KEN BRUEN " INTERVIEW" 2/9/10

I have to begin by saying that Ken Bruen is one of the good guys in this world. He's actually one of the nicest guys I've come across. But, for anyone who's ever read Ken's books you would think he's gotta be a madman. If you've never read his stuff, well what are you waiting for. Ken is the king of gritty crime noir, and he hails from Galway, Ireland. He is the author of 20+ novels including the Jack Taylor series which begins with "THE GUARDS". He also has another series with Inspector Brant. He has 2 recent stand alone's set in the U.S., "AMERICAN SKIN" and "ONCE WERE COPS" and recently combined with Reed Farrel Coleman to pen "TOWER". Ken was gracious enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and answer some questions for an interview series to begin here on "Signs & Wonders". To Ken I am eternally grateful. Gra Mor ! So here we go with Mr. Ken Bruen.

S&W: Which do you look for, great music or great songwriting? KB: Great songwriting first and if you can find both, alleluia.

S&W: Can you name a songwriter who you think would make a great novelist? KB: Tom Russell and he's currently writing a novel, Jim Sallis is a terrific musician.

S&W: Does music have an influence or a role in your writing process? KB: Hugely, I sometimes describe a character solely by the music he listens to.

S&W: Do you ever hear a song or see a film & think..man that's my life or been there done that? KB: Ash Wednesday by Tom Russell and Paris Texas, I think,... that's my life.

S&W: You're an artist, you paint with words, but if you had to tell your story in another art form, what would it be? KB: I have a Diploma in Art and did a lot of paintings, all crap. I'd love to be a singer songwriter.

S&W: Musicians you can't live without? KB: Gretchen Peters, Tom Waits, Tom Russell, Johnny Duhan, Leonard Cohen.

S&W: In the movie, Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges character "Bad" Blake is asked, where do all the songs come from? He responds "life". Don't you think that's true of most artists, writers included? KB: Absolutely, certainly its true for me.

S&W: It seems to me that the best writers, musicians, and artists have all learned to channel or tame, the "pains" of life. They do it or their destroyed by it. Do you think a person can be an effective artist without the "pain" or getting out there and really living? KB: Yes I do, but the artists and writers I love best have all been wounded.

S&W: If you could sit down to dinner with any one person (living or deceased)to pick their brain. Who and why? KB: Cormac McCarthy, to ask him about his influences, who he reads and what drives him. I love how he has no interest in celebrity. He is one of the truest writers I've ever read and a pure poet.

S&W: Is it every writers dream or nightmare to have his or her book made into a film? KB: Dream, I would think, but after the movie comes out, they are so frequently disappointed.

S&W: 99% of books are better than the film, can you think of some off the top of your head that lived up to the greatness of the book? KB: 4...To Kill A Mockingbird, L.A. Confidential, Paris Trout, The Reader.

S&W: If you can choose anyone to play you in a film, who would it be? KB: Tommy Lee Jones or James Woods.

S&W: Are their any particular actors or directors work who you follow closely? KB: Todd Anderson, Clint Eastwood, Steve Soderbergh, Luc Besson actors Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro.

S&W: What films have stayed with you through the years like an old friend? KB:Thanks to Craig McDonald, Touch of Evil, Double Indemnity, Witness for the Prosecution.

S&W: Who's cooler and sexier writers or musicians? KB: No contest but Musicians, apart from Megan Abbott.

S&W: Final Question...Cormac McCarthy has been able to to achieve mainstream success with "No Country" & "The Road", a Pulitzer & Oprah appearance, but has been able to maintain his pre-breakthrough lifestyle. Daniel Woodrell's film, Winters Bone just won a Grand Jury Award at Sundance & the film could lead to a breakout for Daniel Woodrell. Right now you have 2 films based on your novels ( London Boulevard & Blitz) coming out. You also have the Jack Taylor TV series. You are already a much loved and highly acclaimed writer. After finally achieving mainstream success, do you worry about the changes it can bring to your life or do you embrace it? KB: Oh God, I just embrace it and have to pinch myself. I'm just delighted. What it mainly does is it makes me try to up my game. The new Jack Taylor, headstone, I'm taking huge chances and still not sure if I can pull it off.

PANDORA'S BOX: Overlooked Film & Star

Over this past weekend I decided to revisit a film (Pandora's Box) that I had watched several years ago. Pandora's Box is a forgotten gem of the silent era and it's star (Louise Brooks) is a much overlooked star. Everyone remembers divas Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor and Jean Harlow but few remember Louise Brooks, and that's a real tragedy. Pandora's Box (1929) is Brooks most famous role, although she appeared in 24 films between (1925-38). It was in this film that she played the role of the femme fa tale "LULU" who reeks of eroticism. Brooks steals the film as her character destroys the lives of every male she comes across with the possible exception of Jack The Ripper. Wearing what would become her trademark hairstyle, "the bob", she uses her sexuality to draw you in & yet conveys a sense of innocence at the same time. She was a fine actress on top of being a sex symbol. Brooks was born in 1906 and passed away in 1985. Throughout her life she displayed other talents as a writer & an accomplished dancer. She even danced with the Ziegfeld Follies at one time. Pandora's Box was directed by German film maker G.W.Pabst and remains a highpoint of German cinema. If your a film buff and your willing to give silent films & BW films a try, start here. I do recommend you seek out the Criterion DVD as opposed to the VHS version. The VHS copy I watched had a pretty annoying musical accompaniment. Criterion is always the way to go as its the Mercedes of film restoration. If you can't find it...you can always borrow my VHS copy. Louise Brooks still looks pretty darn good.

Spartacus: Blood & Sand

I'm one those people who don't watch a whole lot of TV. Usually, I'm a bit behind the times when it comes to TV series. I don't like to watch a show and then wait a week to see what happens next and we're gone alot. I prefer to wait until something comes out on DVD and then watch all of Season 1 in a couple sittings...or at worst over a couple days. To be honest, there are alot of TV series that I've never seen that would amaze most folks. Such as, Lost, 24, Desperate Housewives, Sex in the City. Oh, and absolutely NO reality TV for me. However, Ive been lucky of late. In the last few months I discovered THE WIRE, CRIME STORY, TRUE BLOOD, BREAKING BAD and now SPARTACUS: BLOOD & SAND. I started watching The Wire Season 5 through Netflix, and I was hooked. Now I'm working my way from the start (Season 1), & working through them a season at a time. I stumbled onto Crime story and was hooked as soon as Dell Shannon's "Runaway" came on. Breaking Bad grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I actually watched it over 1 snow day (teachers perks). Well, last night I came home and got on Netflix Instant and clicked on Spartacus Blood & Sand (Season 1) Episodes 1-3, since I'd heard alot about it but can't get STARZ channel. I was totally blown away. If you took Gladiator, Spartacus & 300 and put them together you have Spartacus: Blood & Sand. Its gritty, sexy, eye-catching. If you get Netflix go watch Episode 1 instantly on your computer and I'm betting you'll be hooked. It's nice to have some variety. Now I have several shows to watch other than (DEXTER, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS & TWIN PEAKS). My previous top 3. If you've never seen some of these that I've mentioned, go check them out, you're in for quite a treat!

Jed Ayers : Check him out !

Jed Ayers, is probably a name your not familiar with yet, nor his work. However, I believe you will in the future. Director, actor, writer of short stories & screenplays and soon author. These all apply to Jed, as do father, husband and all around nice guy. I'm proud to call Jed my friend & he's been very helpful in getting "SIGNS & WONDERS" up off the ground. If you enjoy my site go check out Jed's at http://spaceythompson.blogspot.com or search "HARDBOILED WONDERLAND", for a gritty crime noir site. While your at it, you can go to Amazon and put in an order for Jed's movie "MOSQUITO KINGDOM" which he directed & acted in. It was featured at the 2008 St. Louis International Film Festival. He's also currently working on a couple screenplays with St. Louis author Scott Phillips. Scott's book the "ICE HARVEST" was wonderful and was made into a feature film starring John Cusak and Billy Bob Thorton. You can read one of Jed's short stories "Politoburg", in the anthology, Sex,Thugs and Rock & Roll. Jed is currently writing his first novel & I can't wait to read it. I'll keep you posted on its future availability. Ayers has also just began a working gig for Barnes & Noble, writing bits a couple times a week on their website. I for one wish him nothing but the best & I truly believe great things lay ahead for this very talented & multi dimensional young man.

"K2" Fake Pot, A Real High

I read a story today by Joel Currier of The St. Louis Post Dispatch, and it really caught my eye. A new product called K2, (legal in Illinois and Missouri) a form of a "herbal blend" that gives off a high similar to marijuana and is hitting the shelves of local shops. It sells for $30 for a 3 gram package. Sales are going through the roof, flying off shelves and concerning local law officers. There is big money being made on a product that legally mimics the effects of marijuana. One St. Louis shop reported sales of $12,000 a month. Lawmakers are looking to ban all substances that mimic cannabis and you can look for legislation to follow. K2 contains a synthetic chemical that has a similar effect on the brain and is relatively cheap. The product does not contain THC, the narcotic found in marijuana, however K2 may be three times more potent than THC. The health effects have not been studied and little long term effects are known due to the products relative newness to the market. The manufacturer remains a mystery and is a closely guarded secret. Distributors refuse to divulge where they get it. So...for now, it's smoke em if you got em, but don't look back something might be gaining on you.

Romantic Getaway...try West Baden Springs Hotel

With Valentines Day just around the corner, a co-worker (Lisa Bories), got me to thinking about romantic hideaways. Lisa asked me if I knew anything about French Lick, because her & her husband were thinking of going there for Valentines weekend. Actually I did since Judy & I had been there a couple years ago. Forget French Lick & head up the road a couple miles to West Baden Springs Hotel, and into the lap of luxury. Billed as the "8Th Wonder of the World", when it was built in 1902. It boast a 6 story atrium & a wraparound sitting area complete with the huge white rocking chairs. Its grounds are well manicured & stunning in the summer time. In the 1920's it was host to sports stars, presidents, gangsters, and the social elite. It was a favorite getaway of Al Capone's. It was famous throughout the U.S. for its "sprudel water" with its supposed powers to heal. In 1934 it closed due to the Great Depression and would later become a Jesuit seminary and a college campus before closing for good in the 1980's. After years of sitting in disarray, a 30 million dollar renovation project (1996-98) was put in place to restore it to its original grandeur. Today it host's over 400+ rooms, a casino, and has to be seen to be believed. It is quite pricey at over $300 a night. However, if you have the means, definitely take your sweetheart and you'll feel what those in 1st class on the Titanic must have felt like...but this place won't sink. Bon Voyage !

2010 Academy Awards coming soon... March 7th

The nominations are out, so whose gonna win the hardware? Their are all kinds of experts making predictions, but I gotta say I've got a pretty good track record myself. Over the past 7 or 8 years I've had about an 90% success rate and even predicted that Crash would win best picture. So here's the deal... I'm gonna attempt to tell you who will win, and who I feel should win, in the 8 major categories. Lets start with who will win: Best Picture "AVATAR", Director "KATHRYN BIGELOW" , Actor "JEFF BRIDGES", Actress "SANDRA BULLOCK", Supp. Actor "CRISTOPF WALTZ", Supp. Actress "MONIQUE", Adapted Screenplay "JASON REITMAN", Original Screenplay "QUENTIN TARANTINO". Now.. who should win in my humble opinion? Best Picture it's hands down, "THE HURT LOCKER", Director "KATHRYN BIGELOW", Actor "JEFF BRIDGES", Actress "MERYL STREEP", Supp. Actor "CRISTOPH WALTZ", Supp. Actress "MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL", Adapted Screenplay "BLOOMKAMP & TATCHELL" for District 9, Original Screenplay "The COEN BROS." I really want to see The Hurt Locker win the best picture award. I'll also be thrilled to see Jeff Bridges finally get the award he so richly deserves. However, if Jeremy Renner would win.. I'd be happy for him, but its Mr. Bridges time. I also, find it pretty cool to see James Cameron up for Best Picture & Director awards against his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. It should also be noted that no woman has ever won the Best Director award.. until now! It is also, the first time for an African American (Lee Daniels) to get nominated in that same category. One of my favorite movies of the year was "CRAZY HEART". I'd loved to have seen it get a best picture nod. It didn't, but the title track "The Weary Kind" by Ryan Bingham & T-Bone Burnett did for Original Song. I hope it wins. If you haven't heard the soundtrack from Crazy Heart, you should race to buy it. It is terrific and you'll be amazed at the vocal abilities of Jeff Bridges and Colin Ferrell.