Movie Review, Stardate Christmas, and Indie Lit Awards

Yes, another weekend, another movie review. (As many as I watch, I could do this daily. God Bless NetFlix!) First, just a quick piece of exciting news – CassaStar made the long list for the Indie Lit. Awards!!! Yes, my book is among those nominated from small and independent presses. Now, it’s the long list, so not holding my breath that I’ll make the short list. But it’s still really damn cool!! Okay, on to my movie review! (Because I do have a science fiction image to uphold now.)

TRON: LEGACY It appears critics are suffering from a bad case of Scrooge. I don’t know what movie they saw, but the one I saw was an incredibly fun film! This movie utilizes 3D technology to the max, creating a mesmerizing experience. The action is well done and the light cycle scene is the stand out action piece. There’s a few moments of slow pacing that could’ve been chopped, but the movie is such a marvel to behold, you’ll hardly notice. The music by Daft Punk is a perfect fit. It reminds me of older John Carpenter scores – repeating rhythms that are very synth heavy. Before we entered the theater, my wife asked if we’d hear a Journey song, just like in the original Tron. Much to my surprise, the answer is yes! Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Bridges to a T. The effects used to reduce his age were a little odd, but fit within the context of the computer world. I thought Garrett Hedlund was good as his son, Sam. Olivia Wilde wasn’t given a lot to do, although her character is a key player. The young lady who played Gem was absolutely gorgeous while Michael Sheen’s Castor was excellent and so over the top fun. Is it a perfect movie? No! But I go to the movies to be entertained. Tron: Legacy delivers that on all levels and will amaze you with the 3D computer world. Best movie of December so far! Okay critics, now go drink some spiked eggnog and chill out!!

 

Finally, here’s the Stardate Christmas Tweets from this past week: Stardate Christmas 11.9 Disassembled Borg make excellent Christmas ornaments! Stardate Christmas 13.9 After firing all of our torpedoes at the Romulans, we finally defeated them with a devastating volley of fruitcake! Stardate Christmas 14.9 Worf discovered mhyrr and gagh (a Klingon delicacy) mixed together is an excellent remedy for bunions! Who knew? Stardate Christmas 15.9 Everybody sing! 5 beaming up, 4 Klingons belching, 3 Ferengis stealing, 2 tribbles mating, and a Vulcan in Pon Farr! Stardate Christmas 16.9 The Andorian Ambassador, Boughs F Hollie, became enraged during our rendition of Deck the Halls. Damn! Stardate Christmas 17.7 Next time we'll confirm the unknown ship's identity before firing photon torpedoes. Sorry kids, no Santa this year!

More Naked Answers and Stardate Christmas

Part two of your questions - remember, you asked!

Voting is now closed - I was nominated for the Best Sci-Fi Blog Award at The Movie 411! Never thought I’d be so excited about an award, but the winners will be announced this Thursday. I'll keep you posted...

From Arlee Bird - About the prepublication process-- I was impressed by how well written CassaStaR is--how many beta readers did you have before sending your book to an editor and where did you get those readers? How much rewriting did you have to do?

I had three test readers, all of which are friends, and each made unique and helpful suggestions. I rewrote many scenes and dialogue after receiving their input.

From N R Williams - Do you ever feel like your brain is inside out?

Only at work.

From Shannon Whitney Messenger - What's your most embarrassing story (that you're willing to share)?

I’ll share the fiasco that was my twenty-first birthday. Several friends took me out that night and got me drunk. (Understand, I don’t drink often and have only been drunk about four times in my life.) A girl was flirting with me, so I went to her table to give her my best moves. In my drunken state, I leaned too hard on the table and tipped it over – and down I went! Needless to say, I did not get her number.

From Stephen Tremp - Do you write sober or do you enjoy a few glasses of wine or beer from time to time when writing?

After reading my previous answer, what do you think? I can handle one beer, but after that, my brain shuts down.

From Carol Kilgore - How do you tune out distractions? And when it's a distraction from something that breathes, how do you do it and not feel guilty?

Men tend to focus well on just one thing. I can write with both music playing and the TV on at the same time and not be distracted. However, ignoring distractions that breathe is only possible for about ten seconds. Any longer and I’m in big trouble!

From Dominic de Mattos - So, were you tempted by self-publication through the eReader route?

No, because I’d have no idea how to do it!

From Holly Ruggiero - Did you always know you wanted to write a sequel? Do you start out with a word count goal or just write until your done and see what you’ve got?

No, I’d never planned a sequel! I had other adventures for Byron and Bassa, but not a continuation of the main story. However, I did have one adventure that took place afterwards, and I expanded upon that idea. A lot! For CassaStar, I just wrote until the story ended. Now I’m aiming for a similar word count for the second book.

And now, last week’s Stardate Christmas Twitter updates:

Stardate Christmas 4.6 'Tis the season to beam Geordi! Fa la la la la la, la la la la! Come on, everybody sing!

Stardate Christmas 5.6 Scotty discovered that irradiated Tribbles glow in the dark - and they make great Christmas ornaments as well!

Stardate Xmas 6.9 T'Pol refuses to sing, Trip CAN'T, & our reindeer (Archer's beagle) peed on the Vulcans. Caroling is weird with this group

Stardate Christmas 7.9 We convinced Seven of Nine that the super-short, red velvet, fur-lined dress and hat are standard Starfleet issue.

Stardate Christmas 8.8 Who taught Data "Jingle Bells?!" I'm about to ring HIS bell. Someone make him stop!!

Stardate Christmas 10.5 We discovered that despite the pointy ears, Spock does not make a very jolly old elf!

Review, Psych, and Stardate Christmas

Yesterday I received the most awesome surprise – a review of CassaStar by Tessa! I am truly at a loss for words. She read it all in one day! Go check out the best review so far - HERE (After you read this post of course!) Thanks so much, Tessa!

One of these days, studios will learn that they can’t wait to release a movie for reviews. When Thursday night rolled around and there were still no reviews for The Warrior’s Way, we opted not to see it. Spent Friday night putting up the tree and Christmas decorations. Which was fun. (At the moment, the movie is split fifty-fifty, so we might still go see it.)

Instead I offer you Psych!

Thanks to NetFlix, I recently discovered this USA Network show, which airs Wednesdays at 10pm. It followers slacker Shawn (James Roday) and his partner Gus (Dule Hill) as they work with the local police to solve crimes. Shawn has a gift. He’s not psychic – he possesses amazing powers of observation, learned from his former police officer father, played by Corbin Bernsen.

The show is incredibly funny! The two leads are a great combo and ping well off each other. The writing is clever and the pop culture references fly fast. Last week was a take on Twin Peaks, complete with former members of that show, including Sherilyn Fenn. The upcoming episode promises more laughs as they take on Police Academy.

If you’re looking for a feel-good show that will put a smile on your face, Psych is a must watch!

Saw this at Ellie Garratt’s site - Which Science Fiction Writer Are You?

I am: E.E. "Doc" Smith The inventor of space opera. His purple space war tales remain well-read generations later.

Which science fiction writer are you?

And finally, the first of the Stardate Christmas Twitter updates!

Stardate Christmas 1.9 Eggnog is made from Nog. As in, the real Nog! Dear Lord, I've been drinking Ferengi all this time...

Stardate Christmas 3.2 Data discovered mistletoe. Somehow, I don't think the Vulcan Ambassador appreciated the kiss though!

Stardate Christmas 3.9 Santa's bloated corpse just floated by the window in TenForward. Now that's something we don't see every day in space