Better Fiction: The Blog

Nina Paley has created a wonderful animated musical:

Sita Sings the Blues

Just moments ago I mentioned (in the last post) that this deserved a post of its own. This won't be that post. (Thus, the part I.)

Instead, this is a little heads up for those of you who haven't seen the film.

You can watch it, own it, and show it--for free. Nina Paley has placed the film under a Creative Commons license.

So, what are you waiting for?

http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/

I've been publishing a list of my favorite animated movies, a genre which I believe no one should ever outgrow. There were many films that others would put in their top ten lists: Akira, Wall-E, Toy Story, Toy Story II, and Monster's Inc. are some that I've seen come up or suspect would. Toy Story II is the big surprise, hitting #1 on more than one list. I'm not a fan of Wall-E, but I appreciate the other films. They are not on my top list, though.

One that will be on the next update is Pixar's "Up". I don't know yet how it will fit in, but enough time has passed to convince me it belings in the top 10. I bought the DVD, yesterday. Let me get back to you after a dozen viewings, and we'll see.

As of now, I just remember what I saw in the theater. The opening was wonderful. Like Wall-E, it was artsy, but it worked and worked marvelously.

(I know. You loved Wall-E. Everyone did. I'm glad. I'm a fan of Pixar and Andrew Stanton. That being said, the whole world took a mental breather on that one. And if Pixar doesn't get off it's rear and start making more movies of the quality of Up, The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo and less like Ratatouille and Cars, the critical world is going to lose its love affair with them. And what new wonders are coming on the horizon? Toy Story 3 and Cars 2! The Disney resurgence in the 90's had to end. Maybe the glory days of Pixar and grinding to a close as well. I may be no fan of Wall-E, but I'd much rather see an uneven attempt at greatness like that than Cars 2. Toy Story 3 has promise in that is comes from a line of groundbreaking films, but it needs to come amidst a rush of films that prove Pixar remains an original thinker. Not this way. Not with Cars 2... Sigh. OK. The ending of Cars works. It's a decent but not above the status quo kind of film. Maybe they'll achieve something surprisingly original with the sequel. I doubt it, but I'll go in hoping. Let's just say that if it weren't for "Up", I'd be close to GIVING UP on Pixar.)

One last note: Presto, the short film that preceded Wall-E, is an all-time favorite of mine among the Pixar short films. One Man Band would be another.

Oh, and how could I forget!!!??? There will be another film added to the top next time. It deserves its own post, in fact, and perhaps will have one soon. Sita Sings the Blues.

Definitely one to see.

One of my personal favorites is being reprinted in (or at) Once Again with Feeling, a new reprint ezine from Susie Hawes.

http://onceagainwithfeeling.com/

Due to its length, it will be presented in two parts with the first part coming out this weekend and the conclusion to be published this summer.

The story is "Aleskei's Revolution", the story of a time machine and a lusty Russian businessman who, in his aging years, tries to relive an illicit affair.

You may remember it from its original run in "The Sword Review".

I want to thank Susie Hawes for contacting me and requesting a story. I believe that was a first for me.

Wade

http://betterfiction.ning.com/profiles/blogs/sarah-wagners-hardwired

I've posted it to the blog at the new Better Fiction forum. Check it out.

http://betterfiction.ning.com/profiles/blogs/sarah-wagners-hardwired

Hardwired Humanity by Sarah Wagner.

http://betterfiction.ning.com/profiles/blogs/ara-13s-fiction

My review of the novel, Fiction, by Ara 13.

http://betterfiction.ning.com/profiles/blogs/ara-13s-fiction

I've posted it on the blog in the new Writer's Group area. Check it out. We're updating in time for our fifth anniversary. Can it really have been so long?

Wade