Continuing with my theme of bringing about little known movies, this film session will tell about the 1997 movie "The Myth of Fingerprints". It is required viewing and a yearly tradition every Thanksgiving. Named after a 1986 Paul Simon song "Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints", this is a drama about a dysfunctional family coming home for the holidays, one of which if coming back home for the first time in 3 years.
It’s a relatively small cast. Noah Wyle was on a break from filming his hit show ER. He plays Warren, returning home and runs into an flame. Julianne Moore is Mia. How do I put this gently? Well, she is not very nice to her fiancé who she is travelling with. And she runs into someone from her childhood that she doesn’t even remember. Michael Vartan is the other son, Jake, travelling with his fiancé Margaret (Hope Davis). Laurel Holloman rounds out the siblings who is still at home. Roy Scheider and Blythe Danner are the parents. I discovered this gem in 1998 when I was working in a video store. It was one of the best jobs I ever had. You meet some interesting people dealing with the public on a daily basis, but that is a whole other story! (Hey, that can be my next series! Who wants to read about video store adventures? LOL!) Anyway, this movie just arrived in the store and I was looking for something to watch during work one night and popped it in. I was missing bits and pieces since I had customers but liked what I saw and decided to bring it home one night to really watch it. Now, for someone who usually watches horror, comedy, sci-fi, action/adventure, this is far from my usual fare. I don’t usually go for dramas. Yes, this does have a little humor in it but honestly what movies today don’t have humor in it? But not that much. I do, occasionally go for weird and unusual. And I would say this fits that in the sense that is weird and usual for me Let us know what you think in the comments - Stream it or Skip it? 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"
Welcome to our Win It Wednesday Feature! This week it's all about Jumanji with Jennifer's general thoughts about the original movie. Don't forget to read all the way down to see Melanie's little note - and of course details on how to enter the giveaway to win the Jumanji Prize Pack!
Jenn -
Would you ever play a mysterious game that you just found lying on the ground? Well this movie looks at what could happen if you do and has even raised the question if someone is playing right now to cause 2020! That movie, of course, is Jumanji.
There have been three movies so far, the second 2 following years after the original, but that is what I want to talk about. The original with Robin Williams (and I will leave Mels to talk about the new ones).
The movie starts off with a young boy named Alan Parrish. He finds this game called Jumanji and takes it home. Later that night with his friend Sarah they decide to play the game. He ends up getting stuck in the game. Yikes!!! Move forward several years and that’s when the real story begins.
Two siblings end up moving into the old Parrish house along with their aunt, find the game, and they start playing, releasing Alan who is a lot older now. The plan is to finish the game but it seems to be causing nothing but disaster, it appears this game does not want to end!
Do they finish the game? I already mentioned sequels, so I guess if you haven’t seen it then that’s something you’ll have to find out for yourself! (Or I mean I guess if you read Mels notes that would probably give it away too.)
It’s a gem but I can tell you I would NOT play a mysterious game that I randomly found because you never know what might happen if you 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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!
Jumanji - The Next Level Is Available Free Right Now With A Starz Add On Trial.
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) Melanie -
Thanks Jenn! I loved the original movie but I have to say I have a soft spot for the new, updated, video game versions. As a gamer myself back in the day I have to say I would 100% be wanting to jump in and play. I love the new take on the original storyline, they really managed to bring everything up to date, and make it relatable for a new generation. Plus the casting is incredible. Anyone who doesn’t laugh at this movie REALLY doesn’t have a sense of humor. If you loved the original, but haven’t given this a shot, I highly recommend it. If you never watched the original, you should watch them all ...... but here's a trailer to Welcome to the Jungle .... because Jack Black!
And Now Your Chance To Win A Jumanji Prize Pack!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Jumanji"" Prize Pack featuring the original Jumanji DVD, and Alan Parrish Funko Pop (Not the Jack Black Character As Melanie thought during live) sent in by Jenn and Dave, and some things from the Melanie's Muses Prize collection - a Leather Bracelet, temporary tattoos, a plastic zombie shot glass, and some stickers! 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 Would You Play The Game? (Original or new Video version) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on December 6th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 7th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
Hello Musers! Happy Thursday!
As most of you know, I'm extremely passionate about music and I use that passion to fuse with my writing. Selecting the playlist becomes an integral part of my writing process.
When I first started writing, I would listen to random songs or have to go and select the ones I wanted to listen to and then I found out about Spotify. I could create playlists for books and stories and keep them all in one place. With Shattered Memories, my first published novel, I was delighted to be able to create the first playlist. Since then, I've created hours and hours of playlists for all of my books.
Every single time I set out to plan a book, from characters to storyline, the playlist is also one of the most important processes. You find sometimes that when listening to songs, the spark of an idea becomes an entire world because of the music. Even quite recently, myself and Melanie spent MONTHS trying to find the perfect song for the last Ever Chace Novel...we had it down to a few, with No Time To Die on top of the list and this was before Arsonist's Lullaby was complete...and once Melanie had read it, she came to me with a song she loved from American Horror Story and we found our title with Of Gods and Monsters which is PERFECT for what's to come.
When I'm writing a particular scene, sometimes, I imagine that scene being played out on TV and what sing I would have played during that scene. Like One Tree Hill and The Vampire Diaries, music can make or break a scene and having a specific song that matches the mood, it helps with the emotion you get to feel from the song, and it flows from my mind to the page...or the screen!
I spend a lot of time daydreaming of my official TV soundtrack for certain series but until that happens
( Hey Netflix, hit me up!) you guys will have to made do with listening to my writing playlists on Spotify! Or if you don't have Spotify ( Free basic version is available for everyone) you can view all my book playlists on my website, susanharrisauthor.com
Have you read any of my books and felt a song would have been prefect for the playlist? Let me know in the comments below!
It’s true that the band members can define the band, but I believe they are more than just the sum of the parts. The sound, the song writing, and the vocals, all play key parts in my book. You can have the best musicians in the world and the best song writers but if you decide to hire me as the singer, the band would suck! I cannot sing! And sometimes the vocals don’t even have to be perfect. Slash's Snakepit got Eric Dover to sing. He used to pay guitar in Jellyfish. Good voice, not perfect and polished, but it fit the sound.
Sometimes, they don’t even have to change members to irritate the fans. The band’s sound could change all on its own. If the first Metallica song you hear is "Nothing Else Matters" from 1991 and then someone plays 1983's "Whiplash" for you, you may be completely confused. It doesn’t sound like the same band could have such a different sound. But there is an almost 20-year difference between the 2 recordings.
When a band has a hit record, a lot of fans want to them to stay the same, never grow and the next album to be "Part 2". You can’t stay pigeonholed into that, stuck in a constant loop. Change is inevitable. Sometimes it can work out, sometimes it won’t. When the alternative music scene was taking over in the early 90's, some rock and pop-metal bands changed their tune (literally). Def Leppard recorded "Slang", which has a completely different sound as their previous efforts but it worked for me. I still love that record. Warrant tried a few different things on "Ultraphobic" with good results but then I think went a little too far with "Belly to Belly" for a completely different sound.
I believe when you sign up to be a fan of a band, it is as a whole, not just for one member. Yes, you can have a favorite but if they change members, all I am asking is to give it to a chance. Don’t automatically say you won’t like it, give it a listen. It may surprise you.
Peace. 
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"
Any 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!) Alice in Wonderland In The Spotlight - A Feature by Jennifer Rhodes Cleere - PLUS GIVEAWAY!11/18/2020 
Welcome to our Win It Wednesday Feature! This week it's all about Alice In Wonderland with Jennifer's general thoughts about the series, in any variation. Don't forget to read all the way down to see Melanie's little note - and of course details on how to enter the giveaway to win the Alice in Wonderland Prize Pack!
Jenn -
Follow me down the rabbit hole as I tell you about a widely famous tale that’s been told through cartoons, movies, and books. This story is about a girl named Alice and how she ended up going down the rabbit hole and entering a world called Wonderland. Alice was a dreamer and always longed for adventure, well one day she got her wish and ended up literally falling into a new world simply because a Rabbit with a Timepiece caught her curiosity.
That’s really where the story begins, and how you get introduced to all the amazing inhabitants of Wonderland, like the Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and not to forget our villain the Red Queen who thinks she owns it all!
Now, I’m sure you’ve watched or read some version of this magical story before but if you haven’t there are many places for you to start. I highly suggest you take your own trip down the rabbit hole and enjoy Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!
Melanie -
Thanks Jenn! I have always loved Alice in Wonderland, and perhaps her Adventures through the Looking Glass even more. I wanted to jump in with just a little weird and random fact that some of you might know, but I am guessing a lot of you don't. Back when the Matrix movie was first released on DVD there was a "Follow The White Rabbit" edition. Following the idea that Alice followed a rabbit to discover all sorts of weird and wonderful things, the Matrix DVD had White Rabbits pop up (after the initial tattoo scene), and if you clicked them you were taken to behind the scenes information, how the scenes were filmed, directors notes, that sort of thing. Click HERE to read more about that!
And Now Your Chance To Win An Alice In Wonderland Prize Pack!
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away an "Alice In Wonderland" Prize Pack featuring Illustrated editions of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through The Looking Glass, A "We Don't Have Time For That" Supernatural (Sam) lined journal, (All sent in by Jennifer), a special limited signed invitation to the Masquerade Ball from Susan Harris' A Tale Of Two Houses, And a Melanie's Muses Pen. 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 Would Have Followed The Rabbit! The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on November 29th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 30th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
As everyone seemed to love the 31 Days of Halloween Movies - Here is a Bonus Feature article for you!
Saturday 14th (1981) Dave Says - Looking ahead to the calendar, I realized that this Saturday's date is the 14th. Of course, that means nothing to most people. But being the movie buff that I am, the first thing I think of the movie "Saturday the 14th"!!!!! What? You mean you never of it before? Well, class, that is why I am here-- to educate and enlighten (and probably get told off by a few people but that comes with the territory). Long before the likes of "Scary Movie", we had "Saturday the 14th". This movie came out in 1981, shortly after the original Friday the 13th film. Contrary to what you may think by the title, is not a spoof of the slasher genre, which was still in its infancy stages at the time. There may have been a few slashers out by then but not enough to do much with. That would be "Student Bodies", which was actually being produced at the same time. Instead, this is a spoof of old Universal movies with Dracula, Creature From the Black Lagoon, etc. "Saturday the 14th" features real life comedic husband and wife team Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss moving into a house they inherited with their two children. Unknowingly to them, the house contains a book of evil, which a lovely vampire couple (Jeffrey Tambor and Nancy Lee Andrews) are after. And of course, you can't have a Dracula-type character without a Van Helsing in it! Yes its spoofy, and cheesy but it holds a bit of 80's fun and nostalgia for those that may have seen it in our youth. After all, I was only about 9 years old when I first saw it. Now is a great time to check it out. It’s coming to Shudder this Saturday-- the 14th! Coincidence? I think not! So it’s the perfect time for me to introduce you to this movie! Take notes, there will be a quiz later. Class dismissed.
Let us know what you think in the comments - Stream it or Skip it?
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"
Welcome to our Win It Wednesday Feature! This week it's all about The Addams Family with Jennifer's thoughts on the live action feature films! Don't forget to read all the way down to find out details on how to enter the giveaway to win the awesome Addams Family Prize Pack!
Jenn -
The Addams family! What can I say about this all around different family, well except they sure are memorable. This family started there tv journey in black and white, but since then they’ve had two live action movies, and one animated movie, with a second animated one in the talks.
But today I want to focus on the two main movies - The Addams Family, and Addams Family Values. Now if you talk to any fan, they each have a different favorite character but mine is Wednesday Adams, because honestly I can relate to her a lot!
For me she was one of the first feminist icons, and around that time they were definitely few and far between! Both of these movies revolve around Uncle Fester, brother to the family patriarch Gomez Addams.
In the first movie he returns after a long absence, with his memory not so intact. He eventually gets it back like with any story but his journey with that is one you’ll just have to watch for yourself.
Addams Family Values is the sequel, and I know what you’re thinking. Why? But trust me this one is actually not bad, it is not as good as the first but definitely not as bad as many sequels out there. In this one we get to see Uncle Fester getting married and all the chaos that ensues with that! Perhaps you have only seen the original black and white series? Perhaps you have only seen the newest animated series. If you have seen and liked either, or even if you didn’t, you should watch these! I promise you won’t be disappointed, because if nothing else Christina Ricci was born to play the role of Wednesday Addams and these movies are worth watching for that reason alone!
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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!
You can Watch Both Movies -AND the New Animated Feature FREE With Amazon Prime! Don't have Prime? Click the banner to try it FREE for 30 days! **Note - It says available free for the next 4 days at time of posting. Please check pricing before you watch**
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 And Now Your Chance To Win An Addams Family Prize Pack! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away an "Addams Family" Prize Pack featuring Addams Family / Addams Family Value DVD sent in by Ali Foy, Choker sent in by Vicky Pond, Poe Bookmark from Ashley Brilnski, Spiders, tattos, stickers, swag, and Dark Skies postcardFrom Melanie's Muses 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 Were The Weird One When You Were A Teen! (Feel free to share any personal experiences - this is a judgment free zone) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on November 22nd (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 23rd). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
It wasn’t until I accidently caught clips of the first one years later, after the 4th one was out, while my niece was watching it, that I realized there was a little more to them. There was a police story, a real plot, a backstory, layers and twists! Oh my God, the twists! The ways these stories are woven together is a piece of work. Sometimes it’s the tiniest thread that is interlaced in a flashback, 3 movies later with the revelation you did not see coming.
One thing you always hear a lot about is the traps. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t made just to hurt, kill and torture. In a way, they are life lessons and about choices. Whether they are choices you previously made to put you in this situation or sometimes they teach to work together. Or try to anyway. In one of these cases, they don't realize they were supposed to work until after they sacrificed all the other victims. (Oooops!)
Between 2003-2010, they released one movie a year. Even after the main character died, the series continued without the typical horror trickery of "oh, he didn't really die" or "he escaped" or something supernatural like that. Nope, he's really dead. There are other strings to be pulled behind the scenes.
After a 7-year hiatus, the Saw franchise was resurrected with "Jigsaw", continuing his legacy with a new cast of characters and the intricacies we have to expect from the Saw movies. A ninth movie, "Spiral: From the Book of Saw" is currently delayed but is scheduled for release in 2021.
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"
"Music means a lot to me. Like love, I make it when I can." - Tesla "Call it What You Want"
Music is so much to so many. It’s not just a way to kill a few minutes getting from point A to point B; It’s not just something to kill dead, awkward silences sitting in a car with someone. It is a voice and an escape. Sometimes, it can be the words you are searching for when you can’t find them on your own. Often times in daily conversation, I find myself quoting a song or a movie to express myself because they are right there and easier for me to use. The right words just pop in my head instantaneously.
Whether you are in a band or just use someone else's music, it can inspire you and take you away. It can make you forget your problems or just help you deal. The music can take you on a journey; all you have to do is let it. Sometimes, I just queue up some songs, lay back on the bed and close my eyes. It doesn't even have to be a soothing, calming sound. Whatever I choose, I just let it rush over me and take control of my body as I lay in an almost trance-like state, tapping my feet to the rhythm. At the end the record, I feel refreshed, like waking up from a deep sleep, almost like meditation.
Music can take you anywhere you want it to. It can transport you to a memory in your mind. You can put on a song and be brought back in time once you hear it. Or, if it’s something from your childhood, you can remember the joys of a simpler time. It can express joy or sadness. Music is powerful. It can be everything you need it to be.
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 recently completed "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"
From Melanie - If you havent seen Empire Records I highly recommend it! The title for this piece comes from my feelings on Bill And Ted Face the music - I personally feel music is what we all need right now. Links below for Empire Records on DVD - Bill and Ted Face The Music - and Amazon Music.
Welcome to our Win It Wednesday Feature! This week it's all about "The Craft" old and new. Jennifer is up first with her feelings on the first movie, then I, (Melanie), will be sharing my thoughts on the new Legacy installment. Don't forget to read all the way down to find out details on how to enter the giveaway to win the awesome Craft Prize Pack!
Jenn -
Be careful what you wish for, because what you wish for might not be what you truly want! Always good advice and that’s what our main character Sarah finds out, and yes of course I’m talking about the movie The Craft.
Now I have to give a shout out to Mels because she’s the one who turned me onto this movie, and boy is it a gem! It shows you it’s never too late to realize you made a mistake. Our heroine moves to a new home and going to a catholic school, where she meets three other girls who end up being witches. What starts as innocent wicca, spells with good intentions, and harm to none - soon turns towards practicing black magic and definitely embracing the idea of personal gain. At first Sarah is having a blast, she has friends, and everything seems to be going well, but all too soon begins to realize that what these girls are doing is wrong! Sarah tries to leave the group, and let's just say that doesn’t end up to well. Now I’ll leave you at that because I definitely don’t want this spoiled for you. Like Mels once told if you haven’t seen this movie, I highly suggest that you check it out!
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. Jennifer is now a proud member of the VIPers - the Melanie's Muses Spotlight Feature Team!
Melanie -
Thanks Jenn! I'm pretty sure my words were a lot stronger than "I highly suggest you check it out" but hey, your way sounds so much nicer!
OK - The Craft: Legacy! Whenever you hear that they are doing something with a movie you love it can be rather scary and to be honest probably about 90% of the reboots, remakes, continuations etc are absolute rubbish, and my first reaction is normally something like ........
That being said, I do believe you should check out material before you judge, and so I went into this with an open a mind as possible, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!
This new version definitely feels like is skews younger than the original. Despite the girls being the same age, the new incarnation has a much younger feel, and is probably more how teenagers who just discovered they had powers would act. I do give the movie huge kudos for embracing a progressive cast, without making it feel like politics are being thrown at you. They have a trans actress as one of the four stars, and honestly she is amazing. There are only a couple of references to her being trans in the movie, and it is so subtle that Greg actually hit google to see if it was true. Where this movie could have become preachy, it actually feels more about women supporting women (well I guess girls supporting girls but you get the idea).
Whilst I am sure that it will never achieve the same cult status as its predecessor, this one is still worth a watch. The plot is a little predictable despite changing drastically from the original, but if you are going into this looking for an intellectual viewing experience, you are probably in the wrong place to start with.
I would give it a cute 8/10. There are some nice nods, and a tie in to the original that is shown in the trailers, (don't get hung up on this though - it's SUCH a small part of the tale). A modern take which actually uses the correct magical terms (despite them always shifting the corners), with perhaps a little more "Disney Feel" to it all - sometimes Happy Ever After is OK!
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 And Now Your Chance To Win A Craft Prize Pack! 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER!
Melanie's Muses will be giving away a "Craft" Prize Pack featuring The Craft DVD sent in by Jennifer Rhodes Cleere, My Witchy Shit notebook sent in by Shannon Watts, a Defy the Stars Pen and Postcard from Susan Harris,Bracelet that says “Where There’s a Will There’s A Way” , Spiders and snake tattoo Stickers, and Candle set with mini sage smudge (in the bag) From Melanie's Muses 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 Believe In Magic(Feel free to share any personal experiences - this is a judgment free zone) The winner will be picked randomly from qualifying comments. Winner will be announced during the Live show on November 15th (and then posted here on the blog as well on the 16th). Full Rules Below! Good luck everyone! Rules
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