Middle-aged Melancholy

Sometimes we imagine the worst possible scenarios when meeting someone new, then the one awful situation we didn't think of is what actually comes to pass. This is somewhat the story in Daniel Clowes' Mr. Wonderful. You may be familiar with his quiet, quirky characters from Ghost World, and they too could inhabit the world of Marshall, the titular character of this particular piece. Clowes has a way of using 1950s romance comics, gay erotic romance, and boring everyday life to create an interesting version of our own reality. Instead of wondering what might happen, Clowes explores many possibilities and offers some laughs in what might otherwise be a bleak drama about a middle-aged man whose luck in relationships has just about run its course. Fleeting moments of joy scattered throughout immense embarrassment make this an engaging graphic novel not to be overlooked.

Today I am happy to announce that I have a galley copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. All you need to do is comment below with your thoughts on the best format for romantic fiction, and be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win!

If you don't win, but still want a copy, be sure to visit Pantheon Graphic Novels to purchase.

Love and peace,

Reniazen

Pontypool Changes Everything

Pontypool (2008):
Dir- Bruce McDonald
Writer-Tony Burgess
Stars: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, & Georgina Reilly

Sick of glittery vampires without fangs, shitty remakes of true cinematic masterpieces, and movies with 18 sequels (aka franchises bent on destroying the film industries' last breath of creativity)? Well do I have a gnarly gem for you; Pontypool. Many of you may know that I love a good, gutsy zombie film, whether it's Dead Snow or Fido, but this one takes the cake! Fresh, original, and damn thrilling, Pontypool delivers what few horror films manage, though many have tried; you are actually tense during this film, constantly trying to figure out what the hell is going on (in a good way.)
Did I mention there's politics, philosophy, and a tiny bit of quantum physics, too? Hot damn, how's that for entertainment! Don't wait too long for your next trip to the soon-to-be-deceased video store, so you can find out for yourself just how stellar this film truly is.

Check out the trailer here:


And purchase here:

"What if our pain was the most beautiful thing about us?"

This is one of many questions asked by (as well as printed inside the front flap of)The Illumination by Kevin Brockmeier. At once thoughtful yet understated, this book makes you wonder how people you know would view you if every ache and pain, whether on the inside of your body, the outside, or emotional, were visible as light emanating from the source of said pain. Would everyone freak out up "the illumination's" sudden beginning? Would fundamentalists declare the end times to be upon us? Would you try to hide your pain? All this and more is examined within the pages of this novel.
It's a pleasant, fairly quick read that I felt only fell short in one area: it should have probed deeper. Brockmeier delves into some pretty heady material, only to stop short of making a few precious, and in my opinion necessary, realizations. Otherwise, I found this to be a wonderful piece of fiction. Not to mention a great contribution to local literature (as the author resides in Little Rock.)
Buy your own copy here:

Peace and positive vibes,
Reniazen

Deerhoof Takes Me to a Better Place

Upon first listening to Deerhoof vs. Evil I knew I would have to listen to the album many more times before I could properly review it, as said album blew me away. After about 30 more listens, I feel a bit more qualified, so here it is.
This album will be one that constantly stays on rotation in the car and at home. If I could sum it up in one word, I'd be a genius, because at this point, I don't know a way to describe it in just one word. Cerebral, terrific, utterly breathtaking, these are just a few of the adjectives I feel come close to expressing my affection towards this masterpiece.
You may have heard the incredible single "Super Duper Rescue Heads!," which is still one of my fave tunes on the album. However, this doesn't give you the whole picture. Ranging from dance/electro/pop-rock to european and asian style instrumentals, with some psychedelic ambience thrown in the mix, this is truly an epic record, that I think would appeal to those with tastes in many different musical styles. Give it a listen after you pick it up from the always fabulous Polyvinyl and let me know what you think!

Super Duper Rescue Heads!:
HypeMachine-Listen and Download

Happy Thoughts 2011

I'm slowly making my way back, so for now here's some happy thoughts for the new year:

For a Reel Good Year by reniazen on Polyvore.com

It's hard to keep out the cold when you live in a house full of holes.

Amazing music isn't really that hard to find these days, thanks to the wide variety of offerings available on the internet.  However, truly great music is still rare, and it feels wonderful to be introduced to another artist capable of producing just that.  Shugo Tokumaru's latest release Port Entropy feels like a trip through Japan in the late 80s and early 90s, with a few stops in Canada over the past decade.  Some songs evoke a feeling of such joy that you can't help but smile, while others are so beautiful you may find your breath taken away.  If you're a fan of The Beatles, The Magnetic Fields, Radiohead or Headlights (or you're just looking for something fresh,) definitely give Tokumaru a try.

Find out more here: Polyvinyl- Shugo Tokumaru

In further Polyvinyl news, the recent 7in release "I'm Giving Up on You" by Sharon van Etten is just to die for.  Pop really can be good, if the artist has talent:)  Visit Polyvinyl to find out more, and preview the song here:

"I'm Giving Up on You" via Polyvinyl on Youtube

In case you missed it, you have until Dec. 13 to comment on a Chronicle Books Hauliday post for a chance to win $500 in books- visit my list and comment to win!

Hauliday Post

Love and peace,
Reniazen

Please help me with the Haul-idays!

I know, I know. I always complain about the awful C day, but this time, it's not actually about that, it's about helping me win $500 worth of books- and if I'm picked, one lucky commenter on this here blog will get the books listed below!  So comment and enter yourself to win:)

Love and peace,
Reniazen

My list of Chronicle Books favorites I'd love to win:


The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights by Autumn de Wilde and Jim Jarmusch


Elliott Smith by Autumn de Wilde- includes live cd!


Sexy Book of Sexy Sex by Kristen Schaal

Let's Bring Back: An Encyclopedia of Forgotten-Yet-Delightful, Chic, Useful, Curious, and Otherwise Commendable Things from Times Gone By by Leslie M. Blume

The Exquisite Book

Rift by James Jean

Anna Sui By Andrew Bolton, Jack White, Anna Sui, Steven Meisel

DC Comics: The 75th Anniversary Poster Book Quirk Books By Robert Schnakenberg, Paul Levitz

This is NPR by Cokie Roberts et al

Bangs: A Sketchbook by David Choe

Kindling by James Jean

I hope you enjoy finding out about these titles and more over at Chronicle Books.

Thanks!