Virtual Tourist - The Testament of Sherlock Holmes 2/5/17

Morning!

Touring an older game today - The Testament of Sherlock Holmes. I'd played the game after this one a year or two ago, so when it's predecessor came up on super sale on Steam, I couldn't resist. It's taken me a whole other year to get to play it! Gack!  

This is Sherlock. Currently at the house of a Marquis looking for a missing necklace. A simple case that ends up getting complicated after it's solved. Dum dum DUM!

The game has voice over and text. Plus each conversation is saved and can be looked at again if needed. I love all the awesome detail. :)

The game gives tips during this first crime, which is very nice! (Coolest aquarium ever right?)

So pretty!

And analyze you will!

Player Interface screen. It is currently showing the city map. You click on the round icon to choose to go there.

Watson is there as well. You sometimes get to move him around instead. And there's also Toby! Woot! (Something I loved from the previous game I played - you get to be the hound for a case! Heh heh)

Murder of the Bishop. The plot thickens!

Such lovely stained glass windows! And the solar is beyond the doors. 

Hope you have a productive Sunday!

Cover Reveal - Charity and Sacrifice

The final cover for Charity and Sacrifice has been approved! So that means I can now share it!

The 10K word novelette, which will be published by Uncial Press, will only be available as an ebook. The cover looks pretty snazzy though!

I love the big, fat X on the husband. Bwahahahaha!

They'll be sending the novelette out for reviews soon. So I will share those as well as they become available. Publish Date is still set for Oct 2016!

I've added the blurb and an excerpt again to keep the it fresh in your minds for the future. BWAHAHAHA!

Trapped in a loveless marriage, will Elizabeth’s sacrifice to regain Robert’s love be in vain?

All Elizabeth hoped to do was to rekindle the love in her marriage. Yet despite ignoring her social obligations and immersing herself in her husband’s important work, somehow this only made things worse.

Her last hope is her unborn child — a source of unrequited love to fill the void inside her. But that too is taken from her. How? Why?

Her doctor avoids her. Her husband berates her. And there are whispers — whispers telling of things that cannot be.

Yet the more Elizabeth ignores the rumors, the more they press on her to seek the truth, so she concocts a plan to find it. To find it and hopefully exonerate both Robert and herself. To discover the reason she’s lost all that’s dear to her. And she will do it, even if she must venture into Whitechapel to do it.

Excerpt

“Dear, you have to eat something. Don’t you want to get better?” Ada once more offered a spoonful of porridge.

Propped up with hard pillows, Elizabeth could sit at an angle. Millie, her personal maid, had come by earlier and brought her a proper dressing gown as well as a brush and pins. The proprieties must be maintained despite the tragedy. She knew Robert would expect it. And it was the only armor left to her at present.

Chastised, she opened her mouth to take the offered food, though she wasn’t hungry and felt mortified to be treated like a child. A child…

Elizabeth’s eyes teared up but she refused to be embarrassed further by her own weakness.

“Has he been to see you yet?” The nurse’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“To whom do you refer?” She suspected, but she wouldn’t help feed the rumor mill any more than necessary.

“Lord Stainton, your husband.”

Elizabeth refused to meet her gaze. “I’ve been sleeping a lot, but I am sure he’s come. He wouldn’t wake me, knowing I need the rest.”

Ada’s eyes widened with feigned surprise. “Oh, that could be it, couldn’t it?” She fed Elizabeth another spoonful.

“He’s a very busy man.” Elizabeth wanted to bite her own tongue, knowing the excuse for what it was, and well aware the nurse did as well. “I’ve had enough, thank you.”

“Are you sure, dear?” Ada leaned forward as if to feed her again, except she left the spoon in the bowl. She stared intently at Elizabeth, her next words voiced in a whisper. “There are things you should know that you’ve not been told.”

Elizabeth’s eye twitched. The hollow hole inside her pulsed with need and apprehension. She presumed he was receiving news of her condition from the nurses as well as using them to pass on his orders.

Her gently worded requests for him to visit were just as gently denied. The suspicion something was being hidden from her had hardened into solid fact. Yet she still possessed no information.

To be forced to gain it from the likes of Ada … Everything that ever poured from the woman’s mouth was suspect. She’d watched her long enough to learn that much.

But how else was she to even glean a hint as to what was being kept from her? “Is that so?”

Ada leaned forward a little more. “I could get in trouble sharing what I know.” The nurse smiled at her, expectation tightening the lines on her face. “But a token, a valuable token, would go a long way toward easing my concerns. Think of it as a bit of charity to someone less fortunate than yourself.”

Charity? Extortion was more like it. Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to grab her bowl and shove its contents in the old hag’s face. Yet something in the back of her mind niggled at the word. It had been used in her presence recently… “I might have something at home which would satisfy you. I’ll have it brought for the morrow.”

Ada stood up to go. “My old heart bleeds with gratitude, milady. I’ll be sure to tell you all I know, once your charity has been received.”

Elizabeth clutched her blanket until her hands went numb, sure the nurse was laughing at her as she bowed her way out.

Coming Soon!

Jewel Of The Gods Book Trailer

I didn't get to do any voice over, but I still think it came out pretty good.

I present to you the "Jewel of the Gods" Book Trailer! Huzzah!

Sample chapters and more at www.gloriaoliver.com

If you like it, I would appreciate any help you might give me in spreading the word!

Thanks!!!!!

Movie Review - The Woman in Black 2: The Angel of Death

The Woman in Black 2: The Angel of Death

Starring: Phoebe Fox, Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Jude Wright, Amelia Crouch, Pip Pearce, Casper Allpress, Adrian Rawlins, Leanne Best, Amelia Pidgeon, Leilah de Meza, Alfie Simmons, Oaklee Pendergast, and more.

Directed by: Tom Harper Screenplay by: Jon Croker Story by: Susan Hill Cinematography by: George Steel Music by: Marco Beltrami, Brandon Roberts, and Marcus Trumpp

Premise: Forty years after the last visitor stayed at Eel Marsh House, two teachers and a gaggle of students come to the house to escape the bombings in London during WWII. Tom, one of the students under Eve Parkin's, care lost his mother right before the group left London. His grief draws the Woman in Black, yet it is Eve Parkin's secret that draws out her ire. (Rated PG-13)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Phoebe Fox was delightful as Eve Parkins. From her concern for her charges to the very 'stiff upper lip' attitude, it was easy to read her fears and feelings. Helen McCrory gave Jean Hogg an air of efficiency and certainty, and later strength. Jude Wright as Tom made you feel for him as he attempts to deal with his recent tragedy. Jeremy Irvine was perfect as the young pilot and possible love interest, and made his portrayal all the more poignant when other information is revealed.

2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: Just as in the old days, the one thing Hammer films always excelled at was atmosphere. And with the amazing special effects now available, Hammer has taken their craft to new levels as they mix the old with the new.

Rather than resort to typical scare fest tactics, the film makers go more for the creepy - the flicker of movement just at the corner of the eye, a creeping hand, doors that unlock themselves, disturbing visuals. The loud thumping permeating the house, like a gigantic heart, growing less and less the close you come, until you find a rocking chair going back and forth in a dark corner with no one sitting there.

They have a lot of fun with fire at the airfield. And the house is creepier than ever. The road and the rising water and the marsh - great stuff.

The scene in the water towards the end was a lovely piece of work as well.

3) Plot/Story - Total Thumbs Up: My husband and I didn't see the first Woman in Black at the theaters. We're not big into modern jump horror. But the draw of the time period it was set in, the fact Daniel Radcliffe was starring in it, and that it was a Hammer Film, got us to watch it on TV. We loved it - it had all the elements we liked, creepy but not a scare fest, had a mystery, and was fun. So when we saw there was going to be a Woman In Black 2, we decided to definitely see it on the big screen. I wasn't sure how they could pull another one after the first, but they did!

As with the first film, the time was set in an interesting time period - 1940s, during the London bombings and the exodus of children out to remote locations to keep them safe. Like in the first film, there are mysteries entwined in the plot, but this time they relate more to those coming to the house than the ghost in the house. And hints begin even before the group arrives at the house.

Subliminally, many social beliefs of the time are brought out for inspection by the modern film viewer - how one was expected to deal with grief and loss, the expectations on women and men of the period, the harsh realities of war, and the extremes of keeping a brave face and avoiding scandal (keep an eye on the parents in the recurring hospital scene - speaks volumes!). The glimpse into the lives of those in London said a lot as well.

As with the first film, hubby and I had a ton of fodder to talk about once it was over. I love the duality they play with with regards to the Woman In Black herself. If just studied on the surface, she seems to be an evil, vindictive creature - but in fact, at least after Arthur Kipps helped her in the first film, she's turned into a more nurturing and sane creature. But the states of life and death mean nothing to her - they are states of being - and not something she cares about one way or another. So if to teach you a lesson or to reward you means you have to die, so be it. So when you look at matters from that perspective, it opens up a whole new way of seeing the events presented in the film.

4) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: For those who saw the first film, you won't recognize the village. In many ways, it was creepier than the Eel Marsh House! The haunted house itself showed aging, wear and tear, yet other things within it were almost pristine, as if guarded. The hallway upstairs was as long and foreboding as ever. The marsh, the cemetery, and that long winding piece of road with the encroaching water - still super creepy. The lonely view from the upstairs window and the cross always in view. Very nice!

Conclusion: If you like your horror to be spooky, filled with mystery, and all things supernatural, this film is for you! Great mood, great settings, perfect for creepy story time.

Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)

Virtual Tourist - Thief 4/13/14

Morning!
I'm up way too early today. :P

Thief - Brothel

The ruins now serve a different kind of purpose.

Party town! Has a nice Asian slant. This part of the game went from PG-13 to almost R. So beware. :P

Some gorgeous architecture here and there. See the column in the back?

Cool instrument

The brothel interior

Lovely decor

Collectible hidden in a hidey hole in the attic. Squee!

Some really lovely images

Yes, red in all the decorating. :P

Hidden room/section off the Madam's room. You cannot go back from here, so make sure you are done with the brothel before going here!!!!

This takes a key, which is also a semi puzzle. Opens into a giant area. The peep holes have the hints. This is where the almost R stuff comes in. Also had a programming bug here as one of the peep shows sounds continues to blast at full volume even after you quit watching.

Zone beyond the wall after the key is used.

Coolest flowers ever!

The zone leads to more ruins that lead to an immense library

The stained glass was lovely!

Been missing playing. Need to sneak some time in for it. Everquest Landmark is still on learning curve and mostly building, but I do not have a good grip on it yet or the time to have built anything. Will try to take pics of what the others have been up to.

Movie Review - Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas

Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D'Arcy, Xun Zhou, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant, Robert Fyfe, and more.

Directed by: Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski Written for the Screen by: Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski Based on the Novel by: David Mitchell Cinematography by: Frank Griebe and John Toll Original Music by: Reinhold Heil, Johnny Klimek, and Tom Tykwer

Premise: The connections and actions of people can affect connections and actions of others and themselves in future times. Five concurrent stories that are united by the concepts of freedom, love, truth, and music. (Rated R)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: The roles in this film had to be as much a treat for the actors who played them as it was for the audience to watch. Not only did the acotrs have their physical aspects changed in each venue, but the characters were all different even if some aspects remained the same. Superb acting by all concerned. Tom Hanks is easily recognizable in all the roles he played, even with the amazing makeup. Halle Berry was also easy to spot. But most of Hugh Grant's and one or two of Hugo Weaving's roles I had no idea it was them. So make sure to sit through the credits as they'll flash all the characters each of the actors played. Keep a mental tally to if you spotted all of them of not.

2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: Some of the effects for the different time frames were subtle, others quite grand. All the futuristic vehicles and technology were amazing. My favorite has to be the room Somni-451 is taken to by Hae-Joo Chang. Reminded me of the scene in the original "TRON" that was cut out (and unfortunately lost) after the sampling run of the movie at the time - the one where Tron lent power to activate his room. Totally awesome.

3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: Some viewers may find the mixture of the five stories a bit jarring or hard to make the switch without some mental funbling. Personally, once they fully established the distinct stories in the first few minutes, I used the visual cues provided and didn't have any trouble knowing which story we were watching at any particular time.

The film starts with a story teller and ends there as well. Circles are a major theme throughout the film. One bit of  fun was how the storyteller begins the tale and then one of those whose story is being told, apologizes and asks us to bear with him with regards to the shifting tales. This made the tale the storyteller and vice versa, as become obvious later still.

Other recurring themes in the plot are freedom, making a stand, truth, and love. Things that happen in the past make subtle appearances in the future related stories, even if only as a found button, a torn book, or a snatch of an old film. Connections are everywhere, and it was fun looking for them. Pay special attention to names as those are the main clues on several of the connected items, though many are visual as well.

For any authors out there, I believe the current day tale was partially written just for us! The Timothy Cavendish storyline was hilarious on several levels. It was nice that though some of these souls may have come back again and again, they weren't always the best they could be, at times giving into tendencies they'd won against in the past. One of the shifts with regards to one of the characters comes as a surprise. Gave the film more flavor that way. Even a seemingly innocuous joke about "Soylent Green" comes back to haunt us.

As the plots play along, a seeming synchronicity comes into play, for though in the beginning the five stories were circles that barely touched, they come to pile up on top of each other as the climax of the film is reached.

5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: Each location for the stories was unique and totally immersive. They also help the audience know which story is being told. And the cinematography was excellent - whether of a real location, like San Francisco, or a CGI one, like Neo Seoul. Several of the views were quite breathtaking.

6) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: If they don't win an award for the costuming and makeup, I will be shocked. Not only did the past sequences look historically accurate (the 70's scenes gave me flashbacks), but the two future set stories had evolved fashions and even some mannerisms or ways of speaking unique to themselves, which made them all the more believable.

Conclusion: The film is 172 minutes long, but it won't feel that way. Between the five stories, the great visuals, the bits of mystery, and looking for all the fun little bits that have bled into the other stories, you'll be way too busy having fun.

Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)

Movie Review - The Raven

The Raven

Starring: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve, Brendan Gleeson, Kevin McNally, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Jimmy Yuill, Sam Hazeldine, Pam Ferris, and more.

Directed by: James McTeigue Screenplay by: Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare Original Music by: Lucas Vidal Cinematography by: Danny Ruhlmann

Premise: Author Edgar Allan Poe is drawn into a criminal investigation when a serial killer uses his stories as the basis for the string of crimes. But just having Poe involved is not enough for the killer, who raises the stakes to force Mr. Poe to write again. (Rated R)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: In my opinion, this might just be one of John Cusack's best performances ever. Backed up by a cast of veterans, the whole ensemble shines. Alice Eve was great as the spunky Emily Hamilton. Luke Evans was delicious as Detective Fields. Great job by all involved.

2) Special Effects - Thumbs Up: Grisly deaths abound, but not too gory, though blood was used in abundance. The pendulum effect was specifically poignant. You could almost hear Vincent Price cackling in the background.

The added wide city scenes of  Baltimore and Paris were detailed and beautiful but not as convincing as other efforts in the same vein. But otherwise the special effects and CGI team did a great job.

3) Plot/Story - Total Thumbs Up: Since Poe is dubbed as the inventor of detective fiction, it seemed only apt that he would become embroiled by a serial killer into solving said killer's string of crimes. Better yet was the use of the few facts which are known about the great author's death and weaving them into this fantastical recreation of what may have been the great author's final days.

Bits and parts of many of Mr. Poe's works are woven into the film as well as different aspects of his life. This was obviously written by people who have studied Poe and his works in detail as well as the time period itself. Great job!

The mystery is pretty straight forward with several false trails that still lead forward. Minuscule clues are dotted throughout the tale, but like the protagonists, the viewer must put them together to get a hint of the culprit before all is revealed.

4) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The theater, Poe's home, the Captain's home, the paper, all the indoor locations were fabulous. The shots of the moon and the raven shown close to the beginning of the film were poignant.


5) Costuming/Makeup - Total Thumbs Up: The period costumes looked authentic from the people on the street, the aristocracy, to the Baltimore police. I also was very pleased to see that Miss Hamilton did not appear as a freshly pressed flower while she was under duress, giving the film even more authenticity.

Conclusion: Totally worth watching. Between the atmosphere, the acting, and the story itself, well worth your time.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)