'L.A. NOIRE': AS RETRO AS RETRO GETS

I don't dick around with video games... Thank the Lord because I'd REALLY never get anything done. That said, if I did play them, "L.A. Noire" would be the one that would get my time because it has a great retro vibe. It just screams "L.A. Confidential.""L.A. Noire" tells the story of World War II hero and aspiring young detective, Cole Phelps as he solves cases and climbs the ranks of the L.A.PD. The game centers on Cole's experiences working the...

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THE LAST MOMENTS OF PAPA H. 2.0 (#flashfiction)

Press play for some mood music We conclude 'Vault Month' here in The Basement with a older piece of flash that hopefully most of you will like and that many probably never read. So very little is known about the sad and solemn moments before Ernest Hemingway took his life during the Summer of 1961 and this is how I pictured them. Also, enjoy the wonderful flamenco sounds of F. Tarega. The tune can be downloaded here.* * *July 2, 1961 at the Finca...

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PREMAKES: WHAT IF 'RAIDERS' STARRED CHUCK HESTON?

This is so freakin' creative, it's ridiculous. I love YouTube because there's always someone mish-mashing something so inventive that it floors you. Just what am I talking about? As great as Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is, just imagine if it had starred Charlton Heston, Peter Lorre, Anthony Quinn and Gregory Peck? Thanks to the work of the folks behind 'Premakes,' they've mashed up what the film would've certainly looked like and it's downright...

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JUST WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOIN' ON HERE?

I've long wanted to flash fictionalize this whacked out pic but for the life of me kept drawing a blank. In fact, the more I stared at it, the more it reminded me of something out of Disney's Carousel of Progress -- that is if there was a mod martini-version of the attraction.In keeping with last Friday's flash fiction theme of Uncle Walt, here's the skinny on the slightly creepy ride...Created by both Walt Disney as the prime feature of the General...

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FROZEN IN THE KINGDOM 2.0 (#fridayflash)

Please press play for some mood music 'Bukowski's Basement Vault Month' continues with this Disney-esque fantasy that no one read back when it was first posted. I think Uncle Walt would approve... As always, I certainly hope you enjoy.# # # She snuck away. She always snuck away. So much so, that her parents stopped worrying. The Magic Kingdom was obviously filled way with too much sword and sorcery for Little Sally not to wander off at closing time.Hopped...

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SINATRA AND BASIE... THE GLORY OF IT

Just when I think I've seen almost every candid Sinatra out there, along comes a new one. And what a doozy. Dig 'Ol Blue Eyes and Count Basie in their dressing room -- I'm guessing before one of their legendary dates at the Sands perhaps? Hmmm, perhaps moments before the video below? The hair, era, tux and dark pocket square all seem to match.Tw...

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MAD MEN MOMENT No. 10

Nothing like two creepy pervs on a park bench looking for some hot upskirt action...Tw...

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CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE (#fridayflash)

Press play for some mood music Like last week, I am going to my creative well once again (for various reasons) and dusting off (and perhaps tinkering with) this older piece. Most #fridayflashers will read this as new as very few people originally read this. I hope you enjoy... # # # He was late.Sharon looked out the window hoping to see the lopsided headlights of that godforsaken Trans Am, but all that drove by were the humdrum sedans usually reserved...

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THE ODDEST THING YOU'LL HEAR ALL YEAR (I PROMISE)

OK... This is just effin' weird -- I swear -- but oddly contagious at the same time. Enjoy this novelty tune called "Delicious (The Laughing Song)" by Jim Backus and Friends. Actually, the one friend is Hermione Gingold and this 45 was apparently part of what was the "contagious laughter" sub-genre circa 1959. Mind you, this was a Top 40 hit when it was released. Gotta admit, though, I looove the "Mad Men" vibe of the background music. Bacus also...

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AN EDITORIAL: SANITIZING THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVEL

The more and more I thought about my recent WTF Alert the more angry I became.To read my newspaper editorial about why we should be concerned about publishers changing historical classics like Huck Finn, click HERE. Tweet...

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AWARD TIME... CLINK YOUR GLASSES

I'm always excited and honored to get a new blog award from one of my fellow bloggers. Recently, Bukowski's Basement was bestowed with the Creative Genius Blogging Award (from Deanna Schrayer who writes fiction and creative nonfiction) and that simply floors me because it took me by utter surprise. I'm truly honored and thankful.Bukowski's Basement is about a vibe based on my various inspirations. It's a place for creative flash fiction, poetry,...

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HIS LEATHER WARNING (#fridayflash)

Press play for some mood music Going back to the well and dusting off something short and sweet for this week's Flash Fiction. I'm using the art of old friend of mine named Steve Cummings. While his work was haunting years ago, it's matured and deepened through the years. Like some of Edward Hopper's work, his art centers on the outsiders, outcasts and misfits of American life. The selection I chose for this piece is is entitled "Scenes from the...

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TWAIN CLASSICS TO BE CHANGED. WTF ALERT

Not sure how I feel about this one... The curse of political correctness has struck again.Brand spankin' new editions of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Tom Sawyer" plan to replace the N-word with "slave" in a blatant effort to not offend readers.But what about offending writers? However damaging or insesitive, you can't just CHANGE a writer's work.Twain scholar Alan Gribben is working with NewSouth Books in Alabama to publish...

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WGA ANNOUNCES NOMINEES

They're in...The Writers Guild of America has nominated the films "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right" and "Please Give" as nominees for its Best Original Screenplay prize."127 Hours," "I Love You Phillip Morris," "The Social Network," "The Town" and "True Grit" are the nominees for the much-tighter Best Adapted Screenplay award.But where are nods for "The King's Speech," "Biutiful," "The Ghost Writer," "Winter's Bone,"...

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DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS PIC?

So much to love here ... For starters, there's drool-worthy Marilyn... The Arthur Miller she's reading... The fact it looks like she's in either a library or bookstore... Just a great pic all around.Tw...

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

Charles Boyer and Hedy Lamarr ring in the New Year circa 1939Here's wishing everyone in The Basement a safe, healthy and prosperous new year. Tw...

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