Celebrating With Gratitude

It's the Thanksgiving holiday here in the States and while I am so happy to have a very long weekend, I am also filled with a profound sense of gratitude for all the people in my life, all that I've accomplished and all that I have.

I am grateful for my family. I irritate them, yell at them, tease them and yet, they stick with me for some reason. I love them very much and would not be the person I am without them.

I am grateful for all of my friends, both here with me and out there on the web. I do not know what I would do without all of you. You support me, put up with my quirks and weirdness, my potty mouth and allow me to be me in all my eclectic glory. I love you all very much.

I am grateful for being able to walk around. I have severe arthritis in my hips, knees, shoulders and hands. Have had it since I was in my early twenties, a legacy from my grandmother. Sometimes, it is a wonder I can move at all some days and I am ever so grateful to still be kicking.

I am grateful for my writing. It is my passion and I am grateful that the voices in my head keep talking to me and allow me to create such adventures. I am gobsmacked that I am published and that people really seem to enjoy the tales that spin out of my demented brain.

I'll be in and out this weekend, not sure if I'll post, but I'll be around. Take care, my friends. Have an amazing rest of the week and a beautiful weekend. Peace.

Bridesmaids: A Hellagood Laugh Riot

Hey Imaginarians, before we go any further, Russell, formerly of Chaos N Mayhem, has now started his own new film blog called 1:37 Exactly. It rocks. He talks about anything and everything film, his posts are witty, thought-provoking and brilliant. His style is friendly and engaging, encouraging some really great discussions. Go on and check him out. You'll love him as much as I do.

Now, before I get into my review, I have a confession. No nothing really salacious, although...Just kidding. I'm not about to confess to THAT unless serious money changes hands. ;) Anyway, I have a side of me that is a terminal 12 year old. I laugh and laugh at things like bodily functions and other really low brow stuff. Much to the chagrin of my mother. I can't help it. It's this sense of humor that brings me to Bridemaids, one of the most hysterical movies I have ever seen.

The script is wicked funny and smart for the most part with a few scenes that were really chick flick and not in the comedy vibe. But, hells to the yeah, the ladies went down and dirty and bought the freakin' tee shirt up in here. I laughed til I choked in certain parts, especially the bridal shop food poisoning debacle. I admit, my bestie Nancy and I rewound that scene more than a few times. I had a headache from laughing so hard. Maya Rudolph frog-walking across the street then finally shitting herself is bar none one of the most hysterical things I have ever seen. I can sympathize with her pain. Almost. All I can say is Girl's Night Out, too much beer and El Taco Burrito Palace #2, the mortal enemy of stomachs and intestines everywhere.

As if Maya weren't enough, Melissa McCarthy just blew me away. My sweet Sookie has transformed into comedic blockbuster ala Chevy Chase. She was the most brilliant part of this movie. I watched her scenes again and again. The rest of the cast was terrific. I loved Rose Byrne as the snobby boss's wife and Kristen Wiig as Annie, the bride's childhood best friend. Their constant need to upstage each other is psychotic and great fun to watch.

Bridesmaids, like Bad Teacher, shows off the dirtier side of female humor. That we can be just as raunchy, low-brow and in-your-face as the guys. I hope H-wood takes notice because I want to see more movies like these.

Triple H Monday: Hot Story, Hot Men and Hotter Cars

Well, I had a rotten weekend, spending four excruciating hours at the dentist. Ugh! To make myself feel better, I am bringing the hotness this Monday morning.

First, I got a pretty terrific review for my sizzling erotic tale Nathan's Angel.
Pixie from MM Good Book Reviews gave Nathan's Angel 3 and a half hearts. Whoo Hoo! My first official review for my first ever M/M story. Check it out here.

Second, in my quest to catch up with what the rest of the planet has already seen, I watched Fast Five. This really perked me up Saturday night. All I can say is hot men, hotter cars and no plot required. They had me at The Rock. Yes, I have a HUGE crush on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Along with Tyrese, Sung Kang, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. Then there were the cars...Holla! Oh man, I've got Auto Show fever, now, and it's only November. There are still three more long months til Chitown's cargasm extravaganza.

I digress. Now where was I? Oh yeah, my Fast Five review. Not much to tell, I freakin' loved it. The action sequences were an incredible rush and the car chases high-octane. Director Justin Lin brought the goods and then some. The characters united from all the other Fast and Furious films and they had chemistry in spades, adding to this hellagood ride. Vin makes an awesome big bro, I just adored the brother-sister moments he had with Jordana, reprising her role of Mia.

I found myself missing the snap and sass of Letty, though. Michelle Rodriguez is a complete badass bitch. However, that did not mean that this flick lacked for strong women. Oh no. Gal Gadot rocked it as Gisele, blazing in on her Ducati street racer (I have a thing motorcycles, too) and Elsa Pataky was aces as badass cop Elena Neves. Elena stood her ground with The Rock's Luke Hobbs, faced down machine gun fire and rocket launchers, too. The men were more balanced out this time around by these kick-butt women and I really dug that. I hope to see more of this as they continue the franchise.

Now, for a couple of my fave cars, cuz a post about Fast Five would not be complete without them...

Dom Toretto's signature 1970 Dodge Charger

1972 Pantera Detomaso

1966 Ford GT 40

Did you all see any good movies this weekend? Who or what do you consider drool-worthy? Talk to me.

Saint Sanguinus By Julia Phillips Smith

It's no secret that werewolves are my monsters, but I do love an awesome vampire tale. And how fitting that on the very day Mr. Sparkles and his insipid bride hit theaters, I am reviewing a truly dark, dangerous and true-to-the-blood-thirsty-core vampire tale.

Saint Sanguinus is by Julia Phillips Smith, a cool author who puts the monster back into vampire. It is the first of the Dark Ages Vampire trilogy and it is a hellagood start. Peredur is a Welsh warrior fighting Irish raiders when he is brutally cut down by a spear. Cursing God as he bleeds out, he is visited by a darkly compelling man who offers him a chance at another life. He takes it, knowing that something is very wrong, yet a new life, even one without his beloved Tanwen, will be better than no life at all.

So begins Peredur's initiation into The Brotherhood, an elite group of vampiric warriors charged with keeping the other vampires in check to prevent them from destroying humanity. He is determined to make the best of his new life, yet he cannot forget Tanwen.

This book is savagely beautiful with characters that tread a dark path. They are honest, flawed, yet sympathetic. Peredur is made a vampire not through some evil purpose, but because in a frightened, angry moment he grabbed a lifeline. Tanwen is a strong, courageous woman taking her life into her own hands, yet she remains an authentic product of her time.

The Dark Ages setting is one of the most beautiful things about this story. Phillips perfectly captures the social strictures, the superstitions as well as the danger and daily struggle for mere survival. She weaves a spell over her readers with her subtly brilliant dialogue and lush descriptions. I was right there in the cavern with Peredur and the Brotherhood. I could smell the forest, hear the crackle of the fires and oh my God can she write fight scenes in all their bloody, violent glory. Putting this one down was almost impossible and I so can't wait for the second installment.

To find out more about Julia and her work, visit her blog, A Piece of My Mind or visit her web site.

You can purchase Saint Sanguinus here.



Now, onto You Should Know Friday. Today's cool peep is Robyn Alana Engel from the absolutely hilarious and witty blog Life By Chocolate. Her trials and tribulations will make you laugh, cry and want to eat chocolate by the truck load. I just love visiting her and I know you will, too.

Favorite Old School Cartoons

Okay, so with my nephew's b-day just passing and me buying him some DVD's of his favorite animated shows with names like Kick Buttowski, Fish Hooks and Johnny Test, I thought I would take a trip in the Way Back Machine and revisit some of my childhood cartoons. Here we go...

Speed Racer

Oh my God I loved this show. I was in like first and second grade, just dreaming of the day I could ride in the Mach 5 with Speed and fly in the helicopter with Trixie. If I remember right, my Big Wheel served as the Mach 5. Here's a bit about my ultimate ride.



Scooby Doo

My love of all things scary has its foundations with that crazy Great Dane and the crew of the Mystery Machine. I wanted to hunt ghosts and monsters with the gang. Then when I got older and realized why Shaggy and Scooby were always hungry, I wanted to party in the Mystery Machine. It also had the most rockin' theme song.





Thundarr the Barbarian

Who knew 1994 would be such a bad year? I was such a sucker for this post-apocalyptic cartoon. I wanted to fight evil wizards alongside Thundarr, Princess Ariel and Ookla the Mok, whatever the hell a Mok was.



Battle of the Planets

An American version (some would say ripoff) of the Japanimation series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, this was one of my absolute faves. I wanted wings to be a part of the Whirlwind Pyramid and to fly in the Phoenix, defending Earth from Spectra and Zoltar




The Banana Splits Adventure Hour

This came on in syndication when I was a wee tot and I was enthralled with the live action and animated sequences like Danger Island, Arabian Nights and The Three Musketeers. I also wanted to play with Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snork. And of course who can forget the song?




What are some your favorite childhood cartoons?

Glittering Ashes by Kelley Smith

Glittering Ashes: Dark Artist Series Book 1
It sure has been a long time since I reviewed a book here at The Imaginarium. I'm getting back into the swing of that with Kelley Smith's YA novel, Glittering Ashes.

Roe is on the outs with her mom and has come to live her aunt in the small town of Gaudium Falls. Here she finds a new friend, Jordyn, who is eager to show Roe the Abyss, a mysterious place with a fairy-tale like magic. Roe, of course thinks Jordyn is off her rocker, but cautiously goes along. Once inside, the Abyss proves more than Roe ever could have imagined, a beautiful and dangerous place where dark meets light. Here Roe realizes she is to be a competitor in the Games, a gauntlet that will test her, the prize being her life and possibly the heart of Dominic, a compelling young man whose family controls the Abyss.

Kelley has created a dynamic and compelling tale that sweeps the reader into a dark, strange fantasy realm. Roe is a quirky, provocative heroine, tough, intelligent, yet vulnerable and insecure at times. In a world that has gone nuts over Bella Swan, Roe is a shining example of what a strong, smart girl should be.

The pacing is terrific, leaving readers on the edge as they turn each page. Smith has a deft hand in creating exquisite tension, capturing the essence of teenage drama. The interactions between Roe and the other characters made me feel as though I were eavesdropping in the halls of a high school.

The world of Glittering Ashes and the Abyss is dreamy, dark and dangerous. Kelley's descriptions are a rich tapestry of nightmare and fantasy that is utterly captivating. As a debut, this is a terrific story with only some minor flaws that I point out for the sake of honest disclosure here. There are a few editing issues, but nothing that really detracts too much from the story overall. I suspect they might have occurred during upload.

I am not a reader of YA normally, but I was drawn into Roe's world and look forward to the next Dark Artist novel. Kelley, you must write faster. :)

I did an interview with Kelley not long ago, she is a terrific writer. You can read it here. For more information on her and on Glittering Ashes, you can go to her blog, Writtled or visit her Amazon page.

Hanna : A Teenaged Badass Bitch

Yes, I finally, FINALLY watched Hanna with my friend and her daughter. I know it's only been out on DVD for a million years or so, but I'm putting in my two cents worth anyway. We LOVED this movie! And I was slap-happy to see a young movie heroine worthy of being called a heroine. My friend and I believe that Hanna actually broke G's heretofore disturbing fascination with Bella Swan. She said to me after the movie that she liked how Hanna saved herself and did her own butt-kicking because Bella always lets Edward and Jacob do it for her. How's that for pre-teen logic? It brought a tear to this ardent feminist's eye, I tell you.

I digress.

From opening sequence to final credit roll, Hanna was an ace flick. Saoirse Ronan is seriously freakin' talented. She rocked it as Hanna Heller, a girl who is the sole survivor of a CIA experiment and raised in the deep woods of Finland by her father to be a multi-lingual assassin. Hanna is intelligent, quick-thinking, fast on her feet and hellagood with weapons. She made me think of a cross between two of Joss Whedon's most famous badass bitches, Buffy and Zoe. If I were the parent of a young girl, Hanna would definitely be a character I would want her to like and pretend to be while at play.

This movie is one hell of a rush, too. There are very few slow parts and these serve as an intriguing counterpoint to all the breath-stealing action. Here we get to know Hanna and watch her figure out how to grow up. I loved the family she hooked up with. Olivia Williams and Jason Flemyng are superb as Rachel and Sebastien, a couple on a road trip with their two kids. Jessica Barden plays their daughter, Sophie. She is wise-cracking with attitude to spare and helps Hanna navigate the realm of teenagers. I just have to say that I think it is awesome that Hanna's first kiss comes with Sophie and not with the two boys they had hooked up with. G asked her mom and me if girls could kiss other girls like that for real and our answer was a resounding yes they absolutely can. And boys can kiss boys, too.

Cate Blanchett creates a whole new level of bitch in this film as Marissa Weigler, the CIA agent who oversaw the experimental medical program that Hanna's mother had belonged to. She has no hesitation in killing anyone who gets in her way and screws people over left and right, lying and using whatever means necessary to get what she wants. And in this case that is Hanna and her father dead. Eric Bana shows another side of his talent as the scientist, Erik Heller, who tried to right a serious wrong by helping Hanna's mother escape, then raising her daughter to have mad survival skills.

Everything about this movie was fantastic. From the stellar characters and Joe Wright's fierce direction to the outstanding screenplay by David Farr and Seth Lochhead, Hanna is an epic film. For G and all the little girls and teens out there like her, we need more girl-centric action films like this. I am so sick of movies that highlight boys and their adventures with girls, if they appear at all, relegated to playing sidekick or, gag me, love interest. I want a sequel to Hanna. :)

Speaking of more films like Hanna...

Haywire, Haywire, Haywire...Only 8 more weeks until Gina Carano stars as a black ops super soldier out for revenge. Until then, here's to my badass bitches out there and more books and movies about them.

**Photo on right appears courtesy of Alex Bailey/Focus Features