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2018 Best New Talent - Short and Sweet Festival Sydney
2014 Pushcart Prize nominee. (more)

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A very serious Poem



Death Rights

may 2010


It's get easier and easier with each breath. Each numbered breath.
I thought it would be hard.
I always dreaded it.
Always.
For Years
What a Fool.
What a waste.
But now I'm aware of each breath.
Languid. Supple. Not particularly enjoyable.
Just a breath.
But I'm conscious of it.
This is what it's come to.
I thought I had more time,
but it's snuck up on me
look. Here it is.
There was time for more
wasn't there?
If only there was some warning...
Then I could have planned
could have done some of those final things
whatever they are
I didn't even have time to draw up a list
I'm sure there's many final things
but right now,
I can't think of any.
The last breaths.
You've got to be joking
right?
I mean... I've done many good things
surely I deserve more.
I know we all have to go
and all that crap
but....
doesn't seem fair..
guess it never does.
But this is me,
not a person in the paper
or on the news
or in a movie.
Where are you God?
You don't exist!
If you do, you must be some asshole.
So many people, better than me
have sacrificed more
and you took them anyway
haven't you had enough?
Sssh now and concentrate
this is harder than I thought.
I guess soon I won't have any thoughts
there will only be this
concentrating on my breaths
then I'll be out of it
I think I already am
I can't communicate with those around me
to them
I'm already faded
in some other place that is more real than this
it's my place
only I can understand it
I guess I'll die here
I can cope with that
can't I?
I'm as warm and safe as I'll ever be
anywhere
and it's not external
it's all here
and that's all we need
that's all I need.
Good
because I'm going anyway
I can feel it
now
oh yes
it is now
here
with me
taking
me
not so
bad
it's
not goodbye
is it
it's not hello
it's
this
just this
but
I
go
there
...
..
.

or

or nothing
https://www.anthonyjlangfordbooks.com/books




Coming Soon
For the Month of June
A Seriously Silly Series

Feral Street
Kind of like the O.C. but totally opposite.
Pray you don't end up there... without a mullet.


o m g!
Not for the easily offended.

Until Then,

Greatest Written Films - The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back

Spoiler Alert
"Do, or do not. There is no try."
Yoda.



This week celebrates the 30th anniversary of the U.S. release. (It wasn't released in Australia until August), so it is appropriate to remember it here. An odd inclusion you might think for one of the Greatest Written Films of All Time, being so effects driven. But make no mistake, this film has been carefully constructed in terms of script, with the emphasis on character. Empire is more about internal journey than anything else. It's easily the best of the series.

The screenplay was written by Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett (who died before the film was even made). Kasdan is a well known scriptwriter and director is his own right, his list of films demonstrate the type of drama he's interested in. (The Big Chill, Grand Canyon, Body Heat).




Everything you felt secure about after the first film is quickly ripped away. Empire takes the fairytale innocence of Star Wars and injects it with mythology laden pathos. The characters are deeply rooted in turmoil and suffering. Luke's mystical battle in a cave, who after decapitating Vader, turns out to possess his own face. Lando, a supposed friend betrays Han and Leia, and is almost strangled to death by Chewbacca. C-3PO is blown apart. The Rebel Base is destroyed. Luke is almost killed by a vicious ice creature that plans to eat him and must be shoved into the guts of a Tauntaun corpse so he doesn't freeze to death. Han Solo is tortured. Then frozen. And of course, the ultimate struggle when Vader uses psychological warfare to torment his young, clearly ill equipped opponent and utters one of the most immortal lines in cinema: “Luke, I am your father.” And after all that pain, there is no happy ending.



All this brought immaculately together by character director Irvin Kershner, (Eyes of Laura Mars, Loving). Empire is the darkest and the most mature of all the SW films, unfortunately all to be thrown aside in the next instalment. If only George Lucas had stayed clear.



A classic, up there with the best of cinema.



Coming Soon - Special Fiction Series...for the month of June only.
Feral Street - Pray you don't end up there... without a Mullet.
Not for the easily offended.


The Workplace Glasshouse

The Workplace Glasshouse




Hamish. His workplace was his playing field. A time to glow. 23 and rapid fire with the banter. The staff kitchen was the goal line.
"Susan, if you eat all that pasta, I'll have to start calling you Giovanna!"
The three who stood by him chuckled but she could only manage a tiny wry smirk.

Walking by the reception window he caught sight of himself. No wonder they all loved him; tall, broad shoulders, well-dressed and a woman magnet. He points to the smiling receptionist. "Don't let any of the ugly people in! We have too many here already!" She smiled and blinked. Like many of Hamish's comments, people didn't think much of them until after his charming presence was vacated. Then the frown set in.

Coffee time in the kitchen.
"Who the fuck left all this mess? Christ some people are pigs. They can't cope without mumma!”
A couple of workers agreed, though one of them had contributed to it.




Returning to his desk, Hamish passes 44 yr old Bryan. “Mate, you'll never find another woman with a haircut like that!”
“Oh. Isn't it modern?” His hand went to his freshly manicured follicles. “I thought...”
“Mate, I've seen a better cut of lawn at the cemetery.”
An awkward but rousing cackle rose around them.
“That's a bit mean,” said Mary with a knowing grin.
“Bryan knows I'm only joking, don't you Bry?”
Bryan looks to those around, not wanting to appear boring. “I'm going to change it soon.”

A lunchtime later when Hamish is in the kitchen filling his water bottle, a colleague quietly enters. “Hey Hamish! You see the game?”
Hamish is startled and the stream catches the bottle and sprays his shirt. He jumps back, looking down. “Shit!”
“Sorry Hamish. Didn't mean to scare you mate. But you do look like you're ready for the wet T-shirt Comp.”
A busy kitchen roars with laughter, like a volcano giving into the steam. They are pleased to see a reversal. Finally.
Hamish is red. “Shut your trap! It's not funny! Look at my shirt!”
“I said sorry mate. It's only water.”
“Don't call me mate, you idiot!”
Rows of eyes studied the transformed jokester.
“What are you looking at? You can all get stuffed!” He stormed out.
After that, no one thought his jokes were funny anymore and within weeks, he resigned.
And then Bryan met the love of his life.
With his old haircut.






Coming Soon,
In June, a short series of Flash Fictions, Feral Street. When Rednecks move in. NOT for the easily offended.

Next Post, Greatest Written Films returns.


Until Then,
feedback appreciated.

Beneath Hill 60




The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.
- Dale Carnegie



'Beneath Hill 60' is a true story based on a front-line campaign in Belgium in 1917. This is a war film unlike any other. Not at least that it is about Australian soldiers in a predominately British campaign. There were many others who fought in both World Wars, though you wouldn't know it from most big budget war films we are used to seeing.

Oliver Woodward (Brendan Cowell) is a late inductee into the campaign on the front who must prove himself to his fellow Aussies who have been in the trenches for some time. It's literally hell on earth. But these soldiers belong to a special unit. The tunnellers. Their job, to subvert the enemy from beneath. They are soon sent to one of the great Fronts of WW1 in Belgium, to an area known Hill 60 which is currently dominated by the Germans. There is a plan in place, but can they pull it off? It's claustrophobic. It's tense. There is constant shelling. The guns shots come from nowhere. You can understand how many were driven mad by it. (Shell shock).




This film works on so many levels. A brilliant taut script by David Roach based on the actual diaries of Woodward who shows us that there is more at stake here than gaining mere inches of ground. There is the tenacity of man. The blunt simple-mindedness which is required to get the job done, but which can also blind some men from the truth. War is stupid. It's a game. And yet they are not merely soldiers but ordinary people. We get an insight into their lives, predominately through Woodward himself, which juxtaposes how horrific war is. We get an idea of the German position too. Often they are faceless enemy's but here we get a little insight into the men on the other side of the muddy walls.




It's a suspenseful film, directed with real flair and I'm surprised to say, mastery of the medium, by actor Jeremy Sims, whose first film, (Last Train to Freo), was rather an languid affair. Once again he works within an tight budget, (like all Australian films, except for that unmentionable one), but he puts you into the mud and the water and the darkness underground. You'll by yearning for your shower, dry bed and a cup of tea; privileges denied to most of these chaps for months at a time.



Oliver Woodward.

My only criticism is that Brendan Cowell looks too old for the part. He' s supposed to be 25. I could have gone along with it if I'd been told much earlier. But really he is Australia's best actor (Noise, Love My Way) and plays Woodward to perfection.

The supporting cast is also first class. Steve Le Marquand shows his depth and is totally believable. It's welcoming to see John Stanton back. We don't see him enough in Australian film. He has a strong presence and that amazing voice. He is an underused icon. I barely recognised Jacqueline McKenzie, who looks ten years younger than she is. She is always a pleasure to watch. Her on screen daughter played by Bella Heathcote is a real talent too though Aden Young's brief odd appearance seemed unconvincing. The tunnellers themselves, all work together to bring a on-screen camaraderie and presence. Credit must go to Sims and Roach for this collective working dynamic. Also noted are the chillingly effective 5.1 sound effects and a classy score by legendary composer Cezary Skubiszewski.

If you are from outside Australia, and don't like war films, it is still effective as a thriller and even a love story. It's highly recommended.
For Australians, it's a must own DVD for every household. Finally, an Australian film to be proud of. And an important one at that.

85%



https://www.anthonyjlangfordbooks.com/books

(I did promise the short story The Workplace Glasshouse this post, but as I have just seen this film, I wanted to review it while still in theaters. If you live in Australia, you better get along quick.)

Coming Next,

The Workplace Glasshouse - We've all worked with wankers. But as they say, "People in Glass Houses..."

Coming in June,
A New Series, Feral Street. Pray you never end up there.

Also more in the series of Greatest Written Films, more poetry, flash fictions and Polls. As always, open for suggestions. Comments appreciated. It lets publishers know that people are reading.

The Outcast and Cow vs Sow

The Outcast


I wanted to let you know about my current project. I normally don't talk about projects in progress but I'm already close to the end of this one. It's a novella. It will be roughly 25,000 words.





It's about a 28 yr old guy who spends a lot of time in his own head, as we all do, but this one more than most. He's convinced he is an Outsider, that he does not live in the world. In many ways, he thinks he's better than everyone else. He thinks he is unique. A trap many people fall into. In short, he's a narcissist. His opinions are controversial. He's not afraid to speak his mind. He doesn't have that filter that prevents him from speaking out, even to his own detriment. But does he speak the truth? No political correctness here. And it lands him into a lot of trouble. But he kinda likes it.

People always assume that the character's opinions are that of the authors. It's not the case. I certainly hope they don't with The Outcast. Otherwise this guy will get me into trouble!

I've been toying with an idea of a series of Narcissistic novellas. The plan at this stage, which could alter, is to write three novellas and incorporate them as one novel. The Narcissist Trilogy. I'm yet to be definite about this, but I already have some solid ideas for the next one. I'm totally up in the air as for the third one. All I know is that it's a fascinating topic. What are writers after all if not a little narcissistic? Perhaps we all are to a certain degree, but there are many variations. From being a decent person and a healthy contributor to society, to be downright selfish, mean, uncaring and oblivious to the needs and feelings of others. This latter part is what I'm focusing on. I'm sure you know of a few yourself. Being fiction, I intend to delve into a few extremes. If I can't push a few boundaries I'm not interested.


The Outcast by Richard Redgrave, RA. 1851.

I'm giving myself roughly 8-10 weeks to write each novella. First draft of course. The rewrite will take much longer, especially as I hand write and have to type them up. It won't be completely finished for until 2011. (I do other writing and I work too). But who knows what could happen by then? I might abandon the idea and do something else.

At the very least, there will be a story of The Outcast. He's out there. Somewhere.


(2021 Update. The Outcast was expanded into novel form in 2019 and released in 2020 as Lone Wolf World).




Available now through...

..and now for Something Completely Different..
...a little silliness...


The Cow & The Sow

“She's acting odd,”
said the Finch to the Cow.

"I have to Agree,"
Said the Fig to the Sow.

“Yes I was chomping on the Fence,”
replied the Pig to the Fig.
“But I can't last if I'm forced to fast.”

“You can't escape
Through the Gate,”
said the Grass to the Pink Ass.

“You Gotta Go Over!”
added the Clover.

“But I'm a pig! I can't Fly!
If I try, I'll die!”

The Fig said,
“Not what I read.
I thought they could.”

The Finch agreed.
“You sure you ain't made out of wood?”

The cow said,
“I have an idea!”
The Fig Shivered
And the Finch felt fear.
Even the Pig did Frown.
“Don't Fret All!” said the cow. “I'll go Down!”



And so the Cow
Sank to her knees.
“Climb on my back,
If You Please!”

The Pig did as she was told
She was weak from Hunger
But the idea was Bold.

Once on Top
She felt like a Chief
Until a smell assailed her nostrils
It was Uncooked Beef!

The Cow did Shriek
Hunger had created the Beast
The Finch turned to the Fig,
“Now it's my turn for a Feast!”




Next Post

Flash Fiction: The Workplace Glasshouse.. We've all worked with one of these.. Assholes...

Coming Soon
A Brand New Fiction Series... Feral Street - It's like Neighbours but with yobbo's. It's Shakespeare for Rednecks.


https://www.anthonyjlangfordbooks.com/books

Until Then,




Greatest Written Films - The Elephant Man


The Elephant Man (1980)



A beast is to be seen at a freak show in 19th century London. The Elephant Man. A chance encounter with a London surgeon, Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) reveals that the freak is in fact an intelligent young man, merely terribly disfigured. But these aren't enlightened times.


The real Elephant Man.


Joseph Merrick was a real person and the film resembles his life as it was well documented at the time. Treves wrote a book about his experience and there are photographs and letters surviving from Merrick himself. There are some discrepancies but they are put aside to the betterment of the script.

Brilliantly directed by David Lynch, with a script he co wrote with Christopher De Vore and Eric Bergren, the film is as delicate and brutal as the unfortunate life of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film) who is played to perfection by John Hurt, in one of his best roles.

Shot in glorious black and white by acclaimed Cinematographer Freddie Francis, which enhances the mood of the dark, smoky Victorian streets. From the editing through to the music, I daresay it is one of Lynch's most complete films. A little known fact is that it was produced by Mel Brooks, whose name was not attached as he didn't want audiences thinking it was a comedy.

The tale is a tragic one. It demonstrates the savage greed that haunts the human soul as well as a refined kindness, found with irony, in the one they call the Freak. One of cinemas great true story's.


More information about the real Joseph Merrick.

More information about the film.




Previous Posts:
Sunset Boulevard
Dead Poets Society
The Last Picture Show


Coming soon: 
A change of pace in The Cow and the Sow,
and we've all worked with one of these types in The Workplace Glasshouse.


Until then,