Another Insurgent trailer released today, along with a “Sneak Peak” that includes commentary from the actors, director and Veronica Roth herself. As much as I am looking forward to the film and want it to succeed, there are more than a couple of elements that are making me a bit wary about getting my hopes up for something that was as good an adaptation as the first movie. [Read more…]
‘Insurgent’ Movie Previews: This is Making Me Nervous!
January 16, 2015 by 7 Comments
Hunger Games: Dr. Amy H. Sturgis on the Dystopian Tradition
January 15, 2015 by 1 Comment
Wonderful opportunity for Hunger Games fans who are students — Dr Amy H. Sturgis, Potter Pundit and All-Around Literary Lioness, is offering a free lecture series this Spring! Read what she sent me about it:
On the weekends of March 28/29 and April 11/12, I’ll be offering a free interactive, multimedia lecture series – hotel accommodations and catering is included – for interested undergraduate and graduate students. It’s in Asheville, NC, a stone’s throw from where the Hunger Games film was shot. Students are responsible for travel there and back, but everything else is paid for.
The subject is “The Dystopian Tradition: What Worlds Gone Wrong Can Teach Us.”
Here’s the description:
Why did nearly 370 international organizations in the spring of 2014 use the term “Big Brother” from Nineteen Eighty-Four in their united call for global surveillance reform? Why did citizens in Thailand in the summer of 2014 adopt the three-finger salute from The Hunger Games to protest the repressive military coup in their country? Dystopian fiction and film pervades popular culture and conveys big ideas about issues of immediate political, economic, and social importance. This series will explore the warnings embedded in a century of great dystopian works with a focus on the lessons about human nature, free societies, and individual and community well-being that remain most relevant–and challenging–today.
For free registration, go to http://bit.ly/1t2Un5l
Blessed Feast of Nativity: Chanting from an Orthodox Convent
January 9, 2015 by 1 Comment
The nuns of the St Elizabeth the Grand Duchess Convent in California have recorded a CD of their Christmas chanting. To learn more about it, click here.
Santa’s Mail Bag and John’s Answers for a Christmas Post
January 7, 2015 by 1 Comment
Merry Christmas, Serious Readers! Here are some letters and responses for your joyous Noel!
Dear Mr.Granger,
I’ve just read your book Harry Potter’s bookshelf and I want to share some opinions with you. Besides, I hope I can get some advice for reading.
I’m N—–, a senior high school student from China. Before reading your book, I had read many kinds of books, such as Jane Eyre written by Bronte,Pride & Prejudice written by Austen, series stories of Sherlock Holmes, etc. I think as a student of science,I know not so much for literature.Therefore,I’d like to get some advice which is useful.
I read Rowling’s books three years ago and now I am still crazy about it.It is true that I cannot understand some things and may there be misunderstandings.After all,every country has its unique culture.
First of all,in HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban,we all know that Sirus Black came up.We can infer from the following books that he is good at magic.But why in the fight against wormtail ,he stood still untill he was caught by officers?He had the chance and he was able to escape.I also had a question towards the Sorting Hat,since wormtail is not so brave and even turned to Dark Lord,why would he go to Gryffindor?What do you think of the sorting hat?
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