I found this on io9 in How Walking Dead made the lip-less zombie girl a reality.
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Writer Wednesday Blog Hop #21
Every week I weed through over 100 blogs, looking for writing advice and new and interesting books to read. Considering how time consuming this is, I share the posts I find the most interesting here every week. If you’d like me to add your blog to my feeder or a link from my weekly tour, leave a comment on the most current tour or send me a link via Twitter @by_wjhoward.
All About Writers
- On Guide to Literary Agents, 7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Holly Schindler
- We've been blogging about our characters on Bloodleggers. By co-writer R.J. Robyn, Searching for Billy Knox... and by me, two part interviews with Regina Todd
- On Dark Faerie Tales, Author Interview & Giveaway: 13 to Life by Shannon Delany
All About Books
- On Bitten By Books, How Honest Is Too Honest In A Review?
- On Book Junkie, Bookswim Book Rentals
- On Fangtastic Books, A Review of Dark Oracle by Alayna Williams
- On Darkly Reading, Review of The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells
- On Fantasy Literature's Fantasy Book Reviews, The Etched City: Dark and decadent
- On Farm Lane Books Blog, Red April – Santiago Roncagliolo
All About Writing & Publishing
- That Author Ecopy Comes With A Hefty Price Tag on Pub Rants
Weekly Features
- Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford's This Week in Publishing & The Rejection Letter of the Future Will Be Silence (And Why This is a Good Thing)
- Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy
- This week's Where Stories are Made: Thomas Emson over at Book Chick City
- On Book Lovers Inc., Around the Bookish World: News Week-in-Review
- On Overbury Ink, Number 38 – Part 6, by Ian Eliot LeWinter
- NEW On Dark Faerie Tales, Publishing News
Blogging Events
- September 13 - 17, Book Blogger Appreciation Week
Join the Hop
Are you highlighting writers and books in your blog for Writer Wednesday? Then add your blog to my new blog hop link group. Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links...
A Quote about Insanity
“I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.”
-Edgar Allan Poe
I hate to admit I often wonder if I'm losing my mind, which is why this quote jumped out at me.
Thanks Mr. Poe!
Thanks Mr. Poe!
Writer Wednesday Blog Tour #16
Every week I weed through over 100 blogs, looking for writing advice and new and interesting books to read. Considering how time consuming this is, I share the posts I find the most interesting here every week. If you’d like me to add your blog to my feeder or a link from my weekly tour, leave a comment on the most current tour or send me a link via Twitter @by_wjhoward.
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All About Writers
Books I Want to Read
Book reviews that caught my eye this week, and the books that got added to my GoodReads to-read list:- I might start these books by reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel.
- Over at Fantasy Literature Morpheus Road, The Light: Winning voice makes up for some plot issues
- On JoJos Book Corner a review of Beautiful Creatures.
- On Fiction Vixen, a review of Stormwalker by Allyson James
- On The Book Whisperer, Review: Branded by Keary Taylor
- On Book Lovers Inc, Review: The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
- On Book Chick City, Book Review: A Licence To Steal by Samantha Graves
All About Writing & Publishing
- Why You Shouldn’t Write for Other Writers over at Copyblogger
- It Is What It Is Ism is an interesting post over at Editorial Ass on hanging in there and editing until your novel is just right.
- Let it Sit over at WOW! Women on Writing Blog about being more objective while editing work that has sat for awhile.
- On Rants & Ramblings, The Benefit of Hindsight Witemeyer
- On Magical Words, Revisions — Dialogue and Fake It Til You Make It
- On Book Lovers Inc, a question of ethics in Bookish Rants or Raves: Reader / Author Relationships - The
- How to Craft a Great Voice on Nathan Bransford's blog.
Weekly Features
- Book Blogger Hop at Crazy for Books
- Follow Friday for blogs at Parajunkee's View
- Literary Agent, Nathan Bransford's This Week in Publishing is a blog tour of sorts.
- Win on Wednesday on All Things Urban Fantasy.
- This week's Where Stories Are Made: Kristine Kathryn Rusch over at Book Chick City
The Short of It
We wrote short stories at the Wicked Writer's blog last week. My post was Served Up Short with a Side of Gore.
Read the other blogger's opinions:
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Read the other blogger's opinions:
- C. J. Ellison was out this week and Kerri Nelson was her guest blogger in Does Size Matter?
- Greg Marshall Smith, The Short and Long of It (Sort of)
- David Sartof, My First Time... (or the Virgin Short Story Writer)
- Supriya Savkoor, Keeping 'em Short
- Brande Waldron Book Review: Tales of the Red Moon Clan
Movie Review: Something Wicked This Way Comes
I've seen this movie more than once but not for a number of years. I came across it while searching for movies at the library and decided to take some time to watch it again. Here's what the movie is about: - "After a carnival comes to Green Town, the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires, caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular, while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced, older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman, Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg, and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo, the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel. Eleanor Mannikka" --Barnes & Noble website
I enjoyed this movie just as much as I did the last times I'd seen it. With Halloween coming, this is a great family movie to watch with the kids. Based on a story by Ray Bradbury (who I also believe wrote the screenplay), the storyline is exceptional. This is also a Disney movie, so of course the special effects have held up over the 25 years that have elapsed since its release. This is a movie you'll want for your collection.
RATING: 5 out of 5
Book Review: The Black Book of Horror, by Various Writers
Another typical collection of short horror stories--some good; some bad. There were a couple that stood out as unique and well written, which is why I think this book got such great reviews. Unfortunately, there were also a few that were poorly written, with many grammar errors. At times I wondered if anyone actually edited this book prior to publication.UPDATE (9/17/08)
I got called on my terse review, so here's some more of my opinions of some of the stories in the book.
When I pick up a book of short stories, I usually read it slowly. I think I started reading this book about three months ago, and during that time, I’ve read about thirteen other books. This collection took longer than usual for me to read, so my memory of some of the less interesting stories has sadly faded. I do remember Regina vs. Zoskia as a story that I’d include as one of the top twenty (maybe top ten) short horror stories I’ve ever read. The story was well written, as well as being unique and thought provoking. I also enjoyed Crows because the author was able to create a suspenseful story, although it was obvious how the story would end. The Sound of Muzak, was a great mix of horror and sci fi. I especially enjoyed the short bits about the demise of people affected by the Muzak. I also enjoyed two other stories, Family Fishing and Lock-In. One of the stories that disappointed me was Power, which I expected to have a more philosophical ending. Only In Your Dreams unsuccessfully twisted the overdone child vs. monster plot. Also in the overdone category is To Summon a Flesh Eating Demon. I found myself nitpicking through a mixture of stupid characters and a far-fetched plot in Subtle Invasion. The grammar in Subtle Invasion was the worst, adding to my frustration while reading the story. (Let me add that I’m currently on a grammar critiquing mission because I’m finding issues in my own writing. Transitioning from a nonfiction and research style of writing to fiction has been more challenging than I had expected.)
RATING: 3 out of 5
Amy's Doll, by W. J. Howard
I received the contest results for the WOW Flash Fiction Contest and did not place with Amy's Doll. I scored high on creativity and originality, but screwed up on the technical judging. Has made me pick up a review book on grammar. If you would like to read the winning stories, go to http://wow-womenonwriting.com/22-FE1-Spring08Contest.html.
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Four-year-old Amy had become quite a handful for her mother Emily while the family moved into their new home. And Emily, seven months pregnant with twins, quickly lost patience with her daughter. “Amy, go to the playroom and unpack your toys,” said Emily after Amy sang her ABCs for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Okay,” replied Amy. She eagerly left Emily’s side, ready to do anything besides stare up at her mother’s oversized belly.
In the playroom, Amy opened a box and noticed her favorite doll and its cradle. Feeling exhausted herself, Amy decided her doll should have a nap. She set up a nursery in the closet and placed her doll in the cradle. Then Amy laid down on the floor and fell asleep.
An hour later, Amy awoke to find her doll missing from the cradle. Confused, Amy ran to the kitchen where her mother was unpacking dishes. “Mommy where’s my baby?” she asked.
“Probably in one of the boxes.”
“No Mommy, she was in the closet.”
“I’m sure she’ll show up.”
Not getting the answer she wanted, Amy left in a huff.
Amy returned to the closet, where she noticed a small cabinet sized door. Curious, she opened the door and leaned inside. “Baby!” she called. Her tiny body tilted precariously into the silence and was swallowed by the darkness.
* * *
Four years later twin brothers Austin and Aden sat bored in their playroom.
“Let’s make a spaceship in the closet,” suggested Austin. He opened the closet door to find boxes packed with toys for a girl. Uninterested, he pushed the boxes aside and discovered a small cabinet sized door. A curious Austin opened the door with anticipation, but found nothing but a dark hole.
“Close the door. Mommy’s going to get mad,” said Aden.
Austin ignored Aden and poked his head inside the wall. Fearful for his brother’s well-being, Aden grabbed Austin’s shirt and pulled him backwards. Austin fought his brother, causing Aden to lose his grip. Austin flew forward and down into the darkness.
In a panic, Aden ran to the kitchen. “Mommy!” he cried. “Austin fell in the hole.”
“What?” cried Emily.
Aden grabbed his mother’s hand and pulled her back to the closet. “There.” He pointed at the small doorway.
“Austin,” Emily shouted down the dark shaft.
“Mommy,” replied a faint voice.
Emily dialed 911, and the fire department arrived within minutes. Three firefighters rushed to the basement and tore down a wall that concealed an old laundry chute. Inside they found Austin, dirty but uninjured. One of the firefighters scooped up Austin and handed him to his distraught mother. Emily shook as she hugged here son.
“I’m okay Mommy,” said Austin. He wiggled and pushed away from his mother grasp, trying to escape to the floor. “I need to help the girl find her doll.”
“Um ma’am,” said one of the firefighters. “There’s something else here in the wall.”
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Download PDF
Four-year-old Amy had become quite a handful for her mother Emily while the family moved into their new home. And Emily, seven months pregnant with twins, quickly lost patience with her daughter. “Amy, go to the playroom and unpack your toys,” said Emily after Amy sang her ABCs for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Okay,” replied Amy. She eagerly left Emily’s side, ready to do anything besides stare up at her mother’s oversized belly.
In the playroom, Amy opened a box and noticed her favorite doll and its cradle. Feeling exhausted herself, Amy decided her doll should have a nap. She set up a nursery in the closet and placed her doll in the cradle. Then Amy laid down on the floor and fell asleep.
An hour later, Amy awoke to find her doll missing from the cradle. Confused, Amy ran to the kitchen where her mother was unpacking dishes. “Mommy where’s my baby?” she asked.
“Probably in one of the boxes.”
“No Mommy, she was in the closet.”
“I’m sure she’ll show up.”
Not getting the answer she wanted, Amy left in a huff.
Amy returned to the closet, where she noticed a small cabinet sized door. Curious, she opened the door and leaned inside. “Baby!” she called. Her tiny body tilted precariously into the silence and was swallowed by the darkness.
Four years later twin brothers Austin and Aden sat bored in their playroom.
“Let’s make a spaceship in the closet,” suggested Austin. He opened the closet door to find boxes packed with toys for a girl. Uninterested, he pushed the boxes aside and discovered a small cabinet sized door. A curious Austin opened the door with anticipation, but found nothing but a dark hole.
“Close the door. Mommy’s going to get mad,” said Aden.
Austin ignored Aden and poked his head inside the wall. Fearful for his brother’s well-being, Aden grabbed Austin’s shirt and pulled him backwards. Austin fought his brother, causing Aden to lose his grip. Austin flew forward and down into the darkness.
In a panic, Aden ran to the kitchen. “Mommy!” he cried. “Austin fell in the hole.”
“What?” cried Emily.
Aden grabbed his mother’s hand and pulled her back to the closet. “There.” He pointed at the small doorway.
“Austin,” Emily shouted down the dark shaft.
“Mommy,” replied a faint voice.
Emily dialed 911, and the fire department arrived within minutes. Three firefighters rushed to the basement and tore down a wall that concealed an old laundry chute. Inside they found Austin, dirty but uninjured. One of the firefighters scooped up Austin and handed him to his distraught mother. Emily shook as she hugged here son.
“I’m okay Mommy,” said Austin. He wiggled and pushed away from his mother grasp, trying to escape to the floor. “I need to help the girl find her doll.”
“Um ma’am,” said one of the firefighters. “There’s something else here in the wall.”
Not in the Inventory, by W. J. Howard
I entered this story--originally titled "Lost and Found"--in Writer's Weekly 24 hour writing contest, and I just got the results back yesterday. Unfortunately I didn't place...boo hoo. They provided the first couple paragraphs of the story and I had to finish it in 900 words or less within 24 hours. I actually had a lot of fun writing this one Saturday afternoon and plan to enter the next contest. Hope you enjoy it. Oh, and if you wanna read the winning stories, go to http://www.writersweekly.com/contest/summer08winners.html
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The bells on the door echoed as she stepped further into the old toy store. Luis winked at her and turned back to his black and white television set. She reached under the rack on the back wall and pulled it out. The doll was just where she'd left it last week. She approached the counter and put it down.
Luis turned to her, grabbed the doll with surprise, and said, "This is NOT for sale." She froze, her innocent eyes staring up at him. “Where did you find this?”
The girl turned and ran from the store.
“Come back here!” Luis ran after her, but when the girl saw him approach, she ran faster. “Stop!” he warned. Luis cringed and turned his head as the girl ran into the path of an oncoming car. Her tiny body flew into the air and she landed on the sidewalk across the street. She was dead, just like the others had died.
Tears welled in his eyes as Luis walked back into the toy store hanging his head.
When Luis bought the toy store the previous owner failed to disclose the doll was part of a package deal, but Luis could hardly blame her.
Three months had passed since he last saw the doll. Luis remembered taking it away from a seven-year-old girl. He refused to sell it to her aunt. After they left, he took the doll to the dumpster and set it on fire. Now the doll had returned, looking like brand new. He never found out the fate of the girl.
Shortly after taking over the business, Luis sold the doll to a young girl who turned up missing. Two weeks later local hikers found her molested corpse off Highway 67. Luis recognized her face on the local news, but didn’t considered a connection to the doll.
Two months passed before another young girl bought the doll. The following week Luis recognized her face in the newspaper. The girl drowned during a tragic boating accident.
Luis thought it odd that both girls had bought the same type of doll, but dismissed the two deaths as coincidental.
All remained quiet until two days after Luis completed an annual inventory. A father brought his daughter into the store, and Luis was puzzled when the little girl placed the doll on the counter. Luis was sure the doll was not in the inventory.
“Where did you find this?” Luis asked. Neither the father nor the daughter could answer.
Five days later, while flipping through the newspaper, Luis recognized another familiar face. The headline read, Man shoots ex-wife and daughter, then self. The photo of the murderer was the latest purchaser of the doll.
Luis could not believe his eyes. He rushed to his office clutching the newspaper and searched for the man’s credit card receipt. His heart sank when he found that the name on the receipt matched the name in the newspaper.
A few months passed before the mother of an adorable four-year-old girl placed the doll on the counter. Luis stared down at the doll. “I’m sorry, but this doll is not for sale.” Tears welled in the girl’s eyes. “It’s okay. I have a doll in the back I bet you’ll love.” Luis brought out another doll and handed it to the girl. “She looks just like you.” A smile returned to her face as she took the replacement doll from Luis.
“How much is it?” asked the mother.
“Same price.”
She paid for the doll, and the two hurried from the store.
Luis watched the two get into a car parked outside the store. Luis was sure he had saved the girl’s life until he saw the mother pull the doll from her purse and hand it to her daughter. Ten days later Luis read the headline, Man shakes girlfriend’s daughter; girl dies. A picture of the victim was unmistakably that of the little girl Luis had tried to save.
Now, after watching the latest girl get hit by the car, Luis sat staring at the black and white television set. The bells on the door echoed and an impeccably dressed woman talking on her cell phone, and her spoiled daughter entered the toy store. The girl pointed at the doll laying on the counter. “Mommy look at that dolly. I love it! I want it!”
“I’m sorry. This doll is not for sale,” said Luis.
“But I want it!” she shrieked and stomped her foot.
“Holly stop. I’ll get you the doll.” The woman rubbed her temple. “Are you sure it’s not for sale?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“I don’t care. I want it,” wailed the girl.
“Just sell it to me so she’ll shut up.”
“You don’t understand,” he replied.
“No, you don’t understand.” She opened her purse and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. “Will this change your mind?”
“No.”
“I want the doll!” The girl screamed.
Luis expression turned threatening. “Get out!”
The woman turned and dragged her daughter out of the store.
After they left, Luis searched his Rolodex and pulled out a business card. He dialed a phone number on the card.
A woman answered.
“Estelle Singer please.” She was the listing agent when Luis bought the toy store.
“This is Estelle.”
“Estelle, this is Luis Arnold. I need to sell the toy store.”
Estelle laughed.
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The bells on the door echoed as she stepped further into the old toy store. Luis winked at her and turned back to his black and white television set. She reached under the rack on the back wall and pulled it out. The doll was just where she'd left it last week. She approached the counter and put it down.Luis turned to her, grabbed the doll with surprise, and said, "This is NOT for sale." She froze, her innocent eyes staring up at him. “Where did you find this?”
The girl turned and ran from the store.
“Come back here!” Luis ran after her, but when the girl saw him approach, she ran faster. “Stop!” he warned. Luis cringed and turned his head as the girl ran into the path of an oncoming car. Her tiny body flew into the air and she landed on the sidewalk across the street. She was dead, just like the others had died.
Tears welled in his eyes as Luis walked back into the toy store hanging his head.
When Luis bought the toy store the previous owner failed to disclose the doll was part of a package deal, but Luis could hardly blame her.
Three months had passed since he last saw the doll. Luis remembered taking it away from a seven-year-old girl. He refused to sell it to her aunt. After they left, he took the doll to the dumpster and set it on fire. Now the doll had returned, looking like brand new. He never found out the fate of the girl.
Shortly after taking over the business, Luis sold the doll to a young girl who turned up missing. Two weeks later local hikers found her molested corpse off Highway 67. Luis recognized her face on the local news, but didn’t considered a connection to the doll.
Two months passed before another young girl bought the doll. The following week Luis recognized her face in the newspaper. The girl drowned during a tragic boating accident.
Luis thought it odd that both girls had bought the same type of doll, but dismissed the two deaths as coincidental.
All remained quiet until two days after Luis completed an annual inventory. A father brought his daughter into the store, and Luis was puzzled when the little girl placed the doll on the counter. Luis was sure the doll was not in the inventory.
“Where did you find this?” Luis asked. Neither the father nor the daughter could answer.
Five days later, while flipping through the newspaper, Luis recognized another familiar face. The headline read, Man shoots ex-wife and daughter, then self. The photo of the murderer was the latest purchaser of the doll.
Luis could not believe his eyes. He rushed to his office clutching the newspaper and searched for the man’s credit card receipt. His heart sank when he found that the name on the receipt matched the name in the newspaper.
A few months passed before the mother of an adorable four-year-old girl placed the doll on the counter. Luis stared down at the doll. “I’m sorry, but this doll is not for sale.” Tears welled in the girl’s eyes. “It’s okay. I have a doll in the back I bet you’ll love.” Luis brought out another doll and handed it to the girl. “She looks just like you.” A smile returned to her face as she took the replacement doll from Luis.
“How much is it?” asked the mother.
“Same price.”
She paid for the doll, and the two hurried from the store.
Luis watched the two get into a car parked outside the store. Luis was sure he had saved the girl’s life until he saw the mother pull the doll from her purse and hand it to her daughter. Ten days later Luis read the headline, Man shakes girlfriend’s daughter; girl dies. A picture of the victim was unmistakably that of the little girl Luis had tried to save.
Now, after watching the latest girl get hit by the car, Luis sat staring at the black and white television set. The bells on the door echoed and an impeccably dressed woman talking on her cell phone, and her spoiled daughter entered the toy store. The girl pointed at the doll laying on the counter. “Mommy look at that dolly. I love it! I want it!”
“I’m sorry. This doll is not for sale,” said Luis.
“But I want it!” she shrieked and stomped her foot.
“Holly stop. I’ll get you the doll.” The woman rubbed her temple. “Are you sure it’s not for sale?”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“I don’t care. I want it,” wailed the girl.
“Just sell it to me so she’ll shut up.”
“You don’t understand,” he replied.
“No, you don’t understand.” She opened her purse and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. “Will this change your mind?”
“No.”
“I want the doll!” The girl screamed.
Luis expression turned threatening. “Get out!”
The woman turned and dragged her daughter out of the store.
After they left, Luis searched his Rolodex and pulled out a business card. He dialed a phone number on the card.
A woman answered.
“Estelle Singer please.” She was the listing agent when Luis bought the toy store.
“This is Estelle.”
“Estelle, this is Luis Arnold. I need to sell the toy store.”
Estelle laughed.
Movie Review: 30 Days of Night
I watched 30 Days of Night because I loved the idea of vampires taking over a town in Alaska during 30 straight days of night. Unfortunately it fell short, primarily because they followed the typical Hollywood horror/thriller movie formula--bad guys come to town, bad guys kill the people, heroes fight bad guys and survive.What did I like? I enjoyed the cinematography and the fresh story idea (not the story line), as well as appreciated that the acting was pretty good. I also liked that the vampires spoke in a different tongue.
What did I dislike? The movie had a weak story line and wasn’t nearly gory enough for me. I would have liked to see the vampires torture their victims a bit more. Considering their prey was trapped, they could have had more fun with their meals.
All-in-all this movie really doesn't stand out among horror movies, but it’s worth watching.
MOVIE RATING: 3 out of 5
Book Review: In the Dark of the Night, by John Saul
I’ve read one other novel by John Saul, many years ago, and I can’t seem to remember the title or the story line. After reading In the Dark of the Night, I know why I can’t remember the book. His writing is forgettable. In the Dark of the Night was a great idea that could have been done much better. Bringing together mystical objects used by and created by serial murderers got my attention to read the book. Unfortunately the plot was uninteresting and predictable, and the writing repetitive. The book was also sadly missing the level of horror I expected. In my opinion, putting together a bunch of serial murderers requires more murder and blood than Saul delivered.
BOOK RATING: 2 out of 5
meat.org
Watch more real life horrors at meat.org. I have to admit I have a harder time watching animal abuse than people being hurt.
Book & Movie Review: I Am Legend
Let me start with the book shown to the right. This is the book that I read. I didn’t realize that the book also contained short stories written by Richard Matheson. When I got to what I thought was the logical end of the book, I progressed to a short story, not realizing I Am Legend had ended until I read at least a page. Boy am I a dork! Consider this another one of my menopause moments. Once I figured out that I had started reading a new story, I quickly figured out that I’d already read it. I skimmed through some more stories and realized I’d read those as well. So I got through the book pretty quick.OK, on to my review of I Am Legend. Since I read this book shortly after watching the movie with Will Smith (Yes this was the first time I'd read it), I did have to do a comparison of the two while progressing through the book. You know how most of the time you love one and hate the other. Well I can’t say that about I Am Legend. I LOVED both! But then again, you can’t really compare the movie with the book because they are both so different.
What I loved about the book is that it wasn't about the typical vampire. It was about one man who took on what remains of the world. In the beginning, we see Neville as an average man forced to handle a catastrophic situation, uninfected and alone. His actions become both sane and insane as the book progresses. Throughout the story, Neville goes to great lengths to both destroy and understand those infected. We might even think him heroic. But in the end he is not the hero. He is the true enemy and threat to the new society. Brilliant!
In the movie, Neville struggled with guilt, feeling responsible for the state of the world and that he was spared. He has turned his whole purpose in life into a struggle to find a cure. He is a man consumed with stopping the virus and saving humanity. I have to say I preferred the vampires in the book. In the movie all individuality, intelligence and humanity has been stripped from the infected. Their one and only purpose is to feed, more like zombies. I’ve read criticism about the visual depiction of the infected. I assume that the infected were portrayed/visualized as they were so that the viewer was able to concentrate more on Neville’s struggles. After all, this wasn’t a Resident Evil, action/thriller type movie.
BOOK RATING: 5 out of 5
MOVIE RATING: 4 out of 5
Movie Review: Bad Taste & Dead Alive Directed by Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings movies, directed two of my favorite horror flicks, Bad Taste and Dead Alive (also known as Brain Dead). I was shocked a couple years ago when I figured it out!
Jackson directed, wrote (with help) and appeared in Bad Taste back in 1987. In the movie, “the population of a small town disappears and is replaced by aliens that chase human flesh for their intergalactic fast-food chain.” Read more on IMDB...
Bad Taste is a mix of hilarious and gross slapstick. Here’s a perfect example... A favorite characters of mine, one of the special agents sent to save us from the aliens, fell early in the film and spent the remainder of the film trying to reincorporate his spilled brains back into his scull cavity.
While doing research on the film, I happened across some interesting trivia about the movie, like it took Jackson 4 years to make Bad Taste. And that “the movie was banned in the Australian state of Queensland until the early-'90s when the Queensland Censorship Board was disbanded.” More interesting movie trivia about Bad Taste on IMDB
I remember watching Dead Alive/Brain Dead with my youngest son, although it’s not a movie I’d recommend you let your kids watch. Dead Alive is a mixture of extreme gore and comedy, so no surprise, he and I were glued to the TV screen laughing and cringing all at the same time.
The movie is about “Lionel, a Mama's boy, who has the unwanted honor of having to look after his overbearingly evil mother. He ends up falling in love with a local woman who believes that they're destined together. In a moment of intentional sabotage of one of their dates, his mother is bitten by a mysterious creature that ends up zombifying her.” Lionel’s mother hunts human prey and quickly turns everyone she bites into zombies. Lionel fights the zombies in one of the goriest blood fests on film. There’s a scene with a lawnmower you’ve just gotta see! Read more on IMDB...
If you have a strong stomach don't miss these films! Both are a 5 out of 5!
Jackson directed, wrote (with help) and appeared in Bad Taste back in 1987. In the movie, “the population of a small town disappears and is replaced by aliens that chase human flesh for their intergalactic fast-food chain.” Read more on IMDB...Bad Taste is a mix of hilarious and gross slapstick. Here’s a perfect example... A favorite characters of mine, one of the special agents sent to save us from the aliens, fell early in the film and spent the remainder of the film trying to reincorporate his spilled brains back into his scull cavity.
While doing research on the film, I happened across some interesting trivia about the movie, like it took Jackson 4 years to make Bad Taste. And that “the movie was banned in the Australian state of Queensland until the early-'90s when the Queensland Censorship Board was disbanded.” More interesting movie trivia about Bad Taste on IMDB
I remember watching Dead Alive/Brain Dead with my youngest son, although it’s not a movie I’d recommend you let your kids watch. Dead Alive is a mixture of extreme gore and comedy, so no surprise, he and I were glued to the TV screen laughing and cringing all at the same time. The movie is about “Lionel, a Mama's boy, who has the unwanted honor of having to look after his overbearingly evil mother. He ends up falling in love with a local woman who believes that they're destined together. In a moment of intentional sabotage of one of their dates, his mother is bitten by a mysterious creature that ends up zombifying her.” Lionel’s mother hunts human prey and quickly turns everyone she bites into zombies. Lionel fights the zombies in one of the goriest blood fests on film. There’s a scene with a lawnmower you’ve just gotta see! Read more on IMDB...
If you have a strong stomach don't miss these films! Both are a 5 out of 5!
Book Review: Mammoth Book of Best New Horror: Volume 17
Finally! A review of a horror book! Unfortunately I don’t have much to say about this book other than the stories are equivalent to those in other Mammoth Books of the Best New Horror. Pretty darn average stuff, with nothing that scared me or turned my stomach. But then again, not much scares me any more. The only story that really stood out was the first by Ramsey Campbell. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the story, and I’m too tired and lazy right now to go look it up. RATING: 2 1/2 out of 5 (sorry, can’t quite give it 3)
Book Review: Moon Called, by Patricia Briggs
I was generous giving this book a 2 out of 5 because there were a few good parts in the beginning and ending of the book. All-in-all, the characters lacked emotions, except for an over abundance of resentment from the main character toward the dominant male werewolves. The resentment was so strong and overdone that I got the feeling the author was projection parts of her own personal life into the book, which I didn’t appreciate. I “got it” early on, so this got old really quickly. Where this story lacked in emotional characterization, the author included way TOO much information about the setting, most of which was not relevant to the story. It bored me, and speaking of boring, Mercy, the main character, was uninteresting. This is a series of books and I have absolutely no interest in knowing what she gets into next. Oh, and I expected this novel to be sexy and a little smutty, and it did NOT deliver. If you do decide to read this book, I suggest you read the first couple chapters, and then skip to chapter 12. Those are really the only chapters worth reading.RATING: 2 out of 5
Book Review: Blaze, By Stephen King
People always assume I’m a Stephen King fan because I write Horror and love Horror movies. Well, I’m not exactly a fan. I’m a critic. Like many of his readers, I either love his stories or hate ‘em, and have mostly disliked his work. For example, I hated “The Stand” finding it long and boring (a book considered one of his best works and a must read), but I absolutely loved “Pet Cemetery” (my favorite King novel) for its depiction of desperation and fear. So, I have to admit that I haven’t read very many of his books. Now, since reading “Pet Cemetery” many years ago, I can finally say I found another King book I absolutely LOVED reading!! The only reason I grabbed “Blaze” (he wrote it under Richard Bachman) was because I hadn’t read anything off the bestseller shelf for years, and I needed to reconnect with the public’s favorites, especially authors in genres in which I prefer to write. I’m so glad I picked it up! Everyone always talks about King’s ability to create strong characters in his works, and Blaze is no exception. The main character, Clayton “Blaze” Blazedell Jr. is a villain you have to force yourself to hate. Stephen King actually wrote this book back in the 70s, and archived it because he didn’t care for the outcome. It was obvious he made updates before Blaze was released, and I wonder how much he changed, because he forwards the book with an apology to the readers. Mr. King, remove the apology! This was a great book!
RATING 5 out of 5
World Population to Hit 6,666,666,666 in May
I was on YouTube watching the American Idol clips I missed last night--yes I admit I'm addicted to American Idol, as well as other reality TV--and noticed a link to Digg. It's a site I hadn't been on yet (kinda surprising), so I decided to investigate and found "World Population to Hit 6,666,666,666 in May." The title is more exciting than the article, but I had to add it to my blog, especially since it ended up on the Drudge Report, an Internet publication that, if you read it backward, contains messages from Satan...lol!!I missed American Idol because we were entertaining a friend as she sucked down a couple bottles of wine. Why did she suck down a couple bottles of wine? Because she's dealing with a 16 year old daughter. Frankly, anyone dealing with a teenage daughter has it much worse than all those satanic 6s could ever bring on. If all the 16 year old girls pooled together, they could bring on the end of the world!
I'm the author of the award winning novel