By Kim Krizan
Book Review by Ann Baldwin
Kim Krizan is an Academy Award-nominated writer of the films
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. She appeared as an
actress in the films Slacker, Dazed and Confused, and Waking Life. She wrote the
critically-acclaimed graphic novel Zombie
Tales: 2061. Kim earned a Master’s degree in literature and became an Anais
Nin scholar. She teaches creative writing classes for UCLA Extension. In Kim’s
new book, Original Sins: Trade Secrets of
the Femme Fatale (Los Angeles 2013), she takes you into the mysterious
world of one of the oldest and most fascinating archetypes, the Femme Fatale (the
dangerous woman); through her humorous perspective, Kim sheds light into every
dark corner of these women’s existence from the history pages to the silver
screens of Hollywood.
These free-spirited and wildly engaging dames, broads,
vixens, seductresses, vamps, tramps, hellcats, bombshells, bad girls, and
sirens have graced every culture with their powerful and alluring ways since
the dawn of time beginning with Eve in the Garden of Eden. They’re the women who
break the rules, shatter the glass ceilings, take charge of their lives, live
by their own standards, shake-up the status quo, and create their own future.
Original Sins is
well-researched and a comprehensive examination of the inner and outer workings
of these untamable man-eaters, from what kind of war paint she dons to
highlight her captivating features, to the interior design of her lair, to the
mode of transportation she sports for her quick get-aways; Kim uncovers their
internal desires, motivations, and beliefs, and includes all of their modus
operandi, styles, habits, hobbies, and mannerisms.
There are numerous examples, many with stunning photographs,
of our ladies-in-question to include: Mamie Van Doren as Eve The Private Lives of Adam and Eve,
Elizabeth Taylor Cleopatra, Lillie
Langtry, Theda Bara, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara Gone with the Wind, Gretta Garbo Mata Hari, Julie Newmar as Catwoman Batman, Angie Dickinson The
Killers, Anne Bancroft The Graduate,
Sharon Stone Basic Instinct, Faye
Dunaway Network, Pam Grier Coffy, Michelle Pfeiffer Scarface, Theresa Russell Blackwidow, Joan Collins Dynasty, Ellen Barkin Sea of Love, Kathleen Turner Body Heat, Madonna, Britney Spears and
many more.
Don’t fret the small stuff required to pull-off creating the
most cunning master-of-disguise for Kim includes checklists for every occasion.
By the time you’re through reading Original
Sins, Kim will have you fully armed with everything you need to design the
most intriguing Femme Fatale (and leave you in stitches to boot). I highly
recommend for all writers interested in giving birth to female characters who
are alluring, dangerous, mysterious, and unforgettable or anyone just plain interested
in what makes these broads so very bold, daring, and intoxicating.
You can connect with Kim Krizan at https://www.facebook.com/officialkimkrizan
and purchase a copy of Original Sins:
Trade Secrets of the Femme Fatale at Amazon
Ann Baldwin is a screenwriter (The Power of Dreams, Scent of
a Trail, Dream Catcher) with
several spec scripts in development. She reviews books on screenwriting and
filmmaking, writes articles, interviews, and has several books (fiction &
non-fiction) in-progress. Prior to launching her writing career, she was a
special event coordinator and manager in the hospitality and entertainment
industries for over 25 years.
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