Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
Everybody wants to rule the galaxy…but is it all it’s cracked up to be? Now Emperor, Paul Atreides must balance his leadership with numero
us plots to undermine him. After the great success of Dune, can Frank Herbert match with the sequel: Dune Messiah? Join Stuart in this review to find out!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/zgys9b/BN130-DuneMessiah.mp3
Dune by Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert’s 1965 landmark novel DUNE is one of the most celebrated works of the science fiction genre, but does today’s reader have to be a Mentat in order to wrap their mind around its dense mythology? Host Stuart In LA promises, “there’s nothing to fear…. fear is the mind killer.” Join him as he dives headfirst into this first chapter of his six podcast exploration of the Duneverse.
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/4vjy3k/BN129-Dune.mp3
The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum
In 1990 Robert Ludlum returned to Jason Bourne one last time for The Bourne Ultimatum. This story finds Bourne once again in the crosshairs of Carlos the Jackal. It was a book intended to set a legacy for many Bourne novels to follow in the hands of other writers. So why is this the worst book ever reviewed at Books & Nachos? Join Stuart in L.A. as he tears into The Bourne Ultimatum and tells you why this is a novel you should avoid at all costs!
And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/kkadn7/BN128-BourneUltimatum.mp3
The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum
Bourne is back! Robert Ludlum had never written a sequel to any of his novels before. That streak ended in 1986 when Jason Bourne (or really David Webb) has to travel to China in search of the men who kidnapped his woman. This novel bears virtually no resemblance to the Matt Damon film, but is it worth a read? Join Stuart in LA in this review to find out!
And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/rq3cvu/BN127-BourneSupremacy.mp3
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
This summer is a great time to be re-Bourne! Matt Damon is returning to play Jason Bourne for the fourth time. For many Bourne fans, however, it may be surprising to find out how different these Damon films are from Robert Ludlum’s original novels.
On this episode of Books & Nachos, join Stuart in L.A. as he gives a spoiler free review of this book, outlining the creator’s original vision for this spy who can’t remember his past.
And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/c36fnk/BN126-BourneIdentity.mp3
Independence Day: Crucible by Greg Keyes
20 years have passed between the 1996 sci-fi hit Independence Day and this summer’s new Independence Day: Resurgence. That time passed in our real world–but it also went by for the fictional characters who survived that alien assault. Fans have long wondered–what happened on July 5, 1996? Were all the aliens killed when the ships went down? Some of this will be revealed in the new movie, but those wanting a fuller explanation can find it in the new novel Independence Day: Crucible by Greg Keyes. It spans all 20 years and follows old characters, like David Levinson and Steve Hiller, as well as new players like Jake Morrison and Dikembe Umbutu.
Did anything happen in that 20-year span to warrant a novel? Join Arnie in this Books & Nachos episode as he summarizes and reviews this new story — and the comic series Independence Day: Dark Fathom!
And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/p5eu26/BN125-ID4Crucible.mp3
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
The Dead Zone was Stephen King’s follow-up to The Stand. This new novel, about a man who gained psychic powers after a head injury, became the author’s first number 1 best seller. It has gone on to be adapted to film by David Cronenberg, and a long-running cable TV series.
In this episode of Books & Nachos, Arnie looks back at the book that started it all. He analyzes King’s influences that led to the creation of the novel, and deconstructs the characters and plot. So now join him for a review of Stephen King’s novel over a year in the making!
And if you enjoy Books & Nachos, support the show through our PodBean Crowdfunding Page!
Arnie C: https://booksandnachos.podbean.com/mf/play/wmwkey/BN124-SK29-TheDeadZone.mp3
Watchmen by Alan Moore
Watchmen. It was the only comic listed on Time Magazine’s List of the 100 Best Novels list. It also was in The Comic’s Journal’s list of the Top 100 Comics of the 20th Century. It has been revered by comic lovers and neophytes alike. Now Arnie and Jakob come together to review all 12 issues of this series, and also give a brief look at the recent Before Watchmen prequel series!
Then head to Now Playing Podcast to hear Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie review crew’s thoughts on Zack Snyder’s film adaptation!
Arnie C: http://booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN123-Watchmen.mp3
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Last week the fourth, and final, Hunger Games film Mockingjay Part 2, dominated theaters. Now that you’ve had a chance to see how the movie concludes the story of Katniss Everdeen you can join Stuart for his review of Collins original Mockingjay novel.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie review crew’s thoughts on all the Hunger Games films! Those movie reviews are only available during the Fall, 2015 donation drive, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://traffic.libsyn.com/venganzamedia/BN122-HungerGamesMockingjay.mp3
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
In 2009 Catching Fire fanned the flames of Hunger Games fans worldwide. Continuing the adventures of Katniss Everdeen, Collins’ novel puts her back in the arena for another adventure. In preparation for tonight’s release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 movie, join Stuart in L.A. for a look back at Collins’ middle novel in the trilogy.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie review crew’s thoughts on all the Hunger Games films! Those movie reviews are only available during the Fall, 2015 donation drive, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://traffic.libsyn.com/venganzamedia/BN121-HungerGamesCatchingFire.mp3
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games novels topped the New York Times best seller lists and went on to become Amazons all-time top selling book series (outselling even Harry Potter). It has since gone on to become a billion-dollar film franchise. In anticipation of the upcoming The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 Stuart in LA is here to review the original novels.
In this episode Stuart looks at the original The Hunger Games. Is this the next Twilight, or is it the next The Running Man? Join Stuart in L.A. now for this review, then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie review crew’s thoughts on the film! Those movie reviews are only available during the Fall, 2015 donation drive, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://traffic.libsyn.com/venganzamedia/BN120-HungerGames.mp3
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
In 1999 Japanese author Koushun Takami gained global notice for his novel Battle Royale. In this ultraviolent, 600-plus page dystopian novel the Japanese government holds an annual competition where Junior High students must kill each other. The last student to survive is the “winner.” The book has been released multiple times in English, been the inspiration for the Battle Royale film series, and had a manga adaptation. And Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins has been accused of plagiarizing Battle Royale for her hit trilogy.
Is the novel worth the fuss? Join Stuart in L.A. now for this review of the English translation of Battle Royale. Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear Stuart, Jakob, and Arnie review crew’s thoughts on the film! Those movie reviews are only available during the Fall, 2015 donation drive, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://traffic.libsyn.com/venganzamedia/BN119-BattleRoyale.mp3
Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys to Host Wizard World Bash in Chicago
Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys are hosting a party Aug. 22 at Wizard World Chicago — and you’re invited!
A long time ago… August 30, 2005, to be specific… Venganza Media, Inc. launched Star Wars Action News, the world’s first podcast dedicated to Star Wars collecting. In 2010 Venganza then began Marvelicious Toys, focusing on the toys, statues, and games based on the characters from the Marvel comics and movies.
Over the past 10 years both shows have evolved from podcasting pioneers to a major force in the industry and the collecting community, even producing the official podcast for Master Replicas, a Star Wars and Marvel licensee.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, fans are invited to join Star Wars Action News, Marvelicious Toys, and Now Playing Podcast hosts Arnie, Marjorie, Brock, Justin, Jerry, Daryl, Andrew, and more at the Star Wars Action News 10th anniversary bash during Wizard World Chicago. The party, also celebrating Marvelicious Toys’ 5th anniversary, will be hosted by the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. The event begins at 7:30 p.m., and will feature door prizes, appetizers, cake, and a cash bar.
Tickets are priced at $15 for children 12 and under, and $25-$75 for adults. Adult tickets include bonus exclusive collectibles ranging from T-shirts to the exclusive Star Wars Action News badge and lanyard, plus a collectible coin previously only available to those who work on the show.
In addition, all adult tickets enter you in the drawing for a huge selection of door prizes. Items have been provided by DorksideToys.com, Big Bad Toy Store, Kotobukiya, Hallmark, Venganza Media, and many more. Attendees can win items ranging from a Deadpool statue to entire waves of Star Wars figures, and more!
Get your tickets now and follow coverage of these milestones at VenganzaMedia.com and its affiliated podcasts!
About Venganza Media Inc.
Based in Springfield, Ill., Venganza Media Inc. is a multimedia production facility and home to the Venganza Media Podcasting Network.
Film fans and collectors worldwide know Venganza as the producer of Books & Nachos, Star Wars Action News, Marvelicious Toys, and the iTunes Top 10 movie review podcast Now Playing.
Since its formation in 2005, Venganza has delivered thousands of hours of entertainment to listeners, while its staff and fleet of contributors have established the company as a premier source for film reviews, celebrity interviews, and collecting news for audiences of all ages.
The Lost World by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton never intended to write a sequel to his bestselling novel Jurassic Park. But when Stephen Spielberg’s film was a smash success and the director, and fans, requested a follow-up, Crichton obliged. What were the results? Join Stuart in L.A. for this review of Crichton’s novel, then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear that crew’s thoughts on the film! Those movie reviews are only available until July 31, 2015, then they become extinct like the dinosaurs, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN118-LostWorld.MP3
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Today the words Jurassic Park bring to mind a T-Rex roaring at a car, Sam Neil running through a pack of CGI dinosaurs, and John Williams score–all from Steven Spielberg’s hit 1993 film. But before it was a movie, Jurassic Park was a bestselling novel by sci-fi author Michael Crichton. The book and the movie share some basic plot elements, but there are also key differences. How do they compare? Join Stuart in L.A. for this review of Crichton’s novel, then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear that crew’s thoughts on the film! Those movie reviews are only available until July 31, 2015, then they become extinct like the dinosaurs, so donate today!
Arnie C: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN117-JurassicPark.MP3
The Long Walk by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
King’s first novel wasn’t Carrie, it was The Long Walk written while the author was a college freshman. It tells of a dystopian, alternate America in which the national pastime isn’t Baseball, it’s a contest of stamina and will–The Long Walk. King’s story of one of these Walks, and walker Raymond Garraty, wouldn’t be published for over a decade, until it was released in 1979 as the second novel by King’s pen name “Richard Bachman.”
In this episode of Books & Nachos, Arnie reviews and analyzes this early work by the bestselling author. Join him now in this review of the second Bachman Book!
Arnie C: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN116-King28-TheLongWalk.MP3
New Podcast – Books & Nachos reviews The Secret Service: Kingsman by Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons, and Matthew Vaughn
Mark Millar’s comic Kick-Ass was adapted to film by director Matthew Vaughn. Now the two have teamed up again with Kingsman: The Secret Service, an idea the two men spawned while filming Kick-Ass. The story tells of Gary, a juvenile delinquent who’s given one last chance at a legitimate life–as a British secret agent! A clever twist on the old James Bond formula, is this comic worth reading? Join the hosts to find out, then join them LIVE, Tuesday Feb 17th at 9:30 pm EST at NowPlayingPodcast.com for the review of the movie Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Arnie C: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN115-SecretService.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 6
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In this final segment of this review Arnie gives is final review on the book, discusses which of the three print editions is best, and also reviews Marvel Comic’s 31-issue comic series based on King’s novel.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114F-King27-TheStandPartF.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 5
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In the fifth part of this review Arnie looks at The Stand’s climax, which reaches biblical proportions, and compares the ending in the original and the 1990 unabridged versions.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114E-King27-TheStandPartE.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 4
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In the fourth part of the review Arnie looks at Book II of The Stand, including the survivors’ struggles in Boulder and King’s own struggles with the narrative.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114D-King27-TheStandPartD.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 3
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In the third part of this review Arnie analyzes the evil characters in the novel, including Randall Flagg, Lloyd Henreid, and The Trashcan Man. Also a look at the book’s supporting characters Harold, Nadine, Glen, and Rita, and the thought that they may all be psychic!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114C-King27-TheStandPartC.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 2
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In the second part of this podcast series Arnie explores the heroic characters featured in The Stand, including Stuart Redmond, Fran Goldsmith, Larry Underwood, and Nick Andros. He also analyzes the deadly superflu Captain Trips, and the start of the novel’s biblical allegories.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114B-King27-TheStandPartB.MP3
New Podcast: The Stand by Stephen King – Part 1
With his fifth published novel Stephen King went big–a tale about God and demons with the backdrop of a dystopian future. Involving fears both realistic and fantastic, many King fans cite this as the author’s best work to date. Now Arnie continues his reviews of all King’s works with this multi-part podcast series reviewing The Stand.
In the first part of this podcast series Arnie reveals the history of the stand and how it was inspired by Patty Hearst and some dead sheep. He also provides an analysis of the original, iconic cover art, and how George Lucas and J.R.R. Tolkien factor into this 1978 novel!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN114A-King27-TheStandPartA.MP3
Books & Nachos THE STAND Review — Update
Stephen King’s writing of The Stand was fraught with delays. He suffered writer’s block, lost his way with the story, and ultimately had to release Night Shift as a stop-gap so his publishers had something to release.
It feels appropriate, then, that my Books & Nachos review seems to be going through the same cycle.
As host of the Books & Nachos podcast I’ve reviewed over 50 novels, short stories, comics, and non-fiction works. I’m aware of the work involved, which includes not only reading the work but researching its history and truly contemplating the meaning of the book. Yet, even with this experience the review of The Stand is unlike anything I’ve undertaken thus far. As my review of The Stand is delayed, I’ve received several e-mails asking about the release and I felt it important to update you, the constant listener, on my progress.
When I look back on 2014 the dominant memory I’ll have is King’s epic novel. I have read this book three times, both the originally published 1978 version, the slightly revised 1980 Signet paperback, and then the 1990 Complete & Uncut Edition. I took copious notes on each. I read several accounts of King’s writing of the novel, both major and trivial. I watched The Stand mini-series (which we reviewed at Now Playing Podcast) and heard King’s commentary, which also added light on his prose work. I’ve even read the Marvel Comics adaptation so I can review it as well.
But trying to take this information and distill it into one podcast has been daunting. I did, for quite some time, suffer from writer’s block–my introduction was written, rewritten, and rewritten again but I couldn’t bring myself to tackle the analysis. I had hoped to have my review of The Stand done by November 1, ready for release around Thanksgiving with our review of the movie. Needless to say, I missed that date due to the writer’s block.
Now, I’m excited to say, the review is written, but due to the Thanksgiving holiday as well as illness I have been unable to record. With a holiday schedule growing ever-more-hectic as we approach Christmas, the time I hoped to record has been taken by other more immediate, personal concerns.
That said, progress is being made! While I cannot provide an exact release date for this review, it will be out before the Christmas holiday (barring more illness).
In the end, my thought is this: those anxious for this review may be frustrated by the delay, but that will be forgotten. This review will be online for people to hear for years, and I’d rather put out a product I can be 100% proud of rather than rush to meet a deadline and have a review that doesn’t satisfy me or you.
Additionally, this delay is not going to impact the reviews coming down the pike. I am well into reading King’s next work The Long Walk and that review will be out in early January, followed quickly by my review of The Dead Zone which will coincide with the Now Playing Podcast review of that movie the week of January 12th.
In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me at Now Playing Podcast for our current series. On the main feed we have reviews of the horror movie Maniac and, coming tomorrow, the review of the 2012 remake. And on our donation feed we have reviews of all Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, as well as reviews of all seven Leprechaun movies! Plenty of content to keep you entertained while I record and edit The Stand.
Thank you for your patience, and I will update again when the review is ready for you to hear!
New Podcast: The Dark Man by Stephen King
Of all the monsters in Stephen King’s fiction none have captured reader imaginations quite like The Stand’s Randall Flagg–The Walkin’ Dude, The Dark Man. But nine years before The Stand was published King wrote of this Dark Man who walked, rode trains, and hitchhiked across America leaving bodies in his wake. This is detailed in King’s college poem “The Dark Man.” In 2013 Cemetery Dance Publications printed this in an illustrated book, and Arnie has read and reviewed it in this episode of Books & Nachos. Join him to learn about The Dark Man’s early appearance as he prepares for next week’s review of The Stand.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN113-King26-TheDarkMan.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Prestige by Christopher Priest
One stage magician learns how to split himself into two so that he can challenge a pair of rival illusionists who pretend to be one in The Prestige, Christopher Priests sneaky story of splintering identities. Even if you think you’ve spoiled the trick by seeing the popular Christian Bale-Hugh Jackman movie, there are more secrets to be found in the books sprawling five-part structure that spans the 20th Century. Join Stuart In LA as he studies the source material and weighs in on which Christopher – Nolan or Priest – is the better conjurer.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN112-ThePrestige.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Man Who Loved Flowers (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
In Stephen King’s short story “The Man Who Loved Flowers” a man stops to buy roses on the way to see the woman he loves. His warm energy infects all those around him, but there is something they don’t know. Now join Arnie as he completes his reviews of the short stories contained in King’s Night Shift anthology. In this podcast he reviews “The Man Who Loved Flowers” and looks back at all the short stories from Night Shift!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN111-King25-NightShift-ManWhoLovedFlowers.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Last Rung on the Ladder (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
The short stories collected in Stephen King’s Night Shift were written over more than a decade–some originally published in 1968, others printed for the first time in this book. As such, the stories, while having certain similarities, are also wildly varied from the gothic horror of “Jerusalem’s Lot” to the more ghastly comedy found in “Gray Matter” to the realistic, personal drama of “The Woman in the Room.”
“The Last Rung on the Ladder”, a Night Shift original, is a dramatic short story in which a man recounts one day when he was ten years old, and he and his little sister played a dangerous game that almost had fatal consequences.
Now join Arnie for this review review of “The Last Rung on the Ladder”!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN110-King24-NightShift-LastRungontheLadder.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien
Author JRR Tolkien spent three books, and over a thousand pages, creating a dense Middle Earth mythology. Now he brings that age of folklore to a thunderous close with Return of the King. Here all of the saga’s major characters are granted an opportunity to fulfill their destiny. Among the questions answered:
Can vagabond king Aragorn gather the army he needs to return to Gondor and reclaim his royal birthright from invading hordes? Will shieldmaiden Eowyn earn the respect of King Theoden and the other warriors by disguising herself as a man on the battlefield?And most centrally, will ringbearer Frodo have the inner strength to escape Orc captivity and finally reach Mount Doom? And will there be a Shire for the Hobbit to return to should he succeed in destroying the One Ring? Join Jakob (who grew up on Tolkien) and Stuart (who previously only knew the story from Peter Jackson’s work) as they dig deep into the original text in preparation for the Now Playing Silver and Platinum donation reviews of all Hobbit and Lord of the Rings film adaptations.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN109-LOTR04-ReturnOfTheKing.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
It took almost twenty years for the author of The Hobbit to pen a sequel – time enough for the children who grew up on the story to mature into readers capable of tackling a darker, denser saga spanning three separate novels. Fellowship of the Ring begins the adventure with aged journeyman Bilbo Baggins giving nephew Frodo a magic ring he won from monstrous Gollum. Wizard Gandalf can see the treasure is a conduit for dark magic, and sends the new ringbearer and his three Hobbit friends Sam, Merry, and Pippin on a journey to Rivendell. There a council of elves, dwarfs, and humans must decide the best course of action to take against growing enemy Sauron.Join Jakob (who grew up on Tolkien) and Stuart (who previously only knew the story from Peter Jackson’s work) as they dig deep into the original text in preparation for the Now Playing Silver and Platinum donation reviews of all Hobbit and Lord of the Rings film adaptations.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN107-LOTR02-Fellowship.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
It’s hard to believe there was a time when the world didn’t know of Hobbits, those hairy-toed homebodies who prefer a good pipe and cozy hole in the ground to the promise of fame and fortune. But their secret subterranean lifestyle was exposed in 1937 when author J.R.R. Tolkien published The Hobbit. Intended for children, but serving as the basis for his more sophisticated later Lord of the Rings trilogy, this introductory Middle Earth novel offers a delightful account of how paternalistic wizard Gandalf prodded sheltered Bilbo Baggins to step outside his comfort zone and help a band of dwarfs reclaim their kingdom.
The Hobbit is celebrated and castigated in equal measure for re-popularizing folklore in 20th Century literature – presenting a detailed alternate universe teaming with warmongering elves, hungry trolls, giant spiders, and a fire breathing dragon. Is it all just fodder for role-playing games and kiddie cartoons 77 years later, or are there timeless life lessons and enduring appeal to what’s on the page? Join hosts Jakob (who grew up with Tolkien) and Stuart (a fantasy-challenged reader) as they revisit this milestone in preparation for a larger Hobbit/Lord of the Rings movie retrospective being created for Silver and Platinum donors to sister podcast Now Playing.
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN106-LOTR01-Hobbit.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Children of the Corn (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Of all the stories in Stephen King’s Night Shift none have the name recognition, or the notoriety, of “Children of the Corn.” Originally published in a 1977 issue of Penthouse, this story has spawned one of the longest-running horror franchises in film history! Now hear Arnie’s review of the short story, then join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of all nine Children of the Corn films, as well as the “Dollar Baby” adaptation Disciples of the Crow!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN105-King23-NightShift-ChildrenoftheCorn.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
40 Year-Old-Critic: Hellbound – Hellraiser II (1988)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
When I was young I was scared of horror. Not horror films, mind you, but the actual concept of horror petrified me. I mentioned in my earlier article discussing 1979’s Love at First Bite that even watching Dracula on television required an adult be home to protect me.
Yet, I was curious… I wanted to see it while I was frightened of what I might find.
The best analogy I can use for my view of horror is, indeed, the Lament Configuration puzzle box featured in the Hellraiser movies. I was a voyager seeking forbidden knowledge, but once the box was opened the pleasures, and terrors, inside would forever be unleashed. If I watched a horror film the hooks would be in my flesh, and what I would see were images relegated to the domain of nightmare.
I wanted to go there, but I took tentative steps over several years. As a very young child I stuck mostly to the safe horrors of Scooby-Doo ghosts and the seemingly supernatural mysteries in The Three Investigators young adult novels. At age 7 I tried to stretch my own limits by leaving the safety nets of kiddie fare behind and attempting to endure adult horror.
I saw The Shining on television in the early 1980s and was petrified by the decaying woman in the bathtub. I watched Frank Langella in Dracula around the same time. I would see ads for horror films like Return of the Living Dead, Friday the 13th, and Psycho III, read the reviews, and talk endlessly about them with classmates.
Like the cenobites I too wanted to explore the further regions of horror.
Finally, when I was 8 years old, I tried to face horror. I came home from school one day to find our hosted teenage exchange students were watching Friday the 13th on the VCR. My afterschool ritual was to watch a movie, often Star Wars or Grease, but these Brazilians had monopolized the machine. I was not going to change my routine, so if I could not pick the movie then I would just watch theirs. Not five minutes passed before I saw Mrs. Voorhees decapitated and I fled the room.
That image haunted me for years.
But as I grew into adolescence I wanted to stretch my boundaries further, and I did, starting with horror novels. I found the page safer than the screen, as the written word was always limited by the boundaries of my own imagination. I went further at age 12 and had my first horror movie marathon with the A Nightmare on Elm Street 1 and 2. While I did have a few nightmares of my own I loved every minute of it. I immediately started to consume all the horror I could, reading Fangoria magazine and watching more Stephen King films, the Friday the 13th series, Child’s Play, The Lost Boys, and more.
Within a year I was still captivated, but also starting to bore of the same routine. The vast majority of horror films I watched were slashers, each starring a new group of stereotypical teen characters taken to the slaughter. I had entered the realm of horror to stretch my boundaries, but I just found the same stories again and again. I had faced those fears and I wanted more. I wanted to be tested anew.
Then came Hellbound: Hellraiser II. I had known about the original Hellraiser from the ads. Stephen King’s words were put on the movie screen in a giant font: “I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.” Trailers for the first Hellraiser raised my curiosity but the film never came to my town. In 1988, before I’d even had a chance to see Hellraiser on video, its sequel Hellbound came to theaters. The monstrous-looking Cenobites graced the poster. In the movie these creatures described themselves as, “Explorers in the further regions of experience. Demons to some, angels to others.” They were just what I wanted.
Being only 13, I couldn’t find any adult foolish enough to take me to see Hellbound. My parents were lax and would buy me tickets to A Nightmare on Elm Street films, but something about the Hellraiser series made them nervous. I had to wait for video, but the day Hellbound hit VHS I rented it and its predecessor.
I don’t know what I expected the movie to be, but my memory was of fevered excitement. I was going to see something forbidden; I expected something akin to a snuff film. I expected to be changed.
I wanted extreme…I got it. This was one of the first frames I saw of Hellraiser.
By complete accident I put Hellbound in the VCR first and it opened with a montage of the goriest, scariest scenes from the first film. I saw Larry (Andrew Robinson), his flesh stretched by hooks on chains. His distended face leaked more than just blood, and he slurred a blasphemous “Jesus… wept” before exploding into chunks of flesh.
Just these opening frames of Hellbound were an orgy of death and carnage. I was scared. I was nauseated. I was excited. I couldn’t bear to watch, yet I couldn’t turn away.
I had found exactly what I wanted in that damned puzzle box.
Eventually the opening credits started and I hit “stop” so I could watch the films in the correct order. I realized that this was not a Faces of Death-type snuff film but rather a mostly conventional horror film with a crazy woman seducing men and then killing them. Still, I had found a horror more pure, and more imaginative, than even Freddy. Pinhead and his varied demonic cohorts were immortal evil incarnate.
The first film had the better gore, but the second expanded the world further. In Hellbound we got to see the creation of a cenobite and travel to their labyrinthine realm; all taking place in an insane asylum — the heart of madness.
Yet the entire mad experience was accompanied by an amazing orchestral score by Christopher Young. From the disarming lullaby that played when the box was opened to the crescendos that sound like the soundtrack for the end of days, Young’s score stuck with me every bit as much as the latex work. I was no fan of Young’s given his “whale song” music for A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge but he redeemed by Hellraiser. I’ve still not heard a score he’s done better.
In the years since seeing Hellbound I have encountered many horror fans who claim the original Hellraiser is the only one worth watching. I disagree. Perhaps it was because I experienced them as a double-feature, prompted by the marketing for Hellbound, but I see the first two Hellraiser films as parts of a whole.
The matte work may not be cutting edge but Hellbound expanded the mythology of the Hellraiser franchise.
Yes, the first movie had a more visceral feel, but it also had long scenes of Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Lawrence) walking the streets of London. The sequel truly fulfilled Kirsty’s character arc and allowed her to escape the madness forever, or at least until the direct-to-video Hellraiser VI.
After seeing Hellraiser and Hellbound I felt I had gone to the limits of horror. I tried to explore further by reading Clive Barker’s books and seeing his follow-up films Nightbreed and Lord of Illusions. They couldn’t live up to the horrors of Hellraiser.
Repeatedly I’ve felt that Barker is the man who comes closest to taking the terror of nightmares and putting it on the page or screen, but he always falls just short.
For more than a decade the Hellraiser duology would be my bar for terror and horror, and they are both films I appreciate to this day.
I continue to try and find new boundaries to push in every aspect of life. I find contentment to be equal to death and I want to be pushed further. In the 25 years since first seeing Hellbound I’ve discovered films that grossed me out more (Human Centipede comes to mind), but none that felt as forbidden as the first two Hellraiser films.
I will continue to find the next cinematic puzzle box, and when I find it I’ll open it without hesitation.
Tomorrow: 1989!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
New Podcast: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Firestorm by Greg Keyes
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco where an uneasy truce is being negotiated between distrustful apes and paranoid human survivors. How did things get so bad between man and his closest genetic match to make war such an inevitable outcome? And what was life like in the initial days after apes broke free of their cages and stormed across the Golden Gate bridge to take refuge in the Redwoods? In the prequel novel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Firestorm author Greg Keyes returns to the year 2011, bringing together all new characters with the fan favorites of Rise of the Planet of the Apes to explore a turning point in both species’ survival. Does he find a way to expand upon the movie universe, or are you better off skipping this 304 page preview and just reading the new film’s numerous subtitles?
Stuart in LA answers this and more in his final Planet of the Apes podcast of the summer. Listen now!Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear the movie retrospective! The movie podcasts are only available until July 31, 2014!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN104-DawnofthePlanetoftheApesFirestorm.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes by Andrew E. C. Gaska
Planet of the Apes might have begun in literature, but it reached mass popularity and commercial success with the 1968 Charlton Heston movie. That cinema classic, and its four sequels, presents a stark future Earth where Mankind has slipped back into savagery and become slaves to our evolutionary brethren.
In 2011 – the same year Twentieth Century Fox released blockbuster reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes – Archaia Entertainment, author Andrew Gaska, and over a dozen celebrated illustrators launched a continuation of the original movie universe in print. Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes retells the story of the time-traveling Liberty 1 space mission using gorilla, chimp, orang, and human characters we never got to know in the movies.Join Stuart in LA to hear if this illustrated novel is a bold reinterpretation of a landmark film, or just aping the past for quick cash.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear the movie retrospective! The movie podcasts are only available until July 31, 2014!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN103-ConspiracyofPlanetoftheApes.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Planet of the Apes: The Fall and Planet of the Apes: Colony by William T. Quick
In Tim Burton’s 2001 film Planet of the Apes Leo Davidson (played by Mark Wahlberg) is sent to the alien world Ashlar in the far future where humans and smart apes wage war upon each other. But how did humans get to Ashlar and what role did Davidson’s space station Oberon play? The movie never answered those questions, but two novels by author William T. Quick did! Now Stuart in LA is here to bring you up to speed with his summaries and reviews of Planet of the Apes: The Fall and Planet of the Apes: Colony. Listen to find out if these books enhance the experience of watching the 2001 re-imagined Apes film.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear the movie retrospective! The movie podcasts are only available until July 31, 2014!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN102-PlanetoftheApesFallandColonyByWilliamTQuick.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: 3001: The Final Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
The story of the monolith and man’s exploration of space concludes in Arthur C. Clarke’s ultimate Odyssey novel 3001: The Final Odyssey. Set a thousand years after Dave, Frank and HAL journeyed into space to investigate the strange lunar monolith, this concluding chapter reveals the true motivations of the mysterious alien race, with some familiar faces returning to guide readers. Now join Stuart as his voyage through the years concludes and he reviews this 31st Century adventure.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast to hear Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob review the film version of 2001 and 2010!
: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN101-3001-ArthurCClarke.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: 2061: Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke
The movies ended in 2010 but the story of humanity’s Space Odyssey continued in novels by original 2001 co-creator Arthur C. Clarke. In this third installment of the series Heywood Floyd is on a mission to land on Haley’s comet but unexpected events lead him to Europa–the one place in the galaxy the monolith forbade man to tread. Are there answers about the mysterious monolith at last? Join Stuart in this gala 100th episode of Books & Nachos to find out!
Then head to Now Playing Podcast to hear Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob review the film version of 2001 and 2010!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN100-2061-ArthurCClarke.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: 2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke
Fourteen years after Arthur C. Clarke co-created the multimedia experience 2001, the author returns to Jupiter alone in the follow-up novel 2010: Odyssey Two. Now with the freedom to tell whatever story he wants, free of cinematic considerations or partnership with a film director, does Clarke’s novel reach the same heights as the original? Listen to Stuart in LA’s review to find out!
Then head to Now Playing Podcast to hear Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob review the film version of 2001 and 2010!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN099-2010byArthurCClarke.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Many times movies are made based on popular novels. Other times marketing companies see easy money in releasing cheap novelizations of upcoming films. 200: A Space Odyssey is one case where neither is true. The classic film and novel resulted as a collaboration between Dr. Strangelove director Stanley Kubrick and science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. Together they created a story that spans great distances in time and space. However, while the two men consulted each other they worked independently in their own mediums and the resulting film and book resemble each other but also have important differences with the novel providing lots of concrete explanation for what the film left ambiguous. Now join Stuart to hear about the creation of the novel of 2001: A Space Odyssey and find out if the axiom is true and the book is better than the movie!
Then head to Now Playing Podcast to hear Stuart, Arnie, and Jakob review the film version of 2001 and 2010!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN098-2001byArthurCClarke.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle
Everyone knows Planet of the Apes, the movie. With Charlton Heston’s oft-quoted lines and the famously spoiled twist ending, the film has entered the American lexicon. Less known, however, is the original novel that inspired the 1968 motion picture. This original telling, published in 1963 and written by French author Pierre Boulle, created a vision that inspired Hollywood to film it, but the novel also differs from its cinematic counterpart in key ways. Join Stuart in this episode of Books and Nachos as he reads and reviews the book as a companion to Now Playing Podcast’s bonus, limited Planet of the Apes movie retrospective.
Then head to Now Playing Podcast’s donation page to hear the movie retrospective! The movie podcasts are only available until July 31, 2014!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN097-PlanetofTheApes.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: I Know What You Need (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Ed is the perfect boyfriend. He takes Elizabeth to the movies she wants to see, cheers her up when she’s feeling down, and always seems to know what she wants before she wants it. Has Elizabeth found true love, or is Ed’s uncanny empathy the result of something darker? Stephen King reveals the answer in his short story “I Know What You Need” from the Night Shift collection. Now join Arnie, the podcast host who knows what you need–a review and analysis of this Stephen King work!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN096-King22-NightShift-IKnowWhatYouNeed.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Lawnmower Man (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A man has let his lawn grow too long and needs expert help to cut it down. Unknowing he calls a lawn service run by the Pan, the Greek god of fertility, and the result is a gorgeous lawn…and death. What is going on in this story, and how does it tie to the movie about cyberspace? Arnie explains it all in his review of this original Stephen King story, as well as the Marvel Comics adaptation!Hear Arnie’s review of the short story now, then join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the two Lawnmower Man films!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN095-King21-NightShift-LawnmowerMan.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Strawberry Spring (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Under the cover of an unseasonable night fog a killer has started preying on the female students at the usually quiet New Sharon Community College. Police, curfews, and student awareness fail to stop the nightly dismemberings. Who is this murderer? Find out in “Strawberry Spring”, Stephen King’s 1968 short story that was collected in the Night Shift collection. Now join Arnie as he reviews this story.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN094-King20-NightShift-StrawberrySpring.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Trucks (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Five strangers are stranded at a truck stop–the last place they want to be now that all the sixteen wheelers outside have come to life and started driving themselves! How can man survive in a world of machines? Find out in “Trucks”, Stephen King’s short story from the Night Shift collection which the author later made into the film Maximum Overdrive! Now join Arnie as he reviews this story.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN093-King19-NightShift-Trucks.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Battleground (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
It’s not fun and games when army men come to life to avenge the murder of their maker! This war of toy versus man is the plot of “Battleground”, Stephen King’s short story from the Night Shift collection. Now join Arnie as he reviews this story, as well as it’s television and Russian animated adaptations!Watch the animated Russian adaptation now on YouTube!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN092-King18-NightShift-Battleground.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Sometimes They Come Back (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
In the 1950s some teenagers killed Jim Norman’s older brother. Now, sixteen years later, Jim is an adult teaching English at a new school. When some of Jim’s good students start dying they are replaced by the ghosts of the murderous boys. “Sometimes They Come Back”, and they want Jim to join them in the grave. It’s a story full of Stephen King connections, from The Shining to It to “The Body. Listen to Arnie as he reviews this short story from the Night Shift collection! Then head to NowPlayingPodcast.com to hear Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob review the movie versions of this story!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN091-King17-NightShift-SometimesTheyComeBack.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Gray Matter (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
There are some who think no beer is a bad beer, but they haven’t read Stephen King’s short story “Gray Matter.” From the Night Shift collection this tale tells of a man who’s bacteria-laden brewski changes him from a a repulsive human being into a repulsive, slime monster. The premise may be crazy, but is the story fun? Arnie lets you know as he continues reading and reviewing all of Stephen King’s fiction!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN090-King16-NightShift-GrayMatter.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: I Am the Doorway (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
An astronaut returned from Venus believes he has been inhabited by homicidal aliens. These aliens have sprouted eyes on the man’s hands, and forced him to kill a local boy. Is the man insane, or is he the doorway for an alien invasion? Find out in “I Am the Doorway”, a short story King originally published in 1971 that was collected and reprinted in the Night Shift anthology. Join Arnie now as he reads and reviews this story, continuing his look at all the Night Shift works!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN089-King15-NightShift-IAmTheDoorway.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Night Surf (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A superflu nicknamed “Captain Tripps” kills most of the people on Earth. This story tells the tale of a small group of survivors. No, this is not Stephen King’s The Stand, but rather “Night Surf”, a short story King first wrote a decade before that seminal novel. Listen now to find out how the two stories connect, what other Stephen King connections are found, and if “Night Surf” is a story worth reading as Arnie continues his reviews of all the tales from King’s Night Shift anthology.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN088-King14-NightShift-NightSurf.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Mangler (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Have you ever worked on your computer, your lawnmower, or your car and felt that the damned machine is out to get you? That perhaps a demonic spirit has taken hold of the device, giving it an evil intent? Put that feeling towards a 30-foot industrial laundry press and the result is “The Mangler”, Stephen King’s short story about such a machine that “tasted blood and found it liked it.” In this Books & Nachos podcast Arnie reviews this short story from King’s Night Shift collection. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of “The Mangler” movie adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN087-King13-NightShift-TheMangler.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Graveyard Shift (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Hall is a drifter who has taken a night job at the Gates Falls mill for the summer. It seems like an easy gig, but with the numerous rats and the annoying foreman it may push Hall too far. Monsters, both human and not, await in Stephen King’s 1970 short story “Graveyard Shift”, collected in King’s Night Shift anthology. Arnie reviews the original short story on this episode of Books & Nachos. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the “Graveyard Shift” movie adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN086-King12-NightShift-GraveyardShift.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Quitters Inc. (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Dick Morrison has to quit smoking. He may not want to quit smoking, but after signing up for the cessation program run by a group of mobsters under the name Quitters, Inc. Dick knows that another cigarette means physical torture for his wife and son. Adapted to film as a memorable part of the Cat’s Eye anthology, Arnie reviews the original short story on this episode of Books & Nachos. Then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of Cat’s Eye anthology film, at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN085-King11-NightShift-QuittersInc.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Ledge (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
Would you rather go to jail and never again see the woman you love, or walk along a 42nd story ledge that is only five inches wide? That is the choice tennis pro Stan Norris must make in “The Ledge.” This Stephen King short story was first published in 1973 and collected in 1978’s Night Shift. Join Arnie on this Books & Nachos analysis of the short, then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the film adaptation, part of the Cat’s Eye anthology film, at NowPlayingPodcast.com!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN084-King10-NightShift-TheLedge.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Boogeyman (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A man goes to a psychiatrist claiming he killed all three of his children, but not through direct action but rather inaction–failure to stop The Boogeyman. Is the man insane, or is there a monster waiting for him in the closet? This Stephen King short story was first published in 1973 and collected in 1978’s Night Shift. Join Arnie on this Books & Nachos analysis of the short, then hear his, Stuart’s, and Jakob’s review of the “Dollar Baby” film adaptation at NowPlayingPodcast.com
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN083-King09-NightShift-TheBoogeyman.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Woman in the Room (from the Night Shift collection) by Stephen King
A woman lays in her hospital bed, dying of cancer. Her son, John, sits next to her, a bottle of painkillers in his pocket, thinking of ending her suffering forever. “The Woman in the Room” is a very different type of story than Stephen King’s fans would have come to expect when first printed in the 1978 short story collection Night Shift, and it is the tale Arnie is reviewing on this episode of Books & Nachos. Listen to find out if this change of pace is a welcome one, then join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at NowPlayingPodcast.com as they review Frank Darabont’s “Dollar Baby” film adaptation of the story.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN082-King08-NightShift-TheWomanintheRoom.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Rage by Stephen King (as Richard Bachman)
Author Stephen King, feeling stifled by Doubleday’s mandate that he not publish more than one novel per year, made an agreement where he could publish novels under a pseudonym–Richard Bachman. In 1977 the first book under that assumed name was released — Rage. Started by King while still in high school, this tale of a teenage gunman taking his class hostage has inspired at least four real-life shooting situations and has been pulled from print. Now Arnie continues his look back at all of King’s works with a review of Rage, discussing its impact on real world violence, analyzing King’s decision to take on an assumed name, and asking if this book deserves to be kept in King’s bibliography.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN081-King07-Rage.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Frank Miller’s Robocop
Spoiler Alert! This podcast discusses many key elements of Frank Miller’s Robocop comic series.
Despite being a credited writer on Robocop 2 Frank Miller was unhappy with the final product, feeling the film failed to capture his vision. With Robocop 2 being a critical disappointment Miller’s original script became a thing of legend. Finally in 2003 Miller gave fans an insight into what could have been with Frank Miller’s Robocop–a comic book series based on his original ideas for Robocop 2. How does it compare to the theatrical release, and was Miller’s original idea better? Join Arnie and Jakob in this episode of Books & Nachos to find out, then join them at NowPlayingPodcast.com to hear their reviews of all the Robocop films!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN080%20-%20Frank%20Millers%20Robocop.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Wolf of Wall Street and Catching the Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
Jordan Belfort made headlines in the 1990s, first for his unusual start-up stock trading firm, then for his illegal stock manipulation practices. But that media attention is nothing compared to the spotlight being shone on this white-collar criminal with the release of Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street. Now Stuart in LA has read Belfort’s two autobiographies, The Wolf of Wall Street and Catching the Wolf of Wall Street to read the story in the salesman’s own words. Hear Stuart’s thoughts on the book in this podcast!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their review of the movie adaptation of The Wolf of Wall Street!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN079-WolfofWallStreet.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Dan Torrance was just five years old when he survived the ghostly attacks of his drunken father at The Overlook Hotel. But for 36 years fans have wondered what happened to Dan, a powerful psychic, after The Shining ended. Now Stephen King answers that question with Doctor Sleep, a book that tells of Dan as a 40 year old recovered alcoholic. When a group of psychic vampires go after a young girl with mental powers Dan has to once again stand up to the powers of darkness.Could any novel live up to readers’ memories of The Shining? And if so, does Doctor Sleep deliver those same thrills and drama? Join Arnie as he reviews King’s latest novel to find out!And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at http://nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the theatrical and TV adaptations of The Shining!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN078-King06-DoctorSleep.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Shining by Stephen King
Do you know Stephen King’s The Shining? You may think you do–iconography from King’s third book litters American pop culture. The Overlook Hotel. Redrum. Jack Torrance, who’s always been the caretaker of the hotel. It was King’s first bestselling hardcover novel and famously adapted by Stanley Kubrick to film–but if you only know The Shining from the movie you are missing out! King’s book is a study of paternal relationships, alcoholism, and the nature of fatherhood. Plus there’s also ghosts, murderers, and a little psychic boy.
Now, continuing his Stephen King review series Arnie is back with his spoiler-free analysis of King’s story of a haunted hotel. Also in this podcast Arnie reviews “Before the Play”–The Shining’s rare, uncollected prologue, cut from the final novel.
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of both the movie and TV adaptations of The Shining!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN077-King05-TheShining.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Jersulam’s Lot (from the Night Shift Collection) by Stephen King
Stephen King’s “Jerusalem’s Lot” tells the story of Charles Boone and his servant Calvin. In 1850 the two men move to Preacher’s Corners, Maine where they stay at a large house left to Charles by his estranged cousin. The townspeople feel the two men must be mad to stay in the haunted mansion, and crazier still to set foot in the nearby ghost town of Jerusalem’s Lot. What the two men discover will reveal secrets from Boone’s family history as well as the evil that consumed ‘Salem’s Lot.
This short story, first published as the lead tale in Stephen King’s Night Shift collection, was sold as an earlier tale from the town of Jerusalem’s Lot–the location of King’s ‘Salem’s Lot. The story is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of that bestselling vampire novel. How does it tie into the longer book, and is it required reading for King fans? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN076-King04-NightShift-JerusalemsLot.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: One For the Road (from the Night Shift Collection) by Stephen King
Some questions lingered when Stephen King’s ‘Salem’s Lot ended. Were all the vampires killed? Due to the success of the novel, and to help publicize the paperback edition of the book, the author returned to the Maine town of Jerusalem’s Lot for his short story “One For the Road.” Taking place several years after vampires first settled in Maine, King tells the story of three men who must venture into the ghost town to rescue a stranded woman and child.
The story was first published in Maine Magazine, then reprinted in Stephen King’s first short story collection Night Shift, and is now appended to paperback and eBook versions of ‘Salem’s Lot. What happened in the story and is it worth the quick read? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN075-King03-NightShift-OneForTheRoad.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
“What would happen if Dracula came to America today?” With that conversational inquiry Stephen King was inspired to write the novel ‘Salem’s Lot. King’s second published book, ‘Salem’s Lot was a bestseller, cementing King’s reputation among horror fans. The books’ success then translated to a television mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper.
‘Salem’s Lot is almost 40 years old but thanks to Twilight vampire fiction is more popular than ever. With all that has come in between, does King’s vampire story still have bite or does it just suck? Listen to Arnie’s review to find out as he analyzes the themes of King’s book and investigates how this plot resembles some of King’s other fiction. Even included in this show is analysis of the cut passages from ‘Salem’s Lot, published in the book’s 30th Anniversary Edition, as well as the 1995 BBC Radio Drama adaptation. All in this podcast continuing our Stephen King series!
And join Arnie, Stuart, and Jakob at nowplayingpodcast.com to hear their reviews of the three ‘Salem’s Lot TV and movie adaptations!
Download the ‘Salem’s Lot BBC Radio Drama from Tales of Horror Podcast
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN074-King02-SalemsLot.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Murder and Other Distractions by Michael Estrin
Ethan’s life is a bit of a mess. He spends his time in a toxic, casual relationship, smoking weed and coasting through his job, all the while pining for The Girl Who Got Away. But when that girl is murdered, Ethan is the top suspect. Part murder mystery, part comedy, Murder and Other Distractions is a short novel by Michael Estrin. Listen to Steve’s review to find out if this is a Distraction worth your time!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN073-MurderandDistractions.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Dracula by Bram Stoker
For over 100 years we have lived among the vampires. Werewolves, ghosts, and serial killers have all popped up, but the vampire has been the monster to beat. From hit books like the Twilight series and Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles to movies like Underworld and Fright Night to comics like 30 Days of Night and Blade to television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and True Blood, the creatures of the night are among us. But it all started with one vampire and the imagination of Bram Stoker. Now, as Arnie prepares to read Stephen King’s book Salem’s Lot, he goes back to the source to review Dracula–the original vampire tale. Join him on this Halloween to find out if this is a book with bite, or if it just sucks!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN072-Dracula.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Psycho House by Robert Bloch
The same year that Psycho IV premiered on Showtime, original Psycho author Robert Bloch also returned to the Bates Motel with his third and final book in that series — Psycho House! With the Bates Motel turned into a tourist attraction it seems Norman’s crimes have been commercialized…until another girl is murdered. With Norman out of the picture, who is the killer now? Listen as Stuart takes you inside the House in his final review of Bloch’s Psycho book trilogy!! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to donate to our shows and hear the movie reviews!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN071-PsychoHouse.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Carrie by Stephen King
Carrie is the tale of a telekinetic teenage outcast, was phenomenal success for any book, let alone the first-published work of a new author. It’s film rights were pursued by Brian De Palma and the paperback sold a million copies. But such is the legacy of Stephen King, a man who’s words spark imagination and bring even non-readers into bookstores.
As a new film based on Carrie is released in theaters Arnie begins this Books & Nachos podcast retrospective looking back on all King’s published works. In this episode he reviews Carrie in light of King’s later works, examining the themes, character types, and plot devices King would return to again and again.
The new movie’s ads say “You Will Know Her Name” but will you know the whole story? Listen to this episode of Books & Nachos to find out!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN070-King01-Carrie.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Psycho II by Robert Bloch
Hitchcock’s Psycho became such a phenomenal success that it all but obscured the novel on which it was based. But in 1982 original Psycho author Robert Bloch returned to Norman Bates in his novel Psycho II. Completely unrelated to the 1983 film of the same name, Bloch’s book tells of a movie studio adapting Norman Bates’ story to the big screen. When Norman hears about this he is none too happy and he goes to Hollywood. Now Stuart reads and reviews Bloch’s original continuation of Bates’ story as he continues to read the Psycho novels while at Now Playing Podcast he, Arnie, and Brock review the Psycho films! Those movie reviews are Now Playing’s limited-availability Fall 2013 Gold Donation Series, but here, unlimited, you can hear Stuart’s thoughts on the book! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to hear the movie reviews!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN069-Psycho2.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Psycho by Robert Bloch
Psycho. The word evokes common images, all black and white from the classic Alfred Hitchcock film. The film is such an acclaimed success that for many it obscures the fact that before Norman Bates was on the big screen he was first on the page, in Robert Bloch’s original novel Psycho. Now Stuart, Arnie, and Brock are reviewing all the Psycho movies as part of Now Playing’s limited-availability Fall 2013 Gold Donation Series, but here, unlimited, you can hear Stuart’s thoughts on the original book! Take a listen, then go to Now Playing Podcast before October 31, 2013 to hear the thoughts on the film!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN068-PSYCHO.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: World War Z by Max Brooks
This week the movie World War Z arrives in theaters starring Brad Pitt as an investigator traveling the world during a massive zombie outbreak. The film shares the title with the best selling book by Max Brooks, but fans of the book claim the movie has little resemblance to their beloved story. The movie will be reviewed at Now Playing Podcast but first Stuart has read and now reviews the source material!
After you listen to his review, head to NowPlayingPodcast.com and find out how to hear their World War Z movie review, only available until June 30, 2013!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN067-WWZ.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Return of the Living Dead by John Russo
Return of the Living Dead is best known for being a 1985 horror-comedy film that is both a sequel to and a spoof of George Romero’s classic Night of the Living Dead. However, few know of the messy history behind the film, and that it originally started off as a novel written by Night of the Living Dead co-writer John Russo and released in 1977. A straight follow-up to Romero’s original film, Russo’s novel bears little resemblance to the film that would follow 8 years later. But now as part of Now Playing’s Return of the Living Dead bonus retrospective series Stuart in LA reads and reviews the original novel and tells how this book became the 1985 cult classic!
After you listen to his review, head to NowPlayingPodcast.com and find out how to hear their Return of the Living Dead movie review series, only available until June 30, 2013!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN066-ROTLD.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: New Avengers: Breakout Prose Novel by Alisa Kwitney
Continuing the look at the new series of Marvel Comics prose novels that adapt popular comic arcs into novel form Arnie is back this week to review New Avengers: Breakout by Alisa Kwitney. The original story was told by Brian Michael Bendis in the 2005 New Avengers comics. This novel changes the story considerably making two characters not in Bendis’ comics– Hawkeye and the Black Widow — the main characters. Listen to Arnie’s review to find out if these reviews are for better or for worse.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN065-MarvelProseNewAvengersBreakout.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Prose Novel by Peter David
Next Tuesday the fourth book in Marvel Comics new prose novel series is being released–Iron Man: Extremis by Marie Javins. This wraps up the four novel series announced by Marvel back in 2012. To commemorate the conclusion of this book series, Arnie is back to continue his reviews of these Marvel Comics novelizations of successful comic arcs. This week Arnie is reviewing Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, written by longtime Marvel Comics scribe Peter David, based on the comic series by Joss Whedon.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN064-MarvelProseAstonishingXMenGifted.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell
Even if you don’t know the name Bruce Campbell the odds are you’ve seen him in television shows and movies. Currently a star of Burn Notice, Campbell has been featured in the Hercules and Xena television shows, as well as films like Maniac Cop, Escape from L.A., The Hudsucker Proxy, The Majestic, and all three Spider-Man films. But for all his work, Campbell is perhaps best known for his role of Ash in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead films. As today the remake of Evil Dead is being released, Arnie takes this opportunity to revisit Campbell’s 2001 autobiography for the insights it gives on the actor and his films.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN063-IfChinsCouldKill.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Marvel’s Civil War Prose Novel by Stuart Moore
Last year Marvel Comics started a new prose novel line adapting popular comic book story arcs to long fiction form. Now Arnie is reviewing all four of these novelized comic book stories, starting with the first book — Civil War. The Civil War comic books of 2006 and 2007 was a best-selling event, spanning over 100 comics and topping sales charts. Now author Stuart Moore is taking this expansive story and compressing it into a 350 page book. Join Arnie as he contrasts the novel with its comic book counterpart, and find out if Civil War is worth a read!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN062-MarvelProseCivilWar.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Hellblazer: Dangerous Habits by Garth Ennis
After reviewing the Keanu Reeves film Constantine, based on DC’s Hellblazer comics, hosts Arnie and Jakob turn to the source material on which the movie was based. In their second podcast looking at John Constantine in comics, they discuss Original Sins, Garth Ennis’ first American comic book writing and one of the most acclaimed Hellblazer storylines.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN061-HellBlazer02-DangerousHabits.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Hellblazer: Original Sins by Jamie Delano
Jakob and Arnie have returned to Books & Nachos to review more DC comics graphic novels. On Tuesday they reviewed the Keanu Reeves film Constantine, based on DC’s Hellblazer comics. Now they turn to the source material, reading and reviewing Original Sins, a graphic novel compiling Hellblazer issues 1 through 9.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN060-HellBlazer01-OriginalSins.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: 58 Minutes by Walter Wager
The original Die Hard movie was based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. But as Thorp’s novel had no sequel, 20th Century Fox had no road map for where to take John McClane in the sequel Die Hard 2. Instead, the studio and screenwriters took Walter Wager’s 1987 novel 58 Minutes about an NYPD officer who has to fight off terrorists at JFK airport. What other changes are there between the book and the film, and is the book worth your time? Spend 14 minutes listening to Stuart’s review to find out!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN059-DieHard3-58Minutes.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp
Die Hard is based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The novel was a sequel to The Detective, and starred an old police detective named Joe Leland. The movie made the hero younger and changed his name to John McClane. What other changes are there between the book and the film, and is the book worth a read? Listen to find out!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN058-DieHard2-NothingLastsForever.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Detective by Roderick Thorp
Die Hard is based on the novel Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. But Nothing Lasts Forever was itself a sequel to The Detective, a story of a police detective in the 1960s. That detective is Joe Leland, who would take his place in cinema history once renamed John McClane. Now our own reviewer Stuart investigates the literary history of the action movie character. Does he detect a good novel? Listen to find out!
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN057-DieHard1-TheDetective.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Octopussy by Ian Fleming
Brock is back to review the final Ian Fleming James Bond short story from the Octopussy and The Living Daylights collection. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. So join us as we complete this look with our final review, discussing the short story Octopussy.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN056-Bond18-Octopussy.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Man With the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming
James Bond was presumed dead after the Blofeld trilogy ends, and before Fleming could revive the spy that brought him fame the author himself died. Published posthumously, The Man With the Golden is Fleming’s final Bond novel, and Stuart is back to review it, continuing Books & Nachos’ reviews of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond prose stories. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this podcast, join Stuart as he reviews The Man With the Golden Gun.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN055-Bond17-ManWithGoldenGun.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming
Brock is back to complete Books & Nachos’ reviews of Ian Fleming’s original James Bond prose stories, this time looking at the final book in the so-called Blofeld trilogy of novels. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this podcast, join Brock as he reviews You Only Live Twice.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN054-Bond16-YouOnlyLiveTwice.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Property of a Lady and 007 in New York by Ian Fleming
Brock goes back to the last Ian Fleming James Bond book ever released to review two more short stories from the Octopussy and The Living Daylights collection. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. So make a plate of scrambled eggs and take a listen to Brock as he reviews Property of a Lady and 007 in New York
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN053-Bond15-PropertyNewYork.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service by Ian Fleming
James Bond is back, as is our book reviewer Brock, continuing his reviews of Ian Fleming’s works. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads the second novel in Fleming’s Blofeld trilogy – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN052-Bond14-OnHerMajesty.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming
James Bond in a hard boiled detective story with a femme fatale and an enemy with metal teeth–it’s all in The Spy Who Loved Me, an original novel by Ian Fleming. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews another original James Bond novel.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN051-Bond13-SpyWhoLovedMe.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: The Living Daylights by Ian Fleming
The book title is Octopussy (or sometimes Octopussy and The Living Daylights) but in this Ian Fleming book is actually a collection of short stories. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads and reviews the first-published short story from this collection — The Living Daylights.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN050-Bond12-LivingDaylights.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Thunderball by Ian Fleming
It’s a Bond story that started as a screenplay, then became a book, then became a film! But in Ian Fleming’s eighth Bond novel such Bond film staples are born as Blofeld, SPECTRE, and a story made into not one but two James Bond movies. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads and reviews Fleming’s eighth Bond novel — Thunderball.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN049-Bond11-Thunderball.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming – Part 3
Brock is back finishing his reviews of Ian Fleming’s James Bond short stories collected in the book For Your Eyes Only. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads and reviews the titular short story of the collection–For Your Eyes Only.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN048-Bond10-ForYourEyesOnly.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming – Part 2
Brock is back continuing his reviews of Ian Fleming’s James Bond short stories collected in the book For Your Eyes Only. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads and reviews the next two short stories Risico and From a View to a Kill.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN047-Bond09-RisicoAndView.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: For Your Eyes Only by Ian Fleming – Part 1
In addition to the successful novel series, Ian Fleming also wrote several short stories telling tales of the British Agent. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Brock as he reads and reviews two short stories from Fleming’s For Your Eyes Only short story collection — The Hildebrand Rarity and Quantum of Solace.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN046-Bond08-HoldebrandQOS.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Goldfinger by Ian Fleming
Goldfinger, the third James Bond film, is often seen as the quintessential Bond movie–the one where all the elements came together to form the James Bond formula. But in print, Goldfinger was Fleming’s seventh novel, the British agent is investigating smuggler and game cheat Auric Goldfinger. Similar in many ways to its theatrical part, Stuart reviews the original novel and compares it to the big screen counterpart. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews Goldfinger.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN045-Bond07-Goldfinger.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Dr. No by Ian Fleming
Most people were introduced to James Bond in Dr. No, the first Bond feature film. However, Dr. No was Ian Fleming’s sixth Bond novel, picking up after the author had seemingly killed the super-spy in the previous book. Much like the film, Dr. No is working with Russians to disrupt American rocket tests. But is the truism that the book is always better the case, or No? As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews Dr. No.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN044-Bond06-DrNo.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming
Bond has stopped several evil plots in his first four novels, and now the Russian General of SMERSH wants revenge for Bond’s meddling. They not only want to kill Bond but first they need to ruin his reputation. With two henchmen sent to do the deed, Bond is facing his biggest challenge yet! As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews From Russia With Love.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN043-Bond05-FromRussiaWithLove.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming
In Bond’s fourth literary outing, the spy has to come to the states to take on a group of American gangsters. If that sounds beneath Bond, he agrees with you in this book! With very little resemblance to the theatrical adaptation, Diamonds Are Forever takes Bond undercover as a diamond smuggler. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews Diamonds are Forever.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN042-Bond04-DiamondsAreForever.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Moonraker by Ian Fleming
Moonraker, the James Bond film, is a black mark on 007’s film history–a shameless Star Wars rip-off that takes Bond to the final frontier. But in the original Ian Flemming novel, Moonraker is a much more Earthbound tale pitting Bond against Drax, a nuclear arms manufacturer. As part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews Moonraker.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN041-Bond03-Moonraker.mp3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming
James Bond versus Mister Big, the Voodoo Baron of Death. This fight is a classic part of the Bond movie franchise, but while it was the eighth Bond film it was actually the second Bond story written by Ian Flemming, released in 1954. Now as part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads and reviews Live and Let Die.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN040-Bond02-LiveAndLetDie.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
James Bond first appeared not in Dr. No, but in Casino Royale, Ian Fleming’s novel about a British spy on a mission to beat a Russian in a game of cards that has life or death stakes. Now as part of James Bond’s 50th Anniversary, the podcast Now Playing is reviewing all of the James Bond films and we at Books & Nachos are looking at all of Fleming’s original Bond novels and short stories. In this episode, join Stuart as he reads Fleming’s first Bond work.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN039-Bond01-CasinoRoyale.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
New Podcast: Death Dealt the Hand by John E. Bailor
When special agent Trevor Byrne investigates the hasty approval of an experimental AIDS cure, he uncovers a plot by genetics lab DNAY to unleash a deadly toxin on the world. With millions of lives at stake, and time running out, can Trevor stop DNAY before it’s too late? Listen to the latest Books & Nachos podcast to hear Steve review this thriller novel.
Review copy provided courtesy of the author.
Listen Now: http://www.booksandnachos.com/Podcasts/BN038.MP3
Category: Arts & Literature
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