Stranger Things and Star Trek Beyond Reviews, Comic Con Trailers, God’s Dinner Party, and Ninja News

I’m back from vacation! Just a few days away, but so worth it.
Today we welcome C. Lee McKenzie.
But first…

Stranger Things Review

Set in the 80’s, the plot centers on the search for a missing boy and the appearance of a strange girl.
Without a doubt, this is my favorite NetFlix original show. It’s a love letter to the 80’s. Imagine putting the Goonies, Stand by Me, Firestarter, E.T., and poltergeist in a blender and you’ll start to get an idea of the direction of this show.
I really liked the eight episode pacing and the great blend of horror, suspense, science fiction, and comedy.
The cast was perfectly chosen. (I understand they interviewed over nine hundred kids just to find the right ones for the roles.) All of the characters became fleshed-out, real people.
I don’t want to give anything else away – just watch it.
Highly recommended!

Star Trek Beyond Movie Review

Another enjoyable Star Trek adventure!
This film marks fifty years of Trek. While I didn’t like it quite as much as Into Darkness, I still found myself grinning from start to finish at the action and comedy. Director Justin Lin handled the action well and there were so many funny lines.
The actors did a great job, sliding right back into the character dynamics. Idris Elba was good at the villain Krall, but Sofia Boutella as Jaylah really nailed it.
Some aspects of the film were confusing or didn’t quite make sense, but maybe a repeat viewing will clarify things.
It was bittersweet watching Anton Yelchin in his final film. They did slip in a nice homage to Leonard Nimoy though.
Overall, it was a tremendous amount of fun.
Recommended.

C. Lee McKenzie and God’s Dinner Party

Once a very long time ago, God gave a dinner party, and he invited animals. (Stay with me, okay?) He wanted them there to give them a very important duty. These animals were to become a part of the zodiac and guide mankind in daily living as well as provide insights into their unique character.

Here’s what I think that dinner party might have been like.

God’s Dinner Party

Rat smoothed his long tail across his lap, then tried to stare down Monkey who was showing off. “A bit of decorum during dinner would be appreciated,” Rat said. He was far wittier than Monkey, and he wanted a chance to say something and prove it.
Monkey turned solemn for one minute before cracking his next joke.
Rooster kept an observant eye on the antics for a while, and then noticed his wing feathers were in disarray and began preening them into a neater arrangement.
Goat, who sat at the far end of the table, glanced anxiously at Pig in hopes Pig would say something intelligent and stop that damned Monkey show- off.
But Pig, always well-mannered and tasteful, chose to ignore Goat and Monkey. He had a full plate of delicious corn, and he was going to focus on that.
Dog leaned over to Horse and reminded him how much he hoped Horse wouldn’t take off on that trip after the party. Dog needed him nearby.
That’s when Tiger asserted himself, and with one large paw, batted Monkey on top of the head.
“Owww!” Monkey yowled, and he jumped down from his chair and scampered to Dragon.
“There. There,” Dragon said, all compassion. “Come sit next to me and tell me your jokes.”
“Suck up!” screeched Rat.
“Hussssh,” Snake said, stretching across to Rat. “Don’t ruin the party.”
“Oh no. Never do that,” said Rabbit, rubbing his tiny paws together nervously.
Ox nodded at his friend Snake. “We should should play a game and each take a turn of some sort.”
“I have a game! I have a game!” Monkey said, and all eyes locked on him. “Let’s play, “Where’s the Cat?”
Rat became suddenly fascinated with his tail, arranging and re-arranging it just so.
“You start Rat,” Monkey said, and he jumped up and down on his chair.
“Cat’s not here,” Rat said, not looking up.
“And why not?” Tiger asked in his most authoritative voice.
Rat mumbled, “Dunno.”
“Liar. Liar. Pants on fire!” Monkey was being a real butt.
Then Dragon rose regally and slowly from his chair at the head of the table. “It seems Cat will not be here this night, then?”
Rat shook his head and tried to ignore Pig’s tasteful snort, Dog’s distrustful stare, Roster’s observant smile, Monkey’s total lack of self-control, Goat’s anxious expression, Horse’s impatient neigh, and Snake’s dangerous eye. Rabbit at least had some compassion in his face, and Tiger wasn’t paying any attention to Rat at all. Ox had retreated into himself and seemed to doze.
Dragon laid a calming claw on Monkey, then he picked up Rat by his sleek tail and held him aloft. “Do you want to explain Cat’s absence?”
Now was Rat’s chance to show how clever and quick-witted he could be. “A mistake really. I must have said the party was on the fifteenth, not the fifth.” Dangling upside down, he grinned at Dragon.
“I see.” Dragon returned Rat to upright and settled him onto the chair. “I hope you enjoyed your prank a great deal, Rat, because you’ve made a life-long enemy and will be paying for it forever.”
The End

Find Lee at her blog and website
Find Sign of the Green Dragon (releases August 3) at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords
Find your sign HERE.

Ninja News

Today over at the IWSG site we welcome the awesome Anne R. Allen as she discusses a powerful marketing tool.

Don’t forget that Wednesday, August 3 is the next post day for the IWSG.

August’s question is - What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published? 

And have you seen the trailer for Wonder Woman, Justice League, or Kong Skull Island?

Anyone else blaze through the eight episodes of Stranger Things? See Star Trek Beyond this weekend? What do you think about God’s dinner party? And are you ready for Wonder Woman next year?

Since next week is IWSG post week, I won’t be posting on Monday, just Wednesday.