December 2018 Recommended Reading/Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

Well, we come to the end of the year once again, and it actually marks a special occasion: I started this series in its current form last December, so we are now officially a year old. Time sure does fly.

I don't have anything particularly Christmassy this time - it's harder than horror to qualify - but I hope to have something more appropriate later as winter gets going. For now, here's my choices.

Reading: The Drawing of the Dark (1979) by Tim Powers

This novel was a turning point in Powers' career, being the first of his "secret histories" that purported to tell the underlying events for major historical events. In the year 1529, aging Irish mercenary Brian Duffy is hired by a peculiar old man to be a bouncer at the Zimmerman Inn in Vienna, just as the forces of the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Suleiman the Magnificent prepare to lay siege to the city; what Duffy doesn't know is that the Herzwesten brewery, which is housed in the inn, is the true goal of the attack, as there is a connection to a mysterious "Fisher King" upon whom the existence of the entire Western world depends. A swashbuckling adventure filled with rising action, brisk swordplay, and increasing mystical foreboding, this is a wonderful tale worth adding to your library, a perfect blend of history and fantasy.


Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Dark-Novel-Del-Impact/dp/0345430816/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543640696&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Dark-Novel-Del-Impact-ebook/dp/B004QZA3CA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543640696&sr=8-1



Viewing: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (David Hand, 1937)

The timeless classic itself, Walt Disney's first feature length film also ranks among his best, a true towering achievement in cinema. The story is familiar to everyone: young princess Snow White, envied by her vain and wicked stepmother, flees the impending threat to her life and happens upon a cottage in the woods which belongs to seven wacky and colorful dwarfs; respite is brief, however, as the evil Queen is not far behind with a poisoned apple in tow. By many modern standards, the story is simple, but as a fairy tale, nothing too lofty should be expected. The real star is the fluid, exquisitely crafted animation, veering from delight and whimsy one moment to dark  and terrifying the next. Beloved by children and adults of all ages, this is an experience that can only serve to make your life happier.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/White-Seven-Dwarfs-Adriana-Caselotti/dp/B01N2PEGLG/ref=tmm_dvd_title_4?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543641305&sr=8-1
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/White-Seven-Dwarfs-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B01711CIF0/ref=tmm_blu_title_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543641305&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/White-Seven-Dwarfs-Bonus-Features/dp/B019CXAVF4/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_2?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543641305&sr=8-1

Before I sign off, I have a question: is anyone getting anything out of this? I've gotten very few comments or other forms of feedback, and I feel that my work is going unappreciated. That mostly stems from having so few users on the site. I'm seriously considering stopping it altogether, as I don't think I have enough readers to warrant continuing, but if anyone wants it to go on, I'll do so. Just please let me know if I'm making a difference. After a whole year and little response, I need a reason for doing it.

Well, that's all for now. Happy Holidays to everyone, and I hope to see you next year!

[Raven]

Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever actually seen (at least not that I recall) Disney's Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. I'll have to try to make a point to watch them with my daughter sometime.

Thanks for the year's hard work and dedication to this series, Coir!