Author of adventure/thriller and horror fiction

CLOUD ATLAS (2012)

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CLOUD ATLAS (2012), based on the novel by David Mitchell, tells a richly layered story with powerful themes. Several story lines intersect at different points in history and with the same actors playing different roles each defined by an impulse toward light (freedom, love, progress) and dark (repression, greed, evil). These impulses result in the same people making the same mistakes throughout history, defining the human condition. I don’t think one should look for too much clarity in the relevance of each plotline and how it all connects; it’s best enjoyed for the overall theme. Recommended.

THE BIRD BOX By Josh Malerman

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THE BIRD BOX by Josh MalermanTHE BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman tells the story of a mother who must get her two children to sanctuary down a river while blindfolded. Because there are creatures out there, and to see them is to become violently insane … Concurrently, the book tells the story of what happened in the house where she hid with other survivors.

This was an interesting read. Malerman, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the World Horror Convention, writes with sparse, simple prose that had me turning pages. This apocalyptic story is compelling because you want to learn more about the creatures and, of course, what happens during the journey and to the survivors at the house.

Based on the Amazon reviews, readers are responding to the book in a big way, though they may find some oddities in the plot. For example, a string of murder-suicides leads to a rumor they saw something, but how could anybody know that? Suddenly, strangely, people everywhere are boarding up their houses and walking around with their eyes closed. There’s a hint at what people are actually seeing–and it’s cool and Lovecraftian–but again, how could anybody know that? You just have to go with it. The woman’s children, whom she strangely calls Boy and Girl, don’t seem to have personalities. The ending wraps things up but not quite with a bang.

Despite these reactions from this reader, I greatly enjoyed the story and read it in just a few nights. The story grabs you and is compelling, it’s original, and the prose tight. It’s an impressive debut novel from Malerman, and I’ll be reading his stuff in the future.
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THESE FINAL HOURS

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New trailer for the Australian apocalyptic film THESE FINAL HOURS. The world will come to an end in nine hours, and a young man is headed to a massive party when he comes across a young girl trying to find her father. I heard it will be available in the U.S. in the near future. Definitely one to watch. It looks powerful.

Top 10 Apocalyptic Short Film List: Honorable Mentions

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If you enjoyed my top 10 list of apocalyptic short films yesterday, here are 10 honorable mentions:

Honorable Mentions:

JUNK HEAD

JUNKHEAD is an animated film short that tells the story of a world divided between the last remaining humans, who live above ground, and the degenerate clones who live underground, evolving into their own strange ecology. The last humans need genetic information from these creatures in order to survive, so they send an explorer into the depths …

LOVE OF THE DEAD

In short zombie film LOVE OF THE DEAD, a man will do anything for the person he loves.

DELIVER ME TO HELL

Entertaining, pretty well made interactive zombie apocalypse video. Help Steve get across the city to deliver his pizza without being killed by the zombies. What happens depends entirely on your choices as the viewer. Also be sure to check out THE OUTBREAK, another zombie choose-your-own-adventure.

ZOMBIE MOVIE

In ZOMBIE MOVIE, three head bangers end up stranded in a car, with zero gas, and surrounded by zombies.

Part 1:

Part 2:

ANTIBODY

In ANTIBODY, scientists struggle to find a cure while a horrifying zombie plague devastates the human race. After being bitten, a woman wakes to find herself infected and in a cage–and, possibly, our only hope for a cure. But time is running out …

Antibody (2008) from Nathan Bezner on Vimeo.

THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETH

THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETH tells the story of two farmers trying to survive the zombie apocalypse. They are joined by two friends from the city, who describe the horrifying Collapse. The zombies begin showing up in greater numbers as they migrate out of the cities, until one day …

PANIC ATTACK

PANIC ATTACK, a short film about giant robots invading Montevideo.

SKYFALL

Beautiful, tragic, haunting.

TRUE LOVE BLOOMS ON ROTTING HILL

In TRUE LOVE BLOOMS ON ROTTING HILL, two zombies find themselves devouring opposite ends of the same length of intestine, and fall in love.

APOCALYPSE SPECIAL

The final battle between Good and Evil begins over lunch. Very funny.

Did I miss anything? What’s your favorite?
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