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 July 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!
July 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?
I wish there was an easier way to get reviews. Outside of begging fans and book bloggers. It’s just so difficult to get one’s book in front of readers who actually write reviews.
Movie Reviews
Disclosure Day
Two people connect on their journey to find their place and disclose the truth about aliens.
I went into this movie with hope. I will say the special effects are better than I was led to believe. Although the CGI fox was a bit iffy.
I had two big issues with the film. First, it was too long. Many slow, contemplative scenes that could’ve been shaved. Second, Disclosure Day comes long before you see the film – way too much is revealed in the trailer, including the ending.
I really wanted to like this film. But the more I thought about it, the more issues I noticed and the less I liked it. Spielberg is so good with human connections and yet that was so absent from this film. Not that some of the actors don’t try – Emily Blunt is great in her role. And the stakes never seemed that big. (Especially since I already knew how it ended from the trailers.)
Spielberg still has a thing for aliens. But if you’re seeking that special encounter, watch Close Encounters again. Almost fifty years old and it’s still amazing.
Not recommended
Project Hail Mary
A microbe is killing our star and others. Science teacher Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) comes up with a theory and is sent (unwillingly) to the one star not affected. It’s a one way trip and he arrives alone. Or is he?
Gosling is mostly the sole character of the movie except for the CGI alien he encounters. (Who is also there to study this one star.)
And there is the key component of this movie – their evolving relationship. For all the great special effects and solid plot, it is the moments spent with ‘Rocky’ that gives the story depth.
It also has some very humorous moments. It’s quirky and offbeat, which adds to the film’s charm.
A solid, well-executed science fiction adventure that didn’t feel over long. Highly recommended!
July Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for July. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
1 –
Minions and Monsters
Directors: Pierre Coffin, Patrick Delage
Stars: Zoey Deutch, Allison Janney, Bobby Moynihan
Follows the Minions in 1920s Hollywood as they search for frightening creatures for their monster movie, partner with a green creature, and must save the planet after unleashing monsters.
You had me at Minions. You really had me at Monsters. But baby Cthulhu puts it over the top!
10 –
Moana
Director: Thomas Kail
Stars: Catherine Laga'aia, Dwayne Johnson, John Tui
Live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film 'Moana.'
Call me when Toy Story becomes live action.
17 –
The Odyssey
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
Jason Bourne battles sparkly vampires with the help of Spider-Man.
31 –
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Director:Destin Daniel Cretton
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink
A forgotten Peter Parker lives alone as a full-time Spider-Man until mounting pressure triggers a dangerous change and a powerful new enemy emerges.
Brand new day? Then Spider-Man uses Lysol to clean the streets of NY.
What changes would you like to see? Have you seen Project Hail Mary or Disclosure Day? And what movies coming out this month catch your interest?
I want to see both, Disclosure Day and Project Hail Mary, I try not to watch any of the clips that are thrust in our faces, I don't want to spoil the story. I'm really looking forward to The Odyssey, I hope its as good as I want it to be, but usually they never are. Again I've tried not to read or see anything about the film ( I know the story already), so reading your post I've just found out the cast, which looks good, I like most of Matt Damon's films, I suppose he's Odysseus?
ReplyDeleteKeeping my fingers crossed!!!!
I'll wait for Disclosure to come out on Netflix...or wherever. I saw Project Hail Mary and liked it, though I fell asleep during part of it. I really can't recline in those movie theater recliner chairs. They're just too comfy.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Alex! DD yeah, I don't normally watch reviews but I have seen many of this and the whole ending and the whole thing, just not worth my pennies at the movie house.
ReplyDeleteWill go see Spidey.
Have you been on BookTok?
Great answer---Oh my goodness-YES! It's like pulling teeth trying to get reviews! I've gifted so many epub's and PDF's for an honest review. I received 1. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to watch Project Hail Mary. I read the book. Have a great July, Alex!
Yes, getting reviews is hard. I loved Rocky in Hail Mary and was surprised at how much I enjoyed this move.
ReplyDeletemovie
DeleteI hear you about reviews! People will tell me all the time how much they loved something I wrote, and my follow up is, "Did you write a review? Really, two words is enough."
ReplyDeleteAh yes reviews! So hard to get people to right them (unless they hate something). But you know what, I wonder if, at least, in ebooks, we left a link at the end of the book with a "review this book now button" if that would do anything. 🤔
ReplyDeleteFantastic answer to the question! Did you see Toy Story 5? I thought it was fantastic. I made the mistake of watching Project Hail Mary on the TV screen so I didn't enjoy it as much since it was kind of hard to see the dark lighting.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Project Hail Mary is good. :) I read the book and enjoyed it. I'll check it out when it comes to streaming.
ReplyDeleteWe just saw Disclosure Day. Isn't it odd that worlds that have the technology to travels huge distances through space seem to crash so much when they get to earth? lol
ReplyDeleteRay, I wouldn't be sure about They Odyssey but it is Nolan. And hope you like Disclosure Day better than I did.
ReplyDeleteIvy, no I haven't
Natalie, we were surprised as well.
Holly, that's a good idea.
Jennifer, no, we skipped Toy Story 5.
Donna, must be a nuclear force field or something!
Happy IWSG Day! I too wish it were easier to get book reviews. For the last decade or more, I've gone out of my way to avoid movie trailers for films I actually want to watch and pay attention to. Seems like I might enjoy Disclosure Day more than you did since I haven't seen the previews, but it still sounds like it's going to be lacking. Thanks to you, I'm now very excited to see Project Hail Mary. I'm not sure how I feel about the upcoming releases.
ReplyDeleteUgh. Reviews. Agreed. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Love Project Hail Mary. (And the book. Andy Weir is amazing.)
ReplyDeleteLove Summer movies.
I just watched "David" on Netflix, which had (obvious) religious base story, but a decent theme and plot (I mean, kinda knew the story, but they still made it interesting).
It's funny how an app prompts me more to leave a review for my restaurant order than a book seller or lender does for a book review... yet Domino's pizza isn't depending on reviews to sell pizza. But books are expected to get authors to review them?
I'd like to see Project Hail Mary and read/listen to the book. I've heard only good things. Happy Independence Day, and thanks for all you do to support writers/artists!
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about "Hail Mary". Glad you liked it. It's now on my list.
ReplyDeleteI want to see The Odyssey but I know it will be CGI'd to death. Im getting sick of cji and wish for olden days when they had to rig you up do anything. I also love the fact that used to get real animals like Bart The Bear.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, I cant think of anything to for the question and im falling asleep. Ughhh...