I don't know if this is real or not (you can never really tell with stuff on the Internet), but this just came to my attention -- thanks to Josh Stoner via Facebook -- and it's hilarious.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c6HsiixFS8
This Town Is A Lonely Town
Or so says Frank Sinatra, and I'm pretty sure he knows what he's talking about. But anyway, this past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing Inception. As I mentioned before, this was the only movie I was really anticipating this summer, and it was well worth it. I highly recommend seeing it and plan to see it again very soon. Truthfully, it's not even worth attempting to describe the plot or what's going on, and yes, the ending won't sit right for some people, but I thought it was perfect. Christopher Nolan is, without a doubt, one of the best filmmakers working today. Leonardo DiCaprio was great as always, but my favorite cast member by far was Joseph Gordon-Levitt (you know, the kid from 3rd Rock From the Sun). I loved him in Brick, and I loved him in this movie, and I really hope he gets cast in the next Batman film, or at least another project of Nolan's.
So if you saw Inception, you no doubt saw the trailer for The Town. Very few movies do I look forward to anymore, but this is now one of them. It's Ben Affleck's second film as a director, after the great Gone Baby Gone which did a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Lehane's novel (not to mention proving just what kind of bad ass Casey Affleck is). The difference this time around is Ben actually stars in the movie, but I'll let that slide; Ben has proved himself a great actor when need be, and I certainly don't see him giving a dry performance in one of his own directed films. (And hey, look, Don Draper's in it too!)
The movie is based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan which I'm reading now. It's a book that's been sitting on one of my bookshelves for years and which I've been meaning to read eventually. That's how it is with a lot of books, sadly, but the fact that the movie is coming out soon, I wanted to read it as soon as possible, and so far, about a quarter of the way in, it's great.
Also, thanks to everyone who entered the Best New Zombie Tales giveaway contest. Despite the high number of comments so far, I count only five eligible entries, which means there is still time to enter. Just make sure to include something zombie-ish in your comment.
Now if you haven't seen the trailer yet, enjoy.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R973kixcJSI
Karma Of Chameleon
The July issue of PANK is now live, featuring stories by Rachel Adams, Stace Budzko, Sara Crowley, Alana Dakin, Tim Dicks, Whitey Erickson, Jen Gann, Kyle Minor, Ansley Moon, Gena Mowish, Johnsie Noel, Tia Prouhet, Laura Read, Keith Rosson, Chris Sheehan, Robert Anthony Siegel, Robb Todd, Brandi Wells, Bill Yarrow, and yours truly.
My story is called "The Chameleon Kid" and it's pretty weird. Not only can you read it, but you can also listen to me reading it (both links take you to the same page). Or, if you'd prefer to be a jerk and do neither, enjoy the video below.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEhXcEpajN0
Putting The Freak Back In Freaky Fun
Offered without commentary except to say I hope he pulls through and lives a long and healthy life. Have a great weekend.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLQ9ckVzvB0
Me Reading "The Dry Patch"
In case you missed it when it played live (and I wonder if anyone actually did see it that way), here's the video of my reading. I brought four stories along, and until I sat down I wasn't sure which to read ... as evidenced by my hurried shuffle. I ended up going the dark and morbid route with "The Dry Patch." The sound is pretty crappy, and the video quality is poor, so deal with it (I don't think it will come through on Google Reader and the like, so click here in case it doesn't appear below). Have a great weekend. http://qik.com/video/7424402