Shirley Jackson's "Hill House"...

The subject of haunted houses is a staple of ghost stories. Usually they are structures old and rundown. They always seem to have a history of despair and death, past events leaving their imprint on the physical structure. They can be rundown and abandoned, or rundown and inhabited, the potential haunts lying quietly still in the deep shadows and dark recesses. 'Still', that is, until something ‘wakes’ them up.

Haunted houses are by far my favorite main component of a good horror tale. You can have your films about Freddie, Jason, and Leather Face. I prefer stories in a paranormal vein. Mysterious bumps and bangs. Random disembodied voices. Doors swinging shut on their own. Cold spots. What scares (and intrigues) me are things heard, but not seen. Felt, but not seen. Then there are the manifestations we do see, but usually out of the corner of our eye. Mists, orbs, apparitions. If science can’t explain it away…fascinating.

The above paragraph is the very first of the masterful haunted house novel, “The Haunting of Hill House”. Of the haunted house variety of ghost stories I have read, it is by far the best. An absolute classic. At the center of the story is ‘Hill House’ (as much a participant in the story as the human characters), an 80 year old mansion, built by the rich Hugh Crain.

After a search and sorting process, anthropologist Dr. John Markway, selects a couple of individuals to accompany him to ‘Hill House’ for an investigation into the paranormal. Theodora, a psychic, and Eleanor, a young woman who has had some poltergeist experiences. The house is said to be extremely haunted, and Markway hopes to prove whether or not ghosts exist. A fourth person is added to the team in the form of the current owner’s nephew, Luke Sanderson (he hopes to one day inherit Hill House).

(Shirley  Jackson)

It is a riveting read from start to finish. Jackson wove a perfect spook tale. Not only does the reader get to know each character and the ‘chinks’ they possess, we get to experience the house right along with them.

For me to give a broader critique would be a disservice to any potential reader(s) of the story. There have been film versions (which I will get into in just a second), but I strongly recommend that you read the novel whether you have seen the film(s), or not. It is only 154 pages in length. I was able to find a PDF copy online, so all you need is a PDF reader (you can download one for free).

You can find the PDF here: http://1800homechat.webstarts.com/uploads/Jackson__Shirley_-_The_Haunting_of_Hill_House.pdf

The first (and best) movie production of “The Haunting” was directed by Robert Wise.  If the name rings a bell, he has quite an impressive list of directing accomplishments. Here is a short list of some of my favorites:

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951)
“West Side Story” (1961)
“The Sound of Music” (1965)
“The Andromeda Strain” (1971)
“Audrey Rose” (1977)

Wise would produce and direct, “The Haunting”, in 1963. He chose to film it in Black & White, a decision that really paid off. It adds to the eerie quality of the piece. The sets, lighting, and camera angles are masterful. The scary sounds used are also perfect. I heard an interview with some of the actors talking about how Wise would play the various sounds (previously unheard by them) on set to add to the creative mood.

As for the setting for the film, the exterior shots of “Hill House” were shot at a home in Warwickshire, England. Built in 1858, Eatington Park (now known as Ettington Park) is a neo-gothic Mansion near Stratford Upon Avon.

Photos above: The earliest photo I found was the house as it looked in 1946 (top); the photo in the middle is taken from the 1963 film; the bottom photo is how Ettington Park looks today, as a working hotel.  

Like a number of mansions, Ettington Park has its own stories of ghosts. There have been accounts reported of phantom children playing on the grounds, and the manifestation of a mad woman roaming through corridors.

(Left to right:  Bloom, Tamblyn, Harris, Johnson)

“The Haunting” (1963) does not have a huge cast. The prominent players are as follows: Richard Johnson as “Dr. John Markway”; Claire Bloom as “Theodora”/”Theo”; Julie Harris as “Eleanor Lance”; Russ Tamblyn as “Luke Sanderson”. None of them disappoint. Watching the strangers come together for a common purpose, within an environment they know nothing about (except the Doctor, of course). They all are affected by what transpires, but none more so than Eleanor, the weak and naive member of the team who spent years taking care of her dying mother.

Again, I am reluctant to share further as I don’t want to ruin things for any that haven’t seen it yet. It is a prime example of a good ‘haunting’ story that had the luxury of being produced prior to the advent of CGI. The advances in the special effects of today have made movie going a disappointing experience in many cases. Hollywood is relying on the “bells and whistles” rather than the plot and story at the core. Are there effects in the 1963 adaptation of “The Haunting”? Yes, but they act as a story enhancement…they don’t take over like many films of today.

1999 would see a second adaptation, also called “The Haunting”. This is a prime example of what I mentioned about “bells and whistles”. Is it a good looking film? Gorgeous. The set decoration is really beautifully done. The effects are…well, some are good, others are ‘cheesy’. Jan de Bont directed this mess. I have heard that he has a habit of rewriting scripts during filming, and that could explain what happened here. It came across like a bad “Scooby Doo” story.

De Bont had a stellar cast, too. Owen Wilson portrays “Luke Sanderson”; Lili Taylor is “Nell”; Catherine Zeta-Jones is “Theo”; Liam Neeson is “Dr. Marrow”. At first I was ecstatic when I heard that a new film was coming out. Then I read an article about the premiere. Apparently, Neeson left early on, embarrassed and furious about how bad it was. I don’t know about you, but to me that’s a bad sign…

My recommendation is:

• Read the book.
• See the 1963, Ray Wise directed, “The Haunting”.
• Only see the 1999, Jon de Bont directed, “The Haunting”, if there is nothing else on…and maybe not even then...

"Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil"...Small World, Small Savannah...

(Photo:  Lisa Erin Brown)

Savannah, Georgia.  Quaint, historical, and southern.  It can also be described as 'enchanting', but in a moody mystical sense.  At the end of November I will have lived here 4 years.  Doesn't feel like it has been that long.  At all.

I had visited Savannah a few times when I was a kid.  Family vacations.  I also visited the town's famous 'River Street', when I attended college in Statesboro. If you didn't want to party on the Georgia Southern campus, Savannah was the 'go-to' place.

I have a few Savannah based memories from those past visits.  However, after 1997, when/if Savannah came up in conversation, the immediate reference point most people threw out was a movie, "Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil".  Based on the book of the same name (penned by John Berendt), the movie showed viewers a different side to the one usually seen by tourists.  Based around an actual murder trial from the early-1980's, it would show a quirky world inhabited by a cast of characters who were/are indeed "characters".

My boyfriend grew up here. In Savannah.  One night we were channel surfing, and we came across an airing of the film.  As I remember, Glenn hadn't seen it in it's entirety, so we tuned in.  The first thing I would learn was that "Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil" the movie, is referred to as 'the movie' among Savannah's citizens.  Same goes for 'the book'.  I had seen the movie a few times since it's release, but with Glenn's familiarity with a number of the characters, it was like watching it for the first time.

A tidbit regarding the statue that has become a recognizable symbol for the film.  Owned by the Trosdale family, the "Bird Girl" could be found in the historic and beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery.  As a regular cemetery photographer, I have visited the Bonaventure many times.  Unfortunately, the "Bird Girl" (named "Little Wendy" by the family) was removed not long after release of the film.  Traffic to the statue's site increased (I have heard that there was fear of statue theft), so the family moved her out.  'She' can now be publicly viewed at the 'Academy of Arts & Sciences' here in Savannah.

("Jim Williams"~ Kevin Spacey; "Billy Hanson" ~ Jude Law)

The Clint Eastwood directed film is more than worth the watch.  Especially with the knowledge that the cast are based on actual people.  In some cases, the actual people are playing themselves.  As I already mentioned, the movie is based on the murder trial (actually there were 4 trials in total) of Jim Williams, a well to do antiques dealer and historical benefactor.  He restored a number of buildings in Savannah, including the Mercer House where he lived up until his death.  The murder at the core of the film was the shooting death of Billy Hanson (the name of the real victim was Danny Hansford).  Williams had pulled the trigger.

(Left:  Jim Williams; Right:  Kevin Spacey)

Kevin Spacey plays the charming and slightly sinister, Jim Williams.  Spacey plays Williams with an air of "I know something you don't know".  The type of person one believes, but there is always a tiny question mark attached.

(Left:  Jude Law; Right:  Danny Hansford)

Jude Law plays the victim, Billy Hanson (the name used in the film).  Law portrays a young man who is definitely from the wrong side of the tracks, and wields a nasty temper.  The key character who acts as the 'thread' of the film is John Kelso, a writer portrayed by John Cusack.  I have not read the book yet (it's on my list), but I am assuming that Kelso is the reflection of Berendt, the book's author.

(Emma Kelly)

Williams has a holiday party every year that is the talk of Savannah.  'Town & Country Magazine' had wanted to cover the affair for years.  Williams finally gives in, but with a catch.  He gets to pick the articles writer.  Enter virtually unknown author, John Kelso...his book hardly sold, but Williams had read it. The party is Kelso's introduction to the world of Savannah, but post party as he is getting ready to leave, the unplanned murder happens.  Deciding to stick around for awhile to work on a book about the case, Kelso embarks on a pseudo-odyssey that unfolds into a writer's dream.

(Chablis Deveau)

This is where the ensemble starts to present its many parts.  I would learn that the older woman playing the piano at Williams holiday soiree is Emma Kelly, 'Lady of 6,000 Songs'.  The Emma in the film is the real McCoy.  Playing Jim's holiday party is something she did every year.  Emma received her nickname from Savannah son, Johnny Mercer.  Mercer challenged her to play any song he named...and she did.  He estimated she probably knew 6,000 songs just from memory.  Ms. Kelly passed away in 2001.

Chablis Deveau, a.k.a. the Lady Chablis, is also the real deal.  By far my favorite character of the film, she steals every scene she is in.  Glenn (my boyfriend) had run sound/lights for her a number of times when he was a teenager.  Chablis still performs here in town.  I need to keep an eye out for her future shows.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big fan of drag queens.  Chablis helped pave the way for the queens of today.  I look forward to one day checking out her show.

(Sonny Seiler & Uga)

Character actor, Jack Thompson, plays Savannah lawyer, Sonny Seiler. Sonny was actually Jim Williams' second attorney, working the case through trials 2, 3, and 4.  Interestingly enough, the real Sonny Seiler is in the movie as 'Judge White'. Wonder what that was like for Thompson, having the man he's portraying sitting on the other side of the room?  The Seiler of the film owns 'Uga' (pronounced 'Uh-guh'), the University of Georgia mascot.  In fact, Seiler owns the line of White English Bulldogs that have served as UGA's mascot since 1956.

Other characters...the Voo Doo woman, the "invisible dog" walker...all real people.  Watching 'the movie' again gave me a new appreciation for the eccentric town I live in.  Actually, there is a specific reason for my writing this post...a newspaper article Glenn pointed out to me.

(Dr. Metts)

As one of many American citizens that don't have the luxury of medical benefits, but who require check-ups and medications, I am thankful to have a medical clinic available to me.  I personally have a few conditions that I need medications for, but one of my conditions requires meds...if I don't take meds, I could die.  It almost claimed me once already.  Anyway, since moving to Savannah, I have been seeing my doctor for about 4 years now.  At 80 years old, I have best described Dr. Metts as being an "old country doctor".  Very laid back, but that works for me.  He listens to what I tell him in regards to how I have been since my last check-up.  That's huge.  I don't feel like I'm being glossed over.  I have no complaints about the care I have gotten from him, not even about the jokes he tells.  Here's an example:

A man answers his phone, and it's his doctor.  The doctor says, "Your test results are back.  I've got some bad news, and I've got some terrible news." The man says, "Okay, doc, give me the bad news first."  The doctor says, "You've only got 24 hours to live."  The man is stunned.  After a moment he asks, "And the terrible news?"  The doc says, "I forgot to call you yesterday."

Hot-cha!  "He'll be here all week, people!  Try the veal."  I dig old jokes, so it's okay...

Savannah is a well known town, but in the grand scheme it is rather small. There are days where something happens that reminds me of just how small. Enter the newspaper article.  I sit down next to Glenn on the sofa and he pokes his finger at the newspaper page in his hand.  Something about Dr. Metts.  It turns out that for the last 40 years, Dr. Metts has been the Chatham County coroner.  This year he is planning to run for re-election to the post.  Another 4 years.  He says he's in great health, and doesn't plan on going 'anywhere' any time soon.  (Actually, I was shocked when I found out he was 80.)  Now for his connection with the story in 'the book/movie'.  He was the coroner on the Williams trial.  According to the newspaper article, it was Dr. Metts who concluded that Williams shot Hansford out of anger, and then tried to make it look like self-defense.  (The online version of the article can be found here.) What are the odds?  I'm going to be paying him a visit in a couple of days. Maybe I'll ask him about it.  Interesting stuff...

As for the actual case, Jim Williams is the only person in Georgia history to be tried 4 times for the same crime.  As portrayed in the movie, in 1981 Williams shot Hansford in his home, Mercer House.  He was convicted a couple of times, but appeals were made; contradictory evidence got sentences over-turned, and new trial dates; a hung jury caused a mistrial in trial three; and in the fourth and final trial in Augusta, Georgia, 1989, the jury came back after one hour with 'not guilty'.  At the end of 'the movie', Williams has a heart attack and falls dead next to the spot where Hanson dies.  In reality?  It is true that Williams died six months after his 'not guilty' verdict.  He is said to have died from pneumonia and heart failure at the age of 59.  Some say he fell dead in his study in the exact spot he would have died if Hansford had shot him first.  The record says that he did die at home, but in the hallway outside of the study. Well, wherever Jim Williams died, it's a fascinating story.

"Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil".  'The movie'.  Whatever you choose to call it, if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.  The flavor of Savannah is in there.  The people of Savannah are in there.  It's a fascinating case.

"The Lantern" By Deborah Lawrenson...

It has been awhile since I have read a book that pulled me in to the point of complete absorption.  Until I cracked open my copy of 'The Lantern'.  It is an engaging 'sensory' experience.  Through the written word, Deborah Lawrenson pulls us into a well crafted story peopled with full and vivid characters.  Her environmental descriptions (from rooms and landscapes, to accompanying scents) made it feel as if I were actually there witnessing it all first hand.  It kept me involved from beginning to end...and it ended well.  *grin* For those that have read other reviews of mine, how a story ends is important to me as a reader.  I do not want to be left hanging, whether the book is the first in a series or not.  'The Lantern' did not leave me hanging.  It is a very satisfying read.

The story begins in Switzerland when Eve (whose perspective the majority of the story is told from) meets handsome Dom.  Their romance is the definition of 'whirlwind', and Dom's need to own a certain bit of property takes them to Provence, France and the Luberon.  On the property is their new home, an abandoned house called Les Genevriers. Living in her new environs, Eve is thrust into a world of mysteries where she discovers that Dom has a lot of mystery and secrets of his own...an ex-wife that he refuses to talk about is at the heart of it all. Rachel, the mysterious ex, rapidly becomes Eve's obsession.

A peripheral story runs alongside Eve's.  Benedicte Lincel, the former owner of the house, has her own story of life at Les Genevriers in years past.  She was surrounded by mysteries of her own.  As both stories unfold, they become enmeshed.  'The Lantern' is interesting and engaging to the very end.  

A major player throughout the book is the South of France.  From the hills, to the abundant fruit trees, to the fields of lavendar, Deborah describes everything in vivid focus.  Fitting that the perfume industry enter into the mix.

I will say I did get some small tastes of what was to come upon the release of 'The Lantern'.  Months ago, I became...I guess you could call it 'Blog Buddies' with Deborah. *grin*  Her blog is really lovely, she shares a lot about her experiences and her life in Provence.  Much of her personal experiences (including the house) are the setting for 'The Lantern'.  When we first became acquainted, I didn't know she was a published writer.  I have since discovered other titles of hers I plan to check out.  'The Lantern' is her first US release, her others being european releases.  During the time that I have been reading her blog, Deborah has posted snippets from 'The Lantern' salient to the place/event she wrote about.  I was very excited to read the book in its entirety, and now that I have, I am not disappointed in the least.  Beautifully written, and highly recommended. 

"Sounds and Furies: Seven Faces of Darkness" by Tanith Lee

A few weeks ago, I was on amazon to pre-order a book. Since they have free standard shipping on orders of $25 or more, I decided to take a little time to browse. There wasn't anything in particular that I wanted to look for, other than the pre-order. Always one to keep my eyes open for books I haven't read by favorite authors, I checked to see if there were any Tanith Lee titles. I have read a lot of Ms. Lee's books, but had not seen her book "Sounds and Furies" before. That rounded out my $25 sale...free shipping status achieved.

I enjoy a good short story. One of my favorites is "The Legend of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, although I consider it to be more of a novella due to it's 246 page length. As with any novel, I feel a short story should have a relatively distinct beginning, middle, and end. Even if the story goes on in future volumes. Having said that, there have been short stories I have enjoyed that contained just enough information about the situation the author is describing to then leave what happens next open to speculation. A primary rule of thumb for me when reading someones work is, 'when you reach the end, don't leave me hanging'. With short stories I seem to be a tad more lenient on that point. There is a difference between leaving a reader hanging, and causing a reader to become involved in your story enough to get them thinking about it. Leaving a reader 'thinking' is a key element to most short stories because after all...they are short.

Tanith Lee has a rather intense way with words. Her vocabulary is great, and she uses her knowledge of words artfully. Creating worlds of darkness...worlds on the flip-side of the mirror...she plays to the visceral. Her worlds can be garishly lush, or stark, but all play to the senses. Her worlds of darkness and the macabre are enticing. They lure you in and caress you (some more than others...a number of her tales have rather intense sexual encounters). I find her books to be page turners, and I have enjoyed consuming every book of hers that I have read...with her vast bibliography, that's a lot of books. She takes the more conventional subjects of vampires, witches, werewolves, dark and mysterious subjects in general, and turns them on their heads putting her spin on things by creating her individual worlds/interpretations. Are her works everyone's cup of tea? I have recommended her to a number of people, and have found things at a 50/50 enjoyment rate. Not everyone can groove on her writing style. For those who can't, it's their huge loss...

"Sounds and Furies: Seven Faces of Darkness" is a collection of Tanith's short stories, all of which have been published before in various publications ranging from 1987, to the present. Thankfully, I had not read any of them before. I find it so irritating when short stories are republished ad nauseum in short story collection after collection. One or two fell a bit short for me, but all have the vibe I have come to identify with Tanith's work. When I finished the book I was far from disappointed.

• The first story in the collection "Where All Things Perish" is a period piece based around a fictional religious order known as the Lilyites, and a vacant house. The story tellers aunt lives near said house, and she fills him in on the homes history...it was once owned by a devotee of the Lilyite way, who believing his wife a witch, locks and bricks her up in the attic.
• The next "Midday People" centers around a woman who is visiting Spain (from what I could tell) with her husband. The marriage is far from a happy one, the husband being verbally abusive, and an all around jerk. This story centers around Chrissie, the wife, who one day notices a beautiful young couple in the square. Living in such a horrible situation, Chrissie starts to live vicariously through the couple, wondering who they are, etc. Ignoring the local custom of noon Siesta, Chrissie stays out to see her young couple as that's when they daily appear. Before long she gets a closer look at the two beautiful people (or are they) and she becomes 'entangled'.
• "Cold Fire" is the one story I couldn't get into, a rarity for me when reading Tanith's work. The character's are on board a ship and are hired to tow an iceberg in a designated direction. All of the crew fall ill (due to some bad hooch) except one who tells us the tale. This story was written in a form I couldn't pin down which kept me from being able to immerse myself in the story. Cockney, Jamaican, a broken English with a Russian edge...no idea. Unfortunately, it made this one kind of a throw-away for me.
• "Crying In The Rain" is an intriguing story that I felt to be set in a post-apocalyptic world...in the future, at any rate. Life expectancies appear to be greatly shortened as the outside air is rather toxic, and rain carries some sort of contagion that is always fatal. The rich live under domes. The story centers around a mother and her children, and the potential sale of her eldest to a rich man.
• "We all Fall down" is a very short piece. News reports globally that massive rose vines are growing everywhere. Ring-around-the-rosies....
• One of my favorites in the collection was "The Beautiful And The Damned By F. Scott Fitzgerald". There is a virus going around. Once it infects a person, it corrects any imperfections making the carrier absolutely beautiful. Why? To entice others to come closer...and to get infected.
• The final story is "The Isle Is Full Of Noises", one of Tanith's forays into the world of vampires. Her world, anyway. Yse (pronounced Yeez) is a woman writer living in an island of buildings. The city she lived in on The Sound was flooded, but some still live in this island of glass and metal. One day a piano washes up on the tree that has taken root by her apartment. This tale skirts both the real (as far as this fictional world) and the fictional (in the form of a dark story Yse is writing). A man she has a bit of a sad infatuation with is the inspiration for her story. As with all of her vampire tales, Tanith injects her ample and dark imagination into the creation of hers. There is also a heavy presence of dark sexuality, and she is very descriptive (as she frequently is). Other authors who use similar sexual encounters in their books, without Tanith's mind and articulation, can end up creating a repellent, rather than pulling a reader deeper in. (There is a fine line between an intrinsic sexual encounter, and gratuitous porn.) This tale exhibited all of the markings that I have come to know with her work.

Over all a fine read. Each story brings the reader into a different and intriguing world. There is the exception of "Cold Fire"...had I known where the language originated it might have improved things. (Interesting how one detail like that can take the wind out of a story...) The one that I could have used more from was "We All Fall Down". A very intriguing threat to the world...rampant rose vines. To readers who enjoy entering the occasional dark place, I highly recommend "Sounds And Furies".

Harry Potter, The Final Installment...

Sitting in a slightly manky, virtually empty theater, I waited for the lights to dim. Wednesday was my birthday, and seeing the final installment of the Harry Potter saga on a big screen was one of my presents. To say that I had waited with anticipation to see this last film, well...big understatement. Settling into the dingy and old theater seat, the time crept up on 3:00 PM, Thursday afternoon, when the movie was scheduled to start. After several previews, that is. Finally those ended, and the theater darkened for the main attraction..."Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows, Part 2".

Was the movie enjoyable? Yes. Were the effects spectacular? Yes. Was I left with a feeling of satisfaction when the end credits began to roll? Uhm...not really. I shall explain, but I feel it necessary to inform anyone who hasn't seen the film (or read the book), to not read further if they want to approach 'Hallows' with a fresh perspective. I will be giving at least one major spoiler. Okay...you have been warned...moving right along...

(A battered Harry in a crumbling Hogwarts)

The opening hits the ground running. Voldemort has the coveted Elder Wand (one of the Deathly Hallows...Harry has the other two: the resurrection stone, and the invisibility cloak), and our intrepid trio is well into their quest for the Horcruxes. (Horcruxes being objects that Voldemort used to house portions of his soul. Harry and company were searching out all of the Horcruxes to destroy them...it was the only way that Voldemort could be killed.) I wish that I had watched part one again before seeing part two. I have seen all of the movies, but I have also read all of the books. It was hard at first to get grounded. I couldn't remember what had happened/was included in the first half of the two films, and my mind was a bit of a jumble as it tried to sort out the film from the book. Yes, I knew what was happening whether it was featured in the film or not, but I couldn't get a comfortable grasp on the film's continuity. The frustration was present throughout, but not at a volume that ruined my experience.

(McGonagal casts the spell to rouse Hogwarts' stone guardians)

With the death of Dumbledore, Snape has taken over as headmaster, and Deatheaters and Dementors are everywhere. At the point in the film where Harry returns to Hogwarts in search of the final Horcrux, one of my favorite moments in the film takes place. McGonagal kicks Snape's ass. I know it was in the book, but seeing it on the big screen was awesome! It was brilliant seeing Professor McGonagal (Maggie Smith) flick that wand around with precision, Snape (Alan Rickman) flying out the window. She is such a bad ass!

I'm going to jump over to the scenes where Voldemort, his army of Deatheaters, and his Giant allies, have managed to punch through the magic barrier around Hogwarts. The battle is well done. (Another of the great ass kicking moments is here when Mrs. Weasley blows up Beatrix LeStrange.) The good and the bad are dying throughout the castle, and in the process much of Hogwarts is being reduced to rubble. It was all very effective, and I braced myself for the casualties to come. For me these moments fell flat. Seeing the prone and lifeless forms of Tonks and Lupin was sad, but it didn't get me like the book did. Even watching Ron go into a fit of hysterical tears over his brother Fred didn't really get to me, either. I am by no means a person to not be sensitive to moving scenes in a film, but...maybe my expectations were too high. Could anything have been done differently to make it more gut wrenching? Would seeing even one of the casualties fall have made a difference? I don't know. Maybe. Then again, I don't think the actual moments of their deaths was mentioned in the book. I seem to remember that we don't know of their deaths until their lifeless forms are scene in the great hall. Hmm...

(Harry and Voldemort locked in battle)

The final specific moment I want to mention is when Harry and Voldemort lock wands in their final battle. They engage in another round of Priori Incantatem, when their wands get linked by the simultaneous energy beams they produce. Their wills are battling away against one another, while Ron and Hermione try to kill Voldemort's pet snake, Nigiri...the last Horcrux. The big death moment of Tom Riddle a.k.a. Voldemort is...so incredibly disappointing. The sword of Godrick Gryffindor manifests in front of Neville Longbottom, who cuts the snake in half before it can attack Ron and Hermione. Cut to the big duel between Riddle and Potter. Tom gets a worried look on his snake-like visage; Harry registers the change and realizes that Nigiri has been killed; the energy beams between Tom and Harry stop. At that point, I was waiting for the final blows between the two of them to happen. An 'Avada Kedavra' from the big V, and an 'Expelliarmus' from lightning bolt scar boy. Instead? Voldemort just kind of collapses back, looks to the sky, disintegrates, and blows away in a wind. What the...that's it?! This was the big moment?! The biggest of the big...and it was lack luster. It should have been a big showdown, but there wasn't much there. Satisfied, I was not.

(Voldemort and his Deatheaters attack the magical barrier protecting Hogwarts)

I am glad I saw this final film on the big screen. The Harry Potter movies have been the only films I have gone to the theater to see for a number of years now. I have specifically mentioned a few scenes, some good, some not so good. I am not fanatical about it, but in many ways I am definitely a Potter purist. My main critique of this film would be that it was very entertaining and not a complete disappointment, but there were points during the plot thread that should have been punched up a lot more than they were. The final battle being the chief one. I have to say that I am very happy that the movie didn't end with the final battle, and the look at the trio nineteen years into the future follows. Seeing them all married with children acted as a much more satisfying ending to it all. If the film had ended with the battle, it would have rendered all that preceded ineffectual.

In the next few days to come, I am sure that I will continue to ponder what I saw today. Going back and watching part one is also on the agenda. Do I think my opinions will change? No, I really don't think they will. Do I recommend the film? Sure. Don't get me wrong, it is a good film. It's just that after my commitment to the series, I was counting on great. On a scale from one to ten? Hmm...let's see...I would say about a seven, or a seven and a half. If the final battle had been more dramatic (as I think about it more and more, I would love to pop the director in the back of the head for it), then my rating would be a tad higher. After all, the whole series (film and books) led up to that one moment. To that single battle. Oh well...tis done and done.

My Harry Potter experience has been so much fun. I felt a part of that fictional world, and felt I knew each character personally. It is a journey I am happy to have embarked on, and to have seen to the finish. The books left me more than satisfied, right up to the very end. It is the books that I gravitate to anyway. The movies were all very good, but each of the tomes were so wonderful. They held the true magic for me.

Cheers to you, Harry Potter!

"Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children" By Ransom Riggs...

Recently, my boyfriend was ordering some books to fulfill his membership requirements with the Science Fiction Book Club, and as a perk they offered a certain number of freebies. He asked me if there was anything I would like to order. There were a couple of authors that popped off the top of my head, but the club didn't carry any titles by them. That left me to do a quick perusal since he was in the process of placing his order. At a glance, the cover of 'Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children' jumped out at me. After reading the short blurb of a description, I was intrigued. It looked to be something that was 'up my alley', so I chose it. A week or so later, it arrived.

There wasn't a whole lot about the book that was all that original. Sixteen year old Jacob, the central character, works in one of his family's drug stores, a 'pie' he will eventually get a piece of. The story starts off centering mainly on his relationship with his grandfather. The rather eccentric old man regaled a young Jacob with stories of an island where Miss Peregrine looked after an odd assortment of children. They all had special talents/abilities. Tragedy befalls Jacob when his grandfather is seemingly murdered by "monsters". He leaves behind a message for Jacob telling him he must go the island because he will be safe there. I was pretty engaged during that first section of the book, and was hopeful that I would really be in for a ride once he got to the island. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. He does meet up with the peculiar kids, who have abilities such as strength, invisibility, levitation...nothing I haven't seen before. (They kind of struck me as a poor man's 'X-Men'.) Shapeshifting, monsters, time loops, and 80 year olds who look to be ten. Yes, I am leaving out quite a bit of the plot. If I write a review of something, I'm not inclined to say if "the butler did it" in case a reader of said review might want to give the book a go for them self.

From the first page it did grab me, which is usually a good sign. I found the authors' (Ransom Riggs) writing style comfortable in a very casual way. Not to the point of it feeling like it was "written in crayon", but a seemingly easy read that I could jive with. The kick off point to the story and the characters involved also had me wanting to read more. At first it felt like a mystery story with some horror tidbits thrown in, but the horror side didn't really do it's job. There were several points where I feel I should have been at the very least creeped out, but those moments fell disappointingly flat. Once Jacob gets to the island, it loses some of its steam. The genre of the book is one I have spent a lot of time exploring, and much of the book felt...familiar. Like I had visited similar places and witnessed particular events in other books I have read. There was also quite a bit that was easily predicted. No, my assessment so far isn't a glowing one, so I'll get to the one original element that I did appreciate.

One of Riggs' more inspired additions to the book are the collection of vintage photographs that form the spine of the plot. All of the photos are actual pictures, and were not created for the book. At the end of the story, there is a list of the owners/collectors. I don't know for sure, but I think it's a safe assumption that Riggs pre-selected the photos he uses, creating the story around them. His execution of the book and photographs meshing is quite good. He does show that he is an able writer as he created a cohesive world of characters around the antique images.

One of my chief criteria for a good read is 'how did it end?' Did I feel satisfied when I got to the last word of the last page? Not so much with this one. It dangled in the breeze a little much for me. 'Miss Peregrine's' is clearly intended as the first in a series. When it was all over, it left me hanging. You want to write a series? Fine and dandy. Just don't leave me hanging. A book...one book, whether it's going to be the first in a series or not...should be self contained. Even if the story obviously extends beyond the last page of the first volume, I should at least feel a sense of completion for the part of the journey I just traveled.

How do I rate this one? Do I recommend it? I don't give it a 'Thumbs Up', or 'Thumbs Down'. I'll have to waver in the middle, so I rate this one 'On The Fence'. I wasn't bowled over by it, but I didn't feel like it was a complete waste of time when I reached the end. I'll put it this way, if you want something to kill time in the dentist's waiting room, or want something to read while catching some rays at the beach, this would be a good choice. If the second book makes it to the shelves, will I pick up a copy? I don't think I became that invested in continuing the trip. My jury is out...

Harry Potter...

(Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry)

In 2001 "Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone" hit theaters. I saw the ads on TV, and even though I knew there to be a lot of noise about it, I didn't really make seeing it a priority. It just looked like another "precious" kids film with adorable young actors and cheesy special effects. Don't get me wrong, there is room in my movie viewing schedule for a good cheesy children's film ("cheese" is something I appreciate...when it's so bad that it's good). "Sorcerer's Stone" was filed away in my 'when it's on television and there's nothing else to watch' file. Then I talked to some friends at work...

At the time I worked for an Entertainment company in Los Angeles. In other words, I worked in an adult environment. When the first Harry Potter movie had been out for a bit, I heard a couple of co-workers' chatting in the kitchen when I went in to grab a hot cup o' joe. The topic of conversation? The Harry Potter books. Their discussion was very animated. I couldn't help but listen in. They had just finished "Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban", and couldn't wait to get their hands on "Goblet of Fire". Really? They thought they were that good? Huh...at the time I just thought "to each his own", and went on with my day.

In 2003 the corporation I worked for closed the doors of the division I worked for (I had worked there 14 years). I went into a decompression period. While perusing the shelves of my local Blockbuster, I came across the DVD of "Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets". The titles I had wanted to rent were new releases and all copies were checked out, so I decided 'what the hey'...I grabbed a copy of "Chamber". It was entertaining.

Several days later I was in Target and was looking over their book section. Needless to say, they had piles of the Harry Potter releases at that point that were featured prominently. I said 'what the hey' again, and grabbed trade papers of "Stone" and "Chamber". Three days later I was back at Target picking up "Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire". It was while standing in the check-out line filled with excitement of what would happen to Harry and his pals next that I had an epiphany...I had officially become a Harry Potter geek...

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe); Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint); Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)

'Pottermania' was alive and well at the small West Hollywood apartment I was calling home at that time. I ravenously scarfed up the first four books within days. The world of Harry Potter was one I jumped into with both feet. Potterite, Potter head, Potty-head, Pot-head...there are a number of names for HP fans out there (I would say that the last two I mentioned are the derogatory ones). I prefer to call us Potter fans 'Harry Potter Geeks'. (Since I refer to myself as an HP Geek, of course I mean it in the most affectionate way possible.)

Let me say that when I started my journey with "Sorcerer's Stone", I found it to be a little slow on the uptake. But then a lot of books that are the launch to a series have a tendency to be a tad slow in the beginning as they are setting up some key elements for things to come in future volumes. At what point was I grabbed and sucked into the thick of things? Probably whenHagrid and Harry arrived at Diagon Alley. (Screw Walmart...that's where I wanna shop!) From that point on I spent just about every waking moment absorbing every word off of every page (which was the bulk of my day due to copious amounts of coffee and cigarettes...I have since quit smoking, but still have a coffee addiction...pardon me while I heat up the cup I'm drinking now). J.K. Rowling crafted a wonderful world and wonderful characters. I could tell with every line that she knows her "world" inside and out.

As I mentioned earlier, when I got 'hooked' there were the first five of the books available, or written for that matter. As any self respecting 'Geek' would do, I reread "Goblet" and "Phoenix" in anticipation of the release of "Half Blood Prince". I reread the preceding book to each remaining new release. I wanted to have the storyline as fresh and ready in my current memory of the time so I could hit the new book running. Buying an advance copy of each release at Target was something I did with those last books. It always proved to be unnecessary...on each release date the books would be in great supply. Better to be safe than sorry...

One thing that I appreciate about Rowling's story telling, is that she isn't afraid to get a bit dark. Yes, I realize that the Harry Potter books are technically children's fare, but she didn't veer away from injecting some unpopular events into the story. Things didn't always go Harry's way, but there was always a bigger picture. A 'silver lining' did appear here and there, but it wasn't flavored with saccharin and didn't come with a wink. The friendship and fun moments are interwoven quite well with the heart-wrenching and scary events. The darkness fell (with somewhat of a "bang") with book number three, "The Prisoner of Azkaban". This is where I was completely, 100%, no turning back, hooked on the books. The mystery...I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Rowling also was not afraid to kill off some of the characters we had grown to care for. (I've seen interviews with Jo where she talked about how hard and gut-wrenching it was for her.) I have to say that in terms of the story and how invested I was as a reader, the death of those characters effected me deeply.

Now that I have established that I am a big fan of the books, I will say that there are aspects of the movies that left me unsatisfied. Big shocker there. Rowling's books are very fleshy, very involved. Of course a film isn't going to be able to cover every event or nuance covered in the books. Since a book has to be distilled to a certain degree to put it on the big screen, I think it was very smart for them to have Steve Kloves write all but one of the screenplays. Not sure why they had another writer adapt "Order of the Phoenix" (Michael Goldenberg), but I am assuming that it's because of the rapid pace they were making the films at. Kloves was up to his eyeballs with "Goblet of Fire" (a doorstop of a volume...there was talk of making it into two films because of it's scope), and they needed to get "Phoenix" moving. Another thing that is crucial to a books introduction to film is casting. When I jumped on the Hogwarts Express, there were only the first two films out. Both of which left me wanting in some areas. "Sorcerer's Stone" skirted the 'precious kids film' genre a little close for comfort. "Chamber of Secrets" was a bit better, but those first two films just didn't capture the books enough for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on what was specifically bugging me. The kids were cast well. The teachers were cast very well (Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Kenneth Brannagh...brilliant). So what was bugging me?

Richard Harris was a great actor, may he rest in peace. "A Man Called Horse"; "The Field"; "Camelot". That being said, it wasn't until I saw Michael Gambon step into the robes ofDumbledore that I realized that Harris was not on the money with his portrayal. I realize that there are some mega-fans out there that think of themselves as purists, and since Harris originated the role they think of him as Dumbledore. Not me. There is something quirky about Albus that Gambon grasped from the get-go. The actors in the films are just as I envisioned the characters when reading the books, and Michael Gambon filled a void for me with his first appearance. As for the others...Gary Oldman (meOW), Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs (meOW), David Thewliss, Emma Thompson, and so on. It's as if the producers took my list of favorite actors/actresses and cast them all.

The first movie that finally clicked in and took on the vibe of the books was "Prisoner ofAzkaban". The darkness is there. The fear is there. The story hit it's stride. Chris Columbus is a good director, but I don't think the vibe he injected was the right one. Alfonso Cuaron changed that. The films took a shift with new directing blood, and it's a good thing as far as I'm concerned. It saved the franchise.

**I'm going to throw in a SPOILER ALERT here. If you haven't read the books and DO NOT want to know about any fatalities in "Deathly Hallows", you might not want to read on as I will be talking about it.**

Before I turn this blog post into a massive ramble, I'll start to wrap it up. I felt the need to write a bit on Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the magic world I've felt a part of for many years now. It has been a great journey, one I've completed in book form. The film version of the journey's end will be hitting theaters on July 15th. In so many ways I have gone through the happiness and the heartbreak with Harry and all of the other denizens of Rowlings world. A number of characters we all have cared about die. Harry's faithful companion, Hedwig, and Auror Mad Eye Moody die fending off Death Eaters when the Order of the Phoenix are helping take Harry to their headquarters. Here's a real toughie...I was so devastated when Sirius died at the hands...or should I say "wand"...of Bellatrix LeStrange. It was even harder watching it happen in the form of Gary Oldman. (Not only is Oldman one of my top three favorite actors, Sirius is my favorite character.) I kept telling myself that Black would come back. That he wasn't really dead. No such luck (although we do see him again in "spirit" form). The last book, "Deathly Hallows", where Harry meets Voldemort for their "duel", is a real shocker. The death of Dumbledore. Ya know, I don't know if I really classify him as being "dead". I know the students and teachers saw his wrecked body on the ground. I think it's when he talks to Harry before the big showdown. It doesn't feel like he's out of the picture for good. The death of Dobby the house elf. Yeah, it was sad, but I have to say that I found that little bugger to be a bit annoying. Snape. Severus was a real jerk, but judging by his background growing up, wouldn't you be? Tonks, Lupin, Fred Weasley...all shocking deaths. I knew that there would be some notable ones, but it really got to me. It was as if I had learned that some dear friends had passed. Very emotional. Of course, there's the big one...Voldemort. But then I always knew Tom was going to bite the dust. Killing off Harry would have been too much, and not appropriate in my view.

"Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part II" is a movie I will definitely be seeing on the big screen. It will bring the complete journey to it's end. We readers always knew that these books would have an end, and for me it was a satisfying one. Rowling wove it well, and tied it off without any real loose ends. I was happy with the ending of the book, so of course I know I will be happy with the end of this last film. I expect to get choked up yet again.

I have heard rumors that Jo Rowling has said that she might write another Potter book. Whether it's a continuation of the ones already published, or an off-shoot with other existing characters or even new ones...that I haven't heard. If she does write another Harry Potter book will I jump back on the train? Count on it!

The Queen of Horror/Fantasy...

In my opinion, Tanith Lee wears that mantle. She has written a vast library of wonderful books. Many I have read and many I still have yet to get my hands on. Her use of the English language, her style, is so vivid and is rife with shadows and mood. There is a rawness and fear that is woven through the worlds and characters she creates, but there is also a darkly compelling beauty. Tanith has easily become my favorite writer. As a writer myself, I have deep admiration for her mind and her work.

I currently have a novel in my head that has been searching for a way out. I've had a wall in front of me for a little while now, but I'm seeing cracks in the mortar. Blogging is helping, and a light at the end of my stress tunnel is also having major effect. Stress has always been one of my mortal enemies, and the distracting thoughts it creates are a real creativity killer. As someone who thrives on their creativity, it has been a rough stretch of road. This too shall pass. These frustrating spells always do. Eventually.

Tanith's books have come to my mind...one's that I have read. They are serving as inspiration. I always find good books inspiring. The contents of the books themselves, and the attention paid by the writers. Tanith has over 50 books on her personal bibliography. She has won a number of awards. She was born in 1947, which makes her...64. For someone her age, she has really cranked out the books. Very impressive, if you ask me.

As I mentioned, I have read quite a few of her books. There are a number on my 'To Get' list. Some out of print but I'll find them. Well, as many as I can. As far as titles on my 'Books I Have Read' list, I thought I would share some of my favorites. If you have never heard of Tanith Lee and enjoy dark fiction, these might just be your cup of tea.

The Blood Opera Sequence

• Dark Dance (1992)
• Personal Darkness (1993)
• Darkness, I (1994)

These served as my introduction to Tanith's work. I have always had a fascination for Vampires, and watch every vampire movie - read every vampire novel I can. In this trilogy, she introduces the reader to a vampiric family/race called the Scarabae.

In book one of the series (Dark Dance) we meet Rachaela Day, a young woman who leads a rather drab, grey life. She is barely scraping by on the pittance she makes working in a small book shop. One day a mysterious letter arrives from the Scarabae family, and things begin to change. All that Rachaela knows is that her father, Adamus Scarabae, left her mother before she was born. Her mother had warned her against them and Rachaela tries to steer clear, but the family becomes intrusively persistent. Losing her flat and her job, she agrees to the offer of coming to live with them in their house...a mysterious cliff top mansion miles away from anywhere.

I'll leave my plot description there, so as to leave as much of the story discovery as possible to any new readers who check the books out. This book was so vivid and it pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. It's high up on a short list of novels I started to read and couldn't put down until I had finished it. The two follow-ups ('Personal Darkness', and 'Darkness, I') are also quite excellent. I've also been hearing rumor (albeit for awhile now) that there is another novel in the works for the Scarabae clan...I'm completely down for that!

The Secret Books of Venus

• Faces Under Water
• Saint Fire
• A Bed of Earth
• Venus Preserved

These are just brilliant. Dark, romantic, and with a peppering of violence that fits into the storyline in a way that it isn't completely repugnant. It is necessary to the flow of the story. I'm usually quite disappointed with series because a wonderful opener can be deflated with a sub-par follow-up novel. This was to be the second series of Tanith's that I thoroughly enjoyed exploring.

The series takes place in 18th century Venice. Book one opens with the hedonistic atmosphere of Carnival. The festive turns deadly when Furian Furiano finds a mask of Apollo floating in the murky waters of the canals. The mask hides a sinister art. Furian becomes trapped in a bizarre web of love and evil, causing him to stumble on a macabre society of murderers. A beautiful and elusive woman, Eurydiche, holds the key to the murders. As she leads Furian into a labyrinth of ancient alchemy and black magic, he begins to realize that there are secrets in his own past linking him to her.

The Tanaquil Trilogy

• Black Unicorn
• Gold Unicorn
• Red Unicorn

These lean a bit more toward the fantasy genre. Yes, all of Tanith's books are fantasy's of sorts, but these don't have some of the hard darkness and deeds of others...the first two series I mentioned, being examples.

In the first of these ('Black Unicorn'), we meet Tanaquil. The daughter of a Sorceress, she is thought to have no magical talents. One day she discovers a pile of bones in the desert near her mother's palace. Tanaquil assembles the bones to find that they are those of a unicorn...one that comes back to life.

If you want to start off a little lighter in your intro to Tanith, these would be a good way to go. Each book is slimmer on pages, but not on story. The story in these shorter novels is as rich as any I've read by her.

If anyone who reads this blog post has read some of Tanith Lee's work, or if anyone reads their first of her books, I'd love to hear what you think. I so seldom meet anyone who is familiar with her work.

Before I end this post, I feel the need to share a thought here. Tanith doesn't add an entry to her blog site very often. She has mentioned that she would rather spend the bulk of her time writing a book instead of writing a blog entry. I get where she's coming from. In a post from February, 2010, she mentions that she has had not one-but two bouts with cancer. Breast cancer in 2000, and a recurrence in 2008 in the muscle above the breast. In 2000, they removed the tumor, and gave her the requisite 'therapy's' (chemo and radiation). With additional meds she ended up cancer free. With the return of cancer in her muscles, well, they can't perform surgery to remove that. She was a bit concerned about losing the use of her arm (she writes in long hand). The tumor seemed rather inactive and wasn't spreading, so they gave her meds and it diminished to the point of nothingness. There may be damage from the medications that will rear it's head down the road, but she's fine for now. At least according to that particular blog report. She hasn't mentioned it since.

"So far though, I am clear, if losing lots of time back on the hospital-test-X ray carousel. I may, and could, flourish for years to come. But once more, I don't know how long I've got. As it says in the wonderful Blade Runner, 'Who does?"

~ TanithLee.com

I lost one of my dearest friends to her second bout with cancer several years ago. I've never met Tanith Lee. I would love to some day. I'm a fan. Someone who loves her work, and is truly inspired by it. Someone who would've felt like she had lost a friend...of sorts...if things had gone the other way. Reading that entry about her cancer made me feel relieved. She had dodged a bullet, not once but twice. Tanith is quite the prolific writer, and I know she has a lot more to share with us. I'm very happy that she'll be weaving more wonderful tales for us to read.

"I must add one proviso though. I'll still be trying to keep you posted on developments of a writing and publication nature. But if there is another long gap, as anyone who still has the patience to check out this site will normally know, silence does NOT mean that Lord Death, done up in his best black, has carted me away. It just means that, as usual, the World's Worse Website-Upkeeper, Tanith Lee, is busy writing, lost in her own wild worlds.

So then, as they jargonistically say, let us move on, in this case back on to the golden dancing floor of life and into the well-stocked bar of Good Hope. Cheers! Here's looking at you, kid." ~ TanithLee.com

Onwards, and upwards...