The Martian Reviewed, Godzilla and King Kong, America’s Got Talent, Iron Maiden and Muse Album Reviews, and Ninja News!

america’s got talent, dragon’s destiny, face off, godzilla vs king kong, iron maiden review, iwsg anthology contest, murees dupé, muse – drones review, randi lee, ruth harris, the martian movie review

Entertainment News

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The upcoming film, The Martian, was just reviewed at the Toronto International Film Festival.
According to JoBlo’s site -
As such, The Martian really is terrific family entertainment. There's plenty of action – including excellent use of 3D and tons of humor, but the absolute best thing is how inspiring a tale it winds up being. It's nice to see a big studio flick that aims for optimism and certainly it feels like a crowd-pleasing hit waiting to happen. Even if you're burnt out on space movies – this is a trip to Mars well-worth taking.
That’s good to know!

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Caught this on several sites, including Deadline. Godzilla and King Kong might appear in a movie together.
Blastr had this to say -
Studio shake-up bringing Godzilla and King Kong together for eventual face off According to the report, the eventual team-up film will follow after Godzilla 2 and Skull Island, and everyone involved is working quickly to lock up all the necessary rights and contracts. Agreements are also being worked up with Japan-based Toho, rightsholder for Godzilla. For what it’s worth, Skull Island is set to open in March 2017 and Godzilla 2 is slated for July 2018. Following that trend, we’d imagine Godzilla vs. King Kong (or whatever they call it) will hit the big screen around 2019(?)
My thoughts?
First, they talk as if this will be a first. Um, anyone else remember 1962’s King Kong vs. Godzilla? (Note the image there.)
Second, it should be a short film. Godzilla has atomic breath. Gorilla flambé in three, two, one…

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America’s Got Talent
The show is heading into the final week of its tenth season. What’s amazing is there are six comedian and/or magicians remaining out of ten acts. Obviously, people are wanting to laugh more than anything.
While I’m still surprised Siro-A didn’t make the final cut, I’m placing my bets on Paul Zerdin, the ventriloquist. The dude is talented and hilariously funny!

Face Off
In its ninth season, Face Off is nearing the halfway point. If you’ve never watched an episode, check it out at least once. It’s fascinating how the contestants go from concept to finished creation in just three days.
Hard to tell who will win this one, as none of the contestants really stand out yet…

Music Reviews

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Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls
Whoever thought Iron Maiden wasn’t relevant anymore hasn’t heard this new album. These guys have released one of their best albums in the twilight of their career.
There are many stand out tracks, including Speed of Light, The Great Unknown, and Tears of a Clown. (The last one is about Robin Williams and those who suffer from depression.)
If you don’t like Maiden, this won’t change your mind. If you do like Maiden, then rock on!

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Muse – Drones
Here’s a band that I’ve always dug, but their pop and electronic influences never hooked me enough to buy an album. Drones definitely changed that for me.
Whatever you thought of Muse in the past, this is a rock album. Produced by the great Mutt Lang, this album has influences from Radiohead, Queen, Pink Floyd, and about a hundred other bands, all blended together to make a great record.
Check it out!

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Ninja News

At the Insecure Writer’s Support Group site today, we are honored to have special guest, New York Times best-selling author, Ruth Harris! She’s discussing The Creative Habit, so stop by.

Today’s Themes That Rocked the Challenge feature at the A to Z Blog is on Elizabeth Mueller and her art, flower, and My Little Pony theme. Those three things together? You bet – go check it out.

If you missed it, Shady Dell posted Shawn and Gus from Psych competing in Rock Jeopardy – with Alex J. Cavanaugh Trebek hosting. And it’s hilarious!

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Don’t forget the IWSG Anthology Contest is open until November 1! The theme is Alternate History/Parallel Universe and any member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is encouraged to enter – blogging (must post for the IWSG at least once in September or October) or Facebook member. Winners will be published in a royalty-paying anthology next year.

I’ve been asked to contribute to an anthology with the theme of ‘turning points.’ Still working on an idea and hope to plot it and begin writing by next weekend. Yeah, wish me luck…

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And those of you who’ve read Dragon of the Stars, don’t forget the follow-up short story, Dragon’s Destiny, is yours for free. Just email me and tell me what happens to Aden at the then of Dragon of the Stars and which eBook version you need – ePub, Mobi, or a PDF.

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Awesome new release!
The Amaranthine by Murees Dupé
Find it on Amazon (paperback), Amazon Kindle, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Scribed, Inktera, Oyster, Tolino, and Goodreads

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The Affected BOGO is Upon Us…
Author Randi Lee is running a buy one, get one promotion for two of her books: purchase a copy of Randi Lee’s “Affected” between September 14—22, 2015 and receive a free eBook version of “Snap! A Quite Quick Collection.” To receive your free eBook, e-mail a copy of your receipt for the purchase of “Affected” to: randi.leeATmail.com.
Find Affected on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Powell’s, and Kobo

Anyone excited to see The Martian this fall? Think Godzilla vs. King Kong is a good idea? Watching Face Off? Fan of either Maiden or Muse? Entering the anthology contest? Read Dragon of the Stars yet? See a book you want? And who’s your favorite on America’s Got Talent…?

Doctor Who Posts

Aug 14, 2015

SF Review: Doctor Who: The Drosten’s Curse by A.L. Kennedy

By Escape Reality, Read Fiction!

My Review: Tomorrow, Saturday August 15, has been declared Doctor Who Comics Day by Titan Comics, who, of course, publish Doctor Who Comics. While I didn’t have a Doctor Who...

Aug 13, 2015

SF Review: The End of All Things by John Scalzi

By Escape Reality, Read Fiction!

My Review: If Doctor Who is the story of a “madman with a box” then The End of All Things is at least partially the story of a brain in...

Jul 15, 2015

Review: Space Cowboys & Indians by Lisa Medley

By Escape Reality, Read Fiction!

My Review: While Space Cowboys & Indians isn’t really like the 2011 movie Cowboys & Aliens, it also isn’t not like it. Along with a bit of Farscape or the...

Jun 08, 2015

Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor #11

By Comics Worth Reading

I know big, galaxy-risking, four-part stories are seen as more important, but it’s the one-off, quieter, more personal scenes that I really like in this series. I shouldn’t be too...

May 24, 2015

Doctor Who Summer Comic Event Crosses Over Four Doctors

By Comics Worth Reading

In keeping with the tradition of the big summer event, Titan Comics has announced that they will publish a five-part weekly crossover in August among their ongoing Doctor Who comic...

May 03, 2015

Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #11

By Comics Worth Reading

I haven’t been talking much about the Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor series. I liked companion Alice, but she quickly got lost in adding a couple more creatures traveling with...

Apr 05, 2015

Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1

By Comics Worth Reading

Completing the modern run of Doctors with their fourth title, Titan Comics has launched Doctor Who: The Ninth Doctor #1. This one’s a miniseries, five issues, written by Cavan Scott...

Mar 12, 2015

Review: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman

By Escape Reality, Read Fiction!

My Review: Fair warning, if you have an eARC of this book, it probably does not include the last story, Black Dog. I’m lucky I had a published print copy...

Feb 21, 2015

Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor #1

By Comics Worth Reading

I was curious to try the launch of the Doctor Who: The Twelfth Doctor comic series, because I lost interest in the show in the second half of the Eleventh...

Feb 21, 2015

Doctor Who Photo Covers Create New Companions

By Comics Worth Reading

The Doctor Who comics, like so many these days, are available with multiple covers. There’s usually a main art cover, possibly a painted variant, but there’s also been a lot...