All posts by Eric Robert Nolan

Eric Robert Nolan graduated from Mary Washington College in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He spent several years a news reporter and editorial writer for the Culpeper Star Exponent in Culpeper, Virginia. His work has also appeared on the front pages of numerous newspapers in Virginia, including The Free Lance – Star and The Daily Progress. Eric entered the field of philanthropy in 1996, as a grant writer for nonprofit healthcare organizations. Eric’s poetry has been featured by Dead Beats Literary Blog, Dagda Publishing, The International War Veterans’ Poetry Archive, and elsewhere. His poetry will also be published by Illumen Magazine in its Spring 2014 issue.

My best friend keeps telling me I need to eat better.

Her primary argument today, presented without irony, was that “even Batman needs to eat right.”

I am 42 years old, ladies and gentlemen.

My quick review of “From Within” (2008)

I am blogging some of my past years’ movie reviews on Facebook.

*****

It’s Born Again Christians versus Wiccans in a Small Town Smackdown!!!  If you’re a member of either of those groups, you just might be offended by “From Within” (2008).  Neither group is portrayed favorably – you could easily retitle this horror movie as “When Stereotypes Attack.”

Still, this was a decent fright-flick.  People are attacked by their own demonic dopplegangers which, incidentally, can strike in broad daylight.  It was scary and diverting, and there were two nice surprises at the end.  I’d give it an 8 out of 10.

Watch the end-credits too, to get a real sense of just how things turned out for everyone.  Creepy!

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Microfiction Monday Magazine features my latest flash fiction.

Microfiction Monday Magazine today featured my 100-word horror story, “I bring her diamonds.  My hands are full of them.”

I just wanted to thank Editor Gayle Towell, who herself is a wonderful writer.  Ms. Towell was a pleasure to work with, and really helped me to improve the initial draft I submitted, particularly with concern to point-of-view and narrative voice.

Enjoy!

Microfiction Monday – Twenty-second Edition

My review of “Friday the 13th: Part 2” (1981)

It’s my considered opinion that a lot of classic horror movies simply do not stand the test of time.  “Friday the 13th: Part 2” (1981) wasn’t great, but it was okay.  I’d give it a 6 out of 10.

A psychopath kills teens one by one in a remote setting.  Don’t most modern videogames have more of a story than that?  Sure, there’s an effective urban legend-style motive – he witnessed his mother’s beheading in the original film, and has since lived ferally in the woods.  But does that make sense?  If Jason was alive, why did his mother seek revenge for his drowning?  Was she unaware he was there?

Still, this movie deserves some credit.  It makes an honest effort to build distinct characters and tension.   It doesn’t exactly work.  These people don’t act like any teenagers I’ve ever known, even if I was a nerd in high school.

There are a few nice “jump moments,” especially when one character sits up in bed.  But the director used way too many close-ups and slow-mo.

I’m left with a couple of questions.  In the later movies, Jason is basically an undead Superman.  He can’t even be hurt.  He’s a zombie kryptonian.  Here, he appears quite human.  Did they make changes to the character in the later films?

Also, the goofy redheaded guy stays out drinking all night and never returns to the camp, sparing him from the carnage.  Why?  What purpose did this character serve in the story?  Did the screenwriter just forget about him? Or is this a moral?  If you party all night, will you live longer?

All in all, this was strictly an average film.

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Microfiction Monday Magazine to feature more of my flash fiction tomorrow!

I got some very nice news myself today from Editor Gayle Towell at Microfiction Monday Magazine — they will be publishing another piece of my flash fiction in tomorrow’s edition.  Its title is “I bring her diamonds.  My hands are full of them.”

MMM’s challenge to writers this October was to tell a horror story in 100 words or less.  This is the second entry of mine to be selected; MMM featured “Girl’s Best Friend” last week.

When my second piece appears tomorrow, I’ll be sure to post a link!

Dagda Publishing releases amazing cover for its upcoming “Fretensis,” by Dennis Villelmi.

Today was the cover reveal for poet Dennis Villelmi’s first book — and it is both frightening and gorgeous.  It was created by Matt Davis, the same talented artist who created the cover for J. S. Collyer’s recent “Zero.”

“Fretensis, In the Image of a Blind God, vol. 1” is a book of horror poetry that promises to be unique.  I have been following Dennis’ published poetry for years, and I envy his combination of abilities. He writes the darkest verses out there, combining gut-wrenching imagery with a impressive and esoteric knowledge of classical, biblical and ancient themes.  His writing is actually a little difficult to describe.  I was having coffee with another writer just a month ago, and had advised her to read the pieces he’s already published at Dagda’s website — but you really do have to read Dennis’ work to see exactly what he does.

The release date is Halloween.

See Dagda Publishing’s Facebook page for its announcement about the cover reveal and the Oct. 31st release.

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“Ebola outbreak: Get up to speed with the latest developments” (CNN)

CNN.com:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/25/health/ebola-up-to-speed/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

A quick review of “Family Guy: It’s A Trap!”

I’m blogging some of my earlier reviews from Facebook:

*****

“Family Guy: It’s a Trap” (2010) is funny as hell and lampoons “Return of the Jedi” (1983) perfectly; I’d give it a 9 out of 10.  This is right up there with a decent episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 in terms of how much it made me laugh.  As with the other “Family Guy” satires of “Star Wars,” I was also impressed with how it used conventional animation and CGI to seemingly reproduce scenes shot for shot.

The only thing the detracted from this was the consistent potty humor (not really my thing) and one apparent joke that is too tasteless even to describe.

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Connections

My pleasure, William! Your friendship and encouragement have been invaluable to me — not to mention your very identifiable insights into the creative process. (Hence how much I enjoyed your interview.) And thanks for the kind words!

“Girl’s Best Friend” appears at Microfiction Monday Magazine!

My flash fiction horror story, “Girl’s Best Friend,” appeared today at Microfiction Monday Magazine!

The challenge was to write a horror story in 100 words or less.  I had great fun with this, and I am grateful to Editor Gayle Towell for allowing my work to appear in this really cool online magazine!

Check it out here:

Microfiction Monday – Twenty-first Edition