Reviews by Kyle Ellis

This game is absolutely stunning. From graphics to gameplay, this game is yet to be sub-par in any category. Just a fair warning, this game is very disturbing as well as challenging. Make sure you have friends to play with if you even want a chance. But if you can work together, you have a shot

When I was a kid The Munsters was a big favourite, and at 19 it still is. The costumes, sets and photography still look great after all these years, and the music is more than memorable. The humour is perhaps broader than a 60s series like The Addams Family(also a classic) but goodness isn't the humour hilarious too? The lines are sharp and the slapstick uproarious. And it really helps that (at least to me that is) the laughter track is never inappropriate or annoying. The stories are always well-paced and entertaining, Grandpa's experiments are worth the viewing alone and the characters are so lovable and genuinely for each other as a family, my personal favourite is Eddie. The acting is spot on, Al Lewis, Fred Gwynne, Yvonne DeCarlo and Butch Patrick are just perfect. Overall, another TV classic of the 60s. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Despite appreciating horror very much (with a lot of classic ones out there, such as 'Halloween', 'Nightmare on Elm Street', 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', 'Night of the Living Dead' and 'The Exorcist', plus the best of Hammer House of Horror), even if not my favourite genre, it took me a while to get round to watching the 'Hellraiser' franchise. Due to having so much to watch and review, and the list keeps getting longer and longer.

This is the film that started the franchise off, and not only is it by far the best of the 'Hellraiser' films it also for me, and quite a few others it seems, is one of the stronger horror films of the 80s, though not quite of all time. What is meant by being by far the best of the 'Hellraiser' films is that it is the only one to be above very good, the nine sequels were very variable (leaning towards the disappointing) and the latter films particularly are suggestive of the franchise having run its course.

'Hellraiser' is notable for being the directing debut of celebrated and extremely talented author Clive Barker. His books have always been hugely compelling, with intelligent exploring of ambitious themes, vivid attention to detail and characterisation, meticulous atmosphere and distinctive chills and sense of dread, his popularity is more than well deserved. He also adapts his source material 'The Hellbound Heart', a terrific book and even better than this already very good film, and all those qualities are lifted off the pages onto the screen. It is also notable for introducing us to Pinhead, who would justifiably become a horror icon.

By all means 'Hellraiser' is not a perfect film. The ending is schlocky and at odds with the rest of the film, which was up to then very disturbing and remarkably intelligent and the ending felt like it belonged somewhere else.

Also felt that Barker's direction did occasionally show his inexperience, namely in some unfocused and not always necessary close-ups.

Most of the time though he does a great job, capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the book with ease and the momentum is never lost. 'Hellraiser' is genuinely scary with plenty of chills, unnerving dread, nail-biting suspense and a hair-raising sense of claustrophobic tension. It is very graphic but not in a cheap way, going over the top with the shock value and not pointlessly so, traps that it could easily have fallen into and ones fallen into so many times in horror. Personally thought the Cebonites were used well, they are still terrifying and using them as catalysts rather than focusing too much on them (mentioned already very well) added to the mysteriousness, they look good too.

It's not just scary though. 'Hellraiser' has truly inventive storytelling stemming from a unique premise back then and seldom equalled now. It also has some abitious themes like pain and desperation that are handled intelligently, giving the film some emotional power and surprising dimension not always found in horror, it is just so wonderful to find a film with a great concept seen recently that lives up to it and exceeds it even. Just want to say this is not trying to knock the genre at all, in case it's sounding that way. 'Hellraiser' holds up well on the visual front, some eerie camera work and lighting, the effects are far from amateurish and the make-up manages to be some of the most effective of the 80s.

The script is thoughtful with Barker's prose all over it and the characters show his attention to detailed characterisation, nobody is bland or annoying. The music doesn't seem to have pleased everybody, for me it was haunting and didn't dimish the atmosphere at all. Was surprised too by how good the acting was, have seen some terrible acting in horrors recently so this was refreshing. What a staggeringly frightening performance from Doug Bradley and Clare Higgins is particularly good of the rest of the cast.

Summing, very good with many great elements. 8/10 Bethany Cox

'Friday the 13th' may have been panned by critics when first released but since then it is one of the most famous and influential horror films, the franchise containing one of horror's most iconic villains. The film is popular enough to become a franchise and spawn several sequels of varying quality and generally inferior to the one that started it all of.

Is 'Friday the 13th' an original film in terms of overall story? No, having been, and still is, compared to 'Halloween' (released two years earlier). One can see why somewhat, it is derivative in a way but to me it didn't come over as a direct rip off. 'Friday the 13th' is far from the best when it comes to acting, excepting Betsy Palmer (very good) and Adrienne King (charming). The others are average at best, though it was interesting to see Kevin Bacon in an early role pre-stardom.

Nor is it the best when it comes to dialogue. Much of it is very crude and cheesy. Or character development, while the characters are actually still easy to sympathise with to some extent they are stereotypes that we don't know an awful lot about generally.

However, while it may not be a "great" film, 'Friday the 13th' is great guilty pleasure fun and it is very easy to understand its popularity and influence. It's very gory and gruesome, though not pointlessly so, but it is also very frightening and suspenseful.

This is apparent in the deaths, which couldn't have been more creative or shocking, and the hauntingly eerie music score. 'Friday the 13th' is assuredly directed and moves along at a lively pace. The late reveal is for the better and works very well. The climax is a long way from a petering out one, instead the film goes out on a very strong bang, right up to the unexpected and freaky final jolt clearly inspired by 'Carrie'.

Overall, good fun and very scary even if not exactly classified as great. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Anime: Soul Eater

Now this anime is a great example of a concept being done great (unlike SAO *Cough*)

Medusa herself is a Hero-Turned-Evil – she used to be a student and nurse at Death Weapon Meister Academy but then got the brilliant (not) idea to revive Asura.

Medusa’s design is a cloaked creature with slightly green pale skin and tired eyes.

This in itself is a reference to the greek Medusa, but now it’s more goth-y.




And it seems goth runs in the family!

Her daughter Crona is also a goth swordsman, and although she didn’t make the list she should be mentioned.

Anime: Black Butler

Ah, Black Butler.

This show is pretty much heaven for all things gothic – the dark story, characters, and setting are perfect for them.



And amid all the pretty boys and blood-red villainesses, Hannah stands out – a gothic lolita demon servant.

Hannah is the maid of the Trancy household. And Alois Trancy’s contracted demon.

She is softspoken and slightly masochistic toward Alois (not in a kinky way, get your mind out of the gutter).

Her greatest (and only) wish is her master’s happiness, contradictory to her softspoken attitude.

Anime: Boku no Hero Academia

Finally, we have our queen.

Breaking the scale at 20.62 m ( 67’7”), we have Mount Lady. The attention loving, gorgeous superhero who may or may not be interested in Kamui’s quirk.

Although usually portrayed as goofy and used to elevate the mood, Mount Lady is still a true hero.

Using her giant size to both attack and defend those in need. She is overall a lovable character, and come on. The woman is the size of three giraffes stacked on top of each other.

When it comes to size in the female anime world, she is second to no one.

Anime: Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!

Although Sayaka is the farthest from the ground in her club, she seems to be the most grounded by far.

I mean she is 180 cm ( 5’11”) but seems to be the most mature of the group.

Having learned the value of money and marketing at a young age, Sayaka turned into a realistically materialistic person. Go figure.



She knows how to stand up for herself and her friends, how to bluff, win arguments, and overall be a dominant presence. Again, go figure.

The mere fact that between an enthusiastic dreamer and a literal model the audience still flock to Sayaka shows just how lovable she is.

Anime: Witch Craft Works

Ayaka Kagari is definitely the textbook example of tall and beautiful.

You might even call her hot, a bit over 600 degrees Celsius ( or 1112 degrees Fahrenheit ) to be more precise.

Standing at 175 cm ( 5’9”), not counting the giant pointy hat, she definitely towers over the rest of her friends.

But even without her physical height she would definitely stand out, being the most popular girl at school and a badass fire witch on top of that.

And if you’re lucky she just might cradle you in her arms while flying on a broom and burning robot rabbits to a crisp. Takamiya Honoka, you live a strange life.

But at least you have this tall, monotone witch to take care of you and call you her princess.

In the ocean of animes, you find only a few gems. Most of them are roughs, but this one is cut.

This series boasts of Yuki Kaji (Eren: Attack on Titan fame) at the helm, with Hiroyuki Sawano (Again Attack on Titan fame) commanding the music and composition with **PERFECT** blend of humor, epic badassery and great emotional quotient while creating an universe with potential of grand scale wars.

I particularly like the main lead who seems the smallest but is actually the strongest with a idealistic mindset, I know, I know it's total shounen, but also shows a gleam of maturity which makes you wonder what he can do when he is angry. Am really waiting for it to see.

Another high point in the series is the interaction between the various Sins till now, they are different from each other like ice and fire, but remain together with a strong both. This makes the lead the most impressive that he can manage such diverse powers and knit them in a group.

Music is top notch as expected which creates the tensions extraordinarily. If at all just listen to the music, it's just awesome.

The pig is another character which serves as the friend and brother of our protagonist (again unusual interactions) and is the great comic element of the show.

I would say just go and watch it. It's fun and has something for everyone.

I would like to give it 9.5/10. But I will give it 10, for it warms my heart with its incredible music and great storyline. **PERFECT**.