Playing this week... 02/18/08

Rambo 7
Holy shit. I mean, seriously, what were the 24 producers (???) thinking when they approved this script? Rampant racism? Check. Atomic bombs? Check. Useless exposition that tries to qualify 100 + minutes of murder and mayhem? Double check. There's more blood and guts in this film than in Hostel, Pulp Fiction and Cabin Fever combined. And it isn't presented with the slightest hint of irony or apology. Yet you can't turn away from this bloodbath. It's impossible. Somehow Stallone is as endearing - maybe more so - than he ever has been. It's obviously so bad it's good, and if it came out in 1989 it might still be the highest grossing action film of all time. Take it for what it's worth. I took it, and I'll take some more, please. Personally I can't wait to find out more about the mysterious R. Rambo in Rambo V. I'd like to pitch Kris Kristopherson as Ronny Rambo right now. Even if he is younger than Stallone.

Mr. Brooks 4
Some of the most useless dialogue of all time, unexpected and unforgivable coming from an Oscar-winning penman. Costner shines with what he's given proving that he's back for yet another round. The secret to his success is not to let him anywhere near the director's chair clearly. For proof look no further than this and last years The Guardian. It's obvious that Demi Moore mailed this one in from somewhere in Malibu (too busy with Ashton, I suspect), but at least Dane Cook gave it the old college try. Just too bad he can't act his way out of a wet sack. William hurt plays the same character he played in A History of Violence - and that's not a bad thing. My rating of this film reflects the potential of the story, and what it could have been: there's a really slick thriller buried under the convoluted story. But it really is too bad that the characters have to talk to one another here.

Vacancy 1.5
Torture porn that's neither scary nor shocking? That's Vacancy. I won't waste much of your time with this review because you shouldn't waste it with this movie, either. I'm not sure who should be fired first: Luke Wilson's agent or Kate Beckinsale's. I'd rather sit through Underworld 16 than this trash. That's it. Stay away. Don't even rent it. Seriously. You'll smack yourself for it.

The Hoax 8.5
I always find it hard to get into a Richard Gere movie because he always plays Richard Gere. But The Hoax is one of the first times I can remember him really diving into a role where he wasn't responsible for the character solely on his own: I was wholly engrossed in the story of Clifford Irvine and his adventure defrauding McGraw Hill and sticking it to Howard Hughes. I guess it takes a true story to rip someone away from what they've always done. Alfred Molina, one of the ultimate character actors of all time and perhaps the most underrated actor of the last 25 years, is superb as Irvine's right hand man, Dick. The story is simple and easy to access but gripping at the same time. The only thing I didn't like about this one was Marcia Gay Harden, though I don't think I'll ever look at Marcia Gay Harden the same way after watching The Mist. What a bitch.

King of California 8
Bloody hell do I ever love Michael Douglas. A few years ago I really couldn't stand his smug ass. It was part the bad, wavy hair and part the fact that I watched The Player, Wall street and You, Me and Dupree in order. But then he goes and totally redeems himself with King of California. I was initially drawn to this because of the premise - treasure hunting with an insane, bearded Douglas sounded like too much fun to pass up. And while the story is fun and the adventure itself is hilarious - diving into a sewage drain beneath Costco in the middle of the night? This is a tug on your heartstrings kind of event. But I don't fault Mike Cahill for that. I do, however, fault him for the prolific use of shitty narration throughout. I want to look at Evan Rachel Wood, not listen to her tell me what's going on on screen. Also keep your eyes open for a hilarious animated sequence about Mexican treasure hunters. Those things always get me. It's not as good as the one from Bowling for Columbine, but it's entertaining.

Backgrounder

Horizon Park Media

What is Horizon Park Media?

The Horizon Park Media literary legacy began in 2006 with the launch of the Books Publishing Division. Our mission is to publish fiction of substantial literary excellence while maximizing financial return by marketing to a mass audience. Our titles include fiction from both emerging and established authors from a wide spectrum of social, political and economic backgrounds.

We publish fiction of exceptional quality—quality in terms of physical value and literary excellence. Our books are printed by Canada’s largest commercial printer, promoted individually through comprehensive mainstream and innovative online campaigns and marketed to the public extensively. We target mainstream bookstores, direct sale outlets, online retailers, specialty shops and trade publications.

While commercial success is at the forefront of our mission, we believe wholeheartedly in the quality of our published material. While our work has been optioned for movie adaptations and targeted for large volume sales to mass audiences, our principal consideration is publishing fiction of substantial literary worth, a worth that will ensure our books are enjoyed and lauded as important additions to the international literary landscape for many generations.

Our Books Publishing Division is currently undertaking a massive marketing campaign in support of Shawn Parker’s debut novel, Night Has Fallen. The book is being released to stores on April 15th, 2008, and is available now from our publisher’s website in exclusive signed and numbered copies.

We are proud to announce that 2008 will also see the publication of Parker’s second novel, I Am Overcome, and fiction releases from a number of exciting Canadian authors.

2007 saw the introduction of our Media Arts Division and the announcement of soon-to-be released sequential art properties. This year alone we are publishing three original graphic novels in trade format, targeted for mass commercial release: The Pegasus Illusion, illustrated by the award-winning Des Taylor, as well as Crater Lake and Ill Mariachi, both from illustrator Matt Boismier.

We have also assembled some of the most distinguished and accomplished sequential artists working in the field today for Sand Castles, a prestigious anthology project targeted for an early 2009 release. SUGAR: Four Sweet Tales, the illustrated children’s book from Parker and Boismier, will be released following the launch of our first graphic novel.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Horizon Park Media
CONTACT: Shawn Parker, President
(289) 221-3427 • shawn@horizonparkmedia.com
February 7, 2008

Night Has Fallen in the wild, but from the darkness a hero shall emerge.

Night has Fallen is the debut novel from acclaimed screenwriter and graphic novelist Shawn Parker. The book is available now online in an exclusive signed and numbered edition and officially scheduled for release to stores on April 15th, 2008.

Night Has Fallen is the story of four lifelong friends steered into adulthood by the impending marriage of their most reluctant member. As a grand farewell to their youth, the boys, now in their late 20s, plot an adventure to the furthest reaches of the Canadian north—with no prior knowledge of what it means to test the natural and savage elements of the world.

They descend on the wilderness with all the naivety and brazen disregard for safety that young men are disposed to. They are ill prepared, but it does not matter, for they are in search of adventure—a final voyage together, one for all time. In one horrifying moment the adventure becomes a struggle for survival. The rugged Canadian wild and the treacherous whitewater that cuts sharp swathes across the terrain will be their final playground, if they allow it. They have nothing to defend themselves against the wilds but a pistol and a can of bear repellent that may or may not contain hairspray. But they will survive. For that, all they need is each other. Night Has Fallen is the intensely affecting tale of a journey. It is an exploration of loss, betrayal, courage and friendship and a reflection on what man is capable of when he is faced with insurmountable odds: wanton destruction, incomparable compassion and unrivaled heroism.

Published by Horizon Park Media and printed in Canada, Night Has Fallen will be available in fine bookstores everywhere in April and can be ordered online now at www.horizonparkmedia.com.

Shawn Parker is the author of more than a dozen screenplays. WIRELESS, a terse political thriller produced by Dog Gone Mad Productions, will be in theatres in 2009. The first original graphic novel from Horizon Park, The Pegasus Illusion, written by Parker and illustrated by Des Taylor, debuts at New York Comic Con 2008. Parker’s second novel, I Am Overcome, is being released by Horizon Park in the fall of 2008.

Digital review copies may be obtained by contacting the publisher.

Tooninator and Night Has Fallen

Check, check, check it out - the Tooninator with his copy of Night Has Fallen. Feel free to take your own pictures. Obviously that would be cool.

Iceberg Publishing

Iceberg is an independent, family-run publishing company that has been publishing books related to the science fiction genre for more than five years. They first caught my attention when I was an undergrad at Wilfrid Laurier—while shopping for books I was supposed to buy I picked up a copy of Kenneth Tam’s The Human Equation, the first in a series of eight novels. At the time Kenneth and I were both studying communications and working in different capacities of the Laurier athletics community (alright, Kenneth was working. I was a dumb jock). To say that I was humbled and inspired by Kenneth’s success (a published author at a time when most students are doing… well, other things) would be a gross understatement.

Our careers took us to different places—Iceberg expanded its line of science fiction and non-fiction and moved into the realm of alternate history and now publishes the work of other major genre artists while I started banging drums in the film business. But late last year our paths crossed again, and Kenneth proved to be an invaluable resource during the publishing and launch process of Night Has Fallen. More importantly, he’s been a great friend and someone who is always available to answer whatever inane questions I come up with.

I encourage everyone to stop by the Iceberg web and order several dozen copies of each book. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ve included a Press Release about upcoming Iceberg Events.

Iceberg and Sci-Fi on the Rock to Partner in Series Launch

12/16/2007

Iceberg Publishing will launch His Majesty’s New World: The Grasslands, at a special event kicking off Sci-Fi on the Rock II, the second edition of Atlantic Canada’s largest science fiction convention. Grasslands, the first book in author Kenneth Tam’s new alternate history series, will be released on Friday, April 18, 2008, at the Holiday Inn St. John’s, Newfoundland, with the convention following on Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s a real privilege for us to be able to do this launch at Sci-Fi on the Rock,” explains Tam. “The book centers around the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, so it seems quite appropriate that it be released at a Newfoundland event.”

His Majesty’s New World: The Grasslands takes the premise that, in the1880s, explorers in the Canadian and American ranges of the Rocky Mountains discovered alien gateways that took them to a new planet. Starting in 1919, the series recounts a mission by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to explore an untamed part of this new world.

“It’s a cross between a classic Victorian adventure of Empire, a Louis L’Amour western, and H. G. Wells,” Tam remarks. “It was incredibly fun to write, and it allowed me to put some of my recent historical research to good use!”

Partnering for the release is Newfoundland’s Sci-Fi on the Rock convention, the largest of its kind in Atlantic Canada. Started as a one-day event in April of 2007, it garnered so much interest and local support that organizers have turned the 2008 edition into a multi-day event, with guests so far including actor Jeremy Bulloch of the Star Wars films, authors, artists and more.

“We’re very pleased to partner with Iceberg Publishing for the launch of this book,” co-Head Organizer Darren Hann says. “The release will be on the night before our other programming gets started, and will be open to the public. Anyone who’s curious about what our convention is like can come down to get a free preview.”

Further details about the event will be released as it draws closer. More information on the Sci-Fi on the Rock convention can be found at http://www.scifiontherock.com/ and more details about Kenneth Tam’s His Majesty’s New World series can be found at http://www.newworldempire.com/.