Monday, March 18, 2013

Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest, Google Reader Alternative, and Ninja News

Are you ready for the Top Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest?

First, some news and a Google Reader alternative.


Ninja News

SC Write is holding a query contest! Want to know if your query will get attention? Check out his site for details.

Writers4Writers is promoting Angela Brown and Kyra Lennon today!

Still on the fence about the A to Z Challenge? You need to visit Michelle at Writer-in-Transit! This awesome Ninja Minion posted a fun and creative piece on the benefits of the Challenge, and did it in true alphabet form.

Google Reader Alternative – Feedly!


After checking out several options this weekend, I went with the highly recommended Feedly. Go to the site and download the program. Once it’s complete and the main page comes up, click on the magnifying glass on the far right. You can click on Google Reader and it will import all of your feeds and folders directly into Feedly. (Note image at left.) From there, you can organize and adjust the view.

And even if you don’t use Google Reader, the blogs you’ve followed through your Dashboard are still listed in Google Reader and will be imported into Feedly.

Simple and easy to use – I like it!

Top Ten Movie Blogfest! 


List your ten favorite movies!

I’m counting down to mine…

10. Inception – Another film that proves Nolan is a genius. Original science fiction is so rare that you should treasure it when you find it. The cast is stellar and the storyline intricately perplexing.

9. Super 8 - Take one part E.T., a dash of Jaws, a pinch of Cloverfield, and toss in a bit of Stand By Me and you have the ingredients for a great film filled with nostalgia. This movie made me feel like a kid again - that wide-eyed sense of wonderment. J.J. Abrams’ movie is a tribute to the great works of Steven Spielberg.

8. Jurassic Park - I remember reading the novel by Michael Crichton and thinking there was no way they could turn this into a movie. Fortunately, Steven Spielberg picked up the gauntlet and ushered in a new age of summer blockbuster. So many jaw-dropping moments and amazing action set pieces. This movie took my inner child out for a two hour+ romp.

7. The Avengers - One of the greatest superhero films ever. It really captures the feel of the comic book. It was amazing to see all the heroes come to life on the big screen. Whedon did a great job creating a cohesive, engaging story.

6. Serenity – It was like Christmas when one of my favorite science fiction shows of all time ("Firefly") got the big-screen treatment. The characters are great, the dialogue crackles with energy and wit, and the show was given a wonderful send-off. This finally gave the fans closure. (Curse you FOX!!)

5. Raiders of the Lost Ark - This is as close as it gets to the perfect movie. Great pacing, amazing set pieces, and wonderful characters. This movie had me grinning from ear to ear and remains one of my all-time favorites. This should be required film school viewing when it comes to pacing and editing.

4. Aliens - James Cameron took a creepy, slow-paced, brooding film (Alien) and turned it into a non-stop roller coaster ride of action and excitement. If you’re a fan of this film, you quote lines from it all the time. This film is a non-stop juggernaut of action that keeps ramping up the excitement and tension. I'm a huge fan of all of Cameron's work but this one is truly epic.

3. Memento - Christopher Nolan burst on to the movie scene with this amazing, mind-bending film. Memento requires your entire brain to remain focused on the events unfolding as you are asked to follow a narrative playing in reverse. Every time you think you know what is going on, the next scene deconstructs every notion in your head. A masterpiece.

2. Mystery Science Theater 3000 The Movie - I am a huge fan of this great cult series. Joel, Mike and the bots have been like family since the show’s inception. Watching MST3K in the theater was such an amazing experience. The cinematic stinker that the crew skewers is "This Island Earth" and it is played up for big, big laughs.

1 - LOTR Trilogy - What an amazing piece of work from Peter Jackson and the team from Weta. Every frame has been lovingly crafted with intricate detail and care. It's quite apparent that Peter Jackson loved the LOTR books and he made films that appeal to the broad masses as well as the fanboys..

Visit other participants for a fun day filled with great movies!



Ready for a query pitch contest? Part of Writers4Writers? Ready for the A to Z Challenge in two weeks? Tried Feedly? And what are your favorite movies?


240 comments:

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James Garcia Jr said...

Great list here, Alex. I expected nothing less. Stellar choices all. I noticed Spielberg's name quite often. I know he's won his fair share of Oscars, but do you think he gets skipped because voters are getting too used to his genius? Is this one of those deals where after he passes away, they'll figure out that the Best Director award ought to be renamed the Spielberg?

-Jimmy

Jack said...

Love your list! I've seen most of them, and I want to see Serenity after I finish Firefly.

Anonymous said...

Great movie list...my hubby loves Raiders of the lost Ark...anything with Indiana Jones...lol! I went with Bloglovin' myself...just because it was the first one I looked at (no real particular reason).

http://runningsurvivor.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I will need to watch Memento!

Helena said...

Raiders of the Lost Ark is my absolutely favorite movie of all time! And what a shock that I've actually seen most of the movies on your list (for a change). I also loved Super 8 (very sweet) and Inception was indeed awesome.

And thank you for the heads-up on Feedly.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Dragging but over to visit the Ninja himself. Too much work today and not enough breaks.

I haven't seen #'s 9,6,3,&2. I've watched (#10)once but the rest over 5 times at least and few (Raiders) dozen times. Love them.

I just didn't have time today to add to my post on the movies, sorry Alex, I meant to.

Hugs and blessings! Oh and here's and extra one for Mrs Alex. *grin* can't leave her out!

Helena said...

Alex darling, I am SO sorry I missed this blogfest. I have really been out of it lately.

I'm so glad Raiders is on your list. It is my absolutely favorite movie of all time. Super 8 was sweet and Inception was brilliant.

KM Nalle said...

Jurassic Park is one of those movies I have to watch if I run across it. I can't help myself.

Chuck said...

I have not finished the LOTR trilogy and may need to do that now.

Inception was fantastic. I thought it to be so original and captivating. No idea what was going to happen next. Loved it.

Super 8 was a great flick. My wife thought it was stupid and didn't get it...so I know I'
m on the right track! Just a cool movie.

Aliens, Ripley being badass...works for me.

Great blogfest and huge turn-out for it...as usual.

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

SUPER 8....JJ ABRAMS is fabulous! Memento...what a concept! Indy! ah the love of Harrison Ford. But then you added MST3000 I mean seriously hilarious comedic genius or torture...lol love this entire list!

dolorah said...

Thanks Alex: for the Feedly, and blogfest and stuff.

.......dhole

Carrie Butler said...

You know how much I love Serenity. "She is starting to damage my calm." *grins*

And I ended up trying Feedly, too. I really like it!

Unknown said...

After checking out some options this weekend, I also ended up choosing Feedly. I like the iPad app :)
And I agree with your number 1 movie choice!

Unknown said...

I've signed up to A to Z. I really need to start getting prepared though!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

my goodness you have a lot of comments ;)

Love, love, love your movie list. Brilliant!

Unknown said...

I really should have paid attention when you put up this awesome hop and joined in, but I'm having a great time going around to the participants and looking at their lists.
You have some terrific films on your list. I can tell you, like me, are a Spielberg fan! My faves are "Jaws" and "ET."
Fabulous blog hop! :-D

Michelle Wallace said...

217 odd comments? PHEW!
Thanks for the shout out Alex!
To be honest, I've heard about some of those movie titles, but didn't have a clue what they were all about...
All ready to tweet for W4W!
I'm almost ready with A to Z posts!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cathy, he put so much into them.

Man O Clay, flipped my lid is a great description.

Pat, it is!

James, it's possible!

Jack, it will bring closure to the show.

Helena, so worries - we had lots of entries.

Sia, that's all right!

Chuck, Super 8 didn't resonate with my wife, either. Must be a guy thing.

Courtney, if you're a MST3K fan, then you are super cool.

Rebecca, glad you're on board.

Lynda, I know! It goes to two pages.

Lexa, sorry you missed it, but lots of good movies.

Michelle, you're welcome!

Callie Leuck said...

Agree with you on Feedly. That's what I'm going with, too.

Tia Bach said...

Excited to look into Feedly. Thanks for the suggestion.

LOVED the movie blogfest. Such great pics above, and several I haven't seen and must. Inception has made so many lists that I think I'll have to rent it this weekend. Love Raiders and Aliens.

Now I'm off to write some A to Z posts. April 1 is looming.

Sus said...

Great list! Thanks for hosting such a fun blogfest. It would be cool to see which movies made the top 10 the most frequently among bloggers. I don't know who would have time to tally all that, but it'd be cool to know. :)

Leovi said...

Wonderful! Yes, LOTR Trilogy. What an amazing piece.

Emily R. King said...

I was texting Jurassic Park quotes back and forth with my sister the other night.

"Shoot heeeer!" :)

Great blog hop, Alex. Sorry I missed it.

Jenny S. Morris said...

Wow, some really great picks. I've been meaning to watch Memento, I'll have to check it out.

Jennifer Lane said...

I love Aliens! Before I went to see Jurassic Park, I'd thought it was a nice little science-fiction movie and it scared the s*it out of me!

I've never heard of super 8 but will have to check it out.

Sorry I missed this blogfest!

Mark said...

LOTR and Serenity...some of the best films ever made:) Also thanks for the alternative to Google Reader, I'll try it out:)

Carrie-Anne said...

I've seen Inception, LOTR, Raiders, and Jurassic Park. Reading all these lists drives home the fact that my film tastes are extremely odd for someone of my age, or just someone in the modern era period.

Printed Portal said...

I forgot about the awesomeness that was Super 8. :)

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

Fun list- will have to check out the movies I haven't seen.

Will be heading over to writers4writers and writer in transit to check out the posts.

I set up folders in my google reader, yet still found myself sticking with my blogroll on dashboard. Not sure if I will worry about finding something new...???

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great list. I've seen many of those movies. My boys like them. I felt the same way while watching Super 8. It was a pleasant surprise.

Nigel G Mitchell said...

I've had "Super 8" on my Netflix queue for a while. I need to watch it. If you agree to watch "Primer," I'll pull the trigger on "Super 8."

Stina said...

I'm getting requests on my query, so I'm assuming it's working. :D

I signed up for Bloglovin'. So far it seems to be working.

My family watched Jursassic Park a few weeks ago. It still freaks me out.

Editor and Publisher Shelly Burke said...

Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark are two of my favorites too!

Checking in for the A to Z Challenge--thank you for being a host!

Sabrina A. Fish said...

I love your list, Alex. I about died when Inception ended with that little tip still spinning....loved it! I also think that LOTR is the best EVER. I love Raiders, too.
If I had done this blog fest, my list would definitely have included The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Matrix, Cruel Intentions, and Shutter Island.

I haven't seen Memento, but it sounds right up my alley!

Yolanda Renée said...

Oh, so many good ones. Super 8, Raiders, Aliens, LTR, and another I just came across Aliens and Cowboys! Most definitely -- need to make a new list and go shopping! :)

Just to clarify an earlier statement. I found your blog via Cate Masters, she directed me to the IWSG, and you. Reading your advice on blogging is why my followers went from 3 to almost 200 in six months. I've learned all I know about blogging from you, your example, and all you share! Thank you!

Another great blog hop, and such fun!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tia, glad you enjoyed it!

Sue, I visited every single Blogger - LOTR with Avengers and The Princess Bride a close second.

Mark, yes they are.

Carrie-Anne, you like what you like.

Rebecca, try Feedly - you'll really like it.

Nigel, I'll add Primer.

Shelly, happy to host!

Sabrina, check it out.

Yolanda, wow!! And yo did it so much faster than I did. Which means you'll soar far beyond me.

Anonymous said...

Memento is awesome.

I need to catch up with movie-watching. There are so many good ones I'm missing out on. I haven't seen most on your list.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Oh, you have some good ones on here, like SUPER 8, RAIDERS, and MEMENTO. This blog fest really makes me want to have a movie night soon. :)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Betty Alark said...

Nothing like great movies!

I've seen most of the ones posted. I'll have to go back and check out the ones I missed!

Great list!

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