A to Z Challenge - Ocean’s Eleven and Opticon by Orgy, plus Great Themes, Defiance, and Book Trailer

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

Ocean’s Eleven

It’s the ultimate caper movie. (As are both sequels.) Ensemble casts sometimes fall flat, but not here. The actors are on top of their game and the direction is sharp. This film is both classy and fun.

Rusty Ryan is Danny Ocean’s best friend. He’s clever, sly, and very witty. He’s calculating and confident as he works the steps of the plan, and Rusty makes it look easy.

Who is Rusty Ryan?

Annalisa Crawford!

She exhibits poise and confidence as she moves down the author trail. Annalisa possesses the perfect balance and is always taking action. It may not be easy, but she leads the way with such style and grace that we believe we can do the same.

Annalisa Crawford is the author of The Cat and the Dreamer and That Sadie Thing.

To you I dedicate Opticon by Orgy. (Song title leads to YouTube)

“Let’s fake it for all the fame, They’ll think delivering it was easy…” You don’t need to fake it though, Annalisa!

Trivia and Facts:

Where does Annalisa live?

Orgy’s first hit was a cover of this New Order song – name it.

N’s trivia answer – Near Dark was the last movie produced by DEG (DeLaurentis Entertainment Group)

Great Challenge Themes!

Diane at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips has been offering great publishing and promoting tips from her book.

Gillian at A Daft Scots Lass is providing (humorous) definitions for Scottish terms, plus highlighting an awesome place in Scotland.

Joy Campbell at The Character Depot has been giving blog tour tips.

Jay Noel is giving us a trip down memory lane – all thing s80’s.

JA Bennett has been offering up some awesome blogging tips.

And Leovi is blogging the most amazing abstract photos you will ever see.

Defiance

Defiance debuted on SyFy Monday night and I sacrificed sleep to see the two hour premier. (11:00 pm is WAY past my bedtime!)

It was good!

I went into this series with high hopes. The creator is Rockne S. Bannon, the man behind Farscape. That series was so incredibly original and fresh, and I’d hoped he’d bring his genius to Defiance. I was not disappointed.

After so many failed attempts at a successful science fiction series, I think SyFy has finally scored a big one. Not once did I think that what a character was doing was stupid, nor was any of it over-the-top melodramatic. The storyline was great (hints of Road Warrior, but that’s all right), the alien creatures unique but realistic, and the special effects really damn impressive. The interesting mix of characters guarantees something new every week.

All right, SyFy – don’t mess it up now!!

Book Trailer News

I received word from my publisher that they are working on a trailer for CassaStorm. It will be shorter than the others, but with a voice over similar to CassaFire.

And since I can’t share the video with you just yet, here is the animated book trailer for CassaFire:



Fan of The Ocean’s Eleven series? Following the awesome Annalisa? Remember the band Orgy? Know the trivia? Keeping up with those awesome themes? Did you watch Defiance? And I’m stoked to see the next book trailer – think it will top the one for CassaFire?