RIP Challenge | Book Chatter

RIP IX

I think a lot of us look forward to this “challenge” each year. I put challenge in quotes because even though I am the official loser at challenges, even I can do this one.

Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings has all of the details for R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril, but in a nutshell, this is what it’s about:

The event runs from September 1 – October 31
Read or watch movies that fall into the following categories:
- Mystery
- Suspense
- Thriller
- Dark Fantasy
- Gothic
- Horror
- Supernatural
Have fun reading and watching
Share that fun with others

There are lots of different challenge levels to select. Heck, there is even a level for one book to be read. Like I said, anyone can do it. Here is what I am signing up for:

Peril the Second

Peril the Second. Read two books of any length that you believe fit within the R.I.P. categories. Post reviews on the review site. I am signing up for two books but will mostly likely read more.

Peril the Screen

Peril the Screen. This is for those of us that like to watch suitably scary, eerie, mysterious gothic fare during this time of year. It may be something on the small screen or large. It might be a television show or your favorite film. If you are so inclined, please post links to any R.I.P.-related viewing you do on to the Review Site as well.

There is also a group read planned for The Haunting of Hill House this month so be sure to check it out if that is something you’re interested in as well.

And then after that read along, join ours (see below)! Because, there is always time for a read along with friends. Especially one that includes a creepy carnival setting. And guess what? You can count it towards the R.I.P Challenge.

What I plan to read:

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. If you want to join the read along, click the image above for details.
Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes (this one scared the heck out of Stephen King, hope I can get a copy)
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt (this may be a stretch but there is mystery, a hint of the supernatural, and I am getting creeped out while reading it)

What I plan to watch:

Halloween (I watch it every year. It is not Halloween without seeing it at least twice.)
Halloween II (Who can resist Jamie Lee Curtis limping around with that busted ankle?)
The Shining (Seen it, love it. Jack is the life of the party!)
(I need a new movie to watch, suggestions?)

If this sounds like fun (and it is), then head on over to Carl’s to sign up.

Aliens-movie-poster

Has anyone NOT seen this movie? It came out in 1986, several years after the first movie, Alien and it was one of those kick-ass movies that you could not get enough of. I’ve seen it many, many times but recently The Girl asked to see it. I did a “no-no” and had her see this one first. Mainly because it also stars a young girl and I thought she’d be able to relate to it better and perhaps, not be so scared while watching. I was right, The Girl literally cackled over Newt’s high-pitched screaming and in my opinion, this one has a lot more action than the first one.

Why am I even talking about this?

Well, I have been recording movies to watch this fall. Movies that count towards the RIP VIII challenge that I signed up for. And although this is not a horror movie per se, it’s definitely a thriller and full of suspense. There is a lot of action and chase scenes involving, small, tight spaces which really add to the tension. Plus, the acting is not bad. Bill Paxton is hysterical in his role as Pvt. Hudson. It’s a fast-paced roller-coaster of a ride and it’s always been a fave of mine.

And maybe it was just me, but when I first saw this movie, I felt sure that we’d see Newt in another installment. Without giving anything away, there were opportunities for her to be, ahem, tampered with. That could have been the plan but it never panned out. Alien 3 was horrible, in my opinion. They should have just left it on a high note.