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Season One…

January 28, 2014 at 1:00 pm
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… is done.

Last night at the Cocteau we completed our screening of season one of GAME OF THRONES, with the showing of "Baelor" and "Fire and Blood."  Believe it or not, we had a dozen virgins in the house, folks who had never seen the show before, never read the books, and had no idea what was coming.  It's always cool to see someone experiencing the series for the first time.

I, of course, have read the books and seen the show… but I hadn't watched these particular episodes for a couple of years, and it was very gratifying to see how well they still held up.  David and Dan and the cast and our incredible crew have done an amazing job.

And speaking of David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, they joined us after the episodes for an hour's worth of Q & A with the fans, via Skype.   Aside from the usual technical problems that we encounter every time we try to use Skype, it was a great time.  Thanks, guys.

Next week, the marathon continues with the first three episodes from season two… and a special Skype visit from our very own Sansa, SOPHIE TURNER.

See you at the cinema!

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Beagles and Unicorns

January 28, 2014 at 12:40 pm
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You can't say enough about Peter S. Beagle.  One of the great masters of modern fantasy, author of THE LAST UNICORN, A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE, LILA THE WEREWOLF, GIANT BONES, I SEE BY MY OUTFIT, and so much more… classic novels, moving novellas, terrific short stories… and he's just as wonderful a storyteller in person as he is on the page.

We were honored to have him as our guest at the Jean Cocteau Cinema last Saturday.  We screened the animated film of THE LAST UNICORN thrice to big crowds, and Peter and I talked about fantasy, his books, his film career, and his life for the better part of an hour.

You shoulda been there!

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photo by Tara Gibbens

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photo by Tara Gibbens

After each screening, Peter signed books, comics, artwork, and merchandise for his fans.  The man is tireless… and always charming.  A delight all around.  I suspect he signed his name hundreds, maybe thousands, of times on Saturday… but before we let him go, we made him sign a few more items for the cinema.  So we do have some autographed Peter S. Beagle books available at the Jean Cocteau for those who missed the event… while the supply lasts.  It won't last for long.  (We also have lots of signed books by yours truly, a few by Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, and Pat Conroy as well).

Beagle is a real rock star of fantasy, and he tours like one.  The day before he brought his travelling LAST UNICORN tour to Santa Fe, he was in Tucson… and as soon as he was done, he and Freff and Cat and the rest of his faithful minions packed up their vans and hit the road for Fort Collins, Colorado.   Check out the tour details at http://www.conlanpress.com/ and find out when Peter and Schmendrick and the Red Bull are coming to your corner of the lilac woods.

He is not to be missed.

Thanks so much, Peter.

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