The Watkins Book of Urban Legends by Gail De Vos Book Review

 Storyteller, librarian and former teacher, Gail De Vos has several books on folklore under her belt and this latest collection is required reading for those with an interest in urban legends.

Gail covers a multitude of areas, with sizeable portions of her book covering supernatural legends. By charting the evolution of stories which range from the chilling to the downright humorous, we can see how certain tales were altered as they were passed from one generation to the next, mixing the ancient with the modern. For me, one of the most fascinating parts covered the famous '27 Club' where famous musicians and singers passed way before their time, and there were several fascinating theories; some of which I'd heard and one which really caught my breath.

If haunted tunnels, highway ghosts, curses generated by social media and a good few stories that have influenced motion pictures.

The only section that disappointed me just a little concerns conspiracy theories: I did hope for more comprehensive coverage of conspiracy theories. That's just me being picky though. Overall, this is a fine collection, beautifully written and offering real value for multiple reads.

Perfect Days. Film Review

 Hiayama (Koji Yakusho) is a janitor, cleaning public toilets by day in Tokyo.

He’s a loner with hardly anything to say and has a passion for reading, photography and impeccable taste in music.

His nights are spent with his beloved books before turning in as part of preparation for a job he  does with pride, displaying a strong work ethic.

Right from the word go, Hiayama is someone I cared deeply about, with his outlook and appreciation for the simple things in life earning great admiration: sitting in a bar lovingly regarding a pint glass of water with the same reverence as a connoisseur of wine might look at the nectar before them , or taking the time to appreciate his surroundings. He’s a man wedded to routine; calm and friendly with warm glances towards his fellow citizens, but he is capable of not only opening up but being assertive when push comes to shove and these different sides to his character make him fully rounded.

Wenders’ film is full of the things that make life special, as well as a great sadness for words let unsaid and a growing realisation that Hirayama may be within reach of his soulmate but unlikely to ever meet. 

It’s a quiet masterpiece in my opinion, and a worthy addition to a filmography that contains so many wonderful films from a director with real heart and soul.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Film Review

 Have to admit I hadn't seen Tim Burton's original film since it played at cinemas 36 years ago, and took the opportunity to revisit a few days ago, in anticipation of  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hitting the silver screen. Happy to report I still find the first film to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience and had an even better time with this new release. While I accept opinions that there may be a few too many plot points going on here, I really had no problems going with the flow. The presence of characters from the first film - Delia and Lydia are even more of a delight this time round - and new faces such as Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci as Delores score highly; the latter delivers a wonderfully physical turn and her entrance alone  may well be  worth the price of your ticket!

The man himself is driven by another memorable turn by Michael Keaton, introducing new tricks to his repertoire, while being just as obnoxious as ever and Ortega, for me, is an unqualified success as the sceptic who is forced to do a 360 as events make it clear her mom knows best.  A second viewing may possibly endear Dafoes' character to me even more and there's so much else to look forward to with regard to a repeat performance. Danny Elfman's score really captures both the tragic aspects of this story and the screwball comedy on offer here, while the use of 'MacArthur Park' and a spooky rendition of Harry Belafonte's 'Day-O' will both live long in the memory. It's also great to see Tim Burton continue his career-long admiration of the late, great director Mario Bava. The opening shot of the monochrome sequence is straight out of Black Sunday/Mask of Satan, and also pleased to catch both a namecheck and a scrapbook reference to my favourite Bava film. Do try to see this on the big screen, if circumstances permit. It's quite a ride!

Withered Hill by David Barnett. Book Review

 David Barnett's Withered Hill moves between the ultra hectic world of London and a secluded Lancashire village with the end result being a deeply unsettling tale that will appeal to lovers of horror fiction; particularly folk horror.

With nods to one of the UK's infamous 'unholy trinity' of films, Withered Hill is still very much its own beast, using different timelines and perspectives to construct a dark, foreboding account of what can happen when your past catches up with you. Sophie Wickham finds herself caught up in a nightmare that stretches back to her childhood and it's an absolute joy to encounter new characters placed in her path and grapple with plot twists, morality, mood and motivations along the way. Just when I thought I knew where the story was heading, something new came up to shred my expectations, which, for me, is the hallmark of a very fine book.

The traditional folk horror theme of merging the ancient and the modern works beautifully in Withered Hill, suggesting that 'the 'old ways' still hold sway in various locales which is both uplifting and chilling here. The titular village is so very well drawn; a place far removed from the pressures of everyday life, and it's characters equally so. Underneath its calm exterior lies a locale steeped in lore and barbarous practices that chill the spine; even more so as Barnett's powers as a writer induce the feeling that somewhere out there is a place that mirrors this setting.

Withered Hill is published by Canelo, and due for release on 23rd September 2024. Good to learn that Canelo have David signed up to write another folk horoor based book; title to be announced. This is an easy 5 star rating and a real pleasure to encounter a book that succeeds so very well within its chosen genre.

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas Book Review

 The second horror novel from this highly acclaimed author. Vampires of El Norte takes place during the Mexican-American war, and centres on the romance between Nena - daughter of a ranchero - and Nestor (a vaquero) who returns to his true love, following a long absence. As a historical romance, Vampires works very well indeed, taking a childhood friendship that blossoms into a love that's hard to deny, even in the face of testing circumstances. There's also a supernatural element to this story, which initially whetted my appetite. Although the titular vampires are not front and centre for much of the book, when they do appear, it's to devastating effect , and their presence is never too far away. 

The story is engaging, right from the word go, with strong characterisation, detailed backstories and vivid descriptions of the locale which capture a war-torn region mixed in with paranormal activity of a truly horrifying nature. There's also interesting commentary on colonialism and class, making this a book that provokes deep thought on many levels. Vampires of El Norte is tailor made for those who appreciate historical romances, with a delicious twist of otherwordly terrors. It's perfectly paced, but a read to be savoured with concentration and  reflection amply rewarded.

This paperback edition will be published in the UK 24th October  2024 published by Rebellion . Solaris Books Imprint.

A Glimmer In The Hollows by Lorna Selley Book Review

 A substantial debut from author Lorna Selley. The story takes place in Driftwood; a mountain town where 6 year old Olivia Garcia disappeared two decades earlier. Now, her babysitter for that fateful night must claw back unremembered fragments from her past in order to find her missing charge.

When a famous author turns up in the town, the stage is set for an investigation that is delicious to follow. Characterisation and backstories are beautifully written, along with vivid descriptions of the town and surrounding area. The story went into places I didn't expect and I applaud the author for this, mixing local legend with something else that has been here even longer.

No trigger warnings to report. This is a hugely promising start for a career that should go from strength to strength. If you like inspired writing, with a multitude of spooky moments and white knuckle tension, this may well be for you. 4 stars!

Longlegs. Film Review

 I went into this one knowing very little about its story, having avoided teasers/trailers and reviews. I was aware of 'early bird' comparisons with Silence of The Lambs via social media posts, and that Longlegs had been labelled '"he scariest film of the decade".  Did I find it scary? No. The only film that really scared me was my first viewing of The Exorcist which was shown on a double bill with Exorcist II at a local cinema. This was at the age of 17 when I had already seen a good number of films on the big screen. However, I did find Longlegs to be enormously unsettling, with a feeling of dread inhabiting every minute of the running time.

FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) is assigned to a case known as 'The Birthday Murders' and her tense, nervy character can be related to subconscious suppression of childhood memories. Harker possesses unreliable psychic abilities; an 'asset' that's all the more chilling when we realise just where her powers came from. Monroe delivers a terrific performance here, as does Nicholas Cage as a facially scarred instrument of pure evil.

The cinematography by Andres Arochi Tinajero is exceptional, working in tandem with a soundscape that's never less than completely unnerving.Together, they fully succeed in getting right under the skin and staying there. Director Osgood Perkins installed several moments of dark humour into this film, but at the 2 screenings I attended, not a single person laughed. Maybe we had temporarily forgotten how?

I will not go into any plot details for the benefit of those who can't get to a cinema and are awaiting a physical media release or streaming. What I will say is that Longlegs is certainly worthy of your most earnest attention and that multiple viewings are required to plumb its hidden depths and to better appreciate just what am achievement this is.

Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates Book Review

 An abandoned camera found in a lighthouse forms the basis for Darcy Coates' Ghost Camera; a compelling novella which explores the concept that the line between the living and the dead is wafer thin.

While I feel a little more of the characters' backstories would have been nice, the story certainly delivers multiple chills down the spine along the way.

A camera which captures spirits on film makes for a delightfully unsettling read, with echoes of Hideo Nakata's Ringu, taking us on a journey full of flourishes that will almost certainly prompt glances over your shoulder.

At 118 pages, this is a fast, punchy read and the good news is the inclusion of several short stories, some containing nods to M R James, William Hope Hodgson and Lovecraft., mixed in with refreshing author invention.

My own particular favourite concerns a plane crash and the subsequent desperate fight for survival but in truth, every story here has considerable merit.

Highly recommended!

Raven Hill by Jools G. King. Book Review

/

Raven Hill is a deliciously entertaining addition to the booming genre of Folk Horror, initially following the troubled relationship of Nate and Miranda who are soon to discover that these tempestuous times will prove to be the very least of their problems.The characters are beautifully drawn, and inspired either a genuine sense of caring or extreme revulsion from this reader.The book is very well paced, moving along at a fair clip but finding time to focus on characterisation and locale; the latter blending the ancient and the modern as the very best Folk Horror should do.It's a well constructed plot too, using an idea of a wandering band of colourful characters to search for rogue witches who made the diabolical leap from white magic to black.Moderate horror, with nothing that's really extreme, and a real page turner.

4 stars out of five.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50 Years Anniversary Screening. Quad Cinema Derby

 When I heard that probably the most important Horror film ever made was being shown as part of Quad's wonderful 'Fright Club' offerings, I was determined to put a long run of bad health to one side and attend.

15th June 2024, saw me making a 15 miles trip and took my seat to enjoy an exceptional introduction by Darrell Buxton who should be familiar to avid consumers of cult cinema. Darrell talked for 15 minutes about this classic slice of relentless horror, and even found time to give us a rundown on the rest of the Chain Saw films in a series that simply refuses to relinquish its collective grip.

Before Darrell's introduction, the audience were asked to signal with a show of hands just how many of them had seen TTCM before and a surprising number hadn't. Oh boy! I envy them getting a first view of this film on the big screen. The film has been rightly treated to a 4K restoration, and why not? True, there is a lot to be said for nostalgia-driven insistence that Hooper's sonic assault on our senses should  be seen in Grindhouse image quality but the director always wanted his film to look as good as possible and it looks amazing in this new transfer. There's a healthy presence of grain here, and many scenes where the colours pop to further heighten the unease created by what is very much a descent into hell via the gorgeous scenery of a world they must leave behind to confront a truly nightmarish locale.

I have seen this film many times, ranging from blurry 3rd gen VHS boots, right up to pristine blu-ray editions, but last night's screening to things to another level. And then some.

Here, the performances took us to  a new, astonishing dimension. While Paul  A Partain's rendering of Franklin Hardesty had previously irritated me beyond annoyance, last night I finally saw just what a beautifully judged performance it always has been, switching from a frankly deranged persona to a guy who is perhaps the smartest of the bunch.  Of course, the most talked about turn has to be Marilyn Burns who plays Sally Hardesty. To see her reactions, the sheer terror in her face during that final gruelling third of the movie on the big screen increased my admiration tenfold. If you're looking for the most physically and mentally challenging role that a script has demanded  in the history of Horror Cinema, well.... this is the girl.Indeed, the silver screen captured this remarkable performance in its extreme, and demonstrated this was never a case of just turning up and screaming blue murder. There's a frightening realism to her performance that draws both admiration and also an ever increasing sense of horror as we are forced to watch and not look away for even a moment. That's one of the most compelling things about Hooper's film: you are hypnotised by its savagery yet it's a relatively bloodless affair though last night, I did notice a few drops that had thus far eluded me.

One of the things that came over infinitely stronger with this special screening were the set designs. This charnel house of horrors looks and feels even more disturbing, with constant reminders we are dealing with something that has its roots in tradition of the most horrifying 'religion' and something that cannot and will not cease, even as some of the participants grow more decrepit. There's a philosophy and a mindset at play here that is simply too strong for anyone to escape with their mind intact and that remains one of the most troubling elements of the film. I have to say that Hooper injected moments of humour into this work, but I listened out for audience chuckles last night and not a sound of even nervous laughter came through. The sight of Drayton Sawyer treats The Hitchhiker to the business end of a broom should come across as hilarious, but instead it's yet another moment of great unease because of the way it's shot, directed and portrayed. Praise too, for the soundtrack which is made up of industrial, discordant sound that really does add immeasurably to the ever present atmosphere of dread and decay. o be honest, discussing another important part of this film is way beyond me: the astrological theme of this film really does need to be discussed by those far more capable and astute than myself, because it's an important part of TTCM and deserves many column inches.

To those who have yet to see this film,  warn you that it will most seriously screw up your year, but as a wholly disconcerting example of how unforgiving, how brutal this genre can be, it's quite honestly unbeatable. Thanks very much to Quad and all those involved for making this such a special event.

I Am Providence: The Life and Times of H.P. Lovecraft. Book Review.

 Endlessly  fascinating two volumes by the finest Lovecraft scholar S.T. Joshi Here, Joshi provides in depth analysis and often controversial opinions on Lovecraft’s life and work: we can read about Lovecraft’s formative years; his precarious health( the failed marriage( those famous letters and, of course the stories themselves.

Racist beliefs have long blighted Lovecraft’s name and it’s a crying shame held those opinions, but he often comes over as a charming and stimulating companion. Personally, I feel the author is a little too hard on some of Lovecraft’s work but the wonderful thing about all art is that it often divides opinions.

A word about Lovecraft’s voluminous correspondence: many think that Lovecraft would have written a lot more stories if it wasn’t for the urge to instigate and respond to mountain’s of mail. I fully agree with the author that this is probably not the case. Those letters made him the writer that he was. Some excerpts from this lifetime of communication are included here and make for engrossing study.

An absolute must-read for those interested in weird horror fiction, mixed with scfi and fantasy.

The Haunting of Borley Rectory: The Story of A Ghost Story. Book Review

 The first book on Borley that I've read, and held to be definitive by many.

Here, Sean O'Connor gives us an in-depth account of the  history; the lives of the people who lived there and various outsiders who visited what has long been labelled 'The most haunted house in England'. Certainly, the legend of Borley boasts quite a reputation - even to this very day - and appears to have split opinion as to the likelihood or not of the various manifestations claimed to have taken place there. Ghostly nuns; writing on the Rectory walls; strange noises emanating from unoccupied rooms; a phantom coach and a strange man in a top hat seen prowling servant's quarters are just a few of the alleged phenomena experienced in this undesirable property.

The part of this story involving famous ghost hunter the late Harry Price has given doubters plenty of ammunition in their quest to debunk claims that Borley really was haunted and Sean provides valuable research and commentary on darn near every aspect of the story. My own feelings contain a belief that the Rectory did play host to the supernatural. While I accept that Price almost certainly was guilty of faking 'evidence' and that other people helped to dishonestly add to the mix, for me there was still enough to make it unlikely that every supernatural occurrence was either faked or from the projection of wild imaginations. Do read this book, and make up your own mind. The exhaustive research and how it was all put together make this a five star read.

 

Swan Lake. Ballet Review from the Ashbourne Elite Cinema and Theatre.

 My first encounter with Ballet came via Powell and Pressburger's extraordinary film, The Red Shoes. Many years later, following a couple of ballet screenings on BBC4, I decided to attend a screening of Swan Lake by the Royal Ballet at my favourite cinema. This particular performance took place at the Royal Opera House 24th April 2024.

Directed by Kevin O'Hare, Swan Lake is a truly timeless 4 act ballet that tells the heartbreaking story of a beautiful princess named Odette who is cursed by the scorcerer Von Rothbart. During daylight hours, Odette and her companions become swans, only regaining their human form at night.  Prince Seigfried falls deeply in love with Odette, who explains to him the only way to break the spell.

Betrayal, deception and the power of love are just a few of the themes in this ballet which was conceived 1875-76. Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky wrote the music for Swan Lake and some early reviews condemned it as being too symphonic and not well suited for ballet. While I'm not yet at a level required to offer informed comment on either classical music or ballet, this beautiful score worked for me. Moving from joyous to sombre and introspective, with some truly glorious melodies, my overriding impression is the music has a sense of great recurring sadness. 

On a technical level, the entire production excels: choreography by Marius Petipic and Lev Ivanov is constantly breathtaking; the costumes are exquisite and the orchestra - conducted by Martin Georgiev - exemplary. The superb cast really shine here: Yasmine Naghdi verges on the supernatural in the roles of Odette/Odile, so alive to every nuance the performances demand, while Matthew  Ball (Prince Seigfreid) and Thomas Whitehead (Von Rothbart) are especially fine.  One of many details I noticed, watching this on a cinema screen, is that every single member of the cast remained completely in the moment, including those sitting on the sidelines when not involved with ballet steps. As far as the broadcast was concerned, much praise for Petroc  Trelawny and the lovely Darcey Bussell who played host to several very informative interval features.

The Crazy Family. Film Review. At Derby Quad Cinema.

 A true black as crude comedy gem made in 1984 by Japanese director Sogo Ishii, The Crazy Family follows a seemingly close knit family as they settle into their new suburban home.

At first we see a harmonious unit at peace, but things change quickly as Katsukuni starts to believe spouse and siblings are subject to a creeping sickness that he fears will destroy everything.

For the first two acts, Ishii injects side-splitting humour into proceedings: along with the uproarious The Trouble With Jessica, it delivered the most laughs I've had so far this year at the cinema, but things do get dark (extremely dark) during the last third of this film: the hilarious sequence where Katsukumi digs deep below the floor to construct a basement for his recently arrived father is absolutely side-splitting, constantly complaining about ants  as he maniacally lays waste to their dream house.

The introduction of grandad - good humoured stock characterisation at first - eventually turns into something else entirely. In fact, there is one truly disturbing scene to endure, and seconds after, two members of the audience left: may have been a case of 'last bus syndrome' but I think not. Those of you who have seen this film will know exactly what I'm referring to.

The Crazy Family is imbued with true Punk spirit; not least with its delightfully kinetic soundtrack and breakneck visuals.

Derby's wonderful Quad cinema was one of just 4 UK venues to play host to this film, as explained during an introduction by one of our excellent local film historians, Peter Mumford. The Crazy Family was a part of Quad's Satori Screen offerings which take place on a monthly basis.

In June 2024, the superb label Third Window Films will release The Crazy Family on blu-ray here in the UK.

Mothers' Instinct Film Review.

A tense psychological thriiler that studies different levels of grief experienced by five members of two families, following a tragic death. The feature debut of cinematographer turned film director Benoit Delhomme. Mothers' Instinct is a remake of the 2018 Belgian film Duelle which itself was inspired by Barbara Abel's novel.

Here, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway turn in extraordinary performances in a film that not only examines loss, but a whole range of emotions that eventually give way to extreme actions. While I  don't wish to give away any spoilers, I will say that although you may well guess the outcome, it's quite a ride to see exactly how we get there.

It's perhaps a little too Hitchcockian for many, but the performances, cinematography and composition do elevate this, making it a more than decent exercise in 2 of those ubiquitous deadly sins.

Screening at Ashbourne's Elite Cinema and Theatre.

 

All Of Us Strangers Cinema Review

 Based on the 1987 book Strangers, written by Taichi Yamada, Andrew Haigh's film is a heartbreaking British film that fully deserves the description 'award worthy'.

Essentially, it's a romantic fantasy concerning the coming together of two kindred spirits and their escalating relationship. The two men - Harry and Adam - played by Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, are neighbours in an apartment block, and as their love blossoms, Adam finds himself drawn back to his childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) look exactly the same as they did some three decades earlier.

It's perhaps unfair to single out one actor from what is a quartet of terrific performances, but Andrew Scott is quite remarkable here, and certainly gets my vote as one of the finest actors currently working. 

Probably the most emotional slice of cinema I'll see all year, All Of Us Strangers is many things but ultimately, it's perhaps a ghost story and reminds us there's nothing more powerful than love.

Madama Butterfly. Opera Review.

 The eclectic programming of my local cinema, The Ashbourne Elite Cinema and Theatre, compelled me to start reviewing Opera, plays and Ballet for this blog.

Yesterday, I was present for a Royal Opera production of Madama Butterfly, with music by the great Giacomo Puccini. This production was conducted by Kevin John Edusei, and directed for the screen by Bridget Caldwell. For this screening, Madama Butterfly was sung in Italian with English subtitles provided onscreen. 

Puccini's tragic opera was presented in 3 acts, telling the story of a marriage between Lieutenant Pinkerton (Joshua Guerrero) and Cio-Cio-San/Butterfly (Asmik Grigorian). When Pinkerton departs for America, his wife endures a long wait until she sees her beloved again,and it's his re-appearance that signals heartbreak is just around the corner.

 There's so much to enthuse about in this fine production: the music, of course, is remarkable, performed by the orchestra of The Royal Opera House to perfection. Costume and set design are impeccable and the lighting is just beautiful. The cast are also  uniformly first-rate, but a special mention for Asrik Grigorian whose rich soprano voice simply soars, bringing both joy and despair to proceedings.

Staged in 3 acts, Madama Butterfly is a triumph and well worth seeking out. 

Immaculate. Film Review.

 Directed by Michael Mohan, Immaculate is a wonderful throwback to 70s exploitation horror cinema,

boasting some positively wince-inducing moments as Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney) joins an Italian convent, aiming to assist with caring for nuns facing their final days. Cecilia herself once 'died' for seven minutes, during an ordeal on a frozen lake and thus began her dedication to God.

It's not very long before Cecilia discovers the convent harbours dark secrets, and although its premise is hardly new, Immaculate breathes fresh air into the genre, and more than caters for the gorehounds amongst us with some gruelling set pieces.

Sydney Sweeney has garnered much praise for her performance, and rightly so, going through the full range of emotions, and successfully capturing the true horror behind the convent walls.

This is exactly the type of film that will reward multiple viewings, allowing better appreciation of the nuances of Sweeney's performance and further highlighting Mohan's assured direction.

With the timely release of the excellent Late Night With The Devil, Horror cinema is in a very good place.