A to Z Challenge Sign-ups Open and The Grey Review

Some quick news before we dive into the A to Z Challenge sign-ups.

You guys performed a miracle on Saturday! The book trailer for CassaFire had been trailing in fifth place all week - but managed to place third and was featured Sunday at You Gotta Read Videos. Thanks so much to everyone who voted and sent out messages about it – I really appreciate it!

I also saw The Grey this weekend – excellent film. Much more somber than I expected – it’s more of a drama than an action film. The story focuses on the characters and Liam Neeson and cast did a great job. I liked how key character points were revealed slowly through the film. It is very intense with a slight art-house feel to it. A winner!

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for!! Sign-ups are now open for the A to Z Challenge.

Description:
The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting the letter of the alphabet every day during the month of April, with Sundays off for good behavior. Since April 1 falls on a Sunday, that will be the day we start with A. Whether you go with a theme or freestyle, your post must match the letter of the alphabet for that day. Add your name to the list and when the Challenge begins, start by visiting the blog immediately after your own. Set a goal – we recommend five blogs a day, more if you are able.

For more information and to stay on top of developments, we recommend you follow the A to Z Challenge Blog and the hosts: Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp at Breakthrough Blogs, Jenny Pearson at Pearson Report, Matthew McNish at The QQQE, Tina Downey at Life is Good, Jeremy Hawkins at Retro-Zombie, DL Hammons at Cruising Altitude, Shannon Lawrence at The Warrior Muse, Elizabeth Mueller, Damyanti Biswas at Amlokiblogs, Karen Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain, and Konstanz Silverbow at No Thought 2 Small. We also have a Facebook page,, email address 2012azinfo@gmail.com, and the Twitter hashtag is #AtoZChallenge.

This is a great opportunity to discipline yourself, grow as a blogger, and make new friends – come join us!

Any questions about the Challenge? Any concerns? Do you have a theme in mind? Let's hear it!


Please go HERE to sign up for the Challenge.

Kicking Off the New Year and January Movies!

Time to ring in the New Year with some movies!

Don’t forget next Wednesday is the next posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!
 
And Saturday is your last chance to enter my giveaway HERE – win a copy of CassaStar and review copy of CassaFire!

Monday is a really special feature, so don't miss it. Wednesday is the ISWG of course, Friday I have BIG announcement and guest post at Laura's site, then Monday I’ll highlight the best and worst of 2011 with a look ahead at 2012. (Yes, I am a busy and scheduled dude!)

Today, it’s all about the dumping ground that is January. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

3 –

DVD – Contagion – I’m feeling sick already


10 –

DVD – Moneyball – Could be interesting
DVD – Drive – Excellent art-house meets action film!


13 -

Contraband
ActionThriller
The cutthroat underground world of international smuggling - full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs - where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Giovanni Ribisi, Kate Beckinsale

Wahlberg battles his old posse the Funky Bunch and only one comes out alive. (And did you notice Kate? Double Kate month!)

The Divide
Sci-Fi/Thriller
Survivors of a nuclear attack are grouped together for days in the basement of their apartment building, where fear and dwindling supplies wear away at their dynamic.
Director: Xavier Gens Stars: Lauren German, Jennifer Blanc, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Michael Eklund, Ashton Holmes, Rosanna Arquette, Courtney B. Vance
This one sounds truly terrifying. Trapped in the basement with only a box of old Christmas ornaments and a stack of National Geographics. The horror!!!


20 –

Underworld Awakening
Action/Horror
When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrioress Selene leads the battle against humankind.
Directors: Måns Mårlind | Björn Stein
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley

Vampires, werewolves, kick-but action, and Kate. Need I say more? Yes, this will be the highlight of my January movie watching…

Red Tails
Action/War
A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.
Director: Anthony Hemingway
Stars: Nate Parker, David Oyelowo,Cuba Gooding Jr.

The story of the Tuskegee airmen is really amazing. Let’s hope they don’t water it down with generic CGI action scenes.

24 –

DVD – Real Steel – Probably real dumb, but on NetFlix, I’ll watch almost anything…


27 –

The Grey
Action/Drama
In Alaska, an oil drilling team struggle to survive after a plane crash strands them in the wild. Hunting the humans are a pack of wolves who see them as intruders.
Director: Joe Carnahan
Stars: Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo

Replace Neeson with Hopkins, Mulroney with Baldwin, and the wolves with a bear, and you have 1997's The Edge.

Man on a Ledge
Crime/Thriller
As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion...
Director: Asger Leth Stars: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell

This could be Worthington’s career on a ledge…

Any of those sound appealing to you? (You know where I’ll be on January 20!) Set your goals for 2012? Just hoping to survive?