Random thoughts...

[Sock Monkey]

Last night, the wife and I had a pretty great time attending "An Evening with Albert Brooks" in nearby Santa Barbara, California. I've always been a fan of Brooks so when I happened to stumble across an ad for the show one day while browsing online, I was pretty excited. But then I saw that it was being hosted by Kevin Pollack, who is one of my favorite actors/comedians, and this was like a little double whammy of "heck, yeah!" The show was just two hours of Pollack and Brooks on stage, in this little theater of just over 600 seats (which was packed), talking about Brooks's career and, man, was it entertaining. Both men are funny, but Brooks is also a heck of a storyteller and his honesty in detailing the challenges of making his early films and his recounting some of his encounters with Robert DeNiro and Nancy Reagan were hysterical. I've been putting off watching the recent documentary about him, but now I feel the urge to watch it along with getting through some of his backlog of films I haven't had a chance to catch yet.

[Ben Staad]

That sounds like an amazing time, SK.

[RonClinton]

Does anyone happen to have the Summer 1997 issue of Deathrealm, apparently its final issue? If so, I would be greatly appreciative to get a scanned copy or photos of one of the articles in it. The cover looks like this:

DTHRLMSMMR1997.jpg

[Ben Staad]

Best of luck on your search, Mr. Ron. I hadn't heard of that magazine before. Some good names on the cover. David is still around, and maybe you've already reached out, but he is on social media.

https://davidniallwilson.com/contact/

[RonClinton]

Best of luck on your search, Mr. Ron. I hadn't heard of that magazine before. Some good names on the cover. David is still around, and maybe you've already reached out, but he is on social media.

https://davidniallwilson.com/contact/

I did drop a message to Stephen Mark Rainey, who I believe was the editor and publisher of Deathrealm, but haven’t heard back yet. Fingers crossed. Now that you mention it, maybe Wilson would still have a contributor copy on hand…hmm.

EDIT: I was able to connect with Rainey, and it looks like I'm now hopefully good to go.

[Ben Staad]

Woohoo!

I did drop a message to Stephen Mark Rainey, who I believe was the editor and publisher of Deathrealm, but haven’t heard back yet. Fingers crossed. Now that you mention it, maybe Wilson would still have a contributor copy on hand…hmm.

EDIT: I was able to connect with Rainey, and it looks like I'm now hopefully good to go.

[sholloman81]

Just received my copy of Never Flinch from CD. Arrived within a day or two of receiving the shipping notice. Received this as a bonus item for ordering Widow's Point earlier this year; so, it was essentially free! Thanks again for the great deal Rich!

[Sock Monkey]

Anybody do anything fun over the Father's Day weekend?

Friday night we had a nice dinner out, then caught Social Distortion in concert. My wife and I had this running joke about seeing Social D in concert because we've gone to Vegas on two or three occasions and Social D is playing while we're there, but we're never able to go due to prior plans. After like fifteen years, we finally were able to make it happen...and in a venue that was no more than forty minutes from the house. While admittedly I'm not a super-fan, we did have a great time.

Saturday, we just relaxed, then Sunday we grabbed a coffee, did some light errands, then caught The Shawshank Redemption at a local theatre. While I own this on disc, I've never seen it theatrically and just didn't want to miss the opportunity to see how it played on the big screen. Honestly, it's hard to believe the movie is over 30 years old. It still feels so fresh and has a steady, chugging motor to it that just pulls you in. Back in the day, before we were all streaming, I remember TNT would have Shawshank on rotation all the time and no matter when I caught the film as I flipped through the channels, if I stopped for more than 10 seconds, I would be watching the whole thing. This film has to be in my Top 5 of all time.

[sholloman81]

Anybody do anything fun over the Father's Day weekend?

Friday night we had a nice dinner out, then caught Social Distortion in concert. My wife and I had this running joke about seeing Social D in concert because we've gone to Vegas on two or three occasions and Social D is playing while we're there, but we're never able to go due to prior plans. After like fifteen years, we finally were able to make it happen...and in a venue that was no more than forty minutes from the house. While admittedly I'm not a super-fan, we did have a great time.

Saturday, we just relaxed, then Sunday we grabbed a coffee, did some light errands, then caught The Shawshank Redemption at a local theatre. While I own this on disc, I've never seen it theatrically and just didn't want to miss the opportunity to see how it played on the big screen. Honestly, it's hard to believe the movie is over 30 years old. It still feels so fresh and has a steady, chugging motor to it that just pulls you in. Back in the day, before we were all streaming, I remember TNT would have Shawshank on rotation all the time and no matter when I caught the film as I flipped through the channels, if I stopped for more than 10 seconds, I would be watching the whole thing. This film has to be in my Top 5 of all time.

Sounds like a very fun day! And yes, if you stop on Shawshank, you definitely end up watching it. Totally sucks you in!

[RonClinton]

Anybody do anything fun over the Father's Day weekend?

Flew back up to WA for a few days to visit my kids and new 3-month old grandson...hard to beat that as a way to celebrate being a dad, which is by far the greatest event in my life.

And check out his shirt!

eli_shirt_med.jpg

[Sock Monkey]

Flew back up to WA for a few days to visit my kids and new 3-month old grandson...hard to beat that as a way to celebrate being a dad, which is by far the greatest event in my life.

And check out his shirt!

eli_shirt_med.jpg

That's an awesome shirt! Grandkids are the best because they are all the fun and none of that pesky day-to-day responsibility.

[Ben Staad]

RonClinton Great looking grand. Congrats!

On a side note has anyone watched the new 28 years later movie? I enjoyed the first two movies but the trailer for this one aren't really grabbing me. I may wait for this one to be streaming.

[dannyboy121070]

RonClinton Great looking grand. Congrats!

On a side note has anyone watched the new 28 years later movie? I enjoyed the first two movies but the trailer for this one aren't really grabbing me. I may wait for this one to be streaming.

My wife and son joined me to watch 28 DAYS LATER last night, despite not being Horror fans, and they liked it enough to want to watch 28 WEEKS LATER tonight. Going to see the new one on Sunday, so I'll keep you posted. I mean, Alex Garland and Danny Boyle are both back, so...it's gotta be good.

[Ben Staad]

Re-watched part of 28DL on Pluto or Freeform this week. I forgot some of the drama.

Spoiler!

The scene with his parents and the note they left for him was touching.

If you think about it I would love your feedback on the new movie. Thanks and have a wonderful time.

My wife and son joined me to watch 28 DAYS LATER last night, despite not being Horror fans, and they liked it enough to want to watch 28 WEEKS LATER tonight. Going to see the new one on Sunday, so I'll keep you posted. I mean, Alex Garland and Danny Boyle are both back, so...it's gotta be good.

[Ben Staad]

**** Announcing the 2025 Constant Readers for a Cause Summer Fundraiser benefiting Binc!


In celebration of Stephen King's new book Never Flinch we are pleased to announce that Constant Readers for a Cause will be selling signed copies. Proceeds from the sale of these books will benefit the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). Binc is a foundation that helps independent bookstores and comic bookstores! They are a much needed lifeline to independent owners in need.


Constant Readers for a Cause will be holding a drawing for the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Never Flinch. The lottery is open to everyone. No international exclusions! To enter and win a chance to purchase a signed Never Flinch all you have to do is follow the instructions below.


Submit your name and zip (postal) code to: [email protected] Subject line must state "international " if you are entering from anywhere besides the U.S. If you win from outside the US, we are asking that you pay for international shipping and insurance at your own expense.


Entries for the drawing can be sent starting today June 20th, 2025 through July 8th, 2025, at 11:59PM. Winners will be notified by July 14th, 2025.


The cost of the book is $160 with US insured shipping included.
Please limit your entry to one per household. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.