Chad Schimke's Blog, page 9

FABLE OF THE BOX BY ERIC ESSER

FABLE OF THE BOX BY ERIC ESSER - A witch’s daughter begs her mother to place the dead family dog in a magic box. But this isn’t any ordinary magic box. Place something dead inside to make it come back to life, but only for one day. The following day was the best one of her life. Her reborn dog showered her, and her little brother, with love and affection. But after a couple more goes, things change. That leads to an argument. The daughter punishes her brother, by daring him to spend the night in the box. ‘Fable of the Box’ was previously published in Awkward Robots Anthology: The Orange Volumein 2015. Part folk horror, part fairytale, part tall tale with a sprinkle of sorcery. There are many surprises, packed into a minimum of lines. 

\Want to read more? Check out Eric’s website and writing here: http://ericesser.net/

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (1990)

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (1990)
When a global cataclysm ends the Age of Legends, The Breaking of the World occurs three thousand years later. The series depicts ancient mythology and advancements similar to the Industrial Revolution.
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019...



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DRACULA, A CENTURY OF THE VAMPIRE

DRACULA, A CENTURY OF THE VAMPIRE - Dracula, the novel, was written by Bram Stoker in 1897. Years later, it appeared in silent films and then talking films. TV shows and streaming series came afterward. At present Blumhouse Productions, a film studio, announced a new treatment of the material. In 2020, director Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), is working to bring a fresh perspective to the tale. Why has the character endured, while so many others have faded away? Because the character has so much potential for retellings, depending on the desired outcome. Count Dracula can be: a hero, a historical figure in a period piece, an ugly monster, a PNR love interest, an antihero/ villain, or even a straight man for puns or jokes. This post will provide sample actors, scripts and renditions which have been released over nearly a century. Which one of these subjectively deserves to be considered the best, or the worst?
Max Schrek - Nosferatu (1922) As thinly veiled plagiarism, Stoker's widow sued the film studio and won a judgement. The studio went bankrupt, and all copies were ordered to be destroyed. Somehow one version of this silent film survived and was reprinted. Technically this was Count Orlok, but nothing had been altered from novel to script. The vampire is animalistic: slumped back, sharp ears, jagged teeth and long fingernails. This is Schreck’s most famous role. His acting was so convincing legend persists to this day he was a real vampire.

Bela Lugosi – Dracula (1931) When asked to imagine Dracula’s appearance, this is the image that comes to everyone’s mind. The widow’s peak, the tuxedo, the red lined cape, the pale skin and long fingernails. His furtive movement, the rhythm of his voice, and the way he swept his cape over his face. Lugosi never again played a part so well, but that’s why his performance has been copied so many times.
Lon Chaney Jr. – Son of Dracula (1943) Lon Jr. could never have lived up to his father: legendary actor and makeup artist, The Man with 1000 Faces, Lon Chaney Sr. The other problem with this film is Lon Jr. attempted to copy Lugosi. Another man whose shoes he could never fill. This film fails on both accounts, as a poor and lifeless imitation. Sadly reductive it brought nothing new, compared to better versions.
Christopher Lee – Horror of Dracula (1958) I’d like him to be known as the Technicolor Dracula. He was presented in color for the first time in this version. Hammer Horror devoted themselves to the genre, whereas Lee played the title role his entire life.  It became his signature role for good reason. Filmed on location in real chateaus, the atmosphere of lurking dread is marvelously authentic, especially in the studio’s early films. For me, Lee is the best at this part. 
Frank Langella – Dracula (1979) This version portrays our hero as a romantic lead. Including a tagline "a love story" incorporated into the title. This iteration created space which modern vampire versions would later occupy. Such as Twilight, Vampire Diaries and Interview with a Vampire. Frank Langella is quoted as saying he “wanted to show a man who, while evil, was lonely and could fall in love."
Gary Oldman – Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992) A bit hokey at points, the film is successful overall in the performances, sets and costumes. The result is a convincing portrayal of the count from Transylvania. It’s a romance between Winona Ryder as Mina and Gary Oldman in the title role. He’s lavishly costumed, strange, dramatic, intense, and sexually alluring. Somehow this film is still fresh, when compared to less successful versions. Francis Ford Coppola does a great job of creating a period paranormal romance.
Richard Roxburgh – Van Helsing (2004) Bad early CGI, unrealistic hairpieces, clunky dialog, fake accents, and wooden overacting. What’s worse is it’s riddled with cliché movie monster references. Not to mention full-on explanations on the backstory, along with labored “how to kill vampires” sequences. Nothing works, the whole thing is canned and over produced.  As I prepped to write this post, I wondered. Why hadn’t I ever watched this movie? After forcing myself to sit through it, the answer became clear.
Claes Bang – Dracula (2020) This concept strays far, far away, from the original source material. Reviews are mixed, pertaining to Netflix’s version of the vampire. But in my opinion, this version works well enough. I liked the fresh take on storytelling. It included satisfying, daringly dark humor. Most horror comedy doesn’t work, but this one does. It’s dark enough to be shocking sometimes. Bang is a dashingly handsome man, possessing enough elegance to bring believability to the character.  His mannerisms are reminiscent of Lugosi, which makes him well-suited to the part.

REVIEW OF BEHIND THE WALLS BY JASON

Review of Behind the Walls by jason - “As I read this creepy short, I visualized it in my mind. It would have been perfect for Rod Serling to turn into a Twilight Zone episode.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3064549720

Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly (1985)

Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly (1985)
A witch and a lord are approached by a prince who requests they slay a dragon. They agree on the condition the king send troops to the north to fend off bandits in the Northlands.
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019...


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The Walking Dead - Did Carol Find Michonne’s Sword?

'The Walking Dead': Did Carol Find Michonne's Sword?Early in The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 12, Carol finds something in the grass. You might think it's Michonne's sword, but you'd actually be wrong. This article has spoilers for Season 10 Episode 12 of The Walking Dead, based on an early viewing of the show through AMC Premiere.

https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2020/03/heavycom-michonnes-sword.html
https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/03/the-walking-dead-carol-sword/
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-walking-dead-season-did-carol-find.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019/02/michonnes-last-stand.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019/05/walking-dead-franchise.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2018/10/fragmentation-of-dead.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2018/02/goodbye-carl.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead-vid-clip.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead_4.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-walking-dead-1-5-circa-2003.html

HEAVY.COM - DID CAROL FIND MICHONNE’S SWORD?

HEAVY.COM - DID CAROL FIND MICHONNE’S SWORD?
https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/03/the-walking-dead-carol-sword/



https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2020/03/heavycom-michonnes-sword.html
https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/03/the-walking-dead-carol-sword/
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-walking-dead-season-did-carol-find.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019/02/michonnes-last-stand.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2019/05/walking-dead-franchise.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2018/10/fragmentation-of-dead.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2018/02/goodbye-carl.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead-vid-clip.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-walking-dead_4.html
https://chadschimke.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-walking-dead-1-5-circa-2003.html

MUKDEN BY SEAN PATRICK HAZLETT

MUKDEN BY SEAN PATRICK HAZLETT –  A captain finds a pile of corpses bearing peculiar incisions, shaped like an inverted starfish, on their slashed bellies. But stranger still, their viscera are missing. The captain’s local guide blames the occurrence on sorcery. Overnight the captain feeds the night hag, but unlike most who encounter her, he survives the interaction. He is later assaulted by bandits and Cossacks but finds himself saved. Who has spared him? None other than the night hag. Perhaps she’s paying back his earlier kindness. The hag releases his bonds and grants him a vision. Once he’s free, he hurries back to share what she revealed, to his general. ‘Mukden’ is a richly described and culturally layered short story which first appeared in Weirdbook in 2017. Find this and other really good horror/ paranormal shorts in Tales for the Campfire. All profits go to the victims of the November 2018 Camp Fire. Want to read more? 

Check out Sean’s upcoming book entitled Weird World War III, currently on pre-order:https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982124911/

Behind the Walls

REVIEW OF THE MERCHANDISER BY TINA

Review of The Merchandiser by tina - "Short, sharp read. The Merchandiser has a chilling obsession and a chilling past. He refers to himself as an ugly man. He loves mannequins and sleeps with one at home. He forges refrences to get a job as a store decorator for the christmas period. This is where he finds his number one. Things get out of hand though when the attractive book keeper turns up one night not realising he is still at the store finishing the display. Things turn from bad to worse......."
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3191036341