strange and random happenstance

A great episode of Ashes to Ashes last night. Not only did we have a complex plot involving a serial killer who brands his victims, but we got to see Shazzer really stand up for herself. I wish she and Chris would get back together... sigh. Alex's clothes still holding out around a 9, maybe she won't look awful this season after all. What did you say? I'm not mentioning the most wonderful, funniest thing ever to happen on Ashes to Ashes? Yeah, that's true, because why mention the "Uptown Girl" parody when I can show it? Eh eh? This easily gives Gene a perfect 10 for the night... sure it was Alex's dream, but COME ON! How could I not?

Posted by Miss Eliza at 11:01 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Alex Drake, Ashes to Ashes, Chris, Gene Hunt, Shazzer, Uptown Girl

I really don't think I could love Terry Pratchett more, I am in a Pratchett Reading Challenge after all. He's a comic genius and each and every book he writes has subtle layer upon subtle layer of context and meaning, along with the odd pie in the face, and you better hope that it is not one of Dibbler's pies. Sky TV has been adapting his books for the last few years now. They tentatively started with Hogfather, which I thought was a fair adaptation that did lack some of the subtlety of the original. After their resounding success, ie, fans didn't pelt them with aforementioned pies, they went on to adapt the first two Discworld Novels, The Color of Magic and The Light Fantastic, which I think would have be a resounding success if not for Tim Curry's bad costume, but more importantly, the dreadful miscasting of David Jason as Rincewind. Is David Jason in his 30-40s? Is he skinny and lank and able to run fast? Not in the least! Now, while for some bizarre reason I see a young Bruce Campbell as Rincewind, there really is no explaining my mind, I suggest, due to his recently hanging up his screwdriver we bring another David into the role of Pratchett's favorite Wizzard. I'm talking David Tennant here people! Lithe, almost overly so, and we know he can run. Allonsy!

But back to the matter at hand. We have, what I view as possibly the best adaptation on the horizon. Going Postal! Now it's not so much the characters of Moist Von Lipwig and Lord Vetinari, it's the actors. The cast! OMG! David Suchet, Charles Dance, Tamsin Greig, Clare Foy, and I leave my favorite to last... Richard Coyle. Ah Jeff from Coupling, I have missed you. Season 4 was a piece of shit without you. So now I have my Jeff and my Pratchett combined into one wonderful package. So what's the down side? It's not going to air till May! Originally slatted for the Easter weekend, the intimidation of a Doctor Who launch is surely what pushed it back. But until then, a trailer! Huzzah!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:13 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Bruce Campbell, Charles Dance, Coupling, David Jason, David Tennant, Dibbler, Discworld, Going Postal, Hogfather, Richard Coyle, Rincewind, Terry Pratchett, The Color of Magic, The Light Fantastic

Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: September 24th, 2009
Format: Paperback, 240 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy

Simon Tofield's cat first started out as a little animation on YouTube and has since gotten a massive (like in the millions) following. Hence Simon Tofield was offered a book deal... and the result is Simon's Cat. While not as funny as his animation, this book has some truly laugh out loud moments. This cat is no Garfield, being funnier and above all more British. Simon is able to capture the true essence of cats, in all their self centered and slothful ways. As I've said before, when talking about reviewing Charles Addams' Addams and Evil, reviewing a book of cartoons presents it's own set of problems. But luckily I have an easy out. I present to you, some of the wonderful animations of Simon Tofield... and don't forget to check out his website as well.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 1:59 AM 3 comments  

Labels: Addams and Evil, Book Review, Cat Man Do, Charles Addams, Fly Guy, Hot Spot, Let Me In, Simon Tofield, Simon's Cat, TV Dinner, YouTube

Another member of the Redgrave dynasty has died today, and the acting world has lost an amazing man. Corin Redgrave had been battling cancer for the last 10 years but has left behind a legacy of acting beyond compare and political activism. From stage to screen he was a force to be reckoned with. Though perhaps best known for his performance as Andie McDowell's Scottish husband in Four Weddings and a Funeral, for me, he will always be old Jolyon from The Forsyte Saga. His death scene at Robin Hill with Irene is heartwrentching. I think it only fitting to reprint the words Rupert Graves uttered as young Jolyon at his father's passing:

Posted by Miss Eliza at 3:47 PM 0 comments  

Labels: Andie McDowell, Corin Redgrave, Cymbeline, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Irene, Jolyon, Redgrave, Robin Hill, Rupert Graves, The Forsyte Saga

A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: April 6th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Set in 1910, the delightful 19th Amelia Peabody novel from bestseller Peters (after Tomb of the Golden Bird) takes Amelia and her husband, Emerson, to Palestine, where an English adventurer, George Morley, is planning to excavate Jerusalem's Temple Mount in search of the Ark of the Covenant. Gen. David Spencer, the director of Military Operations in London, suspects Morley, an amateur archeologist at best, of spying for the Germans, whose influence has been growing in the Middle East. Spencer wants Egyptologists Amelia and Emerson to stop Morley from undertaking a project sure to offend the three religious groups that consider the temple site holy. Meanwhile, son Ramses embarks on a treacherous journey to convey to his parents important information learned from two travelers he meets while on a dig in Samaria. Once again, MWA Grandmaster Peters uses vivid settings, sharp characterizations, and deft dialogue to transport the reader to another time and place"

Holy dent on my wallet Batman! I can't believe the number of books coming out this week that are just MUST BUY for me... it's just insane and yet giddy little school girl good, there may be squeling. First off there's what's supposedly the final Amelia Peadboy book. I know I've only just started this series, being on book 4 of 19, so I can't attest to the later book quality, but just the thought of this series ever ending makes me sad. An eventuality, yes, does that lessen the sadness, no. At least I have 14 more before the final word is wrote.

Changes by Jim Butcher
Published by: ROC
Publication Date: April 6th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 430 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child."

Yeah for Harry Dresden. Love the books, love the show. Still miss the show... yeah, as I've said before, I don't get over things easy.

A Witch in Time by Madelyn Alt
Published by: Berkley
Publication Date: April 6th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The latest in the "quirky, enchanting, mystical, and addictive" (Annette Blair) series by national bestselling author Madelyn Alt.

Stony Mill, Indiana's newest witch, Maggie O'Neill, has been attached at the hip to the smoking-hot Marcus Quinn. Things couldn't get any better- until her sister Mel gives birth to not one, but two babies...

Maggie's visiting Mel in the hospital when a whispered conversation in a cafeteria sends chills down her spine. She can't make out what they're saying, but Maggie knows malice when she hears it. The next night, death visits the hospital...twice. Nobody bats an eye, but Maggie knows something sinister is haunting the hospital. Now she'll need help if she's going to tie two murders to one killer."

Lucky me I actually found this a few weeks ago. What's majorly, awesomely cool? That these books are now so popular they are being issued in hardcover versus paperback for first editions. This series is on the way up! So why don't you pick it up?

The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear
Published by: Harper
Publication Date: April 6th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"In the latest mystery in the New York Times bestselling series, Maisie Dobbs must unravel a case of wartime love and death—an investigation that leads her to a long-hidden affair between a young cartographer and a mysterious nurse.

August 1914. Michael Clifton is mapping the land he has just purchased in California's beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, certain that oil lies beneath its surface. But as the young cartographer prepares to return home to Boston, war is declared in Europe. Michael—the youngest son of an expatriate Englishman—puts duty first and sails for his father's native country to serve in the British army. Three years later, he is listed among those missing in action.

April 1932. London psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is retained by Michael's parents, who have recently learned that their son's remains have been unearthed in France. They want Maisie to find the unnamed nurse whose love letters were among Michael's belongings—a quest that takes Maisie back to her own bittersweet wartime love. Her inquiries, and the stunning discovery that Michael Clifton was murdered in his trench, unleash a web of intrigue and violence that threatens to engulf the soldier's family and even Maisie herself. Over the course of her investigation, Maisie must cope with the approaching loss of her mentor, Maurice Blanche, and her growing awareness that she is once again falling in love.

Following the critically acclaimed bestseller Among the Mad, The Mapping of Love and Death delivers the most gripping and satisfying chapter yet in the life of Maisie Dobbs."

New Maisie Dobbs with yet another awesome cover... could these covers be cooler? No. Could these books be cooler? Yes, because they are just as awesome inside as out. Take that those people who say never judge a book by it's cover, cause that's how I found this delightful series.

But for most of the humans in Bon Temps, the vamps are mysterious seductive creatures-and they don't even know about the weres.

Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to follow the lead of the undead and reveal their existence to the ordinary world.

At first it seems to go well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found in the parking lot of the bar where Sookie works. The victim is someone she knows, so she feels compelled to discover who-human or otherwise-did the deed.

But what she doesn't realize is that there is a far greater danger than the killer threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings--older, more powerful and far more secretive than vampires or werewolves-- is preparing for war. And Sookie will find herself an all-too human pawn in their battle…"

Um... I'm sure you've read this by now, there's no way you could have waited a year to hear what's happened in Bon Temps.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: A River in the Sky, A Witch in Time, Amelia Peabody, Bewitching Mystery, Charlaine Harris, Elizabeth Peters, Harry Dresden, Jacqueline Winspear, Jim Butcher, Madelyn Alt, The Mapping of Love and Death

As a kid, Easter was almost a bigger holiday than Christmas. My parents, being far more imaginative for this holiday than just the presents under a tree had jelly bean trails leading to candy throughout the house. So not only cool candy, but a fun time. Of course, now that I'm older, all I really associate with Easter is either Monty Python's Life of Brian, or Mallrats. I chose to share a moment of zen, as it were, with you from Mallrats. Have fun eating those Cadbury eggs!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 3 comments  

Labels: Easter, Holidays, Kevin Smith, Mallrats, Monty Python, Monty Python's Life of Brian

It took me a long time to get into the show Life on Mars. It's bizarre mix of reality and non-reality and the fact that it always kept you guessing and wondering were at the same time frustrating and fascinating. But once I embraced that the show was not so much about Sam Tyler as it was about Gene Hunt, it seemed to make some sort of sense. This is Gene's world, Sam's just a visitor. Therefore when Alex Drake dropped into Gene's world I was immensely trilled. Here was someone who, perhaps, knew a little more about what was going on, due to her studying of Sam's case file, as well as being a potential love interest who could verbally spare with Gene with a side of sexual tension. When we last saw Alex and the crew after a convoluted series two, she had woken up in the present day but was somehow still in a coma back in the 80s with Gene Hunt on the lamb because they didn't know his shooting of Alex was an accident. We pick up three months later and it looks that they have upped the surreality but have a strong focus. Sure we're not sure how Alex went from the present day back again, but she, like Sam wanted to go back. Where Sam went to save them, Alex went for answers. Alex went for Hunt. We're promised answers, we're promised conclusions. For a show that lives in the land of convulsion and dreamscapes the thought of bringing it to a cohesive ending is at once scary and exciting. If they can do it will everyone be happy? I can't be certain. The new DNC officer Jim Keats seems to know more than he's saying and seems to be wanting to help Alex out of the world of Gene Hunt. But despite a mildly interesting and diverting kidnapping plot it was the last five minutes that galvanized this episode more than any of the previous series of Ashes to Ashes. Jim Keats will unmask Gene, though I deeply hope that Gene does not turn out to be the villain that Keats is foretelling. And could everything hinge on Sam Tyler? A subject rarely brought up, yet obviously pivotal. I can't wait till next week when Alex opens up that desk drawer and sneaks a peak at Sam's file. Until then, like her, I will still dream of Gene Hunt.

Each week I am going to do a Gene Genie Awesomeness Scale as well as an Alex Drake Drab Scale.

How awesome was Gene tonight? On a scale of 1-10, an 8. The driving the Quatro and shooting at people dream sequence was a perfect 10, as was his way of waking up a coma victim, just slap them in the face, but overall, not enough screen time.

How awful was Alex's clothes tonight? A 9! Highest ever, mainly due to the good new haircut, she really can't be blamed overmuch for the ugly sweater and shoulder pads... at least it wasn't the fur coat!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 2:21 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Alex Drake, Ashes to Ashes, Gene Genie, Gene Hunt, Life on Mars, Quatro, Sam Tyler

So, a week ago, I ventured forth from my book lined hovel to see Lisa Lutz in Milwaukee at Boswell Books. I was lucky enough to have seen her last year and was not going to miss the opportunity to see her again, she was on the tenth day of her extended tour promoting The Spellmans Strike Again. I, being me, and being over prepared in the extreme, arrived about an hour early. Logically that made me the first one there, because I don't think there is anyone else that desperate for prime seating and good access to the front of the signing line (damn them for switching it up, the table is near the front of the store, not this podium transformer thingy, so I was third in the signing line, drat!) Before the talk I had a bit of a palaver with the owner, Daniel Goldin, who was understandably a bit nervous that no one would show, understandable in that it was surprisingly frigid out (20 degrees) and at about 10 minutes to start time there where only four people there, but happy when I told him this was not the final Spellmans book. Luckily the crowd filled out, but I'm not sure if that was a good or a bad thing, for they were surprisingly lack luster and reserved, resulting in a short and mildly surreal experience.

Lisa appeared on time, tired and distracted, but with her wit razor sharp as ever, if not quite linear to follow. She expressed a sentiment that I often feel about public speaking, to avoid when possible, hence she originally wanted to be a scriptwriter, you're rarely asked to speak in front of other people. But first, before anything else, the big news must be made, and no, not my wonderful giveaway that's currently underway, no no. The amazing news is Lisa is finally a New York Times Bestselling Author! The list goes to 15, and she tied for 15th. So yeah for Lisa! So well deserved, which you'd know if you'd all listen to me and go read them (cough *win* cough *them*). She rather succinctly and humorously summed up the newest Spellman installment by saying it had "100% more undercover butlering than any previous Spellman book before." Then, with the help of Daniel Goldin, they did a reading in her preferred style of a scene of dialogue, first between Izzy and Morty, then stranded in Florida, and another between Izzy and a drunk lawyer (it will make so much more sense if you read the book, or if you go to Litidate.com).

Then the questions and answers followed, which was kind of a sad affair. People, as in all you people out there who go to book signings or talks, speak up! They're here for you! Ask your questions, get your answers, provoke talk and discussion! Though I did glean some interesting news. First, the movie is in between studios (the new studio being more interested in transformers) and Lisa has a feeling it would be far better if she rewrote it with transformers, or for the real money maker: a family of vampire PIs! She has written a stand alone with her ex that will hopefully see publication, currently titled Heads You Loose, written in the style of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist with them switching off writing chapters. She heartily agreed with one questioner that Sarah Silverman would work wonderfully as Izzy. Then there was a back and forth with a few kids who, for schoolwork, come to talks and then report on it. Lisa said to give a good report on her. She then inquired what other types of questions they had to answer, one being, what are your views on writing and reading, to which she said, "I think they're good things, write that down, we'll wait." She also said she liked these easy questions and could she please have some more.

Then the signing began, she actually remembered me from last year, which I think is good right? I am very vocal in getting her books out there so I hope I help, cause really it's kind of a selfish obsession, she does good, I get another book sometime in the future. So books signed and booty bundled up, with a little extra for my giveaway from the owner, Daniel Goldin (aka a "Free Schimdt" t-shirt) I headed for home, ok, I headed to another bookstore to shop for some rare used books, but still... I did eventually make it home! So a fun evening, signed books, a chat with Lisa, my Dad got to talk to her about the The Innocence Project which is such an important cause and important to the books plot, undercover butlering aside.

So what else should I mention... well as you notice I'm nearing 200 followers, closer and closer everyday, especially if you count my networked blogs followers as well. So, thanks to my new bffs at Simon & Schuster who sent me 4 more copies of the newest Spellman book, along with the new shirt, I thought I'd extend the giveaway, try for that 200 and see how much booty I can bundle off to people. So ENTER! There's a very high chance you could win, there are 8 prizes currently! More to come...

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Boswell Books, Free Schmidt, Giveaway, Heads You Loose, Izzy, Lisa Lutz, Milwaukee, Morty, Sarah Silverman, Simone and Schuster, The Innocence Project, The Spellmans, The Spellmans Strike Again