Devoted

tags: Dean Koontz, gifted dogs, horror, mystery, thriller

from GoodReads

From Dean Koontz, the international bestselling master of suspense, comes an epic thriller about a terrifying killer and the singular compassion it will take to defeat him.

Woody Bookman hasn’t spoken a word in his eleven years of life. Not when his father died in a freak accident. Not when his mother, Megan, tells him she loves him. For Megan, keeping her boy safe and happy is what matters. But Woody believes a monstrous evil was behind his father’s death and now threatens him and his mother. And he’s not alone in his thoughts. An ally unknown to him is listening.

A uniquely gifted dog with a heart as golden as his breed, Kipp is devoted beyond reason to people. When he hears the boy who communicates like he does, without speaking, Kipp knows he needs to find him before it’s too late.

Woody’s fearful suspicions are taking shape. A man driven by a malicious evil has set a depraved plan into motion. And he’s coming after Woody and his mother. The reasons are primal. His powers are growing. And he’s not alone. Only a force greater than evil can stop what’s coming next.

Kipp is a Golden Retriever and one of the main protagonists in the book; yes protagonist. There are other adorable gifted dogs in the book, Bella is a favorite. She has her own Bellagram to communicate with other dogs. Oh, and she also reads books and sometimes walks on hind legs like a human when nobody is looking. So cute.

Dean Koontz has once again delivered a bone-chilling thriller, a fight between good and evil, but at the same time full of tender Disneyesque moments with Kipp and his humans.  

Highly recommended for Dean Koontz fans and dog lovers.

Knives Out

tags: horrible, knives dull, mystery, whodunit

goose egg

This Agatha Christie-style murder mystery tried to entertain but failed horribly. Everything about it is horrid - acting, script, setting, and even the music. I can't believe this was written and directed by the same person who wrote Brick which I thought was brilliant. This murder mystery is amateurish as though written by a 5th grader. No kidding.

Viewers who gave it 1 or zero star were more offended by the left leaning and woke bent but I didn't mind it at all. I am more appalled by the childish script, the boring presentation, the contrivance of each family member, the lame attempt at humor, and the annoying and mystifying fake southern accent of Daniel Craig that people likened to Foghorn Leghorn. They are not incorrect. It hurt my ears and gave me a headache. I can't understand why the director made him talk in an inauthentic southern accent which highlighted his inability to act. I always thought Daniel Craig is abysmal and this movie just confirmed it. I read that Johnson is writing a sequel with his character Foghorn Leghorn Blanc as main character. What?!! Geez Louise! It would have been acceptable if the movie is a spoof or parody but it isn't; it's just a 2 hour snooze fest that will put anybody with functioning brain to sleep.

Murder mystery is one of my favorite genres in fiction movies and books and I have seen and read hundreds of them so I believe I know what is good and what is less than inferior. This was written and made for first timers, those who haven't read a good Agatha Christie book or seen a good movie adaptation of her books.

The 1976 movie Murder by Death, a spoof of Agatha Christie-style mystery, is way more intelligent and highly entertaining than Knives Out. The script, actors, and acting are top notch; there's never a dull scene in the entire movie. Even the Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston Murder Mystery on Netflix is superior to this overrated and over-hyped movie.

2 Movies - THE WITCH: SUBVERSION And RE: BORN

2 movies that have similar themes: children trained by secret government section to be assassins. Both are extremely gory and with the most awesome lead characters and plot twists. The main twists of both movies are identical.

THE WITCH: SUBVERSION

tags: Korean, Netflix streaming, 2018, thriller, 3 part movie series  

from IMDB

A high school student with amnesia tries to uncover what has happened to her. All leading her into deeper troubles ultimately revealing a darkness she could not have imagined.

Rookie but gifted Korean actress Kim Da-Mi is awesome as a young female assassin and her character reminds me of Eleven. I can't wait to see Parts 2 and 3. Check-out Kim Da-Mi's 2020 Korean drama series, Itaewon Class, currently streaming on Netflix.

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RE: BORN

tags: action, Japanese movie, Tak Sakaguchi, 2016 thriller

from AsianWiki

Toshiro runs a convenience store in a small town. He lives with his young niece Sachi. In his past, Toshiro was known as "Ghost" and was a lethal member of a special covert force.

His peaceful life is soon upturned by members of his former special ops team. Sachi is kidnapped by the group and Toshiro is determined to get her back.

I can't believe Tak is 20 years older since I saw him in Versus, one of my favorite weird Japanese movies. It has comedy, fantasy, vampires, zombie ninjas, yakuza,, romance, blood and gore. I have seen probably a dozen of his movies including the equally weird but most entertaining Death Trance.

He still has his laconic acting style which I like. He wrote and directed the movie and employed his daughter Makoto as Casper, one of the child assassin trainees. She's also good at martial arts although really tiny at less than 5 feet tall. This movie is really really violent and gory. Slit throats galore like chicken at the slaughterhouse. Guns are useless because Tak's character known as Ghost, is able to dodge every bullet which ends up with the enemies killing each other. So one soldier shouted "Stop using your guns!" Knives vs guns, knives won. Lots of knives.

 Both movies are highly recommended for fans of thriller full of blood and gore.

Someone Else's Secret

 tags: Amazon First Reads, soap opera 

from GoodReads

2009. Lindsey and Georgie have high hopes for their summer on Martha’s Vineyard. In the wake of the recession, ambitious college graduate Lindsey accepts a job as a nanny for an influential family who may help her land a position in Boston’s exclusive art world. Georgie, the eldest child in that family, is nearly fifteen and eager to find herself, dreaming of independence and yearning for first love.

Over the course of that formative summer, the two young women develop a close bond. Then, one night by the lighthouse, a shocking act occurs that ensnares them both in the throes of a terrible secret. Their budding friendship is shattered, and neither one can speak of what happened that night for ten long years.

Until now. Lindsey and Georgie must confront the past after all this time. Their quest for justice will require costly sacrifices, but it also might give them the closure they need to move on. All they know for sure is that when the truth is revealed, their lives will be forever changed once again.

From a fresh voice in fiction, this poignant and timely novel explores the strength and nuance of female friendship, the cost of ambition, and the courage it takes to speak the truth.

Why does Amazon publish badly written novels? I know, they are free for Amazon Prime subscribers but do they have to be horrible? The book is as fresh as a stale 1980s soap opera script, stiff and unnatural, and mostly based on contrivance. 

2009: The 22 years old girl Lindsey couldn't land a job appropriate for her major in college and has no choice but to accept a job as a nanny to a family with a 14 year old girl and 5 year old boy. They will be staying at their summer house in Martha's Vineyard for the summer break. The mother doesn't work so why do they need a nanny? There won't be a story then if she's capable of looking after 2 children. 

The author tried to underscore the difference in status between the rich and people like Lindsey, making the rich spoiled brats and just plain abhorrent. And all the men are sex maniacs except for one townie. Townie! Didn't I say this is like a 1980s soap? It doesn't help that Lindsey has humongous breasts and the author reminds the reader that she is a walking cantaloupes on a human body. She mentions them at least once in every chapter lest you forget. Oh, for Pete's sake!

Spoilers

The Night Clerk

tags: drama, Netflix streaming, psychological thriller

I've seen a total of four Tye Sheridan's movies starting when he was a very young boy: Mud (with Matthew McConaughey, Joe (with Nicholas Cage), Dark Places, and Ready Player One. I liked him in all 4 movies. 

He is also very good in this movie playing Bart, a 23 year old with Asperger's. He works the night shift in a hotel where he installed cameras in one of the rooms, not to be a peeping Tom but to practice how to respond and speak to people, imitating what the guest says then practices answering them. He set up the camera to have a live feed to his bedroom. He is already home after his shift and sees the lady who just checked in starts fighting with a man. The guy hits the woman so Bart drives back to the hotel to help. Outside the door of the room, he hears a gun go off and he is frozen to the spot. The other hotel employee finds him calmly sitting on the bed saying the lady looks dead. He becomes the main suspect.

Spoilers

After Life

tags: British dramedy series, Netflix streaming, Ricky Gervais



The second season of After Life is now streaming on Netflix. I really like this dark comedy regardless of f and c bombs. Ricky Gervais as Tony who was suicidal after his wife died from cancer is simply brilliant. The story is very sad but somehow optimistic. The entire Carpenters' song Top Of The World playing when Tony is walking his dog belies what he feels but he is trying to be "zen", not to be a total ahole, and to look forward to a happier life without Lisa, his deceased wife. I hope there will be a season 3.

 Top Of The World - The Carpenters

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in 'most every thing I see
Not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Everything I want the world to be
Is now comin' true especially for me
And the reason is clear, it's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

Somethin' in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me

There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

Highly recommended if you don't mind f and c bombs, and other cussing.

   

The King: Eternal Monarch

tags: action, fantasy, Korean drama, Lee MinHo, Netflix streaming, parallel world, romance 

I can't give a rating yet but I already love the first episode - the acting, story, cinematography, and of course Lee Min Ho who has become even more beautiful at 32 years of age. He has matured and has become a better actor IMHO since playing the rich brat but lovable Jun Pyo in 2009's Boys Over Flowers. He looked overweight when he emerged in April 2019 from his mandatory military service and it's amazing how he lost all of the weight gain in so short a time. He's back being thin but not too City Hunter buff.

I initially thought the story is time travel. It is a parallel universe and the king of modern day Kingdom of Corea, Lee Gon played by Lee MinHo, goes in and out of both universes. Interesting. The second half of the first episode is full of action and lots of LMH close-up shots. Enjoy!

Streaming on Netflix Fridays and Saturdays for 8 weeks starting today, April 17, 2020.

bratty Gu Jun-Pyo and his "croissant" hair, Boys Over Flowers, 2009

he buffed up as City Hunter Lee Yun-Seong, 2011

  

The Platform

tags: Netflix streaming, parable, Spanish movie


The Platform is a Spanish movie called El Hoyo (The Hole) which is set in an underground prison. It is a gray square vertical or tower-like structure with a hole in the middle for a platform. 2 prisoners are housed on each level. The platform goes down to feed the prisoners once a day. They are given 2 minutes to eat their fill but cannot keep any for later or they get punished either by being frozen or fried by extreme heat, then the platform goes down to the next level. The food are prepared meticulously by a chef and his cooks, a feast fit for kings. Those on the upper levels have the best choice and as the platform descends much lower, all the great food and wine are depleted because the prisoners on the upper levels do not care if the prisoners below them have nothing to eat. They are selfish people thinking only of themselves and their needs. The result is chaos, madness, suicides, people killing each other, cannibalism. Once a month prisoners wake up on another level, higher or lower determined by the "administration". With this arrangement one would expect the prisoners to be more aware of the golden rule and be considerate of the people below but no, they still act like animals once they are on the upper level. 

All the prisoners, either volunteers or criminals, are asked for their favorite food and allowed one thing to bring inside. The main character is Goreng who wakes up on level 48. BTW, in Indonesian language goreng means fried as in Nasi Goreng - Fried Rice. I'm not sure if this has a significance to the story. Maybe he's going to fry in hell or his brain will get fried in this hell hole? Anyway, Goreng did not commit any crime; he volunteered in exchange for an accredited certificate or diploma. He brought a copy of Don Quixote to read while inside and indicated his favorite food is snail (escargot), caracol in Spanish. One day, a plate of snails appears on the platform and Goreng notices that nobody touched it because it was obviously prepared just for him. If the prisoners eat only their declared preferred food, there wouldn't be food shortage in prison. He and his new cellmate, the woman who interviewed him when he applied for prison stay, who also volunteered to be a prisoner decide to reform the chaotic prison platform. The woman prepares 2 plates with enough food for the prisoners below and asks them to do the same so that there will be enough food left for the people on the lowest level. It fails as expected because people are greedy and don't think rationally.

I think this movie is maybe a parable on the 7 deadly sins. The movie has religious references regarding eating someone's body and drinking his blood thereby becoming part of that person (holy communion and wine?). I have no idea what it means though. Goreng also ate pages of Don Quixote. Maybe he ate this part of the book because he's one of only 3 prisoners who don't take advantage when transferred to a high level so prisoners on lower level may eat: 

"The person who possesses wealth is not made happy by having it but by spending it, and not spending it haphazardly but in knowing how to spend it well” — Don Quixote 

This movie needs a second viewing to fully understand it.

Recommended for viewers who are apt to over analyze movies and books.

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The greed and chaos in the movie remind me of the current global situation with people hoarding food and paper products because of the Chinese flu. They never consider that other people also need these essentials.

Rain Will Come

 tags: mystery-crime, thriller, vigilante


from goodreads

Paul Czarcik, the longest-tenured detective in the Illinois Bureau of Judicial Enforcement, puts the rest of the team to shame. Ruthless and riddled with vices, Czarcik always gets his man. And fast. Until now…A double slaying isn’t the open-and-shut case of urban crime he’s used to. Connecting it to a high-profile Texas judge, Czarcik realizes something bigger is going on. It’s the work of a serial killer for whom Chicago is just the beginning. Now he’s inviting Czarcik to play catch-me-if-you-can on a cross-country murder spree.Going rogue, Czarcik accepts the challenge. But as the bodies pile up, he must come to grips with the fact that nothing—not the killer, the victims, or the rules—is what it seems in this bloody game of cat and mouse.

Rain Will Come is one of Amazon's First Reads selections for April 2020. Amazon's offers have been dismal and this is the first time I've enjoyed a freebie in more than 2 years. The book reminds me of the movie The Boondock Saints although the novel lacks the laugh-out-loud moments in the movie. I like the author's thoroughly engaging writing style and his mild sense of humor.

Paul Czarcik cusses often, drinks a lot, hires a prostitute just to converse, and once in a while snorts coke. In other words, he is not a very likeable character but he does his job well. He is pursuing a vigilante serial killer who targets evil people. I sometimes get conflicted and can't 100% disagree with the killer's mission. Very similar to Dean Koontz's Nameless Series. Czarcik is always one step behind the killer and as he gets to know more about him and his motive, the more he realizes they have something in common. One negative is a possible romance which is unnecessary.

Recommended for mystery fans. Free for Amazon Prime members until March 31, 2020.

Pride And Prejudice 1980 BBC Adaptation

I have seen the Ehle-Firth Pride and Prejudice BBC/A&E adaptation several times and loved it. After reading the book, I downgraded the series to just 3 stars because Elizabeth Bennet is portrayed as more meek and soft-spoken than the character whom Jane Austen has written as a determined, outspoken, and fiercely honest girl. I like Firth but his portrayal of Mr. Darcy is also not consistent with the book. And don't forget that cringe-worthy dip in the lake scene. 

The most horrible and not recommendable adaptation is the Keira Knightly version and there are older ones I have not seen yet. I recently watched the 1980 BBC production, now available to stream from Amazon, to discover to my delight that it is almost perfection. All the characters and dialogue are truer to the book. I like that Mr. Collins is not portrayed as a creepy oily guy as in the Ehle-Firth adaptation. Yes, he talks nonstop and is overly fawning over Lady Catherine, but he's also funny and even his own wife makes fun of him in jest with her best friend Lizzie Bennet. If you have read the book, you won't be disappointed with this adaptation. If you haven't, Ehle-Firth is okay.

tags: Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice BBC adaptation

Highly recommended for people who have read Pride And Prejudice book