Arcane, a Netflix series review. Based on the league of legends world and characters, this proved to be the unexpected hit of the year. A little late but finally done.

 

Arcane, a series review.

    I have never played League of Legends, and I never will, but that didn't stop me from being curious when the first trailer for Arcane dropped. The animation style is similar to that in the Dishonored games, and enough action was on display to pique my interest. I am glad I gave the show a chance, as Arcane has proven to be one of the best things Netflix has ever put out. The animation is beautiful and is used wonderfully to show the disparity between the two cities that dominate the world we dive into. The characters and how they are written make this show enjoyable to watch. On display are several themes, and though they might be predictable, they are also done incredibly well. After all that has been done in this first season, I look forward to what will come next.

    The heart of this story is one of disparity of wealth, of the power some hold while others are left to wallow in the dirt. This story is more complex than that, but that is the general gist of the overarching story. The story of Vi and her sister Jinx is one of the central points of this series. Born in the lower city of Zaun, where wealth is sparse and life hard, they are orphaned in the first minutes of the first episode. A heartbreaking opening that impacts them both going forward. Vi and Powder are taken and raised by Vander, who is responsible for the rebellion that caused the death of their parents. As the story begins, we see them a few years older and now joined by two young boys as they race across the rooftops of Upper Piltover. Vi has them on a job, eager to prove that they can pull jobs like the adults they've grown up around. A premise that will lead to where the entire story begins. Breaking into an apartment in the upper city, the gang loots much from it, but Powder accidentally shatters a magical gem causing a massive explosion. The children flee the crime scene, stumbling into a group of thugs waiting for them as they return to Zaun. Threatened with violence, a scuffle breaks out, and Powder flees with the bounty. After being chased down and cornered, Powder tosses the bag into the water, leaving them empty-handed for all their effort. Vi and the others beat the thugs, taking them out in the first action scene of the series. And what a scene it is. This fight is short and brutal but exceedingly well put together. The attention to detail and the level of storytelling in the fight scenes are a highlight of this series.

    I thought about doing a complete breakdown of each episode. You can see above I even started that way, but there is too much to cover, and I could be writing this out for days on end in an attempt to highlight the best parts of each episode. I hoped it would be easier to overview the series as a whole. It would be easier than to point out which had worked best for me. The character work here is some of the best I've seen in an animated series. The attention to each of their stories gives the overall arc a deep meaning and impact on points in the series. The story primarily follows Vi and her sister Jinx, both of whom are damaged in many ways, but other key players come to light as the story unfolds. Jinx is easily one of the best portrayed here, shaped by the pain inflicted upon her and the pain she has inflicted on others. She had never been the most emotionally sound individual, and following certain events, she became far more unstable. Being raised by Silco, the man behind the death of her adopted father, she is dangerous and yet strangely lost and vulnerable at times. Powder's sister Vi is just as lost, but angry too. Vi is determined to find her sister and make those who locked her away pay for their actions.

    Through the actions of Jayce and Victor, we are also introduced to magic. A power that changes much within the city. The Undercity is rising as the nation of Zaun under Silco's direction and political ambition. There is a lot here that leads to conflict, from the wealth provided to Piltover through new technology and its disparity with those who do not dwell in the upper city. A changing political landscape, and its influence, also play a role in Jayce's storyline. This forces him to make choices that directly impact other aspects of the narrative. Bit players in the story, such as Vander and Echo, have an impact with their contributions to unfolding events. These characters drive the story forward and help to give other insights into the events that dominate this story.  This is a big world with many things unfolding, each player's story interweaving with one another as events play out. Many things are going on, and it could confuse the viewer, but events are tied closely together and made easy to follow. Vi and Caitlyn's relationship and how it develops plays a key role in this drama. It is a relationship that feels genuine and not forced into the narrative. Jinx's growing insanity and her relationship with Silco shape how everything plays out. 

    All in all, this is a great watch, with brilliant writing enhanced by great visuals and a score that is effective and appropriate at all times. I look forward to giving this another viewing in the future once I have time, and I eagerly await the next series.

     Arcane is an easy 10 out of 10 for me. I recommend Arcane to any fan of TV in general, but especially to fans of anime and League of Legends. Arcane has interesting characters and a world that feels bigger with every episode. The ending is a cliffhanger, and it frustrates me a little that I have to wait and see what is in store next. Here's hoping that Netflix can pull off another great season.

Classic Tales of Horror from Canterbury Classics. A short review of a great collection of tales in a high quality leather hardback form.

 

Classic Tales of Horror, from Canterbury Classics.

    This isn't my usual review. There is simply too much within this book to break down each short story or novella that makes up its entirety. I bought this book purely out of the desire to possess many of the stories within its pages that I had never gotten around to reading. It was worth the price simply for the excellent quality of the book. At over 900 pages, this is a massive selection of stories, and many of them are well known, but others are less so. Some are only a couple of pages long, while others run for several chapters, each of them possesses its own style, but each fits the overall theme. I have my favorites, such as The Pit and the Pendulum, but there were many that I read for the first time. I enjoyed The Turn of the Screw, The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, and The Willows by Algernon Blackwood. Many of these stories are from the late 19th century and the early 20th century, and the language used can be a little jarring for those who have not read books from those time periods before.

    As I said earlier, this isn't the typical review. It is hard to give the contents a review, and with such a great variety of works, it becomes hard to provide an overall grading. So I'll do my best and rate this book on the quality of the product, the overall quality of the range of contents, and the selection of stories. The leather seems of good quality with a simple but well-designed cover. There were no signs of damage, and the material appears hardy and well maintained.  It is a chunky book with fifty-five stories within. That is more than I had expected, and they are well-written and great examples of the genre. There are some of my favorite stories within, which makes me a little biased, but even without those, I found this product to be a great read. I would recommend this to any horror fan, and it would be a greater recommendation to those that prefer works reflecting an earlier period in history. 

    This is an easy eight out of ten for me. The contents alone are worth the price and will satisfy any horror fan. Give this book a go if you are looking to add a collection of short stories to your book collection or if you are just looking to find some elusive tales that you might not have come across yet. If you can recommend any other classic collections of stories, let me know. Always looking for new books to add to my personal collection. 

Indomitus by Gav Thorpe. A look at the Indomitus Crusade, the Primaris marines, and the machinations of the Necron Empire as they seek to calm the warp and spread their empire back among the stars.

 

Indomitus, by Gav Thorpe, a review.

    The Indomtius crusade had been launched by Roboute Guilliman, the returned Primarch, and Emperor's regent. This book follows the Ultramarines of the Ithraca's Vengeance, a ship attached to the Crusade Fleet Quintus. The Ithraca's Vengeance is helmed by Primaris marines, some have fought during the initial stages of the crusade, but others have come directly from command training. This has caused a disparity between the two groups as some have field experience that others lack. This is most evident in the two lieutenants on board the Vengeance. Praxamedes and Nemetus serve under Captain Aeschelus, Praxamedes having served on the battlefield longer than either. There is tension between the two lieutenants from the outset. Their different approach to leadership and battle often sees them clash. The story begins with the ship in pursuit of an enemy vessel. Nemetus is eager to lead a boarding team onto the damaged ship, but Praxamedes is unsure if that is the wisest course of action. I liked how Thorpe showed the difference in how Praxamedes views those he served with. He has a better relationship and view of the humans than his commanding officer and opposite. When they close in on the enemy vessel, one of the bridge crew mentions rumours of an enemy vessel, a vessel that stalks ships and takes them out. This idea is immediately dismissed by Aeschelus, stating that the human crew is superstitious. Praxamedes is not so sure. Unfortunately, the attack goes ahead without his warnings heeded, an attack that walks the boarding party right into a trap. Through skill and tactics, they manage to salvage the situation enough that they get their people off the enemy ship but are forced to flee from the incoming ships, something that leaves a sour taste in Aeschelus' mouth.

    The story then jumps to the Necrons. Overlord Simut has been sent on a mission by the Silent King. This task is not proceeding at the speed that the Silent King had expected. This detail is made clear to him as we watch the scene unfold. We are introduced to the Overlord's court and those that serve within. A court that is filled with more intrigue than appears on the surface. Thorpe did a great job of showing a side to the Necrons that I had not experienced before. It humanized them in a fashion that worked on some levels but lessened the intrinsic threat that the Necrons had once possessed. I know that this choice lies with Games Workshop. The lore has portrayed them as possessing more personalities than they did in earlier works. The change in the lore does work on some levels, and I can see why this had been done. It allows for a better look at the inner workings of the Necron Empire and the central characters that are being brought to the fore. It is always interesting to learn more about any Xenos race in the Warhammer 40k universe and to see something beyond the spectrum of the Imperium. From the outset, one underlying is working directly to undermine the Overlord. Unfortunately, he makes their work easy for them. That is not to say that things always go their way. Simut often pulls them from their plans at the most inopportune time. The Necrons are working on a method to alter the Warp, calming it so that the Imperium cannot use it to travel across the galaxy. The calming also affects the humans in the region, draining the will from them and leaving them unable to fight back or do much else. Such a new development could change how the Indomitus Crusade would proceed.

    After receiving an emergency broadcast sent out by the beleaguered planet, the Ithraca's Vengeance moves to investigate. This is not as simple as it sounds, as travelling the Warp is dangerous due to the storms that still ravage it. They are forced to make small jumps through the Warp, which carries significant risk to all aboard. Things become progressively worse for the Vengeance when they become caught in the Warp, unable to leave. This is a phenomenon that none have experienced before, the Warp acts akin to an ocean with eddies and tides, and they are now gone. Through some clever use of the Geller field and the skills of the Navigators, they break through into real space, close to their destination and the awaiting Necron force. 

    This book does a great job of looking at the inner workings of the Necrons and the Ultramarines. It gives greater insight into the Primaris Marines and the history of the race that became the Necrons. Apart from a few exceptions, I have always found the Ultramarines a touch dry to read, they're not bad, but sometimes they lack personality. I had worries that the Primaris would be more of the same. Here there are differences in approach and outlook to the firstborn, which makes them almost naive in some ways. The Necrons display many of the flaws that they had in life. Vanity, lack of insight, and a caste system that relies on position rather than ability are three examples of these flaws. They are strange and broken creations. The ensuing conflict between these two forces shows that the Primaris marines still have much to learn about fighting for this Crusade and what constitutes a victory. 

    This is a solid entry. I give this book a 7 out of 10. It provides a look at a new danger to the Imperium and a glimpse into what else is occurring in the galaxy. The characters all work well here. There is a good interplay and a level of machination that I did not expect. I am excited for more from Gav Thorpe in the future. I recommend this to any Warhammer 40k fan and anyone looking for a starting point in the new storyline.

The Tomb. The Watchers Book 1, a review. A story by Carl Novakovich. A story of Demons, Angels, and the fate in the world. All set to the backdrop of the Windy City. Say hello to John Gideon of Chicago.

 

The Tomb by Carl Novakovich, a review.

    This book is the first in the series and the first book that I have been approached to review. A novel experience in itself. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I've had mixed experiences with urban fantasy over the years. Some are brilliantly written and work well, others, however, have fallen short of such accolades. Thankfully this one edges closer to the better of the lot. I won't tell you this is the best book I've ever read, it definitely has some faults, but overall I enjoyed it and would happily read what comes next in the series. 

    The premise is a simple one. We have a young former detective that gets caught up in a plan to bring about the apocalypse, dragged in as he seeks his missing partner. This follows a similar pattern in many ways. We, the reader, are brought along with John as the events unfold around him. The story unfolds from several different points of view, with John's being the main one. I will say that at just over 200 pages this is not the lengthiest novel, and it might have been worth extending the page count to flesh out some points of the story. That being said, the short length and fast pace mean the story never falters or stutters as we race to the conclusion of the tale. John is written well, though some of his thoughts seemed a little out of place at times, given the circumstances he finds himself in. I do like his humor on display, and John has a strong identity. Technically the writing is not overly flowery, and there is a strong sense of direction throughout. I would have preferred a greater descriptive style, but that is a personal preference, and I won't drag down the review of this book for Carl's personal style of writing. I will say that his villains and background characters feel real enough that there is a weight to events as they unfold. His use of a certain Angel as the main antagonist is a favorite of mine. I have always had a fondness for his character after watching Fallen with Denzel Washington. I would have liked to see greater use of demons, more of the differences of the types of demons in use utilized, and more of the history of some of the characters. Some of the romantic elements did not work for me, but again that is because I'm not such a big fan, in general, of those elements. 

    All in all, I would give this 3 out of 5 stars. It is a quick read that will hold your attention until the very end and has enough of a cliffhanger to grab your interest for the next installment. So if you're looking for a quick read, and after some demons and Angels, give this book a go. You might find your next series. 

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, a review. One of the best novels by one of the greatest absurdist authors, ever. A feature with my favourite character in the entirety of Discworld, Death himself.

 

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, a review.

    I've read Pratchett since my teens, and yet it has taken me until now to read Hogfather. How that happened, I have no idea, but thankfully, I finally got around to enjoying this masterpiece of Pratchett's Discworld. Death has always been one of the best characters in this series of books, in fact, I would say it is probably his best-known character overall. Death's outlook on life, his fixation with humanity, and his literal take on many aspects of living are brilliantly done by Pratchett. He took what should be a terrifying character and made him kind and funny with a unique outlook on what occurs around him. In this book, he is very much one of the centralized characters, and it works so well because of the part he plays in the storyline. 

    Hogfather follows the premise of belief. It focuses on how belief can bring things to life, how the belief of so many can empower something beyond what it began as. The story starts out with the assassin Teatime, pronounced 'Teh-ah-tim-eh,' having been hired to kill someone at the behest of Lord Downey of the Assassin's guild.  Teatime is chosen for this task as this kill should be impossible, but Teatime is known for his 'unique' outlook and ability to achieve that which others could not. Pratchett's level of description of his characters has always amazed me. You don't just get what they look like but a deep look into the core of who, and what, they are. The level of insight is staggering, and I haven't read many authors that can replicate this feat with such ease. Pratchett's easy humor and his ability to use absurdism to highlight reflections of the real world makes him an author that can drag the reader into his world and immerses them in it completely. As the story continues we are introduced to Susan, another of the main protagonists, and the normal life she is trying to live. She lives as a governess, chasing away bogeymen and other nasties that only her young charges can see. Susan is not as normal as she would like, and she has to deal with these nasties rather directly, with a poker most often. We learn far more about Susan as the story unfolds and the cause of her unusual nature, something that directly ties her to all that occurs. It is not a spoiler to say that Death is currently masquerading as the Hogfather on Hogswatch eve, though the why is not revealed until later once Susan is thoroughly involved. It is fair to say that the visual is quite amusing, considering the natural slender build of the grim reaper, that and the general lack of flesh. He is going about the business of the Hogfather, giving out presents to children, though his lack of understanding of the particulars of the holiday is amusing. His trusty helper Albert does his best to keep Death steered in the right direction, but the Grim Reaper often does things he probably shouldn't. This leads to several amusing incidents, one that leads to a rather unique use of boots and shooing of a King attempting some late-night Hogswatch charity. As this is all playing out, Teatime has hired some help and is working on completing the contract given to him by Lord Downey. The reader is left somewhat confused about his thinking, but the Assassin has gathered himself a motley crew, and he has a plan. Teatime is a singular character, deadly, focused, and quite possibly insane. If anyone can take out the Fat Man, it is him. As Death's escapades continue and Susan is dragged further into this mystery, events taking stranger and stranger turns. My personal favorite thing in this book is the inclusion of the 'oh god' of Hangovers. He, who suffers the hangovers of the god of Wine. 

    The book is filled with many of the familiar characters that make up Discworld. The Archchancellor and many of the wizards of the Unseen University feature prominently, along with one or two others that fans of Pratchett will recognize. The Unseen University has a special place in my heart, Rincewind was my introduction into this world, and it featured heavily in the first books I dived into. Not to mention that I spent time there in the Discworld PC game, way back in the nineties. I enjoyed how Susan does her best to hold on to her 'normal' life, and yet she delves back further into the other part of her life, that part that she has inherited, in a fashion. Anyone that has read much of Pratchett's work will find it easy to follow his tangents and strange twists. The way the tale, seemingly, wanders, to me, always added so much more to the narrative. It is only as the book moves on, that you realize how each part plays into the overall story, how each part is important, and nothing is without import, no matter how small and inconsequential it may seem. That is the magic of Pratchett's writing, nothing is wasted, nothing is there for the sake of being there. It has always seemed, to me, that even his side characters are full of life. That they possess a degree of agency that some main characters lack in other works of fiction.

    As the story continues, Susan delves deeper into the mystery, eventually solving it. It turns out that things aren't quite as simple as it appears, though dealing with Teatime is not a simple task in itself, and she is forced to deal with the architects of this entire debacle. She does have a little help from her Grandfather, the Death of Rats, and a very talkative Raven throughout. The book does come to a satisfactory conclusion, in my opinion. It is a thorough look at belief and the power it has for good and for ill. Pratchett does a wonderful job of using aspects of comedy to show the absurdity of much of the elements of his work, and so many things ring true of what is said here within this brilliantly written book.

    Hogfather is a brilliant representation of Terry Pratchett's work in general. The man was a genius, and I think it will be many years before we see an author who does this kind of fiction so well. I highly recommend that any fan of fantasy gives this book a read. I would recommend any book by Pratchett, but this is a highlight of his library of work. Pratchett's use of comedy in this book is second-to-none, and his characters come to life on every page.

    This is an easy 5 out of 5. Rarely do I enjoy a book so much, and I find myself eager to delve back into Discworld at the first opportunity. Let me know what you think of this book, and any work of Pratchett's that you would recommend.

    

    

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a review. The sequel to the popular Kingmaker remains true to the formula with epic gameplay and story but more than a few flaws.

 

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, a review and look at one of the best RPGs of this year.

    After backing and loving Pathfinder Kingmaker, it was an easy decision to follow suit for the sequel. I was one of many that backed Wrath of the Righteous and enjoyed the alpha and beta stages. This is a very different story from the first game, with higher stakes and a more defined goal right from the outset. The game is bigger in many ways, with a more expansive class list and greater options to define your character as you begin your journey into Golarion and the city of Kenebras.

    For any RPG fan, it is always important to have several options to define your character to your own liking. The greater the ability to personalize, the better. The game has expanded on those available in the previous entry, and now there are over twenty-five classes to choose from, each with its own subclass. The variety is staggering, with several races on offer, with some having their own further subtypes. It took me a while, but I have tried several, and the Kitsune is one of my favourites by far. Certain races have unique roles amid the classes, providing you with a path that will not be available to any other race in the game. This will open up possibilities to an entirely new way of playing through your game, further expanding on how the game unfolds for you. And that is one of the main factors in this game, a unique playthrough. This is not unusual for any decent RPG, it is also prevalent in the tabletop games about which this is crafted. Being more of a D&D fan, it took me a while to understand the many complexities and offerings that Pathfinder provides, but soon enough, I found myself enjoying the number of options on display. I have to be honest that I have created far too many characters. Trying out the many classes since playing the beta and into the released game. The character creator is great, but I did find that the character models did leave something to be desired, with little in the way of face and hair options and with no way to alter features. I would have liked a way to change height and weight, but that seems not to be the developer's priority. It is a minor annoyance overall, given the type of gameplay style on show. The character creator is one of the highlights of this impressive game.

    Having backed the game I have played through both the alpha and Beta stages of the game before enjoying the full release. I have spent well over a hundred hours in-game, playing through the earlier chapters of the game in various playthroughs. The released game is far less buggy than the previous stages, but it has been plagued with several bugs that have impacted my game, one or two that even crashed my games. Thankfully, Owlcat has made an effort to patch these bugs and keep on top of issues that have arisen since the release. That doesn't lessen the impact these issues have had on my enjoyment, but I am satisfied that they are at least working to resolve them. Some of these issues have already been resolved upon writing this post, but I am aware that some players continue to deal with problems.

    The game itself is fun, like Kingmaker before it, it has a good enough story to keep you engaged. With the fate of the Worldwound hanging in the balance, the demonic forces pushing ever at the crusaders, you come into play. An unknown dropped into this conflict and then gifted with unusual powers as you rise to lead the Fifth Crusade. The game does a great job of making you feel powerful and gifting you with Mythic abilities that change how you play the game and how the game reacts to your growing abilities. There are at least eight Mythic paths to choose from, with a ninth being hinted at. These paths have their own unique story influencing points, the game reacting to the path you choose by having specific dialogues, quests, and NPCs opening up to you as you move through each act. Speaking of NPCs. Your companions in this game are far less black and white than in the previous entry, with developing complexities and some hints at what are their true motives. Woljif, Seelah, Lann, and Ember are my favourites, but I found I liked all of them. Not so much their actions but their general portrayal and the stories behind them. It would have been nice to flesh them out more. With something more akin to how it was done in Kingmaker, but overall they are all believable and unique. Like any good RPG, there are many weapons, armour, and trinkets on offer for the player to increase their stats and equip on their character. There is a massive array of spells on offer, along with abilities that change with whichever class you have chosen to play. The game also has several prestige classes that can alter the direction of your classes and playthrough. I have to mention the Crusade system, as it does contribute to the overall gameplay. Whilst not the most inventive system it can be fun to play through if you want to manage armies and hunt down rival factions. It is worth noting that this system can be put on automatic. So that you can have very little interaction with it if you wish. The game has five acts in total, and though I have not yet completed it, I am enjoying it immensely. 

    So to summarise, if you enjoyed Kingmaker you'll most likely enjoy this entry. The game is solid and expands on the previous entry with new systems whilst expanding on those that were in use in Pathfinder. It is not without fault but if you can look past them you will find this game is worth those minor niggles. Any avid RPG fan could easily stack up hundreds of hours as they try the many races and classes, looking to create their own unique playthroughs.

    I give this game an easy 4 out of 5. It is a worthy successor to Kingmaker and I can't wait to see what Owlcat Games does next with the series. So if you're a gamer and enjoy RPGs give this one a go. And if you're not an RPG fan, give it a go anyway, it might surprise you.

Dark Hollow. The second book in the series of Charlie Parker novels. A review of the story and the deepening mythos being hinted at in this brilliant detective/supernatural blend.

 

Dark Hollow by John Connolly, a review.

    This begins with a series of events that appear unrelated to one another. A sting turned bad, and the suicide of an old woman near the town of Dark Hollow. Unfortunately, though that is not the case, one proves to impact the other. Charlie Parker finds himself in the middle of something he cannot escape as the events spiral outwards and bring an old evil back into the world. 

    I always enjoy the novels following Charlie Parker. For me, Connolly's writing style drags me in and keeps me engaged even after reading the book several times. Parker feels so real, his world almost tangible, and those he interacts with leave a lasting impression of their own. Connolly always does a good job of building the tension throughout his books, as we, and Parker, learn more about what the detective faces. We meet Parker still dealing with the aftermath of the confrontation with the Travelling man and all that occurred, still haunted by his deceased wife and daughter. We catch him just as he is dealing with a new case and pinned with a knife cutting into his cheek. Parker is not having a good day as he attempts to deal with one, Billy Purdue. He has come to get child support from the brutish young man, an attempt to help Purdue's ex-wife and child, and things have not gone well. The novels are written largely in the first person, and we get everything from Parker's point of view. His internal monologue often has me smiling as the detective comments on his own stupidity or that of others around him. Billy Purdue is trouble from the get-go and proves to be at the center of everything that unfolds around Parker. From this simple interaction, Parker managing to get out of it relatively unscathed, things spiral rapidly. It isn't long before Parker finds himself dealing with the Mob, assassins, and worse, the detective reeling from one murder to another. Somehow, it all revolves around Purdue, from the sting to the sudden unexpected deaths of his ex-wife and child. Parker is driven by his sense of principle, unwilling to let their deaths go as he moves from one line of inquiry to another. This aspect of Parker is probably the most compelling. Parker isn't driven by anger or hate but by empathy and compassion. This single factor means that he can't turn away from what is going on around him.

    Parker doesn't believe that Purdue is responsible for his family's death, no matter how it looks. He begins to think that he may have inadvertently caused it through his dealings with the Mob boss Tony Clean. The thing is, more people begin to turn up dead, ones that Tony Clean would not know about, people from Billy's past. As Parker delves deeper into these mysteries, more problems arise, and it is only through the arrival of his friends, Louis and Angel, that we learn of them. The relationship between these three men feels very real. Louis and Angel have Parker's back at every turn, and without them, he would fall afoul of the dangers that lurk out in the dark. Connolly does well at wrapping up Parker's family history as part of the tale, events in his grandfather's past that impact the things Parker is now up against. It all feels very organic in its presentation and the way it takes place within the novel. Faced with another complication, Parker, finds himself looking for the daughter of old friends. Ellen Cole has gone missing, having last been seen, with her boyfriend, heading Northwards. This doesn't feel like a coincidence to Parker, but he is unsure which party could be responsible. The story builds rapidly, further complications added as he arrives in the town of Dark Hollow, old wounds reopened, and more dangers than the detective had anticipated. Throughout it, Parker continues to be haunted by half-seen figures and the specters of his dead wife and child, the anniversary of their deaths creeping upon him. Again Connolly does a good job of weaving in elements of the supernatural, of another world that exists alongside our own. Again and again, a singular name comes up, Caleb Kyle. Kyle is a figure of dark legend, a tale of darkness and fear that is supposed to be nothing more than the bogeyman. Parker knows that there is more to that name than that. Years ago, his grandfather met such a man and was left horrified by what he discovered in his wake.

    The theme of this book seems to be of the past influencing the present, of old evils that corrupt and live on far longer than they have a right to. Again Parker is left changed by these encounters. How could he not be? There is enough character development here to warrant the changes, enough to keep readers interested in how Parker may change in future novels. As someone who has read many of them, it is worth continuing on with the series.

    This book easily gets a 4 out of five. This should be higher, but I have to compare it to the rest of the series, and in comparison, 4 seems the right number. I would recommend it to any fan of detective novels or horror/supernatural books in general. Let me know if you think the same.

Stephen King's Storm of the Century. A film that looks at what price will we pay for safety, and an evil that has walked the world for centuries.

 

A review of the mini-series Storm of the Century, a screenplay written by Stephen King.

    I watched this mini-series for the first time just after leaving school. Being from Wales means I was nearing my eighteenth year and enjoying college. It is safe to say it left an impression. I've rewatched it several times since then, and it remains one of those films I can just put on and never get bored of. It is not a light watch, and there are things that you will miss in the first viewing. Like most of King's work, it follows everyday folk dealing with the unexplained and forces beyond their understanding. Unlike a lot of his work, this was not a book at any point. To my surprise, King wrote this screenplay purely for television, and it took me a while to discover that fact. The events unfold on the island of Little Tall off the coast of Maine, an entirely fictional place, by the way. Like many of King's works, it seems that he likes Maine as the setting for his story, and it is one that I am used to reading about over the course of his career. As the title implies, a storm is moving in on the island, and the people there will have far more to endure than just nature's wrath.

    The film opens up with a monologue from our main protagonist, Michael Anderson, a snow-covered town on the screen, as he speaks. He relays to us his philosophy on life and the cost of the events on the island without giving too much detail. The speaker is an older, wiser version of the man we are about to meet, the townsfolk going about their business as the threat of the storm looms closer. But before we can meet our protagonist, our antagonist is introduced. A man by the name of Andre Linoge. His first act is to strike down an old woman as she answers the door to him. This will not be the last death at his hands, though it is the most direct. Making himself comfortable in her house, he waits for others to find him, and we are left to wonder at this cold killing. As Linoge, Colm Feore is chilling, his every word is spoken with a ruthless mockery, and his knowledge of the townsfolk is unsettling. His counterpart is Mike Anderson, played by Tim Daly, and we meet him in the town market as the townsfolk prepare for the storm, buying what groceries they think they'll need. Daly is good at portraying a good, decent man that is caught up in something beyond his comprehension. Daly does a good job at holding his own in light of Feore's performance though the other always remains the center of attention when onscreen. 

    Mike is brought home to deal with a minor dilemma, even as Linoge is discovered, sat comfortably in Martha Clarendon's armchair. Young Davie Hopewell will be sent running from the house, terrified by the seated Linoge. Davie flees to the center of town, running into Robbie Beals, the town manager, as he rushes out to calm the panicked youth. Davie relays his story causing Robbie to go and investigate on his own. As Mike continues to get the town ready for the incoming storm, Robbie wanders into the house where Linoge sits in wait. Here we get a taste of the strange power of Linoge, the stranger telling Robbie of his mother's passing and where he was during it, speaking of things he should not know. Finally, he tells Robbie that his mother waits for him in hell, that she's turned cannibal, and Beals flees the house. Calling for Anderson, Mike being the town constable, Robbie pulls in others to this strange encounter. Throughout it all, Linoge sits in place, waiting for them to arrive, the storm continuing to move in around them, snow falling heavily down as they gather. Arriving at the house, Mike finds Robbie holding his pistol and looking towards the house, a thick blanket of snow covering the ground as they prepare to move in and deal with this threat. Leaving a shaken Beals behind them, Mike and Hatch enter the house and find the body of its deceased owner. They find Linoge in the chair, though neither spots him at first, and he remains calmly seated as they move in. Throughout this encounter, Linoge seems unafraid, though guns are pointed at him. He is calm, his tone lightly mocking, and he acts as if everything is playing out the way it is meant to. There is an air to this man that makes Hatch and Mike deeply uncomfortable, yet he comes with them willingly, putting on the handcuffs and being led out into the storm. As they leave the house, Mike asks the stranger his name, and Linoge answers him, saying little else before they move through the falling snow to their truck. From this moment onwards, things will only get worse for the people of Little Tall.

    From this moment on I'll give a brief overview of the film, as giving too much information away would possibly ruin a potential viewing by any of you would-be readers of this blog. As Linoge is taken to the town jail, the storm grows worse, and Linoge begins to iterate that if they give him what he wants, then he'll go away. This is something that is repeated throughout the mini-series. Frustratingly, he gives little else away as he is moved into the cell after some drama and strangeness within the market. It is here that we get another hint of this man's unnatural nature, that he is far more than just some random stranger that has come to their town. He has a purpose here, though he does not tell Mike what that is. Linoge just smiles and lets Mike place him in the cell. They believe he is safely held there and draw up a shift to watch over him, several of the townsmen joining Mike and Hatch in keeping watch. It is shown that Linoge's influence can reach further than any of them could imagine. All the while, the storm rages around them, the snow falling down in such intensity that it becomes a blizzard. As the night draws on, two of the men commit suicide, Linoge somehow influencing them to commit the acts, each of them writing notes that state, 'if you give me what I want, then I'll go away.' Mike is investigating the house as this occurs, seeing things within the house that shake him. I enjoy the brief flashes of Linoge's mask slipping, the eyes turning red, the fangs, and the way he moves and talks to those around him. You can feel his contempt for the townsfolk as he speaks of their secrets, seeing only the bad in them, the moments where they let their darker selves influence their choices. More deaths occur as Linoge influences a murder and another suicide. Even from his cell, he is killing the townsfolk with ease.  It isn't long before the storm reaches its peak, and Linoge finally shows them what he is. The tension of these two events leaves the townsfolk shaken and afraid, but he is far from done with them.

    The first night leads into dark dreams, the entire town dreaming the same dream, Linoge showing them what may happen if they don't give them what he wants. He tells them of Roanoke, of the word Croatoan, and the history of that place. He threatens that the same thing will happen to the people of Little Tall. All awake, shaken, and it isn't long before more events begin to occur. The day plays out, and as the Lighthouse is about to be swept away, the townsfolk go out into the storm to watch, something that seemed strange to me even in my first viewing. As they watch, several of them vanish, pulled back by some unseen force, before they all flee back to the town hall, panic overtaking them. From this moment, the series moves quicker, the tension building and strange things happening around the children. Soon we discover what Linoge wants, and this is where the series begins to look at how fear shapes our decisions. This is what works best, the threat of death, against another horrible choice that no one would want to make. This premise works so well, as you have a character that sees this as caving into the bully, capitulating to fear, and allowing evil to live on past what it should be able to. Mike stands alone against Linoge as he puts his case forward, revealing what he is to them and making his demand. As good as his arguments are, Mike is fighting against their fear, and there is little chance that he will succeed in making them see beyond that fear. It is easy to see their reasoning, but they seem to lack the foresight of what they are truly doing. Mike seems the only one to see how inherently wrong one decision is. I won't spoil what that choice and decision are, but this is the moral center of the series and a look at what people will do to ensure their safety. I could spout off about the moralistic dilemma, but I would risk ruining the end of the series.

    This is a good mini-series to watch if you like things by Stephen King. It has King's patented layers of tension and mystery, the evil that is otherworldly and far beyond those that it comes against. For me, it is the performances that carry the series they could have easily have become too camp or overdone. Colm Feore is brilliantly chilling throughout. He has an easy menace to him that is made even more disturbing when he smiles. All the actors do a great job, though the accuracy of the Boston accent varies greatly. Give this a watch if you can, and recommend any others of similar vein if you have any suggestions.

    The series is an easy 4.5 out of 5 for me. Available on youtube for those in any region.

    

The Conjuring 1 & 2 a review and overlook. A look at the films purely based on the work inspired by the Warren's famous cases.

 

The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2

    The films based on Ed and Lorraine Warren are entertaining films that, I imagine, are more inspired by true stories than based on true stories. There has been much debate, over the years, about the Warrens themselves, but that is of little import here. I'm more interested in the films and the entertainment they provide to the watcher. I considered looking at the Annebelle films here also, but I decided they should be looked at separately from the main Conjuring timeline. Now I want to highlight the very obvious issue of the Warrens themselves. Many don't believe in their stories of the supernatural, their experiences, and whilst skeptical, I don't believe they are the con artists some have suggested over the years. That being said, the films are very different from what must have occurred in reality and, I'd imagine, much artistic interpretation has been brought into play by James Wan.

     The first film follows the events surrounding the Perron family. Having just moved into their new home, moving away from all they have known, they settle in with strange things beginning to happen in the house. It isn't long before such things escalate, and an element of fear and real concern grip the family. We are introduced to the Warrens at the very start of the film, as they speak to a trio in an apartment, the women talking about the doll they found and the spirit that now inhabits it. This doll is, of course, the aforementioned Annabelle. The story of the events plays out, and we don't get a good look at the Warrens themselves until it plays out. The casting is on point, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson have such great chemistry on screen. For me, the casting is what makes the film work so well.  You invest in them in their relationship, as it feels so real. Ed comes across as a strong, loving, man, that believes in what he investigates and his wife's ability to see that which others cannot. Lorraine is an intense believer, she sees into a world that lives alongside our own, and that, sometimes, comes with a cost, one she has paid already in events before the film. They make a good couple, and you can feel Ed's reluctance to put Lorraine in any situation that may lead to her being in any kind of danger. The film continues with the Perron's being tormented by some unseen entity, something that kills their dog, threatens the children, and seemingly stalks Carolyn, as she spends much of her time alone in the house. Roger is a long-distance lorry driver and, largely, is away from the house as some of these events play out. Finally, desperation begins to take hold, and the Perrons begin to look for help. 

 

    Ed is reluctant to help at first, but Lorraine insists, taking into account Carolyn's concern as a mother, and they then join her at the house. The entire family awaits their arrival, the children all gathered together. They begin to relay the events and other little things that now plague them in the house. We, as the audience, are shown what Lorraine sees, the things that haunt the house, and those that dwell within. The film does a good job of building background tension. An aura of menace builds up around the house as they show the Warrens around. The house is more than just the background to these events now, it is an element of the haunting itself. The Warrens begin their investigation, looking into the history of the house and the lands around it. As expected, they discover dark things, a curse on the land, and many deaths on the property. The dark entity within the house works on Carolyn quickly, and it isn't long before we build on the terror, and the loving mother is turned against that which she loves the most, her children. We are at the crux of the movie now, the Warren's threatened by the spirit of Bathsheba, as she visits their daughter, with Annabelle in tow. As this occurs, Carolyn has returned to the house with two of her children, ready to kill them, under the influence of the alleged spirit, of the witch, Bathsheba. The film moves to an exorcism, something Ed never did, as they struggle to save Carolyn from Bathsheba's fell influence. This part of the film is the most unbelievable, but one of the best shot, and carries the most tension of the whole movie. It works because it is what we, as audiences, now expect to see in such films, and, as such, it is the peak of the haunting and the moment where Carolyn is either saved or lost. Of course, being such a film, Carolyn is saved, and the family is freed of the haunting. This traditional ending is not unexpected though, sometimes, something a little darker can work better. All in all, The Conjuring is a good horror film, it has the right amount of tension layered throughout, and it has believable characters that you can invest in. I'd give it a solid 4 out of 5 and recommend it to most horror fans.

    The Conjuring 2 is set years later. It opens up with a scene relating to the Amityville Haunting, a case the Warrens were reportedly involved in. We follow Lorraine as she walks through the house, walking as Rodney Defeo did as he shot his sleeping family. In this vision, Lorraine snaps free from Defeo's path. She finds herself watched by the spirit of a child, and she gives chase. Lorraine is led to the basement, and there she is shown something that terrifies her. Now we move to the Hodgson family, those that will suffer, under the haunting, of a fell spirit. We open up with Janet in school with her friend, and then we meet the rest of the young children of the family as they leave school for the day. This is a film that sets itself entirely around the alledged haunting in the house in Enfield, a well-known account that has spawned more than one movie from the case. How much the Warrens were involved is up for debate, but the film here is taken purely as entertainment, and we watch as they become more intertwined with the events surrounding the Hodgson family. In this film, we have a couple that has pulled back from actual investigations, Lorraine has become wary of becoming too involved, and they are dealing with how they are seen, and portrayed by the media. There is a deep fear that has grasped hold of  Lorraine, a fear that she has, strangely, not shared with Ed. The haunting begins slowly, as is often the case, but soon things begin to take a darker tone. It is intermated that the haunting is just an elaborate hoax, though we see, as the audience, that there is more to it than that. It is worth noting that this all starts after Janet plays with an ouija board, suggesting that she has opened a doorway to something to come into their home. Again, the film works best around the Warrens, Patrick Wilson, and Vera Farmiga has great chemistry on screen. If anything, it works better this time around, you can feel Lorraine's terror at the thought of anything happening to Ed. Ed knows something is wrong but does not push the issue, trusting in Lorraine to divulge all when the time is right. This film also feels darker, than the previous entry, something about the way the house interior is shot and that the house, itself, is far more compact than the large house in the first film, adds a claustrophobic feel that the first lacked. As a note, there a more people directly involved with the haunting, more who witnessed the events in person, saw what was happening to the family, than in the first movie. This is a reflection of how big the case became in Britain, how the media swarmed around them for a time.

    The use of the 'Nun' is done well. She comes across as such a menacing figure, the whole look is offputting, and the character oozes foul intent with each interaction. I enjoyed how she is used as a background player, an entity that threatens Ed, and yet, there is always more to it than what is first shown. I was not surprised that the 'Nun' became the face of the movie. The interaction between it and Lorraine plays out deeper into the film and is worth taking note of. 

    The Warrens are brought in after the media coverage grows, brought in by the church to do an initial observation. At this point Lorraine divulges all, informing Ed of the threat to his life. Ed doesn't share her fear, confident that she is meant to save his life from this demonic threat. Together they travel to England and begin their investigation. Things continue to play out around the family, Janet subject to terror, as this entity batters against her meager defenses and seeks to isolate her. The Warrens move through their investigation, and things play out, but always with enough room for doubt, for the possibility that Janet is faking everything. And that is where it goes, the entity manipulating the situation in such a manner that it looks as though she is faking the haunting. This is where Ed works out that their previous tapes of the encounters show evidence of what is really happening, two broken messages that make no sense until played together. This is where the film builds to its climax, the inevitable confrontation between the Warrens and this entity behind the haunting. Of course, tension is built as Ed and Lorraine are separated, and it looks as though her previous vision may come to pass. Again, it is the relationship of the couple that carries this part of the film, Ed, is determined to save Janet, and Lorraine is terrified of losing Ed to this demonic threat. At this point, we learn that Lorraine has the secret to facing and defeating this entity. She rushes into the house, determined to save Ed and Janet from the demonic Nun. Again we are met with a happy ending, not much in doubt given the source material, but it plays out with enough conviction that it doesn't feel trite or without threat. 

    I enjoyed both of these films, James Wan did a great job, and they are worth watching for any fan of horror or just movie fans in general. I'd give this one a slightly higher rating than the first, 4.5 out of 5. For me, this one just worked better. So if you, somehow, haven't seen these films I'd recommend giving them a look. Just remember they are more, inspired by than based on a true story.  

Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden review

 

Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden review.

    Chris Perkins loves the Thing. That has been said by the man himself but even if he hadn't this book gives it away. A clear influence in this Adventure's design and story, it runs through the heart of this wintery horror story that puts the adventuring party in the center of the snowy domain of Icewind Dale. Icewind Dale is a familiar setting, it has featured in many of the Drizzt novels and has been utilised in the past by video games and other adventures alike. This wintry northland sits north of the Spine of the World mountains and houses the famous Ten towns. As an avid reader of the books by R.A. Salvatore, this is a familiar and comforting place to be in but it seems things have changed with the arrival of the Goddess Auril. The Frostmaiden has cast a spell over these lands and hidden the sun from view, a supernatural state that means that winter never leaves and the snow never melts, a pall of darkness stretching out for miles in all directions. Auril has come to this place to hide from the world and she is intent on ensuring that Icewind Dale remains hidden regardless of the needs of those that call this place home. Like all of their releases, this one has the adventure laid out in summary form at the beginning with details of what is occurring within the Dale. It is clear that something needs to be done if the people of the Dale and the Ten Towns are to survive, fell forces are beginning to take advantage of this endless gloom and this opens up avenues for any party of adventurers to take.

    Here we move on and look through the dangers of this icy environment and some character ideas and options. I liked the idea of the secrets section but this is hardly an extensive part of the book. We continue on to the first part of the adventure as we begin to explore the Ten Towns and adventure hooks that each of these towns can open up to our adventurers. This is an extensive section with notable NPCs noted for use and how the townsfolk are reacting to the Everlasting Rime. This entire chapter gives a variety of adventure hooks that the DM can utilise or adapt to their own version of the adventure, the ideas here are plentiful. The book continued onwards, expanding into Icewind Dale itself, and continues to add a number of possible directions for the party to take and options for the DM on how to reach the next part of the book. The adventure within can lead to interactions with the Duergar and the fell plans their leader has for the folk of Ten Towns. The adventure builds as the party are tasked with defeating this threat and then moving on to dealing Auril herself and the spell she has cast upon the Dale. More interestingly, at least in my mind, is the continuation leading to the ancient Netherese flying city that has remained hidden beneath the ice of the tale for centuries. Here is the most obvious nod to the Thing and it works well as the adventurers are placed within an environment that has been shaped by utter isolation, along with the threats inherent to the city itself. It would spoil the adventure to go into too much detail but I found the overriding story interesting with plenty of space to customise it to the DM's liking. 

    Like any adventure, we have the monster section, some interesting additions for winter environments being a fairly obvious choice here. I have to admit being something of a fan of the new Squidling variant that the adventure brings into play. Further, on from this, we have the mandatory magic items, none too wild or unique this time but fairly standard to the story. Some integral to the story as is often the case with these tomes. All in all, it is more of what we have come to expect from Wizards of the Coast.

    I enjoyed the setup of this adventure. I liked the isolation and harsh environment that will punish the adventuring party if they aren't careful. I'm always a fan of greater exploration of one of my favourite areas of the Forgotten Realms, and this region has been of import since Drizzt's earliest adventures. I would recommend that any fan of the 'Forgotten Realms' give this book a look, especially if you're a fan of horror as this game has some great elements peppered throughout. 

    I'd give this tome a 4 out 5 and recommend any DM give this one a look. Hopefully, you can utilise it to add new and interesting elements to your own campaign. Let me know in the comments what you think of this book, if you've used it in your campaign and if disagree with my little summary.

The Evil Dead films and series: An Overview

 

The Evil Dead films and the streaming series.

    I will forever be a fan of Bruce Campbell for his portrayal of Ash Williams, the everyman dragged into the horror and hilarity of The Evil Dead. The first film is by far the most outright horror of the series, with the following films drenched heavily in comedy with some stand-out performances by Campbell. Ash is not the typical hero in this series, either on the big screen or small. He is reluctantly dragged into this madness, doing his best to remain amongst the living. The first two films are set in the now typical cabin in the woods and utilise the Necronomicon Ex Mortis, roughly translated as the Book of the Dead. It is easy to see where Raimi got his influence for this fell book, and it works well as this tome of utter horrors that drag demons and worse into our world. I admit that I am much more familiar with Evil Dead 2, I have watched it far more than the original, so my review here will reflect that. Ash is dragged into this as a man simply looking for a romantic getaway with his girlfriend. Linda is killed after Ash unwisely plays the recorder in the cabin, Professor Knowby reciting passages from the book. She is turned into a Deadite, and Ash is forced to kill her to survive, decapitating her with a shovel. After burying her, he returns to the cabin in hopes of waiting out the night. Things do not go that simply for our reluctant hero as the evil spirit of the wood begins to press in on him. Soon Ash is possessed too but the spirit is pushed from him by the dawning sun. After hours unconscious Ash awakes and flees the cabin only to find the bridge out and dusk soon descending upon him. Fleeing back to the cabin, pursued by the malevolent spirit, Ash hides there in the hopes of waiting it out. Unfortunately, he is not that lucky, strange events begin to play out around him as the summoned evil begins to work on breaking him down. At this point, we learn that Knowby's daughter and partner are coming to the cabin to see the deceased Professor, bringing with them the lost pages from the book. Throughout this Ash is being attacked, and Linda returns from her grave, her disembodied head biting his hand after a nasty dream. Ash rushes to the workshed and soon manages to remove her, ready to deal with her before he is attacked by her body wielding a chainsaw.  It is at this moment that we see the Deadites can switch back to appearing normal, Linda's head begging Ash not to kill her before viciously mocking him and returning to its unnatural visage. Returning to the Cabin Ash continues to spiral before his hand begins to turn and we have one of the funnier scenes as his hand attacks Ash and renders him unconscious. The scene following is one of the bloodiest in the film as Ash cuts off said hand with the chainsaw. I do like the little nod with the use of the book  'A Farewell to Arms.' being atop the pile he places on the bin to keep the hand contained. Again we get another amusing scene as the hand escapes, and a little battle of wits plays out before things take another nasty turn for Ash. 

    Here things begin to change as the others arrive at the Knowby cabin, Ash mistakingly firing at them before he is subdued and through into the root cellar beneath the cabin. Things escalate further as Henrietta rises from the floor of the root cellar and attempts to eat Ash. The film moves quickly as the Deadites seek to kill them, and fear and paranoia take their toll on the group of survivors in the cabin. As you can imagine, things don't go well, and slowly their numbers are whittled down as their fight for survival continues. They have a way to fight back, to rid themselves of the evil, but it is not an easy task, and Ash finds himself returning to the cellar to face Henrietta and reclaim the pages. I still love the design of the Candarian Demon possessing Henrietta as the pair face off in a fierce fight before Ash gains the upper hand and we move to the end of the film. Annie and Ash are left to face the physical embodiment of the evil after the first part of the passage has been quoted, frantically they attempt to complete the other half as Ash is left to face it. Of course, things don't go well as Annie is stabbed in the back by Ash's evil hand. Annie finishes the incantation as Ash fights, and for a moment, we think everything is fine until the summoned portal doesn't close, and Ash is sucked in after the evil. The scene works well with the right amount of tension and dark humour, Ash crashing from this world into another, the closing scene hinting at what shall befall our hero next. 

    The next film follows directly from the ending and I believe that the series hints that the film didn't happen. At least in the newer canon. Army of Darkness is one of my favourite films with many quotable moments in the film that still makes me chuckle to this day. The medieval setting and Ash's apparent set-up as the man here to save the people from the Deadites are done well, Ash is eager to return to his time and willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal. Again humour is at the forefront of this film, with less horror at the fore. Hunting for the Necronomicon at this time, Ash is tasked with returning it after using the incantation of a particular passage. Which, inevitably, does not get uttered correctly as Ash forgets the ending. The scene in the mill is one of my favourites as Ash is left to battle tiny evil versions of himself before swallowing one and the subsequent development of 'evil' Ash. Again humour is key here, not horror, and the ensuing fight and almost three stooges-like feels to the scene make it enjoyable for one of my generation. This is a very different film from the previous ones, with the castle and siege, the fighting, and the much bigger stakes, yet it all works. Though I will admit the film doesn't have the greatest of special effects, that is even more evident nearly thirty years later. This film rides on the charisma of Campbell, and to his credit, he manages it most of the time. There are some weaker elements here than the tighter viewing of the first two in the trilogy, but it is still a fun film to watch. It is worth noting that there are two endings to the film, but most will only know the one where Ash is returned to his time and works in the S-Mart, a return of the Deadites plaguing Ash once more.

    The series is set with a much older Ash, and thirty years have passed since the events of the original. It seems little has changed for him, and after a night of drugs and booze Ash reads from the Necronomicon, starting things all over again. This iteration works well, largely due to the introduction of Kelly and Pablo. These two poor souls are dragged into Ash's mess, and before long, they are all deep into the world of the Deadites. The introduction of Ruby, the ever-brilliant Lucy Lawless, tightens up the story as we gain an element of mystery and stakes that might have been missing otherwise.  In my opinion, the second series is the best, with a better story and some interesting turns by the writing team. It would not be fair of me to give too much away about the series in total, I might go into that at a later date. I recommend fans of the films give the series a go. It is fun, and there are plenty of callbacks to the original films. 

    I would be remiss of me not to mention the remake. I enjoyed it, for the most part, the performances were good, and the tension in the film is well maintained. It doesn't quite have the magic of the original, but it is a solid effort and worth a look for horror fans.

    So if you enjoy campy horror films give The Evil Dead a try. Ash is one of the funniest and most beleaguered characters in the genre. Though some of his character traits haven't aged well, in this age of people being easily offended it is worth noting that some of his humour might offend some. For me, the humour works well, and the better effects and production values of the series have made the experience all the better. 

    Let me know what you think in the comments and if there are any films you would recommend. Later folks.

Slasher Horror and the Halloween movies

 

Slasher Horror and the Resurgence of Michael Myers.

    Michael, sodding, Myers. I have often wondered just how many films this character will feature in before the premise fades into the background. Here he comes, yet again, in another film, this one supposedly following on from the semi-reboot with Jamie Lee Curtis. Don't get me wrong, the original movie remains one of my favourites of this particular genre of horror, but with Rob Zombies films not all that long ago I wonder just how much more they can do with an unchangeable character. Yet again he marches on, unflinching, in his desire for carnage and chaos, killing anyone in his path and remaining singularly unstoppable, though it is always insisted that he is but an aging man in a mask. That fact breaks some of the immersion for me, especially as he must be close to seventy in the latest film and contained within a facility for the criminally insane with no access to exercise facilities etc. How is this man so strong, so inured to pain? Within the lore of the series, he is just a serial killer, and yet he is presented as almost a force of nature.  Now, with Jason Vorheeves, it is presented that he is an immortal killer that comes back from the dead, used especially in the comedy fest that is Freddy Vs Jason. Don't get me wrong, that film has a certain charm to it, but I often wonder how it got made. With the many slasher films that have come out, both these characters have a long-running series of films, it is a wonder, to me, how they bring anything new to the table. 

    Michael Myers and Laurie Strode are brought back together in this new reboot trilogy and we see their dynamic from the original movie brought back to the fore. To my surprise, it actually worked, and I think it is largely because of Jamie Lee's performance as a woman still struggling with PTSD that the story carries any sort of weight. Rob Zombie's films took an interesting turn with a look at madness running in the family as they kept his pursuit of his baby sister as his prime drive and then her spiral into becoming a killer after his death. Here we have something more grounded and believable, Laurie having raised her daughter to survive Michael's return and the damage that has inflicted upon their relationship. I am not a fan of the triggering event, in regards to Michael's resurgence, and need to hunt down Laurie but, otherwise, the film works well as he tracks down the woman he once attempted to slay and finds himself against someone who has prepared for decades for this exact moment. I liked the idea of the one-time victim turning the tables on the killer and being ahead of Michael, ready to finally put this man down and move on from the pain she has carried her entire life. Of course, being a trilogy we know that he survives the attempt on his life, and with the release of the trailer for 'Halloween Kills' we know that this time the events are far more out in the open. It seems that Michael is on the hunt and cutting through any before him, as he focuses on hunting the trio of women down. I am hopeful that they keep the grounded approach and keep the focus on Laurie and her family. 

    To me, the market seems overly saturated with Slasher horror films but they can be done well if they make the characters interesting.  The killer is often one-note, a juggernaut of destruction and death that will not be stopped, so it relies on those they pursue to keep your interest and retain your investment in the story. I am not a fan of films that rely solely on the gruesomeness of their kills to make their film stand out, though interesting kills are a plus. If you are a fan of some cheese and comedy in your horror films, give Jason X a watch, it is a ridiculous film and it knows it. In my mind, the Nightmare on Elm Street films is exempt from this genre, largely due to their supernatural nature and the, very much admitted, demonic nature of Freddy Krueger. I am looking forward to the next film but, hoping that after this trilogy, the character will finally be retired for a time. At some point, Michael will lose his menace and become a parody of what he once was. Any recommendations for lesser-known Slashers are welcome, and I hope you give the latest films a look. 

Bad Magic Productions

 Timesuck and Scared to Death.

    Dan Cummins and, Queen of the suck, Lynze is the force behind Bad Magic Productions and the two great podcasts that I have come to enjoy over the past year. Yes, Covid proved good for something. I first caught Timesuck as a random recommendation on my Youtube feed and soon found myself watching as Dan relaid the events surrounding The Texas Killing fields. I have to say Dan has a unique approach to his podcast with his own unique brand of humour thrown in as he delves into the details of these particular subjects. It is thoroughly entertaining and informative, though I would imagine there are those that might find his humour a little controversial or blunt, I happen to love it. His take on Ed Kemper and several other individuals he covers often has me chuckling to myself and I will always enjoy his sponsored commercials as Woody relays his latest product on the show. The podcast covers a variety of subjects, from serial killers to the events surrounding the, now infamous, Skinwalker Ranch, and a great many cults. It remains one of my favourite informative podcasts and one that I enjoy catching whenever I can. I would recommend anyone that has an interest in a variety of subjects give this one a look and hopefully you will enjoy Dan's humour as much as I do. As a point of reference, I really enjoyed his Suck on the Wendigo and other American Indian Folklore monsters.

    Scared to death is hosted by Dan and his wife Lynze and is probably my favourite of the two shows. The pair sit together in their studio and regale one another with creepy tales that they have picked out. The pair work well, the humour and banter that flows back and forth between stories are relaxed and genuinely entertaining, with Dan often commenting on Lynze's love of crystals and belief in the supernatural. Each week they unload with a different series of tales about the supernatural and then discuss what they liked about the stories or if they believed their validity, etc. Again the discussion is often the highlight of the episodes and I watch it, as much for this banter, as I do for the scary tales that are sent in or Dan and Lynze have researched.  It is worth stating that at no point do the pair insist these stories are real but merely pick them out because of how interesting or scary they find them respectively. If you are a fan of scary stories and creepy what if's then I would suggest that you give the podcast a look/listen. You might watch/listen for the stories being told but most will stay for Dan and Lynze. 

Anyway, hope you're having a great weekend and decide to give them a look. Feel free to let me know if you gave them a try and until next time folks have a good one. 

    

    

A look at Warhammer 40k and its influence on my love of gaming and Science Fiction

 Warhammer 40,000

    I grew up with a voracious appetite for science fiction and read everything that I could get my hands on. Growing up I watched shows like Star Trek, Quantum Leap, and, of course, being British, Red Dwarf. I developed a love of horror through authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, and James Herbert. In that time I discovered tabletops games such as Hero Quest and others through the friendships I had. Through them, I found my way to Warhammer and Space Hulk. In these war games, I found lore steeped in science fiction and its own version of cosmic horror. A world without mercy, without hope, without the aspirations of many science fiction worlds. A galaxy where there was only war, it was unlike anything I had ever seen or read at that point in my life. 

    Warhammer 40,000 remains one of the grimmest worlds out there, where to be one of those living in it is to expect a short a brutal life, either fighting in the ranks of one army or another or toiling behind the scenes of that great war machine. My foray into the lore began with the Ragnar Blackmane Omnibus, a trio of books that trace the Wolf Lords' life from his time on the ice islands of Fenris to his time on the homeworld of Terra. This story written by William King introduced me to the ranks of the Space Wolves, to the fiercest of mankind's defenders, and the curse that lurked within their bloodline. For me, it was the presence of the thousand sons, of the history of the two legions that brought home just how expansive the lore could be of this universe I found myself thoroughly enjoying. The next book to catch my interest was Xenos by Dan Abnett and my love of these books was solidified. 

    Inquisitor Gideon Eisenhorn proved to be a hardline individual that believed in the Emperor and the sanctity of the Imperium above all else, or that's how he began. Through this character and his adventures, we delved into a new region of the galaxy and worlds that I had never heard of before. A whole subsector that was full of danger and mystery. Abnett's best work, in my opinion, is always his character work. And here we find a host of individuals circling the Inquisitor, some that work with and for him, whilst others stand in his path or aid him in his investigations and pursuit of the heretic or alien. This was a dark galaxy, with man and women of vile interest, willing to serve dark powers in the hopes of being gifted dark power of their own, of being elevated to new heights in the eyes of these fell masters. I loved it all and in time I would come to read the trilogy of books and then discover the adventures of Inquisitor Ravenor and his band of misfits. Abnett for me remains at the foremost of the authors that work for Games Workshop. 

    Over the years the lore has expanded massively, with their series of the Horus Heresy and the books detailing the new age of the Dark Millennium with Guilliman's return and the events of the Indomitus Crusade. This is a galaxy beset on all sides with Dark Gods looking to devour all and there remain but the faint motes of hope in the dimming light. I would encourage any fan of science fiction and fantasy to give this world a look, to take a risk, and dive into either the books alone or the tabletop game itself. It is well worth taking a look just out of curiosity. But remember, do not look to hope, for in the grim Dark of the future there is only War!