Uncategorized

Hey friends,

Soooo, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been a little MIA lately (unless you’re thinking that I’ve suddenly become some sort of desert hermit). But yeah, there’s a solid reason for it. I had a bit of an accident. By “bit of an accident,” I mean—I shattered both my hip and my pelvis. Like, if my bones were a vase, they’d be more like fine china that slid off the shelf in slow-motion while you’re too far away to catch it… but, you know, in bone-form. Ta-da! 🎉

So yeah, long story short, I’ve been spending the past three weeks in the hospital getting acquainted with Oxycodone and pitifully watching subpar daytime TV. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds. To top things off, I just spent another week in Rehab. Not the rockstar kind of rehab, though. More the “oh no, I need to walk again without resembling a newborn giraffe but I can put no weight on my left side” kind of rehab. Turns out, learning to navigate the world with a pelvic injury makes you feel like a clumsy puppet with half its strings cut.

It’s gonna be a bit of a haul getting back to my usual self, and I’m still in recovery mode (iced coffee and binge-worthy series included on prescription). So, sadly, my posts might pop up less often.

Now, if we rewind a bit, you might remember I was doing that little movie-a-day challenge? Yeah, that thing where I tried watching a movie every day for a year. Let me tell you, I gave it a good shot. I hit over 300 days in a row! That’s basically an entire year in dog-movie-watching years (yes, I invented that term). But here’s the thing. With my current physical predicament, lying around in bed all day with a shattered pelvis isn’t exactly ideal for movie marathons. Somehow, I can’t even find the energy to hit “Next episode” anymore, and that tells you all you need to know. Sooo yeah, I think it’s fair to say that challenge is wrapped up. Cue dramatic applause 🎬

Was it an epic journey filled with incredible stories, strange plots, and too many bad CGI explosions to count? Yup. Did I feel like I was living in the IMDb database half the time? Absolutely. It was a cool challenge, and hey, I even discovered some weird indie gems along the way (plus, I’m now an absolute pro at finding obscure Korean thrillers). But every hero’s journey comes to an end. Every dragon eventually flies off into the sunset. And this hip-shattered movie lover is calling it a day on the one-a-day rule.

But! I still totally plan on tossing the occasional movie review your way! I mean, c’mon, you didn’t think I was walking away cold turkey, did you? If anything, I’ll be filtering my “best of the best” binge-watching for you. Gotta stay classy, right? (Sort of.) I’ll just make ‘em a little less frequent than before because, you know, bones.

Random fact here! Did you know that recovery from a pelvic fracture can genuinely take up to 8-12 weeks (or longer in some cases)? Oh! And the pelvis is actually made up of three bones: the ilium, ischium, and pubis. My pelvis? All three in shambles. It’s like I won the pelvis injury lottery… 🎉🏆

ANYWAY, what this all boils down to is: I’m still alive. I’m still watching things on TV and spending way too much time on Reddit and YouTube, and I’m still planning to share cool stuff with you all. Just… less, ‘cause I’m trying to assemble my skeleton back into some semblance of normal. Pretty wild how much you appreciate working legs when you’ve got crutches jammed into your armpits, huh?

If there’s one silver lining, I’ve also got loads of time to reflect on life… and answer those deep, deep questions like: Why can I never just eat one potato chip? Or Do hospital gowns have a union because damn* if they’re not all ill-fitting*. And I’m hoping that when you’ve gotta power through obstacles (even ones that involve crutches and orthopedic inserts), a bit of positivity, good conversation, and real good movies can brighten things up.

Til’ next time, fam. You know I’ll be floating in and out of the digital realm. Resting, watching, and probably rewriting the list of “Best Action Sequences of 1992-1999” because, well, priorities.

Let’s keep it real. Always.
Roger

This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 302! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.

You know, when it comes to Christopher Lee and his Dracula films, I can’t help but get a little giddy. I mean, there’s a very specific type of charm to his portrayal—like, he’s got that whole “I’m going to kill you and enjoy doing it” vibe down to a science, and it never gets old. So, when I found myself in the mood for some hokey, old-fashioned monster madness, “The Scars of Dracula” was just screaming at me from my watchlist. And let me tell you, it was an experience.

Okay, let’s not kid ourselves here—this movie is peak 1970s horror cheese. It’s got it all: questionable dialogue, melodramatic acting, and a plot that’s sometimes so all over the place that you half expect Dracula himself to get confused and wander off set. But, honestly, isn’t that part of the fun?

So, let’s talk plot—because I know you’re dying to know (pun totally intended). The movie kicks off with a village under Dracula’s reign of terror (who’s surprised?). The locals, naturally, have had enough and decide to burn down his castle. As if that ever works. I mean, this is Dracula we’re talking about! Spoiler: He comes back. And not just with a vengeance—oh no, he comes back to crash a pretty messed-up romance. Cue screams and melodrama.

Christopher Lee, as always, is suave AF as Count Dracula. It’s like he was born to play the guy, even though this particular film gives him a bit less to sink his teeth into (okay, I’ll stop with the puns). Still, the man is menace personified just by standing there with those piercing red eyes, dark cape, and impeccable fangs. Even in scenes when the script is doing him zero favors, Lee just makes Dracula work. It’s kind of incredible. There’s no sparkle to him—this ain’t no Twilight, folks—just straight-up gothic dread.

Now, the rest of the cast… oh boy. Where do I even start? Dennis Waterman plays Simon Carlson, who sets out to find his missing brother, Paul, only to end up smack in the middle of Dracula’s cursed territory. Simon’s the designated hero, I guess, but honestly, he’s kind of cardboard. You just know Dracula’s rolling his eyes whenever this guy tries to get serious. But props to Waterman for trying, I suppose. The damsel-in-distress of this flick (because you’ve gotta have one, right?) is Sarah, played by Jenny Hanley. She’s sweet, she screams, she faints—rinse and repeat. At least she nails the helpless horror heroine gig, even while the script sort of does her dirty with predictable clichés.

One of my favorite—oh-so-random—things about “The Scars of Dracula” has to be the bat effects. And by favorite, I definitely mean “so so bad it’s good.” There’s a scene where these bats attack people, and they’re clearly made out of the kind of rubber that would probably flinch at a gust of wind. It’s like the B-movie gods smiled down and said, “Yes, let there be rubber bats, and let them be utterly, magnificently terrible.” It’s glorious. You can’t help but chuckle. It’s cinema gold, I swear.

The film’s atmosphere, though, deserves a shoutout. Hammer Films—which, by the way, produced this little gem—has always been unmatched when it comes to gothic horror aesthetics: misty forests, decrepit castles, flickering candlelight, and eerie shadows cast on stone walls. It’s the kind of art direction that makes you want to curl up (in mortal fear, of course) with a steaming mug of something unidentifiable and slightly sinister. They just nailed the mood. Always.

At the end of the day, “The Scars of Dracula” is not exactly what you’d call a “great” movie. It’s kinda goofy, bits of it don’t make a whole lot of sense, and some of the acting might leave you smirking rather than shuddering. But it’s exactly what I wanted—good old-fashioned monster movie shenanigans with Christopher Lee looking like he’s got the whole world, or at least Transylvania, in his bloodthirsty hands. So if you’re in the mood for some campy horror that doesn’t try too hard, give it a whirl. Just, uh, maybe don’t expect to be too scared. Unless, of course, you have a serious phobia of rubber bats.

See you under the full moon,
Roger

Did you know that you can receive a short story in your inbox every Monday if you subscribe to my newsletter? Subscribe today to begin receiving site and book news as well as your weekly story. You can do so HERE.

This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 301! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.

Oh boy, where to start with The Time Capsule? This was an experience that’s a liiiittle bit whimsical and a whole lotta “What if we could relive our past?” It’s directed by Erwann Marshall, and I’m not saying that lightly. I mean, who even remembers the directors most times? But something about the way this film played out makes me think, “Man, this one’s got a filmmaker who’s definitely been through some stuff.”

So, let’s talk plot. Imagine you’ve just been dumped by someone super special, someone you’ve got history with. Deep history. Got that sinking feeling in your stomach yet? That’s where Jack (played by Todd Grinnell) is at when the movie starts. He’s a former politician who’s reached that point in life where you begin to question all your big choices, like, “Was running for office really worth it?”, “Why did I break up with her again?”, and “Do I really wanna spend the rest of my life doing this? Do I really love my wife?” Ugh, Jack, I feel you, man.

Anyway, after a bruising election loss, Jack decides to retreat back to his hometown—a small, sleepy New England kind of vibe. But just as he’s settling into a rhythm of fishing and self-reflection, BAM! Enter his high school sweetheart, Elise (the radiant (played by Brianna Hildebrand), looking not a day older than the last time they shared a stolen kiss under the summer moon… twenty years ago.

Turns out, Elise has been on a two-decade space mission, and thanks to some relativistic shenanigans, she’s has not aged a wrinkle. Talk about a blast from the past! So cue the existential crisis and a whole lot of awkwardness. We watch as Jack, torn between his present commitments and the reawakening of a long-dormant flame, navigates a moral minefield.

The chemistry between Grinnell and Hildebrand is electric, reigniting that teenage spark with a maturity and depth that only comes with time (or lack thereof, in Holly’s case). We watch as Jack grapples with his rekindled feelings, torn between his present life and the alluring “what if” of a love that defies time.

So, the plot floats between your typical “What have I done with my life?” existential crisis and a swirly, fantastical storyline where time itself is more of a background character than a rigid structure. Imagine you had the power to unpause time from whenever you last felt truly alive. What would you do? Who would you try to reconnect with? That’s kind of the haunting and sweet nature of their reunion—and the movie itself. Can you ever really go back? Or will you always be haunted by the road not taken? In a way, I guess the film wants you to ponder that question yourself.

Elise also seems almost like an embodiment of what we’ve lost in the endless march of technology, while also showing us what could be regained if we just stopped looking at our screens for, like, five seconds.

Grinnell’s performance is nuanced and captivating, portraying a man caught between loyalty and longing. He’s got this grounded energy that makes you empathize with him even when he’s being a bit of a numbskull. The guy’s charming in that “I don’t even know why you like me” kind of way, which, let’s face it, is relatable on so many levels. Strickland, as the seemingly composed wife Maggie, delivers a quiet intensity that hints at the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. And Hildebrand, as the eternally youthful Elise, exudes an infectious energy that lights up the screen.

And of course, there’s a strong supporting cast, but honestly, it’s Todd and Brianna who make things sizzle. Their heartfelt performances give The Time Capsule its emotional core.

One thing’s for sure: the cinematography here hits you in the feels. There are all these small-town vibes—you know, the kind where the air’s crisp, the mornings are perpetually golden, and you’re pretty sure you can smell the ginormous pancakes from everybody’s kitchens. It’s like the movie itself is telling you to pause, take in the scenery, and remember what it feels like to have tangible memories.

All in all, it’s not just a movie about regret or a metaphorical second chance—it’s more about connection: with others, with ourselves, and with everything flying by while we’re busy making plans. You’ll find yourself submerged in nostalgic papercuts and maybe even questioning the choices that brought you to where you are (which I guess might be in front of a screen, taking in my rambling review?).

Alright, I’m off to contemplate life and avoid finishing that one thing I’ve been procrastinating on for too long. Watch The Time Capsule if you haven’t—it might make you feel like you’re still driving down that melancholy road back to your hometown.

Cheers!
Roger and Out.

Did you know that you can receive a short story in your inbox every Monday if you subscribe to my newsletter? Subscribe today to begin receiving site and book news as well as your weekly story. You can do so HERE.