Review “Frankenstein Unbound” (1990)

I like a good old-fashioned monster movie. “Frankenstein Unbound”, based on a novel of the same name by Brian Aldiss, promised to mix classic Frankenstein with science fiction. Sounds like fun, I thought. The plot centres around a future scientist from 2030 who invents a weapon which can eliminate your enemies without causing any damage…

Before it is too late

A tree stands at the world’s edge roots clutch stubbornly to the crumbling cliff confronting the abyss defiantly ‘I shall not be moved’ Sun dips low, and in the dying light branches stand out clear and stark Solid and strong, built to last But the cliff keeps crumbling   Come, let us shore up the…

Review “Embers” 2015

What are you if you lose your memory? What parts of you are shaped by experience and what parts are in-built? If you don’t remember who you are, are you still you? These questions are posed by the 2015 film “Embers”. It’s a post-apocalyptic scenario, filled with deserted, ruined cities and scattered survivors. The apocalyptic…

Water lilies

On a cool clear day a lake lies gleaming rushes define the shore while lily pads dot their way across to where the distant trees sway and dip, waving swishing out a greeting and a summoning if I were light as air I would dance across the lilies to answer the call of the far…

Your next stop – The Twilight Zone (part 2)

I thought I might continue to praise this ground-breaking series by talking about some favourite episodes from the second season. As before, I am not necessarily saying these are the best episodes, only favourites of mine. “The Howling Man” starts with a man remembering the past, which is very gothic – night, a storm, a…

For the displaced

Lean on me, my friend let me shore up your weakness You seem to be thirsty I will give you a drink When did you eat last there is food here for you And a bed when you’re ready for much-needed rest   Here is a shower to wash away the dirt Clothes? I have…

A Fireburnt country

The world knows that my country is currently being devastated by severe fires, beyond what has been experienced before. Man-made climate change seems responsible – temperatures are getting hotter and hotter, much of the country has been in prolonged drought, so the bush is ready and waiting to burn at a single spark. Millions of…

Moonrise

Moonrise paints the land in an eerie glow yellow fire on the lake trees and grasses painted black against eldritch light lap of water, sigh of wind song of nightbird and insect otherworldly land presided over by the golden, alien moon   Moonset, fade to black for a moment only awaiting the dawn sun shining…

The Burning Year

A country, wreathed in smoke coughs its way to a new year homeless and displaced fleeing the lethal fires lives and livelihoods gone wildlife wiped out the burning goes on and on hospitals overrun by the breathing compromised no end in sight hope fading fast   while the ones in charge insist all is well…

Singing Christmas

I love a good Christmas carol Singing peace on Earth Christ is born Come let us adore Him   We sing of shepherds getting supernatural visitation we sing of wise men taking a leap of faith we sing of a family out in the cold of a child born in poverty bearing the gift of…