Phury, Cormia, & the Brotherhood

In this “frighteningly addictive”* paranormal romance saga, there’s a war raging between vampires and their slayers. Here are the stories of a secret band of brothers like no other-- six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. And now a dutiful twin must choose between two lives…

Fiercely loyal to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of the race, becoming the male responsible for keeping the Brotherhood's bloodlines alive. As Primale of the Chosen, he is obligated to father the sons and daughters who will ensure that the traditions of the race survive, and that there are warriors to fight those who want all vampires extinguished.

As his first mate, the Chosen Cormia wants to win not only his body but his heart for herself. She is drawn to the noble responsibility behind the emotionally scarred male. But Phury has never allowed himself to know pleasure or joy. As the war with the Lessening Society grows grim, tragedy looms over the Brotherhood's mansion, and Phury must decide between duty and love…

Title: Lover Enshrined
Author: J. R. Ward
Series: The Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6
Start & Finished: 7/6/08- 7/8/08
Published: 2008
Publisher: Signet
Pages: 534
Genre: Paranormal Romance

J.R. Ward’s paranormal romance adventure series about the members of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (who are vampire warriors that protect other vampire citizens from a group of bad guys known as The Lessening Society) has finally- after three years- reached the sixth book and Brother. Lover Enshrined features the last official Brother, Phury (Zsadist from Lover Awakened’s twin) who is also one of the most broken. As with all the others, there are several subplots but it is mainly Phury and Cormia’s story.

All of the Brother’s are broken in their own way: Wrath, the King (from Dark Lover) is blind, Rhage (from Lover Eternal) is cursed with a type of dragon-beast he turns into, Vishous’ (Lover Unbound) hand can burn and melt anything so he has to constantly keep it gloved, Zsadist (Lover Awakened) who was kidnapped as a child and was mentally, sexually, and physically abused- until Phury rescued him-- and those are just to name a few. The author has stated on several occasions that her favorite Brother is Zsadist (he’s one of mine too) and even though he is Phury’s twin, Phury himself has never really crossed my radar. Since it‘s a book, I kept picturing him as an individual and not a twin- both twins are very complicated people however I agree that it was more than time for Phury to stop trying to be perfect. The savior, the Primale, the person who never says boo to anyone (yet still manages to come off as whiny), like Zsadist said, “Get off the cross” already!

There aren’t very many females that I really liked in the series before they got their own book and I got to know them and Cormia was mostly background noise before and since I didn’t really care one way or the other for Phury or Cormia I’ll admit that I had low expectations for Lover Enshrined. I was pleasantly surprised with the main characters but the subplots were the best part although Cormia’s first movie experience (and first taste of chocolate) was a great addition to the story to balance out some of the bad things that happen in the book.

I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and not just because it’s main characters are vampires either. Ward’s books are truly interesting and truthfully, since the author has made her vampires so different it’s sometimes quite easy to forget that is what they are. Rhevenge’s story is next and through the subplots in each book, the audience has discovered quite a lot about him so I’m looking forward to reading Lover Avenged when it comes out!

Black Dagger Brotherhood pr n. Highly-trained vampire warriors who protect their species against the Lessening Society. As a result of selective breeding within the race, Brothers possess immense physical and mental strength as well as rapid healing capabilities. They are not siblings for the most part and are inducted into the Brotherhood upon nomination by the Brothers. Aggressive, self-reliant and secretive by nature, they exist apart from civilians, having little contact with members of the other classes except when they need to feed. They are the subject of legend and the object of reverence within the vampire world.

vampire n. Member of a species separate from that of homo sapiens. Vampires must drink the blood of the opposite sex to survive. Human blood will keep them alive, though the strength does not last long. Following their transitions, which occur in their mid-twenties, they are unable to go out into sunlight and must feed from the vein regularly. Vampires may not 'convert' humans through a bite or transfer of blood, though they are in rare cases able to breed with the other species. Vampires can dematerialize at will, though they must be able to calm themselves and concentrate to do so and may not carry anything heavy with them. They are able to strip the memories of humans, provided such memories are short term. Some vampires are able to read minds. Life expectancy is indeterminate.

Series: Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, Lover Unbound, & Lover Enshrined

Links: Author Wikipedia, Series Wikipedia, MySpace, Yahoo Group
Interview: Ward with Author Jessica Anderson (The Good, the Bad, & The Unread)



Picture Explanations
Red Smoke: Phury's drug of choice
M&M's: Cormia's first taste of chocolate
Adirondack Mountains: Someone the Brothers have been looking forward have been living in these mountains.

Someday is Here!

The lovable snowman is back, but his plans to marry the (snow)woman of his dreams are threatened by wicked Jack Frost, in "Frosty's Winter Wonderland." Jackie Vernon, Andy Griffith and Shelley Winters supply voices.

Title: Frosty's Winter Wonderland
Release: December 2, 1976
Genre: Animated Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: G
Based On: Frosty the Snow Man by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson (song)
Writer: Romeo Muller
Director: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Produced By: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Distributed By: CBS Television
Run Time: 25 minutes

Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. have long been recognized as some of the best producers of holiday specials- especially ones for Christmas! Seven years after their success with translating a popular seasonal song into an animated format, Frosty the Snowman came back in Frosty's Winter Wonderland. Despite being considered an "official" sequel to the original special, only Frosty himself returns (still voiced by comedian Jackie Vernon).

There are several new characters in this sequel like Frosty's new wife Crystal voiced by Shelley Winters (a role she would repeat in the third and final Rankin/ Bass Frosty film: Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July), my favorite winter character Jack Frost voiced by Paul Frees (who has done a lot of other voice work for other Rankin/ Bass specials), and due to illness, the original narrator Jimmy Durante could not reprise his role so one of my family's favorite actors, Andy Griffith became the narrator instead. While other children were watching Barney, I was watching The Andy Griffith Show so it was interesting to see him play a different kind of character- even if he is just an animated caricature!

Like the original, this Frosty film is completely animated (the third Frosty film is the only one that was produced in the more popular stop-motion animation using puppets) and as with many others of the day, short-cuts have been taken. Partly because of the short-cuts and also due to some of the story, I’ve never been particularly crazy about Frosty’s Winter Wonderland and I think the first Frosty was much better. Jack Frost takes Professor Hinkle’s place as the bad guy whose not really a bad guy and a pair of horses takes Hocus Pocus (the rabbit)’s place too. Just about the only unique character was Crystal and she just wasn’t that interesting. Rankin/ Bass doesn’t make horrible movies in my book so while this will never be something I really enjoy, it wasn’t very bad and Frosty is still my favorite snowman!

Related Post: Frosty the Snowman

Links: Wikipedia, Imdb.com, Christmas Wiki

Complete Special:

Fact: 1 Out of 12 Women Have Been Stalked

"I'll be watching you ... "
the cryptic e-mail read.

Taylor Halstead, psychologist and successful radio personality, is terrified that she'll never be safe again. Coming on the heels of a series of tragic and terrible events, the e-mail sends chills racing up her spine. Her safe, secure world has already been violated by her cousin Stephanie's boyfriend, Gordon Mallory, in her own apartment. Only the door buzzer and Stephanie's intervening voice rescue her, but not before Gordon promises to return. Soon after, he is killed along with Stephanie in an inexplicable explosion aboard his yacht. Or is he?

The e-mail is just the beginning. The terror campaign escalates when an electronically disguised voice on Taylor's telephone threatens to kill her, and her life becomes a nightmare. It seems the only one she can turn to is attorney Reed Weston, her confidant, protector, and, ultimately, lover. But is Reed's determination to protect her enough to avert disaster? And can Taylor trust Gordon's identical twin, Jonathan, who always seems to show up when she least expects him?

Grief and dread unravel Taylor's sanity, playing tricks with her mind and heart. Someone out there wants her dead -- a crazed fan or the troubled teenage boy she's been counseling or, impossibly, Gordon himself. His vow to return and those final menacing words -- "I'll be watching you" -- haunt her day and night. Whoever is out there is coming closer, and Taylor Halstead has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

Title: I’ll Be Watching You
Author: Andrea Kane
Start & Finished: 7/3/08- 7/4/08
Published: 2005
Publisher: Avon Books
Pages: 408 (paperback)
Genre: Romance-Suspense

Seventeen years ago author Andrea Kane published her first novel: a historical romance. She quickly became a best-selling author but in 2000 she tried the fairly new genre romantic suspense and has been writing them ever since. I'll Be Watching You is one of her most recent stand-alone novels.

I guess I had become kind of pampered with the cozy mysteries that I'd been reading lately because the edgy grit of the book took me kind of by surprise. In some ways it was almost like a John Sandford mystery but it obtained the romantic angle that was done so well only a true romance author could have written it. There was also the creepy way Ms. Kane was able to put the audience into the main character Taylor’s shoes- I had to go make sure the doors and windows were locked afterwards.

Having never even heard of Andrea Kane before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up the book. I sure didn't expect a romantic suspense story and to be honest, I wasn't exactly sure that was what it was until I was almost halfway through it. Not sure if any of the author's other books can compare to I'll Be Watching You but she does have a couple that may be just as good. I think I might pick up Wrong Place, Wrong Time soon...

Links: Wikipedia, Book Trailer

Picture Explanations
Radio Station: Taylor has a radio show where she counsels people.
Necklace: Excerpt-

"Inside on a bed of cotton lay a necklace- a simple gold chain with a single gemstone dangling from it.
The stone was a blood-red ruby in the shape of a teardrop.
Nestled as it was on the snowy cotton, the contrast between crimson and white was as starkly chilling as the e-card she'd received on New Year's Day. And the symbolic impact was irrefutable. Her blood. Her tear. Wrapped around her throat. A gift and a threat all in one."

A Jolly, Happy Christmas with Frosty

Frosty the Snowman comes alive when the kids put Professor Hinkles hat on Frosty's head. When the temperature starts to rise, and snow melts, Frosty with his friend Karen must find their way to the North Pole before he melts and before Professor Hinkle takes his hat back.

Title: Frosty the Snowman
Release: December 7, 1969
Genre: Animated Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: G
Based On: Frosty the Snow Man by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson (song)
Writer: Romeo Muller
Director: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Produced By: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Distributed By: CBS Television
Run Time: 22 minutes

Frosty the Snowman was a fairy tale they say, he was made of snow but everyone knows that Rankin/ Bass brought him to life one day. Originally only a song written for Gene Autry, it was a major seasonal hit and has since been recorded by numerous artists including the narrator for this special Jimmy Durante in his last film.

However, there is a good reason why this Frosty special isn’t as beloved as Rudolph not the least of which is that even though it’s a great film with great songs it is animated and you can tell that the creators were on a tight budget. Things appear, disappear, and even stay stationary at times but all the goofs are easy to overlook because the film is just so charming!

Better known for their holiday specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rankin & Bass have also produced and directed several animated specials as well including Frosty’s Winter Wonderland in 1976 (there is also a stop-motion animation one called Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July). Nobody has ever done Christmas quite like Rankin/Bass! They’re my favorite for their nostalgic value and of course because they’re just so nicely animated. Plus the songs are all ones I know by heart too.

Links: Wikipedia, Imdb.com

Complete Special:


Pencil Test:

Choosing Your Destiny

Wesley's (James McAvoy) life is over - his pathetic, old one, anyway... Fortunately, it is all because of a girl. Enter sizzling-hot Fox (Angelina Jolie), who crashes into his life and introduces him to the Fraternity, a secret society of assassins, led by the enigmatic Sloan (Morgan Freeman). Seems Wes's long-lost father was killed while working for the Fraternity and Wes has been selected to target the rogue member who murdered him. But before he can complete his assignment, Wes must first uncover the dark secrets behind the Fraternity in order to determine his own destiny.

Title: Wanted
Release: June 27, 2008
Genre: Action Thriller
MPAA Rating: R
Based On: Wanted by Mark Millar
Writer: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas, & Chris Morgan
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Music By: Danny Elfman
Produced By: Marc Platt, Jason Netter, & Jim Lemley
Distributed By: Universal Pictures
Run Time: 110 minutes
Official Site

Loosely based on a graphic novel series by Mark Millar, Wanted is a fantastic action thriller the likes of which hasn‘t been seen since The Matrix. A very talented cast of actors star in the film such as James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman among many others but despite their popularity, Wanted will not be riding on their coattails- it will be enjoyed because it’s just that good.

Not exactly a typical action film or comic book based film plot-wise (it’s certainly no Spiderman!) but although there have been some bad reviews; the response has been good for the most part. In an interview, the actor McAvoy called the director an “evil genius” and I couldn’t have phrased it better myself. I loved how it doesn’t really look like a comic book film (it’s nothing like 300- it‘s more “reality-based“) and it really has the look and feel of an action thriller too.

There isn’t one person can be considered the “good guy” in Wanted because almost all of them are kind of anti-hero and it makes the story that much more interesting. I especially enjoyed Jolie and McAvoy’s performances and I hope that the latter will star in many more films to come (hopefully ones where he can put his adorable Scottish accent to use- unlike this one where he has an American accent). Angelina Jolie recently has been only in “serious films”, her last action role was 2005’s Mr. and Mrs. Smith so it was nice seeing her back in what I consider her element too.

I can’t say how much the movie is like the graphic novels it’s based on because until recently, I had never heard of them and I’ve never seen any of the films Timur Bekmambetov has directed either. What I do know is that the cast is great, the action is on-the-edge-of-your-seat good, and even the music is amazing (my favorite composer Danny Elfman was in charge of that). The film has recently come out of DVD and I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

Links: Wikipedia, Imdb.com, ReelzChannel, Fraternity of Weavers
Interviews: James McAvoy on Craig Ferguson (video), Hollywood Q&A (text)

Trailer


Premiere


Angelina Jolie Speaks