The Wizard of Mars

 This is a low budget sci-fi from 1965. It was directed by David L. Hewitt and written by David L. Hewitt, L. Frank Baum and Amando Busick. The stars includes John Carradine, Roger Gentry and Vic McGee. 

This is set in 1975 with a space craft from Earth carrying four astronauts, who crash on the surface of Mars. There's very little supplies, although they encounter a number of challenges while searching for the source of a signal that they believe is another ship. They travel gorgeous Martian landscapes until they find what they were looking for. Some are not very nice surprises.

The characters include astronauts Dorothy, Steve, Doc and Charlie. There is even a "gold road" that leads to a castle! All is loosely based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Another title of this film is "Alien Massacre". This was filmed in Nevada, USA. 

My rating for this often quiet film is 3/10. 

Mini spoiler is: Nice big clock in the castle.

Blood Strawberry      

Psychic Killer

This horror thriller "Psychic Killer" is a 1975 film. It was directed and written by Ray Danton and stars Paul Burke, Jim Hutton and Julie Adams. Writers alongside Danton are Greydon Clark and Mikel Angel. 

A psychiatric patient grieves the loss of his elderly mother who was left vulnerable after he was sent away. He loses his best friend to suicide and he locates a magical pendant from his friend's box. After being discharged from hospital, he returns home, which is full of bad memories. He experiences visions of various people abusing his elderly mother before she died.

This film was also called "The Death Dealer." It borders on horror and thriller but uses a lot of scientific info. Kirlian photography was the main focus on the story to explain how the main lead was able to astral project. However, what the character was actually doing was not something that happens during an astral projection as his body died and reanimated again. This implies that the character was really undead and a ghost while astral travelling. In the box of the magical pendant was a photo of his dead friend's daughter, but is really of the singer Natalie Cole. 

My rating is 5/10 as it's a simple well made TV film I regard as drama horror. I believe there were many cut scenes of nudity and gore. Some shocking and gruesome death scenes. 

Mini spoiler: the cat is the highlight of the show. 

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Fourth Wing (book review)

Just finished reading an intense high fantasy book. It's called "Fourth Wing" and the author is Rebecca Yarros. This is the first book of a series, and it's been given a lot of mixed reviews, some very glowing and others hating it. It's a story in the Empyrean series that begins with "Fourth Wing". I must be honest with my review and will mention a few SPOILERS so if you haven't read this book then you can choose to just stop reading my review and look away!

The main character is a young woman named Violet Sorrengail. She's got unusual hair colourings, which sets her apart from everyone else. She's been forced to attend the brutal Besgiath War College by her ruthless mother, despite her wanting to excel as a scribe, which is what her late father wanted her to do. 

The military style training is cruel and dangerous, which has many fatalities. She manages to pass them and is then faced with the scary "threshing" test of meeting dragons, who would kill cadets they sense are too afraid and weak. As Violet is frail and physically fragile, she doesn't think she'll survive that but her cleverness and kind nature is her strength.  

Dragons in this book are similar to those in other popular fantasy stories but with big differences. It gives a unique perspective on the humans as well as dragons and quickens the storylines. It's not only the dragons that are awesome as certain human characters are impressive too! The story is full of mystery, action, magic and romance. It's worth reading and definitely my cup of tea!

I rate this novel a 10/10.

Blood Strawberry 

Guardians of the Ancient Shadow Crown

"Guardians of the Ancient Shadow Crown" is an Irish fantasy film made in 2014. It was directed by Colin Downey and written by George MacDonald. It stars Lorcan Melia, Natalia Kostrzewa and Emma Eliza Regan. It was made by EMU Productions. 

An otherworldly magical land where shadow people dwell. An evil witch caused the downfall of the shadow people and their only hope is a human king from the green land. He must be the wearer of the sacred shadow crown. A young boy moves into the home of his grandparents. The garden has a secret tunnel with hidden treasure and a portal to another dimension where shadow people live. It seemed that his grandfather was well aware of them. 

The film is based on a story by George MacDonald. Also called "Guardians of the Crown". It's a quiet cosy film set mostly indoors within the house or the back garden. One can't expect too many action packed films with tons of CGI as if that is what you're looking for, this film isn't it. What the film offers is a lot in a traditional sense. Its got a nice story with a mystery, good film shots of scenery and gentle quiet. No loud explosions or shouting obscenities in this one, which is totally refreshing. 

I give this fine fantasy drama a 8/10. Spoiler below read if you dare.

Blood Strawberry

SPOILER: There is a magical genie in a bottle who tells the future.