Movie #4: The Monkey
When twin brothers Bill and Hal find their father’s old monkey toy in the attic, a series of gruesome deaths follow.
This one gets off to a tremendous gloriously gruesome and darkly humorous start before running out of gas and sputtering to its not wholly surprising conclusion.
My rating: 3.5/5
Movie #5: Exit 8
A man becomes increasingly desperate when he realizes he is trapped in a subway station, needing to complete a mission to get out.
This movie’s video game roots are apparent but, so far as adaptations goes, it’s probably one of the better ones in its exploration of free will and fatherhood – but it can’t escape its all-too-repetitive game play narrative.
My rating: 3/5
Movie #6: Sinners
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
I’m in the minority here given that this film has made many Best Of lists, but I found the first 45 minutes of set-up interminable and the various song and dance sequences equally so. Once the action finally kicks in, it doesn’t really add anything to vampire lore beyond its unique setting. Meh.
My rating: 2.5/5
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Of the three, I’ve only heard of Sinners. I really need to start watching more movies.
In other news, got back from my (almost) two week trip to the UK last week and I’m feeling like I’m still recovering from the jet lag. Ugh. Really enjoyed the trip, but still glad to be back home and sleeping in my own bed!
What was the best thing you ate, Gary?
Hmm. Good question. Probably the best restaurant meal I had was traditional fish ‘n chips (with the mashed peas!) at a place called Greyfriar Bobby’s Bar in Edinburgh, in a spot famous for the story of Greyfriar Bobby. It’s a great story if you haven’t heard it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyfriars_Bobby. The restaurant is on Candlemaker Row just outside the cemetery.
For sheer volume and value, it’s hard to beat a visit to Toby Carvery in Bristol! It’s like a Christmas buffet, but all the time! https://www.tobycarvery.co.uk/#/
But I think my favourite of the whole trip was just a potluck style finger foods and snacks meal that the friends I was staying with put together for one of the nights I was there. It’s hard to beat food with friends, not matter what it is!
There’s a carvery that opened up near me I’ve been dying to try.
You must go and report back! 🙂
Also note: I did not try haggis or anything haggis adjacent, LOL!
Fish and chips by the coast is the best… but… it depends on the chippie. Glad you enjoyed our delicacy! Haggis is lovely and I’m from Norfolk… Come back to the UK again despite the jetlag xxx
Note I didn’t mention Toby!