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Posts Tagged ‘Dark Betrayal Author’

The Walking Dead Season 5 Premiere

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on October 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »

walking dead season 5 poster

The Walking Dead Season 5 Premiere “Review”

Sunday night’s episode of the Walking Dead is still burning on my mind. Every scene was an exciting adventure that unfolded at every turn.

The whole idea of Terminus was brilliant. I saw several horror movies represented in the one episode, from Saw, to Hostel,to Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it was done so cleverly. We all assumed that the people of Terminus were cannibals but now we  are definitely aware that they are, and that those who arrive don’t survive.

Rick, Glen and Bob are taken to another room where they are about to die, while Gareth and his crew prepare. Back in the train car Michone, Maggie, Carl and the others make homemade weapons so they can defend themselves when the time comes. Meanwhile Carol and Tyreesse are on the road and soon approach a small house. One of the Terminus’ guys are there, and she over hears him on a walkie-talkie discussing a woman with a sword—referencing Michone. Carol demands answers as she threatens to kill him. Tyreesse and Carol tie him up and Carol leaves Tyreesse and Judith with the guy so she can investigate on her own. It doesn’t take long for Carol to make it to Terminus to see first hand what’s going on. She spots Rick being held captive.

Carol goes in with a plan. She uses explosives to do some serious damage to the property. Her one woman army is fierce as she pushes in pretending to be a walker. She picks off a few men in the process and Rick seizes the opportunity as he kills the two men that were about to slit their throats.

An all out war breaks out, Rick rescues his group and they all head out to escape Terminus. Gareth makes a run for it while Carol and Mary go head to head.

Mary is killed and every one is reunited. Rick is determined to go back and kill everyone that is left in Terminus. Abraham and Maggie are not too keen on the idea and they talk Rick out of going back. I think that Rick should have pushed on and convinced the group to go back. Why would they not finish them off? Rick should have reminded them that the governor came back. He came back after four months, what makes them think that the Terminus survivors won’t go after them, especially now that Mary—Gareth’s mother is dead.  That was a big mistake.

During the conversation, Carol approaches the group. Daryl spots her and immediately embraces her. The emotional moment that he shares with Carol is one of those unforgettable moments, that even had me choked up. It was the same feeling when Rick found Carl and Lori in season one, episode three.

Rick embraces Carol and asks her “Did you do this?” and she nods her head as she is about to cry in his arms. She regains herself and tells Rick that he has to come with her.

Rick and the others follow Carol back to the little house, and as they approach, Rick sees Tyreesse and Judith waiting on the porch. Rick runs over them, overjoyed with happiness, and filled with shock and relief, Rick holds his daughter for the first time since things went down at the prison. Carl joins them and at this point tears are streaming down my face.

Together again the group heads out on the road as they search for a safe place to live and rebuild their lives in a world that has all the odds against them.

Rick erases the Terminus sign as they are about to leave and the scene closes with a mysterious man following the group’s trail. The man is reveled to be Morgan the person who first took Rick in after he woke up from his Coma. The last time he encountered Rick things didn’t go well. He was clearly out of his mind. But he seems well put together now.

The premiere was one of the best season openings that I have ever seen a show present. The action was intense and as I watched, I felt as though I was one of the characters experiencing the journey. The effects were amazing and every scene drew me in deeper.

I was very surprised to see that the writers completed the Terminus chapter in one episode, considering that Hershel’s farm and the Prison lasted so long. But it is clear that there is a vision—a path that the writers are taking Rick and it is evident that path coincides with the comic books.

I am absolutely loving it, and cant wait to see what happens this Sunday.

L.L

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“Annabelle” Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Annabelle poster

Annabelle directed by John R. Leonetti and starring Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton tells the story about a young couple that experiences paranormal activity in their home. It all starts when Mia’s husband John brings home a vintage doll as a gift for his expectant wife. Soon after the couple’s home is broken into by a husband and wife that belong to a cult. Mia and John barely make it out alive. The cops intervene, killing both intruders. The female named Annabelle was found in the nursery holding the life sized doll in her arms.

The activity begins after Mia returns from the hospital on bed rest as instructed by her doctor. Strange things begin to happen. The doll starts to move on its own. At first the movement is very subtle but progresses throughout the film. The couple attempts to move out of the first house where the occult couple was killed, but the activity intensifies as time goes on. John attempts to throw away the doll but it mysteriously turns up in a box when the couple begin’s to unpack and settle into the new home. Mia decides to keep the doll and soon things get worse. Mia does some research about the young woman Annabelle and the occult she belonged to. She learns that the doll is possessed by a dark entity that Annabelle conjured and that it wants her daughter’s soul. Mia fights to protect her child and seeks the help of the church. Her local parish priest tries to help but is almost killed in the process. Mia’s friend Evelyn played by Alfre Woodard spends time with the family and experiences the activity first hand. She eventually sacrifices herself to save the baby.

The film had its scary moments and at times demonstrated the classic clichés of horror. Child’s play and Rosemary’s baby references were scattered around the film. The acting was just average and there were paths that I thought the movie was moving in but then moved in a completely different direction.
Overall the vision for the film could have been a lot better but I think that it’s a subtle flick for those horror fans that just want a taste of Halloween horror.
I gave this movie 2.5 stars.
Happy Horror
L.L.

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Fall Inspiration

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , on September 26, 2014| Leave a Comment »

As the fall season kicks off, and I’ve gotten back into the swing of being back at work, my creativity and inspiration has been flowing. Even though the summer is a time of relaxation. I feel that the fall season has a casual aura. It’s a time when mood plays an important role in how my creativity is expressed. I love the chilly, windy, rainy evenings, as I’m curled up on the sofa covered with a blanket, a notebook and a steaming cup of Red Zinger tea. My writing process has been pretty slow, but I can say that it has been productive. I’m working on finalizing the second book in my series Dark Betrayal before it is released on paperback. The release of the Kindle version is expected out early October. I’ve been simultaneously working on typing the third book Dark Revenge. That book is in the very early stages, so it is not expected to be released until early summer 2015. Plans for my fall book tour will be announced as soon as they develop.
Happy reading!
L.L.

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes “Movie Review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Dawn of the planet of the apes

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directed by Matt Reeves and starring Andy Serkis was an outstanding film that has all the elements that make a blockbuster.

The movie takes place ten years after the Apes emerged to claim their freedom. The world is plagued with a virus that has wiped out most of the human race. Led by Ceaser and portrayed by Andy Serkis, the apes build a world where they thrive as they band together to protect their home. A group of human survivors led by Malcolm and played by Jason Clark encounter the apes in their search to bring electricity back to the city, so they can begin to restore the life they had before the virus.

Caesar struggles with trust issues with the humans as Malcolm tries to convince him to come into their territory so they can restore power. Ceaser agrees but on the condition that the group of humans enter without weapons. Some of the people in the group battle with their own issues with the apes, in fear that they will be attacked. They betray the trust that is established and Caesar questions their true intentions.

Koba—one of Caesar’s lieutenants, who was rescued from the Genesis research facility in the first film holds an unforgiving grudge against the humans and will stop at nothing to break the peace among the two species.

Ceaser sets an example by teaching non violence, community and morels to his fellow apes, but despite his efforts to spare the lives of humans and the apes—a fight between the two is inevitable.
Initiated by Koba, a war breaks out as the two groups fight for freedom. Ceaser almost meets his death as Koba betrays him in the worse way. After his home is destroyed in the forest and he is left for dead, Caesar is saved by Malcom. They seek a safe haven away from all the destruction as Caesar returns to his old home with Malcom and his family to recuperate from a gunshot wound. While on the mend, Caesar makes a connection with Malcolm and reconigizes his genuine nature as demonstrated with his past relationship with Wil Rodman, played by James Franco in the first film.

Meanwhile Koba kills his kind as he makes an attempt to intimidate the other apes to follow him. The apes invade the community of humans and capture them. Koba’s intention is to inflict the same pain on the humans that he endured within the facility.

The final battle between Koba and Caesar is an intense one, filled with lots of action and high energy sequences. The power and emotion behind these scenes are adrenaline driven and will leave you on the edge of your seat the entire time. In the end, power was restored within the city, Caesar killed Koba, re-claimed leadership among the apes and was reunited with his family.

The 20th Century Fox film is an experience that movie goers must see to believe. The visual presentation, special effects ,score and the emotions behind the CG characters bring the story to life in way that demonstrates a creative craft that is absolutely impeccable. Even the language of the apes was impressive, the sign language blending with English and the dialect of the apes fit the tone of the film and was delivered in a manner that made you appreciate what this film represents.

Andy Serkis’ portrayal of Caesar was astounding. If the Academy does not nominate Serkis for an Oscar then they really need to re-evaluate their whole nomination process. This movie grossed big at the box office and the marketing plan was strong in their efforts to draw in movie goers, so why are most films nominated that people have never even heard of, seen and or released in a limited capacity? I’m looking forward to Andy being acknowledged in the Oscar Realm. He deserves it.

Dawn of the Planet of Apes has become an instant modern classic and was masterpiece in every way shape and form that a film can be.
A must see on your summer movie list. I gave this movie 5 Stars!!
L.L.

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Transformers: Age of Extinction “Movie Review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Transformers Age poster

Transformers:The Age of Extinction directed by Michael Bay and starring Mark Wahlberg was an action packed film filled with heartstoping adventure. The movie takes place 5 years after Optimus Prime and the Autobots saved the human race from Megatron and the Decepticons.

Prime and the surviving Autobots are now in hiding from the government and have a large price on their heads. A struggling mechanic, Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg) purchases a run down truck that just so happeneds to be the transformer Optimus Prime. As the the Autobots come out of the shadows, they rise up to face a new threat— the humans, and newly manufactured transformers. Feeling betrayed by the humans, the transformers put aside their trust issues to team up with Cade and his family. Cade and his daughter Tessa are now wanted for harboring a transformer fugitive— Prime. They band together with Optimus and the other Autobots to once again save the human race from being destroyed. This time they must locate and take an object called “the seed” and remove it from the possession of the humans. The humans working on the project unknowingly realize that the seed has the power to destroy the entire world. An inside man working for the government- Harold Attinger played by Kelsey Grammer betrays his people by being in league with one of Optimus’ worse enemies.

The battle is on as good faces evil. The Autobots strive to defend and protect the planet. Optimus recruits the Dinobots as they lay dormant, deep in the mountains of China. They fight with bravery and honor as they struggle to battle a power that has been engineered.

The age of extinction was a great movie. Every other scene was an action sequence, and the special effects were eye-catching and emotion driven. Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer and John Goodman portrayed memorable characters. The storyline was a bit predictable, but overall you really don’t miss the characters from the past three films. It stood out on its own and everyone contributed a little something new to the already established franchise. The score was the only thing that I had a problem with. It wasn’t nearly as good and engaging as the past three movies, but the cars that were featured were more luxurious. Nicole Peltz— Tessa aka Bates Motel’s Bradly, was a breath of fresh air which added a modern flair to the film. Spielberg executive produced and Micheal Bay’s vision once again reflected the overall tone of the film.

Put this movie on your summer to see list. I gave it 5 stars.
L.L.

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TrueBlood Season Premier Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on June 23, 2014| Leave a Comment »

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TrueBlood Season Premier Review
We all love Sookie Stackhouse and fell in love with her from the very beginning. We all remember that night at Merlotte’s when she was waiting tables and a mysterious man walked in and sat down.

From that very moment TrueBlood has created a very special bond between viewer and reader. That bond crosses the boarders within imagination and reality. The show has always been a reflection of Charline Harris’ work. For the most part the show has always had a clear vision of what road they intend to take during every season, but this year I feel that the absence of Alan Ball shows and the team really doesn’t know where they should take the final season.

Last season ended with an attack by the Hep-V vampires at the newly owned bar Bellefleur’s. The final season opened continuing the attack as several lives were lost including Tara and some of the Bon Temps residents being kidnapped.

After Tara got killed, I was so upset. Her death was right before the show’s introduction and it made me so angry that Rutina Wesley aka Tara didn’t even have a proper farewell. Fans have struggled with Tara all these years, and it would have been nice to see another path where her journey ended. Her character and her fans deserved better.

I’ve always wanted to see Sookie and Alcide together but there is something about the chemistry that seems a little off. The sexy, passion that Sookie has for her lovers just isn’t visible with the werewolf. Hopefully that will change.

Sam’s new position as Mayor of Bon Temps bothers me, and I feel that it has taken away from his shifter personally, despite the fact that he shifted in the episode last night. Nicole is expecting and was among the people kidnapped. I just can’t understand why Sam and Alcide couldn’t track them in their supernatural forms? That was really upsetting to me.

Where in the world is Eric? When Eric burned in the sun during last season’s finale, Pam sensed his pain and tracked him. She ends up in Morocco, but instead of finding him she is led on a treasure hunt to find her Maker which may lead her to France. Eric is one of the major characters that impacts Sookie in many ways. In the books she unknowingly marries him, but he tricks her into it in order to protect her. I was hoping that the writers would have stayed true to the author’s vision. If they did, this show could have survived ten heart stopping seasons. Even though Eric released Pam, why wouldn’t he go to Bon Temps or even to Fangtasia? Now Fantasia is a hub for the Hep-V vamps, and I think that is ridiculous.

I feel that the flow of show has come to a halt, and that the story lines involving the characters are completely disjointed. I went to bed with the show on my mind and thought about how disappointed I was with the overall writing of this particular episode.

Jason Stackhouse’s story line with this vampire chick Violet is pointless. They should have killed her and kept Tara and had Jason and Tara have an intimate scene while she was a vampire. I’m not sure where they want to go with Jessica and Andy’s daughter, Adilyn, but I’m not excited about that either.

I just hope that the writers get on board and show and that they are not just trying to get this over with for the sake of their contracts. So many shows have a bad track record with ending in disappointments.

Stephen Moyer directed the episode which impressed me. And I was happy to see everyone. The introduction of some new characters like Jessica’s new beau was refreshing. I’m looking forward to seeing how this season unfolds. I just got the final Sookie book so I can’t wait to get lost in her adventures again.
L.L.

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Godzilla “Movie Review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Godzilla_(2014)_poster

Godzilla starring Bryan Cranston,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,and Ken Watanabe,follows the story of nuclear scientists and the military as they discover,and battle a creature that unleashes a wrath of prehistoric proportions on a modern-day world.

The Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures duo outdid themselves in the apocalyptic action adventure.

Monsters, and Dinosaurs Oh My!!

After the accident and death of Joe Brody’s wife in a Japan Power plant,Brody sets off on a 15 year study where he learns that all the strange geological activity in Japan is actually being covered up and is something else entirely different.

With the discovery of strange prehistoric creatures,a chain reaction of events leads to humanity fighting for their world.

Once the terrestrial creatures are unleashed, they destroy everything in their path to mate with each other. As scientists learn that the two are communicating with another creature, the race begins as the military fights to save the world from destruction. Another creature surfaces to claim American territory. As Godzilla reeks havoc upon American soil, he is threatened by the two monstrous forces. Godzilla battles the two and defeats the creatures and claims the title King of the monsters.

The story line was engaging, and every scene was directed and delivered in way that kept the movie goer interested. The destructive scenes were exciting and there was a balance of special effects and sound that united all the elements of the story.

The movie had a unique tone to it that subtly paid homage to the original Godzilla. It was a remake that did the original great justice and enhanced the story further. There are talks that a Warner Bros sequel is in the works, which will make movie goers happy. This was a movie that technology embraced to the fullest but wasn’t over shadowed by it.
I gave this movie 5 stars! A must see for Memorial Day Weekend!
L.L

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