They take about forever to make with the DVDs, HBO. I would call, but there is probably a restraining order out on me with them right now, aifg. Although maybe it would be a relief for them not to hear about "The Wire" from me again, especially considering the dead dog and all.

crime fiction inspired by Hammett's Red Harvest

I'm sorry; Miller's Crossing is a barefaced plagiarism of Hammett's The Glass Key, cobbled onto Red Harvest, with a climactic scene stolen lovingly from Nathanael West's Miss Lonelyhearts.

I saw the movie before I'd read any of these, so it was rather the shock when I read The Glass Key. I kept being like, this is so familiar!! before figuring it out, and then had to wonder at length why the COen brothers don't acknowledge a single source in their film.

(They avoid copyright infringement due to the cobbling-together business.)

A few days late, but for the record, Hec:

When Chuck Norris has sex with a man, it is not because he is gay, but because he has run out of women. [note: Why does this make me think of Shrift?]

Never, ever think that again!

So, copyright crime doesn't always make you stupid?

Having never read The Glass Key, this is news to me. In my defense, I used the words "inspired by" in the same way that movie studios do. Seems like the right thread for that, y'know.

Oh, and to Strega: What heart?

So, copyright crime doesn't always make you stupid?

I've had quite a few conversations about plagiarism lately.

Jumping on the bandwagon in my own Special way.That second thing about "literary Sherman" is quite possibly the most awful thing I could personally imagine anyone saying. If I wrote it, I'd still be hanging my head in shame...and I know there are many things about Southern culture that still make me think "Wtf?" But, dude, why not just call his mother a whore and have done with it? Ouch. I hope you know I was just joking.

Saw producer Gregg Hoffman dead at 42, after complaining about neck pain.

Be paranoid--be very, very paranoid.

Fangoria has a rave review of King Kong.

Bottom line: If any movie in recent memory deserves the too-often inappropriately applied label of “instant classic,” it’s this one. KING KONG is everything that so many genre/FX spectaculars promise, and so few deliver. It’s enough to wash away any lingering bad memories of failed megapictures and get you believing in the transportive power of movies again. The only down note: It’ll likely be quite some time before another film of this type comes along to outdo or even match it.

X Men teaser. The web site also has character pics.

Still think it'll suck, but I know I'll see it in the theatre.