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?

Movie Reviews, Ninja News, and the A to Z Challenge!

How was everyone’s Christmas? Mine rocked – so many geek toys – and my wife was thrilled with her gifts. Score one for the Ninja…

I’m back in time to share my reflection post over at the A to Z Challenge blog. What’s the A to Z Challenge? Only the most awesome, largest blogfest of its kind! Started by Arlee Bird at Tossing it Out, the Challenge is blogging the Alphabet during the month of April – posting daily with Sundays off for good behavior. The first year we only had a hundred participants. This year, we had over twelve hundred. Next year – who knows?! Right now, Arlee is featuring reflection posts from this year’s Challenge and today is my post! I also have the honor of co-hosting again in 2012. Want to know more about the A to Z Challenge? Then check it out!

Now a recap, some news, and two movie reviews!

In case you missed my blogging tips for writers, they are now up at Daily Write. Thanks to those of you who came back for the link last week!

The Debutante Ball: Feast of Debut Authors continues this week. Don’t forget to enter my giveaway HERE – win a copy of CassaStar and review copy of CassaFire!

Speaking of CassaFire, Edi’s Book Lighthouse posted the most amazing review I’ve ever read. The one authors dream of receiving. I read it thinking “Wow, I want to read that book. Oh crap, it’s MY book!” Read it and you’ll understand what I mean.

Thanks to all who voted! The Movie411 Awards were announced last week – I won Best Sci-Fi Blog second year in a row. Won’t be three though, as I’m withdrawing my blog to give others a chance. AND – I’m a judge next year! Thanks for the honor, Dempsey.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 
I’ve always enjoyed this series, and with this film, they achieved the perfect balance of action and humor. The inclusion of Simon Pegg ensures some laugh-worthy moments. There are some incredible action sequences and breathtaking locations. The scene involving the Burj Khalifa building is beyond tense. Incredible effects make you believe Cruise is really scaling the side of the world’s tallest building. (Or, maybe he was?) Another great installment in this franchise!

Warhorse 
Spielberg does a pretty good stupid horse film. Visually impressive and sentimental, it’s also very intense. And at two and a half hours, it’s a bit too long for the intensity. However, it’s an amazing journey this horse goes on, changing hands and sides many times, with a strong message of bravery.
 
Be sure to check out the A to Z Challenge blog today!

Have you already entered my contest? Read the blogging tips and review from Heaven? Seen either of those two movies? Watched Drew Brees break Dan Marino's passing record? Ready for Friday’s preview of upcoming January movies? That’s right - January 2012!! Are you ready for another year?!?!?!?!

Movie Reviews! Free books! Ninjas on Holiday!

Dogs and cats, living together – mass hysteria!

And this Ninja is going on holiday. (Rusty don’t panic when you don’t see my regular posts.) I won’t post again until after Christmas, although I will be lurking…

My guest post is now up at Daily Write, offering tips for writers who blog. Damyanti must think I know what I’m doing!

Today it’s my turn at the Debutante Ball: Feast of Debut Authors! 

Before I dive into all that, I’ve got a couple movie reviews for you. Yeah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Like the first film, this movie is a lot of fun and full of great humor. The action set pieces were solid and I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game between Holmes and Morarity. And of course, the interplay between Holmes and Watson is priceless. Another solid entry and I can’t wait for another Sherlock Holmes movie! Between this and Iron Man, Downey is set for life.

Arthur Christmas 
The perfect Christmas movie for the kids, old and young! It was cute and laugh out loud funny. Really sweet spirit and message about dedication to a belief and to family. From the creators of Flushed Away and featuring the voices of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, and Bill Nighy. I actually liked it better than The Muppets. Take the kids and go!

Now the main feature! The Debutante Ball: Feast of Debut Authors is three weeks of giveaways – and today, I’m the highlight.

CassaStar 

To pilot the fleet’s finest ship…
Few options remain for Byron, a talented young man with a troubled past and rebellious attitude. Slated to train as a Cosbolt pilot, Byron is determined to prove his worth and begin a new life. Much to his chagrin, Bassa, the toughest instructor in the fleet, takes notice of the young pilot. As war brews on the edge of space, Byron requires a navigator of exceptional quality to survive. Bassa must make a decision that could well decide the fate of both men. Will their skills be enough as they embark on a mission that may stretch their abilities to the limit?

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

Available in all eBook forms and at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon UK.

If sucked into CassaStar… I’d be Byron. (I mean really, who else who I be?) If made into a movie, Byron would be played by Chris Pine.

The Giveaway- (Because I’m not telling you all of this for nothing!)
Copy of CassaStar 
Review copy of CassaFire, due out February 28, 2011 – see five star reviews on Edi’s Book Lighthouse and Fantasy Nibbles!
Bookmarks, postcards, and stuff, courtesy of my publisher

To enter-
Leave a comment - must be a followers
Tweet this giveaway for a second entry (hashtag #CASSA)
Blog about this giveway for another entry (please let me know if you do!)

Open through December 31, 2011 – Winner announced on January 4, 2012

Even if you have a copy, it would make an awesome gift. (Or doorstop, although it’s not that big.)

Comment and don't forget my Ninja tips at Daily Write!

Everyone have a wonderful, blessed Christmas - however you celebrate the holidays!

Any one else see Sherlock Holmes? Following the Debutante Ball? In need of writer blogging tips? Catch the movie quote at the beginning of this post?

Deja Vu Blogfest - A SyFy Classic!

DL Hammons of Cruising Altitude fame, along with several others, is hosting the Déjà vu Blogfest today!

Before I jump into the blogfest, just a reminder – this is the last weekend to vote in the The Movie 411 Awards! I’m up for Best Sci-Fi Blog and Best Blog Post for The Worst Movies Ever Blogfest and I’m not above groveling. Need help with Best Post!!! Don’t forget to vote for my buddies Cinemarvellous! iZombie! Melissa’s Imaginarium and MsMariah’s Space Blog-yssey

I did tie for Best Writing Blog over at A Peek at Karen’s World. Tied with Jennifer Hillier! Damn, I should’ve lost by a landslide. Jennifer is just so amazing.  Thanks, Karen!

On a sad note, has anyone heard from Ellie Garrett? She was taking a short break to write, but Jeremy and I have both sent emails and she hasn’t responded!

The Debutante Ball: Feast of Debut Authors continues with stops at Joseph Beekman December 16 and Pendragon Innmen December 17. Then on Monday, it’s my turn. Lots of cool things to win!
 

And now on to the blogfest!

When DL announced the Déjà vu Blogfest, I knew instantly which post I wanted to select. My older followers will remember I’ve done play-by-plays of some of SyFy’s more craptastic movies, but none beat this cinematic marvel:

I give you - Sharktopus – A Play By Play. Enjoy!

My thoughts while watching Sharktopus, recorded by the minute. 

3 min – The “ding” of the elevator sounds just like my microwave oven chime. 

7 min – They didn’t waste any time with pesky details like plot or exposition. 

10 min – Roger Corman must have pictures of Eric Roberts with a donkey or something. 

13 min – Roberts isn’t even trying. I think he’s cold-reading the script from cue cards. 

15 min – Hot woman on beach – the movie is getting better. 

16 min – Oh wait, Sharktopus killed her. Movie sucks again. 

19 min – Not so attractive woman goes bungee jumping. I’m okay with her dying. 

30 min – Various shots of sun-soaked, bikini-clad hotties flashes across the screen. This should be the centerpiece of the film. 

37 min – Sharktopus attacks sunbathers. The CGI is so bad I find myself growing nostalgic for a guy in a big rubber suit. 

42 min – A man tells Roberts there’s something on TV he has to see. I’m pretty sure it’s not Sharktopus. 

44 min – The lead actress’s voice keeps shifting from British to American. She must’ve studied at the Kevin Costner Robin Hood School of Acting. 

51 min - Is there enough alcohol in the house to get through this movie? 

62 min – Pretty sure Roberts is drunk. Lucky bastard. 

64 min – They should rename “SyFy Saturday Night” to “SyFy Saturday Craptacular.” 

73 min – The upside to being eaten by Sharktopus: you don’t have to sit through the rest of Sharktopus. 

80 min – A pirate radio DJ mocks Sharktopus and is devoured. This is a life lesson, people! 

83 min – Sharktopus just pantsed some guy. That was… awkward. 

93 min – No really, Roberts is hammered. The guy was on a three-day bender shooting this film. 

98 min – The movie just morphed into a Puerto Vallarta travelogue. Or a bad Bollywood film. Not sure which. 

107 min – Roberts is killed by Sharktopus and there was much rejoicing. 

110 min – Our hero now intends to run over Sharktopus with a minivan. Hope he’s insured. 

122 min – Sharktopus is arrested on tax evasion charges. Movie over. 

Now you don't have to waste two hours of your life! You can thank me later... 

Visit Cruising Altitude for the list of participants.

Anyone else suffer through this craptastic film? Following the Debutante Ball: Feast of Debut Authors? Want to know what you can win here on Monday? Going to see Sherlock Holmes this weekend? Still wondering what the hell is a Sharktopus…?