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*?

Darren Shan’s bestselling Cirque du Freak series makes its way to the big screen this fall, with The Vampire’s Assistant – and we are offering some goodies to get in the spirit of the film!

The Book:

THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT and Other Tales from the Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

New movie edition features the first three books–Cirque Du Freak, The Vampire’s Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood– bound up in one volume!

Do you love to be scared? Then don’t miss the terrifying adventure that begins when Darren and his best friend, Steve, get tickets to the CIRQUE DU FREAK, a wonderfully bizarre and creepy freak show. Brace yourself for thrills and chills as the boys witness a parade of grotesque creatures and face their deepest fears by entering the darkest world of the vampire. In the blood-curdling tradition of Anne Rice and Stephen King, CIRQUE DU FREAK will have you shrieking for the next horror show!

The Movie:

In theaters October 23rd

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular series of books by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.

CIRQUE DU FREAK has been rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) for sequences of intense supernatural violence and action, disturbing images, thematic elements and some language.

Check out the official movie website HERE.

The Trailer:

The Giveaway:

TWO lucky winners will each receive a prize pack with the following goodies:

1. Cirque du Freak book Set (Includes all THREE original Cirque du Freak titles in one book)
2. Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant Locker Mirror

The contest is open ONLY to US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of October 1st. In order to enter, simply leave a comment here telling us if you had to live with the Cirque du Freak, what supernatural creature would you wish to be (half-vampire, werewolf, bearded lady…you name it)!

Also, we’ll be awarding EXTRA ENTRIES for the following:

+1 for posting about this giveaway and linking on your blog (please tell us you did so in an extra comment for it to count)
+1 for voting in the official widget below for your favorite Cirque du Freak T-shirt (please tell us you did so in an extra comment for it to count)

Other multiple entries that do not follow the rules specified above will be disqualified. If you have voted and linked, but have only left us with one comment, you will only be entered one time into the giveaway – so don’t shortchange yourself!

The contest will run until October 23 at 11:59 PM. We will randomly select and announce our winner on October 24th. Good Luck!

So, summer is just about over (though at 90-plus degree weather here in LA, it sure as crap doesn’t feel like it). It’s always a little sad, but hey! We’ve got some sweet movies and fall tv shows on the horizon. Today we take a look at a few movies that we Book Smugglers are looking forward to…

Movies, Movies, Movies!
(For the months of September and October)

GAMER

Release Date: September 4

Gamer is basically The Running Man rebooted – in a future dystopian world, people compete in grandiose online gaming settings – but it’s all real. Players control human avatars (who are condemned prisoners, of course) who fight to the death.

Substitute this:

for this:

It doesn’t look particularly good or groundbreaking…but it’s got MICHAEL C. HALL in it. I mean, he’s freaking Dexter! Of course I’m watching it. (Plus, Gerard Butler and Alison Lohman aren’t too shabby either)

CARRIERS

Release Date: September 4

This film has been in release purgatory for a while, but riding on the coattails of Chris Pine’s success as a fabulous Kirk in the Star Trek reboot has given Carriers the boost to make it to theaters. Hopefully. A viral outbreak is seizing the country, and four young friends are driving away for salvation, before they can be infected. Tough decisions and other shenanigans ensue.

I’ve had a huge crush on Chris Pine since Star Trek so, it’s a safe bet that I’ll be watching this one in theaters.

9

Release Date: September 11

Ahhh, 9. Finally! A Tim Burton animated feature about the ruins of our world after The Great Machine has turned all humanity’s mechanized inventions against it, and nine loyal stitchpunk creatures must safeguard the future. I think the preview speaks for itself. It’s steampunk meets post-apocalypse. What’s not to love!? (Plus, the nine are so damn cute. They’re like the sack guys in Little Big Planet)

Jennifer’s Body

Release Date: September 18

Yes, I know it’s the horrid, vapid, acting-challenged, ‘If-I-Ever-Saw-You-On-The-Street-I’d-Sucker-Punch-You-In-Your-Stupid-Mouth’ Megan Fox. But, it’s Megan Fox basically playing herself, and it’s also the excellent Amanda Seyfried (aka the chick from Mama Mia and Mean Girls). AND it’s a screenplay written by Juno mastermind, Diablo Cody. For that alone, it deserves a watch.

Surrogates

Release Date: September 25

Bruce Willis’ ridiculous surrogate hair aside, I can’t help but be suckered in to watching these scifi dystopian films. In a future where people live vicariously through their robotic surrogates, someone begins killing the humans that are plugged in. A little bit Matrix, a little bit Neuromancer and Skinned, this looks like a fun movie watch. (I’m ignoring the inherent silliness in creating robot bodies for people who are alive and plugged into what could be described as a cyberpunky virtual reality simulator. Why would they need physical bodies at all? So long as they are plugged in, they can interact with others who are plugged in and do even more that their automaton counterparts. But…whatever.)

Pandorum

Release Date: September 25

I freaking LOVE this poster. It’s a fall for scifi/dystopian/cyberpunk, isn’t it? Pandorum (from the folks behind Resident Evil) stars the seriously underrated, sick character actor Ben Foster (remember him from teenybopper film Get Over It – yeah, with SISQO? How he’s grown! 3:10 to Yuma is a far cry from those days)

and Dennis Quaid (who seems to be in EVERYTHING these days. You can’t get away from him. G.I. Joe, Pandorum, Legion…even on freaking HBO, The Express is always on and BOOM! There’s Dennis Quaid again). In an homage to one of my favorite films, Event Horizon, Pandorum is a film about two astronauts that wake up in a space ship without any memory of who they are or what they are doing…and they aren’t alone. The trailer looks awesome.

Zombieland

Release Date: October 9

YES. YES. YES! Is it October yet? Zombie decimation with a touch of irreverent Woody Harrelson humor? A few survivors are making their way through the zombie apocalypse and decide to stop in an amusement park because they think it will be safe *giggles incessantly* Because THAT is a great plan. I cannot wait. (Bonus: Bill Murray makes a cameo. As a freaking ZOMBIE. YES!)

The Road

Release Date: October16

Cormac McCarthy’s dreary and incredibly bleak Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the end of the world and a father and son that make their way across the country for safety is in movie form, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. Given the Academy’s massive hardon for Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Mortensen and Ms. Theron, I’m pretty sure this film has OSCAR written all over it. (Guy Pierce is in it too…which can only mean good things)

Where the Wild Things Are

Release Date: October 16

First, how about the soundtrack!? The film is completely scored by Carter Burwell and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and with songs by Arcade Fire. And this is Spike Jonze doing his thing – taking a ten-lined beloved children’s book, and turning into what looks like a beautiful full length film. I cannot wait. I get goosebumps and teary-eyed with that trailer.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant

Release Date: October 23

Based on the young adult novels Cirque du Freak: The Saga of Darren Sahn, a teenage boy unknowingly breaks an ancient truce between vampire clans, and must fulfill his destiny. Starring the likes of John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek, this could be a gooder. (And Salma Hayek is a Lady with a Beard. Yes, you read that correctly!)

Ong Bak 2

Release Date: October 23 – in LA and NY

OMG. OMG. SQUEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! If you haven’t seen the magical wonder that is Tony Jaa in Ong Bak, you are missing a vital part of your life and you don’t even know it. One of the finest martial arts films to come out in years, Ong Bak gives Muay Thai its much deserved respect. I cannot freaking wait for the sequel.

And while you’re out there renting Ong Bak, make sure to pick up The Protector (which is basically Ong Bak with elephants) and then get Chocolate while you’re at it. Starring a little girl who can kickass just as hard as the boys in the biz, it’s a wonderful homage to not only Tony Jaa, but to Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, etc. The story is awful. The fighting is wonderful.

Antichrist

Release Date: October 23 – in LA/NY

There’s a shitstorm of controversy around this film – after the death of their child, a distraught couple heads to the woods…but then bad, scary things happen. Directed by controversial Lars von Trier, Antichrist garnered a harsh response after its showing at Cannes this year for its sexual violence and misogyny. Roger Ebert says:

[...]It’s important to note that “Antichrist” is not a bad film. It is a powerfully-made film that contains material many audiences will find repulsive or unbearable. The performances by Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg are heroic and fearless. Von Trier’s visual command is striking. The use of music is evocative; no score, but operatic and liturgical arias. And if you can think beyond what he shows to what he implies, its depth are frightening.

I cannot resist.

And those are our top flicks! What movies are you looking forward to?

Happy Sunday, everyone! Another huge basketball game on the line, so everyone send some good thoughts the Lakers’ way.

Giveaway Winners:

We held THREE giveaways this week, and it’s time to announce the lucky winners. Drumroll please…

We had over 210 entries for all Demon’s Lexicon contest – THANK YOU to everyone that entered! We asked people to comment by answering the question, “Who is your favorite character?” and the entries are very interesting, with loads of book recommendations. We highly recommend you check them out.

Without further ado, the five winners of a copy of Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan are:

And the grand prize winner of the goody bag, containing the audio book, a sterling silver knife charm, and character quote bookmarks is:

The lucky (or perhaps unlucky!) winner of Night’s Rose and The Frog Prince ARCs by Annaliese Evans is:

And the two lucky winners of our Flash giveaway of paranormal romance titles are:

Phew. You know the drill. Winners, please send an email to contact AT the book smugglers DOT com with you snail mail address. We will get your winnings out to you as soon as possible! Thanks again to everyone that entered – and if you didn’t win this time, don’t feel too bad. We have plenty more giveaways coming up very soon…

The Stoker Awards 2009:

This weekend, the annual Bram Stoker awards were held in Burbank, California. On Thursday, yours truly (that’s Thea) headed out to Dark Delicacies to pick up some great books, and to meet some of the nominated authors. Although I didn’t get to stay very long (since 1: I am a ginormous stuttering pansy when it comes to meeting authors, and 2: the Laker game was on), I did finally get to meet honorary smuggler and author Joel Sutherland! We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing Joel, and have read and reviewed both his edited anthology Fried! Fast Food, Slow Deaths as well as his Stoker nominated first novel Frozen Blood, so it was great to finally meet him in person!

Joel didn’t take home the award, but he was up against some very tough competition, and I have the utmost confidence in him and his future work! Here are the official winners for 2009:

NOVEL: DUMA KEY by Stephen King

POETRY COLLECTION: THE NIGHTMARE COLLECTION by Bruce Boston

Good thing I picked up a copy of The Gentling Box while at Dark Delicacies…

Other Randomness:

In other bookish news, we have participated in our very first Book Carnival online! You can check out the other paranormal entries HERE.

New trailers have been released for Tim Burton’s film Nine and for the new Scorsese flick Shutter Island.

Ooooooo. We likey.

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

On Monday, Thea reviews Alex Bell’s sophomore effort, Jasmyn.

Tuesday, Ana reviews The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes.

On Wednesday, Thea tackles Slights by Kaaron Warren – the first title from brand spankin’ new Harper imprint, Angry Robot. (On a shallow note, isn’t this a fantastic cover?!)

Thursday, Ana takes on the new, highly anticipated release from THE Loretta Chase, Don’t Tempt Me! AND on Friday, we have an interview with Loretta herself, so stay tuned!

That’s it for now. Until next time….

So, even though Terminator: Salvation was a total bust, blockbuster season is far from being over. Here are a few films Ana and I cannot wait to check out:

Up
Release Date: May 29, 2009

I don’t care what Pixar does, I will watch any of their films. The trailer for Up doesn’t look particularly awesome – but it’s freaking PIXAR. I thought Wall-E would just be so-so, and I’m happy to eat crow on that count. Early reviews indicate that Up is another winner, and I cannot wait.

Drag Me To Hell
Release Date: May 29, 2009

Ok. I’ve lost hope in Raimi. I am convinced that an evil Raimi android has taken his place after Spidey 2, and has put out a ton of crap films in his name. That said, no matter how awful a horror movie might look, no matter how much I bitch and moan, at the end of the day, I’m not kidding anyone. I watch all of these movies in the theater. Usually by myself because the dear boyfriend refuses on seeing “[my] stupid horror crap again.” I don’t care. I’m AM cinema-ing this one on Friday or Saturday. Plus, the one review I’ve seen for this film is favorable! Fingers are crossed for Good Raimi to return from the shadow of his evil android usurper.

The Hangover
Release Date: June 5, 2009

Three dudes, a tiger, Mike Tyson, and a baby. Um…of course I’m gonna watch this! I cracked up when I saw the first trailer months ago. (Although is it wrong that it really bothers me that the douchebag from Wedding Crashers is fucking Green Lantern!??!?! That’s the best they could do? I’ll believe it when I see it. I much prefer this version.)

The Taking of Pelham 123
Release Date: June 12, 2009

A remake of the 1974 film (which I’ve never seen), this looks pretty good. I mean, it’s Denzel. And Travolta. In The Negotiator meets the end of Speed. Did I mention Denzel? And who doesn’t love it when Travolta plays a bad guy (hello Broken Arrow and Face/Off)?!? Easy sell.

Moon
Release Date: June 12, 2009

Sam Rockwell stars in this new Sundance-y science fiction film, and it looks pretty sweet. In a kind of 2001: Space Odyssey looking way. Plus, the director Duncan Jones is David Bowie’s son.

Dead Snow
Release Date: June 12, 2009

YES. YES. FINALLY! I have been jonesing on Dead Snow since I heard about it from Meljean Brook a year back. Finally, the Norwegian nazi zombie movie is making it to the US this summer (with subtitles of course). Nazi Zombies always equal win.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Release Date: June 24, 2009

Yeah, it’s Transformers. Yeah, it’s Michael Bay (It cracks me up that at 1:26 Megatron knocks over the flag – right after Michael Bay’s name comes up – OH NOES! I’m gonna get in my Chevy and stick it to those damned evil freedom-hating Decepticons!). Yeah, it’s Megan Fox (sexy but completely devoid of talent) and Shia LaBeoff (D-bag). But…it’s Transformers. You gotta expect all that, and go for the mindless – yeah, guilty – entertainment.

Public Enemies
Release Date: July 1, 2009

Though Christian Bale has done me wrong once this year, I’m thinking that’s a total fluke. Especially with Johnny Depp and Marion Cotillard in the film, and with Michael Mann at the helm. Plus, it’s been a while since we’ve had a good gangster film. I’m excited.

Bruno
Release Date: July 10, 2009

Trailer HERE

Sasha Baron Cohen made his mark official with Borat, and he’s back this summer with another Ali G Show character, Bruno. I loved some of his shows with this character before (check out the the Spring Break clip), thought Borat was freaking hilarious, so I’m hoping Bruno can deliver. I love awkward humor.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Release Date: July 15, 2009

Ohmyfuckingod it’s almost here!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn’t the trailer give you the goosebumps? Both Ana and I are huge Potter fanatics (waiting in line at midnight for the books), and Half-Blood Prince is quite possibly my favorite book of them all (it’s a toss-up between this one and Prisoner of Azkaban). This is one of my most highly anticipated movies of the year, and I cannot wait.

Orphan
Release Date: July 24, 2009

I’ve already explained that no matter how trite or rehashed a horror movie looks, I will watch it. I enjoy them, even the ones that are horrible, even the ones I have seen a million times before. So, even though Orphan is so very The Bad Seed/The Good Son/Joshua, I’m still gonna watch it. Plus, I like Peter Sarsgaard. And the chick from The Departed.

Funny People
Release Date: July 31, 2009

Ana would kill me if I left this off. So, it’s the third ‘official’ movie from Judd Apatow, starring the usual Seth Rogan and Leslie Mann, but this time taking on Adam Sandler. I loved 40 Year Old Virgin, thought Knocked Up had its moments, so I’ll probably watch Funny People. But I’m picking up some of the same un-funny weirdo vibe I got from Knocked Up. Furthermore, I gotta admit that while I loved old Adam Sandler (Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Little Nicky, even Big Daddy), this new, serious, kinda douchey version (I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry) isn’t really my cup of tea.

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Release Date: August 7, 2009

Another sort of Transformers dilemma for me. I fondly remember watching the cartoons when I was younger, and I like Stephen Sommers (writer/director of Deep Rising, The Mummy, Van Helsing) for all the glorious cheese he injects in his films. On the other hand, this looks like another Transformers knockoff (not too surprising considering it’s another Hasbro/Paramount effort), the casting bugs me (Sienna Miller is so NOT my Baroness), and at the end of the trailer the dudes – wearing only the delta six body armor – are out-dodging heat-seeking missiles. On foot.

District 9
Release Date: August 14, 2009

Peter Jackson’s newest film, directed by Niell Blomkamp looks freaking AWESOME. Set in a world not too different from our own, extraterrestrials are being held prisoners in South Afrika. Word on the street is, District 9 is a full length version of newbie director Blomkamp’s short film “Alive in Jorburg”. This year’s Cloverfield (sans shitty camera techniques, naturally)? I have high hopes for District 9.

Inglorious Basterds
Release Date: August 21, 2009

I love Tarantino. This movie looks exploitative, satirical, gloriously violent, and comes out the day after my birthday. Oh, I’ll be there.

H2: Halloween 2
Release Date: August 28, 2009

Again, horror. And I think Rob Zombie has a great eye as a director. House of 1000 Corpses was confusing but inexplicably captivating; The Devil’s Rejects was fucking awesome. I have to admit, I found his remake of Halloween, however, to be a bit of a disappointment. Whereas the blood and the terror were well timed in the first two of his films, Halloween was strong for the first half, then lost its edge. It was too much – too much of the same thrills, too much of the same sex/lumbering Michael/blood that I was completely desensitized to it and frankly just wished he’d off Laurie to get her to shut up already. Still, I have high hopes for H2, even if the trailer isn’t sending me any promising signals (Sheri Moon Zombie as Michael’s crazy ghost mommy looks kinda funny, actually). Still, I’ll watch it.

And that’s about it folks! Which summer flicks are you looking forward to?

The weekend is over, alas! But we have another shiny new stash for you to chase away the impending Monday blues…

Oooh, Pretty!

The new cover to The Dead-Tossed Waves (out next year), Carrie Ryan’s companion book to her awesome debut, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Is it next year yet?

This Week on The Book Smugglers:

Monday, Thea serves up her review of the surprisingly excellent The Magicians and Mrs. Quent.

On Tuesday, Thea will review Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews – one of Thea’s top 10 of 2009 reads!

And, on Friday, author Angie Fox will be stopping by to talk inspirations for her newest book The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers, sequel to her bestselling debut novel The Accidental Demon Slayer. Angie will have an awesome “Are You Part Demon Slayer?” quiz and contest, so make sure to stop by for the fun and for a chance to win the swag! The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers will be out from Dorchester on April 28.

And, Just Because…

I saw I Love You, Man this weekend (which is awkwardly hilarious, by the way), and guess what I got an eyeful of during the previews???

and

May is so gonna rock the universe.

That’s it for now…

~Your Friendly Neighborhood Book Smugglers

This week:

We kick-off the week with a three-day Kim Harrison Extravaganza!

On Monday, Thea reviews book 6 in The Hollows series, The Outlaw Demon Wails, in honor of the mass market paperback release of the book.

On Tuesday we will have an INTERVIEW with Kim Harrison (*Thea: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*) including an awesome giveaway! We’ll have FIVE copies of Outlaw Demon Wails, and a GRAND PRIZE of ALL THE BOOKS IN THE HOLLOWS SERIES for one lucky winner!

On Thursday, Ana reviews When The Duke Returns, the 4th book in the Desperate Duchesses series by Eloisa James, which is released this week.

Finally, on Friday, Ana reviews What a Scoundrel Wants by Carrie Lofty, a December release -a book that has Will Scarlet of Robin Hood fame, as the hero!

Other News:

Here’s the new cover for Richelle Mead’s book 2 of the Dark Swan series:

And in other news, Mulluane has joined Tia over at the cool blog Fantasy Debut. Mulluane runs Dragons, Heroes and Wizards and she will be giving Tia a hand with their debut showcases and the occasional review. Congrats to Mulluane and Tia!

And a couple of new trailers of movies we are dying to watch:

Coraline

Star Trek

That’s all for today folks! Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Happy Sunday! Another weekend comes to a close, and it’s time for another stash.

New Trailers:

(Yes, I know Ana posted it yesterday, but it’s so awesome)

All three trailers together (that last one has some additional footage not in the first two). What’s that smell you might ask? That’s Thea and Ana, who have just pooped their pants. The Watchmen film looks like it is going to be amazing.

The casting is pretty damn awesome, if you ask me. In other news, apparently “The Black Freighter” will not make it into the movie cut–but it will be offered as a separate animated dvd film when the movie hits screens in March, and will star Gerard Butler as the voice of the cursed, marauded main character.

Then, there’s of course Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Though Prisoner of Azkaban is probably my favorite of the all the books, Half-Blood Prince is probably my very close second favorite. This new trailer is totally toned down from this darker one, but still just as awesome:

Goosebumps.

This Week:

On Monday, I’ll review Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead–the third book in the Vampire Academy series…and the most devastating to date. Tuesday, Ana will take a look at To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt. Check out the excerpt HERE.

On Friday, at long last, we will have a joint review of Neil Gaiman’s latest–The Graveyard Book!

Other Events:

The good ladies of The Book Binge and The Good, The Bad, and The Unread (aka TGTBTU) are combining dark forces to create a Thanksgiving special: Bingeaduckia!

The week-long event will feature guest bloggers (including yours truly!) talking about the romance book review community, contests, games, etc. Make sure to stop by check it out!

EDIT: Bingeaduckia has been moved to the first week of December…we’ll keep you posted on any further developments. Thanks again to The Book Bingers and TGTBTU–and we hope you are feeling better, Sybil!

And of course…there Smugglivus, looming on the horizon. Stay tuned!

I was just checking out Aidan’s blog (which is awesome if you folks haven’t been), and saw this!

HELL. YES.

I absolutely cannot wait–this trailer is freaking sweet.

It’s finally here!!! After years of waiting and hoping feverishly and holding our collective breaths, X-Files fans are finally being treated to a new movie, starring our favorite intrepid FBI Agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully!!!

And, in honor of the sure to be kick-ass film that hits theaters this Friday, we have decided to have yet another long weekend special. **On a side note, how frakking awesome has this summer been to us??? Iron Man, Indy, Wall-E, Hellboy II, The Dark Knight and now The X-Files?!?!? It’s a wonder Ana and I haven’t had our heads explode.**

For this weekend, we shall share our X-Files love, discuss our favorite episodes and moments, have a joint episode review, and heck even review an X-Files book or two.

And so, we bring you a collection of posters and clips available for I Want to Believe, and kick off our X-Files Weekend!

Posters

Trailers and Clips

Internet Trailer

Theatrical Trailer

LA Film Fest – Opening Scene

LA Film Fest – “Obsession” Scene

And, just because it’s fun to share…

How did you become an X-Files fan?

Thea: I was 11 years old when I got my first introduction to The X-Files. We were at a Mexican restaurant on my summer vacation, and hanging out with my very cool uncle (who, for perspective’s sake is a huge comic book and Star Trek nut–in fact, it’s pretty much a cardinal sin in my family if you don’t like Star Trek, as dear boyfriend discovered…but I digress, that’s a story for a different day). My Uncle asks me if my family or I have ever seen this really AWESOME new show called The X-Files, to which I shake my head (we were living in Indonesia at the time, and didn’t get much in the way of American television). My Uncle then told me that I simply HAD to watch the show, and for my summer birthday present, I received the first season of the show on VHS.

That evening, I ran upstairs to the video room, popped in the Pilot/Deep Throat tape…and my life would never, ever be the same again. From the Pilot episode, with the crazy nosebleeds, “missing time” and the terrifying possibility of Alien Abductions, I was completely and hopelessly hooked. I rushed through the remaining episodes–with conspiracy theory stunners like “Deep Throat” and “The Erlenmeyer Flask” to the most EXCELLENT monster of the week episodes, like “Squeeze”, “Ice”, and “Darkness Falls”. These used to terrify me, in a wonderful tingly way, and I could not get enough of them. Each year when we would return to the USA for summer vacation, I would eagerly buy the next season on video–which came with collectible cards, posters, and yes I even bought the magazine. By the time I was in high school, the episodes were available for rent at our local video store, and I wore those suckers out as well. Over and over again, I would watch my favorite episodes, forcing my poor younger sister and family to bear with me. This year, when the ultimate collectors edition DVD box set was released (including every episode and the first movie, Fight The Future), I bought it immediately.

The X-Files were an important, major part of my formative years–for the longest time I wanted to be a forensic pathologist like Scully. I learned many important things from the show (what exactly digitalis is and that it is derived from Foxglove, for instance; or cool vocabulary words like “corroborate”), and it’s one that will always be very close to my heart.

And this is why I am damn happy that I get a little bit more of Mulder and Scully, especially now that I am an adult.

Ana:
I am a newbie when it comes to the X-Files. I had never watched the series when it was on telly for two reasons. The main one being that I was living in Brazil back then which means that the episodes were dubbed and you will never believe the ATROCITIES that dubbing things in Portuguese will do to a movie or a TV show. But even if it was on the original English, I had always had the impression that the X Files was a horror show and being the ninny that I am , I was scared of watching it. Seriously. Even with my best girl friend being fan numero uno and having David Duchovny’s posters spread all over her bedroom , and telling me how awesome it was.

Alhough I never watched an episode, I was still very attuned to what was going on: I remember the uproar when Scully showed up pregnant or when Mulder left the show. I even went to the movies to watch The X-Files the Movie and I commiserated with my friend when The Kiss did not happen – Damn you Killer Bee!

It all changed in January 2008. First there was Thea talking about it with our mutual Greek friend. Then the Greek Who Shall Not Be Named came over to spend some days and she was on a mission. First, she MADE me rent the first DVD of season 1. We watched it together and I liked it but it wasn’t enough to convince me. But she was not done with her campaign. She just wanted me to watch the first few episodes to get a feel of who Scully and Mulder were and what they were about. Her main weapon was the one episode she had brought with her – called Bad Blood. The episode that had not only a cool monster of the week (Vampires!) but also was a comedy episode in the style of he said/she said that was truly a delight to watch. The nail in the coffin was that as soon as we were done with the episode , we went online and watched a myriad of chosen clips on Youtube and that was it. I HAD to carry on.

Next thing I knew, I bought the Box with all nine seasons + the movie from Amazon and Dear Partner and I started a marathon that ended only a few weeks ago. I laughed, I cried, I rooted for them, I fell in love with Mulder and developed a serious girl crush for Scully – most of all, I loved the story arcs, the plotlines, all how it was all intertwined with the amazing relationship these two characters had from the get go.

The end result: I am convinced this is the Best TV Show to have ever graced my TV. It replaced The West Wing on the top 1 spot.

So if you are a fan, you know what we are talking about. If not, I am living proof that it is never too late!

And to the ones out there that love the X-files, a question – how did YOU become a believer?