Something In The Dark - PJ Cowan

This is a “who’s doing it” type murder mystery thriller that keeps the reader guessing who the killer is all the way through.

There are plenty of red herrings to throw you off and at one point I had 4 suspects in mind.
About halfway through I realised something that the author had done, which is done in films of the same genre on a regular basis, which told me who the tormentor was.
I can’t say more than this without spoiling the story.

There are a couple of other points in the story where the author has followed the typical “film” plot but even with this, you question yourself as to whether you’ve got it right or not, until the Author is ready to reveal.

The story starts off quite slow as the author sets the scene and introduces us to the characters but the pace picks up once the killings begin.

A great story with good, indepth characters.

I look forward to reading more books by PJ Cowan.

Reviewed By David

Wedding Entertainment

Final Destination 5 in 3D

I went into the cinema with slight trepidation as I was expecting this to be rubbish.
Let’s face it the first 1 was brilliant, the second was Ok and it went downhill from there but 5 has breathed a breath of life into this flailing franchise.

The usual happens, a major disaster, this time a collapsing bridge, is seen in a premonition and eight people are saved from very gruesome deaths.

Only death is not happy about this and goes about putting things right.

Cue lots of, even more, gruesome deaths all captured in glorious 3D.
I won’t say how many deaths there are as this would spoil the “will anyone survive” question.
But I will say, avoid this film if you’re planning on going in for Lazer Eye Treatment ;)

I loved all the 3D effects of which there are plenty, all the way from the opening credits to the closing ones.
I’m quite often disappointed with 3D films but this one had me beaming every time a load of blood, gunk or broken glass came my way.

A fully enjoyable film and I defy you not to cringe and go “oooooooh” at least once.

Reviewed By David

Corporate Entertainment

Fright Night

Colin Farrell who stars as Jerry, a vampire, who has just moved into Vegas, has been in the news recently.
It was reported that he allegedly maimed one of the actresses in the film with his prosthetic teeth as he was trying to make one of the scenes look realistic.

Film hype or real ?  Mmmmmmmm let’s ponder that one ;)

This is a 3D updated version of the original back in 1985 and if you like your vampire movies you will not be disappointed.

Jerry is a particularly nasty vampire, played excellently by Farrell, who is not about to let a nosey teenage boy get in his way of his lust for blood.

Whereas Charlie Brewster, the teenager, has to convince his friends and family that a vampire has just moved in whilst protecting himself and his girlfriend from Jerry.

David Tennant, of Dr Who stardom, cameos as a theatrical vampire destroyer and thoroughly enjoys camping up his part and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, well known for his geek roles, makes a fangtastic vampire.
Between the two of them they inject a bit of light relief into the otherwise, tense situation.

All in all a great film with just the right mix of comedy and horror to keep everyone happy and even a couple of decent 3D effects thrown in too.






Reviewed By David
Family Entertainers

An Interview With Author Kristina Jackson.

AUTHOR:

Kristina Jackson

BOOK TITLE:

Tales from the Beyond

SHORT SYNOPSIS:

5 paranormal short stories. Full of strange happenings and ghostly apparitions. 

GENRE:

Paranormal


WHERE AVAILABLE/PRICE: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-from-the-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0058DIGXW 86p

http://www.amazon.com/Tales-from-the-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0058DIGXW$1.41

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/69500 $.99

( prices correct at time of writing this article)

WHY DO YOU WRITE?

Why do you breathe? Because it's the only one true thing I have ever wanted to do. If I am not writing I think about writing, I even dream about writing. 


WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR BOOK?

I love ghost stories. Always have. Mainly though from the occasional sightings I have had or sightings of other people. 


WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORY IN YOUR NEW BOOK – THE MOST FUN FOR YOU TO WRITE?

Oh, that's a tough one. I enjoyed writing the whole collection. I think Afraid was the most fun. 


WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS YOUR BOOK APART?

It is ghost stories for those who don't like to be scared. Well too much ....


HOW MUCH, IF ANY OF THE STORIES WAS INSPIRED BY YOUR OWN LIFE EXPERIENCES?

My own life experiences always infiltrate my writing. Spindrift cottage was an actual experience, albeit fictionalised a little. 

DID THE STORIES PROCEED AS YOU ORIGINALLY CONCEPTUALIZED IT, OR EVOLVE AS THE WORK PROGRESSED?

They evolve. They start off with a concept and sometimes they change course totally, or sometimes they stay within the concept boundaries, but shape it to fit themselves.


WHO DO YOU USE AS A SOUNDING BOARD FOR YOUR WRITING?

Book Junkies on Facebook!  A fabulous group of readers and writers. 


IN WHAT GENRE WOULD YOU BE LEAST & MOST COMFORTABLE WRITING?

Soppy Romances. I have a romantic streak, but it’s just that a streak. 

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS ?

Terry Pratchett! He is the god of writing as far as I am concerned.
His use of words and descriptions are second to none.

Other than that I like J R R Tolkien, Dick Francis, Kate Ellis, Ellis Peters. Of course I now can add some fantastic indie authors into the mix too.
Michael E McNally and his musket and magic Sable City series.

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR PROSPECTIVE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU OR THIS BOOK?

This is only the start. I have a novel in progress which is Paranormal again, but with a few twists. The Fools Journey is hopefully due out in October / November

Tales from the Beyond

www.amazon.co.uk

A collection of short, paranormal stories, full of strange happenings and ghostly apparitions.




See our review of Tales From The Beyond

American Sanction - Jim Burkett

This is one big rollercoaster ride, right from the word go.
But this rollercoaster has a sting in its tale.

Nick West, an ex Seal, gets involved with hunting down a terrorist ( Ahmad), who he believed was dead, at the bequest of Olexia, who is head of an elite Irish organisation, after returning her dead husbands belongings and a high tech rifle.
What follows is a thrilling story with lots of action including exploding aircraft, chemical agents, torture, gruesome deaths and more.

Ahmad is one nasty individual who you just wouldn’t want to be involved with and will do anything to see his plans come to fruition.

One slight criticism, I had to re-read the final chapter and found that a little more of an in depth explanation was needed.
This final chapter (the sting in the tale) felt a bit rushed and the author could have languished a little more in the fact that he had completely stuck one on you.
This does not take away from the fact though, that it is a well thought out story with enough character depth and action to keep the reader interested.

Reviewed By David
Childrens Entertainers 

Conan The Barbarian

Yet again a half decent film has been knocked for six by the critics and numbers in seats have been affected.

Ok it’s a “leave your brain behind as you walk through the door” type of film but it has a good “revenge” style story with lots of action and stunts throughout.
The acting isn’t as bad as the critics are saying – and let’s face it they couldn’t do much worse than Arnie in that department anyway.

The bad guys are sneering all the way through and procrastinating all their plans instead of getting on with them and the good guys are flexing their muscles and doing their best to slay as many baddies as possible whilst saving the heroine.
Don’t listen to the critics and go enjoy.

Reviewed By David

Wedding Entertainment

Cowboys & Aliens

A lot of film reviewers are stating that this is really slow but I totally disagree.

A bunch of gold collecting aliens decide to invade Arizona 1837 but don’t reckon on the tenacity of the local population.

This is a well paced film which is predominantly a cowboy film with an interesting mix of sci-fi.
Because of this it has a slower pace than the normal high driven alien invasion premise but it is not as bad as what people are saying.
This film could have gone completely wrong if it had not been superbly acted out by two of Hollywood finest, Daniel Craig & Harrison Ford who took their roles very seriously and would not have accepted the roles if it were to have been a farce.
The aliens are seriously cool and menacing too.

I love Sci-fi and I love the old cowboy movies and this was a great mix of the two. There are 1 or 2 classic comedy moments amidst all the action as well as the predictable love interest. There’s also a great little twist to watch out for too.
All the elements of a great story are here and well put together.

This is one not to miss.




Reviewed By David
Family & Wedding Entertainment