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Liberty Boston (93 KP) rated Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel in Books
Mar 15, 2021
It's a very sad thing when the book you were so excited about lets you down. Such is the case with Hocus Pocus & The All-New Sequel. The book, written by A. W. Jantha is split into two parts.
Then.
Now.
Then is a novelization of the movie which I very much enjoyed. 90 percent of the dialogue is taken directly from the movie while there's just enough added detail to give the characters some new depth and set up for the second half of the book.
Now: the second half of the book, the sequel was...
well, It was disappointing.
How?
First, there's the bizarre jump from third person to first and later second POV.
It just throws you into Poppy's world with minimal backstory on who she is and why we should like her or her friends, Travis and Isabella.
Secondly, the characters are STUPID!
Stupid choices left, right, and, center.
As a writer, I understand there needs to be some way to kickstart the conflict but going to the Sanderson house has danger written all over it.
Oh, let's talk about the Sandersons,
The witches are back in all their evil glory with added sister Elizabeth who turned her back on the family legacy of darkness.
Then there's their mother. Their mother who they could not shut up about. Mother this and Mother that.
All the hype got me excited about Sanderson's sister's flashbacks. Backstory. Entire chapters dedicated to them.
it didn't happen.
I was treated to brief remembrances but no backstory.
Then the Mother who was so hyped up made a one chapter appearance before going kersplat.
WHAT WAS THE POINT??
You don't hype a character that much for them to do NOTHING.
The book gets by on nostalgia alone.
Don't even get me started on the bizarre and unneeded cliffhanger.
Very sad.
Then.
Now.
Then is a novelization of the movie which I very much enjoyed. 90 percent of the dialogue is taken directly from the movie while there's just enough added detail to give the characters some new depth and set up for the second half of the book.
Now: the second half of the book, the sequel was...
well, It was disappointing.
How?
First, there's the bizarre jump from third person to first and later second POV.
It just throws you into Poppy's world with minimal backstory on who she is and why we should like her or her friends, Travis and Isabella.
Secondly, the characters are STUPID!
Stupid choices left, right, and, center.
As a writer, I understand there needs to be some way to kickstart the conflict but going to the Sanderson house has danger written all over it.
Oh, let's talk about the Sandersons,
The witches are back in all their evil glory with added sister Elizabeth who turned her back on the family legacy of darkness.
Then there's their mother. Their mother who they could not shut up about. Mother this and Mother that.
All the hype got me excited about Sanderson's sister's flashbacks. Backstory. Entire chapters dedicated to them.
it didn't happen.
I was treated to brief remembrances but no backstory.
Then the Mother who was so hyped up made a one chapter appearance before going kersplat.
WHAT WAS THE POINT??
You don't hype a character that much for them to do NOTHING.
The book gets by on nostalgia alone.
Don't even get me started on the bizarre and unneeded cliffhanger.
Very sad.

ClareR (5933 KP) rated Pippo and Clara in Books
Apr 16, 2021
Pippo and Clara begins in 1938, in Italy. Mussolini is in power and WW2 is imminent. The Fascists have control of the country, but not necessarily the people, and the Italian Communists are fighting back.
Pippo and Clara arrive in the city with their mother after their Romany father is murdered. One morning their mother gets up early to buy food and doesn’t return. Clara goes to look for her, turning right at the entrance to their building; later Pippo awakens and goes to look for his mother and Clara, turning left at the entrance. This change in direction means the children don’t see one another for a long time.
Luckily, they are each adopted into families (unofficially) who love and care for them - Clara’s family are Fascists, Pippo’s are Communists.
This was such an emotional story. It wasn’t just what happened to these children, it was the bigger picture as well. When the inevitable happens and the Germans occupy Italy, Jews are rounded up and taken away, people fear for their freedom and their lives.
It was fascinating to read about the Freedom Fighters (Partisans) and their acts of espionage, as well as how they fought back. This included even those who had been fascists under Mussolini’s regime.
There’s so much to talk about in this book (perfect for a book club, I should think!), but I won’t spoil it. Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and was thoroughly heartbroken by the end. Any book about war is going to have tragic elements, but this is about hope as well, and the fact that good can, and did, overcome evil.
Another recommendation for the historical fiction fans. It’s a fabulous novel.
Pippo and Clara arrive in the city with their mother after their Romany father is murdered. One morning their mother gets up early to buy food and doesn’t return. Clara goes to look for her, turning right at the entrance to their building; later Pippo awakens and goes to look for his mother and Clara, turning left at the entrance. This change in direction means the children don’t see one another for a long time.
Luckily, they are each adopted into families (unofficially) who love and care for them - Clara’s family are Fascists, Pippo’s are Communists.
This was such an emotional story. It wasn’t just what happened to these children, it was the bigger picture as well. When the inevitable happens and the Germans occupy Italy, Jews are rounded up and taken away, people fear for their freedom and their lives.
It was fascinating to read about the Freedom Fighters (Partisans) and their acts of espionage, as well as how they fought back. This included even those who had been fascists under Mussolini’s regime.
There’s so much to talk about in this book (perfect for a book club, I should think!), but I won’t spoil it. Needless to say, I really enjoyed it and was thoroughly heartbroken by the end. Any book about war is going to have tragic elements, but this is about hope as well, and the fact that good can, and did, overcome evil.
Another recommendation for the historical fiction fans. It’s a fabulous novel.

Brendan Benson recommended track Louie Louie by Toots & The Maytals in Funky Kingston/In the Dark by Toots & The Maytals in Music (curated)

Jeff Nichols recommended Hud (1963) in Movies (curated)

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Magic Born (The Guardian #2) in Books
May 5, 2021
57 of 250
Kindle
Magic Born ( The Guardians book 2)
By Rayanne Haines
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Maria Del Voscova is a powerful witch with a past. When she’s asked to become a member of the elite Guardians she knows she can’t risk sharing the truth about her messed-up family. But we don’t always get what we want. Sometimes, we don’t always know what we want.
Though Mar absolutely knows she doesn’t want Neeren, King of the Parthen. She alone sees the darkness in him and it reminds her too much of the past. She knows better than to fall for his stoic, tortured soul façade.
She’s training to be a Guardian, a shadow; tasked with keeping the balance between good and evil in the world. It’s what she wants—to be better than her family was.
But the past has a way of catching up to Mar and the future has a morbid sense of humor. On her first mission, she’s kidnapped by the enemy she’s been running from her entire life. Thankfully the guardians look after their own. As it turns out, so does Neeren.
As Mar finds herself caught between the past and the future; between blood and bond; between the light and the dark, she realizes her only chance at surviving may be in trusting a man who is the most dangerous of them all.
This was so much better than the first book! I love Nareen and Maria’s story. Poor Maria I think everything the author could possibly think of was thrown at this witch and she still fought through Everything. Although I did like the 1st book this one just had more fight to it. I’m looking forward to reading about Quinn and her part to play in all this.
Kindle
Magic Born ( The Guardians book 2)
By Rayanne Haines
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Maria Del Voscova is a powerful witch with a past. When she’s asked to become a member of the elite Guardians she knows she can’t risk sharing the truth about her messed-up family. But we don’t always get what we want. Sometimes, we don’t always know what we want.
Though Mar absolutely knows she doesn’t want Neeren, King of the Parthen. She alone sees the darkness in him and it reminds her too much of the past. She knows better than to fall for his stoic, tortured soul façade.
She’s training to be a Guardian, a shadow; tasked with keeping the balance between good and evil in the world. It’s what she wants—to be better than her family was.
But the past has a way of catching up to Mar and the future has a morbid sense of humor. On her first mission, she’s kidnapped by the enemy she’s been running from her entire life. Thankfully the guardians look after their own. As it turns out, so does Neeren.
As Mar finds herself caught between the past and the future; between blood and bond; between the light and the dark, she realizes her only chance at surviving may be in trusting a man who is the most dangerous of them all.
This was so much better than the first book! I love Nareen and Maria’s story. Poor Maria I think everything the author could possibly think of was thrown at this witch and she still fought through Everything. Although I did like the 1st book this one just had more fight to it. I’m looking forward to reading about Quinn and her part to play in all this.

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Flawed Angel (The Fall #1) in Books
Sep 7, 2020
162 of 200
Kindle
Flawed Angel ( The Fall book 1)
By J.J. Dean
When war breaks out between the angels, Luna Grayson finds herself with a one way ticket to exile. Thrown off her pedestal next to her creator and banished to live her eternal life among the humans she so admired, Luna crash lands on Earth as punishment for refusing to choose between God and Lucifer.
Since her banishment, Luna has lived through multitude of eras, trends and countless changes the world has made since Falling. She's also spent most of her existence on Earth alone, her café owning best friend and Brutus the horse sized dog her only exceptions.
Content on blending amongst the flawed humans with her only friend by her side, it comes as a huge surprise when her life is invaded by four angels all with an agenda: to finally make her choose. With another war on the horizon, the angels are sent from both sides to convince her to pick between Heaven or Hell, the four angels tasked with coaxing Luna to their side. Only, they didn't consider that Luna's first choice would be her only.
Luna's life on Earth quickly finds itself threatened by outside sources, both good and evil determined to drag the fallen angel to their side. Despite their efforts, Luna is determined to remain on Earth, for the humans aren't the only beings who are flawed. And Luna is perfectly happy being a Flawed Angel.
I really really enjoyed this book! It had a good strong female lead some super hunky men and sexual tension you could cut with a knife! The writing style flowed so nicely! I enjoyed the whole heaven and hell fighting for her support especially now she’s become more powerful. I think as the series goes on it will get a lot better!
Kindle
Flawed Angel ( The Fall book 1)
By J.J. Dean
When war breaks out between the angels, Luna Grayson finds herself with a one way ticket to exile. Thrown off her pedestal next to her creator and banished to live her eternal life among the humans she so admired, Luna crash lands on Earth as punishment for refusing to choose between God and Lucifer.
Since her banishment, Luna has lived through multitude of eras, trends and countless changes the world has made since Falling. She's also spent most of her existence on Earth alone, her café owning best friend and Brutus the horse sized dog her only exceptions.
Content on blending amongst the flawed humans with her only friend by her side, it comes as a huge surprise when her life is invaded by four angels all with an agenda: to finally make her choose. With another war on the horizon, the angels are sent from both sides to convince her to pick between Heaven or Hell, the four angels tasked with coaxing Luna to their side. Only, they didn't consider that Luna's first choice would be her only.
Luna's life on Earth quickly finds itself threatened by outside sources, both good and evil determined to drag the fallen angel to their side. Despite their efforts, Luna is determined to remain on Earth, for the humans aren't the only beings who are flawed. And Luna is perfectly happy being a Flawed Angel.
I really really enjoyed this book! It had a good strong female lead some super hunky men and sexual tension you could cut with a knife! The writing style flowed so nicely! I enjoyed the whole heaven and hell fighting for her support especially now she’s become more powerful. I think as the series goes on it will get a lot better!

Kim Pook (101 KP) rated I Am Mother (2019) in Movies
Sep 15, 2020
Humans have become extinct. All that's left behind are thousands of human embryos and a robot. This robot defrost an embryo and the only human left to exist is born. The robot raises the child as if its her own, and is known only as daughter which believe me gets annoying to hear mother says it practically every sentence.
Anyway fast forward a few years and daughter is a teenager and becoming very inquisitive about the outside world. This starts when a mouse gets into the facility, upon this mouse being destroyed by mother, daughter explores the facility one evening whilst mother is powered down and she hears a voice from outside shouting for help, it turns out to be another human, what!?! She let's her in and after an argument with mother for doing so, mother agrees to help the stranger but the woman - seing and experiencing the outside world refuses help, she doesn't trust mother at all. You see it turns out there are other droids identical to mother, but they are evil and tear people away from their families. It's little wonder she doesn't trust mother but is she right to be suspicious? You'll have to watch and see.
Now I'm not usually a Sci fi fan but this movie isn't actually all that bad, the fact that mother sounds more human than android you do feel like there's a real connection between mother and daughter, even right at the end.
Throughout the movie I kept feeling torn between trusting mother or the stranger, I did lean more towards the stranger but I did feel for mother too. It was a complete mind bender and messed with you right to the very end.
Anyway fast forward a few years and daughter is a teenager and becoming very inquisitive about the outside world. This starts when a mouse gets into the facility, upon this mouse being destroyed by mother, daughter explores the facility one evening whilst mother is powered down and she hears a voice from outside shouting for help, it turns out to be another human, what!?! She let's her in and after an argument with mother for doing so, mother agrees to help the stranger but the woman - seing and experiencing the outside world refuses help, she doesn't trust mother at all. You see it turns out there are other droids identical to mother, but they are evil and tear people away from their families. It's little wonder she doesn't trust mother but is she right to be suspicious? You'll have to watch and see.
Now I'm not usually a Sci fi fan but this movie isn't actually all that bad, the fact that mother sounds more human than android you do feel like there's a real connection between mother and daughter, even right at the end.
Throughout the movie I kept feeling torn between trusting mother or the stranger, I did lean more towards the stranger but I did feel for mother too. It was a complete mind bender and messed with you right to the very end.

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Born of Hatred (The Hellequin Chronicles #2) in Books
Dec 5, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
201
Kindle
Born of Hatred ( The Hellequin chronicles book 2)
By Steve McHugh
There was a time when Nathan Garrett was feared. When the mention of his name was enough to stop his enemies in their tracks. That time has long since passed.
When Nathan's friend asks for help investigating a pattern of horrific crimes, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to a serial killer who is something more, or less, than human, a creature of pure malevolence and hatred.
There are some things that even a 1600-year-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge. But when evil targets those Nathan cares about, his enemies will discover exactly who Nathan used to be. And why they will learn to fear him once more.
Born of Hatred is an action-packed, Urban Fantasy set in modern-day England with historical flashbacks to late nineteenth century Montana. It's the second book of the Hellequin Chronicles, following the widely praised Crimes Against Magic, which introduced sorcerer Nathan Garrett. I did t think I could enjoy the second as much as the first, I was so wrong!
Loved it!! Written by a Brit the character is English it’s set in England and what’s not to love about Nate!! I love the bloke he’s powerful and funny! This one be brings Hades and Persephone In to the picture and I absolutely love all Hades parts in books! The werewolf pack are brilliant, Tommy and Kasey are great I even warmed to Olivia!! Shame about the romance not working out but a mere mortal isn’t enough for our Nate! The big bad was really chilling along with his ghouls and the barren! We are one step closer to finding the assholes in Avalon. Brilliant read! Ooo and yes the Hellequin is back!!!
Kindle
Born of Hatred ( The Hellequin chronicles book 2)
By Steve McHugh
There was a time when Nathan Garrett was feared. When the mention of his name was enough to stop his enemies in their tracks. That time has long since passed.
When Nathan's friend asks for help investigating a pattern of horrific crimes, he reluctantly agrees. But his investigation leads to a serial killer who is something more, or less, than human, a creature of pure malevolence and hatred.
There are some things that even a 1600-year-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge. But when evil targets those Nathan cares about, his enemies will discover exactly who Nathan used to be. And why they will learn to fear him once more.
Born of Hatred is an action-packed, Urban Fantasy set in modern-day England with historical flashbacks to late nineteenth century Montana. It's the second book of the Hellequin Chronicles, following the widely praised Crimes Against Magic, which introduced sorcerer Nathan Garrett. I did t think I could enjoy the second as much as the first, I was so wrong!
Loved it!! Written by a Brit the character is English it’s set in England and what’s not to love about Nate!! I love the bloke he’s powerful and funny! This one be brings Hades and Persephone In to the picture and I absolutely love all Hades parts in books! The werewolf pack are brilliant, Tommy and Kasey are great I even warmed to Olivia!! Shame about the romance not working out but a mere mortal isn’t enough for our Nate! The big bad was really chilling along with his ghouls and the barren! We are one step closer to finding the assholes in Avalon. Brilliant read! Ooo and yes the Hellequin is back!!!

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Hocus Pocus (1993) in Movies
Oct 28, 2020
Halloween Classic (2 more)
Bette Middler
Sarah Jessica Parker
Witches In Town
This was the first time i ever saw "Hocus Pocus" and i thought it was great. A halloween classic. You have witches, trick or treating, candy, cat, and more. Its a classic.
The plot: After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.
It was not a critical or commercial success upon its release, possibly losing Disney around $16.5 million during its theatrical run. However, largely through annual airings on Disney Channel and Freeform (formerly ABC Family), Hocus Pocus has been rediscovered by audiences, resulting in a yearly spike in home video sales of the film every Halloween season that has helped make it a cult classic.
Various rewrites were made to the script to make the film more comedic and made two of its young protagonists into teenagers; however, production was stalled several times until 1992, when Bette Midler expressed interest in the script and the project immediately went forward.
Midler, who plays the central antagonist of the film (originally written for Cloris Leachman), is quoted as saying that Hocus Pocus "was the most fun I'd had in my career up to that point.
Leonardo DiCaprio was originally offered the lead role of Max, but declined it in order to pursue What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Like i said before its a halloween classic.
The plot: After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches' book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.
It was not a critical or commercial success upon its release, possibly losing Disney around $16.5 million during its theatrical run. However, largely through annual airings on Disney Channel and Freeform (formerly ABC Family), Hocus Pocus has been rediscovered by audiences, resulting in a yearly spike in home video sales of the film every Halloween season that has helped make it a cult classic.
Various rewrites were made to the script to make the film more comedic and made two of its young protagonists into teenagers; however, production was stalled several times until 1992, when Bette Midler expressed interest in the script and the project immediately went forward.
Midler, who plays the central antagonist of the film (originally written for Cloris Leachman), is quoted as saying that Hocus Pocus "was the most fun I'd had in my career up to that point.
Leonardo DiCaprio was originally offered the lead role of Max, but declined it in order to pursue What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Like i said before its a halloween classic.

Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Silent Hill (2006) in Movies
Oct 28, 2020 (Updated Oct 28, 2020)
Radha Mitchell (4 more)
Sean Bean
Laurie Holden
Jodelle Ferland
Deborah Kara Unger
The Evil Within
Silent Hill- is a great movie. Its a great movie based off of a video game. One of my favorite movies based off of a video game. Maybe even my favorite. The atmosphere, the visuals, the horror, the charcters, Pyramid Head, does a excellent job knowing the atmosphere of silent hill and the video game itself.
The plot: Unable to accept the fact that her daughter is dying, Rose (Radha Mitchell) decides to take the girl to a faith healer. On the way, the pair drive through a portal in reality, leading to an eerie town called Silent Hill. The town is surrounded by a potent darkness, and the human survivors fight a losing battle against it.
Development of Silent Hill began in the early 2000s. After attempting to gain the film rights to Silent Hill for five years, Gans sent a video interview to them explaining his plans for adapting Silent Hill and how important the games are to him. Konami awarded him the film rights as a result.
Director Christophe Gans attempted for five years to obtain the film rights to the Silent Hill series from Konami. He sent a video interview to them explaining his plans for adapting Silent Hill and how important the games are to him.
In order to maintain the feel of the games, Gans had the sound designer of the original Silent Hill, Akira Yamaoka, flown to the set several times. Additionally, Gans had a 40-inch television brought onto the set, to which he attached a PlayStation 2; Gans then played the original Silent Hill on the system so that the actors and cinematographers could see how Gans wanted to emulate various camera angles and movements.
Its a excellent movie and a must see.
The plot: Unable to accept the fact that her daughter is dying, Rose (Radha Mitchell) decides to take the girl to a faith healer. On the way, the pair drive through a portal in reality, leading to an eerie town called Silent Hill. The town is surrounded by a potent darkness, and the human survivors fight a losing battle against it.
Development of Silent Hill began in the early 2000s. After attempting to gain the film rights to Silent Hill for five years, Gans sent a video interview to them explaining his plans for adapting Silent Hill and how important the games are to him. Konami awarded him the film rights as a result.
Director Christophe Gans attempted for five years to obtain the film rights to the Silent Hill series from Konami. He sent a video interview to them explaining his plans for adapting Silent Hill and how important the games are to him.
In order to maintain the feel of the games, Gans had the sound designer of the original Silent Hill, Akira Yamaoka, flown to the set several times. Additionally, Gans had a 40-inch television brought onto the set, to which he attached a PlayStation 2; Gans then played the original Silent Hill on the system so that the actors and cinematographers could see how Gans wanted to emulate various camera angles and movements.
Its a excellent movie and a must see.