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Awix (3310 KP) rated Frailty (2002) in Movies
Feb 12, 2019
Brooding Southern Gothic horror movie starring and directed by Bill Paxton. Two young boys don't quite know how to react when their father announces he has been chosen by God to become a demon hunter; this involves hitting people with a big axe a lot. Low-key stuff for the most part; Paxton does a good job of taking you into the world of this family and their rather peculiar take on what is 'normal', strong performances all round.
Sadly the film is virtually undone by a frame story featuring a pre-McConnaissance Matthew McConnaughey, leading up to a long-way-sub-Shyamalan twist ending; this one element is so convoluted and unconvincing it drags down what's otherwise an atmospheric and effective film into something resembling a forgettable episode of The X Files.
Sadly the film is virtually undone by a frame story featuring a pre-McConnaissance Matthew McConnaughey, leading up to a long-way-sub-Shyamalan twist ending; this one element is so convoluted and unconvincing it drags down what's otherwise an atmospheric and effective film into something resembling a forgettable episode of The X Files.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Dragonwyck in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<b>WARNING:</b> Do <b>NOT</b> read the first Editorial Review at Amazon, just titled Review (it says it's a Kirkus review after the fact), it gives away the whole book.
Here's a link to a good review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2N2VZK2COV9LK/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=156849484X
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I enjoyed this fast and easy Gothic read - my first Anya Seton book! Not much to say, the plot was predictable, yet absorbing, the characters were fine - although Miranda was a bit too distant as the heroine, and the little historical tidbits were interesting, although they didn't quite flow with the storyline.
One of the reasons I read this is because I've seen the film version of Dragonwyck playing on TCM and/or FMC, and I plan to catch it next time! :D
Here's a link to a good review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2N2VZK2COV9LK/ref=cm_cr_pr_cmt?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=156849484X
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I enjoyed this fast and easy Gothic read - my first Anya Seton book! Not much to say, the plot was predictable, yet absorbing, the characters were fine - although Miranda was a bit too distant as the heroine, and the little historical tidbits were interesting, although they didn't quite flow with the storyline.
One of the reasons I read this is because I've seen the film version of Dragonwyck playing on TCM and/or FMC, and I plan to catch it next time! :D
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Tale of Halcyon Crane in Books
Feb 15, 2019
THE TALE OF HALCYON CRANE is an interesting, easy Gothic read. It wasn't a book that held my interest in one sitting, but was enjoyable whenever I picked it up. A bit slow to start, it didn't really pick up until halfway, maybe two-thirds of the way through. The end was a bit anti-climatic but it fit the book, so that's fine. The author has a wonderful imagination and usually brought that through life, mainly through the island setting and the Hill history, which was enthralling. I loved the inclusion of two Alaskan Malamutes, which are one of my favorite dogs. So, if you like Gothics, and like a more modern setting with a heroine who isn't helpless, give it a go. It's a good book that's very easy to read.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2585 KP) rated The Hound of the Baskervilles in Books
Mar 9, 2018
There is a legend of a monstrous hound that haunts and hunts the members of the Baskerville family. But when legend looks to be real, Holmes is brought in to find out how Charles Baskerville really died. And is the latest heir in danger?
My knowledge of the Holmes cannon is embarrassingly lacking, but I took a step toward fixing that with this book. I found Holmes a little hard to take due to his arrogance early on, but as the book progressed, I grew to like him better. The rest of the characters were great. The mystery is wonderful, and the atmosphere almost gothic. A wonderful read during October.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-hound-of-baskervilles-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
My knowledge of the Holmes cannon is embarrassingly lacking, but I took a step toward fixing that with this book. I found Holmes a little hard to take due to his arrogance early on, but as the book progressed, I grew to like him better. The rest of the characters were great. The mystery is wonderful, and the atmosphere almost gothic. A wonderful read during October.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-hound-of-baskervilles-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Dracula Has Risen From the Grave (1968) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Grave Errors
Hammer's third Dracula movie is arguably inaccurately titled, but then 'Dracula Has Thawed Out of a Moat' wouldn't look good on the poster. Busybody monsignor finds lingering legends of Dracula affecting church attendance, decides to exorcise Castle Dracula, ends up resurrecting Dracula himself, wins Counter-productive Stupid Idea Award for 1906.
What follows is a fairly routine gothic melodrama without much to distinguish it; Christopher Lee goes through the motions manfully. Chief wrinkle in the story is the fact that the juvenile male lead (who has an unfortunate resemblance to a young Hugh Grant) is an atheist, which is a problem when it comes to vampire hunting (he can't wave a crucifix with sufficient conviction, apparently). Not-bad climax doesn't really compensate for lack of good ideas in the rest of the film.
What follows is a fairly routine gothic melodrama without much to distinguish it; Christopher Lee goes through the motions manfully. Chief wrinkle in the story is the fact that the juvenile male lead (who has an unfortunate resemblance to a young Hugh Grant) is an atheist, which is a problem when it comes to vampire hunting (he can't wave a crucifix with sufficient conviction, apparently). Not-bad climax doesn't really compensate for lack of good ideas in the rest of the film.
David McK (3801 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Aug 3, 2019
"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb..."
Oh, wait, wrong Batman!
Completely and utterly tonally different than the Adam West incarnation, this version has Michael Keaton - at the time, a controversial casting choice of an actor known for more comedic roles - taking on the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in a very Gothic setting: all high rises, smoke and corruption.
With Commissioner Gordon only given a token role, and changing elements of the Batman mythos in giving Jack Nicholson's Joker a pre-Joker identity (and in having him responsible for the murder of Bruce's parents), this Batman also does not seem at all concerned with his famous no-killing rule (or is it a guideline?). It's also definitely a product of its time, complete with songs by Prince woven into the narrative!
Oh, wait, wrong Batman!
Completely and utterly tonally different than the Adam West incarnation, this version has Michael Keaton - at the time, a controversial casting choice of an actor known for more comedic roles - taking on the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in a very Gothic setting: all high rises, smoke and corruption.
With Commissioner Gordon only given a token role, and changing elements of the Batman mythos in giving Jack Nicholson's Joker a pre-Joker identity (and in having him responsible for the murder of Bruce's parents), this Batman also does not seem at all concerned with his famous no-killing rule (or is it a guideline?). It's also definitely a product of its time, complete with songs by Prince woven into the narrative!
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