zondag 15 december 2024

Movie Review - Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Director:
Tim Burton
Genre: Comedy/ Fantasy/ Horror
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Monica Belucci, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, Danny DeVito
 
Description: After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.

Review: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is the long-awaited sequel to “Beetlejuice” from 1988. Lydia Deetz has grown from melancholy goth-teenager to mother with her own television show in which she is a spiritual medium. The she receives word of her father’s death. Together with her stepmother Delia and daughter Astrid, she returns to her haunted house where she grew up. And Beetlejuice is fully aware of it.

Most sequels, that happen so long after the original, make the same mistake. The same story told a just a bit different. When there are some things that you might recognize from the first film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is completely different from its predecessor.

Some characters we already knew from the previous film. Besides Beetlejuice and his trusty assistant Bob, we see Lydia and Delia Deetz again. But new characters are being introduced as well. Astrid, Lydia’s daughter, portrayed by Jenna Ortega. Ortega fits into Tim Burton’s universe like she was always meant to be apart of it. Her character might be a bit stereotypical, grumpy, rebellious teenager. But she is a nice addition, still. Justin Theroux, as Lydia’s new boyfriend, is also a welcome new character. Kind of a disgusting new-age attention seeker, but really funny. Monica Bellucci’s character Delores doesn’t really add anything. When she is introduced, in a dark but fun scene, she seems like a very important character. But at one point, when she enters a scene again, you realize you had almost forgotten she was also apart of the story. She is supposed to be a huge treat, but she doesn’t feel that way in the end. Willem Dafoe’s character is kinda fun though, an actor/ detective called Wolf Jackson. But his role is fairly small as well. Jeffrey Jones, who played Charles Deetz in the original, doesn’t return due to a scandal, but his character does return in a different form. And I thought Burton was quite clever with this. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara are all really good, as they were in the first film.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” did not disappoint. The cast, the jokes, the beautiful images and the physical special effects (including a bit of stop-motion) makes it an entertaining and fun film. But only if you have seen and loved “Beetlejuice” as well. Praise to Tim Burton to not recycling a plot, but actually giving us an original plot. With the characters we’ve came to love so long ago, giving them a new, crazy, creepy and funny adventure.

Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

Title:
The Christmas Guest
Author: Peter Swanson
Genre: Mystery
Published: 2023
 
Description: An American student in London is invited to join a classmate for the holidays at Starvewood Hall, her family’s Cotswold manor house. But behind the holly and pine boughs, secrets are about to unravel, revealing this seemingly charming Englisg village’s grim history.
  
Review: Ashley Smith is an American art student in London, who was planning to spend Christmas alone. But a last-minute invitation of fellow student Emma Chapman brings her to Starvewood Hallo, the country residence of the Chapman family. Ashely is mesmetized by the cozy, firelit house, the large family and the charming village of Clevemoor. But also by Adam Chapman, Emma’s brother. But he’s being investigated by the police over the recent brutal murder of a girl from the village. And there is a mysterious stranger who haunts the woodland path between Starvewood Hall and the local pub. Over thirty years later, the events of that horrific week are revisited, along with a diary from that time.
 
Peter Swanson is a hit or miss author for me. “The Christmas Guest” is a novella with less than a hundred pages, that you can easily read in one sitting. I was invested in the mystery and the eventual plotting of it. But I also found the story a bit predictable and I did not enjoy the ending. Particularly one element at the end, that felt like a last-minute thought of the author.
 
It's a quick and easy read, if you’re in for a Christmas mystery. The holiday vibes were very present, did enjoy the setting as well. But again, not the most surprising story and that ending was just not that good.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

zaterdag 14 december 2024

Book Review - My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon

Title:
My Darling Girl
Author: Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Thriler/ Horror
Published: 2023
 
Description: Alison has never been a fan of Christmas. But with it right around the corner and her husband busily decorating their cozy Vermont home, she has no choice but to face ti. Then she gets the call.
 
Mavis, Alison’s estranged mother, has been diagnosed with cancer and has only weeks to live. She wants to spend her remaining days with her daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. But Alison grew up with her mother’s alcoholism and violent abuse and is reluctant to unearth these traumatic memories. Still, she eventually agrees to take in mavis, hoping that she and her mother could finally heal and have the relationship she’s always dreamed of.
 
But when mysterious and otherworldly things start happening upon Mavis’s arrival, Alison begins to suspect her mother is not quite who she seems. And as the holiday festivities turn into a nightmare, she must confront just how far she is willing to go to protect her family.

Review: I’ve always heard great things about author Jennifer McMahon, but had yet to experience it myself. “My Darling Girl” follows Alison, who hates Christmas and has already had a troubled relationship with her mother Mavis, due to her being an alcoholic and being violent towards her and her brother. When Mavis is ill and doesn’t have long to live, Alison and her husband Mark decide to take her in. But strange things start to happen and Mavis doesn’t feel the same to Alison.
 
The character of Mavis is very well written. McMahon portrays her as a cold, heartless woman who physically and mentally abused her children. We learn about her in the past and how she is now. And How Mavis is different around Alison, then when she is with Mark or Alison’s daughters. And of course Mavis does everything to get them on her side, and against Alison.
 
I always hate reading about a main character, who suspects something and then nobody believes her. I hate it because it makes me anxious and mad. But it’s a good way of creating extra tension in a thriller or horror book. McMahon used this trope very well.
 
“My Darling Girl” is a creepy story, with tension, a dysfunctional relationship and a few surprising twists. There were some moments in the book I didn’t really like, like some of the motivations and actions of the main character/. But overall I enjoyed reading this book. I will try some more books by Jennifer McMahon.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Speak No Evil


Director:
James Watkins
Genre: Thriller/ Horror
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy, Aisling Franciosi,  Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough. Kris Hitchen
 
Description: A family is invited to spend a whole weekend in a lonely home in the countryside, but as the weekend progresses, they realize that a dark side lies withing the family who invited them.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 50: A FILM FROM AN ACADEMY AWARD WINNING/ NOMINATED ACTOR OR ACTRESS

Review: Although the original “Speak No Evil” with a significant role for my country, is still fresh in our mind, for America it is already time for a remake. Hollywood has a habit of Americanizing successful films from abroad, but as many show, this is not always a success. Fortunately, “Speak No Evil” is a great remake.

Vacations are the ultimate time to relax. When the placid Louise and Ben take their daughter to Italy, they meet an eccentric family there. The lovely wife Ciara, their little son Ant, who has a disability and has difficulty communicating, and the dominant but enthusiastic Paddy. Things click between the two families. Ben and Louise are invited to spend a weekend at Paddy and Ciara’s country home in England. Although they have only just met the family, after a while they decide to visit.

A recurring theme is the discomfort created by certain standards and behavior. The tension that the film builds with this from the beginning gets stronger and stronger. There is this constant feeling of unease and questioning yourself if something going on.

The uncomfortable feeling also occasionally creates a black-comic tone, with Louise and ben getting into increasingly strange situations, but staying neat out of politeness. The film plays heavily on behavioral norms and cultural differences between people and charts in multiple layers.

There are many themes woven into the tension and story, such as gender inequality, parenting and cultural differences, but the most prominent is toxic masculinity. On one side James McAvoy as Paddy, is the ultimate alpha male: dominant, muscular and overpowering. On the other side is Scoot McNairy’s Ben, who has difficulty countering Paddy and, in the process, also experiences difficulties with his wife, who repeatedly asks him to intervene. Their characters complement each other perfectly, which enhances the poignancy of the situation.

James McAvoy is, without a doubt, the star of the show. In his acting, he manages to sublimely combine grandeur and nuance. With minimal looks, facial expressions and use of voice, he gives weight to each scene. Although McAvoy indicates no having seen the original, he manages to bring out and even transcend the scariest sides of Fedja van HuĂȘt.

The tension is wonderfully built up, with many shots and dialogues foreshadowing the explosive final act. In it, many plot twists converge to a worthy conclusion.

Rating: 4/ 5

zaterdag 7 december 2024

Book Review - The Darkest Night by Various Authors

Title:
The Darkest Night
Author: Various authors
Genre: Horror/ Short stories
Published: 2024
 
Description: From some of the biggest names in horror comes an Advent calendat of short stories perfect for the darkest nights of the year.
 
Review: The anthology “The Darkest Night” is a collection fo 22 horror stories with a Christmas or Winter theme, each story written by a different author. I really loved this idea and decided to pick it up for the holiday season. With short story collections, you have so many stories to choose from. Most of these stories weren’t really scary and were just okay. Just a few of them stood out and I will spotlight them in this review.
 
The story “Cold as Ice” by Tim Waggoner follows a divorced man who is trying to date, but has no real desire. While driving home ins a storm he sees a strange creature running beside him. This story felt like a true wintery horror story, what I was expecting from this anthology. One of the stories that was actually scary.
 
Caly McLeos Chapman wrote the story “Mr. Butler”, which was a bit strange, but I loved this. A card board box shows up at a man’s house. The same card board box has once been his only friend, called Mr. Butler. It’s very different from the rest of the stories, but I absolutely loved it.
 
Nice by “Nat Cassidy” was probably my favorite, where we meet 6-year-old Mitchell, who has been very good this year and is sure Santa knows it. But when the Elf on the shelf comes alive and tells Mitchell he should be naughty, because otherwise the elves have to work too hard, the young boy takes it a bit too seriously. Surprising story, which takes a very dark turn.
 
The story “Eggnog” by Kristi deMeester didn’t really feel very Christmassy or wintery, other then the fact that part of the story was set at an office Christmas party, but this story somehow really grabbed me. And I felt very fulfilled at the end.
 
Probably the most ridiculous story, but also ridiculously good, was “Being Nice” by Jeff Strand. An eighteen year old receives nothing but a lump of cole for Christmas and he tries to make it right. But everything only gets worse. The story is pretty brutal, but I really laughed at it too.
 
Of these 22 stories, these were the only ones that really stayed with me, the rest was just okay and most of them were very forgettable. I probably would not recommend this book, but if you’re willing to pick it up, these are the stories you should be excited for.  
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

Title:
 The Christmas Appeal (The Appeal # 1.5)
Author: Janice Hallett
Genre: Mystery
Published: 2023
 
Description: The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theater enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes.
 
Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body on stage. Who could possibly have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore on their holiday production – for good.
 
Review: Janice Hallett has become one of my favorite mystery authors very quickly, due to her creative way of crafting her stories. She is a modern day Agatha Christie, because she presents her mystery stories in mixed-media form. This is a sort-of sequel to “The Appeal”, only now in a Christmas setting. Like the first book, the amateur theater group the Fairway players are raising money for a good cost by performing a play. And again someone ends up dead.
 
The evidence is presented to two lawyers, in the form of emails, text messages, news paper clippings, etcetera. And we can all puzzle along. Again, at the start, you have no idea who is the dead person. I liked the mystery, but I didn’t love it as much as “The Appeal”. That’s mainly because the ending was not at all satisfying. It felt a bit rushed and I expected a bit more. But for the rest, it was a great read.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - Death on the Nile

Title:
Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot # 18)
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1937
 
Description: The tranquility of a lovely cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discover that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everything. – until she lost her life.
 
Who is also on board? Detective Hercule Poirot is on holiday. He recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: “I’s like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger”. Despite the exotic setting, nothing is ever quite what it seems…
 
Review: This detective novel by Agatha Christie, number 18 in the adventures of detective Hercule Poirot, is an exciting and ingeniously put together story. For example, the things you think are too obvious may not be, or are they? The so-called red herring is used well here, but not the way you think. Christie really played with that in “Death on the Nile”.
 
It takes some time to get to the actual death, Christi takes her time to introduce all the characters and give them motive or an alibi for the eventual crime that will be committed. Other than the wording sometimes, it’s really not that obvious the book was written in the 30s.
 
“Death on the Nile” is one of Christie’s most known books, but not my favorite. I loved it, don’t get me wrong. But for me, the time it takes to get to the mystery is a tad too long. My favorite part of her books is always the detective work. Trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. And this part of the book is flawless.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Review - Blink Twice

Director:
Zoë Kravitz
Genre: Thriller/ Mystery/ Horror
Runtime: 102 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Naomi Ackie, Alia Shawkat, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Haley Joel Osment, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Geena Davis, Kyle MacLachlan
 
Description: When tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his fundraiser gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 49: A DIRECTORIAL DEBUT
 
Review: If you like a mysterious horror/ thriller with some female rage, ZoĂ« Kravitz got you covered. In her directorial debut everything seems normal, but you know something is fundamentally wrong. Lots of red flag, but not sure why. It’s best to know as little as possible going in, because it will leave you gasping for air at the end.

Frida, a waitress at a gala hosted by Slater King (mocking Elon Musk, maybe?), can’t take her eyes of this charismatic man. She knows he has a dark side, as he went into therapy after an unspecified incident and apologized a thousand times. But Frida is ambitious and quite willing to get to know him. Fortunately, Slater also has an eye for her and, after some hesitation, he invites Frida and her best friend Jess to accompany him and his entourage to a Mexican island he just bought.

On site, Slater has all cell phones confiscated. A week of crazy fun begins. The guest enjoy the weather, the finest mansion with luxury chalets, a large pool, tasty dishes and champagne and drugs galore. Frida’s happiness is unstoppable, although she senses that another female invitee is jealous of Slater’s attention for her. This seems like a spring-break version for adults, but somewhere also the salutation of an impending plot from a mystery novel.

Kravitz takes her time. In doing so, she’s taking a risk, because except for Slater’s dark past and the confiscated phones, for a long time there’s no trouble. But little bizarre details nevertheless create this ominous tension and you are certain something is bad will happen. And you will never predict what it is.

“Blink Twice” is exciting, has occasional dark humor, has some satire to it, criticizes society very subtly and is really original. Nothing but praise for ZoĂ« Kravits, who really succeeds with her first directing job. Same goes for Naomi Ackie, who carries the film on her strong shoulders. Her performance will hopefully launch her to the A-list in Hollywood. Channing Tatum, the all American boy, surprises in a role that is atypical for him,

Most of the other actors don’t stand out much, their characters are drawn very superficial. But it didn’t bother me, because in the and most do have a purpose in the film.
When the film starts, you have a feeling that something is wrong, but you can never predict the direction this film is heading. Such a good film, that will especially please female horror/ thriller fans.

Rating: 5/ 5