super-blog

So Many Movies, So Little Time...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:41:26 +0100

Hi folks!

There seems to be an influx of supernatural cinema screenings on at the moment. You have to wonder why they're not waiting until October, to take advantage of Halloween treats and the spooky season, but their loss is definitely our gain!

A friend of mine has already been to see many of the films currently on offer, a couple of them twice! So let's start with her favourite, Warm Bodies (2013). This is your basic paranormal romance, sexing up zombies and giving them a similar status to that of vampires in popular culture. I don't know about you, but I think one of the most terrifying thing about zombies is that they cannot be reasoned with. They have one function, to eat fresh meat - no matter whose body it happens to be attached to! This film has a link with Shaun of the Dead (2004) in that they are both comedies, and their comparisons with current life makes you wonder just who the dead people in society truly are. Is it the people who go to a restaurant with friends and spend hours talking to other friends by text message instead of talking with their friends who are sitting at the table? Or is the people who are hooked up to their computers night and day, who visit the supermarket to push trolleys around aimlessly, not being able to decide what to eat? Still, the premise behind Warm Bodies appears to be sound and I am looking forward to seeing the film very soon!

Another film that keeps flashing up on the television is Beautiful Creatures (2013). This is a film based on the occult, where a young witch, Lena, won't know her fate until she turns 16. A classic boy-meets-girl romance with well-intentioned parental interference which serves to push the couple closer together, while she anxiously awaits her fate. This film has had mixed reviews, but it is one that I must see!

Finally, I was driving my car home this week, and there has been a repeated ad on the radio for Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013). In this particular film, the hero and heroine in the title roles have grown up a bit and, after their childhood adventures almost end in a grisly fashion, they turn to killing witches for a living. In the original tale the duo work together to outwit the witch, using only their wits. In this film, they get separated, so each of them must work alone, or enlist other help. The plot sounds fascinating, and the special effects look amazing!

An alternative is Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft, which is out at the moment and stars a familiar face in one of the title roles - you might recognise him as Seth from the Twilight series - Booboo Stewart. This one is set in the present in a boarding school. Booboo is asked to join an elite coven who plans to sacrifice his twin sister to the 'Witch of the Woods'. There are a few Hansel & Gretel movies out at the moment, so it will be interesting to see WITCH one comes out on top! Sorry, I couldn't help the pun!

I will be posting full reviews in due course, but by all means let me know whether or not you've had chance to see them and your opinions.

Pale, Floppy Eared Carrot-Munchers

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 18:29:22 +0100

This week has been full of ups and downs...

One of my uncles died last month and I met up with his closest family (and some of mine too as it happens) at the funeral earlier today. It was interesting to see their faces as they reiterated that they would see each other again and while I can understand why some people need religion: for many it's a crutch, something watching over us keeping us on the 'right path' or the fantasy story of 'happily in the ever after' - so that life has some meaning. Looking around the church today though, I saw my uncle's eternal legacy; the genetics of his family as his granddaughters sang together; their united faith in their creator binding them together.

As a born again atheist, I don't believe in anything. I've told my son that at my funeral I want him to dress as the Grim Reaper and stand in the corner saying nothing, only glaring and pointing at older family members. When I told my cousins of this plan, they laughed at my irreverence, but said it sounded like fun and asked if we could do it now. Well, while I have consigned myself to death at some point in the future, I don't think I'm quite prepared for the crematorium just yet - not while I'm breathing anyway.

My family had provided a book outside the church for guests to sign, asking for people to add their favourite memories. How can you choose just one memory of someone who had a massive impact on your life? I just wrote 'So many memories, not enough pages'.

On the upside, I had one interview this week for uni. It is difficult to contemplate anyone else wanting something so badly, preparing for it zealously, and then being so nervous that they find it hard to string a sentence together. Yep! That's me! But it was interesting meeting other students already enrolled on the course and some of the people who showed up for interview were clearly passionate about what they wanted to do as well.

In half an hour, how can you explain adequately how some of the books you have read have literally changed your life? I was struggling with depression the first time I read Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon and the story of the Atlantean God, together with the Author's Notes at the beginning of the book helped me to come to grips with some of my own experiences and give me some direction.

Acheron is helpless as a child; he has few options as a slave; but as an omniscient being he can see almost everyone's potential. The only futures he cannot see clearly are those of the people closest to him, and his own. I have learned several things from Acheron, but the most obvious is, that no matter how powerful you are or aren't, some things are beyond your control and sometimes things need to go wrong in order for them to go right. It's a matter of time. Not so much a problem when you're an Atlantean God, I suppose; a little more problematic for your common garden atheist.

I never even mentioned Lesley Pearse's Georgia. I cried the first time I read this book, and again the second and third time... I actually wore the covers out on my first copy. My second copy went missing... It's the story of 'The Talisman' all over again. The story is tragic and your heart cannot help but feel anguish for the plight of the young mixed-race girl who is raped by her drunk and insensible foster father. She stabs him and runs away, forced to make a new life for herself. Georgia, the title heroine of the book, copes fabulously with many of the problems and soon makes friends. Still, like Acheron, she doesn't have an easy time of it.

'Til next time! Oh and if someone can tell me the deal about the 1st March and 'white rabbits' that would be great! The only pale, floppy eared carrot-muncher I know anything about is my dog!

Books, Books, Books

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:40:58 +0100

Much as I love my kobo, I spent a few hours today picking out some new reading material - REAL BOOKS!

I managed to find a Charlaine Harris title that so far I've only read on my e-reader and I picked up half a dozen Darren Shan books from his 'Demonology' series. I loved his Saga of Darren Shan so buying this set of books was a no-brainer for me and I daresay a full review of each will follow as soon as I have time to catch up! Having worked a little on fairy tales at college this past month, I found a very interesting book by one of my favourite authors, James Herbert. Once...

The dust cover fly leaf gives away a small promise of the book's plot and it appears to be steeped in fairy lore, with all the goodness and charm of fairy tales, but there's a darker edge to this particular story and I haven't even scratched the surface of it yet. I know, they say 'Don't judge a book by its cover!' and I'm afraid I did just that! Do you think I can be forgiven - this Once...?

I'm only a few pages in, and it appears the protagonist of the tale, Thom Kindred, has survived a stroke and subsequent car crash that might well have killed him. Although his recuperation is slow, doctors have released him from hospital and he is heading back to the home of his childhood; Castle Bracken.

The dust cover is black, with an embossed pattern on it, representing billowing brambles which dwarf the building in the bottom left corner. Also visible is a fox or jackal, together with a raven and some fairy folk. The back page reads, 'A scary Tale of Faerefolkis & Evildoers, of Lovers & Erotic Passion, of Horror & Belief. Written only for Adults.'

I have already noticed a subtle link with another book already in my collection: Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist; which is a tale about a young boy who gets snatched away by the evil powers of faerie for nefarious purposes and his twin sets out to win his brother back. The tale is filled with faerie folk and has links to demons, which links us back again to the Darren Shan books I mentioned earlier. For those who are interested in books by Laurell K. Hamilton, I will warn you, the Merry Gentry series this particular tale is not! It's harsh reading at times, although not overly graphic if memory serves me well (I dare say it's another one I will be picking up again in a few weeks - if only to compare with Once...) The book tends to dwell on the evil side of faerie which is dark and somewhat frightening.

I cannot wait to make a proper start on Once... but I have some coursework beckoning and I need to do some more research for two presentations I have to give next month. I have approached my favourite author for assistance with this, but have not had an answer as yet - I will keep trying. What I would give for just a few more hours in the day, or perhaps a little pixie dust...

Wild Wintry Weather

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:40:57 +0100

I have spent a little time of late getting to grips with Frankenstein, both the literary version by Mary Shelley and the Kenneth Branagh film.

The wild landscapes described by Shelley are extremely vivid; majestic almost in their appointment. One can almost see the craggy waves in the sea of ice in Shelley's novel and feel the same sense of peace looking out on that bleak scene.

Exotic landscapes are a feature of Gothic literature but the scenes depicted by Shelley are not so far removed from those witnessed in the UK over the past few weeks - with yet more snow due in days to come.

The problem with snow in here in the UK is that we're simply not used to it. We are rarely prepared for the inconvenience and we don't like the cold or slush, much less driving in icy conditions. I think if it snows again this year, I'll be snuggling up in front of the fire with a book and a mug of tea and staying there until it melts.

I honestly cannot wait until spring has sprung!

A New Haven

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 11:40:56 +0100

The final episode of Haven looms like a harbinger of doom, and I while I am looking forward to seeing what happens with the skinwalker and Audrey Parker, I am reluctant to say goodbye to this particular tv programme. Fortunately, a new season has been promised (yay!) and we viewers have no idea what to expect when that rolls around at the end of this year.

The premise behind the show is that many residents of the town of Haven suffer from 'troubles' or rather are plagued by supernatural events, which generally stem from someone with a 'trouble'. To bring an end to the troubles demands that Audrey has to walk into a magical barn where she is lost in the sands of time for 27 years, and when she leaves the barn she has no memory of who or what she is, but she is immune to the troubles; thy don't affect her in any capacity, although she has lost friends and colleagues to the troubles.

Audrey makes a conscious choice to help those who are troubled and this is more than a job for her, it is her true calling. They do say that some are born great, some achieve greatness, while others have greatness thrust upon them - this is certainly true for Audrey. For the past three seasons it has appeared that Audrey has been unable to make up her mind between Duke and Nathan. Duke is definitely the bad boy type and it is obvious that there is something between Duke and Audrey. but Nathan and she have a much deeper connection and have a biological link with the Colorado Kid (their son). Audrey is aware that the Colorado Kid is her son, but whether or not she knows Nathan is the father is unclear.

The small harbour town of Haven might be situated anywhere. It's a beautiful, picturesque town, almost postcard perfect, but there are dark forces at work within and Audrey has no idea who she can and can't trust. There's more than one person willing and able to stab her in the back.

Fearsome Fairy Tales

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 22:26:59 +0100

Okay, so this week I've been looking at Fairy Stories in class and once again, I was the first to admit what I pushover I have always been for fairy tales. When I was a child I absorbed them all, like a sponge soaking up water.

I don't know what it was about them that fired my imagination. Hansel and Gretel terrified me - the thought of a parent deliberately leaving two children alone in the woods was more than I could imagine as a child, especially as I was much-loved by my parents. Little Red Riding Hood I thought was a stupid girl because she ought to have known what her grandmother looked like, whether she was in bed or out of it.

I loved the tale of the 12 Dancing Princesses and I was thrilled by the original tales of the Brothers Grimm. I got to see these horror stories in their full unadulterated (muahahaha) glory! My favourite tale was predictably Cinderella, not that I ever truly believed that love existed back then; my mind's certainly more open now. As with all folk tales there's a moral to the story, work hard and you'll have your happily ever after. In the case of Cinderella's slothful, lazy, selfish, grasping, money-grabbing, ugly step-sisters, you can almost forgive them for wanting to live the life of Riley. However, in their own way, they already were because they had no responsibilities, no chores, no worries.

Disney and some other film makers would have you believe that these girls and their mother were forgiven by Cinderella, but not in the original stories; they were punished severely for their avarice. Cinderella's sisters did mutilate themselves for their own ends and were further mutilated when a bird pecked out their eyes for good measure (in the original story in any case).

It was the story of Cinderella that inspired me to read and it is probably the first book I had "Read it Your Self" - does anyone else remember those. Cinderella went to three balls over three consecutive nights and wore a more stunning gown on each successive occasion. How I loved that story; and it fired my imagination as a child.

These fairy tales are likely the reason why I love the supernatural so much now: animals that could talk, shape-shifters, gory and often blood-thirsty events such as cannibalism; magic spells and witches... The supernatural was a natural succession. After all, what creatures are more cannibalistic than the zombies of popular fiction? Which creatures are more blood-thirsty than vampires? Witches might commune with Satan and the dead in the stories of days gone by, but ghost stories still prevail in the present day; we need look no further than The Exorcist for proof of demonic possession.

I feel so blessed to have had these inspirational tales form my upbringing and I know there are many of you who will feel the same way. Go on, switch off the television and pick up a book! Have another look at the fairy tales you used to read as a child... I dare you! You will find hidden meanings throughout which will open your eyes.

Demented on The Shambles

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:58:19 +0100

It is not every day that feature films are shot on your doorstep, but you will definitely want to keep your eyes peeled for Dementamania due out this year!

This bizarre movie is billed as a thriller and follows the experiences of an office worker who is caught up between his deranged fantasy world and real life, unable to tell the difference between them.

If anyone knows the York area, there is a tiny street called The Shambles which hails from the Tudor period and still exists very much in the same format as it did back then. The Shambles won an award in 2010 for "Britain's Most Picturesque Street" and with its history and vibrant street life, it is easy to see why. Some of the filming for Dementamania took place in a building on The Shambles, so if you are familiar with the area, you might want to watch out for it.

I've seen some advance photos of this particular production and I cannot wait to see the feature, as the main character loses his grip on reality and starts to murder off his colleagues in various gruesome settings. Even the office worker cannot seem to keep track about which world is fantasy and which is reality and it has all the hallmarks of being one of those films which keeps you guessing right until the end.

Zombies Attack Lincoln University

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:14:43 +0100

I never thought I would see signs of a zombie apocalypse at Lincoln University, but this film has been a viral phenomenon and created a wealth of publicity for Lincoln Uni.

The young man who made this film, while failing to portray a believable character, still managed to create an engaging and admirable piece of film, drawing on popular media and culture in order to create the perfect environments for sharing his skills.

If I might give my dear friend "K" a piece of advice... Vampires! Vampires are the way forward. So, now you know, hun. Get working on that film reel and if you need someone to act gimme a call. I'll gladly don a pair of vampire fangs for a few minutes. lol. :) Hell, I'll even wear full Goth makeup and a red and black skirt if I have to.

I am going to take a break now until the New Year. I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and enjoy the wonders of the Christmas season with your families. Mine will be a quiet celebration this year, but I'm looking forward to spending those precious moments with my family.

All the best to you, wherever you are.

Andrea

Zombie Apocalypse

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 12:14:30 +0100

I know I'm not the only one who has a poster on the fridge listing survival techniques in the event of a zombie apocalypse, and I know there is no likelihood of this happening; but sometimes I feel I am the only one who notices the zombies in every day life. I was one myself last week!

I had a rotten cold/flu bug and I felt seriously under the weather, yet I tried to continue my every day routine. I'm not sure that much actually sunk in last week at all! I thought about myself shuffling around with very little zest for life; no real impetus or anything to attract my interest. All I could focus on was my inner pain and hope to feel better soon. I am sure many of my friends and family would have looked at me and noticed how ill I was, but I doubt their minds would have immediately equated me with a zombie.

I don't know if you'll have watched Sean of the Dead, which is a rather dark comedy about a zombie apocalypse starring Simon Pegg, where the zombies are given jobs collecting supermarket trolleys. I considered, probably for the first time, that many of us do continue along the same vein, day after day, doing exactly the same old thing; nothing changing; not evolving - barely living!

Well, fortunately, I'm feeling much better this week, so I'm seizing back my life with a little more zest and enthusiasm than normal; extremely grateful for the opportunities that come my way.

I know this much - there will be a few more zombies over the cold months but fortunately by March/April, we should all have a new spring in our step.

A Tryst with a Sire

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:03:58 +0100

This week's episode of Vampire Diaries held a twist that I did not see coming!

Caroline, who everyone assumes is the typical blonde bombshell is repeatedly underestimated, but she's the one who works out why Elena has altered so dramatically since she became a vampire. It's all to do with the sire bond and once it was explained, even I was thinking, "Why didn't I consider that before?"

The result of the sire bond is that Elena now listens when Damon speaks, where before she was all about Stefan. Elena and Stefan have been pretty unshakeable for three seasons, but I must admit, Damon has been exceptionally patient with his passion for Elena. He could have compelled her at any time, both into doing whatever he wanted and forgetting afterwards. He could have, but he didn't. Damon described himself in TVD as "the most dangerous thing you're ever likely to encounter" and he has proven to be a deadly adversary. Certainly, if you want Damon Salvatore anywhere, it is on your side.

I know I often wondered how Katharine decided between Stefan and Damon, especially as she sired both Salvatores, but Elena's problem is two fold. She has forgotten her identity after being reborn as a vampire and with Damon as her sire she will feel drawn to him like no other - Stefan is in for a rough time!

Watching Elena with Damon was uncomfortable, yet it made complete sense. As a vampire, Elena had remembered everything that Damon had compelled her to forget; even the fact that he loved her - and I truly believe he does. The thing is Stefan loves her too, enough to let her go; although the scenario is clearly crucifying him. I can't wait to see where this season is going.

Hey Ian, if you're reading, I hope you had a fantastic birthday! If you want to chill out with a beer some time, get in touch.

For those of you who might be interested, Ian also has an interest in sustainable carpentry and works with his brother on BOB - Built of Barnwood, a business enterprise that uses reclaimed wood to create beautiful new products. You can also join their fan page on Facebook, here. This little business has taken off so fast, the Somerhalders are having to play catch up at the moment, but I believe this enterprise could help create jobs and inspire others too. Now, anyone else feel like ordering a stake?