Loyalty (or Favorite Things Continued)

     As I mentioned yesterday, the subject of ‘favorites’ often overwhelms me, particularly when it pertains to books or movies.  I relate so deeply and personally to creative works, such as books, movies, or music that they become a part of me.  It almost feels like betraying a friend: choosing one to be elevated to the highest pedestal while lording it over the rest.  Since others are often fascinated by my choice of favorites, I am obligated to comply with social convention.  

     Last night, I tried to break books down by genre to reach my overall favorite.  I am not going to put any of us through that today.  Loyalty plays a big part in my choice for favorite movie.  Growing up, my family didn’t have lots of money.  I was ten years old when we finally got cable.  With only a handful of local channels, believe me, I looked forward to special feature movies.  I remember seeing The Wizard of Oz for the first time when I was about four years old.  I did not move from my seat for the entire two hours, not even during commercials.  These days, you can turn on TBS and watch The Wizard of Oz almost every week but back then; I had to wait for almost a year to see it again.  It became a ritual, every year around Easter.  I would plant myself in front of the television to be submerged in a magical land of talking creatures, wicked witches, and singing munchkins.  To this day, I will stop everything if it’s on…even though I own the limited edition, 70^th anniversary collector’s box set on blu-ray.  Any movie, that can captivate a person for decades, deserves to be “the favorite”.  A true classic is timeless and, without a doubt, The Wizard of Oz is a classic.  It has something for everyone: fantasy, music, creepy flying monkeys, cursed shoes, opium fields and the mythical horse of another color.  The opening dedication says it all; a movie for “the young, and the young at heart”.  Go ahead, pop in the DVD and sleep well! 

Taking a Stand or My Favorite Things Continued

     Asking me to pick my favorite book is like asking a grandmother to pick her favorite grandchild.  It isn’t right.  I think of books as dear friends.  I never get tired of them and, as the years go by, our bond grows stronger.  Unlike people, my books are available day or night.  I don’t have to call first or schedule an appointment.  Now, thanks to Amazon, I can even order something new and it is loaded to my Kindle within seconds.  Speaking of my Kindle, the old, “if you were stranded on an island and could only have one book”, scenario is null and void.  I never travel without my Kindle.  Granted, if there was no electricity on this mysterious “island”, I’d be in a pickle when the battery died but until then, it would be heaven.  Still keeping with the island scenario, if I didn’t have a Kindle, I’d still try to cheat.  I’d find a compendium; jam packed with as many of my favorites as possible. 

     Still, the question was asked so I guess I need to narrow it down.  Maybe it will be easier to choose from a category, or perhaps a genre, rather than one overall winner.  For example, my favorite Dr. Seuss book is Oh, the Places You’ll Go!  My favorite Shakespeare play is Macbeth.  My favorite MG is The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.   

     Well, now I’ve done it.  I only got to middle grade and I’m already feeling guilty for leaving out some of my friends.  I guess categorizing doesn’t actually make it any easier.  It reminds me of that potato chip commercial, “Bet you can’t eat just one”.  Well, for me it would be, “bet you can’t choose just one”. 

     Okay, perhaps I need a new scenario.  If someone had a gun to my head and made me pick just one book to read for the rest of my life, I suppose I would choose, The Stand.  If you’ve been following my blog, you are well aware of my obsession with Stephen King, but this goes beyond simple fandom.  The Stand encompasses everything I love in a great book.  The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable.  The story keeps you on the edge of your seat while engaging all of your senses.  I can literally smell the decaying bodies as Larry blindly fumbles his way through the tunnel.  My body aches right along with Nick after he’s been beaten by those drunken rednecks.  Can’t you just taste Mother Abigail’s fried chicken with a side of sweet, corn on the cob and her homemade pies? 

     I love the way King depicts the battle between good and evil, both on a grand scale and on a personal level.  Each character must come to terms with the conflict waging within their own hearts, to choose their path for better or worse.  Some are deceived, some find love, and others are lost, but I can identify with their anguish and rejoice in the their triumphs.  I can see both my best friend and my worst enemy on his pages.  I’ve read The Stand so many times, I’ve lost count, but I find something new every time I open its well-worn cover.   In fact, I think it is time to bid you all goodnight so I can read it again.  Sleep well!

Comic Books vs Graphic Novels (or Favorite things part 2)

     I learned the difference between comic books and graphic novels the hard way.  In my youth, I accidentally called a graphic novel a comic book, in the presence of a devoted fan.  Big mistake!  I was subjected to a long and lengthy lecture and I hadn’t even signed up for the class.  His impassioned response made such an impact on me that I even found a way to pay homage to it in my first book. 

     I have no intention of writing a dissertation but it never hurts to pass on a few quick pointers.  First, graphic novels are issued a 13-digit International Standard Book number (ISBN) while comic books are given an (ISSN) International Standard Serial Number, which has only eight digits.  Other key factors have to do with length, completion of the storyline, and format. 

     You may be wondering why I we’re discussing this since I have not written either one.  Aside from the fact that both are exciting mediums, I was asked to discuss my favorite comics.  To effectively answer the question, I wanted to validate the difference between the two genres. 

     As far as true comic books, I have always been a Batman fan.  For that matter, I love all things Batman: movies, graphic novels, and pretty much anything else I can get my grubby little hands on.  I am particularly fond of my Batman flashlight that projects the Bat Signal, but I digress.  

     Graphic novels, on the other hand, make it harder to pick just one.  As I already mentioned there are Batman graphic novels, such as The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.  Honestly, Frank Miller is amazing and I greatly admire his works.  So, we could also throw in Sin City and 300.  Let’s not forget The Walking Dead, which has brought a new level of respect to the genre.  However, if I had to pick just one, it would definitely be Watchmen.  It has everything: fully developed characters, social commentary, and plot twists galore.  It’s definitely a must-read for all fans of the genre. 

     On a side note, if you’re a little obsessive-compulsive, (like me) now that you know about ISBN and ISSN numbers, you’ll find yourself fact-checking every article you read about comic books and/or graphic novels.  Just an FYI, there’s a few boo-boo’s on Wikipedia but don’t let that keep you awake into the wee hours.  Sleep well.  

A Few of My Favorite Things, Part 1

     The things we like, say a lot about who we are.  A few days ago, a Facebook follower requested that I answer some questions about my favorite things.  They asked for a review of my favorite books, movies, video games, and comic books.  I always try to accommodate requests from followers so it looks like I’ve got my work cut out for me, for the next few days.  Okay, here we go!  

     I think I’m going to tackle video games tonight.  To be completely honest, I am not a huge gamer because, visually, I have difficulty playing.  However, there are some games that have such great storylines that I’ve taken to reading the books instead.  A perfect example is “Gears of War”.  Not only is Karen Traviss an excellent writer, the game developers created a compelling story with well-defined, fully dimensional characters.  Even if you’ve never played the games, the books are well worth a read.  Coincidentally, Karen Traviss has also written books for the Halo series.  From that I’ve seen, the Halo games are not quite as solid as the books.  In this case, I would definitely choose the book over the video game because both Karen Traviss and Eric Nylund have written compelling stories in Halo’s universe. 

     I’ve danced around the question for a while but, truthfully, if I have to pick one video game then I’m going old school.  For me, nothing beats the original Super Mario Brothers games.  In video games, like books, the classics are timeless. 

Helter Skelter

 

   My strange fascination with Charles Manson started when I was just a kid.  I was around eleven years old and I was spending the night at a friend’s house.  We were camped out in the basement with sleeping bags, horror movies, and plenty of junk food.  It was great…until my friend fell asleep. 

     Since I wasn’t tired, naturally, I perused the bookshelves.  My friend’s parents had a small library downstairs but most of the titles were unfamiliar to me.  Apparently, Mrs. D. had a fascination with romance novels (definitely not my thing) and Mr. D. was a fan of biographies.  Then, I noticed a title that piqued my curiosity.  Helter Skelter.  Okay, I was just a kid so I thought it was about The Beatles.  Lucky me, it was even better!  

     Charles Manson was incarcerated long before I was born but his infamy will live on, long after I am worm food.  As I mentioned yesterday, even experts assert that Manson is in a category all by himself.  He had early forays into petty crimes but believed he had a bigger calling, to prepare the world for the upcoming race wars.  A master manipulator, Charles Manson cultivated a following of approximately 100 disciples, or “Family” members.  In an effort to shock the world from complacency and the 60’s love-fest mentality, Manson organized a series of gruesome murders.  The Tate and LaBianca murders were the most publicized but Manson has been implicated in the deaths of at least 35 people. 

     The fawning adoration by his family fueled Manson’s megalomania, but during his trial, he flourished under the media spotlight.  With a captive audience, his antics in the courtroom were front-page news.  An ill-conceived approval allowing Manson to represent himself resulted in outlandish objections, rambling tirades, and an overall disruption in the courtroom.  The judge quickly overturned the ruling and Manson was assigned an attorney.  Later, in an effort to force a mistrial, Manson waited until the attorneys had their backs turned then held up the front page of the newspaper.  The headline stated that the President believed Manson to be guilty.  Between the shaved-head family members outside the courthouse, trying to raise money, and Charlie’s self-mutilation there was plenty of fodder for the media.  Eventually, the X he had carved between his eyes morphed into a swastika and again his picture made front pages nationwide. 

     When the guilty verdict was finally read, Charles Manson had his say: "Mr. and Mrs. America--you are wrong.  I am not the King of the Jews nor am I a hippie cult leader.  I am what you have made me and the mad dog devil killer fiend leper is a reflection of your society... Whatever the outcome of this madness that you call a fair trial or Christian justice, you can know this: In my mind's eye my thoughts light fires in your cities.”  Though originally sentenced to death, his sentence was commuted to life in prison.  Since then, every single one of his appeals for parole has been denied. 

     And now for an odd pieces Manson Trial of trivia….  There were two judges that presided over the Manson trial.  One was dismissed after Manson filed an affidavit of prejudice.  That first judge, Judge William Keene, after retiring from the California Supreme Court, later presided over TV’s “Divorce Court” from 1984-1991.  

     Until tomorrow, sleep well.  

Serial Killers and Mass Murderer, Part 5.

     As promised, we are finally moving on to Mass Murderers.  Many people confuse the terms serial killer and mass murderer.  To put it in the simplest terms, a serial killer kills over a long period of time.  Usually, there is a “cooling off” period in between the murders.  Mass murderers kill several people in one single event.  The common consensus is four or more victims at one time.  Often, it is the “massacre” that gains the media’s attention as opposed to the individual committing the murder.  For example, let’s look at the “Corvina Massacre” and “Luby’s Massacre”. 

     Bruce Jeffery Pardo opened fire killing nine people, on Christmas Eve, while wearing a Santa suit.   Unsuspecting residents of Covina, California, were celebrating at a Christmas Eve party when Pardo knocked on the door.  His former in-laws had approximately twenty-five guests at their home when “Santa” arrived, gifts in hand.  He had gift-wrapped a homemade flamethrower and also carried 9mm handguns.  After the shootings, he set the home on fire. 

     George Pierre Hennard, also called “Jo Jo”, drove his pickup truck through the front window of Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas while shouting, “This is what Bell County did to me”.  One inside the building, he targeted, primarily female patrons and employees, with a Glock 17 pistol and a Ruger P89.  He killed twenty-three and wounded another 20.

     Another interesting fact about the term mass murderer is that it often refers to political  and/or government officials.  Possibly the most prolific mass murderer, ever, was Adolph Hitler. Responsible for the death of millions of people, the painter/poet/vegetarian made it his life’s mission to rid the world of Jews.  His reign of torture and death was so vile and monstrous, I can barely conceive of horrors he ordered in the name of ethnic cleansing.  If you haven’t already seen it, Schindler’s List will give you a taste of the world under Hitler’s regime. 

     So, we’ve talked about serial killers and mass murderers but tomorrow we will delve into an evil unlike anything else.  Many experts believe he was neither serial killer nor mass murderer but a unique class all by himself….Charles Manson.  Until then, sleep well.      

Serial Killers and Mass Murderers, Part 4

     For today’s Serial Killers and Mass Murderers entry, I’m taking a break from profiling the actual killers to talk about the influence they’ve made on Hollywood.  I’ve already touched on the obvious films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Psycho, and one of my personal favorites, Silence of the Lambs.  Moviegoers and filmmakers alike love a good serial killer.

     I specifically planned to discuss one particular movie but before I do, I’d like to briefly shine the spotlight on a few “Honorable Mentions”.  First up: American Psycho a brilliantly satirical psychological thriller.  The key word is satire.  Do not go in expecting your typical slasher-horror flick.  Two others worth checking out are Citizen X, the made for TV movie about Chikatilo and Monster.  Actually, there’s a list of the top 45 Serial Killer movies on IMDB.  You really can’t go wrong with any of them… but I digress. 

     Today’s feature film is Copycat, an often overlooked, slightly dated, gem from 1995.  What I like the most about Copycat is the forensic and psychological peek into, to quote Dr. Helen Hudson, “the golden oldies”.  Our villain, Peter Foley, adopts the alias Peter Kurten in honor of the German serial killer often referred to as the “Vampire of Dusseldorf”.  Foley, on a mission to kill retired psychologist and criminal profiler, Dr. Helen Hudson, reenacts murders by other infamous serial killers, down to the tiniest details.  Taking cues from “The Boston Strangler” Albert DeSalvo; “The Hillside Strangler” Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono; “Son of Sam” David Berkowitz; Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy, he recreates the crime scenes with obsessive attention to detail.  As if Foley didn’t already have enough material to work with, he also pays homage to a killer created for the film, Daryll Lee Cullem.  If you can look past the antiquated computer systems and other quirks that date the film, at its heart it is a captivating, suspenseful, thriller.  By today’s standards, the blood and gore factor is very mild.  In fact, I was surprised that it has an “R” rating but it is still fascinating so, if you have the chance, check it out. 

     Tomorrow, we will finally delve into the second half of our title: Mass Murderers.  Until then, my friends, sleep well.