April 2018 Recommended Reading/Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Well, that seemed to go by quickly. Luckily, I'm prepared. By the way, we're also now 1/3 of the way through the year!

Reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) by Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury was one of the most respected and entertaining speculative fiction authors we've ever had, and this dark fantasy remains one of his most popular works. Following two boys who must contend with a mysterious carnival which can grant anyone's desire at a steep price, populated by Satanic figures, this is one of the most sentimentally poetic stories that manages to evoke both happiness and horror in equal amounts. Essential to any writer's library.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Wicked-This-Way-Comes/dp/1501167715/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597385&sr=8-1
Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Wicked-This-Way-Comes/dp/0380729407/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597385&sr=8-1
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Wicked-This-Way-Comes/dp/0380977273/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597385&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Something-Wicked-This-Comes-Greentown-ebook/dp/B00C2C637I/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597385&sr=8-1



Viewing: Coraline (Henry Selick, 2009)

Based on the novella by Neil Gaiman, this wonderfully animated stop-motion film from the director of The Nightmare Before Christmas follows a headstrong young girl who discovers a parallel world that proves more lively than her own but hides dark and dangerous secrets. It's a rather dark movie with some pretty horrific twists, most likely not meant for little kids, but it's a highly imaginative ride nonetheless. Check it out as soon as you can.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Coraline-Dakota-Fanning/dp/B003UAKE9Y/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1522597419&sr=8-6&keywords=coraline
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Coraline-Blu-ray-Dakota-Fanning/dp/B004BLTNJI/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597419&sr=8-6
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Coraline-Dakota-Fanning/dp/B002NTGKSM/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1522597419&sr=8-6

[Raven]

I don't think the Ray Bradbury book is up my alley, but the movie could be interesting. I've never liked the aesthetic of the nightmare before Christmas. Is Coraline in that same type of vein?

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

As for the book, I'd say "Don't rip it 'til you've tried it", but I guess you can't win 'em all. It IS an amazingly written book, but content is key. (Furthermore, my description was a bit embellished - there is nothing connected to Satanism or any Satanic occult paraphernalia in it. It's simply a supernaturally evil circus.)

As for the movie, probably to your disappointment, yes, it's the same style as Nightmare - that stop-motion puppet animation. If you didn't like the one, you probably won't be fond of the other.

Well, here's a trailer for the film. I'll let you decide for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO3n67BQvh0