Saturday is Horror Day #66 - Freaks (2018), The Conspiracy

 Freaks (2018)

Chloe (Lexy Kolker) is seven, but she's never been beyond her front door, kept inside by her vigilant and paranoid father (Emile Hirsch). He cautiously schools her on what to say if someone asks her who she is and what she likes, even though that isn't her name at all. Chloe longs to go outside. Her mother is dead, and all she has is her father. He tells her that when the time comes she will go across the street to live with the neighbors, and Nancy will be her new mother. Chloe wants a mother more than anything, and that day can't come fast enough.

Chloe peeps outside when her dad is sleeping, although he tries to stay awake as long as possible, saying he can't protect her when he's asleep. She spots an ice cream truck, and she really really really wants an ice cream. The older man in the truck (Bruce Dern) looks her way and smiles at her. One day Chloe sees the girl across the street getting ice cream and she tells her in her mind to bring her one, and she does. Then the man himself shows up and takes her to his truck, saying they're going for a ride. The odd thing is he has a photograph in his truck. When Chloe asks who that is, he says it's her mother... his daughter. And they have to rescue her. But her mother is dead, so how can that be?

Freaks is set at a time when some members of the population have developed certain powers which set 

them apart from the others, and they have been labeled as freaks by the rest, who are terrified of them and what they can. Scientists predict that each generation of freaks is stronger than the last. Chloe's mother Mary (Amanda Crew) single-handedly destroyed the city of Dallas. Chloe's father works to keep her safe, but his powers only work when he's awake.

Chloe has some astonishing powers of her own. She can get into people's heads and make them do things. Grandpa is positive he can use her to rescue her mother. The concept reminds me of the TV series The Gifted, but they were ore of an offshoot from the X-Men universe  and these are just ordinary people with extraordinary powers.

I was really glad Bruce Dern turned out not to be the neighborhood pervert. He seems at odds with Chloe's father but eventually they decide to work together for the common good. The movie is well done, the story is great, and so is the acting. But at the same time, it's bleak and harsh, and not something I would choose to watch again. Look for Grace Park as an FBI agent, last seen on Hawaii 5-0. I'll give this movie 4.5 Stars.

The Conspiracy

Two filmmakers, Aaron (Aaron Poole) and Jim (James Gilbert) are making a documentary about conspiracy theorists, particularly Terrance (A.C. Peterson). But in the middle of filming, Terrance disappears, his apartment ransacked, the multitude of clippings he had tacked to his walls torn down. 

Aaron and Jim pursue their investigation, which leads them to the existence of a secret society known as the Tarsus Club. They discover an informant, Mark Tucker (Bruce Clayton), who helps them gain entrance to the club, which is holding some sort of meeting in someone's expensive home in the middle of nowhere. The club is populated by obviously wealthy, established members of society. Jim and Aaron and welcomed as new members, and told to enjoy The Hunt.

The two young men find themselves in over their heads, continuing to film as the hunt begins.

My first problem with this film is that it always felt like a film, never a documentary. If you're going to 

say it's a documentary, it should feel like one. I understand the filmmakers are making a point about conspiracies and getting to the truth of the question of who is in charge, who pulls the strings. But I found my attention wandering early on, and I found it hard to maintain interest, or even to care about these guys and their so-called documentary.

Is the Tarsus Club just a stand-in for the Masons or the Illuminati or some other group of the week? Personally, I believe the wealthy control everything, but I don't think they all hang out together and plan what's going to happen. I believe they have their own spheres of influence and control things accordingly.

At the end of the film, the film goes horribly wrong for the two young men in a way they hadn't anticipated, and then one disappears. Just not a lot of meat to this story, and I think it was just not worth filming. I'll give it 1.5 Stars.

Film Review: Sanjuro

 Sanjuro

Iori Izaka (Yuzo Kayama) is the nephew of the chamberlain, Mutsuta (Yunosuke Ito). He hopes to enlist his uncle's aid in making much needed reforms in the village, but his uncle doesn't seem interested. The superintendent, Kikui (Masao Shimizu) is very interested, and tells Iori to gather his friends quickly so he can speak to them. As the young men discuss their plans, they are startled to discover that they have been overheard by a ronin sleeping in the next room. Sanjuro (Toshiro Mifune) is quick to tell them why they are wrong and, without even knowing either the superintendent or the chamberlain, he can describe them to a tee. Too late, he realizes the meeting is to take place at the spot where they are. And actually they are already surrounded. If they are to survive, they must listen to Sanjuro.

Sanjuro bluffs his way out of the situation with the men, and garners an invitation from vice-chamberlain Muroto to work for him. They learn that Iori's uncle has been kidnapped and his wife and daughter are being held. The young men protest when Sanjuro tells them they need to rescue the women first,claiming that they must save the chamberlain. But common sense prevails when Sanjuro reminds them they don't even know where he is being held, and perhaps the women have overheard something. Through the use of Sanjuro's crafty plan, they rescue the women. Mutsuta's wife (Takako Irie) is grateful but serene. She advocates that they not use so much violence, but that isn't always possible. Especially when the young men don't listen to Sanjuro and attempt to carry out their own plans.

They hide in one of the young men's homes, which just happens to be next to the home of Kurofuji, one of Kikui's allies. Who would look for someone under their very noses? The enemy is cunning too and lead them on wild goose chases because the young ones are so quick to react. They just might ruin one plan too many!

Sanjuro is the sequel to Yojimbo, with Toshiro Mifune once again playing the titular character, a wandering ronin. I liked this film as much as I liked Yojimbo. It definitely made me laugh at times.  I loved the interplay between Mutsuta's wife and Sanjuro. I think he would prefer not to kill either, but sometimes he is pushed into a situation where it is inevitable. She is a great character, and so is her daughter Chidori (Reiko Dan). Once again, the cinematography and direction are excellent, as is the soundtrack. Definitely worth watching. I give this film 5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Rose and Thorne 6 #27 (6.2)

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.

What was originally supposed to be Vinnie and Ethan flying with Uncle Benny to Atlanta has become an actual road trip that includes Ethan's sister and her child. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Rose and Thorne. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Rose and Thorne 6 #27 (6.2)

Ethan turned up the heater in the car as we left the gas station, out of deference to his passengers, I knew. Not that he wouldn’t have done it for me, but I normally didn’t complain about the cold.  The current temperature was only about thirty-five degrees, so pretty chilly for Virginia. I knew it wouldn’t feel so bad once we were on the road and the sun had a real chance to warm everything up. Back in Joliet, we’d consider this a heat wave, especially for February, but Southerners weren’t used to the same frigid temps I’d had to endure growing up. Snow for them was a freak occurrence, one they were seldom prepared for. But both states had one thing in common… motor vehicle operators who had no idea how to handle themselves in the snow. I guess that just goes to show that bad drivers can be found just about anywhere.

To be honest, this whole situation felt completely surreal. Ethan’s sister, uncle, and nephew in the back seat, laughing and chatting and watching little Alex eat his breakfast.  Ethan and I sitting up front, like the old married couple we almost were. We were lucky to have borrowed a car seat from Laverne when we knew Alex was coming, since the Commonwealth of Virginia required all children below the age of seven be properly secured in either a child safety seat or a booster seat. He seemed content to eat his chicken and biscuit. When he was done, and his mother had cleaned him up, she gave him some kind of tablet, to my amazement. Children were learning how to operate computers almost from birth it seemed. No wonder they were so good at it. Alex certainly seemed to enjoy playing with his.

By mutual consent, the subject of the baby daddy was not brought up. I don’t think any of us were prepared to have that particular discussion. Instead, it was happy memories of more innocent times. Benny had been a big part of their lives once he’d gotten out of prison. I imagine Joseph Thorne saw an opportunity to portray himself as a charitable benefactor in the rehabilitation of his brother-in-law. You know, good Christian and all that. Up until the moment when he realized Benny was gay and cast him out. Because that’s what good Christians do.

Sorry, sore subject with me. I shouldn’t paint all Christians with that brush. That’s no better than their open homophobia. In this case, it was the minister just being a bigot, end of story.

They spoke to one another in such loving and familiar terms that my heart swelled just to listen to them. Once upon a time, I might have been bitter and somewhat envious of their obvious closeness and the love they all shared. But having found Ethan, I’d come to know a love I’d never thought possible, and I no longer felt excluded, as I once had. An outsider living on the periphery of everyone else’s existence. I was really and truly loved, and that was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

I couldn’t help but wonder what odd twist of fate had brought us all together, here and now, when our paths had seemed to be set on separate courses but had now converged. Coincidence, of course. I wasn’t so much concerned with the brief appearance of Sarah’s ex as I was with what was going on with Benny. First the fire alarm at the hotel, then the attempt on his life, which I had to assume was targeted at Benny and not just random happenstance. Then the threat at the airport which had necessitated this road trip. Was Benny’s ex really that concerned with the testimony he was about to give, or was there something else going on here that we didn’t fully understand. Either way, I knew we had to be particularly vigilant.

 to be continued

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

Cia Nordwell

J Ray Lamb

 

Virtual Book Tour: Small Town Prince Charming by Megan Slayer

 Good morning everyone!  Please welcome one of our favorite authors, Megan Slayer, back to Full Moon Dreaming! When Megan is around, you know good things are happening! Today she is going to tell us about her Small Town Prince Charming. Great title, right? She'll be awarding a price pack featuring a bracelet and necklace made by Megan herself to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

SMALL TOWN PRINCE CHARMING

by Megan Slayer

 

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GENRE:  Contemporary Erotic Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Can a high school romance that never happened have a second life in a small town?

 

Tracey Baker got out of Blakes Creek to find her purpose in life. She found it in the theatre scene in New York, but after ten years, she’s ready for a change. Working for the community theatre in her hometown is just what she needs—until she sees Ryan Greene.

 

Ryan Greene crushed on Tracey Baker in school, but he never thought she’d come back to Blakes Creek. When he sees her at the theatre, he’s determined to win her heart. His daughter Maisey is just as determined. She likes Tracey and sets out to prove her dad is Tracey’s Prince Charming.

 

Love might conquer all, but with the eyes and ears of the town focused on their relationship, Ryan and Tracey will have to prove they can set the stage alight together.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Ryan?” Tracey held a clipboard and one of the glittery chorus girl dresses. “Do you have a second?”

 

“I do.” He’d rather run. “How are you?”

 

“I’m good. Busy. You seem busy, too.” She smiled. “You’re doing well with the sets. I can’t wait to see them in action.”

 

“Thanks.” Was he blushing? The tips of his ears burned. “The costumes looked good. I haven’t seen them all, but I bet they’re great.”

 

“Oh, they’re not done yet. I still have to get everyone fitted properly and figure out where to add more glitz like Derek wants.” She fiddled with the garment in her hands. “I wanted to talk to you about Maisey.”

 

“What did she do?” He steeled himself for her answer. Maisey could tell tales and made things seem worse than reality. She craved attention, too.

 

“It’s not anything she did.” Tracey left the stage and strode out to the audience. “Here. This is less invasive. No, it’s what happened.”

 

“What happened? Did she try to set us up? She thinks I need another wife.” Shit. He shouldn’t have said that. “Sorry.”

 

Tracey paled. “Another? How many have you had?”

 

“One. Carol. It didn’t work out.” He shook his head. “Honestly, I’m not looking to date anyone.” He could be convinced if the right woman asked him on a date—like Tracey.

 

“Uh…she didn’t say anything about a date or a wife.” Tracey fumbled with the dress and perched on one of the seatbacks. “No, she was wearing another girl’s costume because the other girl wanted Maisey to be able to dance in the performance.”

 

He wobbled onto the seatback one aisle behind hers. “Come again? Maisey did what?”

 

“Maisey wants to dance, and she’s in the class showing she can do it. One of the girls, a friend, gave her the wrong costume—the friend’s—so Maisey wouldn’t have to pay for it and could participate. I asked Maisey, and she said her dad couldn’t afford for her to dance.”

 

He had to be honest, but he hated the embarrassment. “I work two jobs, and I don’t have the time or money for dance. I barely keep us fed.” He tried to hide his shame. Tracey didn’t need to see him upset. If he hadn’t been saddled with Jessica’s debts, he’d be better off.

 

“Do you mind if she takes part in the recital?” Tracey asked. “I saw her practice with the other girls, and she’s good. She deserves to dance. She’ll have a costume, if you’ll let her, since I took her measurements. Actually, she’s already got one.”

 

“How much?” He’d have to shuffle a few things to find the money, but he had to give Maisey this.

 

“Nothing.”

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

 

Website: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm

Newsletter: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

 

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Pluto, Vol 4 by Naoki Urasawa & Osamu Tezuka

 

Pluto, Vol 4         

Author: Naoki Urasawa & Osamu Tezuka

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: May 19, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Sci-Fi Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Dr. Ochanomizu discovers a discarded dog robot and decides to repair it, since it reminds him of a dog he and his wife once had.  He is being pressured to send more robot troops to the Persian kingdom, which he doesn’t wish to do. His grandson Takashi messages him to talk about the strange tornado he and his mother saw. The dog’s owner shows up as they are talking, having tracked the dog through his GPS. All seems well, until he reveals his name and demands that the Professor summon Atom so he can fight someone!

The Professor refuses to give in to Goji’s demands, but Goji tells him he can control tornados… even where they go and who they target! Atom appears unexpectedly and tells the Professor that Uran is responding to a call!  Atom goes to her rescue, but tragedy ensues.

Gesicht continues to have bad dreams, unaware that he has been targeted by a man who thinks he killed his brother. Adolf is unaware that his bosses don’t wish him to succeed in his mission as they have other plans for Gesicht, and he is very necessary to these plans. Gesicht goes to see Dr Hoffman, unaware that the doctor knows someone has been fiddling with Gesicht’s AI. Meanwhile, Adolf makes a detour to his brother’s grave, and narrowly avoids being killed!

Gesicht’s vacation is put on hol, after the untimely death of Atom, and his new assignment is to protect Adolf Haas. How ironic is that? Haas’s son is totally smitten with the detective and is excited to meet him. Gesicht accompanies Haas to work, where they learn of the death of another robot creator, this time the creator of Epsilon. Haas gives Gesicht some info he ran across in a Persian prison his company installed systems for. Gesicht finds some disturbing information. Someone is after Professor Hoffman! After Gesicht saves Adolf’s life, he starts to reveal everything about the anti-robot group he is in.

So much going on, so many bad people with bad agendas. Another good robot gone! It’s heartbreaking. I find it satisfying that Adolf has to put up with Gesicht protecting him. Maybe now he’ll realize that Gesicht didn’t kill his brother… if he doesn’t manage to kill Gesicht first. Another great volume, looking forward to the next one!

 

Film Review: Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

 Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame

Following the death of her husband, Empress Wu (Carina Lau) has been regent, but now she is to be inaugurated as empress. An enormous statue is being constructed for the occasion, but it's imperative that it be completed on time. However, during an inspection of the statue, an official goes up in flames, burned to death. But how? The Empress' chaplain, speaking through his special deer, suggests that Detective Dee be put on the case. But Detective Dee has been imprisoned for the past eight years, following his denouncement of the empress' regency!

Under the watchful eye of Pei Donglai (Chao Deng) and Shangguan Jing'er (Bingbing Li), Detective Dee (Andy Lau) is placed in charge of the investigation, but only after the second mysterious flaming death.  Jing'er has been given express orders from the Empress to guard Dee, while Pei mistrusts him immensely. There are those who believe the deaths were caused because the men were disrespectful of the talismans placed on the statue. But Dee doesn't subscribe to that particular theory. Yet he's at a loss to explain their spontaneous combustion. Can he solve the mystery before the scheduled inauguration?

This is definitely a very interesting whodunit, with a lot of twists. Detective Dee is a great character, 

unconventional and yet very steadfast in his loyalties, remaining true to his principles. I wish there were more movies featuring Andy Lau as the detective, but the next two films are actually prequels about the younger Dee. I'll watch them too, of course.

I loved the action sequences, the story was well-written, and I felt the film had great direction. All of the actors did a good job, but I especially enjoyed watching Andy Lau. This was a fun film to watch. I give it 4 Stars

Saturday is Horror Day #65 - Rampant, Phantasm II

 Rampant

There is unrest in Joseon. Some people fear that the king is far too interested in impressing the nearby Qing dynasty of China than furthering the cause of his own people. One who believes this is the Crown Prince (Kim Tae-Woo), who is determined to aid his people by the acquisition of  European arquebuses. But the plot is discovered and the prince must commit suicide. Unbeknownst to him, the Europeans have brought more than guns, they have brought zombies.

The Crown Prince's younger brother Prince Ganglim (Hyun Bin) has been in exile in Qing for some ten years, during which time he excelled at drinking and womanizing... and swordsmanship. He returns at his brother's request to take care of the pregnant Crown Princess. But the Minister of War, Kim Ja-joon (Jang Dong-Gun) has no wish for that to happen. When Ganglim and his companion, Hak Su (Man-sik Jeong) arrive in Jemulpo, they are beset by assassins, and then find themselves up against zombies. 

Having seen the demons first hand, Ganglim and Hak Su head to the capital to warn of what is going on. But things are worse than he expected. And no one believes him, not even the Minister of War. Which is odd as he is the one who brought it to pass. As the number of zombies continues to grow, Ganglim realizes it is up to him to save the kingdom.

I really liked this film. From the previews, I had thought it was a werewolf movie, but no, it's zombies. It might not be quite as fast-paced as Train to Busan, but I was won over by Prince Ganglim as he turned from playboy to zombie killer, one worthy to be a king. His companion Hak Su is hilarious, and the repartee between the two is very funny.  Well worth the watch. I give it 4 Stars.

Phantasm II

Mike  (James Le Gros) has been in a mental institution for about seven years, after telling the fantastic story of what happened to his brother, including the Tall Man and his evil dwarfs. Gradually coming to realize he has to tell the doctors what they want to hear, he manages to get released and heads immediately to the cemetery. Reggie (Reggie Bannister) finds him there.  Reggie doesn't really believe Mike and he's just trying to protect him... until they reach Reggie's house and see what the Tall Man has done! Now it's war!

Mike and Reggie are determined to destroy the Tall Man, and he isn't hard to follow, but he is hard to catch. Reggie picks up a hitchhiker on the side of the road who he is attracted to by the name of Alchemy (Samantha Phillips). There is something odd about her. Mike thinks she's been in his dreams, but in those she's been dead. Mike can't help but think about Liz (Paula Irvine) and is intent on finding her. Unknown to him, her grandpa has died and she is helping her grandma through the ordeal of the funeral. Things go very wrong when her grandpa unexpectedly comes back from the dead, thanks to the Tall Man.

When Reggie and Mike take Alchemy to her hometown, she finds it sadly changed over the past ten 

years. In fact, it's become like a ghost town. They decide to stay at the bed and breakfast owned by Alchemy's mother, although it too is boarded up and vacant. Now it's time to deal with the Tall Man and his minions once and for all!

The second installment of the Phantasm franchise has its moments, both humorous and creepy. I'm glad Reggie survived the first film, he ends an element of both humor and humanity to the film which Mike lacks. I could do without his hitting on the first woman he sees, but whatever. What I don't get is when Mike and Liz are reunited after seven years, how she recognizes him so quickly and how they feel compelled to suck face while standing inside an open grave, in the middle of dealing with the Tall Man. Call me crazy, but that sort of thing can wait, surely. 

Angus Scrim as the Tall Man is the best thing about the film. More of the mysterious pronged orb that flies through air with reckless abandon and cores its victims. Now I am confused as to how it knows who to attack. See the movie and ask yourself the same thing. All in all, not bad. I'll give it 3 Stars.