Pluto RiffTrax - MST3K Channels, Alien Covenant Review, New IWSG Admins and News, The Happy Whisk, and Ninja News

IB Nosey interviewed me last week and the results were hilarious! Please read and have a good laugh.

MST3K/RiffTrax Channels - Pluto

In case you didn’t know it, Pluto TV has an MST3K channel!

The Internet based platform features several channels, available online, through dish services, and as an app.

In April, they added a RiffTrax channel to the mix, including movies with guest riffers. (You really have to pay attention to the British dudes, but they are hilarious.)

Now, whenever you need a fix, you can flick to either channel or pull them up online and enjoy!

Alien Covenant Review

Set ten years after Prometheus. Colony ship stops at uncharted planet. Xenomorphs ensue.
Critics claimed to those who hated Prometheus – this one is better. They were correct. I only disliked this one.
The set design is great. The film has a great feel to it. And it’s gory. Turn your brain off and you might enjoy it.
My brain would not shut off though. The plot holes wouldn’t let it.
Minor spoilers:
• Protocol would not allow the crew of a colony ship with over two thousand people on board to deviate from the carefully selected and perfect world to go explore another one just because it was closer.
• Common sense would not let people explore said world without spacesuits and masks. Airborne pathogens, people!! Have you never seen War of the Worlds?
• A company investing billions to transport people across the galaxy would hire trained people. A crew who knew what to do in a situation. Not a crew that went into panic mode and turned batcrap crazy at the first sign of trouble. Or deviated from protocol.
I’ll stop with spoilers and also mention that the ending twist was telegraphed. No tension, no surprise.
Michael Fassbender is good. So is Katherine Waterston and the rest of the actors. Just a shame the plot holes and lazy writing let them down. And the fact there really wasn’t much in this film that we haven’t seen before.
And it’s still been thirty years since we had a decent Alien film. James Cameron and Aliens ruined it for everyone…
Recommended only for diehard fans or casual fans who want some good gore and have time to waste.

IWSG stuff

In the past two weeks, the IWSG Admins have welcomed two new members. Nick Wilford will be manning the contests page and Pat Hatt will run Twitter - @TheIWSG. Please stop by both of their sites and welcome them!

Don’t forget our first Twitter pitch event, #IWSGPit, is on July 27. We have a lineup of publishers and agents who will be tuning in that day and more are added every week. See the site for details and start working on your Twitter pitch.

The IWSG Goodreads Group is in full swing and already read their first book. As a bonus, members got to ask the book’s author questions and you can read about it on Goodreads. This group is for writers only, focusing on the craft, so please join us.

The IWSG Newsletter is packed with great information and valuable links every month, so if you haven’t signed up, please do so.

And for those who don’t know it, we have an IWSG Facebook Group as well, with over 3600 members.

Finally, on June 7, the next IWSG post day, we are announcing another anthology! This will be similar to our IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond, so tune in next month for details.

Special Blogger Buddy Feature

I’d like to introduce you to Ivy, also known as The Happy Whisk. I met Ivy several years ago and she never fails to entertain – and give everyone some good tips. She is an experimental chef due to allergies and comes up with some amazing stuff. She’s also into organizing, movies, and Bug. Just a special friend. Please welcome Ivy!

Favorite Recipes: This week I'm all about homemade rye bread with caraway seeds, cheeses made from plants and egg-free French toast. I'm allergic to eggs and dairy. Developing recipes is my way of telling my allergies to suck it.

Advice on decluttering: I've got gobs to share about ditching 95 percent of my crap. But today, I'll start with three words; I was ready. It's that simple. I wanted to do the work so I set aside four weeks to go through everything I owned. I sorted by category and began with the areas that made me the most uncomfortable, angry, frustrated and/or overwhelmed. This might not work for everyone, but I wanted to slay the biggest dragon first.
From there, I learned that people aren't things. Letting go feels amazing. Organized clutter is still clutter. And, I don't need 14 Pyrex bake dishes and 24 waffle makers.

Who is Bug? Her full name is Bogár which means bug in Hungarian. She's a loud mouth little brat and I love her to bits. She's half shepherd, half beagle. When I hurt myself in the kitchen, she makes a mad dash to check on me. Her hobbies include stealing Tim's hats, beating up paper bags and snuggling with her big sister.

Favorite Super Hero: As a kid, I twirled around the living room until I fell over and I wore my little Wonder Woman costume at the table during meal time. Hands down, BEST SUPER HERO EVER!!!!

Ninja News

JH Moncrieff just released two books!

City of Ghosts
On the day the villagers were forced to flee Hensu, not everyone got out alive.
Find on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes

The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts
Would you risk everything to save a stranger?
Find on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes

Are you a Rocket Raccoon fan?
Then you need to join the Raccoonatics!
Run by Leo Wyld, Raccoonatic Commander, it’s great place for fans to gather for news and discussions on all things Rocket Raccoon.
You can also follow on Twitter - @raccoonatic

Anyone else watching the MST3K Pluto channel? Were you suckered into another Alien movie last weekend? Participating in the IWSG groups and excited about the upcoming events? Following the Happy Whisk? And are you a Raccoonatic?

Don’t forget to visit IB Nosey!

Since next Monday is a holiday, I will not be posting and am taking the whole week off. Will check email and Twitter though. I’ll be back for IWSG post day, June 7.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Ninja News, Movie Reviews, and the Wednesday Movie Quote

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.


My two awesome co-hosts this month are Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler! Please be sure to thank them for their time and effort to make all IWSG members feel welcome.

This month I have an odd writing insecurity.

In a recent post by Roland Yeomans, he wondered if blogging was becoming less effective with so many cover reveals, book announcements, etc. (I admit, there does seem to be a lot of them lately.) But I started thinking and I realized I really don’t write much for my own blog anymore.

Now, I enjoy shouting out my blogger buddies’ accomplishments! That won’t ever change. The Ninja News is never going away. I enjoy keeping up with the blogging world. But I would like to write something here now and then. I haven’t even done a movie review in months. (Which is why you are getting two today!)

If I shrink some of the announcements down a bit, would that be all right? I’ll still post, just… shorter.

Be sure to visit other participants of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

And, since I do cull the list now and then, make sure you are still on the list if you are posting now.

Ninja News

The Happy Whisk is hosting a giveaway for hitting 444 posts! Some awesome books (including one of mine) so check it out.

I can’t remember how I found this site - Christian Fiction for Your Kindle. It lists both fiction and non-fiction Christian books that are on sale or free that day.

 FRAILTIES OF THE BOND by Angela Brown

In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life…

FRAILTIES OF THE BOND is the first in a series of novellas and short stories introducing heroes and heroines of the secret organization, NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherwordlies.

Add to Goodreads

Movie Reviews!

Jack the Giant Slayer
Yes, it’s a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.
And you know what? It was fun.
Some of the reviewers have been harsh, but I didn’t find anything wrong with the movie. It’s not the most memorable thing you’ll ever see, but it’s not cheesy or bad.
The special effects and acting were all great. (Saw it in 3D,) Story even had a few unexpected twists and some good laughs.
Go and enjoy!

Premium Rush
It’s a thriller involving a Manhattan bicycle delivery guy. How thrilling could it really be?
Turns out, it was really damn good! Toss in a crooked cop, a roommate with a secret, and competition among the bikers and it’s a heck of a ride. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the lead, and he takes you on a wild chase through the city – all without brakes!
Definitely recommend it!

Bonus Review!
House of Cards
For those of you with NetFlix, have you been watching their original series, House of Cards? It’s political drama with one heck of a cast, including Kevin Spacey. The show takes no sides – everyone is motivated by money and re-election without a care about the country. (Slimy politicians? Really?)
It’s a watch now and highly recommended!

Wednesday Movie Quote!

Today it’s cell animation. (Yeah, need to go back a couple years for that one.)


I selected an exchange from The Emperor’s New Groove:

Pacha: Uh-oh.
Kuzco: Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall.
Pacha: Yep.
Kuzco: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
Pacha: Most likely.
Kuzco: Bring it on.

Next week – computer animation film quote!

What is your insecurity today? Entered Happy Whisk’s contest? Have you seen either of those movies or the NetFlix show? And what’s your favorite cell animation film quote?
And Friday I’m tackling an interesting subject. (And Mini-Alex might make an appearance…)

PLAYFUL/PERFECTIONIST - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

PLAYFUL/PERFECTIONIST

The Happy Whisk
Don’t go to Whisk’s site expecting anything but fun. Her followers are affectionately called “boogerbutts.” However, there is a serious side to Whisk - don't mess with her cooking or coupons. She’s also just the sweetest person I’ve ever met. Follow her fun and animated journey and be prepared to “Boogie Boogie.”

Jessica Bell at The Alliterative Allomorph
There is a playful streak to Jessica that she lets out now and then. However, what I see most in this Greek Aussie is perfectionism. She’s an author and an accomplished musician, and you don’t arrive at that point without a high level of perfectionism. And it shows in her books and album. Jessica, as a fellow perfectionist, I know the lonely road you travel. And while no one is perfect, you are DAMN good at what you do!

I admit it. I’m a perfectionist. If practice makes perfect and nobody’s perfect, then I wonder why I keep trying. But my hunt for the ever-elusive perfection continues. I’ll fall short with every word and strum of my guitar.
Thankfully God doesn’t expect perfectionism.

Flushed Away
With Aardman’s The Pirates coming next week, I felt compelled to pull out this movie last weekend. With the voices of Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet (another sexy Kate!), is about as playful and funny as they come. And the singing slugs crack me up every time.

NINJA NEWS!

Don’t forget the First Loves Blogfest on May 14 – First loves of movies, music, books, and person. Click the blogfest title to sign up.

Still doing the best I can to get to as many posts a day as possible. Please don’t be offended if I skip you one day or it takes me a while to get to during the Challenge. I clear out my Google Reader every night and Monday morning, I awoke to almost seven hundred new posts. (Yeah, what would you do? Cry?)

Following Whisk and Jessica? Suffer from perfection? Ever watched Flushed Away? Overwhelmed by posts and comments? Still having fun??? And who’s the playful person or perfectionist in your life?