Jack Ryan Series, Omnium Gatherum, Movie News and Trivia, IWSG Anthology Contest, New Releases, and More!

Jack Ryan Review

One thing I love about these pay services creating original content is that they are all trying to one up each other with quality programming. (Of course, paying for them all is a massive bummer.) Amazon has made some compelling programs, but Jack Ryan delivers as must see television.
Truth be told, I’m halfway through and trying to savor each episode. This is high quality (acting, directing, cinematography) film making that is an edge of your seat experience.
I wasn’t sure if I’d like John Krazinski as Ryan, but he does a great job as a CIA analyst thrust into the role of unlikely hero.
I like everything about the series. Even the villains are given a backstory to elevate them well beyond cookie-cutter bad guys.
If you’re on the fence about Amazon Prime, this may well tip you right over.
Highly recommended.

Omnium Gatherum: The Burning Cold Review

It must be very cold in Finland. It’s really the only reason I can think of why so many great musicians and bands come out of this small country (about equal to the size of New Mexico). They must not have anything better to do than sit around, write amazing music, and practice.
Omnium Gatherum is not for all tastes. They have been labeled as a melo death band -melodic death metal. What that means is that they play this incredible, melodic, majestic music over growling, screaming Cookie Monster vocals. If you need clean (singing) vocals, then this is not the band for you, however, the adventurous will find a lot to like on this latest release.
For me, it’s all about the music which incorporates a lot of progressive elements with soaring guitars and intricate keyboard play. This disc simply gets better and better with each listen. This is my favorite OG release and will be in my top ten at year’s end.
Highly recommended!

Writing News

Another great IWSG posting! Everyone had great reasons why they chose their publishing path and seemed to really enjoy the question and the answers of others.

Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is open for submissions! Young adult romance is the genre and masquerade the theme. See the site for details. You have two months! (Although please don’t wait until the last minute…)



New Releases:

The Twelfth Time: Lyuba and Ivan on the Rocks by Ursula Hartlein (Carrie-Anne Brownian)
A Russian Historical

Earth Shaker (A Fire Heart Chronicles Novella) by Juliana Haygert
Find it on Amazon

Cool Stuff

Jo posted a link to this: Craziest Cars Ever Built.
Some are really cool. I’ll take a Batmobile!

Amanda from Enlightened Digital sent me this cool graphic. Check it out!

Digital and DVD release dates:
September 18 – Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
September 25 – Solo: A Star Wars Story
October 2 – Sicario: Day of the Soldado
October 9 – Skyscraper
October 16 – Ant-Man and the Wasp

Don’t want to miss the next superhero film?
Then check out this listing at JoBlo’s site: Superhero Release Dates

Movie Trivia!

I made these for Twitter, but I kept forgetting to post a new one every day. So I’m going to share some here. Give me your best guess!

Anyone else watching the Jack Ryan series? Fan of Omnium Gatherum? Which crazy car was your favorite? Entering the IWSG Anthology Contest? And can you answer the trivia?
There is a major hurricane headed our direction, so prayers please for everyone in the path of Florence. 
And due to the hurricane and spotty Internet and power, my next post won't be until September 24.

Book to Movie Dream, The Night Manager Review, Question of the Month, New Releases, and What Movies Have Held Up Over Time?

Thanks to everyone who joined us last Wednesday for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

I am in need of co-hosts!

If you can co-host July 6, August 3, or September 7, leave a comment or send me an email. Thanks!


I also have the honor of a guest post at Anne R. Allen’s Blog on Sunday, June 12!

My New Dream by Lori L. MacLaughlin

Thanks very much, Alex, for having me over!!

When I published my first book, I realized a dream. But now that I've reached that star, I've had to come up with a new dream. Something that seems as far out of reach as my first dream did back then. What better thing to choose than to see my book made into a movie?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had this dream. What author doesn't fantasize about seeing their story come to life on the big screen?

Hmmm... what actors would I choose for the MCs? The hero? Based on looks alone, I'd pick Joe Manganiello. I hope he can act.

The heroine? That's a bit more difficult. She's a swordfighter who is tough on the outside to hide her inner vulnerability. The actress would need the platinum blonde looks of Tanya Roberts in the movie Sheena (though with... ahem... more appropriate clothing), the devil-may-care attitude of Sandahl Bergman from Conan the Barbarian (again, with more reasonable clothing, though I have to admit, Conan didn't have much on either), and the sword handling skills of Xena, Warrior Princess or Red Sonja. (Can't any of these warrior women get decent battle attire? I mean, seriously. Who would go into battle half dressed? At least Xena had some armor.)

It would also be nice if she had some acting ability, unlike some of the above actresses, and I do mean some and not all. Some were good, if a bit over the top at times, but others were, shall we say, not Academy Award winners.

The other problem is that my heroine is left-handed, and I don't think that can be faked.

Anyone know of any good left-handed actresses that could handle the role? What actors/actresses would you choose for your characters?

Tara Triannon is no stranger to trouble. She's yet to find an enemy her skill with a sword couldn't dispatch. But how can she fight one that attacks through her dreams?

Find it at:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Kobo  iBooks

Find Lori at: Website/Blog  Goodreads  Facebook  Google+  Pinterest

Review – The Night Manager

This mini-series is based on the John le Carre novel of the same name. The night manager of an Egyptian hotel is recruited by British intelligence to infiltrate an international arms dealer’s network.
This was an excellent spy mini-series, largely in part to the exotic locations and the top notch acting.
Everyone involved brings their A game. Hugh Laurie is charming with an underlying tone of menace. Tom Hiddleston is completely believable as the tormented night manager turned spy. Also starring Tom Hollander, Olivia Colman, and Elizabeth Debicki.
This six episode series ran on AMC and you can now find it on iTunes and Amazon. Highly recommended!

Question of the Month

Hosted by Michael at A Life Examined

The question is – “Of all the places in the world that you haven’t yet been to, where would you like to go next?”

I’ve been to some cool places – Japan, England, France, Scotland, Canada, etc.

But one place I haven’t been that I’d still like to see is New Zealand. It’s a beautiful, diverse country, and it would be cool to see the locations where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed.

And bonus – unlike Australia, I won’t have to contend with the world’s deadliest snakes and spiders! (Sorry, Michael.)

New Releases!

Tuck Watley: Freedom Fighter Fighter by Bryan Pedas and Brandon Meyers

And, as an added incentive to their blog friends, if you buy the $2.99 eBook and promise to leave a review, they will send you a free autographed paperback copy. (USA only.)

Buy it on Amazon

Welcome to Sortilege Falls by Libby Heily

Find it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

And the Lark Arose From the Sullen Earth by Ursula Hartlein (CarrieAnne Brownian)

Find it on Amazon

Movies That Stand the Test of Time

Last week we pulled an older movie off the shelf to watch. And I was really surprised by how well it had held up in terms of the story, how the movie looked, and the special effects. Some films don’t hold up well after twenty-thirty years. (Some don’t make it as far as ten years.)

That got me to thinking about what films have stood the test of time:

The Thing (1982) This is the film we watched and the special effects are still top-notch and just as good as the recent ‘remake.’ No corny dialogue and the film score is as haunting as ever.

Jaws (1975) Despite all the issues they had with Bruce the shark, the effects still look good and the dialogue is snappy. The only thing that dates it is the clothing.

Jurassic Park (1993) Yes, I still believe the dinosaurs are real. They look just as good as the latest film. Plus the film is as solid as ever.

Aliens (1986) Considering the amount of special effects (mostly physical ones) and sets, this one is really impressive. The aliens still move real and great performances keep it fresh.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) This one impresses me the most. It came out the same year as Star Wars, but if Lucas hadn’t redone some of the special effects, Close Encounters would now look light years ahead of Star Wars. The spaceship at the end is still jaw-dropping. A little dated with the clothing but great performances keep this movie relevant.



What movies over twenty years do you think have held up well?

Who would you pick to play in the movie version of your book? Have you seen The Night Manager? What new place would you travel to? And what movie still looks great today after all these years…?

And if you can co-host the IWSG, please let me know!