The Geek Twins and Greatest Movies Based on Science Fiction Stories! Plus Ninja News and CassaStorm Launch and Tour Updates.

Today I welcome Nigel and Maurice, the awesome brothers who run The Geek Twins!

My brother Maurice and I run the blog, The Geek Twins, where we celebrate sci-fi movies and TV shows. Sci-fi writers have always had a cozy relationship with Hollywood. Their imagination and grand vision have been translated into some fantastic movies. To celebrate them, we present the ten greatest movies based on a sci-fi story.

10. A Clockwork Orange - In a dystopian Britain, a sociopathic youth is subjected to an experiment that makes him physically incapable of violence. Based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess.

9. 1984 - In a dystopian Britain, one man tries to deft the government that monitors and controls all aspects of life. Based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell.

8. Children of Men - In a near future where mankind has become infertile, a man must escort the last pregnant woman to safety. Based on the novel of the same name by PD James.

7. Planet of the Apes - When astronauts crash land on another planet, they find simians are dominant and humans treated like beasts. Based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Boulle.

6. Soylent Green - In an overpopulated future, a cop uncovers a horrifying secret about the popular food, Soylent Green. Loosely based on the novel Make Room! Make Room! By Harry Harrison.

5. Solaris - A spaceship crew orbiting around a mysterious planet finds their dreams coming to life. Based on the novel of the same name by Stanislaw Lem.

4. The Thing - An Antarctic crew is overrun with paranoia when a shape-shifting alien invades their camp. Based on the novella, Who Goes There? By John W. Campbell Jr.

3. Jurassic Park - When a theme park full of genetically engineered dinosaurs goes wrong, the first visitors must escape with their lives. Based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton.

2. 2001 - A mission from Earth to investigate a mysterious black monolith becomes threatened by the ship's computer. Based on the novel by Arthur C. Clarke.

1. Blade Runner - In a broken-down city of the future, a cop hunts down robots passing as humans. Based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.

Maurice Mitchell and Nigel Mitchell are The Geek Twins, lovers of all things geek. Nigel Mitchell is an author of several scifi novels, including Flying Saucers and Dead Links. Find his book here on Amazon.

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who visited The Unicorn Bell on Wednesday. They were in the middle of query week and had lots of posts – if you missed it, click on the link to go directly to my post, Secrets of the Blogging Ninja.

Annalisa Crawford’s That Sadie Thing is now available in paperback!

The 2013 Joust and Realms Faire is now open! This is a great chance to get involved and promote your book. (Sadly I will be on vacation that week, so I had to decline the offer to joust. It would’ve been epic though!) Visit M. Pax’s SITE for details.

Julia King is giving away two signed copies of her novel, Félicité Found.

Briane Pagel’s book is available today - Temporary Anne. He’s also on tour, writing a short horror story as guided by the comments at each of the stops. The tour kicks off today at Life is Good. Good luck, Briane!

13th Floor Complete Collection

The 13th Floor Complete Collection by Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance
Release date: October 13th, 2013

Six supernatural tenants
Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn't exist.

Includes “The Shadow,” a bonus short story.

Mark it to read on Goodreads.

Find Christine - Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads

CassaStorm Launch and Tour Updates!

CassaStorm launches next Tuesday!

All information has been sent to those participating in the launch party. Today is the last day to sign up to participate for a chance to win a Cassa mousepad, Cassa mug, swag, and $25 iTunes gift card. Go HERE to join the fun.

Thursday I had two surprises! An amazing review from Bob at Beauty in Ruins in which he absolutely nailed everything I was trying to convey in the story. There was also a wonderful tribute from my buddy Roland Yeomans that is sure to make you laugh.

My next tour stop is actually Sunday, and I have the honor of appearing on Anne R Allen’s Blog. Her site is a Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers winner, and she brings in some top best-selling authors and professionals. And oh yeah, me!

Next week I will be posting Monday through Friday, updating you on the week’s tour stops and events. And I will be giving away prizes!! One comment per day enters you to win – Cassa magnet, Cassa mug, Cassa mousepad, Cassa poster, and a copy of CassaStorm. So now is not the time to be shy – comment to win!!

And I want to thank all of my hosts and everyone participating in the launch event. I never thought I’d come this far on this crazy journey or experience any kind of real success. You guys helped prove me wrong. Thanks for your support. Your friendship is the greatest treasure and reward.

What movie based on a science fiction story or book would you call the greatest? Ready to joust? Ready to win some stuff? Ready to watch me have an Epic Ninja Meltdown next week…?

The Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest and Elysium Movie Review! Plus CK Reader Giveaway, Ninja News, Book to Movie Trivia Answers, and Mini-Alex at the Beach

Today is the Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest!

But first…

Ciara Knight has created the CK Reader Giveaway, and I have the honor of being the first author! Featured on both CK Readers Giveaway on Facebook and on her BLOG. it’s a mixture of my journey with the series and quotes from the books. And there are prizes! Check it out.

Vacation was great, although I did miss you guys! Especially after such an awesome IWSG. But the wife and I enjoyed ourselves and yes, we took Mini-Alex to the beach.

He was impressed but not crazy about the sand. Gritty sand and Ninja outfits don’t mix. It was also hot, which is why he left the scarf at home.

Ninja News

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group was a huge success last week! Special thanks to my co-hosts, M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove. I couldn’t have done it without you, ladies.

Here is the official prize package for my CassaStorm announcement blitz the third week of September! (Mousepad, mug, swag, and $25 iTunes gift card.) Sign up to help me spread the word HERE. You can leave a question or just your name.

Julia King’s book is out today - Félicité Found. She’s also on tour, so check it out. Congratulations, Julia!

Kelly Polark revealed the cover for her September release, Rockabet. Congratulations, Kelly!

Book to Movie Trivia Answers

Movie - Book

1 – Carlito’s Way 1993 – After Hours by Edwin Torres 1979
2 – Manhunter 1986 – Red Dragon by Thomas Harris 1981
3 – Vertigo 1958 – The Living and the Dead by Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac 1954 (US title, originally Dentre les morts)
4 – Silver Bullet 1986 – Cycle of the Werewolf by Stephen King 1983
5 – Taps 1981 – Father Sky by Edward Streeter 1949

Movie Review

Elysium
In a dystopian future, Matt Damon is trying to reach Elysium, a paradise orbiting Earth.
While not an original storyline, it’s at least not a remake! It’s gritty with a similar feel as District 9. (Both directed by Neill Blomkamp.) It’s grounded in reality yet the ships and weapons were futuristic. Damon does a great job carrying the film. I was caught in the story and enjoyed the ride.
I did have problems with a few plot points and some things didn’t quite track. The usually solid Jodie Foster played a one-dimensional character with a weird accent. The have-nots were genuine, caring people while the haves were stock cardboard cutouts.
Hard-core science fiction fans, go support it – otherwise, it’s a good rental.

Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest

A blog hop in honor of Mr. anti-blog hop himself, Gary at Klahanie. He's the best Anti-Challenge Spokesperson ever!

Hosted by Mark “Madman” Koopmans, Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, “Life is Good” Tina, Rockin’ Robyn Engel and Morgan “The Morg” Shamy.

The rules are *very* simple. Create the titles of three PG-13 rated blogfests you would never join - and then add a descriptive sentence or two.

Blogfests I would never join:

Best SyFy Channel Original Films
Counting down from crap to craptactular!

Weirdest Places I’ve Thrown Up Blogfest
If only you knew where I’ve spewed!

My Favorite Urinal Cake Flavors Blogfest
That’s not lemon!

Go ahead and join the fun!



Excited about the new books? Sign up to help with CassaStorm? (Five more weeks!) Get any of the trivia correct? Did you see Elysium? And what blogfests would you never join…?

Be sure to check out the CK Reader Giveaway!

Blogging Rules and The Wolverine Review! Plus Ninja News, New Covers, Video Game Trivia, and an Interview With Byron’s Son

Today there is a very special interview at the blog of C. Lee McKenzie. Why is it special? It’s Bassan’s first interview! Just ten years old and he’s doing his first interview. Want to know more about Byron’s son? Then visit Lee’s site!

Ninja News

Michael Di Gesu has jumped back into illustrations and he began with a book cover design for Siv Ottem. Today is the beg reveal, so visit Michael’s site this morning!!

The Tree of Life project continues at Sam’s site, with numerous entries from blogger buddies of ours. Comment on each entry to win prizes, including a signed copy of CassaStorm!

Roland Yeomans is offering some amazing prizes for reviews of his audiobooks. The prizes include Thor II cast and Johnny Depp autographs. Visit his blog for details!

Melanie Schulz has an amazing blogfest/anthology!
“I will be hosting a blogfest/contest on September 2, 2013. All the stories entered will be complied into an anthology ebook that will be available on Kindle- all proceeds to go to Operation Purple, a great organization that sends children of our military to summer camp, free of charge. One randomly chosen entry will win a $50.00 amazon gift card, as well as a signed copy of my book, The Newstead Project.”

Cate Masters’ latest, Cinderella Dreams, is now available. Congratulations, Cate!

Michelle Gregory needs your input! “For the next IWSG, I want my writing friends to share the most encouraging thing they've learned about writing. It could also be a favorite writing quote, even if the quote comes from you.” Leave a comment or send her an email by this Wednesday, July 31.

Sarah Allen’s short story collection, Cross-Eyed, is now available – and it’s free! Congratulations, Sarah.


Melanie Schulz also posted one of the nicest reviews of CassaFire last Friday!

Cover Reveals!

Félicité Found by Julia King

Spiders by Doralynn Kennedy

The Wilder Mage by Huntress, aka CD Coffelt And you can also check out the cool book trailer!

How Do You Follow Blogs

Thanks to everyone who voiced their opinion last Wednesday. It seems less people are using GFC to follow now.

However, as I am SO damn close to 1900 GFC followers, it would still be really awesome to hit it!!

As Brandon and Bryan from A Beer For The Shower stated:

“It seems people are following in other ways. But, but... how can I justify my blogger existence if people can't see just how many friends I have???”

Video Game Trivia Answers

1 - What is the best-selling iPhone game? Angry Birds
2 - How many Pokemon films have been made? Sixteen
3 - What’s the highest grossing movie based on a video game? Prince of Persia @ $335 million
4 - What is the longest running video game franchise still being made? Mario, which has spawned over 200 games since 1981

Blogging Rules

There aren’t really any rules, but most of us operate under implied guidelines. When we first start out, most of us don’t have a clue when it comes to blogging etiquette

What I’ve listed are my blog rules – feel free to share yours.

Follow me and I’ll follow you. There are exceptions, but I’ll follow someone who follows me if I can find a link to his blog.

Comment here and I’ll return the comment. Same as above applies. (And I do miss people now and then - sorry!)

I won’t post on days I can’t visit and comment back. I know everyone has their opinion about this one, but if I’m gone for the day or won’t have access to my computer, I don’t post. I won’t ask you to visit me when I can’t visit you. That just feels rude.

If I can’t think of anything worthwhile, I won’t post anything. Doesn’t happen often, but I have skipped posting for that very reason.

I’ll ease back when writing, but I don’t stop posting and visiting. Again, it would just feel wrong.

When I follow a new blog, I give the person two weeks to return the follow and/or comments. If not, then I un-follow. I have too many devoted friends to spend time on someone who doesn’t want to be friends.

If I comment, I’ve read the post. I won’t comment just to say I was here or I was first or anything.

I won’t post just to self-promote. Even September 17 won’t be all about me.

I don’t worry about hits or blog visits. (Everything I’ve read says they are very inaccurate anyway.) I won’t post something just to get hits.

As they say, don’t blog angry. (Or is that don't drive angry?)


And finally, I’ll never forget my beginnings – an unknown blogger and author with no followers.

What are some of your rules?

Movie Review

The Wolverine
This film picks up not long after after X-Men III ends.
Similar to Iron Man III (he’s in the suit, he’s out of the suit) I was frustrated with the ‘he has his powers, he doesn’t have his powers’ aspect. Only this one didn’t get any better.
The storyline just doesn’t hold up, especially by the end. It’s a convoluted mess. There were so many opportunities for Wolverine to kick ass – and they didn’t materialize. I see a movie with Wolverine, I expect him to kick ass as some point.
There was also a relationship with a girl less than half his age that felt creepy. And we’re talking Jackman’s age, not Wolverine’s.
The overall tone was just too dark. It wasn’t really enjoyable. I’ve never read the comics, but I bet Wolverine has a nemesis that would’ve been more interesting.
On the plus side, the Japan setting is cool and the character of Yukio kicks butt.
I walked out of the theater thinking it was at least decent, but the more I thought about it, the less I liked this film.
Not recommended.

Excited about the contests and cool covers? Get any of the trivia right? Anyone else see The Wolverine? And what are some of your blogging rules?

Don’t forget to visit C. Lee McKenzie and Bassan!