Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Warm Bodies. Cold Bodies. Dead Bodies.


I love zombies. Duhrr!


I have breaking news. I mean, its news for people who have an equally disturbing love for zombies. If the walking dead ain't your thing, then turn around and walk away. But make it quick, I feel a fever coming on...

File:Warm bodies book cover.jpg


That was a zombie joke up there! Totally dying of laughter here! Okay - so back to the serious soft tissue at hand. The super-zealous rom-novel Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion is being produced for the big screen. Now that comes to no surprise to me since everything YA is being made into PG so might as bloody well adapt the next best thing in YAfiction.

Warm Bodies is a tale of two lovers unable to find its balance. One is human. One is a zombie. Seems suuuuuuuper ridiculous but it is quite the opposite. Sure it plays on zombie stereotypes - what art form doesn't, right? - but where most mediums exploit the slapstick, Warm Bodies embraces it as if it wasn't infected at all!

There is no release date yet but I plead y'all to go out and buy/read this book because once the movie comes out you will all be like:

"Where did I hear that title before and why is everyone so excited about a zombie love story?"

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

The Infected: Fogo Island (3)


three: inside the boat


The man named Connor keeps his eyes on the horizon, guiding the motorboat - most likely a leisure one - slowly and surely towards the docks that are getting closer and closer. We didn't speak, didn't utter a word throughout the hour long trip. It was better that way; after spending over thirty days without speaking to anyone save Felix and Aleksandra, I didn't feel the confidence nor the desire to strike up a conversation with someone so... He seems so shady.

Instead I let the wind calm me down. Birds are chirping merrily over our heads, oblivious to the malicious activities going on below. How beautiful it must be to sail above the waters, the ravaged lands, the infected humans. Be free of this misery.

I figure Connor could read my thoughts on my face, because he places his hand on my knee and smiles. He mouths It's Okay and returns to navigating the boat towards the island. I take in the gesture and kinda feel silly for doubting his kinship. Surely if he managed to last this long, he had to be a team player. Not everyone is like Aleksandra. I repeat it over and over again, assuring that the motto would never leave me.

We suddenly catch a wave and the swift motion forces my last meal up and I double over the side of the boat, spewing the corn hash I had earlier. Connor laughs and I find myself laughing along with him. I blame the wave but I know why I'm sick. The baby inside me doesn't like this ride.

We finally slow down as we arrive at the docks. There's a woman there, shielding the sun away from her eyes with her right hand. A child, no older then nine or ten, caresses her leg. They both wave.

Connor turns to me.

"That's Leila, she likes to welcome the newbies."

A wave of emotions washes me over. I didn't expect this; a greeting, a sense of family. They were welcoming me home.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

it's bEARTHday!!

bEARTHday - a special time of year dedicated to the celebration of Earth & all its Glory and of course, me! Yes, it's my birthday today! It's a very climatic year for me since it will be my last in my mid-twenties. After that i'll be 27 - at which point I will start saying I am in my late twenties. That part scares me. Dramatically. I still feel like i'm 18, no kidding!

Oh well, as long as i'm not thirty!

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink



Friday, April 20, 2012

Feelgood Friday: Shit with Pigtails


Ah! It's Friday again! Yay! And if this photo doesn't make you feel good, I don't know what can!! A candid photo my friend took during our trip to Quebec City, Canada. It's suppose to be a cinnamon stick but clearly it's a drooling piece of turd with pigtails!




Have a good weekend!!

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Robyn: Show me French Love - Cobrastyle


When I talk about Robyn, most people have one of two reactions: they ask me what the fuck Robyn is and what that eats during winter OR they reference her chart-topping US hit Show me Love. Neither of those reactions seem suitable to me because Robyn should be known by the world AND should be known for her recent efforts which kick Show me Love out of the park.

When Robyn dissapeared from North American radios, so did she from my mind. I never even thought twice about her. Sometimes when an artist just vanishes, i'm left wanting more or finding it a pity that they stopped making music. Yeah, didn't happen back in 1996.

Several years later A decade and several years later while watching an episode of So You Think You Can Dance, I noticed that one of the featured songs - Cobrastyle - was a musical effort taken from Robyn.

Robyn is a common name but in the music world, one can't just take the name of another and so I knew that the odd electro funk song was genuinely from the same Robyn who gave us the god-awful 90's powerhouse pop ballad Show me Love.

And so in 2008 - twelve years after I last heard her music - I was able to renew that musical relationship with the blonde girl from Sweden. With immense zeal I share with you Robyn's timeline.






















 Marie-Mai, a Quebec singer who was discovered thanks to Star Académie (a very succesful francophone singing competition) translated the song into french for her upcoming fourth studio album. She has yet to give a name to the album or a release date. She covered the song and released it as Sans Cri ni Haine (Without Screaming nor Hatred). She kept the meaning of the song (tell your ex to move on but do it nicely because he/she still has feelings for you). Anyhow, here's the lyrics video - which seem to be popular nowadays.





So yeah, that sums it up quite nicely. And that SNL performance is off the charts!


Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink





Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The Infected: Fogo Island (2)


two: across the sea

I can see it coming closer. The boat that came to pick up Felix yesterday. It glimmers in the sunlight, its powerful rays blinding me if I dare look too long. But this is a good sign. Hopefully.

I empty everything that can be useful from the Jeep; canned goods, knives, and makeshift weapons. I consider bringing my cardigan with me but for some reason, I have a feeling that's how mom has been tracking me. I contemplate my yellow cardigan, review the evidence inside my head and come to the conclusion that I should dump it in the Atlantic Ocean.

I lug everything to the docks, making several trips to accomplish the task. The boat is nearing but still too far for me to make out any of the shadows that appear on the boat. I sit down by the rocks, and I feel safe for the first time since Victoria attacked me. I don't even check behind me, don't even bother to keep my guard up.

"I miss you David." I find myself saying in a whisper, playing with the rocks by my feet.

He would have loved it here; the grandeur, the refreshing breeze, all of it. David would have thrived had Aleksandra not followed us. I still play the event over in my mind, attempting to find an explanation for that bitch's actions.

As if giving me a sign from above, a gentle breeze caresses me. The saltiness in the air reminds me of our summer vacations at the Cape. Three weeks out of the year I would spend them running on the beach and making sandcastles with David.

The boat finally arrives at the docks and I place my hand above my eyes to hide the sun's blinding rays. I catch a glimpse of a man. I can only guess he's in his mid-thirties, has a shaved head and he's wearing clothes fit for a Mexican vacation. I get up just as he gets out and I look again in the boat. I don't see Felix. He walks up the shabby docks and waves at me.

I sit back down and carefully grab the knife from the bag behind me. I hide it behind my back and wave at the man.

There's something wrong here. Felix promised me he would come back. He wouldn't have allowed someone to come back for me without him.

"Where's my friend?" I ask the man when he's finally in ear shot.

"He's back at camp. Poor boy was dehydrated. Told us to come get you." His voice is hoarse, as if he smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. He finally walks up to me and extends his hand in greeting.

"My name is Connor. I'm here to take you across the sea."

I shake his hand and our eyes meet.

"My name is Charlotte. It's a pleasure to meet you."



Sunday, April 15, 2012

LDR SAT: POL RMX



*I know it's Sunday, but I was uber busy yesterday and couldn't wait another day to post this vid!!

I found a really good cover of Blue Jeans by Lana Del Rey on Youtube the other day. It's from Anna Paryło, a polish interior designer with a genuine talent in singing! She radiates off the screen, that's how hot she is. Her accent and the way she pronounces "hip-hup" is so cute. It's one of my favourite covers this year and I really hope this woman gets a break!

And seriously, the wallpaper in the back is kick-ass!



Covers are awesome. It makes you rediscover the song or catch it in a different angle.

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Thursday, April 12, 2012

MY BIRTHDAY LIST




Since my birthday is coming up soon - April 22nd - I figure I'd have some fun and share my bday list. Who doesn't like asking for presents? This will be a piece of cake! (get it...cake...birthday...)





MY BIRTHDAY LIST


10. A Horse - Not because I want one but it seems mandatory

9. Home Gym

8. The Harry Potter DVD Collection!

7. Lana Del Rey Private Concert

6. A GOOD Kettle. One that doesn't chip, leak, or conspire to set your house on fire each and every time you use the goddamn wretched thing!!!!

5. A Lifetime Supply of Cheese Curds

4. A Meeting with Stephen King

3. A Clone of Myself. He does the working.

2. $50 Million Dollars

1. A Fucking Vaccum that Actually Vaccums.




If only I could get half of that list including #2, I'd be happy!

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Whatever Wednesday: Penny Goodbye!


Well, it is time to say au revoir to our brown coin. With the announcement of the new budget, it has been decided that production of the Canadian penny will stop this Fall.

It's going to be weird not seeing 2,3,4,6,7,8,9's in the total price. Everything will finish with either a 5 or a 0. That concept scares me.

Another thing i'm deadly afraid of is the 0.01$ candies. What will happen to them? WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM?




*Sigh* Life as we know it changes again.

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Infected: Fogo Island (1)

one: piecing the puzzle

The tide is low at this time of year. There's a thin coat of snow covering the rocks that separate the ocean from the forest. I'm rummaging through the box of clothes in the Jeep and my heart stops when I pull out a leather jacket. The embroidery around the collar. I recognize this. The leather jacket belongs to my mother. I drop it back in the box and sit down on the rear bumper.

I lookout at the ocean, the vaste body of water that seperates me from Felix. I miss his touch even though he's only been gone for a few hours. My thoughts drift back to my discovery.

Why is her jacket there?

I contemplate the scenarios that could explain this, every situation imaginable running through my mind like some freak slideshow. How did David end up with my mother's jacket? I could put my hand in fire that she was wearing it when she returned to Tokyo.

She was in a hurry that day, couldn't even take a minute to kiss me goodbye. She was in town for only a week, all in the name of business though. Grams was just about to make me supper when mom had rushed back inside the house, claiming she had forgotten something upstairs. I remember thinking how beautiful she was with her hair loose. How stunning she looked in that leather jacket.

I turn around and pull the jacket out of the box. I hug it, smell mom's perfume that still lingers on the fabric. I forget about the carnage, the death, and the bastards that lurk the cities. I can't supress the fact that she may have something to do with everything that is happening. But still, she's my mom. I miss her.

I can lie and say I'm not crying but that would serve no purpose in telling my story. I'm crying for many different reasons. Because grams and David are dead; because I'm alone on a shore, uncertain about my future; because I'm fucking pregnant.

In a fit of anger I throw the jacket to the ground and hear something clatter against the rocks. I kneel down and look in the side pockets but find nothing. I'm about to throw it back in the Jeep when I remember the hidden pocket in the inside of the jacket, just at the lower back. Mom would always keep a photo of her mom there. She said it protected her.

The breeze picks up and a sudden chill invades me. I jump inside the Jeep and fire it up. I finally take a peak in the hidden pocket and my fingers touch something cold and metallic. Not what I was expecting. I pull out the object and the sight of it baffles me.

A GPS.

"What the fuck..." I whisper, contemplating the tracking device. It's a touch screen and out of curiousity I press the menu icon. The screen goes black and then two new icons appear. One labelled Robert Scott and the other one is...

Charlie.

Oh my God. My mother is alive.

Monday, April 09, 2012

Inside the Arena: A Hunger Games Review


One of the most anticipated films of the year has been released a few weeks ago and received international praise, both from the fan community and the critics' circles. I am of course referring to the smash hit The Hunger Games, the first movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-selling Hunger Games trilogy. 

It had been decided, after I introduced the book to my friend Liane, that we would be enjoying this dark dystopia tale togheter. Going to the movies has been less frequent lately mainly because crowd-control is an issue. There is always a pesky pack of punks trying to ruin the experience for everyone. This time was just the same. But through the noise of teenagedom, I was able to thoroughly enjoy this!!

Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig, Amandla Stenberg
What's it About: Set in a distant future where political control has become an annual pageant presented live on national television. The twist that awaits the viewers is that the pageant is really a violent match to the death between children of the empoverished districts that are already forced to work hard to provide goods to the greedy capital. When Primrose Everdeen is chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, her older sister Katniss volunteers to spare her sister the horrible fate of being plunged into the Arena.
Review: I wasn't expecting much - mainly because adaptations rarely live up to the book. But I was plesantly surprised with the turn out. Sure, it wasn't as gore or action-packed as the book but they kept the essential element: that these are children fighting to the death. The actors they cast were brilliant at bringing Panem to life. The subtlety behind every action reallys tells the story, which in the book is seen from a first-person point of view. We understand why Katniss employs a certain strategy to make it to the end without her explicitly telling us so. We understand the relationship between Prim and Katniss is a lot stronger and tighter then their relationship with their mom, without Katniss blatantly pointing it out for us. The work is subtle, the action is there, and the end message is raw, gritty, and hopefully thought-provoking for some.
Rating: 8/10









The movie is still in theatres, still going strong. If you haven't seen it on the big screen, this is the perfect time to go : kids have already seen it. Hopefully, you won't be bothered throughout the viewing! Enjoy!

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink





Friday, April 06, 2012

Keep Calm and Carrie On


OMG - the event to surpass all events is just around the corner. Have you all heard the news? No? Okay, okay, I might be a little ahead of myself here but there are rumours of a possible Carrie remake. You know, the pigs blood, the creepy eyes, the gym on fire? Basically, the ultimate bully-revenge movie is about to get remade!


Sissy Spacek as Carrie in the 1976 original movie.
If that wasn't sex-noises to your ears, wait til you get a hold of this: Chloë Moretz (Hugo, Kick-Ass) has been selected to play the part of Carrie White. Although she wouldn't be my first pick (Dakota Fanning is - and I still think she would be brilliant in the role) i'm happy nonetheless that they chose a star who is ACTUALLY age appropriate for a movie centered around high school drama. It's going to be directed by Kimberly Peirce, the mastermind behind Boys Don't Cry and Stop-Loss.

The timing is perfect as this movie couldn't be any more relevant with all the anti-bullying movements going on around the country.
In theory, this is awesome. I mean, it's the best news since I found out Under The Dome might get the TV treatment. Carrie was the first Stephen King novel I read. When I watched that movie way back in the 90's, I had never experienced hype - or a sense of wanting and/or longing for something more. That movie created that feeling inside me. When the credits rolled, I noticed in small print the following:

"Based on the novel "Carrie" by Stephen King"

Now, it has to be said, I wasn't much of a reader back then. Sure, I was always at the library; I loved books, I just didn't read them. So when I went to the Aylmer public library the following day, I picked up the book and decided to give it a try. I found a spot in the beanie bag corner and started to read Carrie.

Can I state that this movie/book combination stirred something in me, brought me to where I am now - what with a love for horror movies, books, and writing - Yeah, I think I can. Factor in my french teacher's writing exercises and my active imagination, and you have there the cocktail of my foundation.

Carrie - Fanmade Poster
A teaser poster from FirstShowing

It just sucks balls that the movie comes out in 2013. After whatever it is that's suppose to kill us in 2012. *sigh*

Candles are out,
Eleven's ink

 

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Under The Dome Fantasy Cast


I'm such a procrastinator. This post was meant for last week.

Stephen King novels are perfect foundations for movies or television series: Frank Darabont made a career out of adapting King novels into succesful movies (The Mist, The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile); Carrie (1976) saw two of its stars nominated for Academy Awards (Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie). The Shining turned Jack Nicholson into a household name.


And so it was pretty delightful to learn that there is whispers of a possible Under The Dome television adaptation. The story centers around Dale Barbara, an army veteran who is called back into duty when Chester's Mill - a sleepy cottage town - is suddently, and inexplainably, shut off from the rest of the world. A forcefield nicknamed "The Dome" is sealing off the residents of Chester's Mill creating political envy, deadly powertrips, and hallucinations of Halloween.

Showtime has expressed interest in broadcasting the series but nothing is set in stone as of now.

This "Top Ten" list serves two purposes: Listing the ten characters I find interesting enough to be carried forward into the series AND assigning them an actor I see portraying the character in question.


John Goodman as "Big" Jim Rennie
Big Jim is a used car salesman, in every sense of the word. He is on city council and runs it with an iron fist. The most evil son-of-a-bitch i've ever seen in print. Once he realises the benefits of being sealed off from the world, he doesn't hesitate to abuse of them.

John Goodman would be perfect as the cunning yet short-tempered Jim Rennie. He's proved he could be versatile and he could pull off the charming sarcasm that rolls off Big Jim's fat ugly tongue!


Greg Kinnear as Dale "Barbie" Barbara
Barbie is fairly new to the town and gets to know - and befriend - the locals of Chester's Mill through his job as a cook at Sweetbriar Rose's. But when the town is sealed off and murders begin while bodies pile up, fingers are pointed and most are pointed straight at Barbie.

I can only picture Greg Kinnear when I think of Barbie. Not everyone could pull off the name Barbie and still look tough doing so. I have a feeling Kinnear could do that; he still carries boyish looks while maintaining an air of maturity. He would murder this part. No pun intended.



Patricia Heaton as Julia Shumway
Julia Shumway is the town reporter and Barbie's strongest ally. She has serious balls and demonstrates it time and time again; negotiating deals with the upper echelon of the army, advocating Barbie's innocence, and going against the supreme fuckin' ruler, Big Jim.

This one was actually a toss up between Heaton and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. But I went with Patricia Heaton because she has that imposing energy that Julia Shumway portrays. She could bring forth the character's brash approach to situations.



Topher Grace as Junior Rennie
Junior is not feeling so well lately. He suffers migraines that lead him to do unspeakable things that changes the town forever. Along with his dad, Junior Rennie helps to create a blanket of fear over the town and quickly emerges as Chester's Mill's most disturbed resident.

I can't remember exactly when I thought of Topher Grace playing Junior, but he would fit perfectly well in Junior's skin. He has that odd, creepy factor about him when he tries. And it's about time Grace comes back to television!!



Adam Scott as Eric "Rusty" Everett
Rusty is a paramedic-turned-doctor-under-crisis and general cool dude in town. He has a pretty laid back attitude but only before the "Dome" comes down over Chester's Mill. When he realises the schemes of power-hungry Jim Rennie, Rusty begins an investigation into the cause of this "Dome".

Adam Scott embodies the laid-back stereotype; shaggy hair, squaggly limbs, and dopey eyes. And he's proven his acting chops in drama (The Vicious Kind).



Ivana Milicevic as Linda Everett
Just another "tiddy cop" according to Big Jim. Linda is Rusty's wife and mother of his two kids. She also serves as an acting police officer but once the town becomes a playing ground for Jim Rennie, her loyalty is put in question.

There are several underused actors out there and Ivana Milicevic is one of them. She would play the protective mother type brilliantly! She's sweet yet stern when need be. If this character is well developped in the series, Ivana Milicevic could emerge as the shining star. (Biased! I love Ivana's work and Linda's character)


Kevin Durand as Peter Randolph
The dumb ass deputy who inherits the reigns of Chester's Mill Police Department when Sheriff Duke Perkins dies mere moments after the "Dome" covers the town. He follows Big Jim's every orders without question, leading him to act in unsheriff like ways.

Kevin Durand was on LOST and I hated his character so much! And when Peter Randolph sank deeper into Rennie's twisted plot, I couldn't help but to think of Durand. No offense Kevin Durand, but you seem like you could play a sheep looking for its shepherd quite effortlessly.



Glenne Headly as Reverend Piper Libby
There is something to say about Stephen King's rather comic portrayal of religious figures in his novel. They are either zealous (Reverend Lester Coggins) or rather disgruntled towards God. as is Reverend Piper Libby. I personally find her character compelling and charming, if only because of her odd relationship with God ("Hey Not-There!").

Glenne Headly was Tess fucking Trueheart in Dick Tracy. Just like I pictured Kinnear as Barbie, Headly is the first image I had of Piper Libby. Looks all sweet and innocent but packs a mean punch!



Chandler Canterbury as Joe McClatchey
Joe is a thirteen year old boy who sees the corruption before anyone else. He's rebellious at heart but tackles the difficult task of seeking the source of the "Dome".

Canterbury seems to be everywhere lately, appearing in Knowing, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and has television appearences in Fringe and Criminal Minds. He's the right age and could easily play the part of the rampant teen. Anyone BUT the kid who plays Carl in The Walkind Dead.



Samaire Armstrong as Samantha "Sammy" Bushey
By far the most touching character in the entire story - and there is a shitload of characters. Sure, she lives in a trailer, married a meth-head, named her kid Little Walter, and engages in lesbian activity but the abuse she suffers and the subsequent revenge she plots on her abusers is unsettling. A perfect character for dramatic television.

Armstrong fits the mold perfectly! She can play stank n' skank like no other as proven with her performance in Stay Alive. And she can pull off the emotional scenes that seem to encompass Sammy's life.




Agree or disagree with this fantasy cast? What character would you like to see on the small screen?

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...