That was really interesting, Strega. I took a moment and guessed with my gut before reading it, figuring that Jack probably wouldn't be the protagonist, based on your reaction. And I got it right! It really is the only thing that makes sense when you take it apart like that.

Movie-wise, I think he's right, but in the book I think Danny is pretty clearly the protagonist . I also have to scratch my head about the reviewer's comment regarding the relative strength of survival as a motivation for the main character — the whole genre of horror is essentially built around people striving for just that, whether it's against a tangible monster, impersonal circumstances, or their own inner demons.

Mmm, I dunno. Yes, your protagonist wants to survive, once survival isn't a given; survival is a pretty good motivator. One of the best! But even in a horror story, s/he wants other things that lead to the life-or-death scenario. Getting rich, or investigating a mystery, or creating a gene-spliced monstrosity, or having a romantic weekend with their girlfriend in a rustic cabin.... there's more than just "I sure wanna continue to breathe." The protagonist should drive the plot's action at some level, not just react to things and try to escape doom.

creating a gene-spliced monstrosity, or having a romantic weekend with their girlfriend in a rustic cabin

Or, following my brother's dating history, both.

creating a gene-spliced monstrosity, or having a romantic weekend with their girlfriend in a rustic cabin

Or depending on the movie, a combination of the two.

I'm proud to be of service. And we need a quick-edit tag for rimshots.

I saw HP7P1 tonight and really liked it. I definitely missed Luna's ceiling, but otherwise, it had been so long since I read the book that I didn't notice additions/omissions for the most part. I thought it moved along pretty nicely and was suitably action-packed and tense, although not as emotionally involving as the book, obvs. I dig Yates's HP style, though.

I, too, loved, loved, loved the animation of the story of the Three Brothers. I loved the style of it.

Haven't they cut most of the Severus/Lily backstory out of the movies? How is the doe Patronus going to have any resonance?

Man I still cant't get away from Splice even though I try.

Thanks for the article on "the Shining" - I really enjoyed it. I sent it to Beau who is writing a fiction novel right now and he liked it a lot.

I look forward to more.

Saw Burlesque with my daughter tonight. The story is definitely on the trite side and the romantic subplot is pretty obvious and predictable, but for your money's worth, you would pay a hell of a lot more for that level of Christina Aguilera concert. For the music alone, it was worth paying full price.

We watched Chicago after Thanksgiving dinner, and I gotta say, I didn't expect Richard Gere to be as good as he was.

And Renee Zellweger...was very good in the scene where she played the ventriloquist's dummy. And that's really all I can say about her.

Queen Latifah, though, is awesomesauce.