Best/Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest, Ninja News, The Ghost Cover Reveal, and Cabbage/Phone Book Explained

Today is the Best/Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest! 

But first…

Ninja News

Melissa Sugar is holding a five hundred follower giveaway – and the prize is an iPad Mini! Congratulations, Melissa. See her site for details.

Don’t forget the Get Healthy Bloghop on May 29, hosted by Stephen Tremp, L. Diane Wolfe, Michael Di Gesu, and myself.

Cabbage and the Phone Book

Still wondering about those images?

Last month, Maurice commented that I could post the phone book and still get a million comments, and last week Gary commented that I could get that many comments posting a head of cabbage.

While I wouldn’t really do that to you, thought it would be fun to add them to a post and see what happened.

Oddly enough, the cabbage gathered the most comments. I guess produce is more popular!

Cover Reveal!

The Ghost (The 13th Floor series, #6)
By Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: July 13th, 2013

Chiharo Black lives with six supernatural tenants in a haunted building's mysterious thirteenth floor. Of course, no one knows she's there except the cats. Being a ghost can be a bit frustrating and lonely, but it isn't as bad as her mother made it out to be...

Best/Worst Movie Remakes Blogfest! 

Hosted by me, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Father Dragon Al.

When Hollywood runs out of ideas, they remake older films. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it fails miserably.
List the best remake you’ve ever seen and the worst.
Added bonus – list the worst and/or best song remake you’ve ever heard!

The Best Movie Remake -

I had several movies in mind – The Thomas Crown Affair, Ocean’s 11, War of the Worlds. But I had to go with one of my favorite movies:

John Carpenter’s The Thing

Have you seen the original, The Thing From Another World? Granted it’s a 1951 film, but it’s bad.

Enter John Carpenter. He created a film that is tense, atmospheric and isolated. The Thing is unlike any creature you’ve ever seen, taking the form of anyone it kills. Once it invades the Antarctic camp, no one is sure who is human and who is not. Add special effects that still hold up to this day (the film was made in 1992) and the ever-awesome Kurt Russell, and this is one creepy, powerful film.

And the 2011 prequel was just a thinly disguised lousy remake – its special effects weren’t even better!

The Worst Movie Remake –

There have been many average to below average remakes in the past few years. The one I selected is truly the bottom of the barrel.

Clash of the Titans

The original 1982 version had heart. It was also one of the last movies to showcase Ray Harryhausen’s work. It wasn’t a great movie, but something about it just really clicked. It was a throwback to the innocence of the 50’s and 60’s Sinbad movies and similar films. Classic actors such as Laurence Olivier and Burgess Meredith graced the screen, along with a pre- LA Law Harry Hamlin. Simple but a delight.

The 2010 version was the most soulless film ever. It ripped the heart right out of the story. It was all cold, empty special effects, and a cardboard cutout of Harry Hamlin could’ve done a better acting job than Sam Worthington. This was probably one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen in my life.

I’d rather watch Sharktopus again than the Clash of the Titans remake!

The Best Song Remake -
Love Lives Bleeding (live) by Dream Theater (Original version by Elton John)
Amazing cover made all the more brilliant that it’s live but sounds like it was recorded in the studio.

The Worst Song Remake -
Back in Black by Six Feet Under (Original version by AC/DC)
Normally I would rally around a metal band remaking a song, but the Cookie Monster belching out Back in Black repeatedly is hilarious.

Visit others participants for a good movie suggestion and a laugh:



Entering Melissa’s giveaway? Part of the Get Healthy Bloghop? What is your favorite or least favorite movie remake? Song remake? And what else might garner comments besides cabbage and the phone book?

I’m bugging out of work early today to see Star Trek – who’s with me?

A to Z Challenge – Zombieland and Zooropa by U2, Ninja News, and Big Thanks

Last day of the Challenge – did you survive?

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries! Winners will be announced May 6.

Zombieland

One word – hilarious. Two words – double tap! This film isn’t just funny, it’s very educational in learning how to survive a zombie apocalypse. Great performances from everyone, especially Harrelson as he searches for his Twinkies.

Little Rock is wise and crafty for her age. And yet her youthfulness shines through in her uninhibited joy and enthusiasm. All she really wants is to go play at that amusement park and she doesn’t want to do it alone.

Who is Little Rock?

Livia!

(Even though she doesn’t like horror films. And probably thinks I forgot her!)

Livia is young and full of enthusiasm. She’s a bundle of joy and energy that us older folks wish we could bottle as save for later. Livia throws herself into her passions one hundred percent, and that includes her devotion to her friends. It has been a total delight getting to know her.

Livia is a writer, movie buff, and resident cheerleader.

To you I dedicate Zooropa by U2. (Title leads to YouTube.)

Because it has a timeless feel to it, something your spirit possesses. “And I don’t know the limit…” (And because I’m sure dedicating T-Ride’s Zombies From Hell would’ve disturbed you, even if it did fit the movie. That’s all right, Livia – we still adore you!)

Trivia and Facts:

All of the characters in Zombieland were named after cities – name them! (I already gave you one answer.)

Y’s trivia answer – Rush formed in 1968.

Ninja News

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group tomorrow!

Don’t forget the Best/Worst Movie Remake Blogfest on May 17!
Hosted by me, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Al Diaz.
When Hollywood runs out of ideas, they remake older films. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it fails miserably.
On May 17, list the best remake you’ve ever seen and the worst.
Added bonus – list the worst and/or best song remake you’ve ever heard!

Big Thanks to the Team!

Thanks to my fellow A to Z Hosts, Damyanti Biswas, Tina Downey, DL Hammons, Jeremy Hawkins, Shannon Lawrence Matthew MacNish Konstanz Silverbow, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, L. Diane Wolfe, and Nicole.
Special thanks to founder Arlee Bird at Tossing It Out. Four years now and it’s still just as awesome! Thanks for your incredible vision.

A big thanks to my awesome Ninja Minions team, Al Diaz, Baygirl, Ciara Knight, Elise Fallson, Heather Gardner, JL Campbell, Joylene Nowell Butler, and Michelle. You helped me far more than you realize.

Special note to Father Dragon Al-

Good news and bad news!

No dwarves were harmed or killed while performing their minion duties. In fact, they have picked up many amazing Ninja skills. Even Pancholin is graceful and confident now.

However, they found the clone machine. I will be returning four times as many dwarves as were sent.

Oh, and they now want a cloning machine for the Dragon Cave. And a teleporter if possible.

Sorry. I think I spoiled them.

Good luck and thanks, Al!

Fan of Zombieland? Following Livia? Any U2 fans out there? Ready for the IWSG tomorrow? Signed up for the blogfest? And did you have a good time with the Challenge?

Big thanks to everyone who visited me this past month – you guys rock!