Bruce Springsteen is featured in "Streets of Fire" by Eric Meola

Muscle cars, road trips and motorcycles help to paint a picture of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, during the early part of his career. Springsteen has conveyed the image of everyman for much of his career and he frequently appears good natured, down to earth and sometimes even carefree. However, the images captured by photographer Eric Meola in the late 1970s offer a different take on Springsteen, who was engaged in a legal battle with a former manager that kept him out of the studio for a long period of time. The darker edge of the legendary musician is featured in more than 70 black and white photographs in Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979 (It Books).

Springsteen was writing songs for his album Darkness on the Edge of Town during the aforementioned time period and lyrics to the songs featured on the album are shown throughout this coffee table book. To the author's credit, he allows the pictures and lyrics to tell the story, for the most part, but provides interesting and essential short essays on his long time friendship and professional relationship with Springsteen. The black and white photographs feature nature backdrops, as well as more intimate photos of Springsteen relaxing around the house or strumming on his guitar. A few anecdotes from Meola serve to lighter the mood from time to time and are classic Springsteen. Streets of Fire contains startling imagery and excellent use of lighting in many of the photographs and is sure to delight fans of the music icon.

All proceeds from Streets of Fire: Bruce Springsteen in Photographs and Lyrics 1977-1979 are being donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. I think The Boss would approve.

Marvel Comics Kills Off Peter Parker and Ends "The Amazing Spider-Man"

The Amazing Spider-Man, issue #700, marks the end of the long running and very popular comic book series and also features the death of Peter Parker. The brain surgeons at Marvel Comics somehow believe that Doctor Octopus, who "switched minds" with Parker, is somehow more important and is capable of starring in his own series, The Superior Spider-Man. While I understand that change is sometimes necessary, some characters should never be killed off. Not Bruce Wayne, not Clark Kent and certainly not Peter Parker. 

Of course, killing off major characters and heroes has become the norm in the world of comic books. Sometimes it helps to generate more interest in the book or serves as a publicity stunt, only to have the character return at some point in the future. The door is certainly left open in the final issue of The Amazing Spider-Man for Peter to return, but this long time reader is disappointed, disgusted and done. Yes, after being a lifelong Spidey fan, I refuse to support any effort without Peter Parker. I like Doc Ock, but to have him replace Peter is simply ridiculous. I do not care what the spin is or what Marvel is promising. As far as I am concerned, all Spider-Man titles should just be cancelled. Without Peter Parker, there is no point in continuing. 

Sales for various Spider-Man titles have been consistently solid, so why make such a drastic change? There has already been a backlash against Marvel and I sincerely hope The Superior Spider-Man is a major flop. If Peter Parker does return in the future, as the one and only Spider-Man, I may consider returning as well, providing that this absurd chain of events is either a dream or something happens that wipes out the mess that has been made. I suppose I could sum up my thoughts this way - the marketing strategy for Marvel's new line of books is Marvel Now. For me, it's Marvel, Later. 

DVD Round-Up: "Seven" (1995) - Starring Morgan Freeman and "The Next Three Days" (2010) - Starring Russell Crowe

Seven (1995)

The Basics: Thriller surrounding the search for a serial killer that finds a grizzled, soon to be retired police detective, William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), joining forces with a much younger and recently transferred Detective David Mills. The duo desperately search for the killer, who is patterning his murders on the seven deadly sins; gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, pride, lust, and envy.

Reasons to Watch: The superb cast is led with quiet determination by Morgan Freeman and the manic undertones of Brad Pitt. The cold, calculating killer (no spoilers here) is able to utilize his intelligence and knowledge of psychology to keep everyone off balance. Gwyneth Paltrow brings a refreshing air of innocence to her role, as David's lonely wife, Tracy.

The Bottom Line: Great performances, an intricate and intelligent screenplay, by Andrew Kevin Walker, and the deft direction of David Fincher make Seven an unforgettable psychological thriller that will get under your skin and may stay with you long after the film ends. During the film, I thought the killer might be either Mills or Somerset, which is to the credit of the screenplay and to the performances from Freeman and Pitt. If you have never seen the film, consider them both suspects.

The Next Three Days (2012)

The Basics: A wife and mother, Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks), is convicted of a murder that she may or may not have committed. Her distraught husband, John (Russell Crowe), becomes obsessed with an intricate plot that he designed to help her escape from prison.

Reasons to Watch: The terrific cast, including Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson and Brian Dennehy, deliver strong work. The movie was filmed on location in Pittsburgh, PA and, as a former resident, I appreciated seeing so many familiar sites.

The Bottom Line: An overly long and completely unrealistic film that managed to hold my attention, despite those flaws. Viewers who can suspend their disbelief may find it more enjoyable than those who cannot.

"American Horror Story: Asylum" Lightens Up with Jessica Lange Singing "The Name Game"

Photo Credit: FX

American Horror Story: Asylum is simply brilliant. This week's episode, "The Name Game," featured (of all things) a musical number featuring the inmates of Briarcliff, including Sister Jude/Judy Martin (Jessica Lange). After Judy was subjected to an electroshock treatment, with the voltage turned way up high, she dissociates while listening to "The Name Game" (the popular song that was a hit back in the 1960s and continues to thrive today). As a result, Judy, along with many of the series regulars, get into the act by singing and dancing along. I sat in wonder and smiled the entire way through the scene, which is one of the best of the entire series. The lighter tone helped to soften the mood of the episode, which features two unexpected deaths, as well as a sign that the doom and gloom that has been cast over the likable cast of misfits may finally be lifting. Only three episodes remain of this season of American Horror Story, but a third season has already been confirmed and I cannot wait to see what creator Ryan Murphy has in store. (Please, more Jessica Lange and Evan Peters.)

Watch "The Name Game" performance here.

Paperback Spotlight: "Wayne of Gotham" by Tracy Hickman

Batman is featured in the book Wayne of Gotham by Tracy Hickman, which is now available in paperback from It Books. Click here to read my review. See below for additional information.


Behind every mask is a real man. 

Two men joined by blood but separated by murder: Thomas, the rebellious doctor and heir to the vast Wayne empire, and Bruce, his son, whose life is forever altered when he witnesses the brutal death of his parents. 

The slaying of Thomas and Martha Wayne is the torturous point on which Bruce turns to become the mysterious crusader Batman—the genesis of a simple mugging gone horribly wrong. The Dark Knight's file on the case has long been closed, the foundations of Bruce Wayne's secret life secure. But these foundations are shaken when an unexpected guest invades the grounds of Wayne Manor, raising questions about the event that ended the lives of the mother he loved and the father he worshipped, and sparked his unquenchable drive to protect and avenge. 

To discover his true family history, Batman must face down old foes, confront his only confidant, invade the evil heart of Arkham Asylum, and shoulder the terrible new burden of a dark legacy.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

After watching the big screen adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower last fall, I knew I had to read the book, which was originally published in 1999. The film is one of the best of 2012 and is very similar to its source material, which centers around Charlie, a social misfit, who is in the process of discovering why his life has been so challenging, both inside and outside of school. Charlie serves as the narrator throughout the book, which is essentially a diary of his everyday life that documents his story is an honest, touching and unforgettable way.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a quick read and you may find yourself struggling to put it down as Charlie invades your thoughts with his innocence and unique personality. He is an original, which makes it easy to understand why so many of his peers find him odd. Charlie's story may bring back memories of high school for some readers, especially those who struggled with being different and did not quite fit in with the other students. Those differences are celebrated in the book, which will capture your heart and make you want to root for Charlie to fly his freak flag as high as possible.

Charlie's journey is not an easy one, but readers will notice how he changes throughout the book, especially after he meets Sam and Patrick, a brother/sister combo who accept Charlie into their clique. He returns the favor of being non-judgmental towards his new friends, who have secrets and problems of their own that they are trying to reconcile and contend with. Their friendship changes each of them for the better, but there are many problems to overcome during their incredible journey of discovery and maturity.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (MTV Books) is an authentic, amusing, intelligent and heartfelt coming of age story. 

You can read my review of the film by going here.

Happy New Year 2013!

I would like to wish all of my readers a very Happy New Year! Best Wishes for 2013!