Video

Conception Of Inception

In case you haven't seen it yet, the Wigleaf Top 50 has been announced. This year's selecting editor was Brian Evenson. The top 50 is a must-read for flash fiction writers and readers alike. Years ago when I started submitting to online markets, Wigleaf's top 50 introduced me to a number of new markets and helped me understand just what kind of really great work was being put out there. Also check out the long shortlist. I'm honored that my story "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" was selected. Big thanks to Scott Garson and Ravi Mangla at Wigleaf, and Jensen Beach at Hobart.

And it looks like my friends over at Narrative Magazine have given up the pretense of charging obscene fees for regular submissions and are now just begging for money. Blake Butler tells them where to stick it over at HTMLGIANT.

Finally, for your Freaky Friday Fun, I present to you one of the best movie trailers I've seen in awhile. Because Hollywood has this thing where they like to show you as much of the movie as possible in the two minutes or so that the trailer runs -- if it's a comedy they show all the funny parts; if it's a thriller they show you all the high action parts -- it's refreshing to find a trailer that actually makes you want to see the movie. It also doesn't hurt that the film is written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who is without a doubt one of my favorite directors working today. I saw Memento when it first came out (and I mean when it first came out; this was in an indie art house a month or two before it made it to major theaters) and I liked Insomnia and The Prestige for what they were and I absolutely loved Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. I also have his second film Following around here somewhere which I hope to watch soon. But his latest, a film called Inception? I haven't been this excited to see a movie since the first Matrix sequel. Here's the trailer, which features yet another excellent score from Hans Zimmer:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z75o-F6ja2I

Pretty kewl, no? You ain't seen nothing yet. Because here's a mashup trailer done with Inception and Toy Story 3. Enjoy, and have a great weekend.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHJwgA54Gqk

Phillies & Prunes

Two videos for you this week, folks. The first is that kid who got tasered when he scrambled out onto the field at Citizens Bank Park. The video is raw and not only shows the kid going down but one of the Phillies holding his glove to his mouth so nobody can see him laughing. The second video I just happened to stumble upon and thought it fit nicely with the last two posts regarding advertisements. (Ray Bradbury and Sunsweet prunes; who would have thunk it?) Have a great weekend.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqtPUhYdz6M

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5NxG_rr5aU

Crappity Crap Crap

Before I present to you this week's Freaky Friday Fun, just a reminder that the Hint Fiction contest closes tonight at midnight, EST. Once the clock strikes twelve, I will close the comments section, so don't be cute and try to wait until the last very moment, because, who knows, my clock might be a minute faster than yours. On Saturday I will go through the entries and pick my top ten and send those to James Frey. The winners and finalists will be contacted by e-mail and will be announced here on this site in the next week or so. Also, over the weekend I plan to go through and delete all the stories, so you are then free to do with them as you please. Now, the clip I previously saw was censored, and I think the constant beeps added something to the comical aspect of such a serious event. I could probably find a censored version, but it's late and I'm tired so I'll leave you with the uncensored, uncut, unedited rather lengthy version. I would not be surprised at all if this is ends up being SNL's opening skit tomorrow night. Have a great weekend.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I45XIKHUayo