The Official Website of Steven Maus

This week marks a few things, some of them important, and some of them not. Let's just focus on the imporant things, shall we?

First off, on Friday the 24th Saw V will be in theaters. This series - though it has consistently challenged the viewers ability to take it 100% seriously (and not in a good way) - is one of my all-time favorites. Not only are the "holy shit, I did NOT see that coming!" moments at the end of each film really cool, but the main actors and actresses are all top notch. Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith are absoluetly stellar, Betsy Russell is a substantial knock-out, and when Scott Patterson gets pissed, you feel it. And who could forget Donnie Wahlberg? How about Cary Elwes and Dina Meyer? I love them all. The other big reason that I love these movies is that at the end of each one all the details that you thought were just fluff actually figure into the story. There isn't a line of dialogue or a flippant gesture that doesn't contribute to the relevance of the final scene. It is true; not all the plot twists make a world of sense, but that's a problem shared by countless movies. The Saw films hold themselves together just fine, and in the end they're a thoroughly enjoyable experience. And isn't that the most important part? I mean, sure, you can listen to classical music and appreciate the melodic and mathmetical precision of the score, but isn't it more fun to listen to Safety Dance?

The second significant thing that's happening this week is the beginning of Madeline City's journey to publication. Once I take care of a few more details, read a little more literature on the publisher, and feel that I've fretted enough, then I'll be sending in the manuscript, and then it'll be a waiting game. February or March, my friends; let's all hope for the former. This thursday I'll be reading from the first chapter of Madeline City at the open mic event at CGCC. I figure that I can put the chapter eight battle scenes of Branchwater to rest for a while (I've read them on four separate occasions) and give people a glimpse of something a little more exciting.