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Ellie Kemper recommended Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays in Books (curated)
Biff Byford recommended Demons and Wizards by Uriah Heep in Music (curated)
Paul Tyrrell (139 KP) rated Salem's Lot in Books
Apr 19, 2020
Maine style Dracula
2nd book from the great man based around vampires. Good story with decent characters and King already has found the ease of a seasoned writer as you are hooked very early on. As usual the book is better than the movie/TV series although that's worth a watch as it has David Soul (70's heart throb from Starsky & Hutch)as one of the leads.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Dead Zone (1983) in Movies
Oct 6, 2018
David Cronenberg tackles Stephen King
After a nearly fatal car crash which send him into a coma for 5 years, former teacher Christopher Walken must try and rebuild his life while dealing with the discovery of his new "power" to see into the someone's future just by touching their hand.
His assists several townspeople before running into power-hungry politician Martin Sheen.
Early film from director David Cronenberg still holds up as a decent thriller. The "visions" are interesting as always people are not what they seem on the surface. Intriguing developments keep you entertained the entire time as you watch to see how things play out.
You are definitely hoping certain characters get what's coming to them.
His assists several townspeople before running into power-hungry politician Martin Sheen.
Early film from director David Cronenberg still holds up as a decent thriller. The "visions" are interesting as always people are not what they seem on the surface. Intriguing developments keep you entertained the entire time as you watch to see how things play out.
You are definitely hoping certain characters get what's coming to them.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Think Yourself Lucky in Books
May 22, 2019
Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Co-workers, Emily, Helen, Bill, Andrea and David work in a travel agency. David is a grouch who complains about everything—his job, his girlfriend and his life. Meanwhile, an unnamed narrator is committing horrendous murders. When David discovers a blog using his fantasy blog name talking about the murders, he is concerned. The victims are people at which he was recently angry. Is someone stalking him or is he committing the murders in some sort of fugue state?
I have been reading Ramsey Campbell novels since the early 80’s but had never read this till now. While I enjoyed the novel I definitely don’t consider this one in the category of his best works.
This is definitely a doppelganger type horror but it just didn’t have the hard hitting horror I was expecting. This was just a lot of inane babble but unfortunately reflects the meanness of the human spirit that is so evident today.
Co-workers, Emily, Helen, Bill, Andrea and David work in a travel agency. David is a grouch who complains about everything—his job, his girlfriend and his life. Meanwhile, an unnamed narrator is committing horrendous murders. When David discovers a blog using his fantasy blog name talking about the murders, he is concerned. The victims are people at which he was recently angry. Is someone stalking him or is he committing the murders in some sort of fugue state?
I have been reading Ramsey Campbell novels since the early 80’s but had never read this till now. While I enjoyed the novel I definitely don’t consider this one in the category of his best works.
This is definitely a doppelganger type horror but it just didn’t have the hard hitting horror I was expecting. This was just a lot of inane babble but unfortunately reflects the meanness of the human spirit that is so evident today.
Dean (6926 KP) rated Terror Train (1980) in Movies
May 3, 2021
Ok early Slasher film
One of the early 80's Slasher films featuring Scream Queen Jamie Lee Curtis just after she did @Prom Night (2008)
It's actually not that bad for a Slasher film of the time. A few years after pulling a prank on a medical student a bunch of students celebrate New Year's Eve with a costume party aboard a steam train. A lot of the time it doesn't feel like much of a Slasher film, the body count is quite low and the with not a lot of gore. The setting of the film is different and the train adds to the film quite well with the confined spaces. Also featuring David Copperfield. The plot is OK as the killer dons different costumes and there is a surprise as well. Overall a decent 80's slasher film worth checking out. Currently on Amazon prime.
It's actually not that bad for a Slasher film of the time. A few years after pulling a prank on a medical student a bunch of students celebrate New Year's Eve with a costume party aboard a steam train. A lot of the time it doesn't feel like much of a Slasher film, the body count is quite low and the with not a lot of gore. The setting of the film is different and the train adds to the film quite well with the confined spaces. Also featuring David Copperfield. The plot is OK as the killer dons different costumes and there is a surprise as well. Overall a decent 80's slasher film worth checking out. Currently on Amazon prime.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated Crimes and Covers in Books
Jan 28, 2022
Christmas Wedding Complicated by Crime
Bookshop owner Violet Waverly is thrilled to be marrying police chief David Rainwater in just a few days. She’s distracted, however, when a woman comes into Charming Books wanting to sell an autographed mint condition first edition of Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Violet doesn’t feel comfortable with the transaction, so the woman leaves in a huff. A few days later, the woman’s body is found floating in the river. Violet can’t help but wonder what happened to the book. Is that the reason the mystery woman is dead?
I don’t tend to read supernatural tinged cozies, but I’ve made an exception for this. Honestly, what reader can resist a magical bookstore? Between that and Violet’s pets, there is plenty to charm fans once again here. Likewise, the characters are strong, and it is great to spend time with them again. Christmas gets a light touch in this book, but I enjoyed getting to indulge my love of Christmas just a bit longer. It’s the plot where this book really struggles. I was willing to forgive the slow start given everything else happening early in the book. Once it got going, I definitely got caught up in it even though I figured out the big brushstrokes early on. However, the climax left me with a couple of rather big questions that really should have been resolved. Fans of the series will enjoy it, but I do wish this visit had been stronger.
I don’t tend to read supernatural tinged cozies, but I’ve made an exception for this. Honestly, what reader can resist a magical bookstore? Between that and Violet’s pets, there is plenty to charm fans once again here. Likewise, the characters are strong, and it is great to spend time with them again. Christmas gets a light touch in this book, but I enjoyed getting to indulge my love of Christmas just a bit longer. It’s the plot where this book really struggles. I was willing to forgive the slow start given everything else happening early in the book. Once it got going, I definitely got caught up in it even though I figured out the big brushstrokes early on. However, the climax left me with a couple of rather big questions that really should have been resolved. Fans of the series will enjoy it, but I do wish this visit had been stronger.
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated The Greasy Strangler (2016) in Movies
May 30, 2019
Music (1 more)
Murders
If Tommy Wiseau tried to adopt David Lynch's aesthetic and Tim & Eric's humor, and failed, the result might come close to what The Greasy Strangler has to offer. Of course it's intentionally bad, but there is a lot of schlock out there that's worth watching and enjoying. The Greasy Strangler does not fall into that category.
There are a few memorable and genuinely entertaining kills early on, and had they concentrated more on that angle, we could have a true cult goldmine, but instead all we're left with are a couple of bullshit artists.
The ONLY reason this is a two star movie and not less, is the score was spot on.
There are a few memorable and genuinely entertaining kills early on, and had they concentrated more on that angle, we could have a true cult goldmine, but instead all we're left with are a couple of bullshit artists.
The ONLY reason this is a two star movie and not less, is the score was spot on.
Joel Schumacher recommended Apocalypse Now (1979) in Movies (curated)
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays in Books
May 29, 2018
I'm a HUGE David Sedaris fan but this was not my favorite. This was written in 1994, his early years of being published, and he has definitely improved with age. He's still trying to find his voice and clearly we all know he does! "Me Talk Pretty One Day", "Naked", and "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" are proof of that.
"Santaland Diaries" is an exception - I give that 5 stars alone, his recollections about being a mall elf at Macy's are hysterical to say the least, and you glimpse true Sedaris wit and satire. If you want to read a better Sedaris book, that also includes "Santaland Diaries", read "Holidays on Ice" and it's also published there for your reading pleasure!
Some bits of these stories are fun and witty, but I found most a bit angry, a little disturbing in parts and somewhat tiresome. The immaturity in his early writing is definitely evident, but it's classic Sedaris at the root of the stories... and we know it only gets better from here. A true Sedaris fan should read it for sure either way.
"Santaland Diaries" is an exception - I give that 5 stars alone, his recollections about being a mall elf at Macy's are hysterical to say the least, and you glimpse true Sedaris wit and satire. If you want to read a better Sedaris book, that also includes "Santaland Diaries", read "Holidays on Ice" and it's also published there for your reading pleasure!
Some bits of these stories are fun and witty, but I found most a bit angry, a little disturbing in parts and somewhat tiresome. The immaturity in his early writing is definitely evident, but it's classic Sedaris at the root of the stories... and we know it only gets better from here. A true Sedaris fan should read it for sure either way.