Q: Why is this site called "The Mercenary Journal?"
A: When I decided to start up a Web site to review horror and action films, I knew I needed a title with an edge. At the time, I was writing a novel, "The .40 Caliber Mouse," and in it my main character, a mercenary, was keeping a diary. So I decided that this Web site was in some ways a journal as well, since I too was writing about bloodshed, but, of course, a very different sort.

Q: What makes you think you can do movie reviews?
A: I've been a critic ever since I saw "Halloween II" in 1981. That's when I was 11. Wow. Time flies. Anyway, ever since then I've been studying the genre. I really dig foreign films like Italian horror gems like Lucio Fulci's "The Beyond (1981)." I'm always on the lookout for something new to see.I like talking about film and books I hope some of my reviews will encourage genre fans to see something new or give them a fresh perspective on some of the classics they've seen 400 times.

Q: Why do you use bullets for your ratings?
A: I didn't want to use stars. I wanted something original, so I whipped up the bullet magazine graphics. By the way, just because a movie gets more bullets doesn't mean there are more actual bullets fired in the movie. More bullets actually mean you got more bang for your buck. I use the rating system for everything I review, so you'll see it on music, soundtrack and book reviews as well.

Q: What are your favorite horror and action films?
A: Tough question. I think my favorites change every day. "Friday the 13th (1980)" and Dario Argento's "Suspiria (1977)" are among my favorite horror films. "Shogun Assassin (1981)" and "Time and Tide (2000)" are among my favorite action flicks. I also love Brian de Palma's "Phantom of the Paradise(1974)," but that's more of a horror film musical.

Q: Where do you get all of your graphics?
A: The artwork on my Website is original, created either by me or artists I contract. Artwork credits can be found on the credits page.

Q: Why don't you have a discussion board or chat room?
A: I don't have the time to establish them. I work full time. I'm writing novels. I run a total of three web sites now.. And when I'm not doing that I'm updating the review sections here. So, I'm kind of tied up.

Q: Are you a mercenary?
A: I write about mercenaries in my fiction. The only kind of things I aspire to sell are my stories and novels.

Q: How come your Music section isn't updated too often?
A: I think it's because I really enjoy writing more about books and movies. But I keep it there just in case something interesting comes up that I want to talk about.

Q: Is the chick on The Mission and Contact pages single?
A: What do you think this is, a dating service?