Posts Tagged ‘kirkus’

What do you get when you cross an elephant with a rhino?

Elephino.

Get it? Elephino! I love it. It was the joke that first introduced me to Pepe the King Prawn on Muppets Tonight, and it was the thing that made me fall in love with him. Which is my only complaint with the new Muppet Movie. Not enough Pepe. I expect to see more of him on the DVD extras, dammit!

Now don't get me wrong. I am as happy as anyone to see the Muppets make such a triumphant return. I loved seeing Kermit (even if I did want to hear Pepe call him 'Kermin') and Piggy, and Gonzo as a plumbing magnate. It was strangely pleasurable to watch Chris Cooper rap, and I'm glad they showcased The Swedish Chef, even in one odd, disturbingly hilarious gag involving a flamethrower and refrigerator pals.

I know that The Classic Muppets were what was being celebrated. And the new songs were fantastic. Bret McKenzie always shines. I could hear him singing Manly Muppet right along with Jason Segel (who still has something wrong with his face, and what's worse is that I can't even identify what exactly). Segel was a true muppet champion, and did them more than justice. The cameos were sharp, and if you didn't get sentimental during Rainbow Connection then there's a 96% chance that you have no soul.

But Pepe was sorely missing. I know, I know. He's hard to integrate with the classic Muppets. But whatever. Also, this movie didn't forget to allow Gonzo to be both clumsy and WEIRD. Sometimes they forget. He's a WEIRDO. The movie that did that best was Muppet Treasure Island, and the starfish in his pants.

Anyway, see the movie. In book news, I've started the latest chapter in the Song of Ice and Fire series, and I am upset already. In a wonderful, wonderful way. But dammit, Martin, if I'm going to carry around a book this big, I want an Orin and a Luck Dragon. Thank you. Also, was watching The Walking Dead on AMC and got very scared for one of the main characters until I realized that The Walking Dead wasn't written by George RR Martin, so what was I so scared for?

In other book news, Kiki Hamilton's THE FAERIE RING is a lovely Christmas-y feeling story. Full of scrappy ragamuffins. And the news that made my day: Anna Dressed in Blood made the Kirkus Reviews Best Teen of 2011 list. Wow. Wowie wow wow.

Make a Wish. Hold Your Breath. Count to Three. (Kirkus Review and Title Announcement)

I might’ve gotten that backwards. Or mixed up. Either way, if anyone was here right now, I would totally be pulling out the top hair of their heads and letting it fly. Because the quote is from Willy Wonka…not because I’m some kind of nutjob.

Getting right into it, Anna Dressed in Blood received a starred Kirkus review last week. And I am just blogging about it now, because I’m a lazy moron. Also, because the LJ goat has still been munching. Anyway the review knocked me off my rocker. Those of you with Kirkus subscriptions can read the entirety in advance of release at the site. Those of you without…I’ll just quote a bit.

Abundantly original, marvelously inventive and enormous fun, this can stand alongside the best horror fiction out there. We demand sequels. – Kirkus Reviews

I think I blacked out for a minute there. They demand sequels. So sequel they shall have! The title of Anna 2, formerly called The Girl From Hell, will now be known as GIRL OF NIGHTMARES. What do you think? I like it. The Girl from Hell was sort of funnier, but Girl of Nightmares has more of a ring to it. Anyway, it’s due up for editing next.

Saw the last Harry Potter film. It’s finally over. And it ended well. Except for that one part in the last scene…MOM-HAIR ALERT!! Now to look ahead to next year’s blockbusters. I don’t know what I’m more excited for. The conclusion of Nolan’s Batman story, or going back to Middle Earth. Or…The Lone Ranger? What the heck is that about? Seriously, Tonto. I’m afraid. Even if you are Johnny Depp.

This post took so long to get up that I’m going to have to post another something relatively soon…about International deals.