Title: Go, Mutants!

Author: Larry Doyle

Genre: Speculative Fiction, Horror, Comedy, Young Adult

Publisher: Ecco
Publication Date: June 2010
Hardcover: 368 Pages

The author of I Love You, Beth Cooper returns with an ingenious contemporary satire set in an alternate universe populated by the aliens, mutants, and atomic monsters of B-movie legend.

It came to Earth . . . and now its spawn goes to high school.

Earth has survived repeated alien invasions, attacks by hordes of mutants, and the ravages of ancient beasts brought back to life. Now we’re in the blissful future…for most.

J!m, the son of the alien who nearly destroyed the planet, is a brooding, megacephalic rebel with a big forehead and exceptionally oily skin. Along with Johnny, a radioactive biker ape, and Jelly, a gelatinous mass passing as a fat kid, J!m navigates a particularly unpleasant adolescence in which he really is as alienated as he feels, the world might actu-ally be out to get him, and true love is complicated by mis-understanding and incompatible parts. As harmless school antics escalate into explosive events with tragic consequences, J!m makes a discovery that will alter the course of civilization, though it may help his dating life.

Replete with all the rock ‘n’ roll, hot-rod racing, and heavy petting of classic teen cinema—and packed with famous film-monster cameos—Go, Mutants! is fun strapped to an atomic rocket, and Doyle’s deadpan delivery and razor-sharp wit will have you laughing out loud before he even starts the ignition sequence.

Stand alone or series: Stand alone novel

How did we get this book: (Autographed) ARCs from BookExpo America

Why did we read this book: Funny story, actually. Thea initially had this book highlighted on her BEA calendar as MUST GET OR DIE – based on the awesome synopsis and sweet cover. Ana wasn’t really interested…until she saw the line for the book, saw the awesome cover, and read the blurb too. Thus, both armed with autographed copies, the two book smugglers vowed to do a joint review for the book – and soon, given the release date.

And here we are. (Yes, we know we’re changing pronouns and tenses all over the place. But this is all in the spirit of Go, Mutants! Seriously.)

REVIEW:

First Impressions:

Thea: If this were a job interview and I had to describe Go, Mutants! in three words, they would be: Bizarre. Neato. Diabolical.

Well, it’s also nostalgic, a sweet mashup/homage to B-movies and classics (both of the horror and teen angst variety), hilarious, and raunchy good fun. (I was never good at the three words question) While Go, Mutants! does have its drawbacks and falters in its delivery, at times trying too hard (and there’s nothing more square than trying too hard, daddy-o), overall, the novel succeeds in its own weirdo, radioactive kind of way.

Ana: Thea you so crack me up, but yeah, I agree with you, babydoll. Ugh, sorry, I can’t do the back-to-the-60s speak but Larry Doyle can. And that’s what’s important. Although there is a certain unevenness feel to the writing (which I will address later) , the book is rollicking good fun, with characters I positively loved and some sequences that were pure genius – including the ending.

On the Plot:

Thea: Imagine a 1950s world in which aliens, mutants, and other assorted B-movie monsters are integrated into regular society. Imagine that these aliens, mutants and monsters are parents, teachers, and other taxpaying, law abiding citizens. And they have children – children that are going to high school, alongside human kids, getting into the same sort of shenanigans, going through the same pubescent awkwardness, sexual frustration, and angst. Go, Mutants! follows young J!m, the son of a feline extraterrestrial mother and a large-brained, matter-energy devouring father – a father that also happened to, ahem, try to destroy the world (unsuccessfully). J!m makes his way through high school in the manner of many teen boys – armed with a generous heaping of male ennui, tight jeans, and a impenetrable aura of brooding. With his friends Jelly (whom you may recognize from a classic film about an amorphous blob from outer space) and Johnny (son of the union between a beautiful blonde and her ape-captor), J!m walks the treacherous halls of High School – avoiding human bullies, dealing with awkward sexual urges, and, of course, falling in love. Of course, J!m has quite the family legacy to live down, making his journey through high school a little more complicated than the average teen’s – especially when the proverbial poop hits the fan, again, and J!m uncovers a truth about his family past that no one wants to believe.

Story-wise, Go, Mutants! is a solid, if strange, romp that reads like a hybrid of Rebel Without A Cause meets The Twilight Zone. This isn’t exactly a plot-driven novel (it’s much more character-centric), but the world that Larry Doyle has created (or remembered and reimagined) is compelling stuff. I love the premise of the book, with aliens and mutants as part of the everyday world (however discriminated against they may be), and the choice of following one such outsider through high school; it gives a whole new meaning to the word “alienation.” There’s also an awesome homage to numerous films: the aforementioned Rebel Without a Cause (down to the planetarium!), The Blob, the numerous Godzilla films, King Kong, and more. My love for the allusions in this book are perhaps best shown in this line:

the monsters were lined up on Maple Street.

referencing the Twilight Zone episode of the same name (one of my personal favorites) – “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.” What’s so great about this line is that it references an episode that focused on the evils that humanity inflicts upon itself – paranoia and fear of possible aliens causes the residents of Maple Street to turn on themselves, leading to a mob mentality, over and over again (as the experiment, carried out by – you guessed it – aliens, yields the same results time and time again). In Go, Mutants!, it’s a clever, very appliable analogy – as the fearful, paranoid, self-interested humans round up the so called “monsters.”

It’s lines like this that make Go, Mutants! work – there’s this subtlety, this biting absurdism and sardonic wit. However, by the same token, there is a feeling of trying too much at times. The initial chapters of the book are a bit confusing, as is the general background for the novel. Getting into Go, Mutants! is not an easy thing, especially as the technicalities and history are so vague and covered with so much techno-jargon. It’s not really clear why so many people and creatures have mutated, nor is it clear what certain technologies are – and the overall impression is of one trying to be witty and absurdist, but not exactly succeeding. Gripes with writing style aside, the movie/tv/pop culture references were enough to keep me engaged and hungry for more.

But, more importantly, as much as this is a science fiction/horror drive in special kind of a book, it’s also very much a book about its characters – which is where the book truly shines.

Ana: I had a hard time with the book to start with and I think part of it stems from

1) a certain vagueness with regards to what was happening to the world and a lack of specifics with regards to technical terms, etc. There is no info dump and the reader is just thrust in the middle of this alternate America. Whereas this is usually a good thing, I thought it was rather confusing at least in the beginning. Once I got used to it all, and got to know the characters, it was easier. Plus, something that happens in the end explains the use of language and I for one, found it AWESOME.

2) and from my own specific background. English is not my mother tongue and some of the language used is really, I don’t even know which word to use to describe but for example words such as “imbide”, “effervesced” and “obsolesced” were used in day to day language and I had to stop and think about them. Plus, I don’t feel I have enough knowledge of American culture to appreciate and “get” all the puns and all the movie/tv/pop culture references. For example, the Twilight Zone reference that Thea quoted above was totally lost on me although I am proud to say I think I got some others which definitely made it for a fun read – trying to connect all the dots.

As I said, once I got used to the language and the zany execution of plot, I was completely onboard. More than the specific reference to pop culture though what I liked the most were all the political paranoia, the underlying themes of racism, prejudice and bullying all deftly dealt with by the author without being preachy. There is also a very, very clever, keenly cynical sequence about how the religions in the world reacted to the knowledge that we are not alone in the universe.

“Some adapted. The Unitarians changed their name to the Cosmotarians and expanded their refreshments; Reform Jews retroactively added another dozen tribes. Roman Catholics, seldom living in the same century as everyone else, issue the Dei Verbum, (…)”

Even though yes, I agree with Thea, it seems that the author is trying too hard to be clever and witty with regards to language and plotting, I have to say that the characters were awesome and just right.

On the Characters:

Thea: As I said before, Go, Mutants! is very much a character driven novel – it is because of the strength of its characters that the book really works as well as it does, especially in the face of some hit or miss writing. J!m’s story – as the teen that is living down his father’s infamy, his mother as something of an Oedipal nightmare, his unrequited love for neighbor (and intelligent popular girl) Marie, and his own bodily changes – is what truly made the book for me. I loved J!m’s sense of humor, his ability to stand up to those significantly stronger than himself, and his grappling with his own feelings of inadequacy (especially when it comes to Marie). And Marie, as J!m’s love interest and friend is more than deserving of his attentions. Hilarious, smart, sassy (in a subtle way), I loved Marie just as much as I did J!m. Then, of course, there’s the bevy of supporting characters – the funny, gelatinous Larry and tough guy Johnny as the two main standouts. There’s also the hilarious story of a girl named Sandra Jane and her enormous gazungas (and her own self esteem problems), a bully and his sister, and assorted others.

Even the characters met en passant are fleshed out and genuine, adding to novel. I must say, I am very impressed. One final note worth mentioning here – I loved how overtly sexual the book is. Not just because it goes with the tradition of the 1950s nostalgia that Go, Mutants! pays tribute to, but because these are teenage boys after all – and it really bugs me that so many YA books are sanitized of even the mentioning of sexual content. J!m – and the other characters in the book – are sixteen and horny (both guys AND girls). It’s refreshing to see that isn’t glossed over.

Ana: Totally agree with Thea here – that’s where Go,Mutants becomes a darn good book. From the get go, I fell in love with J!m. Even as I struggled with the world he lives in, I saw the potential for this character from page one and Larry Doyle did not disappoint me. His arc was well done, and I felt sympathy, compassion, sometimes anger for the kid, as he struggled with being bullied, or just being a brooking teenager. Loved his sense of humour and his repartee with his teachers, friends and foes. And how much did I root for him to hook up with Marie? LOADS, that’s how much.

The secondary characters were awesome too but I loved especially Johnny who was always there for J!m and J!m’s mother, a strong woman trying to raise her son and who did not put up with BS.

Final Thoughts, Observations and Rating:

Thea: Although I did have some roadblocks in my enjoyment of the book initially, the strength of the characters and the awesome shoutouts to classic films, television, and other sundries made Go, Mutants! totally worth it, for me. Definitely recommended to someone that like a little humor, old school horror/scifi mashups, and hormone-fueled romp.

Ana: I really enjoyed Go, Mutants , in spite some initial reservations. Although I don’t think this is a book for every reader, it is definitely recommended to those who enjoy whimsical, humorous, character-driven stories. Or, if you like Douglas Adams or Mark Henry’s books or The Simpsons, you should be safe.

Notable Quotes/Parts: A perfect example of character + language:

“J!m’s ears folded down and his cheeks burned Bunsen blue, lit from beneath by an amygdalal inferno of humiliation, as he absorbed oil and an object lesson: why worry about dying sometime in the future – say, tomorrow night – when he was dying every second of his life”

Additional Thoughts:

Go, Mutants! has a freakin’ sweet website – with music, multimedia nostalgia, and lots of book info. We highly recommend you go forth and check it out.

And in other big news, the book has been optioned for film by (so sweetly fitting) Universal. Here’s to hoping the film adaptation is just as enteratining as the book!

Rating:

Thea: 7 – Very Good

Ana: 7 – Very Good

Reading Next: Crossing Over by Anna Kendall

During our last Steampunk Week, in our primer we boiled down our own essential Steampunk Reading List, limited to prose books only. But this time around, we’ve got our own recommendations for everything else – comics, movies, and games.

Comics, Manga & Graphic Novels:

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore

It doesn’t really get any more essential than Moore, does it?

Hellboy by Mike Mignola

Technically, it’s not really steampunk, but it’s got the aesthetics and trappings down pat. (Plus, I just love Hellboy. Who doesn’t love Hellboy!?)

Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

The manga is pretty damn awesome, as is the anime, and rumor is a live action film is in the works. Exciting!

Girl Genius by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio

Available on web and in print, Girl Genius is one of those comics that has a strong, loyal following. (We’re also reviewing the first five volumes later today, so stick around!)

Ignition City/FreakAngels/Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island by Warren Ellis

Warren Ellis is self-indulgently annoying or incredibly brilliant, depending on what you’re reading, but there’s no denying the guy has mad skills. These three have steampunkish flair and the aesthetic is right (even if they aren’t technically steampunk, by our own stringent definitions).

Iron West by Doug TenNapel

About an incompetent outlaw, mechanical men, and an evil train. Win.

2D Goggles by Sydney Padua

A webcomic following Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage fighting crime. We’re only just starting to get into it (thanks to recommendations from you, dear readers!) – but it’s wicked good fun.

Film & TV:

Hellboy, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Hellboy: Blood and Iron/Sword of Storms

As aforementioned. Yeah, not really steampunk. But some of the elements are there. Who loves Hellboy? We do! We do!

Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)

As aforementioned. The anime, and full length anime movie, is just as winning as the manga.

Howl’s Moving Castle (anime)

Like everyone else on the planet, we love Hayao Miyazaki. Howl is one of Thea’s favorite films, period. Whimsical, beautifully animated, with top caliber vocal talent (Christian Bale, yo) – and, oh yeah, it’s steampunk. Real steampunk.

Castle in the Sky (anime)

Another Miyazaki. Howl, this film, and the next on this list are some of Thea’s personal favorite films (the other Miyazaki you MUST WATCH IMMEDIATELY – not steampunk though – is Spirited Away), and they all have a steampunk veneer. Sky pirates, airships…this is a classic.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (anime)

More Miyazaki. Post-apocalyptic and environmentalist with a steampunkish aesthetic, Nausicaä is another gem.

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

A very clever, fun film (even if it’s not the best movie and takes a while to get going). And it’s young Uma Thurman!

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (animated movie)

Disney’s take on steampunk/sci-fi, and a movie I really enjoyed when I was younger (this and Disney’s Treasure Island are pretty fun, imaginative takes on animated SF). And I really like the animation – very different from what Disney was doing at the time.

Steamboy (anime)

If you’re looking for straight-up steampunk in the most traditional sense of the word, look no further. Steamboy, set in an alternate 19th century England dominated by steam technology, also features some strong vocal talent (hello, Patrick Stewart). It lacks the magic of Miyazaki’s films and doesn’t really go anywhere, but it’s still worth watching. Especially if you’re looking for honest steampunk.

Stardust

While Gaiman’s novel isn’t really steampunk, the film adaptation takes some liberties and has some of the trappings. Most notably, the sky pirates in their lightning-capturing dirigible.

Gaming:

Final Fantasy VI

Classic, old school RPG that is actually SET in a steampunk world. Pretty self-explanatory!

Skies of Arcadia Legends

I still play this on my gamecube occasionally (this and my old metroid games). In a Verne-ian setting, Arcadia is an RPG that rocks. Airship combat. ‘Nuff said.

Bioshock/Bioshock 2

If you haven’t heard of Bioshock, you’ve been living under a rock. These games are AWESOME. Beautiful cinematic graphics and storyline, clever, and – oh yeah – totally steampunk in its aesthetic. Ok, it’s at its heart more of a Sci Fi Pulp Noir sort of deal, but the Verne-inspired, steampunk look of Big Daddy warrants a place on the list!

Phew. And that’s it from us and our list. Now, bring on your favorites (that we have inevitably missed)!

Last week we were left somewhat numbed and shocked by the unexpected news that Spider-Man 4 is no more, after both Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire left the movie and that the franchise is going to be re-booted! *gasp* *shock* *hyperventilation*. Ok, so what that Spidey 3 sucked huge donkey balls? Tobey Maguire IS Spider Man/Peter Parker and we feel not a little bit sad that he will won’t be playing the superhero anymore.

SO, what better way to cheer ourselves up than to have a look at other Comic Book Superheroes/Heroes/Villains/Others that will be making their transition into the big screen this year?

Kick-Ass

Based on the comic book Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr about a teenage boy named Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) who decides to become a (powerless) super-hero . The movie co-stars Nicholas Cage as a hilarious vigilante called Big Daddy and all trailers so far have been awesome. Premieres April 16th.

Jonah-Hex

Based on a DC Comics. Ok, so this one stars Josh Brolin and John Malkovich AND it is a Western about a horribly scarred, Civil War Veteran turned bounty hunter trying to stop an evil dude from raising an army of undead Confederates using voodoo. We are SO there. EVEN with Megan Fox as part of the cast. Premieres in June.

The Losers

Based on a Vertigo series which ran for 32 issues from 2003 to 2006, The Losers tells the story of a CIA Special Forces Team who were betrayed by their leader, left for dead and now set for revenge. The movie stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chris Evans and Zoe Saldana. We are intrigued. Tentatively scheduled for June.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Based on the comic Scott Pilgrim it stars Michael Cera as a bass guitarrist who must fight the seven EVIL exes of his new girlfriend who is named, wait for it, Ramona Flowers. From the official website:

Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It’s getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart’s ass — and now is back in town — to the teenage distraction he’s trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn’t been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes control her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor.

As Scott gets closer to Ramona, he must face an increasingly vicious rogues’ gallery from her past, from infamous skateboarders to vegan rock stars and fearsomely identical twins. And if he hopes to win his true love, he must vanquish them all before it really is game over.

And finally, not really a newbie, but we had to include it:

Iron Man 2

We both loved the first movie and can’t wait for this sophomore effort. Not only does Robert Downey, Jr returns as Tony Stark but Don Cheadle plays what appears to be an awesome War Machine as teased in the trailer:

And hey Michey Roarke as Whiplash doesn’t look too shabby either!

May 2010 can not come soon enough!

Seeing as Ana and I met through LOST boards (we are ridiculous geeks), it should come as no shocker that both of us are huge couch potatoes. Television, movies, sports, you name it. So, given our advance stage of couch potato-ness, we have decided to enumerate our favorites of 2009!

We invite you to sit back, pop open a cold one, and enjoy. Here are my picks for The Best of the Rest 2008 (check out Ana’s HERE).

The Best of the Rest: TELEVISION

**A warning–if you’re currently catching up or haven’t seen a show, be prepared to be spoiled. We’re only talking about episodes that have already aired, but if you don’t wanna know, you’d best look away!**

Well, as Ana has usurped the first post, this may seem a bit redundant. But whatever. Here we go! I’m counting back from 10 to my absolute favorite TV moments of 2009.

10. Castle (ABC) – The Delicious Sexual Tension

This show is a book nerd and scifi geek’s dream – first, you get the charming, delightful, hot Nathan Fillion in a primetime starring role (complete with witty quips, silly humor, and general adorableness). Add to that the fact that he plays a bestselling thriller author named Richard Castle that knows his mystery tropes, who currently works as a “consultant” with the NYPD in a completely implausible plot-twist, and you’ve got a party. His new source of inspiration, Detective Kate Beckett – beautiful, confident, damaged and deadly – makes for a wonderful leading lady. And the CHEMISTRY between these two! It’s hot stuff. This is a silly show, but it’s so much fun. If you’re not watching it yet – what the hell is stopping you!? It’s all about Castle.

9. V (ABC) – The Pilot

After the craptastic, LOST-wannabe disappointment that was FlashForward, I was pleasantly surprised by ABC’s V – a remake of the 1980s series about invading aliens, called Visitors, who charm and manipulate us poor earthlings for their own nefarious ends. Of course, as V stars Elizabeth Mitchell (aka Thea’s Biggest Girl Crush Since Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully), I was predisposed to like this show – but it genuinely is a strong new entry from ABC. The pilot had surprisingly GOOD special effects, expert plotting, and has so much potential for growth. Add to that Firefly alumni Morena “Inara” Baccarine and Alan “Wash” Tudyk as Vs, and I’m a happy camper. Also, Morris Chestnut branching out into mainstream TV is ALWAYS a welcome thing (I’m a huge fan of Morris Chestnut). Heck, even Scott Wolf (who is freaking me out with his resemblance to Michael J. Fox as he grows older) who usually annoys me is winsome in this new scifi-thriller. Even though the last two episodes faltered a bit, I still have very high hopes for this series, and cannot wait for its return in 2010.

8. Modern Family (ABC) – Dysfunctionally Wonderful

I got Ana to start watching this show, and OF COURSE she loved it. It’s certainly the best, funniest new show of 2009 about a real modern family – an older rich man and his hot, much younger, Colombian wife (and her son); a gay couple with their adopted Vietnamese baby; a yuppie couple and their three very different children. I mean, just check out the clip:

7. House (Fox) – The Looney Bin

I have to agree with Ana re:House – I started watching this show when it first came out and loved it. But, come season 4-ish, I stopped watching. The dissolution of the original team of Cameron, Foreman and Chase and the increasingly formulaic nature of the show (with House NEVER suffering really any consequences for his actions) bugged me. I’d still watch the show occasionally, but it was demoted from my Season Pass on my DVR. But…then came this season. House *finally* has to get clean – and he finally realizes that he is NOT ok. The pilot, with House in the Looney Bin, was one of the FINEST episodes I have ever seen. I loved it, and I love that House is still working through his issues, and that he is staying clean. (I’m so not happy about Cameron leaving and the return of Thirteen *gags* but nothing’s perfect)

6. It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) – “Oh my God, was that piss?!”/”Like, little Green Ghouls, man!”/”Kitten Mittons”/”Dear Chase Utley”/”Salt the snail!”

Oh God, Sunny. Sunny, Sunny, Sunny. How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways…Almost EVERY episode this season was a winner. Every Thursday, I look forward to being simultaneously entertained and repulsed by these Philly assholes – and I mean that as an endearment. I love this show. I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. And here are my favorite clips:

Kitten Mittens

Charlie and the Pear

Dear Chase Utley

Charlie’s Profile

Gail the Snail

5. Glee (Fox) – “Defying Gravity”

I am an official, proud Gleek. Glee is the best new show of 2009, combining sweet tunes, High School tropes, and breaking down barriers between “cool” and “loser” like nobody’s business. Smart, touching, hilarious, this show has it all. My personal favorite song has to be Kurt’s rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, so I’ll leave you with that clip.

Defying Gravity

The fall finale, “Sectionals,” was all kinds of awesome – and I am scared of what Sue will do when she comes back after the mid-season break!

4. The Office (NBC) – Niagara

One of the things I love the most about The Office is how the show GROWS. The characters adapt, they change, they move on – and in this case, after five seasons of angst and pining for Jim and Pam, finally, FINALLY they tie the knot. This is one of the best pairings on TV. Jim and Pam rule the effing universe. The entire wedding episode, “Niagara,” was one of the finest hours of television this year.

3. Battlestar Galactica (SciFi) – The End

BSG, what am I ever going to do without you? On the one hand, I can appreciate and respect RDM’s decision to tell a definitive story with a beginning, middle and – most importantly, especially for TV shows – an END with BSG. But I am a selfish, selfish girl and I want more. I want more Kara and Lee and Adama and Roslin and Six and Baltar! But even selfish ol’ me has to admit, the sendoff for the show was brilliant, and I think perfect in every way (I know many fans were disgruntled with the series finale, but I loved it and wouldn’t change a thing). It makes my heart hurt to know that the show is done with…but god, what a ride it was. Farewell BSG. You will be missed.

2. LOST (ABC) – The Death (and resurrection) of John Locke

GASP! LOST doesn’t take the top spot on my list! It’s a close call, but even though Lost may have lost out to another show, it’s still my favorite currently running TV series (albeit only for one more season). I wasn’t pleased with the nuclear bomb/reset timeline thing that seems to be going on, but I loved the futility and pain of John Locke’s storyline, culminating in his murder by good ol’ Benry, and his resurrection as Not!Locke on the island. OMG HE KILLS JACOB! I cannot wait to see what the final season has in store for us. I mean, have you seen the trailers? The poster that has EVERYONE on it?! And how about this new official art – squint to find spoilers…

Please, please, please, Darlton, be good.

1. Dexter (Showtime) – The Finale

I discovered the joys of Dexter earlier this year (finally!), and I have never been happier. A twisted show with a vigilante-type serial killer as its protagonist, Dexter is dark and messed up and wonderful. And holy shit, season 4 was another awesome one. John Lithgow’s Trinity was terrifying, and Dexter is forced to come to grips with a LOT of tough decisions – what it means to be a husband, father, employee, friend, brother, and still keep his “Dark Passenger” in check with routine murder. Dex crosses some big lines in this season (his first murder of an innocent man – inadvertent, but it still happened), and that finale left me in shock. I saw it coming, but I didn’t, you know?? Holy hell. What will happen next season!?!?! What does this mean for Dexter in the future? I cannot wait. Absofreakinglutely BRILLIANT.

The Best of the Rest: MOVIES:

Aaaaaaand, here are my top 10 movie picks of 2009…

10. Inglourious Basterds

Ok, as a film I think it wasn’t exactly the best. A draggy plot and the ridiculous casting choice of Eli Roth as a main character really bothered me. BUT, then there was Hans. Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa is THE reason to watch this movie – comical and terrifying, Hans steals the show.

Quentin Tarantino is still an over-exuberant director with camera ADD and a tendency to rely on way too much dialogue, but I cannot find anything wrong with his period setting and his direction of Waltz. Absolutely brilliant stuff.

9. Watchmen

Yes, this wasn’t a perfect film, and yes, I had major issue with the movie adaptation’s ending and its significant deviation from the book. BUT, I think Zach Snyder did a freaking fantastic job adapting such a dense, iconic graphic novel into film form – probably the best job anyone could have done with Watchmen. And oh sweet jesus, were the casting choices for Rorschach, The Comedian, Silk Spectre I, and Nite Owl fabulous!

Especially Eddie Dean and Rorscach – the sociopaths rule in this film. Definitely worth purchasing the bluray directors cut, without a doubt.

8. Zombieland

Ah, the virtues of the Double Tap. The importance of checking the bathroom before pulling your pants down. The essential need for A G.D. TWINKIE! This, and so much more, were lessons I learned from the hilarious Zombieland. Emma Stone is gorgeous and awesome, as usual, as is Abigail Breslin, and Woody Harrelson is made of win. The Bill Murray cameo had me in tears. Even the shitty Michael Cera kid, Jesse Elsenberg, was solidly hilarious!

7. Drag Me to Hell

Hey, good Raimi is back! Yeah, Drag Me to Hell is a bit familiar, taking Raimi’s tried and true hit techniques and plot points from the Evil Dead films, but it was so much fun. And I’m happy to see that he actually IS capable of making a good movie (I had my doubts since Spiderman 2). Drag Me To Hell is horror-comedy at its finest, and Alison Lohman is again fantastic – an excellent successor to Bruce Campbell’s Ash. Love that ending, too!

6. Up

I don’t think Pixar is capable of making anything less than a spectacular film – and Up is another winner. I cried, I laughed, I fell in love with Carl and Russell. The animation is breathtaking, per Pixar’s usual. It’s not Wall-E, but Up definitely wins a spot in my heart.

5. The Cove

One of the most important films I have ever seen, The Cove made me physically ill in the theater. I cried my eyes out with the final footage, and with Ric O’Barry’s triumphant, defiant stand against the systematic slaughter of thousands of dolphins each year in the small village of Taiji. This is a film EVERYONE should watch, and should take to heart.

4. The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow is a director with an eye for action and male characterizations – her iconic action flick, Point Break has been a staple in my family since it first came out (seriously, know most of the film by heart). So, when I heard she had a new film coming out this year with The Hurt Locker, I was stoked. Then, all the rave reviews began to flow in – and I immediately ran out to see the movie. And…wow. Jeremy Renner’s performance as a special unit bomb diffuser in Iraq is frakking beautiful. This is an adrenaline rush of a film, but it’s also just a damn fine movie. Kudos, Ms. Bigelow.

3. District 9

Neil Blomkamp’s film debut, presented by Peter Jackson, is even better than I hoped. It’s a science fiction film with heart – a parable for apartheid, using alien “Prawns.” Beautifully executed in its sort of docu-drama style, with special effects that are jaw-dropping cool, this is a film worth buying and watching again and again.

2. Star Trek

For a very long time, I thought Star Trek would take top billing as my favorite film of 2009. JJ Abrams finally proved to me that he is actually capable of making a Good Movie with this reinvented Star Trek. I loved this film. The casting, with Chris Pine as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock, is spot on, the character nuances are perfect. Even more impressive, however, is how the film appeals to both oldskool Trekkies (like myself), and newbies alike (such as the boyfriend, who hated Star Trek by his own admission, and ended up loving the movie). Smart plotting, humor, excellent special effects…Star Trek is amazing.

1. Avatar

And here’s the film that unseated Star Trek as my favorite film of 2009. Watching Avatar in the theater made me feel the way I did when I was a wide-eyed kid watching Star Wars and Lord of the Rings for the first time. Avatar is a film that redefines the genre – it is Epic with a capital “E.” The technology, first off, is mind blowing. James Cameron wins big with this Science Fantasy film that plays on genre tropes and blends familiar story elements with a technology unlike any we’ve seen before on the screen. This is a beautiful film visually, and also it is impeccably acted. Zoe Saldana goes balls out with her role as the Na’vi warrior woman, and Sam Worthington is brilliant as Jake Sully, the marine who comes to Pandora to fill his scientist brother’s shoes.

Avatar makes you remember why you fell in love with movies in the first place, and for a scifi/fantasy geek like myself, it’s pure heaven. If this doesn’t get nominated for a zillion awards, I’ll eat my hat. Avatar deserves it.

Notable Mentions: I watched a lot of good films this year, and here are a few more that deserve special mention! The terrifying Paranormal Activity is the real deal, and will have you waking up at 2am, scared for your soul. I also loved Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (yeah it was flawed and missing the OOMF that my favorite HP book deserved, but whatever, screw you, I still liked it!). Disaster porn 2012 was spectacular in terms of special effects and pure movie FUN. Animated feature Coraline deviates from Gaiman’s book, but still is a wonderful film. And finally, comedies I Love You Man and The Hangover were good fun.

I should also mention a few films that I totally am behind on – I really want to see Nine, Up In the Air, The Road, Moon, and Precious – and it’s entirely possible any of these films may have made my top 10 list had I seen them before writing this. But I haven’t so…oh well!

And that’s it for me, folks! How about you? Any favorite TV Moments and/or Films for 2009? I’m all ears!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best books of the year picked and listed and now we turn to Movies and TV shows. Thea and I are both major couch potatoes (and we even came up with a new feature last year, On The Book Tube with the Book Smugglers) so it should come as no surprise that I loved more TV Shows than I loved Movies (just like last year!) . I shall start with the latter:

Best of the Rest – Movies

Looking back at the year in movies, I only really went to the theatre to watch a handful and then stuck to DVDs. And preparing this list made me realise that at the moment I am either watching Super-heroes/Scifi or Bromance/Rom com. I can’t remember watching a drama I really enjoyed last year (I thought Julie and Julia was meh) and I am fully aware that I should watch Up in the Air ASAP. Alas, I just can’t find the will to be super excited about movies anymore. Anyways, out of the ones I watched, I LOVED the following:

Zombieland

One year ago, it would have been unthinkable that I would not only watch a zombie flick but actually love it. I owe it all to Thea who taught me that the best Zombie movies are the ones not about zombies at all. In Zombieland, the story is about a lot more, about the guy who lost the family and went nuts, the boy who was unlucky with girls; I loved Woody Harrelson here (as usual) and totally have Jesse Eisenberg in my radar. The List was awesome and the surprising cameo by one of my favorite actors was hi-la-rious!

District 9

The worst of the Apartheid only, with aliens. District 9 was brilliantly realised and acted. Sharlto Copley as Wikus van de Merwe owns my soul.

Funny People

I am a huge fan of Jude Apatow so it was a given that I would be watching this one and I loved it! Adam Sandler took me by surprise and I loved how the movie is about comedians and yet it was rather sad with a lot of loneliness, doubt, old friends and new friends and lost love.

The Hangover

Funniest.Movie.Of.The.Year. The trailer alone is made of win and the movie proved to be quite clever as these guys wake up in Vegas without a clue about what happened the night before and went around town trying to find the pieces of the puzzle. Awesome.

Star Trek

Ah. Guys, I loved this movie. It took me some time to figure out that they were re-setting the whole thing but when I did have the revelation, I actually went “whoa, GENIUS”. I am hoping that this new series will go on forever and ever.

Watchmen

I think this is my favorite movie of the year. I love the Graphic Novel and I think the movie was quite faithful. I loved the art and photography and I fell in love with the Comedian and Rorschach all over again.

I Love You, Man

Another bromance. Gods help me, but I thought this movie was awesome with the story of the guy trying to find a guyfriend. Dear Partner totally loved it as well. What can I say, we are silly people, at Casa de Ana.

I also need to give shout outs to 500 Days of Summer which I thought was really clever and cute and Inglorious Basterds with my favorite character of the year: Christoph Waltz’s Landa, the “Jew Hunter”.

Best of the Rest – Television

**A warning–if you’re currently catching up or haven’t seen a show, be prepared to be spoiled. We’re only talking about episodes that have already aired, but if you don’t wanna know, you’d best look away!**

These are my favorite TV moments of last year:

1 – Lost

I need to say that I actually think last season was the best season since Season 1,especially the first say, 10 episodes even though I am prone to complain a LOT about character development. They don’t make any sense. But I only complain because I love it.

Because Lost is my favorite show (well, one of them) , I have loads of favorite moments: like when they started jumping through time and then end up being part of the Dharma Initiative! Or when Jin was alive and the he met Rousseau! Or when we found out that Sawyer was Lafleur, and that he was with Juliet! Or when Faraday came back to the island in the sub! Or that awesome scene when the O6 came back and they met with Sawyer and Sawyer looked at Kate and I was like awwww, YES! and NO! at the same time? And the revelation that OMG Jonh Locke is dead! DEAD! Gasp!

2 – Mad Men

I only started watching this show last year and after watching all seasons in a row I can safely say, it is one of the best TV Shows ever. The thing is, no other show make me simultaneously love and hate its characters in a very bipolar way. Season 3 was my favorite and my favorite scene of the year was the one where Betty confronts Don and he is forced to come clean. That was SUPER acting people.

3 – Dexter

I think I love Dexter as much as I love Lost and this season was the best one to date. Every time a new season starts I wonder where they can possibly go next and they never fail to surprise me. Last season had an amazing John Lithgow playing another serial killer and the scene where they were facing each other without any masks was AWESOME. But nothing was more amazing than the last 5 minutes of the finale. I was left staring at my tv, sobbing, completely heartbroken and surprised.

4 – The Office

There were many many awesome episodes last year but two take the cake. First there was the moment when Michael QUIT Dunder Mifflin and I stared at the TV for about 5 minutes basking in the sheer awesomeness of that scene. And the entire episode of Jim and Pam’s wedding: with all those scenes when Jim was a dear, and then all the funny moments and then the wedding itself playing with that famous youtube video, ending with Jim’s three wedding plans that made me cry like a baby.

5 – House

Another show that always surprises me – when I think they are becoming too formulaic, they turn around and show me something brilliant. My favorite episode was the season’s premiere when House said for the first time: I Need Help.

6 – Castle

Listen, I DO think that the premise of the show is SUPER far-fetched but do I care? No. It has Nathan Fillion in it and he has crazy chemistry with his co-star. Enough said.

And then there are the new shows, I started watching several but am only sticking with three:

7 – V

The Pilot of this show was so.very.cool. I loved everything about it, the special effects, the acting, the premise of the show. And the other episodes since have been pretty solid too.

8 – Glee

A musical- comedy-drama? It was a given I would watch this one and I adore it. I love the songs and I love the characters and one of my favorite scenes of the year was that one where Kurt came out to his father. The scene did not go the way I was expecting it go and ended up being one of the best father-son scenes ever. But nothing, nothing tops Jane Lynch’s Sue Silvester, I drink her every single word like a mental woman.

9 – Modern Family

It took me a while to start watching this one but once I did, I was lost. I actually think this one is as funny as The Office and has the potential for a long TV life. Phil Dunphy, the “cool dad” is the new Michael Scott. The Christmas episode made me cry. The fact that the funniest new show can ALSO make me cry, makes this the best new show on tv.

And that is it from me. You might notice that I did not include Supernatural on this list. That is because Supernatural sucked huge donkey balls and it is making my Airing of Grievances post later.

One final word: I love TV.

That is all.

And don’t forget to check back later, for Thea’s Best of the Rest.

Directed by Chris Weitz
Written by Melissa Rosenberg, based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick
Running time: 130 minutes
Rated: PG-13 (violence and action)

Well, folks, it’s finally here. The movie that ravenous Twilight fans, Robert Pattinson-aholics, teenage girls and apparently suburban moms alike have been awaiting with bated breath.

It’s time for New Moon.

The Twilight Saga has become a full-fledged, international phenomenon. Kind of like the Backstreet Boys or the Macarena. Twilight is massively popular and raked in the most money in terms of dvd sales this year, but it’s also one of those phenomena that lack the universal appeal of, say, Harry Potter. Despite the limited demographic and even though substantial mockage has been made of the Twilight Phenom (check out the awesome SNL Parody starring a brunette Taylor Swift in “Firelight“), it’s an international blockbuster – and the legions of fans busting down doors at midnight tonight and all day tomorrow care not what the cynical critics say! It’s New Moon! Shirtless underage boys on steroids! Chalky emo vampires with bad contact lenses, sparklies, and pixie hair! Cheesetastic lines about endearing, all consuming love!

Now while I’m obviously not a huge fan (Breaking Dawn was amazingly terrible), I’ll grant that Twilight has its own appeal. It’s one of those guilty pleasure, silly, I-probably-shouldn’t-be-watching-this-but-I-can’t-look-away films. So far as adolescent vampire love story films go, Twilight is an entertaining as they come. When I was lucky enough to get invited to watch an early screening of New Moon, I experienced a strange mixture of emotions. My hopes weren’t high by any stretch of the imagination – but I was expecting to be entertained, even if it was on a guilty pleasure level.

Sadly, New Moon just isn’t a very good movie. On any level.

At just over a draggy two hours, New Moon has some moments of intentional humor and genuine sweetness, but these are far and few between – not to mention, they are overshadowed by poor pacing, shoddy direction, and an abundance of unintentionally hilarity.

After a comically bugeyed Jasper (audiences burst into laughter at his “serious face” – no joke):

attacks Bella when she cuts herself opening a birthday present at the Cullens’, Edward decides that woah woah woah, this relationship is waaaaay too dangerous, so he tells Bella that this will be the last time she ever sees him. He lies and says that he’s bored with her and that he’s moving on without her (psh). Bella goes catatonic after the love of her life (at all of eighteen years old!) leaves her, and she has weird bouts of screaming in her sleep, gasping, sighing, morosely staring out her french windows as Chris Weitz decides to use awkwardly dizzying 360 camera techniques to illustrate the passage of time.

Doormat Bella never really gets over Edward leaving – though she does come to rely on best friend Jacob (a ridiculously ripped Taylor Lautner). After he helps Bella to feel human again, promising that he’ll never hurt her the way Edward did, OMG he turns into a werewolf (the curse of his clan, charged with protecting the innocent humans of Forks from the vampires that prey upon them). Jacob’s refusal to talk to Bella leads her to relapse into her funk – and she soon discovers that by taking idiotic, suicidal risks, she’s “gifted” with misty apparitions of her beloved Edward (giving her the very helpful advice “BE SAFE,” and other insipid cautionary remarks before dissolving into inky swirls of poorly CGI’d smoke). Bella eventually takes it too far, jumping off a cliff (for the ultimate rush, ya know), and via Alice’s visions, Edward thinks Bella has died, and decides to go off on a half cocked plan to reveal himself to humans in Italy, provoking the Volturi (a big bad association of vampire granddaddies) to kill him too. Only, Bella didn’t die when she jumped off the cliff, so she and Alice rush to Italy to stop Edward before it is TOO LATE.

Where do I begin with the problems New Moon had? Should I start with the hollow performances, even from the lovely Kristen Stewart (who is a fine actress, but feels sadly drab in this film)? The laugh-inducing choices for certain special effects (did you know that when Misty!Edward appears, his sweet Volvo does too)? The sloppy transitions and hilarious slomo scenes of characters running through the forest (yes, this really happens. Multiple times.)? There’s not a lot that’s very good with this film.

So far as writing goes, the script for New Moon is intensely loyal to the book, and in all fairness does a good job, weaving Bella’s depression with her growing friendship/romance with Jacob, ending in a dramatic encounter at Volturi headquarters. Though, one can’t help but think that one of the film’s greatest weaknesses – especially so far as the Edward fandom is concerned – is how absent Edward is from the film. A welcome surprise, however, is Taylor Lautner’s undeniably brawny Jacob Black, lending a warmth and humanity, an endearing, dogged (hardy har!) love interest for a decidedly wooden Bella.

The interactions between Jacob and Bella are alternately funny and touching, and comprise the best of the films few high notes – a scene where Jacob, Bella and Mike watch a movie on an awkward triple date, a ride home in Bella’s truck with Jacob driving, an almost kiss in the Swan kitchen. Too, the members of the Quileute tribe (or rather, pride) are decently entertaining in their shirtless uniform.

In contrast to the warmth of the werewolves of the Pacific Northwest, the vampires feel trite and, frankly, lame. Something happens with redhead vampire Victoria (who has it out for Bella because…Edward killed her mate and so she must kill Edward’s mate to MAKE HIM PAY!) and dreadhead Laurent because he’s helping Victoria…but that fizzles out into so much boring background noise. Though, I will say Rachelle Lefevre’s red hair looks pretty as it whips around in the forest. Robert Pattinson’s mopey Edward with his stupid hair and scrawny, (sporadically hairy) pale torso emerges late in the movie, giving the impression that he’s hollowly disinterested in the role.

The Volturi (for all five minutes they are in the film – all of which have basically been revealed already in the previews), with their blood red contacts and ornate hair and styling, feel ridiculously silly. In the age old vampires versus werewolves showdown, reimagined in New Moon, werewolves clearly win.

Perhaps the most annoying thing about New Moon and the Twilight Saga in general is how insipid a message it projects – especially to teenage girls. It is not cool for you to go catatonic, severing all ties to your friends and family when a boy decides to break up with you. It is not cool to try to kill yourself repeatedly just so you can experience hallucinations of said boy, warning you to “be safe.” I understand that first love is intense, scary, and passionate. And experiencing those highs and lows are all part of growing up. But it is kind of ridiculous that the prevalent female role model right now is a doormat – a bland, no-personality girl whose idea of a good time is to jump into life-threatening situations in order to feel closer to the boyfriend that left her behind.

Leaving New Moon, I felt as though a literal lunar month had passed since the start of the film. If you’re a Twilight fan, you’re probably going to watch this anyway, regardless of what some reviewer has to say. If you’re on the fence, I’d recommend waiting for this one on rental.

Rating: 4 – Pretty Bad (Although I’m pretty damn sure the box office sales and Twilight fandom will disagree with this assessment)

A good Sunday to you all! Hey, have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I am MOST excited because I think I found the Ultimate Christmas Gift for Thea but shhhhhh don’t tell her!

Anyways, here is our weekly stash:

Giveaway winners:

We’ve got two separate giveaway winners to announce!
The winner of Blood Promise by Richelle Mead is:

Crystal (comment #14)

The two winners of Wild Heart by Lori Brighton are:

Marie (comment # 17)
Lisa Garrett (comment # 15)

Congratulations to all the winners! You know the drill. Send us an email (contact AT thebooksmugglers DOT com) with your snail mail address, and we’ll get your goodies out to you as soon as possible. Thanks again to everyone that entered, and if you didn’t win this time, don’t worry – we have plenty more where these giveaways came from!

Assorted News:

Have your heard of NA? Well, apparently there is a new genre booming and it’s called New Adult, with the age range between 20-26. St Martin’s Press is running a contest and you can read more about the genre here. Although we find the idea interesting we can’t help but to think: is this really needed? What do you think?

Kristi, The Story Siren has a very interesting post about ARCs where she posts the Q&A after she emailed publishers and authors about the cost of producing and distributing, how to request them etc. The post has a lot of information, especially for new bloggers.

Last week, Ana wrote a post, called I, Reader, where she pondered about genre exhaustion and about the sameness that afflicts Romance’s Covers and titles. Well, as it turns out this is a cross-genre malady. Bookshelves of Doom posted a link to a gallery of reused (over and over again) covers for Historical novels; and Aidan from A Dribble of Ink posted the cover art for the new Brent Weeks novel which is very similar to the author’s previous covers in a different series.

Old series:

x

New series:

The post sparked an interesting conversation which had both the author and the creative director chiming in.Be sure to check it out here. (And we really need get around to read the first series by this author. It is in our TBR for AGES) .

Also via A Dribble of Ink: we learnt that there might be a new book in the Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Thea may or may not have hyperventilated when she heard the news.

The Vault of Horror, one of Thea’s favorite horror blogs , is holding a competition, Ms Horror Blogosphere,

the first-ever “bloody pageant” of horror blogstresses. The contestants have been lined up here.

Movie news:

This week we saw the first trailer of Clash of Titans, the remake of one of our favorite movies. The trailer looks ok:

We really want to see this although we ain’t holding our breaths. We might actually me more excited about the Ray Harryhausen special we have lined up for when the movie comes out! Just for fun check out the original movie’s trailer:

But this: THIS LOOKS AWESOME! Kick-Ass, the Movie:

Kick-ass is a superhero movie, an adaptation of Mark Millar and John Romita Jr about a New York teen who becomes a vigilante called Kick-ass. Yes, we SO WANT TO SEE THIS. And here is the teaser:

This Week on the Book Smugglers:

On Monday we have our guest dare of November: Rhiannon Hart reviews The Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold.

On Tuesday, we do a joint review of The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White, a YA book we have been dared to read by Angie of Angieville

On Wednesday, Ana reviews the Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh

On Thursday, Thea reviews (and gives away) Darker Angels, the second book of The Black Sun Daugther’s series by M L Hanover

And finally, on Friday, it is our monthly installment of What She Said : Ana reviews Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore, the first book in one of Thea’s favorite Fantasy series and Thea reviews Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson, one of the Ana’s top picks of Fantasy this year.

And that’s it from us today! Have a great week!

~ Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers

Happy Sunday, folks! Hope you all had a lovely weekend and are enjoying the fall weather.

Now let’s get down to business, shall we?

Giveaway Winners:

We’ve got three separate giveaway winners to announce! First up is Elegy Beach by Steven R. Boyett.

The TWO lucky winners of an autographed copy of Elegy Beach, as well as bookmarks, book fliers, and a signed copy of author Steven Boyett’s live DJ set from WorldCon are:

Next up, our Nalini Singh giveaway of Blaze of Memory:

The lucky winner of a copy of Blaze of Memory is:

And finally, our Alert Nerd giveaway of One Con Glory!

The lucky winner of a copy of One Con Glory and the awesome Phoenix tee is:

Congratulations to all the winners! You know the drill. Send us an email (contact AT thebooksmugglers DOT com) with your snail mail address, and we’ll get your goodies out to you as soon as possible. Thanks again to everyone that entered, and if you didn’t win this time, don’t worry – we have plenty more where these giveaways came from!

Assorted News:

You may or may not have heard that we had the lucky opportunity to check out an early screening of New Moon last week! What’s the verdict? What do we think? Well….you’ll have to wait to find out. But we promise you, dear Twilight fans, we’ll have a review up in the coming weeks for the release. In the meantime, why don’t you check out WHAT EDWARD DRIVES?

Does anyone else find this hilarious? Who are they trying to selling volvos to? Are little girls really gonna throw their weight around to get their parents to buy a family volvo SUV because that’s what Edward wants? Are there any moms and dads out there looking at this commercial and thinking, ‘Eureka, that’s what I need to be cool! I mean, EDWARD drives one! I must have one too!’

In other news, you may have seen that Publisher’s Weekly and Amazon have released their best books of 2009 lists. Though I’m stoked that a graphic novel cracked PW’s top ten list, it’s slightly disturbing that not a single female author made the list. Also disturbing is the fact that we have not read (nor have even really heard of) any of the titles on the top 10 list! But in the Fiction, Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror, Mass Market Best of Lists, there are some familiar faces including:

Drood by Dan Simmons – in the running for a spot on Thea’s Top 10 list. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, Boneshaker by Cherie Priest, The Devil’s Alphabet by Daryl Gregory (all books that Thea has on the TBR, and ones she will be reviewing soon). Also appearing on the best SF list is China Mieville’s The City and the City, which we apparently need to read ASAP. Also, Soulless by Gail Carriger makes it on the Mass Market list (though clearly we didn’t think so highly of it).

The Amazon editors’ top 10 list, we are very pleased to announce, not only contains a speculative fiction title, but a young adult one as well! Yeaaaaah, boyyyyyy! Both China Mieville’s The City and the City and the upcoming Beautiful Creatures from Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl are on the list.

Also, both PW and Amazon have graphic novel Stitches by David Small in their Top 10s – another title to check out.

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

It’s another jam-packed week! You may have seen last Thursday our blog tour post with Richelle Mead, in which she answered a few of our burning questions. On Monday, we celebrate Richelle Mead’s writing with a review of Blood Promise, the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series. And, we’re offering a giveaway too!

On Tuesday, Ana reviews Meljean Brook’s novella “Blind Spot” in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology. Later in the day, we’ll have a special Smugglers’ Ponderings post about the issue of homogeneity in the book market – particularly concerning romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy books.

Wednesday, debut historical romance author Lori Brighton stops by with a post on her Inspirations and Influences…

And on Thursday, Ana reviews young adult novel The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King. Later in the day, Thea reviews young adult speculative fiction/horror/dystopian title The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

We close out the week with a joint review of the final book in the Mistborn trilogy, The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson.

Phew. We told you it would be busy! That’s it for now folks, until tomorrow!

Oh my god, Halloween Week is drawing to a close! It’s been a crazy, fun celebration, and what better way to end it all than with a look at horror in 2009? Today, for our final list, we celebrate the best horror films of 2009 so far, and take a look at the horror films we are excited for on the horizon…

Best of 2009 (so far):

Paranormal Activity

The word-of-mouth, small budget film that has become an overnight nationwide sensation, a la The Blair Witch Project. I’ve seen some nasty backlash online from horror fans now that the film is so mainstream, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is one scary, good little movie. With only a few missteps (only one cheesy scene involving an ouija board), this is the kind of movie that might not be so scary when you watch it….but late at night when you wake up from sleep at 3 AM, you remember Every. Freaky. Detail. I don’t scare easy, but I had a few really bad moments in the middle of the night thanks to this film.

Drag Me To Hell

Hey, Good!Raimi is back! I say Good!Raimi because ever since Spidey 2, it’s like an evil bad movie making Sam Raimi automaton has been putting out films. Drag Me To Hell is a return to the horror comedy roots of Evil Dead II/Army of Darkness, blending scares, laughs, and wonderful cheese together in a damn fine movie. Alison Lohman does a bangup job as Christine. I loved this film.

Grace

Ahh, Grace. This is a slower, quieter horror film about a pregnant woman who loses her husband and unborn child in a car accident – but this mother is determined to carry her baby to term anyways. When she gives birth to a stillborn girl, the mother is able by some miracle to will her child back to life, and she names her Grace. Except, something’s not quite right with Grace. She has an appetite for something other than breast milk. This is a really touching, frightening film about the lengths a mother will go for her child – it’s not a traditional shock and gore film, but much more slow and subtle. Another winning film, even if the end is a little cheesy.

Zombieland

I was so very excited for Zombieland, and was ecstatic when it delivered. That kid from Adventureland (aka Michael Cera’s understudy) does a fine job, as do Woody Harrelson, Jules (not sure what her real name is, but she’s Jules from Superbad in my mind) and sweet little Abigale Breslin. Full of laughs, and an AWESOME cameo, this is a film that won me over from the intro narration. Although it got a little catch-phrasy with the whole “Double Tap” and “Nut Up or Shut Up,” the film was so much fun.

Pandorum

I am a sucker for science fiction horror, and despite lackluster reviews, I thoroughly enjoyed Pandorum. The “monsters” were pretty well done, good special effects, solid performances from Dennis Quaid and the dependable Ben Foster…I am a fan.

Haunting In Connecticut

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Yeah, it’s predictable and the ending isn’t so hot (well, literally it was HOT, but you know what I mean), but there were some genuinely good scares and images in this one. I liked the eyelid box, the carved bodies, the one scene where the kids are playing hide and seek and you see the ghost behind the genius who chose to hide in the dumbwaiter…worth at least a rental.

Dead Snow

I had been waiting for this movie to hit the US since last year, and when I saw it available On Demand, I was ECSTATIC. And you know what? This movie was everything I was looking for. It’s funny, irreverent, makes a ton of really blatant horror allusions, and the special effects are surprisingly really good. It’s a DVD-er.

My Bloody Valentine 3-D

I’m a sucker for 3-D films. My Bloody Valentine is a remake that I wasn’t expecting, and it was pretty solid. You know, solid crazy guy with a pickaxe slasher. Good tension, good blood, guts, gore, and requisite nudity.

House of the Devil

This film just came out in theaters this weekend, but it was available On Demand for the month of October – and I was lucky enough to snag a viewing. This is an amazingly well-directed, beautiful ode to the ’80s horror film. It’s atmospheric, it’s scary in the way that my favorite horror films (Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist) are. That’s BIG praise, and House of the Devil is worth it.

Horror Films We’re Looking Forward To:

The Fourth Kind

Mila Jovovich effing rules, and this looks pretty damn scary.

The Wolfman

Universal goes back to its horror roots with a remake of The Wolf Man – and as it stars three powerhouse actors (Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt), I’m so very excited to watch it.

Piranha 3-D

Alejandre Aja’s new film has been a long time coming, and hopefully we’ll see Piranha in theaters soon!

Dorian Gray

Ok this looks not very accurate, but the Prince Caspian kid is cute, and this poster looks pretty cool.

Anti-Christ

It’s in theaters now, and I think one of the best ways to celebrate Halloween. This looks really disturbing…but I like disturbing.

And that’s it from us! What about you? Any upcoming horror movies you are ready to watch? Any films you want to praise or rant about *cough*TheOrphan*cough*?

Part of the fun of the Halloween season is the movies that are on cable tv – and on Halloween itself, networks usually prepare some really good lineups. This year, AMC has been a little disappointing – but we’re happy to announce that The Sundance Channel is taking care of that deficiency!

This Halloween, The Sundance Channel is having a “Scare Tactics” horror film fest. At 12:30 am on October 31st, three horrific films will be shown back to back to back.

First up is Philip Chidel’s Subject Two, about a scientist who discovers the secret to resurrecting the dead.

Subject Two Appeared at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival
In a remote, snowbound cabin in the Rockies, a scientist (Dean Stapleton) is working on a revolutionary project — for which he needs a guinea pig. Enter Adam (Christian Oliver), an unhappy med student, who becomes the second subject in a series of experiments that involve his repeated murder and resurrection. As the study progresses, both the physical isolation and the effects of the reanimation technique begin to take a toll on Adam.

This is followed at 2:10 AM by Korean filmmaker Woo-cheol Lee’s Cello, a tale about a cellist who suffers a car crash, and tries to put her life back together.

The undying aftereffects of physical and psychological trauma form but one force haunting the female protagonist in Korean filmmaker Woo-cheol Lee’s atmospheric exercise in horror. Music instructor Mi-ju (Hyeon-a Seong) once had a promising career as a cellist, but a life-changing car accident brought that to an end. When a student threatens her, Mi-ju experiences flashbacks of the traumatic crash and begins to suspect that supernatural forces are threatening her as well. And that very creepy new housekeeper doesn’t make matters any better.

Finally, the “Scare Tactics” block closes at 3:45 AM with David Moreau and Xavier Palu’s Them, aka Ils (which we posted about earlier this week!), a terrifying film about a French couple alone in a large house in the woods.

David Moreau and Xavier Palud’s excruciatingly tense fright-fest arrives as part of a recent boom in French horror films, notable for stylish flair, heightened atmosphere and psychological insight. Purportedly based on real events and told in a chronology that unfolds in nearly real time, Them follows a French academic couple (Olivia Bonamy and Michaël Cohen) living in Romania, who rent a handsome country house in the forest. Alas, during a dark and terrifying night, they slowly discover they are not alone.

Well, we know where our DVRs will be on Halloween night…