Gloria Oliver's Blog, page 130
February 6, 2011
Movie Review - The Mechanic
(Inclement weather kept me from going to the movies on Friday but we went Sunday! Bwahahaha!)
Starring: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwin, Donald Sutherland and more.
Directed by:Simon West Story: Lewis John Carlino Screenplay: Lewis John Carlino and Richard Wenk Music by: Mark Isham
Premise: A corporate assassin is asked to kill his mentor after he sells out an op. Feeling guilty, Arthur takes his friend's volatile son under his wing.
Review: The Mechanic is a remake of a film by the same name from 1972 staring Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent.
I'm quite happy to say they kept the best parts of the original and added even more fun. Some good twists on top of the original ones, too. And a ton of action sequences and assassin goodness.
Mr. Statham is well know for his action films like the Transporter series and continues to provide much entertainment in that area. Ben Foster was very believable as the grieved and anger infused, trigger happy son who pretty much can only learn his lessons the hard way.
So if you like action, lots of guns, some explosions, intrigue and what have you, this film is for you! The violence does get somewhat graphic and bloody and there's some sexual content, so the rating is serious on this one. Be advised.
Rating: 4 out of 5. (Hubby rating - worth full price of admission)
February 2, 2011
Picture Kaleidoscope 2/2/11
Welcome to another week of pics!
First I present to you a fiery sunset! (Sky is on fire! Run for yours lives!) :P
There are some cute little seasonal birds that show up around our house in winter. I put the word out on Twitter and Facebook to try to find out what kind they were. The verdict was Junco Birds. Here's a link to a nice pic of one. The one I tried to take with the phone was a major fail. Really need to learn to keep the camera charged.
And speaking of birds...
From @ChuckWendig - Titmouse - they do exist!
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Hello Kitty Dalek. No joke! Too funny.
From by @HuffPostGreen - Artificial Reefs - cool looking stuff!
Another weird one this week...
Shared by @KimberlyRPauley - a car literally covered in grass instead of a paint job. And driving it around town!
I do these posts in advance and last week was hellish, so didn't get to troll or take as many as I would have liked. Hopefully will have plenty more next week.
I'll leave you with fiery sunset redux!
First I present to you a fiery sunset! (Sky is on fire! Run for yours lives!) :P
There are some cute little seasonal birds that show up around our house in winter. I put the word out on Twitter and Facebook to try to find out what kind they were. The verdict was Junco Birds. Here's a link to a nice pic of one. The one I tried to take with the phone was a major fail. Really need to learn to keep the camera charged.
And speaking of birds...
From @ChuckWendig - Titmouse - they do exist!
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Hello Kitty Dalek. No joke! Too funny.
From by @HuffPostGreen - Artificial Reefs - cool looking stuff!
Another weird one this week...
Shared by @KimberlyRPauley - a car literally covered in grass instead of a paint job. And driving it around town!
I do these posts in advance and last week was hellish, so didn't get to troll or take as many as I would have liked. Hopefully will have plenty more next week.
I'll leave you with fiery sunset redux!
January 31, 2011
MInd Sieve 1/31/11
Life has hellish this week so not as much time to sift through links to pull out the good stuff. Hopefully will do better next week! (Wish me luck!)
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Win a full edit from Del Rey/Spectra, maybe even get published! (Ooo sweet!)
Conventions
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Comic Con Registration opens Feb 5th!
Health
From @KristenLambTX - Gluten - the evil assasin! (I am thinking I suffer from this. And maybe my daughter!)
Science
From @NASA - NASA has aSolar Sail currently working out in low orbit. This could be super cool!
Writing Advice
From @GloriaOliver - Let's Talk Dialect. My guest post over at Obscure YA Authors.
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Part Book ad but also has lots of TRUTHs about writing.
Shared by @inkyelbows - How do you know if your writing is improving? Some helpful tips.
From @inkyelbows - How to read like a writer. Why reading can prove so good for you.
From @NathanBransford - How to use Twitter.
From @CandaceHavens - There's always more to learn as a writer. Continuing your author education.
Shared by @inkyelbows - Critique Groups - be informed - what to look for!
From @ChuckWendig - Writer Reality Check from HELL! (You do have to REALLY want it, guys.) :P
From @gailcarriger - What is Steampunk. Nice explanation and tons of sources where you can see it in movies, books, and more!
Have an awesome week! And happy reading!
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Win a full edit from Del Rey/Spectra, maybe even get published! (Ooo sweet!)
Conventions
Shared by @ColleenLindsay - Comic Con Registration opens Feb 5th!
Health
From @KristenLambTX - Gluten - the evil assasin! (I am thinking I suffer from this. And maybe my daughter!)
Science
From @NASA - NASA has aSolar Sail currently working out in low orbit. This could be super cool!
Writing Advice
From @GloriaOliver - Let's Talk Dialect. My guest post over at Obscure YA Authors.
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Part Book ad but also has lots of TRUTHs about writing.
Shared by @inkyelbows - How do you know if your writing is improving? Some helpful tips.
From @inkyelbows - How to read like a writer. Why reading can prove so good for you.
From @NathanBransford - How to use Twitter.
From @CandaceHavens - There's always more to learn as a writer. Continuing your author education.
Shared by @inkyelbows - Critique Groups - be informed - what to look for!
From @ChuckWendig - Writer Reality Check from HELL! (You do have to REALLY want it, guys.) :P
From @gailcarriger - What is Steampunk. Nice explanation and tons of sources where you can see it in movies, books, and more!
Have an awesome week! And happy reading!
January 28, 2011
Movie Review - The Rite
The Rite
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer, Marta Gastini, and more...
Directed by: Mikael Hafstrom Written by: Michael Petroni - suggested by the book by Matt Baglio
Premise: Michael Kovak ran off to seminary school to get away from his father and the family business. From the start he only planned to go long enough to get a degree then leave before he has to give his final vows. However, after a strange accident, his superior tells him how he'd like him to go to Rome to take a two month course on Exorcism and then decide whether to become a priest or not. So having nothing to lose, Michael goes to Rome.
Review: If you want a scare fest film, this is not for you. Luckily for me, I hoped it would be something else and it was.
Colin O'Donoghue does a great job as the skeptic (with some heavy denial) in the film. Anthony Hopkins was awesome as the bone weary exorcist and then does what he does best later in the film. (Hey, you don't really want me to tell you, do you?) Heh heh. Marta Gastini was totally awesome and creepy as both a victim and a spirit.
Great view shots of Rome - from the Vatican to busy Rome streets to crumbling parks. Subtle but very nice special effects. The music by Alex Heffes was slow, sweet, and at times creepy as all get out.
This movie is about giving you the creeps rather than cheap scares. They do still shove in there a couple of 'jump in your chair' shots, but don't make it a habit. Mood and atmosphere are king here. And it was good. Plus all the little things they threw in there that screamed of wrongness.
There are no real surprises per say. Though having said that the accident toward the beginning of the movie will totally catch you off guard. It's really were we start to see that something might just be going on here. Which is of course why we're watching the movie in the first place. :P
I enjoyed it. If you go with the right expectation, I think you will too.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby says better for Matinee)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Colin O'Donoghue, Alice Braga, Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer, Marta Gastini, and more...
Directed by: Mikael Hafstrom Written by: Michael Petroni - suggested by the book by Matt Baglio
Premise: Michael Kovak ran off to seminary school to get away from his father and the family business. From the start he only planned to go long enough to get a degree then leave before he has to give his final vows. However, after a strange accident, his superior tells him how he'd like him to go to Rome to take a two month course on Exorcism and then decide whether to become a priest or not. So having nothing to lose, Michael goes to Rome.
Review: If you want a scare fest film, this is not for you. Luckily for me, I hoped it would be something else and it was.
Colin O'Donoghue does a great job as the skeptic (with some heavy denial) in the film. Anthony Hopkins was awesome as the bone weary exorcist and then does what he does best later in the film. (Hey, you don't really want me to tell you, do you?) Heh heh. Marta Gastini was totally awesome and creepy as both a victim and a spirit.
Great view shots of Rome - from the Vatican to busy Rome streets to crumbling parks. Subtle but very nice special effects. The music by Alex Heffes was slow, sweet, and at times creepy as all get out.
This movie is about giving you the creeps rather than cheap scares. They do still shove in there a couple of 'jump in your chair' shots, but don't make it a habit. Mood and atmosphere are king here. And it was good. Plus all the little things they threw in there that screamed of wrongness.
There are no real surprises per say. Though having said that the accident toward the beginning of the movie will totally catch you off guard. It's really were we start to see that something might just be going on here. Which is of course why we're watching the movie in the first place. :P
I enjoyed it. If you go with the right expectation, I think you will too.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby says better for Matinee)
January 26, 2011
Picture Kaleidoscope 1/26/11
Some awesome sunrise and sunsets this past week. And a couple of oddball pics. Plus more stuff shared by others.
From @NASA - Hubble shows two dramatically different views of "the Whirlpool Galaxy" - definetly gorgeous!
At the anime store a week or more ago, I can across the weirdest bottles ever! Evangelion has gone to yet another level.
I was afraid to ask if they were selling well. :P
From @NASA - Chandra views "starburst" galaxy M82, with stars forming at much higher rates than a normal galaxy
Baby blue and pink was the name of the game on this day!
Shared by @marthawells1 - Amazing Works of Art - talk about inventing new ways to make art. WOW
And for fun!
Shared by @torbooks - Map of the Star Wars Universe!
Let me leave you with one last sky shot. :) Look at those colors!
From @NASA - Hubble shows two dramatically different views of "the Whirlpool Galaxy" - definetly gorgeous!
At the anime store a week or more ago, I can across the weirdest bottles ever! Evangelion has gone to yet another level.
I was afraid to ask if they were selling well. :P
From @NASA - Chandra views "starburst" galaxy M82, with stars forming at much higher rates than a normal galaxy
Baby blue and pink was the name of the game on this day!
Shared by @marthawells1 - Amazing Works of Art - talk about inventing new ways to make art. WOW
And for fun!
Shared by @torbooks - Map of the Star Wars Universe!
Let me leave you with one last sky shot. :) Look at those colors!
January 24, 2011
Mind Sieve 1/24/11
Got a bunch of good stuff this past week. Even several contests!
So let's get started!
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @DelReySpectra - Free Book contest from Ari Marmel
Shared by @torbooks - Steampunk Adventures is holding a writing contest. Submissions due March 1st.
Shared by @DeidreKnight - Chance to win $100 gift card. Share what's the riskiest thing you've done for love and win! (Not sure on when this expires! Doh!)
From @yabookscentral - Manga Giveaway at YA Books Central. One is even a How To!
Conventions
Shared by @tweetheart4711 - Mini A-kon in Feb! Denton, TX!
Fan Fun
Shared by @jimsissy - Colleen has been doing chemo and lost all her hair. She decided to have a contest for people to photoshop hair for her. Some of these were awesome. (Didn't see them on her blog. Hopefully she didn't just post them to twitter...Bah humbug...)
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Pandemic article at Wired. Multi media experiment at Sundance and beyond!
Games
From @ChuckWendig - Chuck's first days playing Minecraft - if you've ever played, this post is even funnier. Heh heh (Poor Chuck) Fun game, simple, but addicting in its weirdness :P (Do not be drinking when you read this. It will come out your nose! You've been warned! Heh heh)
Podcasts
From @WNDRWolf - Podcast Round Table Discussion with Odin1eye and Richard Green
Shared by @GloriaOliver - BroadPod - BroadUniverse January podcast with readings by author members
Science
Shared by @MichaelPata - The first Mammoth cloning experiment is officially underway - Cool!
Shared by @mattstaggs - 34,000 year old bacteria found ALIVE! And Kicking! Even reproducing! Totally amazing.
Television
Shared by @torbooks - New trailer for Game of Thrones! Sweet~!
Writing Advice
From @KristenLambTX - The Character of the Successful Writer--A New Level or a New Devil?
Shared by @rachelcaine - The skinny on books being made into movies - misconceptions dashed!
From @ChuckWendig - Thoughts on Rejections and Reality - how to beat both!
Shared by @jafurtado - Are you a Moral author? by Richard Curtis - New contract clause at Harper Collins
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Reading aloud to edit - I need to do this more often myself!
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Parenting, Writing, Life! How do you fit it all in?
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Some tips on writing a Press Release that will get attention
Shared by @inkyelbows - #amwriting Website. Tons of resources and also explains what hashtags are and more! (I need to make a presence there!)
From @KristenLambTX - 1st in a series - Twitter Tuesdays. Twitter for Authors!
From @dknippling - How to play the Writer Lotto!
From @KristenLambTX - This is NOT the Blog You're Looking For -how to avoid being that guy...
From @ChuckWendig - Like the preachings of the Church of DBAA and Yard Dog Press - Don't be an asshole of a writer but still be yourself
Phew! That's an awful lot of good stuff I scrunched out of this week! Dang! Enjoy!
So let's get started!
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @DelReySpectra - Free Book contest from Ari Marmel
Shared by @torbooks - Steampunk Adventures is holding a writing contest. Submissions due March 1st.
Shared by @DeidreKnight - Chance to win $100 gift card. Share what's the riskiest thing you've done for love and win! (Not sure on when this expires! Doh!)
From @yabookscentral - Manga Giveaway at YA Books Central. One is even a How To!
Conventions
Shared by @tweetheart4711 - Mini A-kon in Feb! Denton, TX!
Fan Fun
Shared by @jimsissy - Colleen has been doing chemo and lost all her hair. She decided to have a contest for people to photoshop hair for her. Some of these were awesome. (Didn't see them on her blog. Hopefully she didn't just post them to twitter...Bah humbug...)
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Pandemic article at Wired. Multi media experiment at Sundance and beyond!
Games
From @ChuckWendig - Chuck's first days playing Minecraft - if you've ever played, this post is even funnier. Heh heh (Poor Chuck) Fun game, simple, but addicting in its weirdness :P (Do not be drinking when you read this. It will come out your nose! You've been warned! Heh heh)
Podcasts
From @WNDRWolf - Podcast Round Table Discussion with Odin1eye and Richard Green
Shared by @GloriaOliver - BroadPod - BroadUniverse January podcast with readings by author members
Science
Shared by @MichaelPata - The first Mammoth cloning experiment is officially underway - Cool!
Shared by @mattstaggs - 34,000 year old bacteria found ALIVE! And Kicking! Even reproducing! Totally amazing.
Television
Shared by @torbooks - New trailer for Game of Thrones! Sweet~!
Writing Advice
From @KristenLambTX - The Character of the Successful Writer--A New Level or a New Devil?
Shared by @rachelcaine - The skinny on books being made into movies - misconceptions dashed!
From @ChuckWendig - Thoughts on Rejections and Reality - how to beat both!
Shared by @jafurtado - Are you a Moral author? by Richard Curtis - New contract clause at Harper Collins
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Reading aloud to edit - I need to do this more often myself!
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Parenting, Writing, Life! How do you fit it all in?
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Some tips on writing a Press Release that will get attention
Shared by @inkyelbows - #amwriting Website. Tons of resources and also explains what hashtags are and more! (I need to make a presence there!)
From @KristenLambTX - 1st in a series - Twitter Tuesdays. Twitter for Authors!
From @dknippling - How to play the Writer Lotto!
From @KristenLambTX - This is NOT the Blog You're Looking For -how to avoid being that guy...
From @ChuckWendig - Like the preachings of the Church of DBAA and Yard Dog Press - Don't be an asshole of a writer but still be yourself
Phew! That's an awful lot of good stuff I scrunched out of this week! Dang! Enjoy!
January 21, 2011
Movie Review - Gulliver's Travels
Gulliver's Travel
Starring: Jack Black, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Catherine Tate, Billy Connolly, Chris O'Dowd, and more...
Directed by: Rob Letterman Screenplay by: Joe Stillman and Nicholas Stoller - based on the book by Jonathan Swift
Premise: Realizing his life is going nowhere, Gulliver tries to work himself up to asking out the girl he likes, but instead digs himself into a hole and ends up taking a writing assignment out in the Bermuda Triangle. While traveling to the spot for the article, he's swept away in a giant waterspout and ends up very far away from home.
Review: I'd seen the commercials for this film and seeing the kid humor displayed in them wasn't sure it was for me, despite the fact I like the tale and concept and that Catherine Tate (Donna Noble from Dr Who!)and other fun actors were in it.
While it did have some of the kid humor as shown in the commercials, however, I was glad I went to see it. The film had several things going for it that made it quite enjoyable above and beyond the gags.
The first major thing was that they played a short before the start of the film - Skrat's Continental Crack-up! Yes, Skrat from Ice Age did a short right before the movie! And it was one of the best ones yet. A wonderful explanation of the splitting of the original continent of Pangea :P Too funny. Poor little guy can never catch a break.
The second major thing was the awesome attention to detail in the film. When it begins they do a beautiful rendition of the city with overhead views and everything looks miniaturized. And not in the sense that things are far away and look small, but like made up models and toy cars even as real people walk about. It almost made the 'real' world seem fake, the fantasy, while the land of the Lilliputians the true world.
The costuming, the buildings, the mechanisms in Lilliput were very detailed. The tech all had a very awesome HG Wells feel about it. Pseudo steampunkish in a way. And though we didn't learn much about the society, there was enough there to make the Lilliputian way of life feel real and structured. In some ways their lives are too structured and strict, and here comes a strange visitor who drives all to loosen up a bit and have more fun, in a manner of speaking. The changes you see as the film progresses are interesting, some utterly fun, and a few a little sad.
Not everyone is happy about the changes Gulliver has brought about due to his presence though. Not happy at all!
I appreciated seeing how Gulliver brought with him the means to his own destruction - within himself and without. Of course in the end he comes through, but there were a couple of unexpected twists along the way I very much enjoyed.
Overall the film was entertaining and at times even humorous. And with Skrat doing the lead in, it was definitely worth seeing it.
Rating: 3.5 (4 with Skrat) out of 5 (Hubby: Matinee price w/o Skrat, Full Price with Skrat):P
Starring: Jack Black, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, Amanda Peet, Catherine Tate, Billy Connolly, Chris O'Dowd, and more...
Directed by: Rob Letterman Screenplay by: Joe Stillman and Nicholas Stoller - based on the book by Jonathan Swift
Premise: Realizing his life is going nowhere, Gulliver tries to work himself up to asking out the girl he likes, but instead digs himself into a hole and ends up taking a writing assignment out in the Bermuda Triangle. While traveling to the spot for the article, he's swept away in a giant waterspout and ends up very far away from home.
Review: I'd seen the commercials for this film and seeing the kid humor displayed in them wasn't sure it was for me, despite the fact I like the tale and concept and that Catherine Tate (Donna Noble from Dr Who!)and other fun actors were in it.
While it did have some of the kid humor as shown in the commercials, however, I was glad I went to see it. The film had several things going for it that made it quite enjoyable above and beyond the gags.
The first major thing was that they played a short before the start of the film - Skrat's Continental Crack-up! Yes, Skrat from Ice Age did a short right before the movie! And it was one of the best ones yet. A wonderful explanation of the splitting of the original continent of Pangea :P Too funny. Poor little guy can never catch a break.
The second major thing was the awesome attention to detail in the film. When it begins they do a beautiful rendition of the city with overhead views and everything looks miniaturized. And not in the sense that things are far away and look small, but like made up models and toy cars even as real people walk about. It almost made the 'real' world seem fake, the fantasy, while the land of the Lilliputians the true world.
The costuming, the buildings, the mechanisms in Lilliput were very detailed. The tech all had a very awesome HG Wells feel about it. Pseudo steampunkish in a way. And though we didn't learn much about the society, there was enough there to make the Lilliputian way of life feel real and structured. In some ways their lives are too structured and strict, and here comes a strange visitor who drives all to loosen up a bit and have more fun, in a manner of speaking. The changes you see as the film progresses are interesting, some utterly fun, and a few a little sad.
Not everyone is happy about the changes Gulliver has brought about due to his presence though. Not happy at all!
I appreciated seeing how Gulliver brought with him the means to his own destruction - within himself and without. Of course in the end he comes through, but there were a couple of unexpected twists along the way I very much enjoyed.
Overall the film was entertaining and at times even humorous. And with Skrat doing the lead in, it was definitely worth seeing it.
Rating: 3.5 (4 with Skrat) out of 5 (Hubby: Matinee price w/o Skrat, Full Price with Skrat):P
January 19, 2011
Picture Kaleidoscope 1/19/11
Let's start this weeks picture-rama with super cute!
Ran across this scene by pure accident at my brother's home. It was too cute not to grab a pic and share. :)
Now for something scary. Shared by @marthawells1 - An ice covered lighthouse You'll catch a cold just looking at this thing! Brrrr
Then back to something awe inspiring! Shared by @BadAstronomer - Milky Way's (almost) identical Twin. (Real nice Galaxy pic!)
Tiny footprints in the snow! We had a White Christmas on 1/9/11 (Sickness, travel, and other issues forced my side of the family to have a late get together) and we found these little foot prints. Thought they might be the squirrels, but then saw these tiny black birds with white bellies actually moving by hopping around rather than flying. Too cute!
From @ChuckWendig - I swear his Chihuahua is saying "How chu doing?" Brows rising and falling. Hee!
From @Nasa - Green Glob Space Oddity! Or a Space Frog!
Shared by @torbooks - Ghost Busters Wedding Cake! For reals! So cool!
Subaki and Mythril sleeping and propping each others with their heads. Adorable!
And speaking of cats... Shared by @torbooks - How to Steampunk Your Cat! Steampunked kitty drawings and pics
Shared by @petapixel - Deep Space photos taken from a backyard. Totally awe inspiring!
And because we can NEVER have enough CUTE! Shared by @JaneLebak - It's so tiny! Cutest baby possum EVER!
The sunset looked like a rainbow. Not sure that the camera caught that though. :(
From @Nasa - Triungulum Galaxy! Pretty!
On a sadder note... Shared by @petapixel - Queensland, Australia flood pics. Way way too much water. Reminds me of the floods in New Orleans after Katrina. Brrrrr.
And last but not least...the train that got in my way after work. :P
Have a great day! Feel free to share some of the pics you've taken or been impressed by in the comments section.
Ran across this scene by pure accident at my brother's home. It was too cute not to grab a pic and share. :)
Now for something scary. Shared by @marthawells1 - An ice covered lighthouse You'll catch a cold just looking at this thing! Brrrr
Then back to something awe inspiring! Shared by @BadAstronomer - Milky Way's (almost) identical Twin. (Real nice Galaxy pic!)
Tiny footprints in the snow! We had a White Christmas on 1/9/11 (Sickness, travel, and other issues forced my side of the family to have a late get together) and we found these little foot prints. Thought they might be the squirrels, but then saw these tiny black birds with white bellies actually moving by hopping around rather than flying. Too cute!
From @ChuckWendig - I swear his Chihuahua is saying "How chu doing?" Brows rising and falling. Hee!
From @Nasa - Green Glob Space Oddity! Or a Space Frog!
Shared by @torbooks - Ghost Busters Wedding Cake! For reals! So cool!
Subaki and Mythril sleeping and propping each others with their heads. Adorable!
And speaking of cats... Shared by @torbooks - How to Steampunk Your Cat! Steampunked kitty drawings and pics
Shared by @petapixel - Deep Space photos taken from a backyard. Totally awe inspiring!
And because we can NEVER have enough CUTE! Shared by @JaneLebak - It's so tiny! Cutest baby possum EVER!
The sunset looked like a rainbow. Not sure that the camera caught that though. :(
From @Nasa - Triungulum Galaxy! Pretty!
On a sadder note... Shared by @petapixel - Queensland, Australia flood pics. Way way too much water. Reminds me of the floods in New Orleans after Katrina. Brrrrr.
And last but not least...the train that got in my way after work. :P
Have a great day! Feel free to share some of the pics you've taken or been impressed by in the comments section.
January 17, 2011
Mind Sieve 1/17/11
More fun stuff I've run across to share with you this week. Enjoy!
Book Releases
From @ChuckWendig - Where he celebrates the Release of IRREGULAR CREATURES - giving info, a sales pitch and GUILT! Bwahahahaha! (Potentially not safe for work!)
From @rclementmoore - Paperback Release of Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore.
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @rclementmoore - A ton of free books up for grabs at YA Outside the Lines
Shared by @inkyelbows - Literary Manuscript Agent Contest!
From @NovelNovice - Big CONTEST! EPIC Prizes but you'll have to work for them. :P
From @Suzanne_McLeod - Book Giveaways starting with The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
From @ElanaJ - Celebrating the launch of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Conventions
Shared by @AKon_Convention - AA has discounts for peeps buying airline tickets to come to A-kon! How cool is that?!
Fan Fun
Shared by @torbooks - Han Solo in carbonite in Firefly episodes! Yes, see if you too can spot the elusive Han Solo! (A lot like Pineapples in Psych! Heh)
Games
Shared by @ChuckWendig - MINECRAFT an addictive little game! (Family has been playing it for several weeks. Fun time sink!)
Manga/Anime/Cartoons
From @examinercom - Young Justice - new superhero fodder on Cartoon Network (Saw the premier in late 2010 and this was fun!)
Personal Help
From Kathy Sullivan - Loners and lonely - what's the difference? And what does it mean to you?
Science
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Bees are dying - And we may know exactly why. (Mind boggling that they can get away with this stuff...)
Shared by @mdbenoit2 - Sonic Black Hole ho! Interesting article on how they hope to study Hawkins particles
Weird & Creepy
From @examinercom - Dead birds in the thousands fall from the sky in Italy (I believe since then there's been even more flocks of birds dying all over the place. Eek)
Writing Advice
From @KristenLambTX - Writing Productivity - how to get it!
Shared by @ixtumea - Negativity can keep you from success. And not necessarily from where or what you'd normally expect.
Shared by @ChuckWendig - JM Tohline presents a list and explanations for the biggest mistakes writers make when querying literary agents (these come straight from agents too!)
Shared by @sfwa - Practical bits of useful info for young and old writers.
From @ChuckWendig - Major Reality Check!Why you might not get published (NSFW)
Shared by @KristenLambTX - (NSFW) Editing the Chore, the Challenge, the Misconceptions!
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Discussion on whether or not Cold Queries work
Shared by @inkyelbows - Giving Characters Character! Make them Pop off the page
That's it for this week. If you found some way cool stuff you'd like to share, tack it on in the comments!
Book Releases
From @ChuckWendig - Where he celebrates the Release of IRREGULAR CREATURES - giving info, a sales pitch and GUILT! Bwahahahaha! (Potentially not safe for work!)
From @rclementmoore - Paperback Release of Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore.
Contests/Giveaways
Shared by @rclementmoore - A ton of free books up for grabs at YA Outside the Lines
Shared by @inkyelbows - Literary Manuscript Agent Contest!
From @NovelNovice - Big CONTEST! EPIC Prizes but you'll have to work for them. :P
From @Suzanne_McLeod - Book Giveaways starting with The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney
From @ElanaJ - Celebrating the launch of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
Conventions
Shared by @AKon_Convention - AA has discounts for peeps buying airline tickets to come to A-kon! How cool is that?!
Fan Fun
Shared by @torbooks - Han Solo in carbonite in Firefly episodes! Yes, see if you too can spot the elusive Han Solo! (A lot like Pineapples in Psych! Heh)
Games
Shared by @ChuckWendig - MINECRAFT an addictive little game! (Family has been playing it for several weeks. Fun time sink!)
Manga/Anime/Cartoons
From @examinercom - Young Justice - new superhero fodder on Cartoon Network (Saw the premier in late 2010 and this was fun!)
Personal Help
From Kathy Sullivan - Loners and lonely - what's the difference? And what does it mean to you?
Science
Shared by @ChuckWendig - Bees are dying - And we may know exactly why. (Mind boggling that they can get away with this stuff...)
Shared by @mdbenoit2 - Sonic Black Hole ho! Interesting article on how they hope to study Hawkins particles
Weird & Creepy
From @examinercom - Dead birds in the thousands fall from the sky in Italy (I believe since then there's been even more flocks of birds dying all over the place. Eek)
Writing Advice
From @KristenLambTX - Writing Productivity - how to get it!
Shared by @ixtumea - Negativity can keep you from success. And not necessarily from where or what you'd normally expect.
Shared by @ChuckWendig - JM Tohline presents a list and explanations for the biggest mistakes writers make when querying literary agents (these come straight from agents too!)
Shared by @sfwa - Practical bits of useful info for young and old writers.
From @ChuckWendig - Major Reality Check!Why you might not get published (NSFW)
Shared by @KristenLambTX - (NSFW) Editing the Chore, the Challenge, the Misconceptions!
Shared by @KristenLambTX - Discussion on whether or not Cold Queries work
Shared by @inkyelbows - Giving Characters Character! Make them Pop off the page
That's it for this week. If you found some way cool stuff you'd like to share, tack it on in the comments!
January 14, 2011
Movie Review - Green Hornet
Green Hornet
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Christoph Waltz, David Harbour, and more...
Directed by: Michael Gondry Written by: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Premise: After the death of his father, rich playboy, Britt Reid, meets his father's genius auto mechanic, Kato. While playing a trick on the statue of the man they both loved/hated and never truly understood, they find themselves helping a couple being mugged and are so pumped after the adventure, they decide to take it further.
Review: We went and saw the Green Hornet in IMAX 3D. While the 3D piece didn't have much to do with the film except for a couple of fun, key scenes and the end credits, seeing the fast paced action in the crisp IMAX was great.
If you're a fan of the original show with Bruce Lee and Van Williams you'll find plenty of fan service. But this isn't a cookie cutter of the original. Several things are shaken up and twisted on their ear. Though it did totally retain the two best parts of the original - Kato and Black Beauty. The film is totally worth it just to watch those two. (The green headlights so rock!) :)
The hero is definitely flawed and slowly learns his lessons even if it's the hard way. A lot of the bumbling when they first start out might jar but made it even more precious for being realistic. We see the true origins of their partnership before they became a suave and well oiled fighting pair.
Britt Reid is working through a lot of issues, some which he's been carrying for twenty years or more. In Kato he finds a confidant and someone to aspire to. For Kato, Britt is someone who sees and understands his potential and by doing so makes him push to be even more so, to be all that he can be.
Of course, they're both kids at heart, so egos start to get in the way when things get tough.
Christopher Waltz was a hoot, and disturbing. He's a bad guy that only wants to be bad. And feared. So he can't understand when he's not. His confusion is so child like it's kind of sad and you almost feel sorry for him. (Personally I thought his original coat was pimp!) Fun stuff from this guy!
Not a young kids movie. The violence is not extreme but you definitely see dead people. Bad guys get shot, crushed, or flung from high places. So be advised.
Action sequences are pretty good. The big battle showdown has car chases, gun battles, elevator fu, rockets, explosions, and more. Some cool effects. Lots of verbal jokes and double meanings.
Overall, it was a fun flick and well worth it. Even a mystery reveal!
Rating: 3.75 to a 4.0 out of 5. (Hubby rated it - worth full price of admission)
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Christoph Waltz, David Harbour, and more...
Directed by: Michael Gondry Written by: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Premise: After the death of his father, rich playboy, Britt Reid, meets his father's genius auto mechanic, Kato. While playing a trick on the statue of the man they both loved/hated and never truly understood, they find themselves helping a couple being mugged and are so pumped after the adventure, they decide to take it further.
Review: We went and saw the Green Hornet in IMAX 3D. While the 3D piece didn't have much to do with the film except for a couple of fun, key scenes and the end credits, seeing the fast paced action in the crisp IMAX was great.
If you're a fan of the original show with Bruce Lee and Van Williams you'll find plenty of fan service. But this isn't a cookie cutter of the original. Several things are shaken up and twisted on their ear. Though it did totally retain the two best parts of the original - Kato and Black Beauty. The film is totally worth it just to watch those two. (The green headlights so rock!) :)
The hero is definitely flawed and slowly learns his lessons even if it's the hard way. A lot of the bumbling when they first start out might jar but made it even more precious for being realistic. We see the true origins of their partnership before they became a suave and well oiled fighting pair.
Britt Reid is working through a lot of issues, some which he's been carrying for twenty years or more. In Kato he finds a confidant and someone to aspire to. For Kato, Britt is someone who sees and understands his potential and by doing so makes him push to be even more so, to be all that he can be.
Of course, they're both kids at heart, so egos start to get in the way when things get tough.
Christopher Waltz was a hoot, and disturbing. He's a bad guy that only wants to be bad. And feared. So he can't understand when he's not. His confusion is so child like it's kind of sad and you almost feel sorry for him. (Personally I thought his original coat was pimp!) Fun stuff from this guy!
Not a young kids movie. The violence is not extreme but you definitely see dead people. Bad guys get shot, crushed, or flung from high places. So be advised.
Action sequences are pretty good. The big battle showdown has car chases, gun battles, elevator fu, rockets, explosions, and more. Some cool effects. Lots of verbal jokes and double meanings.
Overall, it was a fun flick and well worth it. Even a mystery reveal!
Rating: 3.75 to a 4.0 out of 5. (Hubby rated it - worth full price of admission)
