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The Deathworms of Kratos (The Expendables #1) (1975)

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by Richard Avery (AKA Edmund Cooper) A team of disgraced misfits are recruited as interstellar explorers to determine the suitability of alien worlds as homes for human colonists.  Of these seven flawed geniuses, only three are given much development and seem likely to be the focus of this four-book series.   This novel is at its best early on when it is a story of exploration, peril, and mystery.   The biology and habits of the deathworms are interesting and well thought out.  "Kratos' Giant Creatures--Conrad's Exhausted Force" (Japanese) However, there is no Prime Directive here; once they get the upper hand, The Expendables have no qualms about devastating an alien ecosystem in the name of the human race.  "Kratos--Planet of Horrors" (Swedish) That cringey 70s swinger philosophy that postulated a progressive future free of sexual hang-ups yet now seems so hopelessly dated and sexist is on full display here.   "Test Planet Kratos" (German) It’s a...
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Conan the Buccaneer (Lancer Conan Series #6) (1971)

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by Lin Carter and L. Sprague de Camp Conan, now a pirate in his 30s, becomes embroiled in politics and treasure hunts as sorcerers and swashbucklers contend for gold, a magic crown, and the hand of a princess.  This novel-length Conan adventure was conceived and written entirely by posthumous collaborators Lin Carter and L. Sprague de Camp.   Lin Carter These two gentlemen deserve praise for helping to reintroduce Conan to modern audiences with the Lancer series of the 60s and 70s.  L. Sprague de Camp However, as much as they may have appreciated the character and world that Robert E. Howard created, they didn’t seem to understand that their own modest literary talents were really not in his league.  "Conan the Buccaneer" (French) Even worse, I have read reports that they edited some of the original stories for the Lancer editions.   "Conan the Buccaneer" (German) These are the books I grew up with and, along with the Marvel Comics series, formed my conception o...
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Ranked: Psychological Horror Films

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  A ranking of all the psychological horror films that have been reviewed on this blog. 31 Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/10/beyond-black-rainbow-2010.html 30 The Ninth Gate (1999) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-ninth-gate-1999.html 29 House on Haunted Hill (1959) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/10/house-on-haunted-hill-1959.html 28 Psycho II (1983) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2023/10/psycho-ii-1983.html 27 Men (2022) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/02/men-2022.html 26 The Ring (2002) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-ring-2002.html 25 Three…Extremes (2004) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/10/threeextremes-2004.html 24 The Stepford Wives (1975) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-stepford-wives-1975.html 23 Deep Red (1975) https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com/2024/09/deep-red-1975.html 22 The Babadook (2014) https://theri...
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