Monthly Round-Up (Reviews, articles and more) - March 2017

Time again, updating you on all the goodies, and where to find them. My Official Facebook, for all news and updates as they happen:
https://www.facebook.com/abeldiazwrites/

First, a double bill of reviews on Blasting News, starting with Hugh Jackman's final show as Wolverine, Logan: http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/03/logan-review-a-sombre-and-satisfying-conclusion-001524317.html

And second, the latest 'Monsterverse' romp, Kong: Skull Island: http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/03/kong-skull-island-review-cinematic-wish-fulfillment-001524323.html

Next, over on ThirdActFilm, a Kong double bill, beginning with a Throwback Review for the 1976 version, starring Jeff Bridges: http://thirdactfilm.com/throwback-review-king-kong-1976/

Then, a brand new ICFTBB review of a King Kong remake you've never heard of: http://thirdactfilm.com/came-from-the-bargain-bin-jack-buchanans-king-kong-2016/

And finally, a new recommendations list for 'Beauty and The Beast' if you're hungry for fantasy:
http://thirdactfilm.com/like-beauty-and-the-beast-heres-more-fantasies-youll-love/

Get your copy of Time Shadows here and support a really good cause for the disabled:
http://pseudoscopepublishing.com/timeshadows/

Back To School - Beginning my Masters Degree at Met Film (5/3/17)

Two years after I handed in my last bit of academic work, and now, I'm returning to higher education. I'm getting into film school, specifically the Ealing Studios based Met Film School, for a MA in Screenwriting. The course covers both the process as well as (most importantly for me) the business angle, including the much sought after questions of agents, as well as pitches, development and whatnot. It also offers in-course work experience and a post-grad programme with active industry links.

Like many things in life, this was not an easy decision. Aside from the hefty cost (partially paid for with my own savings from different jobs), I had hoped to be able to achieve my goals once I had left University with just my BA. Call it youthful hubris, or just plain arrogance, but I've tried going alone for two years, and it hasn't worked. Pitch after pitch has collapsed, never mind the slew of projects that never made it or I couldn't crack. As time went on, though I didn't want to admit it, I needed someone bigger, smarter and more experienced than me, to make things happen and show me a potentially better path.

The course runs from March 2017 to this time next year. Don't know yet if it'll also require a running log like Middlesex, so whether or not I'll be actively archiving what goes on I can't say yet. 

 
So, the next question arises: how will this affect online content for ThirdAct, Blasting News, Youtube etc.? Thankfully, I have a bunch of stuff already prepared ahead of time, including a double bill of Kong reviews, a list related to Beauty and The Beast, another Robin Williams movie review and, of course, weekly reviews for S10 of Doctor Who when it hits in April. Pitching for Agents In Odd will also slow for a time, though it'll never be far from my mind.

Buckling up right now, because things are about to get bumpy, but undeniably, exciting too...

Monthly Round-Up (Reviews, articles and more) - February 2017

Time again, updating you on all the goodies, and where to find them. My Official Facebook, for all news and updates as they happen:
https://www.facebook.com/abeldiazwrites/

First, a review of the new Michael Keaton McDonalds biopic, The Founder, on Blasting News:
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/02/the-founder-review-the-harsh-origins-of-mcdonalds-001465305.html

Next, a brand new ICFTBB review of The Asylum's Transmorphers on ThirdActFilm:
http://thirdactfilm.com/came-from-the-bargain-bin-transmorphers-2007/

Then, if you liked the new Magnificent Seven, I've got some Western Recommendations:
http://thirdactfilm.com/like-the-magnificent-seven-heres-more-westerns-youll-love/

And finally, a lengthy article on the significance of the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise:
http://thirdactfilm.com/why-fifty-shades-grey-may-the-worst-franchise-entertainment-history/

Get your copy of Time Shadows here and support a really good cause for the disabled:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/matt-grady-and-samuel-gibb/time-shadows/paperback/product-22750801.html

Monthly Round-Up (Reviews, articles and more) - January 2017

Well, it's a little later than I would've liked, but at last, I'm updating you on all the goodies in January, and where to find them..

As always, you can keep up with my Official Facebook page, for all news and updates relating to me and my projects:
https://www.facebook.com/abeldiazwrites/

So, first up, reviews for all episodes of Series 4 of BBC's Sherlock. To start, The Six Thatchers review on Blasting News:
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/01/sherlock-season-4-ep1-the-six-thatchers-review-001362169.html

And next, a two for one deal with The Lying Detective and The Final Problem reviews:
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/01/sherlock-s4-ep2-and-3-the-lying-detective-and-the-final-problem-review-001431437.html

Over on ThirdActFilm.com, I review one of the year's first, and best, films, A Monster Calls:
http://thirdactfilm.com/monster-calls/

Next, I do a WHOCAP on 4 New to Classic Who Recommendations:
http://thirdactfilm.com/whocap-new-classic-doctor-who-recommendations/

Then, a review of 1975's Royal Flash, based on the Flashman novels:
http://thirdactfilm.com/throwback-review-royal-flash-1975/

An article on my thoughts on Noel Clarke's Brotherhood, the third and final part of the Hood trilogy:
http://thirdactfilm.com/why-brotherhood-was-disappointment/

Get your copy of Time Shadows here and support a really good cause for the disabled:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/matt-grady-and-samuel-gibb/time-shadows/paperback/product-22750801.html

Monthly Round-Up (Reviews, articles and more) - December 2016

Happy Holidays everyone!

Now, I'm introducing a new running feature on this blog: a monthly update on all my reviews, articles and other tidbits that aren't my creative projects. This will help ensure a regularity of content, as well as an easy list to access for finding certain works.

As always, you can also keep up with my Official Facebook, for even more news and updates as they happen relating to projects:
https://www.facebook.com/abeldiazwrites/

So, onto my newest pieces and reviews. First off, I've started reviewing novels on Blasting News UK. Specifically, Sherlock Holmes books. First, the South African tale of diamonds and murder, 'Murder at Sorrow's Crown':
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/11/murder-at-sorrow-s-crown-review-a-superb-sherlock-debut-00126846http://savagescribe.deviantart.com/journal/?edit5.html

 
Next, an American tale involving a Holmes imposter in 'The Counterfeit Detective':
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/11/the-counterfeit-detective-review-an-american-sherlock-adventure-001285835.html

And finally, Sherlock and Tarzan meet in the very jokey 'The Peerless Peer' from sci-fi legend Philip Jose Farmer:
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/12/the-peerless-peer-review-a-sherlock-and-tarzan-team-up-001301955.html

Now, for a new first, I do a trailer reaction and review for 'Spider-Man Homecoming':
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/12/spider-man-homecoming-trailer-reaction-and-review-001319191.html

Over on ThirdActFilm, I review the 2001 thriller 'The Pledge', starring Jack Nicholson:
http://thirdactfilm.com/throwback-review-the-pledge-2001/

An article on The Sweatbox, a documentary about Sting and the troubled production of Disney's 'The Emperor's New Groove':
http://thirdactfilm.com/the-sweatbox-the-documentary-disney-tried-bury/

An article on Doctor Who's future under Chris Chibnall, in light of recent news:
http://thirdactfilm.com/doctor-whos-future-under-chris-chibnall/

And lastly, I review the 1998 thriller spoof 'Wrongfully Accused', starring Leslie Nielsen:
http://thirdactfilm.com/throwback-review-wrongfully-accused-1998/

It's been a long and trying year, but I'm always looking ahead and building myself up. Enjoy and, once again, have a very, very Happy Christmas.

Murder at Sorrow´s Crown - My first Novel Review published by a News Outlet (19/11/16)

Another first for me: a book review on a news outlet. I review one of the newer Sherlock Holmes novels for Blasting News UK. Plus, it's from a Torchwood and Primeval writer, no less.

http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/11/murder-at-sorrow-s-crown-review-a-superb-sherlock-debut-001268465.html 

Doctor Strange - My first Film Review published by a News Outlet (13/11/16)

So recently, I joined up with international news website Blasting News as an article/content writer. While I am not their official film critic, they do allow for reviews to be published. Taking the initiative, I decided to review Marvel's latest effort, the mind bending fantasy Doctor Strange (co-written, ironically, by one of my influences, C. Robert Cargill of Spill.com fame).

It tighter and leaner than what many will be used, in contrast to my Youtube and ThirdAct material, but I feel confident in what I produced:
http://uk.blastingnews.com/opinion/2016/11/doctor-strange-review-triptastic-fun-001254073.html