Review: “Carrie” (book/movie) Stephen King – Brian De Palma (Sissy Spacek) – Kimberly Peirce (Chloë Grace Moretz)

PODCAST:

Listen to the podcast here (click to play/right click and select “save target as” to download):

S2E4 – Carrie (book/movie)*

 

WRITTEN BOOK REVIEWS:

Ryan: 4 Stars “…Coming of age has always been confusing, but never so very bloody!…”

Wilk: 5 Stars “…Good….”

Rick: 4 Stars “…Carrie was good, but I would not call it a classic. Liked the Jesus paradox...”

(Click the links to read full written reviews on Goodreads.com)

 

SUBJECT MATTER:

“Carrie” by Stephen King

 

 Book: “Carrie” by Stephen King

“Stephen King’s legendary debut, about a teenage outcast and the revenge she enacts on her classmates.

Carrie White may have been unfashionable and unpopular, but she had a gift. Carrie could make things move by concentrating on them. A candle would fall. A door would lock. This was her power and her sin. Then, an act of kindness, as spontaneous as the vicious taunts of her classmates, offered Carrie a chance to be a normal and go to her senior prom. But another act–of ferocious cruelty–turned her gift into a weapon of horror and destruction that her classmates would never forget.” (from Amazon.com)

*** * ***

“Carrie” by Brian De Palma (Sissy Spacek)

 

Movie: “Carrie” by Brian De Palma (Sissy Spacek)

“Based on a Stephen King novel, Carrie is the story of a girl brought up, almost in isolation, by her psychotically religious mother Margaret.” (from Amazon.com)

 

 *** * ***

“Carrie” by Kimberly Peirce (Chloë Grace Moretz)

 

Movie: “Carrie” by Kimberly Peirce (Chloë Grace Moretz)

“A sheltered high school girl unleashes her newly developed telekinetic powers after she is pushed too far by her peers.” (from Amazon.com)

 

 *** * ***

“Carrie” by David Carson (Angela Bettis)

 

TV Film: “Carrie” by  David Carson (Angela Bettis)

“Everyone has a breaking point. Pray that Carrie White doesn’t reach hers. Angela Bettis (Girl, Interrupted) stars in this bone-chilling update of Stephen King’s legendary tale of horror and retribution, featuring eye-popping special effects and a shocking, all-new twist ending! Carrie White (Bettis) is a lonely, awkward teenage girl who just doesn’t fit in. At school, she endures her classmates’ constant ridicule, and at home she suffers endless psychological torture at the hands of her fanatically religious mother (Patricia Clarkson, “Six Feet Under”). But Carrie has a secret. She’s been cursed with the terrifying power of telekinesis. And when her tormentors commit an act of unforgivably cruel humiliation at the prom, they’ll soon learn a deadly lesson: If you mess with fire, you will get burned! ” (from Amazon.com)

 

 

 

 

RICK’S SHOW NOTES:

This was a very loose episode. Don’t get me wrong, the show stuck to the divine format. However, this one was quite special with foreshadowing thicker than [insert appropriate metaphor]. There were many errors, too many to list. So if you have any corrections please write to:

NDIOS
6767 Chode Blvd.
Scheißeberg, TX 78098-4849

(hint: not a real address)

This was the protest episode. The off-topic tangents seem to take over the content. At one point, the show was reduced to discussing Sissy Spacek’s looks. You could hear the twitchy nervousness in Ryan’s breathing throughout the show as he navigated. I sounded righteous but in a weaselly disingenuous way.

Debates included: Was Carrie a hero? Is Stephen King’s writing style effective? Was the 1976 movie better that the one released in 2013? Was the 1976 movie better because of the nude scenes?

If episodes continue like this, the Queen will leave us no quarter.

-Rick

 

FUN FACTOIDS:

Carrie was Stephen King’s first book published, but fourth one written.

Originally this episode (S2E4) was slated with the “The Moon and the Sun” a book by Vonda N. McIntyre, and a film directed by Sean McNamara (Pierce Brosnan). A substitution was made due to the postponement of the film’s release.

 

 

* DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the views and opinions of the hosts and guests of NDIOS are completely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the other hosts and guests or that of NDIOS.

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Review: “The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch” by Joseph Delaney – “Seventh Son” by Sergei Bodrov (Jeff Bridges)

PODCAST:

Listen to the podcast here (click to play/right click and select “save target as” to download):

S2E2 – The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch – Seventh Son*

 

WRITTEN BOOK REVIEWS:

Ryan: 3 Stars “…A heroic fantasy blending in just the right amount of horror for young readers to delight in…”

Wilk: 3 Stars “…I liked this book. But I would of liked it better if I was a twelve year old boy…”

Rick: 4 Stars “…The book adopts an environment and characters perfect for indoctrinating your preteen with haunted tales...”

(Click the links to read full written reviews on Goodreads.com)

 

SUBJECT MATTER:

“The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch” by Joseph Delaney

 

 

Book: “The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch” by Joseph Delaney

Alternate Title in UK:”Wardstone Chronicles: The Spook’s Apprentice”

“For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.

Only Thomas Ward is left. He’s the last hope, the last apprentice.” (from Amazon.com)

*** * ***

“Seventh Son” by Sergei Bodrov (Jeff Bridges)

 

Movie: “Seventh Son” by Sergei Bodrov (Jeff Bridges)

“In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance.” (from Amazon.com)

 

 

RICK’S SHOW NOTES:

Ever wonder why you find people at the burger restaurant with their BFFs, scarfing down $10 burgers and wearing $245 sunglasses? Shhh… It’s a secret… The sunglasses transform the proletariat into high profile executive hustlas. Reality emulates fantasy and fantasy sometimes throws a bone to the playa, sometimes the bone has a fillet hanging off it. Taking it a step further… the props of a teenage music entertainer’s are a bit more hard to come by, but still completely hollow and meaningless. These are usually fashionable looks, sweaty abs, thrusting moves and legendary grooming. The real talent is only assumed and the actual product is drown in white noise, fervently consumed with delusion and imagery. The art or product is akin to ground ribs and cartilage of a swine poured into a form, boiled, and slathered in a tangy sweet sauce. This product is to be consumed by the hipsters at the burger boutique wearing $245 over their eyes to filter out the savory detail of what they eat. Alrighty, one more step even further than this would be the perceived intelligence of “Dr.” Phil, whose homespun common sense and full mustache has the Bible Belt in agreement that they are psychologically enlightened with matters of crystal meth addiction and familial debauchery.

So, without further ado and akin to designer sunglasses in a Burger King, a zit-free baby face and a hick psychologist, the tail which wagged this month’s dog was … Drum roll please! … Han Solo’s cameo appearance in the book, the Mongol seed of Mother Russia, having intercourse with the family ambrosia, encyclopedic knowledge on what women desire, Wilk’s gasconade of plowing through a children’s book in five hours and not knowing the names of any characters, Ryan’s caution with the word ‘spook’, my admission that I am mystified by my wife, who, with my mom and my Aunt are the only women I know anything about.

Of course, if the prospective listener is looking for actual content, this show delivers. The hosts aptly point out that English children understand and enjoy the same books as American adults. We also talk about the “journey.” In retrospect, it was a completely embarrassing analysis. Rather than accepting that any journey is what makes a story, Tom Ward’s journey was dismissed as a mere fantasy trope. This must have completely disgraced the master storytellers in the heavens. For this, I apologize. We all did thoroughly enjoy the book and the movie—a sort of rare thing.

Last attempt in pealing back the two gram onion, this month’s show included more excuse making of why the show kind of sucks. It’s ironic but all too common that the excuses usually come from the most talented individual on the set in show business. This time the show sucked because it was recorded too early in the morning. Another interesting tidbit about the show is that it was yet another whose subject book (The Last Apprentice: The Spook, The Witch and The Wardrobe) received a positively vanilla reception from our fearless leader. He can understand the trials and tribulations of professional writing. After all, he is a professional writer. Maybe one day his efforts will be noticed. At 37 and being a graduate of Valparaiso U; he is most likely up Shit Creek with a turd for a paddle. My advice to him is to get a sex change, gain admittance to the Texas bar and defend the prevalent sale and use of crystal meth. After he does that, he might have some good stuff, especially if he gets on “Dr.” Phil’s show.

Despite what the idiot box says, we all need to be reminded that we are good enough, smart enough, and that people like us. So, please listen to the show, and when you realize there is little actual content in each show and that there is No Deodorant in Outer Space, give us a holler in the form of a scathing review or terse, off-putting comment. Thank you.
-Rick

FUN FACTOIDS:

Here is a map of Lancaster County in England that was basis for the setting in the book that I found at a blog hosted by, Larissabookgirl, –check it out: http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/larissabookgirl/20730929/66850/66850_original.jpg.

 

 

* DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the views and opinions of the hosts and guests of NDIOS are completely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the other hosts and guests or that of NDIOS.

Preview Episode (Pratchett Tribute and The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch – Seventh Son)

PREVIEW PODCAST:

Listen to the podcast here (click to play/right click and select “save target as” to download):

S2P2 – Preview Episode (Pratchett Tribute – The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch – Seventh Son)*

SUBJECT MATTER:

“The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch” by Joseph Delaney

Book: “The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch” by Joseph Delaney

Alternate Title in UK:”Wardstone Chronicles: The Spook’s Apprentice”

“For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.

Only Thomas Ward is left. He’s the last hope, the last apprentice.” (from Amazon.com)

*** * ***

“Seventh Son” by Sergei Bodrov (Jeff Bridges)

Movie: “Seventh Son” by Sergei Bodrov (Jeff Bridges)

“In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance.” (from Amazon.com)

 

TRIBUTE TO SIR TERRY PRATCHETT (1948 to 2015):

Greetings,  this is Rick co-host on the acclaimed sci-fi/fanasty podcast, No Deodorant in Outer Space. 

On behalf of my partners, Ryan Sean O’Reilly and David Wilkinson and friends of the podcast, we wish to extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to the Pratchett Family and fans all over the world. We have been blessed with the everlasting force of Sir Pratchett’s life and work. The sparkling gems which he so finely wrought for the last 40 years shall continue to shine indefinite among the constellations of legend and lore. Star gazers through the ages shall be touched by these diamonds and with hope, add to a rich legacy for as long as they can think for themselves and act with love as Sir Pratchett has demonstrated.

-Rick

For more information on Sir Terry Pratchett’s passing you can visit his publisher’s website here: http://www.transworldbooks.co.uk/authors/terry-pratchett?dcp=635618386181805170.

Also, we previously covered Pratchett’s Discworld novel “Going Postal” in Season One – Episode Eight (we all enjoyed it–five stars across the board!). So, if you missed that episode and want to know more about this excellent author, and this work you can listen here: https://nodeodorantinouterspace.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/review-going-postal-discworld-terry-pratchett-and-going-postal-jon-jones/. We will be covering his very first Discworld book, “The Colour of Magic” later in this season (and are looking forward to it).

-Ryan

 

* DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the views and opinions of the hosts and guests of NDIOS are completely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the other hosts and guests or that of NDIOS.

Review: “The Children of Men” by P.D. James and “Children of Men” by Alfonso Cuaron (Clive Owen)

PODCAST:

Listen to the podcast here (click to play/right click and select “save target as” to download):

S1E11 – The Children of Men (book/movie)*

WRITTEN BOOK REVIEWS:

Ryan: 4 Stars “…Mass infertility leaves a dwindling society listless and jaded, but hope and faith lies in the hands of the meek. This story has a reflective deepness…”

Wilk: 4 Stars “…This book is well written, with both broad themes and nuance…”

Rick: 4 Stars “…P.D. James illuminates the entanglements of Machiavellian and Christian ideologies when both vie to procure ultimate salvation to humanity in the year 2021- the first baby to be born in 27 years…”

(Click the links to read full written reviews on Goodreads.com)

 

SUBJECT MATTER:

“The Children of Men” by P.D. James

Book: “The Children of Men” by P.D. James

“Told with P. D. James’s trademark suspense, insightful characterization, and riveting storytelling, The Children of Men is a story of a world with no children and no future.

The human race has become infertile, and the last generation to be born is now adult. Civilization itself is crumbling as suicide and despair become commonplace. Oxford historian Theodore Faron, apathetic toward a future without a future, spends most of his time reminiscing. Then he is approached by Julian, a bright, attractive woman who wants him to help get her an audience with his cousin, the powerful Warden of England. She and her band of unlikely revolutionaries may just awaken his desire to live . . . and they may also hold the key to survival for the human race.” (from Amazon.com)

*** * ***

“Children of Men” by Alfonso Cuaron (Clive Owen)

 

Movie: “Children of Men” by Alfonso Cuaron (Clive Owen)

“In the year 2027, eighteen years since the last baby was born, disillusioned Theo (Clive Owen) becomes an unlikely champion of the human race when he is asked by his former lover (Julianne Moore) to escort a young pregnant woman out of the country as quickly as possible. ” (from Amazon.com)

 

 

WILK’S SHOW NOTES:

A dystopian future without hope, joy, or an escape. An accurate description of this month’s podcast and the mood of the hosts. We also read Children of Men, which seemed to provide a more upbeat narrative and tone than the actual episode. This broadcast represented a turning point in our program. The infighting became outfighting that lasted several weeks. We can only hope that this mood was not lost on our listeners.

Overall, everyone hated each other, and the book was an afterthought. I think we all agreed, once we put our guns down, that the writing was superior. P.D. James is gifted and writes elegantly, without wasting words. However, each of us came away with something different from the book.

Ryan saw redemption in the character, Wilk (me) saw him as selfish douche bag, and Rick saw both the character and Wilk as a selfish douche bag.

While no consensus was reached on whether or not the main character was heroic or just in the right place to assume power, it was generally agreed that I was an ass.

All three panelists enjoyed the movie. I was crying on the inside when we discussed it—but it was agreed that although the movie took liberties with the story, I was still a jerk. Also, the movie worked very well, making a few major and minor changes.

One of the most thought-provoking discussions during the episode concerned the origin of the “happening” that rendered the world infertile. I saw it as something deliberate, a “benevolent holocaust,” whereas Ryan saw it as a natural-occurring event. Rick was more or less in the middle, but he did agree that he wished I was dead.

So, overall, it was an emotional journey that almost destroyed us all. In other words, our best show yet. So, stay tuned in for next month. And remember to blast yourself in the face and armpits with a power washer before you come, because there is no deodorant in outer space!!!! *

– Wilk

FUN FACTOIDS:

On the podcast we talked about director Alfonso Cuaron’s trademark “long shots.” Although the long takes in this film were not actually one continuous single take (they were pieced together later), they are put together in such a seamless way that they have the feel of being a singular shot. These scenes are iconic and well known, the film crew took great pains to make them happen. Check out this YouTube clip that goes behind the scenes of the filmaking process and shows what care and effort was put into making this amazing film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJprbCuWdHo.

Unfortunately P.D. James passed away after the recording of this podcast, but before its release. Certainly there is nothing “fun” about this factoid (and we offer our condolences to her family and loved ones), but we thought we would provide a link to an  obituary if you want to know more about this talented author: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11258055/PD-James-obituary.html.

 

* DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the views and opinions of the hosts and guests of NDIOS are completely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the other hosts and guests or that of NDIOS.