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The Wicked Cometh
The Wicked Cometh
Laura Carlin | 2018 | Mystery, Romance
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely loved the cover of this book, it looks very sophisticated and truly beautiful. The main character in this novel is Hester White. A young lady who was forced to live in slums of London after her parent’s death. Because of a lucky accident, she ended up in a house, which belongs to a rich, Brock family. There she meets Rebekah, and after spending some time together, Hester starts having lesbian feelings towards her mistress. Together they start investigating why a lot of people mysteriously disappear in London. This is a second book where I meet a character named Hester who is smitten by her mistress and I have no idea why authors make Hesters lesbians…

I really liked the wide variety of characters in this novel, they all had different and very unique personalities, and I really liked how L. Carlin matched and balanced them all. The whole story was told from Hester’s perspective, and for me it was fully sufficient to enjoy it. I really liked Hester in this book, but sometimes her fantasies left me bored, because I really wanted to know what will happen next in the book, and all those fantasies felt like a drag.

I absolutely loved the setting of this novel. It was very interesting to read about these two opposite worlds of rich and poor. I was fascinated by the way author described London and it’s surroundings. I really liked the way L. Carlin combined romance and crime in this novel. In my opinion, it gave richness to the story. The investigation really absorbed me and I was struck by their findings. I liked all the twists and turns which author had to offer and they made me quite glued to the book.

The writing style of this novel was remarkable. I think, if the author can write a good book, he/she is gifted, but if the author can write a good book using old, classical writing style, they are bloody fantastic. 😀 For me, it seemed, that I am reading something, that was written in 1800ies and to understand that the person who wrote it is still alive, it simply blows my mind. Some of the words used in this book, I had to look up in a dictionary, because I haven’t heard them before. :0 I loved the way author ended this book, it has given a fair closure to this story and left me deeply satisfied with it. So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this dark and intriguing story, filled with diverse characters and very absorbing and constantly changing plot. It has great multiple stories to follow and I do recommend to give this book a try.
  
The Baylock Residence (2019)
The Baylock Residence (2019)
2019 |
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Patricia Woodhouse left this house years ago, she is drawn back during the war after her sister’s death, she wants to start a new life here, because the war has taken nearly everything else from her, but the past she spent so long trying to forget has come back to haunt her, as she looks for the truth of her sister’s death. Annabel is the help around the house, she stays after Patricia requests for her to stay and help her with the transition, she does help fill in about the past, including what happened to Susanna. Susanna is the sister that has passed away, we are left to wonder what caused her death.

Performances – Kelly Goudie in the leading role isn’t the strongest leading lady, when it comes to the reaction or horror scenes, we don’t get anything bad, it’s the everyday moments which come off flatter than they should do. Sarah Wynne Kordas is the only other main cast member that does everything needed without getting the best scenes.

Story – The story here follows a woman that returns to her home after years away to deal with a family loss, only to learn that the house has a bigger secret that hasn’t been unlock just yet. This is story that plays into the idea that your past can hold answers no matter how hard you look to forget it, it does also play into the ideas that a family can have secrets which will only disturb. The pace of the story isn’t the most convincing, with large amounts of the film being stuff happening behind characters most notable Patricia, we also end up teasing an idea to what is happening, only it just gets forgotten which would have added extra dimension to an abuse victim. The war time theme doesn’t help because the same story could easily happen at any other era too.

Horror – The horror in this film comes from how Patricia is struggling with the visions that she is having, not being able to balance reality with supernatural.

Settings – The film is set within the one house, which doesn’t look time accurate from the outside, it does show how the family home can be reunited from tragedy.

Special Effects – The film does use effects sparely, when they are used they do add an element to horror in the film.


Scene of the Movie – The secret room.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The non-horror moment conversations feel out of place.

Final Thoughts – This is a horror thriller that does have moments of strong tension, only it doesn’t keep this up for long enough to make us what to learn the truth.

Overall: Slow Burning Horror.
  
The Confines (2015)
The Confines (2015)
2015 |
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Streak is a disturbed young woman, she must prove she can keep a job to get her child back which leads her to the night watchwoman role. She doesn’t have experience in this role which leads her to explore and using her gift to learn the truth about the building. Cooper is the experienced night watchman, he needs this job and with his disability, it seems like a comfortable gig for him, this night turns into a nightmare as he must deal with Streak never being sure if she is unstable herself or there is something going on in the building. To round out our small cast we have a homeless man and the guy that hires Streak, neither do much else in the film.

Performances – Louisa Krause in the leading role is solid enough, though we never truly believe her fear through the night and her lack of ability to make us feel like we could be seeing her on edge over just horrors doesn’t convince. Jason Patric is solid to, though he never gets the time required to do anything with his character. The rest of the cast barely get any screen time which is why they suffer from low scores.

Story – The story much like many horror film keeps everything very simple, this is all we needed it to do too. On the first night of a job as a night watchwoman our leading lady must battle her own inner demons when strange things start happening within the apartment building she is working in. well this sounds like it should be an enjoyable enough watch for a horror fan, the ending only left me scratching my head which is disappointing, even though it could have made sense or not.

Horror/Mystery – The horror side of the film mostly down to what isn’t there as we balance between stuff int eh corner over anything else. The mystery comes from what could be making the noises in the building and what is involved with the history of the events here.

Settings – The film takes place completely in the building, this does keep the events confined to one location, we have the darker rooms, the forbidden rooms which only draw the horror ideas we could get.

Special Effects – The effects are solid enough though most of it is the in the corners blink and you miss it moments.


Scene of the Movie – The first visit.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – The ending.

Final Thoughts – This isn’t the best horror, it has potential of greatness, though it just doesn’t click things together like it should do.

 

Overall: Horror that will just become forgettable.
  
Hellmington (2018)
Hellmington (2018)
2018 |
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Samantha Woodhouse is a detective from a big city, she returns home with her father being on his deathbed, to help plan for the next stage, she decides to stick around after learning about missing person that hasn’t ever been solved, where she must face her own connection of her past, while trying to understand what actually happened to the missing girl. Rupert is the Uncle to Samantha, he is the local sheriff that bought her back, only to wish for her to leave the case alone. Professor Freeborn is one of the locals experts that is helping Samantha understand the truth around what might be happening. We do meet a host of potential suspects, or residents that do have a chapter to say when it comes to unlocking the truth.

Performances – This movie revolves around the performance Nicola Correia-Damude gives, she is involved in every scene and you can understand the mindset of her character as she both learns truths and faces pasts through the film. Michael Ironside might well be the biggest name in the film and does everything we need him to do. The rest of the cast is strong through the film too.

Story – The story follows a detective that returns home for her father’s funeral, only to find herself investigating a missing persons case, one that does mean she must face her own past to learn the truth. This is an interesting story because it does show us how your past can come back to haunt you and investigating a bigger case can only make you see the people in your life in a different light. We do follow just one character which will show us how they are learning about the case, just as we are, which is nice too be left in the dark about certain parts instead of being given all answers. We do get pushed down different ideas of what is happening which does keep us guessing and will leave shocked by the truth.

Horror – The film does use horror elements which involve how the Samantha is experience strange events while trying to uncover the truth.

Settings – The film is set in one locations which is the hometown of the Samantha which is filled with memories, some she liked, others she doesn’t want to.

Special Effects – The effects in the film are strong when needed, we don’t use them too often which isn’t needed.


Scene of the Movie – The first visit of the stranger.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Slightly rushed finished.

Final Thoughts – This is an interesting horror that deals with the investigation into a missing person, it has a wonderful leading lady performance and does keep you guessing.

Overall: Strong horror investigation.
  
In the Tall Grass (2019)
In the Tall Grass (2019)
2019 | Drama, Horror, Thriller
Characters – Becky is the pregnant lady travelling across country to start a life with her baby, her maternal instincts take over when she hears a young boy calling for help in the grass, which sees her get trapped, she experiences different pregnancy problems while trying to find her way out. Cal is the protect brother, who couldn’t win a fight to save his life, he wants his sister to date somebody with a future and an education. Ross is the father of Tobin who has gone too far into the grass before, he knows what is happening making him a real threat to the rest. Tobin is the little boy that is calling out for help, he desperate cries for help lead to the events of the film as Becky and Cal go in search for the answer.

Performances – When it comes to the performances this is a hard one to hate or enjoy anybody in the film, nobody is bad, Laysla De Oliveira and Avery Whitted as the brother sister don’t have the best chemistry. Patrick Wilson does go full crazy for parts of the film and it is the best part to watch.

Story – The story here follows a group of people that lost in tall grass which seems to have a mind of itself which will see them needing to figure out how to make it out alive. This is a story that does do a lot of confusing things because we do try to capture the magic of ‘Triangle’ only for it to be way to confusing for the most part because we are going over and over through different points of view which just doesn’t give us enough to work with because a lot happens in pitch black too which doesn’t make it clear just what was happening. This is a story you could break down and figure out what happened, but it isn’t a causal watch when figuring out the loops.

Horror – The horror in the film is meant to come from the unknown in the grass and just what happens within the grass.

Settings – The film wants to use the tall grass for the settings, I guess this is an American thing for it to be scary.

Special Effects – The effects used in the film are mostly shock for gore, which are fine, but just don’t shock the way they want too.


Scene of the Movie – Ross finds a way in.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Too many attempts to create a reset.

Final Thoughts – This is a horror that just doesn’t get to any horror levels, if you have seen ‘Triangle’ you will have seen a much more interesting and better version of this story.

Overall: Just not Triangle.
  
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Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Merrily We Go to Hell (1932) in Movies

Sep 3, 2020 (Updated Sep 3, 2020)  
Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)
Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)
1932 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Pre-code (4 more)
What's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Skeet Gallagher as Buck, the sidekick
Florence Britton as Charlcie, the female sidekick
Directed by female director Dorothy Arzner
No relationship development between the male and female protagonists. (0 more)
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was an important movie of its time. It is a pre-code movie so it was able to get away with sins such as alcoholism and infidelity of husbands AND wives without making them pay in the end.

Sylvia Sidney plays Joan Prentice, the daughter of the president of Prentice coffee and Fredric March plays Jerry Corbett, a newspaperman who wishes to be a playwright. They meet at a society party where she is trying to ignore the advances of a very handsy older man and he is on the terrace drunk and drinking even more. She somehow finds him charming and he finds her "swell." They make a date to meet up again and romance follows. I mean, allegedly follows though it seems like a huge plot point to me what they see in each other and what kind of substance their relationship has. I've never been a very romantic person but even this seems terribly lacking to me.

Skeets Gallagher plays the sidekick Buck and he's worth his weight in gold. He a drinking buddy and scenes with him often start with the camera panning him tap dancing from behind. He's sweet, sympathetic, charming, and adorable and brings so much life to the role and film. Florence Britton plays the female sidekick to Fredric March's Jerry Corbett and is a bold lady, and kind. She and Buck are so much fun and not sloppy drunk like Corbett. I would much rather watch a movie with the two of them.

Sylvia Sidney, the female protagonist was bold and determined. After her husband cheats on her with his former wife, she goes out to have a little fun, too. She gets tired of her husband's constant drunkenness and leaves him. He seems to come to his senses at the end of the movie and goes to her. Spoiler alert: she is in the hospital having delivered their baby. He didn't know she was pregnant and only learned about the baby after reading the birth announcement in the newspaper. This is a premonition of things to come once the code comes into play as any sin must be paid for with a person's ruin or death. However, it ends on a happy note that their marriage will be better and that they are hopeful for the future.

* Watch for Cary Grant in one of his earliest roles as the male lead in the period drama play towards the end of the film.
  
Will (The Books of the Five #2)
Will (The Books of the Five #2)
S.F. Burgess | 2014 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You know when you read the first book in a series, fall in love with it, and presume that the next book won't be anywhere near as good... just because?! That's how I felt when I started Will. I had loved Eleanor and devoured every word. There was no way that Will could be that good, could it? OMG, yes it could be that good and even better. This book completely surpassed my expectations and took me on a poignant, raw and intense journey alongside the main character.

This lady is simply amazing as an author because she will make you dislike a character intensely and yet, within a few phrases, you will feel sorry for or like the same character. There is so much detail in her writing that you are left in no doubt as to the surroundings, expressions or feelings.

Now, it was a while ago that I read Eleanor so a few things were lost to me when I started but I quickly picked up again and proceeded to thoroughly enjoy this story. Because of the time delay though, it was unclear to me just what the problem was with Will. I was almost hoping that it wasn't simply his age because every time he said about being old, I winced as I am older than he is! This story actually hit me hard when all the secrets are revealed and I was sobbing big, ugly tears. I just can't tell you how good this story is, to have it affect me in that way.

One thing I will add though is that if you visit the author's website - http://www.mydren.com/ - you will find information about Eleanor and Will plus loads of other interesting snippets so you quickly come up to speed.

S.F. Burgess has put the Epic back into Fantasy. This book is worth every moment of your time and I can't imagine it being any shorter. Every word is needed and used with great effect.

One warning I will give and it's the same reason I have put Dark down as one of the genres - this book deals with some dark subjects, torture being one of them, and there is violence. None of this is gratuitous though and is definitely needed to make the story a better one.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all Epic Fantasy fans out there who like a darker tale. If you want all glitter and rainbows then maybe you should try something else. For me personally, I will be waiting with bated breath for the release of Amelia, book 3. I really can't wait!!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 30, 2016
  
Tor (The Hawks #4)
Tor (The Hawks #4)
Jennie Lynn Roberts | 2021 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
this series gets better and better!!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is book 4 in the hawks Series and you really SHOULD read Tristan, Val and Mathos before this one. There is an ongoing story arc through these books and much is not fully recapped.

Tor took a shine to Keeley when he rescued her from Ballinor's grip. They have chemistry but it takes time for them to give in to that. Tor, the big Apollyon that he is, messes up BIGTIME and more than once. Keeley takes everything he says direct to her heart, but it's only later she realises that she has taken things all out of context and now what is she supposed to do?!

It was clear, from the moment we met Keeley in book 2, I think she pops up in, that she and Tor were made for each other. Having the story from THEIR points of view, makes you see things so much clearer.

It took me a while to piece together what Keeley was trying to say, I was so engrossed in the story I think I forgot to read, if that makes sense! *note to self, pay attention!

Keeley is hurting for much of the book, in one way or another, and not always due to Tor and his way with words. You feel for her, deeply. you don't know it all at once and I do love waiting for things to become clear. Tor's pain is different but his is pretty much laid out for you, right from the start. The beginning few chapters of this book run alongside the other three books. Indeed, in book3, Mathos, we know Tor did something bad. Now we know what!

We meet the next leading lady here. I'm not 100% certain about her yet, and what she has to say will be interesting, given who she is, and how Tor and Keeley came upto her. There is much she has to say. And Reece! Who still thinks everything is his fault and is currently drinking his beast into silence. He also has a lot to say, and I can't wait to hear him.

But what's keeping me the most gripped with this series is this: I cannot see where it's all going! Things are changing so fast from book to book, and I really can't see an end in sight and I love that!

How many are there? I've no idea! A couple of the guys have been lurking in the background, doing what needs to be done and popping up along the way. I want them ALL to be happy, and it will be interesting how they get there.

I stress again, write quicker Ms Roberts. Write. Quicker!

5 full and shiny stars
  
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
2017 | Fantasy, Musical, Romance
Beauty and the Plot Holes
I know I shouldn't be looking to much in to animated movies turned in to live action, but this movie really had some obvious plot holes. I will get to a few of those in a bit. First I would like to say this was not a bad movie. I actually enjoyed it more then I thought I would have. The CGI was really good and the music/songs were done really well and really funny.

This movie played really closely to the animated movie. The beginning of the movie was one of the thing I felt was really off. I did not like the party being the back drop to him being a stuck up snob. I would have preferred him just turning the old lady away at the door and then getting cursed. I also thought all of the people turned into household objects were servants in the castle and not just party guests. Then at the end of the movie you have the household objects mingling with towns folks. I know they had to do it with how the beginning of the movie was set up, but it was really weird.


As I stated earlier I really like the CGI, I thought it fit in really well with the live actors. The Beast looked amazing, it had a very life like look to it. All of the household objects looked fantastic as well. They way they moved in the scenes, it did not feel computerized at all.


Now I know most of you have probably seen the animated movie and hopefully most of you have seen this movie. But one thing I like doing when I am watching a remake or know the story really well, I like to find the plot holes that are really funny and I will mention a few here. First is I like the fact they are in France and only say a few french words. I know its supposed to be a kids movie and most of them don't want to read subtitles, but at least give them all an accent. The only one with an accent was the candle holder. Second I would like to point out during the whole movie to and from the castle there were wolves that were ready to attack onsite. But when Belle headed back to the village to save her dad the Beast was not concerned at all about the wolves getting her. Last I would like to say that with how dangerous everything in the woods were Belle's dad left the horse behind at the castle even though he new about the wolves and how far away it was. Also there was the fact that if Belle was going to be there forever, why does she even need the horse.


Well this was a fun movie and think everyone should see it, maybe with a kid in the room so it is not weird. Until next time, enjoy the show.
  
A Court of Frost and Starlight: Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Frost and Starlight: Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas | 2018 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
A Court of Frost and Starlight ✨
A Court of Frost and Starlight is a book that is the in-between of what happened after a Court of Mist and Fury and what’s going to happen in the next books.

It talks about the gap in between of how the inner circle, Feyre and her sisters and also Lucien are coping with the aftermath of the war. We even see how Tamlin is getting along and I might add it’s not very well.

This book discovers the emotions that the characters are facing and how they are recovering. Some of the characters are not quite over what’s happened, where is the others keep quiet about it or are just getting on with.

We have Nester who is pretty much exactly the same, whereas Elaine is slowly embracing what is around her – although she still doesn’t seem too keen on Lucien. Azriel is still the silent type, Cassian is still boyish but with feelings, Amren is still Amren. Mor is still hurt from the decisions that were made in the war. Tamlin like I said is not coping, Feyre and Rhys are trying.

Although Feyre and Rhys have got close to being over the aftermath of the war, they’re still trying to make sure that their friends and families are coping. Along with their people… As they have lost a lot as well.

This book is very different to the previous three, not just because it’s short but because of what’s in it. This is the first time that Feyre really is apart of the Night Court.

Although she was the High Lady in the previous books and played a big role, this is the first time that she can walk around and actually have duties that she needs to fulfill. She sees the effect of the war on her people and what has happened and how they are brave and they continue to live their lives. She realises the Winter Solstice is not just a festive time with presents, it’s something that is normal for their people, a tradition, a way to be with their loved ones and their families and have a day or so where they can forget all they have been through and be normal.

I really enjoyed this book because I was so desperate to get back into the world of a Court of Thorns and Roses and not having to worry about any enemies, about what characters are going to appear next. Just being able to be apart of that family again it was truly lovely to get back into it.

There was spoilers for the next books, there was a few questions that were answered from the previous ones. But there was still a lot that needs to be explained, which I hope will be explained in the next books that Sarah J Mass will hopefully released soon.

5 ☕ – AMAZING / ? – LOVED IT

Love, Christina ?