Planes: Fire & Rescue
Director: Roberts Gannaway
Voice Cast: Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Danny Mann, Teri Hatcher, Julie Bowen, Ed Harris,Wes Studi, Dale Dye
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Retail: $39.99
ASIN: B00MMUXOLS
Runing Time: 84 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday November 4, 2014 is the high-flying Disney animated adventure Planes: Fire & Rescue. Bonus Features include Exclusive Animated Short "Vitaminamulch: Air Spectacular," Welcome To Piston Peak!, "CHoPs" TV Promo, Air Attack: Firefighters From The Sky, Deleted Scenes With Filmmaker Intros, Animated Shorts "Honkers" & "Dusty Dream No More" and "Still I Fly" Music Video By Spencer Lee.

Planes: Fire & Rescue is set in the wild world of Pixar's Cars and is a sequel to last year's Planes. The film is directed by Roberts Gannaway and uses the voice talents of Dane Cook, Stacy Keach, Brad Garrett, Danny Mann, Teri Hatcher, Julie Bowen, Ed Harris, Wes StudiStudi and Dale Dye.

The sequel centers on the crop-duster turned racer, Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dana Cook), who's racing career comes to a complete haul when his gearbox malfunctions. To make matters even worse, this style of gearbox is out-of-production, so Dusty must quit being a racer.


After an accident causes a fire at the Propwash Junction, a government inspector plans on shutting the airport down due to the lack of firefighting personnel. This is when Dusty decides to get certified as a firefighter, so the airport can be reopen. He travels to Piston Peak and is given two pontoons. He must undergo training before he can become certified. After several spot fires occur, Dusty must prove to himself that he can be a hero.

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
 

I haven't been trick-or-treating since I was in the 5th grade, but I guess if I ever did go trick-or-treating again I would probably take Carly Beth, as she would be wearing the scary Haunted Mask from the Goosebumps books. I'm sure she would scare all the other kids away, so we could have all the candy for ourselves.

Linky List:

With Halloween only a few days away, I thought it would be nice to feature a post strictly on one of my favorite holiday specials - Garfield's Halloween Adventure, which aired on CBS on October 30, 1985. I may have been only a 4-year-old at the time, but I have fond memories watching the animated special. My mom recorded it on a VHS tape, so I could watch it yearly.

The special was directed by Phil Roman based on the screenplay by Garfield's creator Jim Davis. It centered on Garfield learning that you can get free candy on Halloween night just by dressing up and going door to door saying, "Trick-or-Treat." This gives him a great idea - he will throw on a costume and bring Odie along with him, so he can get twice the "candy, candy, candy, candy!"

After digging through their owner's (Jon) stuff in the attic, Garfield puts together a pirate costume and goes as Orange Beard The Pirate Cap'n and Odie goes as his First Mate, Odie-the-stupid. The two pets go door to door collecting bags full of candy. Before they call it a night, Garfield wants to go trick-or-treating at the houses across the river. The ferry boat doesn't run at night, so there is good chance that they can receive a huge loot of candy there!

Garfield & Odie go trick-or-treating!

Garfield and Odie hop into a rowboat and of course Odie does most of the paddling that is until he loses the oars. For a few minutes they think they are lost, but eventually they find land - a small island with a creepy house. Garfield and Odie sneak in and try to warm up in front of a fireplace, but they are quickly startled by a creepy old man who tells them a scary pirate story. As it turns out, the pirate tale is real and the ghost pirates are turning to tonight for their treasure!

It has been nearly 37 years since the Gothic horror novel Flowers in the Attic written by the late V.C. Andrews was published. While the book was considered "trash" by critics and librarians, readers, especially teenagers, were entranced by the Dollanganger children. The incest storyline between an adolescent brother and sister is still taboo by many libraries, which is why the book and its sequels are still banned in some places around the world.

Three sequels, Petals on the Wind (1980), If There Be Thorns (1981) and Seeds of Yesterday (1984), were released before V.C. Andrews' death in 1986. The prequel novel, Garden of Shadows, was unfinished before her death, resulting in a ghostwriter (Andrew Neiderman) being hired to finish writing it, as well as writing each and every new V.C. Andrews title that followed.

Due to the popularity of the original book, Hollywood soon took notice. In 1987, the film adaptation of Flowers in the Attic was released to negative reviews from critics and fans, mostly due to the incest storyline not being used, as well as other changes, especially the film's ending. The only interesting factor from the movie is V.C. Andrews cameo that was filmed before her death.

The Dollanganger franchise seemed to be dead until a made-for-television version of Flowers in the Attic aired on Lifetime earlier this year. Despite being a watered-down adaptation, the film did use the incest storyline and stayed more faithful than the 1987 version. Though it received mixed-reviews from critics, the TV-movie received high ratings for Lifetime, resulting in a Petals on the Wind going into production within a few weeks. The sequel was also a watered-down-version of the book, but it did well-enough in ratings that Lifetime ordered the adaptations of If There Be Thorn and Seeds of Yesterday, both set to air sometime in 2015.

Being released today is the semi-sequel to the Dollanganger series, titled Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth written by the ghost author (Andrew Neiderman) under the name V.C. Andrews. The original series is beloved by fans, so entering back into the Dollanganger world is a little risky, especially since the last batch of ghostwritten books have received mixed to negative reaction from fans, mostly due to the way the books are now written, which is aimed towards a teenage audience instead of adults. Plus, the books have been lacking that Gothic feeling that V.C. Andrews was known for.

That being said, I was still interested in reading Christopher's Diary: Secrets of Foxworth, which I
received an advanced galley copy back in late August.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks
Director: Jayson Thiessen
Voice Cast: Tara Strong, Ashleigh Ball
Studio: Hasbro Studios / Shout! Factory
Release Date: October 28, 2014
ASIN: B00LOCLANY
Running Time: 75 minutes
Rating: TV-Y
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Almost everyone in their 30s has heard of Hasbro's My Little Pony toys that were first introduced to kids during the 1980s, followed by a theatrical animated movie, animated specials and a television series. The toys are currently its fourth generation which has been reinforced by a new hit animated series, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, and another theatrical film, My Little Pony Equestria Girls.

My Little Pony Equestria Girls centered on pony Twilight Sparkle traveling to an alternate world to recover her lost crown. In this world, she is a human and she meets her pony friends' human counterparts. It's sequel My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks had a short run in theaters before landing on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy today from Shout! Factory.

The sequel is set once again in the human world, where sirens, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk, have put a spell on Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna when they performed a song. This leads Sunset to send a message through a magic book to Twilight asking for help. Twilight Sparkle and Spike the dragon, who is now a dog in alternate world, goes to the human world to stop the sirens, but they only way to do so is to sing a song to cast a counter-spell.

The regular DVD comes with a coupon, which can save you $4 when you buy the DVD and any one Hasbro Equestria Girls toy. Target has an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equestria: Girls Rainbow Rocks DVD, which has a Rainbow Rocks bracelet inside as well as the $4 coupon. Only at Walmart, the My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks DVD includes My Little Pony music on CD for the first time, a digital copy of the movie and the $4 coupon. Kmart is offering an exclusive version of the My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks DVD that contains an exclusive Limited-Edition Rainbow Rocks Backstage Pass and the $4 coupon.

Confessions: The Paris Mysteries
Confessions Series, book 3
by James Patteson and Maxine Paetro
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pub. Date: October 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0316370844
Pages: 320
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

It seems author James Patterson is unstoppable with at least one new novel being released monthly. With more than 300 million copies sold worldwide, it is no wonder why the author is so popular with children and adults. When he isn't writing the newest Alex Cross installment, another Murder Mystery Club or a sequel to the Middle Grade adventures, the author finds time to co-author the young adult Confessions series with author Maxine Paetro.

The third installment of the series was released this month, titled Confessions: The Paris Mysteries, which once again follows Tandy Angel and her siblings, but this time (Yep, you guessed it!) they are in Paris. After being accused of murdering their parents in book 1, Confessions of a Murder Suspect and solving the a series of murders at a private in school in Confessions: The Private School Murders, the Angel children need a bit of rest, but it seems trouble follows them no matter where they head to.

Tandy is devastated when her boyfriend, James Rampling, suddenly dumps her for no reason whatsoever. It seems murder is never too far behind when her twin brother, Harry, is accused of murder and once again Tandy must go into detective mode to save her family. Speaking of family, Tandy discovers a locked room while snooping around inside her grandmother's house and finds evidences that suggests that her older sister, Katherine, may be still be alive, somewhere!

Maleficent
Director: Robert Stromberg
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00M4ADWTK
Running Time: 97 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Over the last few years studios have taken an interest in Grimm's Fairy Tales once again with the release of two different Snow White Films, a rated-R Hansel and Gretel adventure and ABC's Once Upon a Time that has put a modern day spin on about every fairy tale that has ever existed. Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD is the live-action re-imagining of Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty, titled Maleficent. Directed by Robert Stromberg, the film grossed over $700 million over the summer despite receiving a mixed-reaction from critics. The Blu-ray special features are deleted scenes, Aurora: Becoming a Beauty, From Fairy Tale to Feature Film, Building an Epic Battle, Classic Couture and Maleficent Revealed.

Angelina Jolie stars in the title role of Maleficent, a magical orphan faerie living in the magical realm called the Moors, which is located just outside of the kingdom. During her childhood, she befriended a human orphan, Stefan, but as they got older, he quit visiting her. Unknown to her, he is actually one of the King's soldiers. The King attempts to invade the Moors, but Maleficent uses her magic to defend it. Her actions causes a ripple effect that leads Stefan (played by Sharlto Copley) to betray her, so he will one day inherit the Kingdom.

Years pass by and Stefan marries the King's daughter Leila (played by Hannah New), who has inherited the crown, therefore Stefan is the Kingdom's new King. To celebrate the birth of their daughter Princess Aurora, the King has invited everyone from the land for her christening. Maleficent makes an unexpected visit and curses the princess, whom will grow up to be beautiful, but when she turns sixteen-years-old, she will prick her finger on a spindle of a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep. Only a "true love's kiss" can break the curse.


The King appoints three pixies, Knotgrass (played by Imelda Staunton), Thistlewit (played by Juno Temple)  and Flittle (played by Lesley Manville) to raise his daughter somewhere away from the kingdom until she becomes of age and the curse is broken.

Maleficent has eyes everywhere, so she easily earns of where the pixies have taken the princess. Despite trying to hate the princess, she ends up saving her over and over again during the princess's childhood as the pixies guardians aren't exactly good at their jobs.

Time goes by and Princess Aurora (played by Elle Fanning) is getting closer to turning sixteen and Maleficent must make a decision to keep the curse on her or find another way to keep peace between the kingdom and the Moors.


I wasn't too impressed when I saw the original trailer and advertisements for the film earlier this year as it looked like another overuse of CGI, like in Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful. After watching the original 1959 Sleeping Beauty for the first time this year, I became interested in reviewing the Maleficent. I got to say that casting Angelina Jolie in the title role was pure genius as she looks exactly like the animated character, plus she gives a great performance in the movie. The CGI effects for the most part are used really well and after a while I forgot the pixies were even computerized. Sharlto Copley and Elle Fanning both do a decent job in their roles, though I do wish Elle Fanning had more to do in the film. Unlike the 1959 animated classic, Maleficent is the main character while Princess Aurora is just a minor-character that helps Maleficent change her evil ways. Overall, Maleficent is a little darker than I thought it would be, which is a good thing as the original fairy tales were written dark to begin with. Though the film isn't exactly perfect, I still thought it was entertaining.


*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A Promise To Protect
Logan Point, book 2
by Patrcia Bradley
Publisher: Revell
Pub. Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-0800722814
Pages: 336
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Available now on paperback is exciting second novel in the Logan Point series from author Patrica Bradley, titled A Promise to Protect. Unfortunately, I have a new habit of picking out books by their covers alone, especially when the author is new to me. The cover to this book looks like an advertisement for a made-for-television movie on Lifetime. By the cover alone, I predicted that the plot would be either a thriller or mystery with a little bit of romance tossed into the mix. And I wasn't too far off.

I would like to point out that I have never read the first book the series, Shadows of the Past, and it never really bothered me, as 2nd installment is more of a standalone sequel, well at least in opinion it is.

A Promise To Protect centers on single mother, Dr. Leigh Somerall, who has a full set of problems in her life from paying her tuition bills to raising her son. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her brother Ben needs her help, therefore she turns to her ex-love, Ben Logan - the now acting sheriff, for help, but too little too late as her brother is murdered! Though their relationship ended rocky ten years ago, Sheriff Ben Logan vows to protect Leigh and her son from the incoming danger that threatens them.

House of the Devil
Director: Ti West
Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary Woronov, Greta Gerwig, Dee Wallace
Studio: Dark Sky Films
Releae Date: February 2, 2010
ASIN: B002OVO18A
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rated: R
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Like I have already said before this month, I do consider myself a big horror fan, but there are some movies that just slip by my radar, which includes the 2009 horror film The House of the Devil. I would have never known that the movie even existed if I didn't watch the horror film The Innkeepers from same director Ti West, which I loved watching. After doing a quick Google search I learned about The House of the Devil and I bought the DVD off of eBay earlier this year.

The House of the Devil centers on Samantha Hughes (played by Jocelin Donahue), a college student in dire need of cash for a deposit on her first apartment. She takes a babysitting job for Mr. Ulman (played by Tom Noonan) and his wife (played by Mary Woronov) without even meeting them. Her friend, Megan (played by Greta Gerwig), drive her to the Ulman's house and leaves her there, where she quickly learns that she isn't babysitting a kid, but instead she is babysitting Ulman's sick mother. She tries to talk herself out of the job, but then Ulman offers her $400 and she gladly accepts.


There isn't much for her to do there, except for listening to her Walkman while she explores the old house. After ordering a nasty pizza, she stumbles upon a few photos that suggests that Ulman and his wife aren't the owners of the house. After feeling a bit ill, she starts to wonder if the pizza she ate was drugged with something. She eventually passes out and wakes up to an unimaginable horror that may cost her her life.

With Halloween right around the corner the season to be spooked is upon us! As the leaves slowly change and fall from the trees, the cold wind blows in, and jack-o-lanterns light up windows, the world looks a little more ominous. It’s the perfect time of year to get scared out of your mind watching a great horror film. There are generally two camps when it comes to horror films; those who prefer the classics before it because all guts and gore, and those who love the edge modern technology has give to the genre. So, in honor of both of those camps, and Halloween, let’s take a look at the five (arguably) best horror films from each time period. While these are entirely subjective lists, chances are you’ll agree with at least a few.




This classic Hitchcock film has long served as a shining beacon in his trophy case of horror and suspense films. Based off the 1952 novella of the same name written by Daphne du Maurier, it tells the horrific story of what happens when nature turns on man, or more specifically in the film, woman.

Hitchcock based the film around his trademark “Hitchcock Blonde”, this time an unknown actress named Tippi Hedren. Hedren plays the San Franciscan socialite Melanie Daniels in the film who is present to a growing number of mysterious incidents involving birds. After two separate incidents involving attacks by seagulls and sparrows, we soon realize that it’s all the birds that are out for blood. As more and more people begin to report bird attacks they start to increase in frequency and aggressiveness before reaching a frantic climax (which includes the infamous telephone booth scene.)

What the film managed to do was create an irrational fear in all of us since we’ve all been around flocks of birds. Hitchcock was a master at manipulating reality and making his viewers completely terrified of the everyday. The Birds is a shining example and is still regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.


Another gem in Hitchcock’s resume is this 1960 thriller that made all of us completely terrified to take a shower for at least a week after watching it. The film follows Marion Crane (played by Janet Leigh) as she goes on the lamb after stealing money from her office to help fund her pending marriage. As she flees the scene and tries to evade the authorities she comes across the rundown and largely empty Bates Motel with it’s strange proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) who takes care of the hotel and his aging mother Norma.

From there the film delved into completely uncharted territory with its violence and sexuality, but these only served to create even more buzz for the film with lines around the block when it hit theaters. It’s also proved to be one of the most successful horror films of all time with a box office take of $32 million for a film made on only $800,000.


Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Ira Levin, this 1968 Roman Polanski film put a whole new sense of fear into expectant mothers thanks to it’s creative storyline involving carrying the spawn of Satan. Starring Mia Farrow at the titular character in her most famous role, it follows Rosemary’s difficult pregnancy that sees her become so ill it appears as if she’s slowly dying, a far cry from the typical glow and fullness that typically comes with pregnancy.

As her body is thrown into turmoil she slowly begins to question those around her including her strange neighbors and new friends of her husbands. She soon uncovers the truth about what’s happening to her, the shocking role her husband played in it, and the shocking secrets of those around her.

The new horror flick, The Devil's Hand, is now out on VOD, ITunes and in select theaters. The film stars Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Rufus Sewell (Dark City), and Adelaide Kane (The CW’s Reign), it will give you thrills and chills this Halloween!

The film centers on  six girls whom are all born on the sixth day of the sixth month to different mothers in the small, devout village of New Bethlehem an ancient prophecy is set in motion - on their 18th birthday one of the girls will become the Devil's Hand. As the day approaches and one by one the young women begin to disappear, terror overtakes the quiet community and those remaining girls band together to uncover who or what is behind these treacherous acts.

To celebrate the film's release, I'm sharing the new LOVE The Devil's Hand Blog App, which you can play with your friends.

Beethoven's Treasure Tail
Director: Ron Oliver
Starring: Jonathan Silverman, Kristy Swanson, David DeLuise and Jeffrey Combs
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 28, 2014
Retail: $26.98
ASIN: B00LTO33X2
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Honestly, I didn't realize that it has been over twenty-two years since the original Beethoven film was released to theaters. No, I'm not referring to the famous musician of the same name, but instead I'm referring to the St. Bernard dog who starred in the 1992 blockbuster that was co-written by the late John Hughes, under the name Edmond Dantès. A sequel, Beethoven's 2nd, was released to theaters a year later. It would be seven years until the dog would return in the direct-to-video Beethoven's 3rd, quickly followed by Beethoven's 4th and Beethoven's 5th. In 2008, the franchise received a reboot with Beethoven's Big Break and its sequel, Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, in 2011.

Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday October 28, 2014 from Universal 1440 Entertainment is newest St. Benard adventure, titled Beethoven's Treasure Tail. The film is directed by Ron Oliver and stars Jonathan Silverman reprising his role as Eddie from Beethoven's Big Break. Co-starring is Kristy Swanson (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer) and Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator Trilogy). There are no extras or special features on the Blu-ray or DVD.

The film centers on the movie star dog, Beethoven, filming his newest movie with his trainer Eddie Bob, but he can't get the scenes right. It seems the dog is depressed or as his veterinarian said, "He has lost his mojo." The dog's lack of energy has gotten him fired the movie, so Eddie has no choice but to pack his bags and leave the movie set with Beethoven.

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
 

If this situation occurred, then I would have to ask Van Helsing from Bram Stroker's Dracula (book or movie version). I'm sure he would know how to dispose of the ghouls.

Linky List:

There are literally too many book in the world and it isn't possible for me to keep up with every new release, let alone read every book that has ever been written, well, unless a nuclear apocalypse occurs giving me all the time in the world to read any book I want to, like in the classic Twilight Zone episode "Time Enough at Last." In reality I don't have a whole lot of time to read anymore. Yes, I can speed read through a novel in an hour if I wanted to, but I have a hard time reviewing a book I just skimmed. I prefer to read every word on every page of a novel. Being a blog reviewer, I have any books piled up to review and the first ones to get reviewed are the ones for blog tours. That being said, I sometimes have to shove a few books aside until I have time to properly read them. This includes the fantasy novel The Sword of Darrow and its sequel The Dragon and the Firefly.

The Sword of Darrow (ISBN-13: 978-1935618478) is set in a magical realm of Sonnencrest, a peaceful kingdom that is until the evil goblin King Malmut and his army of creatures seizes the kingdom. The only survivor of the royal family is Princess Babette, who barely escapes the goblin's grasps. A powerful wizard, Asterux, takes in the young princess and agrees to teach her magic. Ten years passes by and Babette is now ready to take back her kingdom, but she cannot do it alone, so along the way she encourages a young boy, Darrow, to become a hero by giving him a sword that is light as a feather.

The Dragon and the Firefly (ISBN-13: 978-0984980987) takes place twenty-eight years later and focuses on the Queen Babette's twins, Prince Fenn and Princess Aster. A new enemy of the kingdom takes form and kidnaps Fenn. It is up to Aster and her dragon, Moakie, to rescue him. The twins must put aside their fears in order to defeat the upcoming evil.

The Quite Ones
Director: John Pogue
Starring: Jared Harris, Sam Claflin, Olivia Cooke
Studio: LionsGate
Release Date: August 19, 2014
Retail: $19.98
ASIN: B00KOBUNBQ
Running Time: 98 minutes
Rated: PG-13
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Despite being a lifelong horror fan, I tend to avoid all the recent  so-called PG-13 horror flicks as typically they are horribly filmed. The Quite Ones happens to be one of the exceptions that caught by eye for two reasons:


The Quite Ones is a found-footage flick and centers on a college professor (played by Jared Harris) and a group of students, Brian McNeil (played by Sam Claflin), Krissi (played by Erin Richards) and Harry (played by Rory Fleck-Byrne), who are all trying to prove that supernatural occurrences do not exist. They are especially trying to discredit a video of a possessed boy. Their plan is to run experiments on Jane Harper (played by Olivia Cooke). Of course strange occurrences occur, leading the students to speculate that a  demonic presence called Evey has possessed Jane.

There was a huge surge of horror movies starting with the slasher classic John Carpenter's Halloween in 1978 and continued throughout the '80s, though the popularity started to wind down towards the'90s. Once of the last classic horror films from that era was 1988's Night of the Demons (originally titled Halloween Party.) The film was directed by Kevin S. Tenney and starred William Gallo, Hal Havins, Amelia Kinkade, Cathy Podewell and Linnea Quigley. The film centered on a group of teenagers having a party on Hallowen Night at the so-called haunted Hull House. After their host Angela holds a séance, a demon possesses her and one by other demons possesses the other teens, except for a Judy, Sal and Roger, whom all are trying to find a way to escape Hull House alive.

My first encounter with Night of the Demons was when I was nine or ten and my mother had set a timer to record the movie on Showtime for my aunt, whom is only six-years older than me. The movie was on early in the morning and I woke up early that morning before school, got a bowl of cereal and turned on the television just in time to see Jill Terashita as Frannie pop out of a coffin topless. Let's just say I only watched a few minutes before I turned the television off in fear that I would get in trouble for watching it. Five or six years late, I recorded the movie late one night on Showtime, so I could finally see the movie. I completely forgot about the film until I came across it on Hulu last year. Then when I heard about the Shout! Factory Collector's Edition, I went ahead and ordered it.

Redeemed
A House Of Night Novel, book 12
by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pub. Date: October 14, 2014
ISBN: 978-0312594442
Pages: 320
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Yes, the time has come for the final installment in the popular A House Of Night series by the mother and daughter duo, P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast, that started with in 2007 with the first novel, titled Marked. A House Of Night is set in a world where some teenagers have "junk DNA." It triggers them to become vampyres (vampires), which the transformation between human and vampyre takes four years to complete. If a fledging is not near an adult vampyre at all times, then than fledging will die. This is why fledgings are sent to a House of Night school during those troubling four years.

Zoey Redbird has been the main protagonist all through the series, arriving at the House of Night in Tulsa as a teenager, her powers have grown and she is now known as the High Priestess who has the power of all five elements (air, fire, water, earth and spirit). When she isn't having boyfriend troubles, she is battling the forces of darkness along with her friends.

Redeemed picks ups shortly after last year's Revealed with Zoey accidentally killing two men with her powers. She leaves the Seer Stone at the House of Night and confesses her crimes to Detective Marx, who has no other choice but to arrest her for the murders. She is unaware that she didn't commit the crime, but instead her once mentor now turned enemy, Neferet, is the actual murderer.

Meanwhile, Neferet's role as the Dark Goddess as taken a turn for the worse, well, at least for the other vampyres and as well as the humans. The darkness has finally consumed her and she becomes outrage when she hears that Zoey has taken the fall for what she has done. Along with her army or minions, Neferet invades the Mayo and takes human hostage and declares war on the world.

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
Whispers On The Moors, book 3
by Sarah E. Ladd
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pub. Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1401688370
Pages: 352
Buy Link: http://ow.ly/CsnBw
Blog Tour: http://litfusegroup.com/author/sladd

Review:

It sees like time is slipping away from me or something like that. Typically, I would have my review already written and scheduled for a blog tour, but for some odd reason I forgot to set this review up for the today.  As you can tell by the cover, this book is a Regency romance, a genre that I usually skip over, but in this case I have already read the author's other books (The Heir of Winterwood, The Headmistress of Rosemere), so naturally I signed up to review the third installment.

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is set in Darbury, England in 1819 and centers on Cecily Faire, a young woman with a haunting past that has been thrown out of her home by her own father, but she has built a new life by graduating from a finishing school to become a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall. She plans on keeping her past a secret from everyone.

Nathaniel Stanton also has a haunting past, one that is tied to his late father, whom was once a steward of Willowgrove Hall. To his protect his mother and his sisters, he must keep his family's secret and deny himself from everything life has to offer, even love that is until he meets the lovely Cecily Faire, who quickly enchants his heart.

Autumn Blood
Director: Markus Blunder
Starring: Sophie Lowe, Peter Stormare, Gustaf Skarsgard
Studio: ARC Entertainment
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Retail: $20.99
ASIN: B00M1CFU8C
Running Time: 100 minutes
Rating: R
Buy Link: Amazon 

Review:

Arriving on DVD from ARC Entertainment is the thriller Autumn Blood from director Markus Blunder. The movie made its round at the film festivals last year, winning Best Narrative Feature from the San, Diego International Film Festival and the Hollywood Film Festival and winning Best Cinematography from the Irvine International Film Festival. There are no special features or extras on the DVD.

Set in the Austrian mountains, the film centers on a nameless 16-year-old girl (played Sophie Lowe) and her 10-year-old brother (played by Maximilian Harnisch), who are living on a farm outside of a small lawless town with their mother. Their father was murdered in front of them several years ago and the family have now shut themselves off from the outside world.


After their mother suddently becomes ill and dies, it is up to the Girl to take care of the Boy. She tells none of the townsfolk of her mother's passing and tries to live their lives the way they always did. The Girl even goes into town to pay her mother's bills, which the townfolks finds peculiar. The mayor's son, the Hunter (played by Samuel Vauramo) and his pals, the Butcher (played by Gustaf Skarsgard) and the Friend (played by Tim Morten Uhlenbrock), suspect something is foul and drive up to the Girls' farmhouse, where they rape her.

Fearing that the Girl or the Boy will tell someone, the Butcher and his pals return to the farmhouse with guns in the attempt to silence them forever. The Boy drags the Girl away from their home and into the mountains, a place they are familiar with. There they try to out run the the Hunter, the Butcher and the Friend, but they soon realizes that they must fight back.

I've been blogging for over five years and I would have never thought I would be reviewing a PC game, but that is exactly what I'm doing today - writing a review for the recently released Nancy Drew: Labyrinth of Lies (retails at $19.99).

Almost everyone has  probably heard of Nancy Drew, the popular young adult mystery series was originally created by Edward Stratemeyer, but most of the books were ghostwritten. Many spin-offs soon followed, including The Nancy Drew Files, Nancy Drew Notebooks, Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, Nancy Drew On Campus, Nancy Drew Diaries and Nancy Drew, Girl Detective. Though many of us probably remember the character from the ABC short-lived series The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries and the 2007 feature film with Emma Roberts playing Nancy Drew.

Starting in 1998, Her Interactive began the Nancy Drew: A Mystery Adventure PC game series. Fast forward to 2014, the series has just released its 31st case, titled Nancy Drew: Labyrinith of Lies. Similar to other games in the series, this installment is rated E10+!


Of the course the plot of the game centers on the one and the only Nancy Drew (voiced by Lani Minella), who has been hired by the curator, Melina Rosi, of the Phidias Cultural Center in Greece to help out during the museum's most anticipated event of the year - Persephone in Winter, a play about the myth of Persephone. The play will take place in the amphitheater in the attempt to bring in a new visitors for the Life in Ancient Greece exhibit.

About every horror fan has heard about the legend behind the slasher flick All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, which starred a young Amber Heard as Mandy Lane. Directed by Jonathan Levine, the movie was actually filmed in early 2006, but never received a DVD/Blu-ray release in the United States until December 2013, mostly due to distribution problems. However, the movie did make its round in several film festivals film festivals throughout 2006 and 2007, and it did get a official theatrical release in the United Kingdom.

Set in Texas, the film centers on an outsider, Mandy Lane, who happens to blossom over the summer and all the boys at her school take notice. She is invited to attend a pool party that is being hosted by the rich jock Dylan and she brings her best-friend, Emmett (played by Michael Welch), with her. After an accident occurs resulting in Dylan's death, Mandy breaks ties with Emmett.

Nine month later, the boys at her high school are still drooling over her. A popular student, Red (played by Aaron Himelstein), invites her to stay at his family's ranch where he is having a party with his friends, Chloe (played by Whitney Able), Bird (played by Edwin Hodge), Jake (played by Luke Grimes) and Marlin (played by Melissa Price). The kids plans on swimming, drinking beer, smoking pot and of course the boys hope to seduce Mandy, but their party doesn't go exactly as planned as there is a serial killer on the loose on the ranch. Mandy's only hope of surviving the weekend is trusting the ranch hand, Garth (played Hell On Wheels' Anson Mount) with her life.

Wrong Turn 6:  Last Resort
Director: Valeri Milev
Starring: Aqueela Zoll, Anthony Ilott, Billy Ashworth, Talitha Luke-Eardley, Chris Jarvis, Luke Cousins,
Joe Gaminara, Rhys Coiro, Harry Belcher, Billy Shepperd, Asen Asenov, Danko Danknov, Sadie Katz, Rollo Skinner, Roxanne Pallett
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Release Date: October  21st, 2014
Retail: $22.98
ASIN: B00MWP73ME
Running Time: 91 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Buy Link: DVD, Blu-ray

Review:

Throughout the '80s there was at least one horror flick released theaters each week, including the Friday the 13th franchise, A Nightmare on Elm Street series and countless other slasher films. Now of days the only horror films in theaters are the watered-down Exorcist rip-offs and the dreaded found-footage crap. Yes, there is the upcoming Friday the 13th reboot, but we don't need a 2nd remake in less than one decade! I would rather watch a half-way decent sequel than another remake. It seems the only watchable horror sequels are only available direct-to-DVD, which includes the Wrong Turn franchise.

Wrong Turn was a 2003 backwoods horror flick that spawned two direct-to-DVD sequels and three prequels. Yes, the quality of each film has gotten worse with each new installment, but they are still better than most of the garbage that is being released to theaters.

Wrong Turn 6: Last Resort picks up sometime after Bloodlines and centers on Danny (played Anthony Llott) inheriting a hotel in the deep backwoods of West Virginia. He grew up in an orphanage, so he never knew about his "real" family until arriving at the hotel with his girlfriend Toni (played by Aquella Zoll) and several friends. They are greeted by Danny's cousins Sally (played by Sadie Katz) and Jackson (played by Chris Jarvis), whom show a weird affection for each other and for Danny!

Danny (played Anthony Llott) & (played by Aquella Zoll)

After getting acquainted with his cousins, Danny plans on restoring the hotel to its original glory, but Toni suspects some sort of foul play is at hand here, especially when their friends start disappearing one by one. Danny quickly realizes he is from one of the three inbred cannibal families and it is his duty to keep the family line "pure." And of course Three Fingers, Saw Tooth and One Eye are related to him and start a cat & mouse game with Danny's friends. 

2. Enter the link to your terrifying tale in the haunting list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in a curse).

 

3. Visit other haunters in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new creeper.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
 

Linky List:

Ash and the Army of Darkness
by Steve Niles, Dennis Calero and Nacho Tenorio
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Pub. Date: October 21, 2014
ISBN: 978-1606905166
Pages: 192
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:
 
While I consider myself to be a horror-buff, I never knew the Evil Dead films even existed until I caught the last half of Army of Darkness on the Scifi Channel (now known as Syfy) in the late '90s during my teenage years. Being a fan of Bruce Campbell ever since he starred in the short-lived series The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., I instantly took to liking to what little I saw of the movie. Luckily, the movie reaired the following weekend, so I could watch it.  I was able to find the VHS (Remember those?) of Army of Darkness at Best Buy, along with Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn. I later rented the original Evil Dead and eventually bought it on VHS, so, basically I saw the movies in reverse. And of course I saw last year's remake.

There have been several comic books based on the character Ash from the series over the years, but none has picked up directly where Army of Darkness left off - well, until Dynamite Entertainment released a brand new series last year called Ash and the Army Darkness. The eight issue series is now available in one volume.