Tag Archives: Review

Saturday is Horror Day #203 – Carnage for Christmas

Leave a reply

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.

Saturday is Horror Day #193 – Thir13en Ghosts

Leave a reply

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Thir13en Ghosts

Arthur (Tony Shalhoub) has a wonderful life, with loving wife Jean (Kathryn Anderson), and their two kids, Kathy (Shannon Elizabeth) and Bobby (Alex Roberts). But Fate has other ideas, and an unexpected fire takes Jean’s life. Now Arthur’s own life is in chaos as he tries to provide for the kids and their nanny Maggie (Rah Digga). They are crammed together in a small apartment, have financial problems,  and nothing is going right… until Arthur receives a visit from a lawyer (Ben Moss) who brings him news of the demise of his Uncle Cyrus, a man he barely knows (F Murray Abraham), and tells him that Arthur has now inherited from him an actual house. Seems like divine providence, right?

Maybe not.

The lawyer offers to take them to the house, which lies a couple of hours away, in the middle of nowhere. The house turns out to be much more than they ever dreamed of. Plus it is very unique, being entirely made of glass. As Kathy says, “I hope the bathroom’s in the basement.”

On their arrival, they find an inspector for the electric company (Matthew Lillard) who insists on coming in with them and then asks for directions to the basement. What they don’t know is that he is not what he seems to be, his real name is Rafkin, and he was an associate of Uncle Cyrus. Not only that, he knows what Cyrus spent his life collecting, as he helped him do it. Namely, ghosts. And this house is simply an elaborate containment system for twelve ghosts. But more than that, they serve a very sinister purpose. Funny thing, the lawyer knows all this too. As if he is in on some secret. But what is contained can get out, you know? And a house might not necessarily be a good home.

This movie is a reboot of the original 1960 Thirteen Ghosts made by director William Castle. The first film was black and white and 3D, whereas the newer one is color. During the intervening years between the first and second film, computer graphics came a long way, resulting in more sophisticated special effects, which the movie utilizes well, the most astounding being the house itself.

I love Tony Shalhoub and he doesn’t disappoint as the almost bewildered widower who can’t seem to cope with the death of his beloved wife, but loves his children more than anything and will do whatever he can to protect them. F Murray Abraham as Uncle Cyrus is deliciously vile and evil, urbanity aside, and Matthew Lillard as the poor dupe with psychic abilities is wonderful. I’d say he shines in the role.

If you can, watch the special features that go with this film. My mind was blown when I saw the “reality” of the house, because I kept wondering where they built this house. Spoiler alert – they didn’t. All special effects and interior sets. I like that they chose to use their own story instead of simply remaking the original. Is it scary? Not really. Is it interesting?  I think it is. I’ve seen it multiple times, in fact. The ghosts themselves are quite unique, and each has a backstory you can watch in the special features. I found it very enjoyable and will no doubt watch it again some day. I’ll give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #189 – Sharknado 2: The Second One, Fright Night (1985)

Leave a reply

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Sharknado 2: The Second One

Having successfully defeated the Sharknado in LA, Fin(Ian Ziering) and ex-wife April (Tara Reid) head to New York City for some family time with Fin’s sister Ellen (Kari Wuhrer) and her husband Martin (Mark McGrath) and their children Mora (Courtney Baxter) and Vaughn (Dante Palminteri). Despite having been close friends at one time, Fin and Martin are barely on speaking terms now. On the plane to New York, a freak occurrence happens in the form of another Sharknado! In the course of fighting if off, in order to save the plane and its passengers, Fin is forced to fly the plane and April ends up losing a hand.

They arrive in New York safely. The original plan is for April to join Ellen and Mora for some girl time,

while Fin joins Martin and Vaughn for a Mets game. But plans change, due to April’s injury. As if this wasn’t bad enough, strange weather patterns are emerging – an arctic front from the north, which is bringing snow to NYC in July! And a warm Gulf stream bearing sharks from the South., which are feared will form into Sharnados. Al Roker and Matt Lauer follow the action for their viewers on The Today Show as Fin finds himself having to go to Met Stadium to rescue his brother-in-law and nephew and hopefully meeting Ellen and Mora at their agreed upon rendezvous point. Meanwhile, April refuses to lie quietly in the hospital when there is work to be done.

The second Sharknado film is actually funnier and more interesting than the first one as it doesn’t even pretend to take itself seriously. There are a number of Easter eggs, and I’m sure I didn’t get them all. For example the Airplane references in the airplane they take to New York, including Robert Hays as the pilot. They end up in a taxi driven by…. Judd Hirsch. Andy Dick plays a cop, Richard Kind a one time baseball great, Robert Klein is the mayor, and so on. Vivica A. Fox plans an old wanna-be girlfriend of Ziering and she kicks major add in this. Some I didn’t realize were there until I saw the credits include Billy Ray Cyrus and Kelly Osborne.

Great moments in filmmaking? No, it’s not. Fun to watch? Yeah, I thought so. And I plan to keep watching them. I’ll give this film 3 Stars.

Fright Night(1985)

Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) is a typical teen with the usual things on his mind – having sex with his girlfriend Amy (Amanda Bearse) and watching late night horror shows such as Fright Night, hosted by premiere vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowell). But he quickly becomes more interested in what’s going on next door when he sees two men carry what looks like a coffin into a newly sold house. He learns from his mother Judy (Dorothy Fielding) that the house has indeed been sold. While looking out his window, Charley spies a pretty young woman in the window next door, next to a man who unexpectedly bares what appear to be fangs, before drawing the shade on whatever is happening. The next day, Charlie learns of another murder of a young woman in their city, and he knows it was the woman he saw, and his next door neighbor is a vampire!

Neither Charley’s best friend Evil Ed (Stephen Geoffreys) nor Amy believe him. Charley tries to

involve the police, but ends up looking foolish. Desperate, he doesn’t know where to turn until he remembers Peter Vincent and turns to him, unaware the actor has just been fired and is in rather desperate straits himself. But even the vampire killer doesn’t want to help Charley. What’s a boy to do?

Charley thinks he has the answer because Ed tells  him a vampire can’t enter your home unless he is invited, but that plan fails when his mom calls him down to meet their new neighbor, Jerry (Chris Sarandon), whom she has invited over. The vampire lets Charley know he is on to him and has unpleasant things in store for him. Charley has to find a way to contain Jerry and keep him continuing to kill the residents of his town.

Before I watched this, I saw the 2011 version and I wasn’t sure what to expect from the original, or how closely the two films resemble one another. The answer is they do have the same characters and basic plots. And the original was actually pretty good. I was afraid it would be a cheesy 80s flick but it wasn’t. It’s usually fun to watch actors in their younger days, and this is true here. I remember William Ragsdale, who plays Charley, in a series which I enjoyed called Herman’s Head, while Amanda Bearse/Amy is best known for playing Marcy Darcy in Married With Children. Roddy McDowell is famous for many things, but if you want to see him do more horror, watch the comedy horror film Arnold and a segment of Night Gallery called The Cemetery, both of which I enjoyed

I liked Fright Night, and I plan to look for the sequel. Not sure if I want to see the modern sequel, since it looks like none of the original actors came back. This version is enjoyable. And I have to say the dance sequence between Jerry and Amy was rather seductive. I give this film 4 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #176 – Warning: Do Not Play

Leave a reply

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Warning: Do Not Play

Mi-Jung(Seo Ye-ji) is running out of time to get her horror film finished. The trouble is she’s been working on one for 8 years and has gotten nowhere. But then she hears about a student film which was banned and she begins to research the film and its director. When she steals a clip of the film, she posts it online, only to be contacted by someone demanding she delete the post. Of course, she refuses, only to learn that the request has come from the film’s director himself, Jae-Hyun (Jin Seon-Kyu). She agrees to meet with him, and he tells her to forget about his film, Warning. Of course, she doesn’t listen.

I think what began as an interesting premise needed a little work. It becomes more of a mystery than a

horror film, including some jump scares. I would have liked to know more about Mi-Jung, and why, if she is so determined to make a horror film, she feels the need to steal one. I would have liked more horror and less obsession on Mi-Jung’s part. That being said, I think it was worth watching, however, and I’ve seen far worse. I’ve been told the director of the film has a better film called The Butcher. Might have to check that out. I’ll give this film 3 Stars.

Saturday is Horror Day #167 – The Elevator Game, The Toolbox Murders (1978)

Leave a reply

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

The Elevator Game


A young girl disappears after she attempts to play an internet game known as The Elevator Game.  Her brother vows to find her, refusing to give up, even if it appears that the police and his own parents have done just done. A group of high school graduates have an internet series that explores and debunks various urban myths and legends. But the series isn’t doing well, and the sponsor is breathing down their neck. They bring on an intern, Ryan (Gino Anania) but he doesn’t exactly receive a warm welcome, especially from the host of the series, Kris (Alex (Carlos).

The sponsor demands they upload something the next day, so Kevin (Liam Stewart-Kanigan) asks for ideas. Ryan suggests the Elevator Game, since it doesn’t require a budget, and the building where it originally took place is nearby. Kris is skeptical, but there are no better ideas, so off they go.

 

There is a set of rules that must be followed, after which they will supposedly see the “Fifth Floor Woman”. But if the rules are not followed exactly, she will tear you apart. So they enter the building and begin their quest to find this woman, and see the supposed Red World she comes from. But nothing happens, and half their footage is lost through a technicality, so they decide to call it a night. But the night is actually just beginning…

 

I thought this wasn’t a half-bad horror movie, and I thought it was worth watching. Granted, there is no explanation of the Red World, and the Fifth Floor Woman, but perhaps a sequel is in the works that will be more forthcoming. That being said, it’s far from perfect, although the actors did a good job. My biggest complain is that the actor playing Kris was too over the top, and not in a good way. And judging by what I saw of their web series, I would never watch it. But then again, it’s not real. I think you’ll enjoy it, for the most part. I’ll give this film 3 Stars.

The Toolbox Murders (1978)


Terror abounds in an apartment complex when a masked man with a toolbox murders women with his tools.

To put it bluntly, this was one terrible movie, which is why I didn’t even finish it, and it’s only an hour and a half long. Cameron Mitchell plays the apartment manager, who is not happy about the murders and is baffled at how someone is securing entrance. He played brother Buck on the High Chaparral.  Tim Donnelly plays a detective on the case. You might remember him as Chet from Emergency. Pamelyn Ferdin plays a teenage who is abducted, and her brother, played by Wesley Eure is more worried about her than their mother, played by Aneta Corsaut, who played Andy’ girlfriend Helen in the Andy Griffith Show. Pamelyn was a child actress with a number of credits.

That being said, the acting was horrible., for the most part, and the writing atrocious. Directing was bad. I realize this was the 70s and films weren’t quite as graphic as they are not, but even so, this as badly done and had horrible timing. The beginning of the film is just a gorefest. From what I read, the rest was a snooze fest. I happen to like Cameron Mitchell, so I’m sorry he felt he had to do this. If you want to see him in something scary, watch his episode of Night Gallery called Green Fingers, along with Elsa Lanchester.

My advice it to avoid this film entirely.

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 13 by Kazue Kato

Leave a reply

Blue Exorcist, Vol 13    

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 2, 2015

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/202 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

The exwires have been sent to rescue Izumo Kamiki from the Illuminati. Unknown to them, the Illuminati also hold Izumo’s mother, Tamamo, using her as a vessel for the Nine Tails. They intend to substitute Izumo for the dying Tamamo.

A symphathetic member of the Illuminati tries to help Izumo escape their clutches, but is caught by Michael Gedoin, one of the researchers. He orders Izumo to be taken back to the lab. A distraught Izumo realizes she can rely on no one – especially the traitorous Shima.

The exwires head to Dream Town Inari, where they figure out that those people who eat the local food fall under the sway of the Illuminati. Lucky for them, they’ve already been fed the antidote, thanks to Shiemi! Yukio calls for back-up from Mephisto, but as usual, it isn’t forthcoming. Finding what they believe to be the secret entrance to the laboratory, the exwires force their way in only to be met by an unexpected foe – zombies! The situation goes from bad to worse as they find themselves separated from one another.

In this volume of Blue Exorcist, the exwires work together in order to rescue their friend, whether she admits to needing their help or not. The villains have a field day as they press on with their terrible agenda. Also in this volume we get our first look at Lucifer – the beautiful man behind the odd mask – and we gain some understanding of why he inspired the devotion he does among his followers. On the other hand, Professor Gedoin is his antithesis – he is utterly obnoxious and repellent, but very devoted to Lucifer. Rin and his friends are growing and maturing as they continue to work together. Things are certainly heating up, looking forward to the next volume!

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes by Ross Malone

Leave a reply

Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes    

Author: Ross Malone

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing

American release date: June 28, 2016

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/non-fiction/236 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

There are many books about the famous people in history, the heroes whose lives we study in school, the people we grow up knowing about, famed in song and story. But there are many more unsung heroes we never get a chance to appreciate. This book is about some of those people. And they are all from Missouri, which is a definite plus to me, as I am a native of the state myself.

Missouri’s Forgotten Heroes has many interesting stories to tell. Some of the names may be familiar to residents of Missouri as place names, but the people behind the names are greatly unknown. For example, Albert Lambert (Lambert Airport), John O’Fallon (O’Fallon, Missouri & Illinois), John Mullanphy (various places in Florissant, MO) and Paul Henning (of Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction fame).

There are stories about athletes and stories about pioneers, people who endured great hardships and persevered despite the odds against them. These people are not perfect, many of them have flaws, and they are all human. But that doesn’t matter. In some way, they were all heroes.

This was an interesting book from start to finish. I enjoyed reading about unsung heroes from my own state. I love history, and love to read about it, and this book is a great addition to my library. As a bonus, I received an autographed copy, how great is that? This is my first time reading Ross Malone, but it won’t be my last time. He has a wonderful way of telling a story that makes you feel as if you are there, listening to him. I would love to attend a class taught by him, or a lecture.

The only criticism I can make is that the book would have benefited with a little more editing, but that is not an authorial flaw, and I won’t ding him on that. I’ve seen so-called professional books with similar problems.

If you like history, if you are from Missouri, or if you just like to root for the underdog, this book is for you.

 

 

Book Review: Blue Exorcist, Vol 4 by Kazue Kato

Leave a reply

Blue Exorcist, Book 4              

Author: Kazue Kato

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: October 4, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/manga/paranormal/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

 Summer camp isn’t exactly idyllic for the ex-wires, who’ve been sent on a strange mission involving a lantern. Through trial and error, they discover that the only way to accomplish their mission is to actually work together, despite their first impressions that they needed to work alone. Shura is convinced that Rin will expose himself to the others (no, not like that lol) and when she sees the blue flame, she is convinced she was right. But appearances can be deceiving, especially at night. Matters are complicated by the unexpected arrival of Mephisto Pheles and Amaimon, unbeknownst to the others.

The lantern in question turns out to be more than the ex-wires anticipated, and getting it back to camp will be no easy task. They’ll have to utilize everyone’s unique skills to get the job done. In other words, it takes team work to make the dream work!  At least until Amaimon throws a wrench into the works!

Back at the academy, they are met by someone new – Arthur Auguste Angel, a senior exorcist first class from Vatican Headquarters. He has nothing but criticism for both Mephisto and Shura for having failed to carry out their mission properly, as evidenced by Rin’s presence among them. Will Rin suffer the ultimate punishment for being his father’s son?

And then an emergency summons takes the gang… to Kyoto?

I’m enjoying this series more and more. We are learning more about the characters as they interact with one another, and some backstories are starting to be told. There’s never a dull moment, especially when Mephisto is around. Although he is mostly cool and contained, the same cannot be said for his brother Amaimon, who is a hot mess, and that is being kind. I love the artwork. My only real complain is the need to constantly expose more of Shura’s chest than I’d care to see, but I guess we can chalk that up to fanservice, and the fact that this series is probably aimed at young teenage boys.

The action is moving right along, and I can’t help but wonder where it’s going. I’m glad I’m along for the ride. Another great volume, looking forward to more of the same.

 

Review: Tall, Dark, and Deported by Bru Baker

Leave a reply

Tall, Dark, and Deported                                                                                                                        

Author: Bru Baker

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

American release date: April 1, 2017

Format/Genre/Length: E-book/M/M Contemporary Romance/236 pages

Reviewer: Julie Lynn Hayes

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Forced by his boss to fly to Vancouver to audit an underachieving hotel, Crawford Hargrave is less than thrilled. Not because he doesn’t want to go there, but because he’s being forced to work with his unpleasant ex-husband, Davis. His boss makes it clear that this trip is expected, if he wants to keep his job. Crawford wants to keep his job, so he acquiesces to his demands, albeit unwillingly.

Mateus is a Portuguese import, who’s helping his brother and his wife take care of their orchard in Washington state.  His visa is about to run out, and if he can get a work visa, he can stay, but the orchard won’t be financially solvent for a few months yet. All he needs is to cross over into Canada, get his passport stamps, thereby automatically re-upping his American visa for another three months, giving him the time he needs to get the work visa.

What can possibly go wrong?

Except maybe everything?

Crawford and Mateus meet at the airport, and there’s an instant attraction, so why not spend some time talking? The situation begins to unravel when their flight is canceled, and Mateus realizes he’s on borrowed time in his need to get across the border before his visa expires. He can’t afford the delay. Crawford offers to rent a car so they can drive together. Sounds good, right? Except complications set in a t the border, and when Mateus is threatened with imminent deportation, Crawford unexpectedly speaks up and says hey, that’s my fiancé.

What’s easier than getting married for a green card, just long enough to look good and go their separate ways? But life is never that easy, and the two men haven’t figured that anyone will want to follow up with them to make sure their marriage isn’t a sham. As if that isn’t bad enough, there’s the matter of Crawford’s bitchy ex he has to deal with. That and maybe falling in love with a total stranger?

What’s a man to do?

Tall, Dark and Deported is part of Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Desires line, which are guaranteed to be hot, romantic, and come with a happily ever after ending.

This book is no slouch in any of those departments. The main characters are sexy, and yet extremely likeable, as well as hot. While it was frustrating as hell to watch them dance around each other, denying and refusing to act on their attractions, it was also damn hot. The writing is good, the story is very pleasing, and the only regret I have is that I didn’t get to see their marriage actually consummated.

I highly recommend this, but only if you like hot sexy men and combustibility and seeing little assholes get their comeuppance!