Origami Unicorn: Babylon AD

Noted or Quoted

The Anna Russell Album
This album features dangerously accurate and succinct summary of Wagner's Ring Cycle, among other gems.
Warrior Wisewoman 2
Science fiction stories in which a woman is the principle character; includes "Peacock Dancer," by Catherine Mintz.
Beauty and the Beast
Disney, for better and for worse. Fine animation and score, some weaknesses in the story as it occurs outside the castle.
Opera Imaginaire [VHS]
Splendid animation to assorted songs from opera.
Legend (Ultimate Edition)
Two versions with two scores in one package. Interesting not merely for the story but also for the insight it gives into Ridley Scott at work.
The Dark Crystal (25th Anniversary Edition)
Before Tim Burton's worlds, there were Jim Henson's. The Dark Crystal is a blend of puppetry, body suits, models—all of the tools that can produce 3-D animation—into a world designed in part by Brian Froud. It is unique.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
A 2002 BBC reworking of the story which varies enough from the canonical version to make the old story new again. Some brutal and explicit material.
Mervyn Peake: The Gormenghast Novels
The one, the only.
Gormenghast
A rather good version of the trilogy, considering that it is edited down, and that no living human being could possibly equal those of Peak's imagination.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Three-Disc Collector's Edition + Digital Copy)
The newest version of C. S. Lewis classic.
Alice in Wonderland (Masterpiece Edition)
Disney's is only one of many takes on Lewis Carroll's classic, but it is notable for its surreal and imaginative manipulation of the basic elements.
Lost Horizon
The restored Frank Capra version of James Hilton's novel.
Dean Motter: Mister X Archives (Archive Editions (Graphic Novels))
A re-issuing, in deluxe format, of the series that heralded more sophisticated graphic books.
Mike Allred: Red Rocket 7
The history of rock n' roll as seen by a seventh clone. New format on glossy paper.
Dave Gibbons: Watching the Watchmen: The Definitive Companion to the Ultimate Graphic Novel
Notes, art, and a background look at how the comic was created.
Ray Bradbury: The Halloween Tree
ISBN 978-0375803017: a re-issue with a new cover painting and the original illustrations, which were not done justice in the first, paperback, edition.
Mary Shelley: Frankenstein (Signet Classics)
In the beginning was the book.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (2-Disc Collector's Edition + Digital Copy)
Just out and loaded with extras, which are especially interesting for this film, which uses a wide range of animation techniques.
The Phantom of the Opera (Full Screen Edition)
The movie, from the musical, from the book.
Joe Hill: Locke & Key
Modern Lovecraft: unseen things combine with human horrors.
Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Widescreen Edition)
Halloween's coming: undoubtedly Tim Burton's favorite holiday. This is a sophisticated take on the memes of the day and then some.
Peter Pan: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up
The cover doesn't begin to reveal the treat within: pop-up art by Robert Sabuda.
Ed Wood (Special Edition)
A not-refined take on a not-refined secret master of film.
An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories: Volume 2 (Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, & True Stories)
An idiosyncratic yet interesting take on comics. Probably one you want to look at at the library before you buy.
Edward S. Bolme: Ralph Bakshi's Wizards
The movie came out in 1977, the paperback dates from 1992, and there has been a VHS tape, but only now is there a DVD of the animated battle between magic and technology.

More or less science fiction, heavy on the grim atmosphere. If one is to judge by Van Diesel's movies, in the future we're all going to need mercenaries to save us from ourselves. Opens on August 29th in the US and slightly earlier in Europe.

Production of this film, based on the French novel Babylon Babies, has been dogged by problems, ranging for weather to being over budget and behind schedule. This is one of a number of films that have been re-scheduled from their original release date: this one was due out in January.

Catherine Mintz

Editor
Origami Unicorn is copyright 2006-8. It's a First Draft is copyright 2007-8. Catherine Mintz is the editor of the Copper Penny Press.
By the Same Author
Origami Unicorn, news, reviews, essays; Catherine Mintz, an occasional commetary on non-genre things of interest; It's a First Draft, life at the editorial keyboard and news about Copper Penny Press; and Catherine Mintz' Portfolio, artwork.
Main Website and E-mail
catherine-mintz.com and cmintz at catherine-mintz.com

Quick Links

The Left Hand of Darkness
Le Guin's classic book, revisited, with an invitation to comment. (The New Yorker, 7/5)
Up Has Its Downs
Already much-admired, one critic finds the movie impressive but incomplete. (WSJ, 5/13)
Comics Crisis
Mr. Van Hamme writes the scripts for many comics but he's getting older and looking for successors—without success. (WSJ, 5/10)
"The Autobiography of JGB"
A short story from JBG himself, James Ballard. (The New Yorker, 5/10)
The Future, Again
A NYT critic has a look at Trek, in the beginning and as seen in the new movie. (NYT, 5/9)
In the Beginning—
The WSJ's critic finds much to like, logically, with the Trek reboot. (WSJ, 5/8)
To Boldly Go Backwards
The New Yorker's resident critic disassembles the newest Star Trek film. He finds some things to like; others, maybe not so good. (The New Yorker, 5/8)
Reading a Book Contract
Jim Hines blogs about his latest contract with DAW. (3/20)
NYT/Philip José Farmer
A look at the writer's accomplishments and failures. (New York Times, 2/27)
Bookslut:The Rise and Fall of the Year's Best
A consideration of the rise and fall of yesr's best anthologies, and what, if anything, that means. (Bookslut, January 2009)

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