2011 Books

o1. Nomad (Ayaan Hirsi Ali; 2010) | B +
o2. Tobacco Road (Erskine Caldwell; 1932) | B -
o3. By a Slow River/Gray Souls (Philippe Claudel; 1999) | A; translated by Hoyt Rogers
o4. Against Nature/Against the Grain (Joris-Karl Huysmans; 1884) | so bad; translated by ?
o5. The Sincere Cafe: Stories (Leslee Becker; 1996) | C
o6. ( Read more... )

take the horror challenge

100 50 Horor Movies in October
(movies I've seen before are italicized; wild cards are asterisked; + = best; - = worst)

oo1. Carrie (1976)
oo2. My Name Is Bruce (2006)
oo3. Phantom of the Opera (1998) (Argento)
oo4. Deadline (2009)
oo5. The Lost Boys (1987)
oo6. The Maiden Heist (2009)*
oo7. Cape Fear (1991 ( Read more... )

2010 Books (re-reads noted)

01. The Good Rat: A True Story (Jimmy Breslin; 2008) | B
02. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft (Stephen King; 2000) | A -
03. Eating Mammals (John Barlow; 2004) | C+
04. The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez (Philip Carlo; 1996)
05. An Imaginary Life (David Malouf; 1978) | C
06. Hey ( Read more... )

2009 Films (all virgin viewings; counting re-watches would at least triple the number)

001. Saw V | D -
002. The Duchess (plane) | B
003. Elegy | A -
004. Jane Eyre | C +
005. The Wrestler | A -
006. The Hamiltons | B +
007. My Own Private Idaho | A
008. Death Defying Acts (plane) | C
009. Wild Hogs | D
010. Firefly (tv series ( Read more... )

r e s t r i c t e d
a c c e s s

2008 Movies (all virgin viewings)

01. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - 8
02. National Treasure: Book of Secrets - 3
03. The Bucket List - 6
04. Knocked Up - 7
05. Saw IV - 4
06. The Man Who Would Be King - 7
07. Judas Kiss - 7
08. Snow Cake - 9
09. Juno - 6
10. Blood Tea and Red String - 9
11. Coach Carter - 4
12. Wristcutters: A ( Read more... )

take the horror challengeAn undertaking like this naturally makes me wonder what, exactly, constitutes a 'horror' movie. Where does a 'thriller' end and a 'horror movie' begin? Does it necessarily include a great deal of gore and gratuitous nudity? Is it just what IMDB classifies as belonging in the genre? Most importantly, can I watch the Hannibal ( Read more... )

take the horror challenge ( The List )