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Dork Diaries: Party Time
Book
Nikki is finally starting to adjust to life at her new school and things are looking up. She's made...
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Doctor Who: Forever Autumn in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Hurray! I finally get to chime in on a book for the book club! Full time work and school is putting such a dampener on my social life!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
I remember being suitably impressed with this one when we reviewed it for the podcast last year. Its a fun read, a relatively quick read, and combines the best elements of scary Who to make it the perfect Halloween offering. Enjoy everyone!
Hell Fest (2018)
7.2
Rate It
Movie Watch
On Halloween night, three young women and their respective boyfriends head to Hell Fest -- a...
Truth or Dare (2017)
Movie
Eight college friends head to a "Haunted Rental" for Halloween. But when they replay the game that...
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
May 17, 2019 (Updated May 18, 2019)
Halloween offers a solid follow up to a Horror classic
Full diclosure - The original Halloween is one of my absolute favourite horror films of all time, so I wasn't sure what to think when the trailers for this started knocking around - it looked good, but I've spent years being fooled by sequels and reboots.
Thankfully, I left cinema feeling pretty satisfied.
Halloween offers that same feeling of dread the original offered up, alongside a great soundtrack (John Carpenter take a bow).
In terms if story, this movie disregards all sequels that has come before and picks up with Michael Myers still imprisoned for what happened in the original.
Of course, he eventually gets loose to reign terror on Haddonfield once again (there's a glorious one shot scene when he eventually arrives in said town), and what follows is a suitably gory slasher, that mostly ticks all the right boxes.
Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, but with somewhat of a Sarah Connor-esque makeover, and she's pretty badass - familiar yet fresh, as she fearlessly takes on a foe she's spent years preparing to face.
The rest of the cast were pretty take it or leave it for me, none leaving a lasting impact, and some plot points were a not needed (the whole story arc of The doctor springs to mind), but overall, a pretty solid horror flick that deserves your attention.
Thankfully, I left cinema feeling pretty satisfied.
Halloween offers that same feeling of dread the original offered up, alongside a great soundtrack (John Carpenter take a bow).
In terms if story, this movie disregards all sequels that has come before and picks up with Michael Myers still imprisoned for what happened in the original.
Of course, he eventually gets loose to reign terror on Haddonfield once again (there's a glorious one shot scene when he eventually arrives in said town), and what follows is a suitably gory slasher, that mostly ticks all the right boxes.
Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, but with somewhat of a Sarah Connor-esque makeover, and she's pretty badass - familiar yet fresh, as she fearlessly takes on a foe she's spent years preparing to face.
The rest of the cast were pretty take it or leave it for me, none leaving a lasting impact, and some plot points were a not needed (the whole story arc of The doctor springs to mind), but overall, a pretty solid horror flick that deserves your attention.
Haunted House Murder
Barbara Ross, Leslie Meier and Lee Hollis
7.3
Rate It
Book
Tricks and treats keep the Halloween spirit alive in coastal Maine. But this year the haunted house...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Murder Outside the Lines in Books
Sep 29, 2021 (Updated Sep 29, 2021)
Florrie is Haunted by Murder this Halloween
Fall is in the air with Halloween fast approaching. Florrie Fox has a special author appearance planned for Color Me Read, author and psychic Hilda Rattenhorst. However, when Hilda shows up, she claims to have seen a carpet wrapped up with a foot sticking out of it in a nearby doorway. Florrie and her boyfriend, Eric, who is also a police officer, head out to check it out only to find nothing when they arrive. Then, during her talk before signing books, Hilda claims to feel a killer’s presence in the audience. As Florrie is trying to figure out if it is a publicity stunt, one incident after another begins to happen. What is going on?
Even for a Halloween themed cozy, I was a little surprised at the number of potential supernatural elements we got at the beginning of the book. As the crimes took center stage, that began to recede a bit. I did feel the plot could have used better focus. There are quite a few elements to the story, and it felt like it was wandering in the middle. But things came together for a satisfying climax. I was once again charmed by the Georgetown neighborhood where Florrie lives and works. It was great to get reacquainted with the characters and see the next chapter in their lives. This book is for you if you are looking for a charming fall cozy.
Even for a Halloween themed cozy, I was a little surprised at the number of potential supernatural elements we got at the beginning of the book. As the crimes took center stage, that began to recede a bit. I did feel the plot could have used better focus. There are quite a few elements to the story, and it felt like it was wandering in the middle. But things came together for a satisfying climax. I was once again charmed by the Georgetown neighborhood where Florrie lives and works. It was great to get reacquainted with the characters and see the next chapter in their lives. This book is for you if you are looking for a charming fall cozy.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Halloween Night Murder in Books
Aug 27, 2025 (Updated Aug 27, 2025)
This Halloween, the Tricks are Murder, Which is a Treat for Us
Kensington has another Halloween novella collection. In the first story, Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone gets involved when a teen is killed in a hit and run near her home. Will she figure out what happened while helping her new neighbors? The second story finds Lee Hollis’s Hayley Powell returning from a concert with her two best friends. But when an accident strands them in the woods, it appears the only place they can find help is a creepy cabin. There’s nothing to fear about this set up, right? Finally, we travel to the North Pole as Liz Ireland’s April Claus tries to prove an elf who has just returned to town didn’t freeze a snowman. He's also innocent of murder, right?
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
I usually struggle with Leslie’s contributions to these collections, and that was true here again. But I enjoyed the other two. Lee’s novella has just a touch of horror tropes while still being a cozy and being absolutely page turning. And I find Liz’s Mrs. Claus series completely charming. This story was no exception. With each story being roughly 100 pages, you get a novel length book and a chance to catch up with old friends between books or try new series without committing to a full novel. Whether you read this book now or save it for Halloween night, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2631 KP) rated Masking for Trouble (Costume Shop Mystery, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
In a town that loves costume parties, Halloween is a huge deal, which means things are very busy for Margo Tamblyn in her family’s costume shop, Disguise DeLimit. However, this year things are looking grim thanks to Paul Haverford, who has grand designs for the city, plans that include closing down small shops like Disguise DeLimit. However, when Margo finds Paul’s body at the opening party, she finds herself as the prime suspect. Can she find the killer and clear her name?
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the first book in this series because the characters are so wonderful. It was great to see them again and watch their relationships grow and change. The plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed that as well. Plus the book made great use of the Halloween time frame.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/10/book-review-masking-for-trouble-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Halloween: Resurrection (2002) in Movies
May 16, 2021
Fair play, Halloween Resurrection is not an easy watch for a whole fistful of reasons. Terrible dialogue, boderline-offensive quick edits, a ill advised attempt and mixing in found footage, the forced nature of pretty much every plot point, the bizarre cold open where Laurie fucking KISSES Michael before being unceremoniously knifed out of the remaining 80 minutes. Honestly, Busta Rhymes roundhouse kicking Michael in the face whilst making innapropriate "Kung Fu" noises is probably the best bit.
The movie threatens to become entertaining for approximately 40 seconds following the excruciatingly annoying characters realisation that they're in danger, and the obligatory final-girl chase is ok, but that's ruined by Mr Rhymes returning to save the day whilst shitting out terrible one liners. Did Busta fund this thing or something?
Rick Rosenthal's return to the series is a far cry from the far superior Halloween II. Just an abhorrently crap film all round.
The movie threatens to become entertaining for approximately 40 seconds following the excruciatingly annoying characters realisation that they're in danger, and the obligatory final-girl chase is ok, but that's ruined by Mr Rhymes returning to save the day whilst shitting out terrible one liners. Did Busta fund this thing or something?
Rick Rosenthal's return to the series is a far cry from the far superior Halloween II. Just an abhorrently crap film all round.