Saturday, December 30, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #146 - Saw III

 Saw III


Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) awakens to find himself in quite the predicament - chained inside of a bathroom. But not just any bathroom, one that was obviously the scene of a horrific crime. Blood smeared everywhere, dead men grotesquely displayed. And the only tool he can reach is a hacksaw. He furiously saws at his chains, but to no avail. And then he spies what was clearly someone else's solution to the dilemma. The question is, can he do the same thing?






Lynn (Bahar Soomekh) is a doctor whose marriage is clearly suffering, but she doesn't seem to have the stamina or the will to deal with the estrangement between herself and her husband. She leaves for her night shift at the hospital, her husband's last words ringing in her ears - "I want a divorce". At work, she can't seem to focus on what she should and is told to go home. But Lynn is unexpectedly kidnapped by a strange figure and wakens to find herself in her own precarious predicament. She has a deadly contraption fastened about her neck and the rules of this strange game are explained to her - she must keep John Kramer alive or Lynn will die!




John Kramer (Tobin Bell) has a new protegee, former junkie Amanda (Shawnee Smith) who is assisting him in his games. She has kidnapped Lynn to keep John alive. She has also kidnapped a man named Jeff (Angus Macfadyen) who is grieving over the loss of his son, killed in an accident. He is set to undergo tests of his own, under Amanda's watchful eye, and just maybe he will be able to take his revenge on the man who killed his son. Let the games begin.


The third installment in the Saw franchise may just be the best one yet. Beneath the surface story of bloody violent games, Saw III is about revenge vs forgiveness. There is a lot going on here beneath the surface, as well as the usual scenes of violence and gore. Makes you think about what you would do if you found yourself in a similar situation. I really enjoyed this film. I'll give it 4.25 Stars.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: A Game Grumps Christmas

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

I know Christmas has just passed, but in the spirit of the season, I wrote a little bit of fanfic featuring the YouTube gamers, the Game Grumps. I hope you like my little Danny and Arin story. Don't forget to visitt the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

A Game Grumps Christmas

The halls were decked, the mistletoe hung, the Christmas tree fabulous with sparkling ornaments and glittering tinsel, and yet the Hanson-Avidan household wasn’t exactly stuffed with good will to men. Danny sighed for the thousandth time. He paused in curling a bright gold bow to go on another present for his spouse, Arin. This would be their first Christmas as a married couple, although they’d celebrated many such occasions together in the past as single friends. Danny had had such high hopes for this holiday, but Arin was throwing up his yearly fuss. And what was the cause of such perturbation on the part of one half of the popular Youtubers, the Game Grumps?  What else – Jingle Grumps, of course.

It’s not that Arin had no desire to play the Christmas-oriented games which Danny so looked forward to every year. It’s just that he always had to complain about the hidden object games which Danny loved, referring to them as stupid and childish. Danny had once suggested – off camera, of course – that Arin didn’t like them because he wasn’t as good at them as other games. And hadn’t that caused a kerfluffle!

Danny hadn’t meant it to come out as harshly as it sounded. But to compound everything else, he was feeling ill. It’s hard to keep your spirits bright when you find yourself upchucking first thing every morning and half the day.

The front door opened. At the sound, Danny hurriedly affixed the bow and set the completed present beneath the tree in their LA living room. He did love LA but there were times when he missed the white Christmases he’d known in New Jersey. He scrambled to his feet and fixed a smile upon his face to welcome his husband, who had run to the bakery to get the doughnuts Danny had requested.

“Hey, Arin, you’re back!”

“No, my front,” Arin replied and quickly spun around, grinning.

Danny couldn’t help but laugh. Even though he’d heard it a zillion times, the joke never grew old. “What’d you do, buy the place out?” he asked at the sight of the boxes piled in Arin’s arms.

“Just about, I think.” Arin headed to the kitchen, Danny trailing behind. “I wanted to make sure you had what you wanted. Whatever’s left, I thought I would give to the shelter.” Danny and Arin were arden supporters of a homeless shelter about twenty minutes away from their home, and often donated their time and energy to the people who stayed there, including food and clothing. This time of year was especially hard on the homeless, and the two Game Grumps realized how fortunate they were, not just to have successful careers but to have one another. And they liked to give back to the community.

Once they had eaten their fill of the delicous baked goods, and were starting to relax by the tree, Danny suddenly sprang to his feet and rushed to the bathroom. Oh no, not again! By the time he had finished worshiping before the porcelain altar and returned, Arin had his cell phone in hand and was saying good-bye to someone.

Danny gave him a quizzical look. “What’s up?”

“I made you an appointment with Dr. Rumack. I told him what’s happening, and he said to bring you in as soon as possible.”

Danny gave an exasperated sigh. “Arin, we don’t have time for that nonsense, I told you—”

Arin shushed his protestations with a firm but gentle kiss, and Danny knew the argument was lost before it had even beguns. Fifteen minutes later, he was being ushered into Dr. Rumack’s office while Arin waited, rather nervously, in the waiting room, the latest copy of Highlights in hand.

Dr. Rumack was a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman with silver hair and a blinding but friendly smile. He’d been their doctor for ages, and they didn’t trust anyone else with their medical needs.

“So, Arin tells me he thinks you’ve come down with something,” the doctor began. Danny sat on the exam table, wearing only a thin paper gown which barely covered his gangly frame.

“He worries too much.” Danny laughed, although the sound lacked its usual mirth. He just hoped he wouldn’t get nauseous here. That would be so embarrassing.

“Well, newlyweds. I know how that is. Why don’t you lie down and let me take a look, hmmm?”

Ten minutes later, Danny was dressed once more and sitting in the doctor’s office in a state of shock, having heard his diagnosis. Even with Arin beside him, Danny couldn’t believe what he’d heard.

“Surely you’re not saying that I… I mean me… I mean this guy….” Danny stammered.

“Yes, you’re pregnant,” Dr. Rumack confirmed. “And don’t call me Shirley.”

Danny turned to Arin, who seemed as delighted as he was shocked. But how was this possible? Last time he checked, Danny was a male, and men just didn’t get pregnant.

“Dr. Rumack, does this mean the baby will have to come out Danny’s poop chute?” Arin asked.

At that rather painful image, Danny screamed.

 

Danny bolted upright, shaking like a leaf. Wait, where was he? As he began to calm down, he recognized his own bedroom. And beside him, sound asleep was his own wife, Ashley. He began to breathe a little more evenly as he’d realized that had been nothing but a dream. But wow, what a dream. He’d have to tell Arin about it tomorrow as they worked on the latest episode of Jingle Grumps.

As he lay back down and drifted off to sleep, though, he couldn’t help but wonder what being married to Arin might really be like.

to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb


Saturday, December 23, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #145 - As Above, So Below

 As Above, So Below


Scarlett (Perdita Weeks) is tormented by the suicide of her father in pursuit of his life's work - the search for the philosopher's stone. Following in his footsteps, she finds a clue that she believes will lead her to find what he did not. She calls upon the expertise of her ex, George (Ben Feldman) who reluctantly helps her. Her clue calls for her to enter the catacombs beneath the city of Paris, where millions of bones repose. George agrees to accompany her team only so far, but refuses to enter the depths with her. However, circumstances beyond his control compel him to go with them.






A local named Papillon (Francois Civil) knows the catacombs very well, and is persuaded to guide them. 


At first all seems to go well. But they reach a blocked-off tunnel which Papillon refuses to enter, saying that people never come back from there. But again fate intervenes, and they find themselves heading deeper beneath the city, past a sign that reads Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter. They begin to face things they cannot explain, and their team is losing members. Now they aren't sure if they can get back to the surface, even though Scarlett has found what she believes to be the stone. Will it be their doom?


I wasn't sure what to expect from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. Basically, it's like Dante's inferno, where they must descend through the nine levels of hair before they can emerge, must face their demons... and some will be found lacking. It's stylish and well edited and photographed. There is plenty of suspense and horror and mystery. I confess, I had to look it up to discover the Dantean implications. But what is repeated is As above, so below. And you have to go down to get out. All in all, I think it was well done and worth a watch. I'll give this film 4 Stars.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #96 (20.5)

  Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

The conversation between Vinnie and Ethan and the Florida Mangler continues. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #96 (20.5)

“You want to talk to me about your engagement? How sweet.” His eyebrows raised in an affectation of surprise even as he glanced back and forth between us. “So, I take it you’d like some advice? Color schemes? Menu choices? What font to use on your invitations? Ask away. Mayvbe you’d like me to give the bride away?” This was said with a wink at me.

As if.

Ethan’s response was to laugh, a deep, rich sound that showed me he wasn’t in the least intimidated by this lowlife scum sitting before us. I wish I could have said the same.

“If we wanted or needed that kind of assistance, Chip, you would be the last person we would ever turn to for advice.”

Did I imagine Chip faltered for just a second before he immediately came back with, “Oh darn, does that mean I won’t make the guest list either?”

“You got that right,” I managed to get out, which only produced a grin from him.

“Okay, enough of this, I’m going to get right to the point, Chip,” Ethan said in a no-nonsense voice. “This has got to stop. Now.”

I knew Ethan intended to question Chip about everything that had been happening to us, to Uncle Benny… to all of us. But I hadn’t expected this. I tried not to let my surprise show, but Chip wasn’t focused on me. He was intensely regarding Ethan, his bland expression revealing nothing.

“Whatever do you mean?” he asked in a voice filled with disdain. The flip side of the coin. From laughing prep boy to cynical narcissist at the speed of light. “To what this do you refer? I assume you don’t mean my current accomodations, which are temporary at best. Amazing what a good lawyer can do. And, of course, the right judge.” He winked at me agan. Shivers coursed down my spine.

Maybe this had been a mistake after all.

“I mean I know you’re the one who put Caroline St. Clair up to everything she did, thinking she was auditioning for some supposedly legitemate director. William Faulkner? Really? Maybe she didn’t catch on, but we certainly did.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Chip gave an overly loud yawn and patted his mouth to show his boredom, along with more than a touch of contempt. “You mean that lovely actress from the Civil War drama I’ve heard so much about?”

I was startled for a moment that he knew about a film that hadn’t even been released yet, but then I realized people were probably talking about it already. After all, it was also a Troy McGarrett film, and he did hold a certain place in the hearts of moviegoers. A deserved place. Plus he was a great guy offscreen. I could think of nothing nice to say about St. Clair other than she was safely locked up in a rich person’s mental health facility, at least for now.

“You know very well who I mean,” Ethan replied. Beneath the table, he squeezed my leg for reassurance. He knew how mention of that particular actress agitated me.

“I heard the two of you were once engaged,” Chip replied. “Was that before or after you became engaged to dear sweet Vinnie here?”

How did he even know about that?

 to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 


Saturday, December 16, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #144 - Patient Zero, Deadstream

 Patient Zero


The world is struck by a virulent pandemic which resembles rabies, but is far worse and far more deadly. So far there is no cure. Morgan (Matt Smith) is an unusual case in that he was bitten but not turned. Also, he can translate the strange new unintelligible language of the "infected". The military uses him to question infected prisoners in hopes of finding Patient Zero and put an end to this madness. While not military himself, Morgan has a personal reason to find a cure - his wife Janet (Agyness Deyn) is one of the victims and is currently being held in the facility where Morgan works, alongside Dr. Gina Rose (Natalie Dormer) and his assistant Scooter (John Bradley).





Colonel Knox (Clive Standen) is does not have the same patience as Morgan, and displays a distinct lack 


of empathy for the infect, causing the two men to often butt heads. Morgan gives the infected he talks to nicknames, generally based on musicians he likes, such as Joe Cocker and Pete Townsend. One man they bring in has been dubbed The Professor (Stanley Tucci) and he seems different from the rest, not showing the same antipathy to music the others have. Could he be Patient Zero?


Morgan loves his wife, but he's only human. He and Gina find themselves drawing closer and closer, leading to the inevitable. In a world filled with uncertainty, how such a relationship thrive? Especially when Morgan still loves his wife and wants to find a cure for her and the others. But that entails finding Patient Zero.


To be honest, I was going to turn this one off, not because it was bad or I didn't like it, but it's so dark and depressing. But I reasoned that since I hadn't seen Stanley Tucci yet, I'd wait. And once I did, I couldn't stop watching. Yes, this is rather dystopic, so don't look for rainbows and kittens here, but it's an interesting study of human nature under extreme pressure. We've been through COVID, so we know about pandemics - this one is far worse. I was interested in seeing Matt Smith as someone other than Doctor Who, and thought he did well, as did Natalie Dormer, who you might remember from The Tudors and Game of Thrones. Stanley Tucci - well, look him up if you don't know him. He's done a lot. This film kept me riveted till the end, so I'll give it 4 Stars.

Deadstream


Shawn Ruddy (Joseph Winter) was a popular video streamer who did something stupid and was banned for a while. But six months have passed and he's back and ready to go! His specialty has always been to exploit his weaknesses as a human being through his videos. But there is one venue he hasn't challenged yet and he's going to do it now, by live-streaming from a haunted house! He finds a house that isn't so famous they'll kick him out for trespassing and beings to stream. Knowing how weak he is, he takes precautions to prevent himself from taking the easy way out, such as throwing a couple of spark plugs from his car into the woods, padlocking the front door after he enters and throwing the key where it isn't easy to reach... His viewers seem divided between supporters and hecklers, but he doesn't mind, sure he'll win the skeptics over.



Shawn has cameras set up all over, and besides his own supplies, his mother has given him a few things to take, including holy water. Supposedly a number of people have died in this house, supposedly killed by a ghost named Mildred, who hung herself after the man she loved and wooed with her poetry died. Shawn sets a few ground rules for himself to his viewers, including no running away, and if he hears a noise, he has to check it out, which goes against his grain as a scaredy cat. But as he begins to tour the house, he does hear things, and he isn't sure what he is hearing, or what we are seeing. Until everything becomes all too real...


To be honest, I didn't know what to expect here, but it wasn't this. There is definite scary and creepy 


vibes, especially when you think you see things the main character doesn't. I played it back a few times to make sure I wasn't seeing things, and I wasn't. I knew from the outset when he threw out the spark plugs and padlocked the door that this would all come back to bite him in the butt and it did! I jumped more than once, and although Shawn is not particularly likeable, he does grow some as a person during the film. I am a big fan of found footage films, and I think this was a pretty good one. Low budget doesn't have to mean low quality, and I think this one was well done. It was also written by Joseph Winter and his wife Vanessa. Well done! I give this film 4 Stars.


Book Review: The Sea of Grass by Conrad Richter

 

The Sea of Grass       


Author:  Conrad Richter

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

American release date:  January 1, 1961

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Western Fiction/149 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

 

Hal lives with his uncle, Jim Brewton, on his uncle’s large ranch in New Mexico. But the life he enjoys is shredded when his uncle decides to take a wife, a young woman from St. Louis by the name of Lutie. Hal resents that because of this new wife, he is being sent to school in Missouri, torn from the land he loves. A telegram is received that announces her arrival in Salt Fork a day early. Hal can’t find his uncle, so has no choice but to pick Lutie up at the train station himself.

Half expecting to see a brassy, overly made-up woman, Hal is surprised to discover Lutie is the opposite. Even as young as he is, he realizes there is something about her, a sort of light, that draws people to her. When she inquires about her intended husband, Lutie is told he’s probably at the courthouse. Hal thinks that going there is a waste of time, since they’ll never be able to get in because it’ll be so packed with people clamoring to see the trial that is currently being held. But she proves him wrong, and they are given seats inside the courtroom, although Jim isn’t to be seen.

The case in question involves a shooting by a couple of Jim’s hands of a nester, a term used to refer to people who come out to the area to build their homes and start new lives. Everyone in the courtroom is respectful to Jim as he enters the room. Everyone but Brice Chamberlain, the district attorney, whose sympathies clearly lie with the would-be homesteaders. Hal’s uncle wins the case and they leave, but the DA has a few words for him.

Hal hates his school and misses the ranch, and the first chance he gets, he runs back to it. The ranch has changed greatly in his absence, all due to Lutie’s influence. But even Hal can see something in Lutie’s eyes that cries out. The solitary life doesn’t suit her, she needs people and gaiety in order to shine. People say she will change once she has babies, and babies she has – three of them. Two boys and a girl. One of the boys and the girl are dark-haired and dark-eyed, but the other boy has white-blond hair and blue eyes. Lutie does not seem to have changed, thougn, and when the children are still very young, she confides to Hal that she is leaving. Or running away, as some might say. She also says Jim knows.

Hal drives Lutie to the station. Jim is there, looking grim. It seems as though everyone is convinced that Lutie is mot leaving alone, and they are all looking for someone in particular to leave with her. Hal sees the DA, who is still his enemy, but the man doesn’t come near, and the train leaves without anyone having shown up to accompany Lutie. But Jim waits at the station anyway, even once the train has gone, to see if perhaps Chamberlain will take the next train to go after Lutie. But he never shows up, and now Lutie is all alone… and life goes on.

This is a book about people against the backrop of the rather divisive range wars – cattle ranchers against farmers. Jim Brewton represents what will become a dying breed – the gentleman rancher. While it’s true he runs a lot of acreage, it’s also true that a great deal of it actually belongs to the government and he does not hold title to it. That makes the settlers’ request to farm there seem more reasonable with their government-given 160 acres. But, as Jim points out, this land is not suitable to farming, and he turns out to be right.

Jim didn’t marry until later in life, and when it comes to Lutie, she can do no wrong. Even when she leaves him, he is nothing but patient, sending Hal to Denver to give her money after the cowardly Chamberlain is a no-show. Hal doesn’t catch on until years later why the third son, Brock, is so different, but it isn’t hard to see that he’s an affair baby. Even so, Jim treats him no differently tan the others, even when Lutie never sends for them or contacts them.

This novel touched me on different levels. Well-written, it captures the soul of its characrters, and the turbulence of those times. A movie was made starring Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Melvyn Douglas. I haven’t seen it in years but I intend to watch it soon. I enjoyed this book a great deal and would recommend it, especially if you like character-driven stories.

 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Book Review: Skip Beat! Vol 19 by Yoshiki Nakamura

 

Skip Beat! Vol 19       


Author: Yoshiki Nakamura

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date:  May 5,  2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/shojo manga/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Lory and Koo’s scheming has paid off, but the results are coming sooner than expected, with Ren agreeing to go to the hotel where Koo is staying. While Koo is surprised, Lory isn’t. What else could happen when Kyoko showed up at the studio looking for clothes for a teenaged boy? Koo continues to mentor Kyoko, calling her her own worst enemy because she tends to only take roles she likes. He tells her she’ll never become a great actress unless she can overcome that weakness. She realizes she has a lot to think about.

When Ren arrives, he demands to know what Koo was thinking when he had Kyoko act like his son? Koo explains that wasn’t the case, he was training her and then compares her to Ren/Kuon, pointing out how well she played the part. Koo also has a favor to ask of his son. Ren has a lot to think about. To fulfill Koo’s request would also require the assistance of his personal hair/make-up assistant, who is currently on vacation.

Ren and Mr. Yashiro run into Kyoko, and she is in a very dark mood. Upset over what happened during their last meeting, she requests that she be allowed to finish shooting Dark Moon before she commits harakiri. Of course Ren reassures her there is no need for that.

Kyoko is dismayed that her time with Koo is ending, as she feels she has so much to learn. But as she talks to him, she unwittingly reveals information pertaining to Ren and his relationship to Koo that leaves the other man happily surprised. Kyoko goes to see Koo off and finds Ren there too.  She accepts his explanation of why he is there, and between the two of them, they manage to convey what each wants to say to Koo but can’t.

This is a very intense volume. We see so much about Ren’s relationship with his parents, and the circumstances under which he came to Japan. Sometimes I think we tend to forget that he is a young man still, he’s only twenty, so just out of his teens. He became famous at a young age and carries so much weight on his shoulders. Kyoko does too, and she is only 16. The conversation where Koo tells her that she’ll make a good mother shows just how deeply her own mother has scarred Kyoko. I have a deeper appreciation for Loy, for what he has done and for what he is trying to do. He has surprising insights into Ren and Kyoko both, although at other times he is quite oblivious and out-of-this world.

Kyoko’s growth from the beginning of the series is tremendous, both as an actress and as a person. Now she wants to be the best she can be at her craft, and revenge is no longer her motive for what she does. Sho never seems to enter her mind. Unless, of course, he is standing right in front of her. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again, but I’m afraid it will. Looking forward to the next volume!

 

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #96 (20.5)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

The conversation between Vinnie and Ethan and the Florida Mangler continues. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #96 (20.5)

“You want to talk to me about your engagement? How sweet.” His eyebrows raised in an affectation of surprise even as he glanced back and forth between us. “So, I take it you’d like some advice? Color schemes? Menu choices? What font to use on your invitations? Ask away. Mayvbe you’d like me to give the bride away?” This was said with a wink at me.

As if.

Ethan’s response was to laugh, a deep, rich sound that showed me he wasn’t in the least intimidated by this lowlife scum sitting before us. I wish I could have said the same.

“If we wanted or needed that kind of assistance, Chip, you would be the last person we would ever turn to for advice.”

Did I imagine Chip faltered for just a second before he immediately came back with, “Oh darn, does that mean I won’t make the guest list either?”

“You got that right,” I managed to get out, which only produced a grin from him.

“Okay, enough of this, I’m going to get right to the point, Chip,” Ethan said in a no-nonsense voice. “This has got to stop. Now.”

I knew Ethan intended to question Chip about everything that had been happening to us, to Uncle Benny… to all of us. But I hadn’t expected this. I tried not to let my surprise show, but Chip wasn’t focused on me. He was intensely regarding Ethan, his bland expression revealing nothing.

“Whatever do you mean?” he asked in a voice filled with disdain. The flip side of the coin. From laughing prep boy to cynical narcissist at the speed of light. “To what this do you refer? I assume you don’t mean my current accomodations, which are temporary at best. Amazing what a good lawyer can do. And, of course, the right judge.” He winked at me agan. Shivers coursed down my spine.

Maybe this had been a mistake after all.

“I mean I know you’re the one who put Caroline St. Clair up to everything she did, thinking she was auditioning for some supposedly legitemate director. William Faulkner? Really? Maybe she didn’t catch on, but we certainly did.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Chip gave an overly loud yawn and patted his mouth to show his boredom, along with more than a touch of contempt. “You mean that lovely actress from the Civil War drama I’ve heard so much about?”

I was startled for a moment that he knew about a film that hadn’t even been released yet, but then I realized people were probably talking about it already. After all, it was also a Troy McGarrett film, and he did hold a certain place in the hearts of moviegoers. A deserved place. Plus he was a great guy offscreen. I could think of nothing nice to say about St. Clair other than she was safely locked up in a rich person’s mental health facility, at least for now.

“You know very well who I mean,” Ethan replied. Beneath the table, he squeezed my leg for reassurance. He knew how mention of that particular actress agitated me.

“I heard the two of you were once engaged,” Chip replied. “Was that before or after you became engaged to dear sweet Vinnie here?”

How did he even know about that?

 to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 


Saturday, December 9, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #143 - Insidious: The Red Door

 Insidious: The Red Door


Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) and his family have been through a lot, especially Josh and his son Dalton, who both experience astral projection. They decide to put everything aside. Josh and Dalton are hypnotized into forgetting everything that took that year, and all knowledge of the Further.








Nine years go by, life goes on. Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) are divorced, and there is a strain in the relationship between Josh and his kids. When Josh's mother dies, the family assembles for the funeral, just before Dalton is set to leave for college. Renai urges Josh to offer to drive Dalton, which he does, and Dalton reluctantly accepts. Upon arrival at the university, Josh tries to help Dalton be more social by giving him a flyer/invitation to a frat party, although Dalton insists that isn't his scene. They find his dorm room and then when his roommate enters, he finds it's a girl named Chris (Sinclair Daniel).  


Dalton is taking an art class, and the teacher tells the students to reach deep inside of them for a memory, but when he does, he doesn't understand what the red door means. But he is starting to see things he can't explain. He and Chris decide to get to the bottom of things, but at what cost?



I love the Insidious movies, especially Patrick Wilson, and I don't think this one disappoints. There is a definite creep factor, and the way the tension builds is wonderful. I think that beneath the surface story of the father and son getting back the time that was lost, it's about healing and letting go and moving on. Look for a surprise appearance at the end of the film! All in all a satisfactory watch. I believe this will be the last of the series.I'll give this film 4 Stars.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #95 (20.4)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

The moment has arrived. Vinnie comes face to face with his worst nightmare. Can this end well? Will they be able to learn anything from the Florida Mangler? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #95 (20.4)

I bit back the witty rejoinder that surely lurked on the tip of my tongue. No sense in antagonizing him right off the bat. As the saying goes, you can catch more flies with sugar. Or is it honey? Maybe once we’d gotten all the information we needed, I could tell Chip what I really thought of him. I forced a smile I was far from feeling.

“Not long enough,” Ethan quickly countered on my behalf.

“Aw, and here I thought maybe you missed me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Ethan said. “It doesn’t become you.”

Without missing a beat, Chip turned his attention to me. “And what do you think does become me, Vinny, my friend?”

“I am not your friend and never will be.” So much for remaining calm, cool, and collected. He was already getting under my skin. I had to force myself to take a deep breath. And hide my actual feelings. Namely, that he scared the shit out of me. Especially at closer quarters than I had anticipated. Maybe some people appreciated the up-close-and-personal with their incarcerated loved ones, but I didn’t count myself among that number.

I was grateful to be sitting. Otherwise, my shaking knees might have given me away. Assuming my quivering voice hadn’t already done so.

“Oh say it isn’t so, Vinny, my sweet!” he exclaimed with an exaggerated look of sorrow directed at me. I swear if his hands were free, he’d have clasped them together against his chest for melodramatic effect. But then again, if they had gone that route, we could have been on the safe side of plexiglass instead of the somewhat precarious position we found ourselves in.

“Knock it off!” Ethan growled, clearly annoyed. “There’s no time for this nonsense. I have a few questions for you, and I’d like you to answer them.”

Chip laughed. “Ah, my dear detective, I wish I had a lover who was as protective of me as you are of our sweet Vinny.” He glanced back and forth between us, before adding, “I hear congratulations are in order. Have you set the date yet?”

“How did you know?” I blurted out without thinking. I knew our engagement wasn’t exactly public knowledge, and we certainly hadn’t placed an announcement of it in any newspapers. I wasn’t sure if people still did that anymore. Then I glanced at my hand and spied my engagement ring, the mate to which sat on Ethan’s finger. That explained that.

As if reading my mind, Chip said,” The rings are a giveaway, I admit, but I already knew about the two of you planning to get hitched.” He gave us a lascivious wink. “I have my sources.” Could he get any more smarmy?

“Interestingly enough, that’s what I want to talk to you about,” Ethan said in a rather level tone of voice. He seemed to have shaken off his previous annoyance. I wasn’t surprised. Ethan really wasn’t the type to fly off the handle. That would be me.

 to be continued

 

 

 

 


Monday, December 4, 2023

Book Review: Love Mode, Vol 5 by Yuki Shimizu

 

Love Mode, Vol 5      


Author: Yuki Shimizu

Publisher: Blu

American release date:  May 8, 2007

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Yaoi Manga/216 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

After moving in with Reiji, Naoya’s life has changed for the better, including a new school. On the first day of school, Reiji and his brother Kiichi pick up Naoya to celebrate. As usual, Reiji seems irritated by the close relationship between Kiichi and Naoya, and his brother accuses him of being jealous. Naoya keeps his part-time job, intending to reimburse Reiji for at least some of the money the man has spent on him.

The relationship between Naoya and Reiji is beginning to subtly shift, with each man thinking of the other a lot, even if neither one admits to it. However, forces are at work that threaten to tear them apart. On his way to school, Naoya is stopped by a man who asks if he is Shirakawa Naoya. Upon learning that he is, the man says he has orders to bring him to the mansion where his grandfather awaits. Grandfather? Seriously? Meanwhile, Reiji learns that one of his clients is being blackmailed.

Naoya opts to live with his grandfather, but for altruistic reasons, believing himself to be a burden to Reiji. Reiji accepts his decision, although he leaves him with something to remember him by before he goes. Life with his grandfather isn’t always easy either. All of Naoya’s stuff is disposed of, anything which connected him to his former life, including the keys to Reiji’s apartment, which is thrown out into the enormous garden. Try though he might, Naoya can’t locate them. On top of that, young Wataru, who was supposed to be the heir to Naoya’s grandfather, is angry at Naoya’s arrival and jealous that he has been supplanted in his adopted father’s affections.

Reiji pretends to be unaffected by Naoya’s absence, but even Kiichi can see the truth about Reji’s feelings for Naoya. He and Naoya reconcile, but an unexpected crisis threatens to tear them apart permanently.

This volume of Love Mode brings the love story of Naoya and Reiji to a dramatic climax – literally and figuratively. Naoya does a lot of maturing, and learns to be his own man and make his own decisions. The scene we’ve all been waiting for between Naoya and Reiji finally happens, so yay for that! There’s a lot of drama between Naoya and Wataru, who not surpriisingly feels abandoned in favor of the “true” heir. Reiji is forced to examine his own feelings for once and not hide everything away beneath his oh so cool exterior. Things should be smoother from here on out.

Another great volume, look forward to the next!

 

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #141 - I Spit On Your Grave (1978), Violent Night

 I Spit on Your Grave (1978)


Jennifer (Camille Keaton) heads to the Connecticut woods in order to write her first novel, having previously only written short stories. Fresh air, solitude, and country living should do it, right? But she quickly learns that all things in the country aren't good or healthy.








On arrival in town, Jennifer gets gas at the local station, where she shares her excitement over the coming summer with the owner/attendant, Johnny (Eron Tabor). Later she meets Stanley (Anthony Nichols), who delivers her groceries. He is friendly and sweet, if a little slow. Seems like a good place. But she learns otherwise when she is laying out in her bikini in a boat and Johnny and a couple of his friends come upon her and decide to have some fun, in a brutal attack which they continue even after she thinks she has escaped from them. When they send Stanley in to finish the job, he can't do it, and lets them think he has. So now it's time for revenge.


I'm not going to lie, the rape scenes are brutal and hard to watch.  The poor actress also spends most of the film naked. I read that the actors asked to be naked as well in order to help make her feel more comfortable. This is a revenge film, pure and simple, and as such it succeeds, although certainly not a great film in any way. But the brutality of the rape makes the revenge that much more satisfying. I am going to watch the sequel, which was made like 40 years later, and hope it's a better film. There is also a remake of the series, which I may or may not watch. But for now, I'll give this film 3 Stars for succeeding in its primary goal.

Violent Night


Santa Claus (David Harbour) is jaded and weary, tired of the commercialism and cynicism of the modern world. He feels as if the spirit of Christmas has been lost, and he drinks to dull the pain. Trudy (Leah Brady) is a very bright little girl with only one wish for Christmas - that Dad (Alex Hassell) and Mom (Alexis Louder) make up and get back together again. They are all meeting at her Grandma Gertrude's (Beverly D'Angelo) house, along with her aunt and uncle and their brat, Bertrude. The latter are all in a tizzy to make sure they stay in good with the wealthy grandma. But a criminal who calls himself Scrooge (John Leguizamo) has other ideas. This is a Christmas they won't soon forget.




You'd think with a cast like this, and an interesting premise, this movie would be a shoe-in. I like David Harbour from Stranger Things and Hell Boy, and I have loved John Leguizamo for a long time, both for his stand-up and for such movie roles as Toulouse Lautrec in Moulin Rouge (we can forget his Mario Brothers Stint). But if you believe this, you will be sadly disappointed. The film doesn't lack of looks, and it clearly had a decent budget. But there is nothing interesting or original about it. As my son son, it's bland. It reminds me of a wanna-be copy of Die Hard. I was not just disappointed, I was bored, and I could imagine how everything was going to play out. I gave up after about thirty minutes. I suggest you just pass on this one.



Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #94 (20.3)

 Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

The moment you've been waiting for (but not Vinny) - face to face with the Florida Mangler once again! See what's happening in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #94 (20.3)

We were shown into a private room off the main hallway. The only furniture in the room was a table and three chairs. And in the single chair across from us, sitting there with the smuggest expression on his smarmy face, was… you know who.

The Florida Mangler himself. The man who’d killed our late partner, Eva June, among others. The man who’s kidnapped me and held me hostage for reasons I still didn’t comprehend. I won’t add injury to insult by referring to him as the alleged Florida Mangler, even though he hadn’t been to trial yet and wasn’t everyone innocent until proven guilty, because we knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was the Mangler. Despite whatever his lawyer might or might not plead when the time came, up to and including insanity. But I didn’t believe for one moment that Chip was crazy, just very evil.

If I’d expected Chip to look the worse for being incarcerated all this time, I was sadly mistaken. Apparently jail agreed with him as he retained his frat boy looks. If anything, his reddish-brown hair had grown longer, giving him a somewhat more feminine appearance, and his pale green eyes wore a look of amusement that definitely did reach his lips in the form a smirk.

I came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the doorway, having followed after Ethan and the policeman, my feet having refused to cooperate and enter the room. I could clearly see that Chip was manacled in place, and even if we sat directly across fom him at the table, he would not be able to reach either of us. That didn’t keep me from worrying that he might try.

I barely heard the recitation of the rules given by our escort, until he said he would be right outside the door, which I was still standing inside. Ethan turned to face me, a concerned look on his handsome face.

“C’mon in, Vinny,” Chip beckoned me with a wolfish grin. “Let me see that pretty face.” He chuckled at his own warped wit.

Ethan stepped closer to me, lowering his voice so only I could hear. “We can leave if you want. We don’t have to do this.”

But I knew we did if we were ever to get closure. I didn’t trust the court system to provide that. I’d seen too many cases where killers were sentenced but never had to explain why they had done what they’d done.

“I’ll be okay, Ethan,” I assured him, even though I wasn’t so sure myself. I took a step inside the room, and then another. Ethan nodded at the officer and he left, closing the door behind him and locking us in with our archenemy.

Straighten your spine, DelaRosa. You can do this.

I took a deep breath and nodded to Ethan. We covered the short distance between us and the table and took our seats.

“Long time no see, guys,” Chip remarked.

 to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb


Saturday, November 25, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #140 - A Monster Calls, Silent Night, Deadly Night 2

A Monster Calls

 


Twelve-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) i8s having a rough life.  His mother (Felicity Jones) is dying, and the thought of living with his strict grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) is more than he can bear. On top of that, he is being bullied at school, and no one will come to his assistance. His dad (Toby Kebbell) lives in America now, and he has a new family, and he has no room for Conor. What's a boy to do?







But then he encounter a monster in the form of a giant tree (Liam Neeson). While frightening at first, he helps Conor to cope with the reality of his existence. He tells Conor that he shall tell him three stories and then Conor will tell him his own story. Conor protests that he has no story to tell, but the Monster proceeds anyway with his tales.


I honestly did not know what to expect from this movie, but I was most pleasantly surprised. Twelve is


very young to have to deal with the impending death of one parent and the seeming indifference of the other, along with a grandmother he barely knows and doesn't like. It's a tale of bravery and imagination that will warm the coldest of hearts. It's well written, acted, and directed. I really enjoyed it. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 2


Ricky Caldwell (Eric Freeman) was just a baby and his brother Billy only 7 when their family was attacked by a man in a Santa suit by the side of the road. Dad was shot and killed, and Mom was assaulted and murdered in front of her children. The two boys were sent to live in an orphanage run by Mother Superior (Jean Miller). Billy grew up haunted by what he had seen, and the nun was brutal in her punishments. He became a serial killer in a Santa suit himself.






Fast forward a number of years. Ricky is in a mental institution, being interviewed by the new psychiatrist.  He tells of his past family trauma, but he has plans of his own. Will history repeat itself?


Silent Night Deadly Night 2 picks up where the last one left off. But if you haven't seen the first one,  no worries - this one recaps all of the highlights of that film, and that takes up about two-thirds of this movie. So you might as well skip the first one completely.


Let there be no doubt this movie is all about shock and gore and senseless violence. And women with bare breasts. The writing is horrible, the acting atrocious. It's like watching a train wreck. And yet you find you can't look away. If you don't take it seriously, and just accept it for it is, you might not be sorry you watched it. I didn't realize I'd already seen one of the scenes  in another video. Now I'll never forget Garbage Day. All things considered, I'll give this movie 2.5 Stars. I hear there are sequels. Might have to check them out.


Saturday, November 18, 2023

Saturday is Horror Day #140 - M3gan

 M3gan


Gemma (Allison Williams) is a robotics engineer at a toy company. She is frustrated to learn that the project she has been working on to produce a lifelike AI doll is not being greenlit. Despite that, she continues to work on it, confident that this will take the toy world by storm and be a major seller. When she unexpectedly becomes the guardian for her orphaned niece Cady (Violet McGraw), she finishes the prototype and gives it to Cady, so the company will see what the doll, M3gan, can do. 






Cady, devastated by the loss of her parents and having her life uprooted, takes to M3gan immediately. The AI becomes everything to her, and they become inseparable. Everything seems to be going well...until M3gan develops a mind of her own. And she won't let anybody keep her down.


I've been wanting to see this for some time, so was glad of the opportunity to see it. I thought it was


interesting to watch, and the AI M3gan was quite chilling, and she had some interesting moves. I certainly wouldn't want to cross her. Makes you think about the possible pitfalls of creating such an AI. But overall, it was a decent film, and I am looking forward to the sequel.  I'll give this film 4 Stars.