Gojira-Fortitude Review: The Nevers, Mitchells vs Machines, Without Remorse Reviews; and Alex’s You Rock Award!

Gojira - Fortitude

Gojira’s latest is more prog than their previous albums. It’s heavy but accessible.
Standout songs include Amazonia, Hold On, and Into the Storm.
There are lots of messages in the music – destruction of the rain forest, the plight of the people of Tibet, etc.
Start to finish, this is one of their most enjoyable albums.
You enjoy French metal/prog, I recommend it!

Here is The Chant, which highlights the horrible things China has done to Tibet – and continues to do to this day:



Movie/Series Reviews

The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell
From the IMDB:
A quirky, dysfunctional family's road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity's unlikeliest last hope.
It was enjoyable but not really memorable.
At two hours, this animated film was way too long.
The message is good – adjusting during that awkward transition from teen to adult. But they did beat you over the head with it.

Pig-dog was funny. Best part of the film.
Worth a watch if you’ve nothing better to do for two hours.

Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse
Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell
From the IMDB:
An elite Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife's murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.
Jordan does a fine job as an action hero. Nice to see him in a hero role. (He was the antagonist in Black Panther.)
However, it felt like the least Clancy story of all the Clancy movies. I’ve never read the book, but I’m guessing they are vastly different.
Passible entertainment but not really memorable.

The Nevers
Stars: Laura Donnelly, Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams
From the IMDB:
An epic tale following a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.
Think of it as X-Men in 1890’s London.
Joss Whedon wrote and directed this series, and it has his style all over it. I don’t know if the mistreatment rumors about him are true but the dude can make a great series.
It’s filled with great characters, funny dialogue, violence, and of course – unnecessary gratuitous nudity. (It’s HBO Max – of course!)
The plot and pacing are fantastic. I’m very intrigued where the show is going.
Airs Sunday nights.
Highly recommended!

Alex’s You Rock Award!

Every year, I give out this award to special blogger buddies. There are so many deserving, but I am keeping the list very short this year.

First, here are the previous recipients of the award, some of whom no longer blog… Arlee, Yvonne, RaShelle, Hannah, Jeffrey, Gail, Rusty, Chuck, George, Jeremy, Matthew, Old Kitty, Ella, M Pax, Roland, Melissa, Robyn, Lynda, Michael, Heather, Stephen, Father Dragon Al, the late Tina, Damyanti, Edi, Karen, Elizabeth, Suze, Susan, Pat, Jo, Michelle, Brandon and Bryan, Christine, Truedessa, Rachna Chhabria, Fundy Blue, Hank Kaykuala, JH Moncrieff, Nilanjana Bos, Liza, Yolanda Renee, Spacer Guy, Elsie Amata, L. Diane Wolfe, Natalie Aguirre, Sandra Cox, C. Lee McKenzie, Elizabeth Seckman, Magic Love Crow, Birgit, JE Oneil, LG Keltner, Chemist Ken, Sherry Ellis Kim Lajevardi, Shady, Jemi Fraser, Mason Canyon, and Stacy McKitrick!

And now for the bloggers who have made this journey a heck of a lot more special:

Mary @ Dark Thoughts
I’m not sure when I found Mary’s blog, but she has some great weekly features. While I can’t get into the book reviews (you review what you like, Mary!) she does an Apartment Life Hell, Raturday, and weekly freebies. Mary entertains us, but I often worry about her, mostly because of where she lives in Vegas. Mary, you rock!

Liesbet @ Roaming About
She has spent the past few years roaming the country in Zesty and before that on her sailboat. It’s not a lifestyle for the faint of heart, but she and her husband see some amazing places. She recently launched her book, Plunge, about her adventures on the high sea. Liesbet has such a great attitude – she rocks!

Carrie @ Welcome to my Magick Theatre
I started following Carrie’s blog many, many years ago. Probably from an early A to Z Challenge. Carrie writes historical fiction, mostly European and Russian, and it’s fascinating stuff. She stands her ground, both on her writing and what she believes in, and I admire that. Carrie, you rock!

Picked up the new Gojira? Seen either movie or the series? What bloggers rock your world?

Don’t forget the new IWSG Anthology Contest is open! Genre is sweet romance, theme is first love. See the site for details.

See you June 2 for the monthly posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Retro A to Z Challenge: L – Lord of the Rings 2001

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – 2001

The three-movie saga launched with Fellowship, and the world fell in love with epic fantasy again. Director Jackson brought the story to life, creating a trilogy that was even better than the books. Nominated for ten, it won three Oscars and paved the way for the two remaining installments.

2001 fun facts –
*Cost of new house - $136,150.
*Cost of a gallon of gas - $1.46
*The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after eleven years of repairs
*Wikipedia went live
*Apple released the iPod
*The MIR is decommissioned and re-enters the atmosphere, landing in the Pacific
*Microsoft released the Xbox

Movies released – 
The Fast and the Furious
Ocean’s Eleven
Donnie Darko
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Shrek
The Others

Music released –
Static X – Machine
Gorillaz
Tenacious D

Games released –
Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Serious Sam: The First Encounter

And why is 2001 special?
It’s the year David Walston got married, on August 11. (Because all his friends had run off married and he was lonely.) It was also when Carrie-Anne was in her senior year of university and having a great time on the social scene.

David is a certified geek and Dr. Who fanatic. Married with one son, he hails from Texas. Or perhaps outer space? Either way, if you are missing your Tardis, David probably has it. He’s a funny guy and an awesome friend. Find David at Blah Blah Blah Yackity Smackity.

Carrie-Anne is a writer and focuses on epic historical fiction. She is well-versed in Russian history, font styles, and historical names. She claims she was born in the wrong decade and enjoys classic rock, books, and films. She’s one sharp young lady and you’ll learn a lot from her! Carrie-Anne blogs at Welcome to My Magick Theatre

Last Days on Mars Movie Review

It’s the end of the first mission to Mars, and the crew’s discovery of bacteria leads to infected, zombie-like people and many deaths.
This is your typical people-stranded-on-a-planet story and an average science fiction film at best. It’s not terrible, but might not be worth ninety-plus minutes of your life.
Live Schreiber is the star and does a good job with what little he’s given. The special effects are also quite good.
Available on NetFlix if you’re bored…

A to Z Challenge Insanity

How is everyone holding up? I know a lot who aren’t participating this month have gone into hiding or are working on the next book. (Good idea.) But for the rest of us – are you having fun?

I apologize again if I don’t get to all of my blogger buddies on a given day. I’m trying to return comments from new people and visit new followers, plus visit my section of the list. But I appreciate all you who stop by here and hope you are still enjoying the retro theme. The Ninja is trying to keep up!

Big fan of LOTR? (Ever spent a Saturday watching all three extended editions?) Following David and Carrie-Anne? See Last Days on Mars? Having a good time with the Challenge? And what do you remember about 2001…?