<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd1vi84uZnHRxhbftO9rzDjErHGBkZld8FtNP0MuWGRoNiVQfjCso74LBxTqrwBkIK2PbLuNPjYxKCno-s1LHN7dRNV4vVTkai27fVILvaxgtRYpZmpsi1DFFbd61qJEKgf8USGpfb00/s1600/BurnNotice_S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTd1vi84uZnHRxhbftO9rzDjErHGBkZld8FtNP0MuWGRoNiVQfjCso74LBxTqrwBkIK2PbLuNPjYxKCno-s1LHN7dRNV4vVTkai27fVILvaxgtRYpZmpsi1DFFbd61qJEKgf8USGpfb00/s320/BurnNotice_S4.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<br />
White Collar Season 2<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpo9zNdhLN1_DjPj5Bc0C7zV26ujhncis4zkHIj_Yi8tSmXrUnNI3MrDuYwILOPHqcLpAlyzlSGQms06YW4lcfgPuyj-Jfjo-mtoquYgebvZFCrlbRsh_iKHr0JkjknvSgO8jHx6aw3A/s1600/White-Collar-Season-2-DVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpo9zNdhLN1_DjPj5Bc0C7zV26ujhncis4zkHIj_Yi8tSmXrUnNI3MrDuYwILOPHqcLpAlyzlSGQms06YW4lcfgPuyj-Jfjo-mtoquYgebvZFCrlbRsh_iKHr0JkjknvSgO8jHx6aw3A/s320/White-Collar-Season-2-DVD.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-40714822367928724192011-06-04T21:21:00.000-04:002011-06-04T21:21:17.999-04:00Cover of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX_DsDngIpqYyn1LR0r53VhAwdchbNABcj34fILgaY7ud-wcjPKHC_pma9CfHuXZL9_2nwZ0l_tuJ5MsEAq3Y_lXpMVjpXt_lF1YcrofATApKp4EhOqcHDFPJXzMBM-sLtqx26Pf_JCs/s1600/comedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX_DsDngIpqYyn1LR0r53VhAwdchbNABcj34fILgaY7ud-wcjPKHC_pma9CfHuXZL9_2nwZ0l_tuJ5MsEAq3Y_lXpMVjpXt_lF1YcrofATApKp4EhOqcHDFPJXzMBM-sLtqx26Pf_JCs/s400/comedy.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Hard Case Crime will be returning in September and with it, a never before published Donald Westlake novel. Gotta love that cover.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-59699266079971304982011-06-03T20:21:00.000-04:002011-06-03T20:21:07.057-04:00Fincher's VersionThe trailer is out. Do I think the original needed a remake? Not at all. Am I excited for Fincher's version? Hell yeah.<br />
<br />
<object height="272" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6yUwXwrR35U?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6yUwXwrR35U?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="272" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-91449569564494348002011-06-02T10:23:00.000-04:002011-06-02T10:23:56.738-04:00Long Walks with Time to Kill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGMoZ8O2bCrVD4EpeRLegGs5UxmdSkZwkSpaHFEdN5TMYBp4zrGi-f3apQSVK35PpOXRjtN6iSGzLgreEJ9E9EVRF5SfcdeG0WbYGrCp32E5jkvlHPkwtPjIhiYnHBz99u05d_1ZH46Y/s1600/three+seconds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGMoZ8O2bCrVD4EpeRLegGs5UxmdSkZwkSpaHFEdN5TMYBp4zrGi-f3apQSVK35PpOXRjtN6iSGzLgreEJ9E9EVRF5SfcdeG0WbYGrCp32E5jkvlHPkwtPjIhiYnHBz99u05d_1ZH46Y/s1600/three+seconds.jpg" /></a></div>I've never been a big fan of audio books, mostly because I haven't had much use for them. Sitting in a room, listening to someone talk tends to put me to sleep (ask my college professors), so when given the choice of an audiobook or book to read, I always pick the option I can hold.<br />
<br />
But it's summertime, or as close as Maine can get, so I've once again started walking to work. In the past I've filled up that time with podcasts or music (Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks is a walking favorite) but I'm going to try something new.<br />
<br />
A friend of mine constantly rents audio books from the library, and 90% of the time his selections are questionable at best. I've made many recommendations, but somehow James Patterson still ends up on his listening lists. But the other day he rented a book called Three Seconds. I wouldn't have given it a second thought but on the bottom of the cover was a very important sentence.<br />
<br />
"Winner of the Best Swedish Crime Novel."<br />
<br />
I'm sold. So many good crime authors come from that area (it must me the cold) that any book named the best deserves a read, or in this case, listen.<br />
<br />
It will be an interesting experiment, as my total walking time is only about 35 minutes, so it will be a slow process. But hopefully worthwhile. I'll let you know if I get hooked.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-17132162994623305652011-06-01T09:37:00.000-04:002011-06-01T09:37:44.056-04:00Belated Bad Ass BirthdayAnd since I forgot to post this yesterday, I certainly do not feel lucky. But a belated Happy 81st Birthday to Clint Eastwood, the baddest man in Hollywood.<div><br />
</div><div>Not only did he help create the most iconic vigilante cop in the history of cinema, but turned what could have been a one shot movie into a series with the fantastic and gritty Dirty Harry movies.</div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YzeV8Sd9pV0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YzeV8Sd9pV0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div><div>He could have rode those coattails for as long as he wanted, but instead chose to branch out and become a successful actor/director creating gems such as Play Misty for Me and the Academy Award winning (and best western of all time) Unforgiven.</div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKWhJfpVqKA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VKWhJfpVqKA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="272" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Df0KtJ01Ew?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Df0KtJ01Ew?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="272" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div><br />
</div><div>Did I forget to mention that he also did the whole politics thing WAY before Arnold, becoming the mayor of Carmel-by-the-sea back in 1986.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGQ1upMn4laQJmFhUu4r-wMKu-8EBa7c3-MgQTI_qoamHNxssoUvuIkvEPpKIUyMkY8_WHBaRRpnA_LqXOMc1OXdNklsuPpdDH31ZY7ryycTKd52875W1XnMP2Ifju5q2mzceRg5Tu08/s1600/Badge+Clint+Eastwood+for+Mayor+Carmel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGQ1upMn4laQJmFhUu4r-wMKu-8EBa7c3-MgQTI_qoamHNxssoUvuIkvEPpKIUyMkY8_WHBaRRpnA_LqXOMc1OXdNklsuPpdDH31ZY7ryycTKd52875W1XnMP2Ifju5q2mzceRg5Tu08/s320/Badge+Clint+Eastwood+for+Mayor+Carmel.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>At this age, many a people would be slowing down and riding off into the well deserved sunset, but Clint continues to make movies, with his biopic<b> J. Edgar</b> currently in post production.</div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-53288608152506889892011-05-19T15:35:00.001-04:002011-05-19T17:55:12.871-04:00Brief note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzl2HhSR4D_xDHg0F9o6yOKmGBF1CpV3dfo8sMhxeYigCLyqIRqlNtCmRsIEatZOF8sh0KnJJTqfVRpxAGb2ZsLxl_5oW65JmjPIfG8aprTxnbzupPcwVon_CM8Bl1xRhcNg7Xkit_co/s1600/The-Chicago-Code.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzl2HhSR4D_xDHg0F9o6yOKmGBF1CpV3dfo8sMhxeYigCLyqIRqlNtCmRsIEatZOF8sh0KnJJTqfVRpxAGb2ZsLxl_5oW65JmjPIfG8aprTxnbzupPcwVon_CM8Bl1xRhcNg7Xkit_co/s320/The-Chicago-Code.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>So I'm incredibly sad to see that The Chicago Code has not been renewed for the upcoming fall schedule. I have yet to see every episode, but it's safe to say with most of the toilet water that passes for television, this show should have at least been given a second season. I don't expect the cash cows that are reality programming to disappear, but certainly their easy money should be able to pick up the tab for some quality shows. It's a sad state of affairs when the man who created The Shield has had two decent shows axed recently. (He also executive produced Lie to Me, another casualty.)<br />
<br />
Shawn Ryan, we all owe you an apology.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-38915090665991691742011-05-17T19:00:00.002-04:002011-05-17T19:00:59.445-04:00Out Today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7nOupNqHFM1ZYE6O6r7SEhS5PkxRkHqXFrLeJgK99Y-RWRJ-Lop5XlHcsV4RWCXBcZRku_1Kaocf9WT0NxT7bqqjjLfRhDP0DsfTp5LfOUAARvcoD7njcbMOiMNR8HnzDqhmMROb6i0/s1600/lan_starlet_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7nOupNqHFM1ZYE6O6r7SEhS5PkxRkHqXFrLeJgK99Y-RWRJ-Lop5XlHcsV4RWCXBcZRku_1Kaocf9WT0NxT7bqqjjLfRhDP0DsfTp5LfOUAARvcoD7njcbMOiMNR8HnzDqhmMROb6i0/s400/lan_starlet_large.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-45803067561308972002011-05-11T12:43:00.000-04:002011-05-11T12:43:15.224-04:00A Drop of the Hard Stuff"<i>When I was on the job," I said, "it was said of me that I was like a dog with a bone. Just because I've let go of something doesn't mean I can keep from thinking about it."</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUB3Ka3heW_VdGXv5OTYA-fFVliwtnxYRuf6IfCshEB7KYsKwkZ8LF3jGdILH8FHrqGFvUgphOZsxKOvmlmfLOab668fG7lq3qJYJwko5UVJDXnax5HSR6ujNMhQG7bD87TZ1VoAPzbQ/s1600/drop+of+the+hard+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUB3Ka3heW_VdGXv5OTYA-fFVliwtnxYRuf6IfCshEB7KYsKwkZ8LF3jGdILH8FHrqGFvUgphOZsxKOvmlmfLOab668fG7lq3qJYJwko5UVJDXnax5HSR6ujNMhQG7bD87TZ1VoAPzbQ/s1600/drop+of+the+hard+stuff.jpg" /></a></div>I wouldn't be reading crime fiction if not for Lawrence Block. My reading interests have always been varied, from the required classics to Chuck Palaniuk, but prior to Mr. Block, I hadn't touched a single page of crime other than Sherlock Holmes. The genre was not shunned on purpose, I just hadn't given it a fair shake. That changed the day I picked up A Dance at the Slaughterhouse. Within those pages I was introduced to the burned out ex-cop/not private eye Matthew Scudder. His world was bleak, dangerous, and completely captivating. By books end I had promised myself to read every word printed concerning him.<br />
<br />
It's about ten years later, and sadly I have a few books left unread. But in preparation for A Drop of the Hard Stuff's arrival, I dug out my books, picked up a few more and proceeded to read:<br />
<br />
The Sins of the Father<br />
Time to Murder and Create<br />
In the Midst of Death<br />
A Stab in the Dark<br />
Eight Million Ways to Die<br />
When the Sacred Ginmill Closes<br />
A Ticket to the Boneyard<br />
A Dance at the Slaughethouse<br />
The Devil Knows Your Dead<br />
<br />
Thats a pretty full two months, and in all honesty it was worth the time to catch up with an old friend. To me, Matthew Scudder is like that grizzled old uncle who shows up a bit drunk at the reunion, tells amazing stories, sneaks you a beer, and ends up punching someone. The rest of the family might be slightly embarrassed by his antics, but you can't help wanting to be him just a little.<br />
<br />
The earlier Scudder novels were filled with booze, broads, and endless cases. Matt was the first private investigator, unlicensed or not, who tried as hard as possible to never ever take a case. But like the opening quote stated, when he took a job, he stayed on until it was finished. His personal life would suffer, his friendships would suffer, and in the beginning his sobriety suffered.<br />
<br />
And then Lawrence Block went and did something completely unexpected, he sobered Matt up. Sent him off to AA and put him through the steps. Would a clean and sober Matt be as interesting?<br />
<br />
Damn straight.<br />
<br />
Cut to the book that arrives in stores tomorrow, A Drop of the Hard Stuff.<br />
<br />
It might not be Block's best book, but it's a welcome addition to the series. Taking place entirely in a previously untold flashback, it tells the story of a case Matt takes on as he nears his one year sobriety anniversary. An old acquaintance of Matt, former criminal "High-Low" Jack Ellery has turned up dead after recently reconnecting with Matt at a meeting. Jack's sponsor believes it has something to do with a particular AA step, making amends to those he might have wronged. It seems Jack wronged quite a few people. Instead of turning over Jack's list to the police, the sponsor hands it over the Matt, hoping he will clear names that the police would instead look into.<br />
<br />
As one would guess based on past experience, Matt is reluctant, but takes the money and the job. In typical Block fashion, Matt works the case slowly and methodically, asking all the right questions to all the right people (including a few welcome series regulars like Danny Boy Bell) and before long he's dug deep enough to unravel the mystery. It should come as no surprise, because Scudder has always been good at what he does.<br />
<br />
And like the past books, it's not always about the mystery. Matt is a complicated character, and it's his struggles with the bottle, women, and his life that always keep me coming back. He's not that hard of a man that you can't help but feel for him as he is tempted by the neon promises of local bars. Having gone through similar problems, Lawrence Block lends the book much needed realism behind Matt's struggles.<br />
<br />
The only problem I had with the book was it's ending. Back in the day Matt handed out some rather unusual forms of justice, and he wasn't above coaxing a suicide or letting a man like Mick Ballou take care of the dirty work. Sometimes he did what needed to be done himself. It's a trait of Matt's I always admired. Sadly, without giving aways the ending, I found the last few pages of this book to be rather passive. Perhaps Block has moved past the need to have Matt dole out some justice on his own terms.<br />
<br />
I, however, have not, and it left me wanting a little more.<br />
<br />
Would that stop me from recommending A Drop of the Hard Stuff? Not a chance.<br />
<br />
<i>A Drop of the Hard Stuff will be published by <a href="http://www.mulhollandbooks.com/">Mulholland Books</a> tomorrow.</i>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-64899641767133825092011-05-09T14:48:00.002-04:002011-05-09T14:48:18.194-04:00Returning TomorrowSo tomorrow will see my review of Lawrence Block's A Drop of the Hard Stuff as well as my return from ten or so days away from the site. Hope you all missed me.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-4793397299356577102011-04-28T11:43:00.000-04:002011-04-28T11:43:18.171-04:00The Dark Tower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSLNtlozDNzupL3z8dI-Y-RHj_vMi5Q83WdFUeju0WF_Z3ZnBBQ_Yam_bgJkHPNjfIhsngqgv8PCNXQYO8z1rtT3iTRvWdThC3NivabAQp_zLuGj1mhV5xSvgSc-5aSibwhmS0q8CvSE/s1600/javier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSLNtlozDNzupL3z8dI-Y-RHj_vMi5Q83WdFUeju0WF_Z3ZnBBQ_Yam_bgJkHPNjfIhsngqgv8PCNXQYO8z1rtT3iTRvWdThC3NivabAQp_zLuGj1mhV5xSvgSc-5aSibwhmS0q8CvSE/s1600/javier.jpg" /></a></div>It's official. Javier Bardem has officially signed on as Roland Deschain in the Ron Howard adaptations of Stephen King's Dark Tower series. I haven't yet read all of the books (I stopped after book 4 because of fears the series would never be finished) but I think this is fantastic news.<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard, Howard's plans for the series are rather ambitious, mixing a trilogy of films along with television mini-series. It's something that could be completely amazing or fail spectacularly, but I have to admire Howard and producer Brian Grazer for their moxie. Personally, I'm hoping it's a wild success, and the casting of Bardem ensures a commitment to quality.<br />
<br />
But not surprisingly, the internet isn't happy about this. After reading the comments on Imdb, (I know, glutton for punishment) I was absolutely shocked to hear many people crying about Javier's accent. Really? This is an Academy Award winning actor signed on for a part he should absolutely kill, and people are fretting about his accent? Do people expect him to sound like he's in a Spanish language film? He's an actor, lets allow him to act. Besides, the Dark Tower series is fictional. Where does it say he has to sound American?<br />
<br />
I hope he sounds like he usually does because I actually like his voice. To hell with the complaints.<br />
<br />
Any thoughts?<br />
<br />
<i>image originally found on <a href="http://www.movieweb.com/news/javier-bardem-offered-the-dark-tower-lead-as-roland-deschain">Movieweb.com</a></i>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-71232484079172620282011-04-27T12:28:00.000-04:002011-04-27T12:28:24.874-04:00500For the first time in a long while, I'm at a loss of what to talk about. I'm in the homestretch of Daniel Woodrell's The Bayou Trilogy (hell of a book) and just starting the comic book 5 Days to Die. I haven't been able to sit down and watch a movie for a few days and I just got back from Boston at 3am last night (went to see The Kills; great band), so my energy is approaching E on the meter. <br />
<br />
Then I notice today would be my 500th post since starting this blog January 1st, 2010.<br />
<br />
So I'm just going to celebrate that fact and little else today while I recuperate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvmoTED6eTMaQoE8gtquknFl0-pEDDIRsVH9qFYzVAZ8WFOS86eH6grWprsPrr9O-aBo4Vm8CeDwgY7aOTusnsCEwnRcmK6QHKQ3x3iiYlMhIBcDgrUuOWIY9BDEnitr3nL_kglftKCU/s1600/Detective_Comics_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvmoTED6eTMaQoE8gtquknFl0-pEDDIRsVH9qFYzVAZ8WFOS86eH6grWprsPrr9O-aBo4Vm8CeDwgY7aOTusnsCEwnRcmK6QHKQ3x3iiYlMhIBcDgrUuOWIY9BDEnitr3nL_kglftKCU/s400/Detective_Comics_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-19501266319465142152011-04-26T09:53:00.000-04:002011-04-26T09:53:25.725-04:00Criminal ElementMy thanks to<a href="http://davidcranmer.blogspot.com/2011/04/criminal-element.html"> David Cranmer</a> for pointing this out on his own blog. I thought I should share as well. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.criminalelement.com/">http://www.criminalelement.com/</a>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-936230594877506002011-04-25T11:53:00.000-04:002011-04-25T11:53:48.712-04:00Happy 71st Birthday Al PacinoHe might not have made a decent film in the past ten years or so, but for my money Mr. Pacino was THE actor of the 70's and early 80's. And yes, I'm putting him over DeNiro, Gene Hackman, Robert Duval, and Jack Nicholson. <br />
<br />
Here are a few of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNeN9ZU2CSM?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eNeN9ZU2CSM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bf16Vc3iZjE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bf16Vc3iZjE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LtTRYnsDH8Q?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LtTRYnsDH8Q?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CF1rtd8_pxA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CF1rtd8_pxA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5juO62j7W3Q?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5juO62j7W3Q?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8DQJIoyqn7w?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8DQJIoyqn7w?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7Jw2F77GCI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f7Jw2F77GCI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0xbBLJ1WGwQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0xbBLJ1WGwQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShM8bGKVFXg?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ShM8bGKVFXg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d1_mETVsCac?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d1_mETVsCac?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-76149256010134718392011-04-24T10:32:00.000-04:002011-04-24T10:32:00.391-04:00Covers of the WeekIt the final day to highlight the fantastic pieces over at <a href="http://reelizer.com/">Reelizer.com</a>, so we might as well go out with a Showcase! Here are an assortment of posters for the Orson Welles/Joseph Cotten/Carol Reed/Graham Greene classic The Third Man.<br />
<br />
Brandon Scaefer<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7E8N8AvqzQKadqSyUPcRGuvLdzRk9T8OIXtzx73VLEZEbWWz0rK4RFHLhj0AtDtjX0xx0dyuYMyPw-FnAZK3SSp8ysiA-1ABRPjwJM5B_iOcRzQuKuLZGhkcb8Ps89HXdtuNC78qtpA/s1600/third+man+-brandon+scaefer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7E8N8AvqzQKadqSyUPcRGuvLdzRk9T8OIXtzx73VLEZEbWWz0rK4RFHLhj0AtDtjX0xx0dyuYMyPw-FnAZK3SSp8ysiA-1ABRPjwJM5B_iOcRzQuKuLZGhkcb8Ps89HXdtuNC78qtpA/s400/third+man+-brandon+scaefer.png" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Jordan Gray<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7XlGPhVmYG_NcJUoogPfBRj5_sMbHndG72KUn6Ua0jgHXNJcxFiqukLHj8G1GAAa2px2LT48JeHhmB9T_7g8YmZxiVryITjTMk49YVQ3uPbMKep62NIVYbTu_buA6FuBseWUxyp7THA/s1600/third+man+-+jordan+gray.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7XlGPhVmYG_NcJUoogPfBRj5_sMbHndG72KUn6Ua0jgHXNJcxFiqukLHj8G1GAAa2px2LT48JeHhmB9T_7g8YmZxiVryITjTMk49YVQ3uPbMKep62NIVYbTu_buA6FuBseWUxyp7THA/s400/third+man+-+jordan+gray.png" width="318" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Scott Hill<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6huDQ0K0pj1IaJocw7g7vSDVbYvCArmCm75arNLcgECsYzI18ulSA-DIxXN9aUj1_R1tNgzC8F8pQ-ww-zyoqrc7gyTk6g1oQUdDybKPP5VKalLM_J7kY_vyOYiMD8_UVO4RPSdhYQY/s1600/third+man+-+scott+hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6huDQ0K0pj1IaJocw7g7vSDVbYvCArmCm75arNLcgECsYzI18ulSA-DIxXN9aUj1_R1tNgzC8F8pQ-ww-zyoqrc7gyTk6g1oQUdDybKPP5VKalLM_J7kY_vyOYiMD8_UVO4RPSdhYQY/s400/third+man+-+scott+hill.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Richard Perez<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gTJTkCYBVkLAgP4fgsDzI-kO8sQ3gI0fCUNUfOPj78ppd9bb1nLWaqZrez7TuSNWmitSv1hbLHviSqzznGXvIdA12qV723T-7fzxEK5vr3jPnbiPJWb02u4BTMXmbbB8403v7v8L95g/s1600/third+man+-+richard+perez.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gTJTkCYBVkLAgP4fgsDzI-kO8sQ3gI0fCUNUfOPj78ppd9bb1nLWaqZrez7TuSNWmitSv1hbLHviSqzznGXvIdA12qV723T-7fzxEK5vr3jPnbiPJWb02u4BTMXmbbB8403v7v8L95g/s400/third+man+-+richard+perez.png" width="287" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Timo Meyer<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYwGVvLx6y9KoUwucQ8_5rwww6IjGIW7szeyFVcMJKpatRHCBESTJtavxplRWZcFx7XVOzMFWZaoPsoJjOoqBw4HwdzM6VYcYuhKXs_OivzFhJJR2j1sWcfwi0jgA9j94N-kcrv_e_u0/s1600/third+man+-+timo+meyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYwGVvLx6y9KoUwucQ8_5rwww6IjGIW7szeyFVcMJKpatRHCBESTJtavxplRWZcFx7XVOzMFWZaoPsoJjOoqBw4HwdzM6VYcYuhKXs_OivzFhJJR2j1sWcfwi0jgA9j94N-kcrv_e_u0/s400/third+man+-+timo+meyer.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-44409902707727322682011-04-23T10:46:00.000-04:002011-04-23T10:46:50.718-04:00The Blackwater FeverI just recently discovered this band. They are amazing. How can anyone not love blues this sinister? Another band to add to a crime flick soundtrack.<br />
<br />
<object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tBaQtbqxoaU?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tBaQtbqxoaU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="349"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3C__dIzWzds?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3C__dIzWzds?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-87585395645970880252011-04-22T09:22:00.000-04:002011-04-22T09:22:24.910-04:00Dylan DogYou have one week to read this<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4MLqzfUBjSKspiuw43BoplnrCqgbdCfuWWcjHYcdNiOsLwhYv7YNsJT8i0drfQQBdp-Fs-lUz91R_usCPQlIG9ah0ymZ3cNcsGd3UgFuyYe1xB6Al-LnU4ySOi7Ha3tvQkqunNqDK4g/s1600/DylanDogCasefiles_md.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4MLqzfUBjSKspiuw43BoplnrCqgbdCfuWWcjHYcdNiOsLwhYv7YNsJT8i0drfQQBdp-Fs-lUz91R_usCPQlIG9ah0ymZ3cNcsGd3UgFuyYe1xB6Al-LnU4ySOi7Ha3tvQkqunNqDK4g/s400/DylanDogCasefiles_md.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br />
<br />
before you see this.<br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cCeLIa02iy0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cCeLIa02iy0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object><br />
<br />
If you've never read any of the Dylan Dog Casefiles, you owe it to yourself to do so.<br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Nightmares can't hurt you. There's no such thing as the walking dead. Monsters are all in your imagination. We tell ourselves these things to make us feel safe at night, to give us strength against the unknown.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">But there are things in the dark that can hurt us. Just ask Dylan Dog.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">An ex-cop who now battles against evil as a "nightmare investigator," Dylan Dog is unlike any private eye you've ever met. If creatures from beyond the unknown are after you, and if you can hire him, he just might save your life.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Monaco, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And I am very excited about this movie. Brandon Routh is a terribly under-appreciated actor who deserves more roles. His Superman was spot on and he nearly stole Scott Pilgrim in the ten minutes he had of screen time. And with Dylan Dog that gives him three comic book films, moving him into the pantheon of geek heroes alongside Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-52922693971014873902011-04-21T11:37:00.000-04:002011-04-21T11:37:41.970-04:00Guilt By Association<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOPoCLesQIntl7C6KH9Te-omQ1lAGsDBgvBdG7fbtVln6JwJx77nwIf6RYA7KiefAJVF5gs-5rAncveFIRPmzg3iikeL5Qa1owfKxFAEMR8Ly77n-Mx62gEoQVOcljgQZjfDvmhgeiiA/s1600/guilt-by-association.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOPoCLesQIntl7C6KH9Te-omQ1lAGsDBgvBdG7fbtVln6JwJx77nwIf6RYA7KiefAJVF5gs-5rAncveFIRPmzg3iikeL5Qa1owfKxFAEMR8Ly77n-Mx62gEoQVOcljgQZjfDvmhgeiiA/s320/guilt-by-association.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>Marcia Clark's debut novel, Guilt by Association, has all the makings of a fantastic novel. Her characters, specifically plucky L.A. deputy DA Rachel Knight, are all well rounded, realistic characters. Even the bit players have memorable quirks. The dialogue reads true, as does the inner thoughts of Rachel. These words were not written to sound "cool," but instead to be as realistic as possible. It's obvious that Clark had an ear out as she walked the halls of her workplace.<br />
<br />
And it's in the details that the authenticity of her experience comes through. Buildings are well described down to the tiniest, but important, minutiae. I've never visited any of these bars or courtroom, but after reading the novel, I feel as if I could recognize them should I walk on by.<br />
<br />
The plot of the novel is also quite compelling. Rachel's friend and co-worker is found dead under rather unusual, and damning, circumstances. She's determined to work the case even after she's been warned off, needing to prove that her friend was not the man he is made out to be. Instead of her crusade, she's forced to work another case involving the sexual assault of a young woman whose father happens to be rather rich and powerful. Each case is interesting in it's own right, and Clark balances each story rather well.<br />
<br />
So why didn't I really like this book?<br />
<br />
Honestly, I'm not sure I know the answer. Like I just explained, there isn't really a weak spot in the novel. It's well written, well thought out, and well paced. It has all the makings of a terrific book, and it may well be, but it just wasn't for me. <br />
<br />
You might damn me for saying this, but perhaps it was just a bit too girly? Much attention is paid to Rachel's clothes, her feelings, and her nights out with her gal pals. Others might eat this stuff up with a spoon, but for me it got a little to close to a Sex In the City/Law & Order mash up. I prefer my protagonists to be a little more hard boiled and a little less well adjusted. This probably says more about the reader that the novel itself. <br />
<br />
But pick up the book and decide for yourselves. Perhaps you won't be as strange as me.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-88016920413308530642011-04-20T20:40:00.001-04:002011-04-20T23:25:59.791-04:00Beat to a PulpI've extolled the virtues of<a href="http://www.beattoapulp.com/"> Beat to a Pulp</a> before, but for those of you that might be unfamiliar, here it is again. Beat to a Pulp is a website run by <a href="http://davidcranmer.blogspot.com/">David Cranmer</a>. It's home to tons of fantastic hardboiled crime fiction and other pulp goodies. There is a "weekly punch" which features a new story, as well as a lengthy archive of past stories. Just recently they published<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Pulp-Round-David-Cranmer/dp/0615388248/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303346043&sr=8-1"> Round One</a>, a collection of some of the best works published to date. It's a collection worth checking out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ucoSGL9ondsak92O8OOdlG30GBT5jIo6-9vcX7Z_vkBpa7AIjhRFZxrNPliDAWrQfrRUGC5YskFsJVJyCTpGNetBVM1oJtPexag_NQ-y_0oCjgmD5UCgWZBRibR2dpWlugiYcuZ_ImI/s1600/beat-to-a-pulp-round-one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ucoSGL9ondsak92O8OOdlG30GBT5jIo6-9vcX7Z_vkBpa7AIjhRFZxrNPliDAWrQfrRUGC5YskFsJVJyCTpGNetBVM1oJtPexag_NQ-y_0oCjgmD5UCgWZBRibR2dpWlugiYcuZ_ImI/s400/beat-to-a-pulp-round-one.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Should you be an aspiring writer, it might be worth your time to visit the<a href="http://www.beattoapulp.com/guidelines.htm"> submission guidelines</a> because on May 1st you can submit the best you've got and hope to see your namepublished alongside some terrific writers.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-42056520126479401372011-04-19T18:11:00.000-04:002011-04-19T18:11:13.374-04:00Cowboys and AliensI first remember this as a long talked about project by Platinum Studios years ago. I never had the desire to read it, and couldn't imagine it becoming a movie.<br />
<br />
Yet here it is, with a solid cast, director, and screenwriters, and looking quite entertaining. I guess I'm slowly becoming a fan of westerns. Go figure.<br />
<br />
<object height="269" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eJixNxFxhT4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eJixNxFxhT4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="269"></embed></object>Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3531814195597647415.post-27408238703408961792011-04-18T10:45:00.019-04:002011-04-18T10:45:00.433-04:00Blu-Ray MIAWhen I got my Blu-ray player a few months ago the first thing I did was to look over my sprawling, nearly unmanageable, DVD collection and promise myself one simple thing; no more. If I already own it, I'm not buying it again. If you are anything like me, you know what happened next. <br />
<br />
I was able to hold off for maybe two weeks before I "needed" Gone Baby Gone on BR. It was used and only $10. That's not too bad, right? My ability to rationalize myself out of any situation astounds even me. Now half my collection of higher end discs consists of 50% of films I already owned on DVD and VHS. If I could I'd own a reel of Taxi Driver just to have it on one addtional format.<br />
<br />
I'm sure this must be a diagnosed sickness.<br />
<br />
So all this got me looking at my collection, wondering what films I'd buy again should they come out. I was actually surprised by the amount of great movies not available yet. So here is a cursory glance at my collection and the films that the moment they hit the shelves will be mine...again.<br />
<br />
1. Chinatown<br />
2. Streets of Fire<br />
2. Serpico<br />
4. The Conversation<br />
5. The Game<br />
6. City of God<br />
7. Out of the Past- could mention numerous film noirs but why is this not available!<br />
8. Kill Bill-The Whole Bloody Affair<br />
9. Raising Arizona/Miller's Crossing/Blood Simple/Man Who Wasn't There<br />
10. Bringing Out the Dead/Mean Streets/King of Comedy<br />
11. The Boxer<br />
12. The Talented Mr. Ripley<br />
13. The Grifters<br />
14. Get Carter<br />
15. Point Blank<br />
<br />
Feel free to add your own.Dan Fleminghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12418855013568661590noreply@blogger.com0