Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance coming soon

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Movie Poster

A sequel to the original Ghost Rider, starring Nicolas Cage. I am looking forward to this and I imagine my husband will be glued to the screen - he purchased the first movie, if that tells you anything!

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)
PG 13,  Action | Fantasy | Thriller - February 17, 2012 (USA)

Synopsis:

As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form.

By day, Johnny is a die-hard stunt rider... but at night, in the presence of evil, he becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of rogue demons.
The sequel to the smash-hit comic book adaptation from 2007 that saw Nicolas Cage as a stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze who gives up his soul to become a hellblazing vigilante, to fight against power hungry Blackheart, the son of the devil himself. 
This movie picks up eight years after the first film. It's a bit more stripped down and has a darker tone.

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds and Idris Elba

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2556337689/  Official Movie Trailer

http://www.thespiritofvengeance.com/ Official Movie Site (Warning: you better have high-speed internet access & the latest Adobe Flash, etc. to view this site!)

TRIVIA:

Eva Mendes turned down the option to reprise her role.   
Hide options

The Ghost Rider's skull has been redesigned for this sequel. The new skull appears to be black and charred, indicating that the skull is actually on fire as apposed to the clean fleshless skull simply cloaked in fire in the previous film.

Cool Quotes: [from trailer]
Nadya: I'm not afraid of you.
Johnny Blaze: You should be.

"Bag of Bones" thoughts...

"Bag of Bones" movie poster

Taped "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King to watch at my leisure. Since it was a two night mini-series, totaling four hours (packed solid with sleep-inducing commercials), my husband and I didn't manage to stay awake (mainly hubby) to get through all four hours of it. Most likely tonight we will finish the last two hours.

I find it awkward watching Pierce Brosnan in this movie. Perhaps I keep expecting him to act like James Bond...which the character he portrays is nothing like the scene-stealing, mesmerizing 007.

I have not read the actual novel by Stephen King, so I cannot make comparisons. So far (and I still  have another two hours to watch), I'm not 100% loving the mini-series, but not hating it either. Average, I'd say, using many common scare tactics and nothing mind-blowing with the plot. Then again, as I've said before, everything has already been done - movies, books, etc.

I am confused (which doesn't take much) with portions of the storyline, although that is also what keeps me watching to find out what happens next. Definitely mysterious...And what's with Pierce/Mike Noonan kissing 3 different women in like 3 minutes?! OK...so he was dreaming! And let's not forget that two of those women were dead! And did his wife (dead) get pregnant by him or someone else? And what's with the one movie trailer showing the little girl immersed in the lake and her mouth opens and I swear I see fangs?!? Fine...I'll have to hit the Play on my tape tonight to get my answers - at least I better get answers! I despise movies that end with tons of UNanswered questions and new mysteries thrown in our faces as we sit on our couches saying, "Huh?!"

I've read reviews on Internet Movie Database and "Bag of Bones" has been ripped apart with many critical comments. Viewers who read the novel especially were not pleased with changes made to the movie. With the Stephen King name plastered everywhere, people expected better quality. I'm not sure that I'll post on the second half of the movie. We'll see...I don't want to bore you :)

If interested in the official website, click here. (Very interactive, best viewed with high-speed connection.)

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (DVD)

Amazon Link

I absolutely LOVED this movie! I don't care if someone says they hated it to my face or thought it was so-so because to me it doesn't matter - (and that is a rare statement from me as I'm always worried about what other people think) I say again - I LOVED "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"!!!

I'm also a huge fan of the entire "Planet of the Apes" movie franchise. Over the summer my husband and I watched all the original movies filmed/created way back starting in 1968. I purchased through Amazon the "Planet of the Apes" Legacy Collection. I'll admit, a few of the movies in between the first one and the last one were a tad weak and even bordering on weird...but we watched and absorbed all the good with the bad.

Link to Amazon for Legacy Collection.

Official Synopsis for "Rise of the Planet of the Apes":
During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

Here's the official movie trailer link.

Click HERE for an official movie clip.

From Internet Movie Database:
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (2011)
Stars: James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto

PG13 - 105 min - Action | Drama | Sci-Fi - August 5, 2011 (USA)

Ratings: 7.7 score out of a 10 from 95,903 voters

Back to my thoughts: It was exciting to see tie-ins to the older movies; an example: the water hose scene -- in the old movie, the human was blasted with the water vs. in this new one, it was the ape. The facial expressions and emotions of the apes (mainly Caesar) completely ripped open my own heart and played with my feelings. Several times I found myself crying. Throughout the movie, I kept making connections to the original films, so anyone who is a major fan and remembers and loves those old movies, will be thrilled watching this new one. Clues or even full-blown explanations are presented about what humans did...what caused the end of life as we know it now. If you can recall important "Planet of the Apes" plot details and the storylines from the old movies, then this new "Rise..." works out perfectly and makes sense. Even if a viewer didn't watch or doesn't remember any of the old movies (which would be a shame, but) they should still enjoy "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" for the engaging plot, the awesome & realistic special effects, of course what it does to mess with your emotions plus realizing what the consequences are when things go terribly wrong with lab experiments.

'Breaking Dawn' shines bright at theaters

Yes, I've read all 4 books in the Twilight Saga, and the Bree Tanner one, and have the Twilight Companion book and purchased the DVDs as they've become available. I congratulate Stephenie Meyer on her success! Oh, and I've also read her other book, 'The Host' which is supposed to be made into a movie, too. And now onto the 'Breaking Dawn' excitement:

'Breaking Dawn - Part 1' is #1 for third box office weekend in a row. Since its Nov. 18 release, it's made $247.3 million, of which that number is increasing as we speak! 

I love trivia! Here's some fun stuff (credits to www.imdb.com):

>According to Bella and Edward's wedding invitations, the address of the Cullen residence is listed as 420 Woodcroft Ave Forks, WA.   
>Kristen Stewart has said in an interview that filming Bella and Edward's honeymoon sex scene was very awkward, and that by the end of the shoot, she didn't even feel like they had just filmed a passionate scene.
>Robert Pattinson went through a strict diet and exercise regime for six months in preparation before filming. He stopped his routine after filming the much-talked-about sex scene.
>Stephenie Meyer, the author, has a cameo role as a wedding guest. She can be seen as Bella walks down the aisle.
>One of the key elements in both the book and the movie was is how Edward tries to distract Bella with activities in order to keep her from thinking about having sex again. In the movie, one of the activities is a game of chess, with both red and white pieces, just like the pieces on the cover of the book.
> Shortly after the credits roll there is an additional scene. (There is no extra scene at the very end of the credits.)
>Edward and Bella are vacationing on Isle Esme and are seen playing chess in broad day light under no cover of trees and Edward is not shown to be sparkling.
 
Taglines: Forever is only the beginning.

Official Movie Trailer
Official Website

Here's a very cool site: http://www.eonline.com/news/vampires  Hollywood's Hottest Undead & Total Twilight coverage. Oops, I need to go back and bookmark that site to indulge my fondness for vampires! (and look for a similar site to entertain my passion for werewolves!)

Author Site Down for a Day

My author site address: www.ginamarielong.com may be down for a day or so as I transfer/redirect the domain name to my blog:  http://www.ginamarielong.blogspot.com . I've tossed out my original author website hosted by Microsoft in favor of using the Blogger site as my permanent author website because of massive changes Microsoft will be enforcing come about February. I've spent the last few days spiffing up the new official author site (copy/pasting, uploading, arranging, trying to figure out the redirecting process, etc.). The blogspot address will still be functional, too. Just wanted to update in case you couldn't access www.ginamarielong.com over the next day or so. Thanks!

"Being Human" on Syfy

"Being Human" - Syfy

"Being Human" on Syfy premieres Season 2 on Monday, January 16 at 8 central.

Initially when Syfy presented the American version of BBC's "Being Human", I was skeptical. In general, I think it's ridiculous to re-create the same story, same characters, etc. Just watch the original "Being Human" on BBC America! Several other shows have been re-done for an American version, which drives me nutty! But I gave it a shot since the genre is right up my alley. And the American version surprised me by offering subtle changes and more obvious alterations and even keeping some of the more specific traits of the characters. Interesting enough that I watched all of Season 1 and am looking forward to Season 2.

Sam Huntington (Josh) is completely the scene stealer. His acting, facial expressions, lines are perfect. He gets a blue ribbon and a plate of cookies.

I felt that watching the Syfy American version was weird, though. I kept trying to remember how things went in the original show and comparing them or expecting those scenes to play out on Syfy, which was not a good thing. It was super distracting as my husband and I questioned the timeline of events or what was "supposed" to happen next. Plus, we'd either be excited with a new twist as compared to the BBC version or the total opposite - actually feeling cheated that something didn't happen the way we anticipated it. And after watching 3 years of BBC, our brains were confused at times trying to separate the two shows from each other.

Don't take me wrong - I do like Syfy's "Being Human"! But...in choosing my favorite between the Syfy and the BBC version, I still prefer the original BBC version of "Being Human". I am worried about its survival  - after all, unless I've lost my mind, which is quite possible, didn't Mitchell get killed off in the season finale? Nooooo (still weeping from such a horrible outcome)!!!

Here's some "Being Human" - Syfy - links for the new trailers (showing full links so you can see where you're "going"):
http://video.syfy.com/shows/being_human/promos_trailers_21/epic-buzzkill--being-human/v1368448

http://video.syfy.com/shows/being_human/promos_trailers_21/temptation-is-a-beast--being-human/v1359646

'Primeval' Season 5 Premiere Saturday-Nov. 12

'Primeval' Season 5 Tonight (11/12/11)

(credits: BBCAmerica.com)

 

Here's the Synopsis for Season 4-Episode 7 to refresh your memory:

When a Terror bird appears during an incursion, the team faces an anomaly that won't lock. Chaos ensues, as a terrified creature struggles to get home. Danny reappears from his journey through the Rift Valley with a warning for the team and suspicions about their new boss. Ethan's secrets are finally revealed as he takes his revenge on Emily and the team.

Season 5-Episode 1 Synopsis:

A deadly burrowing creature brings chaos to a city, forcing the team to chase it around town as they track its underground movements. While attempting to target its nest, things suddenly go terribly wrong and one of the team becomes its next potential victim.

Video Link of Connor in trouble.

I loved this show from the beginning and am excited to see it return for another season! The relationships between characters (especially Connor and Abby) and the background story are awesome. Usually there aren't many episodes per season and before you know it, the show is over for another year. I hope there's some sort of recap at the beginning of the show tonight to remind us how last season ended. From what I researched, BBC America is replaying last season's episodes today, before the new season begins.

"Grimm" Opinion

"Grimm" - Fridays at 9 PM / 8 PM Central on NBC. Watch it. The premiere episode was last Friday but if you're capable of viewing it online, go here: Pilot.

Synopsis (from the Official Site http://www.nbc.com/grimm/):
New drama series inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales. Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, "Turn The Beat Around") discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.
As he tries to hide the dangers of his new found calling from his fiancé, Juliette Silverton, (Bitsie Tulloch, "quarterlife"), and his partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, "Lincoln Heights"), he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries and alliances of the Grimm world.
With help from his confidant, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell, "Prison Break"), a reformed Grimm creature himself, Nick must navigate through the forces of a larger-than-life mythology, facing off with Hexenbiests, Blutbads and all manner of ancient evils, including royal lines dating back to the original profilers themselves, The Grimm Brothers. Reggie Lee ("Persons Unknown") and Sasha Roiz ("Caprica") also star.

Here's a trailer for it: "Grimm" - Trailer 

The previews over the last few months caught my attention. I'm already watching many evening shows as it is, and wasn't convinced I would start up another one. I'm so glad I did. Even my husband, who is Mr. Critical, enjoyed it. He gets rather tired of watching all the paranormal/supernatural/fantasy/sci fi TV shows (and movies) that I love. I feared he'd barf at one more in that genre that my curiosity beckoned we at least check out.

It racked up a 7.4 out of a 10 score at www.imdb.com. I think that's pretty impressive. Hopefully it can continue keeping its audience glued to the screen for the ten episodes filmed in this first season (according to IMBD-it shows 10) and keep the ratings up. I'd like to see it get picked up for an additional season.

"Grimm" is produced by the creators of "Angel"...and I'm sure "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" had influence on it, too, which is fabulous with me since I loved those shows! It had the right amount of mystery, suspense, supernatural elements and especially tossed in a perfect dose of humor with the characters and their lines.

For those who DID watch, the following will ring a bell with you. My thoughts:  Will Nick's (David Guintoli) aunt survive? Cool goodies in her trailer that I'm sure we'll discover more about! The werewolf Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) is awesome with hilarious creature references and cool lines -definitely a scene stealer! And hearing a werewolf called a Blutbad was a new one for me. Nick's partner, Hank, (Russell Hornsby) didn't seem to stand out or make a big impression with me...I'm sure he'll have his time to shine. Great special effects for a television show - the gal with the gruesome face was terrific. It appears we'll see more of her...if I remember correctly, she met up with a man (or whatever he is!) and their comments indicated Nick needed to disappear...and did I hear something about a reaper? Hmm.

Here's the link to The Grimm Guide of creatures and stories...which I assume as episodes play, more profiles and stories will be posted. So cool!

Jacquelyn Frank's "Adam: Nightwalkers Book 6" Available!

Just finished reading Jacquelyn Frank's latest blog posting and I'm squealing with delight! "ADAM: Nightwalkers Book Six" is now available! As she mentioned, it's been three years since the last Nightwalkers book was released. I've read all of them and loved each one. At the time I discovered Jacquelyn's novels, the first five in the series were released and I was able to read them one right after the other. This is the order in which they should be read: "Jacob", "Gideon", "Elijah", "Damien", "Noah", and the newest "Adam".

According to Jacquelyn, she has worked very hard to keep the plot a secret and doesn't divulge much information. She reminds us of the evil Ruth from previous novels and speaks of Adam as tall, dark and handsome (well, I should hope so!). Also, the spunky vampire Jasmine seems to be part of the storyline.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this latest book - "Adam". And this is one that I will buy the actual printed version to add to my Nightwalkers collection instead of purchasing the ebook.

Yay and congrats Jacquelyn Frank!

Here's her official website:


http://www.jacquelynfrank.com/main.html

 

Paranormal Activity 3 TV trailers

Lately, I've been seeing a heavy showing of the trailer for 'Paranormal Activity 3' (2011) on TV commercials lately. I wonder sometimes when enough is enough. So many movies churn out sequel after sequel and then an occasional prequel - and I'll admit I still end up watching the films in those series. Only a few have I said, "Oh, forget it!" Sometimes the additional movies in the franchises do well and other times they bomb. BUT...this appears to be the prequel to the other two movies and I guarantee you that I'll watch it. To see how everything began...hopefully to understand why the hauntings started in the first place and how the sisters reacted as young girls, should capture my attention.

A particular type of scary scene with the other two 'Paranormal Activity' films that gives me the shivers is when the entity literally grabs a person and moves, drags or throws them. It's one thing to have a ghost but when "something" evil can physically and/or mentally take control of you is terrifying.

No walking outside at night in the dark for me after watching any of the PA movies! Then again, a person doesn't have to be OUTSIDE for spooky things to happen!!

'Paranormal Activity 3' -- Horror | Mystery -  Released in theaters on October 21, 2011 (USA)

 

Synopsis:
In 1988, young sisters Katie and Kristi encounter an invisible entity haunting their home. Although it appears friendly, it turns hostile, tormenting the young girls and their family. A scene near the start of the film, which is based before the second film, features Katie bringing over a box of video tapes to the home of her sister Kristi and after leaving Kristi starts to sort through some of tapes, being filmed by her husband Daniel.

Stars: Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden and Lauren Bittner

 

Movie trailer

'American Horror Story' - Anticipating the Creepiness

I am so psyched for this new show - 'American Horror Story' - to premiere! Tune in to FX on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 9:00 CENTRAL (my time).

Here's the official website:
http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/ahs/

Guess what? I just clicked on the link at the official website "About the Show" and I received an error message saying the site was too busy!! To check back later!! Does THAT tell you anything about the audience chomping at the bit to learn more about the show?!

Here's what the synopsis says:
American Horror Story revolves around the Harmons, a family of three who moved from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile past anguish. The all-star cast features Dylan McDermott as “Ben Harmon,” a psychiatrist; Connie Britton as “Vivien Harmon,” Ben’s wife; Taissa Farmiga as “Violet,” the Harmon’s teenage daughter; Jessica Lange in her first-ever regular series TV role as “Constance,” the Harmon’s neighbor; Evan Peters plays “Tate Langdon,” one of Ben’s patients; and Denis O’Hare as “Larry Harvey.” Guest stars for the series include Frances Conroy as the Harmon’s housekeeper; Alexandra Breckenridge as the Harmon’s housekeeper; and Jamie Brewer as Constance’s daughter.

The television previews first captured my attention a few months ago. At the time I had decided I already had too many other new shows (& returning shows) to watch for the fall/winter season. But seeing those previews/trailers over and over lured me in big time. Then I found myself reading about the show on the internet...then hearing early screening reviews announcing that the show was outstanding and a must-see finally had me hooked!

From what I understand, it is meant to creep you out, to shock you. After all, it IS titled 'American Horror Story'. Obviously this isn't everyone's cup of tea. I think it WILL be something different from other shows offered...kind of like a horror movie made into smaller segments for TV. One of the producers/creators commented how he liked the movies 'Halloween', 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Shining' and those movies have an influence on his style in creating the show. It definitely seems like it will be playing on viewer's emotions and giving them that spooky scary feeling while watching. Cool! Can't wait!

'Terra Nova' premiere kicks butt!

'Terra Nova' -- Centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization.

I loved it. Checking several sites on the internet, I found people were all over the board from loving it, hating it, middle of the road. I realize all new shows won't "do it" for everyone who watches, but I sat mesmerized from the very first second through two hours of jam-packed action and story-telling. The special effects were outstanding and made me feel like I was watching a movie. In fact, everything about it felt like a movie.

The action and adventure kept you on your toes. The acting was great, the plot moved quickly, explanations were spelled out and yet left enough mystery and unanswered questions to make you go, "hmm...". The show is clearly making the threats (example: dinosaurs) real and deadly and not baby-fying it but showing people being killed. Huge mysteries sucked me in pertaining to the rock drawings, time travel itself and a different time line, the hidden agenda with a bad-boy colony, living amongst dinosaurs, and how the focal family deals with their new life.

At Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), at the time of this post, 521 users voted, giving 'Terra Nova' a rating of 8.8 out of a 10. That's impressive!

I will definitely continue watching it. The cost to make this series is huge and I hope it does well with ratings or it will be on the chopping block. Not everything is for everyone, but this show is something out of the ordinary and for anyone loving sci-fi, action-adventure and toss in a few dinos, it's one not to miss! It appears FOX will be re-playing it Saturday night. Check your local listings!

Paranormal - Urban Fantasy New Book Releases

I just did something fun and informative. I logged into my Amazon.com account and clicked on Gina's Recommendations then searched for New Releases of Books. Amazon (of course) knows my buying history which includes mostly Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Book purchases - besides having my books for sale there, too!

Here's the lowdown on what books popped up w/brief synopses, several of which I will purchase either in print or ebook versions (some may also be a newly released paperback version of the hardback):

Dark Predator (Carpathian) by Christine Feehan (September 6, 2011):
As brutal as the undead he hunted, Zacarias De La Cruz was a master executioner. Now his stark and savage journey has ended. For his brothers, Zacarias had walked to the edge of madness, but with centuries as a killing machine now left to the past and without a hunt to define him, Zacarias wonders, for the first time in his life, who he really is.
The answer awaits him back home, in Peru, in the betrayal of a woman who is readying her trap, in the vengeance of an old enemy, in the inevitable consequences of a bloody family legacy-and in the deliverance of a lifemate he never could have imagined...


Envy: A Novel of the Fallen Angels by J.R. Ward (September 6, 2011): As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

Supernatural by Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank, G.A. Aiken (September 1, 2011): "Vampire Fight Club" by Larissa Ione: When a wave of violence forces shape shifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice - with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them..."Darkness Eternal" by Alexandra Ivy: After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch..."Kane" by Jacquelyn Frank: Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his...just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon in stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment..."Dragon on Top" by G.A. Aiken: Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience...and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist...

The Slayer Chronicles: First Kill by Heather Brewer (September 20, 2011): Joss McMillan’s perfect life crashes down the night he witnesses his sister’s murder — at the hands of a vampire. He then finds out his family’s secret heritage: They are part of the Slayer Society, a group whose mission is to rid the world of vampires. Joss is their new recruit. As Joss trains, bent on seeking revenge for his sister, he discovers powers that could make him the youngest, strongest Slayer in history. But there is a traitor in the Society, one whose identity would shake Joss to the core . . . if the traitor doesn’t kill him first. With over a million copies already in print, The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is still sinking its fangs into new readers every day. Now, bestselling author Heather Brewer brings us the other side of the story, from the perspective of Vlad’s former friend turned mortal enemy: vampire slayer Joss McMillan. This is the first in a series of five books that can be read alongside Vlad Tod or entirely on their own.

Adam: The Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank (October 25, 2011):

Haunted by magic, beset by evil, the Nightwalkers face their darkest hour yet. And when the unthinkable happens, only one legendary male has the power, the will, to save them: Adam.

 

The Darkest Surrender  by Gena Showalter (September 27, 2011): Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor's edge of surrender. Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can't afford because he has an agenda of his own—steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter—the love neither had thought possible.…

 Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan (October 4, 2011):
In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a quest:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.
Who are the other four mentioned in the prophesy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea. . .

~~~~~~
I found that search extremely interesting and alerts me to when to spend some money on great reading material!

Larissa Ione (Author)

› Visit Amazon's Larissa Ione Page

Find all the books, read about the author, and more.

See search results for this author

Are you an author? Learn about Author Central

Fall/Winter 2011 NEW TV Shows - Paranormal & SciFi

Cannot wait! Tons of NEW TV shows coming out for the 2011 Fall/Winter Season. It's impossible for me to watch all of them and still have some semblance of a life, but I'll be watching a few along with several returning shows, too (thankfully)! Since this blog focuses on paranormal (and related) goodies, I will only list those shows that fall under that category:

Fall/Winter 2011 NEW TV Shows - Paranormal & SciFi:

"American Horror Story" (FX), Premieres: Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 10/9c:

A couple who moves to Los Angeles to make a fresh start only to find that their new home is not exactly warm and cozy. Instead, there's a creepy creature in the basement...

 

"A Gifted Man" (CBS), Premieres: Friday, Sept. 23 at 8/7c:

He sees his recently deceased ex-wife, who starts appearing to him to teach him about life from the hereafter.

 

"Grimm" (NBC), Premieres: Friday, Oct. 21 at 9/8c:
Grimm's Fairy Tales twist with a detective who discovers his destiny is to protect humans from the storybook baddies that have invaded our real world.

 

"Once Upon a Time" (ABC), Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 23 at 8/7c:Storybrooke, Maine - a town frozen in time with fairy tale figures who have no recollection of their real identities.

 

"The Secret Circle" (CW), Premieres: Thursday, Sept. 15 at 9/8c:

From the man who gave us Vampire Diaries... a California teen moves to Chance Harbor, Wash., where she discovers she's a witch and joins a secret coven.

 

"Terra Nova" (Fox), Premieres: Monday, Sept. 26 at 8/7c:
Steven Spielberg-produced drama — about a family who travels back to prehistoric Earth to save the human race.

 

Tune in!

'Finding Bigfoot' - Where's the stealth?

'Finding Bigfoot', on the Animal Planet, starring Matt Moneymaker. First, that dude needs to change his last name. NO ONE is going to think him to be serious or credible with that last name! My husband is sarcastically yelling, "Be sure to commit slander when you're posting that!" haha. I need to state that we do believe in Bigfoot...or whatever he is...BUT this TV show is just plain silly and lacks common sense when trying to find evidence of Bigfoot during location stake-outs. Let me explain:

1) Matt Moneymaker - he really should've used a different last name from the get-go (as I previously mentioned). Every time I see his name on the screen, I cringe. And I must mention the other man named BoBo. Hmmm...a bit unusual.
2) Being so noisy they may as well have been banging pots & pans together in the woods - not likely to find Bigfoot that way. Then again, if they found Bigfoot in the first episode, the stars would be out of a job.
3) Stomping around and talking is a big no-no (kind of repeating #2). I would assume the big furry guy has excellent hearing, so when they're saying, "What was that? Did you hear that?" Then the other person whispers so loudly, "What? Is that you?"  that any nearby Bigfoot would be long gone.
4) Walkie-talkies emit noise. *screech, blip, TALK, blip, screech, beep, buzz* Are they purposefully trying to scare ALL the animals away?
5) There's a possibility the night vision equipment on their cameras and headgear could be visible to a Bigfoot. Who knows what kind of light spectrum different animals can see? Many animals can see in the dark. So as they are stomping about (making noise), the night vision light is bouncing in every which direction, possibly alerting creatures to flee. EEEEK!
6) What's with using an abbreviation for Sasquatch? I about puked when I heard "Squatch".
7) Hanging out one or two days/nights isn't giving them much of a chance to just happen to luck out and have a Bigfoot cross their path. Camp out in the designated spot for at least a week, preferably two weeks. Become part of the environment, blend in, and not stick out like a sore thumb...AND SHUT UP!

I am not stating I hate the show. It's interesting. I enjoy watching and learning more about Bigfoot. But when it comes to the stake-outs, obviously no one has explained to use stealth to their advantage!!

And during the last few minutes of the show, I look at my husband, smile and prepare myself...as sadly, the end results in finding Bigfoot evidence tend to scream at the viewer, which simultaneously I bellow with cupped hands at my mouth: "INCONCLUSIVE!"

Priest (on DVD) - Vampires That Are NOT Cute!

Last night my husband and I watched Priest on DVD. Wow. (take a breath...) Exclamation mark!

The nitty-gritty details first:

Priest (2011), PG-13, 87 min - Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Released in theaters on May 13, 2011 (USA), DVD Release date August 16, 2011.
Stars: Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet and Maggie Q

Brief Synopsis: A priest disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece.
Full-blown Storyline: A post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, is set in an alternate world -- one ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. The story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on a quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He is joined on his crusade by his niece's boyfriend, a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess who possesses otherworldly fighting skills. Written by Screen Gems

My Opinion: With the large number of vampire, werewolf, demon-type movies, etc. that have been and will continue to be created, we tend to feel like we've "seen it all" and nothing new will cross our paths pertaining to storylines and characters and action sequences. Well. Priest impressed me, kept my full undivided attention and my husband never drifted off to sleep (that in itself means the movie was decent).

When we find ourselves pausing the dvd player, having discussions about the storyline, replaying some scenes and looking at the movie from a broader perspective to fully understand what the hell is going down...that's awesome! Discussions were had, man!

By the way, these vampires are NOT cute and lovable. You wouldn't want to touch them with a ten-foot pole. In fact, you'd take that pole and defend yourself with it...and likely not survive your encounter with these vampires afterwards. Unless they turned you into what's called a "familiar"....or something else! And I'm not sure that's called surviving. It depends on whose point of view, I suppose.

The higher-ups in the movie - the authorities, the ones that rule - of course have no clue what is REALLY happening out in the big, bad world. (And the landscape is totally post-apocalyptic in nature.) They want to ignore/deny/sweep under the rug the fact that vampires are creating havoc outside their precious city walls...even up to the very end of the movie!! So frustrating that you want to ring their necks!! ...I won't elaborate-don't want to spoil it for people.

The kick-butt action was supreme including the special effects which seemed flawless to the point of beautiful! Some surprises were tossed in, which I won't mention, but definitely add to the tension of the movie and give more purpose to some of the character's actions. The movie wraps up nicely but also dangles the carrot in your face...leaving it open to a sequel because of unfinished business. I hope a Part 2 is made. There is MUCH that could be told in a second movie.

Stephen Moyer from True Blood even had a small part in it! What a surprise!

For those people like me that love this genre of movie - go rent it! It's something a little different than what we're used to seeing!!! And I still LOVE what I AM used to seeing, too!!! Bring it!

I miss the "Torchwood" from the past

I am continuing to follow 'Torchwood: Miracle Day' on Starz but it's just not the same as the 'Torchwood' I remember from BBC that dealt more with aliens and supernatural catastrophes. I will watch all of the episodes faithfully to the end. I believe the storyline is interesting although a bit slow and repetitive at times (my husband falls asleep during it - I'm constantly yelling, "Wake up!"). But when I think of 'Torchwood' TV seasons/episodes from the past, what I'm currently watching is NOT 'Torchwood'. For me, this is a completely different show. As I said, it's caught my attention...barely, though. And Captain Jack Harkness definitely doesn't have near as much screen time as one expects him to have! Everyone's acting is acceptable to very good...that's not the problem...but the plot should've been structured with familiar Torchwood themes. I realize viewers need something new and exciting and not the same old crap, but at least keep within the genre, theme, etc. Give us "toys that we want to play with"; not objects that we sit and blankly stare at, wondering what the heck to do with them. Does that make sense?!

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Weekend Success-Apes Rock - latest article

Rise of the Planet of the Apes premiered in the Number One spot at the box office this weekend with $54 Million (August 5-7, 2011). That was about $15 million to $20 million more than analysts expected. It was still below the $68.5 million opening of Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes remake 10 years ago. Read full article:

http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-weekend-success-apes-rock

Yes, I wrote a different article about this film a few months ago. But since it just released & is having so much awesome success (and I LOVE the original Planet of the Apes) I wanted to write another article. So exciting!

My latest movie article on '11-11-11'

'11-11-11' (2011)

Horror | Thriller   - To be released in theaters on November 11, 2011 (USA).

A horror-thriller set on 11:11 on the 11th day of the 11th month and concerning an entity from another world that enters the earthly realm through Heaven's 11th gate.

There is internet chatter about the meaning of that date, stirring up much curiosity. Read full article...
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/11-11-11-2011

INTERVIEW WITH AN ASPIRING 16 YEAR OLD WRITER

INTERVIEW WITH AN ASPIRING 16 YEAR OLD WRITER

Let's welcome to the blog my guest, Alex Kuhn. He's a young writer bursting with creativity and who displays a talent meshing ideas and words into stories. Alex is currently working on a new project that will become his debut novel. So keep his name in mind for future reading. I hope you enjoy the Q & A session below!

GINA: Alex, can you tell us a little about yourself?

ALEX: I am a 16 year old male. I would call myself a "guy", not an "author" at this point, since I haven't finished a book, yet... I live in the southern Illinois area in a small town about 28 Miles from St. Louis, Missouri. I LOVE to play video games such as: Legend of Zelda, Mario, and my personal favorite, POKEMON!! I have been known as the "Video Game King" to some of my friends! I honestly wouldn't consider that a great thing to be called, seeing as I have over 3000 hours on the Pokemon series since about 2004! I think that's enough time to write a book. Something I absolutely HATE is when people use the word retard – it is a disease that many people laugh at, rather than care about. Also, I usually write with no idea of what I'm going to write about. I just sit there, staring blankly at the screen and eventually something comes to my mind and gets me going!!

GINA: Do you have any links or methods for people to contact you that you'd like to share?

ALEX: http://alexmkuhn.webs.com

GINA: And I'd like to note that this is a new site recently created, so it's under construction.

GINA: When did you realize you wanted to write a book? Even when you were little, were you making up stories then?

ALEX: I was usually told I was good at either poetry or writing stories since I was little and I don't mean to suck up, but...it was Gina Marie Long that inspired me! I read on the back of her book that she was from the same area as me. I thought,"Hey! If I'm good at writing, maybe I could type up a story and see if it was possibly "publishing" material!" Later, I found that my mother went to school with her, too! That helped me become her friend!

GINA: What genre/category do you write about?

ALEX: I like to write about the supernatural and paranormal. But I keep switching around which story I'm writing because I'm getting so many ideas. It will probably be similar to Gina's books which would fall under the urban fantasy, paranormal, young adult genre.

GINA: Can you give us a little hint on what you're currently writing about?

ALEX: I can't really choose yet what I'm going to focus on. I keep switching between different stories and ideas to see which seems the best. I have typed up notes, brief outlines and even partial chapters on stories with vampires, werewolves and other paranormal subjects.

GINA: Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

ALEX: I'm pretty sure almost everybody has heard of my favorite book series: Harry Potter. I also enjoy the books Gina Long's writing. And I hope to aid Gina in her fight against boring books!!

GINA: Awesome!

GINA: Any favorite TV shows?

ALEX: I don't really watch TV much other than the news. But I'd have to say the Full-Metal Alchemist series. It's a pretty interesting show. I'd recommend it to people who may watch shows that use a few cuss words!

GINA: Did you create an outline and notes for the book you're writing or do you just dive in writing, wing it and not have a clue what happens next?

ALEX: I type up a bit of an outline for a chapter or two, write from that outline, then create another outline for the next few chapters and write from there.

GINA: What part of writing DON'T you like?

ALEX: Well, I don't like WRITING but I do like to TYPE the stories! And I really don't like how my computer "suggests" words for me to use. I prefer to do things MY way!

GINA: What's your FAVORITE part of writing?

ALEX: I think I like creating stories because it is a productive way to kill time.

GINA: When reading another author's book, is there anything a writer does that drives you crazy? Or something that might make you completely give up reading a book?

ALEX: The book can't be boring. It's hard for me to explain what I consider to be boring about a book...but I won't really give up on reading a book unless it's my Algebra book! Most books are boring at some point, but as you keep reading, they usually get better.

GINA: When is your best time to write? Day, night, weekdays, weekends?

ALEX: Anytime that is considered my free time.

GINA: What are your thoughts on the e-reader/e-book explosion?

ALEX: I think it's ok to have an e-reader and e-book collection but if you aren't careful with it, you might lose all of your books. I think it's better to have the real books because of what I just mentioned and also the physical books can be reused by giving them away and recycled.

~~~~~~~~~~~

GINA: Five Flash QUESTIONS – ALEX, ONLY ANSWER WITH: YES, NO or SOMETIMES for the next 5 questions:

1) Do you read book reviews?

ALEX: No

2) Do you think a book's title helps to sell a book?

ALEX: Yes

3) Can a book's cover alone capture your attention enough to make you consider picking it up or seeing what it's about?

ALEX: Yes

4) Do you watch book trailers?

ALEX: No

5) Do you or do you know if your friends go to book signings?

ALEX: No

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GINA: What is your favorite food? Favorite drink? (Gotta have something off-the-wall here!!)

ALEX: Food: Pizza and my favorite drink? I LOVE soda, just about any kind!

And now a big round of applause for Alex Kuhn! [*clapping, cheers!!*] Thanks again Alex for taking the time to be "interrogated" and providing great answers and insight that come from the mind of a young writer. I wish you the very best of luck with your writing adventures!!

'Strigoi: The Undead' - on DVD

My latest movie article on 'Strigoi: The Undead' (DVD):

Synopsis: After failing to start a life of his own, 20-something Vlad is forced to move back to his grandfather’s old farming village in Romania. Though the village seems like a typical Eastern European haven, a mysterious death suddenly thrusts Vlad into the heart of a murder mystery. As he sets out to investigate, his trail leads him to the Tirescus — an ex-Communist couple who happen to be the richest landowners in town. Though Vlad is determined to confront the Tirescus, his quest takes a detour when he learns that the two bullies may be bloodsuckers in more ways than one…

This is considered a dark comedy, strangely, with a different type of vampire mythology.

Read full article here:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/strigoi-the-undead

True Blood Recap - June 24, 2011

I watched one of my favorite shows Sunday night - True Blood. I jotted down notes for the entire show...my own little attempt at creating a recap or giving a play-by-play of what happened in that episode. Whew! That was WORK especially when I had to type it up from my scribblings! Not sure that I'll do that again as it took away from my own entertainment and enjoyment of the show since I was feverishly writing in a notebook. Anyway, it provided some fun content for my blog...and now...

True Blood, Sunday, July 24, 2011 - "Me and the Devil"

RECAP:

Tommy gets into a brawl with his parents and ends up killing them. He didn't intend on killing his mother, but she ran into the middle of the fight and was a casualty. I hated that creepy Joe Lee - walking around in his baggy underwear.

Marnie admits to a witch spirit possessing her and casting spells on Eric and Pam.

After Arlene's baby (or the ghost of Rene, the baby's father) wrote on the wall, Terry suggests they call the Reverend for an exorcism.

Eric dreams of Godric pushing him to drink Sookie's blood and embrace his true vampire nature. That's freaky since Godric is dead - and this isn't the first time such a vivid form of Godric has appeared to Eric. The Dream Godric seems evil compared to the one that was alive. Eric discovers he's in Sookie's room, she awakens and wonders what the heck he's doing there. He said, "I had a bad dream." And Sookie lets him stay with her in bed till the sun comes up.

Hoyt and Jessica have saved Jason. Well, Jessica actually did after finding him almost dead on the road and she gave him her healing blood. Hoyt and Jessica have an awkward moment when she acts "distant" to his affection.

Bill glamours Portia, who is his great, great, great (you get the point) granddaughter as a means to keep her away from him. It didn't seem to bother her to continue a sexual relationship with Bill, knowing that they were related. Bill clearly wanted nothing to do with her anymore.

Eric asks Sookie: "Am I evil?' She comments that he was but she likes the new Eric. He's sweet.

Pam waltzes into Bill's office looking like a beekeeper in order to conceal her rotting flesh - courtesy of Marnie/witch spirit's spell.

Lafayette and Jesus are going to Jesus' Grandpa's place in Mexico. He's a shaman. Jesus talked about a goat sacrifice he was involved in as a child with his Grandpa. He felt power surging through his body from that sacrifice and knows his Grandpa might be able to help them with the spells cast upon Eric (who currently doesn't even know he's ticked off at them) and Pam. Lafayette and Jesus, being involved with the witches, are terrified the vampires will come after them to seek revenge.

Tara's girlfriend in New Orleans discovers that Tara has been lying to her about her identity. They talk on the phone.

Tommy brings his dead parents to Sam and needs help in disposing of the bodies.

Jason tells Hoyt about being raped by several women and thinks his past lifestyle is to blame. Jason hears mention of a full moon coming soon and flips out.

Terry and Arlene have the Reverend Daniels and Tara's mom, Lettie Mae, who is now married to the Reverend, perform the exorcism in the house. We learn evil likes to hide in corners.

Sookie visits Marnie's shop to check her out. Sookie claims she wants a reading. Marnie senses Gran and Sookie can hear the thoughts. Gran says Sookie's new love interest is temporary, to look out for Jason and that Marnie is evil and Sookie should run.

Sam and Tommy have their parents bodies in a van and are driving somewhere to dump them. But Andy pulls them over and insists on seeing inside the van. Tommy shapeshifts into a gator to throw Andy off and stops him from inspecting the back of the van. Andy doesn't see the bodies.

Marnie is apprehended by Bill's men and taken to a cell to be interrogated.

Tara tells Sookie about the lesbian relationship she has in New Orleans and how she hates Bon Temps. She tells Sookie how she has lied to her girlfriend about who she is.

While in her cell, Marnie prays to the witch goddess and has a vision. She sees witches in prison, priests arrive to visit the witches, but guess what the priests are? Vampires.

Confrontation between Eric and Tara. He emerged from his hiding place in Sookie's house and Tara sees him and screams - telling Sookie she's a hypocrite. Tara condemns Eric for the many terrible things he's done and runs out the door.

Bill questions Marnie about the witches, curses and spells; in particular wondering where is Eric? Marnie doesn't know crap.

Lafayette and Jesus get to Jesus's Grandpa's house and Gramps says to them, "I've been expecting you."

Alcide gets a visit from the Packmaster for that vicinity he's living in. The Packmaster is not a happy camper that Alcide has not registered with the pack. Alcide tells the Packmaster to take a hike.

Sam and Tommy dump their parents' dead bodies into a swamp. Sam tosses in marshmallows to draw the gators up to the surface at which time they can chow down on the dead bodies. Tommy feels guilty. Sam confesses he's killed two people who robbed him and says Tommy killed the parents in self-defense or an act of war.

Terry and Arlene go to bed and assume all is well with the baby and ridding the house of any ghosts or evil. Except a book of matches ignites out of the blue. That's not good.

Since Jason drank Jessica's blood, they have a bond and she enters his dreams and seduces him. Hoyt pops up in the dream, too, freaking out Jason.

Eric asks Sookie if he really did all those bad things Tara accused him of. She said yes, but he's different now. Eric said: "There's a light in you and I couldn't bare it if I snuffed it out." He takes off and Sookie runs after him…shouting to not go. He returns to her then they KISS!

Bill has a meeting with his sheriffs, still wondering where the hell is Eric and figures the witches are behind it. Vampires throughout history have always held important, powerful roles in high places of society. We learn that Marnie's goddess and the spirit that possesses her was a sorceress and necromancer named Antonia. At one time, she commanded a power that made vampires walk out into the sun and die. Some want to kill Marnie but Bill insisted no human casualties. Pam is visibly upset and lets something slip…Pam and Sookie had a deal that Pam was to keep her mouth shut about Eric hiding out at Sookie's…but Pam's loose lips reveal that Eric's memory has been erased. Bill forces Pam to tell him where Eric is at…Sookie's. Bill races out of the house and we assume he's zooming to Sookie's place. Soooomebodyyyyy's in troooouble… ;)

Article: 'The Amazing Spider-Man' (2012) Tidbits

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Tidbits

Action | Adventure | Thriller - Not due to be released until July 3, 2012 (USA) in theaters.

Stars:  Andrew Garfield, Irrfan Khan, Denis Leary

TRIVIA:
>In early January 2010, Sony announced that they canceled their idea of making Spider-Man 4 with director Sam Raimi and actor Tobey Maguire, who started their work together on Spider-Man, and instead decided to re-boot the Spider-Man franchise with a new crew.

Read full article here:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/the-amazing-spider-man-2012-tidbits

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

My latest article on Cowboys & Aliens. The trailer captures my attention & overall, the movie intrigues me as something "different"...

Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region. A posse of cowboys are all that stand in their way.

PG-13, 118 min - Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller - July 29, 2011 (USA) in Theaters.

Stars:  Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde

Trivia: Daniel Craig was chosen because of his distinct likeness to Yul Brynner, who starred in the cowboy epic The Magnificent Seven.

Read full article here with more trivia, movie links, full synopsis:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/cowboys-aliens

Captain America - The First Avenger (2011)

My latest article...

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

After being deemed unfit for military service during WWII, Steve Rogers (Evans) volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty -- a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals. His first mission: to combat the Nazi propaganda effort headed by Johann Schmidt (Weaving), also known as the Red Skull.

PG-13, 125 min - Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi – In Theaters on Friday, July 22, 2011 (USA).

TRIVIA:
>Budget:  $140,000,000 (estimated).
>Despite being "The First Avenger", it is the last solo Avenger film to be released before the team-up film, The Avengers.

Read complete article HERE:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/captain-america-the-first-avenger

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Trivia

How could I pass by compiling an article on this movie?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011):

The final film in the franchise topped all other Harry Potter movies’ midnight grosses with a huge $43.5 million in the first night of showings at 3,800 locations. It shattered the midnight box office record previously held by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which earned just over $30 million from midnight shows in 2010. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 earned $24 million in its first night last year (midnight showings).

The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. (Written by Jordan) 

FULL ARTICLE HERE:
 http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-tidbits-and-trivia

A Place to Ask ME Questions

Here's something new I'm trying out...yep-another place on the net I can be found...but where you can more easily ask me questions. I know, I know. I had recently posted about trying to back off on so many networking sites I try to maintain...eek - slap me!

It's called Formspring and this is the official website description of it:

"Formspring encourages people to find out more about each other in a simple and fun way. It starts by directly asking people original questions in anticipation of their entertaining or revealing responses. Responses can range from straightforward to surprising and can lead to understanding something more about the people you know or find interesting. Whether you are curious to know more about a college you are applying to, the movies your friend likes, or the stories of someone you respect, on Formspring, you can have fun, share insights, and relate to one another in a new way."

http://www.formspring.me/GinaMarieLong

My latest article on Insidious

Insidious (2010) on DVD -

A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.

The Story (description from the Official Website):
From the creators of Saw and Paranormal Activity, Insidious is the terrifying story of a family who shortly after moving discover that dark spirits have possessed their home and that their son has inexplicably fallen into a coma. Trying to escape the haunting and save their son, they move again only to realize that it was not their house that was haunted.

To read entire article, go here:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/insidious-2010-on-dvd

John Carpenter's "The Ward"

My latest article on The Ward:
A thriller centered on an institutionalized young woman who becomes terrorized by a ghost. Stars Amber Heard.
Rated "R", 88 min - Horror | Thriller | Supernatural - Released in limited theaters on July 8, 2011 (USA). This title will be released on DVD - August 16, 2011, according to Amazon.com. There's been buzz that some people have already purchased a legit copy, which is odd if it's just hitting U.S. theaters. It appears that it premiered in Canada September 13, 2010 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Taglines:  Only Sanity Can Keep You Alive.

Read complete article:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/john-carpenter-s-the-ward

Beastly Article

My latest article on Beastly (2011) Profile...

A modern-day take on the "Beauty and the Beast" tale where a New York teen is transformed into a hideous monster in order to find true love.

PG-13,   86 min  -  Drama | Fantasy | Romance  -  Now out on DVD - Release Date: June 28, 2011

Read full article:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/beastly-2011-profile

My latest article on Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) Info & Trivia

The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and to learn its secrets.

PG-13,   157 min  -  Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi   -  In theaters: June 29, 2011 (USA)

TRIVIA:
>Transformers movies are based on the toy series that gained popularity in the 1980s.
>Transformers are (fictional) sentient alien robots coming from the planet Cybertron. They are divided into two factions: the heroic Autobots, led by Optimus Prime, and the evil Decepticons, almost always led by Megatron.

Read full article here:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-2011-info-trivia

My latest article on Season of the Witch (DVD)

My latest article on Season of the Witch (2011-DVD) Comments:

Synopsis: 14th-century knights transport a suspected witch to a monastery, where monks will decide if her powers could be the source of the Black Plague.

Some additional movie stuff before the viewer's comments -

Info: PG-13, 95 min - Action|Adventure|Fantasy - Theater Release January 7, 2011 (USA); DVD Release June 28, 2011.  (See below for LOCAL Rental Places.)

Stars:  Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman and Claire Foy.

Trivia: >Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com) Users voted and gave Season of the Witch a 5.4 out of a 10 (18,862 votes).

Read full article here, complete with my comments AS I watch the movie:
http://www.examiner.com/speculative-fiction-in-st-louis/season-of-the-witch-2011-dvd-comments

True Blood - Are You Ready?

I am in True Blood bliss!  Just finished watching the dvd collection for Season 3 last night. Awesome! And of course numerous questions!! Tonight, Season 4 starts and I actually HAVE HBO now!! I called Dish Network this morning and received a "special" from them. So, I don't have to wait till next YEAR when the dvd's come out before I can finally watch Season 4! What a treat - to have literally wrapped up the finale last night and then to start with the premiere tonight - everything is completely fresh in my brain!

Some questions/comments I have: if Sookie's blood is half human and half fae (fairy) wouldn't that mean her brother, Jason, is also part fairy?! And what about Jason's comments in the hospital a few episodes back about Sookie NOT being born in a hospital & that he remembers her being born...I thought he was YOUNGER than her. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Even if he is older, he would NOT remember her birth! And that one fairy telling Sookie something about her parents and their death...something about Sookie shouldn't fear the water...that's not what "took" her parents!!??  Which side of the family had fairy in it -- was it her Gram's side (the one that died)?

Can't believe Tara cut her hair off at the end of the season...but understand the point of her needing to "change" her life. Watching her drive off into the night alone...I wondered what would be in store for her in the next season - and if she would return or if that was her exit from the show! She had a devastating chain of events (again) that she lived through...I actually thought it was worse than what Sookie dealt with in some ways!

And to find out Bill had set Sookie up to get beaten in the first season, first episode so he could rush in and "save" her...all to manipulate her...I about fell off my couch! Sure, he seems to have truly fallen in love with her and wants to protect her...but wow - the look on her face of betrayal when Eric (covered in cement) arrived at her doorstep to spill the beans of Bill's initial intentions when those two met...working undercover for the Queen Sophie (that's her name, right?) to find out exactly what Sookie was/is.

I kept expecting Alcide to show up on Sookie's doorstep at the end...instead she steps into the fairy realm and who knows what happened then?

Many, many more thoughts...not enough time to type them now...My heart is pounding with excitement to watch True Blood tonight!