Easter Greetings, and a few films worth watching, a book worth avoiding, and one I'd recommend you buy.

Firstly, I would like to wish you all a very happy, and safe Easter. I wish those of you who are having time off a relaxing break, and all those poor buggers (like me) who are working all the enjoyment that comes from double-time-and-a-half.

Films

Gabriel - An Aussie film, which endears it to me immediately, along with its dark gothic nature and general film noir, Bladerunner-esque feel. It was made on next to no budget, and considering, did a very good job of things. The acting was by and large good, although certain bits were a little cliche. Camera work and lighting, as well as the look of the film was quite good. It centres around the fight of the Arc angels against the top demons for the souls of humans living in Pergatory. There are a few blazing inconsistencies, which aren't explained, and the final scene on the roof is so similar to that of Bladerunner it comes close to blatant plagiarism (including the baddie looking suspiciously like Rutger Hauer). Overall though, a good film, and a decent plug for the Aussies. 4/5

Sweeny Todd -Let me state firstly that I like musicals. And Johnny Depp, and also Helena Bonham Carter. And Victorian England. But there was something (that although I liked the film a lot) that irked me. In a film so devoted to bloodshed, the blood itself looked rather fake. It sounds like a poor complaint, I know, but when the violence and pure evil looks more like tomato sauce than blood (although pies were involved...), its a little hard to swallow (again, like the pies). That being said, the cast was wonderful, the acting superb, and the story great. I was a litte creeped out by the young boy who looked like a girl and sang about feeling the girl all the time, and about standing near her in the dark, but I suppose it offered a light-hearted aspect to the proceedings. Some amazing shots, with truly creepy performances by Depp, Bonham Carter, and Rickman. If you liked Sleepy Hollow or From Hell, you'll like this film. 3.5/5

Books

Mister B. Gone (by Clive Barker) - Some people will say that the first problem is that I bought a book by Clive Barker. It's his latest book, and although I haven't read his other works, this title (his first after some time, evidently) makes me uninclined to. I found myself drawn in by the premise, only to be let down by the self-indulgent ramblings (bearing no resemblance to any blog...) of a so-called demon from yester-century. Great premise, poor execution. I'm not going to bother with his other stuff. If you think this is heresy, I don't wanna know. 2/10.

Dark Alchemy (collection of short stories, edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois) - This is great. I am biased (but then, I normally love demon tales and medieval woes, and I hated the previous book...) towards a good fantasy book, and especially to a great short story. I will digress briefly to say that I believe a great short story is something that outstrips many other literary forms, due to their concise, and very formulated nature. Back to the point - but this book! It includes tales from such luminaries as Neil Gaiman (Sandman, American Gods), Garth Nix (Sabriel, Abhorsen), Eion Colfer (the Artemis Fowl series), not to mention Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game). A great collection, which, it bears mentioning, contains the tale "The Witch's Headstone", which formes a chapter of Neil Gaiman's book coming out soon under the title The Graveyard Book *plug, plug*. I'll go out on a limb, and give it 9/10.

*Work continues apace on the Mannequin Monologue, and I have come out of my month-long creative rut, and am back on the straight and not-so-narrow. I am hoping to have a finished first draft done early next week. Because I am writing the monologue on computer, I will put it up when I have done a completed draft. Also, work continues on The Witching Hour, which has now definately made itself into a long-term work, not simply one short story, but twelve. I am dropping the burning witch though. Its going to be set in the 1800s, and loosely around England, and its mythical surroundings and parallel realms (eg, Faerie).

So, have a great weekend folks. Blake.