Mortal Kombat 2 - Film Review!

 

Hey Nerds!

It's been around 9 months since I last posted a film review.  Mainly because it's been 9 months since I last went to the cinema, to watch Fantastic Four.

Yesterday I went on my own to see Mortal Kombat 2.  The sequel to the 2021 film which I enjoyed alot and gave 9/10.

In this second film the tournament has begun but the forces of Earth under Raiden are a member down.

They enlist Johnny Cage a washed up martial artist and film star brilliantly played by Karl Urban.  He's one of my favourite actors and is different in everything he's in.  I've just finished watching The Boys finale a few days ago and his Johnny Cage is way different to his Billy Butcher.

He reluctantly goes with them to fight and stop the forces of Shao Khan. Shao Khan is using a magic amulet, powered by the thunder God Raiden to become immortal. The Earth team needs to find and destroy it before he kills them and wins the Mortal Kombat Tournament.

Overall - This film is just as action packed as the first film with plenty of gory fights.  Although the story itself is quite simple. Win your fight and find and destroy the magic amulet.  Yet it is worth watching.  Mainly for Johnny Cage and Kano who has been resureccted and (spoilers), switched sides to the Earth team.  They have some funny banter and nods to Lord of the Rings.

The special effects are really good except in one or two scenes yet the film whizzed past at speed which was good.

It looks like they have left things open for a Mortal Kombat 3 which I can't wait for.

Score -   9/10

The Cubbyhole - Finished at Last!

 

Hey Readers and Writers!

At last I've finished writing a short story.  The first short story I've finished in 10 years or more!

A short story I started way back in 2017 and been dipping into every now and then.

Based from a memory I had when younger, of a cubbyhole in my bedroom, which scared me and freaked out my over imagination.

It's still a rough draft so after a break I'll go back and edit it a few times as there will most likely be inconsistencies.

My thanks to Write Magic who had a writing Bootcamp in May which has helped.  They also had events similar over the years which have brought out the writer in me.

Now I can start my novel / novella Urban X-Gore. Set in the same world.

I even wrote a small tribute to my ex girlfriend who tragically died last year and has the same name as one of the protagonist's - Jane.  Sadly she never got to read any of it.

So what are you reading or writing?

Neil x

Writing / Bootcamp Update

 

Hi Writing Troops!

As I'm busy writing The Cubbyhole horror short story, I haven't had time to blog.  So thought I'd give you an update as we are now on Day 9.

I have to admit I missed the first 2 days and I've had a slow start, plus at the moment I'm behind in my May target of 10,000 words!

So far I've written 2,161 words so need to move quicker.  Especially as I've started to enjoy writing more.

I've nearly finished The Cubbyhole so by the end of next week I'll have started a novel which has links to The Cubbyhole, which I hope to publish in the same paperback as a free short story.

So are you reading or writing? If so what?

Neil x

May 2026 Update!

 

Hey Nerds!

Into May already.  April was another month that flew by too quickly.  And like the Cherry Blossom gone too soon.

April Review - April was a quiet month and again I didn't start exercising but ate slightly healthier.

Although I did go on more walks as the weather became sunnier and warmer.

An excellent walk was to a village called Norwood Green.

I'm still reading Salem's Lot by Stephen King.

I also didn't start writing in April either.

In May -  I'm definitely finishing reading Salem's Lot in the first week of May as I've so many books I want to read. I'm enjoying it a lot.

I'll also definitely be writing in May.  The Facebook writing group Write Magic have two annual writing months per year where you set your writing goals and are encouraged to hit targets.  

This May it's Writing Bootcamp.  I've set my target for 10,000 words to write in May.  Although I've still to get writing!

In May I'm hoping to exercise more.  With more walks and some exercise at home slowly building up to going back to the gym.  I will also cut out snacks in May and eat healthy.

So what are your May goals?

Neil x

Book Haul - Transformers UK Compendium Volume 1

 

Hi Book Nerds!

Well after my last post regarding books I wanted to buy for my TBR list, I ended up getting the biggest first.

Transformers UK Compendium Volume 1 is a chunky bad boy with all the Transformers comics I read when I was little.

So far it looks alright, although I think it could have been taller like the comics of old as the  frames/boxes could have been bigger as the writing can be hard to read in parts.

The paper quality isn't great either, it's more like newspaper paper than thick shiny comics paper but does the job.  I'm just glad I didn't pay the full amount in shops and got it cheaper on Amazon.

 I look forward to reading it and having a blast in the past.  I'll post a review when I've read it all.  Most likely in 10 years time!

What new books have you bought recently?

Neil x

Books to add to my TBR list in 2026

 

Hi Book Nerds!

Sorry I've not posted for a while but I haven't had much content. 

So, I thought I'd give you a list of books I will hopefully purchase in 2026 adding to the already high and probably impossible TBR list.

First up is The Iron Code - see image above. This is something I've already purchased on Kickstarter and is a short story collection in honour of my favourite author David Gemmell.  I will hopefully get this in June.

Published by Newcon Press and edited by Ian Whates, contributing authors include John Gywnne, Joanne Harris, Stan Nicholls plus many more in the fantasy world.  Many of whom I've met at author talks and/or Edge-Lit.

This will take a place next to my other short story collections in honour of David Gemmell. The Legends Collection.

Other books I need to get in 2026 include...

The Transformers UK Compendium Volume 1 - a collection of UK Transformers comics from the Eighties.  Some of which I owned when I was younger as I was a huge fan.  It's  quite expensive at £59, but cheaper on Amazon.

The third of the Empire of the Vampire trilogy is already out but I'm hoping it comes out in paperback this year so I can add it to books one and two.

I've followed Mark Edwards on Facebook for a while even tuning into his live shows but still not bought one of his thrillers. That will change in 2026 when I buy his latest book The Wasp Trap.

I'm currently reading and loving Salem's Lot by Stephen King.  So much so, I want to collect more of his novels.  Mainly the classics like IT and The Shining.  Although the main Stephen King I want after Salem's Lot is time travel story 11.22.63.

I'm slowly collecting my author pals werewolf Hybrid series and wanting book three.  Hopefully Nick will let me know when he's out at an event selling his books.  Fingers crossed he's off to this year's Edge-Lit.

There are probably other books I'm after buying, but above are the main ones I'm after this year.

There's also new novels from John Gywnne and RJ Barker out this year which I'm interested in too.

What books are you looking to purchase this year?

Neil x

April 2026 Update!

 

Greetings Nerds!

Here we are zooming into April already and into Spring.  My favourite time of year.

I have to admit I didn't post much in March although I hope to post more in April now I've had a few ideas.  So.....

March Review - started Stephen King's Salem's Lot for the book club I helped start at work.  About half way through and enjoying it a lot.

Writing wise, I again didn't do any but I think with reading more over the last few months it's got my brain working again and I thought of the antagonist back story in the next story I'm going to write.

Had a few long walks in March to get healthy again but the weather is hit and miss.

In April - hopefully finish Salem's Lot over the Easter weekend and review.  Then straight into some more Gemmell.

I'm going to write notes for my next story and eventually finish The Cubby Hole story.  I've also some ideas for blog posts.  So I'll be posting more in April.

If the weather is better I'm going to walk more and get back swimming.  Need to lose weight.

So what's your plans for April?

Neil x