Tag Archives: Julie Lynn Hayes

Saturday is Horror Day #209 – The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake


Anthropologist Jonathan Drake (Eduard Franz) has a recurring nightmare about shrunken heads. He believes that the men in his family are cursed because of a longstanding feud with a tribe of South American Indians. Concerned about his only brother, Kenneth (Paul Cavanagh), he decides to visit him. But he arrives to find a funeral for his brother in progress! When he demands the coffin be opened, he is horrified to discover his brother’s head is missing!

Drake’s only child, Alison (Valerie French) is concerned about her father, as his Dr. Emil Zurich (Henry 


Daniell), a fellow anthropologist. The police are baffled, when they do bother to take the situation seriously. The investigation is being led by Police Lieutenant Jeff Rowan (Grant Richards). It quickly becomes clear that his interest in the case is primarily due to the presence of Alison. One night, her father is attacked and seems to be dead. But closer inspection shows this is no natural happening, but a poisoning! It’s a race against time to learn what has happened to Drake. When it is discovered to be curare, the investigation is turned in a completely different direction. Now Drake’s life is even more on the line than before, although they are no closer to discovering the person behind this series of events. A possible hypothesis was disregarded as preposterous but they might have to consider it now!

 

Before I discuss the film itself, there are factors to take into consideration. First, it was made in 1959, 


and it looks it. Black and white (not a problem for me, sometimes adds to the ambience of a horror film). The acting is indicative of the time. Not that it’s bad, but stiffer than we might be used to now. Also, the writing. Naturally, it is not gory, and any violence, including heads being sliced off, are off screen. That being said, that could have been a little more smoothly.  There is a character named Zutai, who belongs to the same South American tribe and resembles a living shrunken head, with rather gruesome makeup. Charles Gemora did not only the makeup for the film, but also designed and sculpted the shrunken heads.

It was probably pretty scary back in the day. I didn’t find it frightening, but I thought it was interesting to watch. Two of the actors were well known and very well respected, Eduard Franz and Henry Daniell). I have seen both in other things, especially Daniell. I think he does horror well. That being said, no, not a great film, but something a little different in the horror genre. How often do you see shrunken heads as the subject of a film? Beetlejuice doesn’t count, although that was a great shrunken head! I’ll give this film 2.75 Stars.

Book Review: Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

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Gender Queer: A Memoir     

Author: Maia Kobabe

Publisher: Oni Press

American release date: July 5, 2022

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/LGBTQ Memoir/256 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

This graphic novel is the memoir of Maia Kobabe. Ey wanted eir family and friends to understand eir being non-binary in a way they could comprehend and hopefully accept. Eir struggle to find an identity for emselves began early, at a time when there were few role models to look up to. Although everyone automatically identified em as female, ey did not feel that way, but it’s very hard to get other people to understand what you yourself don’t completely understand.

Maia has a very engaging voice, and a great storytelling style. I liked er artwork as well and appreciated eir honesty as ey bared eir soul in the pages of this book. The people in the United States are going through a difficult time right now, with trans rights being not just pushed aside but discarded. No one seems to matter to the current administration, other than the wealthy. It’s important for everyone to gain a better understanding of transpeople, rather than fearing them and trampling on their rights. This is also an important book for young people who might be struggling with their own identity to know they are not alone.

Saturday is Horror Day #208 – Berberian Sound Studio

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Berberian Sound Studio


Gilderoy (Toby Jones) is a British sound engineer hired to work on an Italian film he believes to be about horses, The Equestrian Vortex. But that illusion is quickly dispelled when he finds himself actually working on a horror film involving witches, priests, and torture. Not that either the producer, Francesco (Cosimo Fusco) or the director Santini (Antonio Mancino) will admit to that. In fact, Santini pompously proclaims it is not a horror film, it is a Santini film!

Things begin to go wrong from the outset. Gilderoy tries to be reimbursed for certain expenses he incurred on his way there, but is given the runaround. The room he was promised turns out to be a cubby hole within the studio. Uncomfortable with the film to begin with, Gilderoy’s only connection to reality are the letters from home he receives from his mother. But before long, the line between reality and film begin to become hopelessly blurred.

 

This film is probably not for everyone, but I found it very interesting, especially with the peek behind the scenes into the sound end of movie making. We never see the film that is being made, but we get a pretty good picture from what we hear. The various actors come to the studio to record their lines, and some to record unusual sounds that the characters make, such as a demon. I was fascinated to see what sorts of things were used to produce the sounds that correspond to what we see on the screen.  For example, someone being drowned was made by swishing clothing around in a tub of water. Gilderoy stabbs heads of cabbage to imitate a stabbing in the film. 

 

I’ll admit that while the concept is unique, the delivery is somewhat flawed and at times confusing. Gilderoy undergoes a transformation from the timid little man he was at the beginning of the film, but it isn’t really clear why he changes as he does, or why this horror film that everyone says isn’t a horror film affects him so. The ending itself it ambiguous and I had to look up an explanation. Still, I found it a very interesting film and I think it won’t disappoint. I’ll give this film 3.75 Stars.

Book Review: Assassination Classroom, Vol 20: Time to Graduate by Yusei Matsui

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Assassination Classroom, Vol 20     

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Author: Yusei Matsui

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: February 6, 2018

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

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Despite all the best efforts of the students, the inevitable end for Koro Sensei has arrived. A giant laser has been put into place, aimed at the teacher in a trap he cannot escape, set to deploy just before dawn. The students urge their teacher to take them hostage and flee, but that isn’t really an option. So what else is there to do but celebrate Koro Sensei’s birthday!

Then, just when they thought the situation couldn’t get any worse, it does – in the form of Yanagisawa and his other creation, the Grim Reaper who took Koro Sensei’s place and who is destined to be the next Koro Sensei! The mad scientist claims that his second monster is twice as powerful as his first. He ridicules the students for bothering to show up to what he sees as a hopeless situation and doesn’t hesitate to threaten them in order to see if Koro Sensei will protect them or himself.

And now the final battle begins….

While there is another volume of the series, to all intents and purposes, this is the last one, at least as far as Koro Sensei’s story is concerned. Not like we didn’t know it was coming, we did, from the very beginning. Doesn’t make it any easier to take or accept.  I’ll admit that I cried, even though I’ve read the books before.  RIP Koro Sensei.

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 12 by Tatsuya Endo

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Spy x Family, Vol 12       

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Author: Aya Yajima

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 6, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Comedy manga/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Anya is on top of the world! Having finally achieved the receipt of a Stella Star, she refers to herself as Starlight Anya! As Loid drives her to school, Anya thinks about Sy-on Boy and his family, but he mistakes her comments as criticism of his parenting and worries that the mission will be jeopardized because of him. Anya determines to be even nicer to Sy-on Boy, but once she gets to school and receives the accolades of her peers, her intentions go horribly awry.

Thomas Austin, the tutor-in-residence, has had nightmares ever since the school bus hijacking, so the headmaster suggests a good psychiatrist – none other than Loid Forger! Will Loid be able to help him, or will he discover that the root cause of the man’s troubles isn’t what he thinks it is?

Sylvia Sherwood is Loid’s handler, but she isn’t exactly the most tidy of persons or the most organized. Dried pasta on her clothes and files left at home are only the tip of the iceberg.  She’s been living alone for so long that she has really stopped caring. When she goes to meet Twilight for a scheduled briefing, she is dismayed to find Anya there, as well as their dog Bond. Loid apologizes but it couldn’t be helped. Will Anya’s presence be a hindrance to the business at hand?

Yor finds herself drawing closer to her co-workers and actually having conversations with them. But she starts to worry that she isn’t presenting her marriage as a typical marriage, according to what they say to her. So she decides to fabricate details in order to fit in. But will that plan backfire on her? Could it affect her relationship with Loid?

The next day, Yor wonders if she was… inappropriate… with Loid, but she can’t remember. Anya is off to the zoo with Becky but before Yor can say anything to Loid, her brother Yuri pops in and immediately thinks Loid is doing something hurtful to his sister. Loid becomes paranoid, wondering if Yuri knows about his secret identity, while Yor is determined to convince her brother that she and Loid are a normal married couple, complete with arguments!

It was inevitable that a situation might arise in which Loid would find himself pitted against his brother-in-law Yuri, who is a member of the SSS. Will Yuri learn that Loid is the mysterious Twilight he has been so desperately seeking? What if Loid finds himself in a position where he has to kill Yuri? That might make things awkward in the Forger household!

Another great volume of Spy x Family. I love how the author incorporates more than just the main characters, fleshing them all out as well as he does the Forgers. While I want to see Operation Strix succeed, I am hopeful the story will continue afterward. I think the Forgers will become an actual family. I believe Loid and Yor already have feelings for one another. Think of the possibilities of the family as a team! This volume has come cute bonus stories as well.

Saturday is Horror Day #207 – Mind Body Spirit

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Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Mind Body Spirit


Anya (Sarah J. Bartholomew)  has moved away from home, into the house left to her by a Russian grandmother she was never able to meet. Her mother Lenka (Anna Knigge) thinks this is a bad idea and urges Anya to return home. But the aspiring yoga influencer sees the move as a way to make her mark, assert her independence, and maybe learn something about her roots.

 

 

Anya discovers a secret door that leads up to an attic filled with strange things. But there she finds an old journal that was written by her grandmother Verasha – and it says it is for Anya. Anya is thrilled and begins to read, although only about half of it is in English, the rest in Russian. She realizes that if she follows the steps as outlined by her grandmother, she will find unity and enlightenment within herself.

 

Anya’s childhood friend Kenzi (Madi Bready) is also a fitness influencer, although Anya is just starting out. Kenzi agrees to mentor Anya, and they shoot some guest appearances together, although Anya doesn’t post them right away. But then strange things begin to happen, and Anya begins to question what her grandmother’s journal really says.

 

This found footage film isn’t exactly horrifying, and it’s certainly not gory, but there is something disturbing about it nonetheless. Especially with Anya’s naivete through the whole film. I figured out what was going on pretty early and kept shaking my head at her questionable choices. Even so, there is an unease and uncertainty as to how events will play out, laced with the occasional jump scare. I think the cast did a great job of portraying their characters, and the story was solid. Definitely worth the watch, and only about 70 minutes long. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

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

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One Piece, Vol 21: Utopia     

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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.

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.

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.

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.