Project Z is now available for streaming on Vudu and Apple TV. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In today’s movie news, for true zombie fans, it is always a good day to watch zombie movies. From distributor Dark Star Pictures comes the Norwegian (with English subtitles) comedy horror movie Project Z. It is now available to rent or buy on Vudu and Apple TV. It stars Eili Harboe, Regina Tucker, Vebjorn Enger, Jonis Jesf, Iben Akerlie, and Arthur Berning and is directed by Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken. (The Write Way, 2023)
Project Z – A group of film students bring along three out of work actors to an old motel in the Norwegian mountains to make zombie films. When a mysterious asteroid crashes nearby strange things begin to happen, blurring the line between fiction and reality. Suddenly their fiction is turned into reality, as the undead have seemingly began attacking the crew and they must fight for their lives – or is it a part of their story?
‘Things My Husband Said: The painful reality of covert verbal and emotional abuse in a marriage from the perspective of a wife who got out and the plan that empowered her to leave’ by Jennifer Free. Photo: Jennifer Free, used with permission.
The subject of abuse is all too often taboo but needs to be addressed. Aside from physical abuse, there is also emotional and verbal abuse, which consists of actions that are meant to control, isolate, and frighten you. In romantic relationships, this often includes threats, insults, manipulation, humiliation, intimidation, and other such behaviors. Today’s new book release touches on this issue and is written by a woman who experienced abuse. In “Things My Husband Said,” Jennifer Free shares her journey beginning with how she met her husband, how she got out, and what she told her daughter. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, let her first hand account inspire you and guide you to get help and live a better life. Don’t wait, get your copy today; it is available on Amazon.
Jennifer Free is an author and advocate for awareness, prevention, and support for victims of covert verbal and emotional abuse perpetrated by spouses. She is a survivor of childhood and marital abuse and writes about her experiences to help others. (Jennifer Free, 2023)
In “Things My Husband Said,”author Jennifer Free outlines the painful reality of covert verbal and emotional abuse in a marriage and the detailed plan she developed over several years that ultimately empowered her to safely leave while maintaining primary physical custody of her daughter without a lengthy legal battle.
In this book, she shines a necessary spotlight on the type of marital abuse that does not leave physical bruises but still causes harm by sharing the ugly covert verbal abuse she endured for years, one raw line at a time. She includes the the detailed plan she developed to safely leave with her daughter. Most importantly, she speaks to and validates the pain of those victims who are still in abusive marriages as well as those who have been able to escape. It serves as necessary required reading in continuing education programs for Family Court professionals and victim advocates.
Bring The Kids will be released November 27 and is the anti-folk satirist’s most accessible album ever. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Hamell on Trial is the musical alias of folk punk hero Ed Hamell. A one-man explosion, he is loud-as-war one minute, stepping off the microphone to whisper to an enthralled audience the next. Hamell’s unique and dynamic performance style is informed by politics, passion, intelligence, and an irreverent sense of humor. Armed with a battered 1937 Gibson acoustic guitar that he amplifies mightily and strums like a machine gun, a politically astute mind that cannot stop moving, and a mouth that can be profane one minute and profound the next, Hamell sets his sights on the new America. He shoots straight with his audience, whether unraveling topical issues or sharing confessional tales from his own past. Hamell has shared countless stages with fellow anti-establishment icons such as Ani DiFranco, Kimya Dawson, Aesop Rock and The Pogues, as well as winning the coveted Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. (US/THEM Group, 2023)
Hamell’s 2023 full-length record, Bring The Kids, marks the seventeenth release in a discography overflowing with four star reviews and critical acclaim, ranging from major label releases (Mercury / Polygram) to top independents such as New West and Righteous Babe Records. Bring The Kids will mark Hamell’s third record on Texas indie Saustex Records, helmed by Hickoids’ lead singer Jeff Smith. BringThe Kids will be available on LP, CD and digital on November 27, 2023 via Saustex Records. Pre-orders are available HERE.
On the new record, Hamell teams up with NY-based producer Matt Labozza to meld his punk rock hooks into the most beat-driven and expansive production approach in the history of his catalogue. “This is definitely the most musically adventurous record so far,” Hamell explains. “I recorded my last two albums on my phone. I think some of my fans have been wondering what the songs would sound like if I were to open them up to every musical idea and tool that swirls around them in my brain. Here’s your answer.”
Hamell on Trial is the modern day voice of dissent and social commentary, fighting a one-man war armed with irrepressible energy and a seeker’s soul. His show is a 75-minute journey into true and authentic connection driven by the willingness to fight for the disenfranchised and celebrate the free thinkers of the world. Don’t we need that now more than ever?
Bring The Kids track list:
01: Hail My Rage (ft. Christine Oilman) 02: Tell You Why (ft. Ruth Theodore) 03: Pray 04: Drunk Dial Me 05: Robbery 06. Jelly 07: The Way She Says 08: To Get Thru 09: NKGG 10: Um, Actually No 11: Pepper Spray 12: Hippy Shake 13: Tucker Carlson 14: Trail Mix 15: Johnny Rydell 16: Jelly (Single edit)
“Bald, bold and super bad.” — Rolling Stone
“He has a real attachment to truth that makes him continually vital.” — Henry Rollins
“Bill Hicks, Hunter S. Thompson, and Joe Strummer all rolled into one” — Philadelphia Weekly
Dive deep into the heart of the Qing dynasty, where the shadowed halls of the imperial palace brim with intrigue and the far reaches of Shangli village resonate with age-old martial arts secrets. Photo: Hélder Fanha Martins, used with permission.
In historical fiction, a fictional story takes place within real historical events. As a big history fan, this is one of my favorite genres, especially when it involves warriors and battles in a faraway land. For fans of the genre, here is a new book release to keep in mind: “Hearts At War” by Hélder Fanha Martins. Readers can journey through China’s captivating cultural fabric, where kung fu is not just a fight, but a philosophy, and where the heart’s silent battles are as fierce as the ones fought in broad daylight. In this vivid epic, ancient wisdom drawn from “The Art of War” fuels a village’s courageous stand against an impending invasion. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Find out more, pick up your copy today.
Hélder Fanha Martins stands as a distinguished author who merges the rigorous world of scientific academia with the craft of storytelling. Serving as a professor in Information and Communication Sciences at the Polytechnic University of Lisbon, Hélder’s academic contributions are evident in his notable scientific publications. Yet, his passion extends beyond academia and into the realm of fiction. His work, “Zechariah – Lost in Time, Found in Love,” is a thoughtful sci-fi narrative that delves into the complex relationship between love, destiny, and technology. By challenging the traditional concepts of time and legacy, the novel has garnered attention from readers in both Portuguese and English, urging them to reflect on the deeper implications of their actions through time and space. “Hearts At War,” his second fiction book, is a masterful ode to the indomitable human spirit, illustrating that true power arises not from force, but from the enduring heartbeats of a resilient people. It is available on Amazon in English and Portuguese editions. (Hélder Fanha Martins, 2023)
“Hearts at War” is an immersive fiction epic set in the Qing dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu and under the shadow of the influential Empress Dowager Cixi. The book is an intricate tapestry of intertwined lives that span from the halls of the imperial palace, a stage for intrigues and corruption, to a remote village called Shangli, where the inhabitants cultivate an almost mystical connection with the land and keep the traditions of Chinese martial arts alive.
The narrative follows Yan, a devoted father and martial arts master, his daughter Mei, a young woman drawn to a broader existence, and Jian, a wandering warrior with a complex past. The fate of the three becomes inexorably intertwined when the village discovers an enigmatic green-blue jade slab, making Shangli a target for a ruthless warlord. As the threat of invasion grows, the village mobilizes in desperate resistance, employing guerrilla tactics and drawing inspiration from concepts in the legendary book “The Art of War.”
The story navigates through the rich cultural tapestry of China, offering an introspective view into kung fu, philosophy, and the eternal struggle between pragmatism and the yearnings of the heart. “Hearts at War” is more than a tale of physical battles; it is a profound exploration of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of the greatest challenges. The book is a celebration of the beauty, culture, and tenacity of a people who find their true strength when confronting seemingly insurmountable adversities.
Action thriller King of Killers. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
In today’s movie news, if you like action thrillers, King of Killers is now available on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Written and directed by Kevin Grevioux, the cast includes Alain Moussi (Nobody), Marie Avgeropoulos (“The 100,” 50/50), Georges St-Pierre (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Stephen Dorff (Blade, Old Henry), Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and Kevin Grevioux (Underworld). (EG-PR, 2023)
Based on a graphic novel by writer-director Kevin Grevioux, King of Killers follows former Agency hit man Marcus Garan (Alain Moussi) as he attempts to unravel the mystery behind a tragic incident. When offered a $10 million contract to eliminate the world’s greatest assassin, Marcus travels to Tokyo to meet the client (Frank Grillo), but discovers other professional killers have been invited as well. Now Marcus and the others must confront this deadly, mythical assassin or die trying.
Low Water Bridge Band announces sophomore LP Back to the Valley. Photo: Low Water Bridge Band.
Forged by firelight picking, Low Water Bridge Band’s romping, stomping, country-grass Americana is not for the faint of heart. Since coming together in 2020, they have gone from barnstorming the Shenandoah Valley to festival stages along the East Coast and now, to the delight of their rapidly growing fanbase, the band has announced the follow up to their latest LP, Midnight in Virginia. On November 17, Low Water Bridge Band—Logan Moore (guitar, vocals), Alex Kerns (bass, vocals), Riley Kerns (drums, background vocals), James Montgomery (lead guitar), Justin Carver (pedal steel, banjo),and Rudy Bzdyk (fiddle, trumpet, keyboards)—will release Back to the Valley, an all new, ten song LP. (IV-PR, 2023)
Low Water Bridge Band shared Back to the Valley’s opening track, “Siren Of The Shenandoah,” a shapeshifting ode to the great river that created the valley from with the band was created. “This song came to light after a full moon, overnight canoe trip down the Shenandoah River,” says Moore, the song’s writer and lead singer. “I kept hearing a lonely fox following us along the riverbanks shouting her terrifying scream. I imagined it was the sound of the mythological siren crying out to lure me into the mighty Shenandoah River.” Moore’s imagination went from there, fleshing out the lick-laden song that deftly switches back and forth between a full-time train beat and a funkier, half-time groove. Encompassing everything that Low Water Bridge Band fans are already hip to—clever songwriting, complimentary musicianship, and the ability to creatively freeze a place and time in song—“Sirens Of The Shenandoah” is the perfect lead off track for this next chapter in the burgeoning band’s career.
Back to the Valley was produced by band members Riley Kerns and Logan Moore and recorded and mixed by Kerns at BerryTone Sound Recorders in Berryville, Virginia. Micah Howard contributed vocals on “She Don’t Answer;” “Dear Lord” and “Small Town Affair” feature background vocalists Laura Steinmetz and Jessica Mitchell; and Jake Smith plays baritone saxophone on “Hope It’s You.”
Back to the Valley track list: Siren Of The Shenandoah Whiskey Dark Slow Down 600 Reasons Hope It’s You Clarke County Clay Place On A Hill Dear Lord Small Town Affair She Don’t Answer
‘Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades’ is the new release from James Whipple Miller. Photo: Chestnut Hill Press
Nadia Boulanger was a French music teacher and conductor. She taught many of the leading composers and musicians of the 20th century and performed occasionally as a pianist and organist. If you are interested in learning more about this highly influential music teacher, check out this new biography from James Whipple Miller – “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” which includes 227 letters exchanged over four decades between Boulanger and her close friend and disciple Ruth Robbins. It is available through Chestnut Hill Press.
Author James Whipple Miller was a professor of Comparative Literature and Classical Chinese at UC Berkeley. He served as editor- in-chief of financial and technology publications in Silicon Valley, leading to relationships with investors and technical innovators, in turn leading to decades in start-up business finance and directorships on many boards. He now invests his time in editing and writing projects far removed from finance, business, and Silicon Valley. His new book “Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” is the first biographical study of the great French master teacher’s last half of life. (Chestnut Hill Press, 2023)
“Nadia Boulanger: War Years in America and Her Last Decades” – From this unique record between an extraordinary teacher and her student, we gain deep and new insights into Boulanger’s beliefs and feelings, and how they changed as she faced the challenges of aging. Another intimate perspective on Boulanger comes from her favorite post-war student Idil Biret who vividly describes her resistance to Boulanger’s rigidity.
It was released on October 19 and has received rave advanced reviews:
“Cause for celebration!”-Thomas Wolf, Liner Notes Magazine
“This wonderful collection of letters and well-researched commentary will fascinate musicians, music lovers, or any reader interested in the life and legacy of a 20th-century musical titan!” -Clare Longendyke, Classical Concert Pianist
“A labor of love that ably explores the relationship among three women and their shared love of music.”-Kirkus Review
“Invaluable insight into a less-known period of Nadia Boulanger’s life, helping fill out a comprehensive picture of her later years.”-Nicholas Phan, Opera Lyric Tenor
“As a performer of her works, I have long admired Nadia Boulanger. This four-decade exchange of letters reveal her beautiful qualities as a teacher and person.”-Miriam K. Smith, Classical Cellist
Chestnut Hill Press is an independent publisher dedicated to promoting global understanding through distinctive new books in literature, art, and music.
‘Apropos of Running’ is the new memoir by Charles Moore. Photo: Charles Moore, used with permission.
Memoirs provide an insight into a world that we might not otherwise experience, whether it is from the viewpoint of a celebrity, musician, or athlete. If you are a fan of memoirs, especially sports memoirs, today’s new book release by Charles Moore might interest you. “Apropos of Running” is the story of a world-class marathoner who completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Charles Moore brings to light his experiences as a Black man in the world of marathons in this insightful memoir. So if you enjoy these types of books, put this one on your to read list. With a release date of November 5, it will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Charles Moore has published work on the subject of contemporary arts and related topics on Artnet, Artsy, and Cultured Magazine, and many other places. Based in New York City, he graduated from Harvard University and is currently a doctoral student at Columbia University. His new book “Apropos of Running” is a timely and unforgettable memoir of long-distance running and an essential testament to the persistence and power of Black marathon runners and how one man transformed his life and the sport of running just by showing up at the starting line time after time. (Charles Moore, 2023)
“Apropos of Running” – Based on Charles Moore’s experience running 24 marathons between 2016- 2023, this memoir is both a celebration of his journey to become a 24-time marathon runner and a candid, deeply personal interrogation of how race and culture are intertwined. The author explores the lack of diversity in marathoning, as he came face to face with the predominant myth that “Black people don’t run marathons.” From international races in major cities across Asia, Europe and the United States, including his native Detroit, he is confronted with not only the racial history of America, but the racialized history of the sport he had devoted his life to. Moore is one of the few to address the Venn diagram of Blackness and long-distance running.
The Golden Crystal Kingdom will be out November 10, 2023. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
From humble beginnings booking his own barbecue joint shows to touring with label mate Colter Wall and fellow Texan Charley Crocket, Vincent Neil Emerson built a career the old fashioned way, bar gig by bar gig, singular music fan by singular music fan. Vincent Neil Emerson is no stranger to work ethic. His life’s journey has been tumultuous, hard-nosed, and the stuff of songs. It all brings the young Choctaw-Apache man’s journey to the announcement of his new Shooter Jennings-produced record, The GoldenCrystal Kingdom—out on November 10 via Emerson’s longtime label home La Honda Records and new partner, RCA Records. The Golden Crystal Kingdom is the follow-up to his first two LPs, Fried Chicken &Evil Woman and Vincent Neil Emerson, which established him as a refreshing voice in the Texas songwriter landscape. (IV-PR, 2023)
The Golden Crystal Kingdom shares more of the man behind the artist than any of his previous records, his songwriting and heritage on proud display throughout the new album. Emerson expands his sound, tapping into the storied influence of electrified folk legends like Leon Russell and Link Wray. As with his early work, the diamond-sharp storytelling remains Emerson’s focus under the big and explicit aesthetic of rock and roll.
Emerson continues the La Honda Records x RCA Records partnership with his first single, “Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint,” a full-throttle meeting of Western comic book influences inside a Neil Young guitar tuning. “The story was, basically, that a medicine man was tasked with motivating warriors to go into battle—they were going up against a bunch of white men with guns, and they knew they were going to die if they went into battle—and he came up with this special paint, this yellow medicine paint, and said, ‘If you wear this into battle, you’ll be invincible. No arrow can pierce you. No bullet can pierce you,’” Emerson remembers. “It’s an old-West-themed song, it’s not a modern-day story for sure,” says the man who proudly embraces his Choctaw-Apache heritage. “These are indigenous stories, whether or not that old West comic was true.”
To accompany “Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint,” Emerson enlisted the help of Native American bareback horse race champion, Sharmaine Weed, to star in a music video. An ethereal glimpse into the dedication and training required to become a champion, the music video, directed by on-the-rise visionary Mike Vanata, was filmed in Wyoming near the Wind River reservation. “Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint” can be streamed or purchasedand fans can pre-order or pre-saveThe GoldenCrystal Kingdom ahead of its November release.
The Golden Crystal Kingdom track listing: Time of the Rambler The Golden Crystal Kingdom Time of the Cottonwood Trees I’ll Meet You in Montana Hang Your Head Down Low Cod’ine Blackland Prairies On the Banks of the Old Guadalupe The Man From Uvalde Voices (On the Spanish Isle) Clover on the Hillside Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint
Catch Vincent Neil Emerson On Tour: October 27, 2023 – Globe Hall – Denver, CO October 28, 2023 – Globe Hall – Denver, CO November 1, 2023 – Saturn – Birmingham, AL November 2, 2023 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN November 3, 2023 – Growlers – Memphis, TN November 4, 2023 – Songbirds – Chattanooga, TN November 7, 2023 – The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC November 9, 2023 – Songbyrd – Washington, DC November 10, 2023 – Elkton Music Hall – Elkton, MD November 11, 2023 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY November 15, 2023 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA November 16, 2023 – The Southern Café and Music Hall – Charlottesville, VA November 17, 2023 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC November 18, 2023 – New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC November 19, 2023 – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC November 21, 2023 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA December 9, 2023 – Antone’s Nightclub – Austin, TX
‘Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold’ is the new murder mystery novel by T.K. Ambers. Photo: Amazon
T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of “Runway Dreams: A Pricey Affair.” Her novel has been recognized in four different award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category. Her eighth-grade English teacher loved her work and pushed her to publish. Though writing has always been her passion, it took nearly eighteen years before she decided to follow her teacher’s guidance. T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking and aside from her novels, she runs a website on travel and life. She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin with her husband and two cats: Bellatrix and Kit. In her new novel “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold,” everywhere Bell Price goes, death is stalking and toying with her. (Amazon, 2023)
“Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” – The story begins with a Prologue that takes place overseas as a young lady is taken away to a new life. This is book two in the Runway Dreams series, so the events take place a few days after. Bell Price wants nothing more than peace, quiet, and a drama-free life for her family. With Martin now in custody, she thinks the worst is behind her but life has a few surprises for her. The last thing she suspects when she goes to the local police precinct is that the prior week’s horrors are only the start of what is headed her way. Gunshots ring out in the early hours of the morning and a scream pierces the air. It is now clear that an unknown assailant is stalking her with revenge in mind. Family, friends, and even innocent bystanders get caught in the middle as she is in danger no matter where she goes. She grows increasingly suspicious of everyone around her and finds it hard to trust anyone. Will Bell and her siblings be able to catch the stalker before one of them becomes the next victim? With their parents now gone, they must work together in spite of the increasing danger to finally have the much needed peace they all deserve.
The drama continues in the next installment of the Runway Dreams saga as the family of models is still in danger. Even though Martin is already in jail, someone out there is bound and determined to get revenge in his name. Danger and violence seems to follow the siblings wherever they go and just goes to prove that being rich and privileged does not protect anyone from the dangers of the real world, even with bodyguards and safe houses. The author brilliantly combines the action and suspense of a murder mystery with the glamour of the fashion industry, including fashion shows, parties, and traveling. Her writing style is beautifully descriptive: “A blood-curdling scream ripped through the early morning stillness” and brings the action to life. Thanks in part to it being highly dialogue driven, the story flows easily through the pages and makes this an easy read. Even though the characters can be considered privileged, they are still relatable due to the extensive character development, showing that everyone has drama in their lives and toxic relationships affect everyone, regardless of socioeconomic levels. As far as the murder mystery part is concerned, everyone is a suspect and there are plenty of plot twists to keep readers guessing. The young lady in the Prologue becomes relevant towards the end and perfectly wraps up it all up. Overall, “Runway Dreams: A Fox in the Fold” is a must read mystery novel and is recommended for readers who appreciate mystery, comedy, and psychological suspense fiction.
“The storm may have been outside, but it was raining inside the limo as a waterfall of silent emotion washed away their pain.”
*The author was contacted for an honest review of this book. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.
SA Examiner 