Weekly Witch Hunt: Darkness in the Valley & The Walking Dead 'New Best Friends'

We decide what artistic endeavour passed approval to earn the Scorcher label from the past seven days & what also had the dishonour of being that week's Torture...

Both of the entries on trial this week have a horror element to them.  While one is an old favourite that is regrettably starting to sour; the other is a recently discovered realm of fantasy that has been giving me much pleasure.  I live in hope that our entrant in the Torture category can be redeemed but I have some reservations.

The Scorcher

I recently included The Uncanny Valley: Tales from a Lost Town in my Scorchers of 2016 as it was one of the books I thoroughly enjoyed last year.  Well I can safely say that the follow up Darkness in the Valley is just as entertaining.  It follows the same format where the story unfolds from the diary entries of different residents of the valley.  Where it does differ is that this covers one event; whereas Uncanny Valley was made up of anecdotes of different goings on in this strange town.
The circumstances all take place over a few months in 1909 as a mining corporation want to take over the town to get to the rich minerals they believe are present in the area.  Dark forces are at work and the residents slowly come to realise they must take action or risk losing everything they care for; including potentially their lives.
Some of the characters return from Uncanny Valley while others are newly introduced.  While there are a lot of people to keep track of as the narration flips from one to another; you still get a decent amount of character development in the majority of cases.  So when things take a turn for the worse for some you still care what is happening to them.
This material and setting would be ripe for a television or film adaptation.  I could see someone like David Lynch taking this to some dark places or alternatively Tim Burton revelling in the fantasy and horror components of it all.
Gregory Miller does an excellent job once again of blending the fantastical element with reality.  Things do get seriously creepy at times and you do get a good sense of dread and suspense as the tale unfolds.  He has set this out as a three part act and while the middle section does feel a little too overlong; the final act pays off handsomely as it rushes to the inevitable conclusion.
I will look forward hopefully to a third visit to this strange and wonderful location.

The Torture

Speaking of entries in my 2016 Scorcher or Torture list; here is one who made it into the latter category.  I have been a big fan of The Walking Dead since the very first season aired but just lately have found my devotion waning greatly.
It isn't because they have deviated so far from the comics that it all feels alien, if anything they do follow the comics rather faithfully in general.  I think part of the problem is the character development as the main cast seem to have stagnated or are just becoming too repetitive by nature.  However those are different issues to why episode 10 of season 7: New Best Friends has been sent to the torture chamber this week.
One thing that TWD has done is try to ground itself in a realistic setting; as much as you can when the world has been overcome by a zombie apocalypse.  By sticking with the same storylines as the comics though this is where the show is starting to fail.  Some of the elements that work well in comic format are not transferring over as well to the television screen.
Don't get me wrong I love Ezekiel in both formats but The Kingdom seems too caught up in the realm of fantasy for the realism they are striving for.  The Saviors likewise also come across as too one note; surely there has to be some members amongst them with a shred of compassion or human decency.  Instead they are all painted as comic book villains so that when we do finally get to see them get their comeuppance we won't feel sorrow for any of them.
Those are just two of my objections.  My main complaint was with the Dumpster Dwellers as I shall nickname them until we get an official moniker.  What the hell is going on with this group?  So let me get this straight; the apocalypse happened a little over two years ago in TWD's timeline.  During those couple of years the speech patterns of the Dwellers has regressed to some form of broken English?  I can understand the group using coded terms and sign language amongst themselves but when Jadis the leader is conversing with Rick she still keeps up the same cadence and patter.  I questioned whether she was completely sane.
Every one of the Dumpster mob must have looted the same group of shops that only cater to Goth's because every single one of them was wearing black or grey or some other sombre tone.  Colour does not appear to be an option if you want to join this gang.  The only place you are allowed some colouring though is in your hair; especially if you are the leader of this motley crew.  Jadis hasn't got time to hunt for supplies; she is too busy getting her ends done at the local salon!
At first I was thinking the Dumpster Dwellers have been based on some Mad Max style apocalyptic band of warriors; they definitely gave off that sort of vibe.  Or my second thought was that maybe they are a type of death cult.  However I re-evaluated that opinion once Jadis threw Rick into the fighting pit against what I can only describe as a Resident Evil style of monster; the comically named Winslow.
Firstly this group do not look like they could be bothered to capture a zombie, let alone then festoon said zombie's body with all manner of spiky implements.  And secondly he doesn't resemble a zombie; he looks more demonic and less like a former human.  Winslow's makeup is good for a horror creature but he fails as a decomposing body that has been abused by his captors.  His ribs don't look like they belonged to a person, he has claws and sharper than normal teeth; overall he appears otherworldly and that is a problem for the universe they have built here.
Resident Evil must have been an inspiration for this whole segment.  Not only would Winslow feel at home in that environment but Jadis herself looks like she could fill in for Milla Jovovich as Alice.
To top off the surreal experience of seeing this Mad Max/Resident Evil hybrid; we then see yet more bizarre attitude from Rosita who has fast moved to the top of my list of characters I would like to get eaten or beaten next.  I want someone to slap some sense into her so badly and scream at her to stop acting like a spoilt teenager.  Barring that then let Negan swing away.
The one saving grace for the episode was Father Gabriel.  I mentioned the characters seem to have come to a standstill in their overall development; well the opposite is true of Gabriel.  He out of everyone has gone on a massive arc of redemption since his introduction.  I only wish that the writers would take as much care with the remainder of the group, then my investment in the show might be restored.

Poster Pride & Prejudice: case study OASIS

Where we look at one Scorching piece of artwork that generates excitement for what it is advertising.

Then on the flipside we also have a Torturous piece that makes you wonder how it ever got approval to promote the product...

With seven studio albums to their name Oasis have enough covers to choose from.  They certainly had swagger and attitude in abundance.  Does the charisma that oozes out of the Gallagher brothers come to the fore on their record sleeves?  Let us have a look.

The Scorcher

The debut Definitely Maybe propelled them to stardom and for me; it remains their most iconic cover that has the most impact.  I love the symmetry of this picture and the relaxed nature of all the band members.  It gives off an aura of casualness; like this would be a regular Sunday afternoon for these boys.
The picture is littered with little references to heroes and influences of the band members.  They are a nice little touch and none seem out of place in this modern looking lounge room.  The house actually belonged to Paul Arthurs.
The cover also reflects the mood of the music on the album; one of nonchalant coolness as if nothing fazes these guys.  Little wonder that the image reflects the cockiness of the individuals; particularly the Gallagher brothers.

The Torture
 

What on earth is this mess actually meant to be?  Is it a representation of the conflict taking place in each person's soul?  Whatever the message is; it is one hell of a horrible collage.  It looks like the sort of thing someone on drugs would think is an awesome idea.  Hmmm, might be onto something there...

Weekly Witch Hunt: Vikings Season 4 & 100 Streets

We decide what artistic endeavour passed approval to earn the Scorcher label from the past seven days & what also had the dishonour of being that week's Torture...

Welcome to the start of 2017's Witch Hunts.  This last week I took great pleasure in raiding along the English coastline; but then ruined it by visiting a small pocket of London.  Read on to find out more.

The Scorcher

The second half of season 4 of Vikings recently concluded so I went on a typical binge watch so I would be able to pass judgement on this bunch of heathens.  It might not be the most historically accurate of shows but my word is it entertaining.
When I first decided to start watching Vikings I was hesitant because I was unsure how they would keep such a story interesting.  The characters are based on Viking legends; made up of ones that we know existed and ones where we are not so convinced about their overall legitimacy.  So the basis is there for a good story.
However these legendary warriors all existed at different times throughout Viking lore so how do they accomplish a historical telling of these tales and still manage to educate about their historical significance?  Well the History Channel has taken the novel approach of condensing the actions of these Norse heroes into a much smaller timescale so that they can all interact with one another.  You still get a sense of the impact each had in their culture and the wider world at large.
It works surprisingly well.  The historical events are depicted with the filmmakers taking similar liberties with accuracy that you see in many "based on a true story" movies that are released.
Where the show does excel in keeping up interest levels; is in the ability to not follow normal conventions.  You can be watching a scene and think you know exactly what is going to take place and the complete opposite can happen.  This is totally refreshing and in many cases mimics the actual events from the Norse saga of the time.  Season 4, more than all that have come before it, certainly takes these curveballs to the next level of surprise.
I will be very keen to see how season 5 develops from here and whether it can maintain the momentum.

The Torture

Have you ever felt like slashing your wrists after watching a particularly depressing film?  If you answered no then this one might put you in that frame of mind.  Okay so it isn't all doom and gloom but it's a pretty bloody dismal movie.  100 Streets focusses on three different stories with no connective tissue joining them up; or what little there is, is very tenuous at best.  The title refers to the characters of the storylines all living within one hundred streets of each other so there you go.
This feels like three stories that weren't fully developed being cobbled together to form one film.  The only one with any substance that I really wanted to see more of involved George the taxi driver as his had the makings of something intriguing.  His tale however was the one we saw the least of.
Idris Elba and Gemma Arterton are recognisable names so it is only fitting that they get the most screen time.  Their story is one of the most relatable too as it involves a marriage breakup.  It doesn't really go anywhere though and by the end you don't really know if either of them is any better off than when we were first introduced to them.
Franz Drameh's Kingsley is one of the most commonly used redemption stories; where a young black man is on the wrong side of the tracks and realises the error of his ways.  You can tell instantly when Ken Stott's Terrence starts interacting with Kingsley that it won't be all sunshine and rainbows.  It holds no surprises in the least to see how this one ends up.
I was ready to torch the whole lot of them when it ended on a typical Hollywood style high note after watching an hour and a half of complete drabness beforehand.  This is not a film to watch for the suicidal!

Random Musings: The Scorchers & The Tortures of 2016

The Witch Trial:
Here it is my trial for both the good and the evil of 2016.  Bear in mind that the items appearing in the dock below may or may not be the best of the last twelve months but I feel are deserving of bringing to your attention.  Alternatively some of the items are not the worst either but I feel the need to mention them as a warning to steer clear.  So please read through case by case and form your own opinion.
Warning there may be SPOILERS below...

The Scorchers
As is my custom you will find reports from film, television, music & books below.  I have tried to cover different genres; whether that be an amusing family drama to a war thriller; or an electronic album to a mostly guitar based record.  I have tried to keep each category as broad as I can to give you an eclectic mix of entertainment.


Films
What a year for good films.  I have chosen three that stood out for different reasons.  There were so many others that I could highlight too.  Both Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War were terrific additions to the ever expanding superhero genre, especially Deadpool with its refreshing R rated approach.  Hell or High Water was one of those movies where you don't know if you should be rooting for the good guys or the bad guys.  I love films such as this where you can debate afterwards who you wanted to see victorious in the end.  Unusually for me I also found more than a couple of comedies tickled my fancy.  Mascots continued Christopher Guest's run of mockumentaries without hitting the same heights as Best In Show; it was still amusing.  Then there was Florence Foster Jenkins with top notch performances from all the main cast and Simon Helberg in particular.  I do also have to mention The Witch; a film that should have everything against it: the language, the setting, the lighting, the pacing, and the lack of a star.  Despite all of these points that normally would work against a film attaining an audience; The Witch did gain followers and those lucky enough to see it have seen what will go on to be considered a modern classic.

"Hunt for the Wilderpeople"
This was the most surprisingly entertaining film for 2016 in my opinion.  This is a film that the whole family can enjoy.  The most unlikely but likeable New Zealand rogue, Uncle Hector unwittingly has to look out for delinquent Ricky who has been placed in his care.  What happens next is an adventure of self-discovery and bonding that really hits all the right notes.  There is pathos as well as humour as Taika Waititi continues his winning streak as director.

"Eye In The Sky"
Generally speaking films relating to war zones or terrorist activity rely on set action pieces to get the adrenaline racing.  Eye In The Sky eschews those conventions to bring us a taut thriller about a battle of wits between the higher echelons of command and a drone pilot.  Their actions will have dire consequences one way or another and so you get both perspectives of the argument.  It makes for fascinating, edge of the seat viewing as they go back and forth deciding will they or wont they push that button.  By the end of it you feel like you have been a part of the decision making process and that you too have either won or lost.

"Green Room"
I guess you could also class Green Room as a thriller too.  This one however is in a completely different vein to the previous film.  Green Room is definitely more of your horror type thriller.  A band perform to a bunch of neo-Nazis and then are witness to a crime that then threatens their own lives.  One of Anton Yelchin's final appearances and he is terrific as one of the protagonists trying to escape the clutches of Patrick Stewart's menacing thugs and boy oh boy does Mr Stewart make an excellent villain.  My pulse was racing throughout which is a good sign that a film is doing something right.


Television
Like my 2015 list for television I decided to focus on individual episodes that grabbed my attention rather than whole shows.  That isn't to say that there weren't some stand out series that I started watching; for example Stranger Things which I promise will be entering into our courthouse hopefully in the not too distant future.  Besides that there was also Preacher which was immense fun.  I also liked the intrigue of The Night Manager but the music annoyed me a great deal and I also hated the romantic subplot in that mini-series.  To find out the episodes that I loved the most on TV read on...

Westworld, Season 1, Episode 10: "The Bicameral Mind"
Rarely am I as bamboozled by a shows plot as much as I was watching Westworld.  It took me until episode nine to start to put the major pieces together.  There are many who worked things out a lot earlier than I; and believe me I feel they should be recruited to the Inquisition in my place; it was a failing in my duty!  What I loved about the season's concluding episode was that it tidied up all these plot threads and gave answers to nearly every question raised throughout the series.  It was the perfect ending to the show and if there were no more seasons filmed then this also was a satisfying way to end as a ten episode mini-series.

Ash vs Evil Dead, Series 1, Episode 1: "El Jefe"
I know this episode was released in 2015 but I actually waited until the whole series was finished before commencing to watch it; therefore it qualifies by my reckoning.  I will admit that I had my reservations how well the much beloved Evil Dead story would transfer over to the small screen.  Would the humour still be prevalent?  Would the Deadite's look and feel the same?  Would Bruce Campbell still be able to imbue Ash with the same manic energy?  Thankfully all my concerns were answered with an unequivocal "Yes" from the first episode onwards and I had a blast with this show.

Game of Thrones, Season 6, Episode 9: "Battle of the Bastards"
Was this the best season of Game of Thrones so far?  That is the question I kept asking myself as there were possibly three episodes that I considered for inclusion here (the two others being 'The Door' and 'The Winds of Winter').  However I had to plump for the resolution of Jon Snow's story arc, much like last year's inclusion in this section.  For so long we have been waiting for someone to stand up to Ramsay Bolton and we get to see it in all its bloody glory in this episode.  The battle scenes are ferocious and scary.  The way some of the battle is filmed; in such close ups with the focus on one character, really messes with your senses and you get to feel how disorientating the madness of slaughter would be.  Game of Thrones once again proving its magnificence.


Music
I will admit that I have been a bit lapse with my listening habits for 2016.  I haven't listened to nearly enough music as I would normally like to but in saying that I have heard some quality output.  Some of my favourite material has been from musicians coming back from long absences such as Suede and The Avalanches who I mentioned in one of my Weekly Witch Hunts.  These are three other artists whose work last year I deeply admired.

"Simple Forms" by The Naked and Famous
This is the third album from this New Zealand band (New Zealand seems to be getting all the love).  They don't stray too far from their formula and when the songs you produce consistently make the listener want to get up and dance as much as theirs; then why would you?  It is the perfect type of record to throw on at a party and get people moving.  Simple form indeed.

"Lemonade" by Beyoncé
There aren't many artists in the world with the same level of freedom to create such a bold record as Beyoncé.  She has simultaneously made a concept album and a cathartic album and it works so well.  Beyoncé has broadened her horizons and included different styles to what you would normally expect to come from her and the choices she has made for her collaborators are inspired.  She is fully deserving of all the accolades coming her way for this brave endeavour.

"Love and Hate" by Michael Kiwanuka
This is an artist that only came to my attention late in the year and it may be because he is fresh in my mind that he has made it into my Scorchers.  I love a good guitar based artist that can blend different tempos on the one album and Kiwanuka is more than capable of doing just that.  This is one of those records that you can put on and the songs feel instantly recognisable.  The songs tend to stick in your mind immediately.  One gem of an album I am pleased to have discovered, albeit late in the game.


Books
Once again I have included in this category books which weren't published in 2016 but ones which I read during this calendar year.  These are books that I had a lot of fun with that I think are deserving of a wider audience.

"The Uncanny Valley: Tales from a Lost Town" by Gregory Miller
This is a book of 33 short stories all interlinked by a radio station who asked for submissions of tales residents of  Lost Town either experienced themselves or heard about over time.  There are a mix of different stories with plenty of creepiness, suspense and horror throughout.  Scattered amongst these tales are the occasional illustration relating to the particular story being told which adds to the fairy tale aspect.  Overall this book is a great way to end the night with a spooky tale or two before you turn out the lights.

"Ghost in the Canteen" by Jen Rasmussen
A ghost hunter who traps the spirits she captures in a drinking canteen but then has the tables turned on her by a particularly tricky spook.  This peaked my interest and I was not disappointed one bit.  The book has excellent characters with plenty of backstory to make you want to learn more about them.  It contains enough scares and surprises to keep you turning page after page.  I found myself swept up in this adventure and really cared for the hero.  There was enough interest for me to want to check out the continuing adventures of Lydia Trinket.

"Jet" by Russell Blake
Jet is a former Mossad agent in hiding whose false identity has been discovered and is now marked for death.  Why, well that is what she intends to find out.  This is a fast paced espionage thriller that jumps across countries in the best traditions of James Bond.  The story is filled with everything you want to see in a spy novel with a hero who has the skills and know how to succeed.  It is only the beginning too as Jet's adventures continue in a further eleven books!  Now I haven't read any of the others so I can't comment on their quality but I fully enjoyed this opening salvo and would not be averse to another helping.


The Tortures
Okay so once again I have put myself through many, many torturous moments in the hope of finding some hidden gems.  In some cases I should bow down to the words of wisdom of critics/inquisitors far more qualified than I and avoided some of this drivel, but I am a sucker for punishment.  So here is my list of self-flagellation, you may or may not agree with some of my selections.


Films
Unsurprisingly there was a dearth of good quality comedy.  Zoolander 2 and Grimsby are just two of the atrocities I had the displeasure of viewing.  I found Grimsby to be insulting and I was ashamed for everyone involved in the project.  The Girl on the Train was a disappointment.  In the book I quickly worked out what was going on, even still it did not impact my overall enjoyment.  The film gives it away just as quickly but doesn't have the same impetus to maintain your interest once you have it worked out.  Another film to get on my nerves was, well, Nerve.  I think it didn't strike a chord with me because I am not a big fan of social media.  Here though are the ones that stood out as particularly irksome fodder.

"Equals"
Ever wondered what a really crappy version of Romeo & Juliet would look like if it was set in the future and had no soul or emotional content whatsoever?  If your answer is yes then this is the film for you.  In this dystopian future no one is allowed to fall in love or feel any emotional connection to another person at all; society has become the equivalent of a bunch of human automatons.  After watching this drab, bland, boring mess you will feel like one too.

"Nina"
Making a move about Nina Simone must be a daunting prospect with all that musical history as well as her civil rights activities and not forgetting her failed marriages, addictions and struggles with mental illness.  Nina fails to make any one of these aspects of her life interesting or entertaining in any way shape or form.  There is no need to go into the controversy in the casting of Zoe Saldana; I think she does an admirable job all things considered.  When your script and idea for telling this biopic is as bad as this then the blame should belong to the filmmakers.  Little wonder that it took three years to see the light of day.  Nina Simone covered the song "I Shall Be Released", I only wish that this film had remained not so.

"The Boy"
I will begin by saying that this is not a terrible film; it certainly has its creepy moments.  The reason for its inclusion is because the minute Greta is asked to look after a porcelain doll instead of a human being she should have turned around and said "Fuck. That. Shit." packed her bags and walked away.  End of story.  The premise is just too ridiculous to contemplate.  Nobody being offered the job of becoming a nanny to a doll would take it seriously no matter what mental anguish they had been through.  I just couldn't enjoy the film because the plot is that stupid.


Television
I was going to include Penny Dreadful in this list, simply due to depression I sunk into once I knew the show was coming to an end.  But I thought that would be to spiteful for a show I have a lot of love for.  I know some of these choices might be controversial but for me each show seems to have either run out of steam or developed some inconsistencies not in keeping with the other seasons.  My issues all seem to be of a common thread for the most part.

"The Walking Dead Season 7"
Okay so we have only seen one half of season seven so far because AMC feel the need to have a mid-season break for no discernible reason and I might be pleasantly surprised by what's in store for part two.  So far what I have seen has not inspired me and whereas in previous seasons I would look forward to each episode; I found that season seven was more a case of watch it when I can.  I think the main problem is that the shows scope has become much larger now.  The format they have often used of focussing an episode on one character or location hasn't worked as well this season because there are so many characters and settlements that need including.  If they change the format to be more encompassing then it should help resolve some of my issues.  It won't help how boring some of the people have become but at least it will be a start in the right direction.

"Hell on Wheels Season 5"
For five seasons we have waited to see the outcome of the bitter feud between Cullen Bohannon and The Swede.  Instead of the culmination of this epic rivalry occurring in the last couple of episodes we get the resolution in the very first episode of the second half of season five; because again AMC love their mid-season breaks.  For the remaining episodes Cullen has a far less interesting, far less intense tussle with the Chinese Yakuza boss Chang.  That is a side story to the main focus which is the slow, meandering conclusion to the final tracks being laid on the railroad.  Such a mediocre way to close a series that helped fill the time between waiting for the better shows to start up again

"Banshee Season 4"
Speaking of shows that helped fill in the time while waiting for the better ones to come back on the air.  Banshee also falls into that category and much like Hell on Wheels the final season was a major letdown.  The tonal shift from the first three seasons was so stark it felt like a completely different show altogether.  Starting off the season with the death of a major character also had a negative impact in the same way as Hell on Wheels.  The finale was just bland.  In fact I should have just written for this entry: "see Hell on Wheels above".


Music
I hate to be disrespectful towards musicians.  Where as an actor is beholden to the filmmakers around them, a musician stands more or less on their own.  A producer can only work with the material the artist gives them and the artist already has decided more or less how each of their songs will sound.  So with that in mind please feel free to tell me I am wrong to pick on these particular groups for these records.

"99₵" by Santigold
I will start by saying that I adore Santigold's first two records; Master of My Make-Believe is an album I can throw on anytime and it still feels fresh.  99₵ is a bit of a comedown and I think this is due to the concept behind the album.  It appears Santigold has got caught up in trying to make a social statement instead of focussing on the music.  Let's hope on the next album she returns to making the music the centrepiece rather than fixating on the message.

"PersonA" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Is the fact that 'Edward Sharpe and' crossed out on the cover of this album an indication that they are shedding a part of their persona to go along with the departure of Jade Castrinos from the band?  If so then it is a mistake.  Part of the character that has so far defined this band, seems to be missing off the record.  It just doesn't strike the same emotional chords within me as their previous output.  I hope it is only a small blip as I dearly love this group.

"Everything You've Come To Expect" by The Last Shadow Puppets
Not every return from the musical wilderness was as successful in my eyes as The Avalanches; The Last Shadow Puppets being a prime example.  It was eight years ago that they released their debut and sometimes a side project is best left at one great album.  This return fails to capture that same feeling of nostalgia that The Age of the Understatement had in spades.  I was hoping for more of the same and felt letdown.  The problem is more with my own expectations than the actual end product from Messrs Turner & Kane.

Books
Like musicians I also don't like to pick on authors as they are trying to tell a story and without stories our life would become very boring indeed.  However these two authors really got my goat up and I feel both deserve a kicking.

"Good Tidings" by Terri Reid
I like paranormal books and stories of people communing with spirits.  What I don't like is being misled into reading a romance novel with a paranormal subplot which is what this turned out to be.  Besides the ghost only being a minor part of the story the characters are not fleshed out in the slightest.  The vast majority of the book is made up of conversations; rather than developing the plot or rounding out the characters.  By skipping the text of 'he said, she said' I think I cut the reading time down by a couple of hours.  It felt like I had read the script to a really bad school play about a girl who fancies a boy with ghosts in it.

"Patients I Will Never Forget" by Sally Willard Burbank
Occasionally I think what the hell and give a book a try that I normally wouldn't bother with.  This was one such case and how I wish I hadn't!  This "author" is such a stuck up, preaching, know-it-all snob who delights in belittling and degrading her patients.  Worse than taking an instant dislike to miss Willard Burbank was the fact that she is completely unfunny.  Not one (and I am not exaggerating) of her stories is amusing in any way shape or form.  All I could do was thank my lucky stars that she is not my personal physician.  If you are interested in a medical practitioner with a god complex who thinks she belongs on a pedestal then by all means this is the remedy for you.  If however you are a normal person then you will find much better printed medicine to ease those visionary needs elsewhere.

Weekly Witch Hunt: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus & Futility, or The Wreck of the Titan

We decide what artistic endeavour passed approval to earn the Scorcher label from the past seven days & what also had the dishonour of being that week's Torture...

It is normal for me to indulge in some festive themed entertainment in the month of December.  Christmas carols and songs will be played ad nauseam; Films about or set at Christmas will be given a viewing and books about the happiest time of the year will be read.
One such book makes it into our Scorcher list this week, while a short story about something totally not related to the birth of Christ is the subject of Torture.

The Scorcher

L. Frank Baum is most famous for giving the world his tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the many adventures set in the legendary Land of Oz.  This other lesser known work of Baum's called The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is a little gem.
This is a fantastical imagining of Santa growing from a child into a man amongst fairies and other mythical forest creatures.  While Baum does incorporate a few Christmas themes, he doesn't stick rigidly to all the common conceptions of Santa lore.  Some of his ideas do seem a little out of place; such as Santa's location, but overall he strings this fairy tale together nicely.
It is a refreshing perspective and offers up a different perspective as to how Santa Claus came into being.  I can see this story becoming a seasonal staple of mine along with my all-time favourite Christmas story (and many other peoples too): Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.
What this tale truly deserves is a good cinematic adaptation to bring it the wider attention it warrants.

The Torture

Like many people the tragedy that befell the Titanic on its maiden voyage has always piqued my interest.  Imagine how I felt upon learning that an author had penned a short story fourteen years prior to the Titanic's doomed voyage; which seemed to predict the coming event.
Morgan Robertson was that very author and his novella goes by the title of Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan.  Originally it was just Futility but in 1912 the story was reissued under the longer title after people had started to recognise the similarities from Robertson's fictional tale and the real life sinking of the Titanic.
Robertson's ship even bears the name Titan, which is eerily close to the Titanic.  The Titan strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic and in the same month of April.  Whereas the Titanic had just over two thirds of the passengers and crew lost at sea; the Titan loses nearly everyone with very few survivors.  One of the reasons being the lack of lifeboats, again mirroring the Titanic.
Now all this sounds fascinating and makes you wonder at the power of Robertson's coincidental foresight.  The reality though is not as exciting as imagined.  The actual description of the ship and the subsequent sinking all take place in quick succession.  Yes what is depicted does closely resemble what happened to the Titanic; but it is only a small part of the tale being told.
The main crux of the novella is a rescue attempt and one man's story of redemption.  This in itself makes for a decent read; but if like me you come to this expecting to find the main theme being about an unsinkable ship dropping to the bottom of the ocean; then you too will be sadly disappointed.

Film: "Captain Fantastic"

The Witch Trial:
Is this a film about tree hugging hippies, freeloading off the land; or a comment on the consumerism that envelops the majority of people's lives?  Let us delve deeper to see what we can uncover.

Who:
Director: Matt Ross
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Frank Langella, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn
What:
Comedy/Drama
Why:
Original script
When:
Released 2016
Where:
Set in the forests of the Northwest of America

The Case For:
Captain Fantastic is a simple story about a family who have turned their backs on modern society in favour of raising their six children in an idyllic forest home; subsisting off the land.  Into this idyllic lifestyle choice tragedy occurs when the mother of the family takes her own life while she is away in hospital for treatment.
Viggo Mortensen is Ben, the father of this family.  He decides to take his children across country to attend the funeral against his father-in-law's wishes.  What follows is a road trip movie of discovery for the children as they see the country and life they have been sheltered from.
The story is both uplifting and tragic at the same time.  On the one hand you can see in what ways these children are better off; being taught by Ben and learning life skills that would not be taught in the real world.  At the same time you also get to see everything that they are missing out on by being so isolated; things that we take for granted.
One of the great strengths of the story is the lengths the writers have gone to portray these characters in a way that doesn't make them seem like outcasts.  They might have some queer practices and certain foibles that aren't all that common but on the whole they are normal, well-adjusted individuals.

It is more often than not people around this family who view them as outcasts and are unaccepting of someone who don't live in a traditional way.  This is very evident when Ben stops off at his sister's house and her children are amazed at their cousin's behaviour and mannerisms.  These are the type of scenes in particular where the filmmakers are asking the audience to judge if what Ben is doing is acceptable.  It gets you thinking as you observe the ways in which society expects us to interact with one another and what would generally be considered unusual; when this family acts in a way which is completely natural for them.
The assembled cast are excellent, even the youngest children perform admirably which isn't something too often said when kids are involved.  The focus isn't on the little ones though; the crux of the story revolves around Ben and his eldest son Bodevan, played by George MacKay.  Kielyr and Vespyr, the two eldest daughters are also prominent; but it is the relationship and the conflict that occurs between Ben and Bodevan that is central to the overall arc.
It is only in Bodevan's awkwardness around strangers that we really get an insight into how this different upbringing has affected his social interaction.  You start to realise that if the isolation that they have all been forced to endure can affect such a clever young man; then it will have the same, and possibly worse, consequences for his siblings.
These conflicts between father and son are fascinating and help show that even though Ben thinks he is doing something good for his children that, in actual fact, there is no right or wrong way to raise your kids.  What one person does is not always going to be right for another.
Bodevan is an interesting character.  He is extremely loyal to his father, even though he questions his motives and methods.  That loyalty is also extended to his family and it has to be said that the loyalty is reciprocated from each member; this is definitely a close knit family, one of unity and solidarity.  We get a couple of glimpses of him wanting to break away from this life.  Bodevan also gives you a clear indication of how he feels torn as he contemplates leaving what is probably the only existence he remembers.  Apart from Ben, his is the most interesting story arc.
Mortensen is perfectly cast as Ben, I can't think of another actor more suited to this role.  He has that bohemian look about him and you could well imagine Mortensen going all method and living this lifestyle to prepare for the part.  He gives Ben so much depth, generally just from a facial expression or by using his body language; he is able to show the audience what he is thinking and how he is feeling.  So much of this film is riding on Mortensen being able to pull this off and he gives yet another stand out performance.
The story isn't solely about their life choices, hidden amongst this living off the land are some pertinent social comments surrounding commercialism and consumerism.  Here is a family, seemingly happy on the whole with what they have been given in life.  In contrast to this once again, is Ben's sister who is part of your average two adults, two children family living in modern suburbia.  The message is pretty clear that not all is well with the standard family who seem to have everything.  Of course we come to learn that not all is right with Ben's family too; but it is intriguing to see the comparison.
I like the pacing of this film.  It doesn't rush to the funeral scene; the director takes his time getting us there which allows us to get to know the characters.  We then care about what the final outcome will be and what will occur once they reach their final destination.  While the film might have started under tragic circumstances by the end there is a sense of hope that the family will end up in a better place.

The Case Against:
The opening scene has a deer being hunted and finally killed by Bodevan in what appears to be a coming of age ceremony; one that Ben has possibly borrowed from some native custom.  This opening is slightly confronting and doesn't really portray how the rest of the film will pan out.
What it does do is show that this family are capable and possibly dangerous.  Some of the practices that Ben has his children performing are very cult like.  The fascination that each one seems to have with knives is disturbing.  You can understand it to a certain extent as they have to fend for food from the land, but it is still a little unnerving.
Ben's rigid authority and regimental nature work against you warming to his character.  On the one hand you can see that he clearly loves and cares for each of his children; but you sense an undercurrent of his overly possessive nature towards them.  It looks like he is missing a vital point about parenting, which is providing your child with the necessary tools to allow them to discover things for themselves.  A person achieves this from the encouragement and guidance offered by the parent.  It appears however that Ben wants to control every aspect of their lives.
The children have to learn what he chooses, they have to exercise the way he wants and they have to do as he says.  Now while most children have to obey their parents; generally speaking they are allowed a certain amount of freedom.  With Ben that is not the case and his indoctrination of his beliefs is his attempt to create people that think and act the way he does.
This practice backfires later on once Bodevan confronts him.  These scenes are played well by both actors and it does make you realise what a manipulative person Ben has been towards his family.  To the writers credit you can see that Ben does realise the error of his ways but it is definitely a character flaw that doesn't make Ben particularly endearing.  Of course having such a complex character is also more refreshing than having someone who is just straight forward; where everything is black and white.

Ben also has to deal with a very upset father in law.  Jack, played by Frank Langella, shows his disdain towards the lifestyle he feels was forced upon his daughter because of Ben's controlling nature.  He feels a lot of anger towards Ben which you can sympathise with.  Langella is very convincing and has an intimidating presence.  His attitude is only natural when someone is looking for someone to blame after a person close to them chooses to take their life.  Jack is mourning the loss of his daughter and Ben is the obvious choice to shoulder that blame.
As a consequence some of Jack's ire seems to extend to his grandchildren and I found this a bit odd.  They shouldn't share any portion of his resentment; they have no say in how and where they live.  This could be a consequence of Jack not knowing the children and not being a part of their lives for such a long time.  It did seem strange that he would act this way towards people who are no more at fault than his daughter was.
While I was okay with Jack's behaviour towards Ben, I was not so convinced by Harper, Ben's sister.  Once again you can understand someone thinking that what Ben is doing is unconventional and Harper certainly feels this way.  I would have just liked for the writers to have one person have the balls to stand up for him and say they admired him for his convictions.  Who better to fulfil that role than his own sister?
Instead we get another person telling him what he is doing is wrong and how it is having a detrimental effect on his children.  Speaking of children, Harper's own brood act exactly how I expected them too towards their cousins.  They couldn't have written these two annoying brats any more conventional if they tried.  In much the same way I would have liked Harper to show some compassion towards Ben's choices; how refreshing would it have been to see her offspring behave in an inquisitive way towards their relations, rather than in the derogatory manner displayed?
Everyone can agree that the way Ben has chosen to bring up his kids is certainly different.  By showing some people commend him for his convictions would have just put a twist on the angle.  These are the type of tropes that if the writers had chosen to avoid; would have resulted in a stronger film that possibly would have had more impact.  These differences of opinion would have added to any debate on the rights and wrongs of what Ben is trying to do when discussing the film after it ends.
One final comment on Mortensen: did we really need to see his little Viggo on display in yet another role?  He must have it written into his contract these days that he is allowed to appear nude in at least one scene.  Just because Ben has chosen to live a lifestyle close to nature doesn't make him a nudist.  It felt randomly thrown in just to get a cheap laugh.

Verdict:
Although dark and disturbing at times, I can't fully condemn a man for sticking to his principles when trying to do the right thing.  I just hope he isn't indirectly raising children who will become the next Manson Family!  As you can see I do have some reservations about letting this get off completely free; which I feel is exactly what the filmmakers intended.

Evidence:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Fantastic_(film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3553976/

Weekly Witch Hunt: Scream Queens & Free State of Jones

We decide what artistic endeavour passed approval to earn the Scorcher label from the past seven days & what also had the dishonour of being that week's Torture...

It feels like I keep bringing up Western's in this section, both good and bad!
I was tempted to include the Absolutely Fabulous movie but realised it would have been for purely sentimental reasons.  It really isn't that great a film but it did bring back a lot of nostalgia for a much loved British comedy.  Instead we do have something darkly humorous tickling my fancy this week.

The Scorcher

Finding the right balance in a horror comedy is not an easy task.  Too much comedy and it can become parody.  Too much horror and the comedy can feel like it has been shoehorned in.  Having just watched season one of Scream Queens I can confidently say that Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan have found the right combination.
This show has some great comic moments spread through every episode.  The horror doesn't go for gore but instead shoots for the Scream film franchise level of surprise horror.  In fact I would bet that particular film franchise heavily influenced the tone of this series.
The Red Devil killer definitely shares some of the same traits as the Ghostface killer from Scream as they are both equally inept when it comes to attacking their victim.  I would also suggest that the costume of the Red Devil killer took a little inspiration from Ghostface too; both using a mask to conceal the identity of the murderer.
Emma Roberts is particularly nasty in her role as the leader of the Chanel's.  This is an obvious tribute to Heathers; naming the four sorority girls of Kappa Kappa Tau all Chanel.  The overall tone of the show shares so much in common with Heathers actually, in a good way.  In Roberts they couldn't have picked a better leading lady; she seems so genuine when dishing out her brutal lines. 
Snagging Jamie Lee Curtis who is truly one of the original iconic Scream Queens is a real coup.  She is terrific as the bitchy dean of the campus.  She shows her comic chops, as well as returning to her horror roots, although this time around she isn't the type of girl to run away in high heels!
If there is one character that I could pick out who has the best lines it would have to be the completely naïve, sexually perverted: Chad Radwell.  Nearly everything that comes out of his mouth is comedy gold and Glen Powell nails his performance.  Equally amusing and just as welcome every time she appears is Niecy Nash as Denise Hemphill; the security guard out to protect the members of Kappa Kappa Tau.
I will say that this isn't a show that you should binge watch.  To get the most benefit I feel it is a show where you need to view one, possibly two episodes at a time; otherwise it loses some of its appeal.  The humour is great but in smaller doses and watching them one after another kind of dulls your senses and some of the smarter, quick witted jokes will pass you by.
The story itself keeps you guessing as to who the murderer is.  This is one busy killer; barely an episode goes by without someone being done away with; and in some rather inventive ways.  I have a confession to make: I was unable to solve the mystery of who was the main culprit.  Yes I failed as an Inquisitor in this instance and I have dutifully been punishing myself with self-flagellation since!

The Torture
 

Well a second entry in the Torture category for a Matthew McConaughey film!  I like Mr McConaughey but I am afraid that Free State of Jones did not live up to my expectations.  Being a fan of the Western I was looking forward to this with eager anticipation.  I especially love films about the American Civil War and the premise of this intrigued me.
This film ended up being just so flat and underwhelming; I was left feeling really disappointed with the final outcome.  It is such a shame because I am sure that the source material is worthy of a movie adaptation but this does not do justice to the story.  A quick look at the history of Newton Knight shows that there are at least four books on the subject, so how they didn't manage to come up with a more cohesive script is somewhat of a surprise.
There may be a lot of conjecture across these books but with a bit of research they should have been able to decide on the story that they wanted to tell.  Instead what we get is a film that goes too big on scope; whereas it would have been better served by narrowing the focus to possibly just the war years.  I think they lost the core of the story which should have been about Jones County and instead made it more of a biography of Newton Knight.
The film is interspersed with historical photos from the Civil War detailing what events were occurring to help move the narrative along; this is used in place of a narrator.  While this is a different way of showing the passage of time it does give the film a television movie of the week feel.  There is generally no lead up to any of these time jumps either, they just seem to be thrown in at random when the director feels it is time to move to the next stage in Knight's life he wants us to see.
To confuse matters there is the completely unnecessary inclusion of a court case involving one of Knight's descendants Davis Knight.  He is fighting for his marriage to be recognised as he is considered to be of African-American descent and at the time interracial marriage is still not recognised in the state of Mississippi.  The scenes of this trial are also strewn in at irregular intervals throughout.
They have no effect on the main plot and only serve as a distraction to the story you want to see unfold.  If I was editing this, these scenes would have ended up on the cutting room floor.  It is merely an interesting footnote and could have been included as such in the end credits if they felt it necessary to bring the audience's attention to this matter.
As you can see there are a few gripes in regards to how disjointed the whole thing feels.  On top of that we have the length of time the director wants to cover.  It starts in 1862 and finishes, if you include Davis' story, in 1947!  Of course it doesn't include all events during this period and I am exaggerating but it does show that they try to incorporate too many parts of the Knight family story.
The concentration should have stayed on the fourteen skirmishes Knight and his followers had with the Confederate forces in Jones County.  Instead we have Knight establishing a farm after the war has finished; Knight's fight alongside his African-American friends to establish their right to vote; Knight's estranged wife returning to his farm; Knight rescuing Moses' son from a new form of slavery after abolition and finally Knight and the freedmen practicing their right to vote.  It is just too much to fit in and makes the film just drag on and on, testing ones endurance.
Disappointed is the word that best sums up my feelings towards this, I hope that one day this interesting story gets a much better telling than what was on offer here.