Of course, this brings up the question of what to talk about. I’m not overly political. I won’t beat the drum about something (even though I might feel passionately about it). I’m not controversial. I’m not particularly witty and my humor doesn’t always translate to the page. Soooooo….maybe I’ll just ramble and show pictures of hot guys.

No? Oh. Maybe?

How about I just talk about Zombieland.

Yeah, I think I was one of the last people in the world to see this movie. My husband hauled it up on Netflix Friday night and informed me we needed to watch this. I didn’t find it LOL hilarious (okay, except for Bill Fucking Murray), but I LOVED how it was basically a first person narrative. The rules that Columbus has and repeats through the movie have stayed with me far longer than some of the other elements. As a result, the movie endeared itself to me.

Plus Woody was hot in the hat.

Zombies are fun. They can be scary. More than that, zombie movies tend to make the humans in the scary. We’d be forced to do things that are so outside of who we would be in the normal world, it’s terrifying. Would I kill someone/thing to save my family. Hell yeah.

That’s the only movie I’ve watched recently. I’m still desperate to see Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Sherlock Holmes. Maybe I’ll sneak out this week and check them out.

I’ve been doing a lot of writing recently. I’ve submitted two stories to my editors (one for Carina Press, one for EC) and I’m working on a novella for a Christmas anthology call. I really love this one so far, so let’s hope it stays groovy. I’m also finalizing my Steampunk workshop that I’ll be doing over at Passionate Ink next moth. If you’re interested, make sure you register.

Two things came across my plate today that got me silly excited. The first is the official story lineup for the Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance anthology I’m a part of. Check this out!

Foreword Meljean Brook
Introduction: A Passion for Steampunk
Iron Hard Sylvia Day
Heart of the Daedalus Saskia Walker
Fog, Flight and Moonlight Sacchi Green
The Undeciphered Heart Christine d’Abo
Mr. Hartley’s Infernal Device Charlotte Stein
A Demonstration of Affection Elizabeth Coldwell
Undergrounded Vida Bailey
Sparks Anna Meadows
Green Cheese Lisabet Sarai
Lost Souls Andrea Dale
Golden Moment Lynn Townsend
Liberated Mary Borsellino
Make Your Own Miracles Nikki Magennis
Rescue My Heart Anya Richards

*does a snoopy dance*

I’ll be pre-ordering extra copies of this bad boy and I hope you will too!

The other thing today that got my crank going was this trailer for the remake of Fright Night. The original version of this movie kicked all kinds of ass and was one of my favorites when I was younger. This version as David Tennant playing Peter Vincent, the part originally made famous by Roddy McDowall!

I have a feeling the new version is going to be darker than the original, but I hope it’s as funny! You can check out the trailer showing a SHIRTLESS DAVID TENNANT right here.

I know I’m not alone in my lovefest for Colin Firth. Hell, even my husband thought he was kick ass after I made him watch Pride and Prejudice (side note – my husband rocks!). When I’d heard Mr. Darcy…err Firth had been nominated for the Oscar this year, I knew I had to go out and see The King’s Speech.

I won’t gush over the movie because really, it rocked. But what I found wonderful about the movie was the bravery of the King himself. It really pointed out to me as a writer that we don’t necessarily need to throw our heroes into a blood bath (I’m also watching Spartacus) to give them the opportunity to be heroic.

I’m also reading What I Did For A Duke, by Julie Ann Long. I’m remiss to say I’d never even heard of Ms. Long before I saw a shout-out for this book on Dear Author. I’m so glad I did! Like King George VI,  Duke Alex (because what an awesome name) has his own internal demons he’s struggling with. I’m only about halfway done the book, but I’m hoping his growth (with Genevieve’s help) will be as rewarding as I think it will be.

What am I getting at with this post? I don’t have a clue. Maybe because I’m struggling with my own dark characters right now, I’m finding myself tuned in to how other writers work through that emotional journey. How these men battle their demons without giving up that essence that is who they truly are is something I’m desperately working toward.

If the King can get through his speech (and win the Oscar), then I can get my heroes to behave.

Onward and upward, Bertie.

I will admit, I didn’t know a lot about The Watchmen, other than it was a graphic novel that all my male friends gushed over. All that changed when I A) saw the trailer and B) learned that Jeffery Dean Morgan was in it. (NOM Nom nom nom)

The special effects look amazing from the little I’ve seen. I know the story is going to be solid, as long as they didn’t mess around with the origninal plot too much. Seeing as its nearly three hours long, I’m thinking they didn’t. So lots of cool characters, interesting story, good effects, and it all boils down to me actually forking out $24 for tickets and $20 for a babysitter so hubby and I can go.

I can’t wait!!

The only other movie I’m really looking forward to this spring is the new Star Trek. *drool*

And just in case you HAVEN’T seen it…

That led me to going to see My Bloody Valentine in 3D this weekend.

Now, I was a horror movie fan from a very early age. I saw Friday the 13th when I was seven. A babysitter of a friend of mine had it and played it. Freaked the hell out of me. The same babysitter a few months later showed me A Nightmare on Elm St. Yes, I lived on the corner of Elm St., so it TOTALLY freaked me out. But I also got hooked. I started watching every horror film I could around 12, and have only really ever been scared a few times.

In recent years, I haven’t liked the movies that have been coming out. The torture films don’t really do it for me. I like  a scare, but I like to see it coming, I don’t mind a certain amount of cheese factor, and I love it when the bad guy has a gimmick.

After all that, what did I think of My Bloody Valentine? OMG IT ROCKED!!! Here are the things I loved about it in order:

• Jensen Ackles. Really, the guy is a fantastic actor.
• 3D effects. LOL This was awesome! They were well done, and I even jumped a few times.
• The plot. I know this seems odd to say about a horror movie, but it had a great story. More along the line of a murder mystery than a straight up, “Hey he’s going to slice everyone to bits” idea.
• Jensen Ackles
• The character of Irene. She’s naked for most of her screen time. But do you know what, she was the funniest character in the movie. Loved her!
• Jensen Ackles

I think that just about wraps it up! The bonus of the whole film, was we got to see a preview of the Friday the 13th remake, staring Jensen’s Supernatural co-star, Jared Padalecki. I’ll be going to that one too.

On the writing front, I managed to write just over 16k last week, bringing me up to over 55k for The Bond That Saves Us. I’m in the home stretch now!

Then I saw this…

Now, please.

My seven year old daughter said it best when she said out loud in a quiet part of the film,”Well, this is a funny romance.”

Who knew!

Its a very sweet movie for kids, funny and sweet. There is also a very powerful message about the environment, and how we live our lives. There is lots of comedy and action for the kids too. Nothing cruel or mean at all. I highly recommend this one.