Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Kandisha’.
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One thing we can all agree upon right now, is that the push to create disinformation is causing more harm than good. Because this drive to create ‘alternate facts’ and ‘new truths’ that suit the narrative of a specific individual or group is wreaking havoc across the globe. For good people are quickly finding themselves confused and others… are beginning to question everything out of the worry that the truth they once knew, is nothing more than a lie and well… this mess is at a point now where everyone is beginning to talk about it, because it is costing people their lives. But while everyone’s frustrations in regard to this problem are beginning to boil over since we are seeing its impact infect every aspect of our life, lament and anger won’t solve the problem.
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Instead, we need to figure out the root cause to this issue and how it grows outside of the political theater that it is attached to. Because that is the only way that we can combat its rise and get people to believe in the facts once again. And this is becoming so important of a matter to people all around the world, that even horror films are starting to explore that root cause in an attempt to offer up some kind of commentary and observation and hopefully, a potential solution to this problem and it just so happens… that Shudder is now host to a movie that dives deep into this matter in the most creative way imaginable. For Kandisha uses the spirit world to get its point across and that makes for one fascinating film. 

One that early on, surprises the viewer by appearing to be quite by the numbers in nature. For we are quickly introduced to a trio of bright and care-free women named Amélie, Bintou and Morjana and they are eager to spend their days just hanging out with their friends and creating beautiful art with their spray paint cans. Which makes it seem as though this story is going to revolve around a loss of innocence and the horrors of man, when Amélie is nearly assaulted by an ex-boyfriend. But her desire to exact revenge from afar by invoking the spirit of an ancient demon named Aicha Kandisha, changes the tone of this story in a prompt manner. For the power of this demon stretches far and wide and her bloodlust is insatiable and now that she has accepted an invitation to return to this world, it will take incredible effort on Amélie’s part to put this monster back in the dimension to which she belongs.

Yet while that plot is indeed engrossing and intriguing since it revolves around an urban legend that most of us know nothing about, you’re likely still wondering… how does this relate to false truths and all the problems that stem from that? And as it turns out… our trio’s desire to basically believe in little outside of their art and isolate themselves from the world, is a wonderful way to explore that root cause. Because it speaks to the fact that ignorance is what truly helps people to be pulled into false narratives that are appealing in nature, since it satisfies something primal within and had Amélie bothered to research facts and trust in that over anything else, then perhaps things wouldn’t go the route they do in this tale and a great deal of people would have survived. Which is, a supremely simple way to explore the root cause of this problem and how to combat it, but sometimes the simple route is the way to go, and that lesson is one that definitely gives the viewer pause since it leaves one to wonder how on earth, we can implement that in the real world.
 
But sadly, the film offers little in the way of solutions there and that’s okay. Because horror doesn’t necessarily have to fix the problem, it just needs to point out the trouble it can cause and keep us aware of it whilst scaring the living hell out of us and this movie accomplishes that feat as well. Because Kandisha is quite frankly, a horrifying monster, one that evolves into a waking nightmare as the story continues along and she really cannot get enough when it comes to murder and mayhem and that leads to some truly disturbing sequences. Which prey upon our fears of the dark and the shadows we think we see moving through it and of course, her hunger for blood leads to some supremely gory sequences, the kind that offer up an outright anatomy lesson since they hold nothing back to the viewer and well, in the end, the quality horror elements present here and the fascinating commentary… make this a delightful horror film when all is said and done.

Simply because this one takes you on an outright journey, one that keeps you guessing as you try to figure out its themes and concepts before it evolves into a freight train of terror. One that never lets up as Kandisha works to indulge in her bloodlust and well, that really is a refreshing combination storytelling wise since it allows for us to care about the characters and root for them to escape this monster’s clutches before this whole mess gets out of hand. So, if you’re looking for a dynamic horror film, one that works hard to offer up a different kind of ‘evil unleashed’ tale, all while offering the viewer the commentary we adore and the gore that we crave… then swing by Shudder when you get a chance and give this unique and incredibly original horror film a look.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Old’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that life can be quite the confusing venture. Because despite being taught when we are young, to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world that surrounds us and that leading a good and fulfilling life will help us to find direction and peace, and the meaning of life… once we get out into the world, those lessons fade from our minds since we quickly find ourselves in the midst of quite the fight. For the world can be quite the angry and desolate place at times, one that offers no mercy to those down on their luck and it will force us to go to the extra mile to find what we want, and while that fight alone is enough to confuse a person as to how to uncover the meaning of their existence or find peace, the world still has more curveballs to throw our way.
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For at times, the chaos that the universe shares with everyone, will seemingly rob us of our dreams or delay us from achieving them and to complicate matters further… it also seems eager to change the standings of the important relationships we cherish, and it will even go so far… as to steal the lives away of those we love. And when we look at life in such a black and white and objective manner, it makes our existence not only seem confusing and nonsensical… but also meaningless. As though it is a collection of events that offer nothing. But the fact of the matter, is that life is indeed as beautiful as our parents once taught us and it does have meaning and offers a great deal of fulfillment. Provided of course we examine an angle of our existence that we don’t think about all that often and it just so happens that writer/director M. Night Shyamalan takes the time to explore just that, in his latest horror offering… Old.

Now in this particular film, we are transported to a paradise like resort to spend a little time with a family that is in crisis. For Prisca has recently received an unsettling diagnosis about her health, and she’s of the belief that this will be her last outing with her beloved husband and children, so it is best she makes the most of it before her health declines. But a surprise invitation to enjoy the wonder of a supremely secluded beach is going to ruin her plans. For this island is host to a strange conflux of scientific surprises, the kind where this beach is able to accelerate the age of anyone who sets foot upon it and now it will be a race against time to escape this beach before it robs everyone of their lives… well before they were supposed to end.

Which is a plot that at first glance seems grounded more so in the chaos we discussed instead of offering up meaning and well… as it turns out, that’s all part of the plan. Because in order to find the meaning in question, we need to see the chaos in the raw and boy is there plenty of it here. Because watching these good people age before our eyes and see their worst fears about growing old be realized as their bodies begin to fail them, makes for some terrifying and engrossing moments. The kind that genuinely put the horrors and chaos of life on display and this outright robs us of hope in the process. Because there is no escape for the people of this beach and death is looming and just when it seems as though this movie is going to break the audience in the same manner that it is breaking the characters, well that is when the more positive commentary comes into play.
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For it becomes evident in the third act, that the meaning of life isn’t necessarily revealed by our career choices or money or the other elements we think add that depth. No instead, this movie postulates that the meaning of life… is found in the moment. Something we simply don’t think about all that often because we are focused heavily on tomorrow and what comes next. But if we just… sat down and reflected upon where we are at right now and what’s happening to us in the moment, we will find some powerful meaning. For we will realize that in that exact second… we have exactly what we want and nothing else will matter but what’s right in front of us, and that is a profound way to inject a message into a horror film. Largely because horror tends to teach us things by way of a warning. So going this more positive and optimistic route, makes this quite the unique film for certain.

One that speaks to the fact that M. Night Shyamalan has grown significantly as a filmmaker. For everything here feels intimate in nature and the story and its underlying message is the priority here for Mr. Shyamalan over the twists, and going that route, allows for the multiple surprises in this story to feel organic in nature instead of feeling forced. In fact, as an added bonus, offering up the twists in  a subtle manner, actually adds depth to one in particular, since it speaks volumes to how we fear death and how we will go to great lengths to cheat it and well, in the end, all of these elements make this a worthwhile and fulfilling watch for certain. Simply because this is a motion picture that stays with you long after it has come to end, thanks to the fact that it takes the time to teach us… that the chaos that surrounds us in this life isn’t designed to bring us down or harm us, but to genuinely teach us to appreciate the now and everything it has to offer.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to keep to yourself when you live in a small community, but it does come at a price. You get to hear what everyone in town thinks you are doing, when nobody has the faintest idea, which can be good, but if you need someone to take over what you are really doing, well, it may be difficult to find that person. The recluse type of lifestyle is not for everyone, as I tried it once and while I enjoyed it for a short time, it did not do anything to help with maintaining my friendships. Figuring out what is best for you is the only way you will know what it takes to make yourself happy, just make sure to weigh out all of your options before getting set on one.
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Fossil Ridge has started to run into a little bit of a problem over the past couple of weeks. With three people going missing, cattle being eaten and pets going missing as well, there is something strange happening. Getting a call from Agent Atwood to come and check out a body, Agents Logan and O’Reilly are a bit curious about what kind of creature could have done such a thing. Heading back to the town to get some rest and food, Logan gets a call saying that the DNA testing that has been done is showing that the creature responsible was a Raptor, that went extinct over 65-million years ago. Knowing that there must be a mix up, the testing continues, and the two agents try to get adjusted to small town living.

Being late for work, Abbi gets a call from her boss demanding that she wear the skimpy outfit that he has purchased her. With little to say on the subject since she still owes the old man money for the beat-up truck that she got from him, she makes her way down. The small town likes to hoot and holler at the young woman and with little she can do about it, she just puts it out of her mind. With a plan to get out of town at some point, she has no idea what the driving force will be when it comes to that until later on that evening.  

​Wanting to go skiing, Lucas has pressured his friend Sheldon to come along for the weekend. Not being able to say no to Lucas, Sheldon is forced to pick up the tab on everything once again and with their friend Man Beast along for the ride, it might get a little expensive. As Lucas turns over the driving duties to Sheldon, they see that the car has run out of gas and are forced to push the car to the next station. Winding up outside of the only gas station at Fossil Ridge, the three men are shocked to hear that the station is out of gas. With only one option to possibly get out of the town that night, Sheldon is able to ask Abbi to help out so they can speak with Dr. Cane, who is the only man in town that has any fuel, but little does he know what the good doctor is doing that night, or any other night in the small town.
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Arriving at Raptor Ranch and seeing that Dr. Cane is in trouble, Abbi tries to help her old friend. Getting him into the house while her three strangers in tow try to fix the power issue going on, she is shocked to hear screeches coming from outside. As the electric fences fail at the ranch, Raptors are released and they are looking for food, dead or alive. Not knowing what they can do, the group makes their way back to town, but that is not good for anyone as they are being tracked by the fiercest hunters the world has ever known. Needing to come up with a plan to rid themselves of the beasts, the group quickly finds out that they are not the only ones who are having a power struggle, as the dinosaurs are going after each other as well. But quickly finding out that watching and waiting for them to kill each other off is not an option, they must find another way to make it to safety, along with killing the Raptors before anyone else becomes their victims.

Who does not like a fun dinosaur movie where the ancient beasts cannot be stopped? Well, I know I do.  Not really knowing what I was getting into when turning this movie on, I was pleasantly surprised by the group that was assembled for the movie and how they each played into their own role. You seem to know from the get-go who is going to fall victim to the Raptors, and it actually makes it pretty fun when you wonder who is going to go next. I really liked the slasher type kills that took place in this movie, since I have not seen them in a monster movie yet, and that made this film just that much more enjoyable. With plenty of blood, a band of Raptors, a struggling singer, a mad doctor and a town that is ill equipped to take care of the situation on its own, this flick really is a good time. I will say, it made me think about the folks I know who try to be recluses, I might want to ask if they are working on anything that is world altering and if there is a backup plan for when they are gone. Stay Scared. 

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’.
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Action. That’s what every fan of Motherland: Fort Salem was hoping that General Alder was going to take after the end of last week’s harrowing journey. For the Camarilla made their boldest move to date, and nearly toppled the Witch Army’s leadership and nearly ended the Bellweather family line. Moves that by virtue called for retaliation, but alas… it would seem that a full-scale attack simply isn’t in the cards for the general. For the next episode in this series, ‘Brianna’s Favorite Pencil’, saw more inaction from General Alder. The kind where she simply retreated to her quarters and mulled over who knows what, which was equally as unfortunate… when one considers that fact that the Camarilla made another bold move during her brooding.

For this evil organization went right after General Sharma and her attaché in India and were successful in their endeavors since she perished in a horrible manner and yet even then… Alder did little to react other than lament and well, with the top brass essentially out of commission and unwilling to speak to just about anyone, the rest of the army seemed quite lost, as did our favorite cadets as well. For Tally was desperate for answers, Abigail was a shell of her former self after being attacked once again and Raelle’s thoughts once again drifted to Scylla, now that she knew her love was alive and well and out in the world and for a time it seemed that the army was going to do nothing more than drift in this tale and wait for some sign of direction from leadership and that’s when something magical happened.

Because all of these events were transpiring during All Hallows Eve, and as part of the festivities, the group had a chance to take part in an ancient tradition involving the defense of a fire from spirits long gone and if by chance, they were successful in doing so… they would be able to speak with a witch from the past of their choosing as a reward. Which of course, motivated the unit to buckle down and make it happen so they could get answers at last and figure out what comes next with their general in hiding and well… they won, and Abigail and Tally were treated to some powerful surprises. Such as a pep talk from Carvel… one that informed Abigail that she needed to fight instead of lament and Tally, well she got the truth on Alder and trusts her even less now, since she learned that genocide is part of the Army’s agenda. But sadly, not everyone got what they wanted, since Raelle was hoping to speak with the spirit of her mother and received not a peep, since she is unaware of the fact that her mother is still alive.

But while it was nice to see the characters catch their breath and heal their wounds and start to forge their own paths, since it allowed for some growth and world-building to take place, there was some semblance of action that took place in this tale. For Scylla and Anacostia were able to gain entrance to a horrific Camarilla event. One where they planned to sacrifice an innocent young girl that was recently exposed as a witch, to reinforce their commitment to chaos and thankfully… Anacostia and Scylla didn’t let that happen. For they worked to shut off the power at this event in order to use their power and Scylla took full advantage of that. For she went right after the leader of this cell and destroyed him completely, before turning her attention to Shane and well… it is nice to see someone stand up to this ancient enemy since the general seems terrified to do so. 

In the end however, this was simply a fascinating tale. Primarily because it did a wonderful job of giving the audience a moment to catch their breath whilst the story set up the future of the season and boy, is that looking grim for the Witch Army. Because an incompetent leader that loves inaction and brooding, will be viewed poorly by the populace when it becomes public knowledge that the Spree are actually defending American interests. Plus, no good can come of the fact that Alder’s top lieutenants are questioning her leadership and her decisions and well, it will be interesting to see where this story takes us next, now that the once proud and bold Witch Army, is eager to stand by while their enemy thrives with impunity. Until next time.  

There is nothing fun about watching a loved one suffer. Wanting to do anything to see them get better, sometimes nothing can be done and you are just forced to sit and wait with them. This is the hardest thing, to feel helpless, to just wait for the inevitable to take place. While nobody wants to be put in this situation, so many times it cannot be avoided. While some people believe that they would be better off not watching, there is plenty of regret that comes with that, the main one is not being able to say goodbye on your own terms. Take it all in with your loved ones while you still can, because a moment lost is one that will be lost forever.
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Going into the doctor’s office to hear the news on Valerie’s latest test results, sisters Melissa and Valerie are at a loss. As the cancer has moved through Valerie’s body, there is no form of treatment that can be given that will help her survive. Not wanting to believe this on the drive home, Melissa is naming off things that the two can do, but Valerie is ready to throw in the towel and just let it be. But there is something strange on the road with the sisters on this night as the car dies on the side of the road, and they are both shot with a powerful beam of light. Waking up with no idea what happened, Valerie sees that her sister is missing and needs to find out what happened to her only remaining family.

Months have passed and there is still no news on what could have happened to her sister, but Valerie is not willing to give up. But as she continues her search, Valerie does get some incredible news; her cancer has gone into remission. In fact, there is no trace of it in her body any longer, and her body is healing at an exponential rate. Staying focused on the search for her sister by hanging and passing out flyers throughout the city with no avail, Valerie is surprised to see that the officer that is helping her with her case is following her and acting as though he is her protector. With no new leads on what might have happened, the case is going to be closed and while Valerie is not willing to see that happen, she may have no choice. 

Being reminded of what happened months ago and the fact that she woke up twelve hours after the event took place, Valerie changes her search to utilize the internet and finds an author/doctor who deals with missing time. Meeting with Dr. Reed at a book signing, Valerie feels like he might be able to give her some sort of idea what happened to her and her sister. With the promise of answers, Dr. Reed has a compound that he works out of for anyone that wants to join him and since she’s running out of options, Valerie really does not have any other choice. But entering the doors of this place is like entering a maze with no way out and upon meeting the other patients of Dr. Reed, Valerie finds out that she will be in for a life changing event.

An interesting take on alien abductions, with people being made into hosts for something much more than the human race could even imagine. I must admit that I fell for Valerie’s character and the actress that played her in this movie, going from dying to wanting to live life to the fullest, that’s a massive transition that you don’t get in a lot of movies. I am still unsure of the relationship between Valerie and Carter, you see that there is some love and lust between them, but I might have missed what happened in the past. Doctor Reed and his crew were extremely creepy, and I would not want to see them in any other way, as it made you uncomfortable to see what they were doing to their patients, and it only gets worse as the story goes on. With a missing person, a pending love story, the need for closure, the search for the truth and a secret that has been hidden from generations here on Earth. The feeling that we are not alone comes full circle in this movie as you get to see what the real reason is behind alien abductions. Stay Scared.

​As times get harder for everyone, sometimes it is better to just get away for a couple of days. Even if you are not going far, getting away from your job and people can be one of the greatest mental escapes you can take. Every once in a while, it is good to take someone with you, but if you are going away with the person that has made your life difficult, you may end up needing a vacation from your vacation. Knowing how much you are willing to put up with on your time away is a good thing to know, so you are able to gauge how much time it will take until you unleash your feelings on somebody else.

Sophie has just moved to the city to live with her older sister Amber. Getting her a job at the local bar, Amber is very protective of her sibling and will do anything within her power to ensure her safety, even if Sophie does not need it. After Amber causes a bar fight, her boyfriend knows it is the perfect opportunity for them to get away, but not being a rich man, he needs to take Sophie and the other bar maid Bridgette along for the trip as well for a group discount. Amber agrees, and it could be good for her and Sophie to try to bond just a little bit while away from the city, especially without the daily troubles they have to handle when their parent's call.

Arriving at Red Plum Island, Jenner, Amber, Sophie and Bridgette see how small the resort really is and after talking to the owner, they start to understand why.  The island has some history to it and used to be attached to an old military base that was doing all kinds of testing while it was still running. But with the base now closed the former Shark Island has turned into the little resort it is today, and the owner is happy to make sure that the group is well taken care of, but what he does not know is that the old military base has been opened again and there is something vicious in the water that will never die, again.

Dr. Palmer is working on a regeneration serum to give to the troops who are fighting to save the country, but something has backfired. With her tests taking place on sharks, the formula that she has developed kills the host, but reanimates it into a nonstop killing machine. As the zombie shark is swimming around the island, it is biting every other shark it comes in contact with to create its own band of hunters, but with it being so contagious, the sharks can infect the people that they bite as well. Not being able to end this outbreak, Dr. Palmer tries to create a new serum that can kill off the infected but finds out that it only works on healthy tissues and there will be no changing the zombies back. As the group run around the island and see the destruction that the sharks have caused and know that there is no way to escape it, they are joined by Sargent Max Cage who has a plan to put an end to the sharks evil deeds, but will it be able to come together before the entire island becomes infected with the undead?

Talk about putting a zombie twist on a shark attack story and striking gold. From the moment that you see the first ‘dead’ shark washed up on the beach, you start to understand how the disease works. I must admit, I fell in love with the ways the sharks are able to kill people in this movie, along with having the humans assist them with some kills (see 'head blown off by grenade shark'). Very inventive and there's some good characters that you can identify with as the attacks get worse and worse. Not knowing how they will be able to get off of the island when a storm blows in, the group is left on their own, but being at a resort has its benefits since the owner has a stockpile of goodies that may just keep everyone from dying on his watch. Stay Scared.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Call’.
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Something that few of us will openly admit to, willingly, is that we have moments in our past that we are not proud of, and it makes sense as to why we keep those unsavory memories hidden away. For there is an expectation in our modern world, that we carry ourselves in the finest of fashion and avoid trouble and mistakes. Because to do otherwise makes us unsavory somehow… so we keep our secrets close to the chest, to the point where even those we love, don’t know about some of our biggest mistakes or our darkest moments, all to project that sense of perfection and wholesomeness. Which is in fact, a horrible way to handle the past. Because going that route means we tend to bury our secrets in that dark recess of our minds, allowing for it to fester and grow and that can become problematic.
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Because eventually, that kind of darkness can sour our soul and prompt us to act out in ways we never thought possible. Which means that if we ever want true happiness and peace in life, we have to buck the trend and confront our past and the consequences of our actions whether we like it or not. But that is of course, easier said than done. For the past is difficult to confront when it takes root and sometimes, letting go of it is just as terrifying as facing it. Since it becomes an important part of who we are and well, all of this is relevant to discussion today, simply because Shudder is now host to a horror film that focuses heavily on the power of the past and how toxic it can be and that makes The Call, quite the interesting story to say the least. For it is a tale that is also full of misdirection and surprise, as evidenced by its plot.

Because this is a story that plunges us into the heart of a small town in 1987, wherein a young man named Chris is eager for a fresh start because where he hails from is filled with bad memories. And thanks to his introduction to a vivacious young woman named Tonya at his school, it would seem that particular transition is going to be no problem. For she quickly adopts him into her close-knit group of friends, one that includes the enigmatic Brett and his bully of a brother Zack and she’s so eager to make him part of their little gang… that she invites him along for an evening of vengeance one night. For it is widely believed in this town that an old lady named Edith Cranston killed Tonya’s baby sister and got away with it. But unfortunately for the group… this decision to cause a little trouble will come back to haunt them. For Edith ends her life after dealing with these awful accusations once again and while that should bring closure… her untimely end was all part of a grand plan. One that will bring Chris and his new friends face to face with their darkest memories and the spirit world, as Edith works to exact revenge from beyond the grave.

Which is a plot that initially appears to be grounded in notions of revenge and its toxic nature since Edith and the kids are in essence, caught in an endless loop of it, one from which it would seem there is no escape, only endless pain and suffering. But once we begin to see what secrets the kids are keeping in the depths of their hearts… well that’s when this movie takes on quite the different tone. For it quickly transforms itself into a story revolving around the dangers of hanging onto the dark parts of yesterday and what that can do to a person and that leads to some fascinating vignettes. The kind that shows us in great detail how not dealing with the past, can transform a person into a jaded individual that more or less pays anger forward on a consistent basis or how it can morph a person into someone that is fearful and reserved. 
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But where this story truly shines, is when it explores how the skeletons in our closet, the ones we are actually responsible for… can eat at our souls and make us shells of who we are or worse, turn us into a monster that we never thought we would become. As to how exactly all of this plays out, we’ll leave out of this review. Because it is best you experience those bits and pieces firsthand, and it would be rude to spoil all the surprises in what is in fact, a solid horror film. Because outside of the fascinating commentary on the darker side of the human condition, this is also quite the eerie and brooding film. One filled with angry characters and visceral imagery that does indeed leave the viewer uncomfortable and guessing. Because you really don’t see the surprises coming in the slightest and the wonder of this film doesn’t end there.

For this is also a story that features a pair of silver screen legends, since Tobin Bell and Lyn Shaye play Edward and Edith Cranston respectively, and their unique skill set adds a whole new dimension and depth to this horror film and they’re not the only ones to turn in some wonderful performances here. For Chester Rushing and Erin Sanders are dynamic as Chris and Tonya, since their subtle execution of their roles here outright sells their respective journeys in both a believable and surprising manner. So, if you’re in the mood for a solid horror flick, one that offers up some juicy scares and some engrossing mystery, then, swing by Shudder when you have a little time and give The Call a look. Because you can never go wrong with an intelligent horror story that takes the time to remind the viewer that its best, we deal with our demons as soon as possible… before they poison our soul and put us down a dark and unsettling path.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Lisey’s Story’.
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When we're in the midst of the pain that grief and loss send our way, we find ourselves dreaming of one specific and magical day. The day that we wake up in the morning and feel peace in our souls because we've finally overcome our ache, and we're ready to move into the next chapter of our lives with a newfound strength that we've never known. Alas, it takes time and several big steps to get to that point and finally embrace that kind of equilibrium. To finally achieve that sense of calm and inherent motivation to take on the world again, we must conduct one final step in the healing process: We must learn to let go of the one we love and do our best to honor them going forward because there's still a life for us to lead; a life where beautiful moments and new memories await us.

This is precisely what Lisey Landon did in the finale of the AppleTV+ series, Lisey's Story, and it made her closing chapter (one that shares the namesake of this series) in this harrowing saga, both beautiful, satisfying, and at times… downright terrifying. Before Lisey could take the final step on her path to find peace, there was one last problem to deal with: Jim Dooley. When we catch up with Lisey and Jim, they're in the thick of Boo'ya Moon, and they're both aware that only one of them can walk away from this final showdown. Lisey knows that she's going to have to do something drastic to ensure victory for herself because Jim is strong, resourceful, and ruthless, which motivates Lisey to do something supremely dangerous— something that might even ensure that neither of them survives this fight.
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Risking her own life doesn't stop Lisey from making as much noise as possible to bring forth the Long Boy, all in the hope that it might choose to deal with Jim over her. Thankfully, Lisey's gambit pays off, and in a stunning and uncomfortable sequence, Jim Dooley bids his farewell to life in the worst way imaginable— dying at the horrific hands of a giant waking nightmare. Jim Dooley's demise lets Lisey return home victorious and be reunited with her family. As an added bonus, Lisey was able to deal with Jim's remains on her terms— a move that ensured that the police would pay no mind to Jim's end. Once the dust settled from their ugly and final fight, Lisey could finally turn her attention to the last step of healing: The big goodbye to her pain and every link to it. In order to properly let it all go, Lisey had to return to Boo'ya Moon one last time.

Lisey believed that Scott left her one last surprise, and she was correct in that assumption. Buried beneath a tree in this magical place, was Scott's final book: Lisey's Story. A grand novel that spoke to how Lisey was the hero of Scott's story and how she accepted his dark past and a broken man and how that gave him a peace and a love he never thought he would know. Now that Lisey knew every inch of Scott's story—because it was buried within the pages of that heartbreaking novel— she returned to the waters of the strange and confusing Boo'ya Moon to see her beloved one last time before he disappeared into the void beneath the waves. Because Lisey was given the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the man that changed her life in ways she could never imagine, she was able to move on at last.

While this appears to be nothing more than a simple and satisfying ending for Lisey, an ending that's happy and magnificent in every way imaginable, it's the subtle moments in her goodbye to Scott that exemplify how we let go of our pain. Lisey's actions in this moment help teach us that when the time is right, and we're ready to move on, we have to look at our loved one's life in an objective manner. This way, we can view their life as a complete journey filled with ups and down and lessons that made them into someone who inspired us and left us in awe. When we see them in that uplifting manner and realize that their story will live on through us and the stories we will tell about them, then we can finally do as Lisey did in the auditorium— bid them farewell and step back into the light.
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This is an incredible lesson to find embedded within the framework of a scary story that features a creature made of lost souls and a world where madness rules the day, but the message is there, and it's glorious. That message also informs us that this was a different kind of horror story because it took the time to explore a topic that few people want to discuss. Taking that route makes this one of Stephen King's finest stories, period. It takes guts to write a story, and eventually a teleplay, about a topic that's taboo, but King made it happen, and the end result is powerful, visceral, and full of hope. For Lisey's Story truly reminds us that "this too shall pass," and that we never really lose the people we love because we carry them in our hearts. And that, Dear Reader, really is a wonderful way to close out a harrowing story that focuses on our greatest collective fear.

Something that we often forget about when it comes to Hollywood in general, is that it takes a village to create a television show, or a movie and it is understandable as to why that slips our mind. After all, we only see the finished product, and our focus is on the actors and the story and the visuals that play out in front of us. Which absolutely allows for us to forget that someone is holding a boom mike to catch those lines, and someone else is carefully checking the script to make sure the right beats are followed and of course, a bevy of people set up those visuals and quite frankly, conceptualized them long before everyone arrived on set.
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For art direction and design is critical to the success of any visual story and while we tend to forget that while watching, thankfully the folks in the art department eventually get their day in the sun. For there comes a point for a vast majority of popular franchises, where they release wonderful books that spotlight the art design that brought forth some of our favorite moments and it just so happens that The Walking Dead Universe is preparing to spotlight the genesis of its incredible apocalyptic vision. For later this year, The Art of AMC’S The Walking Dead Universe is going to hit the shelves and to get everyone excited for this release, AMC Networks, Skybound Entertainment & Image Comics revealed the cover to this dynamic book and here is a detailed look at that cover and a few details on the book, courtesy of AMC Networks, Skybound Entertainment & Image Comics.

AMC Networks, Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics revealed the historic new cover to The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe from iconic illustrator Brian Rood (Star Wars, Transformers).  This all-new cover marks the first time that the casts of AMC’s three iconic TWD series – The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond – have ever been featured in the same piece of art, and includes the artist’s rendition of over 50 (!) cast members, along with a multitude of terrifying Walkers. 

“We’re thrilled to reveal this monumental painting by Brian Rood, combining all three of The Walking Dead Universe series like never before,” shares Mike Zagari, Head of AMC Networks Publishing. “The image perfectly encapsulates the epic scope of the ever-expanding TWD Universe, and we look forward to sharing more with fans as we approach the book’s launch this fall.” 

Available at comic shops on September 29, and everywhere books are sold on October 5, The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe is an in-depth compilation of behind-the-scenes pre-production and production art from all three of AMC’s iconic The Walking Dead series and will feature never-before-seen original sketches, concept art, storyboards, special product illustrations, and more from the shows inspired by Robert Kirkman’s comic book turned pop-culture phenomenon.  

Marking AMC Networks’ first venture into book publishing, The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe also features an introduction by Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe Scott M. Gimple and fun facts from creators and crew members on all three series.
 
The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe can be pre-ordered now everywhere books are sold, in both print and digital formats.  Plus, fans will soon be able to pre-order an exclusive special variant edition that will be available on Skybound.com and a second exclusive special variant edition that will be available on TWDUshop.com, both in super limited quantities. 

So, as you can see (below), this is simply a breathtaking cover. One that encapsulates the incredible journey that this franchise has taken us upon, and it is definitely safe to assume that the anecdotes and tidbits inside the book… will only impress us further and of course, the art and its haunting beauty and horrifying imagery will take our breath away. And we here at Nerds That Geek, simply cannot wait to get our hands upon this magnificent collection of nightmares when it hits the shelves, later this year.  

​If you had a way to do something great to better the world, would you go for it? There are so many things that have yet to be accomplished in the world these days that nobody seems to want to conquer, but with all of the resources available, it seems like it could be done. Having the motivation to get it done might be the biggest factor as to why people would not want to try since every speed bump you have to go over seems to make it that more difficult. But nothing worth doing is easy, I am pretty sure I heard that somewhere and it stands true, even to this day.

Doctor Susan McCallister is on the verge of a huge medical breakthrough when she is summoned to her financier’s office. She is trying to develop a new drug that could end Alzheimer’s Disease forever using brain fluid from a shark, since the ancient beasts never seem to get sick. Passionately selling her position to the two-member board, Susan is surprised to have an investor coming back to the lab with her to see the progress. Needing to speed up the timetable may not be the best idea, but in order to have continuous funding coming in, Susan has to prove that the new serum actually works.

Arriving at the research station, investor Russell Franklin has his eyes opened to how difficult the world at sea really is as he watches the local shark wrangler pull a license plate out of a hunting shark’s mouth.  Although he does not get a very happy reception, Russell has his notes on everyone employed by the facility and wants to make sure that his thinking is not misguided. The shark wrangler, Carter, seems to have an agenda of his own when Susan returns and is trying to catch her ear for a couple minutes to tell her what he has seen, but she has to blow him off until the final test is complete and she can save her research, along with everyone’s jobs. With the test coming on a weekend, all of the non-essential staff is gone, leaving just the scientists and a couple basic personnel to run the station. With a storm moving in, the visibility starts to diminish, above and below the water.

As Carter swims out to pull in one of the test sharks, something never seen before comes to light, the sharks are hunting in packs and becoming much smarter than anyone could have ever expected. Being able to bag his prey, Carter keeps a close eye on the shark as the testing commences but is not able to move fast enough as the shark wounds a man while everyone is starting to celebrate the successful test. With a storm pounding the station and a man in dire need of a hospital, it seems like the cards are stacked against the research station, but a medivac is able to combat the storm and take the older doctor to safety. 

But all is not good as the winch on the helicopter burns out and the sharks are able to capture a free meal, along with causing a ruckus around their habitat. As the medivac is pulled into the tower, the station gets compromised, and the sharks know that they can take over and hunt their captors. As floods start all over the station, the sharks have free reign over any area that is submerged and take over as the beasts should.  But the surviving crew will not go down without a fight and battle their way to sea level to save themselves, and most importantly, their research.

This movie always leaves me shaking my head and for one reason, the scientists all seem to be so stupid when it comes to basic survival skills. I guess it has to do with the pressure that they are under with their research station sinking and sharks coming after them, but there are some things that seem to be so easy to do that they just can't execute. Enough with the rant, I dig this movie and the entire crew as they seemed to be picked at random to make something magical appear on the screen. I like the aspect of the story that makes the sharks smarter than the humans as well by using genetic testing to increase the size of their brains. It seems like something that would really happen these days with all of the technology we have at our fingertips, but alas, the only shark that matters these days is Left Shark. Happy Viewing and Stay Scared.