Tag: Ghosts

Twisted Schemes Mark This Altered Reality, A Movie Review

Indie films that explore multiple realities can be hit or miss these days. With Altered Reality, thankfully only one timeline can get altered instead of mimicking the Back to the Future formula.

Altered Reality Movie PosterPlaying at Select Theatres.
Spoiler Alert

Although Altered Reality is not really a ghost story, this hook was what kept me interested. Jack (Lance Henriksen) is watching over Oliver (Charles Agron)–and he’s none the wiser–and I’ll watch any film this seasoned actor is in. With Ed Asner also on the playbill, I was curious! Technically, he passed away in 2021, which meant this work had trouble finding distribution, and thankfully it’s been rescued from the grave!

In this film, Oliver is having family problems. His young daughter died under some strange circumstances some months back, and instead of grieving, he buried himself in his work when he should be with his wife. As a result, this lifestyle has put a strain on a crumbling relationship. His wife thinks he’s cheating on her!

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In IDW’s A Haunted Girl, Life is Never Easy When Considering the Nightmares Cleo Sees….

Every once in a while, there’s a remarkable comic book that explores the battle people with Depresssion has, and A Haunted Girl adds an extra supernatural depth to make the read work.

A Haunted Girl #1 Comic Book CoverIDW Publishing

Life has not been the same for Cleo Newman ever since she claims she can see dead people. In A Haunted Girl #2, this young teenager will have to be careful about whom she tells about her visions as she attempts to reintegrate back into society and school. In the first issue, readers find her in the hospital, recovering. She attempted suicide as she could not cope with her life; And in the latest chapter, readers get a glimpse at why her world became what it is.

Following her sports injury, nothing has been the same. As a result, she’d rather let the days wither away, instead of thinking that maybe she should find a new sport or hobby to enjoy. Her father (a single parent) is trying his best to motivate, but when these spirits show up, either they’re holding her back or she’s part of a prophecy which still has to reveal itself.

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So What is Steve Gonsalves’ A Life With Ghosts Really Like? Quick Answer: More Busy than Really Scary!

Technically, A Life With Ghosts is not meant to dive deep into why Steve Gonsales loves paranormal invstigation. What’s presented is a fond recollection of his time with TAPS.

Steve Gonsalves A Life With Ghosts Book CoverSimon & Schuster

The question I have about Steve Gonsalves memoir, A Life With Ghosts, is if he truly wrote it all? I suspect Michael Aloisi may have contributed with the background information. Afterwards, the tone switches over to this ghost hunter’s voice. Thankfully, this consultant gets credited too and his credentials are listed on the back book sleeve cover.

Technically, Ghost Hunters was not the first reality tv style show about paranormal investigators. That credit goes to Most Haunted. Before then, there were television specials and one off documentaries which helped let people know that there’s something of a general (if not academic) interest in this subject. Loyd Auerbach is the leader in the field, and I’m surprised Gonsalves didn’t mention either him or That’s Incredible! Both were the closest thing to witnessing investigators in the field back then (the late 70s) and he’d be at that right impressionable age when both were featured on network television.

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In the Animated Adaptation of The Canterville Ghost, There’s No Need to be Afraid of Virginia

Thankfully, a lot of key concepts from Wilde’s story are preserved in the animated adaptation of The Centerville Ghost and we get to meet the Grim Reaper too!

The Canterville Ghost Blue Fox Entertainment and Shout! Studios
Oct 20 (USA) and Dec 5 (Canada on Digital/VOD)

Out of all the many adaptations of Oscar Wilde‘s humorous supernatural short story The Canterville Ghost that I’ve seen, I still can’t decide which version is best. Upon visiting the animated take, there are bits to really like. Here, Virginia (Emily Carey) is a very confident young lady whom I’ve seen before. That’s because I’ve seen it in The Amazing Maurice. Robert Chandler produced that film along with this latest, and I’m sure Malicia and Virginia come from the same mould. Both aren’t afraid of no ghosts.

In the credits, Kim Burdon is also the co-director, and it’s tough to say how much of a contribution he made. As a newcomer to the field, maybe he handled the additions to the story, namely the running gag with Algernean Van Finchley (Merinda Hart) a wannabe Ghostbuster, complete with a Victorian age proton pack and trap. Thankfully, that isn’t overplayed and I’m fairly sure she doesn’t exist in Wilde’s tale. I’ll have to reread it to verify. If I’m wrong, I’m going to behave like Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry), bemoaning this add.

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When Ghost Hunting Cartoons Get Global in This Top 10 List on What to Binge!

The theme for this year is a list of ghost hunting style cartoons from around the world, and where to find them!

The Real Ghostbusters Samhein introducing Ghost Hunting Cartoons with SlimerHalloween is not always about trick or treating. While it may be fun for some to go chasing after ghosts, others may well be preparing for that last harvest before winter sets in. In what I like watching are ghost hunting cartoons. It beats trying to find them for real, since there’s no proof positive method for an experience. As for what lurks in that cornfield, well….

What I offer is a list of animated series I often like to revisit as the nights get cold, and I don’t want to go out. The theme for this year is a list of ghostbusting style cartoons. Sometimes, peace with the supernatural can be made. At other times, they are chance to communicate. While the best thing is to work out those grievances, mileage will vary depending on the creator’s beliefs on whether to preach or simply entertain. By that definition, I begin with the series that inspired this top ten, which begins after talking about The Real Ghostbusters!

The Real Ghostbusters Creatures of the NightThis unofficial sequel about New York’s finest paranormal investigators is just good ol’ fashioned fun! And what makes this series shine is in how the stories show how they function as a team, deal with personal issues and resolve those conflicts.

Although there are a few episodes which bring back some recurring nasties, namely The Boogieman and Samhain, these spectres are so powerful, they often need help. Because the series wasn’t designed to be a serial, there’s no grande plan. When considering the official Ghostbusters YouTube page often adds to or prunes the list of episodes, perhaps there is a huge story arc to be found. Only the dedicated may find it!

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Top 13 Scary and (Hopefully) Memorable Comic Book Reads for Spooktober!

Just what kind of nightmares can be delivered in comic book form depends on how vivid your imagatioin gets fired up after reading this list of must-reads for the Halloween season!

Comic Book Alice Cooper #1Just when I thought there weren’t enough comic book reads for the Halloween season during the past two years, a lot has changed since then. The publishers heard the screams and lamentations from not only myself, but others too. Thus, for this year, they must have upped the game to make sure releases for the spooky season memorable.

Without further ado, I present the best top thirteen titles I recommend checking out this spooktober! What I offer is a mix of both ongoing releases and one-shots.

Alice Cooper (Dynamite)

Oct 11, 2023

In this new ongoing series, Alice Cooper, the Nightmare Lord, has reclaimed the seat of power in his own dark realm. This series started in September, and here, his dreamworld was being invaded. Ever since the release of Welcome to My Nightmare (Amazon link), which came out in 2015, fans like me have been wanting more, and we finally have it! In the October issue, Alice must face-off with the Lord of Hell himself, Lucifer! Joe Harris is the team lead of this series as the writer, with Eman Casallos handling the artistic chores.

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