A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 53
March 5, 2017
The Great Wall
*Movie Review 
So I grew up watching both Chinese and Japanese movies, as much as the classics, westerns and science fiction. I'm a product of the 80's so when you mention retro- that's life for me. When I was at the show and saw the preview for The Great Wall with my hubby, I remember I leaned to his ear and whispered, "We must see this movie" and I kept my word to him. We saw it The Tuesday after release day.
I Regret Nothing!
There was a bit of fuss about this movie being an offense to Chinese, but I don't see how. The movie is a Chinese honor! Because I love all sorts of culture, so watching the drummers signal plans with their swift, swinging movements, watching warriors in their colorful armory, and the creatures- made the first half of my day. I watched everything like a kid again, mesmerized! To say the least, the cinematography was on point and made the movie a fabulous view!
Now I never listen to review critics, but I wanted to see what they thought. I have to admit, I was surprised at all the negative hype. People thinking the movie was white-washed, when it was like 98% Chinese and Mandarin was spoken just as much as English- I was baffled! It's an action-fantasy movie, set in a fictional, Chinese world and filled with monsters! How was there any debate on who's movie this belonged to?
Okay, the movie's about some Westerners who came to China for black powder. There were many, but only two lived through the journey... empty handed. Until they're captured before the Great Wall. Unfortunate for them, they arrived before a battle with an ancient enemy. Do they stay and fight or get what they came for and run? That's all I'll share, but there's so much more. To say much would offer up SPOILERS and you know how I feel about that.
Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the critics. Check The Great Wall for yourself. Don't go trying to figure out what's going to happen. Don't view, wondering if the white guys save the day either. Watch for a good movie that makes for a great adventure, and took a lot of money to make for your enjoyment.
Cheers!
The Great Wall
Directed by Zhang Yimou
Produced by Thomas Tull, Charles Roven, Jon Jason and Peter Loehr
Starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Willem Dafoe, and Pedro Pascal
February 17, 2017
So I grew up watching both Chinese and Japanese movies, as much as the classics, westerns and science fiction. I'm a product of the 80's so when you mention retro- that's life for me. When I was at the show and saw the preview for The Great Wall with my hubby, I remember I leaned to his ear and whispered, "We must see this movie" and I kept my word to him. We saw it The Tuesday after release day.I Regret Nothing!
There was a bit of fuss about this movie being an offense to Chinese, but I don't see how. The movie is a Chinese honor! Because I love all sorts of culture, so watching the drummers signal plans with their swift, swinging movements, watching warriors in their colorful armory, and the creatures- made the first half of my day. I watched everything like a kid again, mesmerized! To say the least, the cinematography was on point and made the movie a fabulous view!
Now I never listen to review critics, but I wanted to see what they thought. I have to admit, I was surprised at all the negative hype. People thinking the movie was white-washed, when it was like 98% Chinese and Mandarin was spoken just as much as English- I was baffled! It's an action-fantasy movie, set in a fictional, Chinese world and filled with monsters! How was there any debate on who's movie this belonged to? Okay, the movie's about some Westerners who came to China for black powder. There were many, but only two lived through the journey... empty handed. Until they're captured before the Great Wall. Unfortunate for them, they arrived before a battle with an ancient enemy. Do they stay and fight or get what they came for and run? That's all I'll share, but there's so much more. To say much would offer up SPOILERS and you know how I feel about that.
Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the critics. Check The Great Wall for yourself. Don't go trying to figure out what's going to happen. Don't view, wondering if the white guys save the day either. Watch for a good movie that makes for a great adventure, and took a lot of money to make for your enjoyment.
Cheers!
The Great Wall
Directed by Zhang Yimou
Produced by Thomas Tull, Charles Roven, Jon Jason and Peter Loehr
Starring Matt Damon, Jing Tian, Willem Dafoe, and Pedro Pascal
February 17, 2017
February 27, 2017
So here it is; my second read by author Limbus, Inc. by Various Authors
*An Audiobook Review 
Don't you just love when you're offered audiobooks? For FREE!? Well, that's how I managed to obtain Limbus, Inc. I'm so happy I did too, because this assemblage of stories, by authors like Jonagthan Mayberry, Joseph Nassise, Benjamin Kane Ethridge and more is pretty darned cool!
From galactic slaughterhouses to time-traveling assassins, the adventures stem from one place: Limbus, Inc. A company that "employs" and asks if you feel lucky? It all begins with a guy who owns a dying bookstore. He's about to lose everything when a man comes in and gives him a book to publish. Nothing more. Curious, he reads the book and the tales begin.
My three favorite episodes were The Slaughter Man, One Job Too Many and Strip Search. The three took me to places that I've never been and gave me stories that weren't easily predicted. Whether I was traveling back and forth in time or searching for a lost, soon-to-be sacrificed, young girl, I loved and clung to every minute.
The stories are all linked in a way that makes you wonder if you'll be approached by a man or young, girlish woman in an expensive suit, offering up a job. Packed with lots of imagination by authors like Jonathan Mayberry, Joseph Nassise, Benjamin Kane Ethridge, Brett J. Talley, and Anne C. Petty, you can't be anything but enthralled! Find out for yourself; check out Limbus Inc. *The Gods of H. P. Lovecraft is next.
Limbus, Inc.
Jonathan Mayberry
JournalStone Publishing
April 26, 2013
Don't you just love when you're offered audiobooks? For FREE!? Well, that's how I managed to obtain Limbus, Inc. I'm so happy I did too, because this assemblage of stories, by authors like Jonagthan Mayberry, Joseph Nassise, Benjamin Kane Ethridge and more is pretty darned cool!From galactic slaughterhouses to time-traveling assassins, the adventures stem from one place: Limbus, Inc. A company that "employs" and asks if you feel lucky? It all begins with a guy who owns a dying bookstore. He's about to lose everything when a man comes in and gives him a book to publish. Nothing more. Curious, he reads the book and the tales begin.
My three favorite episodes were The Slaughter Man, One Job Too Many and Strip Search. The three took me to places that I've never been and gave me stories that weren't easily predicted. Whether I was traveling back and forth in time or searching for a lost, soon-to-be sacrificed, young girl, I loved and clung to every minute.
The stories are all linked in a way that makes you wonder if you'll be approached by a man or young, girlish woman in an expensive suit, offering up a job. Packed with lots of imagination by authors like Jonathan Mayberry, Joseph Nassise, Benjamin Kane Ethridge, Brett J. Talley, and Anne C. Petty, you can't be anything but enthralled! Find out for yourself; check out Limbus Inc. *The Gods of H. P. Lovecraft is next.
Limbus, Inc.
Jonathan Mayberry
JournalStone Publishing
April 26, 2013
The Gods of H. P. Lovecraft by Various Authors
*An Audiobook Review 
When you listen to
H.P. Lovecraft
, you have to have a particular mindset. The stories aren't simply told to you; you're engaged, immersed within the pages of the tale. You have to be prepared for the strange, the macabre and if you're lucky, horrified by the monsters. The book is filled with tales from authors, both old and new, and their renditions of the ancient beings.
Each story in The Gods of H P. Lovecraft, you're introduced to characters with either dire circumstances or they're creating such situations. Though I found appreciation of the very first stale, it was drawn out and lost me here and there. But the ending- my goodness, I loved it. The rest were highly entertaining and informative.
I loved how each story's end gave a background on the God, the story told of. Not many know of such creatures and they re beginnings, and this made the story's that much more interesting. Honestly, it probably would have been better to have shared the history of the monsters prior to the story, but it all works together.
If you're a science fiction and horror lover, I'm sure you know many of these monsters but if you don't, you should grab yourself a copy. They're available everywhere, but if you've got a road trip on your horizon, grab the audiobook!
I'm off to the next read! *Mirror, Mirror is next.
The Gods of H. P. Lovecraft
Various Authors
JournalStone Publishing
August 16, 2016
When you listen to
H.P. Lovecraft
, you have to have a particular mindset. The stories aren't simply told to you; you're engaged, immersed within the pages of the tale. You have to be prepared for the strange, the macabre and if you're lucky, horrified by the monsters. The book is filled with tales from authors, both old and new, and their renditions of the ancient beings.Each story in The Gods of H P. Lovecraft, you're introduced to characters with either dire circumstances or they're creating such situations. Though I found appreciation of the very first stale, it was drawn out and lost me here and there. But the ending- my goodness, I loved it. The rest were highly entertaining and informative.
I loved how each story's end gave a background on the God, the story told of. Not many know of such creatures and they re beginnings, and this made the story's that much more interesting. Honestly, it probably would have been better to have shared the history of the monsters prior to the story, but it all works together.
If you're a science fiction and horror lover, I'm sure you know many of these monsters but if you don't, you should grab yourself a copy. They're available everywhere, but if you've got a road trip on your horizon, grab the audiobook!
I'm off to the next read! *Mirror, Mirror is next.
The Gods of H. P. Lovecraft
Various Authors
JournalStone Publishing
August 16, 2016
Mirror, Mirror by Anthony M. Strong
*An eBook Short Story 
If you're anything like me, there are times a book sounds perfect when it's read aloud. There's something about my voice when I read a book that's near magical. Really! The only time I doesn't sound well is when I'm on video. I'm nasal. Anyway, while reading the awesome Mirror, Mirror, by Anthony M. Strong, I had to take some serious deep breaths!
The story is about Jamie, a college student who happens to go 'junking' on the wrong day. He finds a gothic mirror that he simply must take home, but this mirror has more than a reflection in store. Something's inside the rough looking piece and it wants Jamie. Can he figure out what's happening before it's too late?
So this story was AMAZING! But I have to tell you- dude was dumb! Every thing Jamie did made me think of Eddie Murphy, back during his Raw days. You know the part about poltergeists? Jamie did a bunch of stuff that I'd have never done, but that makes a story, yeah? The one and only thing that irked me to no end were the very long sentences. It's as if Strong was in a rush to get the story all out or something. The sentences flowed well, he just didn't want them to end! I would nearly run out of breath, at least two times, on each page! It was exhausting, but the story is so good- I didnt' care one bit! Here's an example:
He took the mirror, the heaviest of the items he’d scored, and entered the building, grunting as he heaved it up the two flights of stairs to the third floor, cursing the fact that the elevator was out of order yet again.Strong, Anthony M. (2016-03-12). Mirror Mirror (Kindle Locations 55-57). West Street Publishing. Kindle Edition.
That's a long sentence, you know? But, I kid you not, the story is fantastic! You have to check it out: it's FREE on Amazon.com! I'm off to the next read!
*The Missing Loved Ones is next.
Mirror, Mirror
Anthony M. Strong
West Street Publishing
March 12, 2016.
If you're anything like me, there are times a book sounds perfect when it's read aloud. There's something about my voice when I read a book that's near magical. Really! The only time I doesn't sound well is when I'm on video. I'm nasal. Anyway, while reading the awesome Mirror, Mirror, by Anthony M. Strong, I had to take some serious deep breaths!The story is about Jamie, a college student who happens to go 'junking' on the wrong day. He finds a gothic mirror that he simply must take home, but this mirror has more than a reflection in store. Something's inside the rough looking piece and it wants Jamie. Can he figure out what's happening before it's too late?
So this story was AMAZING! But I have to tell you- dude was dumb! Every thing Jamie did made me think of Eddie Murphy, back during his Raw days. You know the part about poltergeists? Jamie did a bunch of stuff that I'd have never done, but that makes a story, yeah? The one and only thing that irked me to no end were the very long sentences. It's as if Strong was in a rush to get the story all out or something. The sentences flowed well, he just didn't want them to end! I would nearly run out of breath, at least two times, on each page! It was exhausting, but the story is so good- I didnt' care one bit! Here's an example:
He took the mirror, the heaviest of the items he’d scored, and entered the building, grunting as he heaved it up the two flights of stairs to the third floor, cursing the fact that the elevator was out of order yet again.Strong, Anthony M. (2016-03-12). Mirror Mirror (Kindle Locations 55-57). West Street Publishing. Kindle Edition.
That's a long sentence, you know? But, I kid you not, the story is fantastic! You have to check it out: it's FREE on Amazon.com! I'm off to the next read!
*The Missing Loved Ones is next.
Mirror, Mirror
Anthony M. Strong
West Street Publishing
March 12, 2016.
February 23, 2017
The Z Virus TV Series
*TV/Streaming Series Review 
I spoke with Rick Jennings, the Exec. Producer of ScreenMagic Films, and he cleared a few things up for me. First off, it is so cool that they've received enough feedback to possibly receive a deal for full-length episodes. Until then, if you have an Amazon Prime account, Vimeo On Demand, ScreenMagic Roku channel and/or ScreenMagicTV.com, you can watch all episodes. AND this not fanfiction; don't get it twisted. With that said, the world as we know it, is no more. Something’s happened and there be zombies! Bunker Fever 
Episode 2: Uninvited Guests 
Episode 1: Bunker Fever, introduces David. He’s a loner, hiding in the basement of a school's cafeteria. After deciding he can’t reach his friend, via short wave radio, he decides he’s got to get out. He walks some distance, then winds up shooting the first real person he meets - go figure! In Episode 2, you're shown how the zompoc began, before meeting three characters, with one named AJ (David’s friend). They too, leave their shelter and go wandering and run in to some very unfriendly folks.
The episodes are short, about 15 minutes, but interesting. I admit, there’s not a thing I didn’t like, other than the sound effects of the first kill. They were a bit artificial, but the scene itself, was impressive. Rather brutal even! I also liked how episode one's ending tied in to episode two, offering up answers. That’s always a bonus.
Should they be received by Amazon, they'll make the episodes full-length, which would be even better. That would mean more action, more blood and more answers. The music was spot on, the cinematography was great and I'm happy with what I saw. Let's hope more is coming soon! The Z Virus is available on Vimeo.com, with a subscription.
I'm outta here- Cheers!
The Z Virus
Written & Directed by Joey Moran
Executive Producer: Rick Jenkins
Actors: Freddie Degrale, Moran Carew, Every Changeux and John Kviklys
January 2017
*All photos courtesy of ScreenMagic Films.
I spoke with Rick Jennings, the Exec. Producer of ScreenMagic Films, and he cleared a few things up for me. First off, it is so cool that they've received enough feedback to possibly receive a deal for full-length episodes. Until then, if you have an Amazon Prime account, Vimeo On Demand, ScreenMagic Roku channel and/or ScreenMagicTV.com, you can watch all episodes. AND this not fanfiction; don't get it twisted. With that said, the world as we know it, is no more. Something’s happened and there be zombies! Bunker Fever Episode 2: Uninvited Guests Episode 1: Bunker Fever, introduces David. He’s a loner, hiding in the basement of a school's cafeteria. After deciding he can’t reach his friend, via short wave radio, he decides he’s got to get out. He walks some distance, then winds up shooting the first real person he meets - go figure! In Episode 2, you're shown how the zompoc began, before meeting three characters, with one named AJ (David’s friend). They too, leave their shelter and go wandering and run in to some very unfriendly folks.The episodes are short, about 15 minutes, but interesting. I admit, there’s not a thing I didn’t like, other than the sound effects of the first kill. They were a bit artificial, but the scene itself, was impressive. Rather brutal even! I also liked how episode one's ending tied in to episode two, offering up answers. That’s always a bonus.
Should they be received by Amazon, they'll make the episodes full-length, which would be even better. That would mean more action, more blood and more answers. The music was spot on, the cinematography was great and I'm happy with what I saw. Let's hope more is coming soon! The Z Virus is available on Vimeo.com, with a subscription.
I'm outta here- Cheers!
The Z Virus
Written & Directed by Joey Moran
Executive Producer: Rick Jenkins
Actors: Freddie Degrale, Moran Carew, Every Changeux and John Kviklys
January 2017
*All photos courtesy of ScreenMagic Films.
February 22, 2017
A Cure for Wellness
*Movie Review 
Rarely do I find a movie so disturbing, I feel it's a must to have in my movie library. A Cure for Wellness, directed by Gore Verbinski (The Ring, The Mexican, Pirates of the Caribbean movies), is rich in lore, mystery and mind-bending confusion - and it's FABULOUS! 
The story is al amalgam of two parties: one is Lockhart, who much retrieve a member to the board of a large financial firm, in preparation for a merger. He has to do it, because "someone has to accept responsibility". Lockhart, pretty much against his will, he must travel to the Alps of Switzerland. But something completely unexpected causes him to stay a while, then the fun really begins.
But there's so much more to this story, and it comes in the
shape of a girl. She carries a mystery that can either bring unexpected results to the world of the rich, or just cause some unexpected things. Yeah, VERY unexpected. As you may have realized, I'm being a bit cryptic, because I never offer up SPOILERS! That's not cool. What I can say is that you'll love this, even while confused.
The imagery, the mystery, Lovecraftian style and the out and out outrageous is like magic. Nothing happens that you can easily piece together, but you do notice things. You see them, just as Lockhart, but you aren't sure what's real and what isn't. And it was all done so perfectly, there's nothing to fear, but what the mind conjures while viewing. Even my hubby loved it, and he's hard to please when it comes to movies.
The ending is (kisses bunched fingertips) magifique! I hope you see it and remember me and this review. It's amazing. See A Cure for Wellness. You'll walk away with as crazy a grin as Lockhart's in the above photo! I did.
Cheers!
A Cure for Wellness
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Produced by Arnon Milchan, Gore Verbinski and David Crockett
Screenplay by Justin Haythe
Stars Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs and Mia Goth
February 17, 2017
Rarely do I find a movie so disturbing, I feel it's a must to have in my movie library. A Cure for Wellness, directed by Gore Verbinski (The Ring, The Mexican, Pirates of the Caribbean movies), is rich in lore, mystery and mind-bending confusion - and it's FABULOUS! The story is al amalgam of two parties: one is Lockhart, who much retrieve a member to the board of a large financial firm, in preparation for a merger. He has to do it, because "someone has to accept responsibility". Lockhart, pretty much against his will, he must travel to the Alps of Switzerland. But something completely unexpected causes him to stay a while, then the fun really begins.But there's so much more to this story, and it comes in the
shape of a girl. She carries a mystery that can either bring unexpected results to the world of the rich, or just cause some unexpected things. Yeah, VERY unexpected. As you may have realized, I'm being a bit cryptic, because I never offer up SPOILERS! That's not cool. What I can say is that you'll love this, even while confused.The imagery, the mystery, Lovecraftian style and the out and out outrageous is like magic. Nothing happens that you can easily piece together, but you do notice things. You see them, just as Lockhart, but you aren't sure what's real and what isn't. And it was all done so perfectly, there's nothing to fear, but what the mind conjures while viewing. Even my hubby loved it, and he's hard to please when it comes to movies.
The ending is (kisses bunched fingertips) magifique! I hope you see it and remember me and this review. It's amazing. See A Cure for Wellness. You'll walk away with as crazy a grin as Lockhart's in the above photo! I did.
Cheers!
A Cure for Wellness
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Produced by Arnon Milchan, Gore Verbinski and David Crockett
Screenplay by Justin Haythe
Stars Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs and Mia Goth
February 17, 2017
Visitor
* Movie Review 
This is the shortest movie I've ever reviewed, but it carries a great deal of mystery and a surprise ending I did not see coming.
It begins a fertility specialist working with her pregnant patients. She's repeatedly texted by someone dubbed "Visitor". The messages are vague and haunting, but she ignores them, until she's called...
The movie is short and simple, yet the message tells you there's so much more to come. The a light build of suspense, as you wonder who is sending the messages, but what happens next is a shocker!
From what I'm understanding, there's to be a full-length film in the works, releasing in 2018. I think I know where it's going, but I can't be sure. I was already caught off guard by the ending.
Below is the Youtube link to Visitor. Sampson has made it available for public viewing. Enjoy! Visitor
Written and Produced by Roger Sampson
Produced by Aaron Sparks
This is the shortest movie I've ever reviewed, but it carries a great deal of mystery and a surprise ending I did not see coming.It begins a fertility specialist working with her pregnant patients. She's repeatedly texted by someone dubbed "Visitor". The messages are vague and haunting, but she ignores them, until she's called...
The movie is short and simple, yet the message tells you there's so much more to come. The a light build of suspense, as you wonder who is sending the messages, but what happens next is a shocker!
From what I'm understanding, there's to be a full-length film in the works, releasing in 2018. I think I know where it's going, but I can't be sure. I was already caught off guard by the ending.
Below is the Youtube link to Visitor. Sampson has made it available for public viewing. Enjoy! Visitor
Written and Produced by Roger Sampson
Produced by Aaron Sparks
February 21, 2017
The Path Keeper
When you need a story that takes you through romance and complication, and an ending you know won't leave you hanging... for long, you grab a book like The Path Keeper, written by N. J. Simmonds. I found this book captivating, romantic in an unromantic sorta way and filled with enough love to actually become a part of the fandom possee! 
Okay, so you'll be filled in, here's the blurb:What if every coincidence was a tiny miracle? What if our life was already mapped out before birth? What if someone had the power to change the path we were destined to follow?
Ella hates her new life in London, she misses Spain and she’s struggling to get over her past until she meets Zac. He has always loved her but he isn’t meant to be part of Ella’s story. Not this time. Not ever. Little does she know that his secret is the one thing that will tear them apart and will force her to live in a world that no longer makes sense, a world more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
So when I say that there's a lot of adventure and romance in this debut YA novel, I am not kidding! Zac's one of those guys you want to love on, but he's mysterious and secretive - but he has to be! There's a reason behind it all. And let's face it, I related to Ella in every way, but the rich, living in a mansion in London with money to blow like crazy! She's a girl who knows what she wants, but sometimes has trouble stating so. But saying things as vulgar and as rude as a sailer wasn't one of her issues. Together, they make a couple to die for, but for the secret Zac carries.
The Path Keeper is about fate, love and asks the question: if you could change the course of another's life, for true love, should You?. I truly believe Simmonds is on to something and this book is going to be a hit, here and abroad! Check out The Path Keeper, releasing on February 23rd!
The Path Keeper
N. J. Simmonds
Published by Accent YA
February 23, 2017
Terror From the Deep by Alex Laybourne
Whenever I find horror books on monsters, I'm always game. There's something about monsters that takes me away. I like getaways, don't you? An escape from the norm, hustle & bustle and politics. Well, that's exactly what the characters of this story were looking for. Terror From the Deep, by Alex Laybourne, is about a cage fighter named Troy and a divorced woman with her daughter. They were looking for some fun in the sun on a brand new resort, to escape life's trivialities. Instead, they received... Dun Dun DUNNNN~ Terror, from the deep! (You like that?)An ancient evil has resurfaced, literally. This story is entertaining because it was so fantastic! The creatures that rose from access created by underwater earthquakes that are so hungry, they fly from the ocean and attach to a victim, digging into a person's body in seconds. What's not phantasmagoric about that? Also, the creatures, who's teeth were so thin, long and sharp that formed a sort of shield, were strong good enough to batter a military destroy and breach the hulls! They flew through the air and could unhinge their jaws enough to bite into someone's belly, decapitate and so much more! It was a laugh and a half!
The action was described well and I loved every minute of it. What I did not enjoy were the constant errors. Even Troy's name was misspelled a time or two. The editing of this book was an atrocity, but I managed to finish the story and had a good laugh at the end, I'm off to the next read!
*Heartless is next.
Terror From The Deep
Alex Laybourne
Independent Author, Amazon Digital Services
October 20, 2016
