Lee
Using mixed mediums like forum chats, interviews, social media posts, magazines, and more, About a Place in the Kinki Region crafts an atmospheric, creepy, and intriguing supernatural narrative. Those familiar with The Ring and J-Horror will be familiar with the slow-burning tension usually present through these narratives, and for a debut novel, I did enjoy Sesuji’s tone and efforts. I would certainly read more from the author. That said, I was disappointed when the formatting and non-linear nature of the stories weren't used properly to really make a full circle reveal scare by the end. You feel like you're in a found footage movie library research montage as you read and uncover or connect dots yourself with the characters, all adding to the suspense and eerieness (especially if you read at night alone), but then the culmination is left quite lacklustre. It's a fast and entertaining read nonetheless, but it doesn't escape my thoughts that there was some serious potential to really nail a home run in closing. There are some great visuals left to the imagination upon reading that I'm curious to see how they matchup in the very quickly made soon after film adaptation.
Using mixed mediums like forum chats, interviews, social media posts, magazines, and more, About a Place in the Kinki Region crafts an atmospheric, creepy, and intriguing supernatural narrative. Those familiar with The Ring and J-Horror will be familiar with the slow-burning tension usually present through these narratives, and for a debut novel, I did enjoy Sesuji’s tone and efforts. I would certainly read more from the author. That said, I was disappointed when the formatting and non-linear nature of the stories weren't used properly to really make a full circle reveal scare by the end. You feel like you're in a found footage movie library research montage as you read and uncover or connect dots yourself with the characters, all adding to the suspense and eerieness (especially if you read at night alone), but then the culmination is left quite lacklustre. It's a fast and entertaining read nonetheless, but it doesn't escape my thoughts that there was some serious potential to really nail a home run in closing. There are some great visuals left to the imagination upon reading that I'm curious to see how they matchup in the very quickly made soon after film adaptation.
On reread, I still stand by the film being better. Dick created the world—but as the cliche goes—Scott filled it and brought it to life.
Having re-read this now after having seen Blade Runner 2046, I do think it's interesting that there are some elements towards the end shared with the sequel film. So good on Villenueve.
On reread, I still stand by the film being better. Dick created the world—but as the cliche goes—Scott filled it and brought it to life.
Having re-read this now after having seen Blade Runner 2046, I do think it's interesting that there are some elements towards the end shared with the sequel film. So good on Villenueve.
Having recently read Dennis Johnson’s own drug trip of his own, I do prefer Jesus’ Son. I don't really see the hype for Junky.
Having recently read Dennis Johnson’s own drug trip of his own, I do prefer Jesus’ Son. I don't really see the hype for Junky.
Certainly overrated based on its seemingly impenetrable word of mouth, but not without its moments of self-reflective thought and existential relatability. It's a story that lingers with you despite its depressive tone and themes. I much more enjoyed the first half than the closing sections, but hey, that mirrors life.
Certainly overrated based on its seemingly impenetrable word of mouth, but not without its moments of self-reflective thought and existential relatability. It's a story that lingers with you despite its depressive tone and themes. I much more enjoyed the first half than the closing sections, but hey, that mirrors life.
Author Philip K. Dick will undoubtedly be remembered for eternity for being the man who wrote what later became Blade Runner. Some of you might also know that he's the man behind other sci-fi classics like Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and many more. In other words, the man is a sci-fi GOAT, and a predictor of many technological aspects of life we live within today. So with all my respect, I do still think his works were made to be adapted, as every film version of his works I have seen, have always left a longer lasting impact on me. He created the worlds, but other artists filled them and breathed life into them.
Like Orwell, Huxley, Bradbury, Asimov, and other sci-fi greats, PKD was also quick to warn about the proliferation of technology and its far too easy implementation to life.
My ranking of the shorts included here best to worst:
- Minority Report
- We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (Total Recall 1990)
- Paycheck
- Second Variety (Screamers 1995)
- The Eyes Have It
Author Philip K. Dick will undoubtedly be remembered for eternity for being the man who wrote what later became Blade Runner. Some of you might also know that he's the man behind other sci-fi classics like Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, and many more. In other words, the man is a sci-fi GOAT, and a predictor of many technological aspects of life we live within today. So with all my respect, I do still think his works were made to be adapted, as every film version of his works I have seen, have always left a longer lasting impact on me. He created the worlds, but other artists filled them and breathed life into them.
Like Orwell, Huxley, Bradbury, Asimov, and other sci-fi greats, PKD was also quick to warn about the proliferation of technology and its far too easy implementation to life.
My ranking of the shorts included here best to worst:
- Minority Report
- We Can Remember It for You Wholesale (Total Recall 1990)
- Paycheck
- Second Variety (Screamers 1995)
- The Eyes Have It