Kvelertak – Meir – 2013
While not quite as good as the first album, Meir still delivers. It’s a crazy mash up of punk, metal, prog rock, death metal, and anything else they could throw in the blender. If you’re a fan of screaming metal, check out this unique band from Norway.
2013 fun facts –
*Cost of a gallon of gas - $3.80
*Cost of a movie ticket - $10.25
*A giant meteor exploded near Chelyabinsk in Russia
*Microsoft released the Xbox One and Sony released the Playstation 4
*House of Cards became the first web series to win an Emmy
*The 3D Printer hits the scene and the first 3D-printed gun was fired last May
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Thor: The Dark World
Pacific Rim
Amon Amarth – Deceiver of the Gods
Ayreon – The Theory of Everything
StarCraft II – Heart of the Swarm
And why is 2013 special?
It’s the year Madeline Mora-Summonte released her flash fiction collection and Terri Rochenski released her first novel!
I was honored to supply a blurb for her book and look forward to getting my copy soon. (Who says poets and Ninjas can’t mix?)
You can buy it on Amazon HERE.
Congratulations, Yvonne!!
Let me begin by stating up front that I thought the first movie was ‘all right’ but nothing I ever wanted to see again.
However, I’d gladly sit through it if that meant I didn’t have to see Rio 2 ever again.
The second film picks up shortly after the first one ends. Blu and family travel to the Amazon to help Linda and Tulio find more blue macaws. The movie tosses in illegal logging, revenge, finding lost family, trying to fit in, and several other generic and clichéd plot ideas. (And Nigel the vengeful cockatoo with a lovesick tree frog made for a really weird pairing.)
While the movie is amazing to look at in 3D, the story is a bit flat, lacking in the first one’s charm and humor, and it’s overlong. There are also a lot of songs in this one. (I think one was called This is the Way We Pad the Film.)
Will kids like it? Probably. Will adults like it? Eh, good luck!
Have you ever heard of Kvelertak? Caught up on last year’s movies? Following Madeline and Terri? Enjoy Yvonne’s poetry? Keeping up with the Challenge? And anyone else get drug to a stupid bird movie this weekend…?
113 comments:
The world is a better place for more Benedict Cumberbatch. ;) Great movie year for him.
I haven't seen the first Rio, so ... not sure I ever will after reading this. haha.
I still haven't seen the Hobbit or Star Trek: Into Darkness. Or Pacific Rim!
I'm so far behind. I got here by way of the last post, and now two others commented before me.
Pulling the hole in after me now . .
Brillant group of movies for 2013. All good stuff. I just saw Anne Hathaway on Fallon talking about Rio2. I loved the first one.
2013... I'm not sure I remember that one.
Since I'm behind in entertainment, I haven't seen any of those movies.
2013 was a good writing year for me.
Hee hee, thanks for the mention of Thor - thinking about Chris Hemsworth is quite a nice way to start my day!
I am always awed and humbled by just how many talented writers and generous souls I find here in the blogosphere. And you epitomise those finds perfectly.
Like Madeline I love the sand and beaches well living two minutes away from the beach has it's advantages.
Thanks for mentioning my book and an even bigger thank you for supplying the blurb.
Enjoy your week-end.
Yvonne.
I did not see any of the 2013 movies. You are supplying a blurb for a book. Is there no end to the Ninja's talents?
I won a copy of Madeleine's collection - The People We Used To Be. She writes great flash fiction.
I'm also familiar with Terri's work from the anthology, Make Believe.
You supplied a blurb for a book? That's awesome Alex!
Kvelertak means to take someone or something by the neck and choke...lol...Must be the reason for all that screaming. Not a big fan, more of an "AHA" girl :) No one ever drags me to a movie that I do not want to see, even if they are paying for it! BTW how much does a movie ticket cost over there? Here they are around 20+ bucks a pop.
2013 released great movies but I'm going with Star Trek Into Darkness. Benedict Cumberbatch's Khan sealed the deal for me.
2013 is waaaaaay too soon ago! However, as always as great post! Let me get this straight: you completely LOVED the bird movie
Rio 2 ... so I should drop everything and beg borrow or steal to get to see it, this weekend if not SOONER, right? RGHT! OK!
thanks!!! cause I trust you, Alex!
jean ;)
I never heard of Kvelertak, but there sure were a lot of great movies in 2013. You picked both my girls favorites.
It's worth noting the disparity between US and UK petrol prices. Assuming I have the maths right at 4.5 litres to the gallon and using today's exchange rate, a gallon would have cost approximately $10 in 2013.
2013 was another great year for movies.
Oh, no. I had hopes that Rio 2 would be better than the 1st one :( Anyway, the kid wants to go, so I'm gonna take her to see it.
It's amazing how quickly things go retro these days. Why, I remember 2013 like it was last year.... Anyway, congrats to those with releases, especially Yvonne with her poetry book!
I ought to check out that band, I'd probably like them. Never seen either of the Rio's, glad I'm not missing out.
Sorry, never heard of Kvelertak. Loved the Star Trek Movie. This year I prepared for the A to Z and finding it much easier and less stressful. Did not see the stupid bird movie and now I definitely will not see it!
Trisha, those are all better films!
Sydney, you might like the second one then. I didn't.
Kyra, glad it put a smile on your face.
Elephant, thanks!
Yvonne, you are most welcome!!!
Rachna, didn't say I was good at it...
Michelle, fourth one!
Siv, then that is probably what they sound like while being choked!
Jean, no, save yourself!!!
Stu, scary huh?
Juliana, good luck.
Laura, let me know what you think of them!
Kevel...already forgot how to spell it...sounds a bit too noisy for my tastes! :)
I guess it was a good year for sequels! I watched Rio just for the heck of it (and because I have HBO so it was free). Not really interested in seeing the new one.
Of course poets and Ninjas can mix. :)
Haha. Great review of Rio 2.
I'm so far behind in reading and movies I'll never catch up.
Have a nice weekend.
The previews for Rio 2 looked promising. Sometimes they show all the best scenes in the trailers and then the movie is lacking. I hate it when that happens. Congrats to the new releases.
Hi Alex! Admittedly, I probably just spent a good five minutes trying to pronounce Kvelertak. I've taken several voice & diction classes in my day...and this one's still eluding me! Quite interesting name though--very unique.
Also, I really, truly want to thank you for all of the comments and support you've left. I have been bad about responding to my comments this month, but they mean so much to me, and I thank you deeply!
I never heard of Meir. I'm going to have to check out their first album. Thanks for sharing! :)
Even the promos for this movie looks bad so I feel your pain. I have seen all the movies except the last one. I think the films that come out in 3D are big on 3D effects but forget about one small thing....Plot and writing so take away the effects you have a boring movie and I have seen a lot of those (Gravity)
Haven't planned on seeing Rio or Rio 2, and I'm content with that. :)
Way to go for Madeline, Terri, and Yvonne!
At least gas is cheaper in your part of the world than it is in mine. Round here it's over $1.30 a litre at the moment. In 2013 we found it a relief to buy gas in NC.
Nothing else can I identify with. Although I am always interested in new books.
I would probably enjoy Rio 2, but then hubby says I am the biggest kid of all.
Alex! Thank you so much!
I am honored to be one of your A-Z Ninja Minions! :)
Good to see Yvonne's book on the market. I'll put her link on my next post.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Cathrina, save yourself...
Randi Lee, you're welcome. The v is silent and it ends in 'tock.'
Birgit, can't rely on 3D alone.
Jo, considering we're the most expensive in the South, that's sad.
Madeline, you're welcome!
Nope haven't heard of Meir, but then, I'm not into screaming metal. I haven't seen the second instillation of The Hobbit either, so I'm not sure what that says about me... :-D
Wow, can be a discovery. Meir not know, I'll see how it sounds!
Congrats to Yvonne on her book release.
I didn't see the first Rio movie but had wanted to see the second, but now maybe I'll just wait for it to come on T.V. :)
Kvelertak us a good band. Cool punky black metal style music.
I agrea that the first album was better than the 2nd.
Cold As Heaven
Still haven't seen the Hobbit.
I'm not a punk or heavy metal fan so I've never heard of this band... I saw all but two of the movies you posted here and will watch Thor and Pacific Rim on DVD. Never saw Rio either, and guess I'm glad after reading your review!
I've never heard of Kvelertak, but I have heard of Amon Amarth, so I'm going to consider that a victory. I'll have to ask my boys, since they like a lot of bands from Scandinavian countries.
I've even seen most of the movies you mentioned, and now I'm scaring myself...I just might have a life after all.
I'm enjoying learning about the bloggers you've mentioned each day, too. Great posts all around, as usual. :)
I'm such a pushover for Hobbit movies. I saw desolation a few months ago and got so excited when I saw they were leaving the end open for another one. Yay!
Paid $3.90/gal yesterday for gas. Choke!
Heavy metal from Norway...if they sang in their native tongue maybe I could focus on the "music?" All sarcasm aside, they are talented musicians for sure.
Rio and Rio2...still haven't done.
Definitely will check out Madeline and Terri's work/sites. (Would love to meet Larry and Mrs. Larry. Sounds like they are my speed.)
Still keeping up with the challenge. Thank goodness for A-Z merlot from Oregon!
Glad i have no intention of ever watching either 1 or 2. 2013, I seem to be able to remember that year, was it a close one? haha
I've not heard of Kvelertak. I don't get out much. :)
I'm almost caught up with last years movies. Yikes not enough time.
Screaming metal is a hair outside of my musical taste. I say a hair, because I have very, very broad musical taste! LOL Still, if someone recommends something, I'll always give it a listen.
Not a Rio fan I take it! :P Never seen either of them...
Just hopping around to cheer my A-Z friends on!
I am more of a Nightwish fan myself or Within Temptation or Trans Siberian Orchestra.
I think I would rather see THE WINTER SOLDIER a second time than Rio 2. Thanks for the heads up!
Best of luck to Yvonne! :-)
Lee, that would make her happy!
Bish, it says you are waiting for all three to do a marathon Hobbit day!
Cold, you rock!
Lynda, good for you! I'm sure your boys will know Kvelertak.
Lee, that's awful.
Dean, they do sing in their native tongue - you're in luck!
EJ, let me know what you think. And good to hear from you.
Roland, I wish I had...
I'm still amazed by 3D printers, and that Russian meteor was insane. Those are the things I remember most about 2013.
It should still be 2013...
Benedict Cumberbatch did make some serious dents in movies. Loved him.
Out here in Ca. gas prices haven't been below $3 for a long time.
Yep. We saw Rio 2. I liked Kristen Chenowith's singing, but the fact that a lovesick frog wanted to be with a homely vengeful cockatoo was a little weird. My kids liked the movie, though.
A lot of great movies last year. I seldom go to the theater but I saw all but Pacific Rim on the big screen. I do follow Madeline and Terri.
Your review of Rio 2 made me chuckle. I'm not big on animated movies to begin with, so I won't feel bad taking a pass on this one!
Beaches and sand are huge for me too. :) Will check out The Shellshank Redemption!
That sounds like music my hubby would like. He's been listening to a lot of music from Sweden and Norway. It's not all bad either. I enjoy some of it.
~Patricia Lynne~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, YA Author
Congrats to Yvonne's book release! Thanks for the warning on Rio. And the whole 3D printer thing is such a trip. It is like the matter compilers in Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson (one of the coolest books ever)!
Ahh, how could I ever forget that the XBox One came out in 2013...it's been the bane of my existence since it entered my house! Too many boys fighting to play one machine...AHHH!
Thanks for the update on Rio 2. I think I'll have to miss that one...although we might have to rent it for the kids someday...
Never heard of that band. Not into much metal music though.
And rejection nearly derails us all at some point. Yay for the writers who don't give up. :)
Last year was the best year ever. And Thor: The Dark World and Pacific Rim were just the icing on the cake.
The commercials for Rio 2 didn't exactly fill me with confidence. I'm pretty sure none of the family wants to see it, thank goodness.
I loved Pacific Rim, but thought Into the Darkness was overly emotional - everyone was overacting. Blech. I'm looking forward to seeing the other two.
Congrats to Madeline and hang in there Teri! And congrats to Yvonne!
Your review of Rio 2 was hilarious!!
Just discovered two bloggers new to me. Thanks, Alex!
Hahaha! My family *almost* went to the stupid bird movie last night when I was at the ballet… but they didn't… phew ;-)
I don't know how you're doing it, Alex. This A-Z thing is INSANE.
LG, imagine where 3D printers will be n five years.
Sherry, those were my thoughts exactly...
Patricia, he'll dig them then.
Shell, I've read that book!
Ken, consider yourself lucky.
Lexa, I aim to amuse.
Morgan, be thankful! And it is really insane...
Normally, poets and ninjas can't mix well but you're not any ordinary ninja, Alex. You're a special ninja!
I thought that the movies on your list were all pretty good - and the year in movies was pretty strong altogether.
And gas. $3.80 a gallon. Sheesh.
Loved Star Trek: Into Darkness. Who knew Benedict Cumberbatch could play a villain so well? :)
Oh Alex, Ninja wife made you see the movie? Or was it Mini Alex? Sorry about that. Hope the rest of your weekend goes better.
xoRobyn
The fun facts of 2013 got me thinking. My father could take eleven neighborhood kids to a Saturday matinee for $3.80. Now that is science fiction.
So Rio 2 is a Stupid bird movie.
I'll have to endure it before long with my kids.
I always feel dizzy when I step by your blog, Alex, how on earth do you manage to pack in so much info into one post? :)
Congrats to the new authors!
I was trying to give you a day off from visiting me, Alex, but I'm pleased to be here, catching up with you.
My memory's so bad I can't even remember last year!
I'm going to check out Madeline and Terri now - thanks for featuring these blogs.
Never heard of the band...and sounds like it's a bit too...everything for me.
Nobody can drag me anywhere this weekend until I catch up on email...but I am sorry you had to sit through that. I couldn't make it through the first one, though I'd gladly watch Frozen over and over again. The Swedish version of Elsa's "Let it Go" is often playing when I'm trying to get something done that I don't want to do...(no I'm not playing it now...)
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014
Proud PS4 owner. Sucks that Rio 2 was so bad.
Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm
Sequels to cartoons seems obligatory nowadays. I guess once they have all the models in the computer churning out more is a lot cheaper. Just business.
mood
Moody Writing
Thanks, Elsie.
Rusty, we're not far from that right now...
Robyn, it was the wife. She's since promised I never have to see Rio III.
David, you have my sympathies.
Damy, I can compress time and space...
Tina, the Swedish version???
Moody, very good point!
Now there's the gas prices I'm used to!
Love the way you phrased that, no, thank god, I do not want to see this movie - I have a pet peeve about talking animals! My husband once gave me that chicken run movie as a joke, I'm just not a fan! But thanks for suffering through it for all of us! LOL
I couldn't imagine Rio 2 would be worth seeing! The one great thing about suffering through movies like that is it gives me hope for my writing!
I'm heading over to check out Terri and Madeline. :)
Alex, you rock. :)
Thanks so much for the shout out!!!
Rio 2 sounds like a real bomb. I'm surprised that producers sign off on these unnecessary sequels. Thanks for the review...we'll skip that one!
i have not heard of Kvelertak i will be correcting that very soon...interesting....rio 2...ugh....you know with kids i am going to have to sit through it...ha
Hi, Alex...
Sorry you didn't enjoy RIO 2....
CONGRATS to YVONNE... I hope her book is a huge success.
Not familiar with the featured ladies, but hope to drop by their blogs to say hello.
The challenge? Hmmmm... It's A CHALLENGE. I feel exactly the way I did the first year I did the challenge, writing the posts the day before. LOL. Did S.K.'s last night... I hope to get L M N done this weekend. Maybe more. We shall see.
Getting busy with my blogger services again. Thank God, but I still need to keep up with this challenge.
Happy Weekend!
I intended to finally get to the movies tomorrow...but we're going to get snow. I like to stay home when it snows, so maybe I'll start watching the new episodes of House of Cards. Sounds better than the bird movie.
Yolanda, Chicken Run is Oscar material compared to Rio II!
Terri, you're welcome.
Brian, hope you enjoy Kvelertak, as I know you won't like Rio II.
Michael, I still need to prepare my Monday post.
Patricia, House of Cards is awesome!
I know I saw the first Rio but I don't remember any of it. Couldn't have been that good.
Great post!
Keep up. Barely. : )
HMG
I never HAVE heard of Kvelertak, actually. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Alex,
If this comment seems more disjointed than normal than I shall blame it on being three in the morning!
Cost of a gallon of petrol as of now in the UK, about the equivalent of ten American dollars!
Will try to check out Madeline and Terri.
Good new about Yvonne. I also hope she can keep the same blog for some time now. As we both know, it can be a bit of a hunt to find her.
As for the Challenge, um for some weird reason I'm trying my best to be proactive. So much so that I only just started commented back to my posting from last Tuesday. Sheesh...Enjoy Sunday.
Gary
2013 was a great year for movies!
I barely see any modern movies. I live under such a rock, and almost never go to the movie theatre.
Star Trek and Thor, great films! And so far I'm keeping up with the challenge. Still another two weeks to go though...
Gary, that's expensive. And hope Yvonne can keep her blog this time.
Two weeks down - we can do it!
Madeline is one of my favorite bloggers out there. I'm amazed at the power of her short stories.
Madeline's flash collection is well worth the 99 cents.
I haven't heard of Kvelertak but based on your description they sound like my type of music so I've just googled them and am listening to them right now. They're quite decent actually!
I was also laughing at your mention of the game consoles 'cause I saw it in the Big Bang Theory - it was Sheldon's impossible choice apparently :)
Thanks for the post!
Andrea, #atozchallenge Mighty Minion Asset
Music and Words
My Road To Happiness
The Script Bible
A band from Norway, the origin point of death metal. Sign me up.
There's a stupid bird movie this weekend?? I am so out of it...
Yay! Madeline is my buddy. I've hung out with Terri occasionally too, but not as often. There are so many amazing bloggers around here!
Miss Andie, that's awesome!
JE, you rock!
Liz, be glad you didn't know about it.
I was really hoping Rio 2 was better. That really sucks.
My condolences on the Rio fiasco. My kids dragged me to the Pokemon movies. I clocked some nice naps during those. Just watched my bluray of "Smaug" last night. Can't get enough of elf archery.
Cool facts! I of course remember most of these, which means nothing really since it was only last year o_o BUT it was an awesome movie year! Love the movies mentioned :D
Leslie, I need to watch mine!
Ha! Your review of Rio 2 cracked me up. Sounds like I'm not missing much.
I'll have to head over to say hello to Madeline and Terri! Great blog names!
Julie
Looks like you're doing great keeping up with the challenge. I must be weird because I kind of liked the first Rio.
How times change Alex. Interesting post for the challenge.
I fear that I may never catch up with last year's movies. Maybe not even the year before.
The only thing I found great about 2013 was there were great movies, music and books and the release of your book last year!
I've never heard of Kvelertak but Madeline is awesome. Terri is another new introduction for me.
Congrats, Yvonne! That's fantastic!
Never seen Rio, no plans to see either in the franchise.
I loved that Star Trek film. It blew me away.
I think I'll see if my husband wants to take the kids to see Rio. Thanks for the review.
Oh, I love Star Trek-more please!
I will have to visit Yvonne-wonderful news about her book!
Hope you had a fabulous weekend~
Not heard of Meir.
Federer was great that year. However, since he was always the favorite, I rooted for the underdog playing against him and still do!
Nice you highlighted Diane who always seems to have a positive and helpful message on her blog!
Mary Montague Sikes
Last year was an interesting year. It was my first A-Z Challenge and a bit of a difficult otherwise.
I survived it! That in and of itself is a big deal... :)
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