Category Archives: Literary

Easter Fun: The Life of Jesus in Lego

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Jesus Easter EggsThe truly great stories have always inspired creative reinterpretation and re-telling in a variety of media; the Easter story is no exception.

From paintings by Caravaggio and Bacon to the literal re-enactments that take over the Philippines every year, to the singin’, dancin’ disciples in Godspell, to the current Gitmo-referencing Manchester production, the story of the death of Jesus has been interpreted in virtually every art form known to humanity. Even Blogging!

And now, Lego.Brick Testament The Last Supper

At a reported cost of over ten thousand dollars, this American (well, what else could he be?) minister has recreated not only the life of Jesus, but much of the Bible in Lego.

For Easter we have the Last Supper, the Arrest of Jesus, the Trial, the Crucifixion (what an odd word to know how to spell. I mean, how often do you use it, eh? And yet I bet you know how to spell it?), the Empty Tomb, and the Final Appearance. These are only details, you’ve gotta go to the source for the real deal. Simon Peter has that hot Miami Vice stubble thing going on, as well as some major Austin Powers chest hair. Hawt.

As anyone who’s ever compared different biblical translations can attest (or is that “witness“?) the picture you get from the whole is substantially different from the picture you get from the snippets.

God is indeed in the details, but he’s also the original Big Picture Guy!

Brick Testament Last Supper

 The Last Supper

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 The Arrest of Jesus

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 The Trial of Jesus

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 The Crucifixion

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 The Empty Tomb, OMG OMG OMG!

The Final Appearance

The Final Appearance 

BC Book and Magazine Week

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They say that in order to succeed in any field it is critical to have mentors. More established, experienced practitioners who've been down all the false trails and worked out the kinks, they provide a guideline and touchstone to the newbies. As a gossipiste I have Perez Hilton to look up to, and I have learned a great deal.

Swag rules, baby!

So, both because I know this is a great event that many of my readers will be interested in, AND because James Sherrett offered me a bribe, the raincoaster blog presents:

BC Book and Magazine WeekBC Book and Magazine Week

BC Book & Magazine Week (BCBMW) is a collective project that the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC) and the BC Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP) coordinate annually. This weeklong literary celebration was founded in January 1999 as BC Book Week. In 2001 the event expanded to include the provinces magazine industry in continued celebration of British Columbia's literary arts scene.

This year, BC Book & Magazine Week will run from Saturday, April 22 to 29, 2006, with events hosted throughout the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan. BCBMW's purpose is to instill in British Columbians the importance of the local publishing industry and its contributors, writers, photographers and illustrators; it contributes not only to literacy, but to the province's culture and identity as well.

The week re-establishes British Columbia's valuable and dynamic role in the Canadian publishing industry and is an excellent opportunity for the ABPBC and BCAMP to promote and support their members: the publishers of BC books and magazines, and those who make the industry successful – the readers and writers.

As a result of the buzz created by the media, the roster of writers and the fantastic events put on each year, British Columbians are becoming increasingly aware of this annual event that celebrates the richness of BC books and magazines.

Now, the serious poop here is in the blog. If you're a literatus looking for a good time (and who among us is not?) check it out regularly, because it lists all the most bibliotastic book launches, parties, contests, etc within reach of downtown Vancouver. And most of them are free, us not being the type to walk around loaded down with cashola. More of said hot poop on the Upcoming.org listing.

See you there?

Easter Fun: Cthulhu Peeps

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I'm not big on the Peeps, myself, but Americans love them. They must contain some chemical that counteracts the PCBs in their beer or sumpin'. Anyway, here is a kind of Peep designed to tempt even me. How can anyone resist? It would be futile.

Cthulhu Peeps, resistance is futile

101 Best Screenplays: WGA

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Do ya feel lucky?I haven't read through the list prior to posting it. I get this info from the Writer's Guild and I stick it up here. Argue if you like. If I see "Crash" on here, I'll gnaw through my wrists and you should all do the same. While singing the Carebears theme.

Update: Just read it through. First of all, TOO MUCH BLACK. Will have to scatter piccies around to keep it readable. Additionally, our wrists are safe. And apparently, Woody Allen is the greatest screenwriter who ever lived. Hmmmmmmmm, up for debate.

 

1. CASABLANCA, Screenplay by Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Based on the play "Everybody Comes to Rick's" by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. not seen

2. THE GODFATHER, Screenplay by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. Based on the novel by Mario Puzo. not seen

3. CHINATOWN, Written by Robert Towne own

4. CITIZEN KANE, Written by Herman Mankiewicz and Orson Welles seen, adored

5. ALL ABOUT EVE. Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Based on "The Wisdom of Eve," a short story and radio play by Mary Orr not seen

6. ANNIE HALL, Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman seen

7. SUNSET BLVD., Written by Charles Brackett & Billy Wilder and D.M. Marshman Jr. seen

8. NETWORK, Written by Paddy Chayefsky not seen

9. SOME LIKE IT HOT, Screenplay by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond. Based on "Fanfare of Love," a German film written by Robert Thoeren and M. Logan not seen

10. THE GODFATHER II, Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo. Based on Mario Puzo's novel "The Godfather" not seen

11. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, Written by William Goldman seen

12. DR. STRANGELOVE, Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Peter George and Terry Southern. Based on novel "Red Alert" by Peter George seen

13. THE GRADUATE, Screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. Based on the novel by Charles Webb seen, meh, not that impressed actually

14. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, Screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. Based on the life and writings of Col. T.E. Lawrence seen

15, THE APARTMENT, Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond seen, a brilliant little piece

16. PULP FICTION, Written by Quentin Tarantino. Stories by Quentin Tarantino & Roger Avary seen

17. TOOTSIE, Screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal. Story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart seen. Now, Larry Gelbart IS a genius! But where is M*A*S*H???

18. ON THE WATERFRONT, Screen Story and Screenplay by Budd Schulberg. Based on "Crime on the Waterfront" articles by Malcolm Johnson not seen

19. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Screenplay by Horton Foote. Based on the novel by Harper Lee. not seen. Nor read. I know, I'm ashamed

20. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Screenplay by Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett & Frank Capra. Based on short story "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern. Contributions to screenplay Michael Wilson and Jo Swerling Seen, own, memorized

21. NORTH BY NORTHWEST, Written by Ernest Lehman not seen although I adore Hitchcock

22. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, Screenplay by Frank Darabont. Based on the short story "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" by Stephen King not seen

23. GONE WITH THE WIND, Screenplay by Sidney Howard. Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell only saw the part where the kid falls off the pony and the part where Rhett drags the drunken Scarlett away from the brandy and upstairs to, presumably, domestic rape. Ew.

24. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. Story by Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry & Pierre Bismuth. not seen

25. THE WIZARD OF OZ, Screenplay by Noel Langley and Wizard of Oz JesusFlorence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf. Adaptation by Noel Langley. Based on the novel by L. Frank Baum seen. Well, it was groundbreaking but I'm not sure it's actually that good

26. DOUBLE INDEMNITY, Screenplay by Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler. Based on the novel by James M. Cain seen once, long ago

27. GROUNDHOG DAY, Screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis. Story by Danny Rubin. not seen, but lived. Day after goddam day.

28. SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, Written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard not seen, limited Gwynneth tolerance

29, SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, Written by Preston Sturges not seen

30. UNFORGIVEN, Written by David Webb Peoples seen, and yes it really does belong here

31. HIS GIRL FRIDAY, Screenplay by Charles Lederer. Based on the play "The Front Page" by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur not seen

32. FARGO, Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen not seen

33. THE THIRD MAN, Screenplay by Graham Greene. Story by Graham Greene. Based on the short story by Graham Greene seen, brilliant

34. THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, Screenplay by Clifford Odets and Ernest Lehman. From a novelette by Ernest Lehman not seen although if I'm already this shameless I'm not sure I need it. Can already quote from it, "the cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river."

35. THE USUAL SUSPECTS, Written by Christopher McQuarrie not seen

36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY, Screenplay by Waldo Salt. Based on the novel by James Leo Herlihy not seen

37. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, Screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart. Based on the play by Philip Barry seen. It was fun but that's all I can really say for it. No Bringing Up Baby!

38. AMERICAN BEAUTY, Written by Alan Ball Seen, remarkable. It's rare for an American film to be this bittersweet; that seems to be exclusively British

39. THE STING, Written by David S. Ward Seen, almost perfect

40. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, Written by Nora Ephron amusing, but it gets this place because so many people identify with it. Being ordinary is not the same as being great

41. GOODFELLAS, Screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese. Based on book "Wise Guy" by Nicholas Pileggi not seen

42. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan. Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman seen. Eight times. And I'm dying to see the scene-by-scene remake by those kids who did it in their basements

43. TAXI DRIVER, Written by Paul Schrader not seen. My mother wouldn't let me, although Jodi and I are the same age

44. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, Screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood. Based on novel "Glory For Me" by MacKinlay Kantor not seen

45. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, Screenplay by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman. Based on the novel by Ken Kesey not seen

46. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by B. Traven seen

47. THE MALTESE FALCON, Screenplay by John Huston. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett seen. Yes, very nice although The Thin Man was much better

48, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, Screenplay by Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson. Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle seen

49, SCHINDLER'S LIST, Screenplay by Steven Zaillian. Based on the novel by Thomas Keneally not seen

50. THE SIXTH SENSE, Written by M. Night Shyamalan seen. It was different, but I'm not sure it was that good. I think it got this place on the strength of the twist

51. BROADCAST NEWS, Written by James L. Brooks not seen

52. THE LADY EVE, Screenplay by Preston Sturges. Story by Monckton Hoffe seen, long ago

53. ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN, Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on the book by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward seen. I think this is why I grew up so nosy. I wanna be these guys

54. MANHATTAN, Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman not seen

55. APOCALYPSE NOW, Written by John Milius and Francis Coppola. Narration by Michael Herr seen. Perfectly imperfect

56. BACK TO THE FUTURE, Written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale seen

57. CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, Written by Woody Allen not seen 58. ORDINARY PEOPLE, Screenplay by Alvin Sargent. Based on the novel by Judith Guest seen

59. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, Screenplay by Robert Riskin. Based on the story "Night Bus" by Samuel Hopkins Adams not seen

Sunset Blvd

60. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, Screenplay by Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson. Based on the novel by James Ellroy seen, own61. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Screenplay by Ted Tally. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris not seen

62. MOONSTRUCK, Written by John Patrick Shanley seen. This made me believe in Nicolas Cage

63. JAWS, Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Based on the novel by Peter Benchley seen

64. TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, Screenplay by James L. Brooks. Based on the novel by Larry McMurtry not seen

65. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Screen Story and Screenplay by Betty Comden & Adolph Green. Based on the song by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown not seen

66. JERRY MAGUIRE, Written by Cameron Crowe seen, own. "You had me at 'Operating Thetan'!"

67. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, Written by Melissa Mathison not seen. No, really!

68. STAR WARS, Written by George Lucas seen eighteen times. Wanna hear me recite it? Wadda ya mean no?

69. DOG DAY AFTERNOON, Screenplay by Frank Pierson. Based on a magazine article by P.F. Kluge and Thomas Moore seen. A perfect seventies film, which is a fraught compliment if ever there was one

70. THE AFRICAN QUEEN, Screenplay by James Agee and John Huston. Based on the novel by C.S. Forester seen. Adore the chemistry between the leads; would the film be here without it?

71. THE LION IN WINTER, Screenplay by James Goldman. Based on the play by James Goldman not seen

72. THELMA & LOUISE, Written by Callie Khouri seen. I'd like to compare it to the original Vanishing Point, but haven't seen that one, just the Viggo remake

73. AMADEUS, Screenplay by Peter Shaffer. Based on his play seen, beautiful but not flawless

74. BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, Written by Charlie Kaufman Brazilliant! Kaufman's the most creative person in Hollywood, perhaps in the US. Whatever Dean Kamen had, Charlie Kaufman stole, which explains Adaptation and the Segway, if you think about it

75. HIGH NOON, Screenplay by Carl Foreman. Based on short story "The Tin Star" by John W. Cunningham seenSnakes! Motherfuckin SNAKES! On a PLANE!

76. RAGING BULL, Screenplay by Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin. Based on the book by Jake La Motta with Joseph Carter and Peter Savage not seen

77. ADAPTATION, Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman. Based on the book "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean seen. Another Kaufman gem. Adore the way Streep kept the conceits going during her interviews

78. ROCKY, Written by Sylvester Stallone seen. Stallone earned his place with this film, I don't care what crap he did since

79. THE PRODUCERS, Written by Mel Brooks not seen

80. WITNESS, Screenplay by Earl W. Wallace & William Kelley. Story by William Kelley and Pamela Wallace & Earl W. Wallace seen, own

81. BEING THERE, Screenplay by Jerzy Kosinski. Inspired by the novel by Jerzy Kosinski seen, another perfect, strange film. Shirley Maclaine is the only person who could have played that part, and she's been playing it ever since

82. COOL HAND LUKE, Screenplay by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson. Based on the novel by Donn Pearce not seen

83. REAR WINDOW, Screenplay by John Michael Hayes. Based on the short story by Cornell Woolrich seen. Adored. Don't you want to be Grace Kelly? I mean, like, in addition to the amount you want to be Grace Kelly all the time!

84. THE PRINCESS BRIDE, Screenplay by William Goldman. Based on his novel seen. Yes, perfect comedy

85. LA GRANDE ILLUSION, Written by Jean Renoir and Charles Spaak not seen. If we're doing French films, where is La Belle et la Bete?

86. HAROLD & MAUDE, Written by Colin Higgins I tried, really I did. Over and over. But like Trees Lounge, I just can't do it. About fifteen minutes into it I realize I'd rather be asleep and I go do that

87. 8 1/2, Screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Brunello Rondi. Story by Fellini, Flaiano not see, I hope it's better than Satyricon

Blame Canada88. FIELD OF DREAMS, Screenplay by Phil Alden Robinson. Based on the book by W.P. Kinsella not seen although I should, the book being Canajun and all

89. FORREST GUMP, Screenplay by Eric Roth. Based on the novel by Winston Groom not seen

90. SIDEWAYS, Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor. Based on the novel by Rex Pickett not seen. Limited tolerance for those who dislike merlot. "There are bores, there are crushing bores, and then there are wine snobs."

91. THE VERDICT, Screenplay by David Mamet. Based on the novel by Barry Reed not seen

92. PSYCHO, Screenplay by Joseph Stefano. Based on the novel by Robert Bloch seen, over and over, although only the original. The last scene is a killer!

93. DO THE RIGHT THING, Written by Spike Lee not seen. Spike is such an asshole, his assoholism overshadows his accomplishments

94. PATTON, Screen Story and Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North. Based on "A Soldier's Story" by Omar H. Bradley and "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago seen. Impressive but I'm not sure biopic can be perfect

Poor Jerry! Not one mention!95. HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, Written by Woody Allen not seen

96. THE HUSTLER, Screenplay by Sidney Carroll & Robert Rossen. Based on the novel by Walter Tevis not seen

97. THE SEARCHERS, Screenplay by Frank S. Nugent. Based on the novel by Alan Le May never even heard of it; or is it that one about the tiny little people who have adventures? Maybe not.

98. THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Screenplay by Nunnally Johnson. Based on the novel by John Steinbeck not seen, although I did read it

99. THE WILD BUNCH, Screenplay by Walon Green and Sam Peckinpah. Story by Walon Green and Roy Sickner not seen. And no Easy Rider? Hmmm, interesting choices

100. MEMENTO, Screenplay by Christopher Nolan. Based on the short story "Memento Mori" by Jonathan Nolan not seen

101. NOTORIOUS, Written by Ben Hecht Yeah baby! Love this one.

Shebeen Club: My Life in Crime

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Truman, very TruTake two: the first attempt at posting this went kapoof!

Apparently, this little press release of mine has stirred up quite a response. The presenter emailed me a bit anxiously, noting that he's in every paper in town today. Funny, that. I found myself to be considerably less upset about it. Good thing he doesn't know Granta is on the list, along with every literary magazine in the US and Canada (all the ones I could find emails for, anyway). Hey, sooner or later everyone comes through Vancouver, and that woman in Georgia said some very nice things in January.

Someone told Maikopunk that the release was "tasteless and glib." While I fully cop to the glibitude, I must protest the characterization of this missive as "tasteless." As with the finest works of the esteemed cinematic genius Mr. John Waters, it is in the very best of Bad Taste.

Vulgar is the new black.Holmes and Watson

 

In any case, her friend was perversely piqued and intrigued by her put-downs, and once I actually posted the word "Harumph" on her blog, signed up for two tickets.

As the great Gawker says,

It's Not Whoring If You Do It For Free

For immediate release: post/forward at will!

Who: The Shebeen Club presents Jeremy Hainsworth, crime reporter extraordinaire

What: My Life in Crime!  When: 7-9pm Tuesday, April 18th, 2006 (3rd Tuesday ea month)

Where: The Shebeen, behind the Irish Heather, 217 Carrall

Why: Voyeurism runs deep, baby! Find out what it really takes to do this job. It’s not all fedoras and dive bars. 

How (much)? $20 before April 14th, $25 thereafter

reservations and media inquiries: lorraine.murphy at gmail dot com.

Admission includes a criminally good dinner/drink combo! This month it will be a Bloody Mary and your choice of blood pudding and a side of fries/salad OR a vegetarian blood orange entree salad. Bloody marvelous!

 Background: https://raincoaster.wordpress.com/2006/03/18/the-shebeen-club-a-history-in-press-releases/ 

Putting the “laughter” in “manslaughter.”

 

With patented black humour, Jeremy will lead us down the dark and twisted alleys of a crime reporter’s life. From paperwork to prison visits, we’ll become one with the sordid underbelly of Vancouver. It’s Blood Alley, so we’re halfway there!

Jeremy will also be discussing (and bringing a copy of) the publication ban on the Pickton trial.

Dress: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, or Raymond Chandler. Ann Rule doesn’t know how to dress!  

Bio: Jeremy Hainsworth is one of a handful of journalists writing for the international media from Vancouver. As B.C correspondent for the AP, he has had the dubious honour of covering the ongoing hearings of alleged serial killer Robert Pickton and the Air India terrorism case. He has freelanced for Reuters, was senior crime reporter for The Calgary Herald, senior editor of Sterling News Service (his office was below that of Conrad Black's partner David Radler), and managing editor of the Dawson Creek daily paper where he covered his first murder from seeing the body to the release of the convicted youths.

He has a diploma in journalism from Langara and a BA from UBC. His work has appeared in many of the world's major newspapers on every continent except Antarctica where penguins cannot read. 

The ShebeenMeet & Mingle 7-7:30

Listen & Learn 7:30-8

Wistful reminiscences of hookers with hearts of gold 8-9