Music from the Lockdown

Out of all the things we artists did to keep our sanity during the COVID lockdowns, this is one of my favorites!

Monday Movie Mania a Day Late - Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

I know Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is out of the theaters, but DH and I went to see it while it was still playing at our local cinema. It was part of his "get Suzan out of her funk" plan. I'd like to say my funk colored my perception of the movie, but I'm afraid it didn't.

We did watch the original before we bought tickets for the sequel. And the sequel was . . . okay. It didn't stick in my mind for very long. Frankly, I had to read the film's Wikipedia article to remember the plot when I first tried to write my review.


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SPOILERS


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PROS
1) I was amazed how easily Winona Rider slipped back into the role of Lydia Deetz. She was the Queen of Goth in the 80's and 90's, and she clearly has a grasp on the fears and trials of an older Gen X.

2) Jenna Ortega is the prime successor to Winona's acting legacy. She's very believable as Lydia's daughter Astrid.

3) Michael Keaton hasn't changed one bit from the original movie. If I hadn't seen his other movies over the last forty years, I would have thought he lived in his Beetlejuice costume 24/7.


CONS
1) The Maitlands (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) were given short shrift in the sequel. It would have been nice to learn how they managed to get to the Afterlife.

2) With Jeffrey Jones' legal problems, I understand why the producers did not want him back. I would have rather seen his character given the short-shrift that was handed to the Maitlands.

3) I love Monica Belucci, but the talented Italian actress was totally wasted as Beetlejuice's ex-wife on a rampage for revenge.


Overall, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice is a pretty forgettable sequel to a movie I loved in the 80's. It's not bad, but it's not good either. However, it's a serviceable reason for Gen X's children and grandchildren to laugh at us. I give it 5 out of 10 stars.

New Year, New Video, Old Music

Here's the Supernatual folks' antics set to "Shut Up and Dance".

Getting Back into the Writing Groove

I took time off from writing over the last two weeks of 2024. I felt like I was flogging the proverbial dead horse, and I needed some time to refill the creative well.

In that vein, I've watched new-to-me movies, some Christmas favorites, and an action thriller that will be added to the holiday canon. I've read a lot lot of space opera in preparation for a writing class I will be attending this month.

So, I felt refreshed when I started writing on New Year's day. I haven't made my target word-count numbers the first two days, but I'm doing better than I did most of 2024.

My only problem is I really want to start on the War of the Witches series. New projects always make the Subconscious rub her hands with glee. However, I've got other books planned and promised that need to be finished first. Therefore, I'm splitting my time in order to please my readers and my inner child.

I'm working damn hard to keep a positive mindset. Part is my desire to break out of the cocoon depression had me wrapped in since October. Part is the need to be strong for what comes next in our society. The hate flows strongly in the U.S. and around the world, and the next four years aren't going to be pretty.

I just hope my stories keep me and my readers going through the oncoming storm.

Happy New Year!!

Just a reminder! The sale at Smashwords ends tonight!

Monday Movie Mania a Day Late - Carry-On

I normally only review movies released in theaters, but I'm making an exception for Carry-On. Why? Because this is one of the best action thrillers I've seen in years! Frankly, it's on par with Die Hard with the tight narrative, characterization, and pacing. And even better? I couldn't outguess the plot until the climax, which for me is a very big deal.


*****

SPOILERS!!


*****


PROS
1) The chemistry between Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman was excellent as their characters play cat-and-mouse through the entire movie.

2) Taron's American accent only slipped once that I recall, but he also did a convincing Midwest accent. Most British actors end up with a Southern accent when doing American accents.

3) Jason Bateman was absolutely chilling as the antagonist. He's better known for his comedy roles, but not using him more often as a psycho mercenary is a waste of his acting range.

4) The ladies in the movie weren't just damsels in distress! Detective Cole (Danielle Deadwyler) figures out the links between the double homicide that starts the movie and Ethan's (Egerton) attempted 911 call, not to mention she saves herself from one of Bateman's accomplices. Nora (Sofia Carson) aides Ethan in stopping Bateman, even though another accomplice tries to kill her.

5) It was nice to see a TSA agent portrayed in a positive light. The same people who bitch about the long lines at security checkpoints are the same ones who were out for blood after 9/11. The TSA folks are doing the jobs y'all wanted them to do at a low rate of pay. Be nice to them when you're travelling!


CONS
1) My only gripe about this movie is it used the "bury your gays" trope twice in the story. The first I could handle since the character's husband survives and helps Nora. The second one pissed me off.


Overall, Carry-On will be added to my cookie-making Christmas list along with Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. I give Carry-On 10 out of 10 stars!

Music I've Been Listening to

All other Christmas songs pale by comparison!

Peace, Joy, and Kindness

We're taking gifts to the family gathering where we will eat nachos and play board games. Later tonight, I'll watch Doctor Who.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

Monday Movie Mania - Red One

DH has been dragging me to the movies over the past two months to get me out of my SAD funk. (At least, I'm pretty sure that's what my issue is.) But the funk has prevented me from posting any thoughts, so I'm going to try to catch up over the next few weeks.

Red One is just a stupid fun action movie. Critics seemed to expect it to be an Oscar contender, and blast it when it doesn't deliver. Personally, I think it would be great for your tween boys. GK would have loved this 15 years ago.

PROS
1) Dwayne Johnson once again plays the rigid rule-enforcer who lightens up as the story progresses. There's only one acting mode for him, and he uses it fully.

2) Chris Evans had fun using his own smart aleck personality. However, his language is a little more conservative compared to his revival of Johnny Storm in Deadpool and Wolverine.

3) JK Simmons was a fucking awesome Santa Claus.


CONS
1) On the flip side, JK Simmons was totally underused. I'd love to see him in his own Santa adventure!

2) On the same note, Lucy Liu and Bonnie Hunt were wasted as well. They could have just as equally been Santa's rescue team if the producers weren't thinking with their dicks.

3) The story had the potential to be something radical and heart-warming like The Santa Clause. As much as I laughed through the flick, the story is pretty quickly forgotten, so it probably won't be on my regular Christmas movie rotation.


Overall, Red One is a decent movie to send the family to if you need a couple of hours of peace and quiet, whether it be at home or in the theater. Unfortunately, I have to give it a 5 out of 10 stars for its immediately forgetiblity.

Music I'm Listening To

An old song from an artist I respect.