Nick Kyme

Okay, so I just bezzed over to ultramarinesthemovie.com and witnessed the first trailer for the soon to be released film.

It looks awesome. Go there. Go there now!

How do peeps of all shape, size and designation – what’s shakin’?

Figured I should provide a little weekend light relief. It’s been a warm and humid one in Notts, let me tell you. I dig the sun, but humidity I’m not a fan of. Especially when I’ve got deadlines of justice to chase and I’m sweating my ass off, hunched over my desk.

Still, I have an uber-oscillating fan so I should probably shut my cake-hole and get on with the post.

As well as the writing (which I’ll come to in a bit… promise), I’m back in training. The Robin Hood half-marathon (and marathon, as it happens) is looming and I’ve got my name of the list of nutters/athletes who are going to run the bast. To be truthful, I didn’t run this weekend – a couple of days off are just what my legs need to recover their muscle mass and all that jazz-ola. I have been doing some light weight work and crunches, though – all good for core strength, don’t you know. Ask my pal, Chris Wraight – he’s a runner and knows all about that stuff. Chris, if you’re this – how do, sir (I had the great pleasure of reading the first half of Chris’s next book – it’s 40K and it’s fookin’ awesome – ask about on his blog, no thunder-stealing here… no, siree).

Films! Yes, I do like to watch the odd movie. Been to the silver screen (aka ‘the flicks’) once this week (or should that be last week? Just when does the week begin anyway? I’ve heard Monday and Sunday both being touted as possibilites – anyway, who gives a crap). Toy Story 3 was the animated delight of choice and it was indeed animated and did in fact delight. Got a bit of a soft spot for animated flicks, Pixar especially, and this was great. Seen in 3D it was a lot of fun, but I don’t really think the extra dimension was necessary (please, oh, please, lofty film-making gods, stop slapping 3D onto your films if they don’t warrant it – you are devaluing an already gimmicky gimmick – ’nuff said). The story was great (about some toys, don’t you know) and actually had some pretty dark/moving moments in it. Top drawer – heed the reviews that’ve been banding around and go see.

On the small screen (aka the TV), I watched Whip It!. The good lady and I both enjoyed this coming of age sports comedy (and I say, huh? Huh?), starring Ellen Paige (who I always want to call Elaine Paige, because I am an arch-douch bag) and directed by Drew Barrymore (who’s also in it) and very ably co-starring the slightly mental but eminently watchable Juliet Lewis (who I had a bugger of a time remembering the name of, but got there just before the end credits were about to roll – almost an epic fail). The sport in question is roller-derby of all things, on account of which the film had a quintessential small-town America feel and the whiff of the independent movie about it (though, it did get cinematic distribution). I think ‘charming’ would be the word I’d use to describe. Very nice, a little light of plot, but lots of fun and Paige does a cracking job in it. Honestly, I found her a little insufferable in Juno but I guess that was her character – she’s much more endearing in this, and also has a great turn in Inception. Rent it if you fancy a light hour and a half-ish of nice, fuzzy entertainment with pretty girls in tight shorts and roller skates (did I forget to mention that part? My bad… ).

Speaking of Inception, I hold my hand up and accept that my shit-baggery has bubbled like a used diaper to the surface of this post. Yes, I did say I’d write a review of this film, and no, now that it’s been out for yonks, I’m not going to do that. Apologies, unlike Aladdin’s Lamp everything that you wish for (and I promise) on the blog doesn’t always come true. That’s not to say I hadn’t intended to, life and work and all that other mad stuff, just gets in the way sometimes. In lieu of that, I will say this: Kicks. Ass. Someone told me the other day that they didn’t like it and I nearly spat out my tea. Don’t listen to them (as if you would, discerning listeners…). Inception is probably one of the best, most intense sci-fi thriller/action/intrigue movies you’re ever likely to see. That and Moon are my top sf movie pics of this year (he says, sounding like some kind of bona fide critic – charlatan Kyme, charlatan!).

Hey! I watched the final episode of Spartacus: Blood and Sand this morning. Bloody hell (literally, ‘bloody’), it was a visceral feast! This show has grown on me. It started out as a sort of sexy 300 (and, boy, was there a lot of sex and titilation in this one – not for the under 18’s, yer hear!), riddled with foul language and I wondered if I was going to bother continuing watching after the first few, fairly, gratuitous episodes. But, as the show ground on and sub-plots were seeded in, paid off, layered up etc, etc, I found myself really liking it.

Yes, there was the odd bit of profanity that made me chuckle (some of John Hannah’s lines were classic and you can tell he was hamming it up to the max and loving every minute), but this was a series that had a denser narrative than it at first appeared. Characters were developed, some of the action and SFX (for a TV show) were simply stunning and if you like gore there was plenty of that too. I was sad to see it end, but it had one of the best finales ever. Good news is the show will be back next year (it airs on Bravo – home of the brave, apparently – which also boasts the excellent Sons of Anarchy), albeit with a slightly different moniker (well, the suffix, anyway), Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. If you’re an adult and like the gory, sexy stuff in loin cloths and sandals, go see.

Dexter is back, and I whoop in delight at its return. With Spartacus on the way out, TV was becoming a cold and lonely refuge once more and my V+ box was starting to feel distinctly unloved. The show about Miami’s favourite serial killer and forensic pathologist is a cracker. Personally, I think the producers have outdone themselves with each successive series, so I have high hopes for this one in which the titular character is balancing being a new dad with his predilection to slice up bad guys and microscope slide their blood for his air vent collective. Top drama indeed. Gawd bless Michael C Hall.

What news of Shakespeare then? No, no, no – I don’t mean the bard. That guy’s been dead for ages. Nope, I’m talking about the legend that is my live in house rabbit. Well, in a nutshell (or should that be carrot patch), he’s fine. The little bugger had been eating waaaaay to much, so over the last few months I’ve been cutting back his feed. As a result, he’s thinner and more sprightly but he’s also turned the extra energies towards destructive tendencies. See exhibit A through F.

Yep, that’s right – he chewed the bejesus out of my DVDs. Even the plastic ones! Oh, the horror, the horror! He actually went and snagged them from my DVD case – something he hasn’t taken the blindest bit of notice off for months and decide to have it. I mean, he even had a go at Scrooged. It’s Scrooged! Where’s the heart, I ask you.

These examples of Shakespearean carnage (maybe the rabbit was aiming to pen a tragedy with me as its central protagonist – ‘Is this a cooking pot I see before me?’ ‘To bite or not to bite – that is the question!’) pale in comparison to exhibit G…

The first rule of DVD Fight Club? Never let your house rabbit near Fight Club!

But, despite his rampage, it’s impossible to stay mad at the little fella (I managed twenty minutes before capitulating in the face of his cuteness – the mourning for the DVDs goes on, however…).

This is the little chap on his new cushion, which I purchased for him today. I think he likes it (chew that you little so and so…).

Thanks to all for the action flick/buddy movie suggestions. Loving Heat and Alien Nation, in particular (man, I had forgotten about that one). But I have another for the mix: anyone remember Dark Angel? No, not that dodgy sf show with Jessica Alba in it, but the cheesy 80’s (I think) flick with Dolph Lundgren. Top stuff!

Work-wise. I’m on with Fall of Damnos right now. I figure, once I’ve got a bit more to say on the subject, I’ll do a dedicated post. Suffice to say, righyt now I’m just over 12,000 words in and planning like a crazy thing to balance all the lore and make it into a compelling story. More to follow on that soon-ish (maybe… ).

Well, I reckon that’ll do for now. I’m just about to go and check this afternoon’s footy results (Fantasy Football is back on with a vengeance now the Prem has begun anew and I aim to raise my standing in the BL mini-league). Tonight, I’m cooking gnocci. Yum!

Check this out, peeps!

Yes, that’s right – there’s another Nick Kyme out there and he’s some kind of uber-squash player. Not only that, he also hails from Bermuda!

Here’s a link to one of (the other) Nick Kyme’s exploits on the squash court…

I’ve actually read a few articles about this chap and even received an email in the dim and distant past inviting me to Nepal (I’m assuming they meant the other Nick Kyme – I think me turning up with a borrowed squash raquet and some fairly dubious skills would’ve found me out fairly swiftly).

Occasionally, when I’m browsing through my Google Alerts, this fellow will crop up so I thought I’d share it with you. And, Nick, if you’re reading this – how do from your namesake.

Crazy world, eh?

…I’ve been putting the final touches to my first Horus Heresy short story, ‘Forgotten Sons’. It’s done now, first draft anyway, and resides with my editor for his perusal. It weighed in at an impressive 18,000+ words. For some reason, I’m whacking more words on the page at the mo, which is fine, because I’m on to Fall of Damnos next. At a mighty 100,000 words (and then some – maybe…), I’ll regard the long-shorts as training.

Tough experience writing the Heresy piece. I enjoyed it. It’s also a different type of story for me. Main issue is the feeling that I don’t quite have carte blanche to do what I want within the milieu. It’s daunting, being in a collection alongside some of BL’s heavyweights. These guys have got frightening creativity and intelligence, and know how and where to bend the envelope (or push it, or whatever).

Still, that’s said, it’s given me a taste for it and I’d like to delve into the series on a deeper level if I can just bypass all the flaming hoops I’m having to jump through. There’s a story scripted already, and it’s a biggy – I just hope I get to tell it.

Anywho, lots of printed product coming out with my name on it or thereabouts recently.

First up is Sabbat Worlds, Dan’s awesome anthology on the aforementioned eponymous theme. My story is called ‘Blueblood’ and is another bloater at over 20k. That’s around 40,000 words in short story mileage of late – almost half a novel. Sheesh! I’ll be joining some of the other luminaries (okay, so they’re a little bit more luminous than me) at Forbidden Planet in London on the 9th of September for a signing. Details are in a previous post, but if you like this sort of thing get your asses over there as it’s a rare opportunity to get all of these great authors in a room together.

Also through the printer’s pipe was Grimblades – now released and getting some decent reviews. Still need to do my BL blog on this one, but have been a little snowed under to get around to it just yet (you’ll probably have noticed my own website’s blog has been a little quiet lately too…). I’ve had a copy of Fear the Alien, and a big thanks to the fans who’ve got in touch via Facebook to tell me how much they enjoyed my story ‘Prometheus Requiem’.

Finally, and I’ve really saved the best until last. Firedrake has landed in all its flaming glory!

It’s not out until November or UK Games Day at the end of September if you’re lucky enough to get it on pre-release at that event. I’m also doing two signings in early October at Oxford and Uxbridge GW (apparently, Aylesbury won’t be open or ready in time, so I’ve had to nix that date – sorry ). There’ll also be signed copies heading over to GW King’s Lynne in limited numbers, so if you just want a daubing and no face time then that’s the place to be.

One quick addition to all of this Firedrake fun. For some unfathomable reason (I suspect the influence of Chaos or something…), a rather important acknowledgement was missed out of the first printing. It’ll be on subsequent printings, but the first few won’t have it. Anywho, as it name checks a lot of good people who really helped me during the completion of this novel, I wanted to put it here. You guys are awesome and my appreciation to your efforts and counsel is vast. From my heart, a sincere thanks…

‘A sincere nod of thanks to Aaron Dembski-Bowden, Dan Abnett, Steve Parker, George Mann and Caroline Law for going above and beyond. Also to Christian Dunn for letting me write this thing.’

A couple of nights ago, I watched a film called Paranormal Activity. If you’ve not heard of it before, it’s basically a Blair Witch style, hand-cam affair where a couple try to catch evidence of the girl’s ‘haunting’ by a demonic entity. Needless to say, it’s pretty hair raising stuff – particularly the ending, where I packed my kecks a little bit.

After this bit of garage-produced horror (very good it was too – they must’ve made an absolute packet on this, given the minuscule production costs), I felt in the need for something to calm my ever so slightly edgy nerves. Tacking through the TV channels I found a classic crime/action movie – Lethal Weapon.

You're never too old for this shit, Danny...

Nostalgia tripping is always fun and this was a real dose of rose-tinted, halcyon mayhem. It was great and it has set me off on something of an 80’s/90’s crime/action flick kick. I recorded Lethal Weapon 3 last night (which, for a third movie in a series is, frankly, ace) and have just finished watching that while I wake up with a cup o’ Joe.

Watching these movies I can’t help but think of the Wild West. It’s not like the terse, police procedural movies of today. Cops kill bad guys with impunity, cause collateral damage every which way, blow up stuff, beat up hostile witnesses and all with a small on their face and a quip ready to roll on their lips.

Seems there’s something of a revival of the classic actioner in the movie industry right now. I recently went to the flicks to see the A-Team, which, while very silly, was immense amounts of fun and highly enjoyable. Released imminently, of course, is the Expendables, a film that really extols all the fine virtues of this bygone action era. It’s easy to see, when reeling off the cast list, that some folks might think this an almighty, cosmic joke: Stallone, Statham, Li, Lundgren, Rourke, Schwarzenegger (just to name a few) – it’s like an 80’s/90’s action flick merry-go-round. I’ll be booking my seats for this one.

This unhealthy appreciation (recently revived) for the 80’s action genre (because, let’s face it, that’s where it was birthed irrespective of what decade some of these films were actually given theatrical release) is to continue. Presently, I’ve got Beverly Hills Cop (just the first two – the third installment in that awful theme park is beyond contempt, I’m afraid), Die Hard (all four movies – why the hell not, eh?) and Bad Boys on my list, not to mention the other two Lethal Weapon movies.

Banana up the tailpipe, anyone?

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, whatcha gonna do...

Anyone got any other recommendations for this, hopefully, short-lived obsession? No Seagal or Van Damme please (those guys stretch the cheese quotient too far for me). What I’m after is good quality, top movies of the day. Actually, I guess they’re more than just crime action flicks; they’re the archetypal ‘buddy movie’. Yup, that’s what I need: a buddy movie that’s also a crime/action film.

Go to it people!