Michael G. Munz

The official website of Seattle sci-fi/fantasy author and geek Michael G. Munz

Archives for 2014

My thoughts on Terminator: Genisys

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Terminator: Genisys logo

Haven’t seen the trailer yet? It’s embedded at the bottom of this post…

I think I’d heard a while back that they were working on a new Terminator movie, but when the trailer for Terminator: Genisys (ugh, that Y—and the I, but mostly the Y!) debuted a couple of weeks ago, it took me by surprise. I thought the 4th Terminator film was just awful on a number of levels—it’s not part of my own “head-canon” for the series—so I suppose when I first heard about a T5, I just cringed and then pushed it from my mind.

And yet, after seeing the trailer, I can’t deny that I’m intrigued. Terminator: Genisys might actually have some potential (except that Y). I’ve been meaning to blog my thoughts on the trailer for a while, but with the Percy Jackson reading and other responsibilities, this is the first time I’ve had a chance. [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Final Thoughts)

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In which I attempt to be coherent in my enjoyment of The Lightning Thief...

In which I attempt to be coherent in my enjoyment of The Lightning Thief…

When I began this blog series, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from The Lightning Thief. Would Riordan’s take on Greek mythology click just right and thrill me to find a kindred author with a taste for gods and monsters, or would I be disappointed in how he handled it? Or, perhaps worst of all, might it turn out that my impression that the Percy Jackson series and Zeus Is Dead are completely different sorts of books (again, drawn from a glance Wikipedia way back in 2009 when I was 25% of the way through writing ZID and first became aware of this series) turn out to be false? [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 22)

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Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief - the final chapter

I’m betting the prophecy is going to come true in this chapter. Just a hunch. Not sure why. I’m also certain Luke will be exposed. Because, ya know, prophecy coming true. Plus that punk is as guilty as a six-year-old in the aftermath of a shattered cookie jar.

“And so we come to it at last. The great battle of our time.” Or at least of The Lightning Thief. Though perhaps fighting Ares was a greater battle. Whatever. My point is that it’s the final chapter of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

The Prophecy Comes True

Okay, so it won’t actually be the last chapter of this blog series – I want to wrap up with some final thoughts in another entry, and then I’ll be moving onto the next book. But anyway, on with it! We’ve got some prophecy-fulfillment to get to! [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 21)

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You've got one chapter left to hide, Luke!(It IS Luke, right?)

You’ve got one chapter left to hide, Luke!
(It IS Luke, right?)

It’s the 2nd to last chapter! I’m writing this part before actually reading the chapter, and I expect to find out just who the Crooked One is before the end of this chapter. And also, likely, Luke will be exposed. So let’s see, as I continue Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

I Settle My Tab

So now that I’ve read it, I see that I was right on the first count and wrong on the second. Your days are numbered, Luke! (I’m going to feel like such an idiot if it turns out to not be him…) [Read more…]

12 Days of Christmas

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I realize I’m behind on getting up the next post in Michael Reads Percy Jackson, but it should be coming soon. (I’ve actually finished the book now, I just have to find time to write the posts.) In the meantime, here’s a rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser that someone pointed me to yesterday after I complained that hearing anyone sing that entire song is truly an oppressive experience.

This made me laugh, so I figured I’d toss it up here…

I especially like the bit with the dreidel. But Toto is nice, too.

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 20)

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One more chapter and this blog series can legally buy alcohol!

One more chapter and this blog series can legally buy alcohol!

Percy does some clever stuff and then picks a fight with the god of war. That’s right, it’s time for the twentieth installment of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

I Battle My Jerk Relative

Percy wastes no time confronting Ares in this one. (Well, okay, I suppose Ares was there waiting for him on the beach so that made things easy, but…) Still, one can’t help but wonder at the wisdom of going against the god of war in a fight directly. I guess Camp Halfblood didn’t get to the presentation on hubris in the short time Percy was there. Still, the kid does have guts. [Read more…]