Wednesday, April 15, 2015

A to Z Challenge – M – Cult Classics: Mad Max, Manos, Manhunter, Marillion, Metallica, and more! Plus New PAN Movie Poster and Superhero Movie News

Today I am visiting the awesome Julie Musil, author and writing tips extraordinaire. I’m covering ‘The Differences Between a Series and a Stand Alone Book.’


A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – M
Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term





Movies –

Mad Max
This 1979 top-grossing Australian film held the Guinness record for most profitable film for year. It spawned two sequels (third one coming this year) and launched Mel Gibson’s career.

Manhunter
This stylized thriller, based on Harris’ book Red Dragon, achieved cult status after star William Petersen’s success on the show CSI. It is one of director Michael Mann’s finest films.

Manos: The Hands of Fate
Dubbed one of the worst films ever made, it achieved cult status when Mystery Science Theater 3000 featured it in 1993. RiffTrax also did a live show of Manos.



Music –

Marillion – Season’s End
This was the first album to feature singer Steve Hogarth and spawned the classic song, Easter.

Metallica – Master of Puppets
Released in 1986, it was the first thrash metal album to be certified Platinum. It went six times Platinum and paved the way for many other metal bands.


Science Fiction Books –

Make Room! Make Room! – Harry Harrison
This 1966 book explored the consequences of overpopulation and was made famous by the film Soylent Green. (Which changed many aspects of the novel.)

The Martian Chronicles – Ray Bradbury
This 1950 collection of short stories covers the colonization of Mars. It was adapted to film, radio, graphic novels, and a television miniseries.



Bloggers –

Melanie Schulz
Do you enjoy mysteries and thrillers? Want to follow the journey of a successful indie author? Then you need to meet the very special Melanie!

Morgan Shamy
Are you in need of some cheer? Do you want to connect with the most genuine and spiritually grounded writer on the Internet? Then the amazing Morgan will dance her way into your heart!

MsMariah at A Space Blogyssey
Are you a Wonder Woman fan? Enjoy super heroes and science fiction? Want to meet the ultimate geek girl? Then MsMariah is that special person who will delight you with her movie and geek knowledge!

Mail4Rosey
Do you enjoy giveaways? Want the scoop on the latest? And a chance to win it? All with the personal touch of someone who really cares? Then you need to meet the very special Rosey!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Mounting tension
Aden’s world is disrupted by war. The situation grows more dire when his home planet of Hyrath is invaded. Their only hope for survival – find the legendary ship, the Dragon. Can Aden find it in time to save his people?

Dragon of the Starsis out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

Movie News

From Blastr: 

Scarlett Johansson promises 'complex psychological twists' in Captain America: Civil War

Mark Ruffalo reveals the real reason why we haven't gotten a solo Hulk movie, talks Civil War

Olivia Munn signs on for X-Men: Apocalypse as the psychic mutant Psylocke

And from Jo Blo, the new poster for PAN, due out July 24, 2015:


Seen the movies? (I hope you had MST3K/RiffTrax help with Manos!) Fan of the bands or the books? Familiar with those special bloggers? Excited about all the superhero news? And are you ready for another Peter Pan film…?

Don’t forget to visit Julie Musil!

117 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Even my movie phobic self has seen a couple of the Mad Max series. I think I liked Beyond the Thunderdome best. Tina Turner is one of my heroes.
I do know some of the featured bloggers and will visit those I don't. And Julie Musil.

Nilanjana Bose said...

There can never be enough Peter Pan films. Cool poster.

nashvillecats2 said...

Excellent post Alex, there were films I have seen on TV. aLSO will check out the bloggers later on.

Enjoy your day.

Murees Dupè said...

My family are huge Mad max fans. I'm really bad, I have yet to watch it.

Cindy said...

Can't wait for the next Captain America. Hope the Pan movie is good.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Cool poster. This movie sounds good. Hope to see it.

And I'll stop by Julie's today.

Jennifer Hawes said...

I remember Mad Max. I love adding "mounting tension" to my novels. There should come a point where everything that could go wrong, does:)

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

I haven't seen a lot of MST3K, but I did see the Manos episode!

Christine Rains said...

I thought M movies and immediately thought you might post about Manos! Hehehe! Fantastic superhero news. My son is really getting into the whole superhero thing now. Off to Julie's!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

I know most of these! Mad Max and Metallica...we can tell when I was a teen. :)

Gorgeous poster for Pan.

Stephen Tremp said...

Love MST3000. I still catch clips form YouTube to get my fill of one of the greatest TV shows ever.

Al Diaz said...

Hadn't heard Marillion until you played easter. I liked it. Ah Morgan is awesome and with a huge heart! That Pan poster looks great!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the shout-out Alex!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - once again .. not clued in to these .. but that's the way it goes .. Morgan - oh yes .. great dancer and quite delightful blogger .. and then Julie - her page is open waiting for me to call on by ..

The Pan Poster is epic .. I loved the Peter Pan stories - they were a treat visit at Christmas .. London or Windsor .. cheers Hilary

mail4rosey said...

Hey, what a fun surprise to find my blog under there!! Thank you, Alex, and doubly thank you for the kind words!

What a great way to start my day. :)

As for the Mad Max 'M,' I know the world's biggest MM fan.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Murees, the second one rocks.

Jennifer, in my book, it does!

Sandra, that's the only way to watch it.

Stephen, it was the greatest show ever.

Al, you liked a band I like - awesome!

Melanie, you're welcome.

Rosey, glad I could start your day out right!

Stephanie Faris said...

The PAN poster looks interesting. I like the idea of a blog about the difference between a series and a standalone book. I'm writing a series right now, so I need to read that!

Sarah Foster said...

Nope, once again I haven't see any of the movies. Going to Julie's now to check out your post!

kjmckendry said...

I remember watching Mad Max with my dad.
I love Metallica! Hugh Jackman will make a great Blackbeard!

Michael Abayomi said...

I read the book, Red Dragon, but don't think I ever ran across the movie, Manhunter. I remember the one with Edward Norton in it though, which I felt was a decent enough adaptation of the book.

Cathrina Constantine said...

I love the Pan Poster! Looks like my kind of flick. I think I've seen all the Mad Max movies. The new ones coming out soon with Charlize Theron & Tom Hardy, can't wait. Those movies are so weird that I love 'em.

ediFanoB said...

Yay!

Today you posted things from the past I know and like

Mad Max was/is a great movieand I really like Metallica.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Loved the Mad Max movies. The first was my favorite. I haven't read the book but I own a copy of Soylent Green and watch it at least once a year.

The Happy Whisk said...

Manhunter is one of Frankenberry's favorite films. He likes it better than the Lambs, one.

Rachna Chhabria said...

The Pan poster looks awesome. Thank you for introducing us to these great bloggers.

Chrys Fey said...

That Pan poster is awesome!

I knew Metallica would be here, but I never liked them. :\

I've been meaning to read The Martian Chronicles for a long time now. I need to get on that!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Gorgeous Pan poster. I need to read the Martian Chronicles. I'll be connecting with the bloggers you mentioned.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Kathryn, you rock!

Michael, you need to find Manhunter and watch it.

Cathrina, I think the new Max film will be awesome.

Edi, you definitely rock!

Ivy, good for him!

Chrys, the book is better than the movie series.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a Mad Max fan, but that Peter Pan movie looks promising. Off to check out the blogs!

Jo said...

I saw the first Max Max and enjoyed it. As for the Martian Chronicles (The Silver Locusts in England, a much better title IMHOP) I thought that was his best book.

Morgan Shamy is, of course, one of my besties.

Do we need another Pan movie?

Shell Flower said...

Mad Max rocks. So does Metallica's Master of Puppets. Both are true classics. Quite a good group of M Bloggers, too.

Arlee Bird said...

Road Warrior definitely the best of the Mad Max series in my opinion. It will be interesting to see where they take things in the next film. Thunderdome was pretty good, but got a little weird out there even for my tastes.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Lauren Farrow said...

I'm a huge Captain America fan!! I can't wait for the movie!

Leovi said...

Yes, M can have very good candidates, including Metallica, great!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Liked the first and third Mad Max movies, but I'm not sure about the one coming out . . .
Love your blogger shout-outs - I know a few and need to visit, and a few are new to me.
I'm definitely excited about the superhero news, and I'm curious about the new Pan movie.

Nicki Elson said...

That poster is gorgeous!! My son just played the croc in the high school musical and Peter Pan is the automatic 1st ride I go to at the Magic Kingdom...so yeah, I'm a liiiittle excited for this movie.

I still get chills thinking about Manhunter. It seemed like my college roommates watched that thing constantly - with no regard for my delicate sensibilities.

Maurice Mitchell said...

Two cult movies that spawned franchises! MsMariah is one of my favorite bloggers so it's well deserved.

Charles Gramlich said...

I saw Mad Max in the theater. I remember when Road Warrior came out and there was no mention of it being related to Mad Max. It was fun figuring that out.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jo, I like the English title.

Lee, toning Thunderdome down to PG13 was a mistake.

Tyrean, the next one looks more like the second one, which was my favorite.

Nicki, it was chilling all right.

Charles, not sure why they didn't call it Mad Max 2 at first.

David P. King said...

I have a feeling you're going to be all over that new Mad Max movie. :)

S. L. Hennessy said...

Metallica, Mad Max and Martian Chronicles. The perfect M day. Can't wait for the new Mad Max movie.

Robin said...

I had no idea another Peter Pan movie was coming out. Fairy tales abound! At least the casting looks good:)

Al Penwasser said...

As long as Dustin Hoffman isn't Captain Hook, that'll be cool with me.

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

Is Manos worse than Plan 9 - I have to know now :) I used to love the Mad Max movies, but unfortunately have real trouble watching any Mel Gibson movies any more (also glances mournfully at Lethal Weapon).
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Morgan said...

Awwwwww!!!!!!

Day. Made. (And it's only 9 am…)

Thanks SO MUCH for the shout out, Alex. Kind words mean a lot more when they're coming from someone you respect and love a great deal. Thank you!!!!

And I'm still searching for that place on your blog where all the mini Alex's are located… I'm DYING to see. I totally swoon over that little guy. ;-)

Annalisa Crawford said...

Ah, Metallica - very good choice :-)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I could handle Peter Pan in 3-D.
Morgan and Rosey are sweeties. I'm sure the others are too. I'll be visiting. Thanks, Alex.

Mark Koopmans said...

Hey! I know that Morgan person!!

Mad Max was awesome in its time..

Never a big Marillion or Metallica fan... I was the Synth Pop guy back then :)

(oh boy... I fear that I still am...)

Mark Koopmans said...

Hey! I know that Morgan person!!

Mad Max was awesome in its time..

Never a big Marillion or Metallica fan... I was the Synth Pop guy back then :)

(oh boy... I fear that I still am...)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

The PAN poster looks evocative. In THREE SPIRIT KNIGHT, my hero is shown to be the inspiration for both Pan and Puck.

I always wanted the Mad Max character to consider himself the last lawman and help the hurting that crossed his path because of that.

Manhunter is certainly a fine film. Where, oh, where is Mini-Alex? :-)

Heather M. Gardner said...

Of course you have Metallica!

ALEX!

We made it to M!

I'm now writing each post the night before. Stupid me!

Superheroes. They're all such divas! Not all of them can carry a film by themselves. I think the last 100 Hulk movies have shown us that. Yeah, I know. It wasn't Mark Ruffalo, one of the best Hulks we've had, but still.

I do admit. I'm curious about the new Mad Max.

Heather

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Ah, Metallica! Love me some Metallica. :)

I never watched the Red Dragon remake because I liked the first one so much. Do you like the remake better?

cleemckenzie said...

I'll stop by Julie's to say hi.

Mad Max I loved. And I must see Pan. It should be great.

Jeff Chapman said...

Have to look up MST's version of Manos. Thanks for the recommendation.

Susan Kane said...

This Peter Pan looks to be approached from a totally different side altogether.

Mad Max, yes, and loved it. Not famliar with Manhunter, but a young William Peterson is handsome.

Manos--oh what it must have been on RiffTrax!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Robin, my wife will want to see it for Hugh Jackman alone.

Natasha, yes - it is worse than Plan 9.

Morgan! You're welcome. And I'll send you the link.

Heather! You're brave. And if Hulk had a couple other superheroes in it, the film might work.

JH, it was all right, but not as good as Manhunter.

Jeff, it's the only way to watch it...

Susan it was hysterical.

M Pax said...

Your new book sounds so adventurous. Will add it to my Kindle.

Lisa said...

Love the poster at the end. Wonder if the movie will be good. I also wonder why the movie folks have such a hard time coming up with new movies and have to go back to new takes on old ones...The Martian Chronicles was one of my fav books growing up. I have to say, I really liked Mad Max. I saw it only because I wanted to see what MG was like in the beginning. I saw all the MM movies. Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Pat Hatt said...

Not sure I care for another Peter Pan film. Enjoyed all three Mad Max movies. Marvel needs to get off their butt and buy it back from Universal. Kind of stupid how these rights work sometime.

L.G. Keltner said...

Manos can only be taken with a dose of MST3K and/or RiffTrax. It can be hazardous to your sanity otherwise.

SpacerGuy said...

Peter Pan looks like a 3D epic gliding through space. Yes I'm getting familiar trekking through the challenges A to Z bloggers. Its quite a trippy experience.

DiscConnected said...

I guess that makes two cults I am a member of (Rundgren, Marillion)

I was turned onto the band right around the release of Season's End and the friend who told me about them said they sounded like old Genesis (referring to the Fish albums), but I always thought the first two H albums sealed that comparison, as, like Collins' era Genesis, the songs were more pop-oriented and radio-friendly.

Although I did not "get" Brave right away, by then the band had found their new style, and I find it funny when people still refer to H as the "new" singer after a quarter century.

Andrew Leon said...

I've been wanting to re-read Martian Chronicles, but it's anyone's guess as to whether I will actually get to it.

I love Morgan. :)

stephen Hayes said...

Love that Pan poster. When I was a kid I'd have figured out a way to steal a copy so I could hang it in my room.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Mary!

Lisa, we should count how many Pan films are out there...

LG, absolutely!

Larry, they do still call him the new singer, don't they?

Anonymous said...

I'm only familiar with Metallica (but then again, who isn't?)

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

Jeffrey Scott said...

What would life be like without a few B movies?

Blue Grumpster said...

Third one coming this year? I hope it isn't a reboot with tons of 'humorous references' to the first three...

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

I haven't seen the movies or read the books, but I'd love to see another Peter Pan movie.
You've also listed some interesting sites to visit. Thanks.

Luanne G. Smith said...

I AM SO READY FOR THE NEW MAD MAX MOVIE!!! Yeah, I love the franchise.

And the Peter Pan poster is awesome. That's gonna be a good one too.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Never read those books but I saw all those movies. I love the Mad Max movies. Not sure what I think of the remake. And as far as Peter Pan, who I think is really creepy in every version I've ever seen, I probably won't go see that. I think Hook is the good guy.

Unknown said...

I'm not a fan of the Pan. I've always found that story (and Pinocchio) kinda creepy.

You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant

Nick Wilford said...

I'd be interested to see what they did with the new Pan film. And Mad Max! I've read some Ray Bradbury but not the Martian Chronicles, which I must get to.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Blue, so far it looks promising.

LG, you are excited!!

Susan, I was never a Peter Pan fan either.

Clarabelle, I agree.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

So glad that Peter is a BOY this time and not a woman. :P

Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony

J E Oneil said...

Master of Puppets, I love that one. I think I'll also have to look up Make Room! Make Room!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll be sure to check out the bloggers as I exit. Maria@Delight Directed Living

Holy Ghost Writer said...

How many ways can Pan be told?

Unknown said...

In Australia, shortly after the release of Mad Max, we considered making Mel Gibson our Prime Minister.

Liz Blocker said...

Happy halfway day, Alex! I love Mad Max :)

Pan looks so cool!

Bob/Sally said...

Marilyn Manson, Mastodon, Max Webster, Ministry, Misfits, Moonspell, Mötley Crüe, Motörhead - there's a lot to pick from, musically, from the M's. :)

DMS said...

I saw Mad Max back in the day! I also love Morgan's blog and now I have some other blogs to check out. :)
~Jess

Unknown said...

Pan looks awesome! Love Hugh Jackman. I saw him in the city once walking with his daughter. Great bloggers, I'll check them out!

Liz A. said...

I actually saw Manhunter in school. My high school psychology teacher showed it to the class.

Donna McDine said...

Oh my goodness... Mad Max was made in 1979. I'm feeling old.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, that's always weird when he's a girl.

JE, you rock!

Holy Ghost, ask the Order.

Michael, wow!

Bob, I could have done more!

Beth, wow!

Liz, that's cool.

Donna, so am I...

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

wow, I love the Pan poster.

Mad Max. I wasn't a fan of the movie at the time (my brother loved it). I preferred Mad Max 2. In fact, I loved it.

Birgit said...

Oooh Love the Pan poster and Hugh Jackman is in it so(licking my lips) I will want to see this. Mad Max and the other Max's are great fun to watch even if it is post nuclear.

Empty Nest Insider said...

Spectacular poster for Pan! I'm not sure I can sit through another Peter Pan movie though. Thanks for doing an amazing job bringing us the latest news, and still finding the time to visit our blogs, Alex!

Julie

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I love Manhunter. We watched it again recently and it's just mesmerizing.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Why yes, I have seen Mad Max but the other two. while I have read Martian Chronicles, I didn't read Make room--I did see Soylent Green. It was creepy because I just knew what in that 'food.' Ick.

I know I liked the other movies around the superheroes but this one...I don't know. I probably will watch it on DVD rather than the theater.

Oh, my another Peter Pan movie. Like that poster.
Sia McKye Over Coffee

msmariah said...

Thanks for the shoutout Alex! I love your choices for cult movies. Manhunter was a great one. I'm really looking forward to Pan.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lynda, Road Warrior is my favorite!

Julie, you know I will.

MsMariah, you are welcome!

Truedessa said...

Mad Max was on TV a week or two ago. I think I've seen enough Peter Pan. The one that comes to mind is Hook starring Robin Williams..rip..

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I already visited you over at Julie's place. Great post and advice! PAN looks awesome!

XmasDolly said...

If it wasn't for you I don't think I would have anyone stopping by. Thank you so very much Alex. I guess you came by early and my letter wasn't up yet. it is now, but it isn't much... not like yours this is marvelous. Maybe I'll work a little harder tomorrow and see what I can put up. I'm inspired! :) HUGS

LD Masterson said...

I can't count how many times I've seen the Mad Max movies. It's not that I seek them out but whenever I come across a showing on TV I can't help but watch it again.

I haven't heard about Pan but it certainly sounds worth checking out.

Ella said...

Cheers Mad Max and Metallic~
Morgan does dance into your heart-I have to visit the other people you listed. I bet they are marvelous!

Carrie-Anne said...

I've heard a lot about the sheer dreadfulness of Manos, though I haven't experienced it for myself yet. Some movies are so bad they're unintentionally hilarious, while other bombs just have one cringing in embarrassment.

Cherdo said...

Mad Max was THE BOMB and all my friends loved those movies when I was young. Now, when I look at the first one in the series, I think "why is this not as great as I remember??" I still love it, though.

The other fav on your list: Bradbury. I never tire of him.

Helena said...

Mad Max was so grim! It looks like Pan might be more my style. But some day I do want to read the Martian Chronicles.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see Mad Max. I believe I read The Martian Chronicles. I read a lot of Bradbury years ago.

Scribbles From Jenn said...

A sequel to Mad Max?!? Awesome! Yay for me! I know 50% of your highlighted bloggers!

Scribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Marie, I will stop by today for sure!

LD, something about the Road Warrior just sucks you in...

Carrie-Anne, this one is both. For your sanity, don't watch it without help from either MST3K or RiffTrax.

Cherdo, I don't think the first one was that great. Second one rocked though.

Jenn, yay for you!

Gail said...

1984...need I say more?

Rhonda Albom said...

Somehow I almost missed this one, and the funny part, I know the least of your M selections for any post so far - except for Mad Max.

Anonymous said...

Remember reading "Make Room! Make Room!" and then a whole bunch of books by Harry Harrison - huge fan of his Stainless Steel Rat series. Need to create more time to visit other bloggers as much as you do, Alex. What's the secret? A time machine?

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Manhunter and Master of the Puppets are two of my favorite things.

You and I would so be friends, I am telling you... hanging out, not just blogging.

Jeremy

Patricia Stoltey said...

I really flunked M, Alex. I know none of your cult classics.

Michelle Wallace said...

I know both Melanie Schulz & Morgan Shamy! Great ladies!
Off to Julie Musil's place---------

Unknown said...

I'm always excited & ready for Super Heroes and Pan!!

Julie Flanders said...

I know Melanie but I think the rest of these bloggers are new to me. Have to go check them out.

Toi Thomas said...

So excited about Pan!
I liked Martian Chronicles, but it amazes me how it's such a sign of the time inwhich it was written.

XmasDolly said...

I would really like to see this movie, but I'll have to wait for the DVD... don't think I could sit that long in the theater, but it does look exciting don't it? Thanks so much for sharing.

Trisha said...

Classic Metallica album.

I still haven't seen Mad Max. I guess I'm a terrible Australian. ;)

Morgan is a great blogger!

Mina Burrows said...

I loved Mad Max. One of my favorites!

I want to see Pan too!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I've probably seen Manhunter 30x. Not kidding. Saw first in 1986. It moved me to read everything Mr. Harris had written. Brian Cox was a very creepy Hannibal. And look how beautiful Joan Allen was. Great movie.