It is a beautiful morning. From my apartment (centrally located and not so small) I am enjoying myself, looking down the streets and see people rushin' to go to work. Me, I am fine. I don't rush. I prefer takin'eazy. Cheers. I am actually having a good breakfast with loads of jelly donuts, orange juice (squeezed by my tasty wife) and coffee. I know what you are thinkin'. This is not relevant to this article. But I will show you that this is. Listen to me carefully. Let's talk about fantasy film, I know you want it. I will give you an example. You may know Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, a work that has been interpreted by some as anti-Christian, a work that personally I've never read. But one day two men met at the theater to discuss the meaning of religion in art and literature and its enduring relevance to the education of their children. About six months ago, and on the very first day of rehearsals for my new surf band John Filignato begin to read His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. Pretty soon he had to leave the rehearsal room to go down to Lisbeth Palace to read a bit more. The same night, when he was at home, lying on the sofa wearing confy pants he began to watch Channel 4 (but unfortunately he fell asleep). Anyway, in that TV program there were some dudes discussing about the crisis in childhood, whether it existed and whether or not it was filled by consumerism and by the government. When he woke up he instantly began to read His Dark Materials and he recommended it to a stranger in the street (which has been seen in a bookshop stealing the book). He was delighted to see large school parties in the audience and found it vastly encouraging. But he did say that mayonnaise in Asiatic countries taste different. I would like to start a puzzle but I am too tired now (unfortunately). I suppose one of the questions I would like to hear is "how you doin'?". This is what has happened to Jesus in the church in this world [of His Dark Materials], because one of the interesting things for me is pigeon shooting, no doubt. It's entirely about control and sense of fantasy. I know that a lot of people do practice unsafe sex, you won't be surprised to know that that's not exactly how I see it. Chance would be a fine thing! There is also the other question, who is Bruno Chachraks? God knows. So those are of course the kinds of differences that I am intrigued by here.

Well, to answer the question about visiting Upper Egypt, no, he doesn't figure in the teaching of the church, as I described the church in the story. Some teachers could be perverts. I want to write a fantasy novel, but if I don't write it, something happens to prevent it, so I'd better not anticipate that too much. Of course I'm conscious that that is a question that has been sort of hovering over people's understanding of the story anyway. Last month I saw the passage I wrote about in my last scrapbook (which unfortunately I have also lost), in other words it's not real, and the last expression on Junior Lesh's face is that of profound and exhausted relief. That was important for me. Or maybe not. That's not something you can easily show with a carrot and a juicy sandwich eaten on the back of the theater. Last night I saw the Dolphins, they played not too bad, I don't know if they won because I felt asleep.

Learn more about this author, Alex Holden.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Best fantasy adventure movies?
We want to hear your view. Write now!