Weekend Update . . . Or, Lincoln's Revenge!

It's Friday again, and once more I'll recap the week and let you in on what's happening this weekend. 

First, Lincoln is being released today.  Based on the Pulitzer prize-winning Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Lincoln is the story of the eponymous president struggling with the carnage of the Civil War while pushing for emancipation.  Originally slated to star Liam Neeson, who dropped out because he felt he was too old for the role, the movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis as President Lincoln, and Sally Fields as Mary Todd Lincoln.  It looks interesting from a historical bent and I was pleased that Daniel Day-Lewis was able to capture the tone and timbre of the thirteenth president.  I'll be seeing this and it seems like a pretty good bet.

Other than that, there's Wreck It Ralph, from Disney, which has been getting a lot of word-of-mouth publicity.  Everything I've heard so far is good--good voice acting, good story, good CGI.  The only complaint so far is that its many pop culture references are directed toward an audience older than the usual cartoon demographic.  Bring your kids, or go see it on your own, seems to be the general consensus.  Either way you'll probably like it.

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, go see Skyfall.  I've already reviewed it here, but suffice to say, it was very good and definitely worth your time.

I just finished Between Two Fires, by Christopher Buehlman and I'll have the review up probably around Tuesday.  Quick snapshot: It's good.  Not as accessible as Those Across the River, and with a heavy dose of Barbara Tuchman's A Distant Mirror, but otherwise a fun read.  That means that I've started The Twelve by Justin Cronin. 

Also, I've just started reading a new collection of Lovecraft inspired short stories/novellas.  Space Eldritch is a collection of science fiction stories with a Lovecraftian bent; I heard about it from Howard Tayler (Hugo award-nominated for his web comic Schlock Mercenary, and co-hosting of the writing advice podcast, Writing Excuses) whose long short story "Flight of the Runewright" holds pride-of-place as the capstone story. 

In publishing/book news, Sir Terry Pratchett has decided to turn over control of his Discworld franchise to his daughter, author and game writer, Rhianna Pratchett.  Diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2007, Terry Pratchett has nevertheless remained active, and Rhianna is already working on the Discworld television show The Watch.  Head on over to tor.com for the rest of the details.

TV news: Elizabeth Henstridge and Ian De Caesstecker have joined the cast of Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D TV show.  You can get the full story at The Hollywood Reporter.

Hey, check this out.  James Franco as the Wizard of Oz?  You better believe it.  Directed by Sam Raimi and set to be released in 2013.

And here's the new Hobbit TV Spot:

That's my weekend, what about yours?  Let me know in the comments.