If you liked Deadpool but wanted more, with Deadpool 2 there's exponentially more of everything. I mean more filmic reflexivity, more in-jokes, more Marvel-DC cross references, more explosions, more X-Men, more un-sighted gags, more cameos, 100 per cent more New Zealanders, more Dopinder, more violence with maximum effort, and pathos too, as well as more … Continue reading Review: Dead Pool 2
Questions and anti-notes on writing
I was reading how two pages of Anne Frank's personal diary that she covered over will be published (and eventually translated). Let's say I am unsurprised that most of the news articles have highlighted how these pages feature a 'dirty joke.' While publishers, writers, and academics debate the line between historical importance and respecting writer … Continue reading Questions and anti-notes on writing
When good Neighbours become good opportunities
Film Victoria and FremantleMedia have announced the call out for "early to mid-career" writers to apply for placements, writing for the stalwart of Australian evening television soap opera Neighbours. This a great opportunity. Applications are open now and I had a quick look at the preview forms and what is required. Hmmm, I said to myself. … Continue reading When good Neighbours become good opportunities
Changing things up
Hi. Thanks for dropping by. If you've visited before you may note things look a bit different. If you are a new visitor, hey there and welcome to this note that exists mainly to explain that I've updated this site's look. Any new visitor will not care about this because you have never been here … Continue reading Changing things up
A cockatrice of language
Cocksure If you have social media or any connection to the writing world, you would have read about #cockygate. I have little interest in romance writing, and no skin in the game of American trademark laws (although I have stories published in the US). But I do have some thoughts. Cock of the talk? The … Continue reading A cockatrice of language
Promethean Avengers
"To survive, you must tell stories." - The Island of the Day Before How can I attempt to ruin examine a 10-year-old film franchise? By adding a pinch of psychology, a dose of myth making, and then admixing a teaspoon of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. More importantly, by using the works of Umberto Eco to prove my … Continue reading Promethean Avengers
Review: Infinity War
Obviously, some spoilers, ok? A couple of years ago, I jokingly mentioned that Marvel's heroes don't feature in films that address issues of import, because they largely fight self-created problems (like Stark raving police bots gone bad in Age of Ultron, or themselves in Civil War, or the son of exiled long-lost relatives in Black … Continue reading Review: Infinity War
A matter of time
I don't think I believe in linear time. Lines are just points joined together; they don't have heft or taste. They exist to measure who's winning, but have no extent. They're abstract. You can't sense linear time internally the same way other time is detected. I have moments when I am chock full of vital … Continue reading A matter of time
Review: Black Panther and the past
Just saw Avengers: Infinity War, but it's too much to take in right now, and if I review raw I'll spoil it. I'll wait, but you can read my thoughts about Black Panther instead. I liked it when I saw it, but unlike other MCU films I wasn't quick to review it. This is for a variety of … Continue reading Review: Black Panther and the past
Review: Eyewitness Mythology
First published in 1999 and updated last year, DK's Eyewitness Mythology is but one of a number of Eyewitness books for children/youth about literature, animals, weather and other natural phenomena, historical events and aspects of science. I am not in their target audience but I am interested in how myths and the people they belong … Continue reading Review: Eyewitness Mythology
Writing Bec 