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Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated 1922 (2017) in Movies
Oct 20, 2017
Excellent screenplay from a great short story (1 more)
Thomas Jane is amazing
Just a good old fashioned ghost story
I try not to put too much stock in Netflix produced Horror Films. I Am The Pretty Thing... Was not so great, and prior King offering Gerald's Game could've been better.
But they got this one right. It was creepy as shit.
A true slow burn o a movie, it drags a little in the beginning, but the slow spiral downward in to true dread for Jane's character is felt by audience members.
A true story of a man's slow decent into insanity and desperation that makes only the most heartfelt viewer feels for poor ol' Wilf.
All in all, this is a good offering by Netflix. I hope they follow it up with something just as good.
Dread is as good as fear when it comes to the horror genre. And dread is what this makes you feel.
But they got this one right. It was creepy as shit.
A true slow burn o a movie, it drags a little in the beginning, but the slow spiral downward in to true dread for Jane's character is felt by audience members.
A true story of a man's slow decent into insanity and desperation that makes only the most heartfelt viewer feels for poor ol' Wilf.
All in all, this is a good offering by Netflix. I hope they follow it up with something just as good.
Dread is as good as fear when it comes to the horror genre. And dread is what this makes you feel.

Chelsea (449 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Sep 7, 2017
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.

Erika (17789 KP) rated Occupied (Okkupert)- Season 1 in TV
Mar 2, 2019 (Updated Mar 2, 2019)
When I read that Jo Nesbo had created a television series, I was all in. Nesbo is one of my favorite authors.
When Norway is the first country to move to using all green energy, the rest of the world, specifically countries that rely heavily on oil, try to convince the government to stop the move. When the PM of Norway refuses, Russia invades Norway. This series covers a month at a time, and features several characters in the government, as well as a journalist.
At first, this invasion is seen as temporary and friendly, but when everything starts to turn more sinister, the more interesting the show becomes. The show is mostly in Norwegian, with some portions in English, but the translation seems to be spot on.
Overall, an engaging series, and I can't wait to watch season 2. It is a little creepy that this invasion completely seems like it could happen in real life.
When Norway is the first country to move to using all green energy, the rest of the world, specifically countries that rely heavily on oil, try to convince the government to stop the move. When the PM of Norway refuses, Russia invades Norway. This series covers a month at a time, and features several characters in the government, as well as a journalist.
At first, this invasion is seen as temporary and friendly, but when everything starts to turn more sinister, the more interesting the show becomes. The show is mostly in Norwegian, with some portions in English, but the translation seems to be spot on.
Overall, an engaging series, and I can't wait to watch season 2. It is a little creepy that this invasion completely seems like it could happen in real life.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Stephen King adaptation is a serviceable tale warning against meddling with the primal forces of life and death; also about the importance of correct spelling. Starts with the usual horror film trope of a nice family moving to the peaceful countryside and having horrible experiences; this time they concern an ancient burial ground out the back of the house with the power to reanimate corpses buried there - sounds great for when the family pet gets run over, but is it really such a good idea?
Benefits greatly from a strong performance from Jason Clarke as one of King's Everyman protagonists, driven into very bad choices; John Lithgow is also good value as the neighbourhood's Creepy Exposition Yokel. The pacing is a bit skewed, but the film digs profitably into ideas of grief and madness, although some may find it tough to watch in a not-very-fun way due to some of the subject matter. A competent and enjoyable piece of high-class schlock.
Benefits greatly from a strong performance from Jason Clarke as one of King's Everyman protagonists, driven into very bad choices; John Lithgow is also good value as the neighbourhood's Creepy Exposition Yokel. The pacing is a bit skewed, but the film digs profitably into ideas of grief and madness, although some may find it tough to watch in a not-very-fun way due to some of the subject matter. A competent and enjoyable piece of high-class schlock.

MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) in Movies
May 8, 2019
I've been looking forward to this one since it was announced. While I know the story is being told from Liz's perspective, I have to admit I found it strange that we didn't get to see any of the murders being committed by one of the most famous serial killers of all time. It's an interesting take on a story most people already know.
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?
Zac Efron was excellent, as was the rest of the cast (Jim Parsons can do no wrong), but the movie does drag just a bit, and I feel like some of Efron's talent is wasted here. They definitely could have done more with him. That said, he was the perfect mix of creepy and charming, and when they show the actual Bundy footage during the end credits, you realize how close Efron's performance comes to the actual man.
Overall I thought it was good, but could maybe have been better.
Oh, and also? I'll never be mad at Zac Efron's....backside. ?

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Hazel Wood in Books
Mar 2, 2018
A little too over the top
I think I completely lost the plot trying to follow this fairytale within a fairytale. A modern day version of a Brothers Grimm-style folklore, the story follows Alice, who is trying to find her missing mother, and discovers that all is not what it seems.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.
The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.
While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Shining in Books
Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Another King masterpiece
I'm ashamed to say that I've only just read The Shining for the first time, and I'm regretting taking so long to get around to it.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.

Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Dog in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I enjoyed this short story more than it seems others did. I don't know anything about Mexican culture and so I cannot understand the inaccuracies in this book, but I wholeheartedly understand the difficulties people will have with this novella if they are aware of true Mexican culture. For me this was purely fictional, the comments about Mexico didn't settle in my head as correct or accurate, I'd only take things as true if this was non-fiction or a documentary, though I'm always still happy to be corrected and to learn!
A creepy novella that I found fun to read. I wasn't so keen on all the sudden turn of events. The beginning of the story was drawn out and really let you into the narrators life whereas it just seemed to get rushed towards the end.
Thrilling and different. It was a nice change to the things I'm used to reading.
A creepy novella that I found fun to read. I wasn't so keen on all the sudden turn of events. The beginning of the story was drawn out and really let you into the narrators life whereas it just seemed to get rushed towards the end.
Thrilling and different. It was a nice change to the things I'm used to reading.

Dean (6927 KP) rated the Xbox version of The Suffering in Video Games
Aug 26, 2018
Original ideas (1 more)
Cool enemy design
Great Survival Horror
Until I played this game the only survival Horror games I had played were some of the early Resident Evil games. This was actually a very good and very creepy game. One of the first that used a flashlight mode I think? A lot of the game had you wondering what was going to be around the next corner.
Set in a prison after being found guilty of killing his family. You have to try and escape as some creatures have taken over the prison. Along the way you can help others or not... The decisions affected flashbacks towards the events that happened. You could also use your anger to turn into a a mini Hulk rage type creature yourself. It was a big game taking a long time to complete as well.
For the time a lot of the ideas were quite new and original.
Set in a prison after being found guilty of killing his family. You have to try and escape as some creatures have taken over the prison. Along the way you can help others or not... The decisions affected flashbacks towards the events that happened. You could also use your anger to turn into a a mini Hulk rage type creature yourself. It was a big game taking a long time to complete as well.
For the time a lot of the ideas were quite new and original.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) in Movies
Oct 11, 2018
One of the best slasher films
Like Scream, this is by far one of the best slasher films and is one of my all time favourites. I grew up watching films like this - I may have only been 10 when it first came out in 1997, but my parents weren’t too fussy about renting me these sorts of films - and it was almost mandatory to watch this at every teenage sleepover at high school.
It has a great young and popular cast (back when Jennifer Love Hewitt was good) with a fantastic soundtrack. And not only that, the plot is actually pretty intriguing and even now some of the scenes are pretty scary and creepy - the one in the deserted department store still creeps me out. I’ve always loved the fact that this film plays on the classic urban legend of the man with a hook for a hand, as that was always one of my favourites. They really don’t make slasher films like this anymore.
It has a great young and popular cast (back when Jennifer Love Hewitt was good) with a fantastic soundtrack. And not only that, the plot is actually pretty intriguing and even now some of the scenes are pretty scary and creepy - the one in the deserted department store still creeps me out. I’ve always loved the fact that this film plays on the classic urban legend of the man with a hook for a hand, as that was always one of my favourites. They really don’t make slasher films like this anymore.