Writing, Hard Candy, Wicker Man, Saw III, Sharpe
I’ve sent off a query to the “Time Well Bent” antho editor to see if she’s interested in my story idea. The anthology will be for alternate history stories from a GBLT perspective. I almost hate to write the story I’ve suggested, because it’s about executioners and feels like a betrayal of The King’s Monster, which will address similar themes — er, not from a GBLT perspective, however — on “wide-screen.” But since KM is still stalled in my brain….
There’s a dragon antho that I’m considering writing for, as well, although I haven’t quite gotten the ahah moment I need to bring my vague idea to life. Dragons are so done that it’s hard to find a radically new slant on them.
I must write several book reviews for the April issue of The Harrow soon, and I expect my Spring Break will be all about starting on the Birmingham conference yaoi paper.
Movies … Hard Candy is definitely worth renting; just trust me despite the fact that most people will read the premise (older man invites underage girl to house) and immediately recoil. It’s a provocative indie in the psychological suspense genre, and I liked it much more than I’d expected to. Stranger than Fiction keeps the viewer interested and wondering how the story will end, and if I wasn’t entirely happy with the ending, well, it’s all part of the movie’s point. Population 436 is a somewhat predictable low-key horror story, but I thought it unfolded well. The ending is a little too gaudy compared to the quiet tension in the rest of the film, but all in all, it’s a nicely put together low-budget flick. The Wicker Man probably cost much more than Population 436 and bored me; go rent the 1973 UK original, which was more plausible and interesting. This new version has high-end special effects but is trying way too hard, especially w/regard to its strained and rather misogynistic metaphor. Saw III is as gruesome as ever, but it solidly extends/explains the first two Saw movies in a way that, as a writer, I appreciate. Rare to see much concern over plot continuity in a slasher/grue film.
I’ve got two more Sharpes and The Prestige in right now. The Sharpes continue to be engaging — I’m disappointed to be reaching the end of the 14-DVD set.
drupagliassotti @ March 17, 2007