James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction, You Rock Awards, Movie News, Trivia Answers, and New Releases

James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction

Mondays on AMC.
This six-episode series is extremely fascinating!
Each show covers a specific area – aliens, space, monsters, dark futures, intelligent machines, and time travel.
James Cameron sit down with some other big names in the business and discusses each one as to how it has impacted science fiction movies today. Interspersed is commentary from dozens of other people, from major actors (Sigourney Weaver, Will Smith, etc.) to musicians, directors, artists, and others who played a part in the movies being discussed.
They discuss Cameron’s films of course, but also focus on the movies from the main guests. In the first episode, he discussed Close Encounters with Steven Spielberg, including its influences, behind the scenes tidbits, and its nods to earlier films and books.
I’m looking forward to episode three which features Guillermo del Toro (monsters) and episode four which features Christopher Nolan (dark futures).
If you are a science fiction geek, you must check it out!

Geek Movie News

No official reviews are allowed yet of Deadpool 2, but JoBlo posted a slew of Tweets from those who saw an early preview last week.

My Favorite:

Want to see Incredibles 2 two days before its release? Want to see it in IMAX? And as a double feature with the first movie?

Go to IMAX movies to see if it’s play in a theater near you on June 13!

The rumors are true!
From JoBlo:
After almost 30 years of waiting, it's time to throw up your horns and bust out your aggressive air guitar, because Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are set to reprise their roles as Theodore "Ted" Logan and "Bill" S. Preston Esq. for the much-anticipated sequel BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC! News of a third film in the franchise moving into production emerged from the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, along with the announcement that Dean Parisot (RED 2, FUN WITH DICK AND JANE, GALAXY QUEST) would direct from a script penned by the original creators of the series, Chris Matheson(IMAGINE THAT) and Ed Solomon (MEN IN BLACK).

Grunge posted a list of movie trilogies that will never be completed.
On this list is Hellboy and Tron, plus a few that will surprise you. And a couple you’ll be grateful they quit when they did.

And do note - Black Panther comes out May 15, Tuesday!

New releases:

Both from IWSG Admins!

One out now -
The Raindrop that Wanted to Stop by Pat Hatt
Release number 120 I believe?
Pick it up on Amazon

And one on May 15 -
Some Very Messy Medieval Magic by C. Lee McKenzie

Pete’s stuck in medieval England!

Find it at Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Amazon, and Foyles

You Rock Award

Every year, I give out the You Rock award. This is for special people who have made an impact on me.
Except for last year. For whatever reason, I failed to do the awards. Maybe because I always give them out right after the A to Z Challenge, and last year I didn’t participate.
Which means I have some making up to do!
First, I’d like to honor these fellow and former bloggers who received it in the past: 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, and Yolanda Renee.

Despite missing last year, I’m going to keep it short and simple, despite the fact I had over a dozen people on the list.

Spacer Guy
A fellow Star Trek fanatic, Spacer Guy has been with me for years. He knows so much about Trek, which allows me to geek out right along with him. But he’s also been so supportive and always willing to help a buddy out. I feel privileged to know his real name! Spacer Guy, you rock!

Elsie Amata
Do not let the title of her blog deter you! Doesn’t matter if you’ve never dealt with sex addiction. Elsie is about being real. She’s about baring your soul. You will come away changed. And she has a really great sense of humor. Elsie, I really admire you. You rock!

L. Diane Wolfe
This one has been a long time coming, but I’ve held off for professional reasons. (She’s the senior editor and owner of my publisher’s company.) But had it not been for that yes and her faith in my first book, I never would’ve embarked on this journey. Plus she knows so much about book marketing, which she shares often on her blog. Diane, a million thanks, and you rock!

Natalie Aguirre
Many years ago, a blogging friend asked me about helping her find other writers and growing her blog. Now Natalie’s Literary Rambles has twice the followers I do, and I couldn’t be happier for her! She focuses on middle grade/young adult authors and agents, but she was ever so gracious to let me visit her blog when CassaStorm was released. Natalie, I’ve watched so much happen in your life as if I was right there with you. In spirit, I was. You rock!

Sandra Cox
It’s been so long, I’m not sure how I met Sandra. Probably during a Challenge. She keeps it light and upbeat and very real. We’ve never met although I think we only live a few hours apart, but I know we’d get along just great if we did. Her themed posts will make you smile. And she always checks back with you. Sandra, you rock!

C. Lee McKenzie 
Lee’s been a long time author friend and joined the IWSG Admin team last year, handling publicity relations. Watching her in action behind the scenes – Lee is ambitious and not afraid to try! She’s so professional and together and I really admire that. Lee, I appreciate you as a friend, a fellow author, and a damned good IWSG admin! You rock.

Trivia Answers

Name the television series from the author and lead actor:
1 – Author Laura Ingalls Wilder, starring Michael Landon – Little House on the Prairie
2 – Author Craig Johnson, starring Robert Taylor - Longmire
3 - Authors Richard Hooker & W. C. Heinz and starring Alan Alda - M*A*S*H
4 – Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and starring Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock
5 - Author Stephen King, starring Mike Vogel – Under the Dome
6 - Author James S. A. Corey and starring Thomas Jane – The Expanse

Have you seen James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction? Ready for Incredibles 2 or another Bill and Ted movie? Picking up Pat or Lee’s new book? Get any of the trivia correct? And are you following those rocking bloggers?

I will be offline on Friday. I’m taking a personal day, sleeping in, then spending the day with my wife which will include seeing Deadpool 2. It will feel so wrong and yet I will laugh so hard…

October Movie Preview, Survive and Thrive Bloghop, Movie Trivia Answers, Ninja News, and Writing Update

October Movie Preview!

Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for October! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

10 –

Dracula Untold
Facing threats to his kingdom and his family, Vlad Tepes looks to make a deal with dangerous supernatural forces - without succumbing to the darkness himself.
Director: Gary Shore
Stars: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Art Parkinson
A sympathetic Dracula? As long as he doesn’t sparkle, I guess that’s all right.


17 –

Fury
April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.
Director: David Ayer
Stars: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña
Apparently there are still untold stories about WWII as well…

The Book of Life
Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez
Stars: Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate
It looks unique, and with Del Toro’s name attached, there’s a good chance it will also be odd.


24 –

John Wick
When Russian mobsters kill his beloved dog, retired hit man John Wick returns to the game he played best - and brings bloody vengeance with him.
Director: Chad Stahelski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Bridget Moynahan, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane
Yes, it’s Keanu Reeves, but don’t run! The film is actually getting a great buzz. 

Personal Update

Last Thursday, I finally finished all of my edits on my next manuscript! I’d been polishing and adding small scenes for weeks and almost to the point that I didn’t want to look at the story anymore. But I completed my task and sent it to my publisher Friday morning. Will talk more about it on Wednesday for my IWSG post.

I celebrated Friday night with pizza, beer, and Godzilla in 3D. (And the film was even better the second time. So was the 3D.)

Ninja News

Tree of Life now available!
All proceeds of the TREE OF LIFE ebook will benefit the Downey Education Fund set up for Tina’s children.
Buy it on Amazon

A Whisper of Rue by Decadent Kane

Death Knocks by Jay Noel and Miranda Hardy

Nicki Elson posted her Shelfie and look what book was just over her right shoulder. Thanks, Nicki!

Don’t forget this Wednesday is IWSG post day! If you are contributing to the anthology, IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, be sure to either submit your work or post on October 1. (We’ve received a lot of writing pieces already and need more on publishing and marketing.)

Movie Trivia Answers

1 - Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer - Heat
2 - Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn – Reservoir Dogs
3 - Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci - Goodfellas
4 - Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin – The Usual Suspects
5 - John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis – Pulp Fiction
6 - Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton – The Godfather
7 - Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro – The Untouchables

Survive and Thrive Bloghop

Monday, October 20, 2014

Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, Diane Wolfe, and myself. 

(Yes, Mark, I did just hyperlink myself…)

The blogfest is meant to bring awareness of disease prevention and early detection regarding medical conditions that may be averted or treated if caught in the early stages. Our desire is to motivate people to go in for early screening, and if a condition is caught early and treated, then our world just became a little better place to live.

The topics are wide open. You can post about a particular cause you support. Or you can share a personal or family experience that is near to your heart. What’s great about this Blogfest is you can inspire people to take care of themselves and their loved ones early enough to make a difference in their lives.

Sign up below and join us on October 20 –



Picking up some new books? Get the trivia right? Ready for IWSG post day? Joining us in the bloghop? And what movies catch your attention in October…?

Retro A to Z Challenge: O - Ocean’s Twelve 2004 (Plus audiomachine and Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge)

Ocean’s Twelve – 2004

Usually sequels fall short – but not this time! Ocean and the gang returned with one more member as they attempt their biggest heist ever. All the cast members shine and it’s just as funny as the original. At one point, Julia Roberts’ character has to pretend she’s… Julia Roberts! Priceless.

2004 fun facts –
*Cost of gas - $2.10
*The social site Facebook launched
*SpaceShipOne was the first privately funded spaceship to achieve spaceflight
*The Taipei 101 opened, and at 1676 feet/508 meters, it was the tallest skyscraper in the world
*The infamous ‘Wardrobe Malfunction’ happened during the Super Bowl halftime show
*Tennis player Roger Federer won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open

Movies released –
Shrek II
Hellboy
The Incredibles
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Passion of the Christ
Spider-Man 2
Shaun of the Dead

Music released –
Chevelle – This Kind of Thinking Could Do Us In
Green Day – American Idiot
In Flames – Soundtrack to Your Escape

Games released –
Half-Life II
World of Warcraft
Need for Speed: Underground II

And why is 2004 special?
It’s the year Diane Wolfe went on a cruise and enjoyed fresh beginnings, and Rachel Schieffelbein got married and had her first child!

Diane is the author of many books and a professional speaker. An admin at the IWSG website, she’s an expert in publishing and promoting, and offers tips at her blog. She’s also a photographer and a cat lover. She’s nicknamed Spunky for a reason! Diane blogs at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips

Rachel is an author and the mother of four kids. She also coaches speech for teens, so you know she has patience! She’s a sweetie, supportive, and very involved in the blogging community. Rachel blogs at Writing on the Wall

Ninja News

From the genius writer with connections, Samantha Redstreake Geary, comes an epic opportunity for writers - PHENOMENA’s EPIC HEROES CONTEST!

Create an original SUPERHERO Story and/or Artwork inspired by PHENOMENA's track, "Fortress of Solitude“ in audiomachine's "EPIC HEROES CONTEST" for a chance to be PUBLISHED in the upcoming PHENOMENA album's companion eBOOK! Open Internationally April 15th -- May 15th. Go HERE for details.

And I am honored to announce that I will be a contributing author to this first ever audiomachine eBook!

Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge

Similar to Face Off, except they are making creature costumes similar to those seen in The Dark Crystal and Farscape.
Ten creators compete, designing creatures based on the weekly challenge. It involves fabric, sculpting, and mechanization, and they are judged on concept as well as design and execution. Creations are judged on a real set design.
Brian Henson heads up the project and is the top judge. Note that it’s also hosted by actress Gigi Edgley, who played Chiana on Farscape.
Fascinating and creative stuff!

Fan of the Ocean movies? Following Diane and Terri? Think you could write a superhero story for audiomachine? Watched Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge yet? And what do you remember about 2004...?