Goodreads review: “Taming the Beast” (True Mates #5) by Alicia Montgomery

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Denise
Yeah, sometimes I’ll just rip a review straight off of what I wrote over at Goodreads. It happens.

I typically don’t like jumping into a series. I’m the kinda gal who likes to start from Book One and go straight on through ’til morning. (Sometimes quite literally.) But when this was offered as an Amazon freebie, who was I to say no? And I’m glad I bit.

Author Montgomery crafts an intriguing mythology that had me wishing I’d started from the first book in the series. And well, beginning from the…beginning would have helped me keep all the various character names straight, as I’m crap with names. (But it’s nice to see that even the author pokes fun at the large stable of characters, with one in particular lamenting it “made his head hurt trying to remember who was who.” I’m right there with you, buddy! Perhaps we can form a support group?) Getting to know the various couples would have cemented them in my ol’ noggin easily, I’m sure. Especially since Montgomery keeps things rolling along nicely, with lively, believable dialogue and just enough thrills and action. Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The Beguiled”!

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Denise

Sometimes sanctuary isn’t what it seems…I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of The Beguiled.  But don’t get too cozy, you never know what’s in store… Synopsis!

“The Beguiled” is an atmospheric thriller from acclaimed writer/director Sofia Coppola, winner of the Best Director award at the 2017 Cannes International Film Festival. The story unfolds during the Civil War, at a Southern girls’ boarding school. Its sheltered young women take in an injured enemy soldier. As they provide refuge and tend to his wounds, the house is taken over with sexual tension and dangerous rivalries, and taboos are broken in an unexpected turn of events.

So, ready to take refuge?  Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Wish Upon”!

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Denise

Ever think “wow, if I could only change some things…” Well, be careful what you wish for.  Especially with the newest film I’ve got screening passes for, Wish Upon.  Synopsis!

In the latest thriller from the director of ANNABELLE, 17-year-old CLARE SHANNON (Joey King) is barely surviving the hell that is high school, along with her friends MEREDITH (Sydney Park) and JUNE (Shannon Purser). So when her dad (Ryan Phillippe) gifts her an old music box with an inscription that promises to grant the owner’s wishes, she thinks there is nothing to lose. Clare makes her first wish and, to her surprise, it comes true. Before long, she finally has it all: money, popularity and her dream boy. Everything seems perfect – until the people closest to her begin dying in gruesome and twisted ways. Now, with blood on her hands, Clare has to get rid of the box, before it costs her and everyone she loves the ultimate price.

Think you’re up to some scares?  Then right this way… Continue reading →

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Con News: Frank Miller comes to Baltimore Comic-Con!

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Denise

Oh WOWZA.  Looking forward to hearing him speak on all his work.  Sin City, The Dark Knight, 300… WOWZA AGAIN.

So let’s just get right to the good stuff, ‘kay?  Read on for the full 411 straight from BCC!

Continue reading →

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Goodreads Review: The Dragon’s Fated Mate (Shifter Brides Everafter, #1) by Lola Kidd

Posted on June 15, 2017 by Denise
Yeah, sometimes I’ll just rip a review straight off of what I wrote over at Goodreads. It happens.

This is the first dragon-shifter paranormal romance I’ve ever read, and to be honest I picked it up as a lark. A freebie PA with hints of classic fairytales? Sign me up, right? Exactly. Because this is a fun read.

Author Kidd is a compelling storyteller, and the story of Leigh and Jasper is sweet. The mythology surrounding their “world” is believable, and there are plenty of interesting characters/situations for spinoffs in future books.

I only have two problems; one, that Kidd throws a whole lot of characters at readers from the get-go, and that can be confusing. (I found myself “flipping” back and forth in the first chapter when Leigh and her family are introduced, and again when Jasper and his clan make the scene.) Two, between chapters 20 and 21 there’s a HUGE time jump. Not an issue with many books, but this one felt like it had left a lot out between the two chapters. A whole subplot had been resolved in-between chapters, and I’d have liked to have seen how that played out. The rest of the book – the last 3 chapters – feel a bit rushed, but as Kidd has promised a sequel, I’m guessing more will be revealed. I just wish this particular happily-ever-after didn’t feel so crammed in. Leigh and Jasper definitely had issues to overcome, and while love does conquer all, in this instance Love Ex Machina felt like a bit of a cheat. Still, Kidd can spin a fun yarn, and I’ll be back for the next installment.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “The Big Sick”!

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Denise

Ready for a sweet story about love? Well, I’ve got passes for the indie film The Big Sick! Synopsis!

Based on the real-life courtship between Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, THE BIG SICK tells the story of Pakistan-born aspiring comedian Kumail (Nanjiani), who connects with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) after one of his standup sets. However, what they thought would be just a one-night stand blossoms into the real thing, which complicates the life that is expected of Kumail by his traditional Muslim parents.

When Emily is beset with a mystery illness, it forces Kumail to navigate the medical crisis with her parents, Beth and Terry (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) who he’s never met, while dealing with the emotional tug-of-war between his family and his heart. THE BIG SICK is directed by Michael Showalter (HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS) and producer by Judd Apatow (TRAINWRECK, THIS IS 40) and Barry Mendel (TRAINWRECK, THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS).

The trailer looks incredible. I’m already sucked in. You too? Ready?  Let’s go!

Continue reading →

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“The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature” – new character posters!

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Denise

I love movie posters.  And I especially love cool character-driven movie posters.  So when The Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature released their slew of character posters?  I got to drooling. Gotta admit that Will Arnet “Protect Your Nuts” poster?  I’m loving it.

Synopsis!

Surly Squirrel (Will Arnett) and the gang are back. We are once again in Oakton where the evil mayor has decided to bulldoze Liberty Park and build a dangerous amusement park in its place. Surly and his ragtag group of animal friends band together to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park.
THE NUT JOB 2 also features the voice talent of Katherine Heigl (The Nut Job), Jackie Chan (Kung Fu Panda 3), Peter Stormare (Penguins of Madagascar), Bobby Cannavale (Ant-Man), Isabela Moner (Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life), and Maya Rudolph (The Angry Birds Movie).

So feast your eyes on these great posters!  I’m trying to figure out how to get my hands on a few for my neighborhood animal shelter…because C’MON THEY’RE TOO CUTE. (Don’t forget to clicky on the images for their full high-res glory!)

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Elsewhere Review: Cats Laughing’s A Long Time Gone – Reunion at MiniCon 50

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Denise
Read the original piece HERE at Green Man Review!

“Achievement unlocked!”

I have to confess something to you.  The reason I asked to review this CD and DVD set wasn’t because I knew about the band.  It was because I like cats, and the band name is incredible.  So I was dumbstruck to find out that Cats Laughing consists of genre authors Steven Brust, Emma Bull and Lojo Russo.  Add group newbie Scott Keever and Adam Stemple as “Musician Guest of Honor”, and you’ve got a talented group of folks.  Sure you say; they Brust, Bull and Keever  sure can write, but are they really musicians?  YES THEY ARE.  Damn fine ones, too.  Anyone who enjoys folk-rock, roadhouse, or good ol’ Faire tunes will find their time well spent checking them out.

As my thoughts are fractured a bit, let’s break this down into three parts, shall we?  I break down the music and performance, the CD, and then the DVD.  Because while I adored the music itself, the CD and DVD had a few…well, let’s just dig in. Continue reading →

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“The Mummy” – action, monsters, and Tom Cruise

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Denise

Nutshell: More a “Tom Cruise Action Movie With Monsters In It” than a monster movie starring Tom Cruise.  The first act is a rock ’em sock ’em action extravaganza that leads into a very interesting peek at Universal’s “Dark Universe”.  But the second act and climax relies too heavily on clichés that were worn out when Karloff donned the bandages. Grade: B-

“No, you’re not dead.  But you’re going to wish you were.”

Story: While scouting for things to hawk on the black market, Advance Ops officers Nick Morton (Tom Cruise) and Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) literally stumble onto the long-buried sarcophagus of Princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella).  But before Nick and Chris can say “is that gold?”, archaeologist Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis) takes over…but as they transport the goods to London, the plane crashes, dumping cargo and killing almost everyone on board.  As Nick and Jenny try to find the sarcophagus and its contents, they soon realize there’s much more than bandages and dust hidden within.

Genre I’d put it in: “Dark Universe” Film Just Interesting Enough To Keep Me Up For The Next Installment Continue reading →

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “47 Meters Down”!

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Denise

Ready for the beach?  Got all that Jaws, Sharknado, Deep Blue Sea and The Shallows outta ya?  Well get ready to spend even more time out of the water, because I’ve got passes for the Baltimore area screening of 47 Meters Down.  Synopsis!

On the rebound after a devastating break-up, Lisa (Mandy Moore) is ready for adventure while on vacation in Mexico. Even still, she needs a little extra persuasion when her daring sister Kate (Claire Holt) suggests they go shark diving with some locals. Once underwater in a protective cage, Lisa and Kate catch a once in a lifetime, face-to-face look at majestic Great Whites. But when their worst fears are realized and the cage breaks away from their boat, they find themselves plummeting to the bottom of the seabed, too deep to radio for help without making themselves vulnerable to the savage sharks, their oxygen supplies rapidly dwindling. 47 METERS DOWN is a terrifying tale of survival set in the domain of the ocean’s fiercest creatures.

Ready to get wet?  Okay… Continue reading →

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