CHRONICLE (2012)

A review by Jevron McCrory

Okay, I haven't posted on this blog in a very long time but the movie this post concerns just had me so inspired, so motivated, so downright BLOWN AWAY that I had to write a review.
  
Chronicle isn't that recent a film.

(It just came out on DVD in the UK, which is how I finally managed to watch/experience it).

I saw the previews for it hitting our limey cinemas, thought it looked interesting, then thought nothing more about it.

How I wish I could go back and see this on the big screen!

Chronicle is the epitome of breathtaking cinema!

Taking an almost cliched, unoriginal concept and giving it a sincere, 'kiss-of-life' (whilst kicking the superhero genre in the balls), Chronicle tells the story of three male high school teenagers who gain the gift of telekinesis.

And that's it. That's the concept. Simple, eh?

Take one loser who's never accomplished anything through sheer laziness, Matt Garetty (Alex Russell), one incredibly popular, high school president-potential, Steve Montgomery (Michael B Jordan) and one 'natural victim,' abused by his alcoholic father, classmates and local neighbourhood toughs alike, Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHann), give them telekinesis from a foreign, glowing, multi-spiked object buried deep in a Seattle woodlands, and watch the inevitable fireworks, of which there are plenty.

The movie is quick to keep it's story reality based, as if it's 'camcorder style' filming wasn't enough (this is different to Blair Witch territory. This is NOT a found footage film. There's a 'social workers' reason why Andrew was filming everything, prior to gaining powers), yet comes up with a novel excuse for top class direction (the main character directing the movie, using a camera through telekinesis? I think thats a first in cinema history).

Everything that is captured by the camera immediately becomes plausible. Acting that feels so real, it no longer resembles acting (pretty sure there's an early scene where the actor playing Andrew's father actually hits him for real), CG so subtly blended with live action that sometimes you're hard pressed to tell the difference, a story so grounded that when the characters finally leave such ground (oh yeah, these boys eventually learn how to FLY!), you are more than happy to join them for the ride. Belief? Consider yourself suspended!

It's here, at this critical gravity defying juncture, that Chronicle goes from impressive cinema to essential viewing, as the receiving of these powers goes from being a prank inciting gift (and learning that with focus, they are now impermeable to pain) to a life threatening curse. Slowly, meticulously scripted, the boys start to struggle with their talents. Well, maybe just one.

At the centre of such drama is Andrew Detmer, a victim so helpless to the abuse he has suffered for so long that when he finally gets a chance to get his own back, he struggles with how far he should go. (After viewing the early scenes of harsh abuse he suffers, I found myself congratulating his early self restraint, restraint that eventually subsides to an offensive physical preternatural rage rarely seen on screen).

The movie, like the boys' 'gifts,' goes from strength to strength as it tests loyalties, friendships, the ideals of predator and prey, justice, responsibility (forget Spiderman's 'With strength comes great responsiblilty' morale, these boys could take out whole city blocks at a whim if so inclined), leading to such a dramatic climax it feels partially over-the-top upon first time viewing. Considering the restraint shown in the early reels, it makes for perfect storytelling, not only giving a physical, visual climax worth applauding but an emotional epilogue so satisfying I was deeply, sincerely moved.

(I am trying desperately not to give away any spoilers. The less you know, the better the viewing experience. Damn internet).

Chronicle is what I would call a 'jack-of-all-trades flick.

Not content to merely surprise you with relevatory CG setpieces, of which there are many (the boys learning to fly is a particular highlight and worth the rental/purchase price alone, not forgetting a severely traumatised Andrew crushing a car with merely the power of thought), we get beautifully rendered, multi-dimensional scripted characters, a tautly scripted plot, a masterclass in acting exercises (all praise worthy but specific accolades must go to Dane (Andrew) DeHann who, at times reminded me so much of Leonardo DiCaprio in The Basketball Diaries that it was spooky!), realistic violence, an ill-fated love story, slapstick comedy, grittiness so dirty you may tense up and an imagination on show so vivid, it makes me wonder how it achieved so much on such a minimal Hollywood budget (13 million I think? Minimal by Hollywood's standards).

If Chronicle succeeds anywhere (point out to me where it DOESN'T succeed?) it's to show that when all cylinders are firing, Hollywood can make pretty damn awesome movies WHEN it tries to.

This goes into my Top Ten Best Movies with a bullet, albeit a telekinetically manipulated one.

So who's an apex predator, eh?

22.11.63 by Stephen King: Review

I am a life-long fan of Stephen King. If I ever write books that are even a fraction as good as 'The Stand' or 'The Tailsmen' or 'It', I will be a very happy woman! However, some of his books lately haven't been as good as his earlier work. 'Under the Dome' had me pulling my hair out, wondering if absolutely every character was going to be slaughtered by the end, and the baseball novella, 'Blockade Billy', left me cold.

I'm very happy to say that Stephen King certainly seems to be back on track! First with the excellent collection of novellas, 'Full Dark, No Stars' and now with '22.11.63.'

Jake Epping is an English teacher with a fairly mundane life. His ex-wife is an alcoholic and he now lives alone. But one day his friend, Al, lets him into a secret. He has found a portal in time where he is able to go back to September 9th, 1958. Each time Al goes back in time, only two minutes pass in the present time. Also, every time is a reset, so whatever happens, whenever he goes back, everything has gone back to normal again. Or so he thinks...

Al is sick and asks Jake to undertake a task of massive proportion - to go back and save the life of JFK. Jake, naturally, is hesitant. There are too many 'what ifs' surrounding the President's assassination, too many conspiracy theories about the shooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, not acting alone.

Despite all of his concerns, Jake decides to take on the mission. His journey into the past is more than just a mission; it becomes his life. In the years between his arrival in 1958 and JFK's assassination in 1963, he builds a life for himself, including falling for the woman who becomes the love of his life, Sadie Dunhill.

But the past doesn't want to be changed. Nature it's self, together with a harmonising set of circumstances, all seem set to stop Jake doing what he plans.

In my opinion, Stephen King is the master of long novels. Many people complain he is wordy, but for me he simply creates a whole world you don't want to leave. Much of the novel is simply about life in the fifties and early sixties, and while I was still a decade or so away from being born, I completely felt and experienced the era through King's writing.

One highlight for me was when Jake went back to Derry and we met Beverly Marsh and Richie Tozer from 'It' again. I so wish he'd write something else about Derry; I'm sure he could create something with the same terror of 'It'. Anyway, I digress. Though '22.11.63.' is about a man trying to stop the assassination of JFK, it is also a love story. The relationship between Jake and Sadie is honest, real and heart-warming. I won't say too much about the ending of the book, but let's just say I shed a tear or two!

Overall this was a five star read for me. Even though it is another brick of a book, I didn't want it to end and was sad when it did. This isn't horror by any means, but it's a wonderful story which encapsulates the political atmosphere of the early sixties, with the paradox of time travel, and true love between a man and a woman.

I loved it.

~*~

Want to try one of Marissa Farrar's novels? Her horror novel, 'The Dark Road' is now available to buy as a paperback or ebook from Amazon.com.

Limitless - Movie Review

What if you could take a tablet that would allow you to access the remaining 80% of your brain that we apparently don't use. You could write a novel in four days, learn how to play the piano in three. Where would it stop? This is the premise for the movie, Limitless.

Eddie (played by the rather yummy Bradley Cooper - The Hangover) is a writer who is down on his luck. Despite having somehow landed himself a book contract for a book he hadn't even written (someone explain that one to me!) he's suffering from writer's block. His girlfriend has just left him, his apartment is a wreck, and he's behind on his rent. But, by chance, he runs into his ex-brother in law who bestows upon him a secret drug which opens up the part of his brain he doesn't use. He takes the drug and discovers he can just pull up everything he's ever learnt, ever seen. He becomes crazily smart and at the same time has a total make-over, transforming himself from a bum to a smart business man. He can now make himself a fortune and get all the girls, but he discovers the drug has some alarming side effects.

Limitless is a good, action thriller. It went into a little more depth than I'd expected and some of the cinematography was great. Without going into too much detail, I enjoyed the implications at the end and it stirred up a decent conversation between myself and my husband about exactly what had happened (which is always a sign of a good movie in our house!).

I did find that the person Eddie becomes is completely different from the one he started up being. There are also some potential moral issues about how someone with super-human intelligence should really be focusing on curing cancer instead of getting rich, driving fast cars and sleeping with models. There is also a murder sub-plot which doesn't really bring anything to the storyline except make the viewer doubt the integrity of Eddie's character.

However, if you forget all that and accept the movie for what it is - a fast-paced, relatively intelligent thriller -Limitless is an enjoyable film.

4/5 stars!

New Dark Fantasy Novel, 'The Dark Road': Reviews and a Giveaway!

Hi everyone! My novel, 'The Dark Road' has finally been re-released! After some seriously extensive edits (many thanks to my editor, Shontrell!) and a new cover (thanks Rebecca!), the book is now available to buy from Amazon.


Here is the blurb... 


What starts as an adventure for Sasha Mills turns into a terrifying fight for survival...

Emotionally blackmailed by the cold-footed fiancé she hasn’t seen in a year, Sasha abandons her life in London to track him in Siem Reap, Cambodia, where he’s teaching.

While in Bangkok, locals react strangely to her request to travel the following day, insisting it is a not a good day to travel despite numerous posters advertising buses running every day. Ignoring the warnings, Sasha assumes some kind of bank holiday and offers a large amount of money. She secures a seat on the solitary bus heading for Siem Reap.

Thrown together with a random group of international backpackers, including the handsome Josh, Sasha is no longer certain of what lies ahead as they cross the Cambodian border and the roads turn into dirt tracks.

Soon after, a storm like none she’s ever witnessed before descended upon them. When one of their group disappears off the side of the road, Sasha realizes she has more than just the warnings of land mines to worry about.

One by one, the travelers lose their minds as they are plunged into the terrifying secrets of the Dark Road.


The book has been getting some fantastic reviews so far (four five stars are already up on Amazon.com and one five start on Amazon.co.uk) and I hope they'll continue!


Here's what people have been saying about the book...


'A real page turner-I stayed up late to finish it. I dicovered Marissa Farrar's writting when read her Serenity series. I love those books and I love this one. If yo want to read a great thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then this is the book for you.'


'It's unusual for me to be unable to put a book down, but I stayed up way too late to finish this one. The Dark Road by Marissa Farrar has a page-turning intensity reminiscent of classic Crichton. We follow Sasha, Josh, and a party of travelers in Thailand and Cambodia on a very ill-advised bus trip... This is an author I recently discovered via her short story, The Body Farm. I've read several more of her works since then. Her Serenity series is also compelling, and I recommend it. (First book is "Alone.") The Dark Road was a gut-clenching, nerve-jangling adventure!'


'If you are looking for for a book that has expertly written characters with dimension and a story line that keeps you on the edge of your seat, then this book is the one is for you. Marissa Farrar's "The Dark Road" is not only a story that keeps you guessing, but also adds that unexpected element of "what, WHAT'S NEXT??" "If you think you have if figured out, chances are you don't.'


To celebrate the release of the book, I'd like to give away three copies to three lucky winners! All you need to do is tell me; what is the scariest place you've ever visited or travelled to? Answering my question will buy  you one entry, tweeting about the giveaway will by you another (make sure you copy me in @MarissaFarrar so I know about it) and liking my facebook page will buy you a third. Make sure you leave your email addy in  your comment so I can contact you if you win.


The giveaway will be open all weekend and I'll announce the winners on Monday. Looking forward to reading your answers!


Marissa

Book Review - Crude Sunlight by Philip Tucker

In my last review I mentioned reading some excellent indie novels. Having a kindle has opened up a whole new world of reading for me and, because of easy access and cheap prices, I've taken the risk to try different authors I probably wouldn't have considered before. For all those readers who are still shunning the eBook revolution, I urge you to get yourself an e-reader of some sort. You can still read paperbacks, but you'll also be able to read a whole heap of other books you can download instantly and cheaply (and in some instances, even free!).

Anyway, I digress (as I often do...). Back to the review!

Thomas Verkraft's younger brother, Henry, has gone missing. Thomas takes the opportunity to run away from his troubled marriage in New York to travel up to Buffalo to clear out Henry's apartment and see if he can learn anything about where Henry has gone. No one is particularly troubled by Henry's disappearance as he's an artistic type, and his family just think he's gone off travelling. However, when Thomas starts to sort out Henry's things, he discovers photographs and video footage of some creepy goings on in old abandoned buildings.

Thomas contacts Henry's ex-girlfriend, Julia, who at first is uncooperative but then breaks down and tells Thomas a bit about what has been happening. A group of the students have been breaking into abandoned buildings, but then one night they see something  that changes them forever.

Determined to find out what has happened to Henry, and with the edgy but melancholy Julia by his side, Thomas heads back into the tunnels.

'Crude Sunlight' is exactly the sort of novel I love. It's subtle, but still manages to be full of creepiness. Ultimately 'Crude Sunlight' is a ghost story and the ghosts are written very well. There is no blood or gore, just a fantastic atmosphere that sends shivers down the spine.

The characters are all well-developed and totally believable. Each one has their flaws, yet I couldn't help but be behind them every step of the way. There is a thread of romance, which always endeers characters to me. Even though Thomas was married and Julia had been with Henry, I still soooo badly wanted them to get together!

My only complaint is that the author didn't take the characters back beneath ground for the final scene. I really think this would have ended the book perfectly. However, this is a small complaint in a book I otherwise loved.

The author mentions 'Silent Hill' in the product description, but I didn't realise this until I got to the end of the book. 'Silent Hill' is one of my favourite movies and he totally captured that same, industrial, high tension atmosphere.

If I can do half stars, I'd give this one a four and a half stars! It dropped half a star for the reason I mentioned and because the author does tend to write rather long sentences which I occasionally had to go back and re-read! (But as I mentioned, this is a really small negative!).

If you love scary ghost stories with believable, edgy characters, you'll love 'Crude Sunlight'!

'Crude Sunlight' is available to buy from Amazon $4.99!

Book Review - 'The Well' by Peter Labrow

I've been reading some amazing novels by Indie authors lately. Since getting my kindle, it's opened up a whole world of great reading brought to us via self-pubbed or small press authors who's books otherwise would probably never have seen the light of day.

Peter Labrow's paranormal suspense novel is one of those books. I can't remember exactly where I first made contact with Peter Labrow -- I assume it was twitter or facebook -- but as soon as I read the blurb for his book, I knew I wanted to read it.

'The Well' centres around the main character, Becca Richards, and her boyfriend (and potential step-brother) falling to the bottom of an ancient well. Their parents are away for the weekend and no one is going to even know they're missing for at least a couple of days.

I can't really review this book without giving a slight spoiler, but it does happen near the start of the book, so I don't think I'm giving away too much. If you don't want to know, just go and buy the book now and find out for yourself. Otherwise, keep reading...

The step-brother is badly hurt in the fall and soon passes away, leaving Becca trapped at the bottom of the well with the decaying body of the boy she'd thought she'd come to love. On top of that, there is someone else down there. A ghostly woman who doesn't want Becca to leave.

There are a number of other side characters to the novel; the parents, still away, but increasingly worried when the can't get hold of the kids. There's a lesbian couple whose past is tied to the woman in the well, and their psychic daughter, Samantha. And, if that wasn't enough, the local paedophile also has his eye on Becca but, after her disappearance, turns his attention to Becca's best friend, Hannah.

Though there are a number of other characters, it's really the scenes of Becca trapped in the well and her efforts to both escape and survive that really had me gripped. Towards the end of the book, I literally was holding my breath with her. Though the other smaller plot lines pulled the book together at the end, I honestly would have been happy reading about Becca for the whole of the novel, though I guess this would have been a tough storyline for the author to stretch into a full length book!

The only characters I weren't keen on were the lesbian couple. I didn't fully believe in their motives and felt they were a little too easily accepted. What they'd decided to do was pretty horrific really, but it was almost decided without much of an argument.

However, this is a small point. Overall, I loved the book and I very much hope Peter Labrow is penning another. I'll be first in line for a copy! If you want a well-written, action packed, highly suspenseful paranormal novel, you can't go wrong with 'The Well.'

Five stars!!!

'The Well' can be bought from Amazon for only $2.99.

Review - Paranormal Activity 2

I've been putting off watching this movie for one reason; it centres around a baby. When I watched the first P.A., I was heavily pregnant with my youngest daughter. In fact, the morning after watching the movie, I was taken into  hospital and induced. Of course this has absolutely nothing to do with the movie (it wasn't that good!) but the two are inextricably linked in my mind.

So when I saw the trailer for P.A.2, I mentally groaned. I hate anything bad happening to kids or animals in movies, and this film had both. When I watch a good movie or read a good book, I can't help but put myself in the place of the protagonists and watching something bad happen to a baby in a cot, when I had a baby in a cot upstairs, was just too much.

However, now my baby is more of a toddler so I forced myself to sit down and watch it.

The film starts in much the same way P.A. does. It's very slow at the beginning with not much happening except a few hints about a ghost. The couple in this movie are linked to the first P.A. as the wife is the sister of the woman in P.A. I wasn't expecting the first couple to show up, but they did and that's when I realised P.A. 2 is essentially the prequel to P.A. The couple have a new baby and they also have an older daughter who is the result of the husband's first marriage, but the girl's mother died.

There are all the same things going on--lots of action with a video camera coupled with footage taken from security cameras. There are things moving, doors slamming shut, kitchen cupboards opening all at once. It's the typical haunted house. What the directors do well is the anticipation of horror. Even though not much happens for the first forty-five minutes, I couldn't help but lean forward, gripped in the moment, trying to see the small spooky thing that was happening in the scene. For the most part everything is subtle--maybe a little too subtle--spooky noises, banging, pans falling down, doors moving slightly. But as soon as things focused back around the baby, I was hiding behind my pillow.

Overall, the ending left me with too many questions. It seemed very abrupt with little build up to the actual events. Also, as this movie was supposed to be a prequel, there is no way the things that happened in this movie wouldn't have tied in more with the first. The characters in P.A. would have definitely been mentioning the things that had just happened to their family. So for me it was just an okay movie. I will be watching P.A.3 however. It's supposed to be a prequel to the prequel, so it will be interesting to see how the directors handle that!

~*~

Like things a bit on the spooky side? Why not try Marissa Farrar's short story collection, Where the Dead Live, only $0.99 from your favourite eBook store, including Amazon for your Kindle.