Films & Books Magazine Current Issue

Celebrating 007 and the 100th Anniversary of Ian Fleming's Birth

Films and Books Magazine — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:21:40 +0000

Ian Fleming enjoyed prosperity and fame in his lifetime for his popular 007 James Bond books. After he passed away, his fame only increased with arguably the most successful film franchise in history.

A new Bond book by Sebastian Faulks celebrates the 100th anniversary of his birth on May 28, 1908, and a sizzling satire MADicine by Derek Armstrong from Kunati Books honors the great man by satirizing the satirist.

“Celebrate the upcoming centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth by reading this book,” wrote Mary Frances Wilkens in the American Library Association’s Booklist Magazine’s starred review of MADicine. “Armstrong manages the difficult proposition of satirizing the very genre in which he’s writing,” the review continues, “but not settling for a simple spoof. Like Ian Fleming, he somehow combines over-the-top satire with genuinely suspenseful action. His ear for funny and believable dialogue goes a long way to making this trick possible.”

Armstrong himself is quick to point out that he is a fan of James Bond 007 and Ian Fleming, but “Alban Bane, my main character, is not a spoof of the great spy. This is satire, and adventure, and a thrill-ride, in honor of the great Ian Fleming, but in no way a silly spoof.”

Hot new author Karen Harrington, herself picking up starred reviews and major buzz for Janeology, wrote: “Who can resist a character who, when asked by a young kid on a plane if he is like James Bond, responds, “Better looking and funnier.” This is a thriller with charm, humor and sexy-edge. Armstrong’s dialogue is so smooth, you will feel as if you’re hearing the characters, rather than merely reading them.”

Ian Fleming, born May 28, 1908 is famous for his charming spy, James Bond. Ian Fleming was himself the master satirist, yet he wrote convincingly of espionage. He was recruited as assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence in 1939 and honed his skills during the great war as an espionage planner. He even saw action as he traveled to Paris at the time the Germans approached the city.

After a stint at the Sunday Times, he moved to Jamaica where he build Goldeneye, the “secret” hideaway where he created Bond.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Trailer Promises More of the Same?

Films and Books Magazine — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:58:06 +0000

More of the same could be a good thing. Harrison Ford continues to age gracefully. Check out the early Indiana Jones trailer:

Heath Ledger Found Dead in New York City

Films and Books Magazine — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:42:50 +0000

28 year-old Heath Ledger was found by a housekeeper naked in bed Tuesday at a downtown Manhattan apartment. Police say there were sleeping pills by the bed.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine cause of death.

A large crowd of gathered at the front of the building in upscale New York city, guarded by police.

Ledger was an award-winning actor, nominated for an Oscar for his performance as a cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain.”

Ledger finished filming his role as the Joker this year in “The Dark Knight,” sequel to 2005’s “Batman Begins.”

He’s was also known for star roles in “A Knight’s Tale” and “The Patriot.”

Oscar nominees disclosed

Films and Books Magazine — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:22:10 +0000

Nominees for best documentary were released today. Normally, nominations are not announced until January.

Autism: The Musical

Body of War

For the Bible Tells Me So

Lake of Fire

Nanking

No End in Sight

Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience

Please Vote for Me

The Price of Sugar

A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman

The Rape of Europa

Sicko (inset image)

Taxi to the Dark Side

War/Dance

White Light/Black Rain

Normal Schedule of announcements:

Jan. 22	Nominations announced
Jan. 30	Final ballots mailed
Feb. 4	Nominees luncheon
Feb. 9	Scientific and Technical Awards
Feb. 19	Final polls close
Feb. 24	80th Academy Awards presentation

DayTime Soap Writers Cross Pickets

Films and Books Magazine — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:04:40 +0000

News Flash — In a move to keep their jobs, several WGA signatory writers crossed their own picket line. Several writers from the Young and the Restless have gone “financial core” which involves giving up their membership. The rationale seems to involve the declining viability of the “soaps” where a protracted strike could result in permanent cancellations of the programs.

F&B NewsFlash — Writer's Set To Strike

Films and Books Magazine — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:41:32 +0000

The 12,000 members of the Writer’s Guild of America will go on strike Monday morning in an action against the networks and studios. Although the strike is nearly a certainty, there is room for more talks.

The Writer’s Guild spokesperson emphasized they will negotiate with the companies through the weekend provided the companies will not insist that residuals for DVDs not increase. Effectively, the clock is ticking down with 48 hours to go. “We do not want to strike,” said WGA negotiating chairman John Bowman.

It now seems that talks are doubtful and the companies are not considering negotiation, based on Nick Counter’s statement, “We are very disappointed with their press conference and the action they took. Their press conference was full of falsehoods, misstatements and inaccuracies…”

All writing covered under WGA, which is the majority of projects, would cease when a stirke begins. Only projects with final scripts would be able to proceed to development. Production companies have been on the clock for some time, racing to finalize scripts before the deadline.

In The News

Films and Books Magazine — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:03:02 +0000

Chris Pine Confirmed as Kirk in Star Trek Prequel

Best known as a “ganster” role in Smokin’ Aces, Christ Pine is confirmed as the lead in the Star Trek Prequel. There is a passing resemblence to William Shatner.

Al Gore Shares in Nobel Peace Prize

Albert Gore, former US Vice President, is to share the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, as a nod to his influential books and movie — a testament to his hard work and to the collective influence of both films and books.

Gore’s bestselling An Inconvenient Truth, also a movie, was not Gore’s first stab at educating the public on important environmental issues. In 1992 Gore’s title Earth in the Balance was published by Houghton Mifflin and in 2008 he will release The Path to Survival. Read More…

Book Quickies

• Perseus Secures the PGW name after the bankruptcy case approved the $80,000 purchase of the name.

• Carol O’Dell appears on CNN to promote her sensational Mothering Mother memoir and speaks out on the multi-generational family and how to cope. See the interview here.

• Translations of English-language books represented 23.3% of all books published in China in 2007 so far.

• Derek Armstrong’s latest cross-genre comedic thriller, The Last Troubadour, surges in sales as the Tarot-community buys in. Armstrong is known for his “brilliance” for his “blend of comedy, paradody and adventure” with tarot-themes. (Booklist review).

• Rhett Butler’s People by Donald McCaig bets on big demand with an initial print run of 1.5 million from SMP. We hope readers will “give a damn.”

Books Sizzle for Summer. Our top Summer Picks.

Films and Books Magazine — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 22:37:52 +0000

August 1, 2007 • News & Reviews on Films & Books • 220,108 Subscribers

Our Top Summer Reads Picks!

Fall book titles arrive in only a few weeks, signaling an end to a vey hot summer! Here’s our top picks for a great beach read in these last few days of summer! From killers and thrillers to charmers and chucklers, our list is drawn from books we’ve reviewed and recommend! Read more…

SHE SAYS: MUST SEE!

Harry Potter is definitely going through puberty in this movie. He is trying to understand himself more, his character is a bit darker and he explores his first kiss (a little disturbing to watch, I mean it’s still Harry Potter). Read more…

HE SAYS: See it for the sake of keeping up.

The Harry Potter film series is turning into StarWars but with Magic wands instead of Light Sabers. Not that emulating one of the most successful franchises is a bad idea

EXCELLENT READ

A novel by Ann Cleeves

The descriptions of life on the Shetlands and its bleak geography are graphic, even overwhelming, the writing and observations pithy. Human emotions are recorded with intensity. It’s a great read, and recommended. Read more…

Stalin’s Ghost

MUST READ

A memoir by Carol D. O’Dell

Told in snippets and real-time journals, this is a book that will make almost any mother-loving reader cry. The style is immediate, chatty, and irresistable, the read fast and the book almost impossible to put down. Read more…

Banking on a strike?

Studios are apparently stockpiling movies and programming, accelerating production schedules in an attempt to have as much filming as possible completed by July 1 of next year. A widely expected actor and director action is expected in summer of 2008.

What Happened to Spring?

With bookstore sales down another 6% in April to $909 million—and sales declining every month from January of this year—the spring book season , traditionally one of the two hot seasons is in a freefall. Lack of good books, a decline of interest in reading, or economics?

Tax Coming to Online Book Sales?

“Bricks and mortar” retailers have long argued that online retailers have a tax advantage in selling books. Amazon recently hired a lobbyist to fight back as legislation seems certain. Read more…

Films & Books Magazine

Films and Books Magazine — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:11:51 +0000

July 1, 2007 • News & Reviews on Films & Books • 219,112 Subscribers

Live Free or Die Hard rejuvinates the creaking franchise with a strong $9 million first day at the box office, proving old dogs “die hard.” Live Free is in a race for number one spot with Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille. Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End holds its own. Moore’s emotional “documentary” Sicko will round out the box office leaders… until Transformers lands on earth. Read More in box office…

SHE SAYS: Should have been called “When will this movie end”…

I think there is definite lack of tight storytelling these days and this movie was a great example of that…

HE SAYS: Packed with visual treasures!

Ok, lets get real for a minute… This film is a visual treat from top to bottom, and full of laughs.

MUST READ

A novel by Art Tirrell

Tirrell lures us in with the promise of adventure and thrills, and he plays the “summer read” adventure adeptly, yet it is the fragile relationship between a granddaughter and her dying billionaire grandfather that takes Secret from “excellent read” to “must read.” Read more…

Stalin’s Ghost

EXCELLENT READ

A novel by Martin Cruz Smith

Arkady Renko, senior Moscow investigator, who first made an appearance in Gorky Park, is confronted by a multitude of sub-plots in this novel… An exciting read. Read more…