With the hurricane zapping us for a couple days and our power flickering, I opted not to create a post for last week.
We are fine – just some branches down – but my area and a good portion of the state were hit hard by either rain/winds or flooding.
Please continue to pray for those affected by Hurricane Florence.
America’s Got Talent
I used to watch American Idol, but this show has such a great variety. Where else can you see magicians, comedians, singers, dancers, stunts, and more in one place?
Who was your favorite to win?
Ocean’s Eight ReviewWe had another movie picked out to watch this weekend (Mandy) but decided to go for something light instead.
We almost went to see this in the theater when it came out early in the summer.
Sandra Bullock plays Danny Ocean’s sister and the moment she gets out of prison, she starts planning a heist.
The cast is good and there’s even a scene with Reuben (Elliott Gould).
The movie is good and the heist slick, but that might be its one downfall. It’s a little too slick. You never get the feeling that something is going to go wrong. The tension isn’t very high.
The actresses do have fun thought and it was worth the rental.
Movie News
From JoBlo - the Predator is desperate for acting gigs in Late Late Show sketch:
JoBlo also had an article about the Birds of Prey movie.
Margot Robbie will soon be reprising her SUICIDE SQUAD role of Harley Quinn for BIRDS OF PREY, an upcoming Warner Bros. film which will see the giggling sociopath joining forces with the likes of Black Canary, Huntress, Renee Montoya, and Cassandra Cain. Robbie, who is producing the film as well as starring in it, has said that she pitched Warner Bros. the project as "R-rated girl gang film including Harley, because I was like, ‘Harley needs friends.’ Harley loves interacting with people, so don’t ever make her do a standalone film. She’s got to be with other people, it should be a girl gang.”
They are considering several actresses to star with Robbie: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jurnee Smolett-Bell, and Janelle Monae for Black canary; Elizabeth Winstead, Cristin Milioti, and Margaret Qualley for Huntress; and Justina Machado and Roberta Colindrez for Renee Montoya. Cathy Yan is supposed to direct.
And 2019 is shaping up to be an awesome year for science fiction/fantasy movie fans. Look at the list of movies coming out next year:
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Captive State
Star Wars Episode IX
Avengers (Infinity Wars part two)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Shazam!
Spiderman: Far From Home
MIB
Chaos Walking
Ad Astra
Wonder Woman 1984
Joker
Hellboy
Glass
Captain Marvel
Rocketman
Minecraft
The New Mutants
Gemini Man
Masters of the Universe
Terminator (untitled)
Jumanji II
Artemis Fowl
(Fortunately Transformers 7 has been nixed!)
Ninja News
We have a special post today at the IWSG site by editor Lynda Dietz – be sure to check it out!
Young adult romance is the genre and masquerade the theme.
See the site for details.
New Releases:
They came in a huddle to play in their puddle, but they found Soap already there with no room to spare.
Find it on Amazon
The Fire Heart Chronicles Book 3
“I wish magic could blame it on someone else, but it can’t. I am the one that brings sorrow—I am the one that brings death.”
Find it on Amazon
Movie Trivia
Answers from two weeks ago:
Who was in The Dead Zone and Batman Returns? Christopher Walken
What does M*A*S*H stand for? Mobile Army Surgical Hospital
And a couple new ones for you!
Who was your favorite to win AGT? Have you seen Ocean’s Eight? Excited to see any of next year’s geek movie releases? Are you entering the IWSG Anthology Contest? (Get to writing!) And do you know the trivia answers…?
See you next Wednesday for the next posting of the IWSG!
1. Close encounters of the third kind?
ReplyDelete2. Fred Ward?
Glad you are safe.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to those affected by vicious storms the world over.
No more Transformers sure is a win. Still that Bumblebee spinoff though. Ocean's 8 never really caught my attention much, may watch it one day. Thanks for the shout.
ReplyDeleteClose encounters of the third kind
Fred Ward
I watch the English version of Britain's Got Talent also the X Factor. Love those shows.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Hi, Alex!
ReplyDeleteAmerica's Got Talent kinda reminds me of Star Search, the TV talent series of the 80s and 90s hosted by Ed McMahon. I have been discussing Courtney Hadwin with a friend who agrees with me that wild screaming and screeching does not equal talent unless you happen to be James Brown. I do not think she deserved to finish in the top 5.
I feel for the Predator being typecast and all. I can picture him as a dashing leading man in romantic comedies or the hero in films of the action adventure genre.
Thanks for the reviews and fun, good buddy Alex, and have a great week!
An Ocean's movie without tension seems wrong. I remember how worried I was for the thieves during the first movie!
ReplyDeleteI'll rent the new Oceans. I like that it's an all woman cast. That's a fun change. :)
ReplyDeleteFran, very good!
ReplyDeletePat, you're welcome. And got both right.
Shady, Janis Joplin did make a career of it.
Elizabeth, that just seemed lacking in this film.
I was thinking of renting Ocean. I went to the theater to see Peppermint instead.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see Harley coming back, but why does it have to be an all girl gang? I like her interaction with her crazy Joker boyfriend. I will probably pass on this film.
I watched a few episodes of America’s Got Talent and there certainly was diversity in talent
Have a great week Alex!
Poor Predator...he deserves a romance comedy co-starring with Meg Ryan. That was funny. I did get a couple trivia right, I believe. I haven’t seen Ocean’s 8 but I heard the same comments from others about the film.im so glad you were spared and others near you.
ReplyDeleteglad you are recovering from the hurricane. Water is just so damaging and scary.
ReplyDeleteOcean's Eight was fun and slick. You are correct.
Saw "A Simple Favor" yesterday - very enjoyable twists and turns. This was a nice surprise on a rainy Sunday.
Have a good week and take care
I saw Ocean's 8 when it was in the theater. It was a fun movie. Good escapism.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you came out okay in terms of the hurricane. It was just dreadful seeing all the pictures of everyone who was badly impacted.
Too bad that there wasn't more tension in Ocean 8. That was was part of what was good in the first one. Glad you are okay after the hurricane. Glad my mom is out of Florida during them this season.
ReplyDeleteI was really pulling for Courtney.
ReplyDeleteGlad you all made it through the storm okay!
ReplyDeleteSaw I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW with Peter Dinklage. He was excellent, but the movie fell flat for me.
Glad you are safe and well after the hurricane. Thanks for the info on Ocean's Eight. I wondered if it was worth watching. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteTruedessa, I guess it's all about girl power.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, will check it out.
Madeline, have you ever seen The Station Agent? He was excellent in that film.
My only real problem with Eight was the additional bit of heist that was just revealed after the fact. I hate when movies do that thing where it's like, "Oh, yeah, this also happened; we just didn't show you."
ReplyDeleteThat exhibit was one at the de Young about a year ago. Generally speaking, it was dealing with Aztec/Mayan art, but there was a specific focus of it that I'm not remembering at the moment.
I really thought Courtney had this year's AGT prize nailed from the beginning, but for me her final performance was a let down. After her I had favored Shin and the dance troupe that came in second so I wasn't far off. I definitely thought Courtney should have come in higher than she did because she was the most original and entertaining of the singing acts.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I haven't seen Ocean's Eight yet. Randomly watched the live action Bleach film this weekend. I do love the funky monsters! Next year will be a great year for movies. Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeleteEXtremely glad you are safe Alwx> The devastation was beyond normal expectations.
ReplyDeleteHank
ReplyDeleteAlex - I did see The Station Agent ages ago, and you're totally right! :)
I was hoping Zurcaroh would win, but Shin Lim was my #2 favorite. He is amazingly magical.
ReplyDeleteLol, I guess Predator is desperate ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch America's Got Talent this year, but I'm glad to see that someone other than a singer won it. Seems like magic acts never really have a chance at the end. Good for Shin Lim!
ReplyDeleteAndrew, it looked Aztec/Mayan.
ReplyDeleteLee, yes she was!
Madeline, awesome!
Happy to hear that you are safe from Hurricane Florence. I read through the list of movies coming next year. Can't wait for Jumanji 2 and hoping the cast is the same as the first. Can't wait to show the hubby your list. He will be excited about all of them. Have a Great Week!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are safe. I am a TV addict and rarely go to the movies, though I do love watching them at home. I love creature features, so Godzilla is surely on my list.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Glad to hear you are ok after the hurricane. Saw it on the news here and it did look terrible in places.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you are okay after the hurricane. Very saddening the lives affected by weather events across the world right now.
ReplyDeleteMy family are the real fans of sci-fi so they are the ones to be thrilled with those planned releases.
I'm glad to hear you guys didn't get hit hard.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the new Wonder Woman. Sad to hear Ocean's 8 missed the mark. It has a great cast.
I'll take a crack at the trivia...is it Close Encounters and Kevin Bacon?
Shin Lim was amazing! It looks like I'll be spending more time in the movie theater next year :) Glad the hurricane didn't hit you too hard!
ReplyDeleteGossip Girl, the cast is supposed to be the same.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, you got the first one right!
Congratulations to the new releases.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're all right and the hurricane is gone.
I know nothing about the movies. May try to watch some of them.
Have a great week.
I;m looking forward to Ocean's Eight. --The cast is pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteI watched Shazam as a kid - I'm curious about the movie.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're safe. Thanks for letting us know.
Now, off to congratulation Pat Hatt.
Stay well and safe.
I'm so glad that making sci fi movies is profitable. We want to encourage them to keep making them :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you're ok Alex! Will keep praying for everyone else. The images on the t.v are horrible!
ReplyDeleteI'm not too thrilled to see Ocean's Eight. Maybe I will see it, when it's free! LOL!
That is alot of movies coming out for 2019! Holy! Congrats on everyone's new releases!
Take Care, Alex!
Glad to hear you stayed safe, Alex. Hope the floods subside soon. And my wife & I watched Ocean's Eight recently and enjoyed it. Light-hearted and fun movie.
ReplyDeleteI said many prayers for you, Alex. I decided not to email to check in on you, figuring your power would be off and on with OFF being the clear winner!
ReplyDeleteI have survived so many hurricanes and it doesn't get any easier or less scary. I am glad you and yours pulled through.
I plan to see only a few of those movies in 2019. The agenda's are getting a little heavy-handed lately.
Avengers 4, Shazam, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman 1984 are certain for my money. I think I'll pass on Star Wars and Captain Marvel.
I entered the IWSG Anthology Contest again -- which goes to show you I am a bit stubborn, right?
May the rest of the year bring you only happy surprises.
Glad to hear you made it through the weather safely, Alex.
ReplyDeleteThe 2019 movie lineup actually sounds like a bunch of stuff I want to see! Looking forward to the same ones Roland mentioned, in fact.
My oldest saw Ocean's Eight and really enjoyed it, and I want to see it mostly because I like most of the actors in it. Glad to hear Reuben made an appearance!
I may give Captain Marvel a view as it shares an element with my attempt at a romantic anthology entry.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the review of Ocean's eight. I am a fan of Ocean's series. This is the first casting women's heist. Hope to watch it soon.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear all is well with you and your family after the hurricane. Looks like a good year for movies, but still not sure about Ocean's Eight. Will probably give it a try.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, I watched it as well!
ReplyDeleteRoland, and good luck with your entry!
I saw Shin Lim's card trick. Impressive! He has a great personality and appearance to go with it. He'll do great in Vegas.
ReplyDeleteI loved who won America's Got Talent. He deserved it, but so did some of the others.
ReplyDeleteI will be watching Ocean's 8 for the girl power of it.
Glad Florence didn't get you.
Teresa
Ocean's 8 looks like a fun movie. I'll wait until it comes to tv! As winter approaches, I settle into more movie watching. I haven't come up with a great idea for the writing contest this year, but I still have time!
ReplyDeleteI have Ocean's 8 on my list!
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet watched Ocean's 8 , but it is on my list!
ReplyDeleteSo good to have you back on regular programming on your blog, Alex.
Glad to hear you survived the hurricane. My cousin did too as she mostly got rain, but she kept worried family updated on FB.
ReplyDeleteOkay, now you're talking my language... AMERICA GOT TALENT! I too watch AGT! Love it (most of the time). The beginning most of the time is boring with the weirdo's, but I like it when it gets down the Hollywood segment and who America picks. This year was anyone's guess as you said and I too was surprised when Courtney Hadwin didn't win or the man who had all those kids, but then saw him in the news with a domestic problem. I mean that's down & out sad!!! Although magician Shin Lim won I have to admit he was dam good!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you're alright.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many good movies coming out next year. I usually wait to see them On Demand so I keep track of all the movies I want to see and cross them off as I watch them.
Its good your ok without residual effects from the storm crying havoc! Predator - six movie deals, not thats not bad for the alien guy in the mask.
ReplyDeletePat's got another book out? He has to have broken records for the number he's written. Kudos, Pat:)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to Star Wars and Wonder Woman?
When's the next Trekkie movie coming out?
I only occasionally watch AGT. I don't watch much TV. I know, I'm weird. But I always enjoy the episodes, I'm blown away by most of the talent. I do like the variety.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe in the Florence zone.
Glad you came out okay, so did my folks on the other end of the state.
ReplyDeleteI’m working on my submission and yikes, first draft landed at 12,000+ words! That’s aLOT to cut down to size!!!
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about it, but now I am going to watch Oceans Eight!
Glad to hear you rode the storm so well.
Though I'm not a regular watcher, I did happen to see Courtney Hadwin and thought she was sensational as she seemed to channel Joplin and others.
Woot! And best wishes to cat-man Pat!
So glad you're safe. I'm so sad AGT is over. I watch on Hulu. I was rooting for a number of them. There was so much amazing talent. Shim Lin always made me say, holy crap. He's amazing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're safe. That was a nasty hurricane.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're fine, despite the hurricane!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen America's Got Talent, but wow, Shin Lim sounds impressive. Card tricks like that are always fun to witness!
Shin Lim was freaking impressive. It's like, whaaaa? My coworkers don't watch the show, but I do, so when I pulled up Shin Lim's performance on youtube to show them, I scrolled through the comments and laughed at the ones talking about how he's actually a wizard pretending to do slight of hand. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're safe! Had wondered about that.
Mary, yes you do!
ReplyDeletePatricia, my worried family kept texting me.
Marie, that was sad. Just to prove even saints are sinners.
Sandra, he's well over a hundred now. And they are still working on the next Trek movie. Had a few setbacks with cast members not returning.
Lisa, cut that sucker in half and you got it.
Mary, this week seemed empty without the show...
Loni, funny!
I was thrilled to see that a magician won. That young girl will be fine, she's talented and someone will pick up her contract. How odd about the country singer, but I never thought he was that good to be in 5th place. Now he's out, as he should be, for taking it out on his wife.
ReplyDeleteSo many movies, and I haven't seen one yet this year. Oops!
Hi Alex - glad you survived Florence - they must be quite frightening to live through. I don't watch the talent shows ... occasionally when I'm home. Gosh lots of Sci-Fi movies to keep you all entertained ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy a good magician. They are so clever. Like a good ventriloquist too.
ReplyDeleteLot of movies coming out.
It's good to hear the hurricane didn't hit you too hard. Also, I need to get around to Watching Oceans Eight :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list of upcoming releases. Glad you weathered the storm!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are safe. Sending positive vibes to everyone out there who has been impacted by the storm.
ReplyDeleteLots of movies coming out for sure! Wow!
Congrats to Pat on his release. :)
~Jess
Pat has to hold a record for books published. That guy is amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and all my best to those with new releases. So exciting!
I look forward to MIB and Jumanji. I'm curious who will be in them.
Elsie
We have relatives near Myrtle Beach. They didn't get flooded but lost power numerous times. Glad you're save.
ReplyDeleteLots of great stuff coming out next year.
Yolanda, he did himself in all right.
ReplyDeleteJo, and Darcy the ventriloquist won last year.
Elsie, I think he does!
I'm glad to hear you weren't personally affected by the hurricane.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE AGT. We've only been watching it for the past few seasons, but like you say, it offers a huge amount of variety. Best since Ed Sullivan's show! I liked so many of the contestants this year, I would've been happy with any of the top ten taking the prize. Without a doubt, though, Shin Lim is the BEST magician I've ever seen. His show is Vegas will be amazing. I hope you're right about the other contenders having big careers ahead of them, too.
AGT has got a difficult job. I was really impressed earlier in the season when a 13-year-old kid belted out Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time." But the magician act was superb. I guess I just watch to see if something resonates with me. It's not necessarily the best way to value talent, which should be seen through a lens of "Is this a money-making thing?"
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of new here, so hello! I say "sort of" because I had a blog a million years ago (not really), and quit it for various reasons. But I came back to Blogger and remembered your blog, so...here I am!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're doing alright! Hurricanes suck. I'm down in Florida, and thankful it missed us, but I'm praying for everyone who was hit.
Artemis Fowl is the book that made me decide to become a writer, so I'm super excited for the film. I just hope they do it justice. But, the author seems happy about it so far, so I take that as a good sign. I'm just happy to see so many SFF films for next year.
I saw Shin Lim perform and while he as good, I wasn't that impressed by him. Not sure why. Other than the trick with the 6 changing to a 9, I just wasn't that wowed.
ReplyDeleteOcean's 8 looks like a fun watch.
Not sure how I feel about BIRDS OF PREY; could be good, could be really bad.
I think the movie I'm most excited about, all these look good or interesting though, is Glass. So happy to see this underrated story/world come together.
Great post, Alex.
O_O And I was excited about the Joker movie... but I'm totally there for Birds of Prey. Just the idea of a girly ensemble makes me feel really happy.
ReplyDeleteI thought Ocean's 8 was pretty good. But yeah, I assumed in all the movies that the crew would win in the end. I also assume James Bond is going to live and catch the bad guy. And the title character of any given TV show is going to live... unless it's Game of Thrones. I guess that's really the only thing I can watch at this point and never know the outcome of any main characters. Well, maybe also The Walking Dead, but I'm guessing they're all gonna die eventually.
ReplyDelete"Margot Robbie will soon be reprising her SUICIDE SQUAD role of Harley Quinn for BIRDS OF PREY" -- Shut up and take my money.
Looks like a good list of coming movies.
Sorrow Bringer sounds pretty cool.
I'm thinking Watch the Skies would be Close Encounters. The one with the music and the mashed potato mountain thing.
Yeah, I'm thinking about entering the contest.
Susan, I would definitely go see Lim's show!
ReplyDeleteMichael, many people vote while forgetting the ultimate criteria - is it a Vegas-worthy show? I think the top three this year all qualified.
Alexandra, glad you're back and thanks for remembering me!
J Lenni, you are correct! And hope you enter.
Haven't seen Oceans 8 but looks like fun.
ReplyDeleteHave an energized, productive week.
I'd like to see Ocean's Eight one day, even though it might be just for the cast. We never watch AGT, but after each season Mark browses YouTube to see who won and "why". So, I did get to see most of the winning magician's tricks and I certainly agree with you, Alex: mind-blowing. In a way, it was refreshing to see another act than singing win the contest.
ReplyDeleteHappy you made it safely through the hurricane. Yep, that's an impressive list for 2019.
ReplyDeleteGlad you came through the hurricane okay. What a mess, huh?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you didn't end up w/ too much damage from the storm. We even caught a ring or two of tropical rain at the very end. I kept asking where the tropical drinks were to go with it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for some of those movies to come out!! You may know which ones...*cough* Marvel! *cough* YAY!!
Hi ALEX!!!
Heather
I got that slick feel from the trailer for Ocean's Eight so I haven't seen it because I feared I wouldn't connect to the characters. But I really enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians!
ReplyDeleteOh hell yes 2019 is shaping up to have the potential to be a juggernaut year at the Box Office. I'm totally looking forward to many of these movies. We'll see about 80 percent of them at the theaters or Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI'm so tired of remakes and rehashes and sequels, even if they're done with an all-female cast. I'll be giving Oceans Eight a miss, but I could see how it would be enjoyable if you're looking for something light.
ReplyDelete