Origami Unicorn

"A New Year"

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:32:48 PST

An animated version of a newspaper strip. It's not worse for being animated, but neither is it better. At any rate, once upon a New Year's Eve ...

And if you love it, For Better or For Worse has its own YouTube Channel.

A Christmas Carol With Alastair Sim

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:35:27 PST

Probably the version that adheres most closely to the original book. Sim had an advantage over most actors in that he did both serious and comic roles.

And the rest of the story.

A Christmas Carol With Patrick Stewart

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:34:48 PST

Like many modern versions, this one reworks the tale to tell it anew.

And the rest of the story.

LeGuin Resigns From Authors Guild

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Ursula LeGuin, dissatisfied with the Google Book Settlement, has resigned from the Authors Guild. Publishers Weekly reports. It is, given the terms of the agreement, rather surprising that there have not been more of these resignations.

A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:01:34 PST

A beautifully mounted production, slightly marred, like so many others, by the difficulty of the transformation scene when the three ghosts have won their case.

And the rest of the film.

Google May Face Further Fines In France

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Because it is appealing the decision in France, Google Corporate is also running the considerable risk that its digitization of other books may increase the fines levied against it. The Bookseller reports.

The Snow Queen

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

And the rest of the story.

The Polar Express

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

And the rest of the story.

Spunky the Snowman

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

A Russian Christmas story, although I wonder if the original did not speak of Father Frost.

French Court Rules Against Google

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

A Paris court has ruled against Google: Publishers Weekly reports. Resistance outside of the English-speaking world continues at the same time the American court proceedings proceed. Rust Consulting has e-mailed and mailed to people who have registered, giving updated information about deadlines and how to opt out, opt in, or change a choice. The Huffington Post commented back in November on the GBS addressing the concerned of assorted nations but not those of authors and publishers.

Google Faces First Chinese Lawsuit For Book Scanning

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Google will be in court in China in the first case brought against them in China for book scanning. The Financial Times reports. Although the damages asked are less than ten thousand dollars, and Google has removed at least some of the offending scans, this case will be important in establishing how Google efforts to build a worldwide digital library will be seen in China.

Ataque de Pánico!

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

This supposedly cost about three hundred dollars and its creator has been offered a contract for thirty million. [update] The BBC explains.

Authors Guild on Random House Letter

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Not surprisingly, the lead on the Authors Guild page is headed "Random House's Retroactive Rights Grab." There's money in them there e-rights and the war has just begun.

Random House Stakes a Claim

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Random House has sent out a letter staking a claim to e-books rights based on its older contracts which do not contain specific language on the subject. Since e-books are a potentially powerful revenue stream, this will be challenged and all parties will fight hard.

The Nutcracker

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

And the rest of the story.

"Here Comes Mr. Scrooge"

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

The Muppets, from "A Muppet Christmas Carol."

The Nook — Not Quite Ready For Prime Time

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

So you didn't manage to order a Nook in time for Christmas? You are spared early-adopter hell. David Pogue, for the New York Times, explains. Also, if you prefer to get your information as entertainment, go to the NYT video section and watch "I am Nook." Footnotes alone is work the click through.

"Mickey's Christmas Carol"

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:05:18 PST

Charles Dickens must wonder at all the variations on the simple Christmas tale that he wrote to fill a gap in his finances. Here's a Disney version.

And the rest of the film.

Christopher Anvil, 1925-2009

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

Harry C. Crosby, best known by his pen name of Christopher Anvil, died at home. Seven of the eight volumes of his collected works have been published by Baen. Anvil specialized in the types of fiction preferred by editor John Campbell, in which humans triumphed by means of intellect and will-power.

Publishers Move to Delay E-Books

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

In a move to stop e-books from cannibalizing hardcover sales, major publishers are beginning to delay e-book releases, much as paperback releases are delayed. The Wall Street Journal reports.

While this offers a short-term solution, it is likely to encourage pirating and consumer dissatisfaction. Consumers are rapidly becoming used to a model different from that used in the past. Periodicals and books need new strategies to benefit from digital media.

Hands on B&N's nook

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

What's it like to go to your nearest Barnes and Noble and try out their new e-reader? Brighthand.com has one story. Consumer Reports offers another appraisal.

Sigourney Weaver Interviewed

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

A snippet from a longer interview by the Guardian, covering Alien, Avatar, and Weaver's hopes for her career, among other topics.

Captain Blood

cmintz@catherine-mintz.com (Catherine Mintz) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:45:00 PST

And the rest of the film.