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Posts Tagged ‘Swept Into The Darkness Author’

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Writing with a purpose

Life has had its many challenges, so it’s been difficult for me to get back into the habit of blogging again. But I’m back and it feels good to get my words out (on paper, LoL). There have been and will be a lot of changes for me in the near future, which will all be positive. I’m moving in the right direction and will be able to put my writing back on the top of my list. In this post I will discuss writing with purpose and meaning.

People write in our society for so many reasons. They write for communication, entertainment, and to help us learn new things. Writers use words to express themselves and share parts of themselves that they would not necessarily share by speaking.  Writing in our world is the way we connect with others and how we are brought together in so many ways. The written word teaches us how to acknowledge each other’s differences, and teaches us about other, times,places, worlds, realms and dimensions.

I like to read a variety of genres, and it is important as a writer to write with meaning and purpose. When a writer writes with purpose they make a deeper connection with their readers. It doesn’t matter what genre you are reading. It is a writer’s job as a deliverer of communication to write in a way that makes the reader feel respected and viewed as a unique individual. Writing with purpose and the meaning behind the writing is a special bond that the writer and reader have between the two. It is that special human connection that links us among time and space.

Writing with meaning also is a way that defines who a writer is, and gives the writer a chance to express themselves in a way that makes them identify with others. Writing brings them in a world where the writers and the readers can be and do what ever it is that they want to be. It is the place where they can escape, share in an adventure of relive an event from the past. It is the place where they can fly into the future or save a damsel in distress. It is a place where you can be you any way or how you want to be.

Writing with meaning opens doors for both the reader and the writer and the relationship they share is honest and unbiased when they both stay true to who they are within their own world.

Stay True to Yourself,

L.L.

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Norman Reedus

Norman Reedus, star of AMC’S hit zombie apocalypse show, The Walking Dead, graced fans this past weekend with a live Q and A session at the Montclair Film Festival. The event was hosted by Joel Stillerman, AMC’S president of Original Programming. Stillerman asked Norman a series of questions that allowed fans to get an  in-depth and personal look at the Boondock Saints actor. Norman’s down to earth attitude was infections as the crowd  listened to stories about Norman not being the “cool kid in school.” He talked about how his life has been impacted by fame, and how it hasn’t changed him as a person within. We all shared a sympathetic “awww” when he talked about having cameras in his face all the time and deciding to eat his lunch in the bathroom on a plane. Stillerman mentioned some of Norman ‘s earlier work and revealed that he loves photography. He showed two of Norman ‘s published photo books and openly discussed his passion for “capturing dark moments, but seeing a light within that darkness.” He discussed the close relationship he had with his mom and he talked about his new venture with his friends, expressing his love for motorcycles and the open road on his new show “Ride with Norman.” TWD was mentioned several times, along with his close and loving relationship with cast-mates Andy Lincoln and Steven Yeun, but he could not discuss the fate of his character Daryl Dixon. Norman made it known that he has not read the comics and when filming, he just asks some of the cast where the timeline rolls into the story. Toward the end, a few people got up and asked questions. Two became very emotional and Norman got up to give them some official TWD memorabilia.

Overall the event was very exciting and it was so nice to see Norman live, up close and personal. I hope that he and some of the other cast members make an appearance at a future Montclair Film Festival event.

L.L

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TWD Season 6

The Walking Dead season 6 finale excited, shocked, and made us crave for more. The episode answered lots of questions, but also left us asking more questions. The Roller coaster ride continues to go up. Things haven’t been quiet for sometime now. Rick has fully assumed position as leader of Alexandria since Deanna’s death during the mid-season. He has fallen in love and started a romantic relationship with Michone, met Jesus from the Hilltop and has come face to face with arch nemesis Negan. Rick is stronger now than ever, but I fear that his strength will soon weaken once he witnesses the full wrath of Negan.

The people of Alexandria are on the verge of loosing everything they have built and tried to maintain within the walls. Daryl started the war against Negan and his group, which was initiated when he blew up the bikers with the rocket launcher.

While at the Hilltop  Rick learns about Negan. He and the group take on the challenge to get rid of him and his group so that he and Alexandria can trade with the Hilltop. That decision leads the group to Negan’s compound where Glenn makes his first kill and Maggie and Carol are captured. The group does some damage but not enough. They come out victorious, but soon run into a new band of problems as they settle back home. Carol leaves, and Rick sends a group out to find her. Daryl sets out on his own to find Dwight, the sleaze that shot an arrow and killed Denise on a run. He is filled with loss and revenge, but then soon finds himself in hot water just as he stumbles on a captured Glenn and Michone.

Something goes terribly wrong with Maggie, as she experiences possible miscarriage pain. Rick and the group gather a few things and set off to take Maggie to the Hilltop where she can get medical attention. On the way, Rick encounters Negan’s group on the road. They are stopped several times and are eventually led into a major trap where a large number of Negan’s men have ambushed Rick and the group. Meanwhile Morgan finds Carol and she confesses that she is ready to die, but Morgan refuses to let her go. She slips away from him injured from her battle with the Saviors. On her travels alone one of the survivors catches up to her and shoots her twice. Morgan finds her again and finally kills the guy to save her. They are recruited by a two men dressed in armor, one of them is the man who lost his horse in episode 15. Those people are from another community called the Kingdom, as it is known in the comic books. Eventually the Hilltop, Alexandria, and The Kingdom join forces to battle Negan’s group.

After  plan to dodge Negan goes wrong, Rick and the group are all brought to their knees, and are reunited with Michone, Daryl, Glenn, Rosita, and Eugene. Negan finally makes himself known along with his precious bat Lucille. The fear in everyone’s eyes is practically haunting as they all take in the air of death upon their necks. He proposes an offer for Rick-for them to give half of all they have to him in order to stay alive. Negan is dead set on punishing Rick for killing so many of his men. One by one he tries to choose which person to kill. He makes a choice and bashes the head in of someone who we will have wait until October to find out who lost This episode was directed by Greg Nicotero , who by which is an awesome director, but this episode had to be one of the most disappointing episodes I’ve seen in a while. I had a problem with the 90  minutes, and half of a season of building up to such an epic point just to be let down by the end. Jeffrey Dean Morgan had to be on camera for about a whole five minutes, then it ended and we have no clue who was killed. At this point I don’t even think the writers know who they want to kill off. Most of the episode was spent on the group going in circles,  and Carol and Morgan’s to die or not die story-line.

The special effects were great and there is always something new to see visually. I will spend this time reading the books which will include the new book.

Happy Zombie Hunting, Just Survive Somehow

L.L.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtkT8fVn7tU

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batman vs superman

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice was not as bad as most of the reviews claim. Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, the movie merges Metropolis and Gotham City in a way that helped to possibly introduce a future that fans of the DC  comic world has been anticipating for years.

Without giving too much away basically Bruce Wayne aka Batman believes that Superman is a major threat to the world and sets off on a personal vendetta to put an end to the extraterrestrial hero. Superman does everything he can to try to clear his name as a killer. His intentions were misunderstood, but no matter what he does to help,the people just can’t fully put their trust in him. In this movie Batman is more of a villain than a hero. Another villain soon surfaces, Lex Luther played by Jesse Eisenberg. Lex does all he can to try to destroy Superman once he gets his hands on Kryptonite.

Some interesting characters make an appearance like, Aquaman, The Flash and Cyborg, which I think will set the stage for future movies.

Overall the movie was very interesting. The action scenes were done in a manner that was exciting, but I just think that the some of the casting choices muddled the story-line and brought down the overall mood of the film. First and foremost I just can’t get over why Christian Bale declined the original offer. Aside from Michael Keaton,  Bale is by far the best Batman and that is why I just cannot accept Ben Affleck in this role. Batman appears to be aging, and the fact that he still hasn’t come to grips with the death of his parents just makes him even more distant as a character. It is clear that this is not the crime fighting Justice seeking individual that we have seen and grown to love in the past. We have struggled with Bruce and seen him in ways that made him more identifiable than any other hero we have seen. Affleck was unconnected and cold on so many levels. This role was not meant for him and it was clear that his on-screen delivery expressed that.  Another problem I had with the casting was with The Social Network star Jessie Eisenberg. He just did not channel a serious Lex Luther character. His comical air,seemed to be a better fit to play the Joker. It was as if his character was trapped in the body of another character. He was not a good fit.

batman

Henry Cavill was great as Superman. He gave the same passion and energy he did in the Man of Steel which was a great movie. Another Character that I really loved was the new Wonder Woman played by Gal Gadot. The only problem I had with her was that I wanted to see more of her and know more of her backstory. I hope they get her to do her own movie before Dawn of Justice 2 comes out. I’m not talking about the 1980’s Wonderwoman version.

I won’t spoil the end, but the movie was very interesting and it seems as if some characters have to go through a deeper transition, which will shape who they will become in the future of this adventure.

I give this movie 3 in a half stars. It would have been 5 but for obvious reasons I just couldn’t do it.

If you are a fan please go see it. Check out the trailer below.

L.L.

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TWD Season 6 walker

 

TWD is back and bigger than ever. The season six episode 9 opened on Valentine’s Day and I must say it did not disappoint. Directed by special effects genus Greg Nicotero, “No way out” picked up right where the last episode ended.

Alexandria was overrun with walkers, while Carol and Morgan fought over “the wolf.” Rick, Michone, Carl and Jessie, along with her family try to escape the house and head for the armory, while Daryl, Sasha and Abraham face Negan’s men and Glenn does his best to save Maggie who is trapped.

Everything panned out in this episode, but it didn’t pan out without casualties. While no major characters died in this episode, there were major shockers and explosive moments that kept us on the edge of our seats.

Let’s begin with Daryl and his group as they face Negan’s men. The main biker does his best to shake up things by threatening the group and taking their weapons. Soon Daryl is taken behind the truck by one of the men to give up more supplies, then suddenly without warning Negan’s men explode as their body parts scatter all over. The man of the hour- Daryl Dixon comes out holding a rocket launcher and that was before the official opening of the show. By this time I’m already jumping out of my seat.

Now we are brought back to Rick and the group’s attempt to escape the house. Covered in walker guts, they head out, then suddenly Rick changes his plan and decides to try and lead the walkers out. Gabriel takes Judith to safety while the others go. The group slowly moves about within the herd. “The wolf” takes Denise as a hostage out in the commotion while Rosita, Eugine, Carol, Morgan and Tara come together. Enid and Glenn try to make it to Maggie while Daryl and the group make their way back to Alexandria.

Now darkness has fallen as Rick and his group slither their way through the walkers. Sam is suddenly spooked by the walkers as he hears Carl’s voice in his head. He can’t go on and everyone tries to convince him to go on. He is bitten and so is Jessie. She refuses to let Carl’s hand go and Rick is forced to chop it off with the ax. Ron witnesses his mother and brother’s deaths and turns the gun in his hand on Carl. Carl is shot in the eye and Ron is killed. Rick scoops up Carl in his arms and heads over to Denise’s place. Carol eventually kills “the wolf” and Morgan is left to finish the job. Denise is left with trying to save Carl as Rick truly believes that this is it for Carl. Rick goes on a killing rampage, as he makes an attempt to save what is left of Alexandria. Everyone battles the walkers with the hope of reclaiming the town. Daryl, Sasha and Abraham show up as they lead the walkers into a lake of fire created by Daryl. Carl makes it through the night and the town is reclaimed as the corpses of the dead line the streets.

 

This episode was filled with excitement and thrilling scenes. The cinematography techniques were great and one of the best scenes was when the camera got a shot of everyone taking a swing at a walker, then ending it with Rick taking the final blow. What a great episode, I must say that this way one of the best TWD episodes ever. I just wish this was a 90 minutes.The special effects were awesome even though I knew Greg used a combination of CG and make up to create Carl’s eye. The show doesn’t feel like it’s in the same season, it feels so fresh and that why this show is the best show on television. Stay tuned because the war with Negan hasn’t even started yet. READ THE COMIC BOOKS, THEY ARE AWESOME!

L.L.

 

Carl 138 The New Carl Grimes

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens “Movie Review”star-wars-

Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Lucas Films has become a global phenomenon in this new age within our society. Fans new and old went to see the film, and as of now this movie has grossed over $1 Billion dollars at the box office since the opening a little over two weeks ago.

 

Starring the Beloved Harrison Ford as Han Solo, the struggle between good and evil continues thirty years after the destruction of the Galactic Empire, which led to the death of the cosmic villain Darth Vader. A new threat arises within the universe, and with the help of The First Order, it has the potential to end life and destroy worlds, but a new band of heroes along with the Resistance does everything in their power to stop the evil from taking control over the galaxy.

 

I must admit that I am a new fan to the franchise but that did not take away from me fulling experiencing what the film had to offer. The movie is filled with nonstop action and beautiful imagery. The story line was intriguing, it wasn’t too complicated, it had the basic “good vs evil”, and the “strong will survive” theme.

 

It was the presentation, delivery, and the appearance of old characters, including the introduction of new characters that made the movie so exciting to see. The film was in 3D which added to the experience. Without giving too much away, I will say that there were some unexpected plot twists and moments of “OMG why did they do that?” So let’s just say that the George R. R. Martian and Robert Kirkman kill craze has rubbed off on the Stars Wars franchise.

 

Overall, I thought the movie was great and it was nice to feel such good and exciting energy from fellow fans and moviegoers. There was clapping, cheering, everything you could imagine that would enhance your experience. I am so excited to see the other two films and wonder if they are filming all three simultaneously like Peter Jackson did with TLOTR. I gave Stars Wars: The Force awakens five stars . See it again if you can.

 

“May The Force Be With You”

L.L.

 

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the-walking-dead-season-6 poster

The Walking Dead season six premiere episode titled “First Time Again” was directed by Greg Nicotero. The highly exciting episode picks up right after the gruesome events that led to the death of Deanna’s husband, Pete’s demise, the return of Morgan, and Glen’s altercation with Nicolas.  As things get underway, the episode was shot in black and white as the past unraveled. As the present unfolds those shots are presented in color, while they both deliver a vivid presence in showing what the world really looks like as Rick and group face a whole array of challenges while trying to maintain what they view as a stable life within the walls of Alexandria.

The mood of Alexandria has altered in way where many question Rick’s ethics. Rick tries his best to make things right between him Jessie and her son Ron, but after what she witnessed Jessie really doesn’t want to have anything to do with Rick. Deanna tries to assume her position as leader of the group, but in all honesty everyone knows that Rick is the leader. Carol tells Rick that, but he knows what’s going on.

Morgan and Rick go beyond the walls to find a place to bury Pete, Ron follows them and it is there where Rick discovers a quarry filled with walkers, where he realizes that he and the people of Alexandria have an even bigger problem on their hands to deal with. Rick meets with the group to discuss their plan in how to deal with the walkers. He tells them that once the truck collapses on the hill, the walkers will have a way out of the quarry and will head straight to Alexandria. Rick proposes to draw out the walkers and lead them away from Alexandria. The people in the group know that this is dangerous so Carter suggests to build higher walls and reinforce the ones they have. Deanna goes with Rick’s plan and they all start the process of drawing out the walkers. Carter doesn’t trust rick at all, and soon starts to organize a plan to kill him and assume power of Alexandria. Eugene overhears the plan and Carter draws a gun on him. Rick and Morgan walk in on it and Rick takes the gun from Carter and makes an attempt to talk him into living together in peace.

Meanwhile Rick and Morgan’s relationship begins again as Rick invites Morgan to live with his family. Morgan tells Rick that he knows who he is, and that he is the same person he met when they were outside of Atlanta. Rick believes that he is a different person and to some degree he is, but there is a part of the man that we first fell in love with that still exists within him. It is that husband, that father, that survivor, that drive and determination that we all love about Rick that keeps us on the edge of our seats every week.

Heath— a comic book character has been introduced. He is now part of a Glen’s and Nicolas’ group. They are on the outskirts of Alexandria as they try to clear an area to help Rick execute his plan to draw out the bigger heard of walkers. A now humbled Nicolas is taken under the direction of Glen, sees his task as a serious and important duty that can impact others.

The plan is under way, as everyone takes their place, they proceed to draw out the walkers, led by motorcycle riding Daryl Dixon himself, along with Abraham and Sasha in a car, the walkers slowly follow them out of the quarry. Things go crazy fast, Carter is bitten in the face by a walker and his screams distract the walkers and draw them off track. Rick kills Carter and gets the walkers back on track until suddenly a loud sound that seems to be coming from Alexandria draws the walkers back in Alexandria’s direction. I think the Wolves are near and they are the ones that are responsible. I hope to see an appearance from the Hilltop, and the Saviors. If Negan makes an appearance this season we can say goodbye to Glen, unless the writers have different plans for him. I don’t know how Rick will handle Negan, but he will have to become more ruthless then he already is. Negan is by far worse than the Governor! I’m reading book 23, and I’m so excited to see how season six will transpire.

L.L

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it follows

It Follows directed by David Robert Mitchell and starring Maika Monroe tells the story of a young college girl who is haunted by a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter with a guy goes terribly wrong.

The movie had a good story line but it just didn’t fully deliver as I expected. The guy that Jay sleeps with passes on to her some kind of entity that wants to kill her. The entity follows her everywhere and comes in the form of people that she some times knows. She and her friends spend all their time running away from the entity. On a couple of occasions they try to fight back but they quickly realize that they can’t defeat it. Jay takes into consideration and makes an attempt to pass it on, but her attempt fails.

The movie had some good scenes but overall it is a very slow-paced film. The tone of the film has a classic late 70’s early 80’s feel to it and I got the idea that the writers were going that, but that just was not enough to make it successful.

There were so many things that the writers and director could have done to make this horror magic, like coming up with a detailed plot that fully explains the origin of the entity and how to pass it on or defeat it.  The most important thing they could have done was make the haunting even more haunting, not just have people following the main character. I mean at times the appearance of the entity was more startling instead of scary. The entity should have been more  of a creature that hides in the shadows and comes for her at more of a time that is least expected. The opening scene where the girl has her legs broken forward was better than the whole film. They could have taken a more supernatural approach to this film and incorporated that type of gore and horror that the introduction promised.

I hate to say it, but i feel that modern horror is starting to die. Every movie that I give a chance lately has ended in nothing but disappointment. It seems like the film industry is becoming nothing but remakes, or shotty ideas that are not fully developed or portrayed in ways that horror movie fans can appreciate like in the decades of film and writing creativity. Thank goodness for Netflix and my classic horror collection.

The music was well done, the effects were almost not existent and the acting was mediocre. I’m happy that I didn’t spend money at the theater for this.

I give this movie two stars, if you can get through it.

L.L.

Check out the trailer below.

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Poltergeist-poster

Poltergeist starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Gil Kenan and produced by Sam Raimi was a horror movie remake that disappointed me in many ways. The movie was supposed to be a reboot of the haunted house classic Steven Spielberg film, starring JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson, but I just couldn’t get over how badly it was done. There was nothing authentic about this film, and the writers did nothing but add some overrated special effects and overuse the original script. The names of the characters were changed for some reason, and I found that the actor’s performances were weak. The mood of the film was disappointingly mellow, and for me there was no real fear that the characters displayed.  For this to have had Sam Raimi’s name behind it, I was expecting so much more. I think that the film could have been done so much better if Sam Raimi would have had complete creative control in addition to the writing. The casting and storytelling was just all wrong, and I hope that the next horror I see will make up for this one.  The only two positive things I have to say was that the scene where we were able to see how the other realm or alternate dimension looked was good, even though I also think that the drone going into that realm was out of place. Technology should be dead in this this case. (I believe that was Raimi’s influence, good idea but it just wasn’t delivered creativity.) I also thought the scene with the family trying to leave the house was good. They are sitting in their SUV and are suddenly dragged back in through the garage as the house becomes consumed by the portal. That was an interesting add on to the movie. Throughout the movie I kept calling the little girl “Carol Anne and was comparing the remake with the original. It was so hard not to. The ghost hunter Carrigan Burke played by Jared Harris didn’t do much for me, but prove that the writers tried too hard with making the movie fit into the modern world. The paranormal research team was horrible, and at this point I can’t write anymore bad things about this movie. Wait, yes I can, it was in 3D which was an excuse for theaters to charge more money than necessary. It didn’t add any depth to the movie at all, just a dent in my purse. Not worth seeing it, but if you must as a fan of horror, wait until it’s out on cable and you have nothing else better to do.

I gave this movie two stars just because of the two scenes I liked and because I like Sam Raimi.

L.L

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Avengers AU poster

The Avengers: Age of Ultron directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans continues the story of the Marvel comic group of hero’s, as they continue their fight to save the earth from the threat of darkness.

The films opens with an action packed scene as the Avengers battle a group of terrorists in Europe. New enemies are introduced as the Avengers search for Loki’s stolen scepter, which has a powerful stone inside it. They race to get the scepter back into the right hands.

Once they retrieve the scepter Tony Stark and Bruce Banner waste no time with trying to create something that can help keep the peace and the scepter protected. Tony uses his engineering talents to create a form of artificial intelligence with the hopes of it being the answer to all their problems, but as soon as the AI begins to take it’s form, the stages of evolution begin to take place and the entity that was designed to help turns into something much more sinister, and out of that Ulton is born.

In the process Tony has the program set where Jarvis has control over the entity, but Jarvis is quickly overpowered and Ultron destroys Jarvis.

The team bands together to battle the constantly evolving Ultron. He does everything in his power to break the bond and trust the Avengers share including using two powerful mutants Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, (which were created by William Stryker, the same man that created Wolverine) against them. The group retreats when they are overpowered and they seek refuge at Hawkeye’s home with his wife and children as they begin to regroup.

Captain America comes up with a battle plan, and each one the Avengers uses their strengths to battle Ultron. Ultron is thirsty for more power as he creates a group of autobots, to help destroy the Avengers. In the meantime Ulton possesses one of Tony Stark’s scientists and forces her make him a more sustainable body. In the process he becomes more powerful. Eventually Scarlet Witch and Quick Silver realize that Ultron plans to destroy all the humans on the planet and take over the world with his new artificial intelligent colleagues. They go against his plan and join forces with the Avengers to help save the people of earth.

Stark comes up with a plan to recreate a manifestation of Jarvis using the stone from Loki’s scepter. The manifestation of Jarvis has now altered into Vison. A powerful being that has a multitude of abilities. The will of the Avengers is strong as they all join forces to defeat Ultron.

Overall The Avengers: Age of Ulton was an awesome movie. The story was well written and gave each of the characters an opportunity to shine in an appropriate manner. Sometimes when movies have an all-star cast, the story can get lost in the process and the actors get swallowed whole, but this is not the case with the Avengers sequel. They each had good on screen chemistry and the new characters added to the adventure. The special effects were remarkable and captivating. The battle scenes took you to another realm and made you feel like you were in the adventure.

Now we know that there is a bigger story behind the Avengers and that all the Marvel Superhero movies are connected. In the end we see Thanos make another appearance saying “I will just have to do it my myself.” As he reaches for a glove with five holes in it. I don’t know too much about the bigger story, but I do know that the Infinity stone that was in Loki’s scepter is connected to the infinity stone in the Guardians of Galaxy. More stones will appear throughout the Marvel Superhero film world, which will lead to the Infinity Wars in the distant future.

This movie is a must see, which will kick off the season of Summer Blockbusters. I gave this movie 5 stars

L.L

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