Palworld - Pokewho? PS5 Review

Palworld (PS5)

Publisher: PocketPair

Reviewed by Matt (@cleric20) Adcock

Palworld is an absolute blast—a fever-dream mash-up of Pokémon meets Breath of the Wild with a dark, twisted edge that sets it apart from any creature-collector I’ve played before.

I'm a Pokémon fan and so was excited to play a game a pal described as 'Pokémon with guns' and went into this game thinking I’d just get some cool animals to tame, train, and toss into battle, and back them up with some serious firepower. And I wasn't wrong but what I also got was a sprawling, wild world where anything goes. Developed by PocketPair, Palworld is like stepping into an open-world sandbox where survival, strategy, and a little bit of chaos reign supreme.

Ok so the 'Pals'... Imagine Pokémon but with a more bite. These creatures look adorable, sure, but they’re also incredibly useful. They’ll help you fight, gather resources, build structures, even work on farms if that’s your style. The range of abilities is nuts, and it gives you endless ways to use your Pals in every corner of the game. 

This isn’t just a game where you collect cute allies—your Pals are your lifeline, your muscle, and sometimes, your shield against some seriously tough enemies. Each Pal you collect feels like a new tool in your kit, making exploration and survival a non-stop joy.

 
Now, the world itself. Palworld is gorgeous - packing some stunning landscapes, complete with day-night cycles and weather changes that genuinely affect gameplay. Imagine running through fields with your Pals at dawn, only to get caught in a sudden snowstorm in the mountains—this game doesn’t just look great, it pulls you in with its immersive environments. And it’s not just pretty; each area is brimming with resources, hidden treasures, and, of course, wild Pals waiting to be tamed.

Here’s where it gets interesting: Palworld isn’t afraid to go dark. You’ve got the option to set up factory lines, arm your Pals, and basically create your own Pal-powered empire if that’s your thing. It’s weirdly satisfying but also feels like it’s pushing you to think about the impact of your choices. Are you going to be the benevolent tamer who uses Pals gently, or are you going full industrial overlord mode? This moral ambiguity gives Palworld a unique flavour and keeps things unpredictable.

fight!

Combat is where the game absolutely shines. It’s all real-time, and the mix of using your character’s abilities with your Pals’ unique powers makes every fight an adrenaline rush. Whether you’re taking on wild creatures or going up against bigger threats, the battles are fast, intense, and way more strategic than they seem at first glance. Plus, with so many Pals to choose from, you can tailor your team to suit your style—go in guns blazing or plan a stealthy attack with elemental combos. Some of the end game bosses are serious challenges but it's fun working out how to take them down.

 
And multiplayer? An absolute blast. Teaming up with friends to explore, trade Pals, or face off against big bosses adds a whole new layer co-op adventure, each of you bringing your own Pals to the mix, sharing in the highs and lows as you discover the wonders of Palworld.

 
Palworld delivers an addictive, genre-bending sandbox that pulls you in with charm and keeps you with its unpredictable, dark undertones. If you love open-world exploration, if you’re a sucker for creature collecting, and an achievable and fun Platinum trophy too - sign up quick before Nintendo shut it down :)

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö1/2

(4.5 - Great fun game which delivers far more than expected...) 

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

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Matt finds Rosemary's Baby in Apartment 7A (Reviews the trilogy)

Rosemary’s Baby (18)

dir. Roman Polanski

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

Rosemary’s Baby stands as a seminal work in the horror genre, not merely for its suspenseful narrative but for its profound exploration of societal and psychological anxieties.

Dodgy Roman Polanski’s direction meticulously crafts a pervasive atmosphere of unease, using subtle visual cues and disquieting soundscapes to immerse the audience in Rosemary’s growing sense of isolation and vulnerability. He might be a class A wrongun but he sure could make movies…

Mia Farrow delivers an extraordinary performance, her portrayal of Rosemary’s descent into paranoia and helplessness serving as a powerful critique of patriarchal control, bodily autonomy, and the manipulation of women’s reproductive rights. The film deftly blurs the line between supernatural horror and psychological thriller, leaving the audience questioning the nature of reality and complicity. Its enduring relevance can be attributed to this thematic complexity, elevating it beyond a conventional horror narrative to a sophisticated meditation on trust, betrayal, and the sinister forces that can lurk within ordinary lives. The chilling climax lingers long after viewing, a testament to its status as a true cinematic masterpiece of its time.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - Devilishly good stuff!)

Apartment 7A (15)

dir. Natalie Erika James

Making prequel / side-quelles to classic films is a fraught endeavour…

Rosemary’s Baby is rightly considered one of the classic horror films, playing perfectly on the ‘70s Satanic Panic feeling.

Here we have the tale of a character from the first film and her backstory / which is expanded into, even if we know how it will end.

Could this possibly be a decent companion to the OG? I mean for every mildly effective First Omen, there are lots of subpar Exorcist prequels etc…

Apartment 7A has a secret weapon tho, Julia ‘Ozark’ Garner who is superb in this as the ambitious dancer who unwittingly becomes part of a satanist plot.

There are some really excellent shots and frames, the vibe is very much like the original and the plot cracks along.

This might not be remembered as a classic but it sure stands as a decent spooky flick in its own right, and doesn't sully the original!

...unlike the 1976 sequel...

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Cool, confident addition to the Rosemary-verse)

Look What Happened to Rosemary’s Baby (TVM)

dir. Sam O'Steen

Well in the light of the absolute classic original, Director Sam O’Steen (who edited the first film) makes a cash grab and goes full bizarro with the sequel that shrugs off the psychological slow-burn and instead says, “Let’s get weird!” 

The satanic horror of the first film gets 70s TV movie camped up, oddball dream sequences, budget Satanic cult swingers —and a satanic bus straight to hell!?

This is Rosemary’s Baby on a heady dose of 70s psychedelia, and while it’s nowhere near as polished as its predecessor, it’s oddly entertaining.

Patti Duke steps into Rosemary’s shoes this time around as the mom of the Antichrist Adrian but is no Mia Farrow. There is some charm in the unapologetically campy atmosphere though - it’s like Rosemary’s Baby went to a 70s costume party and stayed just a bit too long. What makes it fun— is that it isn’t afraid to get strange and have a good time with its premise. So sit back, enjoy the Satanic weirdness, just don’t expect it to make much sense!

It even sets up a possible second sequel but I think I’d rather see an Omen cross-over where Damien cage fights Adrian for the title of Antichrist champion!!

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öö1/2

(2.5 - Worth a look but don't get your hopes up!)

Read my day-to-day film-watching review over here: https://letterboxd.com/Cleric20/

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of the COMPLETE DARKNESS audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

Double Starfolk review Falling and Rising

Starfolk Falling and Starfolk Rising

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

I reviewed and enjoyed Martha Dunlop's Starfolk Arcana (here) and now have finally got around to finishing the trilogy - so here are my thoughts on the breathtaking close with Starfolk Falling and Starfolk Rising, two novels that form an emotionally charged conclusion. 

Together, these final instalments not only deepen the mythology of the Starfolk but also deliver a powerful exploration of love, fate, and the timeless struggle between light and darkness.

Starfolk Falling sets the stage for the grand conclusion by plunging Beth and Jonan deeper into their mystical origins and psychic powers. Their connection—an unbreakable bond forged over lifetimes—is tested more than ever as they face increasingly dangerous supernatural forces. Beth, now more attuned to her psychic abilities, begins to embrace the power she holds, while Jonan confronts his past lives and the true cost of his choices. The novel masterfully builds suspense, creating a heart-stopping crescendo of tension and danger. Amelia, their relentless antagonist, continues to weave her dark influence, but in Starfolk Falling, Dunlop adds complexity to her character, making her a more nuanced and fascinating adversary. Amelia’s quest for power over Jonan is revealed to be rooted in deep emotional scars, adding a layer of tragedy to her character that makes her both fearsome and pitiable.

Dunlop’s writing shines as she balances these supernatural conflicts with the very human emotions driving them. Every magical encounter is imbued with emotional weight, drawing readers into a world where love and power are inextricably linked. The pacing of Starfolk Falling is taut and deliberate, steadily building toward the final act of the trilogy. It’s a novel that immerses readers in a world where the stakes continue to rise with every chapter, leading to a dramatic and emotionally charged cliffhanger that sets the scene perfectly for Starfolk Rising.

Starfolk Rising, the concluding chapter of the trilogy, takes all the threads of the previous books and weaves them into a grand tapestry of resolution, revelation, and transformation. This novel is not only about the love between Beth and Jonan but also the cosmic forces that have shaped their destinies. As their story reaches its climax, Dunlop takes readers on a journey that is both epic in scale and deeply personal.

Beth’s transformation into a fully realised psychic force is one of the novel’s key triumphs. Her character, who started the series as a woman discovering her abilities, now stands in her full power, confronting both her internal struggles and the external threats to her love and life. Jonan, too, faces his ultimate reckoning, as he battles not only the forces that seek to destroy his connection to Beth but also the echoes of his many past lives. Their relationship, built on centuries of longing and loss, is a beacon of hope amid the chaos, yet it is also fragile, and Dunlop doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of their bond.

Amelia, who has been a shadowy antagonist throughout the trilogy, comes into her own in Starfolk Rising. Dunlop brilliantly fleshes out her character, making her more than a simple villain. Her motivations are rooted in a deep emotional history, making her a tragic and relatable figure despite her dark actions. This complexity adds emotional weight to the final showdown between her and the lovers, as readers come to understand the depth of her obsession and pain.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - It's love, it's magic...) 

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

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Matt has a Reawakening (review)

Reawakening

Alethea Lyons (@AletheaRLyons)  

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

“I knew those Holy Water-filled bolts would come in handy.” Grace cheerfully patted her crossbow. She reached down a hand and tugged Harper to her feet.

“This will be an interesting one for Saqib to investigate...” 

Prepared to be captivated by Alethea Lyons and her collection of short stories 'Reawakening' which fits nicely between two of Lyons' previous works, The Hiding and The Somnia. 

Each story in this anthology pulses with a wonderful magical allure and eerie ambiance - Lyons writes with a lovely style and creates an excellent, imaginative world into which to escape for a while.

The stories range from the unsettlingly creepy to the fantastically strange, starting strong with "The Cleansing," where a blood moon illuminates York’s ancient streets, revealing hidden supernatural threats. Lyons effortlessly weaves mythological creatures, religious figures, and urban legends into a dark and compelling narrative. Her vivid descriptions make the haunting streets of York feel as tangible as the shadows lurking in its corners.

Another standout is "Never Alone Again," which blends themes of friendship, possession, and spiritual redemption in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. 

Lyons' knack for depicting strong, flawed characters shines through, especially as Harper, Grace, and Saqib confront malevolent forces in stories like “What’s Eating the Cows?” and "Going Around in Circles." These tales are not only entertaining but also thoughtful, exploring themes of loyalty, the burden of duty, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

One of the most engaging aspects of Reawakening is Lyons' ability to make supernatural encounters feel grounded in the everyday. Characters like Harper and Grace live in a world where the extraordinary is a matter of fact, and yet Lyons' portrayal of their personal struggles gives the book a refreshing emotional depth. Whether battling faeries, demons, or haunted spirits, these protagonists feel human, flawed, and real.

Alethea Lyons’ writing remains sharp and evocative, with each short story unveiling layers of world-building and character development that reward both new readers and long-time fans. The seamless integration of mythology, religion, and the supernatural continues to be a hallmark of her style, and Reawakening offers plenty of moments that are as thought-provoking as they are spine-chilling.
In summary, Reawakening is a must-read for anyone who enjoys immersive, well-crafted supernatural fiction. Lyons’ prose is elegant, her characters are compelling, and her stories leave you eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this magical world.

So who is Alethea Lyons?

Writing various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science- fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. Many of her works take place at the intersection between technology and magic. She enjoys writing stories with subtle political and philosophical messages, but primarily wants her stories to be great tales with characters readers will love. She also has soft spots for found family, hopeless romances, and non-human characters. 

Her short stories can be found in a variety of publications and links for these are on her website. Alethea lives in Manchester, UK with her husband, little Sprite, a cacophony of stringed instruments, and more tea than she can drink in a lifetime. 

Bonus content for The Hiding & other works can be found on her website: https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories/seerofyork  

Social media: https://linktr.ee/alethearlyons 

Website: https://alethealyons.wixsite.com/stories

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - pulses with wonderful magical allure & eerie ambiance) 

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

Matt faces A Cat's Judgement (review)

A Cat's Judgement

Suzanne Stephenson

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

"There was a brief scrabbling sound and he quickly reappeared with a mouse between his jaws. “You are so good,” she said as he disappeared up the corridor with his tail erect. “Tomorrow, I will bring you a reward.” Nick hardly noticed the lack of his feline friend as he had the return day of a Family Law Act injunction after having waded his way through mountains of family financial boxwork..."

Do you love cats? I do and so when I heard that Suzanna Stephenson had written a crime-procedure-em-up that featured a cat I was curious enough to want to review it. Meet Mr Perkins - the feline star of this tale who shows up and impacts the lives of those around him. 

How this black cat can make such a difference is anyone’s guess, but he does!? Suzanne not only writes this but also drew some lovely illustrations too!

Cats don't always get good press, although the ancient Egyptians had a cat 'god' Bastet. Sure in Medieval times cats were often associated with Satan and black magic, but Queen Victoria who was a keeper of cats, and the writer Mark Twain did much to restore the reputation of cats. 

There have been several cats who have lived at the seat of government, namely in Downing Street, London. Who is to say a cat could not bring his or her beneficial influence to bear on the judicial system. So here we are with Mr Perkins doing his thing in lives of the people in the courthouse and a nearby bed and breakfast... Who will survive - and what will be left of them? Just kidding - it's not a horror!!

Whether it is pet rescue, support dogs, or help with British Sign Language, this black cat is . Following Mr Perkins’ appearance in the lives of judges, litigants and court staff, the local vet and the people in the B&B, all seem to benefit from the strange cat with the bright yellow eyes. After touching base with Mr Perkins judgements are improved inside and out of the courtroom. 

I found the highly detailed writing style took a little getting used up but the concept of a cat having an impact on the British justice system was strong enough to carry it through and I found myself enjoying this slightly odd tale.

Is this cat some stray moggy, or is there a little bit of stardust on his paws? 

cat loving Suzanne

About the author 

Living in the English countryside I already had a couple of careers before I became an author. Having been a Family Lawyer and Family Mediator I became a District Judge in the year 2000 and officially retired from judging in early 2021.Sitting on complex family cases did not leave me much time for my interests of writing and sketching but when I had free-time I tried to visit interesting places .I hope my ancestors helped provide some inspiration as well. My father was a Holocaust survivor and my maternal grandfather a gynaecologist and composer. The people and countryside of Eastern England also are embedded in my psyche . 

Buy your copy of Mr Perkins here: https://amzn.eu/d/0hJa1Pp8 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(4 - A charming tale - not a cat-astrophe!) 

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to hear a FREE 5 mins sample of my audiobook which is becoming a graphic novel too)...

Complete Darkness - now an audiobook

 

Complete Darkness - Audiobook

Matt Adcock

"Audible version of this awesome book does not disappoint! The original grit and charm of the novel are captured in this excellent audio production. Narration is clear and concise with Nick also distinguishing voices of the different characters which helps to follow the storyline. I also love how the footnotes are presented. Inline with the overall vibe of the book and also help the listener to easily identify when they are listening to a footnote rather than main storyline." Audible listener

It's been almost five years since I found a publisher for Complete Darkness - and it's been a fantastic, fun ride ever since Burton Mayers Books signed me up. The launch event in Kings Cross where we had a satanist and a vicar discuss 'Hell' was just the sort of event I'd buy tickets for even if I wasn't the one putting it on!?

We sold 35 tickets, drank wine and played a wide game where those who came dashed madly around the pub (and the station) trying to find a member of the public who a. believed in an actual Hell and b. would come and explain why to the wine sippin book launch attendees.

It got written up in a national weekly newspaper (who made the book their paperback of the week - see below) and certainly helped add to the novel's sales.

Then during lockdown, an artist read the novel and we decided to see if we could turn it into a graphic novel - one chapter/comic at a time. At the time of writing, we are three issues in and it's going well!?

Now in 2024 the novel has finally made the jump to audiobook. I worked with ACX who have an intuitive interface which made the process easy. I put up a sample script, had 40 actors apply with their audition readings and with the help of my pal Simon Middleditch picked who we thought read it best.

Nick Cracknell was the 'chosen one' - he's a pro and his take on the novel really stood out as this early reviewer notes:

"My favourite book now in audio form! I’ve loved this book and I’m so pleased it’s now available on audiobook. It’s superbly narrated throughout and they’ve integrated the footnotes effortlessly. Listening this way has opened up the story for me in whole new ways. Go get it and listen!!" 

Audible listener

What I didn't know was whether there would be an audio market for a 5-year-old quirky sci-fi that identifies as cyberpunk... Well day one sales showed that there does indeed seem to be!? After 12 hours on sale, the audiobook had shot to top of this Amazon Best Seller chart and the next day began moving units not just on Audible but Apple Books too.

Day One Chart Topper

Best Seller Flag!

How the Apple Books Store Looks

So where do we go from here? Well it will be interesting to see how sales work out over the first year and it's certainly made we think about working with Nick again for future projects.

If you're Audiobook-curious - you can get a free five minutes of the prologue by clicking the banner below (or sign up for a free three-month trial and nab the whole book for nothing)...

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to find out in my dark sci-fi novel 

(now an audiobook and becoming a graphic novel too)...

Conditions Are Different After Dark - Matt Moves to the Folkish Country

Conditions Are Different After Dark

Owen W Knight (@OwenKnightUK)

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@cleric20)

"James and Faith sprung upright in bed as glass from the bedroom window crashed onto the sill and oak floor. 'What was that?' Faith cried. 'Someone's breaking in.' James rushed to the window. awake and alert in an instant from the shock. In the half moonlight, he saw a figure, wearing what looked to be a hooded cloak running away towards the far end of the garden and woods."

Come to the country they said. It will be peaceful and good for the soul. It's definitely not going to end up in a folk horror scenario either... Or will it!?

Conditions are Different After Dark is the new thriller from Owen W Knight (he of the excellent Another Life and The Visitors novels). And I'm delighted to say that Conditions is his best yet!!

If you're a fan of folky oddness with a darker tinge, such as The Wicker Man film(s), Midsommer, The Lord of Misrule et al, then you're absolutely in the right place... This is the tale of James and Faith, city slickers who move to a quaint country village in order to slow down and potentially raise a family.

Here is the official blurb: 

In 1660, a man is wrongly executed for signing the death warrant of Charles I. While awaiting execution, he asks to speak with a priest, to whom he declares a curse on the village that betrayed him. The priest responds with a counter-curse, leaving just one option to nullify it. Over four centuries later, Faith and James move to the country to start a new life and a family. They learn that their village lives under the curse uttered by the hanged man. Could their arrival be connected? 

Faith and James fear that their choice of a new home is no coincidence. Unexplained events hint at threats or warnings to leave, including the slaughter of their hens, an attic break-in and other menacing incidents. They become convinced the village continues to live under the curse despite denials from their new friends. Who can they trust, and who are potential enemies?

'the mind behind the fable'

Owen writes with a deliberate style, the book is very much dialogue driven and a key plot point is how the two leads don't communicate with each other very well... Slight trigger warning for anyone of a very sensitive disposition but as a horror aficionado, the is nothing here too gruesome, in fact, I'd have liked more - but then I'm a very sick minded person :)

Hopefully, you'll know by now if this is potentially your cup of tea. I recommend it and will put it into my very select pile of 'books I will probably read again!'

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - Another winner from Knight, his best yet!) 

BUY YOUR COPY OF CONDITIONS ARE DIFFERENT AFTER DARK HERE

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to find out in my dark sci-fi novel 

(now an audiobook and becoming a graphic novel too)...

The PSYCHO Films (reviews)

 We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes...

The PSYCHO films

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

"They're probably watching me. Well, let them. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I'm not even going to swat that fly. I hope they are watching... they'll see. They'll see and they'll know..."

The Psycho films have a special place in the pantheon of horror films - Hitchcock started a whole new breed of 'mental illness as a danger to society' genre - and he did it with such power and style that it became an icon. 

Several sequels of varying quality followed plus an infamous 'shot-for-shot' colour remake in '98. There is even a lesser-known, and highly quirky '87 TV movie featuring Jason Bateman that was supposed to kick off a Bates Motel series way before the excellent Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore series redefined the early years of Norman Bate's life.

As is often the case - my ranking of these might differ to the 'accepted' version - for me, a film can be rated highly for many things not just the 'craft' with which it is made... So read on if you dare as I explain my feelings for each of the Psycho films to date:

Psycho IV: The Beginning 

Directed by Mick 'Critters 2' Garris

Psycho IV hit in 1990, it was very much a TV movie and the quality was lacking. It does have Anthony Perkins reprise his role as Norman Bates for one final time (he died two years after this movie was released). It's an hour and a half mostly filled with Norman calling in and dumping his psychological baggage to a seedy late-night radio show - will it help?

There are some fun flashbacks to Norman's childhood and teenage years, young Norman (played by Henry Thomas) tries and fails to please his overbearing mother, Norma (Olivia Hussey). Norman himself has moved on and married but can he outrun his demons? Bates grapples with his unsettling feelings for his mother and considers a career change into stabbing young women to get his manhood back...

It's fine, but nothing special.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öö1/2

(2.5 - Worth a watch for die-hard psycho fans )

Bates Motel (1987) 

Directed by Richard 'writer of Universal Soldier' Rothstein

Before Freddie Highmore, there was Bud Cort (HEAT) who stars not as Norman but as Alex West, a young man who had the pleasure of being locked up in the same asylum as Norman Bates, who becomes a sort of father figure to him. What could possibly go wrong after Alex is released and left Bates Motel. 

But the motel isn't empty... Squatting there is Willie (a pre Tank Girl Lori 'Point Break' Petty) and maybe also the ghost of dear old Norma Bates!?

It all gets a bit Scooby Doo as things go bump in the night and there is a literal double unmasking scene at the end. But there is lots to enjoy here if you like quirk, and can handle the less-than-stellar production values.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(3 - Weirdly fun '90s oddity )

Psycho III  

Directed by Anthony 'Lucky Stiff' Perkins

Strap in folks - here's a massive fun '80s horror movie which has Perkins pulling double duty as both director and star. Additionally, Diana Scarwid (Rumble Fish) steals the whole movie as a literal 'nun on the run' and the cast is stacked with quality bit players.

Written by Charles Edward Pogue (of the excellent The Fly remake fame) and boosted by some pumping synth murder music Psycho III to many fans is the peak of everything the Psycho franchise strives for. It's certainly a really good time, it's nasty enough, but has goofy bits, it's sweaty too but also not as predictable as some of this franchise. 

Can Norman have a love interest and not end up carving her? It's compelling to find out...

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööö1/2

(3.5 - Decent 3-quel that is definitely worth a look  )

Psycho II

Directed by Richard 'Road Games' Franklin

Psycho II, one of the few films that has unnerved me - I was 12 when this came out in '83 and I saw it unsupervised late one night with a mate. Ooooo baby - this has everything you could want from a sequel to a classic. It got the green light when Hitchcock's estate allowed Universal to continue the Psycho franchise. 

Perkins returns and totally nails his Norman Bates after a 22-year hiatus along with original cast member Vera Miles. This movie was the start of my Meg Tilly infatuation - cemented by Masquerade in '88.

So Bates Motel stumbles back into life after Norman is deemed fit to leave the institution but the local populace aren't convinced that he's all there. When Mary (Tilly) befriends him, you can almost feel his madness pulsing in his mind but maybe, just maybe it IS all in his mind?

When very real dead people start being found around the Motel Norman's grip on reality begins to slip and it makes brilliant viewing! Psycho II is well served because it keeps you guessing and presents some sympathetic elements to Norman - so he pretty much becomes a 'horror hero' here. 

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - Top psycho-em-up sequel stuff!  )

Psycho (1998) 

Directed by Gus 'Good Will Hunting' Van Sant

Ah, the Psycho film that people love to hate... I count myself as one of the very few folks out there who love Gus Van Sant's shot-for-shot 1998 remake of Psycho. It flips some of the vibes of the original which some have knocked for having Perkins as a queer baddie - by having the wonderful gay rights trailblazer Anne Heche play the errant wife on the run, who makes the mistake of stopping over at the Bates Motel run by Norman (a genius bit of against type cast in Vince 'Swingers' Vaughn). 

Also different this time round is that it's in colour, and has the awesome supporting cast of Julianne Moore, Viggo Mortensen, William H. Macy, and Philip Baker Hall. The film looks beautiful and sounds great too with Danny Elfman reworking Bernard Herrmann's original score. 

Psycho '98 is fun to watch, and for me is the most re-watchable of all the Psycho films. The cast put their own spin on their readings of the characters, with more room for fun and because they keep most of Stefano's original script - it allows you to appreciate just how good it is.

Hate on it if you want but I urge you to give it another shot. Is it necessary? Not at all. Is it a campy slice of horror excellence - oh yes!!

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - One of my all-time fav remakes!  )

Psycho (1960) 

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Just pretty much a perfect film. Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho was picked by the American Film Institute as the most suspenseful film ever made. Variety recently named it the best movie in the history of all cinema. 

Almost 65 years old, and it holds up as a masterful viewing experience now, as much as it ever did. Hitchcock must have known that he was channelling magic when he created the uberly iconic shower scene. But Psycho has it all - a  Gothic haunted house, THAT staircase, THAT silhouette, THAT knife, THAT screeching Bernard Hermann score. 

If you've never been a fan of black-and-white movies, this is the one that could change your mind. It's tense. It's frightening. And Norman Bates is an icon. 

STUNNING STUFF...

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

ööööö

(5 - The grandaddy of horror, epic and wonderful!! )

>>> Imagine a world where the earth is becoming hell?

Click banner below to find out in my dark sci-fi novel 

(now becoming a comic too)...

Matt is Scarred... Review

Scarred 

 

Jon Richter (@richterwrites) 

 

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@cleric20)

 

‘The sword laughed as it slid into his belly, its blade strangely cold, as though he had impaled himself on an icicle. He closed his eyes as he felt his stomach open, blood and bile and the vitriol of years suddenly dispersed, like the opening of some monstrous release valve…’

 

You are not ready for this.

 

Forget your standard Fantasy novels – old master Richter who has delivered superb, crime, horror and cyberpunk books, now rewrites the rules, subverts and expands the fantasy genre. And he does it in fine style!

 

As Hugh Hefner once said: ‘one guy, through living out his own fantasies, is living out the fantasies of so many others’ – and I think that may well be appropriate for Scarred as there is an infectious joy of the subject covered bursting from the pages of this new novel.

 

I won’t trouble you with the plot too much, all you really need to know is that it’s a kind of quest tale, we follow lowly young serving girl Freya (who has the titular ‘scar’ on her face). If you’re a fantasy book fan then you can have a fun side game of fantasy world cliché bingo as the Richter delivers them in spades but due to his excellence with the craft, he manages to make even trolls and knights feel fresh again.

 

There’s much to enjoy here and its one of the few books that will make its way into my ‘reread at some point’ pile – I can’t give it much higher praise than that!

 

My advice is to do whatever you need to in order to get yourself a copy of Scarred, find a cozy nook and maybe a quality glass of wine and settle in to have your heart and soul transported into a weird but wonderful new kind of Oz.

It's been said already that this evokes classic quest sagas such as The Wizard of Oz and Stephen King's Dark Tower series, with a dash of Kazuo Ichiguro's The Buried Giant and Hugh Howey's Wool, Scarred balances stirring prose with a fast-paced and gripping narrative - and I can't argue...

Want to know more about rascally deviant Jon Richter? keep reading:

He is the writer of dark fiction, and is the author of four crime thrillers (Chains, Rabbit Hole, Never Rest and Deadly Burial) as well as three collections of short horror fiction (Jon Richter's Disturbing Works: Volumes One and Two, and his latest release DARK FICTION), cyberpunk thriller Auxiliary, and psychological techno-thriller The

Warden.

Jon lives in London and loves immersing himself in all things dark and sinister, whether they're books, films, video games or even board games – any way to tell a great story!

If you want to chat to him about this, or about anything at all, you can find him on Instagram @jonrichterwrites; he’d also love it if you would check out his website at www.jon-richter.com.

 

I have the privilege of being Jon’s co-host on the cyberpunk podcast ‘Hosts In The Shell’ and was fully prepared to give him a hard time if Scarred had been weak but I’ll not get to rib him on air because he’s flippin smashed it! Enjoy…

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(5 - Richter is has made the Fantasy Genre his gimp at first attempt!) 

BUY SCARRED HERE

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This review was part of the excellent Zooloo Book Tours