Cover Art Friday: Stormdancer (The Lotus War, #1) by: Jay Kristoff

Happy Friday, my Muses!

As everyone heads out to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend, I wanted to post the new cover art for debut author Jay Kristoff's Stormdancer (The Lotus War, #1). It's been circulating around the blog world for a few days now, but I couldn't help but post it here as well. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and the story sounds so unique and fresh, described as a Japanese steampunk novel-- I'd probably do some illegal things to get my hands on an ARC! But as they say, all good things come to those who are patient... Stormdancer hits bookshelves on September 18th, this fall. What do you think?

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A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium is verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Book Review: The Hunt

Title: The Hunt
Author: Andrew Fukuda
ISBN: 1250005140
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Horror Paranormal YA
Theme: Vampire, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian
Binding: (hardback; my copy was a paperback ARC)
Length: 304 pages
Published: 8 May 2012; St. Martin's Griffin
Buy: amazon.com
My Rating:

Synopsis: Don’t Sweat. Don’t Laugh. Don’t draw attention to yourself. And most of all, whatever you do, do not fall in love with one of them.

Gene is different from everyone else around him. He can’t run with lightning speed, sunlight doesn’t hurt him and he doesn’t have an unquenchable lust for blood. Gene is a human, and he knows the rules. Keep the truth a secret. It’s the only way to stay alive in a world of night—a world where humans are considered a delicacy and hunted for their blood.

When he’s chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity?

My Review: I was super excited when I won an ARC copy of The Hunt from LibraryThing.com. There had been a lot of buzz before its release, some calling it the male version of The Hunger Games, only with fangs. With so many YA vampire books out there, finding something that stands out in this genre is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I really wanted to love The Hunt, and while it does delivery some chills and some nail biting suspense, the story somehow falls short and is riddled with plot holes.

The Hunt does have an interesting premise. Vampires are now at the top of the food chain and humans, now called "hepers", are obsolete...until the dictator comes on television and announces that there will be a lottery. The lucky winners of this lottery will have the honor to participate in the last "Heper Hunt", and it is revealed that several humans have been raised and groomed specifically for this event. Gene, one of the winners, should be ecstatic that he will get the chance to hunt down the last "hepers", to taste fresh blood and tear through human flesh. But no one realizes that he is actually a human and has spent his whole life pretending he is a vampire. Talk about living in a pit of snakes, right?

I do like that the story was told in a male's point-of-view. There are so many books out, especially in the vampire genre, that are targeted for girls. While the book is girl friendly (there is a romance that develops), I think The Hunt will definitely appeal to boys. The vampires in this book are not romantic nor are they particularly attractive. They have long fingernails, eat raw meat along with the blood drinking, and go into some sort of drooling trance when they either think, see, or smell "hepers". Yeah, they definitely aren't your Twilight or Vampire Diaries bloodsuckers. In fact, they sort of remind me of zombie-vampires since they will devour a whole human, not just drink their blood. I'll come back to that in a minute.

I have to give Fukuda credit where credit is due. The man can build suspense. Gene is a human, living as a vampire. Ever since he could remember, his father taught him that he had to suppress his natural human reactions and urges-- no sweating, no laughing, no shivering, no goosebumps, no squinting, etc. There were quite a few scenes where I felt my heart pounding in fear for Gene. One that comes to mind is when he is in class (at night) and the teacher calls on him to read something off the board. Because they are vampires and have sharper eyesight, they don't need a lot of light. Gene can barely see and he knows if he were to squint his eyes to try to make out what's on the board, his cover would be blown, especially when all his vampire classmates turn to look at him when he doesn't speak up right away. Then he starts to sweat which is another no-no. There are quite a few tension building, nail biting scenes like this, so I can't take that away from the author.

There is a lot of controversy over how Gene acts towards the other humans once he comes face to face with them. Some readers were outraged at his behavior, that he had a superiority complex and was more worried about his own survival than warning or helping his own kind formulate a plan. I actually liked this twist and whether others want to admit it or not, this course of action is quite realistic. Gene has been literally raised with vampires. Other then his father drilling the do's and don'ts of survival in his head, Gene knows no other life. He doesn't even understand what his father meant when he would say, "Never forget who you are." Those words would haunt him even years after the death of his father. He knows more about vampires then he does about humans, and everything that has been taught to him about humans seems distorted. But even he doesn't realize what's true and false about his own kind. After all, books, videos, photographs have all been destroyed. So in my opinion, Gene thinking he is smarter then the humans that were raised in the Dome is not a farfetched idea. And maybe in a way he is in the sense that his survival skills are unmatched since he literally has been living with the enemy without them knowing. But that doesn't mean the humans in the Dome are stupid or without skill. I think one thing they teach Gene is loyalty. I won't say any more for fear of too many spoilers, but hopefully it will help you keep an open-mind while reading.

Here are my issues with The Hunt. The one that drives me crazy the most is their means for transportation. HORSES. Really??!!! Are we living back in the 1800's??? I am not a horse hater; in fact I love horses. But this doesn't make sense. Vampires have taken over the world (well, at least in Gene's world). They have the technology to build the Institute and create the Dome, which has the ability to close once the sun goes down to keep the humans inside and the vampires out (because vampires can't control themselves around humans, which I will get to in a minute). So, they have all this technology and the only reason they don't use cars (as far as I could tell) is because they think it is safer to ride in a carriage being pulled by a bunch of horses than in a car. God forbid if a car should run out of gas or blow a tire and they get stranded as the sun comes up. Umm...ever hear of tinted windows for vampires??! You're telling me with all the technology out there, the best they could come up with is horses??? Oh, I guess they never thought about all the things that could go wrong with a carriage, or the fact that the horses throughout the book seem skittish because they can sense the vampires aren't quite normal. Maybe because they are predators??? Okay, I need to get off this topic before I start throwing something >=(.

My next issue...why is there no backstory in The Hunt? I get it is going to be a series. I don't need everything spelled out for me. A little bit of mystery is good. But freakin' come on! Throw a dog a bone! And this is going to lead me right into my next issue that I sort of alluded to above. We have vampires that are sort of like zombies in that they not only drink blood, but will completely devour a human. When I say devour, I mean they will eat skin, internal organs, bones, EVERYTHING. Remember me saying that they go into this weird, creepy drooling trance when humans are mentioned or seen on television? They are worse if one is in close proximity. They literally lose control, go mad, all thinking ceases to exist. The humans don't have to have a fresh cut in order to set them off; vampires CANNOT control themselves AT ALL if one were to walk in a room. That is why the Dome was created by the vampires, so that if by some chance they lost control, they wouldn't be able to get to them. So...here is my problem with that. If these vampires can't control themselves at all, how did so many people "turn" into vampires without being eaten??? This is why backstory is so vital to a new series with new mythology. I mean, how did these vampires come into existence? Did it start out with a virus? The only thing Gene does mention is his fear of getting scratched or bitten. But considering how vicious and strong these vamps are, I can't see too many humans being able to get away without getting devoured.

Here is my last big issue (I have quite a few more, but those would only cause spoilers). While I loved the premise of the story, and started to realize that Gene might not be the only human pretending he is a vampire in order to survive, I find it a bit unrealistic. The vampires have no inventory of families? So if a whole family is thought to be vampires and say 2 family members disappear--they just stop going to school or don't show up for their job-- you're telling me that the vampire authorities wouldn't get curious? They wouldn't approach the other family members and ask where they are? In the very beginning, a little human girl shows up at school and falls asleep (another no-no). The vampires eat her once they realize she is human. So...they didn't put 2 and 2 together that if a human child was sent to school pretending that she was a vampire that maybe her parents could be human as well? Or that other humans are doing the same thing? Yeah, so many plot holes!

Andrew Fukuda's The Hunt started off strong. It was refreshing to read a vampire book through the eyes of a teen boy and I have no doubt that this will be a book that will even appeal to reluctant readers. It's bloody, gory, and pays homage to the vampires of old while still retaining some originality. Fukuda shows skill at writing suspenseful scenes and more then once I found myself holding my breath in anxiety. But what hurts this story severely is the plot holes. Lack of backstory is the biggest issue. While this may be Fukuda's plan since The Hunt does end on a cliff hanger and book 2 is in the works, I think giving his reader a little more information in book 1 wouldn't have hurt. When I finished reading it, I was so annoyed that my original rating was actually 2 out of 5 stars. But after a few days of reflection as I started making my list of likes and dislikes, I came to realize that I genuinely liked the main character and had no major issues with the writing itself. It was the holes in the story I had issues with. So my final, upgraded 3 out of 5 star rating is because I want to remain optimistic that Fukuda did this on purpose and he has some brilliant plan to fill in the holes in book 2 by giving us some awesome, original backstory. One can hope, right?

My Picks of the Week! (May 22nd)

Good Morning, Muses!

So hopefully everyone had a chance to read Saturday's post on a few updates/changes that go into effect today. If not, you can check it out HERE. There aren't too many huge releases this week but I tried to pick a few that I know have been talked about.

In Adult books, I've been hearing some buzz about 2312 by Sci-fi writer Kim Stanley Robinson. In Young Adult, I pre-ordered a copy of Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen. Every time I look at that cover, I swear it looks like Edward Cullen...

In movies, Perfect Sense and This Means War are on my to-watch list this week. Oh, and as a part of my updates/changes, I promised to let everyone know which movies were going to be coming out in blu-ray-dvd combo packs. This Means War and Red Tails both come out in combo packs while Perfect Sense and Woman in Black do not. Speaking of Woman in Black, Harry Potter fans will be anxious to see Daniel Radcliffe in something new and what better way then to star in something very grown up.

Finally, in TV Series, Sherlock Season 2 arrives on both dvd and blu-ray. The River, ABC's failed attempt at horror also comes out on Tuesday. Teens will be happy with the release of MTV's hot series Teen Wolf: Season 1. Season 2 premieres on Sunday, June 3rd.

Enjoy!

BOOKS (MAY 22nd)

ADULT

2312
by: Kim Stanley Robinson

The year is 2312. Scientific and technological advances have opened gateways to an extraordinary future. Earth is no longer humanity's only home; new habitats have been created throughout the solar system on moons, planets, and in between. But in this year, 2312, a sequence of events will force humanity to confront its past, its present, and its future.

The first event takes place on Mercury, on the city of Terminator, itself a miracle of engineering on an unprecedented scale. It is an unexpected death, but one that might have been foreseen. For Swan Er Hong, it is an event that will change her life. Swan was once a woman who designed worlds. Now she will be led into a plot to destroy them.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

Midnight's Master (Dark Warriors, #1)
by: Donna Grant

Gwynn Austin has no idea why her father has disappeared on a mysterious trip to Scotland. When she goes on a desperate mission to search for him she finds more than she bargains for in a ruggedly handsome, wickedly exciting Highlander who exudes danger and mystery. And when she discovers her own link to Scotland, she’ll have to trust her heart to help lead her...

Propelled through time by powerful Druid Magic, Logan Hamilton uses his immortality and powers of the god inside him to help prevent the awakening of an ancient evil in the modern world. He never expects to find help in the form of a beautiful, alluring, and all too tempting woman whose passion and strength matches his own. Together, Logan and Gywnn must fight for their love—before a demon from the past destroys them both…

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Paperback | E-book

Shadow Bound (Unbound, #1)
by: Rachel Vincent

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light…

KORI DANIELS is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she’s ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if that means taking it from someone else…

The job? Recruit Ian Holt—or kill him.

Ian’s ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he’s on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower’s top Binder: Kori’s little sister.

Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they’ll have to choose between love and liberty…

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Paperback | E-book

YOUNG ADULT

Cold Kiss (Cold Kiss, #1)
by: Amy Garvey

Be careful what you wish for. . . .

When Wren's boyfriend, Danny, died, Wren decided that what she wanted—what she had to do—was to bring Danny back. And so, in a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, she did.

But the Danny who returns isn't the boy Wren fell in love with, and she must hide him away while her life unravels around her. Then Gabriel transfers to her school and somehow he knows what she has done—and he wants to help make things right.

But Wren alone must undo what she has wrought—even if it means breaking her heart all over again.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Papaerback | E-book

Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers, #1)
by: Michelle Rowen

I don't do dangerous. Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising..

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Paperback | E-book

Fated (Soul Seekers, #1)
by: Alyson Noel

The first book in a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

Of Poseidon
by: Anna Banks

Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

Shift
by: Em Bailey

Olive Corbett is definitely NOT crazy.

Not anymore. These days she takes her meds like a good girl, hangs out with her best friend Ami, and stays the hell away from the toxic girls she used to be friends with.

She doesn’t need a boyfriend. Especially not a lifesaver-type with a nice smile. And she doesn’t need the drama of that creepy new girl Miranda, who has somehow latched on to Olive's ex-best friend.

Yet from a distance, Olive can see there's something sinister about the new friendship. Something almost... parasitic. Maybe the wild rumours ARE true. Maybe Miranda is a killer.

But who would believe Olive? She does have a habit of letting her imagination run away with her…

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

The Lost Code (The Atlanteans, #1)
by: Kevin Emerson

WHAT IS OLDEST WILL BE NEW, WHAT IS LOST SHALL BE FOUND.

The ozone is ravaged, ocean levels have risen, and the sun is a daily enemy. But global climate change is not something new in the Earth’s history.

No one will know this better than less-than-ordinary Owen Parker, who is about to discover that he is the descendant of a highly advanced ancient race—a race that took their technology too far and almost destroyed the Earth in the process.

Now it is Owen’s turn to make right in his world what went wrong thousands of years ago. If Owen can unlock the lost code in his very genes, he may rediscover the forgotten knowledge of his ancestry…and that less-than-ordinary can evolve into extraordinary.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

Taken by Storm (Raised by Wolves, #3)
by: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Bryn knows first-hand that being the alpha of a werewolf pack means making hard decisions, and that being human makes things a thousand times worse. She's prepared to give up her humanity, but the wolf who promised to Change her is waiting - though for what, Bryn doesn't know. Still human, she must take her place in the werewolf Senate, the precarious democracy that rules the North American packs. Standing side by side with werewolves who were ancient long before she was ever born is enough of a challenge, but Bryn soon learns that the Senate has been called to deal with a problem: the kind of problem that involves human bodies, a Rabid werewolf, and memories that Bryn, Chase, and the rest of their pack would rather forget. With bodies stacking up and political pressure closing in from all sides, Bryn and her pack are going to have to turn to old enemies and even older friends for help - especially when it starts to look like this time, the monster might be one of their own.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Hardcover | E-book

MOVIES & TV SERIES (May 22nd)

MOVIES

Perfect Sense
Directed by: David Mackenzie

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Eva Green

Susan is a scientist whose research has caused her to neglect virtually everything else in her life, including love. That is until she meets Michael, a talented chef, and suddenly everything starts to change not just in Susan s life, but in the entire world. While Susan and Michael are experiencing new and unforeseen depths of feeling, all around the globe a new epidemic is causing people to lose their sensory perceptions. Are Susan and Michael s increasingly intense feelings for each other in spite of the epidemic, or because of it? A life-affirming look at what it means to love and be loved in turbulent times, director David Mackenzie s PERFECT SENSE is equal parts touching romance and chilling thriller.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Blu-ray | DVD

Red Tails
Directed by: Anthony Hemingway

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard

Academy Award Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. and Academy Award Nominee Terrence Howard lead a powerful ensemble cast in this high-flying epic inspired by the real-life adventures of the first African-American combat unit to serve in World War II. Italy, 1944. As the war takes its toll on Allied forces in Europe, a squadron of black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen are finally given the chance to prove themselves in the sky...even as they battle discrimination on the ground. Featuring jaw-dropping aerial action and thrilling special effects, Red Tails is a breathtaking tribute to the unsung heroes who rose above extraordinary challenges and ultimately soared into history.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Blu-ray | DVD

This Means War
Directed by: McG

Starring: Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon

Spy flick meets romantic comedy in this surprisingly entertaining film about two CIA agents who find themselves in competition for the affections of the same beautiful woman. Agents FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are accustomed to using whatever means necessary to complete a mission--and that mentality has a tendency to bleed over into their personal lives. The two agents are also close friends, so when they discover they're both dating Lauren (Reese Witherspoon), they enter into a gentleman's agreement that stipulates they not interfere with one other, allow Lauren to choose the best man for her, and walk away from Lauren if seeing her begins to affect the men's friendship. The agreement quickly degenerates into a pissing contest of epic proportions thanks to the men's competitive natures and the arsenal of government resources at their disposal. Oblivious to the rivalry and the high-tech circus going on around her, Lauren desperately tries to figure out which of the two men is right for her. Her married friend Trish (Chelsea Handler) offers plenty of advice, assuring Lauren that just because she's dating two guys at the same time, "You're not going to hell, but if you are, I'll be there to pick you up." What makes this film so good is its perfect blend of high-action spy caper, laugh-aloud humor, and romance--all skillfully delivered by a talented cast.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Blu-ray | DVD

Woman In Black
Directed by: James Watkins

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe

Fans of classically structured haunted house/ghost stories will relish the skillfully unnerving chain of events in The Woman in Black, whether or not they're fans of Harry Potter. Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor tasked with resolving the affairs of a recently deceased woman and her brooding estate in the gloom of the remote Victorian England-era village of Crythin Gifford. The mood is melancholic all around, starting with Kipps himself, who lost his wife to childbirth a few years earlier. His employer has had just about enough of his moping about and gives him the assignment as a last resort to save his job. When he arrives in the small village, the icy response he receives does not bode well for successful completion of his mission. All the townspeople want him gone, and possibly for good reason. Many of their children have died mysteriously gruesome deaths that they blame on the titular black-clad woman whose own child was tragically sucked to his death in the muck surrounding her seaside mansion. This new stranger who wants to unearth the deadly secrets trapped in the decrepit old house is a threat they cannot abide, and sure enough the deaths keep on coming as he delves deeper into the dark recesses of the house and the history of its ghostly occupant.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Blu-ray | DVD

TV SERIES

My Babysitter's a Vampire: Season 1

Starring: Matthew Knight, Vanessa Morgan

The series follows the adventures of a geeky freshman boy named Ethan Morgan (Matthew Knight), a Seer who has visions when he touches anything paranormal, his best friend Benny, a spellmaster, and his vampire babysitter Sarah (Vanessa Morgan) as they chase down supernatural forces. They are often aided by Rory, their dorky friend who was turned into a vampire in the pilot film, and Erica, Sarah's best friend, who also became a vampire in the pilot film.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | DVD

Rizzoli & Isles: Season 2

Starring: Angie Harmon, Sasha Alexander

Homicide detective Jane Rizzoli (Angie Harmon) and forensic pathologist Maura Isles (Sasha Alexander) are close friends, complete opposites and on the case in all 15 gritty episodes based on the best-selling novels by Tess Gerritsen. Season Two sees brash Jane healing emotional and physical scars as old loves re-appear and her mother Angela (Lorraine Bracco) deals with divorce. Meanwhile Jane's ex-con brother Tommy (Colin Egglesfield) has eyes for cerebral Maura, whose own family life is complicated by her adoptive mother Constance (Jacqueline Bisset) and a biological dad with a link to the Mob. And in an explosive season finale, Jane must choose between her job and Maura. Can their friendship survive?

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | DVD

Sherlock: Season 2

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman

Nominated for 4 primetime Emmys, Sherlock is back with Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Watson in three new stories. In A Scandal in Belgravia, Sherlock gets embroiled in the complex plans of the dangerous and desirable Irene Adler, and finds himself employing every one of his remarkable skills to survive as the unlikely duo square off in a battle of wits... and perhaps emotions? The Hounds of Baskerville whisks the increasingly popular detective and Watson to the wilds of Dartmoor, and face to face with the supernatural lurking in the eerie landscape. Meanwhile, Moriarty is still out there in the shadows, and is determined to bring Sherlock down - at whatever the cost - in The Reichenbach Fall. With beguiling performances, witty scripts and some of the most intriguing characters ever created, it's no wonder that Sherlock has proven to be a worldwide success.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | Blu-ray | DVD

Teen Wolf: Season 1

Starring: Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed

The series revolves around social outcast Scott McCall, a young lacrosse-playing student at Beacon Hills High School. His life drastically changes when he is bitten by a werewolf one night. Upon discovery that he is a werewolf, with the help of his best friend, Stiles, and the mysterious werewolf, Derek, he is forced to learn to balance his newfound identity among the many dangers that it presents with his teenage life. He must keep his loved ones safe and balance the relationships he shares with each person around him. Scott is also having trouble with keeping his secret from the girl he loves, Alison.

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | DVD

The River: Complete Series

Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Joe Anderson

Embark on a thrilling journey as Oren Peli, director of Paranormal Activity, and Executive Producer Steven Spielberg, bring chilling legend and lore to life. Paranormal thriller The River follows the story of world famous wildlife expert and TV personality Dr. Emmet Cole (Bruce Greenwood), host of the beloved series The Undiscovered Country. After Cole goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends, and crew set out on a haunting and treacherous adventure to find him. Led by his wife, Tess (Leslie Hope), and estranged son, Lincoln (Joe Anderson), the rescue mission will lead them deep into the unexplored regions on the Amazon River. A place where nature is cruel, magic is real, and nothing is what it seems. Uncover the ancient secrets of the Bouina in the heart-pounding first season of ABC's The River, and dive even deeper into the mystery with never-before-seen bonus features. The shocking truth is waiting to be discovered. If you dare...

Release Date: 22 May 2012
Website | DVD

Updates: A Few Changes

Happy Saturday, my lovely Muses!

There are a few quick updates I wanted to bring to everyone's attention that will be going into effect this week at The Muses Circle.

Movie Review Saturdays & Movie/TV Series News & Highlights

If you've been following my blog, then you know I try to post movie reviews on Saturdays. However, lately I've been so busy that the movie section of my blog has been severely neglected. So, I came up with this idea. Instead of posting nothing on Saturdays if I can't get around to writing a movie review, I will post the highlights of movie/tv series news that week. It could be about casting news, a movie trailer that was just released, etc. I really like this idea since I am constantly on movie websites, trying to find out new scoops on upcoming releases. It's my pleasure to keep everyone in the loop!


Monday's "My Picks of the Week": Books/E-books & Blu-ray/DVD

On Mondays I post my weekly "Picks of the Week" which is basically a list of new releases (books and movies) that either I plan on buying or what I think the masses would find interesting.

After each book or movie, I embed links. If it's a book, there is usually a link to the author's website and a link to pre-order or purchase the book on amazon.com or bn.com. The link I use that sends you to amazon.com or bn.com is usually for the hardback or paperback copy of the book. Since e-books have become so popular, I decided that I will also include a link to the e-book version if one is available.

As for movies and/or tv series, I post a link to its official website and a link to pre-order or purchase it on amazon.com. Usually, the link I use directs you to purchase it on blu-ray first, and if the movie or tv series has not been released yet on blu-ray, then to the dvd version. I recently realized that not everyone may know what blu-rays are, so here is a quick lesson.

Blu-ray vs. DVD
I know that some of you know what the difference is between dvd and blu-ray. Some of you may not. If you don't, you can go HERE which explains the technical differences between the two. All you really need to know is that blu-ray discs are superior in the quality of picture, sound, and special features. So if you have a big, flat screen tv (37" or more), it probably makes sense to start upgrading your dvd collection to blu-ray. Just like vhs movies are basically obsolete, one day dvds will too, now that blu-rays are so popular.

But don't despair. While blu-ray discs can only be watched on blu-ray players or PS3's, dvds can be played on both dvd AND blu-ray players. So here is my suggestion. Many movies now are being released in a blu-ray, dvd combo set. That is what you want to look for and buy. Here are the reasons why:

1) If you haven't upgraded to blu-ray yet, you can still view the movie on dvd, but will still have the blu-ray once you decide to upgrade

2) If you already have upgraded, blu-ray/dvd combo sets are great because you may not have a blu-ray player in every room, therefore the dvd comes in handy. Or, maybe the kids want to watch something in their room but they only have a dvd player. Get my point?

So from now on, I will embed a link for the blu-ray and dvd versions of each movie and tv series. I will also try to mention if they are available in a blu-ray-dvd combo set.

NIFTY BLOGS SECTION

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to create a section on my blog where I collect buttons from other blogs that I check out on a weekly basis. Scratch that idea. At least for right now. Thanks for my blogger friend, Intricate Knot, I became aware of the Blog Roll option. So you will notice to the left of my blog a little section called "Nifty Blogs I Love!" For right now, I limited it to 10 blogs, but that doesn't mean I only check those. I just want to try it out for a little bit and if I like it, I will probably add more blogs to the list.

Well, I think that is it for right now. So all of these little changes/updates should go into effect starting Monday. Until then, I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

Your resident Muse,

Book Review: Zero

Title: ZERO
Author: Tom Leveen
ISBN: 0375869212
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary YA
Theme: Art, Punk Music, Romance
Binding: Hardcover
Length: 302 pages
Published: 24 April 2012; Random House for Young Readers
Buy: amazon.com, bn.com
My Rating:


Synopsis: For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.

My Review: It's been awhile since I've given a book a 5 star rating, but after careful consideration, I honestly couldn't find anything wrong with the story nor anything I would change. ZERO was the kind of book that once started, I literally couldn't put it down which shocked me. I guess I forgot what that felt like!

Amanda, aka Amy, aka Zero is a recent high school graduate whose plan for a fun summer before going away to the art school of her dreams is shattered. Although she was accepted into the Art Institute of Chicago, she doesn't get the scholarship she so desperately needs due to her portfolio "lacking technical excellence". To add to this devastating news, she has a falling out with her best friend, Jenn. Her parents, while supportive, argue nearly every waking moment, causing Zero to feel creatively stifled. On one particularly bad night, Zero decides to head out to one of her favorite dives called "The Graveyard". And that's when she meets Mike, drummer for one of the opening bands called Gothic Rainbow. Gathering the courage to go up and talk to him is just the beginning of her journey to discovering her self-worth as a young woman and an artist.

I don't know how Tom Leveen did it, but ZERO (the book and the character) feels 100% authentic; I'm still in a bit of shock that he created such a convincing, identifiable female character. The similarities between Zero and I are almost scary. I used to be seriously into art and at one point considered going to art school. I also know what it's like to hang with the guys but never feel pretty enough to actually be with one of them. And as freaky as this may sound, I too, once had a crush on a guy I met at a concert, who just so happened to be a drummer for his own band...and his name was MIKE. Talk about coincidental, right? I also like how Tom Leveen always starts each section with Zero saying, "Here's the thing." We all have our quirky phrases that we say. Like for me, I've been told that when I get serious I frequently say, "You know what??!" Leveen applying this detail really adds to Zero's voice as a character.

If Leveen can write such a great female character then I am not surprised how much I also liked Mike. I think I even fell a little in love with him! Even though Mike had his own set of family and relationship issues (which are somewhat, but not fully revealed), I like that Leveen didn't turn him into the cliche male character that walks around with a chip on his shoulder. You know the kind I'm talking about, the one who is a bit arrogant at first, is sort of mean and aloof and acts like he doesn't have feelings for the main female character, but later shows he has a sensitive side. Nope, that's not Mike. Mike may proceed with caution, but he never puts on a front with Zero. He's sensitive as most artists are (in his case musically) yet remains very realistic as to how the music world works.

I think what I love the most about Mike is how he loves Zero for who she is, faults, insecurities, and all. A perfect example is one of my favorite parts of the book. I need to share this with everyone. Let me set the scene. Mike and Zero are at the beginning stages of dating. She goes over his house and is in his room, waiting for him to finish getting ready so they can head out:

"You look good," [Mike] says casually as he pulls a black T-shirt over his head.
I glance down at myself. Agent Orange T-shirt, cutoffs with my green Dali belt, and my monkey boots.
"Liar," I say.
Mike winces. "Really?"
"I'm sorry, I just meant---"
"Okay, this stops now," he says, and comes over to me. He kicks his door closed, and for the first time I see the cheap full-length mirror nailed to the back.
"What size is that shirt?" he asks, pulling me to stand in front of him so we're both looking in the mirror.
"Large. Obviously."
"Large. I wear a large, and I'm not a big guy. You should be wearing a small. Medium, tops."
"You don't like how I dress?"
"I love how you dress! I'm saying it should fit you."
"Well, I don't feel like advertising my fat ass."
"Your...? Okay, take your belt off."
I do, and wonder why. Does he have tantalizing plans for it?
Mike grabs the waistband of my shorts in one hand and a handful of my T-shirt in the back in the other and pulls them both taut.
"Now look," he says, nodding at the mirror. "That's you. You're swimming in this stuff. You have a kick-ass body." He releases my clothes, and my shorts nearly slip off. I grab them in one hand. "I mean, dress however you want; I still think you're hot no matter what. But it's something to think about. 'Sall I'm sayin'."
Staring at myself, I pull my shorts tight again and study the image. "You mean it?" I ask him.
"I really do."
I let go of my waistband, and my shorts fall to the floor. Mike takes a step back, his eyes widening. Sweet.
"Something to think about?" I say to his reflection in the mirror.
I watch him run a hand over his hair. He can't keep his eyes off me. And I like it. I had no idea I could ever feel this...oh, the hell with it: sexy.

Enough said, right?

Leveen also creates memorable secondary characters. I absolutely loved the guys--Hob, Eddie, Brook-- that make up Mike's band. They really are a fun bunch and embrace Zero. They love her artwork and commission her to do flyers, t-shirts, etc. for Gothic Rainbow. Again, this totally reminds me of my younger years when I used to hang out with my Mike and his band.

It's no secret that Leveen packs a lot of issues that young people experience in this book. Zero's parents are constantly arguing and a part of that is due to her father being an alcoholic. Zero herself suffers from low self-esteem, which also affects her painting and relationships with others. Let's see, other topics/themes you will come across-- abandonment and sexuality issues, using sex as a way to "fill the void", the consequences of unsafe sex, etc. Oh, and did I forget to mention that there is quite a bit of cursing and sexual situations in this book? I'm completely fine with it-- hell, I think it's quite refreshing since, let's face it, young adults, especially in the 17 years and older age group are sexually active! While I enjoy books that go the PG route and try to promote abstinence, I think ZERO is a more realistic portrayal of young adults.

There are quite a few people out there that felt that the book leaves too many issues open ended. Or that Leveen didn't wrap everything up and put a, "and they lived happily ever after" at the end. To be quite frank, for about a day or 2 after reading ZERO, I bounced back and forth between a 4 star rating and a 5 star rating. I did have a few questions that were left unanswered, one being what was Mike trying to say to Zero about his mom after he got back from his "trip"?

But after thinking about it, I actually was okay with the way the book ended. After all, finding self-worth and self-esteem doesn't just happen overnight. Marital issues don't just get better overnight. People aren't just "cured" of alcoholism overnight. Abandonment issues don't just go away overnight. Beginning to trust your best friend again after feeling betrayed doesn't just happen overnight. You get the point? And this may sound crazy...but I can definitely see a sequel happening. Whether the author consciously or subconsciously ended things the way he did, I can totally see Leveen revisiting these characters, maybe when they are in their early 20's. One can dream, right?

My Picks of the Week! (May 15th)

Good Monday!

I noticed that this week's releases are a little different, especially in the book department. Vonna Harper's (best known for her erotic romances) Canyon Shadows is available at bn.com today while on amazon.com you would have to wait until the end of the month to buy it.

In Young Adult, Shade's Children is actually a re-release of Garth Nix's 1998 edition. It has been given a nice new cover so I'm thinking with the popularity of YA novels like The Hunger Games, giving the book a more appealing cover will draw new attention. It definitely has an interesting premise! Susanne Winnacker's Weepers: The Other Life is new to us in the US, but apparently it was released overseas in Febuary 2012 (she lives in Germany) by the title The Other Life. Lastly, I am personally looking forward to Railsea by eccentric author China Mieville.

In movies, I'm pretty excited over the blu-ray/dvd combo release of Father of the Bride 1 & 2. My boyfriend enjoyed watching Rampart starring Woody Harrelson. I haven't watched it myself, but he said it was a good character driven drama. Hopefully I will get to set aside time to watch Albert Nobbs, starring Glenn Close who was nominated for an Oscar for her gender bending role.

Rounding out the releases in TV Series, the kids might be happy for season 2 of the popular Nickeloden show Victorious. I personally am excited for the release of AMC's western series Hell On Wheels Season 1, starring Anson Mount. That man is just H.O.T! So what are you looking forward to reading and watching this week?

BOOKS (May 15th)

ADULT

Canyon Shadows
by: Vonna Harper

Undeniable

Canine trainer Shari Afton can't deny the shiver of pleasure that runs through her at the sound of Maco Durant's sexy voice over the phone. Seems that trouble has followed this Wyoming rancher to Oregon, and he wants two of her guard dogs for protection. And she wants to see the cowboy face-to-face...

Uncontrollable

As she waits for Maco, the last thing Shari expects is the sound of a gunshot. When Maco arrives, Shari puts on a brave front, but the shooting brings back vivid memories of her past and she can barely control her emotions around this rugged stranger...

Unforgettable

Maco's concern awakens an intimate place deep inside that Shari has almost forgotten. With one touch, he ignites her erotic desire, and within his strong, masculine embrace, she surrenders to a wild ride in the saddle, western style...

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Fallen Queen, The (House of Arkhangel'sk, #1)
by: Jane Kinred

Heaven can go to hell.

Until her cousin slaughtered the supernal family, Anazakia’s father ruled the Heavens, governing noble Host and Fallen peasants alike. Now Anazakia is the last grand duchess of the House of Arkhangel’sk, and all she wants is to stay alive.

Hunted by Seraph assassins, Anazakia flees Heaven with two Fallen thieves—fire demon Vasily and air demon Belphagor, each with their own nefarious agenda—who hide her in the world of Man. The line between vice and virtue soon blurs, and when Belphagor is imprisoned, the unexpected passion of Vasily warms her through the Russian winter.

Heaven seems a distant dream, but when Anazakia learns the truth behind the celestial coup, she will have to return to fight for the throne—even if it means saving the man who murdered everyone she loved.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Infected: Shift (Infected, #5)
by: Andrea Speed

In a world where a werecat virus has changed society, Roan McKichan, a born infected and ex-cop, works as a private detective trying to solve crimes involving other infecteds.

Between his mutating virus and his rocky relationship with his artist boyfriend, Dylan, Roan has enough problems to solve without taking on other people’s, but that’s the nature of his work. Someone has to look into the case of the murdered trans woman, and if the perp is the dirty cop Roan suspects it is, the police are not the right people for the job.

But now Roan has a new obstacle to overcome: someone caught part of his transformation on video, and the media frenzy is making it hard to do his job. One case nets him a hockey team full of new friends. Another leads to an attempt on his life. And Roan’s hustler sidekick drags him on a quest for revenge. With his world and his body both in turmoil, Roan is finding it harder and harder to see the line between justice and vigilantism.

Release Date: 14 May 2012
Website | Buy

North of Need (Hearts of the Anemoi)
by: Laura Kaye

Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves…

Desperate to escape agonizing memories of Christmas past, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband, realizing too late that she’s recreated the very thing she’ll never have.

Called to life by Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.

Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things. But this Christmas miracle comes with an expiration—before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

YOUNG ADULT

Code Name Verity
by: Elizabeth Wein

Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her se crets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Immortal Hearts (Vampire Kisses, #9)
by: Ellen Schreiber

This final chapter of Vampire Kisses' nocturnal romance will keep all mortal and immortal hearts racing.

Athena "Stormy" Sterling is coming to Dullsville, and Raven is both excited and panicked in anticipation of Alexander's little sister's visit. Alexander tells Raven that she and his sister have a lot in common, but can the mini-Raven be everything she hopes for? Alexander calls her Stormy for a reason.

Stormy's visit stirs up the perfect immortal whirlwind. Raven is forced to take a good look at what it would really mean to be a vampire in the Sterling family, aside from some of the things she already loves, like shunning the sun and sleeping in a cof fin with Alexander. When Raven compares her life with Stormy's, she can see that it's not all starry skies and black roses. But Raven knows she's always wanted to be a vampire.

Alexander is as romantic and dreamy as ever, and th ough he keeps showing Raven how much he loves her, will she ultimately be able to convince him that it's the right thing to turn her?

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Railsea
by: China Mieville

On board the moletrain Medes, Sham Yes ap Soorap watch es in awe as he witnesses his first moldywarpe hunt: the giant mole bursting from the earth, the harpoonists targeting their prey, the battle resulting in one’s death and the other’s glory. But no matter how spectacular it is, Sham can't shake the sense that there is more to life than traveling the endless rails of the railsea–even if his captain can think only of the hunt for the ivory-coloured mole she’s been chasing since it took her arm all those years ago. When they come across a wrecked train, at first it's a welcome distraction. But what Sham finds in the derelict—a series of pictures hinting at something, somewhere, that should be impossible—leads to considerably more than he'd bargained for. Soon he's hunted on all sides, by pirates, trainsfolk, monsters and salvage-scrabblers. And it might not be just Sham's life that's about to change. It could be the whole of the railsea.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Shade's Children
by: Garth Nix

If you're lucky, you live to fight another day.

In a futuristic urban wasteland, evil Overlords have decr

eed that no human shall live a day past their fourteenth birthday. On that Sad Birthday, the children of the Dorms are taken to the Meat Factory, where they will be made into creatures whose sole purpose is to kill.

The mysterious Shade—once a man, but now more like

the machines he fights—recruits the few teenagers who escape into a secret resistance force. With luck, cunning, and skill, four of Shade's children come closer than any to discovering the source of the Overlords' power—and the key to their downfall. But the closer they get, the more ruthless Shade seems to become. . . .

In a savage post-nuclear world, four young fugitives attempt to overthrow the bloodthirsty rule of the Overlords with the help of Shade, their mysterious mentor.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Sharks & Boys
by: Kristen Tracy

Fifteen-year-old Enid's carefully constructed life in Vermont is beginning to crumble. She has come to accept that, after bonding together for years in "twin studies," her friends have betrayed her. And now she finds out that her dad has betrayed her mom. It's not easy, but at least she's got her boyfriend, Wick, to help her through this tough time. Solid, funny, gorgeous Wick. Enid's loved him since she was six, and their relationship is perfect.

That is, until Wick suddenly announces he thinks they should take a break, an unclear status that Enid can't accept. As Wick abandons Enid for a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, with those same friends who betrayed her, she lets her wildest fears take over. More than five hundred miles later, Enid realized she's acting desperate as she spies on Wick, his twin, her twin, and all the boys from twin studies. That doesn't stop her from following them aboard a yacht and hiding in the bathroom. But then the boys take the yacht out into a storm-a storm which leaves everyone adrift in the ocean without food or water-and Enid discovers a new definition of desperate.

With sharks circling and no help in sight, Enid and the rest of the twins must find a way to trust one another in order to survive-and face the fact that they might not make it home.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Weepers: The Other Life
by: Susanne Winnacker

3 years, 1 month, 1 week and 6 days since I’d se en daylight. One-fifth of my life.

Sherry and her family have lived sealed in a bunker in the garden since things went wrong up above. Her grandfather has been in the freezer for the last three months, her parents are at each other’s throats and two minutes ago they ran out of food.

Sherry and her father leave the safety of the bunker and find a devastated and empty LA, smashed to pieces by bombs and haunted by ‘Weepers’ - rabid humans infected with a weaponized rabies virus.

While searching for food in a supermarket, Sherry’s father disappears and Sherry is saved by Joshua, a boy-hunter. He takes her to Safe-haven, a tumble-down vineyard in the hills outside LA, where a handful of other survivors are picking up the pieces of their ‘other lives’. As she falls in love for the first time, Sherry must save her father, stay alive and keep Joshua safe when his desire for vengeance threatens them all.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

MOVIES & TV SERIES (MAY 15th)

MOVIES

Albert Nobb
Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia

Starring: Glenn Close

Five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close stars in this emotional and thought-provoking tale of a woman forced to live as a man in 19th Century Ireland. After thirty years of keeping up the charade, a new love threatens to destroy everything she's worked so hard to build.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Chronicle
Directed by: Josh Trank, Jay Alaimo

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly

Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their dar ker sides begin to take over.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

eCupid
Directed by: J.C. Calciano

Starring: Houston Rhines, Noah Shuffman

From the di rector of Is It Just Me? comes this sparkling romantic comedy that takes online dating to the extreme! Marshall is an over-worked ad exec who is suffering from a serious case of the seven-year itch with his loving boyfriend. A s his 30th birthday nears, he is hell-bent on changing hi s lif e and he comes across a mysterious dating app called eCupid. Turning his world upside down and overwhelming him with sexy, horned-up guys at ever y turn, Marshall gets much more than he bargained. Firing on all cylinders with sharp wit, hot cast, and even an extended cameo from Hollywood legend Morgan Fairchild, eCupid will win your heart.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Father of the Bride 1&2 (blu-ray release)
Directed by: Charles Shyer


Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short

Bride plus the uproarious follow-up Father Of The Bride, Part II on Blu-ray for the first time ever. Screen legends Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short star in these warm and witty family favorites, complete with a new digital restoration! Things get out of hand for befuddl ed fa ther George Banks (Martin) w hen his young daughter unexpectedly announces her plans to wed. Life gets even crazier in the side-splitting sequel when his daughter and his wife (Keaton) both announce they are pregnant, and George desperately tries to capture the wild and crazy days of his youth. Relive every heartwarming and hilarious moment in this special 2-movie collection. It's fantastic family entertainment that really delivers!

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Grey, The
Directed by: Joe Carnahan

Starring: L iam Neeson

In The Gre y, Liam Neeson leads an unruly group of oil-rig roughnecks when their plane crashes into the remote Alaskan wilderness. Battling mortal injuries and merciless weather, the survivors h ave only a few days to escape the icy elements - and a vicious pack of rogue wolves on the hunt - before their time runs out.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Michael
Directed by: Markus Schleinzer

Starring: Michael Fuith

Michael (Mic hael Fuith), a seemingly meek insurance agent, has a secret: he's holding 10-year-old Wolfgang (David Rauchenberger) captive in a locked room in his basement. Chronicling a five month period, director Markus Schleinzer reveals a tense portrait of how seemingly mundane lives can hide the dar kest secrets. Michael is a masterfully executed study of a monster with rich cinematic detail and unnerving insight.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Rampart
Directed by: Oren Moverman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Robin Wright

At the heart of Oren Moverman's Rampart is a riveting parable about what happens to a man who refuses to change, even when change is the only thing that can save him. That man is Dave Brown, played by two-time Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson. Though the film is set in the 1990s, when scandal rocked the LAPD s Rampart division, the film hones in on a single fictional cop: Dave Brown, a man who has taken the no guts, no glory American mythos to heart, without questioning what it is doing to him and those he holds dear. He is a cop whose personal life is propelled into a dizzying downward spiral when he comes under suspicion for roughing up a suspect. More than just a police officer who plays things fast and loose, Brown exposes the inner workings of a certain type of personality everyone recognizes around them, a personality very much part of American culture, yet not often examined. He is the kind of man inexorably drawn to authority and power, yet seems destined to abuse it; a man who has dreams of being a great masculine hero, yet is beholden to women; who has undeniable charm, yet whose stubborn refusal to ta ke responsibility for his actions becomes a destructive force against family, community and ultimately himself.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

We Were Here (Documentary)
Directed by: David Weissman

Starring: n/a

David Weissman's WE WERE HERE revisits the San Francisco of the '80s and '90s, using the city's experience with AIDS to open up a conversation about both the history of the epidemic and the lessons to be learned from it. Yet the film reaches far beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself as it illuminates the power of a community that comes together with love, compassion, and determination. Indeed, "The San Francisco Model"-the LGBT community's courage ous, multifaceted and creative response to AIDS-r emains a standard to which to aspire in seeking a healthier, more humane society.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

TV SERIES

Flashpoint: Season 4

Starring: Hugh Dillion, Amy Jo Johnson, Mark Taylor

The show focuses on a fictional elite tactical unit, called the Strategic Response Unit, within a Canadian metropolitan police force. The SRU are tasked to resolve extreme situations that regular officers are not trained to handle including hostage-taking, bomb threats and heavily armed criminals. Equipped with high-tech tools and a cache of weapons and explosives, members use negotiation tactics and intuition to try to avoid the use of deadly force, only implemented when other options are exhausted.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Hell on Wheels: Season 1

Starring: Anson Mount, Common

In 1865, a former Confederate soldier, Cullen Bohannon journeys to the Union Pacific Railroad's westward construction of the first transcontinental railroad to seek work and vengeance on the Union sold iers that have killed his wife. Cullen gets hired by the railroad and supervises an all-black "cu t crew," one of which is Elam, to prepare the terrain for track laying. Through conv ersation, Cullen learns more about his wife's death from railroad foreman Daniel Johnson, who knows the name o f her murderer. But tragedy strikes before this name is given. Thomas "Doc" Durant begins his "mad, noble quest" to expand his Union Pacific Railroad westward in order complete the transcontinental railroad.

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy

Victorious: Season 2

Starring: Victoria Justice, Leon Thomas III

Season 2 of Victorious shines even brighter as the students re-audition for their spots at Hollywood Arts, get ready for their first-ever prom, and drive a giant cupcake through the streets! Put your hands together for more music, more drama, and hilarious behind-the-scenes bloopers!

Release Date: 15 May 2012
Website | Buy