Diana Krall - Temptation

A little Sunday morning jazz...

BTAP #26: Maintenance by Kieran Shea

Woman doesn't even look half-human anymore...."

I studied the photographs—a side by side before and after comparison of the former Mrs. Stafford. The man wasn't kidding. The woman's once subtle easy lips were now as thick as canned Vienna sausages and her face looked...um...how should I put this? Intense.

"Maintenance" is Kieran’s second masterful contribution to BEAT to a PULP and showcases New Jersey private investigator, Charlie Byrne. Another Byrne adventure will be featured in an upcoming issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine in a story called "The Lifeguard Method."

Next week: Chad Eagleton with our second sci-fi offering, "Six Bullets For John Carter."

Coming soon: "The Devil's Right Hand" by Jack Martin.

Star Trek: Season One Remastered

In the 1980s, when Star Trek was first released on VHS, a good friend and I began separately purchasing individual episodes at $20 a pop which was a lot of money for a teen and, come to think about it, highway robbery. But I made sure I got my money's worth. I savored classic episodes like "Mirror, Mirror" and "The City on the Edge of Forever" more than a dozen times each.

During the Next Generation run, I finally burned out on everything Trek. I even gave up the original and haven't watched the show in fifteen years. I was certain I was finished with the adventures of Kirk and Spock.

Well, once a Trekkie always a Trekkie it seems. I just purchased the enhanced Season One set for fifty bucks... a bargain compared to the 80s. The series has been remastered and the 1960s special effects have been replaced with computer-generated imagery giving new depth to models of planets, alien ships and the Enterprise as well as to the matte painting backdrops. I'm sure some purists are annoyed with the tinkering, but I feel it's a much needed make-over and I'm impressed how the new effects fit right in with the rest of the show. I imagine it's now the way creator Gene Roddenberry would have done it if he had had the funds the first time around.

For fans who know the show by heart, like me, you'll be crying out during each new scene, "That's new!" or "Look what they did there!" to the newbies. And for first-time viewers, this is a logical place to begin and you'll see what all the fuss is about.

James Arness

One of my heroes turns eighty-six today. I was looking to post my favorite Gunsmoke episode, Mannon, where Steve Forrest gets the drop on Matt Dillon. Couldn't find it but TV Land has several fine episodes here. And The official James Arness Website has some interesting offerings and a place to leave him a message. Anyway, Happy Birthday Mr. Arness.

BTAP #25: Vengeance on the 18th by David Cranmer

I originally wrote this story for Out of the Gutter's Revenge issue but it required a rewrite that I wasn’t prepared to do so instead I submitted the award-winning “Blubber” (ok, it's a second place win but, dammit, it's my only prize for writing and I'm going to own it!). I put “18th” on the back-burner for awhile until I could finally face it again. I think this version is stronger and with a more potent ending. And the Editor-at-Large for BEAT to a PULP gladly accepted my story (don’t laugh, Ms. Ash is no more easy on me than she is with any other submission that rolls in). A big thanks to Elaine for her considerable assistance. Here’s "Vengeance on the 18th".

Next week: Kieran Shea gives us some "Maintenance" with a character that will be featured in an upcoming issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. Btw, Kieran's brilliant piece of prose was suppose to be featured at BTAP this week but I didn't have the guts to follow this modern-day Hammett.

Coming in June: Paul Brazill's “Tut” and “Y Not” from Travis Erwin.

Wild West Monday: Seraphim Falls review

The Tainted Archive is a daily must-read and its founder, Gary Dobbs, is—to borrow a line from Anthony Quinn—a one man tango. He single-handedly began a western revival with his Wild West Mondays of which I’ve been fortunate to be a part. WWM #3 is coming up soon so he’s asked different writers to contribute a piece of their own choosing on books, films, Old West history etc. Click on over where I’m reviewing Seraphim Falls.

Timerider

James Reasoner mentioned this film today and I remember it was the action film of the moment for us twelve-year-olds. I just may have to watch it again. It looks dated but in a good way, if that makes any sense.