DARKMATTERS - The Mind of Matt

You met me at a very strange time in my life...

Read my novel: Complete Darkness

TREAT yourself to the audiobook version: DARKNESS AUDIOBOOK
Listen to the PODCAST I co-host: Hosts in the Shell

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Top books 2024

Matt Adcock's Top 5 Books 2024

By Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)


Page Turners 

Pat Mills

Mills is a big believer in Muses – and the way he explains the way they work, prompt and interact with writers and creators, I think I’m in agreement (and will be actively courting mine!)… 

There is so much good stuff here, from actual scripts reproduced with his notes and the thinking process behind them, through to how to best submit your written work and to who.

My review and interview with Pat: PAGE TURNERS

Scarred

Jon Richter

‘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!


My review: SCARRED 



Starfolk Rising


Martha Dunlop


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 but also the cosmic forces that have shaped destinies. As the story reaches its climax, Dunlop takes readers on a journey that is both epic in scale and deeply personal.


Read my review here: STARFOLK RISING


Conditions are Different After Dark

Owen W Knight

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!!


Reawakening

Alethea Lyons

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.

My review here: REAWAKENING





>>> 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)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775






Reanimation Ltd PC review


Reanimation Ltd – A Darkly Humorous Descent into Office Horror

Created by Jon ‘Hosts in the Shell’ Richter (X @Richterwrites)


By Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)


Ever wondered what would happen if the monotony of corporate life collided head-on with a full-blown monster apocalypse? Enter Reanimation Ltd, a comedy horror RPG that fuses the quirky charm of Undertale with the satirical bite of The Office.


You step into the shoes of Eddie, a beleaguered office drone whose passion for life has been sapped by the daily grind. Just when he’s bracing for another soul-crushing day at work, chaos erupts as monstrous entities overrun the office. It’s up to Eddie to rally his eccentric colleagues, solve mind-bending puzzles, and confront the horrors that have turned his workplace into a nightmare.



Richter has crafted something cool here with RPG Maker, and Reanimation Ltdoffers a nostalgic pixel art aesthetic that belies its intricate gameplay. Players navigate an open world teeming with bizarre side quests, formidable creatures, and a host of peculiar characters. The game introduces an addictive in-game card game, reminiscent of Triple Triad, providing a delightful diversion from the main narrative.


Combat is turn-based, demanding strategic thinking as you manage your party’s unique abilities to overcome a variety of enemies, including a particularly obstinate printer that serves as a memorable mini-boss. The puzzles are cleverly designed, striking a balance between challenge and accessibility, ensuring players remain engaged without unnecessary frustration.



Where Reanimation Ltd truly excels is in its writing. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and laced with dark humour that skewers corporate culture while embracing the absurdity of the supernatural scenario. The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own quirks and backstories that enrich the narrative and provide a satirical lens on office dynamics.


The pixel art style is charming, with detailed environments that capture the sterile ambience of an office juxtaposed against the grotesque invasion of otherworldly horrors. The soundtrack complements the gameplay perfectly, featuring eerie melodies that heighten tension and more upbeat tracks that underscore the game’s comedic elements.


Reanimation Ltd is a testament to the creativity and potential of indie game development. It delivers a unique blend of humour and horror, wrapped in engaging gameplay that keeps you hooked from start to finish. 


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

ö
ööö

(4 - 
Reanimation Ltd is well worth your time...



>>> 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)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775

Monday, December 30, 2024

Stranger Things: The First Shadow review



Stranger Things: The First Shadow – A Stage Phenomenon with Upside Down Potential

By Matt Adcock X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

Somewhere in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, a shadow is creeping – and it’s not just the one lurking beneath the stage. Stranger Things: The First Shadowcatapults us back to the days before Eleven cracked open the gates to the Upside Down, to a time when Henry Creel was just a troubled boy and the town’s darkest secrets simmered beneath the surface. 

This live-action stage prequel is a bold experiment. Can the world of Stranger Things translate from screen to stage, especially without our beloved gang of misfit heroes? The answer, it turns out, is a resounding “yes.” The play not only honours the tone of the original Netflix series but also brings something new – an intimate and haunting experience that feels like a séance conjured right in front of your eyes. The set is the first thing to draw gasps, a kinetic marvel of shifting walls and glowing portals. The creative team has outdone themselves, melding 1980s nostalgia with spine-tingling horror. 

Superb effects...

As lights flicker and eerie soundscapes envelop the audience, the Upside Down’s presence is almost tangible. The story, penned by Stranger Things show creators the Duffer Brothers alongside playwright Kate Trefry, follows young Henry Creel (yes, that Henry), exploring his descent into villainy and the strange forces taking root in Hawkins. But this isn’t just his tale. We meet a young Jim Hopper, a teenage Joyce Byers, and even a charmingly goofy Bob Newby – characters who will later form the heart of the series. Watching their formative years unfold is a delight, full of Easter eggs and poignant foreshadowing. The cast deliver powerhouse performances. 

Henry Creel is portrayed with chilling intensity, his transformation from fragile boy to something far darker leaving audiences enthralled. Meanwhile, Joyce and Hopper bring an emotional depth that grounds the supernatural thrills. What truly sets The First Shadow apart is its ability to weave dread into every scene. The Upside Down’s influence is felt in the creeping vines that encroach on the set, in the unspoken horrors hinted at in the dialogue, and in the bone-rattling climaxes that leave you breathless. This is Stranger Things at its best: an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in supernatural terror. 


 For die-hard fans, there’s plenty to chew on – from tantalizing new lore to breadcrumbs that deepen the main series’ mythology. Yet the play is also welcoming to newcomers, offering a self-contained narrative that doesn’t require prior knowledge of Demogorgons. The action sequences, are cleverly choreographed and rival their on-screen counterparts. And what the play sacrifices in spectacle, it makes up for in intimacy and emotional resonance. 

As the curtain falls, you’ll be left with a tingling sensation that the Upside Down is closer than you thought. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a bold, mesmerizing addition to the franchise – a must-see for fans and a thrilling introduction for those stepping into Hawkins for the first time. Prepare yourself: the shadows are calling, and they demand your attention.

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


ööö
öö (5 - You’ll feel Stranger Things!)


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

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

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775




Saturday, December 28, 2024

Book of The Witch Joshua Sowden interview


The Book of the Witch


Dir. Joshua Sowden

Reviewed by Matt Adcock  (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)


Joshua Sowden’s The Book of the Witch is a smouldering cauldron of dread, a slow-burn horror steeped in folklore, occult imagery, and an oppressive sense of creeping doom. It promises much with its gothic atmosphere and unsettling premise, there is much to admire here.


The story follows Sarah (Krishna Smitha), a reclusive historian sent to catalogue an ancient, handwritten tome in a remote village. The titular Book of the Witch is a menacing artefact tied to local legends of possession, curses, and a vengeful spirit who may—or may not—be watching Sarah’s every move. The deeper she delves into its pages, the more her grip on reality begins to fray, and the closer the film edges toward outright nightmare fuel.


From the opening shot of a mist-shrouded forest, Sowden’s direction is meticulous, almost oppressively so. Every frame feels designed to crawl under your skin: dim candlelight flickers ominously over faded ink, shadows stretch unnaturally across walls, and the constant sound of wind howling outside Sarah’s cabin keeps you on edge. It’s a masterclass in atmosphere, but one that teeters dangerously close to suffocating its own narrative momentum.

Henderson gives a raw, unnerving performance, embodying Sarah’s descent into paranoia with enough subtlety to keep the audience guessing whether the horrors are real or imagined. 


it's not WICKED


The film features many wordless sequences that evoke a building dread but you need to pay attention to get maximum out of them.


The real standout here is the sound design. Low, guttural whispers seem to emanate directly from the Book of the Witch itself, and the score—composed of atonal strings and unsettling chants—feels like it’s slowly unspooling your sanity. At its best, it’s genuinely terrifying. 


And then there’s the ending. Without giving too much away, the final act veers into abstract territory, abandoning much of the narrative groundwork and going full-on psych out!?


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


öööö

(4 - A witchy horror that delivers!
)

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




Sowden is a filmmaker to watch for sure - and I had the joy of getting to ask him some questions... Read on for more:



Joshua Sowden - the filmmaker behind The Book of the Witch


Matt: What was your inspiration for The Book Of The Witch?


Joshua: The Witch’s book is actually in my first-ever horror feature film ‘Extramundane’. And after I shot that film, I knew I needed to learn more about that book. A very talented artist friend of mine, Daniel Paige, made the book for that film and once I saw it on screen, I needed to know more! That led me to always wanting to do a classic witch film which then tied into my own fear of death. Combine all of that and you get ‘The Book of the Witch’!


Matt: What is the most disturbing thing you’ve ever read or watched in a book/film of any genre?


Joshua: That is tough! For me, Exorcist. When her head spins around and vomits all over. That disturbed me at a young age and still!


Matt: Do you believe in witches and if so do you know any?


Joshua: Sure, I do! I have a few friends who are. They always surprise me with their abilities.


Matt: You’re in a strange city with unlimited credit that you have to spend as much as possible of in a single evening – talk me through what you get up to…


Joshua: I would probably take my wife to the nicest dinner, as many desert places that we could hit, and stay in the penthouse level of the tallest building! Pre-order breakfast room service, of course. 


Matt: Who or what inspires you most (can be living or dead)?


Joshua: My fear of leaving nothing behind inspires me to push. That’s how/why I shoot most of my films solo. I don’t let anything stop me from making something that can live on forever. 

 

Matt: There’s a masked assailant with a gun to your head , who is most likely to be under the mask?


Joshua: Someone who did not enjoy one of my films. 


Matt: What is the meaning of life?


Joshua: To make an impact somehow on the world. 


Matt: What was the best gift you’ve ever been given?


Joshua: I’m about to have my firstborn son. 


Matt: What’s next for your cinematic creation journey?


Joshua: My next film that I am writing is about two brothers that investigate a haunted house! Think Paranormal Activity meets the tone of Haunting of Hill House. 


Matt: What would you like written on your tombstone?


Joshua: He did alright. 


Matt: Any final words you’d like to add...


Joshua: Thank you for having me on! If you’d like to follow us on social and YouTube- you can find all of that and the link the Book of the Witch here: 


The Book of the Witch

neon.page




>>> 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)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775

 

Funnyman review and recollections of filmmaker

Funny Man


Dir. Simon Sprackling 


Reviewed by Matt Adcock  (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)



“You're a funny man, Mister Taylor, but I've known funnier… and so will you.” 



🎭💀 If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if The Mask had a dark, demented British cousin who moonlights as a supernatural killer, Funny Man is your answer. 


This 1994 cult oddity serves up a twisted cocktail of surreal humour, low-budget horror, and unapologetic absurdity that feels like an unholy lovechild of Monty Python and Clive Barker. And yes, it’s as weird as it sounds.


The plot kicks off with a shady card game resulting in a mansion being passed to a hapless winner. Said mansion, however, comes with a gruesome bonus: a murderous jester who thrives on torturing and dispatching victims in gleefully bizarre ways. Enter the Funnyman himself, played with unhinged glee by Tim James, whose charisma and cackling menace turn even his worst one-liners into oddly memorable zingers. Is he scary? A little. Entertaining? Absolutely!!


Director Simon Sprackling isn’t afraid to embrace the bonkers premise, leaning into the low-budget charm with inventive kills and fourth-wall-breaking antics. The Funnyman’s habit of addressing the audience directly adds a twisted theatricality, making you feel like a complicit spectator in his macabre vaudeville - kind of like Funny Games but not quite as bleak. One moment you’re laughing at his pun-laden quips; the next, you’re questioning your sense of humour as he gleefully carves up his victims.


The supporting cast is a grab bag of eccentric characters who range from oblivious to outright ridiculous. Highlights include Christopher Lee’s cameo (yes, Christopher ‘The Wicker Man’ Lee) as a devilishly droll gambler who seems to have wandered effortlessly adds a ton of classy gravitas. 


it's not PC...


The film’s refusal to take itself seriously is both its charm and its Achilles’ heel, I absolutely love the madness but I can see that if you’re not on its bizarre wavelength, Funny Man might feel a bit tedious and account for the underwhelming 2.7/5 score on Letterboxd!?


Visually, the film punches above its weight with its creative gore effects and surreal set pieces. The mansion itself becomes a character, a nightmarish playground for the titular killer’s antics. There’s a hallucinatory quality to the whole affair, as if the filmmakers decided that reality was optional and just rolled with it.


Funny Man is proudly crass, chaotic, and occasionally nonsensical. If you have taste for offbeat horror-comedies, and haven’t watched this yet - GO WATCH IT NOW!! For my money, it’s a hidden gem that offers something truly unique. Beneath the silliness lies a sly commentary on genre conventions, as the film gleefully skewers tropes while revelling in them at the same time.


So, if you’re in the mood for a film that’s equal parts twisted pantomime and gore-soaked fever dream, Funny Man is worth your time. Just don’t expect it to make sense🎭🔪


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


ööööö

(5 - A stunningly creative and insanely fun comedy horror
)

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


Recollections of Funnyman -- Dominic Hailstone


I had the pleasure of bumping into the artist/film-maker Dominic Hailstone who worked on Funny Man.


The Funny Man was the first feature film that myself and effects artist Duncan Jarman worked on.


Up until that point, we were both making shot-on-video horror films and doing odd fx jobs for fetish magazines, so we were both eager to cut our teeth on something more substantial.


It was probably the craziest film I’ve ever worked on in more ways than one.


Our boss was Neil Gorton, who now runs Millennium fx. He pulled us in to help but then graciously handed us the keys as he was busy on another job, so we effectively got to get a taste of what it was like to run an

actual show.


It was exceptionally hard work. Literally trying to figure out how to tackle the job, thrown in at the deep end, sink or swim stuff. Absolute hell, but I now look back on it fondly because we were basically left alone, something which is rare nowadays.


The film was directed and written by Simon Sprackling who whilst a lovely guy, isn’t one to spend money. At all! The film was made for next to nothing and the FX budget was about ten grand or so. In fact, we still haven’t been paid!


Because of this the crew weren’t exactly professional. There were a few pros there, but most of it was made up of a rag tag gang of characters that Simon knew. There was a lot of hash to smoke and beer to drink, so that smoothed things over.



The location was a huge, disused insane asylum -- Fairmile Hospital near Reading -- And the place was as spooky as you’d expect. It was like being part of a horror film it’s self, wandering the deserted, dusty halls and finding old medical records and implements. Quite disturbing stuff.


The stairwells all had nets, like a prison might, to stop people jumping off and there were various secret passages and odd rooms. The place was fully kitted out with bunks and showers like a military building, so we slept in a sort of barracks. It was often impossible to get sleep simply because of the amount of squeaky bed springs we’d hear when members of the crew were getting busy with each other.


There was also the very real problem of the patients coming back -- The ex-patients who used to live in asylum saw it as a place of comfort, and so they’d often escape their care and travel miles just to get back home. It’s very sad but what it meant was that you’d see these poor fellows wandering the grounds just wanting to come inside.


This understandably scared the crew. Our workshop was a few hundred yards away from the main building, and we used to giggle as the AD’s would come to visit us, act calm, then run like the clappers back to the main building terrified out of their skin.


Then, one night we heard commotion outside our workshop. The threat was real. A helicopter was buzzing and we were told us to get inside as a dangerous patient had escaped and was seen in the area. He was caught soon afterwards... Or was he? We never really knew.



It was a very dangerous location though. People were riding dirt bikes, van surfing and generally behaving like idiots most of the time. I almost lost some fingers due to a mishap with some piano wire and choked to death due to cyanide fumes at one point. This was on top of the constant Asbestos signs that we’d find everywhere and ignore.



Christopher Lee was the guest star in the film and the whole crew had dinner with him at the beginning of the shoot. My memory of him was that he sat at the head of a huge dinner table, a fire roaring at one end, talking endlessly. Simon the director dutifully listened to him as he got tireder and tireder and more and more drunk. I

was on LSD at the time though, and had better things to do.



Once the main shoot was over we relocated to Shepperton studios which made things much easier. Some extra money was thrown around and we got to add some more effects.


There was a old set there that was being used for a period drama and Simon wrangled a deal to blow it up. It’s always a lot of fun seeing things explode and I remember being impressed that Simon was basically able to take advantage of the set being there (it was going to get knocked down anyway) and add value to his film for very little money.


Proper Roger Corman stuff.


One of my fondest memories wasn’t about the film though, but a production that was working nearby.

When we were in the Shepperton pub, the doors opened and Béatrice Dalle, Betty Blue herself walked in. She was the pinup of the moment and the pub literally stopped dead as she sauntered through the bar swinging her

hips. The hilarious thing was though, that as soon as she entered we saw she had a train of about five men, all drooling, following her like dogs. In a few moments she was gone, smiling with all the confidence in

the world.


--

www.dominichailstone.com


Read more about the film here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funny_Man_(film) 


>>> 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)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Darkness-Darkmatters-Matt-Adcock/dp/0957338775