Danger! Peril! Death!

March 7, 2016 at 2:30 am

Jaime Lannister and Brienne of Tarth stand in mortal danger and only you can save them.

Suvudu is doing another one of their Cage Match tournaments. This time the theme is Dynamic Duos. Jaime (one-handed) and Brienne have been paired together. In the first round they are facing Garth Nix’s Sabriel… and a pussycat.

http://suvudu.com/2016/03/cage-match-2016-round-1-jaime-lannister-and-brienne-of-tarth-vs-sabriel-and-mogget.html

In the first Cage Match, lo these many years ago, Jaime defeated Cthulhu (with a little help from Tyrion). Surely he cannot lose to a fluffy little ball o’ fur (and fleas). Not with the mighty maid of Tarth by his side.

But lost they will, unless you guys all get over there to vote.

Tags: a song of ice and fire, general nonsense

This Week at the JCC

March 6, 2016 at 2:38 pm

We have a couple of interesting new films showing this week at the Jean Cocteau. They don’t have the benefit of huge Hollywood advertising campaigns behind them, so let me give a small tease for them here.

WHITE LIES
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THE WAVE
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We have a few more showings of MAD MAX:FURY ROAD and BRIDGE OF SPIES on the schedule this week as well. Two amazing films.

See you at the movies!

Tags: films, jean cocteau cinema

RIP Pat Conroy

March 5, 2016 at 3:13 pm

I was very sad to hear this morning that Pat Conroy had passed away.

The NEW YORK TIMES has his obituary:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/05/books/pat-conroy-who-wove-his-family-strife-into-novels-of-carolina-dies-at-70.html

Conroy was a brilliant man, and a great great writer. His PRINCE OF TIDES ranks among the greatest novels of the twentieth century, in my opinion, and many of his other titles were damned fine as well — BEACH MUSIC, THE GREAT SANTINI, LORDS OF DISCIPLINE, THE WATER IS WIDE…

A number of them were made into films. Some better than others, but even the worst of the movies was pretty damned good, which not many writers can boast. The troubled relationship with his family, and his father in particular, was the emotional core of much of his best work. There has seldom been a clearer case of an artist transforming his own pain and suffering into something transcendent and beautiful. I do not think he was a happy man, sad to say, but he was a courageous and outspoken one, who left the world a better place than he found it.

I met Conroy only once, when I had the honor of hosting him for a booksigning at the Jean Cocteau.

It’s a memory I will long treasure… and when Pat said how much he admired A GAME OF THRONES and its sequels, well… I could not have been more flattered if F. Scott Fitzgerald himself had returned from beyond the grave to say he liked my stuff.

Rest in peace, Pat. Your words will live.

Tags: life and death, writing

Odds and Ends

March 3, 2016 at 1:45 pm

Got back from MystiCon on Monday. It was a fun weekend, and did much to restore my spirits. After all the internet rancor that has dominated on-line discussion of late, it was good to be reminded of what cons are all about… and how warm, welcoming, and open fandom can be. The Roanoke crowd seemed like good folks. And it was great to see how many young people and first-timers were at the con (I asked for a show of hands on several occasions). All the alarums about the demise of traditional SF fandom may be somewhat premature, I’m thinking.

Back home, of course, I had the usual thousand new emails waiting in my inbox. But among them, at long long last, was my Hugo PIN from MidAmericon II. I can finally begin nominating for this year’s awards. I urge all of you to do the same. (And will have a few more Hugo thoughts and recommendations in subsequent posts).

We had a great event at the JCC with Tony DiTerlizzi of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES. And one last week, before I left, with Joe Lansdale and HAP & LEONARD. Plenty of signed books from Tony and Joe both are now available in the Cocteau bookstore. If you’re an autograph hunter, strike now while the supply lasts.

We have more fun events coming up in the next few months as well. Magician Francis Menotti will be making a return appearance, with the trick that fooled Penn & Teller, and we have booksignings scheduled with Darynda Jones, Joe Hill, and Stephen Graham Jones. And a little further out, Neil Gaiman will be appearing with some gigantic Tasmanian cave spiders. Go to the JCC website and sign up for our email newsletter if you’d like more details on forthcoming events at the theatre.

Meow Wolf’s opening comes closer every day. The gang down at Silva Lanes is working overtime right now, getting a little frantic as they labor to make sure everything is ready for opening weekend.

Oh, and GAME OF THRONES season six is drawing nigh as well. You may have heard. Before the season six debut on April 24, the JCC will be running a season five marathon. Weekly screenings, two hours per week, of the S5 episodes on our ~~big~~ medium-sized screen. And admission is FREE. First come, first seated.

I am sure there’s more. Life is busy. Hope yours is too.

Tags: everyday life, fandom, game of thrones, hbo, hugo awards, jean cocteau cinema bookstore, signed books

Signed Joe Lansdale Books at the Jean Cocteau Bookstore #GrrMinion

March 2, 2016 at 5:18 pm

Hap and Leonard have never fit the profile. Hap Collins looks like a good ’ol boy, but his liberal politics don’t match. After a number of failed careers, Hap has found his calling: kicking ass.

Vietnam veteran Leonard Pine is even more complicated: black, conservative, gay…and an occasional arsonist. With Leonard on the job, small-time crooks all on the way on up to the Dixie Mafia had best be extremely nervous.

Joe R. Lansdale’s popular Texan crime-fighting duo are immortalized in this complete collection of Hap and Leonard short stories and tall tales. Additionally, you'll find one brand-new story and an original introduction by New York Times bestselling author Michael Koryta (So Cold the River).

Buy it here!

See you at the Cocteau!

—THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MINIONS OF FEVRE RIVER—

Tags: hap and leonard, honky tonk samurai, jean cocteau cinema, joe lansdale, sundance tv

Me and Ryan

March 1, 2016 at 12:19 am

For all those who can’t seem to get enough of me talking… and were not able to make our COLONY event at the Jean Cocteau Cinema… IGN has uploaded a video of my conversation with COLONY’s co-creator Ryan Condal.

Have a look… and do check out the show. It’s good.

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Tags: colony, game of thrones, interviews, television

Meow Wolf Opening Draws Nigh

February 29, 2016 at 11:37 pm

Meow Wolf’s opening weekend approaches. The gala will be on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, and the doors will open to the public for the first time on March 18 and 19.

And now the word is spreading beyond the borders of the Land of Enchantment.

The LA TIMES came to visit a few weeks ago. Here’s their story:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-c1-meow-wolf-20160223-story.html

Go to the Meow Wolf website at https://meowwolf.com/ to reserve tickets and have a look at their calendar of upcoming events.

Tags: artwork, meow wolf, santa fe

Keep Listening

February 26, 2016 at 5:59 am

Chrysalis SELMA BLAIR
Ti Malice NICHOLAS GUY SMITH
Xbalanque NOEL BEARHEART
Hunapu OZZIE RODRIGUEZ
Troll RICHARD MOLL
Peregrine KATHLEEN TURNER
G.C. Jayewardene SANJIT DE SILVA
Cordelia Chaisson KASEY LANSDALE
Fortunato PRENTICE ONAYEMI
Lady Black DONNABELLA MORTEL
Mackie Messer P.J. OCHLAN
Molniya ADRIAN PAUL
Sara Morgenstern EMILY CARD RANKIN
Dr. Tachyon RAPHAEL SBARGE
Polyakov STEFAN RUDNICKI

It was quite a jigsaw puzzle, with recording taking place over the world, but we think the result will be worth it.

And we’re moving right on to DOWN & DIRTY, where a number of the cast members will be reprising their roles.

Tags: anthologies, audiobooks, wild cards

Nebula Nominees

February 25, 2016 at 2:52 pm

SFWA has announced the finalists for this year’s Nebula Awards.

You can find the full list on the SFWA website, here: https://www.sfwa.org/2016/02/2015-nebula-awards-nominees-announced/

Congratulations to all the nominees… and to our new Grand Master, C.J. Cherryh.

And a special shout-out to David D. Levine, who is one of my Wild Cards writers. David is a finalist in Short Story for “Damage,” from Tor.com.

But speaking of David… do watch Tor.com for his next story, a Wild Cards original entitled “Discards.” It will be up on Tor.com in March, with an amazing John Picacio “cover.”

“Discards” is set in Rio, and introduces David’s new Brazilian ace, The Recycler. I think you’ll like it.

Tags: awards, tor, wild cards

Jean Cocteau Cinema Presents: Q&A and Book Signing with Tony DiTerlizzi #GrrMinion

February 24, 2016 at 12:18 pm

Ogre Jenni speaking! I am one of George's minions who helps out at Jean Cocteau Cinema.

This February and March we celebrate the incredible work of Tony DiTerlizzi, illustrator and co-creator of The Spiderwick Chronicles!

On Tuesday, March 1st at 4:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time), we will feature a special screening of the 2008 film adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles (PG). Afterward at 6:30 p.m (MST), we have the privilege of welcoming DiTerlizzi to our cinema for a Q&A and book signing! Tickets are $10 for event admission only, or $35 for event admission and a copy of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide. If you can't make it to Santa Fe, make sure to check out Jean Cocteau Cinema's Periscope feed at 6:30 p.m. (MST) on March 1st to watch the event live!

The Jean Cocteau Cinema Gallery currently showcases a selection of DiTerlizzi’s original illustrations and giclee prints, which are available for purchase. For inquiries about art sales, like us and send us message us on Facebook! We will happily send you a packet with some information, but please give us at least 24 hours to respond.

In addition, signed copies of The Spiderwick Chronicles, and several other books featuring DiTerlizzi’s award-winning illustrations, will be available for purchase at our online bookstore on March 4th.

See you at the Cocteau!

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• THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MINIONS OF FEVRE RIVER •

Tags: arthur spiderwick's field guide, george r.r. martin, jean cocteau cinema, the spiderwick chronicles, tony diterlizzi

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