Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #47 (10.1)

 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.

Everyone at the Thorne residence sits down to a delicious home-cooked meal from Ethan's mother. Vinnie is most appreciative, but he wonders if Joe Jr. can be civil long enough to eat. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #47 (10.1)

Dinner was absolutely wonderful! I hadn’t really had a chance to appreciate Maureen’s cooking in its full splendor before since she’d been recovering from a stroke during our first visit. And how she managed to stretch this most excellent meal to accommodate all her extra guests was beyond me but she did and her efforts were most definitely appreciated. I could only imagine what Thanksgivings must be like here, at least from a culinary standpoint. Ethan and I tended to eat out on holidays, for the most part. I know he was as happy as I was at our unexpected largesse.

Of course, the fly in the ointment as far as holidays went, was Ethan’s older brother. He sat through the meal like the proverbial bump on a log and only spoke when he was directly addressed…which meant not very often.

On the other hand, the minister was on his best behavior and very charming. I think I’ve mentioned before that he could be very charismatic when he chose to be. He even engaged Benny in a lively conversation, something having to do with sports, I think. Maureen seemed to be glowing. She sat on the other side of little Alex and kept an eye on him so Sarah could eat too. She asked us to tell some of our more interesting work stories. I couldn’t help but notice Joey roll his eyes at this, but he wisely kept his mouth shut as Ethan and I obliged with a few behind the scenes tales. I should have guessed what Sarah really had in mind when she steered the conversation around to a certain Civil War film that had been partially shot in Roanoke, to my chagrin.

She was interested in Troy McGarrett, of course. But seriously, who wasn’t?

“You actually know Troy McGarrett?” Maureen too seemed impressed with our familiarity with the actor.

“Not just know him, he’s a friend of theirs,” Sarah interjected. Joseph Sr. seemed somewhat impressed at this fact, while Joey turned just a little greener.

I suspect his overwhelming envy may have caused a malfunction in his thought process, though, as he blurted out, “So, I guess that makes him a fa—” He shut his mouth abruptly, without finishing his sentence, but the damage had been done. I started to rise, flooded with disbelief at what had almost escaped him, which were obviously his true feelings, but was anybody actually surprised. At the same time, Ethan, Sarah, and Benny were rising to their feet, and Maureen was clearly distressed. But Reverend Thorne’s next words froze us all where we stood.

“Joseph, you will never use that language in this house ever again,” the minister said in a deceptively calm voice, not his thundering-from-the-pulpit tones at all.  “You will apologize to everyone here immediately. And if you can’t be civil, you can excuse yourself.”

For just a moment, I remembered that it wasn’t so long ago when Ethan’s father would have joined in on that particularly abhorrent chorus. How times had changed. I was glad he was coming around, and I let the thought slide in a bid to let sleeping dogs lie.

The look that Joey shot his father seemed filled with a sullen disbelief. Like a dog that’s been praised for some behavior before and now finds itself smacked with a newspaper for the same behavior.

Get a clue, Joey. That prejudice won’t fly anymore.

Then he turned his attention to Ethan, and I was momentarily stunned by the hatred I saw in that glance. I knew Joey knew better than to attack Ethan. I would take him down again without a moment’s hesitation. But I wasn’t sure if he was actually in his right mind just then, and I tensed my muscles, just in case.

But the moment passed. Joey mumbled something that might vaguely have passed as an apology, grabbed his plate and exited the house before anyone could respond. A collective sigh of relief could be felt around the table. We all resumed our seats and the dining recommenced. Still, I was left with an uneasy feeling about Ethan’s brother. Did we need to worry about him too, on top of everything else?

 to be continued

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

Cia Nordwell

 

Saturday is Horror Day #85 - Hellraiser (2022), V/H/S 99

 Hellraiser (2022)

Riley (Odessa A'zion) has a problem with addiction. She lives with her brother Matt (Brandon Flynn) and his boyfriend Colin (Adam Faison). Even though he is concerned for her welfare, she likes to push him to test his limits too. One night she goes out with her boyfriend Trevor (Drew Starkey) to help him with a little job, one that involves robbery. They break into a container only to find a safe. Riley manages to open the safe with brute force, but inside they only find a smaller ornate box. Disappointing to say the least. But  Riley takes it anyway. Afterward she gets into a fight with her brother, who throws her out. She plans to sleep in her car but isn't tired, so she takes the box to the park, where she manages to open it, cutting herself in the process.

And then the weird things begin to happen...

This is a reboot of the original 1987 Hellraise by Clive Barker. I'll be frank - it could have been so much better. In this version, we have a new Pinhead, a female Pinhead, played by Jamie Clayton. I think the role had so much potential, but it was wasted. The plot was rather lackluster, and the Cenobites less menacing. I found myself not caring about anyone, especially not Riley, which makes it hard to care about what happens. I was thrilled to see Goran Visnjic as a greedy millionaire with more money than common sense, and he does fine, but his is not a sympathetic character either. 

I think there were a few nods to the original Hellraiser films. I just found out there were ten of those, 

which I didn't know, but the first two are the best and the third is tolerable, with the rest forgettable. This one could have been so much better. I do think they used the original composer, so the music gets a nod. But otherwise, don't rush to see this. I'll give it 2.5 Stars.

V/H/S 99

V/H/S is back with a new collection of found footage gems designed to unnerve the most discriminating of horror palates.

 In "Shredding", a punk rock band with a high opinion of themselves known as R.A.C.K. like to perform pranks. They decide to look into the legend of a band called Bitch Cat, who supposedly died under their fans' feet, trampled to death during a fire. They even go so far as to prank one of their members by pretending to be possessed. But their actions come back to haunt them.

In "Suicide Bid", a college freshman named Lily has her sights set on a particular sorority, and does 

even bother applying to any others, although she knows that is considered to be a suicide bid. The girls watch her video interview and then meet with her. They tell her she has to perform a dare in order to be admitted - she has to spend the night inside a coffin. She agrees, despite learning that another student who did the same thing mysteriously disappeared. But then things go upside down....

In "Ozzy's Dungeon", a children's competitive game pits two kids against one another. But just when Donna is about to win, the other contestant injures her badly and wins himself. A few years later, Donna's angry family decides to wreak their vengeance against the horrible host of the game show by kidnapping him and forcing him to compete in a dungeon of their own making.

In "The Gawkers", teenage Peeping Toms get a lesson as they spy on the young woman who lives across the street.  In the last segment, "To Hell and Back", two friends are hired by a cult to video them on the eve of Y2K. But they end up fighting for their lives in Hell. And this is where they meet Mabel.

Also, threading through the other stories, is another story involving a young man who is filming his toy soldiers in action. I did like this new addition to the VHS series. I am a huge fan of found footage films, as you can tell by the many I have reviewed. I especially liked Ozzy's Dungeon, but I have to say Mabel steals the show. I'll give this 4 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #46 (9.4)

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

As you'll recall, circumstances have conspired in such a way that Ethan and Vinny and Sarah and Uncle Benny will be staying with the family longer than expected. There is one member of the group who is less than thrilled at this outcome, though. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #36 (9.4)

Sarah and Alex came down the stairs just as Maureen was saying, “Well, then, looks you’ll be able to stay for dinner after all.” She sounded very happy, and I couldn’t blame her. She had her whole family together for the first time in a long while, even if the circumstances were less than ideal.

“We’re staying for dinner?” Sarah turned inquisitive eyes to Ethan and me.

“Yeah, looks like we’ll be here for a few days,” Ethan replied. “Things have come up and Anderson thought it was best.”

She and Ethan exchanged glances, and I could tell she understood something was going on and we would tell her later. She shifted Alex from her hip to the floor before a sudden thought must have struck her.

“Oh but where’s everyone going to sleep?” she asked as she straightened up.  “And what about clothes and stuff? I don’t know if I have enough pull-ups for Alex.”

“I’m sure we can make a quick run to the store, can’t we?” I turned to Ethan and he nodded.

“We can, absolutely. And as for sleeping—”

“They’re kicking me out of my room for you!” Joey belligerently interjected. I couldn’t tell if he was really trying to start a fight or he was just stupid. My inclination was the latter.

“Stop it!” Maureen said sternly. “You’re a guest here as much as they are. And I’m sorry your circumstances are what they are. But I won’t allow you to take it out on everyone else, do you understand me?”

Whoa, looked like Maureen had definitely found her voice. She wasn’t putting up with shit from her husband or her older son. Good for her!

“Straighten up that room and get what you need for tonight, then help Sarah up with her things.”

I noticed that Sarah didn’t look particularly bothered at Joey’s outburst. She turned to her mother and said, “Thanks, Mom! All my stuff is in the trunk, Joey.” That last was, of course, aimed at her brother.

“We can bring those in,” Ethan quickly said. I suspected he didn’t want Joey touching our rental car. Besides, our stuff was all there too.

“I’ll help too,” Benny chimed in. He already had Alex comfortably ensconced on his lap

Well, that was settled.

“Can I help with dinner, Mom?” Sarah asked.

“Sure, honey, that would be nice.” The two women headed toward the kitchen. Joe Jr had thrown himself into his father’s armchair and sat in sullen silence. Not as though I expected him to help with anything. As of one accord, Ethan and Benny and I exited through the front door. I couldn’t help but wonder if the agents Anderson had spoken about were in place even now, watching us.

“I’m so sorry to cause everyone so much trouble,” Benny said as we hefted everything from the trunk.

“Don’t even think that,” Ethan assured him. “You’re family, and that’s what counts. And once this is all over and done with, I hope we get to see a lot more of you.”

“You can count on that,” Benny said. “I’ve missed everyone so much. It feels so good just to be back with y’all.”

“Ditto, Uncle Benny, ditto.”

“Once this is over and I figure out what to do with myself… well, I guess we’ll take it from there.”

We filed back into the house with our baggage.  Joey looked as though he hadn’t moved a muscle and deliberately avoided making eye contact.

“Joey, is the spare room ready for Sarah and Alex?” Ethan asked. I suspected he knew the answer to that as well as I did, though.

Ethan’s brother made no immediate response. At least not until he saw Benny take up a position beside his chair. I would have wilted under that stern glance, and I suspected Joey was made of less sterner stuff.

At first Joey pretended not to notice, but he couldn’t pull that off for long.

“Your brother asked you a question,” Benny said in a quiet voice.

Joey opened his mouth and closed it quickly, sliding out of the chair without a word. He skirted his uncle and reluctantly made his up to the stairs. He was almost at the top when he responded with, “You can’t tell me what to do. You’re nothing but a jailbird!” Not waiting for a reaction, he disappeared out of sight.

The three of us looked at one another of one accord and burst out laughing.

I guess when it comes to family, you have to take the bad with the good.

to be continued

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

Cia Nordwell

Saturday is Horror Day #84 - A Quiet Place, Annabelle Comes Home

 A Quiet Place

Monsters have invaded our world, terrifying blind creatures with preternatural hearing. At all costs, don't let them hear you or your life is forfeit. Survival is the name of the game for the Abbott family. Lee (John Krasinski), his wife Evelyn (Emily Blunt) and their three children. They are always on the move, staying ahead of the creatures, keeping silent in order to not be heard. But little children sometimes do stupid things, and the Abbotts' youngest is taken from them. Daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) feels guilty for what has happened, and feels that her father blames her too, and doesn't love her as much as her brother Marcus (Noah Jupe).

The Abbotts have a farm where they have set up a system of lights that warn of danger if the lights are red. Lee works with electronics and sound and has devised ear plugs that two people can use to share music. He takes his terrified son out one day and explains to him that if there is a louder noise, that noise will attract their attention every time. Evelyn becomes pregnant, which brings its own problems with it, such as a crying baby, but they have provided for that with a special place for the newborn. However, when plans go awry, the whole family finds itself in danger.

This film demands you give it a certain amount of attention because so much of it is visual as the people dare not speak. It's a post-apocalyptic world, although I'm not really sure how the creatures got there. But they're there, and the world is in serious danger. It's bleak and somewhat horrifying. I can't imagine having to deal with this kind of life. I know if I can't listen to my music at the office, the silence drives me nuts. They can't talk to one another, play music, and they always have to worry about making any sound. John Krasinski is also the director of this film, and I think he did a good job. I'm looking forward to the second one. I'll give this film 4 Stars

Annabelle Comes Home

Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) Warren are going on a business trip so they engage local teenager Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman). Mary Ellen's classmate Daniela (Katie Sarife) learns of her job with the Warrens and invites herself over to the house. She befriends Judy Warren (McKenna Grace), who doesn't have many friends. Daniela is excited to be in the Warrens' home and asks a lot of questions, especially about where the haunted items they collect are. She is told they are downstairs, but the door is locked and no one is allowed down there.

Daniela persists and finds an opportunity to stay at the house while Mary Ellen and Judy are gone. She immediately begins snooping, and manages to find the key, letting herself into the forbidden area. She is fascinated by what she sees, especially the creepy looking doll in the glass case which has a sign warning not to open it ever. But as she's looking around, the doll seems to move, and curiosity gets the better of the girl, and she opens the case.

This isn't the worst film of the Conjuring series, but it isn't exactly good either. Somewhat predictable, it 

utilizes cheap jump scares. We do find out why Daniela is obsessed with the Warrens, as she wants to contact her late father, who died in a car accident while she was driving. I think the film suffered from the lack of the Warrens, but then it would never have happened either because they would not have allowed access. If you are just into watching the series, go ahead. Otherwise, not worth it. I'll give it 3 Stars, mostly because I like Patrick Wilson.

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 8 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 8    

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: September 20, 2022

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/216 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Yor receives an assignment that necessitates her to accompany the target she is protecting on a luxury cruise.  But luckily, Loyd and Anya have won a vacation on the same ship! What luck! However Loyd and Anya have a suite in third class while Yor is in the first class section. Tor feels bad for her subject, Olka, who has lost her husband and her family. All she has left is her child, and now she is being relocated for her own safety. When Olka requests that she be allowed to stretch her legs, how can Yor refuse? She tells Olka that her own husband and child are on the ship, but they don’t know about her real job. So Olka gives her something to disguise herself with.

Meanwhile, there is a spy on the ship who has ears on everyone, and overhears Olka conversation with Yor, and is able to pinpoint what name she is traveling under, and which room she is booked into!  Back in the room, Yor and Olka hear a knock at the door. It’s a steward with a cart… but they never ordered anything! More than a little suspicious. As this is going on, Loyd and Anya are having a stand-off in the gift shop over a skeleton keychain that Anya insists she must have, but Loyd think it’s useless junk. He worries that if he doesn’t give it to her, people will suspect he is not her real father. Such a dilemma!

Anya reads the mind of one of the bad guys and realizes he intends to battle her mama right outside of where she and her papa are! She has to keep him occupied, otherwise he’ll find out what Yor really does and that will ruin everything!  To stall for time, she insists that Loyd has to dress in a way that conveys he is having fun. “That should keep Papa busy for a while,” Anya thinks to herself.

After the battle, as Yor sits guard to protect the client, she worries about leaving Loyd and Anya, and questions why that thought even bothers her. After all, they’re just for show… right? The next day, a concerned Anya wants to check on her mama, but she has to devise a way to distract Papa. Otherwise he’ll just ask questions she won’t want to answer. She tries various activities, to no avail. Turns out, though, that the festivities for that night include fireworks!

Excitement plus in this volume of Spy x Family. I love this series so much! And the anime is soooo adorable! I especially love how Yor is beginning to realize her feelings for her family are more genuine than she bargained for, and she would do anything for them. At some point, I have to believe they are all going to find out about one another, and they will become a real family in every sense of the word.

Great volume, looking forward to the next one!

Wednesday Briefs: Bad Karma and the Family Plan #45 (9.3)

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

Looks like things are getting a little crowded at the Thorne residence, at least temporarily. Ethan's minister father suggested they stay there, which is what they were angling for. But how will this work logistically? And what will Ethan's less-than-pleasant brother have to say about it? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Bad Karma and the Family Plan. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale. Enjoy!

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #45 (9.3)

“That sounds like a good idea,” Ethan agreed. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll let Mom know what’s going on and see what we can do to help her. I don’t want us to be any trouble to her.”

Ethan’s father nodded his approval to this suggestion, for all intents and purposes giving the appearance of a loving and thoughtful spouse, although I wasn’t entirely sure about that. But maybe this leopard had managed to change its spots. And maybe nothing had really happened between him and his daughter-in-law. I hoped that was true, for Maureen’s sake. Or if it did, I hoped it was over now.

Sheesh, such a tangled web.

One obstacle gotten over, on to the next one.I still couldn’t help but wonder how this house would accommodate everyone, what with Joe Junior already being there. Speaking of which, I wondered what his reaction would be when he found out we were staying for a few days. I suspected as unhappy as he was to see us for just a few hours, he would be even less happy to know we weren’t leaving right away.

Would it be awful of me to say I wanted to see his face when someone broke the news to him?

We chatted for a few minutes with the minister before heading out to talk to Ethan’s mother. I was surprised no mention was made of the FBI position he was trying to talk Ethan into taking. Maybe because he figured out nothing was going to split us up so he gave up? At least I hoped that was the reason. Not that there was anything wrong with working for the FBI. But we liked what we were doing. Not to mention, this job brought us together. I wasn’t sure how things worked in the Bureau, but I suspected we wouldn’t necessarily be allowed to be partners, and I never wanted to see that happen.

Maureen was in the living room, having left mother and child to bath time upstairs. We seated ourselves on the couch again and Ethan began our tale. I was concerned how his mother might react to the news of what was going on, but she was quite the opposite. Of course she was concerned, but her concern was for all of us, not herself. Knowing that she would be there with us, watching over us, probably gave her a sense of security that would have been lacking had we been forced to go to a motel, as I’d thought we would.

But that still left the matter of sleeping arrangements.

“Don’t worry, I can fit everyone in,” Maureen assured us with a warm smile.

“Fit who in where?” Joe Jr had slithered out from under his rock and just caught the tail end of the conversation from where he lurked in the hallway. Looked like I was going to get my wish

“Come on in, Joey,” his mother beckoned. “You need to know this too.”

He looked as though he would rather not have anything to do with us, but he probably knew what would happen if he didn’t listen to her, so he shuffled into the room and parked himself in his father’s chair, poised on the very edge as if ready to make a quick exit if necessary.

“Ethan and Vinnie and Sarah and Alex and Benny are all staying for a few days,” Maureen said smoothly.

I closely observed Joe Jr’s reaction and was gratified at the wide eyes and gaping mouth as he took in her words. He sputtered something that was not very intelligible, but Maureen had already moved ahead with her next pronouncement.

“Now, because of that, I’m going to make some adjustments for the short term as far as bedrooms and such. Sarah and Alex can take the spare room upstairs.

“W-what?” Joey protested. “That’s my room. They can’t—”

“They can and they will,” Maureen interrupted. “Your sister has a child. Of course they need their own bedroom. As for you boys, you can sleep in here. Pretend you’re camping out. That will make things easier on Ethan and Vinnie to keep an eye on everyone.”

Joey was furious, of that there was no doubt. “Goddammit, why can’t they stay in a hotel and not be a burden to us?” he protested.

“That’s not an option,” Ethan responded. I almost asked his brother why he didn’t go to a hotel then, but that seemed senseless since I knew the answer. Plus it might come off as rude.

Ethan turned to his uncle, as if he anticipated his brother’s next comment, forestalling it. “Benny, you go ahead and take the couch. We’ll be good on the floor.”

“On the floor!” Joe Jr appeared apoplectic. “How old do you think I am? Ten?”

“Sometimes I wonder,” his mother responded, which produced snickers from the rest of us.

I didn’t mind sleeping on the floor. I mean, the carpet was fairly soft, and I’d slept in far worse conditions when I was homeless. It was the prospect of spending the night in close proximity to Ethan’s brother that I found unappetizing.

I had a feeling this was going to be a long long night.

to be continued

Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

 

Book Review: Pluto, Vol 7 by Naoki Urasawa and Osamu Tezuka

 

Pluto, Vol 7     

Author: Naoki Urasawa & Osamu Tezuka

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: January 19, 2010

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Professors Tenma and Abdullah keep watch over the sleeping robot as it tries to assimilate the billions of personalities that have been programmed into it, unsure if it will ever awaken. Professor Tenma receives a request to meet with Gesicht’s widow before she returns home. She gives him something of her late husband and asks Tenma to ensure Gesicht did not die in vain. Tenma still hopes he can bring Atom back to life.

Epsilon, disturbed by Gesicht’s death, receives a surprise visit from Hogan, who has been assigned to protect him, under the assumption that he will be the next target. He wants to take Epsilon to a safe house, but Epsilon says he can’t go. It’s his birthday and the children have organized a party, complete with gifts. Hogan tells him to make it short then. Epsilon learns that the non-verbal Wassily has drawn something for him. The child shows him the drawing, saying “Bora” and then he begins to speak. And then something sinister unexpectedly appears…

Uran is discovered by her principal in the library after hours. She tells him she has felt two enormous sources of grief, but isn’t sure where they come from. She is reading Pinocchio, and has her theories about both Pinocchio and Geppetto and about being manipulated, like a puppet. While Epsilon is away on business, authorities come to the orphanage in order to take Wassily and have him adopted by humans in Norway. By the time Epsilon returns, the child is gone and the robot is upset. Wassily is turned over to none other than Professor Abdullah. When he sees him, Wassily screams out “Bora!”And not only that, but Pluto is there, and Abdullah refers to himself as Pluto’s father! Epsilon goes to rescue Wassily and finds himself in combat with Pluto. “Who is inside you?” Epsilon asks.

Professor Tenma encounters Uran at Atom’s grave and takes her to where Atom is. Epsilon is able to get through to Pluto, but the other robot warns him that something bigger is coming… Bora…And just then Atom awakens!

So much grief and sorrow, how much more can we take? I can’t believe Gesicht is gone. Seriously? And now another robot? When will the madness end? Only two volumes left. Dreading what might come in the next one. Fantastic series, sheer genius.