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.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!
The June 4 question - What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?
I read Sword of Shannara shortly after its release in 1977, and I was swept away in the epic adventure. I’d never read anything like it before. It kindled my love of fantasy and science fiction where anything was possible.
Ironically, it would be movies that influenced what I actually wrote – Star Wars, Battlestar Galatica, etc.
Dragon and Ninja, Together Again
Some of you probably remember Father Dragon Al. One of the best friends a Ninja could ever have and I miss him in the blogging world.
Quite the talented artist, he decided to send me the original artwork of his blogging icon.
Al, this is quite the honor! I shall treasure it always. You are a good friend and an excellent dragon.
Quite the talented artist, he decided to send me the original artwork of his blogging icon.
Al, this is quite the honor! I shall treasure it always. You are a good friend and an excellent dragon.
Series Updates
I spoke too soon in my last post – The Bondsman with Kevin Bacon has been cancelled! Ended on a huge cliffhanger as well. And it was doing well. Jerks.
The Wheel of Time was also cancelled. Nowhere near finished with the story. Ten million an episode was too much for their budget.
And they wonder why people don’t want to invest themselves in a series?
Thankfully, Resident Alien’s next season starts June 6! It ended on a huge cliffhanger, so small miracle we get to see how it is resolved. One of the funniest series out there today. Alan Tudyk is a comedic genius.
The Wheel of Time was also cancelled. Nowhere near finished with the story. Ten million an episode was too much for their budget.
And they wonder why people don’t want to invest themselves in a series?
Thankfully, Resident Alien’s next season starts June 6! It ended on a huge cliffhanger, so small miracle we get to see how it is resolved. One of the funniest series out there today. Alan Tudyk is a comedic genius.
June Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for June. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
6 –
The Ritual
Director: David Midell
Stars: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene Two priests, one in crisis with his faith and the other confronting a turbulent past, must overcome their differences to perform a risky exorcism.
I’m out of order? The devil’s out of order. This whole freaking exorcism is out of order!
20 –
28 Years Later
Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Jack O'Connell, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes
A group of survivors of the rage virus lives on a small island. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors.
One of the best trailers I’ve seen in a long time. Fingers crossed the movie lives up to it.
27 –
F1
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Stars: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon
A Formula One driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team with a younger driver.
Basically, an old Brad Pitt in Days of Thunder: AARP Edition.
M3GAN 2.0
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Stars: Allison Williams, Jemaine Clement, Ivanna Sakhno
Two years after M3GAN's rampage, her creator, Gemma, resorts to resurrecting her infamous creation in order to take down Amelia, the military-grade weapon who was built by a defense contractor who stole M3GAN's underlying tech.
M3GAN 2.0 – Electric Boogaloo!
What books influenced you? Any of your favorite series get cancelled? Remember Father Dragon? And what movies will you be seeing this month?
Ironically, I haven’t seen a film in the theater since last year. Our theater added reserved seating. Couple that with fifteen minutes of commercials before the movie begins (and not on time) and the ever-soaring price of tickets and drinks, and movie theaters are destroying the entire movie-going experience.
Ironically, I haven’t seen a film in the theater since last year. Our theater added reserved seating. Couple that with fifteen minutes of commercials before the movie begins (and not on time) and the ever-soaring price of tickets and drinks, and movie theaters are destroying the entire movie-going experience.
55 comments:
Megan 1 was just funny(the Megan dance and all was just hilarious) and good for me. I really didn't think there'd be a sequel.
Hi Alex - I was very fortunate and had lots of books to read as a kid ... starting with the fairy stories, comic verse, ghost stories, murder mysteries ... onward and upwards. I love good films - the Danny Boyle one looks to be very educative ... cheers Hilary
I haven't seen a movie in a theater since the last Dune movie (which plays well on the big screen).
What a brilliant gift from Father Dragon. I miss him here in the blogosphere too. I hope he is happy and well.
I love the art so much!!!
I haven't ever read Sword of Shannara. It was in the 1970s that I started loving sci fi, but it was through the movies.
Happy IWSG Day! Thanks for another great hop.
What a nice gift from Father Dragon. I'm excited about Resident Alien. I too hope 28 Years Later lives up. I can relate to your movie going experience. I've seen more stage plays in recent years than I have movies in the theater.
I'm very much looking forward to Resident Alien. We've enjoyed that one.
I couldn't get into the Shanara Chronicles, but I loved Magic Kingdom for Sale. Terry Brooks was one of my brother's favorite authors and when you love something...
Hi, Alex,
I plan to look at Resident Alien if I can find it in English.
Shalom shalom
It's interesting that you haven't gone to a theater in over a year with how many movies you watch. I hardly ever go to the movies. It's too expensive. But it was so much fun as a kid to go see a movie.
Not finishing a series and ending on a cliffhanger? How dare they.
I miss Father Dragon, too.
Stellar inspirations there for sure. What a beautiful gift from the Dragon, I remember him well.
That was really nice of Al to send you that drawing.
Canceled series are a bummer. I haven't yet checked out the Bondsman, but I was enjoying Wheel of Time...and all the people complaining how it deviated from the books. But it was fun, regardless, and I'm bummed to see it go.
That is awesome Al sent you the original artwork! Really cool.
I loved Sword of Shanara. I read many of Terry Brooks books, and like you drove my writing toward fantasy.
The Diary of Anne Frank blew me away and I read it every year while in high school. I also red Tracy and Hepburn by Garson Kanin about Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn’s relationship. I was in grade 6 or 7 but I was riveted. This book made me want to know more bout Hollywood. The first movie looks really interesting. The Brad Pitt one makes me think of the Karate Kid but with cars.
I read Sword of Shannara when it came out, or soon after. Thing was, even at my callow age, I felt like it was trying to be LOTR. I was LOOKING for something to be LOTR, but then was disappointed when I found it… Tolkien was the one who introduced me to fantasy, really, and I’ve never lost that love.
I miss Al. I need to reach out. I've been horrible at maintaining contact with my friends.
The devil is out of order. LOL. Best review ever.
Were those series on Netflix? I won't start a series on Netflix. They are the worst about not finishing. I'm still upset about the Santa Clarita Diet. I'll wait to see if they finish the series before I'll start it now.
If they don't want to invest in a whole series, why not do mini-series?
It seems like all my favorite series get cancelled. Guess I'm not mainstream enough . . . and I'm okay with that. LOVED Kevin Bacon's show which was too smart to last long.
Anastasia, surprise!
Natalie, there just hasn't been anything worth seeing.
Cathrina, cool!
Elizabeth, glad I gave you a laugh. Al would love to hear from you.
I rarely go to the movie theaters. They were a fun place, back in the day. Now, it's easier and cheaper to stay home and watch them on a streaming service. Still love a good movie, though. I need to check out Resident Alien. My housemate likes the show and also recommended it.
Continue to appreciate your movie reviews. I hope F1 is better than it sounds. Husby and I are huge F1 fans and have been looking forward to it.
Given how many good series get canceled, I'm hesitant to become invested until the series is complete--and unfortunately, if enough people do that, there won't be much of an audience for new series.
Happy IWSG Day!
M3GAN 2.0 sounds like it has a lot of promise and fits the sci fi horror genre really well. If I can only get myself to shell out the 3 to 4 bucks to watch the first one, then I might just see the second one when it releases in the theatres.
I think I might have a copy of Sword of Shannara that I haven't read yet. I'll have to read that one when I get done reading the third Lord of the Rings book.
Sigh, I hate it when a series is cancelled on a cliffhanger. (Give me my 3rd season for ‘The Gifted!’)
Sigh, another zombie movie? Well, my hubby and sons will be happy about that. I’ll just put a pin on the M3gan sequel.
You know, I STILL haven't read Sword of Shannara and I know a lot of folks who love that one. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
How wonderful to have read Sword of Shannara. It's amazing how books can open doors years later.
28 Days Later is one of my favourite zombie movies. The first sequel was pretty meh, but the new one seems promising (please?)
It's almost to the point now where I wait for a series to be almost finished/ finished before I start watching it.
Yes on fingers crossed for 28 Years Later! And I'm hoping M3AGAN 2.0 is as good as the first one....
I don't think I'd know anything about the current movies without your assessments :) Thanks.
I hear they're trying to find another outlet to take Wheel of Time. I am so disappointed it got cancelled. So good.
I don't often invest in series, primarily because I know if I get hooked, I'll binge like crazy. Then, when it's not renewed, my heart breaks and sadly I have a long memory, so it takes time to get over it.
Bummer on series ending without resolution and movie theaters becoming too pricey! I was also influenced by movies--Top Gun was one of my favorites as a teen.
The original 28 Days scared the bejeezus out of me. I used to be a weekly movie goer. Now, it's a hassle indeed. Books as a kid - loved Nancy Drew. Now I still enjoy good mysteries. Always enjoyed a variety of fiction and non-fiction, and that's true as an adult today. Gotta keep the arts alive !!
I can't afford movies anymore. But don't see many newer ones that I really enjoy a great deal. They don't make 'em like they used to!
Movies have inspired a lot of what I've written as have dreams which are like movies in our mind.
Lee
Totally agree that the movie experience is not the same. We have a small, locally run theater in our town, which is the best (very few if any commericals). Unfortunately, the last movie I saw was Minecraft and that started late because the line to get in was around the block. The Resident Alien looks intriguing!
Gifts of art are precious.
https://substack.com/home/post/p-164762814
I agree about movie theatres. It breaks my heart what has become of the film industry as a whole. At least I have an extensive DVD collection from the 90s/00s that I can rewatch over and over.
I read Sword of Shannara years ago and I agree: as the the first epic fantasy for a teenager, it would've been impressive. It wasn't the first for me though. My first fantasy was Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series. It inspired my love of fantasy ever since.
I was a Narnia fan as a kid.
28 Years Later and The Ritual look interesting.
I loved Where The Wild Things Are when I was a kid. It was my favorite book as a kid.
Jacqui, hope they do it justice.
Janet, and that is the problem!
Steven, do it!
CD, we hope!
Liz, and so unfinished!
Jenni, around the block? That is insane.
Olga, I have read some of her books.
Another priest doubting his faith and doing an exorcist movie. Enough already. And yeah, hate it when a series ends on a cliffhanger.
I can't get through the 28 Years Later trailer, let alone the movie.....
Don't we look awesome together? The best thing is that dragons and ninjas never grow old. You are one of the best friends, not just for me but for everybody at the Dragon Cave. Thanks for the wonderful time AND adventures!
Dragon + Ninja = VERY COOL.
We enjoyed Harry a lot. We won't get to see it until it comes to our streaming. Excited though. Good fun, that show.
I'm looking forward to the next season of Resident Alien. That's a hilarious show.
Funny, much of my sci-fi love comes from those shows too, and Buck Rodgers, of course. :)
I wondered what had become of Father Dragon? That is wonderful that he gave you the artwork. I miss seeing Father Dragon around.
I went to see the new Mission Impossible at the theater I hadn't been there in a long time. I totally agree the movie was scheduled to start at 3:00 it didn't start until after 3:30 so many adds and previews. Ugh..All that money and you still get hit with ads. I am not impressed. The movie was a typical MI movie but, some of the scenes were so drawn out. ugh...
Al, we do look good! Treasure your friendship.
Jean, can't forget Buck Rogers!
Truedessa, brave to hit the theaters for that one! Too long. And as you said, couldn't start on time with all the damn commercials.
Hi, Alex! Sorry about yesterday. I was literally in the middle of writing a comment to you, and our power went down. Our neighborhood was without power for 5 hours and 45 minutes. But the internet did not come back for at least an hour after. I gave up, had a nap, and went out to a late Chick-fil-A meal with Terry. We gave up on trying to make a dinner. Our whole upstairs is wrapped in duct tape and plastic. 😂 Our poor painters did what they could with no power. Some days you've just have to write off. 😂 I can't wait for Resident Alien to return! I hope you had a good time yesterday!
Alan Tudyk is brilliant.
AI -- that's a beautiful piece!
My heart just about stopped when you said you hadn't been to a movie in a theatre in almost a year. I go at least once a week, often more. But then, I ran movie theaters for 23 years, so they're my happy place.
I'm one of those really rare people that enjoyed Star Wars: Acolyte and I was really upset when it got cancelled 😭 I watched some of Wheel of Time but then I stopped watching it because I was worried they might cancel it and I didn't want to get invested in something that would just be cancelled! I decided instead I'd read the Wheel of Time series first!
Really looking forward to, 28 Years Later!!!
Greetings Alex, I loved Wheel of Time, up until this last season and it just didn't hold my interest. I can see why Sword of Shannara would kindle your passion for fantasy. Good pick. Who ever came up with this question, did a great job.
How wonderful of Al to send you his original artwork.
A huge thanks to our co-hosts.
I do remember Father Dragon Al. Boo on the series cancelations. Maybe they should budget better. I agree about movie theaters putting themselves out of business. It's cheaper to rent or buy on a streaming service if you're willing to wait a few weeks. That's what I've been doing.
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