Monthly Archives: February 2025

Book Review: One Piece, Vol 21: Utopia by Eiichiro Oda

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One Piece, Vol 21: Utopia     

Version 1.0.0

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 2, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action Adventure/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Sanji has to contend with Mr 2 Bon Clay and his Oh Come My Way nonsense. The swan attempts to cripple Sanji with laughter, but when that doesn’t work, he uses his ability of mimicry to imitate Nami’s face. Can Sanji cause pain to someone who looks just like his beloved Nami?

Princess Vivi has arrived in Alubarna and has made her way to the palace, where she calls for Chaka and tells him her plan – she wants to destroy the palace! He can’t believe she means that, but she is entirely serious. Can she convince him to go along with her idea?

A disturbing surprise awaits Princess Vivi and Chaka as they approach the Palace – the Crocodile is already there! How can they get him out?

Nami and Zolo split up – Nami to deal with Ms. Doublefinger and Zolo to face Mr. 1.  Nami knows she isn’t much of a fighter, so she approached Usopp before they reached Alabasta to ask him to make her a weapon. He gave her one, but she isn’t sure he understood what she wanted and now she doubts whether this so-called weapon will work against Ms. Doublefinger. But she is out of options!

Mr. Crocodile presents an ultimatum to Vivi and thus reveals his true objective! Meanwhile, Zolo has a bit of a problem with Mr. 1 – seems as though the guy is made of steel! How is he supposed to cut through that?  Will this be an exercise in futility, or will words of wisdom from the past serve him in good stead?

We’re getting closer and closer to the end of this arc, but there are still burning issues, even as the fights continue. Where is Luffy? When will Vivi come face to face with Koza? Will this be the end of the evil Baroque Works once and for all? I know that new adventures lie ahead, and I am more than ready for them. Looking forward to the next volume.

Wednesday Briefs: February 26, 2025

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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. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Dracula #35(8.1) by J L Hayes

When had life become so difficult? Avram wished, not for the first time, that they’d remained in Bistritz. Sure, problems arose there at times—usually of the financial variety, but nothing such as this. Only when they ventured out of the relative safety of the castle and its environs did they find themselves embroiled in conflict. Of course he understood the reason for their leaving, but that didn’t make the current circumstances any more palatable.

The storm they had so skillfully evaded, thanks to Nico, had eventually petered out, a reluctant sun appearing at last.  But it had clearly not been forgotten. Avram could tell that Andrei was clearly shaken after having witnessed Dracula’s masterful manipulation

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Incident in a Ghostland

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Incident in a Ghostland

A new home often means a new life. And that is the hope of Pauline (Mylene Farmer) as she and her two daughters, Vera (Taylor Hickson) and Beth (Emilia Jones) move into a house left by Pauline’s aunt. The sisters seem to be total opposites, Beth being an introvert whose only wants to write, and Vera being louder and more outspoken. Vera resents their mother for what she perceives as her preferential treatment of Beth. They stop in town before going to the house and there they learn that there is someone who is killing families – and leaving the daughters alive for their own purposes. Great way to start a new life!

They arrive at the house and find that it is creepy, with strange and unusual dolls everywhere. But before they can even get settled in their new home, the three women find themselves fighting for their lives against two strange intruders.

Sixteen years pass, and Beth receives an emergency call from Vera to come back to the house immediately.  She returns to find Vera a self-contained prisoner in the basement, unable to get past what happened to her, despite their mother’s best efforts to help her. Once they are reunited, the sisters find themselves once more battling to save their lives.

This film is definitely a psychological drama with plenty of twists and turns. First, there is what happened during the original attack, which is certainly scarring on its own. Then what happens later. However, what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. There are definite twists and turns in this story, but it’s also confusing. And I felt it was almost a story in search of a plot. Maybe some background as to the aunt who previously owned the house would have been helpful. Or more character development of the girls and their mother. I am still not entirely sure what happened, even after watching the whole thing. I’ll give this film 3 Stars. Watch at your own risk, but I would like to hear someone else’s take on it.

Wednesday Briefs: February 19, 2025

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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. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Dracula #35(8.1) by J L Hayes

When had life become so difficult? Avram wished, not for the first time, that they’d remained in Bistritz. Sure, problems arose there at times—usually of the financial variety, but nothing such as this. Only when they ventured out of the relative safety of the castle and its environs did they find themselves embroiled in conflict. Of course he understood the reason for their leaving, but that didn’t make the current circumstances any more palatable.

The storm they had so skillfully evaded, thanks to Nico, had eventually petered out, a reluctant sun appearing at last.  But it had clearly not been forgotten. Avram could tell that Andrei was clearly shaken after having witnessed Dracula’s masterful manipulation

Click here to read the entire Brief:

Continue reading →

Saturday is Horror Day #205 – Possum

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Possum

Philip (Sean Harris) is a disgraced children’s puppeteer. He returns to his childhood home, scene of much trauma, and has to deal with his past, including the uncle who raised him, Maurice (Alun Armstrong). Philip has a bag which he always carries. It contains a massive puppet of a spider with a human face. Philip tries over and over to get rid of the puppet, but finds himself unable to do so. When a heinous accusation is made against him, he has to face the truth, even if that involves unpleasant truths from his childhood.

Possum is something of a slow burn creepy film as opposed to one filled with jump scares and gore. I

found it clear that the puppet in the bag Philip always carried represented the trauma he couldn’t leave behind or get rid of, no matter how hard he tried. As did the closed room in the house that he refused to enter, no matter how many times his uncle taunted him to do so. This movie has to do with taking control of the past and coming to grips with it, with a bit of revenge thrown in for good matter. Sean Harris plays Philip, the tortured puppeteer. I had seen him previously in the Borgias, as their master assassin. I thought he did a good job of playing Philip, leaving me wondering if he had done anything he needed to regret or not.

The spider puppet is truly creepy, so kudos to the creator for that. So is the poem about Possum, the spider, which is recited throughout the film. Admittedly, this film won’t be for everyone. But if you are willing to pay attention and pick up on the cues, and understand its slow pace, you will be able to enjoy it. I’ll give this film 3.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: February 12, 2025

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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. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Dracula #35(8.1) by J L Hayes

When had life become so difficult? Avram wished, not for the first time, that they’d remained in Bistritz. Sure, problems arose there at times—usually of the financial variety, but nothing such as this. Only when they ventured out of the relative safety of the castle and its environs did they find themselves embroiled in conflict. Of course he understood the reason for their leaving, but that didn’t make the current circumstances any more palatable.

The storm they had so skillfully evaded, thanks to Nico, had eventually petered out, a reluctant sun appearing at last.  But it had clearly not been forgotten. Avram could tell that Andrei was clearly shaken after having witnessed Dracula’s masterful manipulation

Click here to read the entire Brief:

Continue reading →

Saturday is Horror Day #204 – The Angry Black Girl and her Monster

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Angry Black Girl and her Monster


Vicaria (Laya DeLeon Hayes) is a brilliant young girl who lives a difficult life in a poor and tough area of town. Violence and drugs are common. Vicaria has lost family members to death, and she is tired of it. She has a reputation for being typical, usually because she knows more than the teacher. After the death of her brother, Chris (Edem Atsu-Swanzy), Vicaria decides that enough is enough. She believes that death is a disease, and as such can be cured. It’s up to her to find that cure.

Chris left behind a pregnant girlfriend Aisha (Reilly Brooke Stith), and a grieving father (Chad L. 


Coleman). Vicaria studies hard to figure out a way to cure death, and she believes she has found the answer. Now she has to implement it. But she hasn’t taken into account how long her brother has been dead, and that seems to be a game changer.

This movie is an updated urban version of Frankenstein. Vicaria’s desire to conquer death is largely motivated by the circumstances in which she lives, and by the family she is slowly losing to death. Vicaria is played brilliantly by Laya DeLeon Hayes, and the supporting cast is great. I thought the film had a very interesting premise, and while I wanted Vicaria to succeed, I knew it couldn’t end well. 

 

I would have liked to see more of her relationship with her brother Chris, as this relationship lies at the heart of the film. But all we have is his dead body in the opening scene, with an angry Vicaria standing over it. Denzel Whitaker as the local drug dealer Kango was very good, although by the end I couldn’t hate him anymore. Her father was loving, but flawed as well, a weakness that Kango exploited.  All in all, I thought it was interesting, perhaps not perfect, but certainly entertaining. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

 

Book Review: One Piece, Vol 20: Showdown at Alubarna by Eiichiro Oda

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One Piece, Vol 20: Showdown at Alubarna   

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: February 3, 2009

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Luffy and the Crocodile are having a showdown in the desert, as everyone scrambles toward Alubarna. The Crocodile is a tough customer, but Luffy refuses to give up, no matter what. Is it possible he’s met his match? Captain Smoker announces he has other business to attend to and tells Tashigi to decide for herself what she wants to do. What is he up to?

Vivi and the rest of Luffy’s crew utilize a huge crab named Pincers to navigate the desert, but a problem arises when they reach the Sandora River. Oddly enough, this crab doesn’t like water! What are they to do? Looks like a job for Karoo and the Supersonic Duck Squad!  The Rebels are also on the move, but Baroque Works is determined that Vivi and Koza not cross paths. Wonder why?

As Usopp and Sanji race to Vivi’s aid, she encounters someone who looks like Usopp. But luckily she knows the difference.   The real Usopp and Vivi, along with Chopper, come face to face with Mr. 4 and Merry Christmas, and Usopp becomes engaged in a game of Whack a Mole! When things take a turn for the worse, though, he decides to flee…

There is a lot going on in this volume, not gonna lie. I found it confusing at times to remember who is where and doing what. Nonetheless I think we’re approaching the end of this arc, hopefully on to bigger and better things. I imagine we’ll lose Vivi after this, as she will be needed to take care of her kingdom. Perhaps things will work out with her and Koza and they will do this together. I admit I didn’t care for her at first, as a member of Baroque Works, but her real identity and personality have come out and she is much nicer than I thought. Another great volume, on to the next!

Wednesday Briefs: February 5, 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. If you are interested in becoming a Wednesday Briefer, please leave a comment or email me at shelley_runyon@yahoo.com.

Dracula #35(8.1) by J L Hayes

When had life become so difficult? Avram wished, not for the first time, that they’d remained in Bistritz. Sure, problems arose there at times—usually of the financial variety, but nothing such as this. Only when they ventured out of the relative safety of the castle and its environs did they find themselves embroiled in conflict. Of course he understood the reason for their leaving, but that didn’t make the current circumstances any more palatable.

The storm they had so skillfully evaded, thanks to Nico, had eventually petered out, a reluctant sun appearing at last.  But it had clearly not been forgotten. Avram could tell that Andrei was clearly shaken after having witnessed Dracula’s masterful manipulation

Click here to read the entire Brief:

Continue reading →

Saturday is Horror Day #203 – Carnage for Christmas

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Carnage for Christmas

Lola (Jeremy Moineau) is a true crime podcaster. She decides to head home for the Christmas holidays, albeit rather uncertainly, as it’s been a long time and she knows that not everyone is accepting of her as a transwoman.  She stays with her sister, Danielle (Dominique Booth), who loves her dearly. Not so much so her roommate,  Riley (Olivia Deeble) who has nothing but snide remarks for her.

But then Riley and her girlfriend Kat  (Lewi Dawson) wind up dead. Lola didn’t expect to find herself in

the midst of a trail of murders that seem to mimic what happened to her as a child, when she was the one who discovered the body of a young victim. Nobody seems to believe her when she says it’s happening again,  and it’s time to search for the truth, but at what cost?

This film came out in 2024, and was only 70 minutes long, but I have to say I enjoyed watching it. I saw it described as Australia’s first transgender holiday horror, and that’s a pretty accurate description. The main character, Lola, is a very interesting and strong woman with a great smile and no-nonsense attitude. I loved how her sister is so caring and warm herself, accepting Lola completely for who she is.

Naturally there are people who don’t accept Lola, but she doesn’t let these assholes get to her. Even the cops are less than helpful and quick to dismiss her. But in the end, Lola shows them just what kind of woman she is. It’s nice to see films about transgender people played by transgender people. I’d like to see more of Jeremy Moineau in the future. I give this film 4 Stars.