Win the 2013 “Indie Kindy” HD 8.9″ Kindle Fire or a Paperwhite this 4th of July!

Full Post and Entry Information is HERE

 

THE INDIE DAY GIVEAWAY III: Win a KINDLE FIRE HD or a KINDLE PAPERWHITE from M. R. Mathias and Fantasy Book Critic(dot)BlogSpot.

Hey FBC fans, it is me M. R. Mathias, and it’s that time of year again. Independence Day is coming up and that means we have an 8.9” HD “Indie Kindy” Kindle Fire to give away to the winner, and a Kindle Paperwhite for the second place winner. Both devices will be loaded with free fantasy and sci-fi novels from me and our four featured authors. This year’s prizes are sponsored by The Emerald Rider – Book Four of my Dragoneer Saga, which has just become available in most formats. If you’ve enjoyed the Dragoneer books, or the Crimzon and Clover Short Story Series so far, I think you’ll love what is in store. Enough about that though, let me introduce you to four great independent authors, and the books they are loading onto the 2013 Indie Kindy!

 

Full Post and Entry Information is HERE

We Review: Star Trek Into Darkness – IMAX 3D version “I have reluctantly accepted the new actors. Well done!” MR

Star Trek Into Darkness

from wiki

Star Trek Into Darkness
North American release poster with the original US release date.
Directed by	J. J. Abrams
Produced by	J. J. Abrams Bryan Burk Damon Lindelof Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci
Written by	Roberto Orci Alex Kurtzman Damon Lindelof
Based on	Star Trek  by Gene Roddenberry
Starring	Chris Pine Zachary Quinto Zoe Saldana Benedict Cumberbatch Karl Urban John Cho Alice Eve Bruce Greenwood Simon Pegg Peter Weller Anton Yelchin
Music by	Michael Giacchino[1]
Cinematography	Daniel Mindel
Editing by	Maryann Brandon Mary Jo Markey
Studio	Bad Robot Productions K/O Paper Products Skydance Productions
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	April 23, 2013 (2013-04-23) (Sydney premiere) May 16, 2013 (2013-05-16) [2]
Running time	133 minutes[3]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$190 million[4]
Box office	$45.2 million[5]

Star Trek Into Darkness is a 2013 American science fiction action film. It is the twelfth installment in the Star Trek franchise and the sequel to 2009′s Star Trek. J. J. Abrams directed a screenplay written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof, based on the series of the same name created by Gene Roddenberry. Lindelof, Orci, Kurtzman and Abrams also serve as producers, along with Bryan Burk. Chris Pine reprises his role as Captain James T. Kirk, with Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, John Cho, and Bruce Greenwood reprising their roles from the previous film. Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Weller and Alice Eve round out the film’s principal cast.

After the release of Star Trek, Abrams, Burk, Lindelof, Kurtzman and Orci signed up to produce the film. In 2011, the supporting cast was rounded out with Cumberbatch, Weller and Eve brought in to portray key roles. Filming began in January 2012. The film was shot entirely in California. The film’s visual effects were handled by Industrial Light & Magic.

The film was converted to 3D in post-production. Star Trek Into Darkness premiered at Event Cinemas in Sydney on April 23, 2013^[6] and was released on May 9, 2013 in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and parts of Europe and Peru^[7] with other countries following. The film was released on May 16, 2013 in the United States and Canada, with IMAX opening one day earlier.

Plot:

The USS Enterprise is sent to the planet Nibiru to observe a primitive civilization. Captain James T. Kirk violates the Prime Directive when Spock’s life is jeopardized, exposing the Enterprise to the planet’s civilization during the rescue. Called back to Earth, Kirk is demoted to first officer and Admiral Christopher Pike re-assumes command of the Enterprise. The two attend an emergency meeting at Starfleet Command to discuss the bombing of a secret Section 31 installation in London, perpetrated by former Starfleet agent John Harrison. The meeting is attacked by a small gunship piloted by Harrison, who kills Pike. Kirk neutralizes the gunship, but Harrison flees. With Pike dead, Kirk is reinstated as the Enterprise’s captain. Discovering that Harrison has fled to the Klingon homeworld of Kronos, Kirk receives special permission from Admiral Alexander Marcus to hunt down Harrison. The Enterprise is supplied with 72 long-range prototype photon torpedoes, and is ordered to fire them at Harrison’s location once he is found, however Scotty, Spock, Bones & Uhura convince Kirk to capture & not kill Harrison

Our Thoughts:

Often switching roles from previous movies Kirk and Spock, played by this new cast, have grown on me. I didn’t pay that much attention to the 2009 installment because frankly I figured it was another Deep Space Nine failure or some-such mess. I am glad I saw Into Darkness, as it is one of the better sci-fi flicks I have seen in a while. I am looking forward to reliving and rediscovering the many Star Trek stories I enjoyed growing up. I honestly wish they’d come up with a new story though. New crew, new ship, and new title. Until J.J. Abrams quits milking Roddenberry and the franchise he is just a very accomplished copy cat.  That said, I loved this non-stop, sci-fi, action and adventure movie. I have reluctantly accepted the new actors in these old roles. 4.5 stars Well done! – MR

Find Star Trek Into Darkness at Amazon

We Review Iron Man III – IMAX 3D Version. “A 5-star Winner!” MR

Iron Man 3

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Iron Man 3
North American release poster
Directed by	Shane Black
Produced by	Kevin Feige
Screenplay by	Drew Pearce Shane Black
Based on	Iron Man by Stan Lee Larry Lieber Don Heck Jack Kirby
Starring	Robert Downey, Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow Don Cheadle Guy Pearce Rebecca Hall Stephanie Szostak James Badge Dale Jon Favreau Ben Kingsley
Music by	Brian Tyler
Cinematography	John Toll[1]
Editing by	Jeffrey Ford Peter S. Elliot[1]
Studio	Marvel Studios DMG Entertainment[2]
Distributed by	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures1
Release date(s)	April 14, 2013 (2013-04-14) (Paris premiere) May 3, 2013 (2013-05-03) (United States) [3]
Running time	130 minutes[4]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$200 million[5]
Box office	$775,821,084[6]

Iron Man 3 (stylized onscreen as Iron Man Three) is a 2013 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.¹ It is the sequel to Iron Man and Iron Man 2, and the seventh installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being the first major release in the franchise since the crossover film The Avengers, and the third installment in the Iron Man film series. Shane Black directed a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce, which uses concepts from the “Extremis” story arc by Warren Ellis. Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as the title character, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle reprising their roles as Pepper Potts and James Rhodes, respectively. Jon Favreau, who directed the first two films, serves as an executive producer and reprises his role as Happy Hogan. Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, and Ben Kingsley round out the film’s principal cast.

After the release of Iron Man 2 in May 2010, Favreau decided not to return as director, and in February 2011 Black was hired to rewrite and direct the film. Throughout April and May 2012, the film’s supporting cast was filled out, with Kingsley, Pearce, and Hall brought in to portray key roles. Filming began on May 23, 2012 in Wilmington, North Carolina. The film was shot primarily in North Carolina, with additional shooting in Florida, China and Los Angeles. The film’s visual effects were handled by 17 companies, including Scanline VFX, Digital Domain, and Weta Digital.

Iron Man 3 was converted to 3D in post-production.^[7] The film premiered at the Grand Rex in Paris on April 14, 2013.^[3] It was internationally released on April 25, 2013 in IMAX^[8] and was released on May 3, 2013 in the United States.

Our Thoughts:

Marvel always delivers and this is no exception. Iron Man III is chock-full of the same non-stop action packed chases, thrills, chills, and effects as the previous two movies.  Stark has matured a bit, which was inevitable, and the episodes with the Avengers are not ignored by the surrounding cast and portrayed populace. The villains here are top-notch with a comedic twist that still has me rolling when I think about it. Highly Recommended, a 5 star winner.  MR

Find Iron Man III at Amazon

Dragoneer Saga – Book 4 – “The Emerald Rider” – Cover Reveal

Dragoneer Saga – Book 4 – "the Emerald Rider" – Cover Reveal (via SBWire)

Norman, OK — (SBWIRE) — 05/01/2013 — M.R. Mathias, author of the international bestselling Wardstone Trilogy, proudly presents the official cover for the fourth installment of the Dragoneer Saga.  The Emerald Rider is scheduled for release in most formats June first, but may be available sooner at Amazon.com. Continue to original post…

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We Review: Oz the Great and Powerful – Recommended if you are a fan of the original, and/or creepy flying monkeys. – MR

Oz the Great and Powerful

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Oz the Great and Powerful
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sam Raimi
Produced by	Joe Roth
Screenplay by	Mitchell Kapner David Lindsay-Abaire
Story by	Mitchell Kapner
Based on	Oz series  by L. Frank Baum
Starring	James Franco Mila Kunis Rachel Weisz Michelle Williams Zach Braff Bill Cobbs Joey King
Music by	Danny Elfman
Cinematography	Peter Deming
Editing by	Bob Murawski
Studio	Roth Films Curtis-Donen Productions
Distributed by	Walt Disney Pictures
Release date(s)	February 14, 2013 (2013-02-14) (El Capitan Theatre) March 8, 2013 (2013-03-08) (United States)
Running time	127 minutes[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$215 million[1]
Box office	$455,335,037[1]

Oz the Great and Powerful is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi, produced by Joe Roth, and written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner. The film stars James Franco as Oscar Diggs, Mila Kunis as Theodora, Rachel Weisz as Evanora, and Michelle Williams as Glinda.

The film is based on L. Frank Baum‘s Oz novels,^[2] and also pays homage to the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz. Set 20 years before the events of both sources, Oz the Great and Powerful focuses on Oscar Diggs, who arrives in the Land of Oz and encounters three witches: Theodora, Evanora and Glinda. Oscar is then enlisted to restore order in Oz, while struggling to resolve conflicts with the witches and himself.

Oz the Great and Powerful premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on February 14, 2013, and was released theatrically by Walt Disney Pictures on March 8, 2013, through the Disney Digital 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D formats, as well as in conventional theatres. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing over $454 million worldwide in revenue, $149 million of which was earned during its opening weekend worldwide.^[3] It is currently the highest-grossing film of 2013.

 Plot

In Kansas, Oscar Diggs (James Franco) works as a small-time magician in a traveling circus. As a storm approaches the circus, the circus strongman (Tim Holmes) learns Oscar has flirted with his wife and goes to attack him. Oscar escapes in a hot air balloon, but is sucked into a tornado that takes him to the Land of Oz. There the witch Theodora (Mila Kunis) finds him and believes him to be a wizard prophesied to overthrow the Wicked Witch who killed the king of Oz. En route to the Emerald City, Oscar flirts with Theodora, who falls in love with him. They also encounter the flying monkey Finley (Zach Braff), who pledges a life debt to Oscar when the latter saves him from a lion.

Upon reaching the Emerald City, Oscar meets Evanora (Rachel Weisz), Theodora’s sister, who is skeptical of Oscar being the foretold wizard. Evanora tells Oscar that the Wicked Witch resides in the Dark Forest and can be killed by destroying her wand, the source of her power. Oscar and Finley are joined en route to the forest by China Girl (Joey King), a young, living china doll whose home and family were destroyed by the Wicked Witch.

Continuity

Oz the Great and Powerful is set in the year 1905, 20 years before the events of the original Wizard of Oz novel and 1939 film. The film also features several artistic allusions and technical parallels to both sources. The film’s opening sequence is presented in black-and-white, transitioning into color when the protagonist arrives in Oz; additionally, the aspect ratio changes from 4:3 Academy ratio to 2.35:1 widescreen,^[4] and the audio transitions from monaural to surround sound.^[5] As in the 1939 film, Glinda travels in giant bubbles, and the Emerald City is actually emerald; in the novel, characters wear tinted glasses to make it appear so. The iconic green look of the Wicked Witch of the West is closer to her look in the classic film, as the Witch is a short, one-eyed crone in the novel. Additionally, her tears leave scars on her face, reflecting her eventual defeat by water. The Wicked Witches are portrayed as sisters, an idea which originated in the 1939 film. Several actors who play Oz characters make cameos in the Kansas segments. One such character, Annie (Michelle Williams), informs Oscar that she has been proposed to by a John Gale, presumably hinting at Dorothy Gale‘s parental lineage.^[6] Other referenced characters include the Scarecrow, who is built by the townspeople as a scare tactic; the Tin Woodman, whose creator is introduced as the Master Tinker; and the Cowardly Lion, who is frightened away by Oscar after attacking Finley.^[7] Similarly, various other races of Oz are depicted besides the Munchkins (the only race named in the classic film), including the Winkies, the Quadlings, and the china doll inhabitants of Dainty China Country. Also, Oz is presented as a real place as it is in the novel, and not a dream as the 1939 film presents.

Our Thoughts:

Great effects alone make this one worth watching.  Almost everyone is familiar with Oz and the idea that the wizard there is just a charlatan with believers. This movie enforces that theme in a somewhat fun way, with awesome visualizations and set work. This is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. And I liked it. I just don’t like the fact that Franco has the same actors beside him in every movie he does. It was fun and I give it 3.5 stars. Recommended if you are a fan of the original, and/or creepy flying monkeys.

Find Oz the Great and Powerful at Amazon.

We review 300 Amazon Digital Streaming Version! “Fantastic, Heroic, Action and Battle. A Must See!” – M.R.

Review of 300 – Amazon Digital Streaming Version

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

300
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Zack Snyder
Produced by	Gianni Nunnari Mark Canton Bernie Goldmann Jeffrey Silver
Screenplay by	Zack Snyder Kurt Johnstad Michael B. Gordon
Based on	300  by Frank Miller
Narrated by	David Wenham
Starring	Gerard Butler Lena Headey David Wenham Dominic West Vincent Regan Rodrigo Santoro Michael Fassbender
Music by	Tyler Bates
Cinematography	Larry Fong
Editing by	William Hoy
Studio	Legendary Pictures Virtual Studios Cruel and Unusual Films Atmosphere Pictures Hollywood Gang
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	December 9, 2006 (2006-12-09) (Butt-Numb-A-Thon) March 9, 2007 (2007-03-09) (United States)
Running time	117 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$65 million[1]
Box office	$456,068,181[2]

300 is a 2006 American action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. Both are fictionalized retellings of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant. It was filmed mostly with a super-imposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the imagery of the original comic book.

The plot revolves around King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), who leads 300 Spartans into battle against Persian “god-King” Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of more than 300,000 soldiers. As the battle rages, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to rally support in Sparta for her husband. The story is framed by a voice-over narrative by the Spartan soldier Dilios (David Wenham). Through this narrative technique, various fantastical creatures are introduced, placing 300 within the genre of historical fantasy.

300 was released in both conventional and IMAX theaters in the United States on March 9, 2007, and on DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and HD DVD on July 31, 2007. The film received mixed reviews, receiving acclaim for its original visuals and style, but criticism for favoring visuals over characterization and its controversial depiction of the ancient Persians. However, the film was a box office success, grossing over $450 million, with the film’s opening being the 24th largest in box office history at the time, and it has since developed a cult following.

Our Thoughts:

This is a movie for bad asses, about bad asses. The “we die or die trying” spirit of the Spartans is contagious and the physical fight scenes are extraordinary. I highly recommend this to all fans of fantasy and historic battle.  What I don’t like is all the airbrushed abs and pecs, but I suppose my gf liked that aspect just fine.  If Gerard Butler’s naked ass gets her to watch a bloody battle movie with me then I’ll suffer it.  Fantastic, Heroic, Action and Battle win the day and I give this one 4.5 stars.

We Review ‘Gangster Squad’ (Stand. Theat. Vers.) “A bullet riddled, over acted, glimpse of LA’s history” MR

Gangster Squad

 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gangster Squad
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Ruben Fleischer
Produced by	Dan Lin Kevin McCormick Michael Tadross
Screenplay by	Will Beall
Based on	Tales from the Gangster Squad by Paul Lieberman
Starring	Josh Brolin Ryan Gosling Sean Penn Nick Nolte Emma Stone Anthony Mackie Giovanni Ribisi Michael Peña Robert Patrick
Music by	Steve Jablonsky
Cinematography	Dion Beebe
Studio	Village Roadshow Pictures
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	January 11, 2013 (2013-01-11)[1]
Running time	113 minutes[2]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$75 million
Box office	$6,665,000

Gangster Squad is a crime film directed by Ruben Fleischer,^[3] from a screenplay written by Will Beall, starring an ensemble cast that includes Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, and Sean Penn.

It is the story of a group of LAPD officers and detectives called the “Gangster Squad” who are attempting to keep Los Angeles safe from Mickey Cohen and his gang during the 1940s and ’50s. The film was originally set to be released September 7, 2012,^[4] but in the wake of the 2012 Aurora shooting, the film was bumped to a January 11, 2013 release date by Warner Bros. Pictures.^[

Plot

In post-WWII Los Angeles, gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) has become the most powerful figure in the criminal underworld, and intends to continue to expand his criminal enterprise. The police have not been able to stop Cohen’s ruthless rise, as witnesses are afraid to testify, and Cohen has bribed many cops and influential political figures to maintain his control.

Determined to put a stop to Cohen, Chief Bill Parker (Nick Nolte), the head of the Los Angeles Police Department, creates a secret police unit with the sole mission of stopping Cohen. Respected police officer Sergeant John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) is placed in charge of recruiting additional officers. With the help of his wife, Connie (Mireille Enos), he recruits Sergeant Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) and detectives Coleman Harris (Anthony Mackie), Conway Keeler (Giovanni Ribisi), Navidad Ramirez (Michael Peña) and Max Kennard (Robert Patrick). Calling themselves the “Gangster Squad”, the unit begins the task of destroying Cohen’s criminal operations.

Our Thoughts

This was based on a true story, but I’m not sure how close to reality this was rendered. Over the top Tommy-gun fights, wild -AMAZING- car chases, with the heavy, old 1940-50′s time-period tanks they drove back then, were exciting to watch. The plot was solid and the characters (save for one) were all well played. The bad guy, Cohen, played by Sean Penn, was terribly overacted. Penn is clearly trying to play his “lifetime gangster” character. It looked like Penn was playing Pacino’s ‘Scarface’ – playing Cohen. He was intense, but without a full cast of over-actors to compliment him, the effort it was wasted. Josh Brolin’s character, and the others, were into their roles, just not into trying make an Academy Award role out of a spot in an action flick.

Recommended for action movie lovers, and shoot-em-up movie fans. 4 stars – M.R.

Find Gangster Squad at Amazon here.