Underrated Treasures Blogfest

Hosted by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Everyone has a favorite movie or band that no one else has ever heard about. For whatever reason, they remain undiscovered and underrated. Now is your chance to tell the world about this obscure treasure!
On Monday, September 22, post about your favorite unknown –
MOVIE – BAND/ARTIST – TV SHOW – BOOK
Post about one or all four – dealer’s choice!

Here are my selections:

Music - Arena

From Wikipedia - “Arena was founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan keyboardist of Pendragon and Shadowland, and Mick Pointer, the original drummer of Marillion.”

While well known in Europe, most Americans have never heard of the prog rock band Arena. I discovered them in 2008 when their song “Purgatory Road” came up on my Pandora station. I fell in love with that song, and the other one I heard, “Spectre at the Feast.” I picked up a couple of their albums and really liked their solid rock sound.

“Spectre at the Feast” contains these lyrics -

“Hey don't fall asleep
Don't close your eyes and drift away to some foreign land”

Which holds a lot of meaning to me - at the same time I discovered this song, my stepbrother died of cancer. So I can’t hear that song without thinking of Shane.

Arena has over a dozen albums and several DVDs. I recommend starting with their album “Pepper’s Ghost.”

Book - Following the Whispers by Karen Walker

I’ve known Karen for many years, as we were in the same BBT class together. We share a common bond in that she moved to Albuquerque the same year I moved away. When I read her memoir though - wow. It just blew me away. I’ve read quite a few, both by famous people and average people, and Karen’s journey is by far the most powerful.

If you’ve not read it, I encourage you to pick it up.


Movie -

Since I couldn’t think of a TV show (I just never watch TV) I’m giving you two movies.

Doc Hollywood

This movie did well when it was released, but that was over 20 years ago, so many have not seen it. Starring Michael J. Fox, Julie Warner, and Woody Harrelson, it’s a sweet romantic comedy set in the South.

Outside of the romance, the humor, and the sweet innocence, the film holds a special place with my husband and I. I’ve always said we were a “When Harry Met Sally,” but he likes to think of us as “Doc Hollywood.” He says Julie Warner’s character reminds him of me, not just in sass but in looks and the way their relationship unfolds. (Yes, my husband is a sweetie!) 

I should note that my husband and I saw it before we moved to NC. We imagined that was what a real Southern town was like. (We’re still trying to find it - LOL!)

To Walk With Lions

The first movie I ever fell in love with was Born Free. I love cats, and the story of George, Joy, and Elsa is so powerful. I still to this day cannot watch it without crying.

To Walk With Lions is the true story of what happened many years later.

After the filming of Born Free, George Adamson began rehabilitating the lions used in the film. (And in Living Free.) He thus dedicated his life to the rehabilitation of many lions. The story begins when he is much older. Joy is pretty much out of the picture (she’s a bit loony) and a young protégé comes into George’s camp. The story follows this young man, who begins caring for nothing and along the way develops George’s passion for the lions.

It’s a powerful and compelling film. I recommend anyone who is looking for their purpose in life, striving for a goal, or who just loves animals, to watch it. 

Remember that submissions are open for the The Insecure Writer’s Support Group book, the IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond. We are looking for more publishing and marketing submissions. Please do not include any quotes that might be a copyright violation. Thank you!





What underrated treasures would you recommend?