by Steven-Elliot Altman (SG Member: Steven_Altman)

Our Fiction Friday serialized novel, The Killswitch Review, is a futuristic murder mystery with killer sociopolitical commentary (and some of the best sex scenes we’ve ever read!). Written by bestselling sci-fi author Steven-Elliot Altman (with Diane DeKelb-Rittenhouse), it offers a terrifying postmodern vision in the tradition of Blade Runner and Brave New World…

By the year 2156, stem cell therapy has triumphed over aging and disease, extending the human lifespan indefinitely. But only for those who have achieved Conscientious Citizen Status. To combat overpopulation, the U.S. has sealed its borders, instituted compulsory contraception and a strict one child per couple policy for those who are permitted to breed, and made technology-assisted suicide readily available. But in a world where the old can remain vital forever, America’s youth have little hope of prosperity.

Jason Haggerty is an investigator for Black Buttons Inc, the government agency responsible for dispensing personal handheld Kevorkian devices, which afford the only legal form of suicide. An armed “Killswitch” monitors and records a citizen’s final moments — up to the point where they press a button and peacefully die. Post-press review agents — “button collectors” — are dispatched to review and judge these final recordings to rule out foul play.

When three teens stage an illegal public suicide, Haggerty suspects their deaths may have been murders. Now his race is on to uncover proof and prevent a nationwide epidemic of copycat suicides. Trouble is, for the first time in history, an entire generation might just decide they’re better off dead.

(Catch up with the previous installments of Killswitch – see links below – then continue reading after the jump…)

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by Blogbot

Let’s talks about sex, sexuality, and sexism this Sunday (Oct 23rd). SG Radio hosts Nicole Powers (SG’s Managing Editor) and recovering reality TV star Lacey Conner (Rock of Love and Charm School) will be joined in-studio by the always charming actor, musician and poet Michael Des Barres, gender writer and commentator Yashar Ali, and SG’s Red, White and Femme columnist Darrah de jour.

Tune in to the world’s leading naked radio show for two hours of totally awesome tunes and extreme conversation – and don’t let yo momma listen in!

Listen to SG Radio live Sunday night from 10 PM til Midnight on Indie1031.com

Got questions? Then dial our studio hotline digits this Sunday between 10 PM and midnight PST: 323-900-6012

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

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By Fred Topel

Joshua Martson’s debut feature film, Maria Full of Grace, managed to be a suspenseful thriller as well as a gripping drama. It introduced the world to Catalina Sandina Moreno as Maria, a desperate Colombian girl who becomes a drug mule, as many do in real life. Her journey to the U.S. is frought with danger from the law, the criminal element and her own body. After Maria, Marston spent seven years directing television episodes. His prolific career included How to Make It In America, In Treatment and Law & Order. At this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, Marston returned to film with the premiere of his second feature.

The Forgiveness of Blood portrays an even more foreign world than South American drug smuggling. In Albania, two families start a blood feud after one father kills the other’s son. Per tradition, the offending family must stay at home permanently. If the other family sees them out, they vow to kill anyone for retribution. Only one daughter is given a pass to work and bring home supplies. The subject provoked an interesting discussion with Marston in a Toronto hotel room. Even a simple inquiry probably couldn’t help coming across as an accusation and Marston took an objective position, seeing both sides. Forgiveness of Blood opens next year.

Read our exclusive interview with Joshua Marston on SuicideGirls.com.

by Gallows

A column which highlights Suicide Girls and their fave groups.

This week, Gallows Suicide writes in about SG’s Pen Pals Group.

Members: 187 / Comments: 9,603

• WHY DO YOU LOVE IT?: It’s amazing getting mail that isn’t bills, but even better getting letters from all over the world. Then having the people you write to become really great friends. I’ve met so many amazing people and made such great friends because of pen pals. I’ve become addicted to stationary and wax seals. I have so many awesome postcards, pictures, cards and items from all over the globe. It’s simply amazing! And even if I don’t have the time to write back super fast, my pen pals wait patiently.


• DISCUSSION TIP: Just get in there, start writing letters to addresses, and wait for replies. Most people in the group will send you welcome letters and help get you started, there’s even a thread to help you out if you are nervous about writing new friends. My tip is to just jump in and enjoy it!
• BEST RANDOM QUOTE: 
”I wish there were stamps with tits on them. *sigh*”


• MOST HEATED DISCUSSION THREAD: We don’t have a heated discussion thread. All of our heated conversations happen on paper and through the mail. Another great thing about Pen Pals is everyone is SUPER friendly!!!
• WHO’S WELCOME TO JOIN?: You must be a member for at least 3 months, have a profile picture and some blog and comment posts! If you have all that then come and join!

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by A.J. Focht

Last weekend New York Comic Con was the focus of most of the geek world. This was a chance for DC Comics to address questions concerning the New 52, especially concerns surrounding Batman continuity. But the most anticipated panel of all was The Avengers panel. Several of the actors were in attendance, and the audience got to see exclusive footage including some which featured the Hulk.

Speaking of the Hulk, there are new updates with regards to the upcoming The Incredible Hulk TV series. Directors Guilermo del Toro and David Eick will be attempting to keep the television Hulk as close to the Hulk from The Avengers as possible. Just another example of Marvel solidifying their continuity, and trying to make us forget Edward Norton in the process.

Out of all the superhero news this last week, none was as exciting as the prospects of Batman joining #OccupyWallStreet. Shooting is about to move to New York City, and the cast members have been told scenes could include shots of the protests. I’m not sure what plan Christopher Nolan has for capturing the #OWS action in the film, but I’m excited by the possibilities.

One last note on the caped crusader, Batman: Arkham City was released days ago, and it’s receiving some of the highest reviews of the year. I therefore wouldn’t be surprised to see Game Of The Year come down to Arkham City and Gears of War 3.

Even the real life superheroes made news this last week. Phoenix Jones, leader of the Rain City Superhero Movement, was publicly unmasked after facing assault charges. It looks like our real life superhero is going through some classic comic story lines, but that won’t stop him from making his patrols.

Some terrible things are happening in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars 3D posters have been released. The poster lists Episode I 3D as premiering February 10, 2012. As an amusing twist, George Lucas showed up at the 2011 Scream Awards as Darth Vader was giving him a little roast.

On the Star Trek frontier, a new attempt to get Star Trek back on TV is in the works, but not by who you’d think. Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, is ready to leave the Griffin family fold and pick up his phaser. After seven years of Family Guy, MacFarlane wants to move on and thinks a Star Trek reboot could be his next step.

Thor 2 officially has signed new director, Patty Jenkins. The big players from the original cast will also be back, including Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins.

We’re going back to the future, or at least we’ll have the potential to in the new DeLoreans coming in 2013. The DeLorean Motor Company and electric car company Epic EV are rereleasing Back to the Future‘s classic vehicle as a fully electric car, flux capacitors not included.

Finally, the zombies just keep invading. The Walking Dead killed the competition and topped ratings on Sunday with 7.3 million viewers. So it would make sense that another zombie themed TV show will soon be taking a bite out of prime time. Zombieland creators are working on a zombie sitcom. Unfortunately, they are looking to air on FOX, which instantly makes me hesitant.

By Fred Topel

You haven’t heard of Christopher Moynihan yet, but I was sufficiently impressed when I met him at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. He created and wrote the pilot for Man Up, in which he also stars. That’s the kind of self-motivated upstart I can get behind.

Man Up isn’t what it sounds like either. The testosterone heavy title is ironic. These men are 30-something suburbanites who play lots of video games and want healthy relationships with their wives and families. Craig (Moynihan) is the idealistic romantic who tries to stop a wedding to win the girl of his dreams.

Theresa (Teri Polo) and Will (Mather Zickel) are the happily married couple, but Theresa’s brother Kenny (Dan Fogler) still has woman troubles. Mainly that his ex-wife Brenda (Amanda Detmer) is still friends with his sister and brings her new boyfriend Grant (Henry Simmons) to make him crazy.

Shot in the single camera style without a studio audience, the style of Man Up will be familiar to fans of shows like 30 Rock and Modern Family. Man Up premieres October 18 on ABC and Moynihan tells us how he’s going to explore relationships, beautiful ladies and video games in the most product placement heavy interview I think I’ve ever done.

Read our exclusive interview with Christopher Moynihan on SuicideGirls.com.

By Fred Topel

You may know about all the complicated problems facing the country of Israel if you keep up with the news. However, there’s one aspect of Israel’s political situation that’s going underreported. Their film industry produces no fun movies. But, finally, a duo of filmmakers is breaking their country out of the serious, somber movie rut.

I discovered Rabies, the first Israeli slasher movie, at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX. It has played a few other festivals like Tribeca and London FrightFest, and it will come around again at ScreamFest in Los Angeles this month. It’s sure to get more attention for blowing the lid off an entire genre, let alone a local film industry.

It’s better not to know too much about the film so it can surprise you, but it does involve a group of young characters in the woods who have some bad guys after them. The cast of Israeli stars will be largely unknown to international audiences, unless they’re really worldly. So you’ll discover some exciting new talent and you won’t believe where the story takes them.

Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado made their feature film debut with Rabies. Keshales was a teacher and film critic, and Papushado was his student. Their simple thought of “why not make a slasher movie in Israel” has brought them around the world to discuss the festival favorite. In Austin, we spent a full 30 minutes talking about world affairs and the cultural differences in the language of cinema.

Read our exclusive interview with Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado on SuicideGirls.com.