Film Review: Never Cry Werewolf (Cheesy, Silly, Harmless Fun)

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Emma

I posted this review in the early days of this blog when no one knew I existed. 🙂  I watched it again lately, and it was as silly but enjoyable as the first time, so I’d like to share the review again.

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As a made-for-TV movie, and worse having aired on the Sci Fi channel, I had reservations about watching this. 90 minutes later, I was pleasantly surprised. Put aside what will most likely be your tendency to scoff, and just enjoy this little gem for what it is, a comedy-horror that blatantly and enthusiastically rips off Fright Night. Substitute a werewolf for the vampire from the 80s movie and you’ve sussed the plot.

For the ladies, we have the sexy Peter Stebbings from The Listener and Madison (if anyone remembers that show) in the lead role as Jared, the hot, motor-cyclist and new next door neighbour of teenager, Loren played by Nina Dobrev of The Vampire Diaries. It’s hard not to be aware of the creepy age difference between these two, and in fact Jared tells Loren that back in the day, girls her age would have been shacked up with a couple of kids. In a nutshell, he believes Loren is the reincarnation of his dead fiancée, and he intends to turn her into a werewolf to keep her alive as his mate forever. Yes, it is fair to say that Nina Dobrev has developed a taste for playing characters who look like the reincarnation of her love interest’s ex.

Age difference aside, there is something hypnotic about the charisma oozing from Stebbings. Hercules, sorry I mean Kevin Sorbo, plays a washed-up tv star, Redd Tucker, who is roped into helping Loren destroy Jared before he makes her his mate and/or kills any more hookers. Punk kid and fast food delivery boy, Steven (Sean O’ Neill) has a major crush on Loren, and earns himself a bite from the big bad wolf for his wooing efforts.

This film is played for laughs, and it’s clear to see that all the actors amp up the silliness. Was it really necessary to stick Dobrev in a sports bra at the end? Probably not, but I doubt there’re any guys out there who would complain. Kitting her out with a crossbow seemed to be a nod to the legions of Buffy fans, so thumbs up for that.

Cheesy, silly, harmless fun. This is one to watch with your friends on a Friday night with some Jack Daniels in hand, or any other hard liquor.

** if you watch this sober, *** if slightly tipsy.

Has anyone seen this? What other silly Sci Fi/Syfy channel films are doing the rounds that I’ve missed?

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Book Review: Be Still, My Love by Deborah J. Hughes (A Haunting in Maine)

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Emma

A Haunting in Maine, and it’s not a story by Stephen King!

I always enjoy reading Deborah Hughes’ real-life ghost stories and paranormal tales on her blog: Ghostly Dramas, so I eagerly snapped up her novel, Be Still, My Love, and last weekend, I spent a rainy couple of days curled up on the couch with my brand new Kindle and this ghostly tale.

This novel was perfect company for the current wintry weather we’re experiencing in Cork.  I was thrilled to learn it’s set in Maine, a place I myself refer to as Stephen King land.  With star-crossed lovers in the form of ghosts, a medium (though she doesn’t like to be called that) and waves crashing against a rocky shore, I had a feeling this tale would be right up my alley.

Tess has spent the past two years grieving for her husband who was killed by a drunk driver.  On her doctor’s orders, she heads off on a three week break to Sea Willow Haven resort which is said to be haunted.  While there, Tess gradually comes back to the world of the living and reconnects with her spirituality.  She is determined to get to the bottom of the strange happenings at the resort, though she doesn’t bargain for the friendships she makes and her attraction to ex-Marine, Kade.

I like characters that are flawed.  Tess has all but given up on living when she arrives at Sea Willow.   Her life ended when her husband’s and dog’s did, and now she chain-smokes through her days, her gaze set firmly on the past.  Even her therapist has had enough of her, and so off Tess goes to Maine, to get away from the home where she now lives alone, depressed and unwilling to look to the future.  She finds her way back to her faith through spending time with others and I found that I too enjoyed spending time with Tess and her new friends.

One thing I would have liked to see more of was a little spice between Tess and Kade.  The man is an ex-soldier for crying out loud. Fictional soldiers are always hot and Tess deserved a little romantic action.  I did find this novel quite long and felt a shorter book would have done the story more justice.  Tess’s beliefs and faith are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.  I accepted that and was able to enjoy spending time with her.

Read at your leisure and enjoy the easygoing pace.  A gentle tale with a superb, haunting setting.  ***

Check it out on Amazon HERE

I’m always on the lookout for a good ghost story. I’d love to hear some suggestions?

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