Has anybody read this book? Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan

The L.A. County Museum of Art is having a French Film Fridays series this summer and this film based on the book Bonjour Tristesse, is playing at the end of July. I would like to read the book before I see the film. Are there any fans of this old book/movie out there?

According to the always trustworthy Wikipedia David Niven plays Raymond, a playboy widower with a taste for meaningless affairs with younger women, Jean Sebring is his daughter Cecile and Deborah Kerr the more mature woman who probably turns the whole thing around.

The book was written in 1954 when Sagan was 18 and made into a film by the legendary Otto Preminger. Sounds yummy to me. Anyone?

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Suits in the City

I don't know what this says about me but I love living in a city that plasters ads on the sides of its buildings. I have NEVER seen this show - you can't escape the commercials for it - and have no intention of doing so but I actually get a kick out of seeing a couple of guys in suits strutting larger than life above the streets of the city. This is above Wilshire Blvd in Westwood Village.

I'm posting this as part of Alyce's  AtHomewithBooks.net  SATURDAY SNAPSHOT.  To play along, post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post on her Mister Linky .

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Up In the Air: Which do you like better? The book or the movie?

I was cruising around on my Nook - I actually live so close to Barnes and Noble now, that I can walk there in ten minutes and settle in for a free hour of reading on my Nook - and discovered (or perhaps re-discovered and I've just forgotten) that the gorgeously poignant Up in the Air film starring George Clooney and directed by Jason Reitman started out as a novel by Walter Kirn. If I had known that back when the movie first came out I think I would have read it before seeing the film. But now, just like with The Descendants; I won't be able to get Clooney out of my head. Not such a bad thing really but I wonder who I would have pictured as Ryan - or how I would have pictured him - had I read it first myself. Interesting in the script, he's not described at all. he is everyman. The first 17 pages of the book are the same.

I just finished reading the script over at the internet movie script database (imsdb.com) last week and I think it could be fun to see how the book, compares to both the finished film and the script.
Which is really interesting when all three differ from each other.
On the other hand I'm dying to get back to The Corrections, the Jonathan Franzen book that was slated for the screen too. Once upon a time there was interest in making it into a movie but apparently the family saga didn't translate well. Most recently, HBO was going to do it as a series. They had an amazing cast that included Dianne Wiest, Chris Cooper, Ewan MacGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rhys Ifans and Greta Gerwig.  The story follows  a family over a fifty-year time period. It starts with the aging parents but apparently goes back and forth in time. Unfortunately the format was too tough to adapt so HBO dropped it last month. BUMMER! I really wanted to see that. Oh well, I'm gonna read the book anyway. I'm enjoying Enid - the mother who shares a moniker my dear old mum!

Another book on my list to read, and also slated for HBO-dom is The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. They paid him a ton of money for the film rights and I'm hoping this is one that HBO goes ahead with.

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Rest In Peace: Nora Ephron

I spent this past Saturday afternoon watching Sleepless in Seattle on Netflix instant streaming and comparing it with the script by Nora Ephron and Jeff Arch that I downloaded free online. It was a brilliant script and movie.
I was thinking about the movie because it's one of the most perfect examples of a 'romantic comedy' and the script I am working on is related to the genre. But that doesn't matter. I tend to think everything Nora Ephron wrote was brilliant and bitingly funny and quite beautiful in its honesty about men and women and how they live with and love each other.
I'm very sad to hear today that Nora Ephron is indeed dead - there were reports earlier today that jumped the gun - it seems that those who knew her loved her. And those of us who didn't loved her artistry.
Nora Ephron defined a genre but was a genius far beyond that.  So sorry.

RIP Nora Ephron

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ANNA KARENINA - Official Trailer (Time to dust off another classic)

Is it time for another Anna Karenina movie? The last time they made Leo Tolstoy's novel into a movie my husband went to Russia for four months - in the middle of winter - and I watched Pochontas over and over again with our four year old son. Russell is 19 now, so that means it was 15 years ago.  And since the film with Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean didn't exactly set the movie world on fire I guess it's fair to give it another go. In this rendition, Kiera Knightly takes the lead with Jude Law playing her husband - and looking quite ancient.  Aaron Johnson plays Count Vronksy, Aaron Johnson? He seems to be the new boy in town; we'll see him soon in SAVAGES as one of the pot dealers looking to expand their biz. He also played John Lennon - and was praised for his performance in Nowhere Boy. In the trailers he verges on the effeminate. The acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard wrote the script, Joe Wright directs. Wright hasn't done all that much but what he's done has been pretty amazing: Hanna, Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, The Soloist plus some British tv series.
So the question is - will you read (or re-read) this Russian classic before you see the movie. The release date is currently set for November 9, 2012,

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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Review

Mark and I went to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter tonight. And I might be a tad prejudiced but I enjoyed the movie a lot. I think Dominic Cooper stole the film with his incredible smouldering performance as the 'good' vampire but Benjamin Walker (who is married to Meryl Streep's daughter) played Abraham Lincoln with boyish charm and self-deprecating swagger (if that's possible!)His chemistry with Mary Elizabeth Winstead who played Mary Todd Lincoln was spot on; she was very believable and loveable. When tragedy strikes I was absolutely in her corner as was the entire audience we saw the movie with.
The tie-in between vampires and slave owners was interesting; especially noteworthy was the appearance of Miss Harriet Tubman.
I found the film entertaining, fast paced and even a couple of times, quite moving.
Most of the critics are hating it but Richard Roeper gives the film a fine review. Watch the clip and see!

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Honest, Abe, I liked it.

Mark and I went to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. And I might be a tad prejudiced but I enjoyed the movie. I think Dominic Cooper stole the film with his incredible smouldering performance as the 'good' vampire but Benjamin Walker (who is married to Meryl Streep's daughter) played Abraham Lincoln with boyish charm and self-deprecating swagger (if that's possible!)His chemistry with the actress who played Mary Todd Lincoln was spot on; she was very believable and loveable. When tragedy strikes I was absolutely in her corner as was the entire audience we saw the movie with.
The tie-in between vampires and slave owners was interesting; especially noteworthy was the appearance of Miss Harriet Tubman.
I found the film entertaining, fast paced and even a couple of times, quite moving.
Most of the critics are hating it but Richard Roeper gives the film a fine review. Watch the clip and see!
<iframe width="480" height="270" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.reelz.com/player.aspx?clipid=64102"></iframe><br /><a target="" href="http://www.reelz.com/movie/284939/abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter</a>  |  <a target="" href="http://www.reelz.com/person/268994/benjamin-walker?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Benjamin Walker</a>  |  <a target="" href="http://www.reelz.com/person/309193/richard-roeper?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Richard Roeper</a>  |  <a target="" href="http://www.reelz.com/show/93/hollywood-dailies?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Hollywood Dailies</a>  |  <a target="" href="http://www.reelz.com/show/119/roepers-movie-reviews?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Roeper's Movie Reviews</a>   | <a href="http://www.reelz.com/trailers?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Movie Trailer</a> | <a href="http://www.reelz.com/reviews?utm_source=Player&utm_medium=Player-Link&utm_campaign=Player-Referral-Bottom-Links">Review</a>

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Blogging from Bed with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender

 I usually stay in bed to watch Meet the Press and then get up but this morning I am feeling even lazier than usual. I did some channel cruising and found Jane Eyre had just begun on HBO. The 2011 version with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. It's quite grey and gloomy looking - just as Charlotte Bronte would want it  - but Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax is a wonderful bright spot (as she is in everything she does).
Mr. Rochester has just come home making a spectacular entrance falling off his horse. Michael Fassbender is quite formidable as the moody Mr. Rochester. Right now he's cast quite a pall over the house with his 'ill humors'.
Their first real conversation crackles with intensity and subtext.
At one point, as he examines her art work, he asks if she's satisfied with them. I adore her response; it's the honest answer of each and every one of us with creative aspirations. No, she tells him.
"I imagine things I am powerless to execute"
Ah, yes, Jane. Don't we all?
And now he's gone. Leaving Jane/Mia to miss him. But he'll soon be back and the plot will thicken. More when it's over.
***********************************************************************************
Hmmm. Why am I sitting here dry-eyed? A horrible secret has been revealed, tragedy has struck, there has been pathos and pain but here at the end where things end as well as can be expected, I would like a little more passion. Why am I being coy? Probably most of you know that Rochester's crazy wife that he keeps in the attic (oh, the good old days!) has escaped and set a fire to the house. An event that has caused Rochester to lose his sight, and by the looks of him, perhaps all his money. His estate is ruined, burned almost to the ground. But not to worry because Jane who left when the cad Rochester suggested they live in sin (after all he did have a crazy wife in the attic he couldn't get rid of) and she was a girl of high principles, has returned, realizing she'd rather live with him in sin vs. Mr. St.John in a missionary marriage. Happily, she's also rich now, a distant relative has left her a fortune.
So why such a gloomy feeling ending? Their initial chemistry has settled into the sureness of old, long-established love. Sweet relief surely should be a bit more celebratory?

For me much of the fault lies in the music, the score by Dario Marianelli. I know he is brilliant. He's done the scores for Atonement, Pride and Prejudice, The Brothers Grimm, Eat Pray Love, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and the upcoming Anna Karenina (yes, they're making it again) starring Keira Knightly and Jude Law. The music is beautiful, yes, but even at the sweetest moments too tinged with sadness. When Jane finally realizes and accepts that a Rochester loves her, and they get caught in the rain before running back into the house, even that moment of swelling joy is filled with the bittersweet sound of the violins. And as gorgeous as it is, it did not 'wrench my heart'   Watch the clip above with director, Carey Fukinaga, and see what you think.

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Artistic in Silverlake

I'm sharing this picture (which has nothing to do with books or movies) as part of Alyce's At Home with Books Saturday Snapshot meme.

In my non-blogging life I'm a realtor here in Southern California. I shot this adorable little bungalow when I was searching the artsy community of Silverlake (part of Los Angeles) for a house for some clients. This one is not for sale but if it was due to its location it would hover just under $1million!!!

I'm not a great photographer with my iPhone but I'm in love with those shutters! Bouganvilleas are  probably my favorite plant. The intensity stops me. On the left you can see the falling blooms of the Jacaranda tree. It's a lovely pale lilac color and only blooms for a couple of months in late spring.

Another thing  I love; communities that are free and open and not rigid in terms of exterior designs.

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Abraham Lincoln: Critic Hunter

Well no surprise here. The critics don't exactly LOVE Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. This one from Michael O'Sullivan at the Washington Post is among those who actually come out in favor of the film. While not all the reviews are in, the film is scoring a measly 37% from the critics at Rotten Tomatoes while the audience is more generous with a current 75%. It will be interesting to see if those numbers change. As many of you know, my husband was first assistant director for second unit, he worked on the large scale battles which utilized civil war re-enactors rather than extras. It's always disappointing to work on something which falls flat; hopefully the audience will enjoy the film as the wild and crazy ride it was intended to be. Otherwise, Abe Lincoln might have to come after the critics with his super-axe!
I would love to know what YOU think...especially if you've read the book.
Read more critic and audience reviews at Rotten Tomatoes here

 

His ax splits more than rails
By Michael O'Sullivan
Friday, June 22, 2012
As much of a mixed bag as its portmanteau title suggests, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” is both terribly silly and a lot of fun. Delivering fewer consistent frights and more laughs than some might wish from a flick about bloodsucking ghouls, this adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2010 bestseller is nevertheless reasonably gripping summertime entertainment. That’s thanks in large part to filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov’s strong sense of action and visual style.
The Russian-Kazakh director of the arthouse vampire twofer “Night Watch” and “Day Watch” pays as close attention to details as to the big picture. Arcs of spurting vampire blood -- as black and viscous as Cherry Coke syrup -- are as carefully choreographed as the action sequences. One set piece features a horse stampede during which the ax-wielding hero (Benjamin Walker) does gymnastic battle with the vampire (Marton Csokas) who has killed Lincoln’s mother (Robin McLeavy). That biographical detail, apparently, was left out of most history books about the 16th president (though it may have found its way into Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Lincoln”; I’m not really sure).
Bekmambetov imbues “Lincoln” with the sepia look of old Mathew Brady photos. It’s effective, even if at times it contributes to an overall murkiness necessitated by the film’s 3-D technology, which is largely wasted on gimmicks such as flicking the tip of a slaver’s whip in your face.
Speaking of gimmicks, the premise is one colossal contrivance. According to the book and film, Lincoln’s motive of vengeance evolves from the personal to the political when the shopkeeper-turned-lawyer-turned-statesman realizes that the institution of slavery was created as a way to feed white Southern vampires, resulting in the Civil War.
Strangely enough, it works. Internal logical consistency is all any lover of vampire films asks for. And the admittedly ludicrous conceit, while one giant metaphor, is, for the most part, airtight. Despite the addition of such non-canonical vampire attributes as invisibility, the film generally respects tradition. Vampires’ aversion to silver (their version of Kryptonite) is a pivotal part of the film’s spectacular climax, which involves the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as a clash between the hero and the vampire leader, Adam (Rufus Sewell), on a train hurtling over a burning trestle.
The film’s twist ending -- which is based on multiple meanings of the word “railroad” -- is nicely satisfying.
As Lincoln, the Juilliard-trained Walker falls just on the dull side of what one expects from an action hero. While good at evoking the awkward, unsexy suitor of Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), he seems an oddly wooden choice to play someone who dispatches vampires with a silver-tipped ax wielded like a majorette’s baton. That incongruity is front and center in the film’s oxymoronic title. Bekmambetov doesn’t hide from it, but rather leans on it, encouraging more giggles than are strictly necessary.
Still, Walker makes for a weirdly uncharismatic hero, particularly when he’s on screen with his mentor, Henry (Dominic Cooper), who oozes intensity and menace as Lincoln’s martial-arts sensei. The competent supporting cast includes Jimmi Simpson as real-life Lincoln confidante Joshua Speed, Alan Tudyck as Lincoln’s main political rival, Sen. Stephen Douglas, and Anthony Mackie as Lincoln’s freeborn African-American friend, Will. The pursuit of Will by vampires intent on harvesting him as a food source plays a major role in catalyzing the film’s hero; at one point Will seems like Robin to Lincoln’s Batman.
Which brings me to the one aspect of the film that doesn’t really add up. (Yes, only one, but it’s kind of nagging). As with most vampire stories, a bite from a vampire will turn the victim into another vampire -- unless, as Adam explains, the person bitten is pure of heart. Those rare, unblemished souls simply die, which is presumably why Lincoln’s mother did not become a vampire.
My question, then, is this: Why are there no black vampires? Surely there is one slave, somewhere, whose heart has been hardened by injustice and the lash just enough to grow fangs.
Contains violence, gore, obscenity and brief sensuality.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower Official Trailer #1 (2012)

Have you seen the trailer for The Perks of Being a Wallflower? It's based on the acclaimed young adult novel about a high school freshman played by Logan Lehrman (the tv show Jack and Bobby, 3:10 to Yuma) whose best friend committed suicide the year before. He falls in with a brother and sister, played by Emma Watson (Harry Potter) and Ezra Miller (We Need to Talk About Kevin) who have a huge impact on the young aspiring writer's life. His other important influence is one of his teachers played by Paul Rudd.
Steven Chbosky, the author, also scripted the movie so hopes are high. They better get it right because apparently thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, make that millions... of young people are dying to see this film that hits on so many of the troubling issues facing them. Suicide. Homophobia. Not to mention that lonely lonely feeling that everyone else is in on some big joke and you're not. You're the butt.
The acting in the trailer looks strong; the story I think resonates beyond high school kids. We've all been there at one time or another. Look for the movie to be released this fall. Just in time for back to school!

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Rob Reiner is your father, Leo and Jon Bernthal rises from The Walking Dead

It's been a long time since Rob Reiner worked as an actor. Some of y'all are old enough to remember him as Meat Head in the game-changing tv series, All in the Family (moi? I'm not sayin'). Lest your hearts be breaking for this failed actor, (in which case, you really must be young) Reiner went on to much bigger and better things as the director behind some mega successes - and that's both box office and critically. For example: The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, This is Spinal Tap, Misery, The Bucket List, and The American President. All in all, a pretty amazing resume!

He's done a bit of acting along the way probably as a favor to an old friend or for something that really intrigued him. Certainly not for the money!

Is Martin Scoresese an old friend or does Reiner just relish the chance to play Leonardo DiCaprio's poppa in the upcoming The Wolf of Wall Street. That's the movie based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name. Dicaprio plays Belfort natch.

Not so naturally for some of you, Jonah Hill has been on board for awhile, cast as one of Belfort's unsavory buddies. Scorsese is certainly doing some interesting casting as Hill, even with his MoneyBall nomination behind him, wouldn't be most peoples' first choice for this kind of part.

Margot Robbie - she was in the failed Pan Am - is in talks to play DiCaprio's wife.

And lucky Jon Bernthal who was stunningly killed off in The Walking Dead has just been cast as a drug dealing, money laundering baddie. I guess it's true what they say how when one door closes, another one opens.
Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos and a bunch of crummy tv shows) wrote the script based on Belfort's book. Shooting begins in August in New York.

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SAVAGES vs BABEL movie poster

I'm sure we've all been seeing the posters for SAVAGES. Here in L.A., anyway, they are EVERYWHERE. Looming overhead from billboards, and rumbling by on the sides of buses, they're strong solidly designed pieces. Except the names are ridiculously miniscule. But besides that they look pretty darn good.Today when I was cruising the net I ran across a new to me site called

You Won Cannes    The blogger made the point that the Savages poster is kind of a rip off of the Babel poster. Looking at them together, I would say he has a point. The series of horizontal images juxtaposed against the vertical title in white. And compare the first image in Savages; a long shot of people set against a desert like background with the last shot in Babel, also a long shot of people set against a desert like background.
There is a difference in that for Babel, the designer set the type slightly off kilter; a great design trick that speaks volumes about the chaos of the story.
I think both posters are eye-catching and do a pretty nice job of highlighting the key actors in these ensemble pieces.
Did the designer see Babel and make a conscious decision to copy the design? Or is he or she unaware of the inspiration? Do you care?
Savages, based on Don Winslow's novel,  opens July 6.

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The Great Gatsby Trailer Official 2012 [1080 HD] - Leonardo DiCaprio, To...

Here's that Great Gatsby trailer I was moaning about yesterday. I am totalled jazzed to see this movie but I'm not sure I'm loving the use of modern day music and dance to represent the Jazz Age period of the film. I loved how Luhrman used music in a similar way in Moulin Rouge but that wasn't based on a beloved and iconic book!
On the other hand, maybe the music and dancing will help the film reach a wider audience???
Either way, while I could live without Toby McGuire as Nick, I can't wait to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Carrie Mulligan as Gatsby and Daisy. I think they're both naturally elegant and tremendously talented. I'm also very curious to see how the 3-D works. I loved Scoresese's use of the tool in HUGO
and I'm wondering how Gatsby will hold up.
What do you think of the use of modern day music and dance?

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Les Miserables (2012) Official Trailer [HD]: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe...

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Anne Hathaway as Fantine in Les Miserables movie

Since I was AWOL in the period between Mother's Day and almost Father's Day, I missed the release of the trailer for Les Miserables. And I just saw this image of Anne Hathaway on line and wanted to know what you thought of her haircut. Love it or hate it?
According to Vulture magazine, Anne Hathaway is happy with how she looks with a very closely cropped head of hair as Fantine in Les Miserables.
She also said she was incredibly nervous to sing Les Misérables's "iconic" song 'I Dreamed A Dream', which has been covered in the past by Elaine Paige and Susan Boyle.

"That's actually the thing we talked about when I first came in to film. I apparently looked like I was ready to face the guillotines," she joked.

"They just kept telling me and the cast to ignore the iconic nature of Les Mis and of the song. I had to sing it as if it had never been sung or heard before."

Well I don't blame her for being nervous. But the studio obviously likes her rendition since they hammered together a first trailer with the song running through its entirety.  In a couple of parts, I think its a bit of a reach, and sounds a touch operatic, and just misses that heartbreaking tone by a hair.

Still, the pictures and the trailer reveal what looks like an authentic retelling of both the book and the musical. Unlike the trailer for The Great Gatsby which looks like Baz Luhrman is doing to the Jazz Age - in terms of the music anyway - what he did in Moulin Rouge. But I digress ...

In case you missed, I'm going to post the trailer for Les Miserables separately. The only thing that makes me truly unhappy is Eddie 'thick lips' Redmayne as Marius. Ugh. The release date is set for December 14.

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Walking in L.A.

Here's my Saturday Snapshot, my contribution to Alyce's weekly meme over on her At Home with Books website. To play, TAKE A PICTURE (don't just swipe one from the web) and share it. I recently moved into the heart of the city and and am enjoying walking everywhere. Last night, spurred by the sounds of jazz in the air, I wandered over to LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) with my dog, Charlie, where folks were congregating for a free Friday night concert. Charlie loves adventuring and relaxing on the grass. He doesn't much care for shopping so I didn't take him into the LACMA bookstore. Just in case you like art, art books AND shopping, here's the LACMA shop link. While I will miss the friendships I formed in Oak Park, I do love the city life! Who says nobody walks in L.A.?

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The Lock Artist as Movie: Casting for a strong, silent type

The film rights to the Edgar Award for Best Novel-winning "The Lock Artist" have just been acquired by Shane Salerno. Saleno got together with Oliver Stone and Don Winslow to adapt Winslow’s novel Savages,and according to Nikki Finke will do the same with The Lock Artist.
They haven't hired a director yet  (my son, RUSSELL CARTER,  is available :) ) but Salerno will co-write and get a producer credit and word has it they are on the hunt.

Here's the description of the book I found at BN.com, which I have to say, sounds movie-worthy although a mute lead will be quite a challenge! :

Michael is no ordinary young man. Mute since a childhood tragedy, at age eighteen he discovers that he possesses a skill he would never have expected. Whether it's a locked door without a key, a padlock with no combination, or even an eight-hundred pound safe…he can open them all.

It's a talent that will make Michael a hot commodity with the wrong people, and whether he likes it or not, push him closer to a life of crime. Until one day, when he finally sees his chance to escape, and decides to risk everything to return home to the only person he ever loved, and to unlock the secret that has kept him silent for so long.

Winner of the 2011 Edgar Award for Best Novel

Winner of the 2011 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK?

Who should play Michael?

AND should it be /can it be made into a film at all?

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Wondrous Words Wednesday

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Kathy over at Bermuda Onions. I haven't played in awhile since I've been in absentia but I am getting back in the saddle. To play, post words from your weekly reading that are new to you. Share on Kathy's website and see what other words fellow bloggers have come up. I think the goal is three. Some folks do more. Some less.
I have two words this week. One comes from a manuscript I'm reading from a work in progress by  Southern writer. It takes place in Lousiana in the late 60's early 70's and it's amazing. This woman is sooooo talented.
Two of her characters live in old converted slave quarters called the garconiere. I'm actually not sure if I have that spelled correctly; her work is in the car and I'm too rushed to get it. BUT it certainly is a lovely sounding word for slave quarters.
The other is from a game of Words with Friends I'm playing with my niece, Krysten. Who is, incidentally, kicking my ass in this game. The word is Meze and according to Dictionary.com here's what it means!!!!
Meze or mezze ( Arabic, مَزة , Greek mezé (μεζέ), Bulgarian: мезé / mezé , Turkish meze , ultimately from Persian maze (مزه) "taste, snack" ) in eastern Mediterranean is a selection of appetizers or small dishes often served with beverage, like anise-flavored liqueurs as the arak, ouzo, raki or different wines, similar to the tapas of Spain or finger food.
In Levantine cuisines and in the Caucasus region (especially in Armenia and Georgia), these dishes are served as appetizers, as a part of any large-scale meal. When not accompanied by alcohol, meze are known in the Middle East as muqabbilat ( Arabic: starters).

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Libba Bray to adapt The Diviners for Paramount

Popular young adult writer, Libba Bray, has just had her as yet unpublished book, The Diviners, snapped up by Paramount. Deadline reports that the book which will be published in September by Little Brown is the first of a four-part series. And that the studio hopes to launch a franchise. The story is set in the 1920s and "follows a group of young New Yorkers with mysterious powers who play a dramatic role in a battle of good vs. evil when a series of occult-based murders begin to terrify the city."
Hmmm. Does that sound familiar? Certainly sounds like it could have that X factor! Bray is going to write the script herself and will get an executive producer title.  If you're interested in learning more about Libba Bray and her books, check out her website at LibbaBray.com

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I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

Okay, so you didn't know I'd been gone but regular readers (I have a couple :( ) know my last post was made on Mother's Day and here it is almost Father's Day. Almost a month without posting! What?!?!
Where have I been? Well obviously not online. Facebook actually sent me a message informing me that I was missing out on important stories my friends were discussing! Seriously!
I hope I still live in a world where if there is something really important going on someone will pick up a phone, and if not call, at least text.
Anyhow, our move into the city was so much more labor intensive and stress inducing than we bargained for. Downsizing from a 3 bedroom house with a garage in the 'burbs to a 1 bedroom apartment without a garage in the city is no easy feat! That and some of the family stuff like my mother's death really threw me for a loop.

But we are mostly in and mostly settled and loving our new hood. It's a five minute walk to Whole Foods and Trader Joes, L.A.'s famous and historic Farmer's Market as well as the trendy Grove. I've been thrilled to continue attending a writing workshop that used to be an hour drive minimum; now it's ten minutes!

And this past Friday I put my Mother's Day gift from my son to work. Since we moved so close to the L.A. art museum, Russell bought me a membership so I can go whenever I want. Mark and I took our beagle Charlie for a stroll through the LACMA grounds; I wanted to pop in and see the exhibit California Design before it closed. They were having a free jazz concert outside, with food and wine vendors. People were lazing around on the grass where a lot of folks had brought picnic suppers. Mark and Charlie sat on a wall enjoying the music and the ambience while I ran in and checked out the exhibit. They had a very cool recreation of the Eames House. You weren't allowed to take pictures of the house but I found the one above online.

BACK TO BLOGGING

On the set of “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” were (from left) Christian Shuster, Christopher Visser and Tripp McMillian             PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN SHUSTER

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/07/3647788/civil-war-re-enactors-in-abraham.html#storylink=cpy

So all of this is very non-book and movie related BUT I did receive an email a few days ago from,
a writer for the Kansas City Star. Her name is Lee Hill Kavanaugh and she was working on a piece about several of the Civil War re-enactors who helped make the film Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter based on Seth Grahame-Smiths book. She read on my blog that my husband worked on the film - He DID! - and she asked if she could interview him. As an Assistant Director, Mark doesn't get interview requests very often so he got a kick out of it! Here's the link to the finished article in the Kansas City Star.  Civil War Re-enactors in Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter.  Pretty cool, eh? I saw HBO's first look on the movie (that's my hubby's back yelling "CUT") and it looks really exciting to me.

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