 Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin star in the film that shows the gritty and seedy side of the Mexican cartels and the hunt to take them down.
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 *I interviewed this author, who was also at the Phoenix Comic Con, and I definitely recommend reading her work.* This year’s Phoenix Comicon has a fantastic line up of fabulous authors. Many are familiar and beloved, but for others this year will be their first at Phoenix. One such person is Australian writer Viola Carr; author of The Diabolical Miss Hyde. In an age where prequels, sequels, and remakes run the gamut, it is surprising and refreshing when an old idea is turned into something quite special. Carr has done just that and more with the old Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story. In The Diabolical Miss Hyde, Jekyll and Hyde are alive and well, living in Victorian London. Except this is not the Jekyll and Hyde of old. Carr has taken the old tale and turned it in a new direction while adding some excitement and thrills. In the story, we get to know Eliza Jekyll, daughter of the late Dr. Jekyll, and just like her father she too carries a dark secret. Within the depths of her mind and body lies Lizzie Hyde. Though they inhabit the same body, they have a personality all their own. “They are two sides of the same coin, so they have certain things in common… (but) Lizzie is kind of a darkened mirror image of Eliza.” Carr explained. Eliza is a crime scene investigator with the basic rudiments of forensic science, and she is on the hunt for the “Slicer,” a murderer who preys on young women. Lizzie helps Eliza in her investigations, but carries a burden of her own. Lizze always wants more of her own time, Carr said. Lizzie can only come out in the open and be in control of Eliza’s body if Eliza drinks an elixir. “As the book progresses (the elixir) starts not to work so well. Lizzie starts to jump out of her own accord every now and then. It (is) pretty embarrassing when someone is trying to stay inconspicuous.” Such is the problem when two personalities inhabit a body — one of them will want more control. It was not always like that as Carr said. “They started out as friends and partners in crime ... Lizzie was fun, she did the fun sort of racy things. As they grew older they became more adversarial.” Despite the story having elements of fantasy and horror, it has overall, a richly created world with characters grounded in reality. “The characters are still real people ... even though it (is) this fantastical world. I tried to think of what it would be like for me ... the problems she would have to face.” Eliza will have even more problems to face in the coming years. Carr has two more books in the work, the next of which will be The Devious Dr. Jekyll. There will be more murders and more intrigue to face plus, “a little romance and a little adventure ... and Lizzie will be wreaking havoc as usual.” The kind of havoc that might get her more control of Eliza’s body. In the meantime, Carr will be making her rounds at the Phoenix Comicon. “I (have) never been to Phoenix and I (have) never been to comicon, so it (is) going to be awesome.” Her first panel will be on Thursday, May 28 where she will be at the “Know Your History Trivia Game.” To see her full schedule, visit phoenixcomicon.com/guests/1193. Further details can be found on Carr’s website at violacarr.com or at phoenixcomicon.com. *Originally printed in GetOutAZ--part of the East Valley Tribune.  A few weeks ago Kaely and I were lucky to attend the Phoenix Comic Con, our first con for Popcorn. While we already added some coverage of the event, I was behind on adding this section. While this doesn't cover any films, I thought I should still share it with you all. I was able to interview two awesome authors who were presenting at the con. Here is the first of the two. I hope you enjoy and maybe even read their books. The smell of comic books is in the air and that only means one thing: It is time for Phoenix Comicon. Now in its 15th year, the Phoenix Comicon (PHXCC) is bringing in a whole slew of comic book artists, actors, authors, and many other guests. GetOut had the great pleasure of speaking with local author Beth Cato. This year she will be presenting her newest book, “Clockwork Crown.” This is the second part of her duology that started with “Clockwork Dagger.” Her protagonist, Octavia Leander, continues her journey as a “medician” — a doctor with powerful magic — all while trying to survive in a war torn world. Cato describes it as a “steam punk take on Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’” It’s a world Cato has been interested in for a long time, “as a kid my dad loved watching the horrible B movies from the ’50s up through the ’80s; like the old Flash Gordon movies, which is very Steam punk, and I loved that as corny as it was.” Besides its fantastic alternate world, what truly makes “Clockwork Dagger” and “Clockwork Crown” are their female protagonist — Octavia. She is caught in tough situations with only her wits and strength to save her. “As powerful as (Octavia’s) magic is she’s still very human and powerless, but won’t stop fighting.” Cato said. Octavia is on a journey of self discovery. “(She) is 22; she’s very accomplished; (and) is a battlefield doctor but she’s completely naive about the real world ... she grows up a lot in the course of the books.” It is a journey that we each can relate to regardless of age. Along with her duology, Cato has other stories all taking place in the same time and world as “Clockwork.” These stories focus on the secondary characters from the original duology and the repercussions of being around Octavia, Cato said. Cato and her new work can be seen during all the days PHXCC is running. She will be at four different panels, Thursday and Friday, and she’ll have three signing sessions on the weekend. That seems like a lot, but Cato is practically a seasoned pro when it comes to the PHXCC. “I attended as just a fan for several years, so I’ve been on both sides of the room, as far as panels and the nooks and crannies of the convention center.” Beth Cato is one author not to miss. Especially the panel she is most excited to be a part of: “Food of Fantasy,” where according to her, “we’re all going to be crying at laughing so hard.” More details can be found on her own website: bethcato.com, or at phoenixcomicon.com. **Originally printed in GetOutAZ--part of the East Valley Tribune.  Don't forget to check out my new Foreign Film Series post. You can read it HERE and don't forget to leave your comments. 
Check out my new post in my Foreign Film Series. This time around I cover The Technicians, a recent South Korean movie release. Go Here.
 The second film in my Foreign Film Series stars Scarlett Johansson as an alien!!! GO HERE to read my review.
  **Fair Warning--Spoilers Ahead** It used to be that in any fairytale, when the words "true love's kiss" were uttered, it always suggested that the kiss in question would be between a man and a woman. A kiss from a couple who had fallen deeply in love at first sight. That's no longer the case. Disney film stories were the epitome of this "true love" and "love at first sight" scenario. Now I've got nothing against Disney. They make perfectly good films. Really good ones in fact (see: Toy Story, Wall-E, Finding Nemo, etc.). They don't do these films alone of course--thank goodness for Pixar Animation! Still, we have to remember that they also did Snow White. The story of a girl who falls into a deep sleep and wakes up only after Prince Charming kisses her. A prince she saw once, for a few minutes, and doesn't know his name. Then there's Sleeping Beauty. Same story sans dwarves. So it comes as a truly welcome surprise when the last handful of Disney films have negated this tired trope. How do they do this? Well, let's dig in! READ ON |
LulubellI love to write; been doing it for a while. Add to that my love for movies, and it wasn't long before I started writing about them. This page is for me to write about all the movies I watch and love, but don't get to cover in the podcast. So look around, leave your comments and enjoy! Archives
October 2015
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