All Consuming : Bill Turner

Consumed "Children of Men [Blu-ray]"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:05:46 GMT

Children of Men [Blu-ray]

Consumed "Children of Men (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 05:12:57 GMT

Children of Men (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]

by Alfonso Cuaron

A story about "How to be Creative"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 03:34:33 GMT

How to be Creative

by Hugh MacLeod

Here’s where you can find “How to be Creative.”

It started on Hugh MacLeod’s weblog, here: http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000932.html

And you can download a nicely-formatted PDF of the content, here: http://www.changethis.com/6.HowToBeCreative

A story about "True Loves, Vol. 1"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 17:43:17 GMT

True Loves, Vol. 1

by Jason Turner & Manien Bothma

A great, touching, and independently-produced graphic novel. I can’t recall where I read about it first, but you can order your own here: http://newreliable.com/?page_id=3

Disappointed (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 18:20:24 GMT

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Widescreen Edition)

by Tim Burton

Thanks (sincerely!) to my kids, I’ve seen the original Willy Wonka movie at least 50 times. It holds up so well every time, and Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka for me.

Tim Burton’s version is okay, although he seems to rely more heavily on visual effects than the story telling itself, which is a shame. Johnny Depp does a pretty good job, but just comes off as too creepy, and not the odd but likable Wonka that Wilder perfected.

Perhaps I shouldn’t compare too much with the older version, but if you’re going to remake such a widely-loved movie, you’re going to be competing with everyone’s memories. I don’t think Tim Burton did a good job filling those shoes.

Why I want to consume "The Areas of My Expertise"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 02:07:33 GMT

The Areas of My Expertise

by John Hodgman

John Hodgman is now (in)famously known as the “I’m a PC” guy from the Apple Computer commercials. But, he’s also written this odd little book as well.

And more recently, you can see him explain “Net Neutrality” on the Daily Show here. Very funny.

A story about "Cat's Cradle"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 03:35:30 GMT

Cat's Cradle

by Kurt Vonnegut

“No cat! No cradle!”

A story about "Ice Haven"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 15:10:35 GMT

Ice Haven

by Daniel Clowes

You know, it stings a little when you spend 15$+ on a book and you’re able to read it during your lunch break. Still, Clowes is still one of my favorites and these little vignettes only strengthens that opinion.

A story about "Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:25 GMT

Learned Pigs & Fireproof Women

by Ricky Jay

Ricky Jay’s compendium of irregular entertainment is absolutely fascinating. From fire-eaters, to intelligent horses, from mind readers, to leg-less wonders, this chronicle of the bizzare stage acts from the past is engrossing, and at times extremely funny.

I doubt such a collection of such sideshow-like performers has ever been made, and now that I’ve finished I wish there were more books available to read about these types of performers. Ricky Jay is one of the last true historians for this type of entertainment, and the sideshow freaks just don’t get the respect that they did in the past.

A story about "The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:25 GMT

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers

by John Gardner

Having been recommended this book by several people and publications, I decided it was time I picked up a copy. It’s about time too, I’m in need of some words of advice and encouragement.

A story about "The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:24 GMT

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers

by John Gardner

I’ve been given many recommendations to pick up this book. Let’s see if it may spur some creativity in me.

A story about "The Biggest Secret: The Book That Will Change the World (Updated Second Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:24 GMT

The Biggest Secret: The Book That Will Change the World (Updated Second Edition)

by David Icke

(I’m putting this book on hold. Not sure my brain can process all his theories right now.)

This book is too bizarre to attempt to explain. Here’s a quick rundown of revelations spit out in the first 65 pages: there’s a great conspiracy going on, we are all mind puppets to lizards in the lower-fourth dimension, and below the new Denver airport there is a secret 9-level-deep secret base where many of the masterminds live. Yes, this guy is serious.

A story about "Sun Also Rises"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:24 GMT

Sun Also Rises

by Ernest Hemingway

This book is now easily one of my favorite, top 10, books. I enjoyed this novel so much more than A Farewell To Arms.

The dialog was truer and precise, and you truly got a sense of personality in all of the characters. I could see myself on the same Parisian and Spanish streets as Jake, and certainly wished I was there along for the story.

I look forward to the next time I read the book, if only to discover the details I missed the first time.

A story about "Sixty Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:24 GMT

Sixty Stories

by Donald Barthelme

Finished this book a few weeks ago. Although a few of the stories in this collection put me off, many others opened my eyes to how well post-modern fiction can be achieved.

Donald Barthelme writes well, even when breaking the common rules of grammar and composition. A note to all the wannabe post-modernists: get a better grasp of the basics before you try and dismantle them.

A story about "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:23 GMT

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

by Michael Chabon

I picked up Kavalier & Clay because I knew it was somewhat about comic book creators, and I’m a recovering comic book collector. What I got when I finished the book was so much more than just a story about comics.

Great characters with heart and a few dreams. The writing is easy and believable. When the book was finished I wanted to keep hearing about the lives of the characters; what happens next?

A story about "A Confederacy of Dunces (Evergreen Book)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:23 GMT

A Confederacy of Dunces (Evergreen Book)

by John Kennedy Toole

The hilarious and bizarre adventures of Ignatius J. Reilly make up one of the most wonderful novels ever written. It’s been years since I’ve picked up the book, but I can still see Ignatius in my mind’s eye, pushing the Lucky Dog hotdog cart. This is one of the few books that can get me laughing out loud, with huge, gut-busting guffaws. I love this book, and all the characters between the covers.

A story about "The Hacker and the Ants"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:23 GMT

The Hacker and the Ants

by Rudy Rucker

I’ve been on a Rudy Rucker kick lately, so I picked up this one that I bought years ago but never read. It’s entertaining, but some of the ideas are a quite outdated and almost silly. He envisions the cyberspace of such crap movies as The Lawnmower Man and books like Neuromancer, where everything is accomplished using 3d goggles and sensitive gloves. You wander through this cyberspace, working on your computer and travelling through the Net to the Nortstrom store where you look at 3d models of the clothes you want to buy. Whatever.

Still, it’s entertaining and Rucker’s usual humor helps move the story along, although some of the dialogue is painfully stilted.

A story about "South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:23 GMT

South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel

by Haruki Murakami

I’m a huge Murakami fan, but only a recent convert, so I still have many of his books to read. Having now finished this, I’m glad I read it. This novel has less mystical/spiritual details than some of his others, which was quite refreshing. Although I’m not sure I could relate completely with the main character all the time, the writing was superb, and the dialogue more than believable.

A story about "Rabbit, Run"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:22 GMT

Rabbit, Run

by John Updike

It was pretty good, however, I’m not sure if I want to continue with the rest of the books covering Rabbit Angstrom’s life.

A story about "A Wrinkle in Time"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:22 GMT

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

After re-reading this, I’m quite sure why this book has become a staple in every young reader’s bookshelf. It has an okay story, but about halfway though it starts getting a little too treacly, and then almost-preachy religious, to take seriously.

Still, any book that covers time travel is alright with me.

I’m almost tempted to pick up the rest of the series to see if the same muted religious themes are in place there as well. But then again, why waste my time.

A story about "Verbatim: From the bawdy to the sublime, the best writing on language for word lovers, grammar mavens, and armchair linguists"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Bill Turner) — Tue, 24 May 2005 22:02:22 GMT

Verbatim: From the bawdy to the sublime, the best writing on language for word lovers, grammar mavens, and armchair linguists

I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. I picked it up on a whim, and I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t normally consider myself all that interested in the quirks of the English language, but this book certainly proved me wrong. It’s funny, informative, and at times, quite rude, but damn it’s good.