Oscar Best Picture Nominees 2024!

Woot! Once again, Paul and I watched all of the Oscar Best Picture nominees. We started this hobby in the mid-1990s and have stuck with it ever since. I therefore inflict my completely amateur/random/welcome to my world ranking of the films upon you. They are from worst to first. Enjoy!

This is unusual: only one film made my list of should not have been nominated/I almost died watching it:

10. “Poor Things”: Poor me for watching this movie. I was bored out of my mind. Emma Stone really was brilliant in it, which is all the more telling about how much I disliked it because I love Emma and wanted to love her movie. This is not my kind of humor. I see the message they wanted to communicate, but the execution left me falling asleep.

Two films I found to be mediocre. I enjoyed them but wasn’t convinced they needed to be nominated.

9. “Past Lives”: The concept of migration and the pull of two souls into each other’s orbit was enchanting. I liked the characters and the angst in the movie. There was powerful emotion jumping off the screen. But overall I found it to be a fine movie, but not an extra special one.

8. “The Holdovers”: Hollywood loves these stories of personal redemption and growth. This one hits the emotional mark and was very good. Paul Giamatti, Da-Vine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa were extremely good in their roles. I thought Sessa, in particular, knocked it out of the park and should have been nominated for Best Actor. Yet not much here felt ground breaking and new to me.

The rest of the movies I thought merited a nomination:

7. “Barbie”: This one had me laughing a lot. I’d nominate it just for how the “dolls” step off the second floor into nothing because of how Barbie houses are made. Very funny. The story was sharp and super original, which I appreciated. I’m not as in love with it as some, but the movie warranted a nomination. Margot Robbie got screwed by being overlooked for Best Actress.

6. “American Fiction”: here’s an author bias for you: movies are seldom as good as the novel. That is definitely true here. Still, I was compelled by the drama, the subtle comedy, and the story of race, family, and surviving in America. The spin of his disdain for what sells as African American life and then benefiting from his mocking of it came to life on the screen. But even more important was the story of love and family.

5. “Maestro”: As a gay man, I thought this at times soft pedaled around his sexuality. But the biography is well told and the pace was really good. Cooper did a nice job of bring Bernstein and all of his complexities, especially with his wife, and contradictions to a wide audience. The cast overall was amazing.

4. “The Zone of Interest”: If you dig into the meaning here, it is disturbing and horrific, which is exactly the point of the movie. A Holocaust movie that shows the disdain of everyday people and how easily they accepted genocide is brilliantly rendered. A haunting tale of human cruelty and disregard, done in a unique way.

3. “Killers of the Flower Moon”: First, a negative. This movie did not need to be so freaking long. However, it tells a profound story about American racism and so much of the past in this country that we’ve swept away. The humans involved come to life here. The evil is palpable. The heroes, even in defeat, shine through.

2. “Oppenheimer”: I loved how Nolan made a story in which you know the ending feel like an action thriller. The mood was intense from the beginning. He also humanizes the players who made the most horrific weapon to that point, and their motivations and understandings of what was about to happen.

1. “Anatomy of a Fall”: I doubt a lot of people will rank this one first. But I loved it. My favorite actor was Messi, who played the dog Snoop. Stole the show, as dogs always do. What wowed me here was the ability to intentionally confuse us about what really happened, but in a very good way. The twists and turns and courtroom drama thrilled me throughout. The acting was superb. The movie forces you to grasp how we make assumptions and the way reality becomes clouded. And when you are left hanging at the end, on purpose, it was brilliant.

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Poor Little Blog and Writing Update

Sorry, everyone! I have neglected my blog of late. Poor little blog. I wish I had a fabulous excuse, but, alas, I don’t. I’ve just been busy and putting my energy elsewhere.

To atone, here is an exclusive to my blog: this is what I am writing these days!

1 – I am busy at work with NineStar Press on edits to Witch In the Wind – my next novel will be heading your way this summer! Pirates, witches, and magic will swirl into your life. I can’t wait to share more and more with you!

2 – I am super focused on writing a young adult space fantasy, about an invasion of earth. I am about 80% done with the first draft. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I was this obsessed with a project.

3 – I continue to toil away at an older project, which is a rewriting of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale. I first wrote it as a middle grade story, which, ahem, is not my cup of tea. Ergo, I am transforming it into YA.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

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Seasons Greetings

I hope all of you have a Happy Holiday season!

I don’t care what you celebrate this time of year: the solstice, nothing, or a religious observation. Whatever your feelings and experience, I am sending light and love to you.

Enough division and anger consume the world without each of us adding to the misery by demanding everyone think the same way. My hope is for each of us to explore a better path of inclusivity and acceptance.

If you are feeling celebratory, I am celebrating with you! If you feel sad, please feel the hug I am sending your way.

Humans in various ways have always observed these, the darkest days of the year. They seek renewal and a way forward. We accomplish this feat better together.

Seasons Greetings to my community. I love you. Damian

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M.D. Neu’s Mu; Legend of a Lost City

Hey, Everyone!

I am super excited that M.D. Neu dropped by my blog today! Neu is a fellow NineStar Press author and creator of original and engaging content. Like me, he dabbles in the world of speculative fiction. I so enjoy reading his work, and his latest, Mu; Legend of a Lost City, is no exception!

Blurb:

For years, the whispers and legends of a lost city hiding in the Pacific Ocean were just that; legend. On the day Kaimi discovers his parents, the Queen and King of Mu, murdered, Mu’s most powerful weapon fired, sending a pulse rushing towards the North American west coast.

After the 2025 Great Pacific Pulse Event, or Pulse, vomited up much of humankind’s trash in the Pacific Ocean along the North American west coast. The mysterious occurrence causing the largest environmental disaster in human history, people are no longer certain there is nothing concealed in the depths of the ocean. Scientist Karen Linn and billionaire investor Michael Donovan want to find out what actually happened that day five years ago. Will Michael’s life in the adult entertainment industry and Karen’s moniker in pseudoscience keep them as social pariahs, or are they on the cusp of finding a civilization that has been kept out of our grasp, deep in the world’s largest ocean? How does the event from five years ago tie into the murder of the Queen and King of Mu? What lies under the sea may be bigger than anyone can imagine, and neither civilization may be ready for the truth.

My Reaction:

Neu has a knack for creating unique worlds; I love his ability to offer something original. And yet – you fall into his realm with ease and grow comfortable with his characters, even as they experience danger and adventure along the way.

In the case of Mu; Legend of a Lost City, the unique world comes in the form of merpeople and an enchanting underwater city. The danger and adventure match current fears in the world, such as hatred and climate change. And the comfort – Neu is always up for a romance that I’m a sucker for.

The holidays are coming soon – grab a copy to enjoy after Thanksgiving dinner sits in your stomach or as you prepare to decorate or buy presents. This tale offers the perfect escape for some “me time” and can be a fun gift to give!

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Book Reviews!

I can’t tell you how difficult and painful it is as an author to get book reviews these days. The volume of books being published must overwhelm reviewers and review websites. I preface the following with that preamble because, when reviews of my novels do appear, I get super excited! I wanted to share them with you. Thanks for checking them out!

Queer Sci Fi reviews The Vampire’s Witch!

Queer Sci Fi reviews The Vampire’s War!

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Upcoming Appearances!

Alas, the approach of Halloween means speculative fiction/horror writers begin to come out from under the rock and hidden places in which they write to scare people in person! Here is a list of my upcoming appearances! I hope to see you there!

Sept. 26th at 7:00 p.m., Cadence Kitchen in Downers Grove, IL
Sept. 30th in the morning, Knox Book Festival in Starke County Indiana
Oct. 13th at 7:00 p.m., Bucket O’Blood Books in Chicago
Oct. 14th, time TBD, Skokie, IL Barnes and Noble
Oct. 20th 5:00-8:00 p.m., Glen Ellyn Public Library Haunted Library Event
Oct. 28th at 5:00 p.m., Algonquin, IL Barnes and Noble

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Forthcoming Novel Announcement!

First, if you receive my newsletter, you already know about this announcement! What are you waiting for?! Click the link on my website to sign up!

I am super excited to announce that I signed a new contract with NineStar Press! Witch On the Wind will be released next year. The official date is to be determined, but I will keep you posted along the way.

I can’t wait to share another story with you! We’ll begin editing before too long.

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THE VAMPIRE’S WAR Release Celebrations!

Hey, Everyone!

I am super excited to announce two Release Party Celebrations for THE VAMPIRE’S WAR, my latest release! I’ll do a reading, sell and sign books, and we’ll all hang together to have a good time!

September 26th at 7:00p.m.; Cadence Kitchen in Downers Grove, IL: 5101 Mochel Dr. Come join me for a drink! Or two. Or three.

Oct. 13th at Bucket O’Blood Books and Records, 3182 N Elston, time TBD. I’ll be there with fellow horror writers Christopher Hawkins and Lauren Bolger!

It’s been too long since I hosted an event; Covid prevented such gatherings. I can’t wait to be back together. We’ll hang, talk about vampires, and have a good time!

War brews among vampires. Facing extinction at the hands of an ancient one, the Vampire Council plods along with a secret strategy. Jaret Bachmann, both vampire and witch, fears the Council elders move too slowly. He has the power to assist them in defeating their enemy, but the longer they keep him at arm’s length the more defiant he becomes. He’s already pushing the boundaries to assert his will when tragedy strikes, devastating him and compelling him to become even more rebellious. A young vampire alone in the world, Jaret struggles to find his true self and discover how he wants to spend the remainder of his eternal life, even as the vampire war intensifies and the rogue vampire strikes again. To compound his problems, he’s faced with the allure of a hot renegade vampire, not sure if he is friend or foe. Who will win the war, and where will Jaret’s soul-searching lead him? Find out in The Vampire’s War.

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Fan Expo Chicago Appearances – Aug. 11-13!

Hey, Gay Vampire Fans!

I am super excited to be attending Fan Expo Chicago! I will be with the Chicago Chapter of the Horror Writers Association, so come see me!

Most of the time, I’ll be hanging at the HWA table; my books will be available for sale and a signing, and I’d love for you to stop by for a chat! I will be there on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

On Sunday, I’ll be on a panel with fellow horror writers: “Crafting Evil: A Method to the Madness”; we’ll be chatting about how horror authors create a monster, villain, or something to scare the crap out of a reader!

Fan Expo – Damian Serbu

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Summer Fun!

I love summer! The weather is fabulous and there is a lot of fun stuff going on.

This last weekend, Paul, Chewbacca, Mika and I journeyed up to Michigan from Downers Grove for my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday party. The entire Wilson family was there. We had a wonderful and super special time celebrating an amazing woman. The love in the air was powerful!!!

Paul and I have already gone to Oregon for our annual vacation, taken in a couple of shows here in Chicagoland, and, of course, are raising the new puppy.

Coming up we will venture to Colorado to harass my family, go see friends in New York, attend a graduation party for our niece and later a wedding gathering for a cousin! Oh, and we have visitors coming here, as well as the Water Lantern Festival in Chicago.

There’s more, but I think you get the picture . . . we’re pretty busy! Whew!

I’m sharing this in part to tell you I promise to plug away at writing between all the excitement. I also hope you have some summer fun planned. As fast as this will go by, I also want to make sure I embrace each moment. Even when super active and moving from one thing to the next, it’s important to be fully there for each step of the way. Life is short. Time flies by.

My wish for you is to make of the summer what is best for your life’s moment. Stop to contemplate and know yourself with each step, whether you’ve got a jam packed schedule like us, or a much more calm time ahead of you. I love all of you!

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