Archive for March 13, 2012

Title: Gullah Ghosts, Stories and Folktales

Author: Lynn Michelsohn

Published by: Cleanan Press, Inc.

My thoughts about Gullah Ghosts

Filled with colorful characters, vivid descriptions, and rich in the history of South Carolina, Gullah Ghosts was a pleasure to read.

You will be haunted by drolls, the spirits of children that died unnatural deaths. You will be entertained by a tale of thievery, touched and uplifted by the telling of overcoming adversity and learn about the first recording device and the trials of gathering the folk songs and stories to be recorded.

Lynn Michelsohn’s writing is rich in detail, giving you the sense of having been there as she takes you into the 19th Century during the times of the civil war and the depression.

I could tell you so much more, but that would spoil it for you.

I plan to purchase her longer work, Tales From Brookgreen, and delve deeper into the culture and history of South Carolina.

I give this book 5 stars and my highest recommendation.

 

Mid-afternoon on March 10, 2012. Well, it happened again. No internet service. So, while looking through my DVDs I discovered one that I bought many months ago. It was in a bin marked $3.00 – $5.oo eacg. You had to dig in because they were all just piled in this big bin. I reached down deep and pulled one out. it was a set of four vampire films that I had never heard of before. I wanted to jump up and down with glee. I took it home and promptly forgot about it. Upon rediscovery, I thought this would be the perfect time to view it. So, here are my thoughts about these films.

Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe

This movie takes place in the year 2210. During travels in space, we discover that there is life out there, or rather un-life. Outer space is filled with all kinds of vampires! A crew answers an SOS call, humans are being attacked by vampires. it is the crews job to rescue them.

Though the special effects are B-movie standard fare, the story is engaging and the acting is quite good.

Starring: Michael Ironside, Joe landa and Natissia Malthe

99 mins/Rated R/ Grisly Violence and Gore

Nadja

This one was a hidden gem with a dark noir presentation, filmed in black and white.

It takes place in present-day Manhattan. A husband and wife get caught up in the struggles between twin brother and sister vampires.

An erotic thriller, very well written scaenes and great acting.

Starring: Peter Fonda, Martin Donovan and Elina Lowensohn

92 min/Rated R/ Some scenes of bizarre vampire sexuality and gore

The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire

Monks are being found dead, puncture wounds in their necks. Set in Whitechapel, London, you feel a hint of Jack the Ripper in the staging of scenes.

What was most intriguing about the story was that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson were called in to solve the bizarre murders.

Starring: Matt Frewer and Kenneth Welsh

88 min/ Not rated – violence

Shadow Zone: The Undead Express

Welcome to the Shadow Zone – The only requirement to enter is a touch of evil.

14 year old Zach Kincaid just can’t stop himself from lying. Nothing major, harmless little ones and much embellishing of the truth. When he tells his friends he got lost on the subway and wound up on a train full of vampires, they naturally didn’t believe him. Kind of like :The Boy Who Cried Wolf”.

Valentine, the leader of the vampires, befriends Zach.  He says that Zach can trust him. But should he? After all, hadn’t Valentine also told him to never trust anyone?

Starring: Chauncey Leopardi, Wes Craven and Ron Silver as Valentine

97 min/ Rated PG-13/ Some horror and violence.

A great afternoon and evening with my B-movie Vamps. So glad I found this and I spent many happy hours  being thrilled and scared.