Saturday, April 11, 2015

A to Z Challenge – I – Cult Classics – Jacob’s Ladder, Journey, Judas Priest, Jurassic Park, and More! Plus Some Cool Links For Writers

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






Movies –

Jacob’s Ladder
Directed by Adrian Lyne in 1990, this psychological thriller featured bizarre elements and unnerving scenes.



Music – 

Journey – Escape
Their best-selling studio album, Escape produced four hits, including the staple Don’t Stop Believin’. It even spawned a video game.

Judas Priest – Screaming for Vengeance
The band’s eighth album was their big commercial breakthrough, selling five million copies and producing the hit You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.


Science Fiction Book –

Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton
This 1990 book inspired one of the biggest blockbuster movies ever. It was followed by The Lost World and three more movies.



Bloggers –

Jack Lewis Bailot at However Improbable
Do you like movie quotes and Lord of the Rings? Do you enjoy ready quirky fun posts? Then author Jack is your gal!

Julie Flanders
Do you enjoy thrillers set in Alaska? Do you have a passion for animals? Then you can’t go wrong following this delightful author!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Jaxom Fyall
Captain Fyall commands the Ryzell, one of Hyrath’s battleships. He’s a fair man who knows how to lead people. When the story opens, Aden is serving as Lt. Commander under Fyall.

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


And there is a Scavenger Hunt! An autographed copy of the book, bookmarks and swag, and $20.00 iTunes gift cards to the winner. Just visit the sites below and leave a comment – where do you think Mini-Alex is in the photo? Open until midnight Saturday, April 11 – winner announced here April 13. Now go!
Melissa Maygrove * Eva Solar * Father Dragon Al * Suzanne Furness * Karen Walker * Dianne Salerni * Christine Rains * Nick Wilford * EE Giorgi * Murees Dupe * L Diane Wolfe * Helena * Tyrean Martinson * Robin * Heather Gardner * Jo * Lynda Young * SL Hennessy * Toi Thomas * Lori MacLaughlin * Jess at Author Tracker, * Truedessa, * Annalisa Crawford, * Patricia Lynne, * Lisa at Flash Fiction, * Julie Flanders, * Julie Kemp Pick, * Nicki Elson, * Mark Koopmans, * Sydney Aaliyah!


Ninja News

Rebecca Bradley posted about a new app called Clean Reader that changes objectionable words in a book to something cleaner. See her site for more information on this new app.

Out now!
Adventures of Arkansawyer by Charles Gramlich


Cindy Borgne posted a link to a great list of homonyms. If you tend to mix up your words, you need to check out this site.

And don’t forget, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is also participating in the Challenge and posting daily tidbits of encouragement and inspiration.

Seen Jacob’s Ladder? Do those albums bring back memories? Fan of Jurassic Park? Figured out the Kargrandes? See some helpful sites? And have you found every Mini-Alex…?

118 comments:

kaykuala said...

No.#1
Hank

kaykuala said...

Jacob's Ladder should be interesting 'Unnerving' provokes the adrenalin certainly! Will follow Julie as animals are adorable. Apologies not been with the quiz in Kangrandes before but will check it out. Thanks Alex!

Hank

Elephant's Child said...

I have a passion for cold weather and really, really enjoyed the books of Julie Flanders that I have read so far.
Clean reader has me wondering. Does it change the writer's intent? Some words, graphic as they are, add to the book...

Michael Abayomi said...

Yay for Journey's Don't Stop Believin'... and Jurassic Park! I bet you're looking forward to Jurassic World this summer. :D

nashvillecats2 said...

I remember Judas Priest Screaming for Vengance, feel like doing that in reality...lol
I also remember Jurassic Park.
Where I live on the South Coast it is known as "The Jurassic Coast" owing to the number of fossils found. Great post Alex.
Enjoy your week-end.
Yvonne.

Bob/Sally said...

Journey and Judas Priest - they shouldn't go together, at all, but somehow they do. Nice picks, as always, Alex!

Bushman said...

I have always had an infatuation with Alaska and I love animals. They taste great!
I will have to check out Julie's books.
Thanks!

Bushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074

Jennifer Hawes said...

Love Journey and, of course, Jurassic Park. Can't wait to see the new one--Chris Pratt!

Li said...

Going to pass on the "Clean Reader" app to parents and educator friends - very useful, especially if you have kids, thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hank, you are number one! And no worries about the quiz.

Elephant, that is a concern, because it could change the intent.

Michael, yes I am!

Yvonne, I didn't know that.

Bob, at least they were from the same time frame.

Jeff, that made me chuckle.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Now I can say I loved Journey! I wasn't a big Judas Priest fan, but my brother was.

I think they're coming our with another Jurassic Park...

Julie is a fantastic writer, read all her books.

Ella said...

J's rock! Journey and Jurassic Park...and Judas Priest~jamming!
I'm off to jump n' jive~ Okay, coffee first!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

... Screaming for Vengeance, now that is in my head. I thank you. Just a "J" word and thoughts... I say "Joke", I give you a joke, juggle this in your travels...

Q: What is the different between bird and fly?
A: Bird can fly, but fly cant bird.

Jeremy

Bevimus said...

I hate to admit that I'm 0 for 3 today- especially since all three have been recommended to me more times than I can count. Like everyone else I've seen the movie Jurassic Park but never read the book.

Julie I know, though. One of the nicest bloggers I've encountered with a knack for incorporating history into her ghost stories. Very deserving of a visit...

Stephanie Faris said...

I remember being completely mesmerized by Jacob's Ladder when I first saw it on cable...that was years ago. I haven't watched it sense. I just remember having NO IDEA what was going on and then at the end you figured it all out. That may have been the first movie I saw that was like that.

Rhonda Albom said...

I am a huge Michael Crichton fan. Loved Jurassic Park. I haven't seen Jacob's Ladder.

Rachna Chhabria said...

I want to see Jacob's Ladder. Julie is a great choice. And I am loving the Dragon of the Stars' terms. I look forward to reading them.

Elaine L. Bridge said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today - good to hear from you again - made my day! I enjoyed your J suggestions, especially Jurrasic Park!! The movies have always been too intense for me, but maybe I could handle and enjoy the book? I'll give it a try! Thanks for the idea! My son was on the film crew for the movie sequel Jurrasic World that's coming up soon, and so I HAVE to go see that! Better start building up my nerve ahead of time, lol!

Elaine L. Bridge said...

And maybe I'd better learn how to spell "Jurassic" while I'm at it, lol!

Trisha said...

Julie Flanders is awesome! As is Jurassic Park, though I cringe to admit I still have not read the book! That's it, I'm going to go and make sure it's on my wishlist at the Book Depository ;)

Pat Hatt said...

Can't go wrong with Jurassic Park, 1st one at least. I watched parts of jacob's ladder as a kid, most of it I think went over my head

Leovi said...

Jacob's Ladder awesome !!

jaybird said...

Jurrasic Park is a classic. And I've been known to rock out to some Judas Priest back in the day. Ha.

Chrys Fey said...

I love Jurassic Park. Whenever it's on TV, I usually watch it. :)

Jo said...

Saw the movie Jurassic Park and have even been to the site of one of the scenes shot on the Dominican. Where all the velociraptors were running.

Al Penwasser said...

Jurassic Park.
Much scarier than Godzilla.
But not as scary as Michael Moore in a thong.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cathrina, yes the are! Jurassic World.

Bad pun, Jeremy!

Beverly, the book is riveting.

Stephanie, it was a mind bend of a film.

Elaine, that's awesome your son is part of the film crew! Maybe give the book a try. It was one of the best I have ever read.

Pat, watch it as an adult and it will still go over your head.

Jaybird, you're uber-cool.

Jo, that's very cool!

Al, can't argue with that!

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Alex,
I figure I must be the only sad person on earth who hasn't seen
Jurassic Park in its entirety.

Charles Gramlich said...

Jacob's ladder is a very underrated movie.

Fundy Blue said...

Jurassic Park! I still get shivers when I see the cover! I spotted it in Sam's Club when it first came out, and chills ran down my back! I had no idea that it was being written. I bought it on the spot and devoured it! Loved that first movie too. It was terrifying! I hope that you are getting a little time to relax this weekend. I'm guessing that you'll spend some time playing your guitar for a musical release! Take care!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I loved seeing the first Jurassic Park movie in the theater with my kids. I'm looking forward to the remake. Great music today. Might of had a cassette of one of those for in my car at one time.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I am rather dreading JURASSIC WORLD. Racing on a bike with raptors? Training them? Yeah, like training snakes. It seems like an echo of the first movie. I remember reading MASTADONIA by Clifford D. Simak which came before JURASSIC PARK. But it was more a time-travel novel.

Holy Ghost Writer said...

Jacob's Ladder is one weird movie. Actually weird doesn't even cover it.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I didn't know Journey had enough songs for a whole album... I thought it was just the one!

Annalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Joy, you need to watch it so you're not sad.

Fundy, there has been a bit of guitar playing every night this week.

Roland, not read that one.

Annalisa, they had over a dozen albums.

Arlee Bird said...

I've seen Jacob's Ladder a couple times--I've got a copy of the DVD. Probably should watch it again as it's been awhile.

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

Cherdo said...

Hey, we're in sync! Journey was my J post, too.

Unknown said...

I remember being confused and blown away by Jacob's Ladder. I loved it, but it took some thinking over.
Jurassic Park is a fantastic book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though Michael Crichton does info dump rather a lot.

TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com

Unknown said...

I remember being confused and blown away by Jacob's Ladder. I loved it, but it took some thinking over.
Jurassic Park is a fantastic book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Even though Michael Crichton does info dump rather a lot.

TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com

Jolie du Pre said...

Jurassic Park is a cool movie.

Precious Monsters

Andrew Leon said...

Jacob's Ladder was part of the inspiration for the Man with No Eyes.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I loved the movie, and I didn't even know Jurassic Park started as a book. Great to know; another book ended up on the big screen in a big way.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cherdo, yes it was!

TD, I'll have to go back and check out the info dump parts now.

Andrew, oh really?

Robyn, one of the few times I actually read the book first!

S. L. Hennessy said...

Journey and Jurassic Park are two pillars of my childhood.

Susan Oloier said...

I love that you've featured Julie on your blog today! Yay!

RaShelle Workman said...

Hey Alex. I *still* love that album from Journey. And Michael Crichton is one of my all time favorite authors.

cleemckenzie said...

I am a Jurassic Park fan. I'll never recover from T-Rex coming out of the forest and chomping down on the outhouse. Don't know Jacob's Ladder, but do know Julie. She's great.

Congrats on the book launch. You did an amazing job bringing your book out.

Suzanne said...

I always try to read the book as well as see the movie, but must admit I haven't read Jurassic Park - will have to remedy that :) x

L.G. Keltner said...

I read Jurassic Park when I was 11. I loved the movie and wanted to prove I could read a grown-up book. I know some of the scientific stuff flew over my head then, but I finished it!

Dixie@dcrelief said...

Journey – Escape - favorite group & album. Jurassic Park - part 1 was the best.

Blue Grumpster said...

Hank is number one... What can I say?

I read Jurassic Park back in the nineties and it was much more violent than the movie. No surprise there since Spielberg directed it, but still. I didn't like the sequel. The book, that is.

Have a great weekend.

Shell Flower said...

Journey music really captures the 80's. My older sisters were huge fans and one of them is still really into them. That app that removes offensive words is interesting. I love the name Jaxom.

pam said...

I kind of love Jurassic Park... well the book and the first film. Then things got weird.

:)
Pam@momspillthebeans.com

Joanne said...

Journey just soars - Steve Perry's voice is like summertime. I prefer Jaws as a J movie. Saw it at the Jersey Shore - scared the beejeezus out of me. Happy Weekend, Alex

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I saw the film Jurassic Park - can't say I was that enamoured. Now Julie - yes definitely I'm so looking forward to reading her books and your next two .. I checked out the homonyms always useful to know about reference sites .. cheers Hilary

Jay Noel said...

Yeah, the Jurassic Park book was pretty different from the movie. I thought the book was better, but I understand why the movie had to narrow the scope a bit.

I was a senior in high school when Jacob's Ladder came out. I missed that one.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

RaShelle, some albums never grow old.

Lee, I tried to make it unique.

LG, good for you!

Blue, I don't believe I read Lost World, just saw the movie...

Joanne, I bet it did!

Jay, I would've liked more with the compies, but as you said, some things had to go.

J E Oneil said...

I still have a copy of Jurassic Park around here somewhere. I always liked it better than any of the movies. Jacob's Ladder sounds interesting. If it's on Netflix, I might have to watch it.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Jurassic Park! Can't watch it enough times..and journey is on my list too.


Best always,

Nilanjana

Mary Aalgaard said...

Love Journey Escape, read and watched Jurassic Park. Great J day post. I'll also check out Julie!

Birgit said...

Jacob's Ladder looks too creepy for me and I would probably have nightmares. I really like Journey and have not read the book but have seen all the movies of Jurassic Park...which scared the hell out of me:)

Empty Nest Insider said...

I just read Cindy's list of homonyms, and it was very helpful! I also like the idea of Clean Reader. Thanks for all of the great suggestions, and I really appreciate all of your visits, Alex! I'll try to spot Mini-Alex a few more times before the contest closes.

Julie

Kimberly Gabriel said...

Congrats on your release of Dragon of the Stars! How exciting! I read you'll be at Literary Rambles on Monday. I look forward to stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Liz A. said...

I've never seen all of Jacob's Ladder, just snippets of it. It's one of those that makes me feel like I'm in a bizarro dream that I can't wake up from--and not in a good way.

Empty Nest Insider said...

I forgot to mention that I liked your shout-out for Julie. She is such a good person, and her books are wonderful!

Julie

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

My favorite Journey song is "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," but that's on a different album. Escape has some very strong songs, though.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JE, it probably is.

Julie, thank you! Last day to find him.

Kimberly, thanks!!!

Liz, that's a good assessment.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

I enjoy Julie Flanders' blog. Nice you are promoting it!

Intangible Hearts said...

That list of homonyms is great. Must be so frustrating for someone trying to learn to write or read English.

SpacerGuy said...

The Mini Alex hunt was fun! Still checking out ninjas

J.H. Moncrieff said...

So many good things in this line-up! I love Journey...who isn't inspired by that music? And Jurassic Park was awesome.

I *really* didn't like the ending of Jacob's Ladder when I first saw it, but I've been thinking I should give it another chance.

Lisa said...

clean reader app that sounds interesting, you are doing very well Alex covering all bases with good letters, thank you, thank you for being the pillar of blogging

stephen Hayes said...

One of the things I liked most about Jurassic Park (the book) was the imperfection of the dinosaurs, like the fact that the T-Rexes sunburned horribly and the raptors didn't know how to care for their young.

Donna McDine said...

Still have my original Journey cassette tape. Don't know why, since I don't even own a cassette player anymore!

Christine Rains said...

I know I've seen Jacob's Ladder but I don't remember it at all. And yay for Julie and Jack! :)

kimlajevardi.com said...

I remember Jacob's Ladder from when I was a teenager. It was pretty cool, but weird.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Wow, Alex! You are so packed full of info, you should really run your own magazine. <3

Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony

Cindy said...

I hope the list is of use to someone. Also I really love that album by Judas Priest. I find it motivational in a twisted sort of way. :)

Ann V Friend said...

Very creative. Nice!

Tonja said...

I did not know Jurassic Park was a book. I assumed it was just several movies. Was there more than one book??

Julie Flanders said...

Thank you so much for featuring me, Alex! That was so kind of you. And Jurassic Park is one of my fave movies ever so I'm thrilled to be in the same post LOL.
Thanks again!

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Loved Journey! In my dorm at college, circa 1979-1980, there were two songs you could always hear drifting through the halls, "Loving, Touching, Squeezing" by Journey and Waltz Across Texas by Earnest Tubb. My son was very into dinosaurs and I had to watch all the Jurassic Park movies. My eyes were closed half the time.
Visit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
with the A to Z Challenge

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Intangible, I bet it is.

Lisa, thanks for the kind words.

Stephen, good point.

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Tonja, yes! There were several.

Julie, you're welcome.

Mark Koopmans said...

I'll have to ask if the Clean Reader works for Irish Potty Mouth, too :)

PS: You mentioned Journey... I'll never stop believing now!!

HAVE A RESTFUL WEEKEND!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Journey! Loved that album!
Great posting for the day - all the hints for the new book are great - definitely have me intrigued :)

XmasDolly said...

Well, that's one way to do it. Journey is one of my favorite groups. Jurassic Park was a great movie too. Hope you're having a great weekend. This is a fun challenge to do. It being my first time I'm likin' it, but I guess I have to go out there & comment because I'm not meeting very many people not doing it. :( Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Jilly Johns,
what jolly holly polly solly post.

Botanist said...

Loved Jurassic Park! Like Star Wars did in the 70s, JP set a new standard for realism.

That Clean Reader app sounds dodgy. Given how it works, I don't think it's doing anything illegal but the crude word substitutions made complete nonsense out of even innocuous sentences.

mail4rosey said...

Journey was my cousin's first concert. I was too young to go. Boy, was I thinking she was sooooooo grown up. ;)

Unknown said...

I didn't read the Jurassic Park books, but I was a fan of the movies. I'm looking forward to Jurassic World, but I'll miss Jeff Goldblum's character.

You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant

T.F. Walsh said...

Yay for Jurassic Park:)

Jeremy [Retro] said...

I know... I know! :)

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

Lookit Alex "J" getting his "J" on. I even know most of these titles! :O)

G. B. Miller said...

I have the Judas Priest album, and I admit I bought it for the radio hit. However, after listening to the thing all the way through, the track that stands out for me is "Hellion/Electric Eye".

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jemi, hope the book itself satisfies.

Marie, that is what it takes - going out and making new friends.

Ian, that's what I was thinking.

Clarabelle, him and his snark.

GB, when it comes to metal, the hit's not usually the best song.

Nick Wilford said...

The Jurassic Park movie is great but the book more so, it had more depth. I recently binged on everything Julie has written so far. Her imagination is awesome!

Unknown said...

I love Jurassic Park. I haven't read the book though... Have I heard that they're making a new one or did I dream that?

Thanks for the blog post mention! It's a strange one Clean Reader.

Dean K Miller said...

I balked at Jacob's Ladder...looked pretty creepy and intense. But maybe now that I'm older and more mature?

Can't forget Journey, ever.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I remember Journey. Don't Stop Believin' is a favorite. Anyway You Want It, too.

Sandra Cox said...

I liked Captain Fyall. A well-developed secondary character

Susan Kane said...

I drew up blank this time. I love Jurassic Park, and Michael Chrichton, have see the movie and read several books. But your other choices left me blank.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rebecca, you're welcome, and yes, the next one is Jurassic World.

Dean, it will still be creepy and intense.

Sandra, thanks! Wow, that means you read the book.

ediFanoB said...

I still remember the first time I saw Jurassic Park in cinema.

The Tyrannosaurus rex was awesome.
But the Velociraptors wre a lot more dangerous.

I must admit that I did not see the sequels in cinemas.

That will change now with the upcoming Jurassic World. Intelligent dinosaurs are promising ...

Murees Dupè said...

I still love listening to Journey. Great music just doesn't go out of style. I still want to read Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. He wrote some awesome books. Have a great week, Alex!

Belle Wong said...

I loved Jurassic Park! I've been meaning to reread it for a while now - I've been thinking I might check out the audio version. I liked the movie, too. Hmmm. Maybe I should dig that out as well!

Leovi said...

A good band Judas Priest! I like!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Edi, the first time seeing Jurassic Park will always be etched in my memory.

Belle, do both!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read Jurassic Park.

Unknown said...

Jurassic Park is one of my favourite books and I'm looking forward to the new movie. When on Earth was Journey's album turned into a video game and what was it like?

Carrie-Anne said...

I've seen Jurassic Park a number of times, though I've never read the book. Maybe one of these days I'll get it a shot, even though it's not my usual genre.

Michelle Wallace said...

I really enjoyed Polar Night. I think it's the first vampire-based book I read... and quite enjoyed!!
Julie's an amazing writer!

Jack said...

This made my day! Thank you!

Lisa said...

Finally got around to seeing the last of ALL the Mini Ninjas today! Last day to do so, so I just skimped in. So very cool! Like Journey and never saw Jabob's Ladder... Loved almost all of Jurassic Park,and follow Julie Flanders! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Michael, I only vaguely remember the video game...

Carrie-Anne, it's a page turner.

Jack, you're welcome!

Lisa, thanks for visiting all of them!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Mr. Crichton's books were always so much better than the movies they made. I've read Jurassic Park numerous times and always find something new.

Great music choices!

Heather

Mina Burrows said...

Jurassic Park for sure! I'm not sure about Jacobs Ladder. That one freaked me out.

The Happy Whisk said...

:-)

That's for your lame comment collection.

Toi Thomas said...

I never saw Jacob's Ladder. I still really like the first Jurassic park movie, but haven't be able to read the book. I don't want to stop liking the movie.