Monday, January 7, 2019

Fallout 76 Review, Best Movies of 2018, The Haunting of Hill House Review, and Movie and IWSG news

Fallout 76 Review

The premise of the game – you are among the first to leave the vaults to wander the wasteland after a nuclear fallout that has wiped the planet clean. It actually takes place before the other versions of the game.

I was on the fence about this game. I’m a huge fan of the series, but multi-player online games are not my thing. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised!

The game certainly feels like Fallout. It builds upon the ideas brought forth in Fallout 4 of establishing a base camp that you can build up. (It’s where all of your junk is protected.) There are objectives you must complete which help you level up. But the true joy lies in the ability to wander anywhere and find new things.

The game has no more than twenty-four players in one map area. The world is so big though that it’s rare I run across anyone else.

The weirdest thing - no human NPC. (Non Player Characters) Everything you encounter is either robots, super mutants, or computers.

The West Virginia scenery is spectacular. It’s detailed and complete – in an abandoned town, you can enter any open building and explore.

There have been some glitches. The server has kicked me off a few times. Higher level players traveling through the map spawn higher level creatures. (Translation – run away!) And after a player visits an area, it’s wiped clean of creatures and junk rather than restocked.

Minor problems aside, this game has received a lot of flack and I don’t understand the haters. I’ve enjoyed my time wandering the wasteland. If you’ve enjoyed the other games in the series, there’s a lot of fun to be had in this one.

Highly recommended! Now, pass the Nuka Cola.

The Haunting of Hill House Review

From the IMDB - Flashing between past and present, a fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.

Just finished watching this series on NetFlix. And it’s probably one of the most unconventional horror stories I’ve ever seen. It works just as well as a drama as it does a horror series.

Each episode shines the focus on one particular character, revealing the scarring effect Hill House took on their lives. The actors do a fantastic job portraying a family fractured and broken. I enjoyed the series, although it was difficult watching people struggle and deal with deep, emotional pain.

While the horror aspects are creepy and disturbing, this is more of a series for people who like deep family drama. Think Ordinary People meets Poltergeist and you have a good idea about the type of ride you’re in for.

The house setting is amazing. It has a life of its own, almost like the house in del Toro’s Crimson Peaks. And indeed, the house is alive, and hungry…

Highly recommended

Movie News


Aquaman's worldwide grosses were $940 million as of Sunday morning - and it's still number one at the box office! 
It will easily sail over one billion in the next day or so, becoming the number one DC movie ever made, overtaking The Dark Knight.
Take that, haters!


Watch for an extended trailer of Captain Marvel during the College Football National Championship game on ESPN on January 7. Considering who is playing (yet again!) it’s the only reason to watch the game…

There will be a sequel to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan all return to reprise their roles. Jake Kasdan also returns as the director. Plus Danny DeVito will join the cast – read more at JoBlo’s Site.

JoBlo also posted his Top Ten Best Movies of 2018 list. A couple I haven’t seen, but he has some great picks.

IWSG News

The #IWSGPit Twitter pitch is once a year now – and the next one is on January 15!.
You have a week – don’t miss it.




Here are the prompts for January over at the IWSG Insgram:


Best of 2018 - Movies

Lists are popping up everywhere. Everyone has an opinion. Some go with favorites, some with Oscar quality, and some use the box office to guide them. I’m going to give you a list of what I thought were some of the best films of 2018 and also some of my personal favorites. Let’s start the countdown…

10 – Black Panther – Black Panther was cool but it’s the two female leads who steal the show.

9 – Deadpool 2 – Very funny sequel – I so want Domino’s super powers.

8 – Solo – Crap on it all you want, this was an incredibly fun and entertaining movie!

7 – Bumblebee – My favorite 80’s film that came out in 2018 – so much fun.

6 – A Quiet Place – Tense, powerful, and surprising.

5 – Ant Man and the Wasp – The fun factor in this one was turned up to eleven.

4 – Mission Impossible: Fallout – I was literally on the edge of my seat for the last thirty minutes of this film!

3 – Aquaman – This is the film the ten-year-old in me always wanted to see about my favorite superhero!

2 – SpiderMan: Into the SpiderVerse – The most surprising entry on this list – this film is incredible with ground breaking animation.

1 – Avengers: Infinity War – What else can be said about the most spectacular ensemble of superheroes and set pieces ever put together?


Anyone else playing Fallout 76? Watched The Haunting of Hill House? Ready for #IWSGPit? And what are your favorite movies of 2018?
Next week – another best of list, board games, and some trivia!

84 comments:

  1. Hi Alex - glad I'm back reading your posts ... I've seen loads of films - but none of these. I saw The Favourite last week - that was excellent. I'll write about a few others I've seen - as the year progresses ... Canada still rings out to me ... cheers and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of us - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's surprising what they make games about these days........a far cry from snakes and ladders.
    I haven't been to the cinema in years so can't comment about the oscars.

    Have a great New Year.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sure a fine list indeed. I still haven't watched hill house, heard it was good but depressing. DeVito should be a fun addition.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I started watching Hill House...until I got scared! Need to try it again in the daytime. I did read that there were a lot of 'hidden' ghosts in the background and that it was fun to find them all.

    Love your movie list! That will help me when these are available for streaming.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, Alex!

    I tried watching H of HH but it failed to grab me. Perhaps I should give it a little more time to sink in. I'm happy to see Aquaman doing so well at the box office. (On the small tube, I noticed that the series Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist have all been canceled.)

    Your Best Movies of 2018 list is helpful and I will refer to it for viewing ideas. I enjoy Stranger Things because it is laced with 80s Spielberg references and techniques. For that reason I am eager to watch Bumblebee.

    Thanks for the reviews, good buddy, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  6. One week until the #IWSGPit...
    There's so much going on that I haven't found enough time in the day to include Instagram in my hectic schedule. They say it's one of the fastest growing social media platforms at the moment. My Instagram account has been sorely neglected.
    If we were forced to choose ONE platform, I'd stick with my blog. With all the changes happening, seems like your blog is the only truly authentic platform that really belongs to you.
    Happy New Year to you and yours, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Not a gamer at all, so can't comment. Hill House looked way to creepy for me. I agree 99% on your best movies. Put Green Book in there too and I'll give you 100%. Overall it has not seemed like a great movie year, and yet..I've been entertained. We'll see what 2019 brings - more Marvelous stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Some on the list I haven't seen that sounds like I should.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pat, it's a difficult watch but worth it.

    Elizabeth, watch for the clock guy!

    Shady, you will like Bumblebee's heavy 80's stuff. And yes, all of those series are gone.

    Thanks, Michelle! I am sticking with my blog.

    Joanne, I hope to see that one soon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I wanted to like Hill House, but I found it so slow. I gave it about 3 or 4 episodes before giving up.

    I enjoyed A Quiet Place. I did think, though, that there were some missed opportunities to do some different things with the storyline.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Glad you like the new Fallout Game. I have heard about the glitches. Don't play but my boyfriend does. He's waiting till it goes on Steam to get it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I loved most of those movies. A Quiet Place still unnerves me when I think about it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've heard the Haunting of Hill House is very good, but I haven't seen it. Yet. Hope you have a great 2019!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm not much one for TV horror like I am movies, but if they can do a good job with a Gothic horror drama (ghost opera or goth opera as I like calling them) like Haunting of Hill House then I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I haven't watched a movie for ages...mostly been catching up on my reading over the holidays when there's little on TV.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Intrigued by The Haunting of Hill House. I've seen so many people in the horror community rave about it. Glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I imagine my little brother might play Fallout 78. He loves his video games, though our parents are aghast he's still deeply into them at 32.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I still need to make it to Bumblebee!
    I didn't really prioritize it because of the last couple Transformers movies (and no one is interested in seeing it with me), but it's sounding like they did a great job with it, and I'm going to be bummed if I miss it in the theater.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fallout sounds fascinating. If I played computer games other than solitaire this sounds like something that I might like.

    Out of your film list I've only since A Quiet Place and I must say that I was surprised by how good it was. The only other film that I have on my to-see list is the Mission Impossible movie. I think the Oscars this year might be a bigger bore than ever with--as usual--a lot of films that I've never seen and might never see.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  20. Natalie, I can live with a couple glitches.

    Steven, try the first couple episodes and see what you think.

    Carrie-Anne, I'm in my fifties and play them, although not like I did twenty years ago.

    Andrew, it's nothing like the others and worth it for the big screen.

    Lee, the Oscars bore me with all the political nonsense.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I've seen Aquaman and want to see it again. A fun ride and I liked them making ocean pollution a big deal.
    I even went to see Once upon a Deadpool, the PG-13 rated version of Deadpool 2! It was still good without the cussing and added violence. Ant Man and Wasp was great, as was Black Panther! Can't wait to see MI Fallout, The Quiet Place, and Avengers: Infinity War, no I still haven't seen it as my daughter told me to wait till right before the next one comes out.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I approve of all the Marvel films on your Top 10 list. I'm surprised I actually made it through A Quiet Place because it was so intense!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Isn't Bumblebee the name of the car in transformers and its an 80's film, well thats creative. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love your top movies' list! I still need to see Solo and SpiderMan: Into the SpiderVerse.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lisa, I want to see it again! And I was curious how they could do a Deadpool without the language, and well, Deadpool stuff.

    Spacer Guy, this movie is where he gets his name.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The Haunting of Hill House sounds just like the kind of movie I'd be interested in. Believe it or not, but I just finished watching Jumanji II - I LOVED IT. My taste in movies is totally solo I'm sure. Thanks for stopping by and you have a great day and a very Happy & Healthy New Year for you & yours in case I didn't tell you already. You're the best, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I don't watch a ton of movies, more of a TV addict. lol But, I do want to see Aquaman.
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pass the cola;) And yes, Solo was fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I kind of get the haters. I heard that on January 1st they accidentally deleted nukes from the entire game. Bugs like that are frustrating. When do they ever release a completed game that doesn't immediately need a patch?

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm just waiting for most of those movies to hit On Demand so I can watch them.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I agree with your first pick for favorite movie. I've rewatched it so many times. My daughter told me The Haunting of Hill House was really good. I wish I was ready with my next fantasy novel for the pitching session next week.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks, Marie!

    Mark, it was!

    JE, never. And this game is so incredibly massive. So many opportunities for a mistake.

    Susan, I wish you were as well.

    ReplyDelete
  33. As usual, I'm afraid I have little to contribute to this conversation. But I do like looking at Aquaman.

    Have a great week and new year, Alex.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I missed the boat on video games. Glad you enjoy this one.

    Wow, I've barely seen any on your list of favorites. Solo and SpiderMan. I couldn't abide the first Deadpool (I know, everyone loved it, but I just didn't get it). But I'll get to Black Panther and Avengers when they end up on TV.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Alex,

    I was never good at video games. I recently watched Ant Man and the Wasp and truly enjoyed it. So many great lines filled with humor. A very entertaining movie. Aquaman, what can I say I loved that film and my number 1 choice. A Quiet Place was filled with suspense. I've never seen a film quite like it before. Mission Impossible another top 10 for me.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  36. No horror movies for this chicken! I loved most of the movies on your 2018 list (the others, I didn't see :) ) Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Robyn, I'm going to fly out there and take you to a movie!

    Truedessa, it was tough to pick my top three.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hooray for you giving SOLO a shout out. I loved it. In fact, the bluray appeared in my stocking this Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I didn't see enough new films this year to have an opinion on the Oscars. I can see I have a lot of movie watching to do this year.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I really liked Solo too. I can't figure out why so many people panned it.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Ha! Take that haters indeed. The critics have been rather hard on Aquaman haven't they?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Glad you like that game..not for me:) I have not seen many new films which is a crime but I want to see all of the ones you mentioned except maybe Bumblebee. Haunting of Hill House sounds quite good and it reminded me of a movie with Roddy McDowall but it is called The Legend of Hell House.

    ReplyDelete
  43. My husband hasn't gotten into Fallout 76 as he's been worried about it from the reviews, but I'm going to pass on yours. The Haunting of Hill House was spectacular. Yes, it had a creepiness factor, but it was definitely about the people. You've got a great list for the 2018 movies. I managed to see Into the Spiderverse and wow. It's amazing. Best SpiderMan movie ever for me. I think I might like it more than Infinity War! Have a great week. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Leslie, that's a great gift!

    Ellen, who knows?

    Sandra, some - it's still a fresh tomato on Rotten Tomatoes.

    Birgit, I remember that movie.

    Christine, tell him to give Fallout 76 a shot. And yes, best Spider-Man movie ever.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I still have to see Solo, and I think I'm finally getting to an emotional place where I won't be a sobbing mess watching it. I want to enjoy it for my brother's memory.

    ReplyDelete
  46. As a West Virginian, I was excited to see WV was part of the game. My kids own it, but none have played it yet. I probably won't ever play it. I'm not the best gamer. I play Nazis Zombies with my guys and during one game, I had to be revived 35 times. I'm definitely the weakest gamer link in my house.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I have been hearing amazing things about Haunting of Hill House. Sounds like an interesting series for sure. I like your comparison- helped me picture what it is like. :)

    Happy New Year!
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  48. Alex, do you ever sleep? LOL! Thanks for all this information! Thanks for all the reviews! I haven't seen all the movies you mentioned for 2018, but I did enjoy Deadpool 2, Ant Man and the Wasp and Mission Impossible! Congrats to Aquaman!!

    ReplyDelete
  49. The Fallout game sounds really cool, though I can't play video games. If I did, I would want to check it out. Haunting of Hill House would probably give me nightmares. I can't watch the Walking Dead or Stranger Things without having nightmares! Now, Aquaman, that's a movie I want to see. Thanks for the scoop! Happy New Year, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  50. We saw that series the weekend it came out. Side note, I can't wait for Stranger Things to come back. Fun to read your gaming. It's fun. Cheers, boogie boogie and Happy 2019.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Patricia, watch it for him.

    Elizabeth, that made me chuckle...

    Crow, I love my sleep, trust me.

    Lynn, go see it!

    Ivy, I am really stoked for that series to return!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi, Alex! I do want to see Aquaman. Terry and I stumbled across the first Deadpool on cable. We quite enjoyed it, so I'll have to look for the sequel. I'm not much of a gamer, but I have a brother and various nephews who are so into online gaming. I'm still playing catchup after being gone for six weeks; but even if I'm slogging through a lot of mundane things, it's great to be home. I hope all is well with you! Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Still want to watch A Quiet Place. I can barely remember the movies I watched last year, and discovering new films used to be a huge thing for me. I was really impressed with Hereditary until the end, Beast was certainly memorable, and in terms of the simply enjoyable, probably Incredibles 2.

    Happy New Year! Hope you had a great Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  54. The time I might play games, I should spend in the art studio. This one sounds appealing if only to see the W VA scenery. Thanks for the Hill House review.

    ReplyDelete
  55. The Haunting of Hill House spoiled me for most horror tales in that it was so well done. It inspired me to work harder on my 2 Halloween collections of short stories. When the characters become so vivid and real, it only makes the drama more heightened, your fear for them more palatable. Because of duties as rare blood courier, I have to wait for the films to come out on Blu Ray these days. Have a great New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Glad you enjoyed Fallout.
    Have a great one.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Momoa is so dang cute! And I'm not even talking about his physical looks (which are hot), but his personality. He's so fun to watch be himself.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Looks like I'll get a chance to see Aquaman after all! I'm always up for a new James Wan joint. Critics weren't high on Furious 7, either, and that was a huge blast.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I've played Fallout 3 and 4 but not the new on line version. Sounds like fun though! I very much enjoyed the Haunting of Hill House except for the very end for reasons I will not disclose (spoilers!). But I would still recommend it and your analogy (Ordinary people meets poltergeist) is spot on!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Thanks for the review/tips re. Haunting of Hill House... Been humming and hawing about that series for ages!

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'm surprised you liked Fallout. I think I need more focus in a game, so I'm not a huge fan of open worlds, and I'm reluctant to get into them because they eat up way too much time ;)

    I binge watched The Haunting of Hill House, I loved it so much.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hhhmmmmm ... with you being a guitarist and Bohemian Rhapsody released in 2018 and said film directed by Bryan May I'm surprised this is not on your list.

    Aaarrgghh!!! A quiet Place has alluded me all this time and wifey and kids have seen it and mock me.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I started watching The Haunting before the holidays and then promptly forgot all about it. I need to get back to it.

    Oh and as for gaming online: not my thing either although I've enjoyed watching my kids play Fortnite. :)

    Elsie

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love your list, Alex! I haven't seen a few of those (family has been on a tight move budget with one kid in college and one turning in college applications and prepping to go), but I'm looking forward to seeing them all - for the first or second time - on video. Now that Avengers: Infinity War is on video and streaming, I think I've seen it three or four times.
    Prepping for IWSGPit right now.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I've only seen 4 out of the 10 movies. I think I need to up my game.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Fundy, you do need to see the second Deadpool.

    JH, as a horror writer, you need to see that film.

    Roland, it did so well with the characters.

    Donna, he does have charisma.

    John, they were both a blast!

    Thanks, Marcy!

    Lynda, choose what we let eat up our time, huh?

    Stephen, not much of a Queen fan.

    Tyrean, many are even better the second time around.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I hear some snippets about Fallout from time to time, but nothing like your review here. It makes me think that I should play video games more, but I tend to start feeling anxious when I do, because of all the jump scares and whatnot. I'm more of a Mario kind of guy, but even Super Mario Odyssey causes me anxiety occasionally. I think I just need a friend who plays video games and would let me sit next to them and watch them play for a while. That probably works out better than me actually trying to play them.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Houses with a life of their own make me very nervous.....

    ReplyDelete
  69. As we prepare to record the Oscars and then edit out the actors and their opinions, I am hoping there will be something on the other channels.

    Didn't see A Quiet Place, but will. Ant Man is always fun. Good actor with great comedic timing.

    Aquaman. What can I say?!

    Infinity war--I have watched three times, and probably will a 4th.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Sorry I've been away for so long, Alex! But the holidays are now over and I've regained some semblance of sanity.

    I missed way too many movies in the past year to even comment on your best of list; I hope to make 2019 a better year for me. And since I love ghost stories (when they're done right) maybe I'll be able to catch Hill House. I like that it sounds as if it has emotional depth to the characters, which is rare.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I like your movie list! I'm much better at working from a "best of" list than trying to scout out all the things I've missed on my own.

    The Haunting of Hill House sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Haunting of Hill House sounds better than I had imagined. Still not sure if I want to dive in, but I am curious now.
    Glad Aquaman is doing so well. I enjoyed it.
    Guess I need to consider my top films of last year. I like yours.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Michael, that's funny.

    Susan, that's the best way to watch the Oscars.

    Helena, welcome back!

    ReplyDelete
  74. I've never played any online games, and I probably never will. I'm a wee bit too competitive by nature and LOVE game-playing, so I'm afraid I'd get hooked on the experience and waste entirely too much time on it. Best if I avoid them altogether.

    We don't go to all that many movies, but I did thoroughly enjoy "Black Panther." And "Book Club." (Yeah, I know, waaaay different kinds of movies.) We still haven't seen "Aquaman," but I'm still hoping to catch it.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I tried watching the Haunting of Hill House because another friend had recommended it. I couldn't watch more than three episodes. I found it too disturbing. (The possessed kitty really creeped me out! And so did the whole morgue thing.) I guess if you like creepy things like that, it would be good. The house was really cool, though. It looks like a fun place to explore (if it wasn't haunted).

    ReplyDelete
  76. I can't make a list of favorites because I didn't go the movies once. I'm such a dud. I don't want to go alone and hubby and I don't like the same things. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  77. Yep, yep and yep on those top 3. :)
    I can't watch the scary shows and be happy but I do like the adventure movies!

    ReplyDelete
  78. I didn't see any of those - although I saw all their trailers on the five minute 'charts' we get on certain channels over here! My favourite film of the year was First Man.

    Happy new year, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Greetings Alex,

    I've not heard of Fallout 76. I'm glad you were pleasantly surprised. The last game I played was Sonic the Hedgehog back when Sega Master System was all the rage.

    Interesting movie list. I might go and see Stan and Ollie.

    Take care, my fine friend.

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
  80. Susan, it can be a time waster.

    Sherry, I can show you some really creepy films...

    Yolanda, you need to find a movie buddy.

    Jemima, haven't seen it yet.

    Gary, that was indeed a long time ago...

    ReplyDelete
  81. It looks like we both love Marvel Comic-inspired movies. I thank my Army son for that. Good list, Alex!

    ReplyDelete
  82. I'll probably end up seeing Fallout 76 pop up on my husband's computer screen once he gets around to playing it. He's got a large queue of games, though.

    Man, I really want to go see Aquaman. Maybe I'll have to take off work early and go while the kids are at school.

    ReplyDelete
  83. I've been trying to decide whether to watch Hill House - I was nervous about getting too scared because I'm a chicken about really gory horror stories. Your review definitely makes me want to watch though - that sounds like the kind of story I love! Adding it back to my watchlist now.
    Hope you've had a great start to 2019, Alex.

    ReplyDelete