Tag Archives: horror

Jul28

What Have We Been Watching?

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What Have We Been Watching?

Hi! As soon as I get home from work, mine and Johnny’s routine goes like this: Chat about our day and then turn on our shows! There is literally nothing better than sinking into the couch with my main squeeze and watching one of our programs together and I revel in it every day. It’s so nice to kick my feet up, relax, and let the stress of the work week melt away as we get lost in something good and it is one of my favorite things in the world. ❤ Our current lineup consists of the following:

Supernatural:

One of my client’s all time favorite shows is Supernatural and the odds and ends I have seen were intriguing. So much so, that Johnny and I recently decided to give it a go. There are fifteen seasons of Supernatural and after watching just one episode together, we couldn’t believe we hadn’t watched it before! Supernatural is the saga of ghost hunters and brothers, Sam and Dean, who travel across the country solving murders with a paranormal aspect. It is basically CSI but with ghosts and we are so there for it! This show is hilarious and has amazing eye candy a la Dean and we are completely hooked. Also, if you are a fan of the show and didn’t know – the guy who plays Dean is in a band called Radio Company and they freaking RULE. You are in for a treat if you give them a listen because holy cow Dean has some PIPES!!!

Blockbuster:

Johnny and I simply adore a workplace comedy and enjoyed watching and rewatching the one season Blockbuster on Netflix. This show revolves around the last Blockbuster left standing and the irony is not lost that Netflix drove Blockbuster out of business lol. I so wish that this show didn’t get cancelled because it really is fun. The cast is an utter delight, the laughs are nonstop, and seeing a Blockbuster again hits right in the nostalgia. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick and funny watch but don’t get too attached lol our viewings have only left us wanting more!

From:

We are avid fans of From and, I have to admit, we found season four to be kind of a dud. However, we went through serious withdrawals after it ended and decided to rewatch it as we eagerly await the fifth and final season. I’m really glad we are because I didn’t realize how much I had forgotten about the early seasons. So much so, that it kind of feels like watching it again for the first time. It is SO crazy to be back at the beginning and see how young everyone looks and pick up on things that we missed from our first experience with the show. I am highly disappointed in season four, but maybe it will be a bit better the second time around.

Obsession:

Watching movies doesn’t happen as often at chez nous because Johnny always falls asleep during them lol. But watching Obsession was a must as soon as it was released on Peacock! I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it in theaters and was chomping at the bit for him to see it too. Granted, we did pause halfway through so he could take a nap (no surprise there) but he loved it just as much as I did when we finished it. We both agreed that Obsession is, easily, one of the best recent horror movies out there and it was a triumph. The story line? Gripping. The acting? Unbelievable. The scares? Can’t be beat! I could watch it again and again and not grow tired of it. In fact, maybe I’ll give it a rewatch this weekend while Johnny snoozes!

TV time is the best time at my place and I can’t wait to see what Sam and Dean of Supernatural get into when I get home today!! 😀

What are you currently watching? Do you have any recommendations? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul10

Groovy Movies: Obsession Edition

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Groovy Movies: Obsession Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a back to back edition of Groovy Movies! Today, we are going to be discussing the horror movie that everyone has been raving about – Obsession. However, there is a slight change to the usually scheduled programming as this review won’t be fully spoiler free. The synopsis will, as always, not reveal any spoilers. However, as this movie has been out for a while, my opinions will include spoilers because I have A LOT to say and I can’t keep it to myself lol. Should you want to be surprised, that is when you should stop reading! Before we begin, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Obsession for graphic and brutal violence, highly highly disturbing content (some of which involves animals), loss of autonomy, and abusive relationships. You ready? Let’s do it:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Baron (AKA “Bear”) is desperately in love with his best friend, Nikki, and is working up the nerve to tell her how he really feels. The trivia night him, Nikki, and their friends Ian and Sarah attend could be the place to do so. As Nikki and Bear chat on the phone about the upcoming event, Nikki is disappointed that her favorite crystal necklace fell down the sink. To surprise her, Bear stops in at a metaphysical shop to pick her out a new one. Then, something different catches his eye – a One Wish Willow. The packaging claims that your wish will come true if you snap the stick in half and he purchases that instead of a gift for Nikki.

Revealing his crush at the trivia night is a bust but he still has a chance when he offers to drive Nikki home. In fact, she straight up asks him if he has feelings for her and he lamely tells her how much he loves their friendship. Nikki heads inside and in his frustration, Bear makes his wish: That Nikki would love him more than anyone in the world. He snaps the stick and Nikki promptly returns back to his car, begging to stay with him because she can’t handle being alone.

After a very weird night for both Bear and Nikki, a relationship blossoms and it is picture perfect. Cooking together, watching movies, and basking in each other’s company. Then, things begin to take a dark turn as Nikki’s behavior alters drastically when she fears that she loves Bear more than he does her. Cuddling in bed turns into her standing awake at night while watching him sleep. Bear leaving for work means he has to break open a duct taped door. Even Bear leaving the room to go to the bathroom is too much for Nikki to cope with. This is so not the relationship that Bear had in mind.

As Nikki turns more violent, Bear tries to distance himself and turns to the One Wish Willow company for guidance. Unfortunately, the only way to break the wish will be Bear’s downfall. Bear’s friends no longer want anything to do with the formerly happy couple and both him and Nikki are growing more desperate. Will the wish for Nikki to love him more than anyone in the world be broken? Watch Obsession to find out!

Spoilers starting NOW!

Obsession might be seen through the eyes of Bear but make no mistake, he is not the victim in this movie. It is one thousand percent Nikki. And, if anyone watches this movie and thinks otherwise then they need a crash course in consent and what healthy relationships look like ASAFP. Through his wish, Bear strips Nikki of everything: Her care free spirit, her autonomy, and the ability to even love herself. Bear might be in love with Nikki but to have full control over a person isn’t love. To force someone into love isn’t love. And to want to simply alter the wish rather than cancel it as he talks to the One Wish Willow employee while aware of Nikki’s suffering definitely isn’t love.

Throughout Obsession, glimpses of the real Nikki come forth and it is absolutely heartbreaking to see and hear. Wherever the real Nikki is, she is in so much pain. She can see what is happening to herself, her body, and relationships that she once held dear and can’t do anything to stop it. All she can do is watch as “Freaky Nikki” (As she has been described) takes over. And what does Bear do as she continues to act out? Encourage her to tone down the crazy and be like the old Nikki so he can continue to keep her under his thumb.

Obsession was a full fledged horror movie with (Stating the SUPER obvious here) harrowing themes of consent, autonomy, and what happens when that is taken away from someone. The tension and atmosphere of Obsession was so rich and I could feel myself holding my breath because it felt like something major could happen at any given second. And it was all at Nikki’s expense. This was a gripping story carried beautifully by Inde Navarrette and she more than deserves the glowing reviews she has received. I was in awe of her performance and can’t stop thinking about it to save my own life. I want to see Obsession again SO badly because one viewing just wasn’t enough. If you are a horror fan, you do not want to miss out on this movie!

I am going to award Obsession with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This is, easily, one of the best modern horror movies I have ever seen and I cannot wait to see what Navarrette brings to the table in whatever she does next!

Have you seen Obsession? What are your thoughts on it? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May23

What Have We Been Watching?

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What Have We Been Watching?

Hello!! There is literally nothing better to me and Johnny than sitting down after work and watching TV. It’s our favorite way to unwind after a long day and I always look forward to our evening entertainment. We have a handful of shows that we have been cycling through and maybe you’ll enjoy them too! Let’s discuss:

My Hero Academia:

Johnny is not an anime fan in the slightest but I SO am. In fact, my brother and I recently started going to an anime club at the library to watch new shows and chat it up with likeminded individuals. During our last meeting we watched the first few episodes of My Hero Academia and I freaking loved it. So much so that I have been watching an episode every morning since while I eat my breakfast.

Long story short, the anime is basically like a superhero comic book. Children are born with powers or “quirks” as they call them and spend their days training to become a pro superhero. Our protagonist, Deku, was born with no quirks but it’s his dream to become a hero even without a special power. My Hero Academia follows his from zero to hero plot line and it is a delight! Action packed, hilarious, and heartwarming – this anime has got it all!

Farmer Wants A Wife:

Lololol. Johnny and I originally started watching season one of Farmer Wants A Wife as a joke. Then, somewhere along the way, it turned into one of our favorite dating shows. We are currently watching season four as it airs and it’s exactly what you would expect if you have seen the show before… Girls in terrible outfits trying to woo a farmer through hard work on their land and competing for fleeting moments of their attention. Is it stupid? Absolutely! Are we going to continue watching it for forever? ABSOLUTELY.

The Last Kingdom:

We watched The Last Kingdom when we first started dating and both agree that is superior to Game Of Thrones. Yeah, I said it! We decided to start watching it again from the beginning so we can finally watch the movie that ties the series together. The Last Kingdom is all about the Saxons and Danes as they fight for power across England. Every episode is full of surprises and the man candy of Uhtred is especially nice! I have forgotten a majority of this show and it feels like watching it for the first time. I am so glad we’re giving it another go and love our nightly viewings of an episode or two.

From:

I have wanted to watch the horror series From for ages and we finally began watching it about a month ago. Mere seconds into the first episode we were completely in and devoured the first three seasons. Now, sadly, we have to wait for the weekly new episode installment of season four and it sucks. I just want to binge watch it all!

The premise of From goes like this… A family is driving to a vacation destination when they come across a tree in the road causing them to turn around and find another way. Rather than hitting the highway, they come across a rundown town and continue to return to it. Eventually, they realize they are stuck with the townspeople in a place they can’t leave. What’s more, monsters come out at night slaying everyone in their path. From is twisty, turny, and harrowing and it is my new favorite show. The acting is sublime, the plot is so intriguing, and I’m constantly on pins and needles for what’s going to happen next!

It’s always fun to dive into a new series and you are in for a treat if you give any of these shows a go. They are great!

What are you currently watching? What was the last show you binge watched? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar11

Reanimal Review

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Reanimal Review

Hello! Johnny and I absolutely love playing puzzle solving video games together like Unraveled and Little Nightmares. We were incredibly excited for Little Nightmares III and were thoroughly disappointed by it. Blessedly, shortly after, a new game called Reanimal came on the market and Johnny got it for me for Valentine’s Day. Reanimal was made by the same people who created Little Nightmares I and II and it begs the question of why the heck it wasn’t just Little Nightmares III to begin with. Reanimal completely blew it out of the water!! Let’s discuss:

Reanimal is everything that Johnny and I like. It is a fast paced horror driven puzzle solver revolving around a little boy and girl. Very similar to Little Nightmares! In fact, we lovingly just call our characters “Little Boy” and “Little Girl” which reminds me of Bird Box. In Reanimal, Little Boy and Girl must traverse through a war ravaged world to rescue their friends and defeat an overgrown sheep who is destroying everything in sight that remains. Whether they are hoofing it, traveling by boat, or vehicle there is imminent danger with every second that passes by. Little Boy and Girl are armed with nothing but lanterns, a knife, and a wrench to protect themselves. Combined with their smarts, they might be able to save the world yet!

From start to finish, Reanimal was a wild ride and was jam packed with gorgeous imagery. Like Little Nightmares, it was quite short and Johnny and I beat it in three or so sittings and we plan on playing it again ASAP. It is that good. This world that has been created is terrifying but simply amazing to behold and every moment felt noteworthy. I was especially partial to the first “boss” which definitely felt like a tip of the cap to the first two Little Nightmares. Upon its completion, however, is when things really started to pick up.

About midway through the game, a WWI arc began and that blew our freaking minds. We had to run through trenches, cross No Man’s Land, and inch our way further with puzzles without being shot. These scenes were such a white knuckle moment and any misstep resulted in fatality. While Reanimal was wicked fun to play, part of the delight came with communicating with Johnny. There were countless times when we had to put our heads together, workshop possible solutions, try them out, and alter our course to what we found. It was so interactive and was a game that you simply did not just play but worked through with your teammate. If Little Nightmares III didn’t do it for you, either, then you are going to love Reanimal just as much as we did. Highly recommend!

To me and Johnny both, Reanimal was a ten out of ten star experience. Buckle in and hang on tight because Reanimal is one of the craziest, best games we have ever played!

What was your favorite Little Nightmares game? Do you have a favorite puzzle solving game? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar6

Groovy Movies: Scream 7 Edition

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Groovy Movies: Scream 7 Edition

Hi! As you all know, I am a huge horror movie fan and like to see them in theaters as often as I can. One that I was really looking forward to going to was Scream 7. The Scream franchise is such fun. It’s got the gore and the kills but they are also hilarious and don’t take themselves seriously in the slightest. I have always found that the Scream movies give their viewers exactly what they want to see and fall under the “if it’s not broken then don’t fix it” motto. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of us wanted what Scream 7 had to offer because it was a massive snooze fest. Let’s discuss in a spoiler free setting, as always, but before we begin let me place a trigger warning for graphic violence. Here we go:

^^^ As per ushe, I have no rights to this video!!

Sidney Prescott has made a new life for herself. She is married with children, runs a coffee shop, and is determined to leave her trauma in the past. Of course, her life can never remain normal for long so cue a call from Ghostface. The new killer gives Sidney a buzz at work and requests that they see each other face to face in a video call. Who she sees on her screen is impossible, right? He died years ago but his threat is very real. He is outside her daughter, Tatum’s, school and her and her friends are in big trouble.

Tatum and her mom have a rocky relationship. Sidney keeps her past buried while Tatum wants to learn more which results in blowout fights. Tatum is about to get a crash course in that fateful night that turned Sidney into a living legend and all that can be done now is to survive. With help from her friends, mom, and a few fan favorites – it’s time to hunt Ghostface. However many there are, this ends now. Who is behind the masks this time? Watch Scream 7 to find out!

Scream 7 was a smidge under two hours and it was honestly two of the longest hours of my life. The opening scene set the stage for some classic Scream shenanigans and then it just kept going… and going… and going. In the entirety of the movie, there were only three or so major action scenes. The remainder was a whole lot of nothing – tender moments between mother and daughter, friends freaking out, and snippets of the oddest musical ever. The lackluster plot was followed up by perhaps the most disappointing Ghostface reveal of the franchise and when the movie ended (Thankfully!), all I could say was “oh”.

This movie plugged along at a painfully slow pace and provided jump scares that were few and far between. Maybe I would have liked it more if I cared about the additional cast members but they were hard to get behind. Tatum and her friends were seriously just annoying and Tatum was the whiny, bratty teen to the T. Even when the focus shifted to Sidney and Gale, their scenes felt half-hearted and wasn’t enough to strike my interest in any way shape or form. The only good parts of Scream 7 took place on brief video calls and five minutes isn’t enough to save two hours of straight up boredom. So disappointing!

In a shocking turn of events, I will be awarding Scream 7 with… no stars. This was, hands down, the weakest movie in the franchise and it is not worth your time and money at the theaters!

What is your favorite scary movie? What is your favorite Scream movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb13

Groovy Movies: The Strangers – Chapter 3 Edition

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Groovy Movies: The Strangers – Chapter 3 Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies. In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing The Strangers – Chapter 3. I am an avid fan of The Strangers franchise and thoroughly enjoyed Chapter 2 which came out last September. I was so eager to see the third installment as Chapter 2 ended on a cliffhanger and I was chomping at the bit to see what would happen next. While Chapter 3 tied up several loose ends it was overall very disappointing and honestly begs the question of why this movie was even made lol. They could have tacked on an extra half hour to the second one and it would have made it even better. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Strangers – Chapter 3 for brutal violence, gore, and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

The Strangers – Chapter 3 picks up immediately where Chapter 2 left off. Maya is still on the run from The Strangers but their numbers have dwindled down to Scarecrow and Dollface. Despite being down one Stranger, Maya is the only person to survive an encounter with them and they can’t let her get away. As Maya continues her night of terror she is eventually picked up by the sheriff but realizes she might be in more danger with him than without. In a moment of desperation, she steals his car only to end up crashing it and being found by Scarecrow and Dollface. While Maya is held captive, her sister and brother-in-law travel to Venus, Oregon to track her down. The townspeople are less than helpful so they decide to take matters into their own hands by tailing the sheriff, who is surely up to no good. Through his flashbacks, we learn that they were right on the money.

Eventually, Scarecrow and Dollface try to incorporate Maya into their murderous pack as the new Pin-Up Girl. They track their victims and Maya is thrown into a situation of kill or be killed. She takes the opportunity to slaughter one more Stranger until it is down to one on one. This is her last chance to get far away from Venus where the whole town is in on The Strangers or end up as Pin-Up Girl permanently. Will she make her escape? Or become the newest member of The Strangers? Watch Chapter 3 to find out!

The Strangers – Chapter 3 fell flat in every sense of the word and I am genuinely bummed by it. Of course, none of the following installments of The Strangers after the first movie were amazing but they were still fast paced and fun to watch. Chapter 3 was slow moving, had minimal jump scares, and the new information provided could have fit neatly into Chapter 2 without the need for a trilogy. The best parts of this movie actually came from the sheriff’s flashbacks but they were few and far between. Had they explored that story more, I think the movie would have been much better for it as it was messed up and something new. Rather, the song and dance of Maya thwarting The Strangers continued and it made this hour and a half flick feel endless.

Chapter 3 ended with the potential for another movie and all I have to say is: Please don’t lol. I was SO excited to see this movie after Chapter 2 and it was the worst of the entire franchise. I fear that if they continue on with this story, it’s just going to end up getting even more terrible and that’s a shame. I completely agree with those who said The Strangers should have simply been a standalone film. For the most part, however, its predecessors were pretty good until Chapter 3 took this sentiment to a slamming halt. If you see the movie, you will know from the ending exactly what they could do with another one. If we were watching the same movie, I think you will agree to leave well enough alone!

Overall, I am going to rate The Strangers – Chapter 3 with a three out of ten stars. The flashbacks were its only saving grace in an otherwise totally lackluster horror flick.

Are you a fan of The Strangers franchise? What is your favorite movie from the series? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan16

Groovy Movies: Primate Edition

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Groovy Movies: Primate Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Groovy Movies! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing one of the newest horror flicks called Primate. When it comes to horror, I am not a huge fan of the creature genre and much prefer a good old fashioned slasher. However, Primate turned everything that I thought I knew on its head. This movie was absolutely insane from start to finish! Before we begin our chat, I will be placing a big fat trigger warning on Primate. The only words I can use to describe it are brutal and gruesome. It is not for the faint of heart! Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ As always, I have no rights to this video!

Lucy is a college student and is back in Hawaii with her dad, little sister, and a few friends who tagged along for summer break. She is also returning home to Ben, the family’s pet chimpanzee. Not the usual choice for a pet, but her deceased mother was a linguistics professor who was studying communication between humans and animals. One day she just brought Ben home and he has been a family staple since. He’s clever, silly, and completely harmless, right? So wrong. Ben recently got infected with rabies and his once beloved family is now his prey.

While Lucy and her friends enjoy a dip in the infinity pool, Ben begins his rampage and gravely injures her little sister. As he cannot go into the water, that is where they remain. But they can’t stay there forever and medical help is needed immediately for Lucy’s sister. The only thing that can be done is to get to a phone. Phones that are all in the house. Phones that they will have to get past Ben to use. His blood lust is palpable, his strength is unmatched, and his kill count is rising rapidly. Will Lucy be able to rescue what remains of her friend group? Or will Ben destroy his family in one night? Watch Primate to find out!

Long story short, Primate was a wild ride. I didn’t know what I was expecting but it definitely wasn’t all of that! About three minutes in is Ben’s first kill and if you thought that scene was bad, wait until you see the rest because holy shit lol. Brutal is seriously the only way to sum this movie up. I have seen countless horror movies in my day but I can’t recall any with kills that compare to Primate. Some of them were legit throw up worthy and all of it came from a pet chimpanzee.

I had to laugh when I saw the initial trailers for Primate that showed people in the theater reacting to the movie. It reminded me so much of when Paranormal Activity came out! In these trailers, the people watching Primate were jumping, screaming, and at the edge of their seats. My sentiments were exactly the same! My heart was pounding and my stomach was clenched for the entire duration of this one and a half hour powerhouse. Honestly, thank goodness it was a short movie because I genuinely don’t know how much more I could take and that’s really saying something!

Overall, I am going to award Primate with the coveted ten out of ten stars. This was a game changer to horror and not just the specific creature genre. Best of luck if you go to see it!

What were your thoughts on Primate if you have seen it? Are there any movies you are looking forward to seeing? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec23

Groovy Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night Edition

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Groovy Movies: Silent Night, Deadly Night Edition

Howdy! My blogging bestie, Kate, is the Christmas Queen and I’m pretty sure she has been prepping for the holidays since the last holiday season lol. She has a deep love of Christmas movies and I love that for her because she watches enough for the both of us! I have a handful of holiday flicks that I enjoy but my favorite of all is a good seasonal slasher. I was SO excited to see Silent Night, Deadly Night in theaters and it did not disappoint. Before we begin our discussion in a spoiler free setting, as always, I’ll be placing a trigger warning for graphic violence and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:

^^^ I have no rights to this video!

Our main character, Billy, has lived a… colorful life. As a child, he witnessed the murder of his parents by a man named Charlie who was dressed as Santa. Since that fateful night, Santa Charlie has lived on in Billy’s head. With Billy’s eyes, Santa can see all and guides Billy to the people who have been naughty. Their punishment? Death. For every day of the Advent calendar, Billy must kill one person on the naughty list or someone innocent will take their place. After the seasonal murder spree, Santa and Billy can rest until next year’s holiday season.

Due to these unusual circumstances, Billy is a drifter and finds himself in the small town of Hackett to continue his holiday justice. He snags a gig at a local antique store and uses his job to scope out potential victims. And, oh yeah, scope out the gorgeous Pamela whose family owns the shop. Billy doesn’t want Pam to think of him as a bad person but he doesn’t want innocent blood to be shed, either. However, their two worlds are about to collide in a major way and they might be able to do some good after all. Will Billy have his happily ever after? Or will he drift through life alone with Santa Charlie forever? Watch Silent Night, Deadly Night to find out!

I have to admit, I have never seen the original Silent Night, Deadly Night *gasp*. I guess I am going to have to add it to my watch list because I absolutely loved this flick! This was a perfect slasher with a healthy mix of camp, comedy, and gruesome kills. It followed a classic slasher playbook to the T with a holiday twist and it was most definitely my kind of Christmas movie. It was a wacky story, yes, but it was also scary fun. 😀

The first fifteen minutes or so of Silent Night, Deadly Night had me feeling a bit ambivalent. Then, the pace picked up and it was nonstop thrills for the rest of the movie. There were great jump scares, a little romance, and two unlikely characters that you couldn’t help but want a happy ending for. This was a short and sweet flick at barely over an hour and a half and I wish it was longer. After the stage was set, I felt like I blinked and the movie was done. Once I was in, I was so in and I can’t wait to watch it again!

Overall, I am going to rate Silent Night, Deadly Night with an eight out of ten stars. If you love a seasonal slasher too, this is a must see!

What is your favorite Christmas movie? How about your favorite seasonal slasher? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov25

Lil Red’s Book Club: The Regulators By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: The Regulators By Stephen King As Richard Bachman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! After accidentally borrowing a book from the library I had read before, I was in a literature limbo. So, I decided to consult mine and Johnny’s own library for a new book. We have been really enjoying watching Welcome To Derry and I had Stephen King on the mind. From Johnny’s collection of his works, I chose The Regulators which was written as Richard Bachman. The kooky cover screamed out at me and I devoured the almost five hundred page book in three sittings. This will be a spoiler free setting, as always. Before we begin, however, a big fat trigger warning will be placed on The Regulators for highly disturbing content, suicide, and violence in all possible forms. Now, let’s get to it:

Poplar Street is the perfect slice of suburbia located near Columbus, Ohio. A place where neighbors barbecue, talk sports over their fences, and kids toss frisbees and footballs all summer long. It is a buzzing community and everyone is constantly out enjoying the weather and freedom of sweet summertime. Except for Audrey and her little nephew, Seth. The neighbors haven’t seen much of them since Audrey’s husband committed suicide and their house sits like a storm cloud on picturesque Poplar Street.

If the house looks uninviting from the outside, just imagine the state indoors. Audrey and her late husband took Seth in after his entire family was killed in a freak drive by shooting. Seth has autism and inside his secret world in his mind and body is the host to something terrible. A vampire named Tak. Tak called to Seth on a family road trip and the little boy answered back. Tak desires strength, to procreate, and shares a passion for everything Seth loves: Chocolate milk and Chef Boyardee and his favorite forms of entertainment. Old westerns like Bonanza and The Regulators as well as a cartoon called MotoKop 2200.

An evil unlike anything the world has ever known is living in her home. A home that is littered with trash, ant infestations, and rotting food. When Tak goes away, Seth is still the same sweet little boy that Audrey loves with all her heart. When Tak returns, he has the power to make people hurt themselves. To slap themselves silly, fall down the stairs, and even end their own life. Tak is growing stronger by the day no matter how hard Audrey and Seth try to block their minds to hinder him. The vampire feeds on pain and negativity and he needs more than what this poor aunt and nephew can provide. So, he takes matters to the streets.

In Tak’s world, anything goes. All he has to do is call on what is already in Seth’s imagination: Outlaws in a shootout and cartoon MotoKops saving the world from destruction. In this skewed reality, the residents of Poplar Street are dead center in a mishmash of Seth’s favorite things. Cowboys and cops wreak havoc on the once quiet neighborhood. Destroying homes, causing fires, and killing everyone that stands in their way. As Tak feeds on the dead, his power increases and he transforms the entire world around them. They are no longer on Poplar Street but a world where Tak reigns supreme. Will the survivors live another hour let alone another minute? Will Seth forever be doomed to be Tak’s host? Read The Regulators to find out!

WOW. What a whacky story right?! Totally and completely insane. And you know what? I loved it! The Regulators was so unlike anything I have ever read before or seen in a movie or show and I couldn’t stop turning the page to save my own life. In a way, Richard Bachman created a dream scenario – a child whose favorite shows have come to life. It’s a fantastical idea but the cause and cost are so horrific that the dream is a full fledged nightmare.

My heart absolutely shattered for Seth and Audrey during the entirety of my binge read. This family has already been through so much and now a vampire is added to the mix?! And all they could do was suffer on their own because who would believe a story like this? All the while, life on Poplar Street continued as normal as evil festered a few houses down. It just goes to show that you never know what is going on behind closed doors.

The Regulators was action packed and was a cross between vampire horror, sci-fi, and bang bang shoot em’ up westerns. Right off the jump, this book kicked it into overdrive. So much so, that it took a while to gather my bearings around the other residents of Poplar Street. As this book dealt with so many people, it was hard to get a grip on who was who and form any meaningful connections with them. For me, this didn’t happen until beyond halfway through for some of the key players. At times, it made comprehending everything a bit difficult because all of the insanity was happening to people whose names I barely remembered. However, chaos was exactly what Bachman wanted and The Regulators had it in spades!

Overall, I am going to rate The Regulators with an eight and a half out of ten stars. The story was excellent but I could have done without the countless character overload!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov11

Lil Red’s Book Club: Malorie By Josh Malerman Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Malorie By Josh Malerman Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! In a spoiler free setting, as always, we are going to be discussing the sequel to Bird Box by Josh Malerman called Malorie. I have been on a HUGE Malerman kick as of late and have been devouring his horror novels in a day. They are so good that once I start I simply can’t stop! After reading Bird Box, I watched the movie which was alright and eagerly awaited for Malorie to arrive at the library. As soon as I read the first page, I knew exactly what I was doing for the rest of my day! Before we begin our discussion, I will be placing a trigger warning on Malorie for graphic violence, disturbing content, and child abuse. Now, let’s get to it:

Malorie begins essentially where Bird Box left off. She and her children, Tom and Olympia, made the terrifying blind journey by rowboat to the Jane Tucker School For The Blind. Despite being in a safe space, Malorie insists on “living by the fold”. Meaning that even if they are in an enclosed area with everything they could ever need, her and her children will continue to do so blindly. Malorie’s constant mantra to herself is “don’t get lazy” and that is a good thing as they will soon have to flee and find home elsewhere.

Fast forward ten years later and Malorie, Tom, and Olympia’s home is an old summer camp. Her children are now teenagers and the family has the entire run of the camp and an excellent supply of food and water. In their semblance of a life, Olympia chooses to read everything in the camp’s library. Tom, on the other hand, spends his time inventing tools to allow them to be outside safely even if creatures are there. Creatures that turn you mad with one look – so insane that you will hurt anyone in your way and yourself. As the years go by, Malorie grows increasingly paranoid and takes it out on her children. The brunt falls on Tom who wants to explore the world desperately and without the constant fear that his mother instills in him and his sister.

Then, opportunity comes knocking. Quite literally. A man knocks on the family’s cabin door claiming that he is with the census. He is finding survivors and collecting information about how they have withstood the worldwide takeover of the creatures. To Tom’s delight, the man leaves his literature on the porch and his wildest dreams come true. There is a town called Indian River that is filled with progressive thinkers. People who claim to have caught a creature, people who are trying to invent tools every day and improve the lives that everyone has been subjected to.

Tom is not the only one to learn something new from the papers the census taker left. On the list of survivors, Malorie is shocked to see the names of people she believed to be dead. The route to find them is just a thirty mile walk and a blind train trip away. The family leaves immediately to catch the train, knowing that they are putting themselves in imminent danger. Creatures are lurking everywhere as are ghosts of the past. Will their trip be fruitful? Or will man continue to be the scariest creature of all? Read Malorie to find out!

The reviews I read for Malorie were lackluster at best and I completely disagree. I liked it just as much as Bird Box (Which received my coveted ten star rating), if not more. After reading Bird Box, I wanted to know more about this crazy world that Josh Malerman created and that is exactly what I got. I got a novel that told the tale of teens becoming adults, the titular character becoming someone new, and a world that is on the verge of collapse evolving as the years go by. Malorie is told from the perspective of Tom and Olympia as well as their mother but make no mistake. Although it is family focused, this book is dripping with horror and uncertainty with every turn of the page.

The book being told from the children’s point of view too filled me with such a sense of protection for them as I read. There is gentle Olympia who harbors secrets and fills her head with other people’s stories. Tom is the polar opposite. He wears his heart plainly and is steadfast in his desire to change the world. To see the world no matter what his mom says. This could lead to salvation or his untimely demise but it is a reminder that no reward will come from no risk. A reminder that Malorie will need when she takes her children on what she hopes to be their final trip to a safe home.

Like Bird Box, I am going to award Malorie with a ten out of ten stars. This was the perfect follow up to Bird Box and I really hope they make a movie of it!!

What are you currently reading? Who is your favorite horror author? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah