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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Out of the Shadows (2017) in Movies
Oct 8, 2017
Lots of jumping out of your seat
So the story is flimsy and it seems like a seriously low budget production, plus the documentary style horror has been done to death (excuse the pun) - so expect a lot of cheap thrills.
The premise of this film begins with a ghost hunter who was haunted by his mistake of leaving his friend inside of an asylum after being chased by ghosts. He is then approached again some years later to return to the scene of the crime to find out what happened there.
No doubt, I did keep having to distract myself with my phone in order to avoid keep jumping out of my seat. The main poltergeist /demon in question is more than slightly creepy but there was too much of a mish mash of horror stories. From Blair Witch, The Grudge to The Quiet Ones, all of which did a lot better with the genre. So if you want to see a life-changing film, this isn't it.
The premise of this film begins with a ghost hunter who was haunted by his mistake of leaving his friend inside of an asylum after being chased by ghosts. He is then approached again some years later to return to the scene of the crime to find out what happened there.
No doubt, I did keep having to distract myself with my phone in order to avoid keep jumping out of my seat. The main poltergeist /demon in question is more than slightly creepy but there was too much of a mish mash of horror stories. From Blair Witch, The Grudge to The Quiet Ones, all of which did a lot better with the genre. So if you want to see a life-changing film, this isn't it.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
I discovered Turkish delight through this book...
This is a must read for children, as the mystical elements are fascinating, but are lost when reading it as an adult.
First published in 1950, this is one of the most classic portal fantasies ever written. Four children are sent from London to an old house in the country during the evacuations of World War II. Through a magic wardrobe, they enter the fantasy land of Narnia, which is a jumbled mixture of Greek mythology, Bible stories, and Arthurian romances, with a bit of Medieval Bestiaries thrown in.
The White Witch has made herself Queen of Narnia, and put it under the spell of an ever-constant winter. With the arrival of the children and the lion Aslan, an old prophecy is met, spring comes to Narnia, and there is a major clash between the good and evil Narnians on who gets to dominate Narnia.
I like the book better than the film just because of the amount of detail used by the master of fantasy C. S. Lewis.
First published in 1950, this is one of the most classic portal fantasies ever written. Four children are sent from London to an old house in the country during the evacuations of World War II. Through a magic wardrobe, they enter the fantasy land of Narnia, which is a jumbled mixture of Greek mythology, Bible stories, and Arthurian romances, with a bit of Medieval Bestiaries thrown in.
The White Witch has made herself Queen of Narnia, and put it under the spell of an ever-constant winter. With the arrival of the children and the lion Aslan, an old prophecy is met, spring comes to Narnia, and there is a major clash between the good and evil Narnians on who gets to dominate Narnia.
I like the book better than the film just because of the amount of detail used by the master of fantasy C. S. Lewis.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated A Bit Witchy in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received an eARC via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own.
I felt a bit mislead by the title of this book but in all honesty I have no one to blame but myself as I didn't read the synopsis however, this book about guardian angels was an enjoyable read.
Lena is the school loner and her peers have labeled her a witch which she isn't but she is indeed very special as she can see guardian angels. I love how the author wrote the Lena character; a bit of a foul mouthed teen with just the right amount of spunk. The story line moved quickly and it is humorously written. I look forward to seeing these characters once again.
My two personal favorite quotes:
" I cannot think of anyone I'd rather breathe with."
" You can only see the moral scars when there's a good guardian angel to show you. For whatever reason shmuck here doesn't have one of those."
I felt a bit mislead by the title of this book but in all honesty I have no one to blame but myself as I didn't read the synopsis however, this book about guardian angels was an enjoyable read.
Lena is the school loner and her peers have labeled her a witch which she isn't but she is indeed very special as she can see guardian angels. I love how the author wrote the Lena character; a bit of a foul mouthed teen with just the right amount of spunk. The story line moved quickly and it is humorously written. I look forward to seeing these characters once again.
My two personal favorite quotes:
" I cannot think of anyone I'd rather breathe with."
" You can only see the moral scars when there's a good guardian angel to show you. For whatever reason shmuck here doesn't have one of those."
Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated To Kill a Kingdom in Books
Jun 1, 2019
Brilliant!
This is a truly unique and fantastic retelling of the Little Mermaid story, with our main character being a bloodthirsty siren that is forced into human form for disobeying the sea witch.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
I loved that the characters weren't instantly attracted to each other, that the prince wasn't as nice as he could have been and that the siren had a backbone to her. The feelings and emotions displayed were well thought out and the story progressed well, however I feel that the relationships could have progressed more during the 'quest' and that the book had every right to be longer than what it was.
I could not put this book down and read it even whilst feeding my baby one handed so that I didn't lose any time in finding out what happens (even though it was a fair chance that it would either have a Disney happy ending or follow the classic fairy tale).
This is the perfect book for those that like alternative retellings of fairy tales and Christina Henry books.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Forsaken (Shadow Cove Saga #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
Forsaken is a book partially based on characters and events from the Salem witch trials. Some of these events find their way into the latest novel by best-selling novelist Thad McAlister.
Throughout the story, the author allows you glimpses into the past via excerpts from Clayton Stone's journal, showing you important events that happened in 1692. These journal entries give you just enough information to keep you guessing and add to the suspense when you are reading about the present. There were some good twists and a nice salute to Stephen King (one of my favorites) that made this even more fun to read. This was a great stay-up-all-night-reading type of spooky story, and I recommend this book to any fans of horror novels, witches, or things that go bump in the night. I will also be on the lookout for book #2 of the Shadow Cove Saga, to find out what happens to Ashley and Rachael!
ames_morgan (8 KP) rated The Girl in The Tower: The Winternight Trilogy in Books
Jun 19, 2018
I fell in love with The Bear and the Nightingale the second that I started reading it so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of the second installment in this story.
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
The story picks up with Vasya driven from her village, orphaned and branded as a witch. She could not face the option of marriage or life in a convent so she decides to become a traveler and explore the world on her own.
Brave and reckless as ever Vasya disguises herself as a boy she travels through Moscow and ends up fighting at the Grand Prince's side as they try to discover the identity of the bandits who have been terrorizing the area.
I enjoyed dynamic between Morozko, Vasya and Solovey. We are also introduced to some new characters and reunited with some old ones as the story progresses.
I found the second installment of The Bear and the Nightingale just as captivating as the first one and am anxiously awaiting the third and final part of the story!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Wizard of Oz (1939) in Movies
Jan 1, 2019
Did you know about The Jitterbug?
Probably one of the most famous deleted scenes of all time is from The Wizard of Oz (which I watched last night on New Year's Eve). There is a line the Wicked Witch of the West says where she sent an insect along ahead which is still in the movie, but the song and scene were removed.
The attached clip below gives you the dialogue and the song itself even though the actual footage no longer exists. I actually like the song a lot and wished it was still in the movie, but it will never be.
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite all time movies and I try and watch it every few years to remind myself that movies are still special and even though I complain about most modern films being not very original any more, they still should transport you somewhere and make you forget about your troubles even for just a little while.
You should watch it again yourself!
The attached clip below gives you the dialogue and the song itself even though the actual footage no longer exists. I actually like the song a lot and wished it was still in the movie, but it will never be.
The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite all time movies and I try and watch it every few years to remind myself that movies are still special and even though I complain about most modern films being not very original any more, they still should transport you somewhere and make you forget about your troubles even for just a little while.
You should watch it again yourself!
David McK (3623 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The first Harry Potter book, known in the United States as 'Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone' which I remember first reading well over a decade ago; before even the first (virtually word-to-screen) movie adaptation.
Despite that, on re-reading this I've discovered that while the parts that are faithful to the book are VERY faithful, there's also certain plot-lines that are left out almost entirely.
Framed as Harry's first year at 'Hogwart's school of Witch-craft and Wizardry', I find it impossible to read now without visualising Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, or Professor Snape as any other than the late, great, Alan Rickman.
The narrative device of allowing Harry to discover the Wizarding world as we do also proves to be a savvy move, in that it allows the reader to identify with the main character while also still allowing the possibility of further surprises in later books: it wouldn't have provided so much of a hook to the reader, for example, if Harry had grown up knowing of his parentage and heritage.
Despite that, on re-reading this I've discovered that while the parts that are faithful to the book are VERY faithful, there's also certain plot-lines that are left out almost entirely.
Framed as Harry's first year at 'Hogwart's school of Witch-craft and Wizardry', I find it impossible to read now without visualising Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role, or Professor Snape as any other than the late, great, Alan Rickman.
The narrative device of allowing Harry to discover the Wizarding world as we do also proves to be a savvy move, in that it allows the reader to identify with the main character while also still allowing the possibility of further surprises in later books: it wouldn't have provided so much of a hook to the reader, for example, if Harry had grown up knowing of his parentage and heritage.
AJaneClark (3975 KP) rated The Vine Witch in Books
Dec 22, 2019
Slow burning
After seven years of being cursed Elena is finally free, from her wet and cold confines. She travels back to her beloved vineyard she calls home in the Chanceaux Valley of France, only to find there is a new owner, and the vines she loves so much are dying.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
Elena offers to help her Grandmere and the new owner, Jean-Paul to revive the vines and bring back the quality wines that were previously made there.
Elena hides her witch abilities, from an unsure Jean-Paul, who believes science is the way behind great wine making.
Expect some witchy chaos, some ritualistic (but tasteful) blood letting, and a lot of wine talk. Elena ends up face to face with her ex, his new wife and the inspector in charge of keeping covenant laws.
Smith writes very well, the setting is written so beautifully and descriptive you can imagine yourself being there. It’s a lovely read, it’s a bit of a slow burner, with a lot of action towards to the end, but stick with it.
Sara Cox (1845 KP) rated The Familiars in Books
Mar 11, 2020
I do like a good historic fiction and this one intrigued me as I read the blurb. A pregnant woman who has previously had miscarriages meets a woman who is a midwife, but is also accused of being a witch. This is a story with an underlying theme (or not so underlying) of women striving for more but being trapped by a society run by men who are trying to keep women at a lower status and importance of themselves, while striving to continue to maintain authority and bloodlines. A story of one woman who uses the resources available to her and her intelligence to make situations favour her wants, needs and justices. The Familiars and the concept of The Familiars within the story deemed vague, unimportant and not pressed upon, I'm not entirely sure if their relevance, in comparison to these themes of strong women in a male dominated society of 1600s Britain. If you like Jessie Burton, you will love Stacey Halls! And you will love this!