• Dear readers,

    These are my top ten non-metal albums of the year 2021:

     

    1. Greta van Fleet - The Battle at Garden's Gate (progressive rock)

    2. Bader Nana - Wormwood 2 (progressive rock)

    3. April Rain - Mirror of Ether (post rock)

    4. Rob Zombie - The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (industrial rock)

    5. Thurnin - Menhir (neofolk)

    6. Les Cowboys fringants - Les nuits de Repentigny (folk rock)

    7. Die Ärzte - Dunkel (punk rock)

    8. Alien Weaponry - Tangaroa (alternative rock)

    9. Rise Against - Nowhere Generation (punk rock)

    10. Éric Lapointe - Entracte (acoustic rock)

     

    More extensive lists detailing my favourite records and movies will be following shortly.

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  • Ladies and gentlemen!

    As the days are getting shorter, darker and colder, so does the music released throughout the month of November. This month's playlist focuses mostly on extreme metal genres such as doom metal, industrial metal and melodic death metal. However, there are also a few surprises here with two ambient tracks and an uplifting power metal tune to bid farewell to Japanese power metal heroines Lovebites. Click on the following link to discover my latest playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Z93ipHDAwuHD5RIKxKsEB

    1. Swallow the Sun - Moonflowers Bloom in Misery

    2. Khemmis - Avernal Gate

    3. The Halo Effect - Shadowminds

    4. Hypocrisy - Children of the Gray

    5. Tony Iommi - Scent of Dark

    6. Aquilus - Lucille's Gate

    7. E-Force - Hellucination

    8. Dagoba - The Last Crossing

    9. Lovebites - Nameless Warrior

    10. If Anything, Suspicious - Farewell

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  • Ito junji - Sensor (2021)

    For a long time, I had no interest in reading manga. Many of my friends already read manga very frequently at high school, college and university but the manga they presented to me didn't spark my interest. I thought that most manga were rather childish, exaggerated and stereotypical. My impressions started to change when I discovered Japanese cinema with a friend and came across some live action movies inspired by manga that were quite decent. Ito Junji's works are very positive examples here since I liked the movie adaptations of Tomie and Uzumaki to only name two examples. It makes sense that his manga ended up being some of the first I have ever read and I have become a fan ever since.

    Sensor is his most recent manga collection released this past summer in North America. It includes seven chapters and an afterword for a total of two hundred forty pages. It took me roughly four hours to read the entire book.

    The different chapters are all connected but focus on different characters who are fleshed out in much greater detail than in many other stories by Ito Junji. The first chapter revolves around a young woman named Byakuya Kyoko who is mysteriously drawn to an ancient village in the mountains where its strange inhabitant welcome her as the chosen one. The main character fails to understand what's so special about herself but realizes that the place is like none other she has ever been to. There is the presence of angel hair that allows the villagers to read and feel the minds of the other villagers and explore the depths of the universe. However, this mysterious gift also comes with a dangerous price that Byakuya Kyoko and several other curious minds are soon going to discover.

    One element that makes Sensor stand out is its inspired mixture of different genres. The collection starts as a mystery manga, giving readers little allusions, hints and elements of foreshadowing while not revealing too much and thus sparking creativity. The character-driven stories can also be seen as dramas with tragic twists that deal with grief and regret. Some chapters take a violent turn towards horror manga that will send shivers down your spine. The conceptual guiding line keeps all these little changes and shifts together and the conclusion finds a satisfactory balance between answering the most important questions while keeping a few secrets unrevealed.

    The drawing style is also worth to be pointed out. The way Ito Junji draws supernatural phenomenons and scary creatures is particularly haunting and reminds of paintings by Edvard Munch for example. Ito Junji doesn't work as quickly as many of his colleagues but the quality of his work has an artistic depth that most manga don't have as they only focus on predictable stories with endless series of events.

    Ito Junji is the greatest mangaka I have ever come across because he combines creative stories with artistic drawings and keeps things concise while still sparking the imaginations of his readers. Sensor is another high-quality entry in his works and shows that his manga career that started almost four decades ago is still going strong and not running out of ideas. Anybody who likes drama, mystery and horror genres combined with detailed, imaginative and memorable drawings should give Ito Junji's Sensor a chance.

    Final rating: 80%

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  • These are the reviews I have recently been writing:

    Photo de Belleville Zwick East Flagpole
    Belleville Zwick East Flagpole
    Belleville, ON K8P 3P6
    il y a 2 jours
    Belleville Zwick East Flagpole is one of Belleville's hidden gems. Situated on Zwick Island, this spot offers beautiful views of Belleville Harbour. There are a few banks where you can rest and enjoy a peaceful moment with a loved one. Several trails connect from and to the flagpole. It's a nice spot for a relaxed stroll with family, friends or pets. The location is roughly ten minutes away from the closest parking lot and only a very short drive away from downtown Belleville.
     
     
    Photo de Lott Dam
    Lott Dam
    2S3, Riverfront Trail, Belleville, ON
    il y a 2 jours
    Lott Damm is situated halfway between downtown Belleville and the VIA Rail train station. It's beautifully situated on the Moira River and you can cross the dam by bike or foot. The dam also offers wonderful photo opportunities with the backdrop of downtown Belleville and its numerous bridges, buildings and parks.
     
     
    Photo de Moira river
    Moira river
    Riverside Pk Trl, Belleville, ON K8N 5M4
    il y a 3 jours
    Moira River is a nice place to explore in Belleville. The river is wide but not very deep. You can observe numerous animals such as ducks, geese and seagulls. There are multiple hiking trails along the river, leading from the highway to the harbour. There are several little bridges, memorials and playgrounds along the way. However, you can't swim in the river since there are dangerous dams in several sections.
     
     
    Photo de Swiss Chalet
    Swiss Chalet
    15 Bell Blvd, Belleville, ON K8P 4S5
    il y a 3 jours
    Swiss Chalet Belleville is quite a mixed bag. On the positive side, staff is very friendly, helpful and welcoming. The prices are also decent and the little gifts they hand out in the holiday season such as chocolates and coupons are also …
     
    Réponse du propriétaire il y a 2 jours
    Hi Sebastian! Oh no we're so sorry for dropping the ball. Please take a moment to fill out this form reviews.swisschaletfeedback.com with your reference #K8P 4S5-1115-SK.
     
    Photo de R. T. Potter Park
    R. T. Potter Park
    82 Dundas St W, Belleville, ON K8P 1A3
    il y a 3 jours
    R.T. Potter Park is a very small park consisting of an old city car wreck with a few flowers around it. The basic idea isn't too bad but the execution could be a little bit more creative. The park could also need some more maintenance.
     
     
    Photo de Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Memorial
    Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Memorial
    Belleville, ON K8P 1A4
    il y a 3 jours
    Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Memorial honours local military institutions. It's perfectly situated at the junction of Bay Bridge Road and Dundas Street. The memorial is well-maintained and offers a beautiful photograph opportunity.
     
     
    Photo de The Werner Dietz Park
    The Werner Dietz Park
    Zwicks Trails, Belleville, ON K8P 3Y7
    il y a 3 jours
    The Werner Dietz Park is a beautiful waterfront trail that takes roughly twenty minutes to complete for a roundtrip. The monuments and flags offer excellent photograph opportunities. Sadly, the trail just ends in the western part and doesn't connect to any other road, street or trail.
     
     
    Photo de Belleville Bay Bridge
    Belleville Bay Bridge
    Bay Bridge Rd, Belleville, ON
    il y a 3 jours
    Belleville Bay Bridge connects the cities of Belleville and Rossmore in a beautiful and elegant way. There are numerous interesting photograph opportunities nearby on Zwick Island with its numerous trails. Make a stop there before crossing over to Rossmore or when coming from there.
     
     
    Photo de Zwick Island
    Zwick Island
    Belleville, ON K8P 3Y7
    il y a 3 jours
    I'm not exactly sure why Zwick Island is called this way but it certainly is a beautiful peninsula with many well-maintained hiking trails, cute little monuments and a few buildings for festival purposes. It's a great spot for a relaxed walk in the nature and only about twenty minutes away from downtown Belleville.
     
     
    Photo de Crate Marine Belleville
    Crate Marine Belleville
    25 Dundas St W, Belleville, ON K8P 3M7
    il y a 3 jours
    Crate Marina Belleville is a wonderful spot by the Moira River and the Belleville Harbour. There are several hiking trails nearby that invite for relaxed strolls, beautiful photograph opportunities and smooth breaks where city meets nature.
     
    Réponse du propriétaire il y a 2 jours
    Glad you like the area, hope to see you again!
     
    Photo de Meyers Creek Brewing Company
    Meyers Creek Brewing Company
    60 Dundas St E, Belleville, ON K8N 1B8
    il y a 3 jours
    Meyers Creek Brewing Company is one of the greatest microbreweries in Ontario. The different beers offer much variety and taste great. The prices are very reasonable and the store offers some interesting merchandise as well. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Restrooms are upstairs and very clean but difficult to access for people with reduced mobility. The only elements that are missing are an open taproom and proper patio for customers but it certainly only is a matter of time for these things to see the light of day.
     
     
    Photo de hôtel de ville de Belleville
    hôtel de ville de Belleville
    169 Front St, Belleville, ON K8N 2Y8
    il y a 3 jours
    The Corporation of the City of Belleville is the city's most stunning building. It's certainly worth a detour and a stop. It can be photographed from many different angles. It's situated in the heart of downtown. You can find a market place as well as the bus terminal behind the city hall.
     
     
    Photo de Belleville Cenotaph
    Belleville Cenotaph
    10 Cannifton Rd, Belleville, ON K8N 4T7
    il y a 3 jours
    Belleville Cenotaph is a wonderful memorial dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives for a better future. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. The different parts of the memorial are properly maintained and beautifully situated next to Moira River.
     

    These are some of the photographs I have taken on my trip:

    Belleville Zwick East Flagpole
    Belleville, ON K8P 3P6
     
     
    28
     
     
    Crate Marine Belleville
    25 Dundas St W, Belleville, ON K8P 3M7
     
     
    26
     
     
    Lott Dam
    2S3, Riverfront Trail, Belleville, ON
     
     
    32
     
     
    Gare d'Ottawa
    200 Tremblay Rd, Ottawa, ON K1G 3H5
     
     
    267

    Check out my Google Maps reviews and photographs on this blog for more information!

    Some more detailed posts about my most recent trips will shortly be published!

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  •  
    Hide and Seek
     
     

    Hide and Seek

    2013 1h 47m Not Rated 

     6.4

     

    The Priests
     
     

    The Priests

    2015 1h 43m 

     6.4

     

    Veteran
     
     

    Veteran

    2015 2h 3m Not Rated 

     7.0

     

    The Piper
     
     

    The Piper

    2015 1h 59m PG-13 

     6.4

     

    The Game Changer
     
     

    The Game Changer

    2017 2h 20m Not Rated 

     5.4

     

    The Outsider
     
     

    The Outsider

    2018 2h TV-MA 

     6.3
    30 Metascore

     

    The Duel
     
     

    The Duel

    2016 1h 50m 

     5.8
    42 Metascore

     

    The Tournament
     
     

    The Tournament

    2009 1h 35m 

     6.1

     

    Memoir of a Murderer
     
     

    Memoir of a Murderer

    2017 1h 58m Not Rated 

     7.2

     

    Nowhere to Hide
     
     

    Nowhere to Hide

    1999 1h 52m 

     6.5
    55 Metascore

     

    The Mimic
     
     

    The Mimic

    2017 1h 40m 

     5.6

     

    One Cut of the Dead
     
     

    One Cut of the Dead

    2017 1h 36m Not Rated 

     7.7
    86 Metascore

     

    Creepy
     
     

    Creepy

    2016 2h 10m Not Rated 

     6.3
    76 Metascore

     

    Jigoku
     
     

    Jigoku

    1960 1h 41m Not Rated 

     6.8

     

    Tetsuo: The Iron Man
     
     

    Tetsuo: The Iron Man

    1989 1h 7m Not Rated 

     7.0

     

    He's Out There
     
     

    He's Out There

    2018 1h 29m 

     5.3

     

    Einstein and Einstein
     
     

    Einstein and Einstein

    2013 1h 59m 

     7.4

     

    The Happiness of the Katakuris
     
     

    The Happiness of the Katakuris

    2001 1h 53m 

     7.0
    60 Metascore

     

    Confessions
     
     

    Confessions

    2010 1h 46m Not Rated 

     7.7

     

    Heart Blackened
     
     

    Heart Blackened

    2017 2h 5m Not Rated 

     6.6

     

    Gunro no keifu
     
     

    Gunro no keifu

    1998 2h 20m

     6.7

     

    No Mercy
     
     

    No Mercy

    2019 1h 34m 

     5.7

     

    Parasyte: Part 1
     
     

    Parasyte: Part 1

    2014 1h 49m 

     6.8

     

    Parasyte: Part 2
     
     

    Parasyte: Part 2

    2015 1h 57m 

     6.5

     

    Tazza: One-Eyed Jack
     
     

    Tazza: One-Eyed Jack

    2019 2h 19m 

     5.8

     

    A Day Without Policeman
     
     

    A Day Without Policeman

    1993 1h 38m 

     5.7

     

    Snow Trail
     
     

    Snow Trail

    1947 1h 29m 

     7.2

     

    The Face of Another
     
     

    The Face of Another

    1966 2h 4m Not Rated 

     8.0

     

    She's Just a Shadow
     
     

    She's Just a Shadow

    2019 1h 58m 

     4.1
    12 Metascore

     

    ID:A
     
     

    ID:A

    2011 1h 44m Not Rated 

     6.1

     

    The Bride
     
     

    The Bride

    2017 1h 35m Not Rated 

     4.7

     

    Les traducteurs
     
     

    Les traducteurs

    2019 1h 45m 

     6.5

     

    Marrowbone
     
     

    Marrowbone

    2017 1h 50m 

     6.7
    63 Metascore

     

    Everly
     
     

    Everly

    2014 1h 32m 

     5.1
    35 Metascore

     

    Lingering
     
     

    Lingering

    2020 1h 41m Not Rated 

     4.9

     

    Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
     
     

    Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

    2019 1h 50m 

     7.7

     

    Monster
     
     

    Monster

    2014 1h 53m Not Rated 

     6.5

     

    Coin Locker Girl
     
     

    Coin Locker Girl

    2015 1h 50m 

     6.8

     

    The Rental
     
     

    The Rental

    2020 1h 28m 

     5.7
    62 Metascore

     

    Acts of Violence
     
     

    Acts of Violence

    2018 1h 26m 

     5.3
    28 Metascore

     

    Arena
     
     

    Arena

    2011 1h 34m 

     4.8

     

    In Harm's Way
     
     

    In Harm's Way

    2017 1h 37m Not Rated 

     6.2

     

    #Alive
     
     

    #Alive

    2020 1h 38m TV-MA 

     6.3

     

    Scream and Scream Again
     
     

    Scream and Scream Again

    1970 1h 35m 

     5.6

     

    Dampfnudelblues
     
     

    Dampfnudelblues

    2013 1h 35m 

     7.1

     

    Shiosai
     
     

    Shiosai

    1964 1h 22m 

     6.2

     

    The Warrior's Way
     
     

    The Warrior's Way

    2010 1h 40m 

     6.3
    45 Metascore

     

    Ghost Mansion
     
     

    Ghost Mansion

    2021 1h 46m 

     6.2

     

    Braven
     
     

    Braven

    2018 1h 34m 

     5.9
    61 Metascore

     

    Escape from Mogadishu
     
     

    Escape from Mogadishu

    2021 2h 1m TV-14 

     7.2
    77 Metascore
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