OMD: The Rocketeer

The Rockawho?

The Rocketeer - one of the films brought to you by the Wonderful World of Disney - Sunday evening movies.

Way back in the '90's ABC had this little thing called "The Wonderful World of Disney". Every Sunday evening, around 7 or 8, they would air a new film. It was usually introduced by Michael Eisner and Mickey Mouse, often giving a little taste of the movie by a quick sketch-up.

If you were a true '90's kid (or at least a true Disney-fan), you never missed these shows. The Wonderful World of Disney is the latest name of the ongoing airing of Disney movies and shows.

The name changes were thus:

Walt Disney's Disneyland (1954-58)
Walt Disney Presents (1958-61)
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1961-69)
Disney's Wonderful World (1979-81)
Walt Disney (1981-83)
The Disney Sunday Movie (1986-88)
The Magical World of Disney (1988-90)
The Wonderful World of Disney (1969-79, 1983-86, 1991-present)

Many movies were introduced into the hearts of avid Disney fans, and parents who finally found clean films to watch.

On June 21, 1991 a film premiered that drew in the wonderment of many. At only 1 hour and 48 minutes, it was a quick watch, full of action, adventure, suspense, and steampunk themes.

Today I will discuss a little of one of my favorite films:

Film: The Rocketeer
Premier Date: June 21, 1991
Director: Joe Johnston
Based on: "The Rocketeer" by Dave Stevens

Starring:
Bill Campbell - Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer
Alan Arkin - A. "Peevy" Peabody
Jennifer Connelly - Jenny Blake
Paul Sorvino - Eddie Valentine
Timothy Dalton - Neville Sinclair

Music: James Horner

Set in Los Angeles 1938, this story follows pilot, Cliff Secord. When things go awry with a shoot-out between the mob and the FBI, leaving his plane in ruins, he finds a rocket pack hidden in another place in the hanger.

With help from his mechanic, Peevy, the make a closed helmet for use of the rocket. They are forced into it when a pilot goes into the air, drunk. Saving him using the Rocket, the crowds and masses label him "The Rocketeer".

His girlfriend, Jenny, is an actress working with the famous swashbuckler Neville Sinclair, who is not all that he appears to be.

With the Mob, the FBI, and the Nazis after him for the rocket pack, what's to become of Cliff Secord and his girl Jenny?

I love the style of this film: 30's noir type, mob chases, acting, intrigue, spies, adventure, and a man who can fly!

I highly recommend watching this movie. You can rent it via YouTube if you don't want to buy it outright (though you may want to after watching it).


As for myself, I will be checking out the book it was based off of in the coming week.


Any film you think I should watch? Leave a comment below (especially if you've seen this one, or went to watch it somewhere).

Enjoy your week.

WIP: Poetry in the Raw

Welcome back to another week!

I was somewhat confused (and honestly, please) that the first post of this month has a bunch of read through's. I'm uncertain if it was due to content or something I may have mentioned (I'm betting on the latter). Whichever the case - hello Readers!


Today is Work In Progress day!

As you can tell I'm a bit behind in most of my personal projects. Being back in school means I have about twenty new ideas for stories and other such schemes, but little time to devote to them. (I am an avid believer in sleep. And being a night-owl. And the prospect of being a highly-functioning-slacker.)

Regardless, I've been doing some other work for class that I thought I'd share with you this week.

As mentioned before I am in a Poetry class - creative writing: poetry. It's a workshop course where every few weeks we each write 2 poems and submit them for peer review and feedback on how to make them better. At the end of the semester everything will be submitted as the final portfolio.


Please feel free to post any critiques/comments/issues about these poems. I appreciate feedback of any kind.

When Life Was Good

Tell me something I don't know

A story of when life was good.

Back when the evenings were full

of laughter. Of smiles.

A time when love never thought of dying.

Of saying hurtful untruths.

Words to demean.

Words.

Life use to be filled with kind words.

A morning of frenzied eating, lunch packing,

running for the door. The bus.

Home once more to loving hands

To a full house of those who protect

Tell me a story once shared,

When life was good.

Autumn

Nighttime comes, I dream

the world is how I imagined.

Bright-lit streets, small, comfortable

house. Easy, soft, living.

Books fill the air,

the scent of parchment and ink prolific.

Mixed fragrances of honey, pumpkin,

cinnamon; spice.

Old burned furniture.

Scarred wooden panels.

Blaze of light, cackling away.

Chocolate: hot, steamy, white clouds

floating on the surface of foam.

Complete. Relaxed.

Home.

Mansion Fire

Haunted high

Ghostly wails

Tightening shadows

Footsteps

Lingering echoes

Spinning Darkness

Grim and Grinning

Ghosts

~

Older Than Time

A tune, a melody

older than the time

around it.

Long, golden, bright

shimmers like silk.

Spinning, high on

toes.

Melodies play

around the room, deep

tones that resonate.

Night darkens,

turning the sky to ink.

Pinpoints come,

littering the ink with

gems of the universe.

A tune, a melody

older than the time

around it.

Let me know what you think. Also - anything you're working on that you want to share? Leave a comment below.

Book Nook: The Architect of Song

Welcome to the wonderful world of Reading!

I will try and not completely take this novel apart today. I LOVED this book. I can't wait to get my hands on the others in the series (yup, I've once again stumbled upon a series. It must be a brick that's constantly in my path).

(Disclaimer: The image is not mine. The only thing that is, are my opinions of this novel.)

Title: The Architect of Song
Author: A.G. Howard
Series: Haunted Hearts Legacy
Book Number One


First off, I will laud how much I love this author. Her novels are some of the best that I've had the pleasure of reading in a while. She can take a fairy tale, or previous novel, and embellish it in such a way that draws you in and literally keeps you up until the wee hours of the morning reading constantly.

There are two types of books she writes:
Y/A - taken from fairy tales, or amazing novels. (The Splintered series, and RoseBlood)
Adult Historic Fiction - original stories that are geared towards adults more than young adults.


I stumbled upon this novel after reading the Splintered Series and RoseBlood (my personal favorite, for phan reasons). I'd heard about it before and was eager to read it.

One of the things that intrigued me was the background of the characters. It kept me guessing if this was based on a Tale or not (it's not). The imagery used to conjure each background story for the main characters were compelling and vivid.

Through the novel I kept thinking about possible end scenarios, as I usually do. This one was compelling enough that I managed to be befuddled by the end game. When the final deck was revealed I found myself kicking my mental prowess for forgetting key hints that were given throughout. (In rather plain terms, I might add. Though I will defend this by saying I read only a few chapters each night for about a week, as I do have a busy schedule during the day.)

If you loved her previous novels I would definitely recommend this.

IT IS AN ADULT NOVEL, NOT A Y/A.

I cannot stress that point enough - she even states it on the GoodReads page for this book. Please, read that review before picking up the novel.

Well, this has almost everything I love most about a novel:
     History
     Fairy Tale elements
     Victorian Era
     Mushy Romance (not my favorite, but if done well, then yes)


Check out a copy at your local library. Or purchase your own via the nearest bookstore.

What are you reading this week? Any novel you think I should check out? Leave a comment below and I'll chat at you next week.

Reading Into the Situation

As I mentioned last month, I am back in university!

Four classes currently - all English classes. Well....three and a not.

Public Speaking - not a class I ever would have taken previously. Now, it's merely for fun, and credits (obviously). I'm the only non-freshman in the class. Which is entertaining in itself.

British Literature - I was expecting this one to be difficult. It has the most reading so far (ridiculously tons of it, but only 1/4 of what my professor had to read when he took the course over 20+ years ago. At least we have it ... easier?) Getting all the reading done on a Tuesday/Thursday classes is not so much fun when Thursday has a TON of extra reading. Meh. I love a good challenge.

American Gothic - this was is a colloquium. It sounded fun - I love the Gothic genre of novels, but this one kinda threw me for a loop. The first book was rather mundane and the second one is .... gross.

Creative Writing: Poetry - I get to write poetry. Fun stuff.


So if any of these posts come late or don't happen until later on (unlikely) these are the reasons why.

Don't get me wrong, I do love my classes, and being to get out and about again. It's rather fun being an "older" student too. I can help those who are confused.


Well - any sort of book you'd think I should read? Leave a comment with your busy schedule, or your favorite book.