Criterion Films .....getting soft on us?

I'm an avid film buff, and I have over 7,000 films in my basement. The top of the line has always been Criterion DVD's. "THE BEST" print available of those chosen are on Criterion. They are known for pristine images, wonderful sound & lots of extras such as director commentary and deleted scenes. You can expect to pay $40 to $50 per film. There are over 300 films that have received the royal treatment over the years. Up until now you could expect to find the big guys like Woo, Ford, Bergman, Hitchcock, W. Herzog, Ozu, Kurosawa, Renoir and Truffaut there. Recently though that's changed with newer titles like "A Christmas Tale", "Gomorrah", "Che" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" being added. I just read a NEWSWEEK article on this very issue and explanations are given. My question is have they sold out on what made them so unique in the first place. They are supposed to be preserving the important films! For something to be prestigious it has to matter. Criterion Films have always mattered that's why I own 30+ of them despite the cost. Personally I'm a little disappointed by their recent selections. I can think of a number of films more deserving than these. I'd love to hear from you readers what films you think are important enough to be preserved for years to come. I nominate our own Scott Phillips "Ice Harvest", and Tony Scott's "True Romance". I'll have to go to Criterion's website and check an updated list and get back to you all.

JIM WHITE April 28th, 2007

I really believe that every once in a while we just get lucky, or we stumble into something that changes our lives. In 2007 my wife & I attended The Roger Ebert Film Festival in Champaign, Il. We've been going for about 10 years now, but that year holds a special place in my heart. We had just seen a 7 p.m. showing of "STROSZEK" a Werner Herzog film (one of my all-time favorite directors) and it was getting late but the 10:30 p.m. show intrigued me. The show was called "SEARCHING FOR THE WRONG EYED JESUS" directed by Andrew Douglas & stared a little known folk singer named Jim White. The movie is like something straight out of a Flannery O'Conner novel. If you've ever read WISEBLOOD, then you will love this film. The film is about religion in the South but it's no documentary. We follow Jim as he drives through the South & it works. The cameo by Harry Crews was worth watching it alone. It's a strange film but a good one. After the show ended Jim White came on stage there at The Virginia Theatre & performed two songs "The Wound that Never Heals" (a tribute to Aileen Wuornos) and "A Bar is Just A Church That Sells Beer" and I was blown away. I was able to talk to Jim afterwards and was drawn in by his simple & genuine kindness. If you want to write a crime novel & need to set a tone, sit down with "Jailbird","Static on The Radio", or "Still Waters" and let your mind drift. It's truly great stuff and has a sound you'll be hard pressed to duplicate. I've been waiting for 3 years now to catch Jim again. I missed my one chance in Chicago a few years back due to a conflict. However, I am forever on the lookout for that next opportunity. Jim's from Florida, so if you live in the South you have a better chance of catching him. Do, I'm tellin you he's that good. I own 4 of his CD"s (Transnormal Skiperoo, Drill A Hole in That Substrate & Tell Me What You See, Wrong Eyed Jesus, and the Soundtrack from "Searching for the Wrong Eyed Jesus"). He also has a great website, so google him and check it out. Jim has a brand new CD out entitled "A Funny Little Cross To Bear", that hit record stores on Feb. 3rd. Let the Downloads Begin !!!!!

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.