Two 1990s teenage siblings find themselves in a 1950s sitcom where their influence begins to profoundly change that complacent world. (IMDB)

Set in the 50’s, it is thought of as a paradise. Nothing bad happens and everything is pure and innocent. Unable to leave, the duo is forced to “play the part” and try to fit in. Jennifer however, is unwilling to dumb herself down or play the “good girl”. After hooking up with Skip, an unknown concept in this land of innocence, things being to change. Color begins to bloom in a world that has only known black and white. While many love the new changes and the enlightenment that goes along with it, those that are stuck in black and white feel differently.

I've seen this scene before...

The ones who have yet to change start riots, burning the newly filled books, assaulting people who are now in color, and destroying a diner run by an artist. They try to ban the new colors and anything they feel helped the spread of them. There is a scene in the local courthouse where they are seated separately, “coloreds” on top, black and white on the bottom level (sound familiar?). If this does not make it obvious what the message of the film was...well...I don’t know what to tell you.

Pleasantville is full of references to racism, prejudice, and Biblical moments (burning bush, Eve, and the apple) and comes off as an almost political piece of art. Because of this, I understand why it initially bombed but has since become a cult classic. This was my first viewing of this film and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The contrast is just...beautiful.

Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7.5/10

All life comes from the sun. Sometimes, death comes with it.

Filled with hope and driven by fear, four would-be heroes are driven from their home planet in a desperate bid to save their civilization from extinction. But survival takes on a whole new meaning when a malfunction sends their ship plummeting toward Earth.

Surviving the crash is only the first obstacle on their path to salvation. The marooned aliens soon discover that Earth’s beautiful exterior masks an ugly foundation, a place inhabited by a warrior race that’s on a path toward self-destruction. (Goodreads)

"Clive Menard is just an ordinary guy living an ordinary life. But when a talking spider crawls inside his head, things get a lot less ordinary…and people start dying." - Goodreads

I can not recall the last time I read a (or watched) something from the horror genre this amazing. The story is super creepy and full of suspense, with a dash of mystery and a sprinkle of wonderful dark humor. There are so many twists and turns and the final reveal was just perfect. This is the perfect book for any horror fan...unless you have a fear of spiders.

Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.5/5

Book Information: Goodreads

Author Information: Goodreads, Official Site, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

The kingdom of Runon has created the impossible: a magical energy source that siphons life from the nearby lands and feeds it back into Runon itself. On the edge of the forest lives a quiet ranger named Tatsu, who is watching the drain grow closer to his home country of Chayd.

Arrested for crimes against the crown, Tatsu is taken to the capital’s prison, where the queen offers him a deal. If he travels into Runon and steals the magical source that powers the drain, she will return his freedom. Caught in the unimaginable aftermath, Tatsu knows that the only hope is to stop the siphon before it swallows the world.

More and more, he finds himself at the mercy of the destruction the siphon leaves behind – and everything he has ever known will fall apart in the revelation of its horrifying truth. (Goodreads)