Joyland (2013) – Stephen King

I should just listen to my gut. Just because my brain isn’t initially sure I’ll enjoy a Stephen King book that doesn’t fall into what I think is my ‘usual fare’ doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy it. In fact, my gut constantly reminds me of titles that have surprised me, and we can add Joyland…

The Saturday Night Ghost Club (2018) – Craig Davidson

A too-short novel that handles the delicacy of memory, nostalgia, growing up in the 80s, and ghost stories. Craig Davidson’s poignant and engaging The Saturday Night Ghost Club is an emotional and compelling read. Jake, the story’s narrator relates to the reader a coming-of-age summer as he, his new best friend, the friend’s sister, and…

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) – Taika Waititi

The latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably its most absurd. That doesn’t mean it’s not fun, and that the actors aren’t having a great time, but there are a number of tonal shifts in the narrative that leaves the film feeling a little unbalanced. But that may be because of the storyteller….

Lord Edgware Dies (1933) – Agatha Christie

Murder most foul! Three of them in point of fact, but don’t be fooled by the image on the cover of the book, none of them are committed with a pistol! It’s been awhile since I read an Agatha Christie mystery, other books came along, and I knew her library of work would wait patiently…

Shogun (1980) – Disc 1

Ah the late 70s and early 80s, the age of the television mini-series, an almost forgotten television event, though slowly being rediscovered by the advent of the limited series. It’s slightly different of course, because back then, there were only a few channels available, making a mini-series an event over consecutive nights. Shogun was based…

Legend of the Werewolf (1975) – Freddie Francis

Peter Cushing headlines the next werewolf flick highlighted in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book by director John Landis.  That being said, he doesn’t do a lot until the halfway mark of the film, but prior to that he serves as the film’s narrator. Set in the French city of Paris where everyone speaks…

The Shark is Still Working (2007) -Erik Hollander

Oh Jaws. There’s never not a good time for me to watch this movie, so I was delighted when it showed up in DK Canada’s The Movie Book. But having reviewed it for the blog previous to this I moved onto the What Else to Watch list, and there were only a couple of titles…

Evita (1996) – Alan Parker

Let’s face it, they can’t all be winners. I’m enjoying the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book, and have always enjoyed a good musical. Unfortunately, this one, Evita, a recommendation following my screening of West Side Story just couldn’t hold my attention. A theatrical adaptation of the long running stage musical featuring music…