Just think! January is almost over!

And won't that be nice? In other news, looking more and more like Pages magazine will be no more - AMS, who own it have gone bust. It's not certain, but let's put it this way: I  have not been paid for work I submitted in December. I've stopped holding my breath and begun wondering how I'll pay my property taxes now. Anybody need/want a seasoned crime fiction critic???
Holidays are about the only time I get out to see a film in a theatre. And boy, I've been lucky to see a couple of doozies. (Who says "doozies" anymore? Is it archaic?)
Anyone who stumbles on this bleak outpost of neo-narcissism is strongly urged to see, immediately, Pan's Labyrinth which is one of the most stunning films I have ever seen. It's also pretty darn violent. And then there is Children of Men from the PD James book, one of her few I have not read - I will now - although I understand some significant changes in the story line have occurred, it's a fantastic and bleak look at the future, gloriously filmed and executed. And just think, both these brilliant films were made by directors from Mexico. Another piece of evidence demonstrating just how lame, to put it mildly, Hollywood really has become. Can you say Jennifer Garner? At least Pan is up for best foreign film at the Oscars.