I have a thing for disturbing films every so often. Especially when it’s done to tell a story and not just to have shock value. This movie had been on my list to try out for a long time and 43 minutes into it me and my boyfriend decided that it was time to tap out.
The problem my boyfriend had with it was the frat house initiation culture that was absolutely horrible and made him livid. Nothing was so overtly disturbing at that point, but everyone sucks in this movie. Neither of us could figure out who we should root for or why we should root for them or even what the movie was trying to show or say beyond being gross.
Having a gross film be gross for the sake of shock value is absolutely not something I enjoy or want in my life. I thought the cannibalism would be what took me out of the movie, but no it was everything else. The party frat life. The disgusting way the girl gets treated by literally everyone. The things people said and did. The rash scene made my whole body itchy because they peel off pieces of her skin that were flaking and that’s just a personal ick no no for me.
I wanted this movie to be what I thought it was. With the premise of a girl growing up forced to be vegetarian because the family knew if she had meat that she’d be insatiable until she started eating the flesh of people. But, then I told one of my guy friends about it and he said soooo, you want to watch a zombie movie? And cured literally every ick I had about cannibalism in one sentence. At least watching movies like that. I’ve never had an issue with zombies.
I will say even though the gore I saw in the film did not strike me as all that bad, it doesn’t mean it isn’t objectively gross and if you don’t like gross don’t watch this. The reason I stopped watching was I thought more of why certain things were chosen to be shown and what story purpose it would serve (couldn’t find a reason) and being like I feel awful and I want this to stop. If feces, urine, and hair gross you out…. Definitely do not watch this.
Raw succeeds in being a uncomfortable film to watch. If you like disturbing films just for the sake of feeling disturbed then this film is for you. However, if you prefer disturbing films that say something similar to Midsommar and Hereditary then Raw doesn’t really fit that bill.
Honestly, I am unsure if the second half contains scenes worse than are contained in the first half. I looked into trigger warnings associated with the film and didn’t find anything particularly as bad as what I had already seen. I had just felt pretty done with the film at that point. The veterinary procedures that are preformed are also uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t classify them as abuse. The rest of the gore I had left to see was the cannibalism and none of it seems to be worse then what you might see of zombie gore, if only more realistic possibly.
Safe to say I don’t personally recommend this film. If there’s any disturbing films you recommend for me to try watching in the future let me know in the comments.
Yesterday was a day that swirled with stress and tears and thoughts of so many things currently going wrong and heading towards a painful ending that I needed a break. In September I’ve been so excited about Halloween and scary movies, but last night I did not have any mental space to escape from one nightmare into another. I wanted something joyful. So me and my boyfriend watched Love Again together.
This movie captures the awkwardness and the hopefulness of new love after heartbreak. It reminded me very much of me and Abdiels relationship when we first got together and realized we could breath because we found the person in each other that loved how weird we were.
It’s a love where conversation is easy and there’s so many laughs and so much desire in all the ways that desire come to fruition. It’s the closest thing to magic I will ever encounter.
Last night being filled with as much pain and heartbreak as it was, watching this movie at the same time as my boyfriend and texting each other about how Mira encounters the “bad” Jonas brother was an uplift that I needed desperately.
When it was all over and I was lying down to sleep and everything was quiet the stress came back to me and the reason I slept at all was because I decided to flip the script and think about my partner and what it meant to me that he watched this cheesy yet fun rom-com with me and the steadiness of having him there.
Love again is a movie about finding love again after grief. Of choosing to move forward and celebrate what makes life beautiful even though it’s hard and somehow that’s exactly what I needed and I haven’t even fallen off the edge of what will cause a huge part of my grief in the near-future just yet.
I think it’s beautiful when we find a person in our lives that gets us. Someone who wants to raise us up and who we want to raise up to. Who at the end of the day creates the space to feel peaceful.
If you want to watch a movie about all these things and feel a bit of joyful cringe this movie is for you.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING!
If you would like a commission of a simple line art drawing or a poem based on anything of your choice for $5 let me know down in the comments! Proceeds will go towards editing and finding amazing artists to commission for book covers for my future projects. It’s a way of supporting me while I am able to give something back to you as well!
Now this is a post I haven’t done in a long time! However, I am excited to do this today while adding my own twist to it by making it about more then just books. I also wanted to talk about the current movies, tv shows, and games I’ve been enjoying as well.
What is the most recent book you’ve finished reading?
Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah was a book that made me cry when it ended. I absolutely cannot wait to write the review for it and have you all know how good it is. Especially since I’ve checked out the reviews and unfortunately this book is incredibly underrated. Mostly because people go into it for the horror, but that’s really not the main takeaway from this book. Anyway, I’ll get more into it when I review this, but just know I love this book so much I am going to buy a physical copy as soon as I can.
What Movie did you most recently finish watching?
I did my annual spooky season Hocus Pocus watch. Of course I love this movie and I think that it’s great to feel what once scared me about it as a kid is what I love about it now. It’s so good.
What tv show did you most recently finish watching?
I had wanted to start watching AHS again after not watching it for many years and realizing just how many seasons there are out now that I never tried to see. 1984 is a season randomly picked out by my boyfriend for me to watch and I loved it. I will fully review it soon, but I do got to say that while it lost me for a moment, by the end it came together in a beautiful way.
What game did you most recently finish?
I am also going to do a full post on this soon, but god this game! It’s sad and heartbreaking, but also so freaking adorable. This one is definitely for adults only, but man, it packs a punch. I can’t wait to tell you guys all about this amazing little lady!
What book are you currently reading?
I had read the previous three novels in this series a long time ago. My aunt had purchased Winterkeep and Sea Sparrow for me for Christmas last year. I decided it would be the physical book I read a bit more slowly when I have the time for it. Cashore has some of my favorite pieces of prose I’ve ever read. I haven’t gotten that far in this book yet, but as the momentum continues I am remembering what is so good about her writing.
What movie are you currently watching?
I actually do have something to write about for this question because I started this movie and I’m in the beginning parts of it currently. I am taking it slow because I really need to gather my thoughts for it as it is direct inspiration for the book I’m writing (even though this is my first time watching a saw film) So I am kinda watching it in sections.
What tv show are you currently watching?
It’s not a surprise after enjoying 1984 that I would chose to watch another season of AHS. I chose Double Feature not just because it was the season released right after 1984, but also because it had the most intriguing concept out of the names of the other seasons. I’ve seen the majority of the first story “red tide” it has been really interesting and fun to see the familiar actors in their new roles. I also love how fitting this poster is now that I’ve seen so much of red tide already. I’m guessing the second story is about aliens. I do wonder if they’ll tie together in some way. But in a way I kind of rather hope they don’t. I feel like a classic double feature in horror is two distinct horror stories that give you a thrill. So I look forward to seeing what the rest of the season brings.
What game are you currently working on finishing?
I am halfway through stories untold. It’s a pretty easy game to get through quickly, but with a sense of horror that is well worth your time. I may even finish the game today should I decide to sit down and play later. It has a unique concept and feels like your messing with an old computer system and the atmosphere is so creepy. Stories Untold is a really fun game. Of course I am always also playing Fortnite and Honkai Star Rail, but I figure for this question I want to talk about the game I am playing I am most serious about finishing and also closest to finishing at the moment.
What book will you be reading next?
The Cherished by Patricia Ward is a book I know nothing about other then the fact that it’s a horror that is marketed as being in the vein of midsommar. That is a huge name to drop and I want to see in what way that is true and if it lives up to that at all. Also, I was picking this at random from my netgalley backlog and it’s the cover that currently most caught my eye. I am on a horror binge in every aspect right now and I don’t want it to end.
What is the next movie you are thinking about seeing?
I started really enjoying hellraiser because one date over a year ago my boyfriend decided that he wanted to watch hellraiser because he was going to be a playable character in dead by daylight and he wanted to know more about him. I had never had a single intention of ever watching a single one of these films, but when we sat together at that park and began to watch it and I really gave it a chance I realized I weirdly loved it and at first didn’t really understand why. It’s gross a lot of the time. A lot of the elements it contains are odd and like a feverdream, but in a way it almost came off as being comedic but a really dark comedy. I don’t know it’s become something that feels like an us thing for me and my boyfriend to watch together and I love it. Also, wouldn’t have guessed he’d like it at all either because he is not a big horror fan at all and gets scared really easily, but this movie doesn’t effect him like that. Anyway, while I will probably see some sort of film before this one because I don’t see my boyfriend till Friday, It’s the movie I am most excited to know I’ll be watching very soon.
What tv show will you be watching next?
I have 5 seasons of AHS left after I finish double feature so I put them in a random generator and Cult is the season is chose for me. I know nothing about it at all. I know that cults both fascinate and terrify me. I don’t know if this will effect me in a good or bad way, but after I am done with double feature I will definitely give this a try and see if I like it.
What game will I be playing next?
Ok so maybe Cult is the perfect tv show for me to watch soon as I am so excited to play The Chant next. It’s a horror game I get to play completely blind for once and I know it’s about a cult, but because it’s very monstrous and full of paranormal enemies I see it a little bit differently. Also, I have started other games other then Untold Stories, but I interpret this question as a game you haven’t started yet and so that’s why I chose this one even though it may take a good time before I get to even start it. Either way, I really am excited to play it.
That’s all for WWW Wednesday! I hope you enjoyed my extended version and I hope to continue this once or twice a month from now on. That way I’ll have plenty of time to have different answers.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING!
If you would like a commission of a simple line art drawing or a poem based on anything of your choice for $5 let me know down in the comments! Proceeds will go towards editing and finding amazing artists to commission for book covers for my future projects. It’s a way of supporting me while I am able to give something back to you as well!
The people we hate at the wedding (twice once on my own and once with Abdiel) (This movie is so damn good)
The hustle
The love guru 2008 (with Abdiel)
Game Night
Rec (this is a horror film in Spanish that completely took me by surprise with how good it was. It was only at the end it did a really trope heavy thing, but other then that it was genuinely uncomfortable and horrifying to watch. I loved it!)
Midsommar (with Abdiel)
Tv shows watched
Anime watched
Science fell in love so I tried to prove it season 1 and 2
Attack on titan season 2
Writing done
Research for secret book
Games played
Fortnite
Undertale
Doki doki literature club (I got the platinum)
Meet your maker
Plague tale requiem
Games purchased/received: Meet Your Maker, Tails of Iron, and Sackboy a big adventure, sagebrush, doki doki literature club, a plague tale requiem, Cinders, Nier Automata, Nier Replicant
Art I did
Most of it was practice art works and messing around with my tablet and a lot of it isn’t serious and pretty bad so they will stay a mystery
Manga read
Spy x family volume 1
Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story
Books read
Girl Taking over: A Lois Lane Story
Books Bought/ Received
Spy x family volume 2
Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story
Exercise done
Not much
Life stuff:
Had a lovely date with my partner. The Greek restaurant we went to was a delight and so delicious.
Also this month we went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants:
This time we forgot to take food pictures, but as always the food was amazing.
All in all, I’d say I accomplished a lot this month. It’s been a really enjoyable month all things considered.
I have been a major horror movie kick recently. Wanting to dip my toes into classic horror films and also newer films too. I’ve felt like getting to know more about the different horror genres and enjoy all that horror has to offer.
So I started with a classic that I felt would be fun that I’d never seen before and that was the Scream films. Especially with the 5th movie coming out in January I thought it’d be appropriate.
Scream
The opening scene of this film is so good. The dialog is very entertaining and I think those first 5 minutes made the franchise. I think the first scream is the best of the four. All of them are meta, but I think it introduces everything so well and it’s funny and suspenseful throughout.
Scream 2
Scream 2 was a mixed bag for me. I liked it. I actually jumped during one part and it surprised me. It was very self aware and meta, but I also felt that it somewhat stopped being a parody of itself and became what it was parodying. I did think that the ending was interesting when the killers are revealed. I wasn’t really expecting it.
Scream 3
I feel like I felt similarly to scream 3 as scream 2. The problem is I’m not really remembering much of what happens in this film. Upon looking it up I did like this one more and feel it’s the better of the sequels. I liked who the killer was. I thought that final scene was very interesting. While not as iconic as the original it was good and entertaining.
Scream 4
I’m currently rewatching this one as I only half paid attention watching it the first time. I remembered the beginning pretty well, but the middle gets lost. Somehow even with me only having half paid attention it still feels way better to me then the second film. The extra meta in the beginning and then the way it ends. It was a lot of fun.
All in all:
This franchise is such a fun one. It’s very high in entertainment value, but it’s also not serious enough that you can’t be enjoying other things as well in the meantime. I’m really excited for the 5th movie and seeing how more modern technology changes the dynamics of this killer and what hi jinx ensues.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Recently, one of my favorite past times is watching Netflix. I love seeing what it’ll recommend me and if it would really be a movie or show I’ll enjoy. So I thought that I’d like to share the top 5 recommendations Netflix made for me:
5. A Series of Unfortunate Events
‘This series follows the tragic tale of three orphans — Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire — who are investigating their parents’ mysterious death. The siblings are saddled with an evil guardian named Count Olaf (portrayed by Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris), who will do whatever it takes to get his hands on the Baudelaires’ inheritance. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling devious plans and disguises.’
It’s really not a surprise that this show is being recommended to me. This book series is one I had started when I was younger and greatly enjoyed. It’s slightly dark and weird, but so much fun. It’s a matter of time before I watch the show.
4. Crimson Peak
‘After marrying the charming and seductive Sir Thomas Sharpe, young Edith (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself swept away to his remote gothic mansion in the English hills. Also living there is Lady Lucille, Thomas’ alluring sister and protector of her family’s dark secrets. Able to communicate with the dead, Edith tries to decipher the mystery behind the ghostly visions that haunt her new home. As she comes closer to the truth, Edith may learn that true monsters are made of flesh and blood.’
I think that I keep thinking I’ve watched this movie before and then skipping out on it, but I actually am not sure I have. Whatever the case, I’ve definitely wanted to and will watch this movie very soon.
3. Moxie
‘Inspired by her mum’s rebellious past and a confident new friend, a shy teenager publishes an anonymous zine calling out sexism at her school.’
When the book Moxie came out I always had it in my mind I really wanted to read it, but I never got my hands on it, but it’s really no surprise that the movie is being recommended to me.
2. I Am Not Ok With This
‘A teenager navigates the complexities of high school, family and her sexuality while dealing with new superpowers; based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel.’
Why wouldn’t I watch this? It sounds amazing!
1. Gunpowder Milkshake
‘To protect an 8-year-old girl, a dangerous assassin reunites with her mother and her lethal associates to take down a ruthless crime syndicate and its army of henchmen.’
I cannot say how strong the urge to watch this movie has been. It sounds so intriguing. God I hope I love it. I need to watch this soon!
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Another fun movie night with my best friend last night. This time it was my choice and of course my excitement lead me to choosing ‘The Suicide Squad’. I knew the day before that this is what I wanted to watch and I’m very proud of my choice.
Looking at this poster, everything you need to know about this movie is right there. It was so much fun to watch. To my surprise, the same night my boyfriend texted me that he was watching this with his sister. I know he hasn’t seen any of the other movies related to this which is why I was shocked. This movie is definitely a stand alone so it didn’t matter. But, I was also excited cause I had already told my best friend I was going to watch this with her that night.
One thing this movie did was further increase my crush on Harley Quinn.
Harley’s growth is something I think everyone’s been talking about that’s seen the movie. She’s owned by no one and she saves herself and becomes more free in who she is as a person and I adore this for her! Every scene she was in was gold and watching her on the screen made me so happy. She’s witty and unpredictable and so strong and wild and free and one of the most amazing heroes in this film. I love her.
I now want a rat named Sebastian. This little guy I loved from the very beginning. He’s so adorable and has such a big personality. So many of the funniest and quirkiest moments in the film included him. I would die for Sebastian.
Rat catcher and Bloodsport had some of the most wholesome moments in the whole film. I wanted to give them both a hug so many times. I just adored them.
King shark a.k.a sharky boy or just sharky to me gave me so many laughs. I loved every moment he was on screen. He also caused some of the most gruesome deaths, but the balance he had as a character made me forgive him. I loved him too.
I thought at the beginning I wouldn’t care much about this character, but I did. His mom being everywhere was hilarious. Plus his power was so awesome looking. He was so fun to watch.
All in all, I absolutely had a blast watching the suicide squad. It’s a delightful film with dumb humor that was perfect for my heart. I’m definitely going to be rewatching in the future for the pure enjoyment of it.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Last night my best friend Marble asked me to watch a movie with her and of course I was down. I always enjoy watching a movie with her. So, this movie night she picked 13 Ghosts. A movie I’d never seen and knew nothing about. This is how it went:
The first thing of note is that this poster is exactly all that this movie is. The flashes of visions the psychic has and the all around fear that is present throughout the film. It’s a perfect representation of 13 Ghosts.
One thing about this movie is that it’s very memorable, especially because it’s visuals are so unique to it. The opening itself with the very strange way all this yellow tape moves in this car junk yard adds to the very creepy feel the movie has. Add that to the many many opening deaths that occur in very awful ways it is something to remember.
Then we have the family featuring the dad played by Tony Shalhoub who is also the actor who plays Adrian Monk. Seeing him in this movie is what initially really got me invested. I wanted to see the man who plays one of the most iconic characters ever play a whole different role.
Honestly, his role here wasn’t so dramatically different. His wife was also dead in this movie. He’s still acting scared even though in this movie there’s a more real threat then general germs like in Monk. He was still as steady and clear minded as he is in Monk.
What was cool and what I think most of the budget was spent on was the house. It’s massive and full of turning parts like a huge puzzle. Glass walls with words written on them are everywhere. If I had to guess most of the budget was spent on creating this for the movie. I gotta say they did a pretty awesome job with it.
I think the makeup done for the 13 ghosts was pretty much what you see at any six flags fright fest. Which is scary often, but it did make me analyze the film more in the way it was made rather being fully immersed in it, but again it is very much a product of that era of film so I’d say they did a pretty good job.
While there is quite a few glaring flaws of the film, I did very much enjoy watching it. I don’t really think any of them should have survived the film. The reasons for their survival were pretty chance based and so many more things could’ve gone wrong, but the ending was pretty neat.
Overall, I’d recommend this writers fever dream of an idea became real just for how unique it is. If you like early 2000’s horror films you’ll enjoy this movie.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
Looking back February was a pretty good month and I watched some really great shows and movies even if I didn’t get to finish a book in February.
Movies watched
Penguin bloom
Cute movie that made my heart feel warm.
Host
A really great horror film solidly set in the time and feel of 2020.
Hush
Intense horror with a deaf main character that would have been made better by proper representation.
Tv shows watched
Season 2, 3, and 4 of futurama
The bulk of what I’ve been watching lately and it’s only gotten better and better!
Season 2 The Mandalorian
Best part of this show was the finale and of course the relationship between Mando and baby Yoda. I loved it!
Games played
Genshin impact 1.3 update
I did a whole post on this but 1.3 was great! I loved the events and I even landed a Xiao in the coolest way which I talked all about in my blog post about Genshin Impact.
Overloot
This game is so cute! I drop in and play every once in a while and it’s a fun connect the weapons kind of game.
The Arcana
This is a visual novel type game and I love the romance in it and the mini game that you do daily. I know I’ll be playing and reading along for a long time.
Game playthroughs watched
Captain sparkles vault hunters
Little bit of Minecraft diaries
Among us videos
Little bit of clue videos
Exercise done
Breath 30 days of Yoga- started and didn’t finish due to my wrist dying on me due to work. Have an appointment to get it checked out soon and it should be resolved soon enough.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! Let me know your thoughts down in the comments below!
I have had a wonderful day and I was having a little trouble thinking about what kind of post I wanted to write. So, I decided to end off the day watching a movie randomly recommended to me off Likewise.
Hush is about a deaf mute writer who has a killer attack her home. The killer himself is completely deranged and takes pleasure in drawing out the kill when he can. He wants his victims to suffer and it’s a mind game for him.
Maddie lives alone isolated in the woods. The movie never explains why she was isolated, but she does say she didn’t chose it for herself.
I am writing as someone who isn’t mute or deaf and I read reviews from deaf and mute reviewers to get a better since of if the movie handled deafness in a respectful way. From what I gathered most really wanted a deaf mute actress to play Maddies role. This would have made her feel more authentic and the sign language wouldn’t have been mixed in its versions.
There also was a moment where Maddie reads the killers lips from too far of a distance that wouldn’t be plausible for someone who was truly deaf.
For a more detailed review of this from a deaf reviewer click here.
As far as the horror goes, I did enjoy it. 100% I’d have loved to see this played by a deaf actress and movie makers need to start listening to the communities they are portraying in films and actually cast people from those communities to play them. I think it’s important for everyone to see an authentic representation of themselves on screen.
Watching Hush was scary. There was certain things I felt where they were trying to get the deafness part right, but couldn’t hit the mark because they didn’t cast a deaf person for the role.
That being said enjoyable as the movie was I think it just showcases how important it is to cast the community your portraying and go that step further (though it shouldn’t be the step further, but the default) and make a movie that sorta is a step forward and steps backward all at once into something amazing and way more worth the watch.
I did find the other interesting part of this movie is that she used her brain as a writer to fight the killer. As I writer that is a part that I really enjoyed.
All in all, I’ll be really excited to watch more movies that actually incorporate deaf actors for deaf roles, and trans actors in trans roles, and actors who are autistic to play autistic roles and so on. This movie highlighted for me that I want to start searching for movies and shows that make it a point to cast from the communities the show portrays. It makes a world of difference.
The Book Raven 