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Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Pyewacket (2017) in Movies
Sep 26, 2018
This film doesn't know WITCH film it wants to be...
Pyewacket is a witchy teen angst film, that feels a bit like it wanted to be Ginger Snaps for witches, following the life of a teen girl whose father has recently died, and whose mother is not dealing well with the new reality.
Against her protestations, her mother moves them to a house in the woods, and away from her school and friends and after a heated exchange, the daughter decides to perform a dark ritual in the woods.
The crux of the film is that she later regrets the decision and is haunted by ghostly presences in the house that she suspects are the result of her ritual.
The whole film feels out of time, as if it were a late 90's early 2000's teen horror, with the majority of time spent exploring teen angst and cringey cliched subculture banter, rather than really tyring to ramp up any tension or scare the viewer.
At no point is a bad film, but it is trying to walk the line between genuine horror and that sort of 'The Craft' style teen culture movie, and it just doesnt seem to really nail either.
Its not bad, its not great, its just ok.
Against her protestations, her mother moves them to a house in the woods, and away from her school and friends and after a heated exchange, the daughter decides to perform a dark ritual in the woods.
The crux of the film is that she later regrets the decision and is haunted by ghostly presences in the house that she suspects are the result of her ritual.
The whole film feels out of time, as if it were a late 90's early 2000's teen horror, with the majority of time spent exploring teen angst and cringey cliched subculture banter, rather than really tyring to ramp up any tension or scare the viewer.
At no point is a bad film, but it is trying to walk the line between genuine horror and that sort of 'The Craft' style teen culture movie, and it just doesnt seem to really nail either.
Its not bad, its not great, its just ok.
Amy Christmas (170 KP) rated Northern Lights in Books
Jan 14, 2019
A child's perspective written well (1 more)
Imaginative but believable world
Absolutely loved it!
I loved this book, I have been meaning to read it for years and have finally gotten around to embracing all those childhood favourites.
We follow Lyra a girl from Oxford who is looked after by the scholars of Jordan college. We are introduced to her deamon 'Pan' (for short because I couldn't for the life of me work out how to say his name) and the workings of this world, of this child's world. Before being thrown as Lyra is into the politics and shenanigans of adults.
Lyra's character is a complex one she is a feisty intelligent girl but at times the way she behaved and is described to talk is unrealistic for a child her age, however these small things can be overlooked.
As I had only ever seen the movie before, which pales in comparison, I was shocked by the twist at the end of the book concerning Ms Coulter and Lord Asriel, and made me feel as if my journeying with Lyra through the north, meeting Iorek and the witches and the Gyptians had all been worth it and there was another adventure ahead, as it is not over at the end of this book rather it tells you loud and clear that you've barely begun... and I love it.
We follow Lyra a girl from Oxford who is looked after by the scholars of Jordan college. We are introduced to her deamon 'Pan' (for short because I couldn't for the life of me work out how to say his name) and the workings of this world, of this child's world. Before being thrown as Lyra is into the politics and shenanigans of adults.
Lyra's character is a complex one she is a feisty intelligent girl but at times the way she behaved and is described to talk is unrealistic for a child her age, however these small things can be overlooked.
As I had only ever seen the movie before, which pales in comparison, I was shocked by the twist at the end of the book concerning Ms Coulter and Lord Asriel, and made me feel as if my journeying with Lyra through the north, meeting Iorek and the witches and the Gyptians had all been worth it and there was another adventure ahead, as it is not over at the end of this book rather it tells you loud and clear that you've barely begun... and I love it.
Love from Boy: Roald Dahl's Letters to His Mother
Book
'Dear Mama, I am having a lovely time here. We play football every day here. The beds have no...
Hieronymus Bosch: Visions and Nightmares
Book
In his lifetime Hieronymus Bosch was already famous for his fantastic painterly creations. Today his...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Wretched (2019) in Movies
Mar 11, 2021 (Updated Jul 4, 2021)
Never unwatchable, but I'm getting tired of suggesting that there should be more horror in these horror movies, you feel? Far superior than your average thin-metaphor-instead-of-actual-story-with-next-to-no-scares A24 wannabe clone that I'm shocked we're still seeing in 2021. The lead guy is really excellent, it's aesthetically pleasing, and those practical effects are a riot and a half... but as you can probably guess it feels the need to get into the groove of "1. long stretch of familiar story 2. quick horror tease" on endless loop. Though thankfully that story is actually half-decent, if not ultimately enough to deliver on its sensational gold mine premise. I liked a whole lot about this but it just starts to drag its feet after so long, there's only a finite amount of times I can be walked through the same "nobody believes me..." setups these all have while there's literal witches, murderous parents, and neat character premises right there which never get built upon. Admirable for what it is, and thankfully it nixes the boring, faux-intellectual pretention these films love to flaunt - but still nearly misses out on working.
(EDIT: Sat on it for a while, can't help but give it a pass - perhaps given that I didn't have high expectations for it going in? It's just way too engaging for what it is to scold it *too* much).
(EDIT: Sat on it for a while, can't help but give it a pass - perhaps given that I didn't have high expectations for it going in? It's just way too engaging for what it is to scold it *too* much).
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Source (Witching Savannah, #2) in Books
Feb 9, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
19 of 250
Kindle
The Source ( Witching Savannah book 2)
By J.D. Horn
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Graceful trees and historic buildings fill Savannah, Georgia, but beneath the city's Southern splendor, its supernatural roots run deep. The members of local witch families grace the society pages...when they're not secretly protecting their magical work from dark forces.
Savannah resident Mercy Taylor may now be in control of the South's most powerful family of witches, but she's struggling to master her newfound magic. Pregnant with her first child and still reeling from a heartbreaking betrayal, she just wants to be able to use her supernatural abilities without accidentally destroying dishes or blasting the doors off buildings.
But when Mercy's long-presumed-dead mother suddenly returns, begging Mercy to keep her presence under wraps, the witch wonders how many secrets her family is hiding...and who she can really trust. And when the danger around her intensifies to deadly levels, Mercy knows she must discover the truth behind her family's magic - before it destroys her.
I loved the first book! The second did not disappoint at all it was brilliantly done. The intricate relationships woven throughout both books are special in every way. Nothing seems forced and it all flows so well. I think the changes to come are exciting and so is the new baby!! I did she’s a tear at the end kinda gonna miss Jilo!
Kindle
The Source ( Witching Savannah book 2)
By J.D. Horn
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Graceful trees and historic buildings fill Savannah, Georgia, but beneath the city's Southern splendor, its supernatural roots run deep. The members of local witch families grace the society pages...when they're not secretly protecting their magical work from dark forces.
Savannah resident Mercy Taylor may now be in control of the South's most powerful family of witches, but she's struggling to master her newfound magic. Pregnant with her first child and still reeling from a heartbreaking betrayal, she just wants to be able to use her supernatural abilities without accidentally destroying dishes or blasting the doors off buildings.
But when Mercy's long-presumed-dead mother suddenly returns, begging Mercy to keep her presence under wraps, the witch wonders how many secrets her family is hiding...and who she can really trust. And when the danger around her intensifies to deadly levels, Mercy knows she must discover the truth behind her family's magic - before it destroys her.
I loved the first book! The second did not disappoint at all it was brilliantly done. The intricate relationships woven throughout both books are special in every way. Nothing seems forced and it all flows so well. I think the changes to come are exciting and so is the new baby!! I did she’s a tear at the end kinda gonna miss Jilo!
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Drowned City in Books
Apr 15, 2021
The Drowned City is the first book in a new series by Karen Maitland, and it bodes really well for the next book!
Jacobean England, where a year to the day after the failed Gunpowder Plot, a huge wave destroys much of Bristol, killing hundreds of people and destroying homes and businesses. This is a superstitious time, where the blame is put on witches and demons. And Catholics.
Daniel Pursglove is freed from Newgate jail where he has been imprisoned, suspected of witchcraft, by one of King James’ closest advisors, Charles FitzAlan. He is given the task of tracking down Spero Pettingar - the man who got away during the arrests of the Gunpowder Plot. He is suspected of going to Bristol to recruit supporters - namely Jesuits.
The descriptions of Newgate Prison are horrific - as are those of a destroyed Bristol. This is a really atmospheric book with some great descriptions. Not that you’d really want to be, but you can imagine yourself there, amidst the mud, filth and decay.
I really liked how the chapters flashed between Daniel and London, where we would see the King or Robert Cecil (a man who fascinates me!).
Daniel doesn’t seem to me to be the most accomplished investigator. Most of what he discovers he does by accident, but he does get results. Just not the ones he was necessarily asked to get.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next in this series, it really has piqued my interest!
Jacobean England, where a year to the day after the failed Gunpowder Plot, a huge wave destroys much of Bristol, killing hundreds of people and destroying homes and businesses. This is a superstitious time, where the blame is put on witches and demons. And Catholics.
Daniel Pursglove is freed from Newgate jail where he has been imprisoned, suspected of witchcraft, by one of King James’ closest advisors, Charles FitzAlan. He is given the task of tracking down Spero Pettingar - the man who got away during the arrests of the Gunpowder Plot. He is suspected of going to Bristol to recruit supporters - namely Jesuits.
The descriptions of Newgate Prison are horrific - as are those of a destroyed Bristol. This is a really atmospheric book with some great descriptions. Not that you’d really want to be, but you can imagine yourself there, amidst the mud, filth and decay.
I really liked how the chapters flashed between Daniel and London, where we would see the King or Robert Cecil (a man who fascinates me!).
Daniel doesn’t seem to me to be the most accomplished investigator. Most of what he discovers he does by accident, but he does get results. Just not the ones he was necessarily asked to get.
I’m really looking forward to reading the next in this series, it really has piqued my interest!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dark Veil (The Society #2) in Books
Jul 5, 2021
101 of 250
Kindle
Dark Veil ( Society book 2)
By Mason Sabre
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
For the past two years, Cade MacDonald and Gemma Davies have been forced to hide their illicit affair from the Other world, where mating with a species different to your own defies every law and mandate of Society. Considered an indefensible act, it is punishable by banishment from their community, or even worse, by death. However, Cade and Gemma experience a bond few ever do, wolf and tiger connecting deeply and irrevocably. Against all odds, their relationship flourishes and solidifies despite the difficulties.
Yet now, they suddenly find themselves faced with obstacles and danger they could never have imagined. Not only is their relationship and place in Society at stake, but their lives—as well as those close to them—are at risk. Their enemies are many, and the battles they need to overcome seemingly insurmountable. Will they be able to defeat their adversaries, and more importantly, will their love manage to prevail above all else?
This was definitely an improvement from book 1! I mar first I thought really a baby? But it worked and it was better written and paced out really well. Humans really are an awful species! Without giving much away I’m really hoping they can get away! Also loving the new characters and the introduction of witches!
Kindle
Dark Veil ( Society book 2)
By Mason Sabre
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
For the past two years, Cade MacDonald and Gemma Davies have been forced to hide their illicit affair from the Other world, where mating with a species different to your own defies every law and mandate of Society. Considered an indefensible act, it is punishable by banishment from their community, or even worse, by death. However, Cade and Gemma experience a bond few ever do, wolf and tiger connecting deeply and irrevocably. Against all odds, their relationship flourishes and solidifies despite the difficulties.
Yet now, they suddenly find themselves faced with obstacles and danger they could never have imagined. Not only is their relationship and place in Society at stake, but their lives—as well as those close to them—are at risk. Their enemies are many, and the battles they need to overcome seemingly insurmountable. Will they be able to defeat their adversaries, and more importantly, will their love manage to prevail above all else?
This was definitely an improvement from book 1! I mar first I thought really a baby? But it worked and it was better written and paced out really well. Humans really are an awful species! Without giving much away I’m really hoping they can get away! Also loving the new characters and the introduction of witches!
Harry Potter: Death Eaters Rising
8.5
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Tabletop Game
Harry Potter: Death Eaters Rising captures the difficulties and terrors Harry Potter, Ron Weasley...
Unearthed
Book
It is the Age of the Xxyryn ... a strange and mystical time, even for people of magic. In ancient...