MOVIE REVIEW: Maleficent (Guest Post)

MOVIE REVIEW:

Maleficent

(Guest Post)

  

13-year-old Casey

Wilson kicks off

the summer movie

season with her

latest "guest post."

Hmm, I'm intrigued!

___________________________

 

What better way is there to start summer vacation than a trip to the movies to see Disney’s Maleficent on opening day? Well, that’s just what I did, and here is my review.

The story is loosely based on the popular fairytale Sleeping Beauty, and stars Angelina Jolie (you might know of her) as Maleficent. Other actors in the film include Elle Fanning as Aurora, Brenton Thwaites as Prince Philip, Sharlto Copley as King Stefan, Sam Riley as Diaval and an appearance by Jolie’s own daughter, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, as the young Aurora.

The cast of Maleficent.

I thought that the movie was amazing, putting a great twist on the original story and delivering the message that true love comes in many different forms. This is far different from the traditional true love stories by Disney.

I loved Angelina’s outfit in the flick. She said in an interview that she loved the horns, and that she wishes she could wear them all the time because they’re so fabulous. However, Vivienne thought quite the contrary. Jolie’s daughter was afraid of her mother in the costume, making it difficult to film the scene where they interact.

There is a little something for everyone packed into this 1 hour, 37 minute gem directed by Robert Stromberg. Action, intrigue, fantasy, adventure and sharp wit all combine to make this a truly enjoyable visual experience for kids of all ages. I give it Five Stars and completely recommend that you see it soon!

-Casey Wilson
(June 2014)

__________________________________________________________

BECOME A GUEST BLOGGER!

Do you have something to say, something to get off your chest or an amazing story to share? From pop culture views and reviews to political commentary to messages of faith, my blog is a great platform for writers to showcase their work. There are very limited criteria for submitting a post. Your views don't even have to be in line with mine — just create and contribute a compelling, well-written story. Interested? Send me and email.

-Chris

AuthorChristopherLong@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________________

 

Read More

SUMMER READING: 2014

SUMMER
READING:

2014

What goes better with
relaxing in the surf,
sand and sun than a
cool drink and a hot
read? And I've got a
bunch of groovy new

books stashed in the

ol' iBag this season!

_______________________________________________________________________

 

CRESTON MAPES

Poison Town (2.1.14)

Sky Zone (6.1.14)

 

Atlanta-based author Creston Mapes de-
livers the finest "beach blanket" thrillers
around! Last summer, I was reeled in and
quarantined by Fear Has a Name — the
first installment of his "Crittendon Files"
 trilogy. This summer, I'm kicking off
the season by finishing up Pt. II, Poison
Town. And in short order, I expect to be
devouring the series conclusion, Sky
Zone, when it's released next week.

 JOSEPH PRINCE

The Power of Right Believing

(10.22.13)

 

I consider Joseph Prince to be one of my
best friends — although we've never met.
Simply put, his 2010 book, Destined to
Reign was a life-changing read. I was de-
lighted when I received a copy of his latest,
The Power of Right Believing, a few days
ago from my writing partner, Bryan Dumas.
I finally got a chance to dive into it this
morning. And it is, in a word, magnificent!
 

"When you believe right,
you will live right."

-Joseph Prince

 

 

BRIAN JOYCE

The B-Side Diaries

(10.15.13)

 

This book came recommended to me
recently by a friend on GoodReads.

I was intrigued immediately by the
promising story of 17-year-old Rory,
a young man coming to grips with his
loss of innocence, the discovery of

truths and — punk rock music. I'll
certainly keep ya posted on this one!

 

CHAD PEERY

Stealing Margo

(3.15.09)

 

Stealing Margo was sent my way just a
few days ago by my friend Crystal —
a super-cool chick who "gets" my taste
in books. She's never steered me wrong
in the past, hence, I'm eager to tear
into it sometime before Labor Day!

 

 

ANNA R. WEAVER

That's How We Roll

(11.14.12)

 

The latest from author Anna
Weaver appears to be the story
of her real-life experiences as a
 member of a Christian version
of The Partridge Family.
 

I'm SO onboard!

 

Okay, enough writing — I've got some serious reading to do!

 

Hey, can somebody give me a hand with this darn sunscreen — please?

-Christopher Long
(May 2014)

The latest from author Christopher Long

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -

is available NOW on Amazon.

 

Also from Christopher Long...

Get it on Amazon.

 



Read More

GUEST POST: "XII" by Tatiana Martin

XII

by Tatiana Martin 

At age 18, my BFF Tatiana

Martin is the greatest and

most inspiring person I have

ever known. A truly gifted

young writer, I've been trying

to persuade her to contribute

a blog feature for nearly two

years. Today, she finally
delivered — and it's a gem.
Enjoy!

_______________________________________________________________________

The number 12 evokes several connotations, and is a very well-known universal number throughout the world. In the ancient Greek religion, there were 12 Olympian gods who ruled over the Pantheon. In the Christian religion, there are 12 days of Christmas and 12 apostles of Jesus. King Arthur had 12 knights sitting at his round table with him. There are 12 pairs of ribs in the human body, 12 inches in a foot, and 12 face cards in a deck.

Aside from being a rather recurring number in the society around us, the number 12 is one that applies to me on a very personal level. For 12 long and miserable years, I watched helplessly as my mom suffered the corollaries of cancer and its heavy, radioactive treatment. Regardless of her ailing state, however, she never failed to give her life to others. Barely even able to walk each day, my mother did everything in her power to make sure everyone around her was not only content, but in a better place than herself.

Just like the Aztecs predicted the earth to come to an end, the date 12/12/12 was the day my world collapsed, the day my best friend, my mother passed away. For an extended period of time, I wallowed in self-pity, asking the same question over and over again: why would this happen to me? While I sat with my mom, holding her hand until her very last breath, I felt my callow, adolescent life slowly transform into womanhood. As I felt my whole world cave in, I somehow knew that it was the end of one life, yet the beginning of a new one.

It wasn't until a few months later when I took on the role of being a caregiver to my 12-year-old sister that I truly felt the call to nurture others. My life started to revolve around her — from dawn until dusk I would cook breakfast, take her to school, clean her laundry, tidy the house, do the dishes and take her to doctor appointments. But most importantly, I made sure that there was always a smile on her face and love in her heart. Shockingly, however, I noticed that it wasn't so much me making the difference in her life; she was completely altering mine. Her great optimism and heart made me want to strive to give to others the happiness that she offered me.

Needless to say, the day of my mom’s passing was the day that I started to realize how short and outrageously beautiful life is. It opened my eyes to the world around me and made me truly realize how blessed I am to have what I have: a family, supportive friends, a home, and most importantly — faith. My mom's 12 favorite words: “there’s always going to be someone bearing a heavier cross than you” started to thrive in my brain, and I tried the best I could to live with this quote engraved in my heart.

In the summer of 2013, I was invited to attend a Catholic youth conference called Steubenville by the youth ministers at my local parish. There, I learned about opportunities to help the poverty-stricken, especially a tiny African nation called Burkina Faso, the third poorest country in the world. I participated in a food-packaging event and helped  assemble 100,000 meals for this landlocked nation. Knowing that thousands of people were willing to come together for such a cause, I was inspired to organize a similar event to help feed the people  who desperately need it the most.

I contacted the main food supplier in Orlando, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and they provided me with the price of each bag of food: $.50 for a four-serving bag of soy, rice, dehydrated vegetables, and a vitamin packet. After hosting several meetings with many officials at my church, we all agreed that raising $10,000 to package 20,000 meals for Africa would be the most reasonable amount, financially and physically. Throughout the course of two weeks, I spent roughly 210 hours publicizing this event on social media sites, speaking to large masses of people, and hosting a pep rally for the church’s school, asking for about 300 packaging volunteers and large amounts of monetary support. Our goal slowly increased and by the completion of our two-week funding period, we more than doubled our goal and raised $25,000 — enough to package 50,000 bags of food, and had about 1,200 volunteers sign up to package meals. This was CRS’s largest single-parish meal packaging movement ever to be conducted in America.

Organizing my meal-packaging event not only satisfied the cravings of 200,000 starving citizens in Africa, but it helped nourish my passion toward helping people in this world who have less than I do. Being offered an internship at Orlando’s CRS headquarters to host more of these humanitarian events, and even being personally invited to lead a full-paid mission trip to Burkina Faso by the executive secretary of the United Nations, the most important aspect that my leadership position granted me was the ability to find myself, and pinpoint exactly what I want to do in my future: care for others, and put into action the unconditional love that my mother supplied to the world.

After being diagnosed with cancer in the year 2000, the doctors gave my mother about six years to live, however, she refused to give up and lived six more than that. In church, they say that God made man in his own image, and my mom’s short life has proved this to be 112% true. I thank God every day that I had the strongest woman in the world to pass down the purest love, strength, and God’s grace for me to continue to leave an impact on the world.

-Tatiana Martin

(May 2014)

__________________________________________________________

BE MY "GUEST!"

Do you have something to say, something to get off your chest or an amazing story to share? From pop culture views and reviews to political commentary to messages of faith, my blog is a great platform for writers to showcase their work. There are very limited criteria for submitting a post. Your views don't even have to be in line with mine — just create and contribute a compelling, well-written story. Interested? Send me and email.

-Chris

AuthorChristopherLong@yahoo.com

__________________________________________________________

Read More

GREATEST LIVE ALBUMS OF ROCK AND ROLL (Pt. III)

THE GREATEST

LIVE ALBUMS OF

ROCK AND ROLL

(Pt. III)

 

In Pt. I and Pt. II of

this series I covered

the "biggest" and the

"best" live albums of

all time. Today, I'll be

taking a look at the

"sleepers" and the

"stinkers." Dig it!

_______________________

 

 

SLEEPERS

These amazing live sets should have catapulted the mid-level acts
into the big time, yet they failed to deliver Frampton-like results.

 

 

5.

UFO

Strangers in the Night

(1979)

 

A modest hit on the band's home
turf in the UK, this double-live
album should have cemented
UFO's international superstar
status, however, it only reached
#42 on the U.S. charts. The last
record with guitarist Michael
 Schenker, it offers the cream of
the "A - list" crop, including
"Rock Bottom," "Lights Out,"
"Doctor Doctor,"  "Too Hot to
Handle" and "Shoot Shoot."

 4.

ANGEL

Live Without a Net

(1980)

 

 Great band. Great songs.
Great live show. But after
five underachieving studio
releases, time was running
out. So it's perplexing why
the most beautiful, exciting
and promising band of the
day would have opted for
such an underwhelming
cover — a tremendous
album nonetheless. Within
a year, Angel was no more.
 

3.

THE
MICHAEL
STANLEY

BAND

Stage Pass

(1977)

 

A major Midwest live concert
attraction throughout the '70s

and early '80s, Stage Pass

should have made the band a
household name. It didn't.
 

2.

HEAD EAST

Live

(1979)

 

Four modest-selling studio
albums and two oft played FM

singles had this Illinois-based
combo positioned for the big
time. It's been rumored that

the 1979 trucker strike kept
A&M from getting product
into stores in a timely
fashion. Despite a strong
start, by the time trucks
were once again rolling, the
record had lost momentum.

1.

OZARK

MOUNTAIN

DAREDEVILS

It's Alive

(1978)

 

The pride of Springfield, MO

already had achieved gold and
platinum status with its first
two albums. By 1978, the
band's popularity was waning.

It's Alive was the perfect vehicle
for showcasing its impeccable

songwriting and downhome
chicken-fried style. Sadly,

it tanked — stalling at a

dismal #178 on the charts.

 

_______________________________________________________________________

STINKERS
Hold your noses, kids. Here they come!

 

5.
AEROSMITH

Live Bootleg

(1978)

 

If the intent was to produce
a sloppy, amateur-sounding

album that looked as if it had
been designed by a drunken
six-year-old, then the mission
was accomplished perfectly.
But compared to Just Push
Play, it's an epic masterpiece!

4.

KISS

Alive III

(1993)

 

Not even a third installment of
the iconic Alive! series could
save KISS' sinking ship in '93.
This likely was due to the re-

cord being dreadful and the
band's half-scab line-up.

Quick — get Space Ace and

the Catman on the phone!
We've got an offer that they
can't possibly refuse!

3.

ALICE COOPER

The
Alice Cooper
Show

(1977)

 

Seemingly "phoned in," this

hour-long Vegas show was

packed with hits, yet fell

(far) short of recreating the

live magic of the original

Alice Cooper Band.

 

2.

VILLAGE
PEOPLE 

Live and Sleazy

(1979)

 

Combining "live" versions of

hits with a handful of new
studio tracks, it brought an
abrupt end to a three-record
platinum streak —  effective-
ly ushering in the beginning
of a (temporary) end for the
once top-selling act.
 

 1.

POISON

Swallow This,
Live

(1991)

 

A more fitting title
might have been
"Smell What the
Cat Dragged In."

Sounding the "death
rattle" for the hair

band era, the edited
2004 single-disc
version was much
easier to swallow.

 

_______________________________________________________________________

This concludes my three-part series. I hope that you had as much fun revisiting these treasures as I did. Feel free to offer your personal suggestions and comments below. Now, where did I stash that live Abba bootleg?

-Christopher Long
(May 2014)

The latest from author Christopher Long

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -

is available NOW on Amazon.

 

Also from Christopher Long...

Get it on Amazon.

Read More

GREATEST LIVE ALBUMS OF ROCK AND ROLL (Pt. II)

THE GREATEST

LIVE ALBUMS OF

ROCK AND ROLL

(Pt. II)

 

In Part One of this

series, I revealed

and examined rock's

greatest double live

albums. Today I'll

be revisiting the best

single live records.

Enjoy!

________________________

 

 

 10.

NIRVANA

MTV

Unplugged in
New York

(1994)

 

Taped in late 1993, this 14-song

set was released only six months

following the April 1994 death of

founding frontman Kurt Cobain.

Combining many well-known band

staples with several compelling

cover tunes, it has sold over six
million copies worldwide and
remains arguably the best of
the MTV UNPLUGGED series.

 

9.

THE

BLUES BROTHERS

Briefcase Full

of Blues

(1978)

The brainchild of SNL's Dan
Aykroyd and John Belushi, the
 record featured such legendary
musicians as Steve Cropper,
Donald "Duck" Dunn, and
Matt "Guitar" Murphy. This
chart-topping album intro-
duced authentic blues and R&B
to a new generation of fans.

 

 

8.

JUDAS PRIEST

Unleashed in the East

(1979)

 

Hot, up-and-coming
'70s rock band? Check.
 

Live album? Check.
 

Recorded in Japan? Check.
 

Simply put — this is

Judas Priest's finest moment.

7.

MOTORHEAD

Nö Sleep at All

(1988)

 

From the opening track,
"Doctor Rock," to "Dogs,"
"Traitor," "Deaf Forever"
and "Killed by Death,"
this iconic record is

packed with heartfelt,
timeless treasures, including
the chart-busting "Ace of
Spades" and "Eat the Rich."
Features the golden era line-
up of Lemmy, Phil Campbell,
Würzel and "Philthy" Phil.

 

 

6.

THE
RUNAWAYS

Live in Japan

(1977)

 

Often imitated, never

duplicated, The Runaways

was the first all-girl band

that truly competed with

the boys — delivering

no-holds-barred rock and
 roll. Years ahead of their
time, Cherie, Joan, Lita,
Sandy and Jackie never

achieved the collective
recognition that they de-
served. However, this
down and dirty record has
stood up nicely since its
1977 release and remains
a magnificent snapshot
of a superb band live on
stage, while in its prime.
Highlights include "Queens
of Noise," "Neon Angels on
the Road to Ruin," "C'mon"
and Lou Reed's classic,
"Rock and Roll."

 

5.

FRANK MARINO &

MAHAGONY RUSH

Live

(1978)

 

Re-channeling the spirit of

Jimi Hendrix, this Canadian
power trio unleashed a monster
with its fifth album. Oozing

electrified blues-based an-
thems, it's a bona fide gem.

I'm a king bee, baby.
Dig it!

4.

THE WHO

Live at Leeds

(1970)

 

Clocking in at a mere 35 min-
utes, "Leeds" has long been
regarded by critics as rock's
all-time greatest live record.
40+ years later, it still shines
in all of its unbridled, blistering
beauty. Highlights include
"Young Man Blues" and

"Summertime Blues."
 

3.

FOGHAT

Live

(1977)

 

Foghat was, as they say, the
"whole enchilada." They had

fabulous mustaches, cool riffs
and — great songs. Upon its
release, three of the record's
six tunes ("Slow Ride," "I Just
Wanna Make Love to You,"
"Fool for the City") already
had become FM staples. How-

ever, the true magic here can
best be summed up in just
two words: "Honey Hush!"

2.

CHEAP TRICK

Live at Budokan

(1979)

 

The album that wasn't even
intended to be released in
America made this Illinois-
based power-pop group an
overnight international sen-
sation. Boasting the Top 40
hits, "Surrender," "Ain't That

a Shame" and the iconic "I
Want You to Want Me," the

album remains as fresh as
ever and will never lose
its charm and luster.

 

1.

PAT TRAVERS

BAND

Live! - Go for
What You Know

(1979)

 

Ello music lovers. Now,
here's to kick your ass —

The Pat Travers Band!

Fueled by a lethal mixture

of vintage blues and modern

hard rock, this eight-song set

is simply the most exciting,

turbo-charged live album
ever! Boom Boom, indeed.

 

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Sammy Hagar - All Night Long

Rick Derringer - Derringer Live

Johnny Winter - Captured Live

_______________________________________________________________________

I received a personal email yesterday from a well-known rock critic who voiced his lack of enthusiasm for this series — and I couldn't have been more pleased by his disapproval. Feel free to offer your personal comments below. In Part III, I will be revisiting some of the biggest "stinkers" and "sleepers" of the live album genre — stand by!

-Christopher Long
(May 2014)

The latest from author Christopher Long

- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -

is available NOW on Amazon.

 

Also from Christopher Long...

Get it on Amazon.

 

Read More