Ullllaaaaaaaa!

Today saw the release of Spielberg's War of the Worlds. Most people know that this was based on HG Wells novels of the same title, and even some folks remember the old 1953's movie. And of course, the radio broadcast by Orson Wells that caused panic in the United States.

Their has been some other remakes in the last decade, a really bad TV show, and I also believe that their has been a few other movies (Though, I've never seen them.)

But, their is one that only a few people seem to know. The musical version of War of the Worlds! Yah, released in 1976, it's narrated by Richard Burton. By far the best narrator to this story (Morgan Freeman did the new one, but, not even in the same ballpark to Burton). As to the music. Ha! I love it. Their is no doubt that it's from the 70's, with it infusion of disco/guitar rocking solo's. Richard Burton narrates the story between the music. Not just instruemental, it has actual songs! Why do I love this CD? One part nostalgia, I remember listening to it on the radio when I lived in Germany on Halloween night. But, even while the music is somewhat cheesy, it conveys the story. And with Burton's narration, it's a sheer escapism for myself.

The above picture is from the CD, it's the battleship "Thunder Child" and a Martian Tripod. The steamer began to move slowly away, but on the landward horizon appeared the silhouette of a fighting machine. Another came, and another, striding over hills and trees, plunging far out to sea and blocking the exit of the steamer. Between them lay the silent, gray, ironclad Thunderchild. Slowly it moved towards shore, then with a deafening roar and whoosh of spray it swung about and drove at full speed towards the waiting Martians. (insert a musical score/song here).. The Martians released their black smoke, but the ship sped on, cutting down one of the tripod figures. Instantly, the others raised their heat rays, and melted the Thunderchild's valiant heart. When the smoke cleared, the little steamer had reached the misty horizon, and Carrie was safe. But the Thunderchild had vanished forever, taking with her man's last hope of victory. The leaden sky was lit by green flashes, cylinder following cylinder, and no one and nothing was left now to fight them. The earth belonged to the Martians. 

 

'Nuff Said. 

Enter Sandman

Sandman. By far one of the most creative stories I have ever read. It's a comic written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated intially by Sam Keith.

Where to start? The stories are utterly bizarre and fantastic, with a smattering of horror. Let's put it this way, it's unique. The series lasted 75 issues, and has been collected in a series of Trade Paperbacks, or Hardcovers ($$).

The first set is called Preludes and Nocturnes. THe story is about man who is obssessed with capturing the physical manifestation of Death, but, instead captures Dream. This is one of the few books I constantly tell people to read, next to Hyperion.