Tuesday, 03 August 2010
Daniel Woodrell: Ozark Poet
In the mystery genre, there have always been authors with a cult following so rabid that eventually they receive the recognition they deserve.
Daniel Woodrell is one of those authors.
Woodrell is a poet in prose, beautifully writing about hard-scrabble people living in the Ozarks of Missouri. Woodrell's words are authentic and his people realistic, hopeful for the future but limited in their abilities to reach for that future.
titleAlthough the Missouri Ozarks are not part of Missouri in which I grew up, I am well acquainted with southwest area of the state through family visits. (I am from the other part of the state -- Southeast Missouri.)
Now Woodrell is gaining a bit more recognition for his work -- and deservedly so.
The film Winter's Bone, based on his novel of the same title, is now in wide release. Winter's Bone earned the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and has been highly praised for its authentic characters and setting. It is the story of modern poverty, the affects of methamphetamine on the community, and three siblings trying to survive.
title
And Woodrell's novels are being reprinted by Busted Flush Press.
Tomato Red (originally published in 1998) is in the stores now with an original foreword by Edgar Award-winning crime writer Megan Abbott (Bury Me Deep)
The Death of Sweet Mister (originally published in 2001, and a personal favorite of mine) comes out in March 2011 with an original foreword by New York Times best-seller Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island).
I am delighted to know that Woodrell's work are being reprinted.
Daniel Woodrell: Ozark Poet
Oline Cogdill
daniel-woodrell-ozark-poet
In the mystery genre, there have always been authors with a cult following so rabid that eventually they receive the recognition they deserve.
Daniel Woodrell is one of those authors.
Woodrell is a poet in prose, beautifully writing about hard-scrabble people living in the Ozarks of Missouri. Woodrell's words are authentic and his people realistic, hopeful for the future but limited in their abilities to reach for that future.
titleAlthough the Missouri Ozarks are not part of Missouri in which I grew up, I am well acquainted with southwest area of the state through family visits. (I am from the other part of the state -- Southeast Missouri.)
Now Woodrell is gaining a bit more recognition for his work -- and deservedly so.
The film Winter's Bone, based on his novel of the same title, is now in wide release. Winter's Bone earned the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and has been highly praised for its authentic characters and setting. It is the story of modern poverty, the affects of methamphetamine on the community, and three siblings trying to survive.
title
And Woodrell's novels are being reprinted by Busted Flush Press.
Tomato Red (originally published in 1998) is in the stores now with an original foreword by Edgar Award-winning crime writer Megan Abbott (Bury Me Deep)
The Death of Sweet Mister (originally published in 2001, and a personal favorite of mine) comes out in March 2011 with an original foreword by New York Times best-seller Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Shutter Island).
I am delighted to know that Woodrell's work are being reprinted.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Daniel Craig as Blomkvist
I had hoped -- and I admit this was a futile hope -- that Hollywood might decide not to redo The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movies based on Stieg Larsson's very fine novels.

titleAfter all, the Swedish movies based on these novels have set a high standard already. I can't imagine any actress bringing as much depth and nuance to the role of goth, girl hacker Lisbeth Salander as Noomi Rapace. This Swedish actress is just one reason why the movies based on Larsson's novels have been so good. The third Swedish movie, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest, is set to be released in December 2010.

The other reason is Michael Nyqvist, above left, as journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Nyqvist has brought a thoughtful approach to this role.
But it appears that Hollywood is bound and determined to remake the movies with "known" actors.
But maybe I will be all right with who will be cast as Mikael Blomkvist.
titleThat would be British actor Daniel Craig. Yep, the newest James Bond. 007. License to thrill.

I think I could live with Daniel Craig, left, in this role. Actually, I can live with Daniel Craig in just about any role.
And director David Fincher also is an inspired choice. The director of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also has shown he gets dark themes with his movies Zodiac, Panic Room, Fight Club and Seven. Fincher's version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is being planned for December 2011.

While Daniel Craig will no doubt do just fine in the remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I don't have as high hopes for the actresses who are being considered: Ellen Page, Mia Wasikowska, Emily Browning, Sara Snook, Rooney Mara and Sophie Lowe. Fine actress, but no Noomi Rapace.
The latest word indicates the producers are leaning toward an unknown actress, which would probably be the best choice of all.
Daniel Craig as Blomkvist
Oline Cogdill
daniel-craig-as-blomkvist
I had hoped -- and I admit this was a futile hope -- that Hollywood might decide not to redo The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movies based on Stieg Larsson's very fine novels.

titleAfter all, the Swedish movies based on these novels have set a high standard already. I can't imagine any actress bringing as much depth and nuance to the role of goth, girl hacker Lisbeth Salander as Noomi Rapace. This Swedish actress is just one reason why the movies based on Larsson's novels have been so good. The third Swedish movie, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets' Nest, is set to be released in December 2010.

The other reason is Michael Nyqvist, above left, as journalist Mikael Blomkvist. Nyqvist has brought a thoughtful approach to this role.
But it appears that Hollywood is bound and determined to remake the movies with "known" actors.
But maybe I will be all right with who will be cast as Mikael Blomkvist.
titleThat would be British actor Daniel Craig. Yep, the newest James Bond. 007. License to thrill.

I think I could live with Daniel Craig, left, in this role. Actually, I can live with Daniel Craig in just about any role.
And director David Fincher also is an inspired choice. The director of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also has shown he gets dark themes with his movies Zodiac, Panic Room, Fight Club and Seven. Fincher's version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is being planned for December 2011.

While Daniel Craig will no doubt do just fine in the remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, I don't have as high hopes for the actresses who are being considered: Ellen Page, Mia Wasikowska, Emily Browning, Sara Snook, Rooney Mara and Sophie Lowe. Fine actress, but no Noomi Rapace.
The latest word indicates the producers are leaning toward an unknown actress, which would probably be the best choice of all.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Wedding Bells From Elaine Viets

Wedding bells rang last month for mystery author Elaine Viets.

Well, actually, not for her. She’s been married to the same man for 39 years…and happily so, she says.


Instead, Viets presided over the wedding of Lia Hutton and Carl Nigro on June 19.

And yes, it’s legal because Viets is a minister in the Universal Life Church.

And it’s all in the name of connecting with your readers.

The Washington, D.C. couple won Elaine Viets’ “Happily Ever After” contest, designed to celebrate the wedding of Helen Hawthorne and Phil, the two lead characters in her Dead-End Job mysteries. Helen and Phil marry in her ninth Dead-End Job mystery, Half-Price Homicide.

As part of the contest, Viets of Fort Lauderdale offered to fly anywhere in the continental United States to officiate at the winning couple’s wedding. “Most authors love their readers,” Viets said. “I’m privileged to marry two of mine.”

The bride, Lia Nigro, said the ceremony “has lots of personal meaning.” Lia wore her mother’s wedding dress and her grandmother’s wedding ring. Friends made their couple’s tiered wedding cake and provided the music.

More than 30 family members and friends attended the garden ceremony.

Would Viets get into the marrying business again?

“Absolutely. Carl and Lia are such a smart, sweet couple. I have great hopes for their future,” she said. “Not sure what I'll come up with next -- but I hope it will be as much fun as this.

As for being a minister in the Universal Life Church, that also was for her career. Viets was ordained by the Universal Life Church in 1976 as part of her writing research when she was a newspaper columnist in St. Louis.

Wedding Bells From Elaine Viets
Oline Cogdill
wedding-bell-dues-from-elaine-viets

Wedding bells rang last month for mystery author Elaine Viets.

Well, actually, not for her. She’s been married to the same man for 39 years…and happily so, she says.


Instead, Viets presided over the wedding of Lia Hutton and Carl Nigro on June 19.

And yes, it’s legal because Viets is a minister in the Universal Life Church.

And it’s all in the name of connecting with your readers.

The Washington, D.C. couple won Elaine Viets’ “Happily Ever After” contest, designed to celebrate the wedding of Helen Hawthorne and Phil, the two lead characters in her Dead-End Job mysteries. Helen and Phil marry in her ninth Dead-End Job mystery, Half-Price Homicide.

As part of the contest, Viets of Fort Lauderdale offered to fly anywhere in the continental United States to officiate at the winning couple’s wedding. “Most authors love their readers,” Viets said. “I’m privileged to marry two of mine.”

The bride, Lia Nigro, said the ceremony “has lots of personal meaning.” Lia wore her mother’s wedding dress and her grandmother’s wedding ring. Friends made their couple’s tiered wedding cake and provided the music.

More than 30 family members and friends attended the garden ceremony.

Would Viets get into the marrying business again?

“Absolutely. Carl and Lia are such a smart, sweet couple. I have great hopes for their future,” she said. “Not sure what I'll come up with next -- but I hope it will be as much fun as this.

As for being a minister in the Universal Life Church, that also was for her career. Viets was ordained by the Universal Life Church in 1976 as part of her writing research when she was a newspaper columnist in St. Louis.