NEW PAINTING! (Cover-piece for the FREE BOOK I'm soon to give away!)

I have issues with the image quality on some, but that's ALWAYS, as it's impossible for a digital reproduction to match the quality of the original painting. I hope you guys like them! (Oh, I'll certainly be letting you all know when the book is up for download!)

I've got some things in the works, guys...

I'm about to set up a TUMBLR, and I also have a SMASHWORDS account now. I'll probably link all the sites together soon.

Yes, Wrinklegus PoisonTongue is my pen name. I've been writing under it for quite awhile now, but I've never told anyone, because I hadn't yet started putting my books out there. However, life has put me in a position that has forced me to do so. I have to figure out a way to pay for school, so here goes nothing...

BEAUTIFUL CHAOS (My review of a wonderful story!)

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Beautiful Chaos

Review by Marque Terrynamahr Strickland

Staying true to form, Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia have delivered yet another marvelously entertaining story. Although still set in Gatlin, South Carolina, the environment never quite seems the same. With each book, Gatlin is enrichened with new locations that add even more mystery to this food-filled, ‘fire and brimstone’ county that we readers have so grown to love. My favourites this time around happen to be Macon’s study, Ethan’s pantry (or what lies beneath it), and the Bokor’s little shop of horrors. Marg and Kami are understatedly good at taking you places, whilst never really leaving Gatlin.

Although a well-crafted, well-paced story is typical for Kami and Marg, I feel that the most intriguing aspect of their recent project is the growth of the subordinate characters. They literally carried the story! Our adoration of Ethan and Lena is most unsurprising, as we’ve loved them since the very beginning of the series. But it is the excellent development of characters, like Amma, Liv, Ridley, Macon, Marian, the Linkubus, and John Breed that place this story in my ‘finest reads’ category. They were just too much fun! It was wonderful to get to know John Breed past the point of ‘dislike,’ which was my opinion of him in the second book. Here, he’s just awesome, and he gained all of my respect when he took control in a certain situation. And Ridley, my goodness...our precious Ridley! She has a moment that’s even better than a certain critical scene in the first book. I guarantee you all you’ve never seen her wreak so much havoc! I loved it. And there were certain scenes in this novel in which my heart nearly bled for Olivia–that’s how much I like that character! And though this would seem to be more than enough entertainment, we readers are still given the Sisters, who are funnier than ever, and an Incubus Link, who still has his former shortcomings (or charm, depending on your point of view) in the brain/personality department, but is also now a supernatural. He was perfect!

If I’m to complain about anything at all in this novel it would, once again, be the lack of vegetables in Ethan’s diet! C’mon, Kami, Marg...REALLY?! Amma claims to want to keep this boy from harm, yet everything she cooks is eventually going to kill him! What’s the deal? Give this boy some broccoli or something, please. In a series that is so filled with delectable-sounding food, still, you’d be hard pressed to find something green amidst any of it. Good grief, get it together, ladies! If Ethan keeps up with the diet he’s on, he’s going to have a gut by the time he’s twenty! I’m sure you don’t want your young female readers drooling over him any less than they already are.

After the cliffhanger the story ended with, I have to say I’m quite eager to see what Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl come up with for the tale’s conclusion. It will be interesting, to say the least. I’m of the opinion that Ethan will be more powerful in the next story, or at least more ‘special.’ And for those of you sillies worried about whether or not he’s actually _ _ _ _, calm down. Remember, without the protagonist you have no story! That’s not a spoiler, ladies and gentlemen, that’s COMMON SENSE.

In short, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl cease to amaze me with their adept skill to entertain. Two thumbs way up for Beautiful Chaos!

(c) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

Common Sense: We Mourn His/Her Passing

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; … - Life isn’t always fair; - And maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies, don’t spend more than you can earn and adults, not children, are in charge. His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife Discretion, his daughter Responsibility, and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, I’m A Victim.   Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, do nothing.

–Someone Brilliant (whoever he/she is)

Short story I'm about to submit to a contest....

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The Pie Thief

Each contestant was set to dig in.

They were all hungry and eager to win.

Pie eating for sport–a ridiculous waste.

Well-to-do folks, each one stuffing their face!

But one contestant was missing this winter.

This deprived man had no spare loot to enter.

Juggling daggers for tourists did not provide much.

Life for the rich! The poor shit out of luck!

Great prizes for winning–oodles of money.

A life supply worth, good to buy bread and honey.

But no sense in wishing...he was out of the game.

He’d end their damn contest, he swore on his name!

He snuck himself inside, along with the judges...

...then bled them backstage, even killed one on crutches!

He slit the throats of contestants, making onlookers suffer.

And, last, took the meat-pies, so he’d have food for supper!

–Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

THE SUPERNATURAL: How I wish they'd reveal themselves!

I keep telling people...there's something going down!

http://youtu.be/RjGYSGbAEUM

And I NEVER thought I would agree with Farrakahn on ANYTHING, but...

http://youtu.be/DvIgbZmALFI

And another...

"Ghost Writer" :)

I was just sitting here reminiscing on my 'ghost writing' days. In my early years, I may have been the closet-nerd, but I was the one who had the words girls wanted to hear. So I always had these dudes come to me to write poems to their girlfriends or girls that they were crushing on. I remember this one girl, jumping up and down in the back of the classroom, reading something I'd written. LOL. I guess she liked that guy.

...but I've always wondered what happened after the girls realized that there was no way in hell those guys could have written those letters to them. The thought amuses me. I bet those dudes were in serious trouble!

I put my skills to use quite a few times in college as well. My boy Fernando used to be in love with this girl, Jessica...but let me shut up, because that's a LONG story!

This is why I am the way I am!

I've known this from the very beginning...even as a child!


How Bad Do You Want It from Greyskale Multimedia on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/27933991

Conan the Barbarian/2011 (My review)

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Conan the Barbarian/2011

There’s not too much to say about this film besides the fact that, whilst not being very good, it’s not terrible either. It’s just mediocre...as we all should have expected it to be, for it is exceedingly difficult to recreate classics! I don’t know what’s wrong with directors, who pursue remake projects, for I’d be afraid to try if I were them! I automatically assume every director is a ‘movie buff’ and therefore should understand what a crime it is to meddle with people’s childhoods. The original Conan holds much nostalgia for me, as I saw it as a kindergartener (yeah, I know...how about my grandpa’s parenting skills, eh! Lol!), and therefore, right from the off, I had my misgivings about this project. Thankfully, it exceeded my expectations–not by much, but still. Hell, I look at it like this–at least it’s not as awful as that moist load of shit, known as “Ghost Rider!” Nor is it anywhere near being atrocious, like the Street Fighter: Chun Li movie was! (Those are what I like to consider my ‘comparison films’ whenever I see anything that is unoriginal and shouldn’t have been made in the first place. As long as a film escapes the previously mentioned category, it gets a pass from me.)

Right from the start this film has three HUGE disadvantages:

The first problem is that it is absolutely impossible to find a musician with the skills to match Basil Poledouris’ original score. Anyone who is even slightly knowledgeable about film knows that the theme to the original Conan film is one of the most timeless pieces of music to ever grace the screen. Its beauty is literally at the same level as that of Star Wars and the Indiana Jones films (no disrespect to the genius, John Williams). I’m not saying that they should have tried to recreate the theme for the new version, as it would not have sounded as good anyway. However, without it, can this really be a Conan film? It was so hard to get that Conan the Barbarian feel without it. I know that’s unfair, as it’s a Catch 22, but still...STRIKE ONE!

The next, and also biggest problem is that, no matter what actor you get to play the antagonist, you will never ever get anyone as good as James Earl Jones–the man who portrayed Darth Vader in the Star Wars films and also Thulsa Doom in the original Conan! Impossible. Not going to happen! STRIKE TWO.

The third critical issue is the fact that the story is so mediocre compared to Oliver Stone’s version for the original. It just can’t compete. I wish they had at least gone back to him and asked Mr. Stone to whip up something. After all, a story is the skeletal frame of a film, and if the beginning stages are weak, you’re setting up the entire film to be so. STRIKE THREE! And because of the less-than-stellar writing, naturally other aspects of the film were affected as well, such as the subordinate characters. They were so ineffective in this film...completely un-formidable! This is a drastic contrast to Subotai and Valeria (from the original film), who were so vicious that they nearly didn’t need Conan. I hate for any character in a story to be pointless. Ela-Shan, Conan’s sidekick in this new version, might as well have not even been in the film, he was so poorly written! He had absolutely nothing to do except tell bad jokes and be corny. There is limited space for humor in a Conan story, and the fact that the screenwriters didn’t understand this should tell you they were only on board for the money and were not true fans of the original. They wrote without respect to the character or the story. Oh well.

In all, just like with all remakes, I think they should have thought better than to make this movie. The addition of special effects, better cinematography, and a bigger budget still couldn’t yield results that measured anywhere near our beloved original.  However, even with all of the aforementioned flaws, I assure you all this is not a terrible film...just not great. It’s a mildly entertaining piece of cinema that just happens to be entirely forgettable, that’s all. It’s a solid C/C– film.

(c) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

I LOOOOVE being an artist, because I can get so many things tailored just to my liking. THE. DOPEST. CREDIT. CARD. EVER!!!!

Mu hah hah hah hah hah hah! I'm so goddamn cool!

Scream 4/2011

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Scream 4/2011

If you’re going to do a sequel (and not just any sequel–we’re talking about the 4^th film in a series), then it’s nice to wait 11 years to do it. We’ve had such a long break from the Scream films that we can actually come back now and have fun, whereas with part 3, by the time it hit theaters, we were so tired of being bombarded with them that it was impossible to be entertained by it! And, let’s be honest, with these types of movies, this is ALL you’re supposed to do–sit back, relax, and enjoy the slashing and blood spatter!

The cinematography is nothing to speak of, as this is not really the type of movie that requires anything special. And it would be stupid for me to comment on the acting, as there’s not much for the actors to do...except for Neve Campbell. However, being the new generation’s “Scream Queen,” she’s used to crying, wailing, and running in fear. She’s done it four times now–she should be used to it! And since I’m bypassing the acting, I’ll move on to the story–nothing unique, yet entertaining. These days, that’s about all you can ask for from a horror film. It was fun. It made sense (mostly, except for one thing I’ll point out about ‘Dewey’ in the end). And although I didn’t flinch throughout the entire film, these supposedly ‘scary’ scenes did make me smile, as I knew whilst watching them, somewhere, some poor girl was probably leaping upon her boyfriend’s lap at the very same time.

I’ll probably be a Wes Craven fan till the day I die, and though Last House on the Left and the Nightmare on Elm Street series will always be my favourites, the Scream franchise is not far behind (part 3 will always be the one I consider more of a ‘throw away,’ but perhaps I should go back and watch it again to see if I feel the same way after all this time.) In all, I’ll give Scream 4 a solid “B” grade, just for being so much damn fun...

(c) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

...However, I do have two questions. The reason I saved them as afterthoughts is because they do not pose issues that affect my enjoyment of the film. First question: wasn’t Dewey Riley partially crippled from having a severed nerve, or does that heal over time? If not, Wes screwed up there. Oh well. Question number two: do all rich, white kids have parents that care so little about them that they leave them alone for days at a time? What the fuck? You almost NEVER see Caucasian kids’ parents in horror films!

Wow. I destroyed this kid! My first perfect game!

....but I suppose that doesn't mean shit when a game is only, like, 14 moves. Even still...it was GREAT practice! My 2nd brother, Oliver (my regular opponent) is so good, I have to eat these newbies for breakfast just so I can stay sharp enough to play him. My dude has some skills!

Play chess online

Hanna/2011 (Quite good!)

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HANNA (2011)

For something so simple, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is a government test subject, whose DNA has been tampered with in hopes of creating the perfect soldier. (Yes, I know this type of story has been done to death, but hear me out.) She was raised by Erik (Eric Bana), an agent of the previously mentioned government, who suddenly grew a conscience and decided he couldn’t commit such morally base acts against mankind anymore (again, this is an overused topic, but let me finish!) When Hanna’s mother is assassinated, Erik escapes with Hanna and raises her in the wild. Using her specialized DNA to his advantage, he raises Hanna to be a solider with all the predatory instincts of an assassin, meant to kill Marissa (Cate Blanchett), an integral member of the establishment he once worked for.

With that said, I know that some of you will automatically assume that the film is an overdone, moist load of what makes the grass grow green. But I beg to differ...

Director Joe Wright has given us quite a treat with this simple little film of his. Although I wouldn’t say that Hanna is anything overly artistic that you’ll be blown away by, if nothing else, it’s still well shot (there is some absolutely BEAUTIFUL cinematography, especially in the beginning), well acted, and well paced. Though it is, technically, an ‘action’ film, there’s only as much action as there needs to be, and you’re not bombarded with an excess of fighting to compensate for weak storytelling, as one is with most Hollywood films. And even though the film is, as mentioned, cliché, the creators were still able to take an old idea and make it into something fun! They took stale bread and made bread pudding! In other words, for what it is, Hanna is wonderfully done. If you have an hour and fifty minutes to spare, you really can’t go wrong with this film.

(c) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

SUCKER PUNCH: A 'MIRACLE' IN VISUALS, YET A 'CATASTROPHE' IN WRITING

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SUCKER PUNCH: A ‘MIRACLE’ IN VISUALS, YET A ‘CATASTROPHE’ IN WRITING!

Okay, so after a full eight hours of sleep, deciding whether or not I can give this film a pass simply because of its visual magnificence, I’ve decided I cannot. However, that doesn’t mean that I didn’t like the film, because I did (I’m a sucker for visuals!). But even with that said, I will still be forced to admit the obvious here...the film’s ONLY saving grace is the fact that Zack Snyder and his cinematography/effects team are so damn good at the ‘look’ to their films!

(“Snyder also added that he enjoys the freedom of filming his own original script.” –Sucker Punch Wikipedia)

Oh my...how should I put this? It is very difficult to criticize the work of someone whose talent I adore so much...someone whose work I’m, literally, a fiend for. But the truth must be told here–Zack Snyder’s true gift lies in the craft of direction. He made unforgivable mistakes in his screenplay. It’s not the dialogue I’m speaking of...it’s the story.

Rule #1 in Story: DON’T EVER, EVER INTRODUCE A NONSENSICAL MIRACLE AT THE END OF YOUR TALE TO RESCUE YOUR CHARACTERS! There is a character called ‘the Wise Man,’ who suddenly makes an appearance at the end of the film–a scene, which nearly made me go postal I was so furious at it! First off, this particular character is a figment of another character’s imagination–‘Baby Doll’ (Emily Browning). It was fine for Baby Doll to receive inspiration from him within the deep recesses of her mind, as it’s normal to retreat within oneself in the midst of horrific circumstances. However...IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE FOR HIM TO APPEAR AT THE END OF THE FILM (IN THE ‘REAL WORLD’) OUTSIDE OF THE IMAGINARY WORLD IN WHICH HE WAS CREATED! Though this mistake is likely to drive a number of people crazy, believe it or not, it isn’t even the worst one of the film.

Another calamity within the tale that really got under my skin would have been the instance in which Blondie, Vanessa Hudgens’ character, WILLINGLY SPILLS THEIR PLAN OF ESCAPE TO THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE PLOTTING AGAINST! Zack...seriously? First, you portray Blondie as this confident bad ass, who is capable of magnificent feats within Baby Doll’s fantasy world, but then, in the ‘real world,’ she turns out to be weak, spineless, and dumb as a rock! In no way does this fit with any of the information you presented beforehand...I felt like you lied to the audience. When working on a story in the future, know this–such information should be TORTURED out of a character, not willingly given up! If you’re still not convinced of my point, let me give you an example: a story that takes place within the African American slavery period. If it’s a story involving Nat Turner (the baddest ass slave in history, who led a revolt, resulting in 56 white deaths–men, women, and children), can you imagine him being weak enough to run to his owner and say, “Masta, Masta, we tryin’ to escape...we gon’ kill all ya’ll tonight...don’t go to sleep, cuz’ you gon’ regret it!” What you did with Blondie’s character was, literally, on that level of ridiculousness!

And this brings me to my last point–the protagonist. (Only the most skilled writers can completely switch protagonists in a story, and do it in such a manner without upsetting the audience.)  At the end of the story, Baby Doll, the heroin you believe in, the person that you’ve invested emotion in and want to succeed, is suddenly sacrificed, and you’re given a replacement protagonist–‘Sweet Pea’ (portrayed by Abbie Cornish). The problem is that you don’t give a crap about Sweet Pea, because the focus has been on Baby Doll the entire time. I don’t know what Zack was thinking when he wrote that particular ‘switch’ in the story, especially since he hadn’t given us ANY background information on her! Well, I guess he would say that he did give us a background on her through dialogue given in a mix of scenes, involving her or her sister, Rocket (Jena Malone). The thing is, dialogue can never match the effect of being taken directly to a scene to witness background information with your own two eyes. This is one of the very reasons why we felt much closer to Baby Doll–we saw her history, and therefore we know what her biggest regret is...we know where her deepest hate lies...and we know what it was that landed her in a corrupt psychiatric hospital. We cannot say the same for Sweet Pea, and this is why the audience cared nothing about her, and this is definitely why she should not have been made heroin!

And I hate to throw another jab in here, but with regards to the source of Baby Doll’s hate, which I mentioned above, why is there no justice for him? Her rapist, gold-digging stepfather was one of the most evil S.O.Bs in the story, and he’s the reason that Baby Doll ended up in the hospital in the first place! So, why in the hell is his character abandoned as soon as he signs her over to the hospital? Inexcusable, Zack!

Writers, listen up (Zack Snyder included)–all films are about their ending...all of them! That is the point at which you cannot let your story go to pieces! No matter how magnificent a job you’ve done up to that point, if your ending fails everything you’ve done beforehand is forfeit. Please, remember that. Most of the Sucker Punch reviews I’ve read thus far have been written by inarticulate people, who only went on and on about ‘how much Sucker Punch sucked!’ They felt what I felt but have been unable to express it properly, so I’ve said these things for them. With that said, I must give Sucker Punch and “A+” for visuals, but an “F–” for story. I hate to seem mean, but it’s a god-awful screenplay...there’s no other way to put it.

(c) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (I loved it!!!)

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The Adjustment Bureau

First off, let me say that this is the very first movie review I’ve done in quite some time, as I’ve been working on my novels and haven’t really had much reason to do one (seeing as Moviespot Magazine-who I used to write for-went under over two years ago now). However, I’m so inspired by this latest Philip K. Dick adaptation that I can’t help but write a few words!

Once I finish writing this review, I really must go look up this George Nolfi (writer/director), as I would LOVE to know what else he’s done...he’s quite the talent! The Adjustment Bureau is a complex idea (it can’t help but be that, coming from an imagination as big as PKD’s), yet simply told. David Norris (Matt Damon), a politician, falls in love with dancer, Elise Sellas (portrayed by Emily Blunt). However, he learns from a strange group of men with mysterious powers, The Adjustment Bureau, that fate has divided them. They can’t be with one another without destroying the very thing that each of them is destined to become. If David stays with Elise, he will lose his career in politics, the very thing he has dreamt about since childhood. And, on the contrary, if Elise follows David, she will never become the world-renowned dancer that she is meant to be. However, David refuses to accept this and fights against fate. I will not go into any more detail on the story, for I would hate to spoil it for you guys, and it’s too much of a treat to watch the tale unfold.

I expect this film will touch more than a few, as it deals with love on a level that most only dream of-destiny. And though the film is not overt with its undertones, it still may hit home with many on social and environmental aspects. For example: all the seismic activity we’ve had lately, specifically Japan. The way the story is written, I couldn’t help but leave the theater wondering about the supernatural and its relation to the many catastrophes of late (or not, depending upon your beliefs). I’m of the opinion that human beings are at the height of our decadence and foolishness, and therefore we’re being taught very harsh lessons about our behavior. Love is all that can help us move beyond an 8.9 earthquake, which has claimed thousands of lives...so far. LOVE. It is this very thing that, at the end of the film, character Harry Mitchell suggests is the key to human beings writing their own fate someday.

For me, this film was an all around joy, and I left the theater with the biggest smile on my face. However, as I was so fond of saying in my past movie reviews, this is NOT a film for morons who need things blowing up every few seconds to be entertained. Please, if you’re as dumb as a rock, skip this film, as you’ll be bored to tears. But if you enjoy good acting, fine cinematography, and absolutely WONDERFUL storytelling, then this film is for you! If you appreciate artistic simplicity, there’s no way you can go wrong with “The Adjustment Bureau.”

(C) Marque Terrynamahr Strickland/2011