Monthly Archives: August 2024

Saturday is Horror Day #181 – Tucker & Dale vs Evil

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Tucker & Dale vs Evil

You might consider Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine) to be hillbillies, but they’re just two good ol’ boys living their best lives in backwoods West Virginia. Tucker buys a “vacation” home, and the two friends head up to check it out and work on it and have a vacation, fishing and whatnot. On their way there, they encounter a car full of college students, also on vacation, who look at them with disdain. They cross paths again at the local store. Tucker encourages the shy Dale to talk to the girls, to get his courage up, but the girls are scared of him and that doesn’t end well. So the two groups go their separate ways.

Later, when they are fishing, Tucker and Dale spot the college kids again, one in particular,  Allison

(Katrina Bowden) who is getting ready to dive into the lake. They accidentally startle her, she slips and hits her head before falling into the water. Alarmed that she doesn’t quickly resurface, and none of her friends paying attention, Dale jumps in and rescues her. They decide to take her back to the cabin to take care of her wound, but her friends think they have kidnapped her.

Now the kids are determined their kidnapped friend but they are terrified to confront the two hillbillies. Meanwhile, a frightened Allison awakes, terrified that Dale has evil intentions. But honestly, it’s only breakfast. So while she is recovering and she and Dale begin to talk, the college kids begin their rescue mission. But things go haywire from the beginning. As the body count rises, the sheriff (Phillip Granger) appears, and naturally he thinks the boys are guilty. But there is a darker story at work here, one that no one suspects.

This is one funny horror movie, and it just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Tucker and Dale are just two nice guys, and Dale is actually a lot smarter than he looks. Laughs and blood abound in this film. Labine and Tudyk are awesome as Tucket and Dale. I’m just sorry there wasn’t a sequel. I’ll give this film 4 Stars/.

Wednesday Briefs: August 28, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Jonlyn of the Urionites: Part 11 by J Ray Lamb

Jonlyn and Narthun walked into the master bedroom. A large bed took up most of the room, made up for two. Narthun and Jonlyn looked at each other, then looked at the closet on each side of the bed. Each was stocked with clothing and grooming needs that catered to each.

“Is that a tub of hot water for bathing?” Narthun asked.

“Yes, yes it is. I should have asked Bipeon if there was another bedroom prepared for you. They’ve assumed that you and I are bedding together. I didn’t know that this would be happening.” Jonlyn all but whispered…

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Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 19 by Yusei Matsui

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Assassination Classroom, Vol 19   

Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 5, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Action Adventure Manga//200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

High school acceptance letters have been sent out and received, and all of Koro Sensei’s students have been accepted either by their first or second choices, happily. After yearbook photos are taken, Koro Sensei decides to make a better yearbook just for his class, including photos of them they weren’t even aware existed! Naturally, not everyone is happy about this.

Time stands still for no one, including Koro Sensei and his class of would-be assassins. The deadline for his assassination is drawing near, and the government is taking it seriously – deadly seriously. Far from relying on a classroom filled with young assassins-in-training, they have put their own plans in place. They manage to trap Koro Sensei on the mountain so he can’t escape. Then they have Karasuma tell the students to stay home. When they insist on going to school anyway, they find their way up the mountain completely blocked. The students end up being taken into custody… “for their own protection.” Will they take this lying down? Of course not!  Where there is a will, there is a way! After all, they have been trained by Koro Sensei!

Karasuma visits the students in lockdown and gives them invaluable information, followed by a visit from Ms. Vitch, with what they will need to carry out their plans.  Thanks to Karasuma, they know when to make their move. The Head Assassin has people deployed all over the mountain. No way those children can get past his trained men. But they never took into account that these same students have been training on this mountain for the past year and know it like the back of their hand, whereas they do not. Not a fair match, is it?

Down to the wire now, only two volumes left. The students are determined to complete their assignment of assassinating Koro Sensei, despite not wanting to do so. But can they overcome the hurdles that have been placed in their way? They’re still only kids at the end of the day. But these kids have been trained by the best. So maybe they can save Koro Sensei’s life, rather than take it.

One way or another, the end is coming soon. But will it be a happy ending for anyone? Looking forward to the next volume, somewhat apprehensively.

Saturday is Horror Day #180 – Arcadian

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Arcadian


The world as we know it doesn’t exist, and those who survive do so by the skin of their teeth against fierce creatures the like of which have never been seen. Paul (Nicolas Cage) is a single father taking care of his two sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins). It’s a difficult existence, and primitive in ways, but they do what they can. They don’t dare to venture far from home, and definitely not after dark.

 

Thomas has a working relation with a neighboring farm and helps them with their work when he can. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they have a daughter about his age, Charlotte (Sadie Soverall), with whom he forms a friendship.  Joseph cleverly puts together a vehicle, which means they can go farther during the day.  Paul sends the boys out one day, and the two go their own ways, Thomas heading to the farm. He doesn’t meet with his brother at the appointed time, so eventually he leaves and Thomas heads home later, only to meet with an accident, forcing Paul to search for him.

 

This is basically a movie about survival, about doing what you can when the odds are against you and 


there are terrible creatures who want nothing more than to kill you and… more.  I have to believe I liked the movie as much as I did because Nic Cage was in it, and I am a huge fan. The story itself is believable if you like movies that deal with crises that threaten the existence of mankind, the creatures a bit less so. To hear them talk, they are like insects, but also like werewolves. I know, doesn’t make sense to me either. I don’t remember hearing an actual explanation of what happened. At least you get one in a Quiet Place, and even a prequel now. So what we’re left with here is large hairy insectoids (is that a word? I’m not sure)

At the end of the day, it’s a decent Nic Cage movie and worth watching for that alone. I’ll give this film a generous 4 Stars because of that, so take that with a grain of salt.

Wednesday Briefs: August 21, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #25(6.3) by J L Hayes

“So you are traveling to Vienna?” Andrei asked between hearty bites of bread and cheese. He offered a hunk of the cheese to Avram as well, who accepted it, appreciating its salty flavor.

“We are,” Avram replied cautiously. He had no reason to think the smuggler would betray their whereabouts. Not like he wasn’t aware of their destination anyway. He knew what the next leg of their journey was and where his cousin would conveying them from there.  But Avram was concerned that the man not possess any information that could potentially bring him trouble. Maybe he was just being paranoid, but better he should err on the side of caution than see an innocent person be hurt.  Truth be told, he didn’t believe the villagers would even have the desire to track them down, much less the extra resources. Why would they bother? Out of sight, out of mind. Life would go on as usual for all concerned. Not like he and Nico hadn’t

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Saturday is Horror Day #179 – The Wicker Man (1973)

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Wicker Man (1973)

Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is sent to a Scottish island village after a report is received of a missing young girl, Rowan Morrison. From the moment of his arrival by seaplane, Howie is met with a definite lack of cooperation, beginning with the locals at the harbor who tell him to go away. But of course he won’t do that, he’s an officer on official business. So they reluctantly send a dinghy to bring him to shore.

Whenever he asks the villagers about the missing girl, they all say they don’t know her and there has never

been anyone by that name there. Even the woman is supposed to be her mother says she only has one daughter, and she is right there. Whenever Howie tries to look at official records, he is told to seek the permission of the lord who owns this place, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee).

Howie takes a room at the local inn that is also above the pub. His puritanic nature is offended by the familiarity of the locals with the barmaid, Willow (Britt Ekland). She doesn’t hesitate to flirt with him, and wantonly tries to lure him into her room with a lewd song and dance in the room next to his, which he has to fight against with all his strength. When he investigates the girls’ school, he sees an empty desk, but no one will admit it belongs to Rowan. He finally takes the class register by force and finds Rowan’s name and knows they have all been lying to him. But where is the girl and what has happened to him. These people have some very strange beliefs, and they are very open in their sexuality. In fact, the teacher, as he came to the classroom, was openly discussing the subject of the penis. But Howie is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, or else…..

Do not confuse this with the 2006 Nic Cage version which is the same story basically but badly done (love Nic Cage, but not this film). The older version has Edward Woodward, who will later become the Equalizer, and talented actor Christopher Lee. It’s not perfect, it is a 70s film and it has the feel of one. I would argue that the script isn’t the best, but I read that Lee very much liked it and it gave him a chance to actually act in something than a horror film. If you don’t look at the Wicker Man as a horror film, it actually becomes a battle between the strict Christianity of Sergeant Howie and the paganism that the people of the island wholeheartedly embrace. At the same time, the things they do are… well, you have to see that for yourself.

I would have watched this just to see Christopher Lee in a skirt and a dress. Edward Woodward does a fine job of playing the baffled uptight policeman who never quite understands what is going on until it’s too late. You recall Britt Ekland as one of Peter Sellers’ wives. I wonder if her character was meant as an offering to Sergeant Howie to convince him to either join them or leave them alone. It’s worth mentioning that there is some nudity, mostly bare bosoms and Ekland’s derriere. She does what must have been a very risque “dance” (I use the term loosely) which mostly consists of moaning and writhing.  All I can is is I am very glad I don’t live on this island. I’ll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: August 14, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #25(6.2) by J L Hayes

Avram had intended to remain awake, in case Nico should want him for something. But the gentle rocking of the boat, coupled with the warm sunshine that spread through his weary limbs like an old familiar friend, lulled him into a dreamless sleep. The flapping of wings woke him with a start.  He opened his eyes to find Andrei sat next to him, a large loaf of bread in his hands. As Avram watched, the man would break off a piece and toss it onto the rail, after which a large pelican would swoop down, snatch it up greedily, then fly silently away, no doubt to await the next morsel.

“Feel better?” Andrei swiveled his head toward Avram before helping himself to some of the bread. Avram noticed a fair-sized hunk of cheese also rested on the man’s thigh.

Avram nodded. “How long was I

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Saturday is Horror Day #178 – Paranormal Activity

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Paranormal Activity

Katie and Micah move into their dream home in San Diego. But something is not quite right. There seems to be someone… or something else…. there. When Katie reveals that she has been followed by a demonic entity since the age of eight, Micah is skeptical. But he wants to reassure her, so he sets up cameras all over the house and they call in a demonologist, a Doctor Frederichs. He leaves this feeling no more reassured than when he arrived. Katie quickly tires of Micah constantly filming her. And when he suggests they bring in a Ouija board, she emphatically vetoes the idea.

However, it quickly becomes obvious, even to Micah, that something is going on. The camera is capturing

evidence of paranormal activity, but they can’t see the entity, just its tracks. Such as slamming doors. Noises in the middle of the night… and foot prints. Katie knows it’s useless to run, as the thing will just follow. What’s a girl to do?

This is a very low budget film, as the action takes place all within this house. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it can’t be a good movie, because it is. I know the reviews are split on this one, but my opinion is that it’s very scary just because it is so believable, and you can imagine yourself in this situation – and that is a terrifying thought. The actors weren’t working from a script, they were given guidelines to work within, which makes the dialogue all the more realistic. After living through this terror for days, I would be losing my mind too. Imagine someone is in your room, watching you sleep, but you can’t see them. And then it pulls on your sheet…

I plan to rewatch all these films. I’ll give this one 4.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: August 7, 2024

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Here is a list of all the authors flashing this week, along with a brief snippet from their latest free work. Click the link after the snippet to be taken to the complete story on the author’s home page.

Dracula #24 (6.1) by J L Hayes

Avram released a grateful sigh as the early morning breeze lightly kissed his cheek even as the sun began to peek over the horizon behind them, lighting their way. Andrei had predicted they would be able to hoist the sail soon. And then they could relax for a bit, have something to eat. In the meantime, he was utilizing his long barge pole to propel them along the Bistritza River.

Dracula was already at rest below, but Avram couldn’t begrudge him that. He had actually worked all night, and it was largely thanks to his efforts that they had come as far as they had. And oh, what a night it had been!

Before they’d left the church the night before,

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Saturday is Horror Day #177 – Infested

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Infested

Kaleb (Theo Christine) hasn’t had an easy life. Almost 30, he’s fighting with his sister Manon (Sofia Lesaffre) over the inheritance left by their late mother, an apartment located inside a rundown French apartment building. Although they are at odds, she attempts to help with the maintenance of the apartment. Kaleb is also estranged from his one time best friend Mathys (Jerome Niel). Kaleb’s one passion is exotic animals. He has a number of them in his bedroom, but he becomes upset whenever his sister turns off the power to his room because it endangers his animals. To help make ends meet, he resells designer footwear illegally.

One day, Kaleb acquires an unusual spider. He takes it home and makes it as comfortable as he can. But

the spider gets loose, to his chagrin. He searches for it high and low throughout the apartment building. Which is when he discovers that this is no ordinary spider – not only does it reproduce rather rapidly, but each generation is progressively bigger than the one before. But the worst part is that they aren’t afraid of humans, and will be more than happy to kill them…

I ran across this French film on Shudder and I didn’t know what too expect. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The characters are well-written and interesting, especially Kaleb. He seems much younger than his years would indicate, but in some ways, he also seems worldly-wise as well. He tries to portray himself as tough, but you know he is hurting inside for the people in his life that he has loved. I thought the acting was good, as was the direction and editing. And spiders… already creepy by nature, these spiders would paralyze me with fear too. There are scenes where I don’t know what I would do, and I’m very glad not to have to decide or be in that situation.

Altogether is was an enjoyable but creepy film to watch. Probably not advisable for people with arachnophobia. I give this film 4 Stars.