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Guillermo Del Toro recommended Vampyr (1932) in Movies (curated)

Vampyr (1932)

1932 | Horror

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"Sheer terror and sheer poetry, but both stem from distinctive medieval traditions. Häxan is the filmic equivalent of a hellish engraving by Bruegel or a painting by Bosch. It’s a strangely titillating record of sin and perversity that is as full of dread as it is of desire and atheistic conviction, and a condemnation of superstition that is morbidly in love with its subject. Vampyr is, strictly speaking, a memento mori, a stern reminder of death as the threshold of spiritual liberation. Like any memento mori, the film enthrones the right morbid imagery (skull, scythe, white limbo) in order to maximize the impact of the beautiful, almost intangible images that conclude it. If only Criterion had acquired my commentary track—sigh—from the UK edition."

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Guillermo Del Toro recommended Häxan (1922) in Movies (curated)

Häxan (1922)

1922 | Documentary, Fantasy, Horror

7.6

(5 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

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Charlotte (184 KP) rated Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing in Books

Apr 11, 2021

Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing

Celinka Serre | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

One word.....Epic!

I'm reminded of medieval times right from the start. Courage, valiance, swordsmen, magic and so much more.

Niome is about to embark on an awe-inspiring mission accompanied by four friends and family......not just any mission but one that had long been foretold. The personal journeys are no less important, not only on an individual level but as a group.

This is an epic journey that leads to new friendships, strong alliances and surprises. The only thing I've struggled with is when the characters speak in their native tongue.....I'll be honest I didn't even attempt to pronounce any of it ha ha!
That aside this is a brilliant read that is ideal for teens onwards to enjoy.

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Tom Turner (388 KP) rated Malice: Book One of the Faithful and the Fallen in Books

May 6, 2021

Words are going to fail me in describing how much I love this book! I've been a major fan of the works of David Gemmell, and ever since his tragicly early death in 2006 the world has been desperate for a worthy successor. I believe we have found such a man in John Gwynne. In this book he weaves incrediblly nuanced characters with awe inspiring world building and intricate action scenes and plotting. Sure, it is your big standard medieval fantasy world. But with all the other authors doing fantasy differently today, there is enough room for the more traditional stance. As you can probably tell, I love this book. I just hope it's follow ups don't let me down!

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Sjon recommended Stranger Magic in Books (curated)

Stranger Magic

Marina Warner | 2012 | Education, Science Fiction/Fantasy

(0 Ratings)

Book Favorite

"Throughout my writing life I have relied on Marina Warner to guide me through the hidden realms of literature and culture. She has a wast knowledge of folk stories, religious tracts, legends and classical works from all points of the globe and her analysis of how they continue to be present in our lives and work is always inspiring. In Stranger Magic she tells the story of how Scheherazade’s tales in The Arabian Nights were embraced and appropriated by western culture without ever loosing their original power. As I am working my way towards a new novel which includes the influence of Arabic culture on medieval Icelandic writing Warner has once again provided me with her keen insight into the mechanisms of how stories travel."

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