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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Witch (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Based on New England folklore, Robert Eggers brings us his debut film The With.
William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie) are the parents of five children living in 1630 New England. This God-fearing family has become dissatisfied with how their town chose to live by the word of God. William hopes to promote change in the town, instead he causes his family to be banished left only to find a patch of land bordered by dark dense woods to call home. Luckily they have Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) the eldest daughter who is in charge of looking after her younger siblings. A pre teen Caleb, unruly twins Mercy and Jonas and baby Samuel along with all of the household chores. Newborn Samuel has fate working against him when he suddenly disappears during an afternoon round of peekaboo.
The family is left heartbroken. With no sign of Samuel’s return William declares that this must have been the act of a wolf. Thomasin’s siblings soon become suspicious that this was not the work of a wolf, that she has to have succumbed to the malevolent forces of witchcraft. Mercy has also claimed that she and her twin brother have been conversing with their goat Black Phillip one would assume only jokingly from children. There might just be something darker going on. As the days progress and their crops continue to fail, tensions between the family grow. Things start to go bump in the night making the situation more oppressive each day.
This film is described as a horror genre film, after screening it though I felt it lean more towards a psychological thriller. When asked what films inspired The Witch Robert Eggers mentioned Stephen King’s The Shinning which to me really shines through the film. Most importantly the film is based on actual historical accounts of witchcraft in a time where men feared a woman’s power and sexuality. In my opinion the horror in it is the unknown, because even though you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I suppose it can be viewed as both horror and psychological.
Paying close attention to detail Eggers’ immerses the audience into 1630 New England. It’s hard to believe that it was filmed in Canada and not New England because of how accurate every little detail is from the hand stitched costumes to the intricacies of the dialogue. Perhaps this can be credited to his former career as a production designer and costume designer. The music alone adds the perfect amount of horror to make those hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This film is an excellent portrait of amazing filmmaking and horrific historical folklore.
William (Ralph Ineson) and Katherine (Kate Dickie) are the parents of five children living in 1630 New England. This God-fearing family has become dissatisfied with how their town chose to live by the word of God. William hopes to promote change in the town, instead he causes his family to be banished left only to find a patch of land bordered by dark dense woods to call home. Luckily they have Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) the eldest daughter who is in charge of looking after her younger siblings. A pre teen Caleb, unruly twins Mercy and Jonas and baby Samuel along with all of the household chores. Newborn Samuel has fate working against him when he suddenly disappears during an afternoon round of peekaboo.
The family is left heartbroken. With no sign of Samuel’s return William declares that this must have been the act of a wolf. Thomasin’s siblings soon become suspicious that this was not the work of a wolf, that she has to have succumbed to the malevolent forces of witchcraft. Mercy has also claimed that she and her twin brother have been conversing with their goat Black Phillip one would assume only jokingly from children. There might just be something darker going on. As the days progress and their crops continue to fail, tensions between the family grow. Things start to go bump in the night making the situation more oppressive each day.
This film is described as a horror genre film, after screening it though I felt it lean more towards a psychological thriller. When asked what films inspired The Witch Robert Eggers mentioned Stephen King’s The Shinning which to me really shines through the film. Most importantly the film is based on actual historical accounts of witchcraft in a time where men feared a woman’s power and sexuality. In my opinion the horror in it is the unknown, because even though you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I suppose it can be viewed as both horror and psychological.
Paying close attention to detail Eggers’ immerses the audience into 1630 New England. It’s hard to believe that it was filmed in Canada and not New England because of how accurate every little detail is from the hand stitched costumes to the intricacies of the dialogue. Perhaps this can be credited to his former career as a production designer and costume designer. The music alone adds the perfect amount of horror to make those hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This film is an excellent portrait of amazing filmmaking and horrific historical folklore.
Debbiereadsbook (1202 KP) rated Half Bound (Helheim Wolf Pack Tale #5) in Books
Apr 13, 2021
Thank you, Ms Dawes, for writing these books, I've thoroughly enjoyed delving into this world.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 5 in the Helheim Wolf Pack series, the last book and you do NEED to have read the other books before this one. This one pulls everything together but not everything important is recapped.
I found this one a much darker read than the others. The others are graphic and explicit but I thought this one was so much MORE. The violence Vivian expends to get what she wants is described in great detail, what she does and what she has others do. This is the only reason I gave it. . .oh . . no. . .wait, there is ANOTHER reason. Let me try that again! This is ONE of the reasons I gave it 4 stars. Oh but she does get her comeuppance, she really does!
Saxon is captured and Casey allows herself to be taken, on the condition Saxon is freed. Yeah, right, we did not see that one being double-crossed by Vivian! Vivian breaks Casey, she really does, physically and emotionally. It's painful reading, not just the physical stuff, but when Casey comes to terms with what Vivian does to her, what it means for her future, what it means she can never be. And then. . .not yet. . .I'll say soon.
Across the other side of the story, Brax, who left Rhett a while ago because he was addicted to Indi's bite, has to fetch a new pack member who affects him, and his wolf, deeply. But Andrea is damaged, both inside and out, and she doesn't think anyone will want her now her abusive ex has marked her as he did. Besides, all men are gonna hurt her, so she steers clear. When said ex gets too close, Brax and Drae bond, and when they do? Oh it's so beautiful, their bonding, it really is. Said ex also gets his comeuppance, but not quite how I thought he would!
Back to what Vivian does to break Casey emotionally. This is the other reason I gave it 4 stars. Casey loves Saxon and he loves her. But they never really got to tell each other that. After Casey gets free, I'm not surprised she has the thoughts she does. And then there was that "Besides. . . ." when Vivian was gloating! So now my mind is racing and I want answers! At least I know the questions this time!
A very fitting end, and one that spawns another series about Casey and her brothers. I hope to get my hands on them too.
Thank you, Ms Dawes, for writing these books, I've thoroughly enjoyed delving into this world.
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 5 in the Helheim Wolf Pack series, the last book and you do NEED to have read the other books before this one. This one pulls everything together but not everything important is recapped.
I found this one a much darker read than the others. The others are graphic and explicit but I thought this one was so much MORE. The violence Vivian expends to get what she wants is described in great detail, what she does and what she has others do. This is the only reason I gave it. . .oh . . no. . .wait, there is ANOTHER reason. Let me try that again! This is ONE of the reasons I gave it 4 stars. Oh but she does get her comeuppance, she really does!
Saxon is captured and Casey allows herself to be taken, on the condition Saxon is freed. Yeah, right, we did not see that one being double-crossed by Vivian! Vivian breaks Casey, she really does, physically and emotionally. It's painful reading, not just the physical stuff, but when Casey comes to terms with what Vivian does to her, what it means for her future, what it means she can never be. And then. . .not yet. . .I'll say soon.
Across the other side of the story, Brax, who left Rhett a while ago because he was addicted to Indi's bite, has to fetch a new pack member who affects him, and his wolf, deeply. But Andrea is damaged, both inside and out, and she doesn't think anyone will want her now her abusive ex has marked her as he did. Besides, all men are gonna hurt her, so she steers clear. When said ex gets too close, Brax and Drae bond, and when they do? Oh it's so beautiful, their bonding, it really is. Said ex also gets his comeuppance, but not quite how I thought he would!
Back to what Vivian does to break Casey emotionally. This is the other reason I gave it 4 stars. Casey loves Saxon and he loves her. But they never really got to tell each other that. After Casey gets free, I'm not surprised she has the thoughts she does. And then there was that "Besides. . . ." when Vivian was gloating! So now my mind is racing and I want answers! At least I know the questions this time!
A very fitting end, and one that spawns another series about Casey and her brothers. I hope to get my hands on them too.
Thank you, Ms Dawes, for writing these books, I've thoroughly enjoyed delving into this world.
4 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
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Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Remember Me (Where There's Love #1) in Books
Mar 15, 2019
Can we ever forget someone we love?
She does not remember who he is.
And yet, her heart recognizes him.
By all means, Jena leads an average, ordinary life.
Working as a waitress, she shares an apartment with Abby, her best friend from college, dreams of being a columnist and spends many waking hours arguing with her brother.
Until one day, when a stranger walks into the restaurant looking for her.
Seemingly desperate to talk to her, he always disappears before Jena can find out who he is and what he wants. However, their paths cross again and again, and soon, Jena feels certain that she once knew the man who is desperately trying to remind her of something she seems to have forgotten.
Their love.
Bree Wolf has done it once again. This is an absolutely gripping novel. This story is full of twists and turns; filled with a bit of mystery and suspense. I absolutely love the way the author brings the characters to life in the pages. I was absolutely gripped and love how it was all brought together at the end. I will not risk saying more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Highly recommend reading this.
I received this copy for free but this is my honest voluntary review.
She does not remember who he is.
And yet, her heart recognizes him.
By all means, Jena leads an average, ordinary life.
Working as a waitress, she shares an apartment with Abby, her best friend from college, dreams of being a columnist and spends many waking hours arguing with her brother.
Until one day, when a stranger walks into the restaurant looking for her.
Seemingly desperate to talk to her, he always disappears before Jena can find out who he is and what he wants. However, their paths cross again and again, and soon, Jena feels certain that she once knew the man who is desperately trying to remind her of something she seems to have forgotten.
Their love.
Bree Wolf has done it once again. This is an absolutely gripping novel. This story is full of twists and turns; filled with a bit of mystery and suspense. I absolutely love the way the author brings the characters to life in the pages. I was absolutely gripped and love how it was all brought together at the end. I will not risk saying more as I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
Highly recommend reading this.
I received this copy for free but this is my honest voluntary review.
Ande Thomas (69 KP) rated White Fang in Books
May 30, 2019
I appreciate this book; I just don't like it.
Jack London is a unique breed. His voice is so distant, so separated from the subjects in his stories. In short bursts (<i>To Build a Fire</i>) it works for me - there's a beauty in watching the action unfold from such a distance. So too is there a beauty in the way White Fang is portrayed in this book. With an absolute minimum of anthropomorphism, we can see and feel what White Fang experiences. This isn't a cartoon version of a wolf-turned-man's-best-friend. The animals don't talk, don't even think in the way we're accustomed to their thoughts when we try to imagine what goes through their minds. White Fang is a dog; nothing more. It just so happens that we hear the story from his perspective.
But. While I appreciate that sort of perspective, one I wouldn't dream of finding from any other author, I still found myself speeding through the book, and not out of excitement. I just wanted to get it done and move on. The dissociation from the characters, though necessary, can only get you so far. Eventually it dissociated me from the story itself. I'll always maintain that I like Jack London. I just...maybe...won't re-read him.
Jack London is a unique breed. His voice is so distant, so separated from the subjects in his stories. In short bursts (<i>To Build a Fire</i>) it works for me - there's a beauty in watching the action unfold from such a distance. So too is there a beauty in the way White Fang is portrayed in this book. With an absolute minimum of anthropomorphism, we can see and feel what White Fang experiences. This isn't a cartoon version of a wolf-turned-man's-best-friend. The animals don't talk, don't even think in the way we're accustomed to their thoughts when we try to imagine what goes through their minds. White Fang is a dog; nothing more. It just so happens that we hear the story from his perspective.
But. While I appreciate that sort of perspective, one I wouldn't dream of finding from any other author, I still found myself speeding through the book, and not out of excitement. I just wanted to get it done and move on. The dissociation from the characters, though necessary, can only get you so far. Eventually it dissociated me from the story itself. I'll always maintain that I like Jack London. I just...maybe...won't re-read him.
Merissa (12066 KP) rated The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha #2) in Books
Jun 3, 2019
The Bringer of Wrath (The King & Alpha #2) by A.E. Via
The Bringer of Wrath is the second book in The Alpha and the King series, and it absolutely needs to be read in order! If you don't, you won't get the full benefit from this book, including the nuances between the characters.
This book continues where book one, Prophesy, finishes. Bell is an alpha vampire, Lord High to the King, and is in no way subservient. Alek is an alpha too, and the Alpha Zenith's Second. Alek and Bell have some teething troubles as they try to find their balance. Alek also doesn't think he is good enough for Bell, as he is 'broken' - quite literally as it happens. Alek has two other distinct entities living with him - Wolf and Wrath. I loved how these were quite obviously different, and also how Bell coped with that.
This was a fantastic story that not only gives you Alek and Bell's story, but also gives you further insight into the overall story arc. Very well written, and 100% enjoyable, I have no hesitation in recommending this book, although that is on the proviso you read book one first!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book continues where book one, Prophesy, finishes. Bell is an alpha vampire, Lord High to the King, and is in no way subservient. Alek is an alpha too, and the Alpha Zenith's Second. Alek and Bell have some teething troubles as they try to find their balance. Alek also doesn't think he is good enough for Bell, as he is 'broken' - quite literally as it happens. Alek has two other distinct entities living with him - Wolf and Wrath. I loved how these were quite obviously different, and also how Bell coped with that.
This was a fantastic story that not only gives you Alek and Bell's story, but also gives you further insight into the overall story arc. Very well written, and 100% enjoyable, I have no hesitation in recommending this book, although that is on the proviso you read book one first!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
ArecRain (8 KP) rated The Frenzy in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This is the worst book I have read since Douglas's Wolf Tales. This book is just so terrible in so many ways that I can't even think of and good way to go about stating how much I didn't enjoy this novel.
I guess I should start with the writing style. Was there was nothing grammatically wrong with Block's style, it was about as interesting as watching mud dry. The novel is in first person narrative, which can always go downhill fast. I should have known from the first page that I wouldn't enjoy it. I think it would have been a lot better had it not been so choppy. However, it felt like half the novel was written as an aside to the real story.
The second would be the story line. It was annoying, uncreative, and so ridiculously obvious that I had the whole novel figured out only a few chapters in. I had mixed feelings about a lot of the topics going on like Pace committing suicide in concerns with Michael, Liv's relationship with her parents, and Victor wanting Liv as his bride. The entire novel felt shallow and superficial.
In all honesty, I felt terrible after reading this book. It put me in a dark mood for some many reasons, I feel that I can't even justify my emotions with words.
I guess I should start with the writing style. Was there was nothing grammatically wrong with Block's style, it was about as interesting as watching mud dry. The novel is in first person narrative, which can always go downhill fast. I should have known from the first page that I wouldn't enjoy it. I think it would have been a lot better had it not been so choppy. However, it felt like half the novel was written as an aside to the real story.
The second would be the story line. It was annoying, uncreative, and so ridiculously obvious that I had the whole novel figured out only a few chapters in. I had mixed feelings about a lot of the topics going on like Pace committing suicide in concerns with Michael, Liv's relationship with her parents, and Victor wanting Liv as his bride. The entire novel felt shallow and superficial.
In all honesty, I felt terrible after reading this book. It put me in a dark mood for some many reasons, I feel that I can't even justify my emotions with words.
BT
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