Author: markswritingcorner

Mark Ahern was born in 1979 and is from Ireland. He attained a Degree in Commerce from UCD in 2000 and a Masters in European Studies in 2001. He has written three novels to date encompassing science fiction and thrillers. At times Mark has used his experiences as an individual with a disability to write from a truly unique perspective. "Chronicles of Martan" which is his sole science fiction work to date, is an epic space odyssey inspired by his love of Star Wars. This was followed by "Not the Usual Suspect" and "Paradigm". His current project is called "The Irish Ripper" and should be available late 2019.

Distant Love (Part 49)

The conversation shifts to Maeve’s many cousins and what they are up to. Hours pass over tea and biscuits.

The room grows dark. At first, the light is switched on, then the blinds are drawn, and the conversation turns to where they will sleep.

“There’s a nice little bed for you, Derek, beside the front door. It could be quite tight with the wheelchair, though. And Maeve, you can sleep in the bed beside mine.”

She was right. There was no chance of turning the wheelchair into the room. Derek crawls out of the wheelchair and into the low-rise bed.

Exhausted now, he thinks of what a crazy day he’s had.

His eyelids close, and he drifts off.

*************************

Three weeks previously…

An alarm goes off in Derek’s room. He stretches and opens his eyes. For the first time in quite a while, he can’t help but feel enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

No work, no worries. He had been planning this trip for over a month. The Jupiter Fair.

Jupiter had always entranced Derek. A place where you could be free with just the right amount of human civilization. Aviris 6 was the stuff of legend. Get rich or die within 24 hours.

Exploring the Thrills of Stranger Things Season 5 Episodes 1-4

Dear readers, the first four episodes of Season 5 dropped on Netflix a few days ago. And, well, I, being the TVaholic you all know and love, have watched them all.

The first thing to hit me was What the hell is happening again? It’s been so long since Season 4, and my mind has gone a bit rusty. A few minutes later, I was back at my A-game.

A quick reminder from Wikipedia –

After the events of the fourth season, in the fall of 1987, the group seeks to find and kill Vecna after the Rifts opened in Hawkins. The mission becomes complicated when the military arrives in Hawkins and begins hunting Eleven. As the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance approaches, the group must fight one last time against a new deadly threat.

It felt all nostalgic and warm to be back watching. Every now and again, it’s great to be reminded just how great the nineteen-eighties really were.

All the loved chair characters are back.

Millie Brown is once more stealing the show. Her relationship with Hop, a resounding theme. Still, there is so much more. You are kept on the edge of your seat, unsure what happens next. At times, especially in episode four, it can be terrifying.

Visually, Series 5 pushes the show to new heights. The Upside Down is more otherworldly and terrifying than ever, and the action sequences are some of the most ambitious in the show’s history. Yet despite the heightened stakes, the season never loses its grounding in friendship, loyalty, and coming-of-age struggles.

It’s well on the way to a high score.

Have you seen it yet? If so, let me know what you thought in the comments.

Why Madame Web Stands Out in Today’s Marvel Landscape

It’s been widely reported that Marvel films lost their shine over the last few years, and I’d agree. Each film seemed to be a rehash of the last one. And the CGI was too overboard. It’s also difficult to get excited when you know that superheroes are almost impossible to kill, so there’s little to really worry about.

Still, I went into my sitting room with an open mind. I’m nothing if not fair. And I’m so happy that I did. Madame Web is a uniquely refreshing entry in the modern superhero landscape—one that prioritizes character, atmosphere, and emotional resonance over the typical barrage of CGI-fueled spectacle.

A new story is finally being told. And she’s not invincible, but rather a haphazard time traveller. In fact, you see her death on more than one occasion. How refreshing. She is trying to protect three teenage girls, aptly played by Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O’Connor. The dynamic between them, and the main character Cassandra Web makes the film. The trio exudes warmth, charisma, and a natural chemistry that gives the story an emotional core. Their scenes together are vibrant and often surprisingly funny, providing a wonderful contrast to Cassandra’s world-weary pragmatism. As their bond develops, the film gains a sense of heart that elevates the entire narrative.

Cassandra Web is played by Dakota Johnson of Fifty Shades fame. Thankfully, this film is much better. It gets five stars out of five from me. My first five stars in quite some time.

Have you seen it? Let me know in the comments.

Exploring Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein: A Modern Take

Ah, Frankenstein, the epic tale. It almost feels like a myth passed down thousands of years, rather than coming from the presumably seriously twisted mind of Mary Shelley back in 1818.

Now, it’s after getting the Netflix treatment. Frankenstein is a 2025 American Gothic science fiction film produced, written, and directed by Guillermo del Toro. It is a breathtaking reinterpretation of Mary Shelley’s iconic novel—faithful to its emotional core, yet bold enough to stand confidently as its own work.

From the start, the film establishes a chilling, immersive atmosphere that pulls you into a world where life, death, ambition, and heartbreak intertwine. It’s more than just a monster story—it’s a profound exploration of what it means to be human, and the cost of creating something you can’t control.

You see events unfold from two perspectives: the creator and the monster. In a way, they are each other’s mirrors. One is beautiful on the inside, hideous on the outside. The other is the opposite.

The acting is of a high quality. Oscar Isaac as Victor, the creator, and Jacob Elordi as the monster give powerful performances.

Even though it is a long film, many of the minor relationships feel rushed. Victor falling in love with his brother’s fiancée, and the brothers’ relationship misses the mark. The scene where the fiancée professes her love for Frankenstein is nonsensical. I can only presume important scenes were cut.

For that reason, it’s only three stars out of five from me. Read the book, it’s a classic.

Have you seen it? Let me know in the comments.

Distant Love (Part 48)

Derek feels a stiff breeze blow across his face. “Wow, it’s cold here. Is this not the planet where humans are meant to have evolved?”

Jessica looks back at him with a quizzical look. “Eh, not on this part of the planet. Come on, we’d better get the two of yous inside.”

Soon, she was pointing to a nearby white-finished bungalow. “Come on, this way.”

For a moment, Derek worries his wheelchair is too wide for the door, but fortunately, he has an inch on either side to spare.

Immediately, he feels the burst of warm air. It felt good.

Jessica led them to a small kitchen. “Now, what about a nice cup of tea for the two of you?”

Maeves face lit up. “Oh, yes, please. They are mad about their tea in these parts, Derek.”

Derek smirks. “I’ll have to give it a try, so!”

And lovely tea, it turns out to be.

“So, what’s next?” Jessica asks. Her tone is more serious.

Derek and Maeve look at each other, unsure what to say.

Maeve takes the lead. “Auntie, it was all somewhat rushed. We had to take our chances; there was no time to plan ahead.”

“It’s okay, love, you should be fine here for quite some time. They’d never expect you to come to this remote place. That’s for sure.”

Don’t watch “The death of Bunny Munro”

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is a series currently being aired on Sky. It is not for the faint of heart and can be quite dark at times. Any comedy is pretty black.

It follows the life of Bunny, played by Matt Smith, and his unfortunate son (Bunny Junior). Bunny is a narcissistic womanizer who uses the people around him to his own end. His only redemption is his son, who idolises him at first but gradually sees him for who he is.

It starts with the suicide of Bunny’s wife leaving him as the sole caregiver for his son. This is not the story of someone embracing their responsibilities and rising to the plate. Bunny and his son go on the run to avoid social services. At the same time, a horned serial killer is on the loose.

Bunny shows himself to be a truly disgusting character as he slips deeper into the abyss.

At some point you realize this is a story about the son. The only message I got was that Social Services do a vital job.

You have to suspend your reasoning. There is no police alert about the missing child. They spend hours driving around but all roads lead to Brighton.

The ending is nonsensical and I wasn’t bothered by Bunny’s death at the end. He was too unlikeable.

I give the series two stars out of five. You’ll find something better to do with your time.

So have you watched it? Let me know what you think.

Distant Love (Part 47)

“I am indeed.”

The lady walks over and wraps him in a warm embrace. “Thanks so much for everything you’ve done for Maeve. I don’t know what we would have done without you!”

“There is no need to thank me. I would do anything for her.”

The lady takes a step back, looking into his eyes. He can see her wrinkled, weather-battered face now. Still, there is a beauty there, mixed with determination. “You can call me Jessica.”

She waves her hand for Derek and Maeve to follow her. Derek’s wheelchair bobbles up and down on the uneven, pebble-filled surface. It bothers him, not.

Jessica points at one of the few buildings. An unappealing, simple building that is somewhat derelict. “That was once the most northerly post office in the UK.”

Derek and Maeve look at each other in confusion.

“Oh lord,” Jessica says in exasperation, “doesn’t anyone teach you young people history anymore? The UK, or the United Kingdom, once had an empire so large that the sun never set. And now, it might as well have never existed. I guess that the northerly part is lost on you two, you being from space and all.”

Jessica continues muttering to herself as they start to make their way up a road.

Review of Death by Lightning on Netflix

Hi readers. I do hope you are all keeping well. I’ve been watching this gem over the last week.

From Wikipedia :

The series depicts the election and presidency of James A. Garfield, the 20th United States President, including his anti-corruption and pro-civil rights stances, as well as how his path crossed with Charles J. Guiteau, a deluded admirer, who ended up shooting him, leading to Garfield’s death.

It states at the start that Garfield and Guiteau had been lost to history. And well, I’d never heard of them.

Visually, the series shines. It really takes you back to the 1880s. I loved the scenes of old New York, although I still had the feeling they were CGI. There’s something about the time period of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century for storytelling.

From the very first episode, the show establishes a distinct identity, depicting an accidental President.

We are also introduced to the troubled Guiteau. Gradually, he is overcome with delusions.

Michael Shannon gives a satisfactory performance, though it can be wooden at times. I think what I like best was the show’s depictions of the time.

The historical record is, in a way, a hindrance, as the show comes to an end just as it was getting going.

For that reason, it gets 3.5 stars out of five.

Exploring Football’s Greatest Con: King of Lies Episode 1

Hello, my dear readers. Took an annual leave today and decided that it was important for it not to be wasted. So, I watched TV and the above documentary, in particular.

Episode 1 of King of Lies: Football’s Greatest Con launches the series with an enticing blend of mystery and tension, but it’s not without its stumbles. The premiere does a solid job establishing the central scandal, which revolves around the sale of Notts County Football Club (the oldest professional football club in the world), teasing just enough information to pique curiosity without revealing too much too soon. The opening sequences are atmospheric and stylish, setting a tone that’s equal parts investigative thriller and sports documentary.

The documentary’s greatest strength is its interviews. I was stunned to see Sven-Göran Eriksson pop into the story. The interview is from the depths of sickness shortly before he died. Unfortunately, he gets caught up in it all and quite bizarrely ends up in North Korea at one point!

However, the pacing is noticeably uneven. Some sections feel stretched out, lingering on details that don’t yet carry emotional or narrative weight. The editing sometimes jumps abruptly between timelines or perspectives, which can make the episode feel scattered,

Russell King is the conman leaving ruin wherever he goes. It’s quite a complex con, almost masterful. But it’s impossible to see his out. He needed the con or new cons to keep being successful, to not get caught.

An interesting documentary. I learned that you can’t get people to do what they don’t want to. The art of persuasion is giving them a reason to do what they want.

Yes, so, not sure if that’s a positive, but what the hell.

It gets three stars out of five from me.

Have you seen it? What do you think?

Episode 1 of King of Lies: Football’s Greatest Con is currently available on Sky Documentaries.

Distant Love (Part 46)

A few moments pass, and it comes into view. White dots surrounded by green jutting out of the ocean.

“Is this it?”

“It sure is.” Her voice is full of excitement.

More interesting than the moon, I suppose.

The ship comes to a halt, and Derek feels the vibration of the landing thrusters firing. A few seconds later, a thud as it hit the ground.

Derek shakes. The reality of landing on an alien world hits him.

“You okay, Derek? My Auntie is waiting for us. Everything is going to be fine.”

She places her hand on his shoulder, and he turns the wheelchair.

They go to the rear of the ship, and the hatch opens. A silver-haired, plump woman is waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp.

Maeve rushes forward and wraps her arms around the older woman.

Derek drives down the ramp before coming to an abrupt halt. The smell of the sea, the beautiful cloudy sky, the feel of the wind on his face, it’s so different.

Maeve looks back at him and frowns. “You okay, Derek?”

He looks over at her and smiles. “Oh, yes. I’ve never experienced anything like this. To hear the waves and the wind. I knew it would be different, but this is incredible.”

The grey-haired woman then spoke. “You must be Derek.”