|
Welcome to Book Review with Mel and Sue! In posts like this Melanie (From Melanie's Muses - just in case there was any doubt) and author Susan Harris will both read the same book and then post their thoughts.
Basic Info
(Be sure to scroll to the end for link to a giveaway!) Standalone or series? Melanie - Book 1 in a new series Susan - Book 1 in a new series How did we get this book? After much debate and not agreeing on anything this popped up as an offer from the author and we both received complementary copies for review. Why did we choose to read this book: Literally there wasn't another book we were able to agree on! And Now To The Review! First Impressions: Melanie - There are a LOT of characters - like seriously a lot. The book actually has a glossary of characters and a map before the main story starts so that lets you know it is going to be that way before you start. This is one of the few where I think having a paperback for easy flicking back for reference might be good. Susan - I agree with Melanie- this book was busy. I loved the map and the reference to all the characters at the beginning, which gave a realistic expectation of what was to come. And just like Mel, having a paperback to go back and forth with would have made it a better experience. General Review Melanie - The story is really well written and obviously the author knows her craft. Epic fantasy books have never really been high on my list and honestly this one really only made the cut because Susan and I could actually agree to read it. I haven't read anything else by Sarah but I get the feeling that Epic Fantasy is definitely where she feels at home, and her fans probably will too. There is a LOT of information at the beginning and you really have to pay attention. As with most Epic Fantasy books it does start to link together towards the end of the book and I imagine as the series progresses that it will all make sense. Susan - The world building in this book is first class and I could imagine it on a TV screen. I like fantasy novels, but find myself drawn to character driven series where I can find characters or side characters to root for and at times, for me, the complex number of characters drew me away from the world itself. That's more of a personal preference than a complaint, because this book is captivating and immerses you into the world. Melanie - Agreed! I think it would be great on TV. Final Thoughts Melanie - If you like Epic Fantasy (think Game of Thrones - and not even just the TV Series Game Of Thrones - I am talking George RR Martin book level fantasy), then this is definitely a book for you. Susan - Game of Thrones, meets The Selection, if the Selection was a little bit more twisted, makes The Kingless Crown a must read for lovers of Epic Fantasy. Rating: Melanie – A Solid 4 stars. This is a great example of the genre. Susan - 4 stars for exceptional world building and attention to detail. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you liked our "double take" on the same book and if you have a book you would like us to read just let us know! BE SURE TO CLICK HERE AND HEAD OVER TO YESTERDAY'S RELEASE DAY POST FOR A GIVEAWAY! 
When you think of a Halloween cult classic, I would be surprised if you didn't think of this movie. Hocus pocus is a fun movie for all ages. Young old, just ask anyone if they’ve seen this movie, and if they have then they usually like it. Of course I’ve met a few that didn’t, but hey people can be wrong lol.
Hocus pocus is one of those Halloween movies that leaves you wondering about what could happen next. There have been rumors for years about a possible sequel, and yes if that happened, I’d definitely watch it but then again you also don’t want a sequel because what if it ruined the epicness of the first movie?
***Melanie Jumping in here with a sequel update - It is said to be going ahead and releasing on Disney+ but with no fixed date. There is a recent article about it on Digital Spy with the most accurate details I have seen which you can read here ..... OK Back to Jenn.....***
So the original Hocus Pocus is about three witch sisters, and you’re probably thinking really? Been done before...... But you would be WRONG! There is nothing else like Hocus Pocus out there. These witches are not good by any means. They kidnap and kill children for their youth but end up being stopped by a boy who loses his sister to them. Flash forward to the present day, and that’s really where the story begins.
And of course I couldn't write about Hocus Pocus without talking about one particular song. Once you hear "I Put A Spell On You" in this movie I would bet it will be an instant favorite of yours, trust me!
If you haven’t seen Hocus Pocus, then what are you waiting for? It's not your average run of the mill witch story, but something much more exciting and fun! Just ask ANY fan!
Jennifer Rhodes Cleere met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. This is her third guest article for Melanie's Muses nd we hope there are many more to come!
And Now Your Chance To Win A Hocus Pocus Prize Pack! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a Hocus Pocus Prize pack with a Hocus Pocus Notebook sent in by Jennifer Rhodes Cleere to go with her article, A Sarah Sanderson Pop sent in by Shannon Watts, Bag and Witches Hat Headband sent in by Ali Foy, and random things from the Melanie's Muses Prize Collection including Swag from Susan Harris! For your chance to win- leave a comment ON THIS POST ON THE WEBSITE (comments left on shares around other social media WILL NOT COUNT) - Telling Us Who Your Favorite Witch Is and why! (Can be any witch from anywhere.) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 18th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 19th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
This very sentiment is tattooed on my skin, as a reminder of a time when I could not find my voice to explain what was going on in my head, but music could.
For someone so good at weaving words at her command and shaping them into such emotive sentences, I found myself unable to articulate my own feelings, and that was where music came to my rescue. My experience with workplace bullying lead to a serious of mental health diagnosis that make complete sense now, as someone who has adjusted and works to live daily with her illness, but back then, due to this overwhelming sense of failure which is still a major aspect of my anxiety, I felt floored. I had lost the battle with my mind, was shell of the girl who loved life, didn't care about the thoughts of other. I lost friends, and pushed others away because I was safer that way. My anxiety lead to depression and OCD, and surprisingly, a PTSD diagnosis that left me wondering if I could add that to my list of various "Defects" because I was not some battle hardy soldier who had witness death and destruction. I was just a young woman who was bullied and her mind began to tell her it was her fault.
When asked to speak about my love for music, I tend to ramble on for a bit, so please be patient with me!
Foo Fighters
I am a firm believer of the church of Dave Grohl and I worship at his altar. I think when I first started listening to the Foo Fighters, it was because of Dave Grohl and his backstory with Nirvana. He went from shy drummer to lead singer and often spoke about how he wanted to stop music after Kurt's death. I listen to older songs, like My Hero, Monkey Wrench, and the contrast between the fun videos and thoughtful lyrics resonated with me. My Hero is a firm favourite of mine, and I've got to hear it twice live, a dream come true for me.
The first time was this absolutely magical moment, in a muddy field in Leeds, England, darkness had just begun to descend, rain began to trickle down and the first bars of My Hero started to play. Everyone was singing back to the band, or in my case trying to sing. I'm not ashamed to say I cried. but I am going to blame the copious amounts of cider I had drunk that day! Over the years, certain songs, like My Hero, which makes me think of my dad, Learn to Fly, Disenchanted Lullaby, The Last Song, All my Life, The pretender, Skin and Bones, February Stars, Walk and Happily Ever After are songs that have helped me through difficult times.
Linkin Park
When I look back to when Hybrid Theory was released, 20 years ago when I was just 15, I listen to the album and realize how much this album shaped me. I think looking back, I always felt like an outsider to most of my peer's, from the books I read, the music I listened to and I did have those end of the world kind of thoughts. Hybrid Theory was the first album on a whole where I kind of went, damn, this is exactly how I feel about my life.
I instantly fell in love with Chester and his voice. I wanted tattoos like him. I wanted to get pierced like him. I thought that the lyrics had been written for me and me alone, and I clung to that like a life buoy. If someone as insanely talented as him could write and sing lyrics as dark as the thoughts in my head, then maybe I wasn't all that bad. Meteora was another soul wrenching album, Numb a firm favourite and Somewhere I Belong close behind it. Just like the Foo's, I was extremely lucky to get to see Linkin Park play in Manchester in 2003, I think. It was one of the last EU gigs Chester played before his death, and I feel so blessed to have seen them all together. Chester's death hit me like a punch to the gut. It floored me and I cried for like two hours straight. Then I played Linkin Park on repeat to remind myself of the music, the strength it gave me and those memories I would never forget. I remember someone said to me why are you crying for someone you never met and didn't know, and to that I said, I may not have met him, but I knew him, for anyone who listens to the words that he sang has to know him.
Paramore
Paramore was a band I fell in love with long after they released Riot! We used to have a rock music channel and Misery Business was played to death. Over the years, especially after being bullied, I went back, more as an older teen and I finally learned to appreciate the music.
I'm lucky to have a music buddy, who lets me drag her to most of the bands I want to see. Paramore is one of those bands we go to nearly every time they play the UK. She told me once, the song Misguided Ghost's from the Brand New Eyes album reminds her of me. While later albums are more pop than alternative, the songs still have thought provoking lyrics, like Fake Happy or 26, from After Laughter, an album that the band released after a bad period in Hayley's life and the album reflects that. My all-time favourite song from Paramore is Let The Flames Begin and I have the opening line tattooed on my arm. it simply reads: What a shame we all became, such fragile broken things. I loved how the band continued on from Let The Flames Begin with Part II on the Self-titled album and the songs starts with; What a shame we all remain, such fragile broken things.
30 Seconds to Mars
Any band that included an emo Jared Leto was gonna be fine by me, especially after I saw The Kill Video for the first time. I mean, if you don't find Jared Leto attractive by his voice alone, then listen to his cover of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance- Swoon!
A Beautiful Lie album was how I would describe my early twenties, I was lying to everyone about who I was, what I was thinking and it felt ironic to think of it like that. This is one of my all-time fave albums, because it was before politics and that got in the way. I've been wanting to get the lyrics tattooed on me since I heard the song but haven't for some reason.
I did, however, get a lyric from another 30STM song, one that I would refer to as the song that speaks for my recovery, and reminds me of what I have overcome; To find yourself just look inside the wreckage of your past.
Bring Me the Horizon
Another band that I had to learn to appreciate, it wasn't until the release of Sempiternal and I relapsed with my depression about six years ago, that I found myself connecting with the songs on the album. The opening song, Can You Feel My Heart, sucked me in from the first riff, but it was the haunting lyrics in the break in the heavy that made me listen a little closer.
To put into context, I was having daily panic attacks and very suicidal thoughts. It was one of those times where I couldn't find the words and then I heard the lyrics and it was like yes...this is what I feel. Hospital for Souls and Sleepwalking are also some of my favourite songs from that album.
When the band released That's the Spirit, I wasn't sure what to expect but this was another exceptional album that kind of mocked their trauma a little with Happy Song, and how people tell you if you just decide to be happy, you will be and that listening to all that "Depressing" music is doing you more harm than good. Avalanche is a song that anyone with anxiety or depression can relate to, that overwhelming sense of defeat when you succumb to it.
I lost a lot of so called friends because of my diagnosis so True Friends and Drown helped me deal with that aspect of my illness. Doomed is a song that I adore from that album. Bring me the Horizon continued to evolve with their sound, when AMO was released it surprised everyone but Medicine, Why you gotta kick me when I'm down? and I don't know what to say stand out songs on the album. In Music to listen to et al, I love the unique songs featuring Halsey and Yonaka (a band I've even got Mel listening to.) A new album is currently being teased, with BMTH returning to the sounds from Sempiternal with Parasite Eve and Obey, Ft YungBlud...another exceptional artist to check out. NF
This is going to seem like an unusual add to the list, but NF is actually one of my favourite artist's. I first heard his song Mansion, on a teen tv show and loved it, then, my tattoo artist shared some songs with me and I was a fan.
NF, real name Nate Feurstein, is an artist who speaks about his own experiences with depression, anxiety, the loss of a parent through drugs. his lyrics are thought provoking, soul wretching and carry with them a maturity you don't get from a lot of artist's his age. Mansion, both the album and it's single, refer to the mind as a home with many rooms, some that people keep closed in other to not deal with issues. The lyric, my mind is a home I'm trapped in and it's lonely inside this mansion, for me sums up what it is like to be crippled with negative thoughts and feeling like there isn't another soul alive who feels like you do.
NF's albums are in a rare category for me that his albums don't have a song you would skip. He can go from Eminem esque skilled raps on Outcast to the immensely melodic Trauma. he blends the two aspects of himself so perfectly, sometimes you don't expect him to be able to sing like that. NF is a highly underrated talent that I wished more people listened to, especially anyone who has struggled with negative thoughts.
Stand out songs to listen to: Mansion, Paralyzed, Therapy Session, Let you Down, Wake up Trauma, Leave me Alone, My Stress, Hate Myself....I mean, just listen to all the albums and tell me what you think cause I could be listing songs for days! Other songs of note
If you've stuck with me until now, thank you!
I have some songs that have also been part of my mental health journey, that I have listed below: Matchbox 20 - Unwell- This is one of my all-time favourite songs, and helped me come to terms with my diagnosis because the lyrics were poignant - I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. This was what I wanted to shout at the people who abandoned me during my illness. I might have only been fully diagnosed six years ago, but I was living with the trauma long before that. What was quirky then, was now stigmatized because it was official.
You Me at Six -Underdog -This one is mine and one of my bestest friends songs,;our anthem. I even have the lyrics tattooed on me, alongside a Carebear with a scythe, that says Down, Down, but definitely not out, and that's kinda my mantra. I may be down but I'm not out.
Other songs of note: Stay with me, Bite my tongue and Room to Breathe
All Time Low- Therapy- I absolutely love this song because while it addresses anxiety, then it shows how people living with anxiety or depression may fool you with a smile.
Music is such an important part of my life, and my writing process. The songs in my book playlists reflect the feelings and situations that the characters find themselves in. They are as important to me as the words I type on paper.
There is this quote I have that says, “Some days I need the music and some days I need the lyrics”. And that about sums it up. Music can help you survive when you need it the most. It can make you smile with a memory and cry with a single melody. My soul on days when the world is just a little bit too dark, or a little bit too lonely. Thank you all for taking the time to read my little piece today, and if you have any experiences where music helped you through a difficult time, then please let me know in the comments. I’ve included a link to My Mental Health Playlist, which is a little dark like me, in case anyone wants to have a listen.
Melanie here just jumping in to say a HUGE thank you to Susan for this beautiful article that I know will resonate with so many people out there. I know the Musers will appreciate it too!
The nightmare before Christmas is a cult classic, it’s also a two holidays movie in one. The first time I heard about this movie I was skeptical, not going to lie, but after hearing Tim Burton was the man behind it, I decided to give it a try. And boy was I glad that I did!
If you’re like me you can watch holiday-themed movies year round, but if you’re in the other group, that’s OK to0, because like I said with this movie you can either watch at Halloween or Christmas. So you have double the opportunity!
This story starts off with our hero, and movie icon Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. He seems to become bored with the same old thing and wonders if there’s something more. I think we can all relate to that at some point of our lives. He ends up wandering into a forest, where he notices a few other holiday marked trees like Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s, and of course Christmas. Going into the Christmas marked tree he’s shocked and confused, wondering what all is this?
The other major character is Sally. You can tell from the beginning, that she’s very into Jack but like most guys he’s totally oblivious at first. What would any movie be without a little drama to mix things up - and we get this when we find out that the man that Sally works for, is of course trying to take over Halloween Town! With jack preoccupied he finds the perfect opportunity and ..... oops no spoilers!
Now, I could keep going on an on about this movie but I’ll stop there, because if you haven't seen it yet I don’t want to ruin it. Trust me though when I say if you haven’t seen this movie, you need to check it out. I mean like now! ....... What are you waiting for? .......... Halloween?
** Disclosure**
Any Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article areAmazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!) Jennifer Rhodes Cleere met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. This is her second guest article for Melanie's Muses nd we hope there are many more to come! And Now Your Chance To Win A Nightmare Before Christmas Prize Pack! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a Nightmare Before Christmas Prize pack with a jewelry set sent in by Jennifer Rhodes Cleere to go with her article, A Tumber and Lanyard sent in by Shannon Watts, Stickers by Vicky Pond, and random things from the Melanie's Muses Prize Collection! For your chance to win- leave a comment ON THIS POST ON THE WEBSITE (comments left on shares around other social media WILL NOT COUNT) - Telling us if you like The Nightmare Before Christmas! The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 18th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 19th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
About Susan
Susan Harris is a writer from Cork, Ireland and when she’s not torturing her readers with heart-wrenching plot twists or killer cliffhangers, she’s probably getting some new book related ink, binging her latest TV or music obsession, or with her nose in a book. Welcome to the Spotlight Lounge! Thanks for coming to chat with us today and let’s start with what your favorite drink would be to have while we chat. A -Probably a nice cup of tea in one of my various mugs. Musers hail from all around the globe – so where do you live and do you draw your inspiration from there? A- Most musers know that I’m from a small little place called Ireland and I definitely use a lot of that in my series, especially Cork where I’m from. So with the release of Arsonist's Lullaby you really have quite the collection of books going on now! From a dystopian standalone, to YA Vampires, a magical Shakespeare reimagining, and of course The Ever Chace Chronicles. So how do you decide what you want to write? A- Usually I write what Melanie tells me to write lol. But most of my ideas come from the characters that start talking to me in my head. They start telling me their stories and we somehow work out how to tell it. Believe me that every character is quite vocal about having their own voice heard. Ha! Well far be it from me to dissuade you from listening to me although let's be honest I think I spend more time helping flesh out the ideas you already have. So with that in mind - Do you have any favorite books, movies, or TV shows that have inspired you? A- I’ve always said that The Ever Chace Chronicles stemmed from an idea of me watching Criminal Minds and asking what would Hotch be like as a werewolf and Derek started talking to me. I was always fascinated by Norse Mythology so being able to explore that aspect with my own twist was an added bonus. Hmmm yes Derek, see if you always listened to me he would definitely not be doing so much talking lol. So obviously Derek is not my favorite character, but do you have a favorite within your Ever Chace Chroncles? If so who is it – and are they based on anyone in the real world? A - All of the characters in the EC Chronicles have a special place in my heart. I don’t know if I really have a favorite, but Ricky is always fun to write. He’s grown the most, I think, since the books began and he’s always one for the sarcasm and banter. Yes Ricky is a lot of fun, of course my favorite has to be Melanie .... but I might be a little biased lol. Right changing the subject a little - Are you a planner or a pantster? (I read this somewhere and had to steal it! Basically do you plan where your books are heading or do you write and see where the story takes you? A- I’m a bit of both and depends on the book. With the Ever Chace Chronicles, I planned the books and even the ending from day one. Others, come to me as I’m writing or as the characters throw me a curveball and change things up as I write. I will admit to spending more time planning playlists than the actual book though! And those playlists are awesome! (You can follow Susan Harris on Spotify to see them and probably find some music to fall in love with!). Now you have put out a LOT of titles in various genres. What for you would you say is the hardest part of writing a book? A-Self-doubt. I’m always struggling with trying to make sure that the previous book was not a fluke. I also hate the middle part of books, because I’m eager to see what happens at the end.But the hardest part of writing a book is waiting for Melanie to read it and give me her seal of approval. Lol HA! Well I am certainly not going to apologize for that - especially as several of them have to take time outs in the metaphorical freezer! So where do you get all your ideas? I mean as a reader you definitely have some amazingly original takes on things! A- Music is a passion of mine and I often find inspiration for scenes, characters, book titles from some of my fave songs. I also like finding character pictures on Pinterest that stand out to me as possible characters. Well we know that your vision and my vision of your characters varies a lot so let's change the subject before we rehash a very familiar debate lol! If you could give younger you one piece of advice what would it be? A - Don’t be too hard on yourself. Be you. Your anxiety does not define you nor will it stop you.And don’t think about it, just get the feckin’ tattoo! That sounds like good advice! Greg and Em would definitely agree with you about the tattoo! Are you reading any books right now? A - I’m just finishing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. I didn’t want to like it because I’m Team Katniss all the way, but it was interesting. Don't you hate that when a book makes you like it anyway lol. So what about TV Shows? Do you have any that are your #MustWatch at the moment? A - Lockdown has seen us run out of shows to watch but I binged all season of Ray Donovan and loved it. We also watched Young Wallander, The new Cormen Strike series. I need to finish up the last three episodes of The 100, one of my fave shows and then mentally prepare myself to say goodbye to Supernatural. Ugh I don't think any of us are mentally prepared to say goodbye to Supernatural. How about movies? What’s the last movie you watched and how would you rate it? A- The last movies I watched were The Old Guard- which I bloody loved - I’d give it 4 stars, simply because I wanted more and The Outpost, which was also great- I’m a big fan of military shows and movies, The Hurt Locker is one of my fave movies. I’d also give the Outpost a 4 I'll agree with you on The Old Guard! That was great! Musers if you haven't seen it you can check it out on Netflix! The military ones I will just pass on lol. Susan thank you so much for chatting today! Before you leave please let the Musers know where they can stalk you - just in case there are actually people that don't know! Facebook – – https://www.facebook.com/SuzHarrisWrites/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/SuzHarrisWrites Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/susanharrisauthor/ Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Harris/e/B00LX9Z1A6 Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5311754.Susan_Harris Website - www.susanharrisauthor.com BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-harris-d52eb5f6-2bca-4d8b-bb16-14add091131f Let us know what you think of Susan's answers below and I'm sure she will be happy to jump in and answer any questions you wish I had asked! And Be Sure To Check Out The Release Day Post And Giveaway HERE! 
Remember when HBO was free on weekends? All you had to do was grab a blank VHS tape, hit record & that movie was yours forever (or until you wore the tape out). Little did I know that's how I'd be introduced to one of my favorite Halloween movies of all time. This movie introduced me to the legendary Dame Diana Rigg as well as the incredible Tim Curry. It's also what started my love of bats after seeing the main character's best friend with one hanging off her finger. I loved everything about this movie & couldn't get enough. Chances were if I wasn't in the house I could be found outside "making potions" in the birdbath (sorry birds, your bath was my makeshift cauldron).
When most people hear the words magic school their minds go to Hogwarts but before Hogwarts we had Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. Based on the books by Jill Murphy, Worst Witch tells the story of Mildred Hubble, a sweet yet awkward girl that's trying her best to get through school & remember what ingredients she needs for potion class. If only some of the teachers & the school hot shot would leave her alone it would be so much easier. They'd soon be surprised to find out sometimes the witch with the lowest marks in class can be the only one capable of saving them all.
Shot at St. Michael's in Tenbury Wells, England the Gothic Revival architecture combined with a fabulous cast adds up to be the perfect family friendly Halloween movie.
If this doesn't sound like your cup of tea at least go to YouTube & search Anything Can Happen on Halloween & that just mind change your mind.
**Melanie Here - I even saved you all the search - here is the video!!! - Also there is a BBC version of the series on Netflix which I just discovered - so you should check that out too!**
** Disclosure**
Any Links To Buy On Amazon in this page may be Amazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do) Ashley Brilinski is the queen of Halloween and can loves everything to do with it. She regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways AND sends in amazing items for Melanie and Greg. Her attention to detail is second to none. This is her first guest article for Melanie's Muses but we hope there are many more to come!
And Now Your Chance To Win A Witchy Prize Including The Original Worst Witch DVD Featuring Tim Curry! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a Witchy Prize Pack Including a DVD of The Worst Witch with Tim Curry which was sent in by Ashley! (Shannon beat her sending me a copy of the DVD earlier this year and it is one of my prized possessions- so you are very lucky about that lol!) For your chance to win- leave a comment ON THIS POST ON THE WEBSITE (comments left on shares around other social media WILL NOT COUNT) - Telling us What Movie Gets You In The Halloween Spirit? And do you watch it year round or save it for Halloween? The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 4th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 5th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
When I look back at Xena, I can’t believe it’s been twenty five years since it first aired, time does fly! Don’t believe me? Well I’m about to explain why you should check it out if you’ve never watched before.
Xena gave women a character that they could look up to, one that never needed a man to come save her, but instead saved herself along with others. A character that made you believe that no matter what, you could make a difference, if you just fought for what you believed in. I’m not saying she’s perfect, because of course she’s not. She struggled with things, but along with her friend and traveling companion Gabrielle, she always seemed too find a way.
Xena and Gabrielle also showcased that women could be more than just friends, something that today wouldn’t be so unusual, but back then it was huge! I am sure it gave women who might of been afraid to come out, the courage to do so, and the knowledge they were not alone. I was younger when it aired and I never really put them together, but trust me you definitely saw their love for each other, and watching it now the subtle way they portray it on screen carries a huge message.
This wasn’t just a show you watched and then forgot about later, but one you replayed in your head later or maybe you just kept it on rewatch. I know I always did. Seasons 1 – 6 have recently been uploaded to the NBCU library so are available online via SyFy.Com (which you do need a cable subscription for – or the episodes / seasons are available to buy separately).
One episode in particular stays with me whenever I think about what Gabriel and Xena shared. Soul Possession (Season 6 Episode 20 so it is near the end). It takes place right after Xena thought she had lost Gabrielle but then finds out she’s not dead. Xena will do whatever it takes to get her back, (spoiler alert), even almost marrying Aries, God of War. The one person she hates more than anyone else, a hate we as fans got to see grow throughout the seasons. In this episode you get to see a more human side of Xena, feelings that we could relate to, how she struggles with the thought of going on without Gabrielle, but in the end she sees the truth, that being without her would be impossible, something so many of us can still relate to.
I could go on and on with reasons why Xena will always hold a special place in my heart but I’ll stop with just one more thought. Good shows leave us with memories and there’s nothing wrong with that, but great shows leave us always wanting more and even though it’s been twenty five years that’s exactly what Xena has done. Left fans wanting more!
** Disclosure**
Any Links To Buy On Amazon in this page may be Amazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do) Jennifer Rhodes Cleere met Melanie back when True Blood was popular and they have been friends ever since. She loves TV (especially things that make you smile), Doctor Who, Finding new shows, and regularly provides awesome fandom items for Muser Giveaways. This is her first guest article for Melanie's Muses but we hope there are many more to come! And Now Your Chance To Win A Xena Funko Pop! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a Xena Warrior Princess Funko Pop sent in by Jennifer Rhodes Cleere to go with her article! For your chance to win- leave a comment ON THIS POST ON THE WEBSITE (comments left on shares around other social media WILL NOT COUNT) - Telling us if you watched Xena! The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on October 4th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 5th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
Take your quarters out of your pocket and line them up on the machine. Insert coin and get ready to play.
Scott Pilgrim vs The World was released to the movie world in summer 2010. A genuine box office flop, it only made half of the budget back in returns. Why are we talking about it? Because it is an absolute gem!!! Now, I know I have a unique taste in movies. Every time I mention some movies I love, other people are confused having either never heard of them, or wondering if we watched the same movie because they hated it. I will be the first to admit that when I first heard about it, I was a little hesitant because I knew it sounded much like a "gamer movie" and I'm not much of a gamer anymore. I'm more of an old school gamer; give me Pac Man, Mario Bros, etc and I'm content. If you give me some of this newer stuff they come up with, I'll be lost. So, I was an afraid that some of the references would be lost on me.
The movie is filled with video game style sound effects and on-screen graphics often show in background or corner. Scott is dating Knives Chau, but pursuing punk haired, Amazon delivery girl, Ramona Flowers. But in order to reach his goal, he must go through levels like in a video game, and defeat each of Ramona's seven evil exes.
Matthew Patel - As soon he wants Ramona, he gets an email from Matthew informing him of their impending duel to the death, which Scott deletes. Matthew shows up at the battle of the bands that bassist Scott's band, Sex Bob-Omb, is performing at and attacks. On screen, battle hits in a similar style of "pow" and "zap" as seen in the 1966 Batman tv series. Gaining points for combo hits and eventual defeat, Scott gets a 1000-point bonus and $2.40 in change as Ramona grabs him and they leave together.
Lucas Lee - Skateboarder turned action movie star filming a movie nearby. Scott's roommate is kinda stalking the actor when Scott and Ramona meet up on the film set, where it is revealed Ramona dated him. Lucas starts tossing Scott around like a rag doll before handing things over to his stunt team to take care of his light work. Scott deals with them as Lucas is walking away, but Scott calls him back and tricks him into a doing grind on some tricky steps leading to his defeat and a 3000-point bonus for the win. Ramona disappears without a trace.
Todd Ingram -Bassist for The Clash at Demonhead, in a band with Scott's ex, Envy Adams. Envy enlists Sex Bomb-Omb to open a secret show for them. Envy dumped Scott a year before. As Clash takes the stage, Todd makes eye contact with Scott and the revelation of the next fight occurs as the lyrics are aimed at him "hello again, friend of a friend, I knew you well". Using his vegan powers -yes, vegan powers! You didn’t know being a vegan gives you special powers? - Todd is swiping Scott away without physical contact being made. A bass battle commences as Scott picks up his bass and starts to riff. Scott is nearly defeated until he gives Todd a coffee with half and half in it, and the Vegan Police show up to remove his vegan powers. 3000-point bonus.
Roxie Richter - After walking home from the Todd battle, we meet Roxie. Ramona was a little bi-curious, Roxie is bi-furious. Roxie is about to throw a punch that Ramona blocks as they pull weapons out and the fight begins. A few exchanges of blows don’t really count since technically Scott has to defeat her with his own hands so Ramona takes control of Scott and swings for him. 4000-point bonus after she defeated.
Kyle and Ken Katayanagi - Twins and the next band in the Battle of the Bands that Sex Bob-Omb has to face. Both bands on stage at the same time, the twins with a wall of amps, literally blow the roof off. A musical fight enlists animalic notes taking shape to do the fighting for them. At the climax of battle, Scott earns an extra life (a "1 Up" graphic comes up on screen as he grabs it). But Ramona leaves with Gideon, the record producer and head of the League of Evil Exes.
Gideon Gordon Graves. -After presumably winning over Ramona, Gideon invites Scott and Sex Bomb-Omb to open his new Chaos Theatre so there is no bad blood between them. Ramona is less than pleased sitting by his side. Showing up at the theatre, Scott levels up by proclaiming his love for Ramona and pulls a flaming sword out of his chest! (Burning love, from the heart. Very visual!)
The band starts to play as Gideon's minions come at Scott from every angle and he fights them off, earning points at every hit. Knives shows up. Not to help Scott, but to fight Ramona! Simultaneous fighting between the four of them until Scott tries to come between the girls and is plunged from behind by Gideon. Game over for Scott.
Or is it?
Remember the Extra Life? Chaos Theatre: Take 2. After a quick rewind, we are dealt a reverse. Scott takes the initiative and phones Gideon to inform him that he is coming for him. Bonus points for taking charge. This time, instead of fighting for Ramona, he fights for himself. Queue the music and Gideon's minions again. A quick knock down before Knives re-enters the game. Scott is learning though. He stops before the girls can fight and makes amends so Scott and Knives and double team to take down Gideon. 7,000,000,000 point bonus!
Amazing cast. Michael Cera (Superbad, Juno, and another person favorite, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist-- trust me, look it up), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Final Destination 3, Birds of Prey), 3 superheroes-- Chris Evans (Human Torch and Captain America), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), and Brandon Routh (Superman, The Atom). Not to mention, the impeccable Aubrey Plaza is an absolute show-stealer! She only in it sporadically, but is one of the best parts. In order to keep a PG 13 rating, they bleeped (or buzzed out) all of her expletive laden remarks.
See clip: (Clip courtesy of Fandango movie clips on YouTube - No Rights Held Or Implied By Melanie's Muses)
It may have been a disappointment in the theatrical release, but has gained some level of notoriety over the years to start the recognition it deserves as a cult classic.
Victory theme. Game over. Roll credits. End scene.
Any Links To Buy On Amazon in this page may be Amazon Affiliate Links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do) Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more. He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now also writes guest articles for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features - watch for the upcoming "31 Days Of Halloween Movies" 
Over the years, there have been many attempts to make King's stories into movies and miniseries. Tommyknockers, Golden Years, Sleepwalkers, Misery, Langoliers, and countless others. Some have been made more than once. For instance, The Stand was made in 1994 and now they are redoing that for CBS All Access in December. Today, we will be focusing on 2 other stories that have been told twice. "It", and "The Shining".
First, we will discuss The Shining. It was a 1977 novel, made into a movie in 1980 by Stanley Kubrick. The stories surrounding this film are legendary. King was displeased with a lot of the changes from the book to film. Nonetheless, the movie remains a classic that is referenced in tons of pop culture shows and movies. Even if it’s not mentioned by name, the references to Room 237 in "Ready Player One" is instantly recognizable.
In 1997, King had a chance to rectify the problems he had with the 1980 version when ABC offered him a miniseries deal to rewrite himself. Steven Weber took over the Jack Nicholson role of Jack Torrance. King was able to reinsert parts of the original ending that Kubrick had changed. Even though this is the ending King wanted, some still prefer the Kubrick version. Everyone will have their preferences.
Next up, we have the 1986 novel, "It". Everyone knows the story of Pennywise or at least as much as he will let us learn about him. Although, the 1100+ page book has a lot of info, they couldn’t possibly fit all that into the movies no matter how many versions they made.
The 1990 miniseries had featured some top talent of the day-- Harry Anderson, John Ritter, and the wonderful Tim Curry as Pennywise. Since it was made for tv, it had to take on a different tone completely. The horror, language, and violence was turned down some to be a little more palatable. The 2-part movie was done really well. Well, maybe. The ending always seems to be a problem in many of King's films, a point they actually referenced in "It - Chapter 2" "I didn’t like the ending", a shop owner said to Bill Denborough asking about his book.
In 2017 and 2019, they tried to improve and make it more like the original. By making them theatrical films, they were able to up the horror, language and gore content and turned it up to 11. The 2 versions were done quite differently.
The 1990 miniseries, essentially kept them split. The first half had them primarily as kids and the second half as adults. While It - Chapter 1 kept them as kids, Chapter 2 still had a significant amount of flashbacks into their childhood and untold moments from the first film. One thing remains is that this entry also kept the same level of star power getting some big names like James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgard taking over the role of Pennywise this time around. One complaint from a lot of people about this movie is that it was too long. I didn’t mind it though.
But for a movie that has a gag which includes not liking the ending of a something, they still didn’t seem to know what to do with this one. It’s the problem with a powerful being; you need a way to kill it or get rid of it, and that needs something really good. Unless you come up with something spectacular, it will fall flat and leave you sitting there going "Huh? Is that it?"
But never fear! You can buy yourself a Steven King Funko and pretend he will write the ending you want - Like Misery! (Sledgehammer not included)
** Disclosure**
Any Links To Buy On Amazon in this page may be Amazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do) Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more. He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now also writes guest articles for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features - watch for the upcoming "31 Days Of Halloween Movies" 
1980. The year no one wanted to go to camp anymore.
Friday the 13th was born and was on everyone lips. For a bit of a mystery/horror/slasher film made on a budget of $550k, it grossed nearly $60 million worldwide. Fans loved it, and the studio saw dollar signs. So of course, they wanted a sequel. Producer Sean S. Cunningham was confused. "How? It’s a mystery. The killer was revealed. She is dead. Who is gonna be the killer?" The studio said "The boy. Jason." "He's dead. There was no boy found." So, against all logic, the little boy that was a figment of Alice's imagination is back and is a grown man in the 1981 sequel a year later.
For Part 2, they doubled the budget, but only brought in about half the domestic returns as the original. Still a hefty profit margin, nonetheless. At first it was going to be an anthology story - a mistake the Halloween franchise would make a year later. (Whew! That was a near miss!)
Jason running around with a burlap sack over his head proved to be profitable. So, a third instalment was in development rather quickly. This time they went for the 3D approach in 1982. Seeing it in theatres must have a real trip with all the effects. Watching it at home, in standard 2D looks a little cheesy, but that’s ok. This is also the film where he gets his famous mask that is associated with Jason the most.
They took a little more time for Part 4: The Final Chapter. Released in 1984 and picking up right where Part 3 leaves off, it was actually supposed to be the end. Jason was dead.
D-E-A-D. The almighty dollar changed a few minds though and a year later he was back in Part 5: A New Beginning. Well, not really back. The dude in a hockey mask killing people wasn’t Jason. Kind of a rip off. Had some nice kills but still falls a little short for me. Time for redemption. 1986. Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives (for real this time). This is wasn’t one of my personal faves. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I like some humor in my horror and this has plenty of it. From the opening theme that is a James Bond parody, to the jokes and gags throughout, it’s all great! This is also the beginning of the zombified Jason. Up until now, he was pretty much human. Seemed almost unstoppable, but still supposed to be human.
Jason vs telekinesis was the theme in 1988's Part 7: The New Blood. But Jason soldiers on. He was determined to get out of Crystal Lake for his next adventure.
1989's Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan. Now this is where the story gets (a little more) convoluted. Ya see, at the end, he is in the sewer, being drowned in toxic waste, everything rotting off and is turned back into the little boy that drowned again. (Huh?) And this is how they left it for 4 years. This was going to be the ending, again? Then I guess they wanted a proper send off. 1993 brought Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday. Now things go a little further. The thing I didn’t like about this one is they try to explain the Jason myth. Instead of just being Jason Voorhees, unstoppable killing machine, he is this alien-type being, jumping from body to body and has to inhabit the only living Voorhees left to stay alive! Ummm, yeah, ok, whatever dude. The finale is the birth of the Freddy vs Jason story when Freddy's hand comes up and pulls Jason's mask down to hell. But it would be another 10 years before that happens. The Friday franchise was done until someone came up with the idea to put Jason in space! Yes, in space!
Jason X saw several delays, but finally saw the light of day in 2002 to poor reviews. It remains the lowest grossing film in the franchise, just under Part 8 and 9. Personally, I didn’t think it was that bad. It is a fun flick. Yes, its corny and cheesy, but so what? Horror is supposed to be fun! It wasn’t the best in the series but certainly wasn’t the worst. A year later, we would see the much-anticipated Freddy vs Jason, which is will be the last Friday film, at least in this timeline.
We aren’t done yet folks, we still have 3 more points of topic to discuss:
1) The remake -2009. Now, much boohooing can be said about remakes and they aren’t needed, they change things, or keep them the same. There’s always something. One thing this remake did was take what we know, and what fans want, and incorporated it from the beginning. Some people complained that Mrs. Voorhees was the original killer and she should have been the main focus of this one too. It’s been done. Jason is the face of the franchise. Mrs. Voorhees is in the first few minutes and we actually see Jason witness his mother being killed. Also, instead of waiting 3 more movies to get mask he is known for, he finds it in this one as well. Everything is accounted for.
2) The documentary - Crystal Lake Memories. Over 6 hours of interviews!!! A must for any fan! It is incredible! A must watch! 3) The TV series -1987. I was a little confused by this when I first heard about it in TVGuide. Friday the 13th: The Series. Huh? Is Jason stalking people every week? Will he get killed every week and brought back to life? No. He isn’t even in the series. Not even a cameo. It’s about an antique store that sells cursed objects. Side note: actor John D. LeMay is the only actor to appear in the both the movie (Part 9) and tv series-- different characters though.
Hope you enjoyed this class of Jason 101. There will be quiz next week. Study hard, and sharpen those machetes.
Any Links To Buy On Amazon in this page may be Amazon Affiliate Links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do) Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more. He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now also writes guest articles for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features - watch for the upcoming "31 Days Of Halloween Movies" |
ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed