Packing it in today before the Challenge begins!
Yolanda Renee is visiting today.
Meet the Ninja Minions on Tuesday at the A to Z Blog.
And I’m visiting David Powers King on Wednesday.
But first…
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Review
This film teeters around thirty percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but many critics say it is better than Man of Steel – which is at fifty-six percent. What???? (On the IMDB, this film is a respectable 7.6.)
The movie is not without its flaws. It's overlong, dark, and the subplots weave together in a convoluted manner.
That said – I had a great time! I was captivated for the whole two and a half hours.
The effects are amazing, of course. Especially in 3D. This is a spectacle film.
Affleck is a good Batman. He’s driven. And just like the Dark Knight comics, he uses both gadgets and guns to achieve his goals.
Most of the cast from Man of Steel return and slip easily into their roles.
The film keeps you guessing as to who is doing what and why. It’s sometimes confusing, but it does all come together.
Some have criticized that Wonder Woman isn’t in the film much. (It IS called Batman v Superman.) But she is present throughout the film as Diana Prince, thwarting Bruce Wayne. And when she does appear as Wonder Woman at the end – wow! She is beyond bad ass. I don’t remember her being that powerful in the comics, but she is immortal, and her presence in the final fight sequence is the best part. (Watch for the really old photo of her with Chris Pine. Yes, the Wonder Woman movie is filming now and comes out in 2017!)
While the tone does need to come up a notch for the upcoming movies (Snyder is directing both Justice League films but not Wonder Woman or the other spin-offs), it matches Man of Steel, and of course, the darker tones of Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.
Unless you hated Man of Steel, go and enjoy! Highly recommended.
Murder & Obsession Blog Tour
YOUR WICKED'S SHOWING
Alex's one request was to make the post snarky, and one of my snarkiest characters is Alice Foxx, a beauty with a heart of stone but with an eye for Detective Steven Quaid. This excerpt is from Memories of Murder, but Alice appears in Murder & Obsession and her snark is worse!
Excerpt:
"Giving advice, Sarah? Do you really think you're qualified?"
With her hands on her hips, the slight tilt of Alice's head only made the sneer on her face more hideous. She reminded Sarah of the evil queen in every fairy tale ever told, a beauty hardened by selfishness.
Sarah met Alice's gaze with steely resolve. "I may not have your credentials, but I've been where Phoenix is, and, yes, I think I can offer her a lot. Diplomas will never equal experience."
"Well, she's my patient, and I disagree. Stay away from her. The last thing she needs is a lesson on how to run away from her problems."
Sarah's body surged with anger. "And what lesson do you intend to teach her? Unless you've been the victim, dear doctor, don't assume you know what's in the victim's mind or in the monster's." Sarah walked away but stopped for one more verbal blow. "Oh, and while you're making assumptions, Steven may fall for your tricks, but he'll never fall for you. I have his heart, and that's something I'll never let go of."
Alice's entire body reacted. She locked her spine, planted her feet, and raised her fist.
"Don't threaten me, Sarah. I'm not a woman prone to losing. But you? Your life is nothing but loss. Compete with me, and you will lose—you'll lose much more than Steven!" Alice threatened.
"Careful," Sarah mocked, "your wicked is showing."
*****
Thanks, Alex, for giving me the opportunity to appear on your amazing blog for my Murder & Obsession Blog Tour.
Links - Read the 1st Chapter - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Blog - Pinterest - Amazon - BUY
The Next RiffTrax: Live Event!
Time Chasers! It's the story of a man named Nick who turns his airplane into a time machine with the aid of his beloved Commodore 64.
With it he woos the woman of his dreams, despite the fact that he doesn’t own a car and his wardrobe consists only of a pair of jeans and a threadbare t-shirt from Castleton State College.
Come join Mike, Kevin and Bill LIVE on Thursday, May 5th at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. CT (tape-delayed to 7:00 p.m. MT/ 8:00 p.m. PT) for a hilarious take on the original cut of this sci-fi classic along with an all-new short!
Get your tickets HERE
A to Z Challenge Reminder
The Challenge kicks off this Friday! Are you ready for a month of complete and total insanity?
My theme this year - Origins of Science Fiction Terms and More.
The term, its meaning, and its first book appearance – a movie that features this term – and a featured blogger buddy who reminds me of that term! (And yes, this is scaling back for me. These posts only took three hours each to put together as opposed to five each from the past three years.)
I’m also the guinea pig for a special version of the Challenge. You’ll discover what and why this Friday.
Some last minute tips:
Make sure someone can find your blog through your comments.
Make posts short and easy to read.
Visit those who visit you.
Visit five new blogs a day, starting with the one after your own on the list.
Have fun!
Monday’s Music Moves Me/Music Award
Patrick W. Weseland picked the theme - songs about you!
My choice is Digital Man by Rush. (And there is no good video, so I picked one with lyrics. You can listen or read.)
Chrys Fey and Sherry Ellis both nominated me for the Music & Words Award.
1.) Link back to the person who nominated you. 2.) Answer the questions with words AND music. (In the interest of space, I’m just going with words.) 3.) Pass the award on to 5 other people. Make sure you notify them. (This close to the Challenge, I’m not nominated anyone.) 4.) Tag your post with #MWA for Music & Words Award so we can all find you down the line. 5.) Quote these 5 steps and display the award icon in your post and also on your sidebar if you wish.
Question number 1: What does music mean to you? It’s my daily soundtrack and the energy that gets me through.
Question number 2: What is your first music-related memory? My father playing Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Question number 3: What was the first album you purchased? Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue.
Question number 4: What was the latest music you purchased? Amon Amarth – Jomsviking.
Question number 5: Which song did you listen to last? Wanderer by Amon Amarth, from Jomsviking. (Big surprise, huh?)
April Movie Preview
Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for March! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.
8 –
Hardcore Henry
A first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Stars: Haley Bennett, Tim Roth, Sharlto Copley, Ilya Naishuller
In an emergency, your popcorn tub can be used as a barf bucket.
15 –
The Jungle Book
An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.
Director: Jon Favreau
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray
Great cast and good looking trailer – bring your whole family or just the bear necessities.
22 –
The Huntsman: Winter’s War
As two evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; two renegades - Eric the Huntsman - who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them.
Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt
I guess the producers realized that the only thing that didn’t work the first time was Kristen Stewart.
29 –
Keanu
Friends hatch a plot to retrieve a stolen kitten by posing as drug dealers for a street gang.
Director: Peter Atencio
Stars: Will Forte, Keegan-Michael Key, Jason Mitchell, Luis Guzmán
I have to admit, the trailer looks funny.
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank tells the story of two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy.
Directors: Kevin Munroe | Jericca Cleland
Stars: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward, Sylvester Stallone
And how many video game adaptations have worked as movies…?
Whoa!
Who else saw Batman v Superman? Is your wicked showing? Going to RiffTrax: Live next month? What are your early music memories? What April movies interest you?
And who is ready for the A to Z Challenge?