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The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
1975 | Comedy, Musical
Gloriously kitsch
Film #4 on the 100 Movies Bucket List: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a bonafide cult classic and I doubt there is anyone who would disagree with this. It flopped on first release at the cinema but soon after gained a massive cult following and became a hugely interactive musical experience. For me, I became part of this cult following at university and have attended a fair few parties and shows over the years (in fancy dress of course). However it’s been quite some time since I watched this and seeing it again now makes for a rather interesting watch.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical directed by Jim Sharman, spanning a multitude of genres. It follows newly engaged (and rather wholesome) couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) as a flat tyre leaves them stranded and they’re left to seek shelter in a nearby castle owned by Dr Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).

This film is undoubtedly bats**t crazy. The plot is absolutely bonkers – a group of aliens from the planet Transexual led by a mad scientist in his quest to make the perfect man. It spans so many genres from comic horror to glam-rock musical and everything in between. It’s aim to spoof old school science fiction films is spot on, and there isn’t many films that can pull off cannibalism, murder and erotic sexual experimentation in the same 2 hour run time.

Admittedly there are some aspects of the plot that haven’t quite stood the test of time. 45 years ago the freedom exhibited around gender and sexuality was unlike anything anyone had ever seen and is still a rather wonderful thing to watch. However, there are other sides to this (such as lack of consent) which have become more apparent as society evolves and maybe aren’t quite acceptable now as they were back then. Fortunately this doesn’t spoil the overall feel of the film and it’s still as camp and cheesy and kitsch as it ever was.

One of the reasons for this films success is Richard O Brien’s script and music, and his performance as Riff Raff is pretty creepy and fun too. It’s clever and smart, and the music is top notch. The songs are some of the most catchy I’ve ever heard and they make you forget how crazy the plot is as soon as the music starts. From the legendary Time Warp to the wonderful Meat Loaf cameo on Hot Patootie, to the incredibly moving and inspirational Don’t Dream It, Be It, the songs are hugely memorable.

And then you have Tim Curry as Frank-N-Furter, in an absolute standout performance. He is perfect in Frank (I’ve yet to see anyone do it better) and it’s probably the best role he’s ever had. He looks like he’s having so much fun and steals every scene, you can’t take your eyes off him and that’s not just because he’s in stockings and suspenders. He makes you feel fascinated by Frank, disgusted and then ultimately sorry for him and this is no mean feat. No disrespect to the rest of the cast, but when Curry isn’t on screen the film does suffer ever so slightly.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a wacky, campy riot of a musical with a message that is heartwarming and inclusive. It may have aged a little over the years and certain topics don’t scrub up quite as well, but it’s still a hugely entertaining and unique musical experience.
  
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The Horus Heresy - Book 1: Horus Rising
The Horus Heresy - Book 1: Horus Rising
Dan Abnett | 2006 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Brilliant intro to the characters (3 more)
Well written
Difficult to put down!
Great story arch that leads into the next books
Very little (0 more)
Outstanding entry book to the series
Contains spoilers, click to show
The book is divided into 3 distinct sections with parts 1 & 3 focusing on the XVI Legion, The Luna Wolves (who are later renamed The Sons of Horus), and part 2 focusing on the III Legion, The Emperors Children.

The 1st section of the book nicely introduces the main characters of the Sons of Horus consisting of Horus Lupercal, who has recently taken over as the Warmaster of Imperium of Man's Great Crusade, and his Mournival of 1st Captain Abaddon, 2nd Captain Torgaddon, 4th Captain Sejanus and 5th Captain Little Horus. With the death of Sejanus in the opening pages of the book we are introduced to the main protagonist of this book (and the following 2) in 10th Captain Loken along with some more supporting characters such as remembrancers, the Warmaster equerry Maloghurst and various other space marines.


The book follows Loken and the Sons of Horus as they, and the 63rd Expeditionary Fleet, bring world Sixty Three Ninteen to compliance and Lokens doubts about his role within the mournival and the morality of their campaign. Towards the end of section one Loken is faced with a fellow space marine who has been corrupted by chaos and attempts to kill him. This is Lokens first experience with chaos and, as such, he is unfamiliar with what has corrupted is Astartes comrade and subsequently forced to cover it up by the rest of the mournival and Horus himself.


Part 2 brings in the III Legion, The Emperors Children, and introduces Lord Commander Eidolon, 10th Captian Tarvitz and 13th Captain Lucius who have received a distress signal from the Blood Angels legion currently engaged against Megarachnids on the world Murder.


Whilst the 63rd expedition moves to join the Emperors Children at Murder, Loken discovers the existence of forbidden warrior lodges and that a number of the crew, and indeed the rest of the mournival, are part of. This leads Loken to further question his place within the legion. This part of the book also provides the first evidence of people worshipping the emperor as a deity in opposition to Imperial Truth. The section ends with the Sons of Horus aiding the Emperors Children with their campaign on Murder before being relieved by Blood Angels reenforcements and provides a brief introduction to their Primarch, Sanguinius.


Finally the 3rd part of the book see the Sons of Horus encounter the Interex, a Human civilisation that have incorporated certain aliens and alien customs into their society which is in direct opposition to the Imperium of Man who view xenos as inferior and to be exterminated. The Interex warn Loken of the existance of Kaos however it is clear that this is unknown to Loken which the Interex find uncomfortable. During negotiations between the Interex and Horus things come to a head when the Sons of Horus are accused of stealing an anathame, a semi sentient weapon created by one of the Interex's alien subject races, and war breaks out which leads to the eventual destruction of the Interex. The book ends with the Word Bearers Legion Chaplin, Erebus, having taken the anathame for study and the 63rd fleet moving on to the moon of Davin at his request.


All in all this book is very well written and highly engaging. It was one of those books that i didn't want to stop reading until it ended and have since read twice more.


Anyone wanting to get into the lore of Warhammer 40k, the background of how the 40k universe became as it now is or simply an engaging sci fi book cannot go wrong with this one.


The only negative i can find is that it ended however this is book 1 of a trilogy !
  
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Smashbomb (4683 KP) created a post in Smashbomb AMA

Mar 26, 2019 (Updated Mar 26, 2019)  
AMA: JOANNE HARRIS (AUTHOR)
ANSWERS
Award-winning author Joanne Harris, has answered YOUR questions in Smashbomb's first AMA.

 @Katie Loves Movies asked:
How many half-finished books do you have?
Currently, two, plus one draft that still needs editing. I always tend to work on more than one thing at a time.

How do you choose your character names?
It depends on the book. Sometimes I use the credits from old episodes of DR WHO and BLAKES7. Sometimes I use the names of ex-colleagues from my teaching days.

Do you have anything unusual on your desk?
A brass frog that my grandfather used to have on his desk: a stone from a sandcastle my daughter and I built when she was nine.

 @DaveySmithy asked:
What makes you roll your eyes every time you hear it?
People who say: "I'm going to write a book when I retire."

Do you think that aliens exist?
Statistically, yes. In practical terms, I doubt we'll ever see them.

What song hits you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear it?
The Flowerpot Men's "Let's go to San Francisco."

Does anything worry you about the 'kids of today'?
The epidemic of mental health and anxiety issues inflicted on them by the previous generation.

 @Random47 asked:
Do you write with a pen or on a machine? If either, what type?
Mostly, I write on a Microsoft Surfacebook, or in Moleskine notebooks with a Rollerball.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations?
Angela Carter, Ray Bradbury, Amelia Earhart, Audrey Hepburn, my daughter.
 
What books are your guilty pleasure?
I don't feel guilty about pleasures.

When did you first start writing?
When I was nine. I wrote and hand-illustrated a sixteen-page book called "Flesh-Eating Warriors of the Forbidden City", and distributed copies around my class at school.

Where are some of your favourite places to write?
My shed; the garden; trains; the penthouse of the Four Seasons in Chicago; the first class lounge at Heathrow airport; the roof of the Duomo in Milan.

 @Drayton Kool asked:
Do you prefer to write in complete silence or whilst listening to music?
Silence - music interferes with the rhythms of my writing - although I do create playlists to get into the mood.

What makes you happier - chocolate or a few margaritas?
Margaritas, every time.

On your website FAQ you mention that you love spaghetti westerns. Which is your favourite and why?
A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS - it's bleak, classic and existentially funny.

Which fictional character would be the most boring to meet in real life?
Virtually any romantic hero.

On average, how long do you sleep each night?
8 hours: more, if I can get it.

 @Whatchareadin asked:
Where is your favourite place to read? To write?
I like to read in the bath, where I can't hear the phone and no-one disturbs me. When I'm at home I write in my shed, but I can write pretty much anywhere. Hotel rooms are great - there are no distractions, and you can get room service...

Which character in your books do you think you connect to most?
Loki. I was just like him when I was in my teens.

If you weren't an author, what would you be doing?
I was a teacher for fifteen years, and I was pretty good at it.

What is your favourite book of all time? Of right now?
Of all time? Probably Victor Hugo's LES MISERABLES. Right now, I'm rediscovering P.G. Wodehouse's THE INIMITABLE JEEVES, and it's sheer joy.

What are you reading now?
Christopher Fowler's THE LONELY HOUR: his Bryant & May books are so funny and deftly-written that it's easy to overlook their dark menace and the sheer gorgeous ingenuity of the plotting.


Thanks Joanne! We'd all love to see you on here again :)
  
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Whatchareadin (174 KP) Mar 26, 2019

Thanks Joanne for answering our questions! I always enjoy getting to know authors better.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
2014 | Action, Sci-Fi
The team That mixtape The prison break sequence Chris pratt as Starlord I am groot Goofy but fun Distinct visual look (0 more)
Ronan the accuser is another underwhelming villain Final battle isn't satisfying (0 more)
“You said it yourself bitch, we’re the Guardians of the Galaxy”
The Marvel marathon continues. We started with the story of a soldier out of time. Now we move on to the tale of a group of losers having to learn not to kill each other and maybe, just maybe, becoming friends along the way. Guardians of the Galaxy I view as the movie that fully cemented Marvel Studios as the powerhouse we know today. The popularity of Iron Man and Thor spiked after their respective films, but I'm gonna guess if you pulled someone random off the street and asked them who either character was before their movies were released, they could probably at least tell you who they are. Now, not too far separated from the humongous success of The Avengers, here comes Marvel with a film about characters next to no one, not even some avid fans of comics, knew existed. And wouldn't you know, five years after Guardians came out and made Groot a household word, it's still one of their best films Marvel has made.

Guardians of the Galaxy almost off the bat confronts two major complaints I hear about Marvel flicks. First, that they don't look cinematic. Call it the "TV show aesthetic." Moderately flat shots, muted colors, forgettable music, etc. Second, that they're too heavy on witty banter and don't leave enough room for genuinely meaty substance. In regards to the first point, this film looks gorgeous. The color palette and cinematography are both creative and have an absolute blast with the concept of creating a grandiose space opera with equal parts charm and toilet humor. Each planet has its own distinct decor and aliens. Gunn managed to create a fleshed-out, lively, and unique galaxy. In regards to the second point, while there is all sorts of banter to be found throughout, including a Jackson Pollock cum joke, Guardians of the Galaxy has to have the biggest heart out of any film in the MCU. The movie is a full measured ton of fun, but it tugs at the heartstrings in a way few modern blockbusters have been able to achieve.

Four of the five Guardians have something in their life that lead to great tragedy. Peter and Drax lost family very close to them. Gamora and Rocket were tortured and bred to be bloodthirsty warriors. But then, there's Groot. Sweet, unassuming Groot. A beast in battle, but a gentle giant otherwise. His existence seems simple. He eats a leaf off of his shoulder, he drinks water straight from a fountain, and he's more than willing to grow and give a flower to a small girl. He's perhaps the closest we have to a lead character who is wholly happy. The Guardians all start off as renegades, loners, folks reasonably hardened by lives that have enjoyed fucking them over. We get to see them by the end of the film not just grow into heroes, but friends and good people. I am Groot. You are Groot. We are Groot.

Marvel took a big gamble with this movie, but it payed off so absurdly well. The humor is great, the characters even better, and the atmosphere equal parts fun and emotional. Guardians of the Galaxy stands out in the sea of superhero films as a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve. It's weird, but it's damn proud of the fact that it is. Maybe it's alright to be a loser. The world could use a few more losers to help us along the way of life. I think what I'm trying to get down to is this: It was polite of James Gunn to make a movie to go along with his sick mixtape.