The Force Awakens, Hateful Eight, and Fallout 4 Reviews! Plus Lost and Found Blogfest, Question of the Month, Version Sacrifice, and more.

Star Wars: The Force Awakes Review

It’s made over a billion dollars – is there anyone who hasn’t seen this film yet?
The Force Awakens is a return in form to the franchise. It recaptures all we enjoyed and loved about episodes IV, V, and VI and throws out all we hated about I, II, and III. All of the awful, candy-colored special effects that looked like they belonged in a video game were gone. The ones in place were tight, dirty, wonderful, and looked like they belonged in the universe.
The movie is a lot of fun. The cast was great. It was good to see Han Solo on the screen again.
While the plot might seem familiar, it’s an homage to the original Star Wars. It’s just a solid, entertaining film and one of my favorite of 2015.
Highly recommended!

The Force Awakens will easily be the biggest hit worldwide of 2015, followed by Jurassic World, Furious 7, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Minions. (All of whom have crossed the billion dollar mark.) Disney and Universal made some serious money last year.

The Hateful Eight Review

Quentin Tarantino is a polarizing director. You either dig what he does or you’re put off by it. I’m entertained by his style. I like the way he handles dialogue and the quirkiness of the characters. And this movie has both elements in abundance.
The plot is rather pedestrian. A bounty hunter bringing in someone to hang is trapped in a cabin with strangers. But it’s the way Tarantino tells the story and how he switches around the timing that makes it so much fun.
The cast is excellent – Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins (who just about steals the show), Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Madsen, and Bruce Dern.
Hateful Eight is over the top gory in the second half. But it’s also very entertaining. And at a run time of close to three hours, that’s impressive – I was never bored.
If you’re not a fan of Tarantino, this film will not change your mind. It’s true Tarantino, through and through. There’s definitely some dicey elements.
Highly recommended if you dig Tarantino!

Fallout 4 Review

This is just good, classic video game playing. The transition from 3 to 4 is perfect. Everything is familiar and yet fresh.
The graphics are stunning. The game play is similar to Fallout 3, and since I never wanted that game to end, this is perfect. It’s refreshing to come back to this world. It’s a free-form environment and there’s always something interesting wandering through.
They’ve expanded the game by allowing you to build up your home town as a sanctuary. And you’re always learning something new.
It’s a great game and a must for those who enjoy not just first person shooters but RPG.
Highly recommended!

Version Sacrifice

I’m joining with Shady Del Knight in a new music battle, Version Sacrifice.

My pick today is Dead Souls. Originally done by Joy Division, Nine Inch Nails put a different spin on the song for the soundtrack of The Crow.

Nine Inch Nails

Joy Division

Which version shall we keep and which shall we sacrifice to the great rock gods?

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined.

What are some new year’s resolutions you’ve had in the past?

That’s easy – none. Wait, you want more than that?

I don’t make resolutions, but I do set goals, and not necessarily at the beginning of the year. I’m part of a private online group called the Fellowship of the Dragon, and we post goals for each week. That’s kept me on track with those goals.

Probably the closest thing to a resolution I’ve set is one that happens every year. I’m aware that I will be indulging between Thanksgiving and New Year’s and I just let it happen. Then in January, I tighten up and lose those five extra pounds by the end of the month. (And yes, I always succeed. I hate to lose.)

What have been some of the goals you’ve set at the beginning of the year?

Ninja News

Last month I got to judge the Write-Edit-Publish monthly challenge which was to have a science fiction theme. I really enjoyed reading the entries and my top picks are at the Write-Edit-Publish Site. Thanks to Denise and Yolanda for letting me judge!

Don’t forget the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day is this Wednesday! We are also announcing the winners of the IWSG Anthology Contest, so you don’t want to miss it.

Lost and Found: The Valentine's Edition

From Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out and Guilie Castilol-Oriard at A Quiet Laughter, and co-hosted by Elizabeth Seckman, Yolanda Renee, Denise Covey. and Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Do you remember that special feeling of love found? And who hasn't experienced the emotional experience of love lost? Some of you might have even lost a love only to find that person later for another go around.

Tell your story about love lost or found in our special Valentine's blogfest. Your post can be a short fiction, an essay, poetry, or even a song--let your imagination run free. Any genre is fair game, be it romance, historical fiction, memoir, or even science fiction. After all there are no limitations when it comes to love.

Sign up below and join us February 1!

What did you think of Star Wars? Fan of Tarantino? Hooked on Fallout 4? Which version of the song did you prefer? What resolutions or goals did you make for 2016? And are you joining in on the blogfest?

Realms Faire – Trapped in the Vortex! Blog Comments – What’s Right? Plus Deadpool Video, Fargo Series and Let Us Prey Movie Reviews, Six Years of Blogging, and Ninja News.

The 2015 Realms Faire!

Hosted by author M. Pax

Twitter Hashtag – #RealmsFaire

Riddle Me This ~ Dueling Bards ~ Phasers ~ Unicorn Hunt ~ Who Roams Here? ~ Beware the Vortex ~ VelociRaffle ~ The Hero’s Dilemma ~ Stockade Brigade ~ Hall of Doors ~ The Joust ~ Drench-a-Wench/Soak-a-Bloke

Today, I am trapped in the Vortex!!

Alex needs your help. He’s trapped in Lucien’s Bar, the gateway to the Underworld, and challenging War to a sword fight is his only way out. Please come over and cheer him on. Your comments will improve his chances. The Immortals aren’t above cheating so here are three magic words to give Alex an edge in the contest: ninja, light, steel. Use these words in your comment to give him an added boost on Monday, Nov 9th, at River Fairchild's site.

Ninja News

Elizabeth S. Craig is visiting the IWSG today! Always an honor to have Elizabeth, and today she is discussing author newsletters.

Today’s Themes That Rocked the Challenge feature at the A to Z Blog is Jennifer Hawes! She posted about her hometown of Hannibal, MO, which also happens to be the boyhood town of a certain author named Mark Twain…

New release – The Deep Dark Woods Anthology
Featuring The Blue Mist by Shannon Lawrence
Find it on Amazon



Edi’s Book Lighthouse had some great links this past weekend regarding author blogs and social media importance. (Not to mention the world’s first underwater museum!) Edi mentioned that he enjoys blog tours as long as the content differs from blog to blog, and I have to agree. A blog tour should not be the same posts over and over or just an announcement.

And Edi and I will both be excited Tuesday, November 10 – Fallout 4 releases! Such an awesome series.

Deadpool Video

This funny promotional piece for next February’s Deadpool movie came out recently. There are words bleeped out, but my wife and I don’t think Ryan Reynolds was really cussing at the kids. (At least, we hope not!)

Fargo Series Review

Season two is a separate story line from season one. Rest assured though, the characters are just as quirky!
The acting is spectacular and the writing top notch.
It even includes some kind of alien intervention. (Yes, you read that right!)
This show will leave you scratching your head in confusion, but in a good way.
Recommended!

Let Us Prey Movie Review

This Irish film was highly rated on NetFlix.
It has a great style that covers up not a lot of substance. It’s a horror/psychological thriller that stretched plausibility, but not enough to stop watching.
Many will recognize the stranger from Game of Thrones. You’re never exactly sure who the stranger is, which is part of the reason you’ll keep watching.
Worth a NetFlix rental if you’re curious.

Blog Comments – What’s Right?

This is part of Jeffrey Scott’s monthly R.A.N.T. series.

This isn’t going to be just about returning comments, but will encompass other clog comment topics as well. Just some things I’ve been tossing around in my mind and with certain groups.

It is good manners to return a visit, but sometimes we miss a comment from a new person. Or maybe the person posted something that day we really just don’t relate to. Or maybe we just ran out of time. But if someone visits our site several times, then it’s rude not to return the visit. (And there are bloggers out there who just won’t visit a site outside of their comfort pool no matter how many times we comment, which is sad.)

What about those who follow and comment, enticing you to do the same, and then they just stop visiting? Maybe even unfollow you? I’ve noticed a lot of these types of bloggers lately. Are they just after followers to build their blog? They amassed a lot of followers and are now being choosy who they visit?

And how often should we expect our friends to comment? Every post no matter what? Some days, people are just busy! Maybe on vacation. Maybe it’s a topic that they can’t comment on. We can’t expect a comment every single time. I follow over 2000 blogs and my blogger buddy list is twice what’s in my sidebar – I just can’t visit every post of every single person. (The clones have tried, believe me. And then half of them went on strike during the A to Z Challenge.)

Blogging is still about being social and making friends. It’s not expecting everyone to come to you, or taking advantage of others, or possessing unrealistic expectations. It’s building new friendships and maintaining old ones. It’s being a genuine person who cares.

What do you guys think?

Six Years Ago Today…

And to end this on a happy note – today, November 9, marks six years of blogging for me!

I cannot begin to tell you what a wild ride it’s been. I started with no followers and a book release looming almost a year away. I had no ambitions of building a huge following or writing more books. No plans to become a part of the A to Z Team or host dozens of blogfests. And certainly had no idea I’d start something like the IWSG.

The bottom line – I couldn’t have done it without all of you. Thank you. You guys are the reason why this Ninja won’t quit. You haven’t given up on me and I won’t give up on you.

Don’t forget to visit the IWSG and A to Z Blog today.

Excited for Fallout 4? What did you think of the Deadpool video? (I really don’t think he said anything bad to those kids.) Watching Fargo? Seen Let Us Prey? Can you believe it’s been six years? And what are your thoughts on blog comments?

And please save me from the Vortex!!

Too Much NetFlix? The Shannara Chronicles, Hellboy 3, New releases in DVD-music-games, Favorite Job, Mini-Alex and Cicadas, and Ninja News!

Happy Labor Day to my friends here in the States!

Entertainment News

This article caught my eye - New Study Suggests Americans are Watching Too Much NetFlix.

From JoBlo’s site - Right now, the average Netflix subscriber watches about 90 minutes of streaming content per day. (See... viewing habits have changed.) Now that might not seem like a lot until you understand all the things we are doing throughout our day that are consuming far less time - things like eating (only 70 minutes), childcare (25 minutes) and sex (almost 2 minutes).
Now, I do watch NetFlix a lot, but usually it’s while I’m working on my job. (With an occasional movie at home.) So I’ll admit ninety minutes is conservative for me.
However, only two minutes a day for sex? Really? That is sad. Fourteen minutes a week? Now, while I won’t go into details about my sex life, but that statistic boggles my mind. Either a lot of people only do it once a week or there are a lot of women who have mastered her man’s easy button…

This disappointing news about Hellboy 3 came from Blastr. 
Ron Perlman has been trying to stir studio and fan interest in a third Hellboy movie. So far, no studio wants to foot the bill. After the second film, Guillermo del Toro had wanted to do one more, but Perlman had moved on to other things. Now that Perlman is ready to return, and del Toro still interested in directing, the movie has stalled with no backing. Bummer, I’d really like to see a third one.

Metallica, Black Sabbath, and rap fans, you have been slammed!
From the New York Daily News: Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards calls Metallica and Black Sabbath 'great jokes,' says rap is for 'tone-deaf people' in free-wheeling interview.

This is the trailer for The Shannara Chronicles (based on the second book, The Elfstones of Shannara) coming next January on MTV:

The trailer looks very cool, but I still hold reservations. Why start with the second book of the original trilogy? Also, the apocalypse images are wrong – it’s not until the Genesis trilogy that it’s revealed that Shannara is really earth. In the original trilogy (Sword, Elfstones, and Wishsong) you don’t know that. So I’m just really hoping that they do it right and MTV proves it’s not completely useless after all...

New Releases –

Mad Max: Fury Road on DVD
Best movie so far this year! Watched it again this past weekend in 3D and it’s still batshit crazy.
(And if you do a Google search for Mad Max: Fury Road, my review comes up as number nine – is that wild or what?)

Iron Maiden – Book of Souls
It’s their sixteenth studio album and their first double album. It features Eddie (of course) and marks forty years that Maiden has been a band. (That’s impressive!)

Coming soon –

Furious 7 on DVD - September 15.

Avengers: Age of Ultron on DVD – October 2

Fallout 4 PC game – November 10
I am really stoked for this game! I’ve already played and won the teaser Fallout Shelter.

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined.

“What’s the best job you’ve ever had?”

I’ve had some great jobs over the years. But since my dream was always to be a rock star, I’d have to say my current gig in a Christian contemporary rock band is the best job ever. And while it’s not my nine-to-five job, I have been paid to perform, so it qualifies as a job. Plus I get to jam while giving praise to God - how awesome is that?

Second would be my ‘job’ as an author, mostly because of the people I’ve met along the way and places it has led me, such as the IWSG.

Ninja News

Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1! The theme is Alternate History/Parallel Universe and any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging (must post for the IWSG at least once in September or October) or Facebook member. Winners will be published in a royalty-paying anthology next year.

New Release -
Poison: Wind Dancer Series by Lan Chan
Find on Amazon, Smashwords, and Goodreads
And this week is a book blitz – Poison is on sale for just .99 cents from September 7 – 11!

Contemporary Romance virtual book tour seeking reviewers, bloggers, & non-bloggers to host!
It's Like the Full Moon by Glorie Townson (pen name for Toi Thomas)
Go HERE to sign up.

Mini-Alex and the Cicadas!

Can you see those little things on the ground and tree around Mini-Alex?


Those are the exoskeletons of cicadas. From them came the adult flying cicada. They always seem to emerge around pine trees and only after periods of thirteen to seventeen years. So we don’t see them often.



Right now though, we can hear them in the trees – and they are loud!

Surprised by what Richards said? Think MTV will do right by Chronicles of Shannara? Did you pick up Fury Road? Looking forward to any new releases? Participating in the IWSG anthology contest? What was your best job? Have cicadas where you live? And do you watch too much NetFlix – or have any other comments on those statistics…?

And I will online sporadically on Monday, so will catch up later this week with those I miss.