Sunday, December 6, 2009

Book Review: Second Stage Turbine Blade

0 comments


This is probably my closest to heart review ever, because this is the original comic by Claudio Sanchez, my personal hero. As many people know, the band Coheed & Cambria tell the story of space travel, war, religious metaphors, love, betrayal, and every other ingredient needed for an epic story. The first issue, written by Claudio Sanchez and illustrated by Wes Abbott, was a futile effort in many parts, because they clearly were not prepared to write a series of comics. The comic itself though was very well done, introducing people who were not familiar with the story in the music, or people who weren't familiar to the music altogether, to all the characters and plots within the Coheed and Cambria universe. The artwork was a little too cartoony for my taste, but it was very interesting. All in all it was an amazing first effort on their part, but it lacked the creativity, feel, and all around precision future releases by Claudio Sanchez created. I didn't write this review to trash talk the band. Just a fair opinion of an older, classic, release. If you're really interested in getting into the story or band I recommend buying the newest "The Amory Wars" series and reading the story like it was intended to be read.

Band Spotlights: December 2009

0 comments
Once a month during "Band Spotlight" posts I'll talk about the top 3-5 bands I've been listening to that month. I'll post links so you can go enjoy them as well. Again, I'll only be doing this once a month, because this really isn't a music blog, but as anyone knows music will drive the soul to new and creative points.

1. Star Fucking Hipsters:
http://www.myspace.com/starfuckinghipsters

Blending elements of Punk, Pop Punk, Ska, and Hardcore influence this group of rag-tag members of both together and separated bands plow through politically driven tunes of angst and positive messages.

2. Circa Survive:
http://www.myspace.com/circasurvive

Ambient, fast, high-pitches, and powerful are probably the most commonly used words when describing Circa Survive as the band plays their melodic and precise melodies behind Anthony Green's high octave, and sometimes off key and whiny, screams, lyrics, and all around insanity.

3. The Paperbacks:
http://www.myspace.com/thepaperbacks

I don't really know what to say about Winnipeg's The Paperbacks, except they're just amazing. I really just got into them, but I still highly recommend them anyone.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Short Stories on the Darkest Mornings.

0 comments
Just because those are the stories good people tell you when you're drugged up in a hospital bed, because they care enough to try and cheer you up. :D


Knights, Princesses, and Dragons (Part 1):
A Short story by Bex and Nici:


Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Bex Kilgannon,
and she was to be saved by the handsome prince Adam.

And In order to do so, he had to defeat the eeeeevil dragon, Nici.

Now, the evil Nici had many secrets to protect the castle that bex was locked in
...that included a virus.

We should also mention, that as far as dragons go, The Evil Dragon Nici was SUPER attractive.

Oh, that she was! If Bex wasn't so afraid of getting burned, literally, she would holla!
And so our tale begins...

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Book Spotlight: The Art of Racing In The Rain

0 comments


If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoƫ, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama.

Top 15 Films of 2009:

0 comments
Well, this is it, folks. Adam Knight's annual top 15 movies of the year. As I sat and reflected upon each movie I watched this year I reminisced upon all kinds of gems. All of these selections are from mainstream theatrical release. If anyone wants to discuss or challenge one of my choices in a respectable manner you can leave a comment below. If you wanna know my foreign and indie/underground non-theatrical release favorites, you can also leave a comment for that.

1. Inglorious Basterds
2. Up
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox
4. Paranormal Activity
5. Disney's Earth
6. (500) Days of Summer
7. The Time Traveler's Wife
8. Star Trek
9. Coraline
10. Funny People
11. Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince
12. Watchmen
13. Taken
14. Julie & Julia
15. I Love You, Man

Runners Up:
Taking Woodstock
Moon
Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell
Zombieland
A Serious Man
Capitalism: A Love Story
Antichrist
Pirate Radio

Most Anticipated:
The Lovely Bones
Up In The Air
Avatar

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Early Morning Haikus.

0 comments
Untitled:

Sir, I have no friends
I know not of acceptance
so sad, I am, sir.

A Haiku By: Collin Hart

Monday, November 30, 2009

In A Perfect World: An Introduction.

0 comments
Today I began work on my newest novel called "In A Perfect World". It's mostly a depressing and constantly changing world filled with death, deceit, and popular fanaticism. As the book progresses we'll follow the change of appearance and emotion of our many heroes. Starting with the untimely death of their beloved family member and closest friend. As parents, siblings, and best friends have to cope with the fact that their world is just a little emptier.

Plot (Book 1):
A simple man, lost to the world and flow of time, needs to make a deposit into his bank account. His best friend, who spends many of their lunch breaks with him, will accompany him on his last lunch ever. As they enter the bank they immediately can tell somethings not quite right as a gun is slung into their faces and they are forced to the ground. Our simple man was never a cowardly one, and always acted without thinking, and he must now make the last decision of his ending life. To act or hide. He thinks quickly and jumps up. Running head on at the closest man with a gun. He's determined to save these peoples lives. Then the shot rings out. Our hero falls to the ground. His heart has already stopped. A man shot in cold blood, his story has ended, but the people his death will touch have only just begun.

Plot (Book 2):
A simple man, making no real ripples in the ocean of people of the world, needs to withdraw some money from the bank. His best friend, who has become busy as of late is spending a rare lunch break with him, will accompany him to a routine trip to the bank. As they enter the bank everything is as it should be for not even a second. Behind them rushes in 3 men clad in black and firing weapons at the ceiling. Everyone hits the ground. Our hero watches as the men begin taking hostages and lining the walls with them. He approaches the man's best friend, and in a split second his entire life of fear and going unnoticed ends as he jumps and grabs the man's gun and pulls the trigger the one time necessary to remove his life from his body. He then hides behind the closest object and somehow manages to take the other one, and in fear the last gunman runs for the door, only to be killed by the policemen outside. His entire life has changed, he was a hero, but there's something wrong. He can't help but feel the guild and displeasure of watching the men he killed over and over. As the life rushed from their bodies and their eyes drained of any color. He felt like he was to be blamed no less than the men that came to kill him that day. He put his own gun to his head, and took one more life that day. Our heroes story might have ended, but the people his lives have touched, their stories, will just be beginning.