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Saturday is Horror Day #152 – The Keeping Hours, Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Keeping Hours

Mark (Lee Pace) and Elizabeth (Carrie Coon) are a loving, laid-back with a son named Jacob (Sander Thomas) whom they both adore. But tragedy strikes and Jacob is taken from them. The couple fall apart and divorce. Years later, Elizabeth has remarried and is a stepmother to two daughters who she loves, while Mark is single and a successful lawyer. He still owns the house where they once lived, and rents it out. After a pair of tenants trash the place, he goes there to clean it up, and encounters something he totally didn’t expect to see – his dead son. Except he doesn’t look dead. And he hasn’t aged a day since he died. A startled Mark runs to tell Elizabeth about this, although they have nor relationship any more. At first, she is furious and refuses to listen, but gradually, she comes around. How is this happening…and why?

While the Keeping Hours is a ghost story, it isn’t necessarily one in the traditional sense in that it isn’t

spooky or horrifying. Rather it’s evocative and emotional. It’s a story of loss and love, but also of forgiveness. I was really moved by this film. I have to say I am a huge Lee Pace fan, and he is terrific in this. So is everyone else, including the young boy playing Jacob. I am including it here both because it is a ghost story but also because I don’t feel enough people know about it, which is a shame.

I will give this film 4 Stars

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toymaker

Derek (William Thorne) is a little boy whose world goes silent when he witnesses his father being killed by a toy that mysteriously arrived at the house on Christmas Eve. His mother Sarah (Jane Higginson) is trying to help her son while dealing with the loss of his father. She takes him to a local toy store owned by a toymaker named Joe Petto (Mickey Rooney), but there is something odd about Petto and his strange son Pino (Brian Bremer). And then there is a mysterious guy who hangs around both the toy store and the Quinn home. What does he want?

I’ll start by saying that the fifth installment in the Silent Night Deadly Night series is better than the one before, but honestly, that’s not hard to be. Again, it doesn’t have the Santa Killer theme, but t does have a sort of horror take on Pinocchio and Gepetto.. Clint Howard returns as Ricky, and his only scene involves him and the mysterious lurker, who are both seasonal Santas. If you didn’t look at the credits, you’d have no idea he was playing Ricky, and one wonders why bother. I guess to preserve the somewhat shaky continuity. Also, how did they talk Mickey Rooney into doing this film? One has to wonder.

The acting is still pretty lousy and so is the writing and plot. Wait until you find out who the mysterious stranger is and how quickly he is accepted into their lives. Seriously? The good news is that this is the last in the series, as the next one is actually a reboot of the first film. I have requested that. Also, I hear that another film is going to be made. I assume that it’s part of the reboot, not the original franchise.

I’ll give this film 1.5 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: February 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 #2 (1.1) by J L Hayes

Being a fastidious man, the Count—or Nico, as he was known to his more intimate acquaintances—insisted on bathing prior to any evening’s activities. His porcelain-coated cast iron tub was the only one in that region and had been imported many years before, at great expense, from China. He loved to immerse himself in the warmest water Avram could provide, as he found it to be a panacea for his poor circulation. The Count was unique in his desire for personal cleanliness as bathing was not exactly held in high regard by most people.  Members of the upper class seldom bathed and only occasionally washed their faces and hands, while the lower class limited their acquaintance with water to a scant few times a year.  This was

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Book Review: Ada’s Algorithm by James Essinger

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Ada’s Algorithm 

Author:  James Essinger

Publisher: Melville House

American release date:  September 28, 2015

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Computer & Technology Biographies/272 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

George Gordon, Lord Byron, is well-known for being the foremost Romantic poet of his time. But few people appreciate that he had another great achievement – he was the father of a remarkable daughter named Ada (his only legitimate daughter) who is considered to be the first computer programmer at a time when computers did not even exist!

Ada’s Algorithm is the story of Ada Lovelace, who was unquestionably a genius and well ahead of her time as far as computers are concerned. James Essinger delves deeply into her background, through contemporary accounts and existing correspondence, to draw a portrait of a brilliant woman. She had at times a difficult relationship with her mother, and none at all with her famous father, which Byron lamented. It is her friendship with Charles Babbage and her insights into his Analytic Engine, inspired by the Jacquard Loom and its use of cards, that gave rise to her interest in and development of computer programming.  It’s fascinating to consider just how far ahead of her time she was.

This book discusses the people in her life in depth, as well, especially Lord Byron, Lady Byron, and Charles Babbage. It’s a very interesting read, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about our first computer programmer.

Saturday is Horror Day #151 – Saw VI, Saw: The Final Chapter

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

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Saw VI

Agent Strahm learned the truth about Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), but the knowledge didn’t help him as he let his own arrogance get in the way and he died, while Hoffman lived to see another day.  FBI agent Erickson (Mark Rolston) is getting closer to the truth himself. Will he survive the knowledge, once he finds out? Meanwhile, the game continues, beginning with two co-workers at an insurance company who must give up the proverbial pound of flesh in order to save themselves… or should I say, save one of them, for only one can win this game.

The sixth installment in the Saw series continues where the fifth left off. Hoffman has been acting as Jigsaw’s accomplice, but it seems as though the FBI might be closing in, having realized the voice on the tape isn’t John Kramer’s. What if their analysis is successful? Will they unmask Hoffman? Why does Agent Erickson focus so heavily on Kramer’s ex, Jill (Betsy Russell)? She was an innocent pawn in all of this… wasn’t she?

In this installment, the game centers around employees of an insurance company who have long defrauded their customers, including John Kramer. Despite being dead, he had everything planned, and he intends to show these people the consequences of their actions. It’s easy to make a decision about someone’s life when you don’t know that person and never will. But what if it’s someone you do know, whether friend, co-worker… or loved one?

I find the character of Mark Hoffman to be very intriguing. I think he is a better assistant than Amanda. The series continues to be very interesting. I like the acting, the plot, the direction. It’s still very enjoyable, and I went ahead and watched the next one, which I am going to review next. I will give this film 4 Stars.

Saw: The Final Chapter

Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell), John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, seeks protective custody, but will she give up Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) in order to get what she wants? Detective Matt Gibson (Chad Donella) is counting on it. Meanwhile, Jigsaw survivor/self-help guru Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery) is making a living by assisting other survivors to cope with the aftermath of their torturous time with Jigsaw. But his own dark secrets threaten to overwhelm him and he is forced to fight to protect his family and friends. Will he succeed?

As in the other installments of this series, the emphasis is on how actions have consequences, the same

thing John Kramer has said from the beginning. The people he targets all have something to atone for, and they all have choices to make. Hoffman is carrying on Jigsaw’s legacy, despite being hindered by Jill.

I know others think the series went downhill after the first film, but I disagree. And despite being labeled the final chapter, spoiler alert – it isn’t. I know of three more, and another one is coming out this year. So it’s far from dead. The games are good good, as well as gory. I am especially looking forward to Saw X, since it takes place earlier in the series and we’ll see more of John Kramer. Bobby Dagen deserves what he gets, trust me. I did like this one too and I’ll give it 4 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: January 31, 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 #1 (1.0) by Julie Lynn Hayes

The room was richly appointed with the trappings of luxury. Oriental tapestries blanketed the narrow windows of the ancient castle and vibrant Persian Isfahan wool rugs dotted the cold stone floor in handwoven elegance. Some of these were the spoils of war, others acquisitions from Sotheby’s. While a relatively young establishment, having only been founded some thirty years previously, the auction house had already attained an international reputation as a purveyor of fine art. The sole piece of furniture in the room was an intricately carved mahogany bed set upon a raised dais. Wrought iron candelabra several feet in height on either side of the bed provided a gothic ambience, while the lit candles imparted to the tableau the aura of an altar.

The sole occupant of the bed lay in serene composure, his

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Saturday is Horror Day #150 – The Green Inferno, Willow Creek, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Green Inferno

Justine (Lorenzo Izzo) has the best of intentions when she joins with a group of fellow do-gooders to travel to the Amazon to stop the damage being down to the ecology by a major company. But she learns to her dismay that she was recruited for a reason, and her life was put on the line. The students’ protest ends with them being put on a plane to return home.

But things go wrong when their plane crash lands in the jungle, and the young people find themselves lost

in a hostile environment. They were previously told that the natives are less than friendly. They are about to find out how true that is, and that female genital mutilation is not a myth! And neither is cannibalism!

Eli Roth’s film is notorious for the cannibalism, headhunting,  and brutality depicted, and that is true.  This film is raw and gory, make no mistake about that. But it also isn’t a particularly good film, either. I don’t think it was well done, too focused on grossing people out to worry about anything else. The opening is slow and clunky, and the acting is nothing to write home about. I had to google the ending to understand it, and I realized that that point didn’t really come across very well when I was viewing it. I found Cannibal Holocaust more shocking than The Green Inferno (although not very good either). I hear there may be a sequel, and the ending is open to that interpretation. I’ll give this film 1.5 Stars.

Willow Creek

Jim (Bryce Johnson) is a Bigfoot enthusiast, his dream being to sight the elusive cryptid. His girlfriend Kelly (Alexie Gilmore) is not quite so interested, but she likes him enough to agree to visit Willow Creek, alleged home of Bigfoot. Willow Creek is the place where the infamous film footage of an alleged sighting was taken in 1967. Jim’s dream is to find that site and locate Bigfoot himself.

Jim and Kelly visit all the Bigfoot related businesses in town and interview various town folk before

heading into the wild. They find themselves in the middle of the deep forest, where they pitch their tent and begin their search. It seems like they are destined to be unsuccessful in their endeavors, until things begin to happen, and they end up huddled together in their tent, terrified… but of what?

It’s worth noting here that this film was written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait. This isn’t a horror film in the gory, bloody sense, but I have to tell you, there is quite a bit of nail-biting suspense when Jim and Kelly are in their tent, and you can only hear but not see what is outside the tent. I really liked this film, and I would watch it again. Although the ending was unclear and I had to look up what happened, giving another layer to the film. I give this film 4 Stars.

Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation

Kim (Neith Hunter) is a would-be reporter who can’t stop thinking about the mysterious death of a woman who inexplicably threw herself off the top of a building. Her boss Eli (Reggie Bannister) doesn’t believe in her enough to give her the assignment, so she takes it upon herself to investigate and finds herself involved with a group of witches led by Fima (Maud Adams).

This fourth installment in the series really has no relation to the others, at least in terms of plot. One

might make an argument for the brief scene in which a character is watching Silent Night Deadly Night and intones “Santa Claus killer!” But that’s a weak argument  at best, despite the fact that Clint Howard plays a character named Ricky, who beings the movie as a silent sidekick but becomes suddenly quite loquacious and thoroughly creepy.

Despite this film having a few somewhat recognizable – Maud Adams was once a Bond Girl, Clint Howard is Ron Howard’s brother and has done some really creepy films of his own, Allyce Beasley was in Moonlighting and Reggie Bannister was my favorite character in the Phantasm series – this movie is beyond horrible. Terrible acting, writing, directing, and the story…. think Rosemary’s Baby, but with insects. I would avoid this one unless, like me, you are a glutton for punishment. I’ll give this film 0 Stars.

Wednesday Briefs: January 24, 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.

Bad Karma and the Family Plan #98 (20.7) by Julie Lynn Hayes

“To be honest, that wasn’t very hard. I mean seriously, that woman’s IQ is probably in the single digits. Much like that of her gay bosom buddy, Troy Whatshisface, future AIDS victim.”

“What about you?” Ethan countered, showing remarkable restraint, I thought, when all I wanted to do was plant my fist in that smarmy face. How dare he say that about Troy? “Weren’t you giving it to Eva June’s fiancé? And God knows how many others. Have you been tested lately?”

“I get tested on a regular basis,” Chip came back quickly. “Don’t worry, I

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Saturday is Horror Day #149 – Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out, Saw V

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out

Ricky Caldwell (Bill Moseley) lies in a coma and has for six years, after being shot in order to end his deadly rampage. Doctors don’t know when or if Ricky will ever awaken. Laura (Samantha Scully) is a blind young woman who has a talent that some might call ESP – despite her lack of sight, she sees things in her dreams/mind that she can’t explain. Dr. Newbury (Richard Beymer) is trying to help her understand and use these talents, but she is skeptical of the doctor’s studies and wishes to end her participation. During a particularly violent dream, her screams seem to have awakened Ricky. Let the blood bath begin anew….

This is the sequel to Silent Night Deadly Night 2, despite the fact that the part of Ricky was recast. After seeing this movie, I have to believe Eric Freeman read the script and said no. This film makes the second one look like a masterpiece. Where do I even start?

First off, if Ricky was shot in the chest in the second film, why is he wearing that weird protective device over his exposed brain? (Btw, I guess we just need to forget there was another Ricky, no explanation is given for his changed looks). This Ricky does not how “Revenge!” or “Garbage Day!” with great glee, in fact he says very little and shows no emotion whatsoever. But make no mistake, he is still a killer. And now his focus is on Laura. Why? Couldn’t tell you. Terrible plot, horrible script, terrible direction, sets, and cinematography, and very very bad exacting. Even Richard Beymer and Robert Culp (yep, that guy from I Spy) couldn’t save this. Also, there is Eric DaRe, whom I remember from Twin Peaks (oddly, his character was in a similar type situation as Ricky, almost Frankenstein-like). I didn’t recognize DaRe at first, thinking his character was cute.  Don’t ask me why, I requested the next one, where we have another actor playing Ricky. I’ll keep you in suspense until I watch and review it. I am giving this film .5 Stars. I only hope #4 is better, but I am not holding my breath on that.

Saw V

Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) emerges as a hero in the wake of Jigsaw’s death, but Agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) is suspicious, believing that he was meant to perish with the others and unexpectedly he lived. He begins to search Hoffman’s past, as well as the previous Jigsaw murders. Meanwhile, five people awaken in a perilous situation, and a new game is afoot

One person Strahm seems to be focused on for information is John Kramer’s (Tobin Bell) ex, Jill

(Betsy  Russell). But she knows nothing, as her ex never made her privy to his plans, so she can’t help him. Meanwhile, the five people are trying to navigate this new situation they find themselves in. Jigsaw, as usual, has left them clues, but will they do what it takes to emerge alive?

I liked watching the evolution of Mark Hoffman as John’s assistant, as well as the struggle of the five people. They have the clues at their fingertips, if they’ll only pay attention. As with any Saw film, there is gore and there is peril. In the end, Strahm proves to be his own worst enemy. I also appreciate that Jigsaw is still very much a part of the film series, despite John’s death. There are clearly twists and turns yet to be uncovered, and I look forward to seeing them. I’ll give this film 4 St

Wednesday Briefs: January 17, 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.

Broken Path, Starless Tail Chapter: Thirty-three by Cia Nordwell
 

“Wake up!”  

Valrinda’s snarl was truly impressive, and Beckett could feel the warmth in his neck increase rapidly. As much as he’d love to let him engulf the mage with a blast of flames, there was no telling if it would actually hurt him or not. While he didn’t like the mage—at all—Beckett needed his help. The star he was keeping in his pocket, and wasn’t that a trip to think about, needed to get back to Parallax as soon as possible. For that, he needed a portal, and for that, he needed this mage.  

Beckett narrowed his
 
 

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Saturday is Horror Day #148 – We Need to Talk About Kevin, Saw IV

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Every expectant parents dreams about the baby they are having, of their hopes and dreams for the new life they are bringing into the world. But sometimes reality is a far cry from what they envisioned.  Such is the case with Eva (Tilda Swinton) and Franklin (John C. Reilly). From the beginning, Kevin (Jasper Newell) was different. At first nonverbal, he was strong-willed and defiant. If he didn’t want to do something, he didn’t do it, and no one and nothing could make him do it. Even after he began to speak, he was rude and condescending. He refused to be toilet trained and was wearing diapers when he was six or seven years of age, deliberately soiling himself to force his mother to clean him up.

Eva tries, but he pushes her away at every turn. And when Franklin is around, he doesn’t exhibit the same

psychotic behavior. Eva is at her wit’s end. Getting pregnant again was not on her agenda, but it happened, and they welcomed a daughter, Celia (Ashley Gerasimovich). Celia is a sweet child, who adores her older brother, despite the horrible way he treats her. An unexplained accident leaves the poor girl with only one eye. Eva knows who is to blame, but nothing is done. She tries to talk to her husband but he doesn’t listen because he doesn’t want to hear or see what she does. And then the unthinkable happens…

This is a very chilling story, one which will especially resonate with parents. Love isn’t always the answer, and not all children are sweet and innocent. Some are just born bad. The story goes back and forth between the present and the past, and what leads up to the present. You can figure out something is wrong by the things you don’t see in the present. What do you do when your child is a monster? Is there a point at which unconditional love has to take a back seat to reality? Tilda Swinton is great as Kevin’s mother, and Jasper Newell shines as Kevin. It’s a hard film to watch, yet very compelling at the same time. I give this film 4 Stars.

Saw IV

John Kramer (Tobin Bell) may be dead, but the games are far from over. John’s legacy continues through his newest assistant. Who is that? That would be telling, now wouldn’t it. Now let the games continue!

The Saw franchise is far from over, and new puzzles await. Detective Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is put to the

test, as are various other law enforcement officials, such as Agent Straham (Scott Patterson) and Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) and Agent Perez (Athena Karkansis, who you might remember from Manifest).  As usual, John’s games target those who deserve punishment for something, but he gives them a chance to save themselves, but at a price.

This installment is not lacking in gory games or twists and turns that will leave you wondering what the heck is going on, and who is playing a game of their own. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.