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Posts Tagged ‘Amazon author’

Predator Badlands (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

By LaTaeya Lane

Predator Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, 10 Cloverfield Lane;  starring Elle Fanning, A Complete Unknown, and Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi. Far North is a SyFy action-adventure that follows a young exiled Yautja as he attempts to hunt down the ultimate trophy in search of status and acceptance within his Clan.

After a tragic altercation with his father and brother, Dek (Schuster-Kolomatangi) finds himself alone on a strange and distant planet, where artificial intelligence is dominant and where hybrid monsters roam.

Dek befriends an android named Thia, portrayed by Fanning, and a mysterious creature that helps him along the way, teaching him a lifelong lesson.

This action-packed film has been what Predator fans have been waiting for. The depiction of the Yautja Characters, their culture, including language, weapons, and traditions, gave fans a deeper understanding of how and why the 1987 Predator ended up in the Amazon Jungle.

The fight scenes flowed with excitement while the world-building and design of the creatures created a space where fantasy remains supreme.

The special effects were good, though some android scenes could be improved.  The two leads performed well, but some humor fell flat and disrupted the film’s balance.  

This movie was a solid 3 stars. Fans will definitely enjoy this film.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Him (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 21, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Him, directed by Justin Tipping (Black Monday) and starring Marlon Wayans (White Chicks) and Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer, 2025), follows a Legendary football player as he attempts to recruit and train an upcoming football star.

Unbeknownst to him, Cameron Cade (Withers) is exposed to a series of tasks that lead to a dark and sinister cult within the world of football.

Him is a psychological horror that bends the realm of reality and fantasy. The imagery presented was dark and edgy; however, it was also distorted and confusing in the middle of the film.

The story itself had great potential but was inconsistent and fell flat in some areas.

The main cast had a good flow and chemistry throughout the film. The special effects were nothing out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, the fact that Jordan Peele has his name attached to this project is somewhat disappointing, considering his past filmography.

I have mixed feelings about this film. I didn’t hate it, but I also didn’t love it.

This is a decent movie for streaming if you like football.

I gave this film 3 stars for its intriguing nature.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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The Conjuring: Last Rites (review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by Michael Chaves (The Nun II) and starring Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do IT), Patrick Wilson (Annabelle Comes Home, and Mia Tomlinson (The Mediator) follows Ed and Lorraine Warren as they face the most impactful paranormal case that would eventually end their careers.

This film starts with a young expecting couple as they encounter a powerful demon on a case that would mark the family for the rest of their lives. In their fight to help and protect a family from the dark entities of a home, things go terribly wrong, and Lorraine goes into labor early.

After the traumatic birth of their daughter, Judy, the Warrens work hard to put their lives back together and move on. Judy has a psychic connection and works to manage her abilities with guidance from Lorraine.  It is not until Judy reaches her full psychic capacity that the entity that marks her returns in connection with a family she is drawn to help.

The story was well-written and presented a new chapter in the Warren world of the paranormal. The franchise has evolved in ways that have expanded the universe while allowing it to grow within the story without any fractures.

The visual and special effects opened the door to imagery, defining the meaning of creativity and imagination. The score was great and took me directly to my 80’ Playlist.

There were plenty of jump scares, creepy thrills, and intense moments invoking the feeling of uncertainty, mystery, and heart-pounding fear.

The new additions to the cast were a continuation of the legacy that the Conjuring Universe already carries. At the same time, the story, visuals, and all the other components are the perfect recipe for a fantastic start to the fall horror season.

The Conjuring: Last Rites is a 5-star Paranormal Adventure that horror fans will love as the final chapter in the Conjuring film Universe.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Weapons 2025 Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Weapons directed by Zach Cregger; (Barbarian) and starring Julia Gardner; (Wolfman), Josh Brolin (Avengers Endgame), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange) and Cary Christopher (Days of Our Lives) follows a teacher Gardner as she deals with the mysterious disappearance of the students in her 3rd grade class.

The film starts with the point of view of Justine as her part of the story displays a very hurt and fractured character. Justine tries to make sense of what happened with the kids while trying to cope in ways that are not healthy.

Weapons takes on an interesting twist as the story changes with every key character involved. This film is more of a physiological horror with haunting imagery and creepy vibes throughout.

The score added to the frightening nature of this film, creating a sense of thrills and chills within the structure of the story.

The characters balance out, each building upon the other while blending depth and complexity.

Overall, this film was enjoyable. The storyline was well-structured, and the jump scares and plot twists were unexpected.  The special effects and elements of gore were visually impactful.

I gave this film 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 9, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas as Eve, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and Norman Reedus as Daniel Pine, follows a young girl brought into the world of the High Table as she hunts for the people responsible for her father’s death.

A riveting storyline, compelling action, and fight scenes; Ballerina takes place between the previous films John Wick 3 and 4. The director does a great job of simultaneously interweaving the stories of Eve and John Wick.

The writing offers a detailed examination of the John Wick universe from a completely different perspective. We get to see deeper into the world how the mark impacts their lives, as well as how living an everyday life is out of the question.

Overall, Ballerina was fire in every sense of the word.  Armes presented an awe-inspiring presence on screen. The thoughtfulness and sheer nature of her personality were magical.  Her fighting style created an energy of fluidity and precision, while the supporting cast held the story together.

The special effects were remarkably realistic, while the score delivered a tone befitting the John Wick universe.

It was terrific to see Keanu grace the silver screen in the role of Legendary John Wick. Norman Reedus presented an impactful role that delivered a great addition to the cast.

This film is must-see. I gave this movie 5 stars.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Mission Impossible- The Final Reckoning (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie and starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, and Angela Bassett, is the eighth installment of the action-adventure franchise.

This movie follows super spy Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his exceptional team as he accepts the mission to fight against an artificial intelligence system that aims to destroy humanity.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is a mind-bending theatrical masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of human experience while blending elements of superhero characteristics within the main protagonist. Tom Cruise’s portrayal of Ethan Hunt is a manifestation of magnificence as he ventures off into a world of unknown dangers, searching for a way to defeat a computer-generated villain called The Entity.

The special effects and storyline were well done and delivered the elements of movie magic within every scene. The action sequences were phenomenal, and the supporting cast was filled with familiar faces that created a beautiful cinematic melody. The new additions to the cast danced with grace and fluidity throughout the film, all creating a cohesiveness that strengthened the plot and mood.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING delivered an impactful conclusion to the franchise while kicking off the summer blockbuster season.

This movie was a lot of fun. It has heartwarming, hold-your-breath moments, heart-stopping thrills, and shocking revelations.

I give this movie five stars!

Check out the trailer below:

L.L

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Final Destination: Bloodlines (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 18, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

Final Destination: Bloodlines, directed by Zack Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Tony Todd, and Teo Briones, follows college student Stefani as a recurring nightmare haunts her. Desperate to seek answers, Stefani soon returns home and begins to uncover the secrets of her family history.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a scary good time, with unexpected twists at every corner.

The story adds a fresh spin on the modern horror classic while exploring the deep connection between the historical elements of established characters.

The death scenes were exciting and uniquely created. They provide a pace of progression that exposes multiple layers of human experience. Each choice and decision relates to one another while adding complexity to the story.

The score was well done, while the special effects presented a hauntingly realistic nature that drew the audience in deeper.

Elements of comedy created balance, while the cast of relative unknowns delivered a sense of cohesiveness that only the FD franchise can generate.

As a horror icon and industry staple, it was amazing to see our beloved Tony Todd one final time as JB. It was great to see how the franchise paid homage to a decades-long story and character.

Overall, FDB is a 5-star horror film that fans of the franchise will get a kick out of.

Check out the trailer below.

L.L.

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The Accountant 2 Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

The Accountant 2, directed by Gavin O’Connor and starring Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, is the sequel that follows a genius Assassin as he and his brother team up to solve the murder of a Treasury Secretary.

The film opens with a sketchy situation unfolding as gunfire erupts at a local nightclub.

Affleck (Christian Wolf) and Bernthal (Braxton) make a fantastic team kicking ass as they fight their way to solve the murder and to free children that have been wrongfully held captive.

An Action-packed, witty thrill ride is all that makes this film a fabulous prequel to the Summer Blockbuster season. The chemistry between Affleck and Bernthal is magical.. The fight sequences were impressive, and the score helped to create a thrilling balance within the film.

This is a great, action-packed film.

I gave this movie 5 stars. I am hoping for another sequel.

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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A Working Man (Review)

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 31, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

A Working Man, directed by David Ayer (End of Watch Producer) and starring Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, (Prime Target) Michael Pena, (Antman) David Harbour,(Stranger Things) and Arianna Rivas,(The Harvest) tells the story of an Royal Marine Officer, Levon Cade (Statham, The Beekeeper), turned Construction Worker, as he helps to find his boss’s daughter after she becomes the victim of a human trafficking ring.

Cade risks it all as he uses his Military skills to follow clues, which leads him into the trenches of an underground world that few people would dare to touch. It doesn’t take him long to get to the top as he takes down his enemies, carving out a path of destruction to save a girl who is like a family member.

A Working Man is an action-packed thrill ride that will not disappoint. This fast-paced flick will have you on the edge of your seat. The story itself is something we have seen before. However, the energy and fluidity of the characters involved were exciting. The storyline is strong and well-developed, while the main character is a complex yet vulnerable individual with heart and depth. The fight sequences were impressive, and the fashion represented by the group of antagonists was noteworthy.

This movie was a lot of fun and a must-see for action fans.

I gave this film 4 ½ stars

Check out the trailer below:

L.L.

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Wolfman 2025 Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »

by LaTaeya Lane

The Wolfman, directed by Leigh Whannell and starring Julia Gardner (Ozark), Christopher Abbott (Kraven The Hunter), and Matilda Firth (Disenchanted), follows a family as they travel to the remote mountains in Oregon to Blake’s childhood home to pack up his father’s things after being declared deceased.

The moment Blake reaches his family estate, things go bad as the family suffers from a terrible accident, leaving Blake with an injury that he is unable to recover from.

The situation continues to spiral out of control as  Charlotte (Garner) and their daughter Ginger (Firth) try to help Blake while attempting to make sense of their current circumstances.

Overall, this was a pretty good movie. The storyline was interesting and presented a nice backstory into the past of our antagonist. The balance between Blake’s humanity and his relationship with the monster within created an internal struggle that was projected beautifully on screen.

Charlotte’s character is strong yet flawed. The fast-paced horror film did not disappoint, as its structure had many classic elements interwoven within. However, the creature design for the Wolfman did miss the mark for me. Parts of the character’s transformation reminded me of Seth Brundle from 1986’s The Fly. The concept of Blake living between human and wolf was conveyed, but I was hoping to see more elements of the wolf transpire.

The special effects were solid, and the film was thrilling in many ways.

I gave this movie 3 stars

L.L.

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