Tag Archives: reviews

Movie Review: The Deputy

Synopsis: 

Chief Kreuger (William H. Macy) assigns rookie Deputy Toby Sawyer (Duke Nicholson) to guard a dead body. But when the corpse vanishes, Toby launches a frantic search that unearths decades of small-town rot. Pressured to look the other way, Toby finds a lone ally in Deputy Amanda Jackson (Tiffany Haddish) and sets out to unravel a lethal web of corruption to clear his name in a town where secrets stay buried.

Review:

Well Go USA’s new gritty crime film, The Deputy, is a well made, gritty, and, somewhat, comedic crime drama with a noir flare.

The film is a tightly made crime drama, which opens with the murder of a criminal with possible cartel signs and it devolves from there based upon a series of odd and quirky circumstances that tie in nicely with the films sensibility about life in a small Southwestern town.

The film centers around a hapless and unambitious loser, played adeptly by Jack Nicholson’s grandson, Duke. Duke’s command of the screen is a welcome part of the movie, but should not have surprised me. He does a good job playing the role, and not overplaying it. He is definitely more anti-hero, than hero, and he is fun to route for.

The rest of the cast, albeit not having large roles, all do a great job adding color to this film. William H. Macy, Stephen Dorff, and Tiffany Haddish all give memorable performances in this one. Julia Fox is underutilized, but fun to watch. Billie Lourd suffers a similar fate, but her character is memorable and important to the film.The reminder of the extras and smaller roles all add a sense on uniqueness all make the viewer long for more information about this places and its inhabitants. That depth is likely to be found in Victor Gischler’s novel of the same name, upon which the film is based.

The Direction and cinematography are very good. There is action, gun play, and related violence in the film, but none that are gratuitous or excessive to watch.

This was a good watch, and I recommend it highly.

Based Upon the Book by the Same Title by Victor Gischler: The Deputy(Novel)- 2010

Details:

Country of Origin:    USA

The Deputy has a runtime of approximately 100 minutes and is rated R . The Deputy –debuting on Blu-ray and DVD November 17 from Well Go USA Entertainment.

Review by Marc A. Zirogiannis, Editor Taekwondo Life Magazine

Starring:

Duke Nicholson
William H. Macy
Tiffany Haddish
Stephen Dorff
Devon Ross
Julia Fox
Billie Lourd

Directed by:

Matt Sukkar

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Filed under Crime Novel, Fiction, Uncategorized

Movie Review: Don’t Move

Synopsis: 

A church group’s annual retreat turns deadly when they wander into the wrong part of the Ozark wilderness, and something starts picking them off one by one. Suspicion falls on Ricky (Russell “Russ” Vitale), the troublemaker of the group. But the real threat is far worse. Deep in the forest, wrapped in a labyrinth of webs, the group is pursued by a terrifying prehistoric arachnid that hunts by vibration. When every step could be their last, they only have one choice: DON’T MOVE. It’s up to Megan (Lyndsy Fonseca) to hold what’s left of the group together and get them out alive.

Review:

Well Go USA’s new horror film, Don’t Move, is a well paced horror film that focuses on its core competencies. The film features a church camping group in Missouri that stumbles upon a horrific monster. The monster begins to feast upon the group and the film quickly becomes a survival tale. At the center of the group is Lyndsy Fonseca’s character, who has overcome the loss of her husband and son in a prior tragedy. The Direction by Maclain Nelson is good. He is working with a low budget film and, oddly, like Jaws, he focuses more on the characters and their fear than delving too deeply into a cheaply constructed monster. This was a good watch, and I recommend it.

Based Upon the Book by the Same Title: https://a.co/d/07UYHOGT

Details:

Country of Origin:    USA

DON’T MOVE has a runtime of approximately 94 minutes and is rated R (Bloody Images, Some Violent Content, Language). DON’T MOVE — the horror-thriller with hits of comedy — debuting on Digital October 13 from Well Go USA Entertainment

Review by Marc A. Zirogiannis, Editor Taekwondo Life Magazine

Starring:

Lyndsy Fonseca,
Russel “Russ” Vitale,
Hunter King,
Joseph Lee Anderson,
Tom Cavanagh,
Rob Riggle

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Filed under Horror, Uncategorized

Gods and Guardians II: Escape from Durgurrum by R.W.Dove

Title: Escape from Durgurrum by R.W.Dove

Series: Gods and Guardians

Volume: II

Author: R.W. Dove

Genre: Space/Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Publisher: Author’s Central

Release: September 18, 2025

Format: Hardcover/Paperback

Pages: 197

Synopsis:

Prepare for an exhilarating journey in Gods and Guardians II: Escape From Durgurrum, the latest installment by R. W. Dove. When a devastating attack leaves Jared fighting for his life aboard the Elvish starship Haldir, his closest friends, Arthur and Samuel, are thrust into a high-stakes mission to save him. With the galaxy on the brink of chaos, they must forge unexpected alliances and face relentless enemies as they navigate a world filled with danger and deception.

In a race against time, the duo uncovers ancient secrets, uncovers hidden truths about their destinies, and faces unimaginable challenges that will test their strength, loyalty, and courage. With danger lurking around every corner and darkness threatening to consume them, Arthur and Samuel must rise above the odds or risk losing everything they hold dear.

Filled with breathtaking action, unforgettable characters, and shocking twists, Gods and Guardians II: Escape From Durgurrum is a thrilling adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the mysteries of the universe. Will they escape the clutches of their enemies and secure their freedom, or will the forces of darkness prevail?

Fans of epic space adventures, fantasy worlds, and heart-pounding action will not want to miss this captivating sequel.

Join Arthur, Samuel, and Jared as they race to defy fate and unlock the power within themselves in this gripping tale of heroism and destiny.

Amazon Link:

CLICK HERE

“This series is a great new story to read and follow especially if you love sci-fi fantasy“- a reader’s review. 

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The Chronicles of the Chosen Undead: Book 1 – The Gifts of the Dark God

Title: The Gifts of the Dark God

Series: The Chronicles of the Chosen Undead

Volume: 1

Author: Fred Darkness

Genre: Horror/Fantasy/Dark Fantasy

Publisher: Independent

Release: June 2024

Synopsis:

A man has risen from the dead because of a spell of extraordinary power and cruelty. The curse forces him to die and rise again without preserving the memory of his previous lives. Condemned to the contempt of humanity, to an outcast existence without the hope of love, family, friendship, or home, he only remembers one name from his past life: Rhys. 

Not even the Keras, the deities that govern the duration of human life, have been able to explain how he came back to life or who cursed him. However, they recall an ancient legend that tells of an undead who, in the darkest moment of humanity, will decide the fate of the world. But will Rhys be the chosen undead? What fate will he choose for the world?

Now, he wanders the world, supported only by the advice of the Blind Herald. His only comfort is the spectacle of a star shining brighter than a rainbow. Only one other person can see it: Jude. She is also a chosen one, destined to become the Regent of the White Sanctuary, the only place in all the lands where magic is still practiced.

Meanwhile, the sorcerer Radamant, with a stroke of his hand, killed the Emperor of Heidal and took control of the capital and the Primeval Flame, the source of power used by the God of Light to give a soul to men. With his control, the Checkrops, the three immortal demons who empowered Radamant, have cast upon humanity the plague of the undead. In their territories, endless hosts of demons and monsters have awakened after millennia, ready to wipe out humankind, weak and quarrelsome.

To defend them should be the Protectors of the Primeval Flame, the best-trained militia of the imperial army. Krun, their most valiant of all, has been entrusted with the task of recovering the mythical sword Naerling, which belonged to the Dark God, but the man’s soul is shaken by the betrayal of his lover.

The fate of the world is at stake, but everyone seems to think only of their personal goals. Rhys seeks a place in the world, Jude the respect of the other priestesses, Radamant wants revenge for the pain he felt as a child, and Krun hopes to forget the love of his life who betrayed him. Who will succeed in his quest while the age of humanity seems on the verge of collapse?

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chosen-Undead-Book-Gifts/dp/B0D8G6Z49S/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=

More about Fred Darkness: https://www.freddarkness.com

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Filed under Fantasy, Horror