The Halloween Tree (1993) Review

Today’s review will be a short one. It should be a “DNF.” Honestly, but not because it’s necessarily that bad. More along the lines of me being too old, even though it came out when I could’ve enjoyed it. Apparently, it’s kind of celebrated. I’d never heard of The Halloween Tree. Neither the 1972 book, nor the 1993 animated film until now. I listened to the book, wanting something short and fitting for the season. Then I found out there was an animated version. Sure, I’ll try it. I was 10 in 1993, and maybe I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. Maybe I would. I don’t know. That’s thinking back 30 years. Honestly, I’m not sure how to rate this, or if it’s even fair for me to rate it. I finished it.

The Halloween Tree (1972) Review

Sometimes when you don’t know what to read next, sometimes something quick and easy is what you need. That’s what I did, and a fitting one for the Halloween season. I’ve never experienced Ray Bradbury before outside of his short story that became an episode of The Twilight Zone, “I Sing the Body Electric.” Well, this year, I’ve got to know him a bit more, with two different tales, though they both seem very similar. I’ve just finished listening to my second Bradbury book of the year, 1972’s The Halloween Tree. If you have Scribd, the audio version is available. If you have Audible, the audio version is available there with no credit required. It’s included with the subscription. The Halloween Tree is a more of a children’s book, and I’d say probably geared more toward 4th-7th graders. I’ll stick it on the third shelf.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) Review

In my quest for content, sometimes I come across things I’d rather not review because I’d rather not experience them. One such example often occurs during book and film comparisons. Unfortunately, this is one of those “dark” times. I knew Something Wicked This Way Comes was a film before I knew it was a novel. Having never seen the film, and finding the novel on both Scribd and Audible, it only made sense to read, then watch and review both. The novel is from 1962, written by the celebrated American writer Ray Bradbury. The film is from 1983, and a Disney film at that. Honestly, I didn’t read anything in the novel that needs a film adaptation. At best, the novel is third shelf, and if not for the audio book, I’d rate lower and maybe even give it a “DNF.” The same goes for the film, although the film had a better ending, it’s second shelf, and only because I forced my way through it.

Something Wicked This Way Comes (1962) Review

Ray Bradbury, celebrated American writer. The only thing I’d ever read he wrote was in a collection of short stories that became episodes of The Twilight Zone. The story? “I Sing the Body Electric.” That isn’t our subject for today’s review. Our subject for today’s review is a different tale. A novel, in fact, first published in 1962. Something Wicked This Way Comes. Maybe some metal-heads recognize the title. The American band from Tampa, Florida, Iced Earth, used it for the title of their 1998 album, which I loved. It doesn’t have anything to do with the novel, but it is a Hell of a title. I can’t remember how I came upon it, but this novel’s been on my GoodReads list for a while. Thanks to good people at Scribd, I found the eBook. More thanks to the good people at Audible, I found the audio book.