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Genre - Horror/"Speculative Fiction"
Year Published - 2011
Length - 228 [digital] pages *Read on my Nook
Written by Alan S. Kessler
Rating: 2 Skulls
Plot Summary:
What does the devil really want?
Nostalgic for the Inquisition and plague, Satan feels neglected by the modern world that no longer blames him for disease and death. He plans to create a new genesis, a place where people will love him.
For that, his son needs just the right soul, and there is one - unique, powerful, able to heal.
To get it, Satan has a plan that begins in Ireland in the famine year, 1848, and 180 years later he traps a young girl and her family in demonic forces pushing them to kill.
Review:
Generally, I would not normally read a book about Satan attempting to establish himself a kingdom/world where it's people love/worship him, however I completely misunderstood the author's own description, in which he stated, "A Satan Carol is a horror story, with a message for those who want to understand God's apparent absence at the intersection of free will & choice. It is a story, with religious themes written for a secular reader. It is, in the end, a tale about family values - even if they originate in hell."
I completely missed everything in that description!
I do not want to say that I was misled, I just think that upon reading that, I got excited to read a really good Christian-Fiction tale (along the lines of Frank Peretti) however that is not what I got at all. :(
Aside from the disappointment of not meeting my expectation, I've come to understand that I am just not a fan of "speculative fiction" (is this the same as "bizarro fiction"?!?)
If you are a fan, then by all means, check this book out, you may enjoy it far more than I did.
To me, the book just seemed to go all over the place - jumping back & forth in time, between realities/worlds, etc. - difficult to read, in my opinion.
This is not a knock on Kessler's writing, which is actually quite good. He created some interesting characters and storylines, it just seemed extremely disorganized, which, at times, made reading the book seem a chore (hence my rating)
I enjoy reading books that are hard to put down - this one is not one of those...
Jason
Genre - Action-Adventure/Martial-Arts/Foreign
Chinese Title: 'Long men fai jia'
Year Released - 2011
Running Time - 122 minutes
Directed by Tsui Hark
Written by Tsui Hark
Cast Includes: Jet Li, Kun Chen, Xun Zhou, and Siu-Wong Fan
Rating: 4 Skulls
Plot Summary:
As the Ming Dynasty ends, ruthless warlord Yu tightens his grip on China, and Zhao Huai'an and his men meet at the Dragon Gate Inn to plan a rebellion...
Trailer:
Review:
I know that this isn't a low-budget/independent film, however I have no idea how I missed this one (in IMAX 3D no less!) so I figured I would bring it to your attention, in case you missed it as well...
Pretty much a re-make/"re-imagining" of the original 1966 Dragon Gate Inn and its subsequent 1992 re-make 'New' Dragon Gate Inn (starring Donnie Yen) 'Flying Swords' is an above-average Wuxia/Wushu Kung-Fu flick.
Tsui Hark ('Once Upon a Time in China') who also directed Jet Li in 'The Master' (and Jackie Chan in 'Twin Dragons') does not disappoint with this film. There is more than enough high-flying, acrobatic martial arts action to appease even die-hard fans of this genre!
And the best part is, it's currently available on Netflix Instant
(I know that is nowhere near the same as seeing it in IMAX 3D, but it is still sufficient)
Jason
Genre - Horror
Year Published - 2012
Length - 297 pages
Written by D. Nathan Hilliard
Rating: 5+ Skulls
Plot Summary:
Welcome to the Textro Truck Stop... where they have hot food, hot coffee, and even hotter waitresses.
It's a slow Friday night at the Textro, and business isn't expected to pick up until the football game let's out in nearby Masonfield. Deke, backed up by his friend, Harley, is here on a mission of romance. Rachel Sutherland has come to unwind from a bad day at the clinic. Thomas "Grandpa Tom" Burns and "Leaping" Larry Brown have dropped in for some diesel and coffee while, across the diner, Holly just wants to get her socially disastrous boyfriend, Gerald, home. Waitresses Stacey and Marisa are taking it easy during the lull, serving the few patrons while waiting for the game crowd to arrive.
But things are about to get busy in an unexpected and deadly way.
There is a storm coming in and the crowd that arrives with it isn't from Masonfield... at least, not anymore. These surprise guests are from the nearby Mazon County Cemetery, and they have their own idea of what should be on the menu.
Now, a dwindling collection of locals, waitresses, truckers, out-of-towners, and one astonished veterinarian find themselves in a desperate fight for survival against a foe they thought only existed in the movies. And as the night wears on they discover that if they don't escape by dawn, they may not escape... ever.
Review:
Let me start off by just telling you that this is, by far, the BEST zombie novel that I have read. (and I've read dozens!)
Hilliard's prologue (titled "Awakening") - basically the arrival of Armageddon - builds the foundation of the story - the "awareness", the "NEED" of the abominations that he has so vividly created... (and Chapter One is right up there with the classic Night of the Living Dead - and it only continues to get better!)
Hilliard brings to light, previously un-thought of (to me anyway) concepts, such as a corpse's eyes and mouth being sewn shut (rendering it blind and unable to feed) or, after a feeding frenzy, the victim's feet being left behind, due to them being tied up inside of boots, etc - things like that - brilliant!
There are also several "Hold Your Breath" moments throughout the book.
Hilliard does an outstanding job juggling multiple, interesting characters - characters that you generally care about and want to learn more of. Also, he does not hold back, at all, when it comes to the gore! (a particular nauseating autopsy scene comes to mind)
I genuinely cannot rave enough about this book!
It has a fantastic concept, is superbly written, and is extremely realistic/terrifying!
This is the 'True Romance' of zombie novels. Buy this book either for yourself, or for your loved one - it will make a great Valentine's Day gift! ;-)
Jason
Genre - Horror
Year Released - 2011
Running Time - 86 minutes
Directed by Paul Campion
Written by Paul Campion, Paul Finch, and Brett Ihaka
Cat Includes: Craig Hall, Matthew Sunderland, Karlos Drinkwater, and Gina Varela
Rating: 5 Skulls
Plot Summary:
Two commandos, sent to sabotage a Nazi fortress in the Channel Islands, discover a Nazi occult plot to unleash demonic forces to win the war.
Trailer:
Review:
If you have been following my blog, for any length of time, then you should remember me telling you to "keep an eye on Paul Campion".
If you do not recall the name, he is the director of two superb short films that I reviewed, back in 2009 - 'Night of the Hell Hamsters' and 'Eel Girl' (see my reviews - dated 01/23/09)
He has also done f/x work on several major films, including Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Sin City, X-Men, etc.
Currently available on Netflix Instant, The Devil's Rock is Campion's 1st full-feature film, and he does not disappoint!
Opening on the eve of D-Day, June 5th, 1944, we are witness to two soldiers traversing a minefield, in order to reach a Nazi fortress where they are to sabotage the German's gun emplacements, in order to distract Hitler's forces away from Normandy.
While fulfilling their mission, the two soldiers hear screams, gunfire, and laughter. When they enter the fortress to investigate, they discover bodies strewn about, with blood everywhere, splattering the walls and floor.
They are about to realize the truth behind the Nazi's dabbling in the occult...
Campion has written & directed a great film, filled with excellent acting and fantastic special effects!
Jason
Genre - Horror
Year Published - 2012
Length - 54 [digital] pages *Read on my Nook
Written by Billie Sue Mosiman
Rating: 5 Skulls
Plot Summary:
In the year 2100, a plague turns the world mad.
An easily contracted virus spreads throughout humanity, causing those who become infected to exhibit extreme violent/psychopathic behavior...
Review:
Billie Sue Mosiman has such a gift with words. She sets the stage and you immediately feel as if you are in the story.
In this one, we are introduced to James "the killer" - a zom (he is not dead, just "infected") - who is keeping a journal.
We then meet Baya "the girl" who is planning an escape from her underground city where she is being threatened.
The narrative then jumps back & forth between their stories.
If you are in the mood for a good apocalyptic tale, this one will not disappoint!
Jason
Genre - Horror
Year Published - 2012
Length - 20 [digital] pages (total) *Read on my Nook
Written by Franklin E. Wales
Rating: 5 Skulls
Plot Summary:
The story takes place in the Italian Apennine Mountains, during World War II.
We are introduced to two American soldiers who have "dug-in" during a a blizzard.
When one of the soldiers has to go outside to relieve himself, the nightmare begins...!
Review:
Nazi Werewolves... 'nuff said!
Kidding aside, if you are a fan of the film 'Dog Soldiers' go to Amazon and grab this story right now (it's available on Kindle for only a buck!)
Wales has knocked it out of the park with this one, weaving a taught thrill-ride of a tale that follows a soldier being hunted by "creatures" right out of Hitler's laboratory!
You are definitely left wanting more at the end of this one!
The actual story of Homecoming is 13 pages in length. After that, your buck gets you the Prologue & 1st chapter of Wales new novel 'Eaton Falls' - coming out this spring!
The prologue begins on Christmas Eve, 1902, where "the sickness" is ravaging the small town of Eaton Falls. Here we meet a husband/father making his last stand against the hunger and blood lust tearing through his community.
Chapter 1 then jumps to December 1st, present day, where strangers have just arrived in the town...
I am definitely looking forward to this one!
Jason
Genre - Crime/Mystery/Thriller
Year Released - 2011
Running Time - 90 minutes
Directed by Shane Ryan
Written by Shane Ryan
Cast Includes: Katie Marsh, Demi Baumann, Teona Dolnikova, Alex Damiano, and Kaliya Skye
Rating: 2 Skulls
Plot Summary:
Inspired by real events, this film depicts a brutal crime committed against an innocent youth by four seemingly average girls. Through handheld and diagetic camerawork, 'My Name is A' is an unapologetic look at the internal workings of teenage girls who have come undone.
The four depictions converge into one act of brutality.
The actions of these girls girls are neither justified nor sympathized with. It just asks the question "Why did this happen?"
Trailer:
Review:
This film is inspired by the true story of Alyssa Bustamante - a fifteen-year-old girl who murdered her nine-year-old neighbor, Elizabeth Olten, right before Halloween of 2009, "just to see what it felt like".
The film follows different story lines - Alyssa and her "sidekick" friend, who basically just hang-out and argue with one another; a "performer" who dreams of becoming a famous artist/singer, and an angst-ridden bulimic (played very well by Alex Damiano) - for me, she was the most interesting aspect of the film.
Oh yeah, each of the above girls also happen to be "cutters"...
This film was a tough one to rate. I get the film, it was just agonizingly slow! (nothing that I would watch again, hence my "2 skulls" rating)
By the time the 3rd chapter rolled around, I felt as bored as the teen's lives were in the film.
Throughout the film, I kept wondering to myself where the parents of these girls were, and when one parent finally did show up, I wished that they never had!
Putting the slowness of the film aside, it was put together well enough. Director Shane Ryan did well directing his cast and kudos to Kevin MacLeod for giving the film an interesting score.
Jason
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