Winnie Jean Howard's Blog, page 15
March 28, 2017
Movie Review: The Stanford Prison Experiment
This week I’m reviewing The Stanford Prison Experiment. Here’s what it’s about:
“Twenty-four male students out of seventy-five were selected to take on randomly assigned roles of prisoners and guards in a mock prison situated in the basement of the Stanford psychology building.”
I have always been fascinated by how disturbing this experiment is. And right off, I was impressed by the format in which it was filmed. Something was missing though, in that I expected something a bit more horrific on the side of the guards. Something was missing about what they were going through in their transition into power. Billy Crudup’s performance as Dr. Zimbardo was stiff and one-sided and unprofessional in a sense.
The portrayal of the prisoners was well done. I felt for them as the horror of their circumstances evolved, especially knowing they had no idea what they were getting into. My emotions aligned as each descended to their personal breaking points. But I also wanted to come away with an equal level of anger for those in charge, and that was missing.
I didn’t hate the film. It provides some good insight into the experiment. Watch it.
My Rating: 3 out of 5
March 21, 2017
Movie Review: Oculus
This week I’m reviewing Oculus, an excellent mix of suspense and horror. Here’s what it’s about:
“The twenty-one year-old Timothy “Tim” Allen Russell is discharged from a mental institution by his psychiatric Dr. Shawn Graham completely healed from a childhood trauma where his father purportedly tortured and killed his mother before being killed himself by Tim. His sister Kaylie welcomes him in the parking area and brings him home. Then she tells that they need to destroy an ancient mirror that she has found through working at an auction house. She then steals the mirror and the reluctant Tim follows his sister and has fragmented recollections from their childhood, going back to when his father Alan buys a mirror for the home office of their new family home. Kaylie and Tim see a woman with their father in his office and the behaviors of Alan and Marie change, ending in a family tragedy. Kaylie blames the mirror and now she wants to destroy it with Tim. Will they succeed?”
If you’re looking for a twisted movie that keeps you guessing, Oculus delivers. The movie shifts in time throughout, showing the past events that got the main characters to the place they are in modern day. Everything about the movie is excellent including the storyline, acting, setting, and all around eerie feeling.
Mirrors are overdone in horror, but Oculus builds an awesome story around the reflections seen by the characters. What’s even better is the twisted way the characters hope to get the best of the mirror.
This isn’t a blood and guts movie, so don’t expect a lot of gore. It’s more of a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat start to finish. The movie is disturbing and the haunting affects will stick with you. I loved it! Watch it!
My Rating: 5 out of 5
March 14, 2017
Movie Review: Night of the Living Deb
This week I’ve got a goody, at least in my opinion. I’m reviewing Night of the Living Deb. Here’s what it’s about:
“After a girls’ night out, endearingly awkward Deb wakes up in the apartment of the most attractive guy in Portland, Maine. She’s thrilled, but she can’t remember much of what got her there. Pretty boy Ryan only knows it was a mistake and ushers her out the door… into a full-scale zombie apocalypse. Now, a walk of shame becomes a fight for survival as the mismatched pair discovers that the only thing scarier than trusting someone with your life… is trusting them with your heart.”
Okay, people, this is one that doesn’t deserve the whiny reviews. Lighten up. It’s a pretty damn fun romzomcom. If you’re late to this romantic zombie comedy label like me, it’s an actual thing in the Urban Dictionary. Maria Thayer who plays Deb was great in her part. She in particular made me laugh quite a few times. I also loved her friend.
I get really irritated when reviewers compare zombie comedy movies like this one to Zombie Land or Shaun of the Dead, and I saw a lot of that with Night of the Living Deb. STOP IT ALREADY! This movie is not trying to be either. It’s a corny romzomcom, and it’s cliche, but that’s part of it’s charm.
I’m really starting to enjoy the romzomcom, but I am a woman. Guys, if you don’t like romcom, why would you watch a romzomcom?
Anyway, I loved Night of the Living Deb. I laughed throughout. Give it a try.
My Rating: 4 out of 5
March 10, 2017
Warrant for Damnation Chapter 13: More Sharp Weapons
Part 13 of Warrant for Damnation is available to read on WattPad. This week Barry’s getting to know Chump and another new character who are sure to get him in more trouble. Enjoy!
Go to part 13 or start reading from the beginning below.
March 7, 2017
Movie Review: Freaks of Nature
This week I’m reviewing Freaks of Nature, a mishmash of zombies, vampires, and aliens. Here’s what it’s about:
“In Freaks of Nature, we welcome you to Dillford, where three days ago, everything was peaceful and business as usual: the vampires were at the top of the social order, the zombies were at the bottom, and the humans were getting along in the middle. But this delicate balance was ripped apart when the alien apocalypse arrived in Dillford and put an end to all the harmony. Now it’s humans vs. vampires vs. zombies in all-out, blood-sucking, brain-eating, vamp-staking mortal combat – and all of them are on the run from the aliens. It is up to three teenagers – one human, one vampire, and one zombie – to team up, figure out how to get rid of the interplanetary visitors, and try to restore order to this “normal” little town.”
I have mixed feelings about this one. It’s got a pretty good cast and decent acting, but most of the storyline didn’t do it for me. I expected light comedy and instead got a few light laughs. I must have missed something because other people liked it. Other people laughed. Maybe it was a lack of consistency with the funny moments and that some parts were really slow. Then there’s the fact that I watched a month ago and found it hard to recall the movie at first.
Can’t say that I like this one any better than last week’s review of Little Dead Rotting Hood, so I’m giving Freaks of Nature the same rating. Glad I’ve got a few good ones coming up for the next two weeks.
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5
March 3, 2017
Warrant for Damnation Chapter 12: A Sharp Welcome
Part 12 of Warrant for Damnation is available to read on WattPad. This week Barry’s pulled his head out of his ass and is ready to get serious about eliminating his father. You’ll meet a new character this week too. Enjoy!
Go to part 12 or start reading from the beginning below.
February 28, 2017
Movie Review: Little Red Rotting Hood
This week I’m reviewing Little Red Rotting Hood, and here’s what it’s about:
“For years, the old woman in the woods has secretly kept the wolves of the forest at bay. But when the woman dies, the creatures suddenly attack the residents of a nearby small town. As more and more people turn up dead, the townsfolk discover something far more sinister than wolves lurking in the backwoods and fight to save their home from evil by waging a bloody battle against the ruthless creatures. But as the wolves begin to overpower the town, only the woman’s granddaughter may have the key to stopping the bloodbath before it’s too late.”
This movie is rated pretty bad, but in my opinion, it was okay. There were some familiar actors in it, and they were also okay. It’s one of those movies that leaves you with very little memorable scenes. So, yes, I checked my email part way through the viewing.
I’m a little irritated by the title because the word ‘rotting’ had me thinking zombies. There are no zombies in this movie. It’s a werewolf movie as the cover indicates. The idea behind the Red Riding Hood character is interesting, but it could have been so much better.
Watch this movie if you’re in a blah mood with low expectations and you’ll get through it like I did.
My Rating: 2.5 out of 5
February 24, 2017
Friday WiHM Blog Talks: Torture
Welcome to our final day of Women in Horror Month Blog Talks featuring a discussion on torture. Below is a list of blogs and guests in today’s talks.
To Connect with Participants and Join More Discussions
Go to the Facebook Event Page
James P. McDonald hosts
Torture as a Favorite Pastime
by Anne Hogue-Boucher
Anne is always wondering when the stars will be right, and is madly in love with her spouse. She is a werewolf wrangler, and writer of weird fiction and horror.
Go to Blog
Claire Fitzpatrick hosts
Thinking Torture
by Dina Rae
Dina Rae has penned 6 books with a 7th on the way. Her themes revolve around conspiracy, NWO, paranormal, and aliens. The Best Seller is her latest book.
Go to Blog
Briana Robertson hosts
Fascinating Torture
by W. J. Howard
Wendy Howard writes dark stories mixed with comedy. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two boisterous beagles, and wine is an important part of her diet.
Go to Blog
Roadie Notes hosts
The Most Intese Torture
by Debbie Christiana
Debbie writes dark romantic fiction and dark short fiction. She’s a lover of yoga, Halloween, horror, wine and Labradors.
Go to Blog
Dina Rae hosts
A Difficult Topic
by James P. McDonald
James is a business and technology consultant, fiction and non-fic author, technology and futurist speaker.
Go to Blog
W. J. Howard hosts
The Threat
by L.J. Moran
L.J. Moran currently lives in S. Jersey. She’s into animal rescue, horror conventions, and is addicted to coffee.
Go to Blog
The Threat & Thinking Torture
L.J. Moran currently lives in S. Jersey. She’s into animal rescue, horror conventions, and is addicted to coffee.
The threat not the act of physical harm is most compelling to me. A scene in Flavors of Death uses a small dark room, a victim chained to the floor and the tormentor nearby. The victim is given a quick glimpse of the nasty tools, the deformed animals waiting to be released to bite, then plunged back into darkness to await their fate.
Mary Shelley uses light and dark scenes to mimic the characters moods. She allows the reader to frighten his or herself much like Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological genus giving the audience peeks into what may happen next.
In my book Satan’s Sting the threat in the cellar are children and a puppy. Once trapped in the bowels of an old Monastery, if you come out again, your not the same. I play upon the fears of the dark, bugs, murderous children and a physically strong victim that finds himself helpless.
I think graphic gore is more for shock value. An author must create a world that doesn’t remind the reader they are reading a book. It has to be an experience. Once that line is broken, I believe the scene falls apart whether it is physical or psychological in nature.
As a child I was more frightened at what might be hiding in the dark shadows of my room, the basement or the closet. The longer I laid in bed or stood on the top step looking down, the higher the terror level as I waited for the unseen to jump out and grab me.
Website: http://www.writer63.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/L.J.-Moran/e/B00J5PBNYS
Dina Rae
Dina Rae has penned 6 books with a 7th on the way. Her themes revolve around conspiracy NWO paranormal, and aliens. The Best Seller is her latest release.
When I think of physical torture, I think of spies torturing their enemies or the Mafia torturing people they need information from. As scary as all of that is, nothing topped the torture scenes in the movie Seven. The movie is about a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as an excuse to kill his victims. The torture scenes either show or infer the ultimate pain in both psychological and physical torture. For example, the director shows an obese man who is forced to eat his stomach. Later on, in the movie, a man is murdered with a metal phallic device inserted into his anus. Recently, the movie Nocturnal Animals had me unhinged when two women were kidnapped, raped, and then murdered. My favorite kind of torture to write/read about or watch in a movie is cannibalism. There is nothing more terrifying than humans eating humans. Hannibal Lector is a very odd protagonist. My novel Halo of the Damned had quite a few cannibal scenes in it. My latest novel, The Best Seller, has torture scenes of doctors who mutilate their patients in the name of advancing science.
DRAWING: Leave a comment and you’re entered to win 1 signed copy of Love, Lust, and Voodoo or 1 signed copy of The Best Seller. Shipping to U.S. address only.
Website: https://dinaraeswritestuff.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/haloofthedamned
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dina-Rae/e/B0085348DY
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5747496.Dina_Rae
The Threat by L.J. Moran
L.J. Moran currently lives in S. Jersey. She’s into animal rescue, horror conventions, and is addicted to coffee.
The threat not the act of physical harm is most compelling to me. A scene in Flavors of Death uses a small dark room, a victim chained to the floor and the tormentor nearby. The victim is given a quick glimpse of the nasty tools, the deformed animals waiting to be released to bite, then plunged back into darkness to await their fate.
Mary Shelley uses light and dark scenes to mimic the characters moods. She allows the reader to frighten his or herself much like Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological genus giving the audience peeks into what may happen next.
In my book Satan’s Sting the threat in the cellar are children and a puppy. Once trapped in the bowels of an old Monastery, if you come out again, your not the same. I play upon the fears of the dark, bugs, murderous children and a physically strong victim that finds himself helpless.
I think graphic gore is more for shock value. An author must create a world that doesn’t remind the reader they are reading a book. It has to be an experience. Once that line is broken, I believe the scene falls apart whether it is physical or psychological in nature.
As a child I was more frightened at what might be hiding in the dark shadows of my room, the basement or the closet. The longer I laid in bed or stood on the top step looking down, the higher the terror level as I waited for the unseen to jump out and grab me.
Website: http://www.writer63.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/L.J.-Moran/e/B00J5PBNYS
