The friendly neighborhood killer just did Lia a very special favor…
Would you recognize a serial killer if you talked to one every day? Artist Lia Anderson doesn't. Neither do her friends at the Mount Airy Dog Park. The apparent suicide of Lia’s deadbeat boyfriend brings Detective Peter Dourson into the tight-knit group and he's convinced someone is not who they seem. As his investigation uncovers secrets, a grieving Lia fights her growing attraction to the laid-back detective. Meanwhile, a killer lurks, desperate to stay ahead of the investigation—no matter who has to die…
If you like believable characters, a multi-layered plot, and a compelling sense of humor with your intrigue, download this can't-put-down whodunit for a romp through the dog park with Lia and the gang.
Don't be fooled that this is a story about canines solving murders. No; this is a well crafted and structured mystery whodunnit novel, which I wasn't expecting after I read the blurb on Amazon. Boy, was I happy to be surprised(?)
I usually don't choose a book if I don't like the opening sentence, then the opening paragraph, as I believe this should give the reader an insight into the story they are holding. To be honest, I did pick the book for the silly cover and the possibility that the story might raise a smile or two... and hopefully a laugh. Just recently I've been in serious need of both, so I clicked on the novel's cover on my Kindle...
It was the prologue that gave me the insight the novel may be just a little bit darker than I was expecting as it's the psychopath's viewpoint and the reason behind a previous killing. This was a wise and daring move by C A Newsome as it adds a deeper element to the story. In fact, without this reoccurring ingredient, the story would have been a lot weaker.
However, Carol Ann Newsome's lighthearted style of writing helps to keep the reader interested and reading at a steady pace. As the story progresses she grows and enriches the characters making them more realistic and believable. To this outcome, I really liked how she gives the reader expanded details of the work which her main character, Lia Anderson, undertakes. As a son of an artist, this brought me into the story a little more and I could relate a bit more to Lia... as well as giving me a sense of warmth and happiness at remembering my father - Thank you.
Even though this is categorised as a Lia Anderson Dog Park Mystery I loved how Newsome left the detective work to the detectives. Lia doesn't become an amateur sleuth being helped by her wonder dogs. The dogs are only secondary to the story, they add a realistic and relatable element... and yes at times you may find yourself "Ahhh"ing. As for the Dog Park itself, this is where the murder is committed and therefore all of its patrons are potential suspects and witnesses.
I must admit I didn't like the opening paragraphs of the story as they felt a little trite and the flow was slow and awkward, as she introduced Lia to her readers. This, however, is short lived as by the time you reach the next part of the chapter Newsome has found her footing. The climax of the story feels rushed, though this could be because of the previous space which encompasses the rest of the novel and I'd grown used to. Plus in real life, things have a way of creeping up on you and then exploding so fast they appear to have happened in mere seconds. However, it would have been nice had Newsome slowed down the pace to build tension and suspense which I think the scene needed, instead of speeding it up to build excitement.
Then there's the conclusion which quite a few people didn't like... Once again, for me, it added another sense of reality and I wasn't disappointed by it at all. To the contrary, I applaud Newsome for making the decision to go this route.
I would gladly recommend this book to everybody who likes murder mystery whodunits. Though be forewarned you may not agree with or like the conclusion of this story.
Romatt Releasing / Anchor Bay Entertainment / Blue Underground
3.75 / 10
This is another dire film that could have been much better as the story has a good premise.
Dr Herbert Lyutak is a doctor of psychology and he is suffering from shell-shock after he returns from the war. While suffering from this psychological ailment he kills a woman he's given a lift too as she's rejected his sexual advances, though his mind blanks out the incident. As time passes he gets glimpses of the murder and informs the police of his visions. They, in turn, start to suspect that something isn't quite right with the good doctor. As we progress through the movie we get an insight into his newly formed sexual deviations and his wife's' ability to conform to them because of her love for him. There are a few twists and turns though it's the last twist which really makes this a "Throw-away" movie.
Unfortunately, it's the unbelievably appalling acting, especially from the lead actors, and the abysmally bad writing along with awful direction and cutting that really kills this film.
Mickey Hargitay (Dr Herbert Lyutak) acting skills come straight out of the redwood forests. There are actually times you think a makeup artist will come on with a sander as a puppeteer appears to move him into his next position. His wife, Marcia Lyutak, played by Rita Calderoni, is so over-the-top that it passes from amusing into dreadful.
The pace is all over the place and there are some scenes that appear to have been thrown in just to titillate, especially the light S&M and lesbian scene as there's no sense or reason for them being in that section of the film. The lesbian scene is also one of the longest segments in the film. This is a shame as the opening sequence, the pickup and murder of the girls is done really well - nicely shot and thought out. I thought I was going to be watching a respectable movie... boy was I wrong.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, not even fans of Italian Gallo as there are much better examples of it out there to watch.
When your life is built on a mountain of lies, the truth can be fatal.
Pinned by a rock slide while conducting an environmental impact study in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, Mia Blackmore figures karma has finally caught up to her. Actually, she’s surprised she got away with her crime this long.
When a rough-looking man with a French-Canadian accent nearly steps on her head, rescue seems just a fingertip away—then the slope shifts again, sending them both hurtling down the mountain.
The slide may have freed the auburn-haired woman, but undercover cop Hudson McClure still needs to keep her safe from the thugs who think he’s one of their own. The gang isn’t going to give up looking for their downed helicopter full of drugs. And, as it turns out, Mia and her decidedly wolfish dog, Neville, are his best shot getting to the crash first.
Mia’s descent into Hudson’s dangerous world is like a landslide she is powerless to stop. Though her talent staying cool under pressure exceeds even Hudson’s own, there’s a hunted look in her evergreen eyes that warns him she’s hiding something—or from something. He just never anticipated her secrets could decide whether they get off the mountain alive…or in body bags.
Film Ventures International / G T O Films Ltd / Cinefear / Arrow Film Distributors Ltd.
5.5 / 10
This is a dark psychological thriller about the consequences of child abuse. Donny Kohler is a man who is growing increasingly detached from his life. One day, while he's at work he witnesses an accident which causes one of his work colleagues to catch on fire. While the rest of the workforce rush about trying to help the man Donny stands transfixed and spellbound by the sight.
It brings back to him the memories of his mother's retribution for misbehaviour, where she would hold his hands and arms above the open flame of the kitchen hob. This triggers his psychosis, flames cleanse the sins of man... and woman.
Kohler played admirably well by Dan Grimaldi - who is very good at making this psychopathic killer appear as normal - then sets out on his mission of cleansing his town. The most chilling part of this film isn't the killing or the portrayal of Kohler, but the killing room. Kohler covers the walls, floor and ceiling in sheet metal and adds a meat hook in the centre of the room, from which to hang his prey. It's the idea that he's thought this through to this extent so as not to burn down his house that makes it a very creepy and chilling issue and adds a deep psychological darkness to the character.
However, there are issues with the story, especially in correspondence with Kohler's character. There are some scenes that don't quite gel with his personality. And some of the directing could have been better. The scene when Kohler goes out with his friend and ends up attacking his date is well thought out story-wise; however, it could have been acted and directed much better There is a few scene's like this.
The director, Joseph Ellison, who co-scripted the story with writer Joe Masefield and Ellen Hammill, does create a good film with a variable pace and flow, which helps to create atmosphere and keep the viewers interested. However, I feel he could have done more to bring it above average.
The acting is okay though nobody shines through or dominates the film. This is a shame because I think if Dan Grimaldi was a little stronger in his craft it would have made the film a hell of a lot scarier,
Overall, the film suffers from averageness, though it is worth at least one watch. This is a film I would love to see remade, though adding a stronger cast and director, as I believe the story could make a classic film. I would gladly recommend the film to anybody who likes darker psychological thrillers and isn't too distressed by graphic and gory scenes. This left a chill in my bones and I will be watching the film again.
Dania Film / Medusa Distribuzione / National Cinematografica
Indie Rights / Replay Video / Grindhouse Releasing / Image Entertainment
3.75 / 10
This is an atrociously dire film in every way. The only silver lining was the premise of the story where three student anthropologists enter the Columbian jungles with the naive aim of disproving cannibalism. They come across a couple of adventures who claim to have escaped from a cannibal tribe after they had devoured their colleague. It's the twist in the story that could have saved this film had it been correctly explored and utilised. This, however, isn't the case and there just isn't anything else that makes this a film to watch.
Other reviews state the film is so bad that it unintentionally makes you laugh... that wasn't my case. What writer and director Umberto Lenzi gives his viewers is a lesson in the banal, boring, and tedious.
From the previously mentioned wasted story issue to the under-acted, over-acted, and wooden performances of the cast to the uninteresting and dreary direction to the worst and insipid locations available, this is a bad film.
However, there are a few issues which did earn it the rating I gave. I did like the twist in the tale which wasn't fully envisioned. There were actual moments when the cast got serious and wasn't too bad in their roles. Even Giovanni Lombardo Radice, who was mostly ludicrously over-the-top, actually had a couple of moments where he was menacing and believable. Then there was the glorious gorefest of the special effects, though these are expected to be bad, they never fail to entertain; the scene of the penis extraction brought a wince to my face. However, even the effects aren't without their errors. The way they are filmed is so matter-of-fact that they lose their shock value.
Then, of course, there's the animal cruelty as you are witness to the killing of a turtle and a wild boar. I do hope these animals were to be used as sustenance and were subsequently eaten. I must admit to not liking the thought of them being killed and then discarded for entertainment's sake, as these scenes were not required for the story.
This is not the best cannibal film:
For the best story and acting, watch Cannibal Holocaust
For an interesting twist on the genre, better story and acting, try Cannibal Apocalypse
For the best jungle location, I suggest you watch The Man From Deep River
Though, I will say I do not find the cannibal genre that interesting and even though these are better than Ferox they're still not brilliant.
Third Street Pictures / RCR Media Group / Andale Pictures / Lightning Entertainment / Stage 6 Films / Vertigo Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
6.50 / 10
This film is a rare creature indeed - A sequel that's better than the original. Let me just state it's a sequel to a bad American adaptation of a Spanish film [REC]. I am a fan of the Spanish movies but I have to give respect and credit to writer and director John Pogue for not giving the audience another weak version. Instead of going the religious route of [REC] 2 , Terminal escalates the fear of terrorist attack with a man-made killer virus. This alteration gives both films a more solid footing in reality and puts it into the thriller genre instead of horror.
Once again the action takes place in the tight confines of a restricted location. This time we are placed in a small aeroplane then we move to the baggage handling section of the terminal. These settings give the audience the feelings of claustrophobia and the threat of being trapped with no escape, especially in the plane.
Pogue does a good job of creating an atmosphere of tension and anguish that keeps the viewers entertained and interested. Where this film starts to falter is in the last third. The story goes out the door as people just run about screaming and killing. The action isn't great and the use of speeding up the film is atrocious and reduces the films strength. To be honest, I cannot explain why this is the case as Pogue does well with the action in the earlier action scenes - the shot of the thundering unstoppable mass of a man barrelling down the aisle of the plane is a great shot and well executed. He is also adept at controlling the flow and pace of the story and interweaving the various atmospheres.
Another thing that suffers at the same stage is the acting and characterisations. On the whole, the performances are above average but when the mayhem breaks out the skills disappear. It is actually the last section of this film which reduces the rating. For example, the opening sequence where we're introduced to the stewardesses and the pilots it a solidly realistic and interesting scene, which even introduces a thread of tenseness: Whereas, towards the end of the film there's a scene where two characters are on their way to possible freedom when they have to face the possibility that one of them is infected; a previously strong and logical character is suddenly overly emotional and illogical. This sudden flick-of-the-switch change once again diminishes the film's potency.
This is a well crafted, acted, and filmed story. It's well worth a watch, especially if you enjoyed the American version of [REC]; it even works as a stand-alone as there are references to what happened in the previous movie as this story is set in the same timeline. Remember: If you're a fan of the Spanish movies then you have to realise this has nothing to do with them and follows a different and alternate storyline. Though I won't watch the original Quarantine again I may watch this once more... even though it may be in another ten years.
![A Shot in the Bark: A Dog Park Mystery (Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries Book 1) by [Newsome, C. A.]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zYdzEL9jL.jpg)
The friendly neighborhood killer just did Lia a very special favor…
![Mountain of Lies (The Pack Book 1) by [Evans, Jayne]](https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514srBA9%2BjL.jpg)
