The Infected: What Happened to David Price (2)

two: before death


"Zombie cows, closing food plants, and a pharmaceutical company. Please give me the right to find all of this a bit odd, David." Charlie said, obviously exhausted by all the information David just handed her. 

"You should talk to your parents. I'm on the tip of discovering something big, I swear!"

They finally reached the oak tree that separates their way home. David is heading left towards the lake and Charlie is heading west towards town. He suggests they meet up tomorrow after school as well and she gladly accepted her best friend's invitation.

As David walked away from Charlie and made his way home, he had this odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was overwhelming and soon after he was invaded by the thought that he'll never see Charlotte Olsen again.

*****

The last client at Walker, Price, and Associates has just left the office, giving George Price the rare opportunity to join his family for supper. He finished up what little paperwork was left from his latest transaction and casually walked out of his office.

As he walked down charming Main street, he remembered he had to pick up his youngest daughter from dance class. He stopped in front of Maggie's Tart and Sweet, the local bakery. George looked in his bag and took out his cellphone and dialed his daughter's number.

"Hey Greta, I'm so sorry I'm late. I'm picking up the car now. Ok. See you soon, sweetie"

George switched the phone off and continued his walk towards the community parking, unaware that his life would change for the worst in nothing but a few hour.

*****

"Where is she!?" Rebekah shouted as she ran down the stairs and into the main living room.

Theresa Price finished her chapter and looked up, her eyes barely peaking out of her book. "What's wrong, honey?"

"I can't find my Lana Del Rey CD and I know she took it! Greta stole it!" Once sparked, Rebekah's rage was nearly impossible to extinguish. "I'm going to kill her!"

"Now, now" Theresa said, burying her face back in her book, "Nobody is killing anybody."

*****

David was walking home, his mind lost in the music that eminated from his headphones. He kicked around the stones that littered his street and was about to cut through the Wilson's backyard when gravity shifted and he was pulled backwards.

He fell on his ass and looked down at his school bag, a giant tear in the side where there was none just a few minutes earlier. Standing tall in front of him was Victoria Crow, a lopsided smirk smeared across that ugly face of hers.

"Watch where you're going, dumbass." She said and walked by him laughing alone.

David sighed and was tempted to yell something nasty at Victoria but he thought otherwise. Mr. Wilson waved as David passed his lawn and he wondered if the peeping old neighbour had seen what had just happened?

*****

"Stop yelling or I will ground you, Rebekah" George said, his voice calm yet stern. He wasn't even a foot inside the house when his oldest daughter - she thought she knew everything now that she was twenty - came charging down the hallway.

"SHE TOOK MY CD!"

"I DID NOT!" Greta shouted back, "I DON'T EVEN LIKE LANA DEL REY!"

George was about to send them both to their room when David walked inside the house. 

"What's going on?" He asked, looking past his family, his eyes fixed on the backdoor. Everyone stopped and looked in that direction. 

Annie Lochlan was at the door. She had no clothes on and her skin was puckered and blistered. She was smeared in blood and had massive chunks of flesh ripped off her face. She was panting and there was something different about her eyes. There was no response in them. Just a blank stare.

"Annie..." David whispered.

Rebekah screamed seconds after Annie Lochlan charged, teeth barred and with hunger in her eyes.

Best of 2011: Television Sensation

2011 was a good great year for television. There haven't been much unsuspected cancellations. The good shows stayed and the crappy ones left. That's how every Autumn should be like. I will complain though - the Fall 2011 line-up would have been much better had The Event been picked up for a second season. I'm still angry about that!


Person of Interest (PoI)

Creator: Jonathan Nolan
Starring: Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, Taraji P. Henson
Television Gold: I watched the first three episodes and then kinda disconnected from it. It reminded me too much of Law & Order with the different crime every day. Over the Holidays, I decided to give the show a second chance. Glad I did! Taraji P. Henson is amazing as a cop, she has the moves and the dialogue narrowed down to a T. And unlike Law & Order, there is some form of continuous plotline but it's still too subtle for my liking. The element of science-fiction is what really draws me in.

Shameless

Creator: Paul Abbott
Starring: Emmy Rossum, Justin Chatwin, William H. Macy, and Joan Cusack
Television Gold: Shameless is like Roseanne on cocaine. Quite literally. This show is fucking hilarious and every episode gets increasingly better as you progress through the season. Emmy Rossum really grounds the series and her portrayal of a sister-mother-of-five is deserving of every award out there. If you haven't watched this yet, do it - Season two started not too long ago!!

American Horror Story

Creator: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk
Starring: Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Taissa Farmiga, and Jessica Lange
Television Gold: Ryan Murphy - better know as the man behind Nip/Tuck and Glee - shocked the hell out of me when he announced his upcoming new series American Horror Story. It was to be a tale of a typical American family being haunted by the demons of their past. So the story changed through the summer and what was finally delivered last Fall was a brilliant showcase of a true Haunting; paranoïa, anxiety, fear, hallucinations. Taissa Farmiga and Jessica Lange steal the show, with Lange taking home this year's Golden Globe for her portrayal of shallow neighbour Constance Langdon.

Once Upon a Time

Creator: Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Starring: Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parilla, and Jared Gilmore
Television Gold: I actually didn't like the premiere and swore off the show forever! But when American Horror Story ended, I needed something to watch. A lot of people were talking about this show so I caved and watched episode 2, then 3, then 4, and so on until I watched every aired episode. And now I'm hook. It reminds of Fable and I love the allusion's to LOST like the Evil Queen's address (108), the frozen time (8:15) and the whiskey (MacCutcheon's). It sometimes dabbles into cheesy territory - mostly the fairytale flashbacks - but I'm gonna give the first season a shot.

Notable Sitcoms:

• 2 Broke Girls
• New Girl

What was your favourite show of 2011?


Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

The Infected: What Happened to David Price (1)

You thought The Infected story was over until April? Nah, I couldn't do that! So here's a spin-off, centering on the last days of David Price's life and what exactly happened to the Price family in the month leading to David's murder.



One: Neighbours

The door to the shed was slamming hard against its wooden frame. The gusts of wind and heavy rain prevented Annie from going out to close it shut. Looking out the kitchen window, Annie was getting lost in the mesmerizing storm that had suddenly overtaken Del Rio. She loved watching the rain hit the ground and the lightning strike in the distance.

One thing about storms she couldn't stand was eventual power failures. Tonight's storm was no exception and soon the Lochlan house was plunged into darkness.

"Great," Annie let out. "Karl! Get the candles!" The small brunette left the kitchen window and made her way across the room towards the computer nook. "Karl, you in here?" She scanned the room for any sign of her obnoxious nine year old brother. He must have ran up the stairs and hid in mom's room, Annie thought to herself.

She walked down the hall towards the stairs and just then her brother tumbled down the stairs.

"What the fuck are you doing, dumbass? You could have -"

At that precise moment, Karl jumped to his feet without effort and the sight of his twisted snarl made Annie gasp. She stepped back just as Karl began to snap his jaw. His eyes were hollow, the skin around them pale and streaked black with veins.

"Karl..."

"Wraghhh" Karl snapped and started to slash at his sisters face.

Annie wasn't about to stay and see if her brother was playing another of his pranks. She ran back through the kitchen and shut herself in the den. "Karl, stop it! You're scaring me!"

But Karl kept pounding on the door, snarling and spitting.

"STOP IT!!" Annie screamed, putting her hands against her ears and balling up in the corner. Tears of fear began to pearl down the young vixen's cheeks. The door began to shake violently, threatetning to break at any minute.

Annie jumped off the floor and ran towards the window across from her. She tried desperatly to slide the window open but it wouldn't budge. She slammed her hand in the window. Again.

"HEEEEELP!"

She finally managed to wiggle the window open a bit and tried to slip her way out through the tiny crack. She was halfway out when she heard the door break open and soon she felt her brother's hand on her ankle. And then the strangest of things happened. He bit her. Annie kicked aimlessly as she tried to wriggle herself through the small opening. She made contact with something hard and heard her brother snarl.

Annie gave herself one last push off the ledge and fell out the window onto the muddy grass below. Laying on her stomach with rain pouring down around her, Annie tried in vain to get to her feet. Her badly bitten leg was not strong enough to support her.

"HELP ME!! PLEASEE!!" Annie screamed as loud as she could but the storm silenced her pleas for help. The battered girl started crawling towards the parking lot. Her mom's car was parked in the driveway and she remembered that her mom always kept the keys in the glove compartment.

Come on, Annie, she whispered to herself. With all her strenght, she managed to pull herself over the chain-link fence and fell onto the concrete pathway that led to the car. She dragged herself forward, breaking the nail off her thumb along the way.

She was almost at the car. Annie reached for the door but was suddenly dragged backwards, burning her skin on the wet concrete.

"Noooo!" She tried to wrestle herself free.

Karl flipped his sisters over from her stomach to her back and pinned her down. Annie could only scream at the monster that was looking back at her. His face was covered in blisters, black puss dripping from his snarling mouth. Karl dove in and bit off Annie's nose and upper lip, skin dangling from his mouth.

"Wragghhh"

With one hand, Karl grabbed his sister by the leg and threw her back inside the house via the living room bay window.

Best of 2011: Lana Del Rey

My cousin Katie let me in on the music of Elizabeth Grant, better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey. In a minute, I was hooked on her sultry voice and just-as-sultry looks. She is undeniably the best new act of 2011. Watch out, Grammy Awards!



Anyone stuck out of the crowd for you this year?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Youtube Covers

I'm a huge fan of normal people doing excellent covers of popular songs. Often times, I end up preferring the cover to the original song. To share with you, here is a few covers that have excited me this year!

Adele's Someone Like You - @Charlievlogs

Lady Gaga's Born This Way - @Rojuanearagon

Bruno Mars' The Lazy Song - @Gootmusic



Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts - @Maddijanemusic

Nicki Minaj's Superbass - @Karminmusic

Foster the People's Pumped up Kicks - @Jaymedee333

Adele's Rolling in the Deep - @Connietalbotofficial

The Band Perry's If I Die Young - @Justinrobinett

Michael Jackson's Billie Jean - @Thecivilwars



Do you like covers as much as I do? What was your fave of the year?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Horror Movies

2011 was a pretty crappy year for mainstream horror flicks but thankfully, there was alot of indie projects that delivered scares. Here are the flicks that scared me shitless this year.


The Woman

Director: Lucky McKee
Starring: Pollyanna Mcintosh, Angela Bettis
Scares Delivered: McKee and Bettis team up again after making the creepy May back in 2002. The Woman documents the tale of two very different women, both being repressed in their own way. Both women use opposite methods to come out of their shells. Not your conventional horror film (are any of McKee's films conventional?), as it uses subtlety to make you jump, rather then in-your-face scares. Angela Bettis can transform any movie into a creepfest, if only with those terrifying eyes of hers.

Insidious

Director: James Wan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye
Scares Delivered: I was expecting such shit when I first saw this preview, mainly because Wan was attached to the project. Have you seen Dead Silence? Don't! But through the mucky mess of Wan, came a very chilling story about a boy in a coma. Yeah, I Know, can't be that scary right? But when the past comes to haunt (or help?) the family, that's when the gooseflesh begins and the hair begins to rise on your arms. It's like American Horror Story minus the Cheese Factor. A rare ghost story where you actually feel like something threatening could occur. I'm looking at you Amytiville Horror remake!

In its own right though, Insidious was the most profitable movie of 2011, earning over $90m worldwide on a measly $1.5m budget.

I Saw the Devil

Director: Kim Ji-woon
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik
Scares Delivered: Korea strikes again! No pun intended. After laughing and gasping throughout The Host, I was skeptical at watching another Korean exploit. But seriously, this movie is terrifying!! There is something sinister about the dead of winter and two Korean guys trying to survive each other. The ambiguity here lies in the fact that you don't know who the bad guy is and who the good guy is. It's hard to figure out who to pity, who to hate. Where LOST failed in the fight between Villain vs Hero, I Saw the Devil triumphs with subtle subplots and not-so-subtle bloodloss. If you like foreign, you'll like Ji-woon's newest movie!

Other Notable Scary Movies of 2011:

• Scream 4
• Attack the Block
• Seconds Apart
• The Innkeepers

What frightful film scared the bejesus out of you this year?

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Novels

I bought a lot of books this year and thanks to my iRewards card from Chapters, managed to save a whopping $104.45!!! I still haven't managed to read them all though. D'oh! So here's a quick glance at some books that have moved me this year. They weren't necessarily published this year, I just read the book this year.

Blood Red Road - Moira Young

I am a big fan of dystopian novels. I like the idea of a distant future where humans have regressed into barbarism and animal instincts. Blood Red Road by Canadian author Moira Young explores the world around Saba; a desert dweller obsessed with her twin brother Lugh. One day, a sand storm springs out of nowhere and with it comes men on horses. They say they want Lugh.

What happens next is a journey seen through the eyes of a desperate Saba, who will stop at nothing to find her brother. You will have trouble putting this book down if you like both action and compelling writing. There is no quotation marks in this book to distinguish the dialogue between characters. They talk in rough slang, staying true to the desolate future. A must read!

Rumour has it Ridley Scott has bought the rights to the books. Hopefully a movie is in the works soon!



One Second After - William R. Forstchen

According to the preface by Newt Gingrich or whatever his name is, this book was discussed in front of some government people or whatever. It's all very constitutional and super PRO-AMERICAN. I'm not a USA hater, but I can't stand how patriotic their books are. If you can put that aside, like I did, you will enjoy this book for what it is. A compelling piece about the threat of silence. And I mean utter fucking silence.

A small American town is suddenly sent into a blackout and find themselves forcing to band togheter to survive in a world without modern technology. Everything we take for granted like medicine, food, fuel, communications, and shelter is stripped away and all they have left is each other: "We're still Americans, goddammit!"

There is alot of conflict in this book. Diabetes, neighbouring towns, convictions. What works for one, doesn't necessarily work for the other. This book explains what would happen to humanity one second after.

A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley

This is the third entry in the Flavia De Luce Mysteries by Canadian author Alan Bradley. I bought the first book without knowing anything about it. The title and cover had captivated me. Two years later, out came A Red Herring Without Mustard, or as I like to call it: Flavia All Grown Up.

The third book continues the tale of Flavia, a passionate chemist with a flare for mystery. She can solve a crime with only the help of her notebook and Gladys, her trusty bicycle. It all sounds childish but it's anything but. A charming novel that will sweep you off your feet and whisk you into a world of poison, jack snipes, 1950's countrysides, and gypsies.

Other notable novels:

• Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck
• 11/22/63 - Stephen King
• SWAMPLANDIA! - Karen Russell

What novel had you wanting more?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

The Infected - Fogo Island: Blog Story Preview

Charlotte "Charlie" Olsen suspects her parents of being responsible for the widespread infection that has caused the dead to reanimate. She has evidence of foulplay but nothing concrete. That is all about to change. The answers can be found at Fogo Island.

Here is a preview of The Infected - Fogo Island: Blog Story


four: point the finger.

I'm running as fast as I can, my feet barely touching ground as I fly through the maze of trees. I can hear them behind me, feel their hot discusting breath on my neck, smell the rot as if it was right under my nose. I block all of the images that i've just seen, block the image of Felix, and just look straight ahead at the opening further on.

The sun blinds me as I spring out of the forest and into the snowy clearing, the band of mongrols right at my tail. How I wish Felix was here right now. My eyes quickly adjust to light and I start running towards the ferry, running towards my way to safety.

I'm about twenty feet from the docks when something strikes me in the back of the head. I fall in the snow and the cold comes creeping inside my jacket. I moan and turn myself over on my back. Just then, the sun is blocked out by Connor's face and I know. I know I'm about to die.

*****

My skull is aching and I have the sensation of floating but when I open my eyes, I see that I am on firm ground. I look around the shack and realise i'm in Connor's hut. My hands are tied behind my back and the skin around my wrists is welted.

I moan and look around the room, hoping to see Felix but I don't. Just then, the wooden door of the hut creaks open. I close my eyes and let my head slump forward, pretending to still be out.

"Why'd she run?" a femal voice asks in a very thick British accent and then I hear Connor answer.

"She saw us with Felix. Didn't quite understand what was going on, I guess." He sounds almost worried. Last time I spoke with Connor, he seemed ready to drive my face in the wall.

"I can't even imagine what that girl went through." The woman answered. Her voice was smooth and gentle. She couldn't be more then thirty years old. I hear them rummage around the shack. Soon after, I feel the warm, gentle touch of the woman's hand on my cheek. "Wake up, Charlotte."

I pretend to daze out of sleep. I keep my eyes half shut and mumble under my breath. I feign terror and crawl back against the wall. My eyes lock with Connor's and now I don't have to pretend anymore.

"You guys are sick! Your worst then those bastards, you cowards!" Connor walks towards me but stops short when I spit in his face.

The woman comes between us and tells - no, orders - Connor to go for a walk. He complies and steps out of the hut. She must be the Head they were talking about. The man in charge. Or woman in this case.

"My name is Mallory. It's nice to meet you, Charlotte." The woman says. She leans in towards me and I instinctively shrink away. "It's okay, I just want to untie your bindings." She smiles at me and I see genuine compassion in her eyes. Just the way they squint.

"Who are you?" I ask her, and begin to massage my wrists the moment they are freed. Mallory takes a good look at me once i'm standing and she honestly looks concerned.

"I'm the woman who's going to answer all of your questions. First off, Felix is fine. What you saw was a just a tradition we started. We need that, you know. Traditions. In this new world, it's easy to lose focus and just kill," She walks over to the cabinet and grabs two glasses, fills them up with water and hands me one of the glasses. She continues, "I've seen horrible things before coming here. As i'm sure you have too, Charlotte. Things a person should never have to see. Or do. You know what that leads to, right?"

I take a sip of water and for the first time, I notice just how fiery red Mallory's hair is. "Um, no, sorry."

"When something bloody bad happens, we naturally want to blame someone. We want someone to take responsibility for the petty shit that has come our way," Mallory says with disquieting amount of zeal. "Have you ever heard of Typhoon Tip, Charlotte?"

"Can't say that I have," I answer, and for some reason the vibe is different. There is a unseen weight in the room.

"I'd do some research if I were you," she starts walking towards the door and goes to leave but not before turning back to say one last thing, "You might find the reason why your parents went to Tokyo to create a bloody chemical agent that could wipe out the entire human race."

*****

Join the Horror

April 2012

Best of 2011: Top40 Hits

In 2011, it seemed like every other week Rihanna or/and David Guetta came out with a new song. The charts exploded with urban beats, electro-funk, and the bass down low. Here is my Top 15 Top40 songs of 2011. Enjoy!


15. E.T. - Katy Perry feat. Kanye West

So this song pretty much rocked the entire year. It was on every radio station and could have been the most overplayed song of the year if not for Adele's Rolling in the Deep. The album version doesn't contain Kanye West, which is a pity. Because like all Kanye featurings, he makes this song a hoot to listen to from start to finish.

14. Pumped up Kicks - Foster the People

This will probably come at no surprise - Foster the People are 2011's one hit wonder. Yeah, okay, believe in their talent all you want - this band will not, unfortunately, dominate the charts this year. Nope. nada. But for what's it worth, Pumped up Kicks is such a lazy summer song that it'll probably be in rotation again this summer. Or you could do like me and put your MP3 on repeat and sing along all day.

13. Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

When Adam Levine announced live on The Voice that his band would be joining forces with Xtina to record a song, I must admit  I was skeptical. I mean, was I the only one who heard the Rihanna/Maroon 5 collaboration? Didn't think so. When th song Moves Like Jagger exploded on the airwaves, I was probably the first to jump ship and proclaim this song a surefire hit! Minus the Xtina part.

12. Give Me Everything - Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo

It seems like Pitbull was all over the place this year excpet for your crotch. Sorry - had to make a dog reference. The reason I like this song so much is because my cousin did a choreographed dance at her wedding with the entire bridal party. It was amazing! And everytime the song played I thought about that so it was instant love. And surely this will be a classic song for the next generation. You know, it is quite love-making-ouh-we're-expecting-SURPRISE!

11. Till the World Ends

Am I the only one who almost fell in epileptic shock upon hearing that Ke$ha (don't forget the dollar sign, cause she's so ghetto) had wrote this song? Yeah, she did. And then handed a number one hit to Britney. And Britney made one hell of a good song out of it. The beat is kick ass and the voice is not too overly sultry, which can sometimes make Britbrit look cheap. I still remember my mom's reaction when she saw the video for My Prerogative:

"Why is she doing that? (girating semi naked on the bed) That doesn't suit her at all"

10. Yoü and I - Lady Gaga

What's weird with this song is that I like it because of its country undertones, yet I can't stand country music (in general). The way she sings about Nebraska - I don't know if there is any sexual inuendo there but there probably is - really shows a more human, down-to-earth side to the one we know as being wild and out there.

9. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

The title kind of sums it all up. You have Party. You have Rock. Your have Anthem. Party Rock Anthem. Throw in some alcohol and your set for the night!

8. Loca People - Sak Noel

Aha. I heard this song for the first time when I visited my friend in montreal this summer. Her cousin had just came back from Europe and the song was a huge it over there. It was really meant for laughs when they played the tune but the song, like fungus, grows on you. It's now an official pre-drink song.

7. Rain Over Me - Pitbull feat. Marc Anthony

At first I thought the song was Reign Over Me ahahahaha. Thankfully that got clarified so I could get back to what was truly important: Listening to the song. It's so freaking catchy and -dare I say it - probably Marc Anthony's one and only hit. Slow clap, Marc, slow clap.

6. In the Dark - Dev

I was sure Dev was going to explode this year on the music scene but it looks like she passed right under the radar. It's not her fault, Rihanna and Katy Perry released songs every two weeks. Dev has something the other ones don't, which is flare and natural urban rythm. It doesn't seem like she's faking it or as if she's controlled by her record label. Oh and she's pregnant! Better not be poppin' bottles in the ice!

 5. Someone Like You - Adele

Undeniably the most touching song of the year. The voice on this girl is outstanding! I love Adele, love this song, this was her year and I am going to stop writing for a while so I can stalk her webpage. BRB.

4. We are Young - Fun.

No, I didn't just randomly add punctuation after the band's name. It's actually part of their name. Fun.. You see, there's two periods. Fun!! Anyways, I' just going to blurt it out and get it over with. I first heard this song in a Glee episode. And although I like the original song by Fun., (aha period followed by comma - so much fun!) the arrangement and overall good vibe of the Glee cast version is alot better. It's actually, well, fun. Sorry Fun. fans.

3. Mr. Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan

Simply an upbeat Eurodance bundle of joy. For some reason, this song dips me in a state of nostalgia everytime I listen to it. It reminds me of summer, and that my friends, always makes me happy!

2. Born This Way - Lady Gaga

The lyrics. The video. The message. The multiple remixes. 'Nuff said.

1. Rolling in the Deep - Adele

Surely the most overplayed song of the year. Everyone from your five year old to your grand-mother loved this song. It solidifed Adele's career and down the road, this song is no doubt going to be a classic. It really is a bummer that they overplayed the song so goddamn much this summer.

What song off the radio had you going last year?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Comedic Movies

I must admit I didn't watch a whole lot of comedies this year. But the ones I did watch were quite hysterical in their own rights. Let's check out the funniest comedies this year!


Bridesmaids

Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph
The Funny: Before this movie was even released it was being called The Hangover with women. If anything, this movie surpassed The Hangover's laugh track. Melissa McCarthy's zany performance and the writing talents of Kristen Wiig have made this movie this year's most talked about comedy. Trust me, you will not be dissapointed! Plus, there's something irresistable when it comes to SNL women. They're just too funny!



Horrible Bosses

Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Collin Farrell, Kevin Spacey
The Funny: I can't stand Jennifer Aniston but she seems to nail it every time she does a movie that happens in and around an office setting. Horrible bosses is the type of film noir that I like. It's crude and vile, vulgar and politically incorrect, but always done just the right way. It reminded me alot of Death to Smoochy, which if you havent's seen, you HAVE TO.

Our Idiot Brother

Director: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Hugh Dancy, Rashida Jones
The Funny: When I first saw the previews, I knew this movie would be genius. Paul Rudd can be really annoying - but in a funny way. Watching him weave a web of chaos in his sister's lives is pure entertainment. Guaranteed laughs - oddly enough most of them come from Emily Mortimer's dry sense of humour. Looking for laughs? Rent this movie!

Other notable comedies:

• A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Tower Heist

What movie made you laugh this year?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Musical Revelations

There has been a lot of good buzz this year in the music biz. We had a slew of popstars stomping the charts, but like every batch, only a few will come out victorious. Here is a look at some talent that owned 2011 and should stick around for a while


Mumford and Sons

Okay so maybe you've heard of them before 2011. Maybe they have been around for a while. But I first heard of them this year with their brilliant song "The Cave" and it left me wanting more of their folk-rock sound and inticed me to search all of their songs on youtube. Yeah, it kinda created a folk-rock monster out of me.

Adele

I know that Adele has been doing this before, even won awards but 2011 was really HER year. Her songs "Rolling in the Deep" and "Someone Like You" were the most covered songs this year on youtube AND the most parodied. Everyone was talking about the girl with the big voice. I not only hope she sticks around for the long run, I hope she can manage to cope with this sudden stardom.



Nicki Minaj

Yes, yes, she has been featured on many tracks throughout 2010 and dropped her first album in November of last year. She could have easily slipped away though. I could have seen that happening. But 2011 really was her year to shine. I actually like her style now. She released several singles, appeared on even more tracks and joined the Queen of Pop, Britney Spears, on her Femme Fatale Tour. 2011 solidified Nicki Minaj's place in the music biz.



So this last song is pretty particular because it actually doesn't sound like Nicki because of all the autotune. But I like it nonetheless, maybe even more because she says "I'm too young to die" a horror movie cliché.

Other notable acts of 2011

• The Throne; a rap collabo between Kanye West and Jay-Z.
• Song to check out: N***** in Paris
• Bad Meets Evil; a rap collabo, this time featuring Eminem and Royce da 5'9"
• Song to check out: Fast Lane
• Selena Gomez and the Scene
• Song to check out: Love You Like a Love Song

Agree or Disagree? Who do you think benefited of 2011?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Rock Songs

To continue January's theme of Best of 2011, here is a little taste of the rock songs that have rocked the shit out of the past year!


Sail by AWOLNATION

This song is so good. There is something very retro about it. If Nirvana and Bush had a lovechild, it would most likely be this group. Not only does the song kick ass but the video is stangely addictived! I also heard it for the first time on my birthday! Anything birthday related makes it extra special :)



Make it Stop by Rise Against

Although they have gotten very mainstream lately, their lyrics are still really good! I first heard this song this summer at work, and I was really tempted to headbang - just a lil'.



When we Stand Togheter by Nickelback

I'm probably surprising a few people by including Nickelback since I don't really like this band but for some reason, this song really got to me. I love it. I play it on repeat. Like i'm doing right now.

Face to the Floor by Chevelle

For some reason, this band reminds me of my teenage years, working at KFC. I love their music and their new song that they released barely a month ago is - shocker - amazing!





Other notable rock songs that rocked 2011

• Rope by Foo Fighters
• Buried Alive by Avenged Sevenfold
• Country Song by Seether

What was your favourite rock song of 2011?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

The Infected: End of Part 1 (20)

twenty: the island

Grams loved Newfoundland. She had vacationed there several times in the past with Gramps. She said they had some of the best golf courses. As I stand on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and stare at Fogo Island several miles away, I can hear Grams soft voice carried in the wind.

"What do you think lies ahead of us, now?" I ask Felix. He's throwing pebbles in the water.

"I don't know. I guess it all depends on what you want to do." He answers casually. He stops throwing pebbles to eat and I join him.

Maybe once we get there they will shower us with food. We'll be able to relax in a warm bath, perhaps. I'm not dilusional, though. I know we have just as many chances of landing in a tribe of cannibals.

"I've been thinking alot about it, Felix. I think one of us should go, and one of us should stay behind. Just in case." I finish my can of peas and open another one.

"I'll go. You should stay behind, you've done so much already, Charlie," he rests his hands on my cheeks and pulls me in, "I think it's time I take a chance." He kisses me and goes back to eating his peas.

The wind smells of saltwater as it brushes past us. I take in this moment for what it's worth. There isn't a zombie in sight and we have the world in front of us. But that island - Fogo Island - it sticks out like a sore thumb. I have a bad feeling that I can't seem to shake away. Something isn't kosher with that place. I seriously question their food source.

"I've watched alot of movies about zombies with David. If there is one thing, one thing, you cannot do, Felix, is play hero. Promise me, please, you won't do anything stupid!" This time I'm the one who holds on to him.

"I promise. If everything seems good, i'll come back for you tomorrow."

"And if you don't come back tomorrow?"

Felix kisses me softly, like no other kiss before. I don't want him to go. I don't want to be alone here.

"I will come back tomorrow." We look each other in the eyes and I see confidence in his. I'm sure he sees a nervous wreck in mine. I can barely hold it togheter. I don't want him to go.

"Don't go. Let's just go back to our original plan. Find a place up North, survive on the animals and burn the wood for warmth. It'll be cozy, Felix. We won't have to worry. Felix, I don't want to be alone." I clutch the back of his winter jacket and bury my face in his neck. I'm crying again.

"Charlie, I want to prove to you that I can keep you safe. So far, nothing says that island isn't safe. I'll go check it out. I promise you I will be back tomorrow regardless of the outcome. I promise you!"

I take a couple of minutes to take it in and then I let go of Felix to look him in the eyes. He raises his hand to my hair and smiles. I knew he'd like the new cut eventually.

"Just come back."

"I will"

We kiss one last time before he walks over to the ferry. The broadcast said that someone would come with a boat everyday at dawn. The sun is just about ready to set. I watch him go and hide behind the bushes.

Tomorrow, everything will change.

Best of 2011: Dramatic Movies

Every year we are hit with dozens of rom-coms, and sappy dramas about love, lost, and life. The only difference this year, is that most of them were actually quite good, or is that just me?


Martha Marcy May Marlene

Director: Sean Durkin

Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, John Hawkes, Sarah Paulson, and Hugh Dancy

Why I was dramatized: This movie blends two genres brilliantly. One part thriller, one part uber-drama, Martha Marcy May Marlene taps into recent stories about cults and polygamists and shows us the story of one girl trying to change her life. But it doesn't come easy and it sometimes comes at a terrible price. It's quite raw. This is also the acting debut of the youngest sister of the Olsen Twins. After watching Elizabeth Olsen's performance, you'll forget about Mary-Ashley and what's her name.

Take Shelter

Director: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, and Katy Mixon

Why I was dramatized: I was drawn to this movie mainly because of its premise: A man plagued by apocalyptic dreams spends night and day building a shelter for his family. This leads to fights between Shannon's Curtis and Chastain's Samantha. Brilliant acting here and more then one scene will leave you teary-eyed. The one to watch out for though is Katy Mixon as Nat. She truly steals the show and makes you wonder why small movies like these aren't box-office kings. This movie is truly outstanding!

Weekend

Director: Andrew Haigh

Cast: Tom Cullen, Chris New

Why I was dramatized: I watched this movie with a friend just a few weeks ago and it truly impacted my views on the gay lifestyle/nightlife. Whereas Brokeback Mountain really focuses on how leading a double life can come to ruin your existence, Weekend stays focused on a budding romance between two humans, regardless of sexe, lifestyle, and social acceptance. It's really in-your-face and unapolagetic when it comes to the sex scenes, but raunchiness aside, the moral message of this movie will leave anyone pondering about the hate that is directed towards homosexuals, whether male or female.

Other notable dramas

• The Help
• Moneyball
• Margin Call

What was your favourite Drama of 2011?


Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink