July Movie Preview, Reviews – BoxTrolls and Transformers 4, and Ninja News!

Today I am visiting long-time friend, author Elizabeth Mueller! Want a glimpse into the life of a Ninja and how I balance it all? Visit Elizabeth to find out. (My guest post is live now!)

Movie Reviews

Caught up on some films that were released last year.

Transformers: Age of Extinction
A bounty hunter is after the Autobots… oh, who cares? This is the fourth movie in a franchise that has made close to four billion dollars. Plot doesn’t matter.
My expectations were really low. And the film really wasn’t bad. Over the top on occasion, both with story and melodrama, but otherwise a serviceable entry in the series.
Here’s where the movie tanks – its length. Just before the two hour mark, when a pivotal event signified the end of the film, I checked the time remaining. Fifty minutes. What? That’s right – this is the never-ending movie. Wow, could this have used some editing.
The special effects are really cool. If you are into Transformers, you will dig this. If you’ve got three hours to kill, worth a rental.

The BoxTrolls
A boy raised by underground collectors has to save his friends from an evil exterminator.
Based on a book by Alan Snow, this tale has all the qualities of a Roald Dahl story. It’s quirky and the adults are idiots while the kids are smart.
There are so many messages in this movie: accepting others, breaking out of your shell, the value of family, coveting, etc. None of them are slammed in your face, though.
The Claymation is amazing. Few studios use it anymore (like Aardman Animations) and the color and style here are amazing.
While the film isn’t a hundred percent, I guarantee it’s one of the most original animated tales you will ever see.
Recommended when you are ready to see something unique and odd!

Ninja News

Al Penwasser made a video for Bones: The Movie about his best friend. The man is a creative genius. Or completely nuts. Either way, it’s hilarious.

Indie Author Pride Day July 1st 2015 on Social Media! For details, visit Lyons Book Promotions.

Great opportunity for self-published authors – Self-E. Get your books into libraries. Visit Elizabeth S. Craig for details.

Reading Alley is now open! This site helps authors deliver their books to readers for reviews. They are having a grand opening special, so check it out.

Available now!

Masked Kiss by Christine Rains

Dice & Debauchery series

Find it at Ellora’s Cave Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads

July Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for July! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

3 –

Terminator Genisys
John Connor sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, but when he arrives in 1984, nothing is as he expected it to be.
Director: Alan Taylor
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke
The trailer looked awesome – sadly, the early reviews have not been good. Think it’s time to terminate this series.




10 –

Minions
Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.
Directors: Kyle Balda | Pierre Coffin
Stars: Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton
The best part of the Despicable Me series gets their own film – prepare for silly fun and another onslaught of Minion merchandise.

Self/less
An extremely wealthy man, dying from cancer, undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man. But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body's origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause.
Director: Tarsem Singh
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley, Natalie Martinez
Been done before and considering the director’s track record, the stars will wish they’d been transferred into a healthy movie.

17 –

Ant-Man
Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Director: Peyton Reed
Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Hayley Atwell, Michael Peña
Will this superhero be a hit or will someone step on him?



24 –

Pixels
When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games.
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage
Adam Sandler. Enough said. Dinklage needs to keep his day job, at least until Martin kills him.

Have you seen either The BoxTrolls or Transformers 4? Taking advantage of Indie Pride Day, Self-E, or Reading Alley? Looking forward to any of the movies in July? And are you ready for Wednesday’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group?

Don’t forget to visit Elizabeth Mueller!

CassaSeries is Available! Plus Cherie Reich's Favorite Monsters, IWSG T-Shirt, Monster Trivia Answers, and Ninja News

CassaSeries releases today! But first…


I am visiting Beverly Stowe McClure at Story of a Writer with a short piece on the best and worst of writing.


And the super talented Cherie Reich joins us here today!

Cherie Reich’s 5 Favorite Horror Monsters/Villains

1. Pennywise from Stephen King’s It. A clown with very, very sharp teeth. Can we get any scarier?

2. Big Jim Rennie and Junior from Stephen King’s Under the Dome. I loathed them in the book, almost as much as Umbridge from Harry Potter. They were cruel, manipulative, and downright evil. I must admit I like them more in the TV series, although Big Jim is still quite manipulative and evil.

3. The aliens from M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs. These aliens are no E.T. or Alf. We may be their cattle, but at least we have water on our side. Strangely, I could have sworn I saw one in real life when I was a child (years before I watched the movie).

4. Michael Myers from John Carpenter’s Halloween series. My mom said she’d seen the movie while pregnant with me. I wonder what that says about us. Heh. I’m a big fan of the Halloween series, and my former housemate and I would spend hours discussing our theories about Michael Myers. No matter how slow he walks, he’s very persistent. Just be sure to cut off the right head, okay?

5. Jason from Friday the 13th series. A mother’s love can bring her creepy son back to life. Just be sure to stay away from lakes and cabins. And I have to admit seeing Jason beating one girl in a sleeping bag with another girl in a sleeping bag was the most memorable moment in Jason X.

What’s your favorite monster/villain from a horror book/movie?

A monster hunts us. After hibernating for a decade, it’s ravenous. We long to stop this nightmare, but the end of the road is far. There is no waking up once a legend sets its sights on you.

Purchase Once upon a Nightmare: A Collection by Cherie Reich at Amazon. From June 22-28, the collection is only $0.99!

Cherie Reich is a speculative fiction author and library assistant living in Virginia. Visit her website and blog for more information.

Ninja News

Nigel Mitchell posted about a Hemmingway app that can be used to improve your writing.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group t-shirt is available now! Designed by the very talented Jeremy Hawkins, members can now show their support and commitment to the group.

Purchase your IWSG shirt at the NeatOShop.

New Releases:

Summer Vacation Devotions by Tyrean Martinson includes fifteen devotions for families having fun on summer vacation and center around God's Word and activities like car trips, camping, building sandcastles and cooking s'mores. The author earnings will go to Peace Rehabilitation Center in Nepal to fight human trafficking.
Available as an eBook and paperback.

Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls and Gadgets
Featuring a story by Leandra Wallace
Find it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

A Faerie’s Secret by Rachel Morgan
Book Four in the Creepy Hollow Series
Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords

Movie Trivia Answers

1 – Hellraiser 1997 - Cenobites
2 – Reign of Fire 2002 - Dragons
3 – Near Dark 1987 - Vampires
4 – Lake Placid 1999 – Giant Crocodile
5 – Battleship 2012 - Aliens
6 – Deep Blue Sea 1999 - Sharks

Available today!

CassaSeries
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
ISBN 9781939844118
Price - $5.99 eBook boxed set
Science fiction/adventure (FIC028010) and science fiction/space opera (FIC028030)

The Amazon Best-Selling Series!

CassaStar - Few options remain for Byron. Slated to train as a Cosbolt pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth to his instructor, Bassa. As war brews on the edge of space, Bassa must make a decision that could decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission destined to stretch their abilities to the limit?

CassaFire - Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters behind him, the detection of alien ruins sends him to the planet of Tgren. Forced to train a Tgren named Athee and deal with an eager young scientist, he feels invaded. Tensions mount as the ruins reveal a potential weapon, plunging him further into the chaos. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

CassaStorm - Commanding the base on Tgren, Byron watches as a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the planet. When the war hits Tgren, it triggers nightmares in his son. The ancient alien ship begins transmitting a deadly code and the probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago returns. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Find it at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Goodreads


What is your favorite monster? (Mine would be Godzilla.) See some cool new books? Picking up the IWSG t-shirt? Get any of the trivia right? And if you’ve never read the trilogy, CassaSeries is a great bargain!

Don’t forget to visit Beverly Stowe McClure!

CassaSeries, Jurassic World Review, RiffTrax on At Midnight, Movie Trivia, and Ninja News

I’m back from vacation! Did you miss me?

Today I am visiting Karen Lange with outlining tips and how to avoid a messy first draft.

CassaSeries

My publisher has put my Cassa books into an eBook boxed set and it is slated for release June 22, 2015! You can pre-order it now.

CassaSeries
By Alex J. Cavanaugh
ISBN 9781939844118
Price - $5.99
Science fiction/adventure (FIC028010) and science fiction/space opera (FIC028030)
Find it here – Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Goodreads

Movie Review -Jurassic World

The fourth installment starts with a theme park built on the same island as Jurassic Park, complete with a main street, petting zoo, rides, and thousands of visitors. All havoc breaks loose when a deadly hybrid dinosaur escapes.

Let’s face it – no matter what they do, they will never capture the magic that was Jurassic Park. Yes, the park is now a functioning theme park, the special effects are great, and the new dinosaurs are fearsome. But the genie is already out of the bottle…

Chris Pratt is the best part of the film as a kick-butt raptor trainer. He proves he can lead films and do a diversity of roles.

While it’s always fun to return to the Jurassic world, and who doesn’t dig seeing dinosaurs running around, this film did have issues and some plot holes. It shouldn’t be a leave your brain at the door kind of film, but if you’re going to enjoy it, you’ll have to.

My biggest issue was a lack of contingencies should one of the dinosaurs escape. They said the hybrid had an implant that would zap her if she got to close to the main park, and yet other escaping dinosaurs seemed to lack this. Plus with this kind of park, there should be more backup than a few guys with tranquilizers.

My other issues was with the sphere ride and how riders could just take the ball anywhere. Now, I’ve been to enough theme parks to know that almost all rides are on tracks and the rider does not control anything. Letting patrons roam around the valley as long as they wanted with really big dinosaurs around seemed like a bad idea. (And it was.)

There were numerous other issues I won’t go into, like flat characters and plot details that went nowhere.

I really wanted to love this film, especially after seeing the good reviews, but I’d have to place it as my third favorite behind Jurassic Park and The Lost World. It was better than the third, but not by a lot.

Leave brain at door and watch just for the big dinosaurs and Chris Pratt.

RiffTrax on At Midnight with Chris Hardwick

The RiffTrax guys – Mike, Kevin, and Bill – appeared on the show on June 9. It’s a ‘game show’ that has contestants coming up with funny lines to go with situations, images, and hashtags.

It was the first time those three had been on Comedy Central since Mystery Science Theater 3000 was cancelled.

And it was hilarious!

Mike had some of the best one-liners:

#worstrealityshow – Are You Taller Than a Fifth Grader?

Scene with teen boys running into villain in an S&M mask – Oh no, we wandered into Andy Dick’s backyard!

The host mentioned he couldn’t hear Kevin’s voice without picturing Tom Servo. When Kevin offered a very raunchy one-liner, Chris said that had erased the image forever.

Bill won the game with a line that I can't really repeat here...

Watch it streaming at Hulu

Ninja News

There is a huge giveaway of adult and young adult books happening this week! It starts Tuesday, and a couple of my books are included. See Jessica Therrien’s site for a full list and to enter. Open until June 30.

Available Now -
Roses Are Red by JB Kantt
Buy it at Amazon US and Amazon UK

Movie Trivia

Answers from last week:
1 - This 1975 movie with Doug McClure took place during WWI and involved a German sub finding a place called Caprona. The Land That Time Forgot 
2 – This 1969 film was half Western and involved a T-Rex. The Valley of Gwangi
3 – This 1988 animated film spawned many, many sequels. The Land Before Time
4 – This 1997 movie involved two groups of people with different agendas on an island with dinosaurs. The Lost World
5 – This 1993 film was produced by Roger Corman, spawned two sequels, and starred Diane Ladd. Carnosaur

This week, an easy one – name the monster or creature in these films:

1 – Hellraiser 1997
2 – Reign of Fire 2002
3 – Near Dark 1987
4 – Lake Placid 1999
5 – Battleship 2012
6 – Deep Blue Sea 1999

Answers next Monday!

Did you see Jurassic World this past weekend? Anyone catch the RiffTrax guys on At Midnight? Get any of the trivia right? Know the monsters this week? And anyone want to help me announce the release of the CassaSeries trilogy next week?

Don’t forget to visit Karen Lange!

New RiffTrax, Dinosaur Movie Trivia, Are You a Genre Purist, CassaFire Translation, and Ninja News

I’m visiting EE Georgi’s at Chimeras today, discussing the path of my books and what it took to start over with a new universe in Dragon of the Stars. (*It's live now!)

And if you missed it, I talked about the secret to marketing at Patricia Stoltey’s last Thursday.

New From RiffTrax!

Remember the travesty that was Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare?

RiffTrax describes it as hair metal meets hideous puppets!

Go HERE to download or stream.

Ninja News

Today at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group we have none other than the amazing Elizabeth S. Craig, discussing audio books for independent authors.

And at the A to Z Blog, the Themes That Rocked the Challenge guest is Hank Kaykuala. He highlighted his friend, Yusuf Hashim, who takes people on photo adventures around the world. Be sure to stop by!

Out Now –

Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story by Vanessa Morgan

Find it on Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, and Amazon FR, Amazon NL

And visit her site this month for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed book of Avalon, a cat collar, and a pack of cat toys!

Available June 9!

Jophiel: Path of Angels by Patricia Lynne

They must fight to stay on the path…

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads

Find Patricia: Website-Blog, Twitter, Wattpad, and Goodreads





Battle of the Band results –

The song was Shock the Monkey and despite early votes one direction, favor swung later on. The voting tally, counting mine for Coal Chamber:

Suburban Tribe - 15

Coal Chamber - 22

CassaFire Translation Details

Appreciated all of the congratulations last Wednesday!

Several of you had questions regarding the translation of CassaFire into Turkish, which I will do my best to answer here.

The publisher is Gürer Yayıncılık Publishing, LTD and CassaFire will be the beginning of their science fiction line. (Yes, they picked my book first! No idea why…)

The translation won’t be available until next year. I’ll keep you posted on the release date.

I hope to get a copy of the book (they are doing a print run as well as eBooks) but it depends on how many copies they send to my publisher.

No, I can’t read the Turkish language! But if I get a copy, it will be really cool to see my book in another language.

My titles are available worldwide, but this will be the first translation.


And in other news, Andrew Leon gave CassaStorm a really in-depth and thoughtful review last Friday. I even managed to surprise him! Double Ninja Score.

Movie Trivia

With Jurassic World coming out this Friday, I thought it was time for a little dinosaur trivia. Name the dinosaur movie from the clues. Answers on Monday!

1 - This 1975 movie with Doug McClure took place during WWI and involved a German sub finding a place called Caprona.
2 – This 1969 film was half Western and involved a T-Rex.
3 – This 1988 animated film spawned many, many sequels.
4 – This 1997 movie involved two groups of people with different agendas on an island with dinosaurs.
5 – This 1993 film was produced by Roger Corman, spawned two sequels, and starred Diane Ladd.

Genre Selective or Purist?

I’m going to throw this question out for you – are you a genre purist when it comes to books? Do you read several genres or stick to one main genre? If you are a writer, do you primarily read in your genre or do you explore others?

They say to read other books in your genre to get a feel for it and keep up to date. And I know authors who read almost exclusively in their genre. But they also say to expand your literary horizons and read a variety.

I may write science fiction, but I probably read more fantasy than anything else. I also read a variety, especially as I have author friends who write a in variety of genres. (I’ve read paranormal romance, memoirs, chick lit, poetry, and all sorts of books I wouldn’t have read otherwise.)

What about you? Do you stick to your genre and rarely venture further? Or do you read a wide variety?

Going to check out RiffTrax’s Rock and Roll Nightmare? Picking up some new books? Know any of the trivia? Seeing Jurrasic World this weekend? And do you read mostly your genre or do you read a variety?

Don’t forget to visit EE Georgi’s Chimeras!

I'll be on vacation this week from Thursday through Sunday with limited Internet. I will be checking my email though. If I miss your visit, I will catch you next week.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Plus RiffTrax Live, June Movie Preview, Members of Band Mastodon Die, and New Release From Heather Gardner

Today (Wednesday) I am visiting Lynda Young and discussing why writers need support. Thursday, I am visiting Patricia Stoltey and discussing the best way to market a book. Please stop by and visit both amazing ladies!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

My awesome co-hosts today are M. Pax, Tracy Jo, Patricia Lynne, Rachna Chhabria, Feather Stone, and Randi Lee!

We are also adding new things to the site. The Publications page now includes conferences, conventions, workshops, festivals, retreats, and seminars, broken down by month. Plus we announced some upcoming stuff, so check it out today.

I’m in a good place now as far as books and writing go. Dragon of the Stars is selling well. There have been many ads in program guides and bookmarks handed out at science fiction conventions. (Next conventions are Space City Comic Con in Texas and Pensacola Comic Con in Florida.) I have guest appearances online through the middle of July. (Monday I visited Rachna’s Scriptorium and discussed the importance of characters.) I might even write a short story about what happens after Dragon ends. (For a very special fan and friend.)

The big news came yesterday from my publisher - CassaFire has been picked up by a publisher in Turkey for Turkish translation into both print and eBook. My book will be available in another language! That is just too wild. Never in my wildest dreams...

Otherwise, I intend to focus more on the IWSG this summer and what I can do to help other writers!

RiffTrax: Live!

Coming to you live, 8:00 pm, July 9 – RiffTrax: Live – Sharknado 2!
If you’ve never seen Mike, Kevin, and Bill, the members of RiffTrax, do a live event, now is your chance.
It will be held in Nashville, TN and broadcast live to hundreds of screens across the country.
Visit the RiffTrax site to get tickets.
And if you want to know more about RiffTrax, check out my interview with Kevin and Bill from earlier this year.

Ninja News

From Entertainment Weekly - Three members of the metal band Mastodon were killed Sunday night – on Game of Thrones! Bill Kelliher, Brent Hinds, and Brann Dailor were all Wildlings, killed and resurrected by the White Walkers. The guys said it was an incredible experience.

Out this week!
Already Home – A Maguire’s Corner Novel by Heather Gardner
Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads
Congratulations, Heather - you rock!

June Movie Preview

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for June! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

5 –

Entourage
Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys Eric, Turtle, and Johnny, are back - and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold on a risky project that will serve as Vince's directorial debut.
Director: Doug Ellin
Stars: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon
I’ve never watched the show. Good chance I’ll never watch the movie.



12 –

Jurassic World
Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor's interest, which backfires horribly.
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Stars: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Judy Greer
Star Lord battles dinosaurs and a fifty foot tall Rocket – awesome! (And if you didn’t get that, go rent Guardians of the Galaxy this minute!)



19 –

Inside Out
After a girl moves to a new home, her emotions are plunged into chaos as they compete for control of her mind.
Directors: Pete Docter | Ronaldo Del Carmen
Stars: Diane Lane, Rashida Jones, Amy Poehler, Kyle MacLachlan
I want to love Pixar again. I hope this does it.





26 –

Ted 2
Newlywed couple Ted and Tami-Lynn want to have a baby, but in order to qualify to be a parent, Ted will have to prove he's a person in a court of law.
Director: Seth MacFarlane
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman
Foul mouthed Teddy bear wants to have baby with a woman – what’s not to love? (Oh wait, this could be in really bad taste…)

Big Game
A young teenager camping in the woods helps rescue the President of the United States when Air Force One is shot down near his campsite.
Director: Jalmari Helander
Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, Onni Tommila, Ray Stevenson, Victor Garber
I know it sounds awful! But it’s from the director of Rare Exports, the strangest and most unique Santa Claus film you will ever see.

Going to see RiffTrax? (Go once and you’ll laugh so hard, you’ll never miss another one!) Did you see Mastodon die in Game of Thrones? Picking up Heather’s new book? Any of those movies catch your attention? And what are your writing insecurities today…?

Don’t forget to visit Lynda Young today and Patricia Stoltey on Thursday!

Rush R40 Concert, Tomorrowland Review, Question of the Month, Battle of the Bands, and Ninja News!

Today I am visiting the great Rachna’s Scriptorium and discussing a writing topic - Don’t Lose Sight of the Characters. Please stop by!

Rush – R40 Tour

Caught these guys recently on their R40 tour, celebrating their 40 (actually 41) year career.

It was bittersweet knowing it might also be their last tour. Neil Peart wants to spend more time with his family, plus the guys are in their sixties now. It’s a shame, because they’ve never sounded as good as they do right now.

The stage set was awesome and very clever. It went backwards in time from the steampunk setup of Clockwork Angels to old amps on folding chairs with a high school gym on the big screen in the background. (Their first paid gig!) The stage hands worked hard to keep the set evolving backwards throughout the show.

They played some songs they haven’t played in years. (Again, going back in time with their selections.) Highlights included Between the Wheels from Grace Under Pressure, Cygnus X-1 Book II from Hemispheres, and Xanadu and Cygnus X-1 Book I from A Farewell to Kings.

It was an amazing show – Rush has never let me down!

Movie Review

Tomorrowland

It started off intriguing, and then went into a slow decline.

There were a lot of plot contrivances and parts of the film were a bit convoluted. And unbelievable. (A rocket ship built under the Eiffel Tower over a hundred years ago? Right…) Plus there were some unoriginal clichés, like the diatribe by the villain at the end.

The Tommorwland sets and designs were really cool. Just a shame most of the movie takes place in the here and now.

It was also a bit preachy. (Not as bad as Happy Feet, but still preachy.)

Overall it was all right but not great. A decent way to shoot two hours. Just don’t expect to remember much after you leave the theater. If you want a great film that you will remember, go see Mad Max: Fury Road instead.

(And for a really great breakdown of the movie’s borrowed plots, read the review at Pensuasion.)

Ninja News

Beth Ellyn Summer signed a deal with Bloomsbury Spark for her manuscript At First Blush!

Out now!
Layers of Lace by Christine Rains
Find it Ellora’s Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads

Don’t forget this Wednesday is Insecure Writer’s Support Group day!

Have you picked up you’re a to Z Challenge t-shirt?
Created by our very own Jeremy Hawkins, you can purchase it at the NeatoShop

Battle of the Bands

Hosted by Faraway Eyes and Stephen T. McCarthy.

I decide to pick something a little different - Peter Gabriel’s Shock the Monkey.

Now, if I’d just pitted Coal Chamber’s version against Gabriel’s, then quite likely the original would win. But I dug around and found another band who had covered the song. You know the routine – pick your favorite:

Suburban Tribe


Coal Chamber (with Ozzy Osbourne)


Make your selection! Votes will be tallied and posted next Monday.

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined, this is the debut of Question of the Month!

If your house caught on fire, what's the one thing you'd grab before running out?

Trusting that my wife would be running out with me, I would grab my guitars. I have several Les Paul guitars and a Music Man, and I would do my best to scoop them all up. Loosing those in the fire just might make me cry!

Have you seen Rush in concert? (Have you seen them almost thirty times like me?) Seen Tommorrowland? (More important, have you seen Fury Road?) Got your Challenge t-shirt yet? Ready for Wednesday’s IWSG post? (Plus the June movie preview.) Which version of Shock the Monkey is your favorite? And what would you grab if your house was on fire...?

Don’t forget to visit Rachna’s Scriptorium!