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wenturner's review against another edition
3.0
This collection of stories is reminiscent of the trips I used to make to the video store with my family as a kid in the 80s. I remember the wild VHS box covers in the horror section—a crazy variety of monsters, slashers, aliens and all things creepy. And that’s a good description for this collection. There were a few stories that I felt were not as strong as the others, but overall this was a creepy walk down memory lane.
aaronlindsey's review
5.0
This collection is a blast of retro-video-horror craziness! My only experience with Duncan Ralston before this is when I DNF'd Woom. It just wasn't my thing. But this one ... this one is right down my alley.
Most of the stories read like dusty old video shelf favorites from the 80's. My favorites from this collection:
HOW TO KILL A CELEBRITY - Where a young reporter gets a job writing celebrity obits and realizes she's not cut out for the stress....
THE EYE AT THE DOOR - A PR guy with stomach issues is relieved...but only for a second.
VIDEO NASTIES - The title story that closes the collection is more fun than a box of rare video tapes.
Also, He Is Risen reads exactly like an old Hammer Film from the 70's! Except for the Spinal Tap reference, that is.
Most of the stories read like dusty old video shelf favorites from the 80's. My favorites from this collection:
HOW TO KILL A CELEBRITY - Where a young reporter gets a job writing celebrity obits and realizes she's not cut out for the stress....
THE EYE AT THE DOOR - A PR guy with stomach issues is relieved...but only for a second.
VIDEO NASTIES - The title story that closes the collection is more fun than a box of rare video tapes.
Also, He Is Risen reads exactly like an old Hammer Film from the 70's! Except for the Spinal Tap reference, that is.
dnemec's review
4.0
Short story collections are always a gamble. Some are great, some are not. But occasionally I come across a collection where each story is more enjoyable than the next. This was one of those. I enjoyed them all, but found How to Kill A Celebrity, Chompers, Cuttings, and Video Nasties to be the most memorable. A great collection worth the time.
hskurat's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nothingamonth's review
4.0
Less Twilight and more Creepshow
Like any collection of short stories, there are going to be hits and misses. I think Ralston has some major hits in VIDEO NASTIES, and his misses were more bland than outright bad. He definitely starts strong with stories like "Cuttings", "How to Kill a Celebrity", and "Chompers." Weaker stories like "My Protector" and "He is Risen" fill out the middle before finishing strong with the titular "Video Nasties."
I think the comparison to Richard Matheson is inaccurate. To me, this felt less like The Twilight Zone and more like Creepshow or Tales From the Crypt, which is not at all an insult. These stories are sexual, gory, and provocative. That's nothing to be ashamed of. If you're a fan of 80s and 90s horror, you can't miss VIDEO NASTIES.
Like any collection of short stories, there are going to be hits and misses. I think Ralston has some major hits in VIDEO NASTIES, and his misses were more bland than outright bad. He definitely starts strong with stories like "Cuttings", "How to Kill a Celebrity", and "Chompers." Weaker stories like "My Protector" and "He is Risen" fill out the middle before finishing strong with the titular "Video Nasties."
I think the comparison to Richard Matheson is inaccurate. To me, this felt less like The Twilight Zone and more like Creepshow or Tales From the Crypt, which is not at all an insult. These stories are sexual, gory, and provocative. That's nothing to be ashamed of. If you're a fan of 80s and 90s horror, you can't miss VIDEO NASTIES.
limescat's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shannonettaro's review
5.0
I have two confessions to start off this review.
One, I had no idea this was a collection of short stories. Two, I have never read a collection of short stories for pleasure. It would be fair to say that Duncan Ralston popped my cherry on this one … and it was a completely enthralling experience.
From my previous deep dives into this authors mind, I’ll never look at traffic cones, nor Thanksgiving dinner the same again… now, I can add another holiday mainstay to the list - mall Santa’s at Christmas.
I’d be hard pressed to say which story was my favorite. I’ve written and erased what I thought was my favorite a few times while writing this, but I can’t pick just one. They were all brilliant disturbing and run the gamete from just plain eclectic to the f*ed up sh*t I’ve come to expect from Ralston’s writing.
I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say - if you are like me and always thumbed your nose at short story’s, give this one a whirl around the dance floor. You won’t be disappointed.
One, I had no idea this was a collection of short stories. Two, I have never read a collection of short stories for pleasure. It would be fair to say that Duncan Ralston popped my cherry on this one … and it was a completely enthralling experience.
From my previous deep dives into this authors mind, I’ll never look at traffic cones, nor Thanksgiving dinner the same again… now, I can add another holiday mainstay to the list - mall Santa’s at Christmas.
I’d be hard pressed to say which story was my favorite. I’ve written and erased what I thought was my favorite a few times while writing this, but I can’t pick just one. They were all brilliant disturbing and run the gamete from just plain eclectic to the f*ed up sh*t I’ve come to expect from Ralston’s writing.
I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say - if you are like me and always thumbed your nose at short story’s, give this one a whirl around the dance floor. You won’t be disappointed.