Monday, October 18, 2021

Series and Movie Reviews, Movie Trailers and News, and New Books

Series/Movie Reviews and News


Squid Game

From the IMDB: Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits with deadly high stakes. A survival game that has a whopping 45.6 billion-won prize at stake.
A South Korean series set in current time, Squid Game tells a very dystopian story.
The first season took many twists and turns I was not expecting, some of them actually pleasant.
It is very dark and extremely violent. Some of the games are tough to watch.
But what makes it engaging are the characters, especially the lead, Lee Jung-jae. They bring humanity to the cold-hearted games.
If you can handle the violence, I highly recommend it.


What We Do in the Shadows

From the IMDB: A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of three vampires, who've lived together for over 100 years, on Staten Island.
Season three just dropped and it’s just as funny as ever.
Nadja, Laszlo, Nandor, and Colin, along with Guillermo, now promoted from servant to guardian, continue to bungle their way through situations with often hilarious results. Nandor and Nadja are now head of the Vampiric Counsel – of course taking turns and undoing each other’s work.
This might be the dumbest collection of vampires ever to hit the screen. It makes for a very silly and light-hearted show.
This series is based on the original movie and still written by creator Jemaine Clement. (He’s also an actor – look for him in the upcoming Avatar films.)
If you’ve never watched this mockumentary series, it’s a must – highly recommended!


News of the World

From the IMDB: A Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.
It’s a very simple and sometimes slow-paced story. The glue is the relationship between Hanks and Zengel. Two lost souls who need each other.
There are some intense action scenes, but it’s the bond between the two that carries the film.
Recommended!





DC Fandome debuted a teaser trailer and a teaser feature of Black Adam starring Dwayne Johnson, coming out next year:



And a teaser/trailer of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom:



Denis Villeneuve's Dune comes out in theaters October 22 – but it will release one day earlier on HBO Max!
Like all Warner Bros. releases this year, it will appear in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously. This might hurt its theatrical release even as it pleases those who still don’t want to gather in a crowded theater.
I plan on seeing it in the theater and will probably watch it one or two more times on HBO Max.

New Books!


The Life and Times Of Color by HR Sinclair

This book is for people who love color, history, trivia, and superstitions. I’ve collected bits of information on color ideas around the world, added a color thesaurus, and color descriptors as well as places and things that are predominantly one color that a writer could drop into a scene if they’re looking for a pop of color. But this is not just for writers, it’s for everyone who’s fascinated with color.
Read more about the book here
Universal purchase links here


Write Well, featuring Rosemary Johnson

A handbook for Christian writers from the Association of Christian Writers.
Find it at their site


Long-time blogger friend, Katherine’s Corner, is hosting Autumn on a Tray this November 6. 
Visit her site for details.






Seen either series or the movie? Looking forward to the DC movies next year? Seeing Dune in the theater? Picking up either book?
Don’t forget – October 26 is RiffTrax: Live – Amityville Horror 4, live in theaters!
See you November 3 for the IWSG post.

Almost forgot - Books Forward is featuring the IWSG today and an interview with me about the group!

51 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

My husband is looking forward to Dune! The Tom Hanks movie looks good to me. I know Squid Games would be too much for me to handle, ha.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm looking forward to Dune, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to go to the movies. I watched the first episode of Squid. I know it's super popular, but it's a big dark for me. And can't believe I'm #2 in the comments.

Damyanti Biswas said...

Squid game is all over my friends’ circle and groups but I haven’t worked up the courage to watch it yet

Joanne said...

The Squid Game concept just seems too much. I'm psyched for Dune and it looks like it should be a big screen movie. News of the World was a good movie, but the book was even better - I do recommend reading it. And Aquaman - I'll follow Jason Mamoa anywhere.
Have a good week - some fall weather has finally hit here.

Annalisa Crawford said...

My husband is watching Squid Game. As always, I've got too much else I want to watch/do/read. But I am hugely excited (despite the rest of the world being on a downer about it) for the new Doctor Who season 😁

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Elizabeth, it is intense and gory.

Natalie, it's a quiet morning.

Damy, it's horrifyingly fascinating.

Joanne, didn't know it was a book. And fall has hit here!

Annalisa, you just be excited for Doctor Who!

H. R. Sinclair said...

WOW! Thanks for the shout out Alex! I', looking forward to the new Dune. Have you seen...what is it called? just a sec... Psychokinesis, another South Korean flick. It look entertaining too.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Squid Games has been recommended by so many people I know that I'll have to give it a try.

Christine Rains said...

I love What We Do In The Shadows too. It's been a Nandor heavy season it seems, but I love seeing the flexibility of the actor. I binged the newest season of You instead of getting to the Squid Game, but it's next on my to-watch list. Have a great week, Alex!

Jeremy [Retro] said...

I think I want to watch the SQUIDS, but I don't know... my gore level has been down lately. Watched the new HALLOWEEN: THE TOMMY DOYLE STORY, people seem to like this one? I think the visuals are great, but the story is something less than silly. I am also down for "WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS", I am far behind being caught up... love what I have seen so far.

Hope all is well, thank you for being there for me and still supporting my sites. Stay sane and super.

Jeremy

Jacqui Murray--Writer-Teacher said...

Great list. I was hesitant about Squid Games--intrigued by its over-the-moon popularity--and now know it's not for me. Good review, touching on all the important topics.

Steven Arellano Rose Jr. said...

I haven't seen a lot of DC movies lately, mostly because I don't read a lot of DC's comic series. However, I've always been a big Bat fan and so can hardly wait until The Batman comes out. I last heard that it was due to premiere in theatres March of 2022.

Anonymous said...

Dune in the theater is a must for me. The Tom Hanks movie looks like a winner. As usual.

I've been on the fence about Squid Games. I love dystopian stories, but I've lost the taste for uber violence (says the girl who loves Kill Bill I and II and watched Black Mass to it's bloody, senseless end). Maybe I'll try the first episode and see . . .

Stacy McKitrick said...

I thought News of the World was an Apple movie, but I see Netflix is listed, so I might check it out. If I remember. There are too many shows I want to watch, but never remember!! Especially which site they're showing on. I write lists, but they tend to get lost. I really hate all these different streaming sites.

Cathrina Constantine said...

My friend highly recommends Squid Game too, but, like you, says it's very violent. I'm waffling on this one. I kept meaning to check out News of the World too. My daughter is obsessed with Dune. We can't wait for it.

Have a great week, Alex.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Holly, you're welcome. And no, I've not.

Christine, last season was Guillermo heavy, so they are spreading it around.

Same to you, Jeremy!

Steven, everything I've seen about it looks great. Going to be a DC year.

Lee, if you can get through Kill Bill...

Cathrina, you as well!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Thanks, Alex. We enjoyed News of the World very much.

J E Oneil said...

I'm still uncertain whether Black Adam will be any good or not. DC movies... don't have the best track record.

Liz A. said...

I've been hearing a lot about Squid Game. So many have tuned in. But, the more I hear, the more I'm sure it's not for me. I don't think I'll brave the theater for Dune.

Shady Del Knight said...

Hi, Alex!

I am "familiar" with What We Do In The Shadows because Mrs. Shady and I have followed the series since the beginning. It was always a hoot but, as I'm sure you noticed, season 3 takes a quantum leap forward in budget, production quality and comedy writing. The vampires get out and about more. The sets are more varied and they look gorgeous. The lighting, the sound, everything is a lot better this year and the series is much funnier too, in my opinion. I want one of those Nadja mini-me dolls for my very own!

Squid Game looks like my kind of series, too. Thanks for the tip, good buddy Alex, and have a wonderful week!

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I'm half afraid to watch squid games. It feels like it could be or reality soon.

Botanist said...

Looking forward to seeing Dune, but with some trepidation. Like LoTR, this book defied any kind of decent treatment on the big screen. Will this be the version that finally puts the "it can't be done" claim to rest?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JE, they have improved that over the past decade though!

Shady, the doll would be a great marketing ploy. Especially if it talked. Yes, they are getting out more and the episode where they went to Vegas was one of the funniest.

Elizabeth, it's like The Running Man only far more deadly.

Ian, it has to be better than the 80's film!

Jennifer Lane said...

My sister and I started watching Squid Game and couldn't get past the first 30 minutes--not for us!

Happy writing. :-)

Rhonda Albom said...

I haven't seen it yet, but last night Squid Game was the number one trending show on Netflix New Zealand.

Al Penwasser said...

Bloodsuckers in New York City? Who'da thunk it?

Katherines Corner said...

Bless your heart my friend, how kind of you to share with your lovely readers. HUGS!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex – I’m ‘beginning’ to realise I need to get into the 21st century and perhaps see some of these films – I do want to see Dune … enjoy it when you see it. I’d like to know more about Squid … sometime!

Holly’s book will be so interesting … good for her – and good luck on publication. I love information on colours …
Cheers Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Rhonda, no surprise!

Al, you'd think they'd all be in DC, right?

Katherine, you're welcome!

Ray Rousell said...

Squid Games was OK. Although the dubbing was pretty annoying and overacted, especially one if the women's characters. Squealing and shouting like a banshee all the time,

J.H. Moncrieff said...

I'd just seen a bunch of posts about Squid Game, but had no idea what it was about. Thanks for the intel! I'm so behind on this stuff these days.

Hope you're well, my friend.

Mary Kirkland said...

I watched Squid Game and thought it was pretty good.

Yolanda Renée said...

I'll wait for the video, or when it's free on TV. Just not into the movie world these days. We even canceled NetFlix. Would prefer to move to the mountains and do without TV altogether. LOL Just want to escape. :)

Carrie-Anne said...

What We Do in the Shadows sounds really fun. I love the blend of comedy and horror. The Life and Times of Color also sounds right up my alley.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Oh! I didn't know that Dune was available to watch on Thursday the 21st! I just may have to do that today. By the way, that DC Fandome event was pretty good. I'm super excited now for "Black Adam," but I may just be a Dwayne Johnson fan. The man can do no wrong, and I believe him when he says that the power order in the DC Universe is about to change.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ray, that's why I watched it with subtitles - so much better!!

Yolanda - the horror!

Carrie-Anne, you should watch it.

Michael, saw it today and will definitely watch it again on HBO Max. I think next year the power will shift to DC with the movies it has coming out.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi Alex,

Thanks for dropping by my blog and reading my entry. Yes, it is even more intense knowing it was based on an actual event.

Not much for movies these days. Streaming everything and enjoying my new Lower Level great room with a descent big screen. Nice to finally have a place to relax away from the never-ending rehabbing and the COVID world...

Fundy Blue said...

Hi, Alex! I am looking forward to seeing Dune, for sure! Have a great week, my friend!

mshatch said...

Saw Dune today in the theater and loved it. It was over before I expected, and now I'm sad because I have to wait for part 2. It will definitely be a movie to look forward to!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm hoping the Dune movie lives up to the novel. I want to reread it before seeing the movie but I'm looking forward to it.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Alex - thank you for the great reviews! I hope to see all of those, but haven't yet. I plan on seeing Dune in the theater tomorrow night - our local theater has a cheap Tuesday night option.
I have one of the books - so now, I can get the other one. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I'd really like to reread Dune before I see that one. I loved it when I first read it in high school but I've only got snippets in my memory

mail4rosey said...

Squid Games is all the rage for teens, and I'm just thinking, "why are your parents letting you watch that??" when they are talking about it. I'm too chicken to watch, lol. I feel like it would disturb me (it is no secret that I'm a big softie/wimp). :)

DMS said...

I have heard good things about Squid Games, but I think it may be too violent for me...
~Jess

Sandra Cox said...

Squid Games is getting a lot of hype isn't it? Sounds like the Korean version of Hunger Games. Is it more violent than Hunger Games?
I would like to give it a go.
Take special care.

Cherie Colyer said...

Squid Games is on my list to watch. I've heard good things about it.

SpacerGuy said...

Tom Hanks and Dwane Johnson can always be relied upon to produce good fun viewing. I haven't seen either Squid game or Shadows but upon reflection these treasures will gather much interest, humor, smiles and enjoyment.

Al Penwasser said...

The Black Adam trailer looks way cool.
Still have to go see a couple movies (e.g., James Bond and Venom Carnage), but I'll be going to a theater. I'm a thrill seeker that way.

J.Q. Rose said...

Really appreciate the collection of movies. I've seen Squid Games pop up, but had no idea it would be a violent movie. So, no on that. But would love Hanks. The vampire story sounds like a hoot! If only we had Hulu. Someday it'll be on Netflix. I can wait.

Always love visiting this site. Thanks.

Shannon Lawrence said...

I haven't watched Squid Game yet, but it's on the list. We'll be watching Dune from home some time this week, I think. I've heard only good about it, so looking forward to it.

mshatch said...

Have not watched Squid Game but I did see Dune in the theater and loved it, and I'm currently enjoying Only Murders in the Building.