Monday, February 14, 2022

Series Reviews: Book of Boba Fett, Peacemaker, and Clarkson’s Farm; CassaDark Help, February Movies, and New Book Releases

New Series Reviews
Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB.


Book of Boba Fett

On Disney+
Bounty hunter Boba Fett & mercenary Fennec Shand navigate the underworld when they return to Tatooine to claim Jabba the Hutt's old turf.
Created by Jon Favreau and starring Temuera Morrison and Ming-N Wen, this Star Wars series is fast paced and fascinating. You will learn a lot about the Sand People you never knew.
Boba Fett is an interesting and complex character. Certainly not the villain you thought.
The inclusion of the Mandalorian and Grogu helps ties it all together.
Every episode was more and more fun right up to end.
Highly recommended!


Peacemaker

On HBO Max
Picking up where The Suicide Squad (2021) left off, Peacemaker returns home after recovering from his encounter with Bloodsport - only to discover that his freedom comes at a price.
John Cena returns as Peacemaker and is forced to work with a group tracking down Project Butterfly.
Whereas Peacemaker turned against his teammates in The Suicide Squad, making him the bad guy (or in the case of The Suicide Squad, the bad-bad guy), here you really empathize with him. He had a rough childhood and just wants to belong and be accepted. He starts questioning his own actions.
It’s very funny, but be warned – the show is crude, far beyond anything in The Suicide Squad.
The intro is hilarious and totally original.
And my wife’s favorite character – Eagly! (His best friend, the eagle.)
Recommended! (And if you can handle the crude, highly recommended.)


Clarkson’s Farm

On Amazon Prime
Follow Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to run a farm in the countryside.
Clarkson, from Top Gear and Grand Tour fame, buys a good-sized farm and decides to run it like a farm. Hilarity ensues.
Actually, it’s equal parts hilarious and educational. I’ve learned so much about farming. But Clarkson’s dry British wit does steal the show. Especially when he’s driving around on his Lamborghini tractor!
Kaleb Cooper, the young buck he’s hired to help him, is both farm-smart and a smart-aleck. Then there’s very experienced Gerald Cooper who, well, no one can understand due to his thick, mush-mouth accent.

This is officially the only show about farming where I’m really excited for season two!
Highly recommended!

New Releases


A Dash of Murder

Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries | Book 19
By Elizabeth S. Craig
Food for thought: seasoning with these berries results in a dash of murder.
It's been a quiet autumn so far in the small town of Bradley, North Carolina. Or, as Myrtle would put it, a boring one. The slow pace and lingering post-summer heat are making life in Bradley very slow-paced, indeed.
That all changes when a local resident is poisoned by what looks like a scrumptious pie. The victim is a boorish man who has plenty of enemies in Bradley. Despite this, suspicion falls heavily on Myrtle and Miles's friend—a botanist who grows the deadly nightshade the man was poisoned with.
Can Myrtle and Miles solve the case and help their friend before the killer strikes again?
Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo


Zanzibar’s Rings

Book 3 in the Viridian System series
By Jemima Pett
A galactic crisis: the entire comms system destroyed. No waypoints, no navigation aids, no database access... and how will spaceships in flight get home--or to any destination? Dolores is stuck in warp with a very dangerous passenger, Pete gets his shuttle back home on manual. But why does anything in close contact with pure orichalcum fix itself? Just flying through Zanzibar's Rings solves the problem--as the Federation's Fighters find, as they descend on the Viridian System to take possession of the planets.
Find it at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo on February 22.

February Movie Preview

Here are the theatrical releases for February, which I didn’t have room for in my last post. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.


Out now:


Moonfall
A mysterious force knocks the moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it.
Director: Roland Emmerich
Stars: Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Charlie Plummer
Name generic, trailer terrible, reviews abysmal – that’s all you need to know.


Just opened:


Death on the Nile
While on vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot must investigate the murder of a young heiress.
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Stars: Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Kenneth Branagh, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot
I know a little of the plot – sounds like it would make a great book.


Blacklight

Travis Block is a government operative coming to terms with his shadowy past. When he discovers a plot targeting U.S. citizens, Block finds himself in the crosshairs of the FBI director he once helped protect.
Director: Mark Williams
Stars: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Taylor John Smith, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Liam Neeson plays a man with a particular set of skills…blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…


18 –


Uncharted

Street-smart Nathan Drake is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle
Will this finally break the video game to movie jinx? Place your bets now…


A Favor to Ask!


My next book (and first novel in seven years) comes out April 6.

CassaDark is the fourth in the Cassan series. (It does stand on its own as it follows a different character.)

Goodreads, like it or not, is a good place to get books noticed. The more ‘Want to Reads’ and reviews, the better.

Can you mark CassaDark as ‘Want to Read’ for me?

It's also on the list for 'Can't Wait Sci-Fi Fantasy of 2022, page 2 last I looked.

Really appreciate it!


Have you watched any of those series? Picking up a new book or two? Any movies interest you? And can you add CassaDark to your ‘Want to Read’ list?
I’ll see you March 2 for the next IWSG day!


53 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Thanks so much for the feature on your blog! And your upcoming release looks amazing.

My husband enjoyed Boba Fett and I liked Clarkson's Farm!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - I've enjoyed your books and will get to mark CassaDark as 'Want to Read' ... the Clarkson series sounds interesting ... and I know he jumped in feet first, with a few bucks in hand - I'm sure I will watch it - glad it's entertaining. Elizabeth's books are fun mysteries - up to 19 of them ... amazing. Jemima - good luck to her too. Death on the Nile has many memories of a difficult time for me - so doubt I'll watch it again. Cheers Hilary

Natalie Aguirre said...

I already maked CassaDark as want to read. Congrats to Elizabeth on her new book. This looks like another good one by her.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

Mrs. Shady and I love British films and series. Clarkson's Farm is surely of interest to both of us. If Moonfall had cast Halle Bailey instead of Halle Berry, I'd want to see it. I admire Annette Bening and plan to catch Death on the Nile.

Have a great week, good buddy Alex!

Jemi Fraser said...

Loved CassaDark - great story!!

We don't have any of those streaming services - but one day I'll probably have to get Disney to see Mandalorian and this one :)

Congrats to Elizabeth & Jemima!!

Donna K. Weaver said...

We're making our way through Bubba Fett. Haven't gotten to Grogu and Mando yet.

We're excited about CassaDark. Marked it on Goodreads!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, you're welcome!

Hilary, thanks. And you should watch Clarkson's Farm. Let me know if you catch anything that guy says.

Thanks, Natalie!

Jemi, thanks!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I love that Agatha Christie's work never gets old. Your book is marked, Alex. Happy almost Valentine's Day.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Clarkson's Farm sounds like fun! Congratulations on the upcoming release, Alex. Heading over now to mark CassaDark "want to read."

Computer Tutor said...

I added Clarkson's Farm to my watch list--not sure if it'll last! Your comment pushed it over--"This is officially the only show about farming where I’m really excited for season two!"

Added your book to 'want to read' on Goodreads. And I do!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

You really are unstoppable, Alex.
Congratulations. I marked it CassaDark a "too read." (I'm rarely on Goodreads, hope I did that right.) It looks fabulous.
Have a sweet week.

Liz A. said...

No, those movies do not entice me. Sigh. Nothing has interested me in a while. And as I don't have Disney +, I'm missing out on all the Star Wars shows. One of these days I'll succumb and subscribe.

Joanne said...

I will get on Goodreads for your book - heck yeah. Happy Valentines.
I tried Boba Fett and never got back to it. Peacemaker is zany good - I am amused. Your Death on the Nile snark had me laugh out loud. Have a good week!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Joylene!

Patricia, appreciate it.

Jacqui, thanks, and you'll enjoy the show.

Thanks, Robyn!

Joanne, thanks, and I aim to amuse!

J E Oneil said...

I really haven't been paying attention to media lately, because I've only heard of less than half of what you've reviewed this week.

Moonfall sounds like a video game I played once.

John Wiswell said...

Yeah I'm totally going to watch Peacemaker once the series is finished. The movie made him unappealing as a protagonist, but it sounds like the show fleshes him out, plus Vigilante sounds so darned entertaining.

Moonfall sounds like *my* kind of trash. As soon as it hits streaming, I'll probably check it out.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Done.

Should I tell Chad about the farm show? Hmm...would he find it interesting or would it be a rant about actual farm stuff? Lol

Birgit said...

I will mark your book for sure. Congrats as well:) I have not seen any of the series but the 3rd one sounds like a lot of fun plus I grew up around farming. My family owned a sawmill but my friend lived on a farm so I did many farm duties. I would like to see this Suicide Squad because it looks funny and crude is aok by me if done correctly. Ah the movies...that first one sounds like dreck. Liam, I love, but he needs to make the films he used to. I want to see Death On The Nile which is a remake of one done in the late 70s or early 80s with Peter Ustinov as Poirot. Angela Lansbury was also in the cast. Love the book as I love anything Agatha Christie. Good luck to the authors with their new books too.

Mason Canyon said...

Congrats to Elizabeth and Jemima on the new releases, along with you Alex. I'm looking forward to seeing Death on the Nile, the previews look interesting. I'm off to mark CassaDark as a "Want to Read."

Cherie Colyer said...

I haven't seen any of the series or movies you mentioned. Although, I have been curious about Uncharted.

Done and Done on Goodreads!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JE, I bet the game's better.

John, you do empathize with him.

Elizabeth, thanks and tell him!

Thanks, Birgit. Yeah, Liam is just getting a paycheck now.

Mason, thanks!

Cherie, awesome!

Jemima Pett said...

I loved CassaDark, too!
Thanks for featuring Zanzibar’s Rings today 😀

Lisa said...

Done! Because I really do want to read your newest! I love the series... I LOVE Boba Fett and can't wait to catch up the latest episode today!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

There's part of me that wants to see "Moonfall," and then I read what you wrote about it, think "Alex speaks truth" and then I don't want to see it anymore. LOL. So, you saved me money, friend. Also, I need to watch "The Peacemaker" on HBO Max. I did watch Gunn's Suicide Squad, and I liked it. I also read that Peacemaker is kind of retconning a lot of the Snyder-verse. So, if I want to be on top of what's going on with DC, I'll have to give it some of my time.

Sandra Cox said...

Clarkson's Farm sounds entertaining;)
Hope you and your wife had a fun Valentines.

Mark said...

Nice! Love the reference to the Book of Boba Fett:) Looking forward to season 3 of the Mandalorian as well.

Mary Kirkland said...

I marked your book as want to read. Congrats on the new release.

I plan on watching Peacemaker soon.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jemima, thanks and you're welcome! Need to dig into your series.

Lisa, you rock!

Michael, wait until the film is free. Peacemaker was a interesting character to spin off. Nice to see the DC universe expanding.

Sandra, at home watching a movie - yes, my idea of fun!

Thanks, Mary!

Damyanti Biswas said...

Thanks for featuring ELizabeth and Jemima's books, Alex, off to add them on my TBR, as well as your next, Cassadark!

Added it as Want to Read on Goodreads.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help with book promos!

Truedessa said...

Happy Wednesday, I am a bit late. Not feeling great. I have been watching The Book of Boba Fett. I agree, it is entertaining. Definitely, more to Boba than meets the eye.

CassaDark, I can’t wait to binge read…. it’s been too long….anticipation is keeping me waiting….

Have a great week!

cleemckenzie said...

I've read Death on the Nile, I've seen the older movie version, and I'm so looking forward to seeing this newest one.

Andrew Leon said...

I think they're just adding different titles to that same picture of Liam Neeson at this point.

Sherry Ellis said...

I loved reading CassaDark! All of your books are good, but I think this one is actually my favorite. Awesome job with it.


I was wondering how Moonwalk is. I saw Marry Me with J. Lo (not on your list). It was cute. Definitely a chick flick.

bookworm said...

I marked CassaDark as "want to read". Clarkson's Farm sounds interesting; I've seen several Top Gears with my son (who is a fan of the series) and maybe he would like this, too. I'm not a movie person and I don't have Disney Plus - and you saved me from Death on the Nile. 'Nuff said! Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

Katherines Corner said...

Done and Done my friend. I'm so excited for you! Darn I was looking forward to Moonfall. Liam Neeson films are basically all the same. It's snowing here today. Stay safe. Hugs!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Damy, thanks! I will send an email.

Truedessa, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Andrew, agreed!

Sherry, thanks!!!

Bookworm, your son would love the series! Same humor.

Katherine, you are awesome.

Sandra Cox said...

That is so cool that Cassa Dark is on the Can't Wait List. Woot. Woot.

Botanist said...

I really enjoyed Clarkson's farm. His "bigger is better" attitude gets him into all kinds of trouble, and there's a certain amount of tongue-in-cheek to the whole series, but at the same time it's highly educational.

Arlee Bird said...

I added Cassadark to my "want to read" list. Hope that helps and I wish you well on the release.

Haven't seen any of those series. I'm always up for one of those Roland Emmerich disaster films. Maybe I'll see it if it's convenient for me to see.

Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out

DMS said...

Lots of good shows and books! All new to me. :) Thanks for sharing!
~Jess

Sandra Cox said...

Dash of Murder sounds fun AND it's set in NC:)

Nilanjana Bose said...

Added. All the very best with the release!

Death on the Nile sounds great. Know the story backwards of course, but would watch HP a million times.

lostinimaginaryworlds.blogspot.com said...

Thank you as always for showing an interest in me, Alex, looking forward to March 2nd. Kind regards, Carole.

Donna K. Weaver said...

Oh, and I wanted to mention that Arcane on Netflix (set in the world of League of Legends) definitely kicked the rear of any other video game inspired stories I've seen done. But it was a series. But what a series!

Sandra Cox said...

Zanzibar's Rings sounds like a nail biter.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Wow! Congratulations on your upcoming release, dude! (If you can come out with a new book after seven years, maybe there's hope for me yet. HA) Hope your new book soars!

G. B. Miller said...

"Clarkson's Farm" sounds intriguing.

For those of you who enjoy things like neophytes attempting jobs they've never done before, the YT channel Absolute History has a few series that following different farming techniques in various eras like the Tudors, the Edwardians, the Victorian and even farming during WWII that are very good.

Toi Thomas said...

Book of Boba Fett was a slow build for me, but it just got so good and the end was great.
Peacemaker looks good. Watched one so far.
I'm so gonna watch Clarkson’s Farm. That guy is hilarious.
Not a log to be excited about at the movies right now. I'll see most of these on streaming.
Voted for CassaDark. I really enjoyed it.

Sandra Cox said...

Moonfall. What an excellent name for a movie or book!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Alex, lucky you that you haven't ever been conflicted where your manuscripts are concerned. I undergo many conflicts with my middle grade books.

diedre Knight said...

Added CassaDark to my TBR on Goodreads! Congratulations, Captain!

Diane Burton said...

I thoroughly enjoyed The Book of Boba Fett. So glad to see the Mandalorian and Grogu. Can't wait until Season 3 of the Mandalorian.

Susan Kane said...

Good reviews. Some of the big name star movies did not save it.