R.K. King's Blog: Words and Worlds....Worlds and Words
August 4, 2020
Heart Of The Storm up for preorder!
Well, the time has come... Heart Of The Storm, book 2 in The Storm Cycle, is available for preorder!
The book releases Sept 25, through ebook on Amazon/Kobo/ibooks/Nook/etc, as well as paperback. Paperback isn't currently listed, but will be soon.
If you're thinking of picking the book up I encourage you to do a preorder and tell the bookstore sites it's worth pushing upon release.
Amazon
Everywhere Else
Thank you so, so much for going on this journey with me. There is much more to come...
The book releases Sept 25, through ebook on Amazon/Kobo/ibooks/Nook/etc, as well as paperback. Paperback isn't currently listed, but will be soon.
If you're thinking of picking the book up I encourage you to do a preorder and tell the bookstore sites it's worth pushing upon release.
Amazon
Everywhere Else
Thank you so, so much for going on this journey with me. There is much more to come...
July 6, 2020
Heart Of The Storm creeps ever closer!
It's been some time since I last posted anything. Aside from the turbulent world out there, it's because I've been nose deep in getting book 2 of The Storm Cycle near completion. I can say it's finally in the hands of my group of beta readers, and I await their thoughts! There'll be a final edit from that, and then the final step is putting up for pre-order. This has been some time coming, but the end of that tunnel is getting closer! (of course there'll just be another tunnel to travel after that lol)
Heart Of The Storm on Goodreads: Heart Of The Storm
Heart Of The Storm on Goodreads: Heart Of The Storm
October 15, 2019
Lovecraft: Cthulhu (2007)
It’s been a bit of a hiatus. While I continue writing my next book, as well as the next-next book, there hasn’t been much in the way of time to search for and watch more Lovecraftian movies. But huzzah! Some time was made, and another movie was found! Let’s talk about… Cthulhu!
I made a decision to tackle the bulk of films out there adapted from HP Lovecraft’s work. Why, you ask? 1, because Lovecraft is one of my favourite authors. He created a far-reaching fictional universe that started an entirely new genre of horror. Many only know of Cthulhu, and many don’t even know THAT much. I’d like to shed a little light in that darkness. And 2, think of it as my tantrum or protest of sorts that Mountains of Madness has still never been made into a major movie. Bring on the Elder Things, dammit!
Let’s get this statement out of the way first; although titled Cthulhu, this movie has nothing to do with said Elder God. This is an adaptation of the story Shadows Over Innsmouth, another great story by Lovecraft that does not involve Cthulhu in any way. This is a story of Dagon, and the townspeople who worship it. There is the odd mention of the sleeping god Cthulhu in passing but from the title alone don’t go in thinking it’s about him.
The Innsmouth story took place in New England, but this take has been transplanted to the west coast, somewhere in Oregon. It does follow a similar structure though, with the protagonist being a man seen as an outsider to the town. Although he used to live here, he ran away years ago and is only returning because of a funeral. Things seem amiss from the get go.
That’s pretty much where the interest for this movie stopped for me. You get a blatant scene with cultists within the first few minutes, spoiling most of the mystery. From then onward it’s just a slow moving film where the main character is running through the town in a decent into madness.
There are added themes in this story that I imagine were an attempt to modernize it, but it doesn’t fix the lack of pacing. This is a very slow, uneventful movie that feels forever to get to it’s climax. Which there barely is one by the way. (If you know what I mean when I say Deep Ones, let’s just say it was lacking and disappointing.
Like I said, there are a few mentions of and nods to Cthulhu but this is most certainly the Innsmouth story of Dagon and the Deep Ones. But unlike the source material, this adaptation just doesn’t retain the same mystery or foreboding of a small town under the thrall of a Deep One monstrosity. Overall it’s a moody, but long winded and boring, take on an otherwise great Lovecraft story.
Rating: D
I made a decision to tackle the bulk of films out there adapted from HP Lovecraft’s work. Why, you ask? 1, because Lovecraft is one of my favourite authors. He created a far-reaching fictional universe that started an entirely new genre of horror. Many only know of Cthulhu, and many don’t even know THAT much. I’d like to shed a little light in that darkness. And 2, think of it as my tantrum or protest of sorts that Mountains of Madness has still never been made into a major movie. Bring on the Elder Things, dammit!
Let’s get this statement out of the way first; although titled Cthulhu, this movie has nothing to do with said Elder God. This is an adaptation of the story Shadows Over Innsmouth, another great story by Lovecraft that does not involve Cthulhu in any way. This is a story of Dagon, and the townspeople who worship it. There is the odd mention of the sleeping god Cthulhu in passing but from the title alone don’t go in thinking it’s about him.
The Innsmouth story took place in New England, but this take has been transplanted to the west coast, somewhere in Oregon. It does follow a similar structure though, with the protagonist being a man seen as an outsider to the town. Although he used to live here, he ran away years ago and is only returning because of a funeral. Things seem amiss from the get go.
That’s pretty much where the interest for this movie stopped for me. You get a blatant scene with cultists within the first few minutes, spoiling most of the mystery. From then onward it’s just a slow moving film where the main character is running through the town in a decent into madness.
There are added themes in this story that I imagine were an attempt to modernize it, but it doesn’t fix the lack of pacing. This is a very slow, uneventful movie that feels forever to get to it’s climax. Which there barely is one by the way. (If you know what I mean when I say Deep Ones, let’s just say it was lacking and disappointing.
Like I said, there are a few mentions of and nods to Cthulhu but this is most certainly the Innsmouth story of Dagon and the Deep Ones. But unlike the source material, this adaptation just doesn’t retain the same mystery or foreboding of a small town under the thrall of a Deep One monstrosity. Overall it’s a moody, but long winded and boring, take on an otherwise great Lovecraft story.
Rating: D
November 18, 2018
Mansions of Madness (Part 7)
The time arrived, where the one remaining unplayed base set scenario had to be faced. It was time for our group to play Shattered Bonds. Bring on the Cthulhu-goodness!
SHATTERED BONDS
After her return from a family vacation in the southern isles, Grace Bechman, a former associate, has begged for your help. Something terrible stalks the Bechman family. You must repair the shattered bonds that once protected the world and defend the Bechman family from their awful fate.
Difficulty: 5 out of 5!
Our intrepid characters for this story included:
FINN EDWARDS the bootlegger, DIANA STANLEY the redeemed cultist, TOMMY MULDOON the rookie cop, MARIE LAMBEAU the entertainer, and yet again another return of the ever lucky PRESTON FAIRMONT, the millionaire.
We approached this story with caution, being a really long scenario at the highest difficulty, not really knowing if we’d make it. We did figure out pretty quick though the goal of the game; getting the idol pieces collected in time. We succeeded at that, though not without the loss of two members of the Bechman clan. I’m proud to say that we defeated the creature and stopped the emerging of the Great Old One. Newcomers Finn Edwards, Diana Stanley, Tommy Muldoon, & Marie Lambeau, along with the still victorious millionaire Preston Fairmont, are added to the survivor pool!
Until next time!
RK
SHATTERED BONDS
After her return from a family vacation in the southern isles, Grace Bechman, a former associate, has begged for your help. Something terrible stalks the Bechman family. You must repair the shattered bonds that once protected the world and defend the Bechman family from their awful fate.
Difficulty: 5 out of 5!
Our intrepid characters for this story included:
FINN EDWARDS the bootlegger, DIANA STANLEY the redeemed cultist, TOMMY MULDOON the rookie cop, MARIE LAMBEAU the entertainer, and yet again another return of the ever lucky PRESTON FAIRMONT, the millionaire.
We approached this story with caution, being a really long scenario at the highest difficulty, not really knowing if we’d make it. We did figure out pretty quick though the goal of the game; getting the idol pieces collected in time. We succeeded at that, though not without the loss of two members of the Bechman clan. I’m proud to say that we defeated the creature and stopped the emerging of the Great Old One. Newcomers Finn Edwards, Diana Stanley, Tommy Muldoon, & Marie Lambeau, along with the still victorious millionaire Preston Fairmont, are added to the survivor pool!
Until next time!
RK
September 13, 2018
Mansions of Madness (Part 6)
A long-awaited entry, as our player group had held off doing this scenario in the hopes of using two newer investigators with it. Lo and behold the time finally came to play…
Part 6: Dearly Departed
Bodies of the recently deceased have been disappearing from morgues and fresh graves all over town. The Hangman’s Hill cemetery has seen the worst of the thefts, and you are dead certain that is no coincidence.
Difficulty: 5 out of 5
I played Wilson Richards, the handyman. He was one of the specific investigators we wanted to field in this scenario. Akachi Onyele, the shaman, was the second specific character we wanted used for this story. Accompanying them were Monterey Jack, the archeologist, Darrell Simmons, the photographer, and finally William Yorrick, the gravedigger.
This was a tough one, folks. What started as a straightforward investigation, exploring the graveyards and discovering clue after clue, came to turn the proverbial tables upon us. The game was not a forgiving one, and we soon found our characters besieged on all sides from zombies, witches and maniacs. We didn’t get to the secret device in time, and when it activated, our entire party was turned into the living dead. That’s right. Our entire party of characters, including two that we had specifically held on to for this particular story, were all killed at once. Instant death. TPK. The survivors’ pool has decreased drastically from this, friends. Things aren’t looking good for the remaining heroes who are still tasked with preventing the rise of the Old Gods, and keeping the madness at bay!
Until next time!
Join the RK King readers' list for inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
Part 6: Dearly Departed
Bodies of the recently deceased have been disappearing from morgues and fresh graves all over town. The Hangman’s Hill cemetery has seen the worst of the thefts, and you are dead certain that is no coincidence.
Difficulty: 5 out of 5
I played Wilson Richards, the handyman. He was one of the specific investigators we wanted to field in this scenario. Akachi Onyele, the shaman, was the second specific character we wanted used for this story. Accompanying them were Monterey Jack, the archeologist, Darrell Simmons, the photographer, and finally William Yorrick, the gravedigger.
This was a tough one, folks. What started as a straightforward investigation, exploring the graveyards and discovering clue after clue, came to turn the proverbial tables upon us. The game was not a forgiving one, and we soon found our characters besieged on all sides from zombies, witches and maniacs. We didn’t get to the secret device in time, and when it activated, our entire party was turned into the living dead. That’s right. Our entire party of characters, including two that we had specifically held on to for this particular story, were all killed at once. Instant death. TPK. The survivors’ pool has decreased drastically from this, friends. Things aren’t looking good for the remaining heroes who are still tasked with preventing the rise of the Old Gods, and keeping the madness at bay!
Until next time!
Join the RK King readers' list for inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
July 28, 2018
When Endings Fail
I am a big fan of the Marvel movies. The MCU has pulled off what is quite possibly the biggest undertaking in Hollywood history over the past decade: creating a continued shared universe that serves and overarching storyline from film to film. Bravo and kudos to them for getting this right. But there have been some faltered steps along the way, and unfortunately the latest outing, Ant-Man & The Wasp, has a pretty major one.
The ending.
Spoilers Ahead:
The movie has a great setup. The villain, Ghost, is doing what she’s doing to literally just stay alive. She’s in constant pain, and requires certain things to keep from fading from existence. That’s a compelling villain right there. What she is after is in direct conflict with the Heroes’ need, to rescue the missing Janet from the Quantum Realm. They discover that if they save Jan then Ghost dies. If they save Ghost then Jan is lost forever. That’s some great conflict. But unfortunately, and I don’t know how much of this is Disney’s influence, they end up watering the resolution down to practically nothing by giving weird Quantum Realm magic powers to Jan for no reason which she uses to cure Ghost. It erases all that conflict that had been occurring and makes it mostly a waste. Now if they had had the courage to follow that conflict through to the end, imagine the more impactful resolution there’d been. They could have A: Continued their quest to rescue Jan, and therefore allow Ghost to ultimately die. Despite her being villainous, it would call into question the levels of heroism these characters truly wield and even superheroes sometimes fail, or B: Taken the steps to save Ghost, and therefore lose Jan altogether, which is the embodiment of sacrifice that superheroes are defined by, although would certainly create a massive wedge between Hope and Hank moving forward. Either of those outcomes would have been powerful and noteworthy, much more than then convenient ribbon wrapping we were given.
(But perhaps the mid-credits scene made up for it? I dunno, who am I to judge? Just my two cents on a story choice.)
Until next time!
The ending.
Spoilers Ahead:
The movie has a great setup. The villain, Ghost, is doing what she’s doing to literally just stay alive. She’s in constant pain, and requires certain things to keep from fading from existence. That’s a compelling villain right there. What she is after is in direct conflict with the Heroes’ need, to rescue the missing Janet from the Quantum Realm. They discover that if they save Jan then Ghost dies. If they save Ghost then Jan is lost forever. That’s some great conflict. But unfortunately, and I don’t know how much of this is Disney’s influence, they end up watering the resolution down to practically nothing by giving weird Quantum Realm magic powers to Jan for no reason which she uses to cure Ghost. It erases all that conflict that had been occurring and makes it mostly a waste. Now if they had had the courage to follow that conflict through to the end, imagine the more impactful resolution there’d been. They could have A: Continued their quest to rescue Jan, and therefore allow Ghost to ultimately die. Despite her being villainous, it would call into question the levels of heroism these characters truly wield and even superheroes sometimes fail, or B: Taken the steps to save Ghost, and therefore lose Jan altogether, which is the embodiment of sacrifice that superheroes are defined by, although would certainly create a massive wedge between Hope and Hank moving forward. Either of those outcomes would have been powerful and noteworthy, much more than then convenient ribbon wrapping we were given.
(But perhaps the mid-credits scene made up for it? I dunno, who am I to judge? Just my two cents on a story choice.)
Until next time!
May 27, 2018
The Great Lovecraft Mythos Movie Campaign – Part 3: FROM BEYOND
I made a decision to tackle the bulk of films out there adapted from HP Lovecraft’s work. Why, you ask? 1, because Lovecraft is one of my favourite authors. He created a far-reaching fictional universe that started an entirely new genre of horror. Many only know of Cthulhu, and many don’t even know THAT much. I’d like to shed a little light in that darkness. And 2, think of it as my tantrum or protest of sorts that Mountains of Madness has still never been made into a major movie. Bring on the Elder Things, dammit!
For Part 3 of the Lovecraft Mythos Movie Journey brings us From Beyond, a 1986 horror film based on the short story of the same name.
As the poster says, From Beyond is made by the same creators as Re-Animator (to be talked about in a future post). This film feels a lot like Re-Animator, the same tone and vein. It is a story of an inventor who creates a device which shifts reality around it, allowing you to see and interact with beings that exist within those other realities or dimensions. It deals a lot with the pineal gland within the human brain, a topic which I don’t remember if was talked about in the short story or not. The story focuses on the inventor’s assistant Crawford Tillinghast (who was actually the inventor in the short story) and his new team on investigators, the scientist Dr Katherine McMichaels and the steely Sgt Bubba Brownlee.
Every time the device is switched on, reality breaks down more and more, until all hell breaks loose and the investigators find themselves going insane. You can also tell from the poster that there is a lot of body horror going on, and a ton of practical effects which I really appreciated, even the less successful ones. There is also an unmentioned nod to the Mi-Go within the film, which if you are a a fan and aware, is neat. If not, nothing lost in it’s presentation.
All-in-all, From Beyond, though certainly dated, is a fun, cheezy and over-the-top Cronenberg-esque body horror in the vein of The Fly. If you like that sort of thing, then enjoy!
Rating: B-
For Part 3 of the Lovecraft Mythos Movie Journey brings us From Beyond, a 1986 horror film based on the short story of the same name.
As the poster says, From Beyond is made by the same creators as Re-Animator (to be talked about in a future post). This film feels a lot like Re-Animator, the same tone and vein. It is a story of an inventor who creates a device which shifts reality around it, allowing you to see and interact with beings that exist within those other realities or dimensions. It deals a lot with the pineal gland within the human brain, a topic which I don’t remember if was talked about in the short story or not. The story focuses on the inventor’s assistant Crawford Tillinghast (who was actually the inventor in the short story) and his new team on investigators, the scientist Dr Katherine McMichaels and the steely Sgt Bubba Brownlee.
Every time the device is switched on, reality breaks down more and more, until all hell breaks loose and the investigators find themselves going insane. You can also tell from the poster that there is a lot of body horror going on, and a ton of practical effects which I really appreciated, even the less successful ones. There is also an unmentioned nod to the Mi-Go within the film, which if you are a a fan and aware, is neat. If not, nothing lost in it’s presentation.
All-in-all, From Beyond, though certainly dated, is a fun, cheezy and over-the-top Cronenberg-esque body horror in the vein of The Fly. If you like that sort of thing, then enjoy!
Rating: B-
May 13, 2018
Top 5 Moms in Popular Fiction
As a little Mothers’ Day treat, I thought I’d compile a little list of the fictional moms and mother figures that come to mind as noteworthy or have an impact in their respected stories. This is by no means a definitive list, these are simply the main five that came to mind today.
Runner Ups:
Leia Organa-Solo / Padme Amidala (Star Wars)
This was a tricky space to do because I was on the fence with both of them for different reasons. Let’s start with Leia.
Although Leia Organa-Solo is one of the strongest female characters in movie history, her role as mother didn’t come about until recently with the Disney movies. (The EU…sorry, Legends books did an amazing job of depicting her as such but that’s all out the window now) Most of her legacy is steeped in the original trilogy, and she is unfortunately under-utilized in the new films. What there is of her in the recent films was never handled that well, and her scenes are mere shadows of her former representation. That is thematically accurate though, considering the path that has come from her son Ben aka Kylo Ren, but when it comes right down to it, Ren has become a horrible character as well, and so the motherhood angle of Leia’s character never truly rises to the level it could have.
Padme squeaks her way in simply because of the legacy her kids become. Although she dies at childbirth, and therefore never has much of a further presence in the story, the mere fact that those kids are freakin’ Luke and Leia are enough to gain her some mention.
Susan Storm-Richards aka Invisible Woman (The Fantastic Four)
I am of course referring to the comic iteration here, as her mother status has yet to be depicted on the big screen really. This woman is a juggler. On any given day she balances super-heroics, a science-obsessed/often neglectful husband, media junkets, philanthropy, gal-palling with other super-heroines, deflecting the romantic interests of the likes of Dr Doom and Namor, and organizing the goings-on at the Baxter Building, all while also being the mother to one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe, Franklin Richards. She deserves some recognition.
Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
Although the Simpsons are about as dysfunctional as they come, the glue of them is definitely found in Marge. She is the loving mother who is often overlooked and under-appreciated in the broader scheme of things. I probably would have given Marge an actual rating, but I haven’t watched the show in well over a decade so can’t be certain where the quality or nuance of her character is now.
Ok, on to the ranked entries;
#5. Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web)
This one may seem to have come out of left field, but keep this in mind; I’m not keeping the list to only biological mothers, and Charlotte was most certainly a mother-figure to Wilbur the pig. She watched over him, protected him, and kept the farce going so he wouldn’t be slaughtered. Then, although she died giving birth to her own children, they then became Wilbur’s friends, giving him a continued family, and continuing her legacy. She played a HUGE part in raising Wilbur, and so gets the #5 spot for that.
#4. Helen Parr aka Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
Elastigirl shares a lot of the same characteristics Sue Storm has (superhero family etc), but gained the #4 spot as opposed to the former because while Sue Storm is depicted as a capable mother in the comics, her mainstream persona in the movies have not. The Incredibles movie (and soon to be sequel) highlight this aspect much more, and to great effect. From what I understand of the coming sequel, these themes are explored even more in the new one.
#3. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter)
Mrs Weasley is put through a lot in the Potter films. In addition to dealing with her own Weasley clan, Molly is also quick to include Harry, Hermione and others into that care. She can always be depended on, and in the final battle of Hogwarts, really shows how much of a fighter she can be too.
#2. Sarah Connor (Terminator)
Sarah Connor is a fighter. She went from waitress to bad-ass survivor and protector of the future hero of mankind. John Connor, the one to be humanity’s hope in the fight against the future Skynet threat, would be nothing if not for Sarah’s influence and help. Played superbly by Linda Hamilton, I still think Terminator 2 is the greatest action film ever made, and in no small part due to her contributions. The Terminator was programmed to be a bad-ass, but Sarah Connor forged herself into one.
#1. The Alien Queen (Alien Franchise)
Even just for sheer practicality reasons, I had to put the Alien Queen at the top. This Queen spawns countless offspring, all of whom are the embodiment of future humanity’s fears. She is the antithesis to one of movie history’s greatest female action heroes (Ripley, of course), and played a part in one of the greatest showdown scenes ever (the exo-suit fight). Alien Queen for the win.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all the moms/step-moms/foster moms/surrogates/clone donors/etc out there. Have a great one!
Runner Ups:
Leia Organa-Solo / Padme Amidala (Star Wars)
This was a tricky space to do because I was on the fence with both of them for different reasons. Let’s start with Leia.
Although Leia Organa-Solo is one of the strongest female characters in movie history, her role as mother didn’t come about until recently with the Disney movies. (The EU…sorry, Legends books did an amazing job of depicting her as such but that’s all out the window now) Most of her legacy is steeped in the original trilogy, and she is unfortunately under-utilized in the new films. What there is of her in the recent films was never handled that well, and her scenes are mere shadows of her former representation. That is thematically accurate though, considering the path that has come from her son Ben aka Kylo Ren, but when it comes right down to it, Ren has become a horrible character as well, and so the motherhood angle of Leia’s character never truly rises to the level it could have.
Padme squeaks her way in simply because of the legacy her kids become. Although she dies at childbirth, and therefore never has much of a further presence in the story, the mere fact that those kids are freakin’ Luke and Leia are enough to gain her some mention.
Susan Storm-Richards aka Invisible Woman (The Fantastic Four)
I am of course referring to the comic iteration here, as her mother status has yet to be depicted on the big screen really. This woman is a juggler. On any given day she balances super-heroics, a science-obsessed/often neglectful husband, media junkets, philanthropy, gal-palling with other super-heroines, deflecting the romantic interests of the likes of Dr Doom and Namor, and organizing the goings-on at the Baxter Building, all while also being the mother to one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel universe, Franklin Richards. She deserves some recognition.
Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)
Although the Simpsons are about as dysfunctional as they come, the glue of them is definitely found in Marge. She is the loving mother who is often overlooked and under-appreciated in the broader scheme of things. I probably would have given Marge an actual rating, but I haven’t watched the show in well over a decade so can’t be certain where the quality or nuance of her character is now.
Ok, on to the ranked entries;
#5. Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web)
This one may seem to have come out of left field, but keep this in mind; I’m not keeping the list to only biological mothers, and Charlotte was most certainly a mother-figure to Wilbur the pig. She watched over him, protected him, and kept the farce going so he wouldn’t be slaughtered. Then, although she died giving birth to her own children, they then became Wilbur’s friends, giving him a continued family, and continuing her legacy. She played a HUGE part in raising Wilbur, and so gets the #5 spot for that.
#4. Helen Parr aka Elastigirl (The Incredibles)
Elastigirl shares a lot of the same characteristics Sue Storm has (superhero family etc), but gained the #4 spot as opposed to the former because while Sue Storm is depicted as a capable mother in the comics, her mainstream persona in the movies have not. The Incredibles movie (and soon to be sequel) highlight this aspect much more, and to great effect. From what I understand of the coming sequel, these themes are explored even more in the new one.
#3. Molly Weasley (Harry Potter)
Mrs Weasley is put through a lot in the Potter films. In addition to dealing with her own Weasley clan, Molly is also quick to include Harry, Hermione and others into that care. She can always be depended on, and in the final battle of Hogwarts, really shows how much of a fighter she can be too.
#2. Sarah Connor (Terminator)
Sarah Connor is a fighter. She went from waitress to bad-ass survivor and protector of the future hero of mankind. John Connor, the one to be humanity’s hope in the fight against the future Skynet threat, would be nothing if not for Sarah’s influence and help. Played superbly by Linda Hamilton, I still think Terminator 2 is the greatest action film ever made, and in no small part due to her contributions. The Terminator was programmed to be a bad-ass, but Sarah Connor forged herself into one.
#1. The Alien Queen (Alien Franchise)
Even just for sheer practicality reasons, I had to put the Alien Queen at the top. This Queen spawns countless offspring, all of whom are the embodiment of future humanity’s fears. She is the antithesis to one of movie history’s greatest female action heroes (Ripley, of course), and played a part in one of the greatest showdown scenes ever (the exo-suit fight). Alien Queen for the win.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all the moms/step-moms/foster moms/surrogates/clone donors/etc out there. Have a great one!
May 6, 2018
The Great Lovecraft Mythos Movie Campaign – Part 2: THE CALL OF CTHULHU
I made a decision to tackle the bulk of films out there adapted from HP Lovecraft’s work. Why, you ask? 1, because Lovecraft is one of my favourite authors. He created a far-reaching fictional universe that started an entirely new genre of horror. Many only know of Cthulhu, and many don’t even know that part. I’d like to shed a little light in that darkness. And 2, think of it as my tantrum or protest of sorts that Mountains of Madness has stillnever been made into a major movie. Bring on the Elder Things, dammit!
Part 2 of my Lovecraft movie journey introduced me to The Call Of Cthulhu, a short film produced by the HP Lovecraft Historical Society, or HPLHS for short. Check out their website here: http://www.hplhs.org/
I’ll start off by stating that I absolutely wish, that secondary only to Mountains of Madness, Call of Cthulhu is the other major Lovecraft fiction should be made into a major Hollywood film. With a noir-ish detective mystery involving cults, murder and mysterious islands, CoC would make a great flick. In the absence of such, this short film fills the gap nicely.
Obviously the HPLHS worked with no budget, but because it is a recreation of silent-era filmmaking, that works very effectively. The cinematography elicits a moody sense of eerie mystery, and then plenty of intentionally (i think) cheesy moments that certainly shocked viewers back in the day.
This is a silent film, so no dialogue, and is accompanied by a great symphony score. It really feels like going back in time and seeing this film at an old picture-house.
Although some might find it silly, I definitely see the love that was put into this project by a dedicated fanbase that didn’t have a ton of resources at hand, but did a great job with what they could. I have a lot of respect for that.
(I still desire a big budget Hollywood one though!)
Rating: a solid B
Part 2 of my Lovecraft movie journey introduced me to The Call Of Cthulhu, a short film produced by the HP Lovecraft Historical Society, or HPLHS for short. Check out their website here: http://www.hplhs.org/
I’ll start off by stating that I absolutely wish, that secondary only to Mountains of Madness, Call of Cthulhu is the other major Lovecraft fiction should be made into a major Hollywood film. With a noir-ish detective mystery involving cults, murder and mysterious islands, CoC would make a great flick. In the absence of such, this short film fills the gap nicely.
Obviously the HPLHS worked with no budget, but because it is a recreation of silent-era filmmaking, that works very effectively. The cinematography elicits a moody sense of eerie mystery, and then plenty of intentionally (i think) cheesy moments that certainly shocked viewers back in the day.
This is a silent film, so no dialogue, and is accompanied by a great symphony score. It really feels like going back in time and seeing this film at an old picture-house.
Although some might find it silly, I definitely see the love that was put into this project by a dedicated fanbase that didn’t have a ton of resources at hand, but did a great job with what they could. I have a lot of respect for that.
(I still desire a big budget Hollywood one though!)
Rating: a solid B
April 29, 2018
Mansions of Madness (Part 5)
In our newest outing of occultish mayhem, we investigate the disappearance of a wannabe author who disappeared within her inherited manor. This chapter was played on International Tabletop Game Day too, so all the better.
Part 5: Dark Reflections
Aspiring novelist Ada Miller insisted something was wrong with the country estate she inherited from her great aunt. Her publisher believed it was all in Ada’s writerly imagination until she missed her deadline-and the train back to Arkham she swore she was taking. Now you must uncover what caused Ada to vanish and what she feared in her isolated country manor.
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
I played Harvey Walters, the professor. Joining the old man were; Kate Winthrop, the scientist; Sister Mary, the nun; Vincent Lee, the doctor; And making a return appearance, Carson Sinclair, the butler. Perhaps Carson was just looking for a new manor to cater to?
Arriving at the manor, Ms Ada Miller was nowhere to be found. After exploring the vacant rooms, it became quite unsettling the number of large mirrors present. Little did we know how important they would become. In the attic, a massive mirror was revealed to be a portal to a mirror universe, inhabited by a vicious monster made of glass shards. Pulled into the mirror universe by one who betrayed us, we found ourselves constantly attacked by the beast. Dr Vincent Lee proved to be the MVP of the night, as, with continued assists from his faithful servant Carson, Dr Lee destroyed the majority of the mirrors, cutting off the monster’s hunting route. But alas, although ultimately destroyed, the creature’s continued attacks proved too much for old Harvey Walters to withstand. Upon opening a door to a small bedroom, he and Carson were blasted with glass shards which claimed Harvey’s life. His high sanity tolerance did not aid him against the brutal physical attacks of shattered glass.
Harvey Walters sadly joined the death pool, while Carson Sinclair returned to the survivors’ pool, and was joined by Vincent Lee, Sister Mary and Kate Winthrop.
Until next case….
(All artwork © Fantasy Flight Games)
Part 5: Dark Reflections
Aspiring novelist Ada Miller insisted something was wrong with the country estate she inherited from her great aunt. Her publisher believed it was all in Ada’s writerly imagination until she missed her deadline-and the train back to Arkham she swore she was taking. Now you must uncover what caused Ada to vanish and what she feared in her isolated country manor.
Difficulty: 3 out of 5
I played Harvey Walters, the professor. Joining the old man were; Kate Winthrop, the scientist; Sister Mary, the nun; Vincent Lee, the doctor; And making a return appearance, Carson Sinclair, the butler. Perhaps Carson was just looking for a new manor to cater to?
Arriving at the manor, Ms Ada Miller was nowhere to be found. After exploring the vacant rooms, it became quite unsettling the number of large mirrors present. Little did we know how important they would become. In the attic, a massive mirror was revealed to be a portal to a mirror universe, inhabited by a vicious monster made of glass shards. Pulled into the mirror universe by one who betrayed us, we found ourselves constantly attacked by the beast. Dr Vincent Lee proved to be the MVP of the night, as, with continued assists from his faithful servant Carson, Dr Lee destroyed the majority of the mirrors, cutting off the monster’s hunting route. But alas, although ultimately destroyed, the creature’s continued attacks proved too much for old Harvey Walters to withstand. Upon opening a door to a small bedroom, he and Carson were blasted with glass shards which claimed Harvey’s life. His high sanity tolerance did not aid him against the brutal physical attacks of shattered glass.
Harvey Walters sadly joined the death pool, while Carson Sinclair returned to the survivors’ pool, and was joined by Vincent Lee, Sister Mary and Kate Winthrop.
Until next case….
(All artwork © Fantasy Flight Games)
