A to Z Challenge – Y – Cult Classics: Yellow Submarine, Yes, and More! Plus More May Movie Preview – Tomorrowland – and Ninja News

Today I have the highest honor of appearing at Janice Hardy’s Fiction University. I’m discussing pros and cons of marketing and the small press. If you want to know more about what a small press can and can’t do for you, then check it out.

A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – Y

Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term

Movie –

Yellow Submarine
This animated feature capitalized on a psychedelic pop culture and was nominated for a Grammy and a Hugo. Ironically, while the Beatles performed the songs and appeared in person at the end, other actors did their voices during the cartoon segment.

Music –

Yes – Fragile
Released in 1971, the fourth studio album became the band’s biggest commercial success so far and featured the icon song Roundabout.

Science Fiction Book – 

The Year of the Quiet Sun by Wilson Tucker
This 1970 time travel novel won a John W. Campbell Memorial Award and was nominated for a Nebula and a Hugo.

Blogger –

Yolanda Renee –at Defending the Pen
Enjoy a good murder mystery with a little more? Want to meet a supportive author with a wonderful spirit? Then you need to meet Yolanda!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Year
A year on Hyrath would be longer than a year on Earth, although only by a few weeks. Their division of time is also numerically different, as their days have twenty-five hours. Their months and weeks are also more evenly divided.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.

Ninja News

NA Alley is holding an auction this week to raise money for this young lady:
Back in 2008, Queena was a vibrant eighteen-year-old with her whole life ahead of her. That changed the night she was brutally raped, beaten, and left for dead after dropping books off at the library. The attack left her blind and unable to walk or talk, requiring around-the-clock care.
PK Hrezo is currently writing a book about this young lady as well.

Available now!
Scattered Seasons by Sandra Ulbrich Almazan
Only .99 cents for a week.
Find it on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Kobo

May Movie Preview

Here is the continuation of upcoming theatrical releases for May. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

Tomorrowland
Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory.
Director: Brad Bird
Stars: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, Raffey Cassidy
For all your tomorrow needs. Off the beltline. Free hotdogs and balloons for mom. (MST3K fans will get that.)

Remember Yellow Submarine? Fan of Yes? (And have you seen them in concert?) Would you want twenty-five hour days? Checking out the auction? And is Tomorrowland a must-see for May…?

Don’t forget to visit Janice Hardy’s Fiction University!

Movie News and The Book of Life Review, Horror Movie Trivia, Mini-Alex, BOTB Results, and Ninja News

Movie News

The Book of Life movie review
Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart, embarks on an adventure that spans three fantastic worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
The animation is truly unique and I recommend seeing it in 3D. The Land of the Remembered is colorful and stunning.
While the story won’t be the greatest thing you’ve ever seen, it did have several refreshing aspects. One is the Mexican setting and the legend of the Day of the Dead festival. Another was that although the two friends, Manolo and Joaquin, are vying for Maria’s hand, neither is perfect nor a villain.
The best characters are the two Gods. La Muerte rules the Land of the Remembered and Xibalba rules the Land of the Forgotten, and their love-hate relationship is charming to watch.
Death plays a major part in the story and there is some violence, so not recommended for the really young.
For something refreshing and new, The Book of Life is a fun watch.

According to Blastr, there could be more John Carter movies, just not with Disney. Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. regained the rights to the books and is seeking other opportunities.
"We will be seeking a new partner to help develop new adventures on film as chronicled in the eleven Mars novels Burroughs wrote," Burroughs Inc. President James Sullos said. "This adventure never stops."
I enjoyed the books and really dug the 2012 John Carter film, so I hope it happens.

Have you seen the trailer for Tommorrowland?

Ninja News

The amazing Sarah Allen is our guest at the IWSG Site today, discussing how helping other writers helps you.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Survive and Thrive Blogfest, and my other co-hosts, Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, and Diane Wolfe!

DL Hammons is hosting his Déjà vu blogfest again.




New releases –

The Initiate by M. Pax
 

Secret Keepers by Gwen Gardner

Blocked by Jennifer Lane

Battle of the Bands Results

Last Wednesday I pitted Thin Lizzy against Metallica with the song Whisky in the Jar.

Stephen T. McCarthy made it interesting when he voted for Thinallica. (I split the difference.)

However, after casting my vote for Metallica, we have… a tie!

Thin Lizzy – 18.5 votes
Metallica – 18.5 votes

Mini-Alex

We found this large display of sunflowers recently and thought of Tina Downey…

Movie Trivia!

Since Halloween is approaching, today we focus on horror movies. Name the film from actors and year listed:

1 – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost 2004

2 – Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David 1982

3 – Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci 1999

4 – Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner 1976

5 – Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox 2002

6 – JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Heather O’Rourke 1982

Have you seen The Book of Life? Want more John Carter Movies? Excited about the new releases? BOTB results surprise you? Know any of the trivia? And where should Mini-Alex go next…?

I also received edits for Dragon of the Stars from my publisher, so I will be busy working on them the next week or so...