Jenn - Do adults love kids shows? Well the answer to that question for me is yes. Well at least the ones I grew up with anyways. I grew up with "Rugrats", "Hey Arnold", and "Spongebob" (although I never really got into that on, but the two I want to talk about today, that I've recently rewatched and man I just love them, are "iCarly" and "Henry Danger".
Melanie - I love kids shows too - and not just the ones I watched when I was young although they have a special place in my heart. I love Wizards of Waverly Place, and I recently watched the new Worst Witch series on Netflix and loved it (up until they changed out the main actress), and of course the original Worst Witch movie (Muser Ashley Brilinksi did a guest piece on that last year which you can read here! Note the giveaway is long over!)
Jenn - Both shows I mentioned were originally on Nickelodeon and yes "iCarly" was rebooted on Paramount+, but honestly without Sam it just isn’t the same to me. I mean it’s not bad. It’s just not the same and yes, I’m older now also, but I’ve never liked when they reboot a show with one or more of the original cast is missing even though I respect the actresses choice regarding not wanting to return.
"iCarly" was about a group of school friends doing a popular web show. (Melanie - Greg and Em used to LOVE iCarly lol - GIBBY!) "Henry Danger" on the other hand is about a hero and his sidekick fighting crime. There is a spin off of that going on now called "Danger Force". I recently checked it out and I’m hooked.
Jenn - Why would I watch these shows, you say. Well sometimes I get tired of drama whether it be from a show or fandom and honestly kid shows don’t really have that, so it’s kind of refreshing plus the story of these three aren’t bad either. Also, its a piece of nostalgia. Going back to simpler time, and I think that's something we all need every now and then.
Melanie - I hear that! Sometimes the fandom drama is ridiculous. I will still watch kids shows if they catch my eye, and I love to go back and watch ones I grew up with too! Jennifer Rhodes 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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team! The Code Word For This Article Is Cartoons
Dave - 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 is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"
Someone asks you a question. You answer "42. The ultimate answer is always 42" as you laugh. They give you a blank stare like you are crazy. Right then and there you know they don't get it and have never watched "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". The perfect response is wasted.
The movie has just about everything. Top of the line casting including Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, and Alan Rickman. Quick-witted humor, mixed with dry humor and a manic depressed robot, Marvin, voiced by Severus Snape himself. So many things have come from this. Babelfish is a translator so you can understand any language (not unlike the TARDIS translator) and also used as a translator online. The Guide is like Siri. Ask it anything and it will tell you.
Rockwell's portrayal of the eccentric Zaphod, who hides a second head under his neck, is out of this world-- so to speak. Who would ever think the dry humor of the deadpan Marvin would highlight the humorous travels across the galaxy? The infinite improbability drive is a whole other story. Where else can you find a movie that has a segment featuring characters made of yarn? You're probably wondering why I haven't tried to explain the plot. You're right. I haven't. And I won't. Watching the trailer would explain it better.
Until next time, always bring your towel. So long and thanks for all the fish.
Melanie - No intro for Melanie- If you don't know who she is then why are you here lol!
I remember watching the TV series when I was just a child, and then discovering the books in my teens! I always was, and still am, a fan of things that are a little bit out there. With some references that Whovians could definitely, the Douglas Addams world certainly stands apart, and has offered (as Dave mentioned) some classic quotes that only fans will understand.
The TV series only covered book one and was released in the early 80's. Anyone that watched the live on Sunday will see my Trillion themed hair and make-up (I mean who doesn't love a little 80's throwback). The books are a complete series (for those that can't deal with things unfinished), and as Addam's sadly passed in 2001 we know that the original storyline is complete (and should stay that way - no additional input is needed!) Whilst the story might be finished, it would appear the adaptations are not. Dave mentioned the 2005 movie, which didn't do as well as expected even though with purists not liking the changes (personally I thought they were fabulous and Alan Rickman voicing the depressed robot - I mean COME ON...), and newcomers perhaps not appreciating what the idea was meant to be. Other than Galaxy Quest (and more recently The Orville), generally Sci Fi with comedy is a fairly limited market. That doesn't seem to have deterred Hulu thought from venturing into the Hitchhikers universe. Rumors that they were looking to launch it again as a TV series started in 2019. Whilst nothing much further has been released there was a quiet announcement that it had been renewed for Season 2 already which would be good news for anyone looking NOT to start yet another failed adventure. There are even reports that it will be taking over the filming spaces of former FOX, now Hulu only show The Orville fueling speculation that the as yet unreleased Season 3 will be the last for that (filming recently wrapped - again with little to no news being released). I would definitely be interested in seeing an updated version although with the original series streaming currently on Amazon Prime I am about to do a rewatch with Greg (because he remembers very little and hasn't read the books). Casual visitors would probably find the 2005 movie an easy introduction, personally my vote would be for reading the books, and finally if you love the 80s, and BBC TV, then check out the series on Prime. Life, The Universe, and Everything awaits!
The Code Word For This Article Is Trillian!
Please note the trailer for the BBC Show is fan made - I couldn't find an official one.
All Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate Links(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!)
AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Hitchhikers" Prize Pack featuring the 2005 DVD, Book 1, and a Don't Panic decal sent in by Dennifer, stickers and mask from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard. 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) - What's one of your favorite Fandom references? Examples - Fish Fingers And Custard (Doctor Who) Tip Your Waitress (True Blood) OMG AARON!!! (Ghost Adventures) Winter Is Coming (Game of Thrones) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Other comments about the article are very welcome but only entrants with the qualifying comments will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question! Winner will be announced during the Live show on September 5th (and then posted here on the blog as well on September 6th Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
Jenn -
So, I’m back with another old but very different movie. Hey, what can I say except different is better, even if it’s cheesy. This movie is none other than "Little Monsters" starring Fred Savage & Howie Mandel. I was so excited when I realized it was streaming on Netflix, I admit I screamed happily out loud, because this movie is one of those that you can watch over and over and still enjoy. The movie starts off with Brian and his family moving to a new house in a new town, which at first, he despises until he meets Maurice. Maurice happens to be a monster who lives under his bed. You’re thinking "how cliché!", right? Nope! Trust me, this movie goes beyond that and shows you having only fun is never what it’s cracked up to be.
Maurice and Brian become fast friends after Brian captures him and saves his life from the sun. You’re probably thinking "what?". But if you happened to have not seen this then I’m definitely not telling you what I mean by that. Maurice also ends up showing him the world of monsters and shadows that happen to be right under the bed-- and yes, I do mean anybody’s bed. In the end though Brian just might have the biggest choice of his entire life to make, hope he makes the right decision but the only way you know if he does or doesn’t is to check out this amazing, old cheesy forgotten classic of a movie.
Jennifer Rhodes 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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!
The Code Word For This Article Is Monsters
Check out the trailer and then check out the movie free with your Netflix subscription or rent/buy the movie on Amazon!
All Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate Links(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!)
Dave says-
Cute. Cuddly. And just a wee bit murderous. "Gremlins" has a distinct place in cinematic history. For those of us around when this gem flashed upon the silver screen, we remember the press and somewhat controversy surrounding the violent images contained herein. This is the movie that invented the PG-13 rating, along with "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom". Both originally had a PG rating until complaints came flying in. Not many movies have the honor of inventing a new rating because someone saw Gizmo and Steven Spielberg’s name, assuming this would be another "E.T." (just a reminder to never "assume", you know what that does) and thought it would be appropriate for a 4 year old child. Did they watch the trailer? Have they heard it described as a comedy-horror? What about that sounds good for a 4 year old? We don't actually see Stripe in trailer but we hear that wicked laugh. But then again, I've seen people take young kids into "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies. So, what do I know? Moving right along.
For all its success and high box office numbers, it failed to be #1 in its opening weekend. But that’s ok, it came in at #2, only $1.1 million behind another classic, "Ghostbusters". Come to think of it, I think that’s why I didn't end up seeing "Gremlins" in theaters. I was seeing "Ghostbusters". Everyone knows the story of the Gremlins so there is absolutely no need to go deep into the plot. Well, maybe a little. Dad looks for an unusual Christmas gift for his son and gets him a new pet. Every pet has rules. This one has three of them with deadly consequences if they aren't followed. And of course, they aren't. So, we see the results of not following rules.
With all highly successful films, a sequel was inevitable. This one is no exception except it had a considerably lighter tone to it than the original. Even though the original was darker and more horrific aspects, this one I would consider more of a straight forward comedy. I had difficulty placing them side by side on shelf in the video store I worked. Even calling it "light horror" would be one hell of a stretch, in my opinion. "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" has another dubious distinction from most films. One completely different scene for theaters vs home release. For the theatrical audience, looking like the film was destroyed by gremlins, the film strip appears to melt and be taken off. With shadows of the evil gremlins showing on screen and the movie theater usher going down the aisle to get none other than WWF wrestler Hulk Hogan to threaten them to return to the regular feature. For video release, it was switched to old John Wayne footage and him getting the gremlins to stop taking over your tv. When I saw it on VHS, I didn't think I'd ever see the Hulk Hogan footage again. It was nowhere on the VHS release. But luckily now we have DVDs and Blu rays with bonus features where it’s included as a deleted/alternate scene.
Much like a lot of 80's icons and franchises, this one is also in talks for 3rd chapter in the series. Haven't heard that much about it but I think the current commercial that is airing could be a sign of something big in the making.
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 is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"
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. She is a proud founding Member of the Muser VIPers and is responsible for Melanie not breaking the Website on an almost daily basis!You can check out all her books on Amazon HERE
All Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate Links(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!) Melanie Here - The Code Word For This Article Is Gizmo
And Now For The Giveaway!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Gremlins" Prize Pack featuring a tote bag, dvd, and pin sent in by Dennifer, 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) - Would you want a Mogwai? The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Other comments about the article are very welcome but only entrants with the qualifying comments will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question! Winner will be announced during the Live show on August 29th (and then posted here on the blog as well on August 30th Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
Melanie Says -
Oh True Blood .... Where to start! This was really my first foray into the world of being an Influenster. I picked up a random DVD at Blockbuster that was the pilot for a new vampire show that would go on to be one of HBO's biggest successes. I didn't realize until I started watching that this was based on a book series that I already enjoyed - The Southern Vampire Mysteries (AKA The Sookie Stackhouse Novels).
I was hooked immediately. It became an obsession that went far beyond my normal vamp preferences but little did I know how big this would become. Whilst the first season follows the first book fairly closely, as the seasons progress the two become completely unique entities, and in my opinion should be treated as such, with comparisons being pretty futile. By the end of Season 1 I was a member of several forums, (including the Facebook one where I met Jenn), I watched and rewatched looking for clues and hidden meanings, and by Season 4 I was blogging up recaps and theories for each and every episode (complete with a LOT of snark). I watched the extended HBO app versions and noted all the details - I joined the Klout (an influencer program voted on by other fans) and soon became one of the top 20 True Blood reps which rewarded me with things like signed comic books - and I irritated showrunners and writers with my obsessive thoughts when the later shows stopped having so many layers ..... I was actually asked to STOP looking for meanings that weren't there...... which only made me do it more! Even now True Blood holds a special place in my heart. I rewatch the first seasons often, I reread the first 8 books (it would need a whole other post to talk about what happened with them), and I smile. Without True Blood, Melanie's Muses as you know it may never have existed. I may never have met one of my best friends, and the path for so many other Vampire shows may not have been paved.
This show will forever live in my heart, no matter if I didn’t like the final two seasons of it. That show is "True Blood". I found this show by chance one day because I looked up vampire shows, which I was big into in those days. Don’t get me wrong I still love a good vampire/paranormal show but I love other stuff now as well. This show takes place in Bon Temps, Louisiana where humans have just learned that yes, vampires do indeed exist thanks to a synthetic blood drink called Tru Blood. During our first scene we meet Sookie Stackhouse, and Bill Compton and from there that’s when craziness ensues.
Not only do we have these two characters but there’s a array of others as well that just make you go WOW, like Eric, Sam, Pam, Tara, Jason, Jessica and Alcide who you meet in later seasons. Well Jessica you meet at the end of season one but no spoilers here, because maybe some haven’t seen this show. Oh, and we can’t forget Lafayette, or "La La" as dubbed by the Trubies, who along with Eric are my two favorite characters. Nelsan Ellis played La La and boy did he play him well. Rest In Peace my man. You’re missed. Nelsan passed in 2017 of heart failure at the age of 39. We also have Terry, Arlene, Andy and Hoyt. I could go on with character after character but I’ll just stop there.
This show centers around Sookie and the mystery surrounding her. "Why is everyone so obsessed with her?" as Pam would always say. Well maybe not exactly in those words. Want to find out? Well, this show has been around awhile, so if you’re into vampires, weres and everything in between then I definitely recommend you give this show a try. Also, it’s how Mel’s and me met. So, it definitely can’t be all that bad now, can it?
September 2008. The world at large was introduced to small Southern town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Some readers were already familiar with the town and the inhabitants from the book series. But I don't read much. This show changed that. Well, a little bit anyway.
I was actually introduced to this series from magazine ads. The initial ads just showed a pair of fangs and blood dripping. I love a good vampire movie, or show in this case. So, I was ready to check it out. I knew nothing else about it but I ready for the ride. One thing that is a little different is that this is set in a world where vampires are "out of the coffin". The world knows of their existence. As you may have guessed, that doesn't sit well with everybody. Some still have their prejudices, even though vamps can live on the synthetic invention Tru Blood and no longer need to kill to survive.
Alan Ball, who previous created "Six Feet Under" for HBO handled the project and did a fantastic job of casting and melding the town. Even managing to keep readers on their toes with little change ups and decoys. The first of which came at the end of Season 1 with a cliff-hanger. Finding a dead body in a car and all we see is the foot hanging out of the door as it opens. From the time it aired in November 2008 until the Season 2 premiere in June 2009, all the readers thought they had it figured out. They read the books. They knew whose foot it was. Until it was changed. The big reveal fooled a lot of people and relieved a whole lot more that have been listened to the readers during that 7-month gap.
As I said, I wasn't much of a reader so my introduction came from the series. I started reading the books half way through season 2. I was too eager to see what happened next! The books have numerous changes. For starters, the books are told exclusively from Sookie's perspective. None of the other side stories from the series are in here. The only time we even see the side characters-- Jason, Tara, Lafayette, etc is when Sookie interacts with them. Whenever a book, or book series is adapted for tv or movies, we have to expect changes. OK, I get that. But I expected certain things. Big mistake on my part. As I am reading the books, I am imagining it happening. I can't wait to see these things happen on screen! Then a curve ball here, a curve ball there. Then somewhere along the way, the series takes a giant left turn far away from everything that happened in the book, creating its own storyline and I don’t get to see all those things I imagined. Even in season 3 & 4, it seems like only small nuggets of the book are represented.
What started out so great, really started to fall apart by Season 5 with the departure of Alan Ball. Season 6 fell even further with new creative direction before finally putting a stake into its heart for Season 7, which in my opinion was dreadful to sit through. I thought it dragged out too far and I sat through it to see how it ended and nearly put a stake in my own heart to stop the suffering.
The Code Word For This Article Is Fangtasia
The eBook (Book 1 - Dead Until Dark) is on sale right now for just $2.99! Buy the Season 1 DVD or watch all seasons free with your HBO Max Subscription!
All Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!)
And Now For The Giveaway
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Vampire" Prize Pack featuring the first two Sookie Stackhouse books sent in by Dennifer, Choker and Bat Stickers sent in by Vicky Pond, and a thrown back True Blood Season 3 Blockbuster Postcard and Susan Harris Signed Swag from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard!! 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) - What Type Of Paranormal Creature Would You Want To Be If You Could Choose .... And Why? The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Other comments about the article are very welcome but only entrants with the qualifying comments will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question! Winner will be announced during the Live show on August 22nd (and then posted here on the blog as well on August 23rd Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
Mel -One Season Wonders! Those shows that grace the airwaves for just one set of episodes, only to be cancelled by the networks and mourned by those of as that loved them. Click the picture to watch my Top 10 One Season Wonder Show Countdown (plus a few honorable mentions), then scroll down to read Dave's picks - and be sure to let us know which ones you agree with - and if there are any you think we missed! ***UPDATE - I PUT THE VIDEO DIRECTLY HERE - THIS IS NOW A WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE LOL*** Dave -Everyone has one season wonders we loved and poured our heart and soul into before the network came along and crushed our hopes and dreams after the first season. Or, in some cases, after only a few episodes. These are some of the shows we liked the most that got the axe before they had time to bloom.
Trying not to ramble on too much. So a few brief honorable mentions to see if you remember them. "Snoops" (1999, ABC, Gina Gershon. not to be confused with the 1989 Tim Reid sitcom), "Tarzan" (2003, WB), "Nightmare Cafe" (1992, NBC), "Misfits of Science" (1985-1986, NBC) 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 is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses. Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"
Jenn -We all know those Disney heroes and princesses but today I want to talk about those villains we all love to hate, or sometimes just plain hate. What if you were made to understand them and who they are. Would it change your view on them or how you feel? Well, some movies are making me ask that very question. Like "Maleficent", or the recent "Cruella" that just came out. Everyone has an origin story from heroes to princesses, and yes even villains. The question becomes "how did they become that way?" What made them, as we like to say, so evil? Well now movies are exploring answers to those questions. For example, with "Cruella", I just recently saw it and it was wonderful I might add. So, what made Cruella de Vil want to make a fur Dalmatian coat? Well without giving to much away, let’s just say it all starts with the parents and goes from there. Also, we learn how she met Jasper and Horace and how her name came to be. Now there’s a lot more twists and turns in this movie that I won’t mention, because trust me you really should check it out for yourself. Now, back to that question from earlier, I can’t really tell how you’d feel, but me personally, do I like what she tried to do? No, no and no again, just being clear on that. But I do understand her and how she came to be the way she is. But that doesn’t mean I suddenly like Cruella. I just understand her more. Like everyone she has a story that should be told.
Jennifer Rhodes 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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team! The Code Word For This Article Is Villain All Links To Buy / Subscribe to Amazon Programs On Amazon in this article are Amazon Affiliate Links (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which in turns helps support all the Muser giveaways we do!)  GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Villains" Prize Pack featuring the The 101 Dalmatians DVD, Cruella coloring book, and Villains Lanyard sent in by Jennifer Rhodes, Earrings sent in by Vicky Pond, and stickers and swag from the Melanie's Muses Prize Hoard!! 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) - Who is your favorite Disney Villain? (Remember Marvel is part of Disney now ........) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Other comments about the article are very welcome but only entrants with the qualifying comments will go in the hat! What your answer is will not influence whether you go into the hat - Only that you answer the question! Winner will be announced during the Live show on August 15th (and then posted here on the blog as well on August 16th Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
|
RSS Feed