September Movie Preview And Comment Tips

I have the honor of a special joint guest post with Talli and Matthew today! We’re over at Spunk on a Stick’s Tips offering tips on how to get blog comments. So, head on over – but after you’ve checked out the upcoming movies!

A whole lot of average, but then, it IS the September dumping grounds. All descriptions courtesy of the IMDB.

2 –

Shark Night 3D
Director: David R. Ellis
Stars: Sara Paxton, Dustin Milligan, Alyssa Diaz
The Plot: A lake-house retreat on the Louisiana Gulf turns into a nightmare for a group of vacationers when they are subjected to an improbable phenomenon: fresh-water shark attacks.
PG13 – lame! They should’ve just gone for an over-the-top R like Piranha 3D.

Apollo 18
Director: Gonzalo López-Gallego
Producer: Timur Bekmambetov
Stars: ?
The Plot: Decades-old found footage from NASA's Apollo 18 mission, where two American astronauts were sent on a secret expedition, reveals the reason the U.S. has never returned to the moon.
Remember this one? How many release dates is this now? Yeah, I’d skip this one…


9 –

Contagion
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Stars: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law
The Plot: The Center for Disease Control dispatches an international team of doctors to stop an airborne virus from spreading around the world.
I really like Sodebergh’s movies, so hoping this one is also good.


23 –

MoneyBall
Director: Bennett Miller
Stars: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill
The Plot: Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane (Pitt) works to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
This one looks intriguing!

Machine Gun Preacher
Director: Marc Forster
Stars: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon
The Plot: After finding God, Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) leaves his outlaw life behind and crusades for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers.
Based on a true story, if you can believe that!

Killer Elite
Director: Gary McKendry
Stars: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro
The Plot: A retired member of Britain's Elite Special Air Service (Jason Statham) is forced into action when his mentor (Robert De Niro) is taken captive. His mission: kill three assassins dispatched by their cunning leader (Clive Owen).
This will either be a great story and a Statham vehicle or just a Statham vehicle…


30 –

Dream House
Director: Jim Sheridan
Stars: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts
The Plot: As Will Atenton (Craig) and his family relocate to a quaint New England town, they soon learn that a mother and her two children were murdered in the same residence. While most everyone thinks the killer is the husband who survived the incident, Will works with a local woman (Watts) to piece together an even more disturbing puzzle.
A good cast. (Kitty, your Daniel Craig stars!)

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (limited)
Director: Eli Craig
Stars: Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina Bowden
The Plot: In the mountains of West Virginia, hillbilly pals Tucker and Dale (Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine) look to drink, fish, and relax at their cabin retreat, until their encounter with a group of college kids turns into a bloody, deadly misunderstanding.
The previews for this one are hilarious! And it has Firefly’s Tudyk – a must see. And it's on HDNet Movies on September 28 - I get to see it early!

Any appeal to you? Or are you holding out for next month?

Now you may visit Spunk on a Stick’s Tips!

Movie Reviews, Blogging Tips, and Giveaway

And not necessarily in that order…

First, I have a short guest post and giveaway over at The Electrical Book Cafe that went live on Saturday – and you could win a copy of CassaStar!

For blogging tips, I have the honor of appearing at The Ramblings of Amy today, giving you my best guess as to what works.

Before you go, two quick movie reviews and a question!

Fright Night
This remake takes the story and makes it its own without insulting the original material. It retains the charm and camp, with a few surprises. I very much liked the new Peter Vincent – he was incredibly different and very funny. Wish he’d had more screen time. While it’s a fine movie and a good remake, I’ve seen it all before. The original was so fresh in 1985 and it’s still superior.

Unknown
It wasn’t a bad movie, but it starts off with a couple scenarios I just don’t buy – which means I didn’t buy most of the film. Leaving the briefcase (Neeson’s character just wouldn't do it), jumping into the cab without telling his wife, Jones as Neeson’s wife in the first place… Ganz’s character is supposed to help Neeson, but he never actually does that, and Langella’s role was small and a waste. Forgettable overall.

Be sure to visit The Electrical Book Cafe to win a book and The Ramblings of Amy for blogging tips!

Which leads to my parting question – what would you offer as a blogging tip?

Oh, and did anyone else see the naked guy on the Weather Channel Saturday? His parents must be so proud...

Trolls, Campaigns, Hurricanes, and Movies

So much stuff and so little time…

Thanks to everyone who joined the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! It’s so awesome how writers pull together. Looking forward to everyone’s post on September 7. And a special thanks to those who plugged the group – Michelle, Karen, Heather, Tessa, MJ, and Hart.

Today is Fantastic Friday Writers and the topic is creatures.

After seeing the movie The Trollhunter, I decided to go with trolls. Doing a little research online, I discovered most of the facts presented in the film were true. (Well, as true as they’re going to get!) Trolls originated from Norse mythology. They are portrayed as old, strong, slow, man eaters, and repulsed by happiness. And yes, they do turn to stone when exposed to sunlight. They are also featured in D&D, which is where I first learned of trolls. (Big surprise, huh?)

Anyone have a troll story to tell?

I also succumbed to the pressure and joined The Writers' Platform-Building Campaign. Apparently, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, numerous upcoming guest posts, writing my next book, and preparation for my next book release just wasn’t enough!

The Writers' Platform-Building Campaign is a way to link those of us in the writing community together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Campaigners are all bloggers in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs.

Anyone else part of the Campaign?

Meanwhile, in addition to the earthquake on Tuesday, we have a hurricane bearing down on us this weekend. I live far enough inland that we’ll just see wind and rain, but the coast is going to get hammered.

And at some point, I intend to hit the movie theater.

Any thoughts on trolls? Part of the Campaign? Ever been through a hurricane? And would anyone care to join me for a movie? Hot Tamales will be involved.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Guest Post

Today I have a guest post at Patricia’s SITE, talking about how movies can influence plot and character development. Really! Stop laughing and go read it.

But first, I have an announcement regarding the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions – I’m glad the idea appealed to so many. That’s the cool thing about this blogging community – everyone is so supportive.

Here’s what it’s about and how it will work. Monthly posts were the overall favorite, but I think I’ve incorporate some of the other elements as well. (And all of this is located above under the tab marked “The Insecure Writer’s Support Group.")

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer.

Connecting: The page for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group will list those who are participating. It also allows for comments if you have an immediate need. This where we can help one another. Check the page whenever you visit – if you can help a fellow writer, hop over to their blog and offer assistance. (I may set up lists of where people are in the process, so if you’re having querying issues, you can visit someone else who is querying or someone who signed a contract for help. Or a list of resources.)

That’s the idea! First post date for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is Wednesday, September 7. Sign up below or on the page above.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

(And feel free to tell me if any of this sucks.)

All right, now you may visits Patricia’s SITE!