#Urban Legends 4 Review

[thegayhimbo]

Stranger Things Halloween Special Review

Synopsis: It’s Halloween Night of 1983, and Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will are gathered at Castle Byers to tell spooky stories. When Will recounts the legend of the Child Eater of Hawkins, things start to get intense for the group as they begin to wonder if the legend is real..........

Observations:

One of the things I’ve enjoyed about the tie-in comics are the stories that focus on the Party and the interactions they have, even when they’re not dealing with the supernatural threat of the Upside Down. It’s nice seeing the group as friends having fun and engaging in their own small adventures. It’s why I’m a fan of comics like the Halloween Special, the Winter Special, Zombie Boys, Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, and Tomb of Ybwen. It helps that comics like these are written in a way where it’s easy to accept them as part of the canon.

The one-shot comic has a similar premise to the novel Hawkins Horrors where the kids gather together on a scary night to tell urban legends about Hawkins. The big differences are 1.) The Halloween Special centers on only one urban legend (The Child Eater of Hawkins) whereas Hawkins Horrors contained a collection of horror stories as told by various characters, and 2.) The Halloween Special only focuses on Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Jonathan whereas Hawkins Horrors takes place after season 3 when the Byers have moved to California with El, and the characters featured in that novel are Steve, Robin, Nancy, Erica, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Max.

The comic itself takes place on October 31st 1983, about a week before the events of season 1 when the gate is opened, El escapes the lab, and Will is taken into the Upside Down.

There’s a running joke in this comic and Hawkins Horrors about Lucas trying and failing to make his stories scary and everyone giving him grief for it.

Will’s story about The Child Eater of Hawkins was genuinely creepy and the comic does a great job with its disturbing images:

The comic was written and published in October 2020, about a year after season 3 ended and the Duffer Brothers had written season 4.

The twist with Jonathan dressing up as the Child Eater to scare Dustin, Mike, and Lucas was funny, and I loved how Will was in on the joke! 😂

On a final note, it’s interesting how Will’s tale about the Child Eater of Hawkins eerily parallels Vecna’s arc in season 4:

Both are monsters who specifically target kids/teens and kill them in gruesome fashion.

Both of the monsters victims are seen as sacrifices: The cops in Will’s story specifically trap 4 teens in the Hawkins Library for the Child Eater to devour so that it’ll go back into hibernation (similar to Pennywise from Stephen King’s IT), whereas Vecna kills 4 teens (Chrissy, Fred, Patrick, Max) to open the gate in Hawkins (with Vecna even telling Max that she’ll be “the final sacrifice”).

Both stories feature authority figures covering up the deaths of the victims and try to keep the public in the dark about what’s really going on.

On top of that, am I the only one who notices the Child Eater of Hawkins looks similar to Vecna?

Coincidence?

This was a fun comic, and I recommend checking it out if you get the chance! :)

[taycpastudies]

9/25/2023

Two hours today! Usually I would keep going for two more (it’s only 10pm!) but I have to leave for the airport at 4:30 in the morning tomorrow for work… sad! Just kidding (kinda), it should be an interesting trip for sure. It’s a first year audit so we definitely want to go see the clients in person, and I’m the only staff with very little first year client experience. Wish me luck!!

Exam wise…. yeah we’ll see lol. Still on track to finish the final review tomorrow night if we’re not working until super late… not sure what the expectations will be as far as that goes. October 30 feels so so so so close, I keep telling myself that all I need is a 75!!!!

I heard an urban legend (“my friend knows someone who knows someone who works with someone”) that a girl only got through 70% of the content and passed. She’s my inspiration.

[troped-fanfic-challenge]

We’re back, witches! It’s time to get ready for TROPED’s fourth annual Halloween Fanfic Challenge and the first Horror Trope Exchange! For this dual event of our TROPED: The Fanfic Writing Challenge, you can select the tropes you want to write and create the horror fic of your dreams or you can have someone else create a horror fic for you and you will write one for someone else (or you can do both, if you're feeling particularly daring)!!

How It Works: TROPED Choice Horror!

The first part of the event will be structured the same as previous Choice Events: tropes and theme list will be released, three weeks to write, three (3) days to vote; one quick round, done and done!

It’s a Multifandom Event! Write from any fandom you’d like! All Fandoms are welcome and there is no minimum participation required for this event! And no sign-ups necessary!

Choose a Theme for your fic from our list of Horror-centric themes! Ghost stories, urban legends, slasher fics, or mystery thrillers, you name it, we wanna see it! But, if Horror isn’t your thing, these fics do not have to be scary (“horror” just sounds better than “halloween”)! Any and all Halloween-themed fics are also welcome here! While we are definitely encouraging scary, spooky, horror style fics, any fic with a general Halloween theme that follows our guidelines and tropes would work great, from a slasher flick inspired horror fic to a soft and fluffy trick-o’-treating kid fic!

Choose four (4) Tropes for your fic from our list of tropes! (You can, of course, choose more than four, but only the first four tropes you list will be included for voting). For this challenge, at least one of your four tropes must be a ‘Horror’ trope, which are in a separate list from the other tropes.

Write your fic in 10,000 words or less! You will upload your fic anonymously to the AO3 Collection linked below. Make sure you put what your theme is and what tropes you used in your fic summary, or in the notes at the TOP of your fic, so we can keep our eyes peeled for them as we read them! (If you are worried the tropes/themes will spoil your fic, you may put them in the notes at the bottom, but please let us know at the top if you choose to do so, and be sure that all of your tropes and themes are in the same place!)

This event will be Optionally Anonymous! Because we want this event to be much more chill, and the writing period will be open for the month, we will not require this event to be anonymous! However, if you would like to have your fic be anonymous, we will be sharing a small tutorial on how to make your fics anonymous and how to remove them from being anonymous sometime soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Read and Review! Once you’ve submitted your own fic, take a look at the others in the competition! Please try to read as many as you can! Take some notes, leave some kudos/comments for the authors, and help us vote on the winners! This is not a requirement for participation, but it is highly encouraged and helps make TROPED build a strong community!

Community Voting! The voting for this event will be pretty simple! We will keep a list of all fics submitted for each event, and then at the end there will be a voting poll! Voting will be based on the use of your chosen theme, your combined use of all four chosen tropes, the combined use of your theme + your tropes, and bonus polls, most unique pairing (which will count for both platonic and romantic pairings), best scary story, and best use of Halloween! The voting will be based on the fics as a whole, and will include all fandoms together! If you do not want your fic included in the voting, you can let us know, or you can simply upload your fic to our non-anon collection instead! We will still share it along with the other fics and it will be included in all masterlists! We will provide a link when voting begins.

How It Works: TROPED Horror Trope Exchange!

The second part of this event, TROPED: Horror Trope Exchange, is a double blind fanfic exchange, meaning you won’t know who you’re writing for, or who is writing for you! Here’s how it works:

It’s a The 100 Fandom Exchange Only!

Take a look at our Horror Trope list and pick four (4) tropes that you’d like to be included in your gift!! Remember, this event is double blind!! This is to help preserve that truly quintessential TROPED experience, where any writer can take the tropes and make something unique and surprising! Because of this, you wont be able to reach out to your recipient for any more info, and that means what you give your writer is all they have to go on, so try to be clear! If there is something you really want, or really don’t want, make sure to tell them during this stage of the exchange!

Sign Up & Keep Your Ask Box Open! After the sign-up period is over, we will match up all the assignments as best we can, and then we will deliver them to your ask box before the writing period begins! Please be sure to have your ask box open, and please be sure not to post the ask you receive, so it can be kept anonymous.

Write your fic! You will have about three weeks to write a fic that includes you given tropes, and fits into our holiday theme. You will upload your fic to the AO3 Collection linked below. Make sure you put what tropes you were assigned in your fic summary, or in the notes at the TOP of your fic, so we can keep our eyes peeled for them as we read them! (If you are worried the tropes will spoil your fic, you may put them in the notes at the bottom, but please let us know at the top if you choose to do so, and be sure that all of your tropes are in the same place!)

Upload your fic to the TROPED Horror Trope Exchange AO3 Collection only! Fics are due on Monday, October 30th at 12:00pm EST!!! Please be sure to have them in on time, because we will be reviewing them to make sure all your tropes are included! This AO3 collection is unrevealed, which means once your fic is submitted, you won’t be able to see it until we reveal them! If you’re worried about whether we received it or not, you can always DM us to ask!

Happy Halloween! Sit back and relax, we will reveal all the fics on Tuesday, October 31st!!!

TIMELINE:

Trope Exchange Sign Ups Begin: NOW!!!!

Trope Exchange Sign Ups End: 11:59 on Sunday, September 24th

Trope Exchange Assignments Released: Between September 28th—30th

Writing Period Officially Begins: Sunday, October 1st at 12:00am

Writing Period for TROPED Choice Horror Ends: Friday, October 27th at 3:00am PST / 6:00am EST

Writing Period for TROPED Horror Trope Exchange Ends: Monday, October 30th at 12:00pm

Voting Period for Choice Horror: Saturday, October 28th at 12:00am — Monday, October 30th at 11:59pm

Choice Horror Winners and Fic Exchanges Revealed: Tuesday, October 31st at 12:00pm!

RULES:

If you are a veteran to our TROPED Challenges, the rules for this Challenge are mostly the same as before, but any newbies joining the fun should definitely take a look at our full TROPED RULES!

For TROPED Choice: Horror 4.0, the Word Count is 10k or less, Ratings G through E are allowed, but No Smut, and All Fandoms are welcome to participate!

For TROPED Horror Trope Exchange, there is no maximum Word Count, but your fics must be at least 2,500 words! All Ratings G through E are welcome (We will be asking a question during sign-ups about whether you'd be comfortable writing or receiving smut. If your recipient is not comfortable receiving smut, please keep to M ratings or below). Sign-ups are required in advance! This is for The 100 Fandom only!

This event was created to help get creative and different fics out into the world, and to create a fun, positive fandom experience for everyone! In order to ensure that we achieve that goal of a positive experience, we reserve the right to disqualify anyone if we are reading and we think it violates any of our rules.

If you have any questions or concerns please send an Ask or DM a Mod ( @thelittlefanpire or @dylanobrienisbatman )!

HORROR LINKS:

TROPED Choice: Horror Challenge Info + Guidelines Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aZtaoXMGG4OidZhQkfTb4uHNI9ZXkt7sKWvID1p0m_8/edit

Sign-Up for the Horror Trope Exchange here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcnMy3r8el0Tk-tZFMURNL2wXaL958_9b0Ml5pHLxxWL2jRw/viewform?usp=sf_link

TROPED: Horror Trope Exchange Info + Tropes + Guidlines Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CzcM3YG0D1xrI98Ga8nB0cd7syu8QlPE2hNZy0jdAo0/edit

[ahb-writes]

Manga Review: 'The Valiant Must Fall' #1

The Valiant Must Fall #1 by Yu Aida

culture studies

fantasy

historical fantasy

historical drama

historical fiction

Meiji Japan

samurai

My Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Japan is changing. Regional alliances have been winnowed into nothing. Historical family dynasties have been felled by their own blades. Federated police units enforce strict new public codes of conduct. A new government for a new era.

Also, the samurai is functionally extinct.

THE VALIANT MUST FALL v1 pulls readers into the travails of a purpose-driven warrior out of time and place in the age of the Meiji Restoration. Oniuda Haruyasu is ill-fated; he is one of a handful of lingering survivors of failed rebellions and who brandishes a now-outmoded loyalty to a decapitated household. Haruyasu is a talented swordsman. In battle, his nickname was onikuro, or "black demon." Now, however, he has no master, no goal, and no purpose. He has no one to fight for and no one to defend.

Enter Kyuko Shino, a child of mythos. She is a woman in need of a soldier, an ally, and a conspirator. She is also, incredibly, reluctantly, immortal.

THE VALIANT MUST FALL v1 is part historical fiction and part urban fantasy. Readers encounter beautiful, period-accurate renderings of busy street markets, clothes, buildings, and more, alongside dark and clever variations on humankind's perilous quest for eternal youth and power. Tales of a new government seeking to validate its influence over a curious populace collide and merge with inscrutable legends of a people, retainers, descended from mountain-folk who cannot be killed. Japan is changing.

The samurai is functionally extinct. And a wandering, masterless swordsman falls into favor of an immortal woman with vengeance on the mind.

This manga is remarkable but patient. The plethora of period comics, and samurai content in particular, often shy away from the stoic and transcendent darkness of unyielding loyalty. Not so for this book. THE VALIANT MUST FALL v1 is an unsparingly serious and particular manga: swordsmen are not afraid to kill; corruption and abuse are rampant; madness is around every corner; and kindness and fealty are luxuries often afforded to those incapable of believing in themselves.

Haruyasu enters the employ of the young Miss Shino and is tasked to steal a darkness-infused blade from the Imperial Palace. The reason? Shino desires to end the lives of she and other immortals. Why? Because when blessed with ephemeral beauty or eternal youth or self-healing abilities, the garish faces of the government will surely find a way to mar such gifts. Haruyasu ponders this imbricated torment of torments, but agrees to help. And once more, he is a warrior with a purpose.

This is what a samurai manga looks like when its characters aren't effervescent goofballs, when the creative team actually studies the hand placement and footwork required to deftly wield a��katana or wakizashi, and when the narrative is directly influenced by the politics of the time, rather than conveniently standing apart from or ignoring it. This is what a samurai manga looks like when taken seriously, and likewise blended with the steady, unblinking wonderment of a secret hidden in plain sight. Stories of immortal protectors of the palace? Held against their will? And of the humans who serve them as well? Also, perhaps, against their will?

THE VALIANT MUST FALL v1 is for readers who pay close attention to how the wrist bends when a sword is swung (e.g., Haruyasu is quick, but he also knows his limits). It's for readers who enjoy meeting characters who don't dither when circumstances demand quick action (e.g., Shino doesn't hesitate to command the death of a relative who interferes with her cause). And it's for readers who are tired of the impracticality of modern storytelling taking precedent (e.g., the comic focuses on older characters: Haruyasu is 33 years old; Hachiro, an old friend of Haruyasu's and a former shogunate retainer, is 31 years old; Shino, though she looks young, is between 29 and 44 years old). This is a samurai manga with the potential to pull readers into an insightful, new and dark direction.

❯ ❯ Manga Reviews || ahb writes on Good Reads

[turkeyjournal]

Book review: Before your memory fades Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Just want to preface there WILL be spoilers so, dont read if you dont want spoilers.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

Brief Description: A cafe that has an urban legend of going back in time where you immerse in a story in each chapter of people who are willing to go into the past. There are many rules on when going into the past; its strict. You only can stay in the past till the coffee gets cold and you could not change the past.

You read through 4 chapters of 4 people and what they deal with and how they cope with the death and the past.

My Personal Thoughts: When i tell you this book is sad. IT IS SAD. I had cried 3 times. 3 CHAPTERS. I would've cried on chapter 4 but i litreally was dried out completely. I think this book was hard to read at the start because i didnt really want to read it. It took me like 4 days to read it after i bought it and when i started i remeber thinking "Boringgggg" And then suddenly i finished chapter 1 and i was in tears.

The first chapter made me cry the most. Everytime there is a story that mentions a mother and daughter realitonship i am crushed.

I dont want to explain what happens because i think its good just going in it without any knowledge of it. But all i can say is you need to go into this blind, i went into it blind without knowing other than some reviews of some people crying on tiktok and i thought "ok dramatic" and then i started reading it and omgggggg. KILLED ME.

Its really worth reading. I think this is the highest i gave a book a rating. I dont think the ending was as satisfying as i wanted. I was like "omg wow! Theres gonna be a happy ending!?" And then i spoke to soon. I couldnt cry because I was laughing at how I had guessed right.

Second chapter also killed me aswell. The fact the dead wife was acting so kindly and trying to hold it in made me just bawl. It was really well written honestly because it was making me forget the chapters and pages, that i just was imaging the story and enjoying it every sentence.

Third chapter was pretty sad aswell. I dont have a sister or brother so i didnt think i would cry but i found it so devestating and this desperation after all the charcters would leave their loved ones just made it so heartbreaking.

Overall would reccommend to read it again. Would i reread it? Im leaning on yes but usually i dont like re reading books. Id like to re read a book that satisfys me everytime i read it and this is just sad, so probably woudlnt read the book unless I would wanna refresh my memory on it.

[thryth-gaming]

Trying to Gather post links

Stuff flanked by * * is a link to my main blog, which has a lot of real world stuff and if you're trying to avoid doom scrolling, be aware that drifting from that post may lead to that.

Monster of the Week stuff

Media Recommendations

Ryoko Saotome for MotW

Sa for MotW

Hunter Team based on Spotify listening stats

Katalepsis Reframed as MotW series

Late Start Kasumi Tendo MotW build

*Willow Weaver Monster of the Week*

Theoretical Monster of the Week Teams

Codex of Worlds and Team Playbooks

The Flexibility of Team Playbooks

Huntober 2024 (31 links to mystery drafts on google drive)

Tactical and Narrative Approaches to Defining Things

Huntober 2024 Extras (14 links to other blog posts not listed here)

Same Breed, Different Hunters: Vampires

Ghost Hunting and Horror RPGs

Escalating Curses

Canton Crew MotW Playtest

Canton Crew moves

Canton Crew Timeline

Sentinels of the Mulitverse stuff

Verity - Character Build

Unfinished, Unnamed Character Build

Unnamed Deep One Build

Definitive Edition: Spite

Alpha and the Parental Units

Project SPIRIT - Character Build

*Guardian Wings - Four Character Builds (links)*

*Fighting Voss in Definitive Edition Part One*

*Fighting Voss in Definitive Edition Part Two*

Side note: I think I messed up the Ambuscade fight below. Think I forgot to do his set-up properly.

*Fighting Ambuscade in Definitive Edition Part One*

*Fighting Ambuscade in Definitive Edition Part Two*

*Fighting Ambuscade in Definitive Edition Part Three*

Scion Stuff

Rising War Timeline

Late Start Kasumi Tendo Scion build

*Juri Como, no mechanics, just nostalgia*

*Willow Weaver Scion 2e*

*Willow Weaver advances to Legend 4*

*World Setting Facts for Modern Red/Web, Wood, Water*

Chronicles/World of Darkness Stuff

Emma Terreal, Geist 2nd edition build

Pathfinder 2e Stuff

Nure-Onna build

DnD Stuff

Talking about Proper Ruin

*Lheru, Hengeyokai Druid, initial stats*

Talking about Lheru

*Earlier Talking about Lheru*

Sharessan Religion Homebrew Lore and Caress

More about Caress

Vancian Casting

*Collection of Hero Forge scenes based on a campaign*

Video Game Pondering

Conrad Stevenson's Paranormal PI Review

*Reacher/John Wick inspired Souls-Like*

*Mimics and Time Travel in Video Games*

*Urban Fantasy CRPG Please*

*Two Fantasy Game Ideas*

*Phasmophobia Wishlist, not up to date*

*Urban Fantasy/Horror Game*

*Procedural Urban Fantasy/Horror Game*

*Another Urban/Fantasy Game Idea*

Thoughts on expanding Midnight Suns

Board Game Play Reports

*Final Girl Game: Creech Manor*

Other Stuff

Talking about TORG

Multiversal Links in my Campaigns

Daggerheart Review

Response to a Reddit Thread

Playbooks vs Classes

Cthulhu Awakens Character Build

Characters played in the 2000s (needs update)

Urban Fantasy Genre and Era

My "Home" Games

Divine Blood Stuff

(my Urban Fantasy setting/Fate-based RPG)

*Alternative Reproductive Systems in Divine Blood*

*Succubus renamed to Girish*

My Other Gaming Blog on Tumblr

The Gorgon Archer and Character Creation

[macgyvertape]

Vampire Movie Reviews & Recs

I started “Dracula movie month” in October 2022, but it’s still going after I’ve expanded to watching any vampire movies someone recommends me, since I wanted to watch good vampire movies and not burn out on bad Dracula movies. It was inspired by a cinephile friend of mine who for a Dracula movie night showed Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary, a very artsy and critically acclaimed Dracula film. She then made me a letterbox list and my passion project has gone from there.

Movies are arranged in a loose descending order of how much I liked them, Dracula movies I’ve included ones I don’t like/recommend but general vampire movies are only ones I recommend.

Dracula Movies

Dracula Pages from a Virgin’s Diary: it's a silent dance film and I really enjoyed it despite not having seen a ballet film before. It doesn’t differ too much from the book, it emphasizes xenophobic reactions towards Dracula, but the format of the movie makes the story feel completely new and different. 

Shadow of the Vampire: 10/10 I really enjoy metafiction movies, and where the humans are as monstrous as the actual monster. The bit where the vampire talks about how lonely he is and how sad Dracula from the novels would be, is a stand out great scene. 

Dracula (1992):  (8/10) big spectacle with the all star cast, costuming, and makeup. I enjoyed how it mostly followed the book UNTIL they added “Mina is Dracula’s reincarnated wife” which I thought was a worse change to make it romantic vs the horror of it in the books. Was not expecting the explicit werewolf fuck scene, congrats to monsterfuckers, and it made the other topless scenes feel par for the course. 

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979): a remake of the 1922 movie with color and audio, and wow that ups the creep factor. It fleshes out more scenes from the original movie but is otherwise it's a very faithful remake. 

The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) - (7/10) really Dracula in name only, interesting cross between Hammer Horror Dracula movie and a 70s kung-fu martial arts movie. The action scenes are fun and it features Chinese hopping vampires who aren’t usually shown in Western movies. It was delayed for release in the US then went through a hack job edit and was released as “The 7 Brothers Meet Dracula” and it's astounding how much worse the editing is. 

Nosferatu (1922): I’m not used to silent movies, but I found it interesting to watch it after Shadow of the Vampire, which is a fictionalized account of the urban legend that the actor who played Count Orlock was actually a vampire.  It's the first vampire movie made so it was hugely influential on the genre and it's credited with starting the idea sunlight kills vampires. 

Blade 3: the only Blade movie with Dracula; Dominic Purcell is hot and Ryan Renolds is funny comic relief, but I fully acknowledge as a Blade movie this is a mediocre sequel

Van Hellsing (2004): Dracula is in this one but it's really a 2000s Hugh Jackman pulpy action flick, overall fun campy action movie with a lot of classic horror monsters. The ending is thematically fitting but I don’t enjoy it. 

Dracula 2000: Hellsing keeps Dracual alive for his blood, then he is unknowingly freed in the year 2000. The movie is very dated in a lot of ways, to the point of being a bit of a time capsule. Some of the action scenes were creative, and they tried to make Dracula hot and sexy but I wasn’t impressed. 

Lair of the White Worm: (5/10) Wow I’m so used to older Peter Capaldi that it took me a minute to recognize him. A loose retelling of the Bram Stoker’s other book that has basically the same plot as Dracula, with B-movie horror snake monsters and fan service topless scenes

Brides of Dracula (1960): 4/10 a Hammer Horror movie but Dracula isn’t actually in this at all. I found it overall pretty boring and cliche; woman in new place trusts the wrong guy, and it turns out he’s a vampire who wants to prey on the innocent.

Dracula (2006): 2/10  it looked and felt like a low budget direct to dvd movie, where Lucy marries Athur who is an asshole and brings Dracula to England thinking he can be controlled. There's a really bad sex scene with way too much finger in mouth kink.

Dracula Untold: 0/10 Somehow they made "dude driven to questionable measures to protect his family" into a snooze fest that isn’t even a fun period piece and Dracula was written as justified the entire time so he’d stay “sexy vampire man”. 

Dracula 3000: -1/10 interesting premise of Dracula and crew trapped on spaceship Demeter ruined by how the black characters are extremely racist stereotypes and an awful script. 

Non Dracula vampire media I enjoy:

Only Lovers Left Alive: 10/10 really great directing and sound, it's as much about being tired with life, deeply in love with someone, drugs, and a shitty sister in law showing up as it is being an immortal vampire; it’s a very enjoyable character study movie

Blade 1: the blood sprinkler opening is iconic its so great in setting the tone and is a visual spectacle, it's a fun action movie. Technically one of the first marvel superhero movies, but better than most with witty quips that don’t kill the tone. Some unintentionally very funny moments of poorly aged CGI

WWDITS Show: really enjoy this series for the comedy and the characters, part way through season 2 it really started to find its footing separate from the movie. 

Interview With the Vampire show: both a remake and re-contextualization of the movie, it’s really well produced period drama that is the most explicit version of the Louis/Lestat relationship

Underworld 2003: fits in with early 2000s everyone looks good in leather and trench-coats. Not the best film making but lots of credit for me being able to see what’s going on during night scenes. This is absolutely one of those “didn’t make enough at box office but sold well enough on dvd for sequel” films that don't get made now. (fair amount of recognizable actors including young Wentworth Miller)

WWDITS - iconic vampire slice of life comedy, a breath of fresh air in the 2010s vampire movie genre. 

Interview with the Vampire Movie: I can see how it became a cult classic, and it's a good high budget 90s vampire movie. I enjoyed watching it after I watched the show, they both feel very different despite covering the same book

Near Dark (1987) - Its as much a 1980s western as it is vampire movie, the basic plot of a guy who is attracted to a girl falls in with a “bad crowd” and the love of his family has to rescue him but with vampires. Rare example of a Confederate Vampire who the narrative positions as a horrible person. Think it's funny the guy was literally asking to be turned into a vampire when he did the asshole move of "have to kiss me before I'll drive you home". 

Underwood Evolution 2006: recommend stopping here with the series. The plot isn’t as coherent as the first movie, but its still fun action-horror and the main antagonist has a really cool transformed vampire form. Amazing how many gunfights there are in this series but the bullets do almost nothing. 

Blade 2: by Del Toro, so cool monsters but the plot is not as good as Blade 1. Norman Reedus is in this and I didn’t recognize younger 90s him at all. 

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter: the tone clashes as it bounces around between ridiculous action of “what if the leaders of the Confederacy were all vampires that President Abraham Lincoln fought” and trying for serious emotional character moments. It gets a place on the rec list because as a Southerner: fuck the Confederacy

[mjs-box-office-reviews]

The Boogeyman Review

date watched: June 11, 2023 director: Rob Savage year: 2023 genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller length: 1h 38m rated: PG-13

quick summary: Still reeling from the tragic death of their mother, a teenage girl and her younger sister find themselves plagued by a sadistic presence in their house and struggle to get their grieving father to pay attention before it's too late.

my review under the cut (contains spoilers)

i saw this movie in theatres and it was an underwhelming experience. the movie was very mid; basic even for a horror movie. it did remind me of an SCP-type story. the "boogeyman" even looked like an SCP character. it also felt very stranger things coded. i know one of the producers is the same person who helped produce stranger things but certain aspects were a direct knockoff of the mind flayer. it felt like a very mundane script that was saved by the acting and settings.

i saw this movie three days before writing this review. i didn't know what to say because of how meh it was. this is the best that i came up with

plot: the plot is very basic. it's based of the urban ledged of the boogeyman living in the closet or benethe your bed. it's something most of us knew about as children and were afraid of. it was such an easy choice for a horror movie.

for that main reason of being an urban legend, it felt like it was pulled from the SCP wiki. something that was anonymously posted on a forum that was slightly expanded upon and became a movie. not a fan. 1/5

characters: i liked the characters in this movie. the main sister duo reminded me a lot of the dynamic my sister and i have. i would comfort her when see was scared or worried. i would protect her and out my life on the line for her (even if it is a supernatural being).

i really related to sadie harper in various aspects (familial trauma, overly protective of a sybling, struggles with grief, etc). sophie thatcher was a wonderful casting for sadie. 4/5

setting: i thought the settings in this movie were beautiful. a mix of modern and victorian-esc design with props that just make sense. the harper home was beautiful. sadie and sawyer's rooms fit perfectly with their character. the size of the house and the recent loss of a parent created this overwhelming sense of emptiness that radiated to the audience.

dr. weller, sadie and sawyer's therapist, had a beautiful office. it is what i expected for this movie. and don't get me started on the billings' home. it was perfectly crafted for a broken family haunted by a supernatural being that is out for blood. i wish we saw more of it. 4/5

editing/special effects: the editing and effects also helped this movie. a lot of the effects seemed very realistic and not out of place. never once did i think there was bad editing/effects. it is a very professional movie. 4/5

final thoughts: overall i'd give this movie a 3.25/5. it is very much a one-and-done type of movie. i most likely will never watch this again and i am okay with that.

[cinefilesreviews]

Review: The Soul Eater -- Fantasia Festival 2024

The Soul Eater is screening as part of the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival, which runs from July 18 to August 4. In the rural town of Roquenoir, France, a series of murders and kidnappings have taken place. One survivor, a young boy, says it is the work of the “Soul Eater,” a creature of urban legend that steals children away into the woods. Two investigators working under different…

[thegayhimbo]

Stranger Things Hawkins Horrors Review

If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out my other Stranger Things Reviews. Like, Reblog, and let me know what your thoughts are regarding the show or the upcoming season! :)

Stranger Things Comics/Graphic Novels:

Stranger Things Six

Stranger Things Halloween Special

Stranger Things The Other Side

Stranger Things Zombie Boys

Stranger Things The Bully

Stranger Things Winter Special

Stranger Things Tomb of Ybwen

Stranger Things Into The Fire

Stranger Things Science Camp

Stranger Things “The Game Master” and “Erica’s Quest”

Stranger Things and Dungeons and Dragons

Stranger Things Kamchatka

Stranger Things Erica The Great

Stranger Things “Creature Feature” and “Summer Special”

Stranger Things Tie-In Books:

Stranger Things Suspicious Minds

Stranger Things Runaway Max (Part 1 of 3)

Stranger Things Runaway Max (Part 2 of 3)

Stranger Things Runaway Max (Part 3 of 3)

Stranger Things Darkness On The Edge Of Town (Part 1 of 3)

Stranger Things Darkness On The Edge Of Town (Part 2 of 3)

Stranger Things Darkness On The Edge Of Town (Part 3 of 3)

Stranger Things Rebel Robin Book and Podcast (Part 1 of 2)

Stranger Things Rebel Robin Book and Podcast (Part 2 of 2)

Synopsis: Set between seasons 3 and 4, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, Erica, Nancy, Robin, and Steve are all trapped inside in the Video Rental Store after the power goes out on a dark and stormy night. With nothing better to do to pass the time, they begin telling each other scary stories and urban legends surrounding Hawkins......

Observations:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!! 🎃☠️👻🍫

This'll be a shorter review than usual since this was a fast read, but man this book was a lot of fun! The premise itself (i.e. certain main characters from the show trapped in the same location interacting with one another) is worthy of an entire episode from the show, and it's disappointing that Netflix and the Duffer Brothers never thought to film a stand-alone Halloween or Christmas or Holiday Episode (similar to what BBC Sherlock did). Even if it didn't tie into the mythology of the show, just seeing certain characters converse with one another when they barely do on the show would have been something I (and plenty of other fans) would have sat through.

The premise of this book is similar to the short Halloween Special comic I reviewed several months ago (you can find the link to it above), except that was set before season 1 and only featured one scary story told by Will to his friends. By contrast, this book takes place in-between seasons 3 and 4 after Steve and Robin get the job at the Video Rental Store, the Byers Family and El have moved to Lenora (meaning they aren't in this book), and each of the characters here get to tell their creepy tales.

The structure for Hawkins Horrors is similar to horror anthology series like The Twilight Zone, Creepshow, and Tales from the Crypt. It also reminded me a little of the Goosebumps series R.L. Stine wrote in the 90s. The big difference is while Goosebumps was tailored towards kids and had elements of comedy to balance out the horror, the stories told by the characters in Hawkins Horrors get pretty dark and gruesome, and some of them even end on chilling notes. This is not a feel-good book.

Each of the stories are urban legends surrounding Hawkins that the characters either insist are true (even though it's implied they aren't), or at the very least have some details tweaked. What's neat is, if you pay close attention, some of the urban legends told are similar to other famous horror stories, and arguably paying homage to them. Robin and Steve's story about the monster under Lover's Lake is the premise of Stephen King's "The Raft." Erica's story is similar to the plot of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (right down to the protagonist in a wheelchair seeing something he shouldn't have) except the climax takes a horrifying turn and the ending is ambiguous about the protagonist's survival. Mike's story comes off as a combination of Child's Play and The Twilight Zone episode "Living Doll." Matthew J. Gilbert wrote this book, and it's pretty clear he's a major horror fan. I wouldn't be surprised if he took inspiration for some of these anthology stories from other famous ones, and brought the Stranger Things charm to them.

On top of that, the book acts as clever foreshadowing for certain events in relation to certain characters in season 4. Nancy's horror story takes place at Pennhurst Asylum, where she will later go with Robin to learn about Victor Creel and what happened to his family. Steve's story about the monster under Lover's Lake hints at how he'll eventually gets dragged through the lake into the Upside Down:

Dustin's story is centered around D&D, and even references the Hellfire Club and Eddie (though Eddie is just referred to as "The Dungeon Master" at this point). Even Erica's story, about the only sane person who tries to warn others about how dangerous someone else is, has parallels to her being the only one at the town hall meeting in season 4 who stands up to Jason and calls bullshit on his attempts to paint the Hellfire Club as a Satanic cult.........only to get dismissed when most of the adults in the room agree with Jason and turn into a lynch mob as a result.

Hawkins Horrors was released on May 3, 2022, a few weeks before the first volume of Season 4 was dropped. I would not be surprised if Netflix and the Duffer Brothers told Matthew J. Gilbert plot elements from season 4, and gave him permission to subtly reference (but not completely spoil) said plot points. Even though I saw the show before I read this book, I still enjoyed the foreshadowing. Well played! :)

The stories were entertaining, but I was more invested in the interactions between the characters. Two of my favorite moments are at the beginning of the book, and towards the end when Mike starts telling his tale. The first is this interaction when everyone shows up minutes before the Video Rental Store closes, much to the annoyance of Steve:

Then there's this fun bit where Mike trolls everyone while the storm is raging and the power is out 😂:

It's also pretty amusing when one character tries to tell their story, and the others either question if it actually happened, starts poking holes in it (much to the irritation of the character telling their story), or even calling out when, from their perspective, the tale has a lousy ending:

It's interactions like this that make the book enjoyable. I'm glad we get to have most of the characters hanging out as friends without there being a crisis from the Upside Down that they have to deal with.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, and a fast-paced book. High recommendations to check it out when you can!

And once again, Happy Halloween everyone!

[roseshavethoughts]

Cropsey (2009)

My ★★★★ Review of Cropsey (2009) #FilmReview #Horror

Synopsis – Two filmmakers investigate the disappearance of five children in their home town and the urban legend that grew from it. Directors – Joshua Zeman | Barbara Brancaccio Featuring – Bill Ellis, Ernie Anastos, Andre Rand Released – 2009 Genre – Documentary ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5. Cropsey,” directed by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio, is a documentary that straddles the line…

[the-novel-approach-reviews]

Review: The Mystery of the Morelock Motel by Hank Edwards

Review: The Mystery of the Morelock Motel by Hank Edwards

Title: The Mystery of the Morelock Motel Series: Critter Catchers: Level Up Author: Hank Edwards Publisher: Self-Published Length: 161 Pages Category: Paranormal Mystery Rating: 4 Stars At a Glance: There’s nothing at all wrong with a good ghost story, and this is one. Reviewed By: Lisa Blurb: An abandoned motel. A ghostly urban legend. A paranormal blogger needing clicks. Oliver Berridge has…

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: End Your Summer with a Bang and Help Others!

End of The Road 31 Aug – 3 Sept Since its inception in 2006, End of the Road has solidified its position as one of the UK's most highly acclaimed rock and folk music festivals. Set against the stunning backdrop of Larmar Tree Gardens in Wiltshire, the festival's reputation is rooted in its focus on subcultures and indie music. Its diverse lineup spans multiple stages, showcasing a blend of established festival music acts and emerging talents, catering to the preferences of returning festival enthusiasts. Over the years, the event has garnered consistent 5-star reviews, elevating it to an award-winning status. More than just a music festival, End of the Road offers a holistic experience featuring comedy, films, literature, workshops, healing sessions, delectable food, and beverages. Attendees are in for a weekend brimming with cherished memories and a multitude of enriching activities.This year's line-up across the board of music includes King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Future Islands, Wilco, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Angel Olsen, Ezra Furman, Arooj Aftab, Greentea Peng, Lee Fields, Overmono, Yeule, Caitlin Rose, Joan Shelley, Kokoroko, The Mary Wallopers, Cass Mccombs, Dungen, Biig Piig and so many more..Tickets & More Info> endoftheroadfestival.com Camp Wildfire 1 – 4 Sept Camp Wildfire spans two weekends and is an exclusive adult-only festival. Nestled in the forest of Sevenoaks, Kent, this unique independent event offers an eclectic lineup that guarantees side-splitting laughter, constant dancing, and an unforgettable experience. Embracing a retreat-like ambiance, the festival combines daytime creative pursuits with nighttime revelry, featuring top live music, DJs, film screenings, and hidden parties. Set against the backdrop of a stunning English garden, it's an adventure beyond the usual festival vibe, encouraging you to unleash your wild side and create lasting memories. Camp Wildfire is where like-minded individuals gather for wild parties and a shared sense of joy, already planning their return before the current festivities come to an end.Camp Wildfire's lineup boasts an exciting array of DJ legends, including Crazy P (Live), Grandmaster Flash, Lisa Maffia (DJ), The House & Garage Orchestra, Stanton Warriors, Krafty Kuts, Too Many T's, Savage Disco, DJ Yoda, 24 Hour Garage Girls ft SHOSH, Craig Charles, Madame Electrifie, Rum Buffalo, Little Boots (DJ), and Lycra 80's Party, among others. Don't miss out on this diverse mix of talent that promises an unforgettable experience.Tickets & More Info> campwildfire.co.uk Sundown Festival 1 - 3 Sept As the amazing UK festival season is coming to a close there are still a few treasures to be had for one last weekend fling away from home whether you'recamping or glamping this weekend it's time to dig out your festival gear to get your best rave on. Sundown Festival hosts its number-one independent electronic dance music festival.  The boutique weekend features all the festival goodies to make this a top weekend including some of the best and biggest dance music and urban artists & DJs to its home at the Norfolk Showground.Don't miss out on an extraordinary weekend of music as some of the industry's best, including Defected and DnB Allstars, come together. Prepare for a dynamic lineup across 5 stages, showcasing Pop, Grime, UK Drill, and Dance genres. Chase & Status, Tion Wayne, Raye, K-Trap, and many others will headline. This event promises a memorable end to summer, offering a festival experience that you won't want to miss. Grab the last available tickets and immerse yourself in a weekend of exceptional music and festival vibes. Tickets & More Info> sundownfestival.co.uk International Day of Charity 5 Sept This special day has been chosen in honor of the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.  The International Day of Charity began back in 2012 by the United Nations to recognize all the hard work that many charities and individuals tirelessly do to help others and raise money for those struggling in life.  Spreading awareness and educating the importance of social responsibility across the globe.  To develop support for charitable causes and by bonding communities together in unification. September 5th offers a global chance to contribute to charity through various events. Acts of kindness like donating, volunteering, or offering support can create a significant impact on individuals in need. Today, even a small gesture holds the power to make a difference.More Info> un.org Read the full article

[uplaay]

The Allure of Basketball: Unveiling the Secrets Behind Its Global Popularity

Basketball, a sport that originated in a humble gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts 1891, has grown into a global phenomenon. With millions of fans, professional leagues in various countries, and the annual frenzy of March Madness, it's safe to say that basketball is more than just a game – it's a cultural force. In this blog, we'll delve into the fascinating reasons behind the soaring popularity of basketball and why it has captured the hearts of so many.

1. Accessibility and Simplicity

One of the key factors contributing to basketball's popularity is its accessibility. All you need is a ball and a hoop, and you're ready to play. Unlike many other sports requiring expensive equipment or specialized facilities, basketball can be enjoyed in driveways, community parks, and even streets. This simplicity ensures that people from all walks can participate and enjoy the game.

2. Global Superstars

Basketball has given rise to some of the most iconic athletes in the world. Names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal are not only synonymous with basketball excellence but have transcended the sport to become global cultural icons. Their charisma, talent, and work ethic inspire millions of aspiring athletes worldwide, making basketball a sport that's not just watched but emulated.

3. The Thrill of Dunking

The slam dunk, arguably one of the most exhilarating plays in sports, is unique to basketball. The spectacle of a player soaring through the air to emphatically stuff the ball through the hoop captures the imagination of fans, young and old. This singular act of athleticism has become a symbol of basketball's excitement and power, further fueling its popularity.

4. Streetball Culture

Basketball's streetball culture, epitomized by legendary courts like Rucker Park in New York City, brings a gritty, urban edge to the sport. Streetball features dazzling moves, crossovers, and flashy dribbling skills that captivate spectators and inspire players to express themselves creatively on the court. This underground basketball scene has spawned its legends and adds an element of coolness to the sport.

5. Globalization and the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has played a significant role in basketball's worldwide appeal. Thanks to globalization efforts by the league, NBA games are broadcast in over 200 countries and territories. This exposure has expanded the fan base and allowed international players to enter the company, making basketball a global sport.

6. Inclusivity and Diversity

Basketball is a sport that embraces diversity. Players of all ages and nationalities can excel on the court. This inclusivity sends a powerful message and attracts many fans who can identify with the players. Basketball's ability to unite people from various walks of life is a testament to its universal appeal.

7. March Madness and College Basketball

The annual NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, March Madness, is a sporting spectacle. The one-and-done format, the Cinderella stories, and the intense fan loyalty make this event a must-watch for sports enthusiasts. It introduces casual fans to the sport and solidifies the passion of die-hard basketball fans.

Conclusion

In sports, basketball is a testament to the power of accessibility, diversity, and global appeal. Its unique mix of simplicity, athleticism, and cultural significance has solidified its status as a worldwide phenomenon. Whether you're a dedicated fan or a casual observer, the allure of basketball is undeniable, making it one of the world's most popular and beloved sports. So, the next time you watch a game or pick up a basketball, remember you're part of a global community united by a shared love for this incredible sport.

[the-middle-grounds]

June Log 2023|Mid-2023 Log

One day May will get a log.

First off, Happy Pride Month.

Second, halfway through the year and I’ve checked a few things off my list. Less than I’d like but at least something got done. Stuff happens, and that includes my ability to wake up being way worse lately and writing just, not happening.

I tried writing a few days ago and I hated every word, so yikes. I don’t know, maybe I’m just out of the groove I was in during January.

Also now have major commitments that include tedious, technical stuff and I have to try to get something important done before the end of my break.

No pressure.

Anyway, let’s check in on those yearly goals.

Goals for 2023

Finish Arc 1 of Three Strikes (Chapters 2-4) and post it by March.

I actually did most of this goal! I’m happy about this one! Not so happy that I still haven’t finished editing chapter 4 because I just, really don’t want to edit right now. My mindset is all types of not willing to edit. If I can my brain into action, chapter 4 might be coming out to finish off the arc by the end of this month.

Write Arc 2 of Three Strikes (5-8).

I haven’t written a word for this since about March, and the reason is similar to the reason I haven’t edited, though it’s much more about figuring out direction. I know what I want from this part, but trying to make the writing actually go along with my plans feels utterly impossible. I have no idea how long it’s going to take, but I want to get out of this rut so yay. Sorry to anyone who expected me to get it done this year.

Complete a sketchbook cover-to-cover.

I’m about a third through my sketchbook. That’s about it. Maybe one day I’ll show off some sketches/doodles I’ve made this year, but I’m my own biggest critic.

Finish the Percy Jackson book series.

Still haven’t finished the third book. Want to finish the third book. Don’t want to read the third book right now.

Design the main cast of Travelers.

Imagine being the one character of a cast of six that is the hardest to conceptually finalize and your opponent is Tarah. Who has spots. Anyway, I’m hoping maybe by December I have a lineup finished.

Plot 2 books in a book series.

The fact I have a little under half of one book done plotting wise and haven’t progressed since writing that up about a year ago is frustrating. Yet I still might actually get at least one done by the end of the year.

Now, since it’s been months since my last log, a quick review of what got done and what didn’t get done since then.

March Goals

Rewrite Chapters 2-4 of Three Strikes to be more tone consistent

Done.

Write Chapter 5 of Three Strikes

Not done.

Finish Titan’s Curse

Not done.

Upload at least one chapter of Three Strikes

Done.

And now finally the thing I’m here for, June’s goals.

June Goals

Read Urban Legends Vol. 1

Edit Chapter 4 of Three Strikes

Here’s hoping it goes well.