Thursday, April 26, 2012

XTRA SPECIAL/X FOR MOVIE SIGN - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

XTRA SPECIAL/X FOR MOVIE SIGN


Ali Cross
She is the original Ninja! The DoJo Master leads her own army of Ninjas in training through a website, chats, and an online conference. The author of Become was also one of my first blogger buddy to review CassaStar, and she even did a video review. (Complete with space ship sound effects!) Get to know the Dojo Master – she is a sweetheart!

And now the upcoming big movies for May! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

4 -

The Avengers
Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.
Director: Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
Joss Whedon? All of the Avengers? Are you kidding? There’s only one other movie I’m more excited about than this film.

8 -

DVD - Underworld: Awakening - What could be better than Kate in 3D?

11 -

Dark Shadows
An imprisoned vampire, Barnabas Collins, is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Helena Bonham Carter
While the Burton-Depp pairing is usually great, I’m not totally sold on this one yet.

15 -

DVD - The Grey - Excellent drama
DVD - Chronicle - Dark and effective

18 -

Battleship
A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.
Director: Peter Berg
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker, Liam Neeson, Rihanna
Funny, I don’t remember aliens landing on the board and melting my plastic ships when I played this game as a kid…

25 -

Men in Black III
Agent J travels in time to MIB's early years in the 1960s, to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K and changing history.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Stars: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Alice Eve
Can you believe the first one was fifteen years ago? Whoa…


NINJA CONTEST – LAST DAY!

To celebrate 1500 followers, I’m holding a giveaway – a copy of CassaStar and CassaFire! The books will be donated to the winner’s choice of public or high school library, along with a selection of bookmarks. (The winner also gets bookmarks.)


How to enter: (and must be a follower)
Comment on my posts (just once each) U-X (Tuesday through Friday) – one point
Ten extra points for the first comment (please don’t melt my blog)
Ten extra points if you blog about this contest (leave a link so I know)

Winner will be announced Monday during the Z post!

Following Ali? See any movies that perk your interest? Don’t forget, last day to enter the giveaway! And who in your life is xtra special?

120 comments:

Huntress said...

HA! First!!

Dark Shadows is the one I'm looking forward to seeing. Johnny Depp? Wow.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I have to see Dark Shadows and Men in Black.

Now, I'll go check out the xtra special blogger.

Teresa

Empty Nest Insider said...

I also can't wait to see Dark Shadows! I'll have to drop in on Ali! Julie

Susan Oloier said...

Ali is amazing! She was my "A" post last year during the challenge.
LOL about Battleship. And I know my older son will want to see Men in Black III. He recently saw II and was very entertained by Frank.

Chuck said...

Dang I missed #1 by that much! I am looking forward to seeing Battleship. And I think Dark Shadows will be a riot. You know Jonathan Frid just died right?? Creepy.

Jemi Fraser said...

Ali is awesome!! :)

Anything with Joss Whedon's name on it has to be good!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Huntress, you did it!

Chuck, you really have to be quick around here. And I didn't know!

Jemi, that's right.

Juliana Haygert said...

So many great movies coming out! And I still didn't find anyone I trust to leave my daughter with here in the US ... I guess I'll have to wait till they are available in DVD =(

Unknown said...

Yay, Ali! Yes, a true ninja. I want to see Avengers in May and also MIBIII. Thanks for the great lists.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I don't like vampires but I love Johnny Depp...I suppose I'll have to give this one a try.

And Men in Black? Hell, yes. I may even get my husband to watch that one.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I am truly looking forward to THE AVENGERS! On my wall, I have autographed posters of CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR, SHERLOCK HOLMES, SERENITY and PULP FICTION (that makes all the autographs of the actors and Josh Whelon and Stan Lee of THE AVENGERS.)

I'm also looking forward to DARK SHADOWS and MIB III. Oops low battery. I have to leave, Roland
Thanks for visiting my blog this evening!

Leigh Covington said...

Love Ali and so excited for MIB III! Going to be awesome!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I'm going to see Battleship just to see if Rihanna does any good as an actress.

Morgan said...

I'm stoked to see Dark Shadows... I'm such a sucker for Johnny Depp! *sigh* ;)

Tasha Seegmiller said...

I love love love Ali. You couldn't have picked a better person to be extra special.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Yep, Ali is awesome!

Hubby can't wait for The Avengers. I think Dark Shadows looks hilarious. I remember that daytime drama when I was a kid.

D.G. Hudson said...

Dark Shadows and MIB look good to me. Depp and Will Smith get my vote.

Will check out the blogger recommendation.

Carrie Butler said...

I can't wait for The Avengers. I'm a huge Joss Whedon fan. :D

Unknown said...

Dark Shadows is going to rule for me. Burton has this twisted sense of humor that just speaks to me.

And I cannot wait for Avengers. The only 2012 flicks I'm more excited about are The Hobbit and Dark Knight Rises.

Unknown said...

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp is always a lot of fun...Dark Shadows looks cheesy, but really entertaining.

Cassie Mae said...

I'm one of those lucky people who have met Ali in person! She lives a couple towns away from me and ya, she's hecka awesome! :)

And my brother said the exact same thing about Battleship today! He's like, I really don't remember aliens, lol!

I'm way excited for Avengers!!! That's a midnight showing one for me for sure. And I was only 10 when the first Men in Black came out. Wow!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I just posted your giveaway, Alex. Happy Friday and weekend.

xoRobyn

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Men in Black was 15 years ago???? Yikes!!

I'm fully sold on Dark Shadows. I saw the trailor for it and thought it was hilarious. :) Plus Johnny is always a huge bonus.

Unknown said...

Ooh, I can't wait for "The Avengers"! Hadn't heard of "Dark Shadows", but that looks interesting. I'm a Johnny Depp fan! Actually, I'm a fan of all the people who are starring in that movie, so I guess I better watch it!

Kyra Lennon said...

Ali Cross' blog is great!

Also, Dark Shadows sounds awesome!

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

I have been patiently waiting to see The Gray. I'm a Liam fan.

RaveAir said...

Unfortunately(?) there is no any word in my language which is started with X (Q, W or Y).

But we're lucky, because the Hungarian movie theatres have been playing the The Avengers from yesterday. I'd like to watch it, and maybe I'll at Wednesday.

According my friends and fellow bloggers Josh Whedon did it and The Avengers is awesome (better than the Ironman), the dream of all comics geekz.

In the other hand the Battleship is a big disappointment (the Hungarian premier date was 18th April 2012). It's an effect-orgy with nonsense story. Maybe I'll watch on DVD...

Reid Kemper said...

Looking forward to The Avengers and MIB3. Also, Battleship looks promising. It reminds me of Transformers. I guess because the same people worked on it.

Anonymous said...

I loved Men in Black, and The Avengers looks like it's going to be good.

RaveAir said...

Hmm... My previous comment was lost.

In nutshell: The Avengers (Hungarian premier was at 26.04.2012) is awesome, while the Battleship (Hungarian premier was at 18.04.2012) is a big disappointment.

Anonymous said...

Ohh I'm going to see Avengers this Saturday... very excited. And Dark Shadows looks totally cool - I am a huge Johnny Depp fan.

mooderino said...

I hadn't heard of the soap Dark Shadows is based on so I checked it out on the interweb and blimey, that was a weird show.

Avengers does look pretty good, but no Hank Pym or Wasp? Sacrilege!


mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

Unknown said...

Love Jonny Depp, can't wait to see Dark Shadows!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Good day AleX good post as per usual.

Yvonne.

Old Kitty said...

Who in my life is xtra special?

Charlie!

Take care
x

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Juliana, I'm sorry.

Patricia, not just yes, but hell yes!

Roland, where do you get all of the awesome signed stuff?

Melissa, that's how I feel about Avengers.

Cassie, lucky you to meet Ali!

Thanks, Robyn.

Lynda, yes it was.

Reid, so it will be eye candy at the least.

RaveAir, that's good and bad news.

PR said...

Getting all excited about the Avengers,(has nothing to do with fit superheroes all in the same movie!) It's already released here in the UK but I don't when I'm gona see it yet :)

Brinda said...

I have come to the conclusion that I require a movie marathon day. Who's in?

J.C. Martin said...

Yay Ali! Thanks for featuring her!

As for Dark Shadows, I'm actually quite intrigued to watch it. Battleships, not so much. How much fun is a movie where you go "C4." "You sunk my battleship!" and aliens? Huh?

J.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger

Annalisa Crawford said...

Yay for Men in Black III - got a bit of a Tommy Lee Jones crush here :-)

Also Dark Shadows - Tim Burton and Johnny Depp together are awesome.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Dark Shadows!! Can't wait.

Rusty Carl said...

I'm sold on the Avengers... If its even okay I'll see it a couple of times. I'm so excited.

Anonymous said...

Alex! You taste in movies is my taste in movies! And what can be better than Kate in 3D? NOTH-ING!

baygirl32 said...

Wow! you have be an early bird to get her first that's for sure... back to my coffee now

kjmckendry said...

Ali is great!
I want to see The Avengers.

Savannah Chase said...

Looking forward to Battleship.

Anonymous said...

The correct answer is: Naked Kate in 3D.

Robyn Campbell said...

Dark Shadows and Battleship!!!!! I cannot wait.

I will check Ali out.

Two more, Ninja Captain, Alex! :-)

Luanne G. Smith said...

I've seen the trailer for Dark Shadows and it looks really campy and fun. Can't say I'm too excited to see Kate in 3D. I think it must be a guy thing. :))

Arlee Bird said...

Dark Shadows from the trailers looks like it's being played for comedy more than the campy melodrama of the original. I might like that though.
Men in Black? I like time travel but aren't these aliens smart enough to know they can't change history?
Lots of xtra special people in my life including my family and the awesome 2012 A to Z Team!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ann, sure it doesn't!

Brinda - me!

JC, exactly.

Rusty, still very high on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jack, you rock!

Joshua, you the man! We do get some skin in the film though.

LG, it is.

Thanks, Lee!

Tonja said...

I can't wait for Avengers. MIB3? Maybe.

I agree, Ali is great.

farawayeyes said...

Can't wait for 'Dark Shadows' and 'MIB III'. will add "Chronicle' to Netflix. I had forgotten about it. Also, I'll checkout Ali.

Only two more letters "I'm so Excited!"

Karen Baldwin said...

I used to watch Dark Shadows...the soap opera, way back when. It'll be interesting to see Depp play Barnabas Collins.

Kelly Polark said...

I want the Avengers soundtrack because three of my fave bands are on it!(Bush, Papa Roach and Buckcherry)

I think Dark Shadows looks cool and I want to see Battleship because Alexander Skarsgaard is in it!

Gossip_Grl said...

I like the 1960-1970 Dark Shadows not sure I will see the new one. My hubby is my Xtra Special, because he puts up with me. :)

Heather M. Gardner said...

You know I'm all over The Avengers movie.

I haven't seen Underworld: Awakening yet. But, I will.

I love Johnny Depp when he looks like himself or even as Captain Jack but I can't watch him when he looks all weird. He freaks me out.

Aliens never attacked us while playing Battleship either! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Think I'll skip Battleship.

Jay Noel said...

Looking forward to The Avengers and MIB III. Josh Brolin is a dead ringer for Tommy Lee Jones. Just incredible!

Battleship looks dumb. As does Dark Shadows.

Karen Lange said...

The letter X is a tough one! Thanks for the links and info. Will check out Ali's blog.

Happy weekend!

Marta Szemik said...

Yes, following Ali. I'm excited about Avengers (so are the kids) and MIB III.
Dark Shadows: Any character tackled by Depp is great and I think it will be worth just to see how he transforms into this one.

Hart Johnson said...

Dark Shadows looks pretty great. I need to watch the TV show, too. I've always heard pretty good things. MIB, too, is fun.

Anonymous said...

I was a big Avenger fan as a kid and looking forward to the movie. MIB I was classic, the second so-so. Hoping this one is great.

Ciara said...

I can't wait to see Avengers. I think we are going to do a vlog review of that one. Have a great weekend! Off to Ali's blog.

Julie Dao said...

I'm intrigued by Dark Shadows. And I love how the combo of Johnny Depp/Helena Bonham Carter appears in practically everything Burtonesque and creepy... Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, etc etc.

Budd said...

Thanks for the reminder on chronicle. I haven't seen it yet.

Carol Kilgore said...

"What could be better than Kate in 3D?" - Why am I not surprised :)

I'm looking forward to Dark Shadows.

Happy Weekend!

Gwen Gardner said...

Dark Shadows, LOL! When I was a kid, we watched Dark Shadows after school. It was a vampire soap opera in black and white. We only got 3 channels - I don't remember what was on the other 2.

The Angry Lurker said...

I will try and see the Avengers out of the latest batch, Underworld wasn't bad!

Talli Roland said...

I haven't seen any great films for what feels like ages! Have a great weekend, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Leigh, I vaguely remember it.

Kelly, you are all about the music.

Stephen, yeah thought the second one was all right but not really good.

Carol, but of course!

Lurker, it had a storyline and everything.

Laura Eno said...

I loved the original Dark Shadows on TV so we'll see...
15 years for MIB? Wow!
"You sank my battleship" has acquired a whole new meaning... :)

Shelly said...

Love Men in Black. Want to see Dark Shadows. A follower of Ali. She's great.

Cherie Reich said...

Ali's awesome and her BECOME was one of my favorite books I read last year.

I would really like to see The Avengers and MIB3. Man, I can't believe the first MIB was 15 years ago!

Mina Burrows said...

Hi Alex! Ali is unbelievably cool and helpful. :)

I just read a review about Dark Shadows and they said it was good. I can't wait to see that one. I'll let you know. :)

Maurice Mitchell said...

Alex, Avengers is only a week away! Very excited. MIB3 seems like it ran out of gas, so I'm not sure if it's worth watching yet.
The Geek Twins

Kela McClelland said...

I am following Ali and am a proud ninja over at the Dojo :) She's awesome-her book is awesome (review of it will be up on Sunday ;) and I have to agree-total sweetheart.

I love me some Johnny Depp, but I'm not completely sold on the movie either.

And of course, my babies are XTRA special :)

Sarah Ahiers said...

I CANNOT WAIT FOR AVENGERS!!! I almost pee my pants every time i see a commercial.
Battleship, even though it looks like a reimagining of transformers, still kinda looks good to me. I mean Liam Neeson and Aleksander Skarsgaard? Win.
And Men In Black still looks fun and awesome to me

Julie Flanders said...

Looking forward to Dark Shadows for sure. Battleship looks too dumb for words but I love Alexander Skarsgard so I may have to sit through it. Summer movie season is always so fun!

Anonymous said...

I am really looking forward to to Avengers and Men in Black 3.
I was told Dark Shadows is based of a drama television show from when my parents were kids. Although the movie looks more like a comedy.

Unknown said...

Dark Shadows I'm looking forward to! What can I say, ever since Rice's vampire books, I've a complete sucker for vamps.

M.J. Fifield said...

I'm very much looking forward to The Avengers. I'm also undecided on Dark Shadows. It looks kind of funny though.

And yay for Ali... she's amazing!

Claire Hennessy said...

Dark Shadows sounds good and great cast. Off to visit Ali now :)

Anonymous said...

Good morning Alex! Wow, there's so much in your post, as usual. I want to thank you again for all your help with prompting some very lovely people over to my own little blog: you ARE A SWEETHEART!
I loved the old Dark Shadows show on TV (in B&W back them, or at least at that time we only had a black and white tv). It was fabulous! We used to run home in time to watch the half-hour show which started at 4 p.m. Barnabas, Josette, Angelique, Quentin, AWESOME! It was the scariest. The 'over-dramatized' and dare I say 'over-acted' shows were very soap-styled shows--but rivetting! Dear Jonathan Frid recently passed: RIP to the King of the Vampires. Happy Friday everyone, love MoonWynd
http://moonwyndstudio.wordpress.com/

Nancy Thompson said...

Hey, I know Ali! And I LOVED Chronicle! I'm not into super-hero movies, but The Avengers looks really good!

Cate Masters said...

I am so far behind on new movie releases. Years. Possibly light years. Looking forward to Dark Shadows especially. (Did we really need another MIB? Unless it doesn't suck, then yes!)

S. L. Hennessy said...

May is just going to be awesome. I can't wait for Avengers!!!! And MIB3, and Battleship, and so many others.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love Ali!!! She is awesome! Planning to see The Avengers as soon as possible, and my husband is definitely the most xtra special person in my life. :-)

ali cross said...

Avengers! Battleship! MIB! I also can't wait for Prometheus! All in all, I'm going to be a seriously happy movie-going ali in the next few months!

And Alex . . . Thank you. You are always so kind and generous--a true gentleman and I am honored to know you. And to have received this kind shout-out. Thank you! ((hugs))

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Laura, yes - a funny one!

Not sure either, Maurice.

Sarah, one week!!!!

MoonWynd, you are welcome. I only vaguely remember the TV show. Might have to look for it on NetFlix.

Johanna Garth said...

Can't wait to meet Ali and looking forward to seeing Dark Shadows!

Rachna Chhabria said...

My parents and my Spiritual master are Xtra special in my life.

Your giveaway sounds cool, too bad I cant participate.

~Sia McKye~ said...

My eyes are officially crossing. I'm seeing X's everywhere, lol! I need a break. Maybe go look at some circles or triangles, or do some writing...

I am so looking forward to The Avengers!! I've watched all the Men in Black so I'm going to have to see this one too! Battleship will probably be a DVR. Maybe.

Have a great weekend Alex. I'm going to go do something frivolous and fun and some gardening. I may have nightmares if I see any ABCs, lol!
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

ali cross said...

Okay, so. I just read the fabulous comments. I can't express enough what happiness you all gave me this morning. Thank you! ((hugs to all!))

Maryannwrites said...

I'm going to see Dark Shadows just to see what weirdness Johnny Depp has for us. From what I have seen in the trailer, he is in top form with this one. Hope I won't be disappointed as I have to drive 30 miles to get to a movie theater.

Andrew Leon said...

I'm kind of disgusted with the whole Battleship thing.

But I can not wait for Avengers!

Anonymous said...

Hi Alex! Checked out Ali's blog. I want to see MIB 3. I've already seen the first two.

Nicole said...

I had forgotten about the new Underworld movie! So excited!

Christine Rains said...

I follow Ali! :) From the commercials of Dark Shadows, I'm disappointed. They made it a comedy. It's not a comedy! It would have been far better if they went the creepy route.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rachna, why not? It's open to all.

Sia, I'm going to do something away from my computer this weekend as well.

Ali, you are so welcome!

Maryann, that's a long drive.

Christine, I'm just not sold on it.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Can't wait for the Avengers. Not sure about the rest of them.

M Pax said...

There are lots of good movies coming out in May. Well, I hope they turn out to be good.

Glad I'm not the only one to drop the e in an x word. :)

Dani said...

Miss seeing you at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BBTCafe Capt. Hope you'll be back after this crazy A-Z Challenge! How's the new book selling?

Laura Josephsen said...

MIB3 looks fun. :D My kids have recently been introduced to MIB, which is fun. :D

Leovi said...

Lovely Ali Cross.

Angela Brown said...

I definitely follow Ali, the dojo master. Karate Chop!!

A few of these piqued my interest. Avengers of course. Duh!!! I mean, all of them. ALL of them!! All of THEM!! YEAH!!!!

And truthfully, Dark Shadows has been on my radar for one reason and one reason alone...Johnny Depp. Will it be good? I dunno...and although no one asked, well, I don't care. It's Johnny Depp. That's all I need.

Now, has it really been 15 years since the first MIB came out? Seriously? Oh no...what the heck is happening with the time...just going so fast.

Allison said...

I agree, Joss Whedon and a bunch of super heroes--what's not to like?? Can't wait to see it. What is the movie you are more excited about? My guess would be The Hobbit.

Golden Eagle said...

Definitely following Ali. :) She's an awesome ninja blogger!


The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

Ella said...

Battleship was a fun game! Aliens...??? It could be interesting to watch the Navy in action, lol
Avengers is going to rock! I'm excited. My son has tickets and counting down the day~ I'm trying to convince hubby to go. I might have to go into stealth mode and go solo!
I'm fine either way,as long as I get to go :D
I will go visit Ali! She sounds amazing~

mshatch said...

I used to watch Dark Shadows so I just have to see how Tim Burton does it and I'm definitely interested in MIBII. Nothing like some fun scifi :)

Li said...

Looking forward to seeing the Avengers. I'll pass on Dark Shadows - I was a fan of the original show (had the board game too!) and this movie looks too much like a silly spoof. :-)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Mary, this is my third year doing it...

Dani, I'm sorry! I know, it's been too nutty here.

Angela, it's really been fifteen years.

Allison, you would be correct!!

Ella, I'm sure your husband has never seen aliens attack the Navy.

SpacerGuy said...

A third MIB now in 3D. Cool!

Miranda Hardy said...

Ali is truly an awesome Ninja!

I'm behind on my movie watching.

Rick Daley said...

I am geeking out in anticipation of The Avengers, and even more so for The Dark Knight Rises. This will be a good summer for movies, because Prometheus is coming out, too.

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

I saw Battleship yesterday, and I must say it was way better than I expected it to be. Absolutely spectacular.

I'm watching Avengers on Tuesday, May 1, and I'm over the moon about it. Yes, 3 days before the US release :P Envy? :)

Loved both The Grey and Chronicle.
Dark Shadows looks so much fun!

Anne R. Allen said...

You're not sure about Dark Shadows? You can tell from your comments that some of us are ready to queue up for the theater already. I'm so ancient I watched the original Dark Shadows on TV. It was campy and funny and dark and addictive as hell. The trailers I've seen look as if Burton has got the tone just right. Setting it in the 1970s is genius--capturing the mood of the time it was first broadcast.

Leslie S. Rose said...

I still have to pinch myself to believe The Avengers is really coming out. Opening Day, here I come.

Suze said...

Ali's a big sweetheart.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rick, geek paradise!

George, yes envious! RaveAir in Hungary has already seen both. He didn't like Battleship though.

Anne, the jokes just don't seem fresh though. If the reviews are good, I'll go.