Blu-Ray Review: ROSEMARY’S BABY (2014)

Starring Zoe Saldana, Patrick J . Adams, Jason Isaacs, Carole Bouquet, Christina Cole. Directed by Agnieszka Holland. (2014, 170 min).
Lionsgate

Remaking any classic is always a dicey endeavor. Stray too much from the original story and purists will cry foul; remain too faithful and those very same folks will declare it pointless. It’s almost a no-win situation, and those voices of dissent ring even louder if said-classic is widely considered one of the greatest of all time in a particular genre. This makes treading the fine line between blasphemous and redundant difficult indeed.

1968’s Rosemary’s Baby is one of those films, though personally speaking, it isn’t worthy of mention in the same breath as Psycho or The Exorcist (or even The Omen). While it was hugely influential on the horror genre, in my humble opinion, Rosemary’s Baby has aged much worse than other horror films still considered untouchable. It isn’t such a sacred cow that an update is out of the question.

"Oooh! Somebody made poo-poo!"

Maybe it’s that mindset which makes me appreciate this made-for-TV remake for what it is…an unnecessarily padded-out story (originally shown on NBC as a two-part miniseries) with enough twists and gory goings-on to keep me watching anyway…at least on disc. On disc, without intrusive commercial breaks, Rosemary’s Baby starts to work as a foreboding and effective chiller. Sure, the level of violence is amped-up considerably for the yahoo crowd, but considering its network TV origins, there are some moments when it's actually kind-of scary. And as dated as the original is, those who put this remake together, despite rudimentary story changes, were still wise enough not to screw around too much with its creepy climax.

It’s also gotta be said that, not only is Zoe Saldana easier-on-the-eyes than Mia Farrow from the original, she’s far more dedicated to the role. Sometimes that dedication is misguided (truly, there are a lot of scenes which could have been excised to scale this back to a two-hour story), but for the most part, she’s a protagonist we heavily root for, ultimately rendering the resolution all-the-more disturbing.

Many movie purists will disagree, of course, some who’ll likely have their assessment carved in stone before giving this version a chance. But that's their loss.

EXTRAS:

• Fear is Born: The Making of Rosemary’s Baby
• Grand Guignol: Parisian Production Design

FKMG RATING:

(OUT OF 5)

MOVIES IN HAIKU, PART 8: The Horror of it All

ALIEN

Look at all these eggs!

I wonder what's inside them.

Worst...heartburn...ever.

EVIL DEAD

Cabin in the woods.

Don't read-aloud from that book!

Eew...bad tree! Bad tree!

DAWN OF THE DEAD

No more room in hell...

Since the dead now walk the Earth,

We'll go to the mall!

FATAL ATTRACTION

Don't cheat on your wife

With a psycho unless you

Like boiled pets for lunch.

Blu-Ray Review: MUPPETS MOST WANTED

Starring Ricky Gervais, Ty Burell, Tina Fey, Ray Liotta, Jemaine Clement, Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Matt Vogel, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta. Directed by James Bobin. (2014, 113/124 min).
Disney Home Video

It is comforting to know, in this age of computer animation, giant robots, superheroes and two-hour toy commercials, there’s still a place for the Muppets, even though they haven’t changed one whit in 40 years (and who’d want them to?). A new Muppet movie is like a visit from an old friend.

Muppets Most Wanted offers an abundance of everything which endeared us to these characters in the first place…self-aware humor, eye-rolling puns, breaking the fourth wall, gratuitous cameos, silly sight gags and the occasional sentimental moment. As usual, it’s put together so well we forget we’re essentially watching a puppet show; the Muppets are every bit as real as their human co-stars.

The only real difference is Muppets Most Wanted is the first direct sequel in the franchise, picking up immediately after the end of The Muppets (their welcome return to the big screen after a long absence). After their successful comeback show, Kermit and the gang ponder their next move. Following an amusing musical number where the Muppets sing of the inferiority of sequels, Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais) offers to be their agent and suggests taking the show on a world tour. But that’s just a ruse, because he’s in cahoots with Constantine, a criminal mastermind who just escaped from a Siberian Gulag (and looks almost exactly like Kermit the Frog). Their plan is to get rid of Kermit, replace him with Constantine, steal various valuables from museums around Europe and ultimately frame the Muppet gang for the crimes.

"No, Kermit...that's the salad fork!"

But like every other Muppet film, the plot only exists because most movies need one. What truly matters are the gags, songs and set-pieces which allow each character a moment or two in the spotlight.

Just like the opening number foretells, Muppets Most Wanted does not reach the heights of its predecessor (much like The Great Muppet Caper was a fun-but-inferior follow-up to The Muppet Movie). While the songs are amusing, the musical numbers are a bit more intrusive this time, and none are as memorable as “Man or Muppet” (which won an Oscar). On the other hand, you haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed Hollywood tough guys Ray Liotta and Danny Trejo breaking out into song as part of a Gulag chorus line.

Speaking of which, the usual celebrity cameos come at you fast and furious, and you’ll probably need to see the movie twice just to catch them all (Tom Hiddleston and Usher - playing an usher - are the most amusing). As for the primary human cast, Gervais and Tina Fey come-off best. Both interact with their puppet co-stars as though they are fellow actors. Ty Burrell, however, kind-of overdoes it as an Interpol agent working with Sam the Eagle.

While not quite as fresh and clever as The Muppets, this film is still a lot of fun (unless you’re a cold-hearted cynic). Hopefully, its relatively disappointing box office performance won't dissuade Disney from bringing them back for more adventures, because I really want these old friends to stick around.

EXTRAS:

• “Unnecessarily Extended” Edition (runs 11 minutes longer and is aptly named)
• Statler & Waldorf Cut of Muppets Most Wanted (featuring the funniest line in the entire film)
• Rizzo’s Biggest Fan
• Music Video: “I’ll Get You What You Want”
• Blooper Reel
• DVD and Digital Copy

FKMG RATING:

1/2

(OUT OF 5)

Book Review: STEPHEN KING FILMS FAQ and ARMAGEDDON FILMS FAQ

STEPHEN KING FILMS FAQ
By Scott Von Doviak. (2014, 385 pp).
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

Quite often, when considering reading a book about a particular genre, I skip to the section covering a specific film just get a feel for an author’s style, knowledge and/or opinion. For horror, one of those litmus tests is The Shining because it nearly always receives uninhibited gushing praise as one the greatest horror movies of all time (an opinion I do not share, by the way). Authors who worship at the alters of Stephen King & Kubrick Almighty are a dime a dozen, and more often than not, they seldom have anything new to say.

But Scott Von Doviak, a King fan his entire life, examines both the novel and film quite thoroughly, with detailed back-stories of how both were conceived. He compares and contrasts King’s and Kubrick’s versions of the same story before acknowledging that, while The Shining may be a landmark film (albeit belatedly), it’s also a complete bastardization of a far more terrifying book. With that chapter, Von Doviak had me hooked. Not only does he know his stuff, I’d likely learn some new and interesting things about all the films based on King’s work (probably its own genre by now).

In Stephen King Films FAQ, part of Applause Books’ ongoing series, Von Doviak briefly covers horror’s inauspicious beginnings in both literature and film (acknowledging King’s influences) before delving into a mostly-chronological history of every movie, miniseries, TV show and short subject ever based on one of his novels or stories. We learn how each project got off the ground, its success or failure (both creatively and financially) and detailed comparisons to the original stories. Especially cool are the sections discussing King’s influence on Hollywood & pop culture, especially during the 80s, when studios were cranking out damn-near anything with his name on it, regardless of the quality (shame on you, Dino De Laurentiis).

Von Doviak gives his own two-cents of these films (though it had no impact on my critique of his book, I was surprised how often I agreed with him). But even when voicing his personal praise or disdain of a particular film, like the best critics, he’s able to remain objective enough to find something faulty or redeeming in nearly all of them (with the possible exception of Children of the Corn…a film which sucks no matter how you slice it). Nor does the author let his love of King stand in the way of acknowledging some of the man’s novels and stories aren’t all that great.

If you’re a Stephen King fan or a lover of horror films (the good, the bad and the ugly), Stephen King Films FAQ is a terrific read, whether plowing through it cover-to-cover or picking out chapters which most interest you. Either way, you’ll be convinced you’re reading the work of a true expert. Even if you may not always agree with Von Doviak's assessments, there’s no doubt about his knowledge on the subject.

FKMG RATING: 

(OUT OF 5)

ARMAGEDDON FILMS FAQ
By Dale Sherman. (2013, 439 pp).
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

Reading this book shortly after David J. Moore’s World Gone Wild, which tackles the same genre, I can’t help but make some comparisons…

World Gone Wild is an entertaining critical guide that’s far more comprehensive in the sheer number of movies it covers, from the classics, blockbusters and cheap Italian knock-offs, all the way down to the inevitable porno parodies. Moore might be considered certifiably insane by declaring The Postman to be a better film than Dr. Strangelove, but much of what makes his book entertaining is the fact he’s unafraid to voice an opinion contrary the general consensus. In the end, it’s an exhaustingly-inclusive volume which will likely turn fans on to films they otherwise wouldn’t know exist.

While covering some of the same movies, Armageddon Films FAQ is more academic in its approach, written by Dale Sherman as a historical analysis of films in which the fate of the world is at stake. Like Stephen King films FAQ, this book briefly covers the history of apocalyptic fiction before delving into the movies themselves. But unlike that book, this one is not chronological. The end of the world is divided in sub-categories...natural disasters, pandemics, zombie outbreaks, alien invasions, nature run amok and everything in between. In some cases, such as H.G. Welles’ War of the Worlds, every filmed version of the story make-ups one chapter, and Sherman goes into great detail comparing and contrasting each in relation to the source novel. He also makes sure to include lists of other films with a similar theme. This book may not be as all-encompassing as World Gone Wild, but the films included are discussed in far greater detail, including their impact on the genre and the cultural climate when they were first released. Hence, we get a more informative look into Fail Safe vs. Dr. Strangelove (two films with the same plot, released by the same studio, yet totally different in tone and audience impact).

Sherman mostly remains quite objective, often content to summarize films before delving into their impact and influence. He occasionally lets his personal opinions apparent, but not often (when he does, it’s often entertainingly cheeky). Because of this more analytical approach, Armageddon Films FAQ sometimes reads more like a textbook. Sherman’s knowledge is seldom be called into question, but sometimes his writing style is a little too academic, making the book an occasional chore to plow through if read cover-to-cover.

However, fans will still likely discover a lot of things they didn’t know about their favorite films from this genre (the back-stories behind some of these classics are truly fascinating).

FKMG RATING:

1/2

(OUT OF 5)

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: A Public Service Announcement

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro. Directed by James Gunn. (2014, 122 min).

The following is an important public service announcement from Free Kittens Movie Guide. Please read carefully. It might just save your life…

One time, my wife and I decided to take the family to the movies because she really wanted to see Guardians of the Galaxy. I wasn’t monumentally enthused because it initially didn’t look that great and I was kind of burning out on Marvel’s current movie-of-the-month campaign, not-to-mention a phenomenally stupid title which made it sound like a Saturday morning cartoon from the 80s. But hey, all good marriages are built on a solid foundation of mutual respect, understanding and occasional compromise, right? Besides, I sometimes feel like she still hasn’t quite forgiven me for making her endure the depressing twist ending to The Mist. On the other hand, she did drag me kicking and screaming to Transformers, so maybe we’re even.

Anyway, we saw Guardians on opening weekend, so the theater was packed. While Francie and Lucy went back to the lobby before the movie for our customary $97 tub of popcorn (and to pee…not in the lobby, of course), Natalie and I sat and watched the place start to fill up. A particularly loud, boisterous family came in.

You know how you can sometimes tell someone’s an obnoxious ass after being in their company for only a few seconds, who's oblivious to everyone and completely ignorant to the amount of precious oxygen wasted by filling the air with words of no importance whatsoever? This was an entire litter of them, barking to each other at maximum volume, a few attempting to walk and text at the same time, not even once looking up as others in the theater were forced to move aside. It was immediately obvious this family was one of the primary reasons I generally don’t go to the mall anymore (or movies on opening weekends). All I could do was pray this belligerent brood didn’t select the row right behind us.

I must have prayed to the right gods because, fortunately, they sat at least eight rows back. They were still louder than hell, though. During one trailer for an animated Disney movie, while everyone else in the theater chuckled at a few amusing bits, this family was laughing so goddamn loud and hard you’d think they’d just heard the world’s deadliest joke. Even a few of the patrons around us craned their heads back in this family’s direction.

I guess some folks don’t get out much.

But ironically, I was mostly able to tolerate this batch of booger-eaters, partially because the movie was loud enough that I only occasionally heard them blurt asinine comments no one asked for.

Besides, they weren’t the worst moviegoers in the place. That distinction belongs to some of the smug, pretentious fanboys who did take the nearby seats. One such individual was a bearded, fat-ass, thirtysomething who sat directly behind us with either his mother (meaning he probably still lives with her) or an aging cougar with no standards whatsoever. He was also hell-bent on verbally spewing his knowledge of Guardians of the Galaxy comics at every opportunity during the movie, piping in with a trivia tidbit about a character, or pompously declaring “Impressive” whenever he liked what he saw. Yeah, thanks buddy. The movie is so much better with your fucking stamp of approval.

This douche wasn’t the only chatterbox comic geek in the crowd, but was the object of my sharply-focused disdain due to his proximity. My wife could tell I was about to explode, because she repeatedly grabbed my hand reassuringly, a subtle reminder that ripping his throat out with my bare hands was probably not worth the jail time. His blood would also make the theater floor even stickier than it already was.

Aside from the Hitlers and Bundys of the world, are there any bigger shitheads on the planet than those sitting in a theater who assume the rest of us are waiting with bated breath for their next comment? As I discovered during Guardians, it’s even worse if said-shithead is a fanboy.

I’ve got nothing against fanboys per se. I suppose my lifelong obsession with movies makes me one, too. But that doesn’t mean I show up at a theater with a verbal checklist, arrogantly (and vocally) challenging the movie to please me. I'm well-aware nobody in my vicinity gives a damn about my opinion or my cinema smarts. So I shut up and watch the movie.

However, some fanboys feel supremely-compelled drop their geek-knowledge on everyone within earshot, totally full of themselves as they self-righteously lay-out the good, the bad & the ugly of any movie that ever had its own booth at Comic-Con.

I caught two of these things humping on my
shed a few weeks ago.

And that’s fine, fanboys…feel free to celebrate or condemn anything you want. That’s part of the fun of being a fanboy. Just don’t do it in the middle of the movie, where 95% of the audience couldn't care less if Ben Kingsley‘s character wasn’t the real Mandarin in Iron Man 3.

Similarly, I didn’t care whether or not Guardians of the Galaxy was a faithful rendition of the comic book. I paid $67.50 for tickets and snacks simply hoping to be entertained by a movie I didn’t want to see in the first place.

Fortunately, despite its stupid title (sorry, fanboys), Guardians of the Galaxy wasn’t just good. It was great…I mean original-Star Wars-trilogy great, and I didn't need the approval of an arrogant ass-monkey in attendance to confirm my assessment. It’s easily the best Marvel Studios movie I’ve ever seen, and the only one where I look forward to a sequel. The film's playfulness somewhat smothered my rage at the verbal vomit from the fanboy seated behind us, and its sheer volume mostly drowned out the family of mouth-breathers several rows back. In fact, the greatness of Guardians of the Galaxy, along with my wife, saved several lives that day.

Which brings me to the public service announcement for anyone planning a night at the movies...and I'll use monosyllabic words to avoid any ambiguity:

SHUT...THE...FUCK...UP.

You aren’t at home, you aren’t in the basement of your mom’s house and  nothing you say will enhance the moviegoing experience of the strangers seated around you, who just want to have a good time. No one cares about your background knowledge of the franchise, no one cares whether or not the characters are faithful to those in the comic books you collect, no one cares if said-movie strays from the story that’s become an unhealthy obsession in your life.

But even if your aren’t a fanboy, reluctantly strolling into a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy as I did, heed this announcement and simply shut the fuck up. Is it really that hard? Do you truly think anything you have to say in the middle of a movie is that important (even if you’re too stupid to realize you‘re even talking)? Yeah, you paid your money, but so did everybody else, and not to listen to you.

For the sake of your own survival…Shut. The. Fuck. Up.

Because, just like Superman in Man of Steel, I might just confound fanboy expectations and snap your goddamn neck.

The proceeding message was a public service announcement from the good folks at Free Kittens Movie Guide.

Blu-Ray Review: LOCKE

Starring Tom Hardy. Directed by Steven Knight. (2014, 84 min).
Lionsgate Entertainment

So I was reviewing Locke last night, and it was near the end when my oldest daughter came in, sat down and asked me what I thought. I replied that it was pretty interesting. When I explained the story, she replied “That sounds boring.”

And indeed, there’s no way you can describe Locke without making it sound pretentious, arty and dull. It’s definitely not an action picture, though the Blu-Ray box art, synopsis and gushing critical soundbites might lead one to believe so.

But Locke is a unique, somewhat oppressive, character drama, featuring Tom Hardy in the title role and the film’s sole onscreen actor. The ‘action,’ so to speak, takes place entirely in his car as he drives to London to be by the side of Bethan, with whom he had a one-night-stand and who's about to give birth to his child. But things aren’t quite that simple...Locke is a construction foreman who, because of a questionable decision to do right by Bethan, takes off on the eve of the biggest construction project of his career, leaving it to a hapless (and drunk) underling to oversee the job (where millions of dollars are at stake). He also calls his wife, Katrina, during the trip to confess his infidelity and where he’s heading.

One of the action scenes in Locke.

Presented almost in real time, through back-and-forth phone calls between Locke and everyone he knows both personally and professionally, we watch him desperately try to keep things in order as his life spirals wildly out of control during this drive. Part of what compels him is a resentment he holds for his father, who abandoned him years earlier under similar circumstances. Determined not to make the same moral mistakes, Locke risks everything he’s spent his life trying to achieve.

Single-character stories are difficult to pull-off effectively, especially in movies, where everything rides on one actor’s performance. Throwing that actor into the confines of a single setting provides an even greater challenge…how do you make a feature-length movie like this without having it come-across as a pretentious stunt? Part of the credit must go to writer/director Steven Knight and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, who manage dozens of creative ways to move us in and out of Locke’s car for increased dramatic effect. The lighting, the foreboding nighttime setting and the artful use of mirrors and windshields are considerable elements which enhance to the mood and create a surprising amount of suspense.

Another action scene in Locke (with no CGI).

Ultimately, there's a great deal more going on within the confines of that car (said and unsaid) than we're initially led to believe, mostly thanks to Hardy, who once-again embodies a deceptively-fascinating character. Tom Hardy is an amazing actor, a true chameleon who physically disappears into his roles unlike any modern A-list actor you can name. Just like Warrior, Lawless and The Dark Knight Rises, we never feel like we’re watching Tom Hardy…we’re watching a character - and actor - we’ve never seen before.

However, Locke isn’t what you'd call a fun film. It’s dark and oppressive right from the get-go (which will alienate some viewers), and the ambiguity of the climax may have one questioning whether or not it actually ends happily; I guess that largely depends on the one’s personal values regarding the plot turns. In any case, Locke is a unique film which will undoubtedly spark love-it-or-loathe-it debates. I seriously doubt there’d be much middle ground, which automatically makes it well-worth checking-out.

EXTRAS:

• Featurette: Ordinary Unraveling - Making Locke
• Audio Commentary by writer/director Steven Knight

FKMG RATING:

(OUT OF 5)

Blu-Ray Review: BEARS

Narrated by John C. Reilly. Directed by Alastair Fothergill & Keith Scholey. (2014, 78 min).
Disney Home Video

It’s good to see Disney releasing nature movies again.

They used to make a ton of them - True-Life Adventures - and I grew up on that stuff. Most of them were theatrical short subjects which occasionally showed up on ABC‘s Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. They were cheerful - sometimes humorous -  looks at various critters and their environments, accompanied by often-cornball narration by Winston Hibler. These movies were always fun, but not necessarily documentaries in the truest sense of the word. As we youngsters grew older and wiser, it was obvious some scenes in those films were staged and scripted for the sake of entertainment.

The DisneyNature films are much bigger and far more ambitious, definitely made to be seen on the big screen. Like a few others in the series, Bears utilizes a narrative to create a plot of-sorts and turns its subjects into characters with unique personalities. In this case, it’s a year in the lives of Sky and her two cubs, Amber & Scout. Beginning with their emergence from their winter den, we follow them as they migrate to the sea and back in search of food (especially salmon, glorious salmon). Along the way, this little family encounters such dangers as wolves and other bears, who are also given names and ultimately-endearing personalities (except maybe for Chinook, a brown bear who’s kind of a douche).

This is all narrated by John C. Reilly, whose voice you’ll recognize almost immediately. He offers the occasional fact and voices what various bears might be thinking. The attempts at humor are occasional eye-rolling, but for the most part, Reilly does an effective job telling this story.

To help pay the bills and feed her cubs,
Sky poses for Playbear Magazine.

While there are some moments of script-created drama and suspense, the tone remains light and playful. If you’re hoping to see nature’s vicious cycle of life caught on film, you’re better off tuning in to NatGeo. The primary goal of Bears is to provide family entertainment, which it does very well. Sky, Amber and Scout make great (and adorable) protagonists, while the biggest of the bears, Magnus, is truly intimidating. As for Tikaani, the hungry wolf…he’s as amusingly hapless as Wile E. Coyote.

What ultimately separates this from all those old True-Life Adventure films is it’s obvious none of these scenes were created or staged for the sake of the story. You’ll often find yourself wondering just how the hell the film crew managed to get some of these shots (which is explained in detail in some accompanying featurettes on this disc; you’ll develop a deep appreciation for the time and effort it took to make this film).

Like the rest of the DisneyNature films, Bears is visually spectacular and beautiful to look at. Even if you don’t care for the attempts to turn it into a story, the visuals alone make Bears worth owning, especially if you happen to own a big screen TV. Your puny little iPad just won’t do.

EXTRAS:

• Featurettes: Welcome to Alaska; The Future for Bears; A Guide to Living with Bears; How Did They Film That?
• Music Video: “Carry On,” by Olivia Holt
• DVD and Digital Copy
• Trailers

FKMG RATING:

(OUT OF 5)

Comic Con Recap Video for GODZILLA

To celebrate another great year at Comic Con, Warner Bros. created this awesome Comic Con Recap video for GODZILLA—which streets on 9/16.

In this gritty, realistic sci-fi action epic, Godzilla returns to its roots as one of the world's most recognized monsters. Directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring an all-star international cast, this spectacular adventure pits Godzilla against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

GODZILLA: Official Comic Con Recap Video

Book Review: SHAKEN

By D.M. Anderson. (2011, 260 pp).
Echelon Press/Quake Books

(I love a good disaster story (on the big screen or otherwise), so I wrote one of my own, inspired by the genre I grew up with. It's gotten some good reviews, too.)

Natalie, a self-centered girl, is dragged away by her family at the worst possible time. Damien, a juvenile delinquent condemned as an accessory to murder. Connor, an angry young man unable to get over the death of his father.

Three teenagers from different backgrounds, each suffering pain and loss, must now find strength, responsibility, and heroism they didn’t know they possessed when the worst disaster in American history, a 9.7 earthquake devastates the Pacific Northwest. Their struggle for survival will not only test their resolve; it will affect the lives of everyone around them. Can they let go of their own personal issues and look beyond themselves before a massive tsunami destroys them all?

A review of Shaken by Colleen McKie from Lavender Lines:

I LOVE disasters movies. Which really makes no sense, because I’m a pretty stressed person and if a disaster ever hit I’d probably curl up in bed with my stuffed frog and a shit-ton of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. But I’ll watch disaster movies until the cows come home. I love watching how people deal with horrific situations and how they come out on the other end, changed. For me Shaken was like a disaster movie in a book. It had all the elements that I love and then some.

I read Shaken in two sittings. It probably would have been devoured in one, except that I read it a few days before Christmas so I was a bit distracted with wrapping gifts and such. It was an intense read, what with the earthquake and all. But I just couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened to these three teens and others that were in the book.

The way Anderson described the earthquake, and what happens after, made me feel like I was watching it happen. I could feel the tension, the hope, the desperation as characters struggled to deal with the aftermath and trying to survive. My heart was pounding during certain scenes, breaking during others.

Now, I don’t want you to think that this was just an action book, because that’s so not the case. There was some nice character development in Shaken. I enjoyed watching the teens grow and realize who they really are. I felt for these characters and I cared what happened to them.

Shaken was just a great all around read. For fans of disaster movies, disaster books and just great YA books, I recommend Shaken.

Shaken is now available in paperback or Kindle at Amazon.

The Statler & Waldorf Cut of MUPPETS MOST WANTED!

In anticipation of the August 12th release of Muppets Most Wanted on Blu-ray Combo Pack we're thrilled to share a bonus clip from The Statler & Waldorf Cut of Muppets Most Wanted!