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Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy in TV
Mar 6, 2019
Deserving of the hype
I have to admit, I was pretty impressed with this show. It's not every day when you watch something that meets all of the hype surrounding it, and I was quite sceptical to begin with.
The show manages to brilliantly blend action, the supernatural and dark humour to form an intriguing and interesting adult plot, with just enough twists to keep you hooked without going too OTT (Lost style). It also has some brilliant fight scenes (with a decent amount of blood and gore) that are paired with a truly killer soundtrack. And it has fortunately gone down the adult route rather than making this suitable for kids like some of the Marvel type shows/films.
The characters too for the most part are witty, deep and well thought out, from the family members to the villains Hazel and Cha-Cha. My favourites are by far Five and Klaus. Robert Sheehan is a great actor, I've loved him since Misfits and he's really perfect for Klaus. And Aidan Gallagher is brilliant as the old man in a child's body Five, there's something very humorous seeing a thirteen year old outsmarting and killing people. He's a true delight whenever he's on screen. My only real issue with the characters is with Vanya. For me I found her very dull to begin with and I thought her entire storyline was a teeny bit predictable. She does pick up and get more interesting towards the end, it's just a shame she puts a downer on the earlier episodes. Luckily the rest of the show more than makes up for it.
I can't begin to say how devastated I was at the end of the final episode. I could've quite happily watched more, so I really hope they renew this for another season.
The show manages to brilliantly blend action, the supernatural and dark humour to form an intriguing and interesting adult plot, with just enough twists to keep you hooked without going too OTT (Lost style). It also has some brilliant fight scenes (with a decent amount of blood and gore) that are paired with a truly killer soundtrack. And it has fortunately gone down the adult route rather than making this suitable for kids like some of the Marvel type shows/films.
The characters too for the most part are witty, deep and well thought out, from the family members to the villains Hazel and Cha-Cha. My favourites are by far Five and Klaus. Robert Sheehan is a great actor, I've loved him since Misfits and he's really perfect for Klaus. And Aidan Gallagher is brilliant as the old man in a child's body Five, there's something very humorous seeing a thirteen year old outsmarting and killing people. He's a true delight whenever he's on screen. My only real issue with the characters is with Vanya. For me I found her very dull to begin with and I thought her entire storyline was a teeny bit predictable. She does pick up and get more interesting towards the end, it's just a shame she puts a downer on the earlier episodes. Luckily the rest of the show more than makes up for it.
I can't begin to say how devastated I was at the end of the final episode. I could've quite happily watched more, so I really hope they renew this for another season.
Michael Packner (32 KP) rated The Strangers (2008) in Movies
Jun 15, 2019
The suspense is off the charts. Bryan Bertino creates tension like very few can. You can't even breathe at times, especially on a first viewing. (5 more)
The Strangers themselves are crafted to perfection from the iconic masks to their mannerisms to their lack of a true motive.
The symbolism is heavy throughout. It takes multiple viewings to catch it all. Look at the busted windshield at the end for one example.
The use of music as another character is absolutely brilliant. Each tune was used to perfection.
The camerawork and set design are off the charts given the budget Bertino had to work with.
The ending. Not every horror story has a happy ending. This one was a beautiful and glorious gut punch.
The very last scene. If Bertino had been allowed to keep the exact ending he wanted this would've been 1000 times more impactful. (1 more)
The sound. When things are quiet you can hear a pin drop, but when a noise comes it blows out your eardrum.
Why are you doing this to us?
Because you were home.
This is my favorite film of all time. To me, this film is literally horror nirvana. This remains to this day the only film to ever truly scare me. This isn't some fake supernatural hocus pocus. This is reality. While the film may only be INSPIRED by true events, and not something that actually happened, it could happen, and it does happen...every day, whether you want to come to terms with it or not. The crazy thing is that if Bertino had been able to do this his way without any studio intervention, this film would've been 10 times darker and 10 times better. I don't care what anyone says, this film is a horror heavyweight that pays true homage to the birth era of horror.
Because you were home.
This is my favorite film of all time. To me, this film is literally horror nirvana. This remains to this day the only film to ever truly scare me. This isn't some fake supernatural hocus pocus. This is reality. While the film may only be INSPIRED by true events, and not something that actually happened, it could happen, and it does happen...every day, whether you want to come to terms with it or not. The crazy thing is that if Bertino had been able to do this his way without any studio intervention, this film would've been 10 times darker and 10 times better. I don't care what anyone says, this film is a horror heavyweight that pays true homage to the birth era of horror.
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 26, 2018
So, this reboot of the franchise happened. I dare say, I doubt anyone was asking for it. It's a hard film to critique due to the fact that I have to compare it to the Angelina Jolie films where the biggest plus was that Jolie looked like the video game character... And that was the biggest plus.
That being said, I would call this a good movie and an acceptable action flick.
The characters were pretty much all outshine by Alicia Vikander who was the only character with any real nuance. Her father had a lot of potential but was extremely unrelatable. The villain seemed bored to even be there. Her Asian buddy could have been lifted out of the film... And you would never have noticed.
That being said, Vikander's performance was strong and made the character grounded. She took hits. She didn't seem like she just knew how to do everything perfectly well. I actually enjoyed that for most of it she seems out of her element and made to do all the action sequences out of survival.
The plot was better than I expected. I enjoyed the lore and mythology that surrounded the island, but I admit, I breathed a sigh of relief when the reveal showed it being something much more realistic and less supernatural.
The action sequences we're actually very good. There were quite a few times I found myself on the edge of my seat. I particularly enjoyed the bike race at the beginning and her escape from the "chain gang".
Considering that this is clearly an original story attempting to start a franchise, I'm not convinced I need another chapter. But I am glad I got the one they gave me.
That being said, I would call this a good movie and an acceptable action flick.
The characters were pretty much all outshine by Alicia Vikander who was the only character with any real nuance. Her father had a lot of potential but was extremely unrelatable. The villain seemed bored to even be there. Her Asian buddy could have been lifted out of the film... And you would never have noticed.
That being said, Vikander's performance was strong and made the character grounded. She took hits. She didn't seem like she just knew how to do everything perfectly well. I actually enjoyed that for most of it she seems out of her element and made to do all the action sequences out of survival.
The plot was better than I expected. I enjoyed the lore and mythology that surrounded the island, but I admit, I breathed a sigh of relief when the reveal showed it being something much more realistic and less supernatural.
The action sequences we're actually very good. There were quite a few times I found myself on the edge of my seat. I particularly enjoyed the bike race at the beginning and her escape from the "chain gang".
Considering that this is clearly an original story attempting to start a franchise, I'm not convinced I need another chapter. But I am glad I got the one they gave me.
Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Moon Over Soho: The Second PC Grant Mystery in Books
Dec 4, 2018
Great follow up to the first one
Contains spoilers, click to show
***Spoilers ahead you’ve been warned***
It is advisable to read the first one before you get into Moon Over Soho. You’re pretty much carrying on right after the events in the first book so it’s always better to get the background information before carrying on :)
I was pleased with this one, complete with rather macabre scenes that will stick with me for a while. I still enjoy the way it’s being narrated by Peter Grant. He tells it pretty bluntly and explains well for some of us who don’t live in London which helps understand the setting more. The setting is dark and gritty, just right to complement the mystery that is prevalent to the case. The mix with the supernatural blends quite well with real life London, I believe it’s probably even more enjoyable to read for those that are quite familiar to the city.
Supporting characters and some new ones are featured in the book. It’s nice to see Leslie again despite what happened to her (ahh but the ending though!). Peter takes a lot of beating (both verbal and physical) during the book which is to be expected. He does have a thing with Simone that covers a good latter part of the book which is ok, although I thought it provided a lot of filler and it slowed the pace down considerably. You almost wanted to ask; “Peter, don’t you have a case to work on?”
It proved to be a quick read with a good open cliffhanger ending with the mystery of The ‘Faceless One’ which makes the series even more intriguing at this point. I’ll be definitely be picking up the third one. A great series to read so far!
It is advisable to read the first one before you get into Moon Over Soho. You’re pretty much carrying on right after the events in the first book so it’s always better to get the background information before carrying on :)
I was pleased with this one, complete with rather macabre scenes that will stick with me for a while. I still enjoy the way it’s being narrated by Peter Grant. He tells it pretty bluntly and explains well for some of us who don’t live in London which helps understand the setting more. The setting is dark and gritty, just right to complement the mystery that is prevalent to the case. The mix with the supernatural blends quite well with real life London, I believe it’s probably even more enjoyable to read for those that are quite familiar to the city.
Supporting characters and some new ones are featured in the book. It’s nice to see Leslie again despite what happened to her (ahh but the ending though!). Peter takes a lot of beating (both verbal and physical) during the book which is to be expected. He does have a thing with Simone that covers a good latter part of the book which is ok, although I thought it provided a lot of filler and it slowed the pace down considerably. You almost wanted to ask; “Peter, don’t you have a case to work on?”
It proved to be a quick read with a good open cliffhanger ending with the mystery of The ‘Faceless One’ which makes the series even more intriguing at this point. I’ll be definitely be picking up the third one. A great series to read so far!
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Immortal Redneck in Video Games
Jun 19, 2019
Calling back the days of Serious Sam; a new game called Immortal Redneck has arrived and it looks to fill the gap that the previously mentioned frantic yet casual shooter has left behind.
Set in Egypt, players must travel into mysterious Pyramids and tombs to battle all manner of mythological and supernatural creatures. Along the way they must not only survive but gain treasures and weapons needed to survive.
The game does offer plenty of weapons form pistols to dynamite and of course shotguns and all manner of machines guns. While this may at first seem a bit of overkill, it is not as players will need this and more to stop the enemies that face them.
Players will also be able to gain treasures as they journey and battle which can be used at a market to purchase upgrades and special weapons which will greatly help their efforts in battle.
The gameplay and the story is very simplistic and very retro in the gameplay. The controls at times are not as responsive as I would have liked while at other times they respond faster than you would anticipate which is a pain when facing waves of enemies in a close setting and with a weapon using a slower than expected reload time.
Graphically the game is solid but do not expect AAA quality graphics as this is very much a retro game so while they are better than the previously mentioned Serious Sam, they would not hold up when compared to other shooters of the day.
However as a value priced title which can be picked up for your PC or Console for under $12.00 in many places, Immortal Redneck is a pleasant enough trip down memory lane which should keep shooter fans happy with retro nostalgic fun.
http://sknr.net/2018/02/17/immortal-redneck/
Set in Egypt, players must travel into mysterious Pyramids and tombs to battle all manner of mythological and supernatural creatures. Along the way they must not only survive but gain treasures and weapons needed to survive.
The game does offer plenty of weapons form pistols to dynamite and of course shotguns and all manner of machines guns. While this may at first seem a bit of overkill, it is not as players will need this and more to stop the enemies that face them.
Players will also be able to gain treasures as they journey and battle which can be used at a market to purchase upgrades and special weapons which will greatly help their efforts in battle.
The gameplay and the story is very simplistic and very retro in the gameplay. The controls at times are not as responsive as I would have liked while at other times they respond faster than you would anticipate which is a pain when facing waves of enemies in a close setting and with a weapon using a slower than expected reload time.
Graphically the game is solid but do not expect AAA quality graphics as this is very much a retro game so while they are better than the previously mentioned Serious Sam, they would not hold up when compared to other shooters of the day.
However as a value priced title which can be picked up for your PC or Console for under $12.00 in many places, Immortal Redneck is a pleasant enough trip down memory lane which should keep shooter fans happy with retro nostalgic fun.
http://sknr.net/2018/02/17/immortal-redneck/
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated Dauntless (Valiant Hearts, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Medieval England, the ruthless King John sits on the throne. And Lady Merry Ellison has but one mission: To see to the safety of her “men”.
Set in the year 1216, England is in ruin. The nation is divided, scores of outlaws live in the forest and they do what they must to survive. Lady Merry will do anything to protect the orphans that make up their band known as “The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest”. Timothy Grey longs to become someone of power and authority. So he sets out to capture the ghosts, not knowing who their leader is. Will he turn in the ghosts and earn approval from his master? Or will he follow his heart and the leading of God?
Dauntless is the first book that I have read by Dina Sleiman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very engaging and quite the page turner. I loved how she used older English, but not so “olde” that I couldn’t understand the book. The “Historical Notes” were very informative and helpful to read. I wish I would have read it first, even thought there are a few spoilers in it. Her portrayal of the supernatural was very vivid. I liked it a lot! This story was a good reminder that things happen in our lives that we don’t always understand. But we must remember that God has a purpose for everything. Although we may never know why, we must trust Him and know that He truly knows best. Yes, I know, easier said than done. But in this story, the journey of reestablishing faith in God was amazing to behold and I pray that it brings you hope.
I received a free digital edition of Dauntless from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Set in the year 1216, England is in ruin. The nation is divided, scores of outlaws live in the forest and they do what they must to survive. Lady Merry will do anything to protect the orphans that make up their band known as “The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest”. Timothy Grey longs to become someone of power and authority. So he sets out to capture the ghosts, not knowing who their leader is. Will he turn in the ghosts and earn approval from his master? Or will he follow his heart and the leading of God?
Dauntless is the first book that I have read by Dina Sleiman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very engaging and quite the page turner. I loved how she used older English, but not so “olde” that I couldn’t understand the book. The “Historical Notes” were very informative and helpful to read. I wish I would have read it first, even thought there are a few spoilers in it. Her portrayal of the supernatural was very vivid. I liked it a lot! This story was a good reminder that things happen in our lives that we don’t always understand. But we must remember that God has a purpose for everything. Although we may never know why, we must trust Him and know that He truly knows best. Yes, I know, easier said than done. But in this story, the journey of reestablishing faith in God was amazing to behold and I pray that it brings you hope.
I received a free digital edition of Dauntless from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated The Possession (The Anomaly Files #2) in Books
Nov 3, 2019
Great follow on from the previous book (1 more)
Don't have to have read the previous book
For the fans of Coast to Coast AM etc
When I reviewed Michael Rutger's previous novel; The Anomaly I said that this was a novel for those of us who love the strange paranormal, supernatural woo woo of things like Fortean Times magazine, Coast to Coast AM, Astonishing Legends and Lore and I am going to say the same thing for The Possession. The title lets it down a little. This isn't some girl gets possessed by a daemon and gets exorcised run of the mill story, Rutger is far more interesting than that.
The story centres round the Berkeley Mystery Walls, strange walls in California that are ancient and don't seem to be marking territory and whom no one knows who built them and what their purpose is, and the disappearance of a girl. Nolan Moore and his Anomaly Files crew turn up to investigate and things start getting more and more strange, creepy and out of this world as they go along.
Do you have to have read the previous book to get any of this? Not at all, you can jump straight into this as a separate story although after reading the Anomaly I was really keen to get The Possession and I wasn't disappointed. It is a tense thrilling hell ride from start to finish with no simple answers and solutions, just the great characters from the first book back bumbling through as best they can to try and save the world. Its great fun, full of well researched strange events and massive adventure. Its refreshing to have a voice in horror that throws away the cliches and instead makes a modern story entirely of their own. Lets hope there are many more novels to come.
The story centres round the Berkeley Mystery Walls, strange walls in California that are ancient and don't seem to be marking territory and whom no one knows who built them and what their purpose is, and the disappearance of a girl. Nolan Moore and his Anomaly Files crew turn up to investigate and things start getting more and more strange, creepy and out of this world as they go along.
Do you have to have read the previous book to get any of this? Not at all, you can jump straight into this as a separate story although after reading the Anomaly I was really keen to get The Possession and I wasn't disappointed. It is a tense thrilling hell ride from start to finish with no simple answers and solutions, just the great characters from the first book back bumbling through as best they can to try and save the world. Its great fun, full of well researched strange events and massive adventure. Its refreshing to have a voice in horror that throws away the cliches and instead makes a modern story entirely of their own. Lets hope there are many more novels to come.
Leigh J (71 KP) rated The Chill Factor (1973) in Movies
Nov 9, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
A group of friends are out Snowmobile racing when one has a critical accident. Out in the middle of nowhere in freezing conditions, 2 of the friends go to find help and stumble across a Cabin. The Cabin looks like it was once a Religious Camp but seems abandoned; it has an upside down cross of the mantle and is just very creepy in general. They ignore this and move their friend into the Cabin. Whilst looking around the Cabin they find a picture of some kids in the 1950's who attended when the place was a Camp. Below their picture there is a scroll that says "keep the beast in the field", which one of the friends alludes to the fact that "the beast" often references the Devil. They also discover a "Devil's Eye" board, similar to a Ouija Board and decide to use it. During this, one of the friends that went out for help is killed, one has a seizure and one woman is convinced they've let something evil in; further strengthened by the fact that one of friends finds an article about a Satanic Killer murdering people around that area. Soon enough the friends are getting picked off one by one by supernatural forces, yet the critically injured man is thriving. Could the Killer have returned to the Cabin? Or could this be the work of the Devil's Eye Board?
Chill Factor is one of those typically terrible 80's Horrors (made in 1989). It's slow burning and not in a good way, it feels more like a cheesy TV drama and the murders are substandard and really nothing at all that us Horror fans haven't seen a million times over. Also, it ends in a ridiculous Snowmobile race between Woman and evil... ludicrous.
Chill Factor is one of those typically terrible 80's Horrors (made in 1989). It's slow burning and not in a good way, it feels more like a cheesy TV drama and the murders are substandard and really nothing at all that us Horror fans haven't seen a million times over. Also, it ends in a ridiculous Snowmobile race between Woman and evil... ludicrous.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Starve Acre in Books
Nov 24, 2019
His others were good. This is exceptional
I have enjoyed Andrew Michael Hurley's previous books very much but he has surpassed himself with Starve Acre. This is a dark and suturing read that gives you the same feels as Iain Banks' masterpiece The Wasp Factory. Anyone who was fans of the exceptional read as well as possibly Neil Gaimen's folk horror will find pleasure in this read.
I love it when you are so into a book you sprint upstairs when you get in from work to read a few pages before starting the evenings cooking etc, as I did with Starve Acre.
It's hard to tell you what happens in the story without giving away plot twists but this is a book of the supernatural, of a future dictated to by the past and of a family grieving trying to rationalise feelings and hurt. It is a place where they will remain outsiders and a tree that holds the mystery of it all.
Everything about this book should make it a classic. Its presentation and cover is beautiful. Michael-Hurley's writing is beautiful capturing the darkness in a way that is delicate and sweet which only makes the horror more shocking. The Lonely and Devil's Day were very good, but the writing here is some f the best I have ever read and the story is incredible. He has now become of a level that the next book he releases I standing outside the book shop at 9am and taking a day off work to read it, he is simply that good.
Miss this book at your peril, this is better than Stephen King and the rest. Andrew Michael-Hurley is now the true king!
I love it when you are so into a book you sprint upstairs when you get in from work to read a few pages before starting the evenings cooking etc, as I did with Starve Acre.
It's hard to tell you what happens in the story without giving away plot twists but this is a book of the supernatural, of a future dictated to by the past and of a family grieving trying to rationalise feelings and hurt. It is a place where they will remain outsiders and a tree that holds the mystery of it all.
Everything about this book should make it a classic. Its presentation and cover is beautiful. Michael-Hurley's writing is beautiful capturing the darkness in a way that is delicate and sweet which only makes the horror more shocking. The Lonely and Devil's Day were very good, but the writing here is some f the best I have ever read and the story is incredible. He has now become of a level that the next book he releases I standing outside the book shop at 9am and taking a day off work to read it, he is simply that good.
Miss this book at your peril, this is better than Stephen King and the rest. Andrew Michael-Hurley is now the true king!
W. B. Yeats: A Life II: The Arch-Poet 1915-1939
Book
The acclaimed first volume of this definitive biography of W. B. Yeats left him in his fiftieth...