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Dahlia DeWinters - Author

Quirky Heroines, Happy Endings

Horror Movie Review – Exhibit A

Title:  Exhibit A

Genre:  Thriller/Horror – Found Footage

Synopsis:  The timely story of a normal family disintegrating under financial pressure, eventually driven to the unimaginable. We witness the terrifying events unfold through daughter Judith’s video camera, which subsequently becomes Exhibit A.

I watched this movie on the recommendation of Overthinking Horror Films.  For some reason, I really enjoy “found footage” horror films and was looking for something that was found footage but wasn’t littered with profanity and super shaky cam.  I mean, the jitter cam is fine, but when it’s 80 percent of the movie, it’s more annoying than atmospheric.

I’d seen Exhibit A in my travels through the websites that listed found footage, but never really paused to examine it more closely.  First of all, it’s a British film and either I didn’t want to fight with the accents, or the description didn’t grab me.  However, since I trust OHF’s taste in films, I took a chance and watched it.

I’ve seen reviews which poo-poo the film or say that it’s over the top.  They’ll say the acting was terrible and how could the daughter film all through this. Let me just say this.  The film got me by throat and didn’t let go until the end.  I even gasped in some parts.

The basic premise is a regular old family of Mom and Dad, and two teens, a girl and a boy.  I was a little annoyed when thirty seconds in , the girl filmed herself in the mirror so that we could see who she was.  Ugh.  However, I stuck with it and while I can’t say I was rewarded for my perseverance, I was served a good film.

The father’s performance was one that stuck with me the most.  Early on, I could see something was amiss and the little things just kept piling up.  The film became more painful to watch as it went on, not because the performances were bad, but you could see where the train was going.  You just wondered where exactly it was going to wreck.  

And wreck it did.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more harrowing to an ending in recent years.  At one point, I had to look away from the screen to relieve the tension.  I just didn’t want to bear witness to it any more.  Yes, it’s a movie, but the actors sold the story and I was right there with them.

This is not a gleeful horror film.  While it’s stylized up to a point, it’s a little too close to the bone to be laughed at.

 

Rating: B+ Recommended.


Filed Under: Free For All Fridays, Horror Movie Reviews, Movies--Books--Music--Television Tagged: black girl nerds, colors in darkness, dahlia dewinters, female geek bloggers, horror movie review, horror movies

Blogtoberfest- My Shorts! 3 Mini Horror Films That'll Make You Change 'Em

I am not a huge fan of horror on YouTube, I’m usually searching for new music.  My daughter, however, is a YouTube aficionando, as are most thirteen-year-olds. Following this, she had introduced me to the world of mini-horror films.  Mind you, I was only able to watch these in the middle of the day, sitting at the dining room table.  However, some of them are so well done that they stayed with me long after.  Now, remember I freak out easily at anything slightly horror and therefore you might not find them as scary as I do, but it’s a good place to start.  Boo!

 

First up is the short flim on which the movie Lights Out is based.  Yes, we want to save on our electric bill, but do you really want to turn out the lights.

 

 

 

 

The second film is called The Moonlight Man.  It begins as a cliched walk through a deserted parking and ends up as something a little….well, you’ll see for yourself.

 

 

The third and final film is called Look See. The creepy factor of this little gem is really off the charts.  

 

 

 

So there you go.  Three short horror films which are definitely not for the faint of heart….the faint of heart being me!

 

Dahlia

 


Filed Under: Blogtoberfest, Movies--Books--Music--Television Tagged: blogtoberfest, colors in darkness, dahlia dewinters, lights out, Look see, short horror films, the moonlight man, youtube short horror

Blogtoberfest – Urban Legends – Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine

By Chris C Jones (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
As part of Blogtoberfest and the season of Halloween in general, it’s always fun to take a look at the urban legends which stay a part of our pop culture.  Every state seems to have their own, and some states have more than one.  Some of the urban legends have found their way onto as in this case.

The Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine is a legend, that, much .like many legends, is steeped in fact.  It is, obviously, a gold mine located in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona.  As legends will go, there are many stories that circulate around how to find the mine, leading to people actually trying to find it.  And, yes, some have perished on their quest for the riches.

A little history:  The mine is named after a German immigrant names Jacob Waltz who found it and  kept it a secret. Interestingly enough, despite the lack of information we have about it, it might be the most famous “lost mine” legend in American history. 

I was tricked into watching an “entertainment program” that I thought was a documentary about the mine.  Called Legend of the Superstition Mountains, it  resembled a factual program until I found out it was a six season “fakumentary”.  Also, it was pretty boring, which is the real crime.  I mean, if you’re going to fake something, please, make it interesting.

The film based loosely around this legend is called Dark Mountain, and to be honest, I tried to watch that one too….but wow, a snooze fest it was. I couldn’t finish it.

So there, you are, a taste of the urban legend, the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.  If you plan on going to look for it, be sure to bring plenty of water.  Arizona’s pretty hot and dry.

 

Dahlia

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Dutchman%27s_Gold_Mine


Filed Under: Blogtoberfest Tagged: arizona urban legends, blerd, blerd girl, blogtoberfest, colors in darkness, dahlia dewinters, gold, lost dutchman, lost dutchman's gold mine, scary, superstition mountains, urban legends

Blogtoberfest – Halloween Teapots

Welcome back to BlogtoberFest!

 

As the weather grows colder in the Northern Hemisphere, the morning (or afternoon) beverage of choice can change, depending on the mood.  Sure, I’m a coffee gal at heart, but there’s something about tea, with its .little bags and cute little teapots which make a cold fall morning so much cozier.

What’s that, you say?  You don’t have a teapot?  Well, reader, you’re in luck.  Keep scrolling.

I’ve gathered a few of my favorite spooky-ish teapots along with buy links for your shopping pleasure.  Beware, however, most of these teapots are from Etsy and are most likely “one of a kind”.  If you see one you like, best jump on it while you can.  I made it easy to shop. Click on the link to buy.

Please note:  These are NOT affiliate links, nor am I affiliated with the seller in any way.  Now go on and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy shopping and lots of hot tea!

 

Dahlia


Filed Under: Blogtoberfest Tagged: blogtoberfest, colors in darkness, dahlia dewinters, fall, fall decor, halloween, halloween decor, hot drinks, sugar skull, tea, teapots

BlogtoberFest 2017 – The Days of Halloween

Let’s face it, the holidays start earlier and earlier every year.  I saw a six foot light up snowman in Costco at the end of August.  Therefore, I see no reason not to begin the celebration of all things spooky, macabre, and scary in the month of October.

You faithful readers of my blog:  I thank you.  AND you already know what’s going to be happening.  Recipes, Top 3 lists, Top 5 lists, spooky songs, movies, books….everything relating to the theme of Halloween and horror.  Click over every day to see something new!

So pour yourself a Bloody Mary with bacon garnish and come on along for the ride.  We’ve been expecting you.

 


Filed Under: Blogtoberfest Tagged: author, black geek girls, black girl nerds, blerd, blogtoberfest, colors in darkness, dahlia dewinters, halloween, Halloween fun, halloween party, halloween recipe, movies that scare

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