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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Zombeavers (2015) in Movies
Oct 21, 2020
Do you remember that bit in Scrubs where JD is trying so hard to not laugh at something that Sean Hayes' character says because he's cross with him, but let's out the smallest laugh and is then annoyed at himself? That's an accurate portrayal of the one time I found something funny in Zombeavers.
I enjoy a so-bad-it's-good film now and again - may I interest you in the culinary delights of Basket Case, or Maximum Overdrive perhaps? Hell, I'd even take The Wicker Man remake at this point - but Zombeavers is one of those films that thinks it's so-bad-it's-good when if fact it's just plain shite.
It would be a much easier film to enjoy if the characters weren't just completely awful assholes for the entire runtime. There is just no redeeming quality to any of them. I know that they are designed purely to die horrible deaths, but considering those parts don't happen for quite a time, it's a really grating and deeply unfunny experience.
By the time the horror hits, it's too hard to care anymore, and no amount of gratuitous nudity or silly gore can fix that.
I will acknowledge that it does step up a notch in the dying minutes when we get the human-beaver-zombie hybrids (with some pretty gross practical effects) and is the sole reason why this film went from a one to a two.
Big old pile of toss.
I enjoy a so-bad-it's-good film now and again - may I interest you in the culinary delights of Basket Case, or Maximum Overdrive perhaps? Hell, I'd even take The Wicker Man remake at this point - but Zombeavers is one of those films that thinks it's so-bad-it's-good when if fact it's just plain shite.
It would be a much easier film to enjoy if the characters weren't just completely awful assholes for the entire runtime. There is just no redeeming quality to any of them. I know that they are designed purely to die horrible deaths, but considering those parts don't happen for quite a time, it's a really grating and deeply unfunny experience.
By the time the horror hits, it's too hard to care anymore, and no amount of gratuitous nudity or silly gore can fix that.
I will acknowledge that it does step up a notch in the dying minutes when we get the human-beaver-zombie hybrids (with some pretty gross practical effects) and is the sole reason why this film went from a one to a two.
Big old pile of toss.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (AVP 2) (2007) in Movies
Jun 28, 2019
A shameless money grab
After the thoroughly underwhelming AVP, we are presented with Requiem, a film that's entices you with it's R rating (after the first films odd PG-13 rating), and it's clear to see why a lot of the advertising was centred around the R rating - because Requiem has little else to offer.
Both of these franchises are beloved, but unfortunately, the bad films have really started to outweigh the good - and Requiem is a film made purely to make money. There's no diving into the lore behind any of the past films, and instead the story is set in a small Colorado town, full of actors that I kind of recognise from various TV shows - which is fitting, because the film plays out like an episode of Dawson's Creek, just with lots of Aliens running around.
The staple violence of both series is present once again, however, it feels like the constant Gore is being thrown at you to distract you from the threadbare plot.
The (singular) Predator looks pretty good, however the Aliens are mostly shrouded in shadow, I don't recall seeing a full body shot of a Xenomorph at any point, and the Predator-Alien hybrid, again, is never really shown properly, and what we do see looks silly.
It's a pretty shoddy movie all in all, and this particular mash up is probably best left to books and graphic novels.
Both of these franchises are beloved, but unfortunately, the bad films have really started to outweigh the good - and Requiem is a film made purely to make money. There's no diving into the lore behind any of the past films, and instead the story is set in a small Colorado town, full of actors that I kind of recognise from various TV shows - which is fitting, because the film plays out like an episode of Dawson's Creek, just with lots of Aliens running around.
The staple violence of both series is present once again, however, it feels like the constant Gore is being thrown at you to distract you from the threadbare plot.
The (singular) Predator looks pretty good, however the Aliens are mostly shrouded in shadow, I don't recall seeing a full body shot of a Xenomorph at any point, and the Predator-Alien hybrid, again, is never really shown properly, and what we do see looks silly.
It's a pretty shoddy movie all in all, and this particular mash up is probably best left to books and graphic novels.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The New Girl in Books
Jan 23, 2022
After experiencing an horrific event whilst at university, Sophie has tried to re-build her life and put her past behind her. She is not happy at home and wants more from her life and when she is offered a job in London that sounds perfect and will give her the new start she is desperate for, she jumps at the chance but what's the saying "If it sounds too good to be true ... it probably is!"
Sophie is, in my opinion, a little naïve and pretty gullible. There were red flags and flashing warning signs everywhere but Sophie didn't seem to see them ... really??? A little implausible given her past, but I found the anticipation of how and when the penny would drop for her was quite engaging.
Full of interesting characters, well written and at a good pace, this is an enjoyable thriller with contemporary themes and whilst it isn't full of violence, blood or gore, there is a palpable sense of unease throughout. Some of the twists were quite obvious (to me anyway) and whilst the ending was satisfactory, the epilogue was disappointing in it's unrealistic outcome.
If you can get past the frustration of wanting to put your hands in the book and shake some sense into Sophie, this is an entertaining read and my thanks must go to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
Sophie is, in my opinion, a little naïve and pretty gullible. There were red flags and flashing warning signs everywhere but Sophie didn't seem to see them ... really??? A little implausible given her past, but I found the anticipation of how and when the penny would drop for her was quite engaging.
Full of interesting characters, well written and at a good pace, this is an enjoyable thriller with contemporary themes and whilst it isn't full of violence, blood or gore, there is a palpable sense of unease throughout. Some of the twists were quite obvious (to me anyway) and whilst the ending was satisfactory, the epilogue was disappointing in it's unrealistic outcome.
If you can get past the frustration of wanting to put your hands in the book and shake some sense into Sophie, this is an entertaining read and my thanks must go to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Honour of Rome (Cato and Macro #20)
7.0
Rate It
Book
A stunning novel of courage, camaraderie and deadly enemies from the Sunday Times bestselling author...
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Dead of Winter in Books
Feb 13, 2023
I have enjoyed a number of Stuart MacBride's books before; I enjoy his writing style, his dark sense of humour, twisty plots and excellent characters - The Dead of Winter is no different and I loved it.
DI Victoria Montgomery-Porter (also known as Bigtoria but don't let her hear you call her that!) and her underling, DC Edward Reekie are tasked with transporting a dying prisoner to spend his final days in the village of Glenfarach a 'special' village where ex-prisoners live when they can't be released back into full freedom. A straight-forward job I hear you say however it turns into anything but when a resident is found tortured to death and no one can get in or out as the weather closes in.
Full of dark humour, violence, gore and unsavoury characters along with a fast paced plot full of twists and turns, this was a book I really enjoyed. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, moments that make you wince and several "no way" moments that had me swiping my screen at a great rate of knots desperate to find out how it was all going to end but also not wanting it to.
It's all a bit crackers and not particularly plausible but I loved it from start to finish and I must thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Dead of Winter.
DI Victoria Montgomery-Porter (also known as Bigtoria but don't let her hear you call her that!) and her underling, DC Edward Reekie are tasked with transporting a dying prisoner to spend his final days in the village of Glenfarach a 'special' village where ex-prisoners live when they can't be released back into full freedom. A straight-forward job I hear you say however it turns into anything but when a resident is found tortured to death and no one can get in or out as the weather closes in.
Full of dark humour, violence, gore and unsavoury characters along with a fast paced plot full of twists and turns, this was a book I really enjoyed. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, moments that make you wince and several "no way" moments that had me swiping my screen at a great rate of knots desperate to find out how it was all going to end but also not wanting it to.
It's all a bit crackers and not particularly plausible but I loved it from start to finish and I must thank Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Dead of Winter.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996) in Movies
Mar 22, 2022
Honestly, I can't help but admire just how much batshit-crazy content is crammed into this film. The established lore from the first two movies is more or less out of the window by now, with the narrative concentrating on the guy who originally invented the lament configuration in the 1700s, and then subsequent members of his bloodline trying to stop hell on earth once in 1996, and then again in the distant future aboard a space station. Like I said, batshit.
It also happens to be stupidly entertaining. It never threatens to get boring at any point. Pinhead has been scaled back once again to a more menacing presence as opposed to his pantomime villain from Hellraiser III, and the new cenobites looks suitably evil and gross. Angelique (Valentina Vargas) is a great new villain to stand alongside Doug Bradley, and goes someway to making sure Bloodlines has its own identity. Hats off to Bruce Ramsay as well for effectively playing three separate characters. There's liberal splashings of decent and practically done gore, and the CG effects for the space station still hold up for the most part. There's really not a huge amount to complain about in my opinion, and I can't quite comprehend where the general disdain comes from.
Hellraiser IV is certainly not a perfect movie, and doesn't reach the lofty heights of the first two, but it does enough different to ensure its a memorable entry into the franchise.
It also happens to be stupidly entertaining. It never threatens to get boring at any point. Pinhead has been scaled back once again to a more menacing presence as opposed to his pantomime villain from Hellraiser III, and the new cenobites looks suitably evil and gross. Angelique (Valentina Vargas) is a great new villain to stand alongside Doug Bradley, and goes someway to making sure Bloodlines has its own identity. Hats off to Bruce Ramsay as well for effectively playing three separate characters. There's liberal splashings of decent and practically done gore, and the CG effects for the space station still hold up for the most part. There's really not a huge amount to complain about in my opinion, and I can't quite comprehend where the general disdain comes from.
Hellraiser IV is certainly not a perfect movie, and doesn't reach the lofty heights of the first two, but it does enough different to ensure its a memorable entry into the franchise.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Army of Darkness (1992) in Movies
May 29, 2022
I love The Evil Dead. It's gritty, low budget, scary as fuck. I love Evil Dead 2 for its perfect marriage of horror and slapstick comedy. I love Army of Darkness for just how fucking silly it is. The original three films of this franchise all have their own identity, and stand out as very different chapters of the same story. AoD is arguably the weirdest of the bunch, dropping all of the gore in favour of a medieval gateway-horror comedy, and it works a treat, thanks in no small part to some fantastic practical effects, and of course, Bruce Campbell. Campbells physical comedy chops are one of the highlights of Evil Dead 2, and those skills are put front and centre here. There are multiple sequences that are just brazenly ridiculous, and simply wouldn't work anywhere near as well if it was any other actor in the drivers seat. His commitment to the bit is wholly admirable. The practical work looks great for the most part, especially the army of skeletons that are introduced in the final third. Some signature style from Sam Raimi occasionally butts in to remind us that this is still an Evil Dead film, and there are some memorable monster and deadite designs to keep its foot firmly in the horror genre. Above all, AoD is just a whole load of fun that knows exactly what it is. Hail to the King baby.
Alice and her Knave (The Madness of Wonderland #1)
Book
It’s a dream, a hallucination…. Alice knew exactly what her future held and was determined to...
Dark Contemporary Fantasy Erotica TRIGGER WARNINGS: Profanity Sex
JT (287 KP) rated Session 9 (2001) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Looking back I’ve written a number of horror film reviews which, probably highlights what my favourite genre is? I’ve not been into torture porn or serious amounts of gore. I don’t mind it in small doses, but I prefer films that get under your skin – case in point, Session 9.
In order to satisfy the millennials the majority of horror films today get their thrills from cheap jump scares. But real terror comes from the things that we can relate to. Things that go ‘bump‘ in the night or the sense that we are being watched. This for me, is real terror. Directed by Brad Anderson, Session 9 embodies all of that to perfection.
Despite being made in 2001 and with a low return at the box office, it has been able to creep out audiences years later.
An asbestos cleaning crew are set the task of clearing the abandoned Danvers State Hospital, a job that needs to be done within a week. Company owner Gordon (Peter Mullan) has put a lot of pressure on his team, consisting of Mike (Stephen Gevedon), Phil (David Caruso), Hank (Josh Lucas), and Jeff (Brendan Sexton III), to meet the deadline and collect a bonus. It’s pressure that starts to spill over right from the off.
The hospital is creepy as hell and even in the daylight the crew are plunged into darkness, which doesn’t sit well with Jeff who has a serious case of nyctophobia. They also have to deal with in-fighting amongst the group. On top of the tight deadline Gordon is struggling with the stress of raising a newborn child and arguments with his wife have not helped matters and slowly he becomes dissociated from the group. Meanwhile Mike stumbles across some tapes (nine of them) which are session interviews with a former patient called Mary Hobbes who has multiple personalities, that over the course of each session start to come out.
Phil (David Caruso) & Jeff (Brendan Sexton III) investigate the depths of the hospital
Like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining – the location starts to take hold of each of the men, sending them spiraling into a world of personal madness. A number of subplots become interconnected the longer the film goes on and the pacing, while slow for some horror fans, is brilliantly orchestrated for those with patience. Despite being made in 2001 and with a low return at the box office, it has been able to creep out audiences years later.
What makes the film even more terrifying is the setting. The film was shot in the actual Danvers State Hospital so it needed little doing to it in terms of effects. The hospital was said to be the birth place of the prefrontal lobotomy (something which is referenced in the film), and part of me thinks that the fear on the actors faces as they walk the halls was in fact genuine terror. If that is the case then it only adds to the horror.
Session 9 will stay with you long after the credits. It doesn’t rely on heavy gore or CGI and builds tension with what you think you can see and at times – what you can’t.
In order to satisfy the millennials the majority of horror films today get their thrills from cheap jump scares. But real terror comes from the things that we can relate to. Things that go ‘bump‘ in the night or the sense that we are being watched. This for me, is real terror. Directed by Brad Anderson, Session 9 embodies all of that to perfection.
Despite being made in 2001 and with a low return at the box office, it has been able to creep out audiences years later.
An asbestos cleaning crew are set the task of clearing the abandoned Danvers State Hospital, a job that needs to be done within a week. Company owner Gordon (Peter Mullan) has put a lot of pressure on his team, consisting of Mike (Stephen Gevedon), Phil (David Caruso), Hank (Josh Lucas), and Jeff (Brendan Sexton III), to meet the deadline and collect a bonus. It’s pressure that starts to spill over right from the off.
The hospital is creepy as hell and even in the daylight the crew are plunged into darkness, which doesn’t sit well with Jeff who has a serious case of nyctophobia. They also have to deal with in-fighting amongst the group. On top of the tight deadline Gordon is struggling with the stress of raising a newborn child and arguments with his wife have not helped matters and slowly he becomes dissociated from the group. Meanwhile Mike stumbles across some tapes (nine of them) which are session interviews with a former patient called Mary Hobbes who has multiple personalities, that over the course of each session start to come out.
Phil (David Caruso) & Jeff (Brendan Sexton III) investigate the depths of the hospital
Like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining – the location starts to take hold of each of the men, sending them spiraling into a world of personal madness. A number of subplots become interconnected the longer the film goes on and the pacing, while slow for some horror fans, is brilliantly orchestrated for those with patience. Despite being made in 2001 and with a low return at the box office, it has been able to creep out audiences years later.
What makes the film even more terrifying is the setting. The film was shot in the actual Danvers State Hospital so it needed little doing to it in terms of effects. The hospital was said to be the birth place of the prefrontal lobotomy (something which is referenced in the film), and part of me thinks that the fear on the actors faces as they walk the halls was in fact genuine terror. If that is the case then it only adds to the horror.
Session 9 will stay with you long after the credits. It doesn’t rely on heavy gore or CGI and builds tension with what you think you can see and at times – what you can’t.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Bird Eater in Books
Sep 13, 2019
I've read some of Ania Ahlborn's work before and loved it. The Bird Eater was no different. I loved this book and was completely enthralled throughout!
I thought the world building in The Bird Eater was fantastic! There were a few times when I was questioning the main character's choices such as why he didn't describe or ask around about the boy that was shadowing him. However, I don't know what I would do if that situation ever happened to me. I loved how the story took place in a small town. I find small towns creepier than big cities.
The pacing was perfect! Never once did I feel bored with this book. In fact, it was hard to put down. I constantly had to know what would happen next!
I'm a big fan of horror, but I'm really picky about what kind of horror I read. Luckily, the plot for The Bird Eater held my attention. At the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to a teenage boy who has an affinity for evil. Aaron's aunt is murdered by this boy, and Aaron is shipped off to another state. After the death of his young son, Aaron returns to his childhood home on the advice of his therapist. From there, Aaron spirals into what he thinks is insanity but what is actually something a lot more sinister. There's a little bit of a plot twist, but I didn't feel like it was a big one. I didn't think there was a cliff hanger ending, but let's just say that another book could be written to make this a series if the author wanted it to be.
I found the characters to be very well written. It was easy to like Aaron and also to feel sorry for him. He's a man who is very depressed and still grieving the loss of his young son. Aaron's wife has left him due to him being so depressed. He wants to get better for himself and also so his wife will take him back. The spooky kid was also a great character. I thought he had just the right enough amount of scariness without making him a cheesy character.
I really enjoyed the dialogue in The Bird Eater. The author didn't use words that I found difficult to understand. The dialogue seems to be written for the average person (such as myself). I felt the dialogue flowed very smoothly and never once felt disjointed or awkward. There is some swearing is this book and a lot of violence and gore. This book doesn't really have any sex in it though.
Overall, The Bird Eater is a fantastic book that will delight fans of the horror genre. With a great setting, fantastic world building, and a super sinister character, this is a book that horror fans can not afford to miss! I'd recommend The Bird Eater by Ania Ahlborn especially to those aged 18+ who are big fans of horror and thrillers. The violence and gore may put some people off though.
I thought the world building in The Bird Eater was fantastic! There were a few times when I was questioning the main character's choices such as why he didn't describe or ask around about the boy that was shadowing him. However, I don't know what I would do if that situation ever happened to me. I loved how the story took place in a small town. I find small towns creepier than big cities.
The pacing was perfect! Never once did I feel bored with this book. In fact, it was hard to put down. I constantly had to know what would happen next!
I'm a big fan of horror, but I'm really picky about what kind of horror I read. Luckily, the plot for The Bird Eater held my attention. At the beginning of the book, the reader is introduced to a teenage boy who has an affinity for evil. Aaron's aunt is murdered by this boy, and Aaron is shipped off to another state. After the death of his young son, Aaron returns to his childhood home on the advice of his therapist. From there, Aaron spirals into what he thinks is insanity but what is actually something a lot more sinister. There's a little bit of a plot twist, but I didn't feel like it was a big one. I didn't think there was a cliff hanger ending, but let's just say that another book could be written to make this a series if the author wanted it to be.
I found the characters to be very well written. It was easy to like Aaron and also to feel sorry for him. He's a man who is very depressed and still grieving the loss of his young son. Aaron's wife has left him due to him being so depressed. He wants to get better for himself and also so his wife will take him back. The spooky kid was also a great character. I thought he had just the right enough amount of scariness without making him a cheesy character.
I really enjoyed the dialogue in The Bird Eater. The author didn't use words that I found difficult to understand. The dialogue seems to be written for the average person (such as myself). I felt the dialogue flowed very smoothly and never once felt disjointed or awkward. There is some swearing is this book and a lot of violence and gore. This book doesn't really have any sex in it though.
Overall, The Bird Eater is a fantastic book that will delight fans of the horror genre. With a great setting, fantastic world building, and a super sinister character, this is a book that horror fans can not afford to miss! I'd recommend The Bird Eater by Ania Ahlborn especially to those aged 18+ who are big fans of horror and thrillers. The violence and gore may put some people off though.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) Oct 21, 2020
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) Oct 21, 2020