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ClareR (5603 KP) rated Remembered in Books
Jul 8, 2019
This is set in two time periods: the ‘present’ of February 1910, and 1843-1867. This second time period is during slavery in the USA, and follows the story of Spring and her sister Tempe. This was a time when black people were property, treated no better than cattle (their white owner even talks about ‘breeding’ them), and goes up to the emancipation and what happens afterwards.
In the ‘present’ timeline, we see Spring sitting by her sons deathbed in hospital, with the ghost of Tempe.
There are several newspaper articles that start chapters, and they go some way to explaining what is happening in the story - at least from a white mans perspective. Spring’s son, Edward, is accused of driving a Philadelphia streetcar into a department store and endangering the lives of white people. It’s not explicitly said (that I can remember), but Edwards injuries aren’t just from the crash. Spring arrives at the hospital knowing that he’s unlikely to survive. Mainly because the ghost of her sister is telling her so, and encouraging her to tell him the true story of his birth, in order that he can ‘go home’ and not become an earth bound ghost.
So we get to see for ourselves what motherhood really is - it’s not about who gives birth to a baby, but about who loves and brings that child up.
It’s a difficult story to read, as it should be. This was a difficult and terrible time in history, but I did enjoy reading it. I can see why it was nominated for the 2019 Women’s Prize. It’s well worth reading.
In the ‘present’ timeline, we see Spring sitting by her sons deathbed in hospital, with the ghost of Tempe.
There are several newspaper articles that start chapters, and they go some way to explaining what is happening in the story - at least from a white mans perspective. Spring’s son, Edward, is accused of driving a Philadelphia streetcar into a department store and endangering the lives of white people. It’s not explicitly said (that I can remember), but Edwards injuries aren’t just from the crash. Spring arrives at the hospital knowing that he’s unlikely to survive. Mainly because the ghost of her sister is telling her so, and encouraging her to tell him the true story of his birth, in order that he can ‘go home’ and not become an earth bound ghost.
So we get to see for ourselves what motherhood really is - it’s not about who gives birth to a baby, but about who loves and brings that child up.
It’s a difficult story to read, as it should be. This was a difficult and terrible time in history, but I did enjoy reading it. I can see why it was nominated for the 2019 Women’s Prize. It’s well worth reading.
Mothergamer (1521 KP) rated Ghost of a Tale in Video Games
Oct 26, 2020
This is a very cute indie game where you play as a little mouse Tilo who is a bard. The story starts with him in a jail cell on a prison island. The story explores why Tilo is there and ways for him to escape the island to find his wife who was separated from him. The game is all stealth which is interesting making you plan out strategies on how not to be seen by enemies. Sometimes the quests are a little tedious with the constant backtracking and lack of information, but the story is well written and the game is so charming I didn't mind so much. You can read the full review here: http://lorrie28-mothergamer.blogspot.com/2020/10/mothergamer-plays-ghost-of-tale.html
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ghostwatch in TV
Jul 18, 2018
Don't Have Nightmares
It must have seemed like a good idea at the time: do a properly frightening ghost story for the TV age, by framing it as a live broadcast from a haunted house. The really inspired thing about Ghostwatch is the decision to have well-known and trusted BBC personalities playing themselves throughout. Of course, that was probably where the trouble started - not only did it make people more likely to take the show at face value, but putting a children's TV presenter in the middle of the action ensured a rather-too-young audience was tuning in for what remains, by any objective standard, a genuinely terrifying horror story.
The trappings of live TV are painstakingly reconstructed (and maybe desconstructed); Michael Parkinson in particular gives an astonishingly good performance as a seasoned media pro slowly beginning to realise something has gone horribly wrong and the ghost has got into the TV network. Little touches, such as the ghost quietly hanging around unheralded in the back of crowd scenes, mean this is a very re-watchable show.
You could certainly argue that the makers' claim that they weren't trying to fool anybody ring a little false in view of all the evidence to the contrary, and that there is something very irresponsible about the whole enterprise - the fact that people were genuinely traumatised by a horror story they thought was true is not really something for anyone to be proud of. But that doesn't detract from the fact this is a brilliantly executed, really scary hoax.
The trappings of live TV are painstakingly reconstructed (and maybe desconstructed); Michael Parkinson in particular gives an astonishingly good performance as a seasoned media pro slowly beginning to realise something has gone horribly wrong and the ghost has got into the TV network. Little touches, such as the ghost quietly hanging around unheralded in the back of crowd scenes, mean this is a very re-watchable show.
You could certainly argue that the makers' claim that they weren't trying to fool anybody ring a little false in view of all the evidence to the contrary, and that there is something very irresponsible about the whole enterprise - the fact that people were genuinely traumatised by a horror story they thought was true is not really something for anyone to be proud of. But that doesn't detract from the fact this is a brilliantly executed, really scary hoax.
Great storyline, well balanced between dark and light (1 more)
Sweet love story, for the one you can't have perhaps
The first in the series of Amelia and Joshua, beautifully writted
I picked this up for a flight, and hoped to lose myself between the pages. I hadn't realised it was aimed at 13+ young readers but I loved the storyline, with its darker elements and some lovely light touches. Who knows ... can a ghost fall in love with the living?!
Dean (6925 KP) rated A Christmas Horror Story (2015) in Movies
Dec 17, 2017 (Updated Dec 17, 2017)
Great Christmas Horror anthology
I came across this last year and didn't expect much as a straight to DVD film. It turned out to be a little gem of a film. Mixing up various horror types from Slasher, Ghost story, mythical and the plain weird. All linked together by William Shatner as the small town local radio DJ. Reminded me of @Trick 'r Treat (2007) something for everyone, check it out.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated The Russian Bride (2001) in Movies
Jun 7, 2019
Ugh
This movie was weak. The cinematography/effects was the only good part and that was just "ok". The acting was terrible and the storyline didn't seem to know what it wanted to be-a psycho killer movie or a ghost story. I almost stopped watching it halfway through but figured I should at least finish it. I regret that decision. This one is considered a horror movie but there's nothing "horror" about it. NOT worth a watch!
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) in Movies
Jan 15, 2020
Surprisingly decent
Ok this haunted house/ghost story turned out better than expected. Started off a little slow but picked up and took off with interesting tales and some creepy creatures. If you're into horror stories this is a good one. The acting was not the greatest but ther effects and stories had plenty of grossness and spookiness to make up for it. Nothing too scary for the younger crowd(IF they're not too young). Worth a watch!
Alejandro G. Inarritu recommended Parasite (2019) in Movies (curated)
Darren Fisher (2447 KP) rated Ghost Story in Books
Dec 10, 2020
Classic Chiller!
Classic chiller from Peter Straub. An epic tale about a group of ageing men who form The Chowder Society, a place where they share ghosts stories between them, and are united by a terrible secret from the past. Expertly written, solid characters, and genuinely creepy, this is Peter Staub on top form. Essential reading!
Note: If you enjoy this I seriously recommend his equally fantastic ghost story Full Circle (aka Julia/ The Haunting of Julia).
Note: If you enjoy this I seriously recommend his equally fantastic ghost story Full Circle (aka Julia/ The Haunting of Julia).
Sophie (1688 KP) rated The Keeper Of Lost Things in Books
Jan 12, 2020
Beautiful story
Contains spoilers, click to show
A lovely tale of love, loss and recovery. The story follows Lauras pursuit to fulfil a friend's dying wish while dealing with her own past and learning to trust in herself and others again.
It's a delightful little read with lots of mini tales written by one of the characters about the 'lost things' he has collected over the years.
I truly enjoyed the idea that all the little things that get misplaced over the years have been collected and are just waiting to be reunited with thier owner.
However the idea of the ghost in the house spoiled it slightly
It's a delightful little read with lots of mini tales written by one of the characters about the 'lost things' he has collected over the years.
I truly enjoyed the idea that all the little things that get misplaced over the years have been collected and are just waiting to be reunited with thier owner.
However the idea of the ghost in the house spoiled it slightly