Recommended Reading/Viewing List

Rather than barraging you with a list of the films and books I've read, I'll post a monthly recommended reading/viewing list. The list will comprise of stuff I've read or seen the previous month. Let's get cranking:

Films
Scanners, written and directed by David Cronenberg
Le Temps De Loup, written and directed by Michael Haneke
No Country for Old Men, screenplay and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, based on the novel by Cormac McCarthy

Books
Blindness by Jose Saramago
Strange Wine by Harlan Ellison

Comics/Graphic Novels
Making Comics by Scott McCloud

Did he really read and watch all this...?

For the sake of brevity and lack of motivation, I'm going to use a rating system for the list of works below. Bear in mind that I normally don't like using such a thing but I think in this instance it'll be helpful.

We're all pretty familiar with the star-rating system: One star (*) is the lowest and 5 stars (*****) is the highest. The 1/2's give leniency to works that have a little more to them. :)

Best,
Frank

PS. This list is far from complete. I've read and watched more than twice what I have here since I originally began compiling this post.

Solaris by Steven Soderberg (****1/2)
Cutting Edge: Art Horror and the Horrific Avant-Garde by Joan Hawkins (***1/2)
Gremlins (****1/2)
The Exorcist directed by Martin Friedkin (*****)
House of a 1,000 Corpses directed by Rob Zombie (**)
Assscat 3000 by the Upright Citizens Brigade (*****)
Zodiac directed by David Fincher (***1/2)
The Art of the Laugh by John Sweeney (****)
Miyazaki's Spirited Away (****1/2)
Loveless Vol.1 by Brian Azzarello and various (***1/2)
Loveless Vol.2 by Brian Azzarello and various (****1/2)
Hellblazer: Rake at the Gates of Hell by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon (***1/2)
Seven Soliders Vol. 1 by Grant Morrison and various (***1/2)
X-Factor: The longest Night Vol. 1 by Peter David, Ryan Sook, and Dennis Calero (***)
It's A Bird by Steven Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen (****1/2)
Orbiter by Warren Ellis and Colleen Doran (****1/2)
Persepolis directed by Marjane Satrapi and Parannoud (*****)
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (*****) [Note: I read the first graphic novel years ago but haven't read the second.]

© Frank Reynoso Jan 15, 2008 All Rights Reserved

What is he reading now...?

The Improvised Play: The Work of Mike Leigh by Paul Clements

An unnecessarily complicated but insightful look into the methods of a brilliant playwrite and filmmaker. You can own this out-of-print book at the low half.com price of $145.

Art by Committee by Charna Halpern

Although targeted to comedy, an invaluable resource for improv and performance arts based on the teachings and theories of the late Del Close.

Apparat: The Singles Collection Vol. 1 by Warren Ellis, Jacen Burrows, Laureen McCubbin, Carla Speed McNeil, Juan Jose Ryp

A collection of fantastic and weird tales - inspired by old time pulps - from a master comics writer with great art by some of the best artists around. A kick in the head to a medium with so much potential.

© Frank Reynoso, Sept. 2007, All rights reserved

Current readings

City of Tomorrow by Howard Chaykin (Graphic Novel)
A dystopian-noir graphic novel with amazing visuals. I wish the characters and setting were more than elements to move the plot. The action moved too quickly for me to understand, let alone care, about what was going on.

Doom Patrol: Down Paradise Way by Grant Morrison, Richard Case, Kelley Jones,
Mark McKenna and others (Graphic Novel)
A mad romp throughout the inner and outer universes with a team of absurd heroes. Ideas, history, and imagination abound, creating an unforgettable read.

Reunion & Dark Pony by David Mamet (Plays)
With eccentric dialogue and haunting characters, Mamet pens visceral stories
not intended for casual readers.