Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A to Z Challenge – Terminator 2 and Trial of Tears, Plus Ninja News

My theme for the A to Z Challenge is Favorite Movies, Bloggers, and Music! I’ll name a favorite movie that corresponds with the letter, and then select a character from the film. I will then name a favorite blogger who reminds me of that character, and then dedicate a song to him. (Also corresponding with the alphabet.) I’ll wrap it all up with trivia and/or fun facts about the movie, the blogger, or the music!

In addition, two lucky commenters this month will receive a review copy of CassaStorm! One comment per day and each is worth one entry except – the first and one hundredth comments on each day will receive ten entries!

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

This film was before its time and shocked everyone with its large budget. (It went on to make a ton of money though.) T2 is an incredible science fiction action film that stands up even today. Another Cameron masterpiece.

John Conner is Sarah’s son. He’s not quite sure what he is doing or his purpose. He wants to believe and he wants connection. John is raw, uninhibited, and genuine. And whether he realizes it or not, he’s destined for great things.

Who is John Conner?

Yolanda at Defending the Pen!

She entered our world unsure of where she belonged or what she wanted to do. She knows she needs to be tough, but she doesn’t want to do it alone. She is just as genuine and real, and I see great things in her future!

Yolanda is a writer and defender of all that is literary. And a very cool blogger buddy.

To you I dedicate Trial of Tears by Dream Theater. (Title leads to YouTube.)

Doesn’t matter where you’ve been or who you once were – who are you now? “Take a look at yourself, Not at anyone else, And tell me what you see…”

Trivia and Facts:

Several of Dream Theater’s members attended the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world, located in Boston – name it.

What food is Yolanda allergic to?

S’s trivia answer – none! Serenity was Joss Whedon’s first film.


Ninja News

Literary Rambles featured Lisa Rojany Buccieri, author of WRITING CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR DUMMIES 2nd EDITION. She’s the author of over a hundred children’s and adult books, is a freelance publishing editor, and has been an editor with a number of publishing houses. If you write for children, you need to check out the interview.

Brandon and Bryan at A Beer For the Shower just released a new book, Lost and Found, and it is free today only. See their site for details, as you could also win the book in print. Congratulations, Brandon and Bryan!


Cate Masters has a new book that just came out – Cursed. Congratulations, Cate!

Fan of the Terminator movies? (I pretend the fourth one never happened.) Following Yolanda? Have I converted any of you into Dream Theater fans? Know the trivia? Write for kids? Picked up Lost and Found or Cursed? Can you believe only one more week before the Challenge ends? I only have six more bloggers to feature...

140 comments:

Livia Peterson said...

Yay for Yolanda! Love that women! :) You're still keeping me in suspense, Alex! Lots of awesome bloggers in this community!

Andrew Leon said...

I did not like T2, but that was mainly because I couldn't stand the kid playing the kid. Horrible acting. As shown by his non-existent career.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Well, third place isn't bad.

I love B&B's cover.

I'd like to write for kids some day.

Cheers, Alex.
xoRobyn

L.G. Keltner said...

Yolanda is one of the best the blogging community has to offer! I love Terminator 2. I enjoy it every time I watch it.

Anonymous said...

I love the first three terminator films, though I do wonder how the special effects would look nowadays if I watched it again. It's been so long since I last saw it.

Unknown said...

I loved the first two Terminator movies. They actually shot the canal chase scene right up the street from me. You can see the street name, Plummer. I drove by it (almost) every day when they were shooting. So cool!

Don't know Yolanda, but I will soon.

Mark Means said...

Yolanda is awesome....unlike Terminator IV :)

Mel Chesley said...

If you were ever to write out Arnie's epic quote it'd look like, "I'll be bach." He's not Bach, he's Arnold! ;) Love the Terminator movies.

DiscConnected said...

I liked all four-even liked the TV show...although I think the first one is by far the best.

T2 was an awesome sequel, but Arnold was so menacing in the first film, and in the second film, you already knew what was going to happen.

The element of surprise was still in the first movie.

DiscConnected said...

I almost forgot to answer the trivia question....too easy to a fellow DT fan!

Berklee College in Beantown! And I assume you know the original name of the band!

Unknown said...

Tuesday April 23rd, 2013

Dear Alex,

Thanks for dropping by my troll-post. I'll take a look at the Mystics in the movie the Dark Crystal. If the makers of that movie have done any research before making the film they may have looked at John Bauer's paintings.

Besides looking at the printed storybooks when I was a child, I got to see the actual original paintings first hand for days and days when I was working as a hostess/guard at Nationalmuseum for in Stockholm (one of many jobs-to-pay-the-bills that I've resorted to through the years)

I haven't seen the terminator movies; but I'll think about you when an opportunity arises.

You are first commenter and get an extra link!

Best wishes,
Anna

Unknown said...

I haven't seen any of the Terminator films. I know, I know, I live under a rock. But Dream Theater I know them. Portnoy is one of the best drummers alive today.

Anonymous said...

I actually haven't seen any Terminator films, but the first one is in my DVR waiting to be watched.

Suzanne Furness said...

Terminator isn't really my type of movie so can't comment on that one but will definitely check out the interview and Yolanda's blog.

Cynthia said...

Yes, I want to write for younger readers, and it just so happened that I already entered Natalie's giveaway today.

Nancy Thompson said...

Yes, LOVE T2! Congrats Yolanda!

Anonymous said...

Good choice in your theme, Will pop over to visit Yolanda, Loved the song.
My haven't this challenge gone quick?As you say only 6 more to go.

Yvonne.

mooderino said...

I also like to pretend the third movie didn't happen either.

mood
Moody Writing

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

aw, tricky with that Serenity trivia question! hehehe

Yup, Love the first two Terminator movies :)

Elise Fallson said...

I liked Terminator but stopped after the first one. Yolanda sounds like a great fit. Congrats! (:

Empty Nest Insider said...

Congrats to Yolanda! I can't believe there are only six days left. I'll be back or "bach" like Mel pointed out!

Julie

RaveAir said...

Terminator 2 is a good old classic. I had seen many times on VHS. I remember how the visual tricks amazed me that time.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

I'll be baaaaack!

Rhonda Albom said...

I don't know Yolanda, but after reading your description of her, she sounds like the perfect fan. I am a Terminator movie fan, as long as we don't count number 4.

Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com

Ella said...

Huge Terminator and Yolanda fan ;D
Nicely done Captain!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Livia, six to go!

Andrew, that's what made him seem natural.

Rebecca, the first one probably has issues.

Jenn, that is really cool!

Larry, you are correct! Thre of the original members met there. And their original name was Majesty.

Anna, very cool you got to see the originals.

Anne, he is, and bummer he's no longer with the band.

Moody, I was all right with it.

Rhonda, we'll just forget that one happened.

Unknown said...

T4, heck I pretend T3 never happened. Both were horrific and screwed with the mythology. I have never seen Claire Danes give such a bad performance and the female Terminator was just awful. She looked like a Chihuahua trying to be a badass. ;)

I have to check out Yolanda ASAP.

Kimberly Gabriel said...

I was a big fan of the Terminator movies back in the day. What's Yolanda allergic to? Avocado? ;) Off to visit her now. Wonderful tribute Alex!

Unknown said...

Just read your comment on my blog. Thank you so much for giving me a smile to start my day. :)

Brinda said...

I love the Terminator movies. I even liked the last one.

farawayeyes said...

T2 was actually an assignment in a Screenwriting Class I took. After it I went back and watched the first one. Not my normal fare, but I really enjoyed both. Apparently, a good thing that I stopped there.

Don't know Yolanda. I'll go check her out.

Rusty Carl said...

Always loved Dream Theatre - big T2 fan too.

Unknown said...

LOVE the Terminator movies. The first one is by far the best. Never saw the 4th, although I love Christian Bale.

Been on vacation without the internet the last 2 weeks. Tough to keep up with the A-Z let me tell you!

Unknown said...

Yolanda is great. I'm a follower. I've not seen the second or subsequent Terminator movies but I did like the first.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Melissa, that made me chuckle! We've exchanged smiles today.

Terri, I bet! Welcome back.

Unknown said...

Certainly can't go past a Terminator movie, always entertaining!

Congrats to Cate, will have to drop by and wish her well!

J.L. Murphey said...

John Connor is the future leader of the resistance against the machines. The terminator was an awesome series of movies, Arnold aside. Being that terminators have organic tissue surrounding them I guess they could age. The terminator movies could do a 4th with Arnold meeting in the present.

Karen Baldwin said...

Thanks for the heads up on Brandon and Bryan's new book. Six days left? I missed almost of April. Next year.

Jennie Bennett said...

Yay for Yolanda! And thank you so much for visiting my blog when I was out of town. I feel bad that I couldn't reciprocate until now. You're awesome :)

Yolanda Renée said...

I'm blown away by this, Alex. Thank you for the recognition. I loved Terminator, but especially Sarah. I listened to, and still am, Trail of Tears. (love the drums by the way). Very insightful man, you are. Sums up very well.

"I may have wasted all those years
They're not worth their time in tears
I may have spent too long in darkness
In the warmth of my fears"

Especially like your crystal ball!
Thank you!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

One week left. I can do it. I liked the first two terminator movies. It was a great concept and Arnold did wooden pretty good.

M.J. Fifield said...

I've seen the first three terminator movies. And I watch The Sarah Conner Chronicles when it was on TV, but I've never seen the fourth one.

Pat Hatt said...

Terminator 2 was one of the best sequels ever. Pfffft is all I can say to that fourth piece of crap. 4's generally suck anyway it seems. Die Hard, Indiana Jones, etc. And writing for kids is easy to do, as I'm so childish at my zoo. haha One week left until I have to make up original posts again, the a to z has been a nice break lol

Tyrean Martinson said...

Huzzah for Yolanda! I like most of the Terminator movies, and haven't seen the fourth. The second one is my favorite of all of them - nice choice! :)
1 week . . .I wish I had done more . . .well, I have one more week to visit more people.

Shell Flower said...

I love the Terminator movies, but I never saw 4 as I heard it sucked. It's going to be weird when A-Z is over. I'll miss it!

Nickie said...

I loved Terminator and T2 (murderous time traveling robots? Yes yes yes). I was also a big fan of the Sarah Connor Chronicles and cried a little when the show ended.

Sangu Mandanna said...

Terminator 2 is BY FAR my favourite Terminator movie, though I have to admit I really love Kyle Reese from the first one.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I liked the first Terminator the most. Good stuff.

I just read Cate's first chapter and it grabs you and hangs on.

Anonymous said...

I will never understand why they need such huge budgets for movies. Some of the smaller budget films are so good. It's about the story, after all. Without good writing and excellent acting, the film turns out to be a dud anyway!

Carol Kilgore said...

Congrats to Cate on her new book! Everyone else is new to me...more links to check out :)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Have just seen one Terminator movie, will have to drop by Yolanda's blog and say hi.

Unknown said...

I loved the Terminator movies, made me want to become a bit of a doomsday prepper, though.

Laura Eno said...

Yay for Yolanda!
I never saw the third Terminator and didn't even know there was a fourth!

jaybird said...

Just picked up Lost & Found from Bryan and Brandon. Can't wait to read it. (Although I hope it's doesn't scare me too much) LOL I'm such a chicken.

Have a great day Alex!!

Julie Flanders said...

Yolanda is awesome, glad to have met her through this year's challenge.

Cate Masters said...

Thanks so much for the mention, Alex. You're a sweetheart. :)

cleemckenzie said...

I am a Terminator fan. I think those movies put Arnold into the governor's seat in CA! He seemed a likely candidate to deal with the budget crisis, but even the Terminator couldn't do that.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I work with kids and dramas. We write the plays together. I liked the first two Terminators. T2 the best. Sarah was awesome.

Play off the Page

ilima said...

T2 was (and is) so epic. The silver morphing dude was insane. And scary. Now I want to watch it again.

kjmckendry said...

I loved Terminator! Bit I agree with Andrew the kid in T2 was terrible.

Yay for Yolanda!

Lisa said...

Love the T movies, all but the last, which was as you said, forgettable. Too bad. I'm now following Yolonda, because I really liked her blog! Thanks for the introduction...

John Wiswell said...

Hey, the 4th Terminator is better than the 3rd. Plus the CG for fake-Arnold was amazing.

John at The Bathroom Monologues

Suze said...

I did like the first two Terminator movies when they came out.

Intangible Hearts said...

I think the Governator was better in silly films like Twins.

Intangible Hearts said...

I think the Governator was better in silly films like Twins.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JL, he has definitely aged...

JA, no problem!

You are most welcome, Yolanda.

MJ, don't bother.

Pat, it's been convenient with a theme, hasn't it?

Shell, I will miss it as well.

MJ, just a good thing Cameron can pull off both.

Karen, all an illusion...

Cate, you're welcome!

Ian Anderson said...

T2 rocked my world when I was a kid. I still love it, too.

Tina said...

Loved all the Terminator movies, except for the last one, which I've tried to watch FOUR times and can't stay awake. That is telling. Visited your friends - very funny guys and amazing cover for their book. Eventually...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Yolanda is an oasis in the blogger community. John Conner in T2 was a bit of an inspiration for my Victor Standish. As always, a fun, people-filled post from you.

Oh, and on my post today you get kidnapped by the ghost of Mark Twain and cast off into Outer Space, your own galactic hangover. :-)

Mina Burrows said...

Love all the Terminators. :)

Rebecca Green Gasper said...

I liked the Terminator movies...i haven't seen all of them though. I am completely impressed by Brandon and Bryan's cover...I can't believe that is an actual photograph...shooting fire is a hard task.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Great pic for movie to highlight today. T2 is awesome!

Laura S. said...

I've seen parts of Terminator 2, but I don't like Arnold Schwarzenegger films. His acting gets on my nerves!

Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

Samantha May said...

I cannot believe that it's almost over. Where did this month go?!

I haven't actually seen any of the Terminator movies, but I'll make sure I skip the 4th one :)

Gwen Gardner said...

Hehe, I've never seen Terminator 2 or Terminator 1. I need to watch more television :)

Hart Johnson said...

I'm a huge fan of the Terminor movies (except the 3rd, which was stupid)... I like anything time-bendy, pretty much.

Luna said...

I think T2 was the best one!

Robin said...

That is so funny that Serenity was Whedon's first movie. No wonder I couldn't think of any! Ha.

I love the Terminator movies. I think T2 is my favorite. That is the one when Sarah Connor comes back all buffed up and ready for action. It is such a shock from the teen in the original movie! And Arnold is actually the good guy:)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Got my free copy! Thanks for the heads up.
T2 was good, but it was the original that showed his butt. And that was quite the highlight of my teen years.

Melissa Sugar said...

Yay for Yolanda . I'll take a guess - peanuts? I liked T- one and two but didn't see the others

Nicole said...

Love T2! It's such a classic.

Unknown said...

Terminator 2 rocked!

I can't believe how fast the Challenge has gone. Wow, pretty cool experience.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Thank you much for the mention of Lost and Found! Much appreciated. You are the man!

Mark said...

Tough to beat Terminator 2...probably led to us electing him governor;)

Jo said...

I couldn't stand the movie The Terminator, sorry. Glad to see Yolanda featured. Enjoying her A to Z blogs.

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Anonymous said...

The first Terminator is still my favorite. Always will be.

MM

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Roland, I get kidnapped? I'll be there soon!

Samantha, you'll be glad you did.

Robin, it was a trick question!

Elizabeth, that made me laugh.

Bryan and Brandon, you are welcome!

Sherry Ellis said...

Yay for Yolanda! I have no idea what she's allergic to. Peanuts?

Carrie-Anne said...

I'd guess that the Boston music school is Berklee. I've seen about half of the second Terminator movie, but never all the way through.

The Angry Lurker said...

I had a problem with No.3 Alex.

M Pax said...

Congrats to Lisa, Cat, Brandon & Brian.

The first two terminator movies were good. After that... well, 3 kept putting me to sleep.

VikLit said...

I LOVE Terminator 2, one of my favourite movies! I quite enjoyed 3 and agreed, let's not talk about 4...

SpacerGuy said...

Its been years since I saw T2 but what a classic! I must have watched it at least 10 times.

Leovi said...

I love Dream Theater. Very good song!

Tonja Drecker said...

Terminator 2 was my favorite! And thanks for pointing out the Literary Rambles interview. With all this a-zing, some things are falling through the holes. ;)

Chancelet said...

The Terminator movies are great, and I agree with you, the 4th one never happened. I do follow Yolanda, but don't know about dream theater.

PK HREZO said...

I remember seeing T2 when it came out in theaters--there was a long line! I love both movies.

Unknown said...

I've still not seen Terminator 3 or the Sarah Connor Chronicles. And I'm with you - the fourth one should not be spoken of.

Jamie @ Mithril Wisdom

Al Diaz said...

Yolanda is great and very kind to this dragon.
I like Terminator 1 and 2. That's the only ones I've seen.
Okay, I've registered your petition to toss a dwarf. Now you only have to get your certified one.

Susan Kane said...

We saw the first Terminator in a seedy theater in Las Vegas. The audience was rough, but they were enthusiastic. Their responses were profane but heartfelt.

Carrie Butler said...

Woohoo for Yolanda! :)

Christine Rains said...

Love the Terminator films. Yay for Yolanda! And congratulations to everyone else in the news today. Wow, only a week left of the Challenge. Where did April go?!

Sarah Ahiers said...

love me some terminator. the 4th one could have been good. Too bad it wasn't

David T List said...

Terminator 2 is one of my favorite movies. I might say it changed my life a bit.
I only skimmed through previous comments long enough to see that someone replied Berklee College and that you know their original name(whose letters are the inspiration for the Dream Theater logo)
I'll match your trivia with another.
When Petrucci got on drums, Myung got on keyboard and Portnoy got on bass, (as well as other member swaps) what was the name of their spoof side project?

David T List said...

Oh, by the way, CHEAP TRIVIA QUESTION YESTERDAY ALEX! X(

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Terminator movies rock the house! Congrats to all the writers today.

Michelle Wallace said...

Yay for Yolanda!!

Writer In Transit

Kathe W. said...

Loved almost all the Terminator movies! Have a fab day!

Charles Gramlich said...

I just watched T2 again this weekend. heckuva film. I loved the first one but this one was even better in many ways.

mshatch said...

Loved T1 and T2, the rest not so much.

Bish Denham said...

T1 and T2 are great movies. Linda Hamilton at the end of T2, cocking that shotgun with one arm... tremendous. She said she had to train hard for it.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Very good, Carrie-Anne!

Fran, I was surprised I didn't.

Leovi, glad you enjoyed it!

T, it was too good a post to miss.

Al, you got number one hundred again, didn't you? So do I need certification to toss?

David, you got me on that one - no idea. And yeah, I had to stump you guys with something!

Bish, I bet!

Cindy said...

Your comparisons are so fun to read. I will have to visit Yolanda's blog.

David T List said...

ALex, they were called Nightmare Cinema. Watch this vid and the name starts to make sense! Tis hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Q1Nn1CYHk

klahanie said...

A superb choice in Yolanda and I visit her wonderful site on a regular basis.

Certainly a fan of the Terminator movies. Although, I'm not so sure about the dude when he was Governor of California...

Al Diaz said...

One hundred? No! Really? Didn't notice. :D
If you can't find a certified dwarf, you can borrow one of mine. I'm sure after this time of working for you, they will be more than willing for you to toss them away, hahaha.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I loved the Terminator movies. The first one was such a beautiful love story.

Arlee Bird said...

Great effects in T2. T4? I'm not sure if I saw it or not.

Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out

Heather M. Gardner said...

I'm not sure I can claim 3 was any good either. But, I still watched it.

Great choice in Yolanda. Very cool.

It's close to the end...I can feel it.

Yesterday, rocked.

Heather

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

David, I'll do that!

Gary, no one was sure about that.

Al, I need to talk to you soon about those dwarves that are helping me...

Lee, don't bother.

Heather, glad you had a good time!

SK Anthony said...

I agree with you, the fourth Terminator NEVER happened. I like the other ones though!

And yes, I like Yolanda's blog too :)

Allison said...

I enjoy the Terminator movies. The fourth could have been worse...

Allison (Geek Banter)

S. L. Hennessy said...

I have to admit I love Terminator 1 more than 2, but 2 is by far one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Stephen Tremp said...

Congrats! to Kate Masters! I'm sending big thoughts of success her way right now. Good luck Kate (a name of one of my daughters). Big things are about to happen!

Stephen Tremp said...

And no homage to Arnold from this corner. He promised much but messed up California (previously the seventh largest economy in the world) in a big way. Now we're screwed. Okay. no more political ramblings from me.

Kelly Polark said...

Dream Theater is pretty cool. The drummer filled in for Avenged Sevenfold for a while after their drummer died.

Kelly Polark said...

Dream Theater is pretty cool. The drummer filled in for Avenged Sevenfold for a while after their drummer died.

Saumya said...

Terminator 2 is great!! Also, I was going to send you an e-mail about this but I've got your book next on my reading list! I have my board exams coming up in June and upon making the post-test reading list, you came up at the top. You truly have talent, Alex and I'm so lucky you introduced me to a new genre.

Unknown said...

I loved T2 when it came out. It was such a cool movie. I went back and saw the first one after that, which seemed like a much darker film. Both are classics.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, Alex,

I agree Yolanda is a sweetie. I met her through Romantic Friday Writers.

Amazing how fast this month is going! U tomorrow.. Incredible.

I have ONLY Z to write and I am DONE! They took much longer than I had hoped but one can't rush something like this. I want each intro to be as special as the first. One has to be a consistent writer.

See you later today......

Pat Tillett said...

I liked the Terminator movies, but they just should have stopped while they were ahead.

Alexandra Heep said...

I've actually seen the first two Terminator movies, but can't remember what they were about. Hah.

Jai Joshi said...

I love T2! Such a great movie and you're right, it does stand up against any of the mega sci-fi films of today.

Jai

Birgit said...

I just watched the first terminator last week and the 2nd I like even better. Amazing that the challenge ends in a week

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Stephen, he terminated your state, huh?

Kelly, he did.

Saumya, thank you!! I hope you enjoy it.

Pat, agreed.

Patricia Stoltey said...

I can't believe the challenge is almost over. I feel like April disappeared into the twilight zone.

Anonymous said...

Yep, I've seen the Terminator movies several times. In fact, they were just recently on again. Not really crazy about the last one.

YAY for Yolanda and CONGRATS to the new book releases!

randi lee said...

T2 came out when I was just a pup and, as most innapropriate it was to be watching at my age, I'm pretty sure I wore out the VHS tape!

Kristen said...

T2 was my favorite move of all time until The Matrix came out. Now it's my second favorite of all time, up there with Inception. :)

#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com

The Happy Whisk said...

Defending the Pen. Great, great name.