“A Ghost Story” was released in 2017 and directed by David Lowery. It starred Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. This is not a horror movie. A man and a woman live in a house. They have some disagreement about living there – the woman wants to move, while her husband is not all that keen.…
“Ink” is a fantasy film made in 2009. It’s an independent production made on a low budget, and it contains no familiar actors. It is surprisingly good. It involves supernatural figures who give people good dreams or nightmares. The givers of good dreams are called Storytellers, while the givers of nightmares are Incubi. A mysterious…
In another world we wander Landscapes form and fade all around We shape this place to our unconscious whim Beauty to barrenness, Joy to fear and sorrow Bring it back, dreamers, Fight to restore the beauty in your heart Make your way out of nightmare country To an abundant harvest of hope Recreate your soul’s…
Made by Studio Ghibli in 1988, this gorgeous animated film is directed by the awesome Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of the studio, and director of its best works. Totoro has become the studio mascot and is one of the most recognized characters of Japanese animation. The plot surrounds two young girls who move to the country…
I have a soft spot for fractured fairy tales. This film on the face of it really fits that bill. While much of this film was very enjoyable, ultimately I think it fell short. A modern day protagonist is troubled by dreams of a sleeping princess, weird-looking creatures and a sinister building. He is surprised…
The release of the movie made me want to revisit this book which I have not read since I was a child. This trip down memory lane was fun, though with the eyes of an adult I can see flaws I would not have seen as a child. The main theme is the tried and…
Terry Pratchett looked at the world in a way that was true, relentless, cynical, and yet hilariously funny. “The Light Fantastic” is the second in his fantasy Discworld series, and it continues the story of the failed wizard Rincewind and his reluctant adventures. The Discworld is a flat world, which rests on the back of…
This is the first of a series of books called The Dresden Files, about Harry Dresden, a professional wizard in modern day Chicago who has a business helping people with magic-related issues, and who also consults for the police. I found this book to be great fun. The protagonist, Harry Dresden, is a world-weary, private…
Two words – James McAvoy. Words cannot describe this amazing performance. This is a truly scary thriller, and a fantastic comeback for the director M Night Shyamalan, who has helmed some rather lack-lustre films in recent years. Young girls being held prisoner by a deranged mad man does not seem like a particularly original idea.…
Moon rise on a mystic shore Waves lapping softly at the shadowed sand Splashing in the shallows Laughter floats across the star-strewn bay They rise from the deep hoist themselves onto glistening rock or glittering beach Ungainly and awkward out of the water Golden girls combing waist deep tresses Bronze boys talking and laughing Scintillating…
Eclectic Assemblage 