Cloverfield

Today we show you a sneak preview of a sci-fi, scary movie coming soon to a theater near you. Remember the writers who made this possible.

Support Writers

Check out fans4writers.com to see how you can support the writer's strike. You don't have to belong to the Writer's Guild to support the writer's cause. Its all about the creative pie and how its doled out. I record my favorite shows on my DVR. Lately I've noticed the list is getting shorter. I miss the new run shows. I don't even watch that much t.v., but I do enjoy a select few. I gravitate towards comedy and specialty type programming. I can still get my fill of the old classic movies and such.
I'm not sure how the powers that be can justify taking such a large percentage of money from the talent that creates it. Sure, I realize it's a symbiotic relationship. Since it is, the monies should be shared at an equitable rate. Let's see how the media can get along without writers who can make people laugh, cry and just watch something for more that twenty minutes. It isn't an easy task. With the new technologies getting the writer's work to millions of people, shouldn't the creators enjoy some of the benefits? The media mogul provided the means for the entertainment to get out there but the mogul did not create it. There would be nothing to distribute in the first place, hence no money in the mogul's pocket, if it had not been for the creators. The writer's brain is the source for all this media income, is it not?
I realize that the machine needs all its parts to work. Each part has a purpose and needs its share of the oil in order for the machine's optimum function.
Imagine Leonardo DaVinci paints a masterpiece. He sells it for money to an individual. Does he deserve a royalty if the new owner makes millions of prints off his painting and makes himself rich? In today's world, he sure would. Now, let's say that by some inter-dimensional fluke the Internet and i-pods were introduced into Leonardo's world. Would he deserve a share of the money made from the downloads of his prints? With any new technology, new precedents need to be made. If he deserved a royalty from his prints then it would only stand to reason he would deserve a royalty from the downloads. Now it gets complicated. What percentage would he deserve? That's where we need to call in King Solomon to help decide the matter. Hmmm, maybe he would tell the mediators to split the download in half and give each one an equal share.
That's where Leonardo would come in and exclaim, "No, wait! I cannot bear to see my beloved art destroyed. Give it all to the painting owner."
As Leonardo covers his tearful face with his hands, King Solomon would rise and say, "Since Leonardo is so passionate about this work of art, give him all of it."
And so it is done....in a perfect world.

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

Steve Martin is not only a comedian but also a writer. He has written screen plays and produced his own movies. He has even created his own independent artsy films where he takes on dramatic roles. He is versatile and well known for his wild and crazy humor. Unlike many celebrity biographies, he writes his own insightful book. Only Martin could tell his story the way it should be told. He lets the reader know how he really feels. Being funny is not an easy task. He lived through the sixties and is able to relate historical events within the context of his own life. It is always interesting to read different perspectives of major events. Martin describes the Kennedy assassination and how it affected him. He lets the reader know that life is never easy and how you react to it makes all the difference. He refuses to deny the national controversies surrounding him. He has opinions and insights and conveys them eloquently. From his "King Tut" dance to his hosting of the Oscars in 2003, Steve Martin is and always will be one of the good ones. He has something to say, and say it he does. This book is fascinating, yet poignant. Here's to many more years of Martin's crazy, embracing humor!

Back with a list

Ok, we've compiled a list of book ideas that were submitted without accompanying graphics.

We've grouped these together due to the subject matter.
1001 things to do after a funeral. -Thanks Judy!
1001 foods to serve at a wake. -Thanks Ben!
1001 things to do at a funeral. -Thanks Dave!
uh, we're pretty sure that's an untapped market.

Dog tricks for lazy people and dogs. -Thanks Carl!
Like, "play dead" ?

Funny things to do at church. -Thanks Betty!
I can think of some unfunny things to do.

The book of yo-yo collecting. --Thanks Jason!
There are books for yo-yo tricks, not so sure about collecting.

The King Jame's Bible translated into hip hop -Thanks Tristan!
I see potential issues here due to the varying meanings of many hip hop slang. How about a pig latin translation? Ok, just joking, sheeesh.

Cooking for three. -Thanks Jared!
There are cooking for two books, but three? Interesting.

Funny things to write in a will. -Thanks Dexter!
Yes it's similar to the funeral genre, but unique nonetheless. I can't wait to read this one.

This is all for now. Keep the ideas coming. We won't be doing this forever. This is a book review blog, isn't it?