tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61752990185816446342024-03-17T22:02:43.697-05:00Full Moon Dreamingmy passions, my loves, my interests, my thoughts, my ramblings - come inside and warm yourself on the heat of my muses!
Julie L. HayesJulie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.comBlogger2574125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-89574959074429455922024-03-16T00:05:00.001-05:002024-03-16T00:05:00.157-05:00Saturday is Horror Day #157 - The Barrens, May<p> <b>The Barrens</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm50k91mAz3c-ISFBRLo-_hayx4w36ei3Q4EbLBWV0Pv42dX84Wu-OtgemwWb_CBfW9k3zFAXvNyqT39JK6eE7qta6e1etuCxrviEXwmSFIjLK32ZxZvWBvXO1nkapnpjVJl6q8n1yQtrRHNWMq21Htu7rse0w6S_tOs0IEtlOGK8xbYLWi05Gvm5CICwP/s2048/The%20Barrens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm50k91mAz3c-ISFBRLo-_hayx4w36ei3Q4EbLBWV0Pv42dX84Wu-OtgemwWb_CBfW9k3zFAXvNyqT39JK6eE7qta6e1etuCxrviEXwmSFIjLK32ZxZvWBvXO1nkapnpjVJl6q8n1yQtrRHNWMq21Htu7rse0w6S_tOs0IEtlOGK8xbYLWi05Gvm5CICwP/s320/The%20Barrens.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br />Richard Vineyard (Stephen Moyer) is trying to bring his family closer together. He has a daughter Sadie (Allie MacDonald) by his late first wife. He's married to Cynthia (Mia Kirshner) now and they have a six-year-old son Danny (Peter DaCunha). Sadie doesn't respect Cynthia and finds Danny annoying. He decides to take them on a camping trip to a place called The Barrens, in New Jersey, where his late father used to take him. The trip will also serve to scatter his dad's ashes in this place where they once bonded. Danny doesn't want to go because his dog Oscar is missing, but he is persuaded to go.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Along the way, they pass a sign advertising the Jersey Devil. Richard assures Danny that it's just a story, nothing to worry about. They arrive and check in to the camping area, then head to a site to set up. To their dismay, a number of people are there, not quite the idyll he had anticipated. That night, there is a campfire and ghost stories, and a young man scares Danny, which angers Richard and he overreacts. The same young man makes friends with Sadie, which doesn't sit well with him either.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeEs5dgd5v6111AU5zWrDddKBxY7AkQT8JJCRfers8NNabfNNeE-1s7i2gRoXguWRpt8h_IFK68Cw7lo9K90UOiRcekJ9jf-d-wyDJv8GmLIGShnkfCDXs0XzXrRdw3lw6oxVPx_-rl_AyGG1aeX_3e-RFXwK870OMJwj_nOnwQ9Pf5cjb9bI1ZUxYMwP/s1415/The%20Barrens%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="940" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeEs5dgd5v6111AU5zWrDddKBxY7AkQT8JJCRfers8NNabfNNeE-1s7i2gRoXguWRpt8h_IFK68Cw7lo9K90UOiRcekJ9jf-d-wyDJv8GmLIGShnkfCDXs0XzXrRdw3lw6oxVPx_-rl_AyGG1aeX_3e-RFXwK870OMJwj_nOnwQ9Pf5cjb9bI1ZUxYMwP/s320/The%20Barrens%202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The family ends up leaving the the next day for another site. But so far this trip hasn't helped in any </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ9lpH-ou6NI7o9ehPyusi_IhmbKGBjDfMvYZfrpzvcnuv-BndNf-092J_QJZ9W9EJT2drxXqjtsCDoxNSGf5bXJSU0llURDu_oMg4vuJI7ynUaA-pf5BjColwQEbsuwY6I8wzxa3fb_pEYvW3Hg6e40m8UcgdjkIHt-7dNEXzwX0rOEUOnnnPHFB9aHb/s300/The%20Barrens%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ9lpH-ou6NI7o9ehPyusi_IhmbKGBjDfMvYZfrpzvcnuv-BndNf-092J_QJZ9W9EJT2drxXqjtsCDoxNSGf5bXJSU0llURDu_oMg4vuJI7ynUaA-pf5BjColwQEbsuwY6I8wzxa3fb_pEYvW3Hg6e40m8UcgdjkIHt-7dNEXzwX0rOEUOnnnPHFB9aHb/s1600/The%20Barrens%203.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> way, and Richard is acting more and more oddly, favoring his arm. But he won't let his wife look at it. And he is not only overprotective of his daughter and paranoid about his wife. Things go from bad to worse when they run across an abandoned camp with a couple of dead bodies. Richard becomes convinced it's the work of the Jersey Devil, and he's been after him ever since he was a child.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I'll be honest, I was primarily drawn to watch this because of Stephen Moyer, but I really liked this movie. It kept me guessing the whole time as to what was going on, whether Richard was imagining things because he was ill or was there really a monster known as the Jersey Devil? The acting was good, it felt like watching a family disintegrating in so many ways, but it's also about the love that ultimately keeps them together. Plenty of suspense and scary moments. This was written and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who also brought us Repo the Genetic Opera and a couple of Saw films, including Spiral, which I plan to rewatch soon. This was a good film. I'll give it 4 Stars.</p><p><b>May</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlU2ZEwHcFsTNliBP7Ftg-cqKRI58cuhg6Su6RKREKWnzerx7b64xBdeLQ_Cdr4vb38F5K3zMPPp6AHGbEPkk8vZJqSizPaXHaQycTXfrTkravFWrmSX_2qAeBOGvT1O31Dz9V4uqPrptp0tSpm526Z64p79P6ONvrXc4UtFNZhGdXIqyRPrGNUqUCa0o/s384/May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlU2ZEwHcFsTNliBP7Ftg-cqKRI58cuhg6Su6RKREKWnzerx7b64xBdeLQ_Cdr4vb38F5K3zMPPp6AHGbEPkk8vZJqSizPaXHaQycTXfrTkravFWrmSX_2qAeBOGvT1O31Dz9V4uqPrptp0tSpm526Z64p79P6ONvrXc4UtFNZhGdXIqyRPrGNUqUCa0o/s320/May.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />As a child, May (Angela Bettis) had few friends because of her lazy eye. Her mother gives her a strange doll in a glass case, warning her not to remove it from the case, and she becomes May's only friend. May grows up socially awkward and lonely and becomes a veterinary assistant at an office where she works with Polly (Anna Faris). May is still shy, but Polly is always nice to her, and May is good with the animals. One day she spies a good-looking young mechanic named Adam (Jeremy Sisto). she develops a crush on him, especially his hands, and goes out of her way to insert herself into his life. She is ecstatic to become his girlfriend, but things don't work out. Then May and Polly get together, and once again, things don't work out. So May decides to take the best parts of the people who have wronged her and make herself a friend.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>May is a quirky and unusual film, not your run of the mill horror story. I found it hard to actually root </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsw-KQ1mDUkPZIszknI2rw9YYfpSpSBofmSVbBHqpj_ErH9EIkhxpZLllmD-Vx1y-T1EYSdmG70wOUYLyCIn6AFvBWsehX1Mrs4YrWejXJ2krvcUgitkVg40Ralt8J7Zxevk5RIJCHGjgEIX5JLQmW43km25vbhJ11ctGJeK3cwPS03haBTvC4W-GziRW/s853/May%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="853" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsw-KQ1mDUkPZIszknI2rw9YYfpSpSBofmSVbBHqpj_ErH9EIkhxpZLllmD-Vx1y-T1EYSdmG70wOUYLyCIn6AFvBWsehX1Mrs4YrWejXJ2krvcUgitkVg40Ralt8J7Zxevk5RIJCHGjgEIX5JLQmW43km25vbhJ11ctGJeK3cwPS03haBTvC4W-GziRW/s320/May%202.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> for May, because she is not very tightly wrapped, when you get down to it. You gotta worry about someone who takes advice from a doll, and holds conversations with it. And though Adam was good to look at, he wasn't necessarily nice inside. Polly really cared about May but she wasn't serious enough to settle down. It is an interesting film, but sometimes I found my mind wandering, so it didn't completely catch my attention. It is worth watching, though, even if not exactly my cup of tea. Worth it to see Jeremy Sisto. I'll give this film 3.5 Stars.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykD1I8q7WJB7ijafxEiIvr8TEgqgiVgOcEFxxg96-p4VcrGuoNG7ESAgwhOttlUJyNc8Zsm-X8OFOiqjg2FPU-13yjgJbJyqYkFFVy5kpIiH0eziHOO6lTkBVGitrML8PCS_f-gzmsRzympACczd9WB6tjixHt77hqze0AFOf869aArkhSFgejBvWo207/s620/May%203.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="620" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykD1I8q7WJB7ijafxEiIvr8TEgqgiVgOcEFxxg96-p4VcrGuoNG7ESAgwhOttlUJyNc8Zsm-X8OFOiqjg2FPU-13yjgJbJyqYkFFVy5kpIiH0eziHOO6lTkBVGitrML8PCS_f-gzmsRzympACczd9WB6tjixHt77hqze0AFOf869aArkhSFgejBvWo207/s320/May%203.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-21694193841634196592024-03-14T00:05:00.001-05:002024-03-14T00:05:00.148-05:00Book Review: In Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires ( by Raymond T McNally & Radu Florescu)<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">In
Search of Dracula: The History of Dracula and Vampires (revised) </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKbJ82sgdEEA7eW76j1lWVMfIqhC2SknAT5rIVubsuLdM987YgZ8Q2Ml_mllIgKZb5i7jRlDXQP9OcpJVtwE9NaTUjgyCaPgK19AyqB8G5iZCeVR2FlOxxDjCZu9ixbcgufmnDmGCPJNLz0qAAmKx-wIwVMNTZKBoptgRC5owWZ-Er_rE4BITzaTqSC8H/s500/In%20Search%20of%20Dracula%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKbJ82sgdEEA7eW76j1lWVMfIqhC2SknAT5rIVubsuLdM987YgZ8Q2Ml_mllIgKZb5i7jRlDXQP9OcpJVtwE9NaTUjgyCaPgK19AyqB8G5iZCeVR2FlOxxDjCZu9ixbcgufmnDmGCPJNLz0qAAmKx-wIwVMNTZKBoptgRC5owWZ-Er_rE4BITzaTqSC8H/s320/In%20Search%20of%20Dracula%20cover.jpg" width="207" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Radu Florescu and Raymond T McNally<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: k;">Mariner Books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">October 31, 1994<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Hardback/History/320 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Overall
Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Everyone has heard of the infamous
vampire Count Dracula, immortalized by Bram Stoker in his novel <i>Dracula</i>,
first published in 1896. But not everyone knows that there was a real Dracula, Vlad
Dracula, aka Vlad Tepes, a Wallachian prince who lived in the 15<sup>th</sup>
century, a powerful ruler who was both feared and admired by people of his
time. (And yes, Transylvania <i>is</i> a real place!)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Dracula experts Radu Florescu and
Raymond McNally have taken their original book, first published in 1972, and
completely revised and updated it. The real Dracula’s story is a fascinating
one, filled with violence and intrigue. The authors explore his life and the
circumstances that molded his character. The things he did were often cruel,
but at the same time he was a product of his times, a violent era filled with
wars and shifting political and religious allegiances. It’s hard to know who to
trust when even your own family conspires against you, and survival depends on
caution and knowing when to act. There is no doubt he did some terrible things,
especially impaling many people, innocent women and children among them. But
even to this day, he is revered as a hero by people in his own country.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">This book delves into his life, as
well as the life of author Bram Stoker, who brought the Romanian prince back to
life, so to speak, in the form of his vampire count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know that Stoker was gay? Besides
being an author, he was a long-time manager of the famous actor Henry Irving,
whom he also had a crush on. In the section on Stoker, the authors talk about
the research that went into the writing of Stoker’s novel. They also discuss
the vampire on stage, in fiction, and on film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The appendixes include stories about Dracula told by people of various
nationalities. For example, there are the Turkish ambassadors who appeared
before him, wearing turbans. When Dracula requested they remove the turbans,
the men said they could not for national reasons. So Dracula assisted them in
their desire to keep them on by driving nails through the turbans into their
heads and sent them back to their sultan. (Keep in mind, Dracula had good
reason not to like the sultan, and had been held hostage by him for five years
as a boy).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">This book was very fascinating,
and is a must-have for anyone who enjoys history and Dracula, whether the real
one or the fictional one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These authors
are foremost in their field for a reason.</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-72898591643592468102024-03-13T00:05:00.001-05:002024-03-13T00:05:00.142-05:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #7 (2.3)<p> 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.</p><p>Avram has gone into the village since Dracula is out and about, but he can't help but be worried that the vampire is being foolish. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dI8qJKGa4iQHRqVr-I-knhD7k6xehuviqNxAQXoTch-88hvUAMoOheAW-1U8Go3JW0LBqeM3dBj4BZD0itCmFAFJ6qJ9tt-4OLaRlXl2QHSNIEYZXTAvxmlbYLWy-bm1xXPY1qiRt4f7rMPYeqIPto8BD3N_Z1prrWIbXg-23s4nL0KL0MiJMGGvJnd5/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dI8qJKGa4iQHRqVr-I-knhD7k6xehuviqNxAQXoTch-88hvUAMoOheAW-1U8Go3JW0LBqeM3dBj4BZD0itCmFAFJ6qJ9tt-4OLaRlXl2QHSNIEYZXTAvxmlbYLWy-bm1xXPY1qiRt4f7rMPYeqIPto8BD3N_Z1prrWIbXg-23s4nL0KL0MiJMGGvJnd5/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #7 (2.3)</span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Avram shook
his head as he pushed open the heavy wooden door of the alehouse after leaving
his horse stabled nearby. An uneasy feeling had taken up residence in the pit
of his stomach. He wished Dracula wouldn’t take such risks just for sexual gratification,
particularly this close to home. And a married woman at that. What if the
husband found out? While he was sure the vampire could more than handle himself
in a fight, the ramifications of being outed would be detrimental to both of
them. Dracula may be on the immortal side, but he was neither invincible nor
invulnerable—given the right circumstances, he could be killed. At least Avram
didn’t have to worry that he was using this woman for her blood. That would be
disastrous indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Sometimes
I think the man is just meshuggeneh. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He
glanced around him as he made his way across the room to the bar, as if he were
looking for someone. Most were faces familiar to him, lifelong residents of
Bistritz. He returned their greetings, albeit somewhat distractedly. Truth be
told he was searching for one face in particular. When he didn’t see him
immediately, a chill coursed up his spine. But then he heard a loud bray from
the far side of the room. He glanced over to spy a tall, broad-shouldered ape
of a man, seated at a table with a few of his friends. He seemed to be
entertaining them with an amusing tale from his undoubtedly limited repertoire.
Bogdan the blacksmith. Dumb but strong. Generally, he was known as a
good-natured fellow, but when it came to his pretty wife, he was said to
possess more than a small streak of jealousy. At least since he was currently
sitting here, he could be nowhere near Dracula’s vicinity. The whole group
seemed rather <i>ferschnickered.</i> None of them were likely to be going anywhere
soon, not in their drunken condition. Avram released a sigh of relief and
prayed that the vampire would take his pleasure and quickly leave the village.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Would
you like some ale, Avram?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Somewhat
mollified by the presence of the blacksmith, Avram turned his attention to the young
woman behind the bar whose father owned the establishment. Instinctively he
checked her neck for any sign that Dracula had been there, despite knowing the
vampire was dallying with another woman. Seeing nothing, he relaxed a little.
“Yes, please.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">She
poured him a tankard of ale and set it on the bar in front of him. “Looking for
someone?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“No, no
one,” he assured her. Found someone he had but he wasn’t about to tell her
that. Turning slightly, he surveyed the room more carefully, deciding where he
should sit. He needed a vantage point from which he could watch Bogdan as well
as the door, in case the blacksmith developed the sudden urge to leave. He
couldn’t allow that to happen, at least not for a while. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">The
large public area contained a dozen or so tables where villagers could spend their
free time, drinking ale and socializing with their neighbors. Simple iron
sconces dotted the larch wood walls to supplement the inviting fire that blazed
in the hearth, lending an air of comfort and warmth to the establishment. Avram
was familiar with most everyone he saw as visitors were not common in Bistritz,
usually tradespeople picking up or delivering trade goods from neighboring
towns. These tended to conduct their business during the day before hastening elsewhere.
Thanks to the infamy of some members of Dracula’s family, the area had
developed a sinister reputation, especially after dark. Outsiders tended to
stay away after nightfall, although the residents were not quite as wary. They
realized that the days of Vlad Dracula were long gone, and no one had been
impaled in many years. But even they weren’t so sure about some of the mythical
creatures said to roam about the countryside. Tales abounded of dragons and
ogres, werewolves and ghosts. And of course, the ever-popular <i>strigoi</i>,
also known as the vampire. Avram prayed the truth would never be discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Avram! My friend! Over here!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk161057067"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Avram
glanced toward the caller, a pudgy man about his own age, whose close-cropped
blond hair showed more and more scalp with each passing year. Avram teasingly
referred to it as his tonsure. The man had bright blue eyes and a contagious
smile. Avram couldn’t help but return that smile as he turned his steps toward the
table where he sat. Father Gunther, the parish priest at the Old Church. Avram
considered the priest to be a friend despite their religious differences, but they
never let those interfere with their friendship. In fact, those same
differences often led to rather lively and entertaining discussions between
them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">As Avram
drew near, the priest shifted from one seat to another, leaving Avram a chair
that held a better view of the room. Father Gunther had known Avram since they
were both boys and knew, as did everyone in the village, who he worked for.
Despite the friendly faces, there were still those who eyed Avram with open
suspicion. Some went so far as to cross themselves in his vicinity, as if that
were protection against either him or Dracula. That was no more effective than
their use of the sign of the horns to ward off evil. But if the gesture was of
comfort to them, far be it from him to interfere with their peace of mind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk161057137"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“How
are things with you?” As Avram took a seat, he noticed sullen glances from some
of the villagers who sat nearby, but these turned their heads quickly, as if
afraid of being noticed. “Save any sinners this week?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">The
priest chuckled. “No, I sent them all to the new church. We have to keep Father
Damien employed, don’t we?” He raised his own mug and Avram followed suit. “To
your health, my friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“<i>L’chaim,”
</i>Avram readily responded. <i>To life. </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i>to be continued</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #666666;">Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-36609659002590511952024-03-12T00:01:00.001-05:002024-03-12T00:01:00.141-05:00Virtual Book Tour: Picasso's Lovers by <p> Good morning, everyone! Please welcome author Jeannie Mackin to Full Moon Dreaming. She is here to tell us about her new release, Picasso's Lovers. Jeannie will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go <a href="https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/02/book-blast-picassos-lovers-by-jeanne.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!</p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRRRpL8H8wUl0AEzDD-RJ4qU2SrBbE7OOtNCtiBGO9qlbKrpIoCPby28PSO-d4N6-tJOuTEmswINmrzAe135TVTJ7KMUr7jXiiO6cZch4r5Gahr6Qjotrwc2tx3PqmDbEiM9WK5cDnLP51lrAYtb0Pka4Y7Ftxere17gaypAwhfUZFDtFZ-IzH6je7JRb/s660/MediaKit_Graphic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="660" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRRRpL8H8wUl0AEzDD-RJ4qU2SrBbE7OOtNCtiBGO9qlbKrpIoCPby28PSO-d4N6-tJOuTEmswINmrzAe135TVTJ7KMUr7jXiiO6cZch4r5Gahr6Qjotrwc2tx3PqmDbEiM9WK5cDnLP51lrAYtb0Pka4Y7Ftxere17gaypAwhfUZFDtFZ-IzH6je7JRb/s320/MediaKit_Graphic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">PICASSO'S LOVERS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jeanne Mackin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rXrapU0VpHuE-09G2cKXAT5xLWf9th-HNDM5OWOzhryyP4_U-ddeY0If37nRsq8f1wuf6Alf9E15f_UlagMygJIj83iO65Oo1w2U-9hLHj-jkzH1ZNbKwvQHdDeUIiCJzBN6cSRNG4daRLUJoxdKKrrDFZtN9tFWjOCzPD1Eha9RZk1bYn8PPEhtB8Ox/s2397/BookCover_picasso%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="1546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rXrapU0VpHuE-09G2cKXAT5xLWf9th-HNDM5OWOzhryyP4_U-ddeY0If37nRsq8f1wuf6Alf9E15f_UlagMygJIj83iO65Oo1w2U-9hLHj-jkzH1ZNbKwvQHdDeUIiCJzBN6cSRNG4daRLUJoxdKKrrDFZtN9tFWjOCzPD1Eha9RZk1bYn8PPEhtB8Ox/s320/BookCover_picasso%20cover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">GENRE</span></b><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Historical Fiction<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: k; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BLURB:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You
know Pablo Picasso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now meet the women
behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso's life are glamorous and elusive,
existing in the shadow of his fame - until, in the 1950's, aspiring journalist
Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past
complicated by secrets and intrigue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">EXCERPT:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gazes from Pablo Picasso are like brushstrokes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are long, lingering, full of texture and
pigment. Some are short, shallow, even accidental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gaze on me now falls somewhere between
the two.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once, his gaze would have found enough for an entire
painting. He would have seen flesh, and the bone and muscle under the flesh,
the question or certainty of the eyes. He would have seen past, present, and
future and painted them in a way that made time irrelevant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, that was how he pained me. Everything and at once, all
the angles and geometry of the body, and he made of me something eternal and
always beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what an
artists can do for a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When most
men looked at me, all I saw in their faces was desire, the urge to possess.
When Pablo looked at me, his face filled with wonder waiting to be translated
to lines and brushstrokes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spring. The second year of the Great War. I wasn’t twenty
yet, and had returned from cold, starving Moscow, where a loaf of bread coast
as much as a silk dress…Back to Paris for me!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Pablo first saw me, I was sitting on the rim of the
Wallace Fountain in Place Emile, face turned up to the sun like a basking cat,
enjoying the fine day and wondering what adventure I might<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>find…It was early summer. I had stolen a
bunch of cherries at Les Halles and a roll, but my stomach rattled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW-Ez5aUNsKlvq161eU54We4hWaaEmRJ2UyOq5Mgk1RUWWsJQs3ja07qRgrALyKZteD01LAHTUGc-is1BF4Gn-7ADaOr0Nk2dUKUL38dU_avyBo6gL1H7Pl-EuQDX_eGC7U47AXRVhEPZy_FzHFuSTAbkHswr10jlgxbOgpy_ZYHUSiWS3GxEf6SUy1xO/s2219/author%20image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2219" data-original-width="1791" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW-Ez5aUNsKlvq161eU54We4hWaaEmRJ2UyOq5Mgk1RUWWsJQs3ja07qRgrALyKZteD01LAHTUGc-is1BF4Gn-7ADaOr0Nk2dUKUL38dU_avyBo6gL1H7Pl-EuQDX_eGC7U47AXRVhEPZy_FzHFuSTAbkHswr10jlgxbOgpy_ZYHUSiWS3GxEf6SUy1xO/s320/author%20image.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">AUTHOR Bio and Links:</span></b><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels,
including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages,
and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing
program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work
on her next novel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Website: http://www.jeannemackin.com<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneMackinAuthor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeanneMackin1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor">http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Picassos-Lovers-Jeanne-Mackin-ebook/dp/B0C3C2J4FH/ref=sr_1_1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: ; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqw6mCLqD7UjQ5of6wiNi7BY1irDcdnTY4YobBqAHHIjWlC8xASTG95WKK5a4v9Sogc2z5Nb6sWBA11vjNV5hmXFOLDpfHrscCA6jX0BEboML5bvHmCReIZRc2VmWnMQiC1I_J-9yApLSj3KS_Uo0PtJSkTQi5EHUcUZEg01dsRn83AinCqVwHaxKk5e3/s1200/TourBanner_Picassos%20lovers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="1200" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqw6mCLqD7UjQ5of6wiNi7BY1irDcdnTY4YobBqAHHIjWlC8xASTG95WKK5a4v9Sogc2z5Nb6sWBA11vjNV5hmXFOLDpfHrscCA6jX0BEboML5bvHmCReIZRc2VmWnMQiC1I_J-9yApLSj3KS_Uo0PtJSkTQi5EHUcUZEg01dsRn83AinCqVwHaxKk5e3/s320/TourBanner_Picassos%20lovers.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4846/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="28e4345f4846" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_vp63qamc">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-5795546047711324262024-03-09T00:05:00.001-06:002024-03-09T00:05:00.138-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #156 - Silent Night (2021), Lake Mungo<p> <b>Silent Night (2021)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipteOh4KcvAoM5-9dEL2fZNmGRGkYL5OOQnbY2pdrsaN5lIywebI8v3iGu51nj82QJRBvsMDf1M6hg7iPt02DS7sFCgLBBVUG74uT1lhKsunVQF6xFc8zqt82NYsnFRNc1PFGhTFfDEDqZfdHkyu8T3keFvuoHddxPkqWkdjtKf8WCyCWdroHPcKL-bAr0/s1482/Silent%20Night%202021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1482" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipteOh4KcvAoM5-9dEL2fZNmGRGkYL5OOQnbY2pdrsaN5lIywebI8v3iGu51nj82QJRBvsMDf1M6hg7iPt02DS7sFCgLBBVUG74uT1lhKsunVQF6xFc8zqt82NYsnFRNc1PFGhTFfDEDqZfdHkyu8T3keFvuoHddxPkqWkdjtKf8WCyCWdroHPcKL-bAr0/s320/Silent%20Night%202021.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />The apocalypse is happening... and everyone knows when. Nothing can be done to stop it. In preparation for the event, the government has provided citizens with Exit Pills, to avoid suffering when it does occur. Nell (Keira Knightley) and Simon (Matthew Goode) have a happy marriage and three sons. They decide they don't want to face this alone, so they invite their group of long-time friends to join them at a house in the countryside to have one last hurrah and see each other one last time before they accept the end by taking their pills. Everyone seems to be in relatively high spirits, and much drinking ensures. But not surprisingly, loose tongues reveal long-kept secrets, straining even the best of relationships as this group of friends waits for the apocalypse to occur. And one of Nell and Simon's sons, Art (Roman Griffin Davis) questions what the adults are doing.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I found this a very thought-provoking film, and one that it isn't impossible to envision. If not this </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj7DpP95kR019QUAy-6mD9aiifjjrbf3QbxbKwVPtpk7y333kn2Whzb2nV4pCIzX6HDGEZ5t71p-0bnLu24Pq8-aB_lwXtXK-4jg2YOjGdnKDED3QPF9ardO59LVX978JhcxLC9w9ZS0x42RGZ8AbLOkFlBw_BsD0moPUdMZsi0i3B6ayjVRE825y6J8l/s1280/Silent%20Night%202021%202.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="1280" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj7DpP95kR019QUAy-6mD9aiifjjrbf3QbxbKwVPtpk7y333kn2Whzb2nV4pCIzX6HDGEZ5t71p-0bnLu24Pq8-aB_lwXtXK-4jg2YOjGdnKDED3QPF9ardO59LVX978JhcxLC9w9ZS0x42RGZ8AbLOkFlBw_BsD0moPUdMZsi0i3B6ayjVRE825y6J8l/s320/Silent%20Night%202021%202.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /> particular scenario, then something similar. Like Art, I had so many questions about what was going on and how the adults were responding. This is the perfect what-would-I-do movie as you imagine yourself in their shows and think about how you would react to what is going on. Yes, there are some secrets revealed that might have/should have been kept to the grave, but some people just can't hold their liquor. It's also about love and shared history and togetherness. It's well acted, especially Knightley and Goode. I am a huge fan of Goode, which is how I became interested in watching this when I accidentally ran across it while looking up the other series, the Silent Night, Deadly Night series. Similar name, totally different. Also, you might remember seeing the boy who plays Art in JoJo Rabbit, which is a very interesting film.<p></p><p>My only real complaint, and a minor one at that, is something I found their accents difficult to understand, but if anyone is concerned about that, you can always turn on close captioning. I didn't, and I was fine with it. Like I said, this film gives you a lot to think about, and unlike a lot of horror films, it is a believable scenario. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars.</p><p><b>Lake Mungo</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbfqBrT2DJIAUh7TrYd76NFBolSX4naGPnduir_IOPb5gZr6w6UUjJM__giHTrhIECHGGvwJzqlX-aCi18bG1eicZ2J8P9g9G-iXFyDNTeDW5F2PI6FL2QPXke7fIBQwM6_ML0M_RQDKeQo0c0Yv-AclwAIrYaMs44BR0gJZeG87cjrE9kpmLqjQGUuCA/s1410/Lake%20Mungo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbfqBrT2DJIAUh7TrYd76NFBolSX4naGPnduir_IOPb5gZr6w6UUjJM__giHTrhIECHGGvwJzqlX-aCi18bG1eicZ2J8P9g9G-iXFyDNTeDW5F2PI6FL2QPXke7fIBQwM6_ML0M_RQDKeQo0c0Yv-AclwAIrYaMs44BR0gJZeG87cjrE9kpmLqjQGUuCA/s320/Lake%20Mungo.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br />Alice Palmer (Talia Zucker) is only 16 when she drowns. Her parents, June (Rosie Traynor) and Russell (David Pledger) are grief-stricken, wanting to know why this happened, as is her brother Matthew (Martin Sharpe). But after her death, strange things start to happen, and the figure of the late girl begins appearing in new photographs.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The search for understanding what happened leads to the discovery of things about Alice her family didn't realize, that she led a secret double life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJst3uDGT1Vsg2Mf7ApWfMla3S3NhRLKl-3YP3lHhOTYDyqsGyAcd2sDnF0pU4SyAlcHyO4t4B7nsAlbGNinNpyRDq0M5nceKZ6taSP4N3emQpBl9LoAdTGWJriwXfOYGohJ80JlI_67Be5QLUwjb8ORnl1pP8JwfeJhR6bBx0QRy7rveyHt4A5AnLygQ/s1108/Lake%20Mungo%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1108" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJst3uDGT1Vsg2Mf7ApWfMla3S3NhRLKl-3YP3lHhOTYDyqsGyAcd2sDnF0pU4SyAlcHyO4t4B7nsAlbGNinNpyRDq0M5nceKZ6taSP4N3emQpBl9LoAdTGWJriwXfOYGohJ80JlI_67Be5QLUwjb8ORnl1pP8JwfeJhR6bBx0QRy7rveyHt4A5AnLygQ/s320/Lake%20Mungo%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>To be honest, this film didn't do it for me, although I've seen a number of good reviews for it. They talk about grief and how to deal with it, but that wasn't the kind of ghost story I was expecting, so maybe that's why I wasn't impressed. I kind of lost interest early on but kept going anyway. If this sort of thing interests, give it a try, just wasn't for me. I'll give this film 2 Stars.</p><p><br /></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-4637127970050799792024-03-07T00:05:00.013-06:002024-03-07T00:05:00.314-06:00Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 13 by Yusei Matsui<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Assassination
Classroom, Vol 13 </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ2fIymEL16Cdyf_HLf1wYyHDjCpePt06c-aTcGrrBRQUsdV334nfW4j9FfuAULudMUimngzPTuQjtE1zgeapls-Te8NxanfA-4HiUBZLUTVodBHCnqqSAzMbt_KgJwtuGcDHk719CGDr5QeAEHyw1UnZv7Oy5ewIr8E51Rpsj14P-w2Wzn47YK4JUayg/s256/Assassination%20Classroom,%20Vol%2013%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="256" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQ2fIymEL16Cdyf_HLf1wYyHDjCpePt06c-aTcGrrBRQUsdV334nfW4j9FfuAULudMUimngzPTuQjtE1zgeapls-Te8NxanfA-4HiUBZLUTVodBHCnqqSAzMbt_KgJwtuGcDHk719CGDr5QeAEHyw1UnZv7Oy5ewIr8E51Rpsj14P-w2Wzn47YK4JUayg/s1600/Assassination%20Classroom,%20Vol%2013%20cover.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Yusei Matsui<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Viz Media<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">December 6, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 204.75pt;"><b><span style="color: ;">Overall Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Still holding the students of
Class 3E hostage, the Grim Reaper watches as Karasuma comes to the rescue,
seemingly undeterred by the traps the Reaper has laid. So then he unleashes
what he believes to be his ultimate weapon – Irina! But she is also being used
as bait, and he explodes the ceiling on both of them. Irina is pinned under the
rubble, but Karasuma fails to be ensnared. Still in contact with Koro Sensei
and the students, he explains what happened and intends to move on, but they
plead for him to help Irina, explaining how she is still young herself and the
product of her upbringing. He should be understanding and forgive her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">The Grim Reaper turns his
attention back to his hostages and is shocked and dismayed to find they’ve
escaped!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how? Frustrated, he
detonates the collars around their necks. Turnabout being fair play, now Irina
is being used as bait… for the Grim Reaper. When he takes it, Karasuma is
ready, and now the two of them are going to face off! Will it be to the death?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Koro Sensei decides to play career
counselor to his students, asking them what they plan to do for a vocation –
assuming they assassinate him, of course. If they don’t, then no one has a
future, do they? The students make some surprising choices, including Nagisa,
who feels he should become a professional assassin!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Nagisa’s classmates and teacher
are unaware of his horrific home life with his controlling mother. She decides
she wants him out of Class 3E, for his own good, no matter what it takes. Not
only is she abusive, but she has treated him like a girl for years, wishing
she’d had a daughter instead of a son. She decides she will talk to Nagisa’s
home room teacher and get him transferred to the main building, despite
Nagisa’s efforts to dissuade her from going there. What can they do? Unfortunately,
Karasuma is unavailable, and Irina is a poor choice, as they discover. That
only leads Koro Sensei, which is cause for great concern, despite his attempts
to disguise himself as Karasuma. During the interview, it quickly becomes
apparent how unstable Nagisa’s mother really is. Just when it seems that maybe
everything will turn out all right after they return home, his mother drugs him
and takes him to the classroom in the dead of night, demanding her son burn it
down with his own two hands! This can’t end well, can it?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">It's time for the School Festival!
Class A is determined to get revenge on Class E, and everyone is stoked to find
out how the two rivals will fare against one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Koro Sensei’s students feel they are at a
disadvantage, being isolated on the mountain as they are. Who will want to
trudge up there for cheap eats? But Koro Sensei shows them how to turn disadvantages
to advantages!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">This volume of the series sees the
students deal with the Grim Reaper once and for all… hopefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are able to utilize the skills they’ve
learned from Koro Sensei so far and learn some more. We learn a lot about
Irina’s backstory and what has made her what she is. It’s easy to forget she’s
not much more than a child herself, one who’s had to grow up in a harsh
environment and make difficult choices. Karasuma is beginning to change as
well. Perhaps he’s not as hard as he appears to be. Nagisa’s mother is just
nuts. What he has to deal with is horrible. I wonder if he becomes an assassin,
will she be his first target? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">I love the ingenuity of Koro
Sensei and the class as they brainstorm how to do well in the upcoming
festival, which continues into the next volume. This was a lot of fun, looking
forward to seeing what they are able to do, and hopefully outsell Class A, even
if they cheat (which of course they will)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-41610761558659577482024-03-06T00:05:00.001-06:002024-03-06T00:05:00.314-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #6 (2.2)<p> 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.</p><p>Dracula meets the blacksmith's wife in the church for a clandestine rendezvous, and she is most eager to be with him. All's well that ends well, right? See what is happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD15jxynthKYBSQ-lTOiEpAsffl2naq35L7ewjOOvc6WjtFmc99LpgJqUSjouiSfCCLfIdCVZqVGFsKHolD15g1uU9jMlBWwqC_m94QL7B7sNQM56BdYQBQcd97WNM-21EvoTO_ff0GHPqp-POiAt4nV_WM_IwhqMqNv5NkaNGkCVfhgQilq-9SUcboMy/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD15jxynthKYBSQ-lTOiEpAsffl2naq35L7ewjOOvc6WjtFmc99LpgJqUSjouiSfCCLfIdCVZqVGFsKHolD15g1uU9jMlBWwqC_m94QL7B7sNQM56BdYQBQcd97WNM-21EvoTO_ff0GHPqp-POiAt4nV_WM_IwhqMqNv5NkaNGkCVfhgQilq-9SUcboMy/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #6 (2.2)</span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He
teased the soft skin of her neck with his tongue, tasting her, savoring the
lavender and cloves scent that had first drawn him to her. She shivered in
response. The throbbing of her jugular vein intoxicated him, filled as it was
with primal promises of what would be. So enticing... so tempting. How
provident that Avram had provided his master with sustenance before he left the
castle, as if anticipating what the vampire intended to do and forestalling a…
problem… should his desire for blood outweigh his common sense. Being mostly
satiated, he would allow himself just a mere sip of her sweetness, but not
until matters of the carnal kind had been attended to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Memories
of her blood that he’d drawn during previous encounters distracted him
momentarily. His thoughts began to wander although his body continued to
respond to her abundant charms. His lady du jour, clearly growing impatient to have
him inside her, bunched up her skirt past her hips revealing she wore nothing underneath.
His lust for her burned even more brightly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> She gave a small moan as she spread her legs a
little wider. “My lord,” she pleaded. Her
husky voice betrayed her passion as she pushed up against him needily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Someone was
more than a little eager for him to make his entrance, despite the fact that his
breeches were still fully buttoned and he’d made no move to undo them. His own
breathing was becoming more labored, while his manhood ached for release. And
still he continued to draw out his pleasure, knowing that would only serve to inflame
her lust for him further.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">She
wrapped her legs about him and pulled him against her, so close he could feel
her wetness through the silk. “I am yours,” she whispered. “Please make me your
own forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">She had
no idea what those words really meant, and he was not willing to show her.
Creating more of his kind was the farthest thing from his mind at the best of
times, but most certainly not here and now. He had no need for either possible
rivals or boon companions, and he wasn’t willing to sacrifice his freedom by
tethering himself to a wife, not to mention she was already married to the
idiot blacksmith. Dracula’s desire to remain unencumbered by the bonds of
matrimony did not preclude him, however, from engaging in short-term sexual
relations with women… or men. He found himself attracted to people of all sexes
and did not discriminate against his lovers on the basis of gender, race, nationality,
or religion. Over the course of the many years of his life thus far, he’d
thoroughly enjoyed himself with a variety of people on his extensive travels around
the globe, making commitments to none of them. He was not foolish enough to
fall in love. Due to the nature of what he was, that would be disastrous
indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Instead
of responding, he claimed her lips instead. He gently nudged them apart,
tracing their contours with his tongue. Her moan of approval vibrated inside
his mouth. When he repositioned one hand between her legs and slid two fingers
inside her, she arched her back in response. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Yes,
yes!” she cried. “More, my lord, <i>more</i>. Say my name, <i>please</i>! Tell
me you love me as I love you!” she begged him, her voice growing in intensity
as she frantically rutted against him, her actions only serving to feed his
self-conceit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He loved
the effect he had on his partners, loved the responses he evoked from them in
acknowledgement of his sexual prowess. Avram often accused him of having
vainglory, but Dracula’s rejoinder was that he appreciated himself for who he
was so why should he pretend otherwise?
But neither was he kind enough to accede to her wishes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">So
caught up was he in the heat of the moment and his own lust that he momentarily
became oblivious to his surroundings—always a grave mistake—until a voice
boomed out from the back of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“<i>Doina!”
<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
jerked his head up, instantly on the alert, all else forgotten. <i>Damn, the
idiot blacksmith.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">The
alehouse in Bistritz had no official name but was well known by one and all.
The men of the village were often to be found there after a hard day of work
(or not, in the case of some) while the wives were usually grateful to be rid
of their presence inside the home, at least for a little while longer. For the
men, it was a place to relax without the pressures of marriage or familial
obligations. A time to discuss important happenings in the village, and
occasionally the outside world, although for the most part the villagers were
rather insular. It didn’t hurt that news traveled slowly, if at all, which gave
them less incentive to understand or know about the world they lived in. And,
of course, there were usually barmaids to be admired and flirted with, if not
more. Not surprisingly, the sale of beer and ale rose whenever pretty young
women were working.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Avram
had been coming to the alehouse for years, having grown up there, for the most
part. The villagers gave Dracula a wide berth on the rare occasions when he
chose to enter the town, but Avram was treated as one of them. He had never
done anything that would cause them to think badly of him. Not that Dracula had
ever done anything overt, and they were certainly unaware of his true nature,
but his family’s reputation was not particularly good, stretching back to the
time of the infamous Impaler. No one wanted to give the current Dracula cause
to revive his ancestor’s cruel method of torture for any reason. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> to be continued</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #999999;">No go visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-78738177305004266502024-03-03T00:05:00.011-06:002024-03-03T00:05:00.187-06:00Book Review: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">The
Hobbit </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb53EUHVYwGxb_EsimLUC_bC1snLrrpTxuW78LC5t49wJ8-QKiFO3gBsqVvn54xI3qgNNjxIUyvY_t0pgvuQAIMoFEwxpCHQ4Mzwj0njzSP03BK8IioAfC2KLLSGVJQcb_aTrv3SYViPn5nHWfsbXk-NOWJa9Xe1YtbxY_qcqFyrjjBNdMFb0TXpaysPR/s210/The%20Hobbit%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="210" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpb53EUHVYwGxb_EsimLUC_bC1snLrrpTxuW78LC5t49wJ8-QKiFO3gBsqVvn54xI3qgNNjxIUyvY_t0pgvuQAIMoFEwxpCHQ4Mzwj0njzSP03BK8IioAfC2KLLSGVJQcb_aTrv3SYViPn5nHWfsbXk-NOWJa9Xe1YtbxY_qcqFyrjjBNdMFb0TXpaysPR/s1600/The%20Hobbit%20cover.jpg" width="210" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">JRR Tolkien<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Harper Collins Publishers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">January 1, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Hardcover/Epic Fantasy/314 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 204.75pt;"><b><span style="color: ;">Overall Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who
lives in a hole in the ground in a place called The Shire, along with a number
of other hobbits, some of whom are related to Bilbo. He leads a rather peaceful
existence there. He loves his meals, and he loves his pipe, and he loves the
quiet pace of life in The Shire. Then one day he meets an old man with a staff,
a pointy blue hat, a long gray cloak and a long white beard. The man identifies
himself as Gandalf, a wizard, whom Bilbo vaguely remembers meeting some years
before and recalls he shot off spectacular fireworks. Gandalf prophesies that
Mr. Baggins will have great adventures. Bilbo politely scoffs and says no thank
you, he is not that sort of hobbit, but little is he aware that the adventures
are about to begin…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Later, an unexpected knock at his
door reveals a dwarf named Dwalin, who makes himself at home in Bilbo’s hole upon
admission, and apparently he is very hungry. What else is a good host to be but
feed his guest, expected or not. Hmmm, dwarves do eat a lot, don’t they?
Another knock and here comes Balin. His arrival is followed by that of Fili and
Kili, and then others, last of whom announces himself as Thorin Oakenshield,
King Under the Mountain. The presence of thirteen dwarves makes his hole seem
much smaller than it is, and how quickly they eat their way through his food
supplies that were meant to last for some time. Bilbo is beside himself. When
he asks why they are there, they say they came to the door with the mark on it,
as instructed, but Bilbo sees no such mark and demands to know who instructed
them thus. And then Gandalf arrives and the gathering is complete as the wizard
proceeds to tell them what’s up. Well, everyone else knows what’s going on,
except for Bilbo. Apparently, the dwarves, being thirteen in number, can
clearly not embark upon their task without gaining a fourteenth member, as
everyone knows thirteen is unlucky, and Gandalf has been kind enough to
recommend Mr. Baggins. As what, the confused hobbit asks. Why, as a burglar,
they respond.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Now Bilbo, besides being a Baggins
is also a Took, and the Tooks have been known to do some adventurous things at
times. While the Baggins side of him says no, definitely not, the Took side
stirs. Which is why the next morning finds him chasing after Gandalf and the
dwarves, waving the contract they’d left for him, in order to join their
numbers. And now the adventure begins…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">The Hobbit is the first book in an
adventure series which will lead to the three books that comprise The Lord of
the Rings. As Shakespeare once said, “Some are born great, some achieve
greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” I believe Bilbo is the
last of those, for he was very reluctant to embark upon such an undertaking,
not being a burglar at all. But as the adventure progresses, we see the
qualities in him that made him the perfect choice for this role, as he rises to
each and every occasion, although not without some missteps along the way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Heroes come in all sizes, and
Bilbo Baggins is no exception. While some people claim The Hobbit (and the Lord
of the Rings for that matter) to be an allegory, Tolkien says absolutely not,
and I have to go with the author rather than mere bystanders. It’s a
beautifully written fantasy about hobbits and dwarves, elves and wizards,
goblins and shifters, and all manner of creatures. I think it’s mostly about
finding the courage within yourself to follow your dreams, to be the best you
that you can be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this book. This
particular edition is part of a set of four hardcover books that came together
in a box. They are compact and beautifully illustrated. I recommend this book
for adults and young people alike. Parents can have fun reading this book to
their kids. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-53874686087634468452024-03-02T00:05:00.001-06:002024-03-02T00:05:00.131-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #155 - Red Eye, Saw VIII: Jigsaw<p> <b>Red Eye</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh1Zj1cgLSuoMikbx-HXUC1GBR0kBR5Y1IZaEi0HMdA_U0JV_c5W3tkgao06SZe5XAB_rGdu0g-_KYiUOw4e7DJJu4h9X3Y_dX1HzJY_ZiVH9W-yGUWSTMzL_SosNHxKPDYky5gVpvgM3WoEkvr1sQkWjDLgIRKysj-8ibJznLb_qO_5bcNYg6Nmckv7D/s2048/Red%20Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh1Zj1cgLSuoMikbx-HXUC1GBR0kBR5Y1IZaEi0HMdA_U0JV_c5W3tkgao06SZe5XAB_rGdu0g-_KYiUOw4e7DJJu4h9X3Y_dX1HzJY_ZiVH9W-yGUWSTMzL_SosNHxKPDYky5gVpvgM3WoEkvr1sQkWjDLgIRKysj-8ibJznLb_qO_5bcNYg6Nmckv7D/s320/Red%20Eye.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />Lisa Reisert (Rachel McAdams) is flying back home after attending her grandmother's funeral. A flight delay is frustrating because she needs to get back to her job as manager of a high end hotel where a VIP is expected shortly. Jackson Rippner (Cillian Murphy) has also had his flight delayed. When they end up next to one another in line, he invites her for a drink while they wait. Hesitant at first, she accepts, and she finds him charming company. But then, when she finally boards her flight, she finds he is her seatmate, and suddenly things seem very unreal. Especially when he confesses that he was there because of her - they've targeted her father Joe (Brian Cox) and unless she does exactly what they tell her to do, her father will die.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Red Eye is a Wes Craven movie. You know, the Nightmare on Elm Street guy. I think he's stepped up to a </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqcHB8pEMFZOlCxzRzS2XkegVK5FOIrWwa57Nv81KmaPzg2Ab3nayQ_u9Ue55cP_5-NSjEkj8C0-yi4cWIUQVReugelgSoHFFg42LynHtv-OAyRS1en8fQ9IvaHY5cIqU4RuAx0D9LhQFV4C_w0BQDSgYp5XvzOoQJLAGC-mR_Rzjm5F-KHSJSOXhY5nc/s1400/Red%20Eye%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1400" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqcHB8pEMFZOlCxzRzS2XkegVK5FOIrWwa57Nv81KmaPzg2Ab3nayQ_u9Ue55cP_5-NSjEkj8C0-yi4cWIUQVReugelgSoHFFg42LynHtv-OAyRS1en8fQ9IvaHY5cIqU4RuAx0D9LhQFV4C_w0BQDSgYp5XvzOoQJLAGC-mR_Rzjm5F-KHSJSOXhY5nc/s320/Red%20Eye%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> new level with this film. Cillian is both charming and menacing, which he does well, while Rachel McAdams character refuses to be intimidated by him and is constantly trying to thwart his plans and save her father. What she is expected to do involves the VIP guest that is arriving. She finds herself between a rock and a hard place. Great suspense, well written and acted. It kept me in suspense, with definite unexpected moments. I wasn't sure how it was going to end.<p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnVYCH6GBm4lVANX5Yn51nQqgJrXSYZ_W1RVxgtfaFgjIZEa9CGiLmaNuPl-w6M0fkpK05lxGbANwOS2uED6dmqa_Big3HMJj_-kr8bKXr9vAKpCieDRug2qTeyr92WrqZwu-4gO2f6kN7N_jBFqbrVEcZT_lgTmbrlUcDmuuxpq2KLXfna6JszcQHzFP/s700/Red%20Eye%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="700" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnVYCH6GBm4lVANX5Yn51nQqgJrXSYZ_W1RVxgtfaFgjIZEa9CGiLmaNuPl-w6M0fkpK05lxGbANwOS2uED6dmqa_Big3HMJj_-kr8bKXr9vAKpCieDRug2qTeyr92WrqZwu-4gO2f6kN7N_jBFqbrVEcZT_lgTmbrlUcDmuuxpq2KLXfna6JszcQHzFP/s320/Red%20Eye%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I am a huge fan of Cillian Murphy, he is a very versatile actor who can take any role and make it his. This was an enjoyable watch that I definitely recommend. I'll give this film 4 Stars.</p><p><b>Saw VIII: Jigsaw</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qq03zmT9zaw0aYG9Vybqepq5w80ClnKDcvYCF9rM0MUGHmH9A69o_1Hp_n29VdBhiopst_Kn_TnBfYtpdAsCn516X60JzONKotUCYtosj5ii8-R74m_1LXztXsao2HFgwu1fD4mKFXT3a3MTfTMBj6-ZfnSaoAIMx0h0F9fmJ_wTTghfY-1N6Xj5nmq5/s1200/Jigsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qq03zmT9zaw0aYG9Vybqepq5w80ClnKDcvYCF9rM0MUGHmH9A69o_1Hp_n29VdBhiopst_Kn_TnBfYtpdAsCn516X60JzONKotUCYtosj5ii8-R74m_1LXztXsao2HFgwu1fD4mKFXT3a3MTfTMBj6-ZfnSaoAIMx0h0F9fmJ_wTTghfY-1N6Xj5nmq5/s320/Jigsaw.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br />John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, has been dead for ten years - or is he? The body count is rising, each death more gruesome than the lasat. And all the evidence seems to point to John Kramer being the culprit. How can that be? Five people awaken inside a barn with buckets on their heads and chains around their necks. As they are pulled toward a wall of buzzsaws, a voice tells them they must each sacrifice blood to survive. And so the game begins anew...<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The theme for the eighth film in the Saw series seems to be confession and penitence. Detective </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cFF49kgG8doanIRn6CBS2_kRp4T27exZTvEnFn5YfFhJEy4Ho8bc01JapvI_JluXgtqBOBBJ429krb8lZFYXRePmCPO6TEXcGS1R4YG1hbW_MwvjJ-UcKOIWniF1OHeIWu-_8KfTW0cFEQWuSBnoIkCYwWO4VQGMZ5IesG0kB6_YGB2XmnDyoQ-XsLXM/s750/Jigsaw%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cFF49kgG8doanIRn6CBS2_kRp4T27exZTvEnFn5YfFhJEy4Ho8bc01JapvI_JluXgtqBOBBJ429krb8lZFYXRePmCPO6TEXcGS1R4YG1hbW_MwvjJ-UcKOIWniF1OHeIWu-_8KfTW0cFEQWuSBnoIkCYwWO4VQGMZ5IesG0kB6_YGB2XmnDyoQ-XsLXM/s320/Jigsaw%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and his partner Detective Hunt (Cle Bennett) are tasked with investigating the murders. Halloran becomes suspicious of two pathologists, Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) and Eleanor Bonneville (Hannah Emily Anderson), especially after Eleanor confesses herself to be a Saw fangirl. Meanwhile, the five in the barn have dwindled in number as they continue to face test after test.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN7-bHJsOqxpa97hMc8aPtRNoLpBZMqQ-6S6xvfqcYzz0uxSdjzQIhORUygxZw5xqzufY142C-ANGIUho-aOTRwVSZTCAgxe3FrbWAAXQyz_iGl7yDg7Lk3h1rImij0h8nGVvxJhITFxG0kzkG3r4bLpphFPI5laUh-WdaJqds7Byk2J_L-kSn5SWOxbj/s300/Jigsaw%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN7-bHJsOqxpa97hMc8aPtRNoLpBZMqQ-6S6xvfqcYzz0uxSdjzQIhORUygxZw5xqzufY142C-ANGIUho-aOTRwVSZTCAgxe3FrbWAAXQyz_iGl7yDg7Lk3h1rImij0h8nGVvxJhITFxG0kzkG3r4bLpphFPI5laUh-WdaJqds7Byk2J_L-kSn5SWOxbj/s1600/Jigsaw%203.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I enjoyed seeing Matt Passmore, who was in The Glades. And it's always good to see John Kramer. Despite seeing some negative reviews, I liked it. In fact, I saw it at the theater once and streaming once. I would watch it again. It has all the elements of a good Saw story but with fresh elements and new progragonists. I'll give this film 4 Stars.</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-53110955938348915392024-03-01T00:05:00.013-06:002024-03-01T00:05:00.130-06:00Book Review: The way of the Househusband, Vol 11 by Kousuke Oono<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">The
Way of the Househusband, Vol 11 </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3HzA_-SvTymc9s-rSTqCQX_M3fBIMLliBtHa4G6GpSvpnGW-fbNAPnIFzqEZhdYIbPIu-mKWch9w1M3aR68BLq1lonpOA_VWNdHnF93la2k75IIHwO7A0z0-fijxyOan-WXRejkgrcW0GYhIZJ6Dlu5UUGfwpLLUGmUqvMXyexY0Qgr28TgrHSC5j1_/s2000/The%20Way%20of%20the%20Househusband,%20Vol%2011%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd3HzA_-SvTymc9s-rSTqCQX_M3fBIMLliBtHa4G6GpSvpnGW-fbNAPnIFzqEZhdYIbPIu-mKWch9w1M3aR68BLq1lonpOA_VWNdHnF93la2k75IIHwO7A0z0-fijxyOan-WXRejkgrcW0GYhIZJ6Dlu5UUGfwpLLUGmUqvMXyexY0Qgr28TgrHSC5j1_/s320/The%20Way%20of%20the%20Househusband,%20Vol%2011%20cover.jpg" width="224" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Kousuke Oono<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Viz Media<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">February 20, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Paperback/Manga/Comedy/168 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 204.75pt;"><b><span style="color: ;">Overall Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tatsu and Miku head to a theme park for a little fun, but
everywhere they go, someone is muscling in on them – none other than Tora, who
is there with his sister, Koharu. Everywhere they go, the two couples seem to
keep running into each other, with the men trying to outdo each other. Can Miku
and Koharu keep these two in check?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Masa is looking for new digs because his landlady is
threatening to kick him out if he’s late with the rent again! Tatsu goes with
him to do some recon, but the realtors seem kind of shady. The trouble is, Masa
doesn’t have a lot of money. Can he make do with what he can afford, with the
help of Tatsu? And can he overlook some of the problems?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The small café where Tatsu works during the day becomes a
bar at night. A new client who enters the premises is dismayed by the strong
Yakuza presence. But he quickly learns that appearances can be deceiving as he
pours his heart out to them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Miku asks Masa if he’s made any progress at cooking, he
offers to cook them something from whatever Tatsu has on hand. When Miku shows
off her skills with ramen, Masa knows he can do better, given the chance. Will
he manage to impress his boss, or will Tatsu have to school him once again?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Miku’s friend gives her an old camera, and Tatsu suddenly
becomes camera-shy, telling her not to point it at him. To please Miku, they
head off for a day of photography, and all is well, until something unexpected
starts to show up in the photos.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tatsu doesn’t like the way his clothes smell when dried
inside because of the rain so he orders a secret weapon – a professional grade
laundry dehumidifier! Tatsu declares war on odors, and that includes Gin!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tatsu learns about a new and improved product that has five
times the lactic acid bacteria, is good for stress relief, and improves sleep
quality. But when he tries to purchase some, he’s told the product is sold out!
Of course, he can pay a high price for it on the black market. Tatsu’s mission
is to find a source of Yakmil Y – cause he’s gotta have it!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tatsu and Miku receive thank you gifts in the mail from the
hometown tax donation program – marbled matsukata steaks! Miku wants the
cooking to commence, but Tatsu tells her that’s not the way to do it. They have
to let the steaks rest until dinner the next day. All day, they manage to get
through each of their days by remembering the dinner that is to come!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A young reporter visits the Katagi Shopping District, but
she is rather brash and impolite in some of her language. When she enters the
café where Tatsu works, she immediately accuses everyone of being Yakuza! Time
she learned who she is really dealing with!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Bonus Story 1, Tatsu prepares to take his tea like a
gentleman,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and in Bonus Story 2, the
young reporter spends some time with Gin. In the third Bonus story, a boss
rallies his employees to do their best at Katagy Land!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I never get tired of reading about Tatsu and his adventures,
to be honest, so I hope he keeps writing them for a long time to come. I
especially like stories with Tatsu and Miku, or Tatsu and Masa, or the three of
them together. I loved the first story, with Tatsu and Tora posturing at the
theme park, Katkagy Land, which also features in one of the bonus stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid one of the stories didn’t exactly
resonate with me, the one with the Yakmil Y, but I think it was because Tatsu
was portrayed as some kind of addict I that one, but that doesn’t mean others
won’t enjoy that one too. That didn’t deter me from enjoying the entire book,
already pre-ordered the next one!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-28054011572789728222024-02-29T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-29T00:05:00.137-06:00Book Review: Spy x Family: Family Portrait (Spy x Family Family Novels) by Aya Yajima<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Spy x
Family: Family Portrait (Spy x Family Novels </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_O2pyBtMrRqzz6OUl_HV3rFgSnKzm2Oi52A1ailQ-XXpgGyG527EiNdfF2XGlpNS8aFstuV69BUTxCr69Tri3Up1SrcN8ARRaYQ856F1OKQaX_Sh8yr0asiv0qOrKa6aNVD8vJYFatZ89D7fXOTQbMe2an8jk-MTfwYgLdo9j6_-CqLATKqP8ouTNSUb/s640/Spy%20X%20Family%20Family%20Portait%20cover.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_O2pyBtMrRqzz6OUl_HV3rFgSnKzm2Oi52A1ailQ-XXpgGyG527EiNdfF2XGlpNS8aFstuV69BUTxCr69Tri3Up1SrcN8ARRaYQ856F1OKQaX_Sh8yr0asiv0qOrKa6aNVD8vJYFatZ89D7fXOTQbMe2an8jk-MTfwYgLdo9j6_-CqLATKqP8ouTNSUb/s320/Spy%20X%20Family%20Family%20Portait%20cover.webp" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Author: </b>Aya Yajima<b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Publisher: </b>Viz Media<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>American
release date: </b>February 20, 2024<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b>Format/Genre/Length: </b>Paperback/YA Light Novel/Comedy/208 pages<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 204.75pt;"><b>Overall Personal Rating: </b><b><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho";">★★★★</span></b><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The best spy in Westalis is the
secret agent whose code name is Twilight, his real name unknown. He is indeed a
master of disguise. His new assignment concerns a high-level minister in
Ostania, Donovan Desmond, who is believed to be a warmonger. Twilight must find
out what Desmond’s plans are before they can come to fruition. But the man is
elusive, and rarely goes out among other people. The only sure way to get to
him is through the prestigious Eden Academy, which his son attends. But to do
so, Twilight needs a wife and child, neither of which he possesses! And so Twilight has become Loid Forger, and
he finds a wife and child – Yor and Anya – both of whom possess skills he is
unaware of. The mission is on.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mission 1: Anya’s class at Eden Academy is going on an
overnight camping trip! While Yor is apprehensive, as Anya hasn’t been anywhere
overnight before, Anya realizes this could be very important for her Papa (Anya
is a telepath, unknown to both Loid and Yor, and knows about Operation Strix).
Anya comes up with her own plan, calling it Operation Camp Friends. But she is
also a bit scatterbrained and, by the time they arrive at camp, the plan is
forgotten. Everything Anya does seems to irritate Donovan Desmond’s son,
Damian. The worst comes when they are assigned to partner for a task and,
thanks to Anya, they get lost in the woods!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mission 2: Yuri Briar is Yor’s
younger brother. Yuri adores Yor, who raised him since he was little and
sacrificed much for him. He’d do anything for her and is very unhappy with her
marriage to Loid Forger, which he doesn’t realize is fake. He also isn’t
especially fond of Anya, but he really hates Loid. When Yor asks him to come
over, he is overjoyed… until he discovers the reason. But he can’t turn her
down, which is how he ends up babysitting Anya. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mission 3: Franky is in the spy
business, an associate of Twilight, who provides him with intel, equipment, and
whatever else he might need. But he resents that Loid treats him more like a
personal assistant and assumes much, including having Franky walk the family
dog, Bond (who can see the future, by the way, unknown to everyone but Anya,
who can read his mind). Franky (who Anya
calls Scruffy) finds himself seeing a doctor at the hospital after his last
interaction with Twilight. But leaving the hospital, he gets lost and ends up
in a courtyard where he hears someone singing. He follows the voice to find a
beautiful young woman. Afraid to talk to her at first, he discovers that she is
blind, so he grows bolder, and they begin a friendship. Considering the nature
of what Franky does, though, can their relationship last?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mission 4: Loid has to make sure
his family looks like a normal family to outsiders, so sometimes they have to
do typical family things. Today he is taking them to the park for a picnic.
While there, they are approached by a young art student, who wants to paint
them. When he tells Loid his name, Loid recognizes it at once. This young man
is actually a famous artist! Loid is afraid that any painting of the fake Forger
family might end up in a very public place, seen by many people, and someone
just might be able to blow their cover. What is he to do?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Short Story: In a quaint
restaurant in Ostania, some of the staff discuss their feelings about the
customers they serve, and how appearances can be deceiving. One of those
regulars just happens to be the Forger family.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This book is a novelization of the
Spy x Family manga/anime. As such, I was
skeptical but I bought it anyway because, well, it’s Twilight and he is amazing
(I have a little Twilight figurine by my laptop <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span>)
And yes, there is a lot of exposition, because the author couldn’t assume
everyone has read the manga and would know everything. Novelizations don’t tend
to be as good as the original by nature of being written by someone other than
the author. But as I was reading, I found myself slipping deeper and deeper
into the way she portrayed the characters. These are not stories we saw in the
manga, so it’s fresh material, and I enjoyed them greatly, especially Mission
2, which is saying a lot because I am not a fan of Yuri Briar. Mostly because
he wants to kill Loid lol If he only
realized that Loid is Twilight, well… </p>
<p>At any rate, I ended up really
liking this book a lot and I hope they do more of these. I understand there are
novelizations of other series, such as Demon Slayer and Blue Exorcist, both of
which manga I’ve read. I might have to look for those. I do recommend this if
you are a fan of Spy X Family. </p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-25415726405061786772024-02-28T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-28T00:05:00.148-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #5 (2.1)<p> 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.</p><p>Dracula is off to church - but not to worship! He is meeting a married woman there, with whom he has been having relations. That won't be a problem, will it? See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their link follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxfTegqS1BlpbzYThgvGBGIYdWkcTPRbY9fruB4zLb65it6zb4nCZxwscffRH5hpx3QjbX9quYXeKlypaDDZomtZqM69H630bYifJ4uA1x9jALP6074e8cm68HGJLlkpQTUl7wnFEW77ZkAaoNb0HYMciGLr55uXT8sEm7emIPP4l-kcQElZ-BrnzZmqp/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxfTegqS1BlpbzYThgvGBGIYdWkcTPRbY9fruB4zLb65it6zb4nCZxwscffRH5hpx3QjbX9quYXeKlypaDDZomtZqM69H630bYifJ4uA1x9jALP6074e8cm68HGJLlkpQTUl7wnFEW77ZkAaoNb0HYMciGLr55uXT8sEm7emIPP4l-kcQElZ-BrnzZmqp/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #5 (2.1)</span><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Compared
to other Orthodox churches throughout Romania, the church in Bistritz was
smaller and less elaborate. Built of stone during the thirteenth century, it
lay on the outskirts of the village, and served as the town’s spiritual center
until a second church was built some years later, nearer to the town center.
The villagers referred to the original church as the Old Church, while the
newer edifice was simply the Church. The Old Church was unusual in that pews
had been installed, a feature not common in traditional Orthodox churches, as
it was considered disrespectful for people to sit during sermons. Dracula’s
ancestors had graciously donated the pews for not altogether altruistic
motives—namely their own comfort. The first pews had been built from sturdy
European beech, which was plentiful in the area. But sometime after the
Americas were begun to be colonized, the Dracula family had replaced two of the
beech benches—the ones closest to the altar, naturally—with seats made of
beautiful Brazilian rosewood. The villagers were impressed with the
reddish-brown color of the expensive wood, which contained streaks of a darker
chocolate brown. It was tacitly understood that anyone could avail themselves
of these pews, but when the family was in attendance, their presence took
precedence. Nobody complained. Not surprising, considering the reputation the
family had even then, which only grew darker and more sinister over the years.
No one wanted to be on their bad side.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Now Count
Dracula was the last of the lineage and he had lost his faith in religion many
years ago. The last time he’d attended a mass or made confession was well
before any of the present residents were even born, and probably several
generations before them. But he remembered the beautiful pews with fondness,
and he remembered that they were always well cared for. He therefore had no
hesitation in availing himself of them while desecrating them with carnal
knowledge of the blacksmith’s wife. Access to the church was easy, as the
parish priest, Father Gunther, never locked the building, believing it should
be kept available to everyone at all times. During the evenings, the good
father—when he wasn’t tending to the members of his flock— was generally to be
found at the local alehouse, downing pints with the other villagers, and having
a generally good time, blissfully oblivious to what was happening behind his
back in his church. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
paused just outside the door of the church and listened. Only one heart beat
inside. Not surprising, as their trysts heretofore had always been
uninterrupted. He quietly pulled open the heavy oaken door. As a child, he had
once marveled at the images of the saints carved into the wooden panels, but he
no longer saw them, having long ago grown enured to them. Tonight he was intent
on what lay inside—the church as a place of worship no longer held any interest
for him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He
passed swiftly through the narthex—the vestibule of the church, where
worshippers would commonly pause to refocus their energies on matters of the
spirit as well as to light a candle—and then on into the nave. He spied her at
once, kneeling before the altar in the position of a supplicant, head bowed and
hands clasped before her as if in prayer. She had lit several candles in
anticipation of his arrival. The flames flickered in the eternal draft that blew
through the church like an ill wind. He noticed she’d worn her best <i>fota</i>
for him, one he’d seen several times before. The white wool wraparound skirt
decorated in elaborate geometrical designs in red and blue concealed the
suppleness of the limbs beneath. On her head a white <i>marama </i>embroidered
with white designs covered her dark brown hair, so soft to the touch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Foolish
girl.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula frowned,
momentarily annoyed with her, perhaps because he’d told her more than once how
much he disliked such posturing before a non-existent deity. But her religious
upbringing was apparently too strong to be set aside, even for him, despite the
fact she was committing the cardinal sin of adultery within the very walls of her
god’s house of worship. Both ironic and erotic. He would have to remind her of
his wishes… but not right now. Such matters as his contempt for the church he
had once embraced could wait. His desire for her was stronger than his
displeasure. When he grew tired of her and ceased to want her, then he would
end the relationship and obliterate her memory of him. But, in the meantime…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He glided
smoothly down the aisle between the pews and reached her before she was even
aware of his presence. She gasped as he lifted her easily into his embrace and
carried her to the front pew.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“<i>Draga
mea</i>,” she murmured. <i>My sweetheart.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“<i>Floare
frumoasa,”</i> he responded. <i>Beautiful flower.</i> He brushed his lips
lightly across hers and felt her quiver. He distributed small kisses upon her
cheeks before running his tongue along her jaw and around the sensitive outer
shell of her ear. She was very tactile and responded ardently to his every
touch as if she’d never been touched in that way before. Not surprising,
considering the brute she was wed to. In the brief time of their intimacy, he
had shown her pleasure such as she had never experienced before, and sadly
would never again, once he removed himself from her life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">With his
heightened senses, he could smell the tanginess of her arousal. She shifted
beneath him, her hand pressing against his hardness. She’d become rather bold
in letting him know what she wanted, and he was more than happy to give it to
her, although he was also careful not to spend himself inside of her. The last
thing he wanted was to procreate—with her or anyone else— knowing that any
child of his must of course be fated to die, and that would be a difficult
burden to bear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> to be continued</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #999999;">Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-20432740987323456022024-02-24T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-24T00:05:00.132-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #154 - The Mimic, Silent Night (2012), The Midnight Meat Train<p> <b>The Mimic</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwBtL8dV7PadYN_Cbrca80nT76xcC7sNzoogTg6IBCmVqVryj12f5JxN7pZMMtWTOEPsLf1eKdC9eg-EWV8nj3OLW-55kyhuIZaL04r-ZQv4ROSbRpWBU26hiotS_Qt_BvjG3ZA1mP1-Le41IcvlJz9kK3WdT7tAIJJUZr9uvr6SUYzxYTy1WO7ubG0r_/s1440/The%20Mimic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwBtL8dV7PadYN_Cbrca80nT76xcC7sNzoogTg6IBCmVqVryj12f5JxN7pZMMtWTOEPsLf1eKdC9eg-EWV8nj3OLW-55kyhuIZaL04r-ZQv4ROSbRpWBU26hiotS_Qt_BvjG3ZA1mP1-Le41IcvlJz9kK3WdT7tAIJJUZr9uvr6SUYzxYTy1WO7ubG0r_/s320/The%20Mimic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Jangsan Tiger is an urban legend of South Korean, a creature that lures its prey by mimicking sounds such as a woman's wail. Hee-uyeon (Yum Jung-ah) and her husband Min-ho (Park Hyuk-kwon) are unaware of this. All they know is their son has been missing for five years and they feel the might to get away.; They take their daughter Jun-hee (Yu-sul Bang) and Hee-yon's mother Sun-ja (Heo Jin) to the countryside in an effort to get away from their troubles. But new troubles arise, including Jun-hee's growing dementia. Min suggests the woman needs care, as in a home, but Hee-yon won't hear of it, unwilling to lose another family member.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Their new home is near an old forest, and in that forest is a cave...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzW7KQ-s5zvqrXJ1EWFVWVQwPYjBdtyPQw6j1eLW6cVn5qo5smxC8jlf9G8__ElGsovt1VwFO9LDuTESN2vuplQqJSPkBZ88xqOIPAUxivDOnwrmdAF-OLqvOdMst4qbQRCqvDjZlRGimd80JczkklSQA41oGjHsK_3UFuUrdyacsdiSaXro7llCVciKV/s550/The%20Mimic%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="550" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzW7KQ-s5zvqrXJ1EWFVWVQwPYjBdtyPQw6j1eLW6cVn5qo5smxC8jlf9G8__ElGsovt1VwFO9LDuTESN2vuplQqJSPkBZ88xqOIPAUxivDOnwrmdAF-OLqvOdMst4qbQRCqvDjZlRGimd80JczkklSQA41oGjHsK_3UFuUrdyacsdiSaXro7llCVciKV/s320/The%20Mimic%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The Mimic is a horror story, but it's also about loss and grieving - the woman who mourns the son who disappeared and won't accept that he is probably dead, as well as the loss of her mother as she has always known her. The movie has an interesting opening, involving a couple who are up to no good at the cave, foreshadowing what is to come.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMPa5v0zPFq54wTMZc7sasiqm82vIHiJc64_oQKZ76PSwpL4wc_vJNwct0uIp6t3wsvZ5w-df15JAF2pKS7jPkXX63IxbwOHv1Wmw7-9xj6gjRztWn0jxBOYx0Sa6ih5aJ6ZmcNa3Wvuhmtc16XU2jQaz0kOE3mrRJHcdpXp4nQDpM1cqIQyIv_SZAR6T/s640/The%20Mimic%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMPa5v0zPFq54wTMZc7sasiqm82vIHiJc64_oQKZ76PSwpL4wc_vJNwct0uIp6t3wsvZ5w-df15JAF2pKS7jPkXX63IxbwOHv1Wmw7-9xj6gjRztWn0jxBOYx0Sa6ih5aJ6ZmcNa3Wvuhmtc16XU2jQaz0kOE3mrRJHcdpXp4nQDpM1cqIQyIv_SZAR6T/s320/The%20Mimic%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Everything clicks in this film, acting, writing, direction... It has a tremendous tension and suspense that only grows as the film goes on. The little girl is very cute too. I thought it was very well done, and I recommend it. I'll give this film 4 Stars</p><p><b>Silent Night (2012)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_00Wlb4uXaEatXdhlaIggww95i80_mIxzLkZZcTKC-cOBOEvbPZsx6-cvQumelKicTy-05oYUA47F3RZ09oV4k8P3pyOL4LmCveocwFrCZ4lryqWSsZyXo1-LhsQXq5uFOOA-dTEajoone2_mNtc5k-mxZKMoYEn14gAlfKqnUByARwZZ-myki25_4iH/s2048/Silent%20Night%20(2012).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_00Wlb4uXaEatXdhlaIggww95i80_mIxzLkZZcTKC-cOBOEvbPZsx6-cvQumelKicTy-05oYUA47F3RZ09oV4k8P3pyOL4LmCveocwFrCZ4lryqWSsZyXo1-LhsQXq5uFOOA-dTEajoone2_mNtc5k-mxZKMoYEn14gAlfKqnUByARwZZ-myki25_4iH/s320/Silent%20Night%20(2012).jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br />Twas the night before Christmas in a small Wisconsin town, but all is not well. Deputy Jordan (Brendan Fehr) is missing, so Aubrey (Jaime King) has to come even to cover his shift despite having plans with her family, to her dismay. But Sheriff Cooper (Malcolm McDowell) has decreed it, so she has no choice. She hopes it will be a peaceful night, but no such luck.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Her first call concerns a Santa that is telling kids disturbing things. Santa Jim (Donal Logue) is rather </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xt2eshFgZpYClOqhaHP8Jo4AUujncMmiEqc4cGJ_P99FRf4EsZOpW2WFl5TRGizMLs0nF5agEbQaryeiAIV-f1ZAlJhw6zRvi1G6Ubu58UKQ2WMAIDAuGxT0vc1xBgZg_6J06f1SR2ogtYFEsvSO81y0NibMeIuMGN1OGozUr94vh1nf1AMVoIB48jY8/s2048/Silent%20Night%20(2012)%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xt2eshFgZpYClOqhaHP8Jo4AUujncMmiEqc4cGJ_P99FRf4EsZOpW2WFl5TRGizMLs0nF5agEbQaryeiAIV-f1ZAlJhw6zRvi1G6Ubu58UKQ2WMAIDAuGxT0vc1xBgZg_6J06f1SR2ogtYFEsvSO81y0NibMeIuMGN1OGozUr94vh1nf1AMVoIB48jY8/s320/Silent%20Night%20(2012)%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> disgruntled and quite the cynic. After that, her next call leads her to a dead body... and suddenly the town is faced with the knowledge that someone dressed as Santa is on a murder spree. Trouble is, there are a lot of people dressed as Santa tonight, since it's Christmas Eve. And this guy is an equal opportunity killer - men, women, or children, he kills them all. Ho, ho, ho... Merry Christmas!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This was touted as a remake of the original Silent Night, Deadly Night, but they might as well have called it Silent Night Deadly Night 6. To be honest, it was better than I expected, given the last few films. But not great. I wasn't bored, and it didn't drag. Lots of violence and gore, which is what you expect from these films. Malcolm McDowell was wasted, though, as I never did buy him as a small town Midwestern sheriff. Should have saved the money and gone with someone else. The high point of this film, in my opinion, was Donal Logue, who improves anything he is in. He does every character he plays well. Also, listen for the line "what is this, garbage day?" That's a reference from Silent Night, Deadly Night 2, spoken by Eric Freeman as Ricky (no, there's no Ricky in this one). Just gonna plus Eric's website, https://www.theeericfreeman.com/, where I bought a magnet with a photo of Garbage Day, and it was signed by Eric to me. For these two things, I'll give this film 2 Stars.</p><p><b>The Midnight Meat Train</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ITTQXm74_V8FYqG3Z2X2qdTJB598_zHsg9ERq69zmq_MuH20ENasyqjprPoGii6d8Q4byahFNaDa874ALEw9ziZ0Piuf93bo08J8_L1EeaM9d6ajIUfzzWOPsPPEE87MR6_cYExC-MyNRywq0zXTU9LYVL_Mj1LuueLV_u4FuC-RCXHJNW2pP8DcBSVN/s594/Midnight%20Meat%20Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ITTQXm74_V8FYqG3Z2X2qdTJB598_zHsg9ERq69zmq_MuH20ENasyqjprPoGii6d8Q4byahFNaDa874ALEw9ziZ0Piuf93bo08J8_L1EeaM9d6ajIUfzzWOPsPPEE87MR6_cYExC-MyNRywq0zXTU9LYVL_Mj1LuueLV_u4FuC-RCXHJNW2pP8DcBSVN/s320/Midnight%20Meat%20Train.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Leon (Bradley Cooper) is a photojournalist with big dreams, but so far he isn't getting anywhere. An art gallery owner (Brooke Shields) suggests he isn't really "getting it", that he needs to go deeper. So he begins to wander the streets at night, desperate to achieve something, taking photos of random people, to his girlfriend's (Leslie Bibb) dismay. He comes upon a gang of young men harassing a young woman in the subway station late one night and photographs the interaction before convincing them to leave her alone. He thinks he understands now, but when the woman turns up as missing, he is shocked. He begins to haunt the late night trains, not sure what he is looking for. But then he finds it...<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This film is based on a short story by Clive Barker. What is odd is that until I started to watch it, I had </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwppxJYmxaKBp4H5P8cL2lzoJlJAIBNU9w1nfqnxP5RGkgBBz_Wx3WtDNWidhmdfoHHDNKnSPN8GJLCAkOUoylafrHLsm2BH2QcB-ObduiOfdbcLdvnLqvIppker8XtADxiXoJ1Ow8WuYSiggK7Y0wObjRFHCr9KBaGWApjxxcw4Z-XOmBzaB2v7HsE60v/s2000/Midnight%20Meat%20Train%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwppxJYmxaKBp4H5P8cL2lzoJlJAIBNU9w1nfqnxP5RGkgBBz_Wx3WtDNWidhmdfoHHDNKnSPN8GJLCAkOUoylafrHLsm2BH2QcB-ObduiOfdbcLdvnLqvIppker8XtADxiXoJ1Ow8WuYSiggK7Y0wObjRFHCr9KBaGWApjxxcw4Z-XOmBzaB2v7HsE60v/s320/Midnight%20Meat%20Train%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> forgotten that I already watched it years ago, maybe when it came out in 2008. It's not a bad story and not a bad film, but it's also forgettable. Obviously, I forgot about it. I couldn't seem to care about any of the characters, and I found the photographer's obsession with the man on the train not just unsettling but stupid and not worth risking his life over, much less his girlfriend's life. And then the ending.... it was like I said to my kid after I watched it - it was all about the destination, not the journey. I think the ending was meant to shock, but it was more like, Really?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ti7aetcLnhyY7NRH2Y1A-JleimrP0WP8BYC0k5aw-q0c9GymnbPddx-yFPE-vNs3mvYGJ0AB3oA72QLBufAO8qbFb-KjzJtQUyw5UVgUtg4GnI9t9AygUN308odj10Eye93cdPgXCsx1ccZwId3FBJnCH3sxG9feU-QjjqAqX_FdrtOLDAaUijD76hqX/s1200/Midnight%20Meat%20Train3.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ti7aetcLnhyY7NRH2Y1A-JleimrP0WP8BYC0k5aw-q0c9GymnbPddx-yFPE-vNs3mvYGJ0AB3oA72QLBufAO8qbFb-KjzJtQUyw5UVgUtg4GnI9t9AygUN308odj10Eye93cdPgXCsx1ccZwId3FBJnCH3sxG9feU-QjjqAqX_FdrtOLDAaUijD76hqX/s320/Midnight%20Meat%20Train3.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If you like Clive Barker, do yourself a favor and stick to Hellraiser (just the first two) or Nightbreed. Like I said, it's not a bad film, I just think it could have been done better. Maybe find the story and read it first before you decide to watch it. I'll give this film 2.5 Stars</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-83924191474506850232024-02-22T00:05:00.013-06:002024-02-22T00:05:00.136-06:00Book Review: Kiyo Sato: From a WWII Japanese Internment Camp to a Life of Service by Connie Goldsmith with Kiyo Sato<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Kiyo
Sato: From a WWII Japanese Interment Camp to a Life of Service </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhY6MAkCzE5Xezzwl9E_im07Z1ayFcZEZETe-kZzgbcseEvzc9Brkxlh6W9mowT7qkNBT0v-1a-kBYQRps6jRKDzARKy8zV7KXBc1CTFTXkgtdhQ_hT2OgrJ4KW76H7jp61d88gDrm6w8-h88i_bHBlAc5BAD4-OozrcvQMtyL8UJPP7mk73kC5d0P-dP/s1000/Kiyo%20Sato%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="676" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhY6MAkCzE5Xezzwl9E_im07Z1ayFcZEZETe-kZzgbcseEvzc9Brkxlh6W9mowT7qkNBT0v-1a-kBYQRps6jRKDzARKy8zV7KXBc1CTFTXkgtdhQ_hT2OgrJ4KW76H7jp61d88gDrm6w8-h88i_bHBlAc5BAD4-OozrcvQMtyL8UJPP7mk73kC5d0P-dP/s320/Kiyo%20Sato%20cover.jpg" width="216" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Connie Goldsmith with Kiyo Sato<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Twenty-First Century Books<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">September 1, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Hardback/Historical Biography/136 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Overall
Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">December 7, 1941 was a traumatic
occasion for all Americans, with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, but
especially for those Americans of Japanese heritage. The government, in its
overly suspicious infinite wisdom, decided the best thing to do in order to
avoid having subversives inside the country, was to round up these citizens and
send them to places where they could be closely guarded. For the safety of the
nation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Kiyo Sato was one of nine children
of Shinji and Tomomi Sato. Her parents came from Japan and started not only a
farm, but a family, in the Sacramento area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>President Franklin Roosevelt signed two executive orders in 1942,
ordering the internment of the Japanese Americans on the West Coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the reasoning was that they were
closer to Japan and more likely to be spies. The Satos were sent to a camp in
Poston, Arizona. This is their story, as related by Kiyo Sato, the oldest of
the nine siblings, to Connie Goldsmith.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Looking back from a great
distance, it sems inconceivable that American citizens could be treated this
way simply because of their heritage. Many of them had never even been to Japan
and couldn’t speak Japanese. Because they had to leave most everything behind,
many of them lost their homes, their livelihoods and most of what they owned,
including beloved pets. They were only permitted to bring one suitcase per
person. One internment camp was an abandoned racetrack, where people slept in
the former horse stalls under very unsanitary conditions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">This is a heartbreaking story, and
yet it’s also a story of hope and resilience of spirit, and how one family
endured and thrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Japanese have a
saying: <i>shikata ga nai – </i>accept what cannot be changed. However, it is
appalling to me that this ever happened, and year s later the courts agreed
that there was no need for this to take place. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The survivors were awarded reparations, but no
amount could change what happened or give them that time back. This country
should be ashamed of having their version of the German concentration camps,
call them what you will. Hard to take the high moral ground after that.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">I am privileged to know the niece
of Kiyo Sato, Pamela Sato, who is the person who told me about the book. I
think all Americans should know what their country is/was capable of – think
Guantanamo Bay. I highly recommend this book. Also, Kiyo wrote a book in her
own words, Kiyo’s Story, which I intend to read.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-88849788450064868822024-02-21T16:42:00.000-06:002024-02-21T16:42:43.398-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #4 (2.0)<p> 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.</p><p>Dracula has a date to keep in the village! See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJdMAfDxaNjp0-9CU_u8R1Q3XNv-6xLqXiqOHnR91glVC5gFmilm2tq4VijGG6vHJTg3FwmxhW2Hg3hoBl4wQMjRz-My-phGNAYE5EiqkL7ql-YeV_FFwrk5rN1YKYLwzJisFE5uA8EqH672Y-eMVjB9rPS-y-PAvkASc28lhn_inS5WeCrgf1871OK-R/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJdMAfDxaNjp0-9CU_u8R1Q3XNv-6xLqXiqOHnR91glVC5gFmilm2tq4VijGG6vHJTg3FwmxhW2Hg3hoBl4wQMjRz-My-phGNAYE5EiqkL7ql-YeV_FFwrk5rN1YKYLwzJisFE5uA8EqH672Y-eMVjB9rPS-y-PAvkASc28lhn_inS5WeCrgf1871OK-R/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #4 (2.0)</span><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">A
midnight breeze blew warm across the Carpathians, carrying the familiar scent
of Norway spruce and Scots pine to the lone figure making his solitary way down
the mountain toward the village below. Dracula loved the night above all other
times. He felt that darkness possessed a certain serenity not to be found
during the daylight hours. A peace of mind that was lacking beneath the sun’s fierce
rays. He drew strength from the night and preferred the solitude of his castle
to the cacophony of human life. Of course, his predilection for human blood demanded
that he exercise extreme caution in its acquisition, especially so close to
home. Unfortunately, at times of pecuniary necessity, a certain amount of
social interaction was required of him. But sometimes, as was the case tonight,
a clandestine rendezvous was simply a matter of pleasure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He could
have had Avram drive him to Bistritz in a carriage… if he still possessed one,
which he currently did not. The previous carriage had been very ornate and
surprisingly comfortable, and Dracula had enjoyed driving it down the mountain
in the dead of night at breakneck speeds calculated to test the courage of any
passenger, had there been one, Avram clinging precariously to the driver’s box
beside him. But Avram had found it prudent to sell that vehicle along with most
of the magnificent stallions that had drawn it. He claimed the expenditure on
their upkeep was an unnecessary drain on their limited resources and they could
utilize other forms of transportation when they went abroad. The vampire couldn’t
argue with such logic, as he disliked concerning himself with such mundane matters.
Someday, Dracula swore, he would have another coach, the finest that money could
buy. But alas, when there <i>is</i> little money, one must… economize, as Avram
liked to remind him. Far too often, for his taste.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Apparently
Avram had read some such nonsense in a book he had recently acquired
(interesting how money was found for such a purchase). He tried to explain to
Dracula what the author—what was his name? Oh yes, Adam Smith—wrote concerning
the subject of economics. But Dracula found the entire matter to be very dull
and he didn’t bother to retain anything he was told. However, he did understand
the necessity to raise more money when existing funds grew low in order that he
be maintained in the lifestyle to which he would like to stay accustomed. After
all, he was going to live a long and richly wonderful life. No reason to live
it in poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">He left
the one horse that remained of the set he’d previously possessed for Aram’s
use. Being merely human, Avram didn’t possess the same abilities his master
did. Dracula had vampiric strength and speed and could travel quite easily from
the castle to the village. Not that he did so very often. Avram had convinced
him that dining on the villagers would, in the end, not be in either of their
best interests. Dracula reluctantly saw his point and agreed to hold himself in
check—providing that his very reliable factotum, i.e. Avram, saw to all his
culinary needs. Liquid, that is. While he could and did eat human food on
occasion, it did not provide him with what he required to survive. How Avram
acquired blood was up to him, and Dracula asked no questions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">But
Dracula also had other needs that blood would not suffice to meet. So sometimes
he found himself going to the village for a little bit of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Bistritz
had originally been settled by Saxon immigrants, well before Dracula was born.
Through the years, many Germans made the village their home, as well as a
number of Romanians and Hungarians. At one time, there had been a good-sized
Jewish community, but that had been largely decimated through ignorance and
prejudice and mindless acts of violence. Many of those who were not killed were
either forcibly converted to the Orthodox Church or they chose to leave for
more hospitable environs. Unfortunately, Avram’s family had been among those
who did not survive the persecution. In these current times, however, anti-Semitism
had receded, which made it easier for Avram to conduct business in the village.
He got along well with most everyone he met. Dracula knew he spent some of his
evenings there, at times when they were not traveling abroad, and considered
these to be diplomatic excursions that would benefit them both. His own
expeditions into the village tended to be stealthier… and more seductive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
was well aware that Doina was a married woman, and that her husband was the
rather well-muscled village blacksmith. But she was a pretty thing, and Dracula
enjoyed her… company. Unbeknownst to Avram, he also liked to sip her blood. Not
enough to harm her or turn her, for that would serve no useful purpose. But a
little drink after sex never hurt anyone. To keep her from remembering, and possibly
spreading the information to those who might not take it well, he clouded her
mind a little, just enough to forget the bloodletting while remembering what a
wonderful lover he truly was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">When
he’d first decided to bed her, the question of where they should do so was of
major concern. He firmly rejected her first suggestions, not willing to lower
himself to using the filthy earth for their assignations and unwilling to take
a room at the inn. The first was injurious to his delicate sensibilities, while
the latter ran the risk of their being seen by too many people, some of whom
might just inform Bogdan, her husband. Naturally, her home was similarly out of
bounds, although a tempting and cheaper solution. But then he had a truly
marvelous idea, one which was deliciously wicked and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">The
church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> to be continued</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #999999;">Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-41666009924527449002024-02-17T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-17T00:05:00.155-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #153 - Lake Bodom, Marrowbone<p> <b>Lake Bodom</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK2rCG7W5kEeeKmKPwTQ3BHB9pRXp5ww9cpAaaoTfQQ-Wsb3T_uI1dfJvU6qLH0F3Ns4MOgIK6-dHAyMPpsh3cu0YRBMthidPhPVqidQdvfVA9XzxMNUw-YyNZtcd53YJKEc77Jgey7HpYftMMYkwllrEttoRZg_owI4_bjeL5m2YecknxmFU4towcM9y/s259/Lake%20Bodom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVK2rCG7W5kEeeKmKPwTQ3BHB9pRXp5ww9cpAaaoTfQQ-Wsb3T_uI1dfJvU6qLH0F3Ns4MOgIK6-dHAyMPpsh3cu0YRBMthidPhPVqidQdvfVA9XzxMNUw-YyNZtcd53YJKEc77Jgey7HpYftMMYkwllrEttoRZg_owI4_bjeL5m2YecknxmFU4towcM9y/s1600/Lake%20Bodom.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br />Atte (Santeri Helinheimo Mantyla) is a young man who is obsessed with his country's greatest unsolved mysteries - the fate of four young campers who were brutally knifed while sleeping in a tent on the shore of Lake Bodom. Only one person survived the onslaught, and he was in no condition to remember what happened. Many years have passed since then. Atte and his friend Elias (Mikael Gabriel) persuade two girls who are friends of theirs and attend the same school, Ida (Nelly Hirst-Gee) and Nora (Mimosa Willamo) to come camping with them. But they never mention they are going camp on the very shore of Lake Bodom.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Ida is not doing well, having become the target of scorn by her fellow students for nude pictures of her </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKPdQJ38e91l5BO3SpcJxZ0tbxh3gGNuRqkisStZznJUGxcY8lDSgDE_6Jbjzq-p_oCaAzRsounjSy4WRfRRPFfdWdZyu_cOsiFY-5aeo3P5Y6I-nVpCOsEC_K0KMeMop2GSuMtr2c7d7IE1tv9IXt1K2v_H19AYeIDNDr7YkOS3T7vmQReQFxKdfQRNv/s540/Lake%20Bodom%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="540" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKPdQJ38e91l5BO3SpcJxZ0tbxh3gGNuRqkisStZznJUGxcY8lDSgDE_6Jbjzq-p_oCaAzRsounjSy4WRfRRPFfdWdZyu_cOsiFY-5aeo3P5Y6I-nVpCOsEC_K0KMeMop2GSuMtr2c7d7IE1tv9IXt1K2v_H19AYeIDNDr7YkOS3T7vmQReQFxKdfQRNv/s320/Lake%20Bodom%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> that have been circulating. She thinks maybe Elias is the person who took those pics, but she has no proof. That doesn't keep her from going off alone with him, leaving Ida and Atte in the tent. Suddenly, someone grabs them through the tent. Atte goes to investigate, but he is stabbed. Nora and Elias come running back, but it is too late. Now the three survivors can only run and escape whoever has targeted them.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Inspired by but not based on the Lake Bodom murders, this is a well-done, and very chilling horror/mystery. Everything seems fairly normal at the beginning, until it's not. From then on, things go downhill fast. I never saw the twists and turns coming. It keeps you guessing until the end, and even then, one can't be sure. Well worth the watch, I recommend seeing this. I'll give this Film between 4 and 4.5 Stars.</p><p><b>Marrowbone</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjwrbE_oDQgeXrAhXXMKB8ujuPv9DMe6wULpU6uYVkC2dnKp4At-r97wmBGxxehZicVGHExGQ1uCJzK19hJSOyGoxsIPgJlClWsx-M2Gbdv9r6f7FWZwSpzS0BWodFgiAvq2JU5FBRVGgpYB0ITv1_BXciPouMdZkersLYxjYCIc1R5ias_-z3wRYoZi1/s1080/Marrowbone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjwrbE_oDQgeXrAhXXMKB8ujuPv9DMe6wULpU6uYVkC2dnKp4At-r97wmBGxxehZicVGHExGQ1uCJzK19hJSOyGoxsIPgJlClWsx-M2Gbdv9r6f7FWZwSpzS0BWodFgiAvq2JU5FBRVGgpYB0ITv1_BXciPouMdZkersLYxjYCIc1R5ias_-z3wRYoZi1/s320/Marrowbone.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br />A mother (Nicola Harrison) flees England with her four children to America to have a new life. But sometimes fate is cruel and the mother dies from illness. But not before she tells her oldest son, Jack (George MacKay) to keep her death secret until he turns twenty-one, for fear of the family being broken up by child welfare. As if that wasn't bad enough, there is something sinister in that huge house. The three older children tell young Sam (Matthew Stagg) that he is hearing the screams of a ghost, and that is also why they keep the mirrors covered. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Jack, Billy (Charlie Heaton) and Jane (Mia Goth) have a friend in Allie (Anya Taylor-Joy), although she </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vfLInyxfrwmJakDURbs_8VwdI4w0SPqO2F6tGRvwqL0MVMo7etRf3JQc0pv1amQOOg5t8vrovbUg4NKgRvykWEIpYiF2OZXYZsfZg-CPQPt9mh3Y1wdtDJa4yyJA3Mn7WmaaHL_aFGd-QcbQUYaZ-iXd9aNon067xTaEhdDVp0e6lXBwxGJNtu6UQB3Z/s1024/Marrowbone%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="1024" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vfLInyxfrwmJakDURbs_8VwdI4w0SPqO2F6tGRvwqL0MVMo7etRf3JQc0pv1amQOOg5t8vrovbUg4NKgRvykWEIpYiF2OZXYZsfZg-CPQPt9mh3Y1wdtDJa4yyJA3Mn7WmaaHL_aFGd-QcbQUYaZ-iXd9aNon067xTaEhdDVp0e6lXBwxGJNtu6UQB3Z/s320/Marrowbone%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> is not privy to their secret. She and Jack are especially close. But when a lawyer named Porter (Kyle Soller) arrives at the library where she works, it turns out he is sweet on her himself and none too pleased with Jack's presence. However, he learns something he thinks can benefit him financially and he isn't afraid to use it.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I thought this was a very well written, acted, and directed film, with twists and turns you wouldn't expect before the truth is arrived at. You might remember Charlie Heaton as Jonathan from Stranger Things, and Kyle Soller from Andor. The little boy who plays Sam is terrific. It's scary, spine-tingling, and also sad. If you haven't heard of it, I would definitely place Marrowbone on your radar, it's well worth the watch. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars</p><p><br /></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-33951733646592702172024-02-14T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-14T00:05:00.150-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #3 (1.2)<p> 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.</p><p>As Dracula prepares to go out, Avram is clearly uneasy, but what can he do? Maybe things will work out well. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo7LE_JsjH4q8BAziQNqWMXzbZlgeC7KAg4S9vSvLKXCtYRVHP7Qf5RFxLZsWZsF9rSzxvGZ3J1zn48cdRdS4XPRmJEwUMJUr7wHdNAmqPQ8qIerlkX4OxHnPNDO23_52RBasOcGbv3-9VxKwJtanJg20tEw2pwAPan59YqA8GxqSDTnMfzk9YNEBJ0t8/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdo7LE_JsjH4q8BAziQNqWMXzbZlgeC7KAg4S9vSvLKXCtYRVHP7Qf5RFxLZsWZsF9rSzxvGZ3J1zn48cdRdS4XPRmJEwUMJUr7wHdNAmqPQ8qIerlkX4OxHnPNDO23_52RBasOcGbv3-9VxKwJtanJg20tEw2pwAPan59YqA8GxqSDTnMfzk9YNEBJ0t8/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #3 (1.2)</span><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk158376406"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Ah,
but what does that even mean? The definition of a sinner lies in the eyes of
the beholder,” Avram responded, playing devil’s advocate. “Some might even say
you are more sinned against than sinning.” He smoothed out a small wrinkle in
the vampire’s mauve coat, then glanced up into the mirror. Their gazes locked
in the reflection, Avram’s warm brown eyes meeting his master’s hazel orbs.
“They say vampires have no soul and therefore cannot see their image in a
mirror. But clearly that is not the case.” Avram stepped back to take in his
master in his entirety and was satisfied with what he saw. “But are they
sinners? That question is open to debate.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk158376406;"></span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Then perhaps
I am evil.” The Count laughed as he spun about in a playful pirouette. His long
wavy hair swayed with his movement. It flowed down his back, tied with a
leather queue fastened by an intricately carved ivory hairpin. When caught by
the sunlight, his glossy tresses appeared to possess blue undertones, but that
was merely a trick of the sun’s rays. At night, his locks seemed to sparkle,
much like their owner.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Evil is
relative, Nico,” Avram replied, the nickname springing from his lips with practiced
ease. Admittedly, their relationship was a complicated one, unintelligible to
outsiders. More than a mere servant, Avram was often a confidante to the
vampire, as well as the voice of reason. A co-conspirator in their life
journey, such as it was. He also managed their finances and did his best to
save the nobleman from his extravagances. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as many foolish decisions as he could,
although he was not always successful in that regard. “As Exodus tells us,
sometimes it matters whose ox is being gored. Should I explain to you this allegory?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
rolled his eyes. “I stopped believing in that book a long time ago. And no, I
understand what it means.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Avram
removed the stopper from an elaborately decorated glass bottle, bought during
their last visit to Paris, and handed it to the Count. He poured some of the
fragrant oil into one hand and used one slender finger to dab it at various
points of his body—behind both ears, at the base of his throat, and on the
inside of each wrist. Notes of bergamot filled the air, along with something a
little muskier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“You
know, Avram, I remember reading some years ago a sermon that had been written
by one of the colonists in America. I forget his name or which religion he
represented, but I remember his words. He basically said that we are all
sinners, dangling like a spider from the hand of the all-powerful, angry God,
and that it was at his forbearance we are suffered to live. Furthermore, he has
the power to cut those strings and cast us down into the flames at any time. For
any reason or for no reason whatsoever, at his discretion.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Such a
delightful image,” Avram quipped. “I’m glad my people don’t really believe in
the concept of Hell. Sounds like a horrible place.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
made no immediate response. Sensing a change in his demeanor, Avram replaced
the perfume where it belonged, then dared a glance at him. No longer smiling, his
handsome face seemed peaceful enough. But Avram knew better. He sensed storm
clouds brewing beneath the deceptively calm exterior, as if he had
inadvertently touched a nerve, or reopened an old wound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“I may
not believe in God,” the vampire said quietly, “but I hope there is a place
like Hell. Some people deserve such a Fate.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Wishing
he could recall his ill-chosen words, Avram could only imagine which people his
master was referring to, and he had to agree with his statement. They both fell
silent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Suddenly,
Dracula withdrew his skeletonized pocket watch from its resting place within
his coat and glanced at the face. Avram was well familiar with this device. It
was unique in that where most watches in the vogue were elaborately decorated
and engraved, this one was styled in such a way as to view the working
mechanisms of the timepiece itself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Another
expensive bauble. But at least this one served a useful purpose. And could
probably be sold for a goodly sum, should that ever become a necessity.
Although how he would be able to wrest the object from the grasp of its rather
strong owner was a matter for another day. One that would hopefully never come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“One
must not keep a beautiful woman waiting, Avram.” The potential storm had
passed. Dracula was once again in high spirits, no doubt in anticipation of the
carnal delights awaiting him in the village below. Avram was less sanguine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“As you
wish, milord.” No sense in arguing. All he could do now was monitor the
situation as well as he could. Which meant spending time in the same dreary alehouse
where the unwittingly cuckolded blacksmith could be found.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">to be continued</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #999999;">Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-73570820477625646512024-02-12T00:05:00.011-06:002024-02-12T00:05:00.159-06:00Book Review: Ana Maria and the Fox (The Luna Sisters) by Liana de la Rosa<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Ana
Maria and The Fox (The Luna Sisters) </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvLTviCvPZ_uCnUbvB4QqL_osOKb5e-7ldixS4cacn0b2qzYfF3qRrs6kCkn8K_DYIQeMQT-54_Y2vzYJQ-4BjGomtQZvMFXGkFL0Z47Dnol9mBj-lpMNKAVSOVWqFj26-vdyCOG_jLOn8cIEkuc4WVDbj05H9i78Tpb__3dOn34pFHjnCY7iN64as1Ql/s450/Ana%20Maria%20and%20the%20Fox%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvLTviCvPZ_uCnUbvB4QqL_osOKb5e-7ldixS4cacn0b2qzYfF3qRrs6kCkn8K_DYIQeMQT-54_Y2vzYJQ-4BjGomtQZvMFXGkFL0Z47Dnol9mBj-lpMNKAVSOVWqFj26-vdyCOG_jLOn8cIEkuc4WVDbj05H9i78Tpb__3dOn34pFHjnCY7iN64as1Ql/s320/Ana%20Maria%20and%20the%20Fox%20cover.jpg" width="208" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Liana De la Rosa<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Berkley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ;">April 4, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Paperback/Mulicultural & Interracial Romance/352 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: b;">Overall
Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">The French occupation of Mexico as
ordered by Napoleon III -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a pale
imitation of famous uncle - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has been
disastrous The United States is in no position to enforce the Monroe Doctrine,
caught up as they are in their own Civil War. Outside help is crucial to
provide aid to the Mexicans, under the leadership of Juarez. To the end, the
three Luna sisters – Ana Maria, Gabriela, and Isabela, have been sent to London
on a mission of diplomacy, representing their country in the hopes of eliciting
assistance from the English. However, they do not reveal everything about
themselves, including their relationship to the Mexican rebels.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Ana Maria and her sisters have not
been close, more antagonists than friends. The journey across the Atlantic was
not without its challenges. But in London, Ana Maria finds a freedom she could
never have under the tight reins of her domineering father. And she has never
truly appreciated her sisters for the individuals that they are.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">Gideon Fox is the grandson of a
woman who escaped slavery in America, cross the Atlantic and married a
Scotsman. Gideon has always had his eye on the prize – the ending of the
abhorrent institution of slavery. By dint of hard work, he has become a member
of Parliament and is working to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. Despite being
greatly attracted to Ana Maria when they meet, he cannot afford to let his
feelings interfere with his purpose. At least not until, danger threatens Ana
Maria, and Gideon has to make a difficult choice. Or maybe his choice isn’t so
difficult, after all.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">This is my first book by this
author, but it won’t be my last. I especially am looking forward to the next
book in the series. She writes very well, bringing all her characters to life
while painting a portrait of 1860s Victorian London. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has clearly done her research, and it
shows. The historical details are amazing. My only quibble is the appearance of
Prince Albert, as the Prince Regent died in 1861 and the book takes place in
1863. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;">The romance between Ana Maria and
Gideon is breathtaking, and the action toward the end had me on the edge of my
seat, feverishly turning the pages. The cover by Tiffany Estreicher is
beautiful. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next volume of
The Luna Sisters.</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-33879451432862429852024-02-10T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-10T00:05:00.155-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #152 - The Keeping Hours, Silent Night Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker<p> <b>The Keeping Hours</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO-kjA2Q7sdDwS39TNk_oT8CesNzvpqYl89QCWEP7dF9Q8xiBlEd8PACaf6TDM8qod2c5Axgb8hYk5RbC0y-TwEEI39nvBBixJeqB9Gq0RuOohcvkZP0V4n2HtKnUMThMuBaJmNulvyZ_MLkLSp7X8B2EbtpU9e4WVN6jenb-WYmupr4_KopBKgBly3Ao/s1481/The%20Keeping%20Hours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO-kjA2Q7sdDwS39TNk_oT8CesNzvpqYl89QCWEP7dF9Q8xiBlEd8PACaf6TDM8qod2c5Axgb8hYk5RbC0y-TwEEI39nvBBixJeqB9Gq0RuOohcvkZP0V4n2HtKnUMThMuBaJmNulvyZ_MLkLSp7X8B2EbtpU9e4WVN6jenb-WYmupr4_KopBKgBly3Ao/s320/The%20Keeping%20Hours.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />Mark (Lee Pace) and Elizabeth (Carrie Coon) are a loving, laid-back with a son named Jacob (Sander Thomas) whom they both adore. But tragedy strikes and Jacob is taken from them. The couple fall apart and divorce. Years later, Elizabeth has remarried and is a stepmother to two daughters who she loves, while Mark is single and a successful lawyer. He still owns the house where they once lived, and rents it out. After a pair of tenants trash the place, he goes there to clean it up, and encounters something he totally didn't expect to see - his dead son. Except he doesn't look dead. And he hasn't aged a day since he died. A startled Mark runs to tell Elizabeth about this, although they have nor relationship any more. At first, she is furious and refuses to listen, but gradually, she comes around. How is this happening...and why?<p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>While the Keeping Hours is a ghost story, it isn't necessarily one in the traditional sense in that it isn't </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvS9VeS9MnN-Wg0NjZWNAFfsWjkkFQ64S8Wea11VzYDJJAu1LRu477uMZl0se5HYq3U8s0sqWmRIRqJmxtGvunQsOHSMB98t60CY_qc3MZJH9yIhkk_fJmT4N8BB0dCwG4RsuLDfOheTrGf29Et46w9PPIBAEOUeCt4B56ZqHY-VUen-vDbqXJeT8sXr/s2250/The%20Keeping%20Hours%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2250" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbvS9VeS9MnN-Wg0NjZWNAFfsWjkkFQ64S8Wea11VzYDJJAu1LRu477uMZl0se5HYq3U8s0sqWmRIRqJmxtGvunQsOHSMB98t60CY_qc3MZJH9yIhkk_fJmT4N8BB0dCwG4RsuLDfOheTrGf29Et46w9PPIBAEOUeCt4B56ZqHY-VUen-vDbqXJeT8sXr/s320/The%20Keeping%20Hours%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> spooky or horrifying. Rather it's evocative and emotional. It's a story of loss and love, but also of forgiveness. I was really moved by this film. I have to say I am a huge Lee Pace fan, and he is terrific in this. So is everyone else, including the young boy playing Jacob. I am including it here both because it is a ghost story but also because I don't feel enough people know about it, which is a shame.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DvA-t5Gnm0XWUbJnQI4dkcbFmKu53RidQYmEmeV5LqJdzD1jbcJ8P_USv7zDtcNfVqQg-fRMAisk_RQtniGCvBxxx9r490NG72zK_2-KRUcGIbD3cjleHdfw_r1-QVZtRRagoaS2qbDE4E3PYmrDaUfPw5CVJC76ONRrdOX1uTd_-3qOEowTOEBQltKa/s583/THe%20Keeping%20Hours%202.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="583" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DvA-t5Gnm0XWUbJnQI4dkcbFmKu53RidQYmEmeV5LqJdzD1jbcJ8P_USv7zDtcNfVqQg-fRMAisk_RQtniGCvBxxx9r490NG72zK_2-KRUcGIbD3cjleHdfw_r1-QVZtRRagoaS2qbDE4E3PYmrDaUfPw5CVJC76ONRrdOX1uTd_-3qOEowTOEBQltKa/s320/THe%20Keeping%20Hours%202.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br />I will give this film 4 Stars<p></p><p><b>Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOC86J05_S9_vBMLmB-put4AuuInY_p9eRfaxSfsWu9mV80ZKdO59qmUUQmry5dcryp8gKLh9s7omNUwhTC2CVmPyWbwzG7Aib_hkGcfT1BeFYeCvGp7FYcx34znf3jfjAOqIELE5NO8J9eX2QsiM4vsmi3lDMxV6jLBkURggakbtQEGdmkKFRsbSr630/s1024/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="718" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOC86J05_S9_vBMLmB-put4AuuInY_p9eRfaxSfsWu9mV80ZKdO59qmUUQmry5dcryp8gKLh9s7omNUwhTC2CVmPyWbwzG7Aib_hkGcfT1BeFYeCvGp7FYcx34znf3jfjAOqIELE5NO8J9eX2QsiM4vsmi3lDMxV6jLBkURggakbtQEGdmkKFRsbSr630/s320/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%205.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br />Derek (William Thorne) is a little boy whose world goes silent when he witnesses his father being killed by a toy that mysteriously arrived at the house on Christmas Eve. His mother Sarah (Jane Higginson) is trying to help her son while dealing with the loss of his father. She takes him to a local toy store owned by a toymaker named Joe Petto (Mickey Rooney), but there is something odd about Petto and his strange son Pino (Brian Bremer). And then there is a mysterious guy who hangs around both the toy store and the Quinn home. What does he want?<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I'll start by saying that the fifth installment in the Silent Night Deadly Night series is better than the one before, but honestly, that's not hard to be. Again, it doesn't have the Santa Killer theme, but t does have a sort of horror take on Pinocchio and Gepetto.. Clint Howard returns as Ricky, and his only scene involves him and the mysterious lurker, who are both seasonal Santas. If you didn't look at the credits, you'd have no idea he was playing Ricky, and one wonders why bother. I guess to preserve the somewhat shaky continuity. Also, how did they talk Mickey Rooney into doing this film? One has to wonder.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lb-YiTwTg6_HR1usfMhST9do2roGdAwrM50Y1F0ZhT5KDKwhsIEwMLMFQf8TNuymFlBPK7ymqEQMbMmwLOznGJWhkHmzcX5RSydQwPIv1ctV572745k529PU4X4XEnJplybWPk7uc1mJXJpYCsbPz0Zk3ec8T1ki5tGeBkl05TtCl4FCq3_vXky_iexa/s1289/silent%20night%20deadly%20night%205%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1289" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lb-YiTwTg6_HR1usfMhST9do2roGdAwrM50Y1F0ZhT5KDKwhsIEwMLMFQf8TNuymFlBPK7ymqEQMbMmwLOznGJWhkHmzcX5RSydQwPIv1ctV572745k529PU4X4XEnJplybWPk7uc1mJXJpYCsbPz0Zk3ec8T1ki5tGeBkl05TtCl4FCq3_vXky_iexa/s320/silent%20night%20deadly%20night%205%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The acting is still pretty lousy and so is the writing and plot. Wait until you find out who the mysterious stranger is and how quickly he is accepted into their lives. Seriously? The good news is that this is the last in the series, as the next one is actually a reboot of the first film. I have requested that. Also, I hear that another film is going to be made. I assume that it's part of the reboot, not the original franchise.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV2DauUbpbNLdc8Dl5U6LK8ypSVIdQa0svUrsYcm3ydtYdXWUXi1EY0usnZKh04NzpfOxjKr8qEn1b9YUvAxu4_WVakAkp9_NkwMSwfZYd6mLS7MvNoM9Asu4GxHCKdJkzoCjx1aSsTenfHqrww4Ply1cJ3qoBTtco9omhv-Iyk7inTCy6R-hE4EZz5Op/s291/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%205%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV2DauUbpbNLdc8Dl5U6LK8ypSVIdQa0svUrsYcm3ydtYdXWUXi1EY0usnZKh04NzpfOxjKr8qEn1b9YUvAxu4_WVakAkp9_NkwMSwfZYd6mLS7MvNoM9Asu4GxHCKdJkzoCjx1aSsTenfHqrww4Ply1cJ3qoBTtco9omhv-Iyk7inTCy6R-hE4EZz5Op/s1600/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%205%203.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p>I'll give this film 1.5 Stars.</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-27256758108078252242024-02-07T00:05:00.001-06:002024-02-07T00:05:00.140-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #2 (1.1)<p> 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.</p><p>I started a new story last week, it continues. Right now, it's Dracula and Avram. See what's happening in this week's chapter of Dracula. Like I said, working title. If anyone comes up with an idea for a real title, I'm open to suggestion lol Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYTMm9GuOdoqP6QUFgJQdbRNRq4KeZai6pkSNinv6UTi7cZaBsp_J_1xAReS30f7jMOd3UPSyb3284rwgxpsX9p_SfonjP7CtrkBc1WQMSFeUwF7PRmo5EDcJCnvWR8li-o2U55kLD6jG9-UuVfcoDp0-2q4EepNPQjFe4sD0awQe8qpvPA3M60mYLbR6/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYTMm9GuOdoqP6QUFgJQdbRNRq4KeZai6pkSNinv6UTi7cZaBsp_J_1xAReS30f7jMOd3UPSyb3284rwgxpsX9p_SfonjP7CtrkBc1WQMSFeUwF7PRmo5EDcJCnvWR8li-o2U55kLD6jG9-UuVfcoDp0-2q4EepNPQjFe4sD0awQe8qpvPA3M60mYLbR6/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #2 (1.1)</span><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Being a
fastidious man, the Count—or Nico, as he was known to his more intimate
acquaintances—insisted on bathing prior to any evening’s activities. His
porcelain-coated cast iron tub was the only one in that region and had been
imported many years before, at great expense, from China. He loved to immerse
himself in the warmest water Avram could provide, as he found it to be a
panacea for his poor circulation. The Count was unique in his desire for personal
cleanliness as bathing was not exactly held in high regard by most people. Members of the upper class seldom bathed and
only occasionally washed their faces and hands, while the lower class limited
their acquaintance with water to a scant few times a year. This was but one reason why the Count enjoyed
great popularity among ladies of all stations and in many countries. They
appreciated his attention to hygiene and delighted in the variety of scents he
used on a regular basis at a time when many people wore perfumes merely to mask
offensive body odor. As for Avram, he liked to avail himself of the master’s
tub during the master’s absence, being very particular himself when it came to
cleanliness. As a Jewish man, it was not a choice—it was a commandment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Once
Dracula had eased himself into the blessedly warm water, Avram handed him a
soft sea sponge and an irregularly shaped pale orange wash ball. Coriander
provided an almost earthy citrus scent, augmented by hints of vanilla and
cloves. Dracula inhaled the ball
appreciatively before he began to apply it to his body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Would
milord perhaps wish to enjoy a game of cribbage tonight?” Avram ventured. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
gave him a pointed look from beneath arched eyebrows. “Did you seriously think
I have nothing better to do than engage in a card game with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">‘Of
course not, milord. Merely a suggestion.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Avram
hadn’t thought his ruse would work, despite the fact that they often did play
cards together of an evening, but neither was he offended at his master’s
words. He’d been in service to him for too long not to know better. Besides,
there were times when he was able to turn his attention by such methods, but
alas, tonight was not going to be one of those nights. Avram was only too well
aware of his master’s destination this evening, despite his pretense to the
contrary, for the Count was never reluctant to discuss his love life, such as
it was. Perhaps love was not the right word to be used in regard to his sexual
conquests—male or female— for that particular emotion was never involved, at
least not on the part of Dracula, although such could not always be said for
his partners. Perhaps more direct tactics were called for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Do you
think it’s wise to continue this dalliance with the blacksmith’s wife?” Avram
attempted to be more diplomatic than crude. This particular obsession had been
going on for nearly two months now. At least six weeks too long by Avram’s
calculations. Not to mention, too close to home. A situation exacerbated by the
blacksmith being well-known throughout the village for his nasty temper. The
only reason Dracula had not encountered said bad temper heretofore was because
the blacksmith was considered by most to be what Avram would term a schlemiel. Not
only did he not have a clue as to what his wife was up to while he was occupied
in filling his belly with beer at the local alehouse, he also didn’t have the
sense to fear Count Dracula, despite the many stories in circulation about him.
None of them good. Avram also knew Dracula had no fear of the man, either, for
obvious reasons. Still, getting into an altercation with him would not be good
for either of their well-being. Not if they wished to live a peaceful life
without constant fear of revolting peasants. Dracula was what he was, without a
doubt, but he was not invincible, and neither was Avram.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">The
Count didn’t answer Avram’s question immediately, rising from the tub instead.
Understanding the unspoken command, Avram took up a pewter pitcher filled with
pleasantly warm water and rinsed the soap from the vampire’s body, back and
front, head to toe. Once that was done, he took a <i>pestamel</i>—a long looped
strip of cotton that had been acquired during a trip to the Ottoman Turkish
Empire—and dried his master’s body and hair. The cloth, which was also
sometimes made of linen or bamboo, was becoming popular outside of Turkey. Some
referred to these as bath towels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
stepped from the tub, onto a small soft blue rug and stood there patiently as
Avram assisted him to dress in his chosen garb. At last, he spoke. “You worry
too much, Avram. She is a diversion, nothing more. A pleasant way to pass the
time.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But will
her husband understand that?</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Avram reluctantly held his tongue and
followed his master back into his bedchamber. He realized that arguing with
him, especially when he was in such a sanguine mood, would be as productive as
rabbit hunting with a dead ferret—at the end of the day, the ferret would still
be dead, and the rabbit would remain free to carry on with its life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
paused to examine his reflection in the very expensive Venetian mirror he
preferred to those made by the English. He twisted and turned, as if to ensure
he looked good from every angle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">No
wonder we are hard-pressed for money, with such foolish purchases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Avram,
I am considering ordering ano—”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Not at
the present time, I’m afraid,” Avram said firmly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula
turned toward his servant and sighed. “So it’s like that, is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">“It is.
Not to mention, one mirror suffices, does it not? You are only one person. And
is not vanity a sin?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula’s
lips twitched in a brief smile. “Then consider me a sinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #45818e;"> to be continued</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #999999;">Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> </span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-56512806270433683582024-02-06T00:05:00.014-06:002024-02-06T00:05:00.135-06:00Book Review: Ada's Algorithm by James Essinger<p> </p><p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Ada’s
Algorithm </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLkI38Yt-rexv8Xhyphenhyphenv-qjy3WDSHpomjslTm8QF8EiJB4Lxzx0JrxFrp4Yv4Bc916u7yhtni5it45nH6p_QTrTJbSZ_GfFtzMgbsBzon9CMOs5uWlvIU_t9czNwV6KmYTpLPr-EOzYyxb-JURa0jvZjGhBUY8tJPd-nEbGTe6fN6UlG_bMSVWlA8C53Dd9/s276/Ada's%20Algorithm%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="182" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLkI38Yt-rexv8Xhyphenhyphenv-qjy3WDSHpomjslTm8QF8EiJB4Lxzx0JrxFrp4Yv4Bc916u7yhtni5it45nH6p_QTrTJbSZ_GfFtzMgbsBzon9CMOs5uWlvIU_t9czNwV6KmYTpLPr-EOzYyxb-JURa0jvZjGhBUY8tJPd-nEbGTe6fN6UlG_bMSVWlA8C53Dd9/s1600/Ada's%20Algorithm%20cover.jpg" width="182" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: ;"> James Essinger<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: ;">Melville House<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: ;">American
release date: </span></b><span style="color: ; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">September 28, 2015</span><span style="color: ;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color:;">Format/Genre/Length: </span></b><span style="color: ; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Hard</span><span style="color:;">back/Computer & Technology Biographies/272 pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 204.75pt;"><b><span style="color:;">Overall Personal Rating: </span></b><b><span style="color: ; font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: JA;">★★★</span></b><b><span style="color: ; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">George Gordon, Lord Byron, is well-known for being the
foremost Romantic poet of his time. But few people appreciate that he had
another great achievement – he was the father of a remarkable daughter named
Ada (his only legitimate daughter) who is considered to be the first computer
programmer at a time when computers did not even exist!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Ada’s Algorithm</i> is the story of Ada Lovelace, who was
unquestionably a genius and well ahead of her time as far as computers are
concerned. James Essinger delves deeply into her background, through
contemporary accounts and existing correspondence, to draw a portrait of a
brilliant woman. She had at times a difficult relationship with her mother, and
none at all with her famous father, which Byron lamented. It is her friendship
with Charles Babbage and her insights into his Analytic Engine, inspired by the
Jacquard Loom and its use of cards, that gave rise to her interest in and
development of computer programming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s fascinating to consider just how far ahead of her time she was.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This book discusses the people in her life in depth, as
well, especially Lord Byron, Lady Byron, and Charles Babbage. It’s a very
interesting read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about our
first computer programmer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 321.2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-9079838894303388692024-02-03T00:05:00.003-06:002024-02-03T00:05:00.140-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #151 - Saw VI, Saw: The FInal Chapter<p> <b>Saw VI</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBWihjtQknlvVuwqtEQDvYnnLq_SIpK9rnJIbv8ReasTmh83EXNdAroWA71HTNUCpTxyT5TG02cpuvRxLBpxkxuVDo85k4PAzhhwQlj_MgETCqh8Gn2ulKgVg5Onamtubmc9WPPNZoSXQYQzuOO6U0qzGYd0m3Apou4hC6nLJnDe55eaAsFsvgNhRlNnu/s1500/Saw%20VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBWihjtQknlvVuwqtEQDvYnnLq_SIpK9rnJIbv8ReasTmh83EXNdAroWA71HTNUCpTxyT5TG02cpuvRxLBpxkxuVDo85k4PAzhhwQlj_MgETCqh8Gn2ulKgVg5Onamtubmc9WPPNZoSXQYQzuOO6U0qzGYd0m3Apou4hC6nLJnDe55eaAsFsvgNhRlNnu/s320/Saw%20VI.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Agent Strahm learned the truth about Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), but the knowledge didn't help him as he let his own arrogance get in the way and he died, while Hoffman lived to see another day. FBI agent Erickson (Mark Rolston) is getting closer to the truth himself. Will he survive the knowledge, once he finds out? Meanwhile, the game continues, beginning with two co-workers at an insurance company who must give up the proverbial pound of flesh in order to save themselves... or should I say, save one of them, for only one can win this game.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The sixth installment in the Saw series continues where the fifth left off. Hoffman has been acting as Jigsaw's accomplice, but it seems as though the FBI might be closing in, having realized the voice on the tape isn't John Kramer's. What if their analysis is successful? Will they unmask Hoffman? Why does Agent Erickson focus so heavily on Kramer's ex, Jill (Betsy Russell)? She was an innocent pawn in all of this... wasn't she?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGL3Q-ZF4u_RuH11yCmqirOMHRofT1RHixS0K1atDxo5E2UqrNh0mI7Y0ZdHXoAIiAc2oFtC-EXIl0G_tFBdviAsU2a_gqTvO5xNLZGGV2i22dSddoV8k4vaGGhX9gqHkaDULuXbqVw4_Aq1BUCP8HXe6tgyLrFyJRmZu4Wb37dRqtFTa51WurszVKY2k/s1024/Saw%20VI%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGL3Q-ZF4u_RuH11yCmqirOMHRofT1RHixS0K1atDxo5E2UqrNh0mI7Y0ZdHXoAIiAc2oFtC-EXIl0G_tFBdviAsU2a_gqTvO5xNLZGGV2i22dSddoV8k4vaGGhX9gqHkaDULuXbqVw4_Aq1BUCP8HXe6tgyLrFyJRmZu4Wb37dRqtFTa51WurszVKY2k/s320/Saw%20VI%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In this installment, the game centers around employees of an insurance company who have long defrauded their customers, including John Kramer. Despite being dead, he had everything planned, and he intends to show these people the consequences of their actions. It's easy to make a decision about someone's life when you don't know that person and never will. But what if it's someone you do know, whether friend, co-worker... or loved one?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf3Xtp4p5LOAlgp0zX5kqIdRG7VqkXXb-K83ZEwFAtL2PASXoXDQNrEtyuce1n6lJioBfE1j8Lb2Be6S8y7yWMNJVg39b4PIqgRdOGq1qie_UrBdF4ipQCkQBiZKOeLvDHF00KOXVxX8sxi6icj9AarV24jiwQheUzf1IkpeSXmETsyWlqjlTFcc-ARss/s728/Saw%20VI%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="728" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf3Xtp4p5LOAlgp0zX5kqIdRG7VqkXXb-K83ZEwFAtL2PASXoXDQNrEtyuce1n6lJioBfE1j8Lb2Be6S8y7yWMNJVg39b4PIqgRdOGq1qie_UrBdF4ipQCkQBiZKOeLvDHF00KOXVxX8sxi6icj9AarV24jiwQheUzf1IkpeSXmETsyWlqjlTFcc-ARss/s320/Saw%20VI%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I find the character of Mark Hoffman to be very intriguing. I think he is a better assistant than Amanda. The series continues to be very interesting. I like the acting, the plot, the direction. It's still very enjoyable, and I went ahead and watched the next one, which I am going to review next. I will give this film 4 Stars.</p><p><b>Saw: The Final Chapter</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw_ZiyiRzyiJkzDLvqiBWcz2xmF8104nN10B3Fpbg701r7Z73XcnfGNglkCMtmJF8V7VfD-XpQ_CqLoC23JtT9y1pRVBG3iwhNFn_IRrhnf4Xofu-Op8Qi7v4j2lKjsJuA-V_RGhnmEw1ShIqfcD7IbNqyEv7PkoHj85I9ZfUV5lvDN9GKAFAfISQes5v/s2880/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw_ZiyiRzyiJkzDLvqiBWcz2xmF8104nN10B3Fpbg701r7Z73XcnfGNglkCMtmJF8V7VfD-XpQ_CqLoC23JtT9y1pRVBG3iwhNFn_IRrhnf4Xofu-Op8Qi7v4j2lKjsJuA-V_RGhnmEw1ShIqfcD7IbNqyEv7PkoHj85I9ZfUV5lvDN9GKAFAfISQes5v/s320/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell), John Kramer's (Tobin Bell) ex, seeks protective custody, but will she give up Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) in order to get what she wants? Detective Matt Gibson (Chad Donella) is counting on it. Meanwhile, Jigsaw survivor/self-help guru Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) is making a living by assisting other survivors to cope with the aftermath of their torturous time with Jigsaw. But his own dark secrets threaten to overwhelm him and he is forced to fight to protect his family and friends. Will he succeed?<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>As in the other installments of this series, the emphasis is on how actions have consequences, the same </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMmEstDJun0H5CpucE0hCWV0-a_RujklhmO57meTHeMgT4-8F3ZiFnCVPuU8LNnG4TAOaQlrO2jRzjvBamkdn1jibVY4T5LapwGl83rZ-DsWNFXAlWxPiq6wk3wGDp8ZlG7sMTP-oa9UVEWQuHxBJHRKvzm21AuXenRStkvQgtp6pYtq86AbYUbrG6npl/s1400/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMmEstDJun0H5CpucE0hCWV0-a_RujklhmO57meTHeMgT4-8F3ZiFnCVPuU8LNnG4TAOaQlrO2jRzjvBamkdn1jibVY4T5LapwGl83rZ-DsWNFXAlWxPiq6wk3wGDp8ZlG7sMTP-oa9UVEWQuHxBJHRKvzm21AuXenRStkvQgtp6pYtq86AbYUbrG6npl/s320/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> thing John Kramer has said from the beginning. The people he targets all have something to atone for, and they all have choices to make. Hoffman is carrying on Jigsaw's legacy, despite being hindered by Jill. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I know others think the series went downhill after the first film, but I disagree. And despite being labeled the final chapter, spoiler alert - it isn't. I know of three more, and another one is coming out this year. So it's far from dead. The games are good good, as well as gory. I am especially looking forward to Saw X, since it takes place earlier in the series and we'll see more of John Kramer. Bobby Dagen deserves what he gets, trust me. I did like this one too and I'll give it 4 Stars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xx4RnOqFXqTuVYiRdOSWq0l4fMFuojC0siz926UCoxO0mLf5pu2JrKZGeZV1Q-iYpnahR_oMDbxqtxLIDiO4DucBL2gOjZ8GO9gUxxNfEO-0k3ofEDUPYJMg0M8snyJoYb3aScsyDemTbzet0S38uXUuogL3Zy-zBro9-I02UGbhjAagm8yeby0QYiwq/s2048/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Xx4RnOqFXqTuVYiRdOSWq0l4fMFuojC0siz926UCoxO0mLf5pu2JrKZGeZV1Q-iYpnahR_oMDbxqtxLIDiO4DucBL2gOjZ8GO9gUxxNfEO-0k3ofEDUPYJMg0M8snyJoYb3aScsyDemTbzet0S38uXUuogL3Zy-zBro9-I02UGbhjAagm8yeby0QYiwq/s320/Saw%20The%20Final%20Chapter%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-71650781681772151292024-01-31T00:05:00.001-06:002024-01-31T00:05:00.139-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Dracula #1 (1.0)<p> 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.</p><p>As promised, I have begun a new story, after saying good-bye (for now) to Vinnie and Ethan. Right now, all I have is a working title, which is Dracula, but I am excited to see where this takes me, and I hope you enjoy this first glimpse of my characters. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ucQ0gOFnpsUxGQWod5T3gJpRCZI1V66aW1qTJTrkBYsypTj2Eyt4dBDLjODYS5X8SOqk4ilaGsQ_lyv_bqdPlctETN3wwp0-B8vesKOPxc-hr0_mZxc57cE0XMIvfe248yo2fOcHA8ya_ajT271NFbVRrGjPYZm5o3bY0Q1XE0BExCVvWW73gNLQCIHz/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ucQ0gOFnpsUxGQWod5T3gJpRCZI1V66aW1qTJTrkBYsypTj2Eyt4dBDLjODYS5X8SOqk4ilaGsQ_lyv_bqdPlctETN3wwp0-B8vesKOPxc-hr0_mZxc57cE0XMIvfe248yo2fOcHA8ya_ajT271NFbVRrGjPYZm5o3bY0Q1XE0BExCVvWW73gNLQCIHz/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Dracula #1 (1.0)</span><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">The room was richly appointed with the trappings of luxury.
Oriental tapestries blanketed the narrow windows of the ancient castle and
vibrant Persian Isfahan wool rugs dotted the cold stone floor in handwoven
elegance. Some of these were the spoils of war, others acquisitions from
Sotheby’s. While a relatively young establishment, having only been founded
some thirty years previously, the auction house had already attained an
international reputation as a purveyor of fine art. The sole piece of furniture
in the room was an intricately carved mahogany bed set upon a raised dais.
Wrought iron candelabra several feet in height on either side of the bed provided
a gothic ambience, while the lit candles imparted to the tableau the aura of an
altar.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">The sole occupant of the bed lay in serene composure, his
very stillness resembling the repose of the inhabitant of a casket. Hands
folded chastely across a well-formed chest that did not appear to either rise
or fall with the usual demands of a breathing being, for during his slumber
there was no need to pretend to such normalcy as none were present to bear witness
to such a phenomenon should it occur. During the waking hours was another story
entirely, for none could ever say that the current Count Dracula did not appear
normal in every way. Some might even say that this handsome young man was
blessed in many ways.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">A light step outside this very chamber was followed by the
entrance of a slender figure, his dark tailcoat a somber note that contrasted with
the opulence of the surroundings. From one hand he swung a bronze censer with flattened
sides and various rectangular openings and holes. This was attached by chains
to a bell-shaped cap, at the end of which was a small hook decorated with a
wolf’s head. In the other hand he held an ostentatious glass goblet whose ruby
contents glistened almost enticingly, one of a set that had been specially
ordered at great cost from a glass maker in Venice. By far the greatest attraction
to, the Count lay in its ornate dragon stem, as he had a natural predilection
for anything to do with dragons. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">The rich fragrance of dragon’s blood exuded from the censer.
Exotic and earthy, it carried notes that ranged from erotic sandalwood to earthy
pine needles, woody musk to floral amber. Enticing and sensual. The newcomer
wafted the censer over the sleeping figure, letting the smoke drift about his
head before he placed the censer carefully on the floor and turned to regard
the figure in the bed, his expression unreadable. He waited a few moments to
allow the incense to have its usual effect before speaking.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">“I know you’re awake, milord, so let’s not keep pretending
and let us start our day, shall we?” he said, even though technically speaking,
it was evening.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">A small smile played about the lips of the supine figure
before quickly disappearing, as if to deny it had ever been. “You are a most
insolent servant, are you aware of that, Avram?” The man’s voice was melodious,
his slight accent enchanting, while his words rolled off his tongue in graceful
waves.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Yes, milord, I am aware of that. It would be hard not to
be, as you tell me so on a constant basis.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Good, then we shall not discuss the matter any longer and
you will be more mindful of your manners in the future.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Yes, milord.” And that seemed to settle that, although both
men knew differently.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">Incense was the preferred method of awakening for Count
Dracula, and dragon’s blood his favorite scent, although he was also fond of
opium, sandalwood, and frankincense. He invariably arose from a day of repose
with an appetite, hence the second of Avram’s offerings. Possessing reflexes much sharper than mortal
men, Dracula rose from the bed in one fluid motion, barely ruffling the long
silk nightshirt he slept in. Being of a sensitive nature, Dracula ordered such
shirts in quantity from China, where the finest of silken garments was produced,
whenever he was able to afford them. He was especially partial to those with a
dragon design, but he was not immune to the charms of beautiful floral patterns,
especially those that combined soft, light-colored flowers that represented the
feminine yin with bolder, more dominant flowers that exemplified the masculine
yang. He found the combination soothing and the silk most comfortable.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;"> Long used to his
master’s quirks, Avram handed him the blood-filled goblet without a word and adjourned
to the adjacent dressing room where he had already prepared his master’s
clothing for the evening—a pinkish mauve silk coat, with matching waistcoat and
breeches in an alternating diagonal weave, dotted with blue, white, and indigo
flowers. Personally, Avram thought the suit ugly, but the Count had taken a
liking to it. And what the Count liked, he got… generally speaking. Some things
were beyond even his means. Despite giving the appearance of wealth, alas, such
was not the case as the family coffers had run rather dry over the years. Not
surprising when one’s lifespan is greater than that of most men, and one’s
appetite for the finer things in life as well. It was also in his best interest
to pump what money he could into the local economy in the small village of
Bistritz. Keeping the villagers relatively happy, as he’d learned from past
experience, was better than running the risk of unhappy townsfolk armed with
pitchforks and torches attempting to make kebab out of them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">So Dracula and his faithful, as well as his only, servant
had learned to be creative in their acquisition of funds. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #45818e;">to be continued</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #999999;">I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Dracula, now go see what the other Briefers are up to!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-2210351210888717772024-01-27T07:31:00.001-06:002024-01-27T07:31:37.302-06:00Saturday is Horror Day #150 - The Green Inferno, Willow Creek, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation<p> <b>The Green Inferno</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyyoinNhQpOSVCx9ZngkWGbXTA1VNRtmsHqnaLd3iL-7YeKdPAD3xww3cYt6s-0b0FCFL2gukonMeuKrUJFuZavXDiIhBUjoCBgGFsIk6q0SSqWaKnUKVtb1J0UafW9Zwb4kwkcIxDZuM_nDXti3X5mNCFs3Ev_RhsTiSdhV8r6hirgqGTzrRjQ5CdVIT/s384/The%20green%20inferno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyyoinNhQpOSVCx9ZngkWGbXTA1VNRtmsHqnaLd3iL-7YeKdPAD3xww3cYt6s-0b0FCFL2gukonMeuKrUJFuZavXDiIhBUjoCBgGFsIk6q0SSqWaKnUKVtb1J0UafW9Zwb4kwkcIxDZuM_nDXti3X5mNCFs3Ev_RhsTiSdhV8r6hirgqGTzrRjQ5CdVIT/s320/The%20green%20inferno.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />Justine (Lorenzo Izzo) has the best of intentions when she joins with a group of fellow do-gooders to travel to the Amazon to stop the damage being down to the ecology by a major company. But she learns to her dismay that she was recruited for a reason, and her life was put on the line. The students' protest ends with them being put on a plane to return home.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>But things go wrong when their plane crash lands in the jungle, and the young people find themselves lost </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcJO2KkrEkG-_HdsbuXiRrZchG_G9qe3ZWICVGKoYz5jV4mTX5Ua9-HC7_6iyWuWSBy2Ftk9J9vOTyn-0aE3LJ4l3ECC5GLHwlXDEJ4lI8LBt9AdI-Xrkf97wvP2m2m3pUpn9TfJUHLiZeP4kJUK4Y_mOZcVE5RGi4M_Kid_Q5I4s7N4geDFov2hqV5pT/s1272/The%20Green%20Inferno%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1272" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcJO2KkrEkG-_HdsbuXiRrZchG_G9qe3ZWICVGKoYz5jV4mTX5Ua9-HC7_6iyWuWSBy2Ftk9J9vOTyn-0aE3LJ4l3ECC5GLHwlXDEJ4lI8LBt9AdI-Xrkf97wvP2m2m3pUpn9TfJUHLiZeP4kJUK4Y_mOZcVE5RGi4M_Kid_Q5I4s7N4geDFov2hqV5pT/s320/The%20Green%20Inferno%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> in a hostile environment. They were previously told that the natives are less than friendly. They are about to find out how true that is, and that female genital mutilation is not a myth! And neither is cannibalism!<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Eli Roth's film is notorious for the cannibalism, headhunting, and brutality depicted, and that is true. This film is raw and gory, make no mistake about that. But it also isn't a particularly good film, either. I don't think it was well done, too focused on grossing people out to worry about anything else. The opening is slow and clunky, and the acting is nothing to write home about. I had to google the ending to understand it, and I realized that that point didn't really come across very well when I was viewing it. I found Cannibal Holocaust more shocking than The Green Inferno (although not very good either). I hear there may be a sequel, and the ending is open to that interpretation. I'll give this film 1.5 Stars.</p><p><b>Willow Creek</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQQLCy7LO139qbpAmzznp4MfQDN7dRsVmwsPuAJ65oPSYeMirGFNiAkk9B8Pddb6MrC3sVaPJ-2QjjA_6snubP_hxXCKQIuwhkKo4-Ba7FFIgCRnIhazr4-dXA0S8ug7rwkUpGNfw3kFQhrjBEkLYckfuxgXsdEeuAd-WTW3S45xlXHao3zi4lMtBbWz2/s1000/Willow%20Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQQLCy7LO139qbpAmzznp4MfQDN7dRsVmwsPuAJ65oPSYeMirGFNiAkk9B8Pddb6MrC3sVaPJ-2QjjA_6snubP_hxXCKQIuwhkKo4-Ba7FFIgCRnIhazr4-dXA0S8ug7rwkUpGNfw3kFQhrjBEkLYckfuxgXsdEeuAd-WTW3S45xlXHao3zi4lMtBbWz2/s320/Willow%20Creek.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><br />Jim (Bryce Johnson) is a Bigfoot enthusiast, his dream being to sight the elusive cryptid. His girlfriend Kelly (Alexie Gilmore) is not quite so interested, but she likes him enough to agree to visit Willow Creek, alleged home of Bigfoot. Willow Creek is the place where the infamous film footage of an alleged sighting was taken in 1967. Jim's dream is to find that site and locate Bigfoot himself.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Jim and Kelly visit all the Bigfoot related businesses in town and interview various town folk before </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjN6JmnfjaSQ30zN83lTbxVkJrlDWduLVwmRx0o0PDVc9jkMbXrkE-HpwbMWnbGzDuO2kHLeeoTUVmLM-kdFTpo9_9FasdOdHQHMctpQe8_UsAdA1OGIoD_Bh7rLfZh44tPg7_BtGWLlUqKNNc57Bv2QJSgVaV2Yigcfq3m7SWf5uGKegTOICB2zfC1Y9/s3888/Willow%20Creeek%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjN6JmnfjaSQ30zN83lTbxVkJrlDWduLVwmRx0o0PDVc9jkMbXrkE-HpwbMWnbGzDuO2kHLeeoTUVmLM-kdFTpo9_9FasdOdHQHMctpQe8_UsAdA1OGIoD_Bh7rLfZh44tPg7_BtGWLlUqKNNc57Bv2QJSgVaV2Yigcfq3m7SWf5uGKegTOICB2zfC1Y9/s320/Willow%20Creeek%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> heading into the wild. They find themselves in the middle of the deep forest, where they pitch their tent and begin their search. It seems like they are destined to be unsuccessful in their endeavors, until things begin to happen, and they end up huddled together in their tent, terrified... but of what?<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW0o-w_sztkKHb-DvOJo0QPUxXYVlRzfiGGLtkBxH0yMF0y2iiXar3Bno4jbM-t0zz2B1AE5faUAO12PmlZtg1OQs7qiGZ79fCPNeqtm7jphod1QVduiuY8_veZPoA5VzGbWseCDGOT3JxVuz8sl_e9gwsdZCku2gvcuIXm8ARKan4N5I7gT5K_h85dIW/s1920/Willow%20Creek%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPW0o-w_sztkKHb-DvOJo0QPUxXYVlRzfiGGLtkBxH0yMF0y2iiXar3Bno4jbM-t0zz2B1AE5faUAO12PmlZtg1OQs7qiGZ79fCPNeqtm7jphod1QVduiuY8_veZPoA5VzGbWseCDGOT3JxVuz8sl_e9gwsdZCku2gvcuIXm8ARKan4N5I7gT5K_h85dIW/s320/Willow%20Creek%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It's worth noting here that this film was written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. This isn't a horror film in the gory, bloody sense, but I have to tell you, there is quite a bit of nail-biting suspense when Jim and Kelly are in their tent, and you can only hear but not see what is outside the tent. I really liked this film, and I would watch it again. Although the ending was unclear and I had to look up what happened, giving another layer to the film. I give this film 4 Stars.</p><p><b>Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyDsjT-BWVoknfd6LoLG2OSEVEYpnHAIEwDl4Zeu4PaRF2GfZujn7OV_jNnvYgzYuQwaTMtz7c1yJd1kAiRjHEKti2uf5yBBKvj4Y4dNzVZZbwROv89RMLGba9A9gKIIKNDI1pW_AgiE6M6bdicu09LWx0aUCMWDC6blWWzTgVcE__pTO82IJAEW8PX3_/s384/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyDsjT-BWVoknfd6LoLG2OSEVEYpnHAIEwDl4Zeu4PaRF2GfZujn7OV_jNnvYgzYuQwaTMtz7c1yJd1kAiRjHEKti2uf5yBBKvj4Y4dNzVZZbwROv89RMLGba9A9gKIIKNDI1pW_AgiE6M6bdicu09LWx0aUCMWDC6blWWzTgVcE__pTO82IJAEW8PX3_/s320/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />Kim (Neith Hunter) is a would-be reporter who can't stop thinking about the mysterious death of a woman who inexplicably threw herself off the top of a building. Her boss Eli (Reggie Bannister) doesn't believe in her enough to give her the assignment, so she takes it upon herself to investigate and finds herself involved with a group of witches led by Fima (Maud Adams).<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This fourth installment in the series really has no relation to the others, at least in terms of plot. One </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTipfS15MG7gr-4sOnZGP0WtivQM4aHrs-AVmZhJLCDOpqV9KZ7JK_ZDfVxxKiufRUjFSqLRXaAJeZ-LypH33uxeIMQTNjNETs391yxk-e_ZTa4jtrPGeqwZJcao3NiyQv3Y4GyHo9nqRV1vnzIzy0woJRT8kIU5Qs4they-LIN31dtOBnmTWEpGOYBv9/s913/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="913" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTipfS15MG7gr-4sOnZGP0WtivQM4aHrs-AVmZhJLCDOpqV9KZ7JK_ZDfVxxKiufRUjFSqLRXaAJeZ-LypH33uxeIMQTNjNETs391yxk-e_ZTa4jtrPGeqwZJcao3NiyQv3Y4GyHo9nqRV1vnzIzy0woJRT8kIU5Qs4they-LIN31dtOBnmTWEpGOYBv9/s320/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204%202.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> might make an argument for the brief scene in which a character is watching Silent Night Deadly Night and intones "Santa Claus killer!" But that's a weak argument at best, despite the fact that Clint Howard plays a character named Ricky, who beings the movie as a silent sidekick but becomes suddenly quite loquacious and thoroughly creepy.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQjVk8hRouKGnN1suqn73zWTLwXbjiDn7FqTPRzp7LGOLzuIoIY9aeQJhNCwulr1iUP5LWq7qXWFRTqGLMHeV6EcSNryiBJeBOq9OSm7imXEwX5kBenOWR-nSeX6gpDOnFd1W_3Ms51FC0Un7vXaEeZ-h4dW8SYETFY0UxV7vFVA2bTkv00Z-ZxjMNyAd/s640/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204%203.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQjVk8hRouKGnN1suqn73zWTLwXbjiDn7FqTPRzp7LGOLzuIoIY9aeQJhNCwulr1iUP5LWq7qXWFRTqGLMHeV6EcSNryiBJeBOq9OSm7imXEwX5kBenOWR-nSeX6gpDOnFd1W_3Ms51FC0Un7vXaEeZ-h4dW8SYETFY0UxV7vFVA2bTkv00Z-ZxjMNyAd/s320/Silent%20Night%20Deadly%20Night%204%203.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Despite this film having a few somewhat recognizable - Maud Adams was once a Bond Girl, Clint Howard is Ron Howard's brother and has done some really creepy films of his own, Allyce Beasley was in Moonlighting and Reggie Bannister was my favorite character in the Phantasm series - this movie is beyond horrible. Terrible acting, writing, directing, and the story.... think Rosemary's Baby, but with insects. I would avoid this one unless, like me, you are a glutton for punishment. I'll give this film 0 Stars.</p>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6175299018581644634.post-54322133306501565802024-01-24T00:05:00.001-06:002024-01-24T00:05:00.135-06:00Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #98 (20.7)<p> 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.</p><p>Well, all good things must come to an end, and so does our story. Thank you for coming along on this journey with me and the boys. Now let's see what the final word is for Vinnie and Ethan and this book! Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow the conclusion of my tale, and next week will see a new story begin! Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHWN6Zp4ColG6Y8OoxxqY6Of8wOaCo_ERytDkdmvubjLDWPpt6IgNS1-GJmTWm8Ne51p33cZE1mxEvKtKAqWpqrUPwDVFheDQg2fWyPHV7fag1IjVRDHDycLjZt3-194G3Oh96NYI3VlFWkH4NXyu_mpeewQAa8fwH2EiYP9exyiM4dmeRFemvuaBs9p1/s525/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="525" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHWN6Zp4ColG6Y8OoxxqY6Of8wOaCo_ERytDkdmvubjLDWPpt6IgNS1-GJmTWm8Ne51p33cZE1mxEvKtKAqWpqrUPwDVFheDQg2fWyPHV7fag1IjVRDHDycLjZt3-194G3Oh96NYI3VlFWkH4NXyu_mpeewQAa8fwH2EiYP9exyiM4dmeRFemvuaBs9p1/s320/wedbriefs%20badge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #45818e;">Bad Karma and the Family Plan #98 (20.7)</span><div><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“To be honest, that wasn’t very hard. I mean seriously, that woman’s IQ is probably in the single digits. Much like that of her gay bosom buddy, Troy Whatshisface, future AIDS victim.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“What about you?” Ethan countered, showing remarkable restraint, I thought, when all I wanted to do was plant my fist in that smarmy face. How dare he say that about Troy? “Weren’t you giving it to Eva June’s fiancé? And God knows how many others. Have you been tested lately?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“I get tested on a regular basis,” Chip came back quickly. “Don’t worry, I won’t infect your little play toy. I just want to show him some sweet sweet loving, that’s all. He needs to know what else is out there in the world besides you. Right, sweet cheeks?” The smile he gave me was horrific. My stomach turned at the sight. Guess I should have moved faster when I had the opportunity. My bad.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Let’s get back to business, shall we? You realize your IP address on those emails you exchanged with Caroline is traceable, right? And everything you instructed her to do, laid out to the tiniest detail? Guess you didn’t want to leave anything to chance, did you?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Chip laughed. “With a birdbrain like that, one can never be too clever.” He turned suddenly toward me. “Tell me, Vinny, how old were you when you had your cherry popped? Were you an early bloomer, or were you waiting for your Prince Charming to arrive on his faithful steed to sweep you away? Shame you didn’t wait a little longer, till I entered your life.” He slapped the table with his manacled hands, which jingled, as if he’d made the best joke in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Ethan laid a restraining hand on my arm, but it wasn’t necessary. I suddenly saw Chip for the pathetic coward he was, and any power he might have held over me dissolved in that moment. I would never fear this man ever again. He was nothing… less than nothing. And just as clearly, I realized why we were here. We didn’t need Chip to confess, or even explain himself to us. Ethan had brought me here to get the closure I so badly needed. To put the boogey man to rest and take away any power over me he’d once held.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">The Florida Mangler was going away for a long long time. Despite his claims to the contrary, I didn’t think he’d ever see the light of day again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">A weight had lifted from my shoulders and from my soul. I began to laugh then, but if Chip thought I was chuckling at his wit, he was sadly mistaken. I glanced at Ethan, who was smiling at me, as if he understood, his beautiful blue eyes shining.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Chip, you keep telling yourself that,” I said, turning my gaze to Chip. “But don’t worry, I’m sure there are plenty of guys where you’re going who’ll be glad to accommodate you. Although, I’d worry that there might be some who wouldn’t mind being known as the one who took out the Florida Mangler. I mean, when you’re a lifer, you have nowhere else to go, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I took in a deep breath and exhalted it slowly. “Ethan…?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Yes, love?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“I think it’s time we blew this popsicle stand. Nothing to see here.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“You’re very right about that,” he agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Have a nice life, Chip,” I said. “And try not to drop the soap in the shower.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Ethan and I rose at the same time, ignoring the frustrated howls from the prisoner. That’s what he was and what he would always be, from now on. Where he deserved to be. We couldn’t save Eva June, but we did avenge her death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Ethan knocked on the door, and the guard let us out. I think Chip was yelling something, but I’d tuned him out. Never again would I let him get to me. <i>Stick him with a fork, he’s done.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">We walked out of the jail into the bright sunlight and paused to let our eyes adjust.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Vinny, I’m so proud of you.” Ethan’s warm voice enveloped me like a hug. “I knew you had it in you. Just wanted to make sure you’d be all right.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">I knew he meant the bad dreams, and the way his name had made me almost cringe in terror. No more of that, ever again. “Thank you, Ethan.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">We reached out car and he slid his arms around me, held me close. “For what? I didn’t do anything, you did.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“For believing in me. And helping me to believe in myself.” I closed the short gap between us and kissed him with all the love in my heart. “I think it’s time to pick up Benny, check out of the motel and head home now. Close this case and put it behind us.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“You’re absolutely right, Detective Delarosa.” Ethan kissed me softly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">“Not to mention, Detective Thorne, we have to get ready for our new roomies.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">That would be a challenge, but one I was more than happy to face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;">The End<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;">Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ciasstories.blogspot.com/p/wednesday-briefs.html" target="_blank"><span lang="ES-MX" style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: ES-MX; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cia Nordwell</span></a><span lang="ES-MX"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://jraylamb.com/"><span lang="ES-MX">J Ray Lamb</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span></p><p><br /></p></div>Julie Lynn Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03574029767523627749noreply@blogger.com0