Retro A to Z Challenge: V – Vanden Plas 2006 (plus Godzilla and Ninja News)

Vanden Plas – Christ-O – 2006

An amazing concept album, it interprets the story of the Count of Monte Cristo. X is the detective trying to track down Cristo-O after several vengeful murders, and it’s the development and arc of the characters that makes the story. If you are a fan of prog rock, Vanden Plas is an amazing German band.

2006 fun facts –
*On May 28, Barry Bonds broke Babe Ruth’s record with 715th home run
*Pluto was downgraded from Planet to dwarf planet
*The one billionth song was purchased from iTunes
*The Pittsburgh Steelers won their fifth Super Bowl, tying the record with the 49ers
*Tiger woods won the British Open and the US PGA

Movies released –
Underworld: Evolution
Miami Vice
V for Vendetta
The Illusionist
The Prestige
300
Pan’s Labyrinth
Casino Royale
Night at the Museum

Music released –
Dream Theater – A Change of Season
Anthrax – Stomp 242
Axel Rudi Pell - Mystica

Games released –
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Gears of War

And why is 2006 special?
It’s the year Emilyann Girdner married her husband!

Emilyann is an author and highly creative lady. She likes to challenge herself and has fun on her blog. That smile of hers is so genuine and she has a great heart. Emilyann blogs at Anything Imagined.

Ninja News!

Today I am a guest of Ellie Garratt’s as she rolls out a new feature, Where I Write!

Rachel Morgan is starting a new series! She’s giving away a prequel to the Trouble series, Forgiven. Visit her site for details.

Available now!

Snip, Snip Revenge by Medeia Sharif
YA Contemporary, Evernight Teen
Release Date April 25, 2014
Beautiful, confident Tabby Karim has plans for the winter: nab a role in her school’s dramatic production, make the new boy Michael hers, and keep bigoted Heather—with her relentless Ay-rab comments—at bay. When a teacher’s lie and her father’s hastiness rob her of her beautiful hair, her dreams are dashed…

And you can join Medeia's giveaway to celebrate the release of her latest novel. See her site to enter.

A Little Godzilla Background…

For those of you who are hesitant about the upcoming Godzilla, let me give you a little background on the director.

This will be Gareth Edwards’ first big budget film. Previously he’d worked in special effects and directed a few television series.

However, this is not his first film. In 2010, he directed the super-low budget movie, Monsters. How low budget? Less than a million, and Edwards did all the special effects himself on his home computer. There was also no set script – Monsters was filmed opportunistically. The two actors were given outlines and simple interacted with each other. (In real life, they were engaged at the time and now married.)

That may sound like a potential disaster, but Monsters turned out brilliant. While ‘alien invasion’ is the theme, the story centers on the two characters as they trek through the infected area of Mexico, trying to return to the USA. It’s a slow-paced, thoughtful film about survival and the human heart.

And knowing what Edwards brought to Monsters, I am not one bit worried that he will create an amazing Godzilla film.

After all, it’s been fifty years since the last great Godzilla movie – we’re due!

Fan of Vanden Plas? Following the awesome Emilyann Girdner? Excited about the new books? Seen Monsters? Even more excited now about Godzilla? And what do you remember best about 2006…?

Don’t forget to visit Ellie Garratt!