Mad Max Fury Road Review and Blood Boobs and Carnage Blogfest! Plus Nightcrawler and Pompeii Reviews, Dragon News, and Ninja News

Mad Max Fury Road Movie Review

This is one of the most visually stunning films I have ever seen.
You do not go to this film for the deep, complex storyline. You go because this is Road Warrior times a hundred.
Fury Road is a ballet of vehicular manslaughter of the highest order ever put on film. I’m not sure I even breathed during the final thirty minutes. And it’s impressive how little CGI was used. Those car chases are all real.
The world building is amazing and done in a unique manner – they just dump you in the middle of the ride and you learn as you go.

The art direction and cinematography is beyond breathtaking. Every frame is filled with bizarre and surreal imagery that will stick with you for a long time.
Charlize Theron is the real star. She’s the heart of the story. Tom Hardy’s Max is just along for the hellish ride. But he is perfect as Max – distant and just wanting to survive.
All performances are batshit crazy, which fits the film perfectly.
Highly recommended!

Dragon News

I received word from my publisher last Friday - Dragon of the Stars is under consideration for the Philip K. Dick Award! It won’t win, but I am so stoked to know my book was selected and is being read by the judges.

My publisher also sent copies of the program guide for Treklanta. It’s exciting to know that Dragon is appearing in so many science fiction convention guides.

Movie reviews

Nightcrawler
Fascinating movie. It’s like spending two hours with the best used car salesman in the world.
The performances are great. I’m just not sure how I feel about the movie. How do I root for a sociopath?
It’s worth watching for the great directing and acting, but you might want to take a shower afterwards.

Pompeii
This is a film with great special effects but a flat and lame story. They struggled to build a decent story just to showcase the volcano erupting.
Kiefer Sutherland is horribly miscast. His acting is hammy and over the top, and the character is very one-dimensional.
This film is a step up for Emily Browning after Sucker Punch but a huge step down for Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington.

Ninja News

Pat Hatt had a great time with his You Rock award!

Nigel Mitchell posted an excellent piece about book reviews – the do’s and don’t’s.

Operation Underground Railroad is a nonprofit group that works to help rescue some of the 2 million children trafficked as sex slaves around the world. Donna K. Weaver has started a fundraiser for OUR -
We've created a donation campaign called Authors United Against Child Slavery. We're offering people books in exchange for donating money to the campaign--a $20 donation gets a book (paper, ebook, audiobook)--depends upon what authors can donate. Obviously, what we need are books, and that's where I'm hoping you can help. All donations go directly to O.U.R. Our goal is $2,000. That means 100 books.
Sign Up Link - Authors United Against Child Slavery Campaign

Out Now –

Precipice, Backworlds Book 6 by M. Pax
Find it on Amazon, iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo

The Mission by Lexa Cain

SF Women A to Z – A Reader’s Guide by Sandra Ulbrich Almazan

Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest!

Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.

Today, post about a movie, television show, book, or all three that falls into the category of Blood, Boobs, and Carnage. (Or just Blood and Carnage or other mixture.) It can be any genre that fits the bill – fantasy, science fiction, action, adventure, western, thriller, etc. Post the badge and visit other participants.

My selections are…

Movie – Conan the Barbarian
Camp classic, it contains everything you’d want in a Conan movie, including a ridiculously pumped Arnold.

Television – Game of Thrones
No other show better exemplifies blood, boobs, and carnage than this. However, in between all that is an incredibly compelling series.

Book – Books of Blood by Clive Barker
If you like your blood mixed with boobs, Barker has a creepy way of mingling sexuality with violence.






Visit other participants below!

Anyone else see Fury Road? Or Nightcrawler or Pompeii? Anyone attend Treklanta? Picked up those books? And what do you consider blood, boobs, and carnage material? 

I am easing back and taking some time off later in the week for a while.

A to Z Challenge – Z – Cult Classics: Rob Zombie, Zap Gun, and More! Plus may Preview – San Andreas, Challenge Reflection Post, IWSG, and Ninja News

Last day of the Challenge – we did it!

A to Z Challenge– Cult Classics –Z

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movie –

Zardoz
This bizarre post-apocalyptic film was written, produced, and directed by John Boorman in 1974. It features star Sean Connery in the worst outfit ever.

Music –

Rob Zombie – Hellbilly Deluxe
His best-selling album to date, Rob’s first solo album away from White Zombie went Triple Platinum. Giving homage to horror films, the album featured such hits as Dragula and Living Dead Girl.

Science Fiction Book –

The Zap Gun by Philip K. Dick
This 1967 novel was originally published as a serial and was one of his earliest works.

Blogger –

PK Hrezo
Want to follow someone who is multi-talented in writing and in art? Follow someone with a genuine heart, compassion, and passion for what is right? Then you need to be following author PK!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Zeal
Defined at ‘great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.’ While Aden’s pursuit of a command and the queen’s daughter is more dogged and methodical, Ensign Pavott’s pursuits are more heartfelt and passionate.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

Ninja News

Next week will be the A to Z Challenge Reflections posts. Post your thoughts on this year’s Challenge anytime Monday-Friday and then add your direct link over at the A to Z Blog.

Don’t forget next Wednesday is Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day!


Reedsy is a great site for authors with tips and more, connecting writers with other industry professionals. They just started a new feature for authors to create a profile and integrate their social media, goodreads, amazon and blogging platform in one place. Get the details HERE.

Available today!
The Dragon Chronicles
Featuring a short story by Ted Cross - Dragon Play.


Cindy Borgne, who blogs at Dreamer’s Perch, has another blog called Good Book Alert. They are looking for indie authors to guest post, plus reviewers. If interested, see the site for details.

The Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest is May18 - movie/show/book that exemplifies the theme. (Or part of theme.) Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.

May Movie Preview

Here is the final upcoming theatrical release for May. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

May 29 -

San Andreas
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.
Director: Brad Peyton
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Daddario, Carla Gugino, Colton Haynes
Fissures will open, buildings will crumble, and pecs will jiggle.

Have you suffered through Zardoz? Fan of Rob Zombie? Ready for the IWSG next week? Signed up for the blogfest? Going to see San Andreas? And how do you feel about the end of the Challenge…?

(I am BEAT! I’ll be taking Friday OFF and enjoying Avengers: Age of Ultron and some time with my wife. Catch up with comments on Saturday.)

And if you missed it, yesterday I visited Janice Hardy’s Fiction University and discussed the pros and cons of small presses.

A to Z Challenge – W – Cult Classics: Wizards, War of the Worlds, and More! Plus May Movie Release – Avengers: Age of Ultron

Today I am visiting amazing steampunk author, Jay Noel. His Challenge theme is World Mythology and I got to talk about a myth in my book.

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – W

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movie –

Wizards
This 1977 post-apocalyptic science fantasy film was written, produced, and directed by Ralph Bakshi. The film is a mix of war, magic, Nazi propaganda, and adult content.

Music –

Whitesnake – Whitesnake
The seventh studio album from the band produced numerous hits and sold over eight million copies. It won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1988.

Science Fiction Book –

The War of the Worlds – H. G. Wells
Published in 1897, this was one of the first books to depict a conflict between earth and aliens. The book has never gone out of print and has spawned movies, radio dramas, comics, video games, television series, and more.

Bloggers –

Brian Miller at Waystation One
Do you want to follow a poet who is a master with words? One who can weave a story that will make you think, all the while bringing it down to where you live? Then you must plug into Brian’s world!

L. G. Keltner at Writing off the Edge
Do you enjoy flash fiction? Enjoy the geekier stuff in life? Then you couldn’t ask for a better friend who is a lot of fun than LG!

Chrys Fey at Write with Fey
Want some of the best writing tips on the Internet? Learn about the author journey and other fascinating things along the way. Then you need to visit the knowledgeable Chrys Fey!

Donna McDine at Write What Inspires You
Do you enjoy children’s books? Want to know about some great author events and festivals? Then stop by and see Donna today!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Weapons officer
Every ship has a weapons officer and often several. His primary duty is to control the ship’s primary weapons and direct exterior guns. One or two officers man the main station on the bridge, with junior officers manning the exterior guns from remote locations. The weapons officer needs to be precise and able to multi-task at a high efficiency level.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

Ninja News

I’m glad my tips for generating names were so helpful! If you missed it, check out Saturday’s V post.

Available today!
Zadekiel, book 2 in the Path of Angels by Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine
Find it on Amazon and Goodreads

Have you signed up for the Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest yet? Movie-show-book that exemplifies the theme. (Or part of theme.)
Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.
Sign up – you know you want to!!

May Movie Preview

Here is an upcoming theatrical release for May. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

May 1 –

Avengers: Age of Ultron
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.
Director: Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
The sequel to one of my most favorite movies ever – time for total fanboy geek out!

Seen Wizards? Fan of Whitesnake? What’s your favorite version of War of the Worlds? Following those awesome bloggers? Signed up for Blood, Boobs, and Carnage? And who is going all fanboy this Friday?

Don’t forget to visit Jay Noel!