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.

A Review of Netflix’s ‘Being Eddie’: Insights and Reflections

Anybody within seven or eight years of my age (I’m forty-six) would have fond memories of Eddie Murphy. I still remember seeing Beverly Hills Cop for the first time. A great film that would never have made it without him. It was the first time I saw on-screen a black character who was clearly more intelligent than the white people around him. All the curses stuck out as well.

But what happened to him recently? I haven’t heard his name in an age. I was also interested in what other aspects of his life were like.

That’s why I watched the documentary “Being Eddie” on Netflix a couple of nights ago.

If you are looking for something visceral, raw, then this is not it. Some critics think it’s more like a prelude to him returning to stand-up more than anything else. It retreats from anything awkward/contentious. He comes across as a family man and reminisces about voicing the donkey in Shrek. There is nothing about the paternity suit with Mel B, for example. He has ten children. Musk would be proud.

The best part is when it just lets him speak. I found his tendency towards OCD intriguing. Great minds appear to have a likelihood for such things, and I doubt it’s a coincidence.

He also brings up that he has never won an Oscar, despite his great performances and sometimes playing multiple characters in the same film. I wouldn’t worry about it if I were him; their value has greatly diminished over the years.

The interviews with other comedy legends, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, and more, show what a powerful influence he was on the industry. They all say nice things. What a pity!

I give it three stars out of five. It’ll make you feel warm. Just don’t expect anything beyond the bland, though.

Have you seen it? Let me know what you think.

Review of Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season Three

I remember when I first watched an episode of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror drama of the Zombie kind, I was entranced. Still, little did I think I would be watching one of many spin-offs fifteen years later. I guess that the joy of watching people getting eaten alive was also missing from other people’s lives.

The third season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon proves that this spinoff isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. After two strong installments set against the haunting backdrop of post-apocalyptic France, Season 3 expands the world once again with confidence, style, and surprising emotional depth.

Norman Reedus delivers one of his most nuanced performances yet as Daryl. He’s still the gruff, resourceful loner we’ve always known, but this season gives him space to show real growth — vulnerability, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Watching him evolve from a weary wanderer into a reluctant leader and mentor feels deeply satisfying, especially for fans who’ve followed him since the early days of The Walking Dead.

It’s humorous to think now that when he first appeared, I was sure he could not be trusted and would come to a quick end. I’m sure there is a lesson in there somewhere.

One of the biggest highlights is the long-awaited reunion with Melissa McBride’s Carol Peletier. Their chemistry is nothing short of electric — equal parts tenderness, tension, and mutual respect. Every scene between them is a reminder of why their bond remains one of the emotional cores of the entire Walking Dead universe. Together, they bring a warmth and familiarity that beautifully contrasts with the harshness of the world around them.

Visually, Season 3 is stunning. The European landscapes — this time making powerful use of Spain’s dramatic scenery — give the show a unique texture and sense of scale. The cinematography is gorgeous, balancing moody atmosphere with bursts of kinetic action. It’s clear that AMC has invested heavily in production quality, and it pays off: this season looks and feels more cinematic than ever.

The writing, too, feels sharper and more purposeful. Themes of faith, survival, and belonging run through every episode, but they’re handled with restraint and maturity. The show doesn’t rely solely on zombie horror — it explores what it truly means to rebuild and to believe in something again after the end of the world.

Nothing’s perfect, though. Some of the landscapes just didn’t look apocalyptic enough. It looked too ordered. The show needs one of its main characters, whether in a spin-off or not, to die an agonizing death. I need to feel some dread.

Season 3 gets five stars out of five from me. It’s currently available on Sky Max.

Distant Love (Part 45)

The ship finally stops rattling, and a blue sky appears with white puffy shapes below.

Maeve shouted back to him. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” That’s clouds below us.”

“Wow, much more beautiful than the moon.”

She looks back and smiles. “You haven’t seen anything yet!”

There is a crackling sound over the communications array –

“You are about to enter His Majesty’s airspace. This is an unscheduled flight. You have sixty seconds to identify yourself. Otherwise, the aerial defence system will be activated.”

Derek’s heart sinks. “What do we do now?”

Maeve twitches her fingers. “I have an idea.”

She then replies, “This is the vessel 4573 requesting permission to enter. Code Alpha Beta Two niner omega tr34”

The voice replies, “You are cleared to land.”

The thought crosses Dereks’ mind – How did she know what to say?

Seconds pass, and the ship descends below the clouds. A blue sea is revealed. Derek’s eyes open wide with wonder. It is one of the most beautiful things he has ever seen.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Maeve says in a hushed tone.

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“The island will shortly come into view. It will be unlike anything you have seen before. Let’s hope you like it.”

Netflix’s The Last Czars: Drama, History, and Flawed Royals

Well, let’s face it. Russia is fairly topical at the moment. But how did we get here? Well, any story about Russia has to include the Romanovs, who ruled for 300 years. The Last Czars is an ambitious attempt by Netflix to blend historical documentary with dramatized storytelling, chronicling their downfall —and the rise of the Bolsheviks. The result is an intriguing, visually lavish production that succeeds in moments but often struggles to find its identity.

The lavish costumes, ornate set designs, and snowy Russian landscapes evoke the grandeur—and isolation—of the Romanov dynasty. The performances, especially Robert Jack as Tsar Nicholas II and Susanna Herbert as Alexandra, bring depth to historical figures often seen as symbols rather than people. And rather flawed people they turn out to be.

At times, I felt sympathetic to their plight as their Empire collapsed around them. Other times, not so much as they make one poor decision after another. The Bolsheviks shouldn’t have shot the children, but Nicholas II and Alexandra cared little for the ordinary Russian. It reminds me of someone, I can’t quite put my finger on it.

The most interesting character is, of course, Rasputin. He is someone I have always been interested in. A religious man. God saves sinners; therefore, it is important to sin. Only then can you ask for forgiveness. He tries his best to drink and to make love to as many women as possible. God bless, he loves his God. The Romanovs fall under his spell, a sick son creating a wedge between them and their people (well, she’s German, it’s complicated).

The inclusion of documentary-style narration and expert interviews gives the viewer valuable historical grounding. However, this same hybrid format is also the show’s greatest weakness. The constant switching between drama and documentary can feel jarring, breaking immersion and undercutting any attachment to what is happening.

Personally, I found it a bit of a struggle to keep watching. Three stars out of five for me. If you’re committed to hours of TV every day, give it a try. If time is precious, there is much better out there.

But let me know what you think? Have you seen it?

A House of Dynamite: A Thrilling Perspective on Nuclear Crisis

Happy weekend to all my readers. I had the good fortune to watch “A House of Dynamite” during the week.

A nuclear missile is fired towards the United States. What follows is a masterclass in contemporary suspense. The film’s structure is bold: it essentially shows the same 18 minutes (or the timeframe of the missile threat) from several perspectives — intelligence, military, and White House. This different point-of-view approach illustrates how separate parts of the US military and government respond to the crisis.

Whether the nuclear warhead actually detonates, and what then happens, is not part of the film. Under the direction of Kathryn Bigelow, the film plunges the viewer into a high-stakes nuclear crisis with astonishing realism. The sense of urgency is almost physical — Bigelow keeps the camera moving, the editing sharp, the clock ticking.

Some viewers might find the repeating structure (showing the same timeframe from different angles) slightly repetitive, but I enjoyed it. Others may find it frustrating that questions go unanswered. I find it apt. I see the ambiguity as intentional, just like the real-life situation would be.

The film is more than entertainment: it’s a wake-up call about nuclear deterrence, about systems we (or at least the Americans) trust being fallible.

The movie boasts a stellar cast: Idris Elba, who looks much older than when I last saw him, gives a grounded, urgent performance as the U.S. President. His chances of being 007 are now gone, though. Rebecca Ferguson and Gabriel Basso hold their own in the thriller’s pressurized settings.

The characters feel real under pressure — not caricatures of power, but people making impossible decisions in impossible times.

If you’re in the mood for a film that makes you hold your breath—and keeps you thinking after—it’s absolutely worth watching. Five stars out of five for me.

Distant Love (Part 44)

Hours pass, and the magnificent habitats come clearly into view. They are cylindrical in shape, with a constant stream of small vessels travelling in between them.

“Looks incredible, doesn’t it, Derek?” Maeve says, both of their eyes transfixed.

“It is. I read somewhere that we’re reaching the tipping point where more people will be living off Earth than on it. Crazy, really, and there’s a huge universe out there for us to colonize.” Derek’s eyes were wide with wonder.

“Incredible, we’d better dock you in place again. We’ll soon start to feel the effect of the Earth’s gravity.”

Derek began to sweat in nervous anticipation. This would be unlike anything he had experienced before.

Their ship descended between the habitats.

The ship shook. It was almost imperceptible.

Derek thought – It is beginning.

Then another shake.

“Don’t worry, Derek. The ship’s onboard navigation system won’t have any difficulties taking us in. Landing on Earth is routine, not like landing on the moon.”

Maeve smirked, and Derek found it odd how reassuring he found it to be.

The rattling increases with each passing moment. The viewport edges turn red.

“We’re going to the top of the second large island off that landmass. You can’t see the small island itself, yet.” Maeve shouted over the sound of the spaceship crashing through the atmosphere.

Distant Love (Part 43)

Hours pass, and the Earth now looms large in the viewport. Derek stares in fascination at the multitude of space habitats now visible in orbit. “Which one is the New Yorker habitat?”

Maeve smiles and holds her hands out in front of him. “There it is. It has a blue hue. See it?”

“Wow, it looks so small, hard to imagine one hundred million people living there. Did you ever visit?”

Maeve stays silent for a moment, then responds, “Yes, I have. It looks small from here, but it actually has a huge living space. There are huge areas with no one. Of course, it’s very crowded in places too. It’s crazy, though, looking up and seeing people living their lives above you.”

Derek drives forward, “Is it true that it is the wealthiest place in the solar system?”

“Oh, yes, no poor people allowed. If you can no longer afford the fees, off back to Earth with you. It’s supposed to be very cutthroat. All smiles to your face, but get lost if you have nothing. I guess that’s why they left Earth.”

Derek nods his head in agreement. Do you know any of the others?”

“Of course, there is New Ireland, that’s Gallois, there’s Quantus. I could go on for a good half day, I’d say, there are so many.”

Distant Love (Part 42)

After some time, Derek asks, “So, tell me about this aunt of yours. You never mentioned her previously.”

“Well, no, I haven’t. But I don’t see her often, so it wouldn’t just crop up. As I mentioned, she resides on the island of Haroldswick in the Shetland Islands. Ever heard of them?” Her eyes opened wide.

Derek nods his head, “No, should I?”

Maeve smiles, “I thought not, they are islands that are part of an ancient country called the United Kingdom. And to be honest, I’d say most people in the UK would have no idea where they are. They are far from the mainland, and all of Shetland has a population of only twenty-five thousand people. And in Haroldwick, only a couple of hundred at best.”

Derek winks, “Should be easy to stay out of the limelight, so!”

“That’s what I’m thinking. I was there, just the once before. Looking out at the sea, and watching the crashing of the waves against the cliffs. It looked unending. And the quaint little houses and streets. The people are really friendly. Nervous of outsiders, but it will be fine once they know about Aunty.”

“Should be fun. I just hope it’s wheelchair-friendly to some degree.”

Heaven’s River: A Review of the Latest Bobiverse Adventure

Hello, dear readers, I finished reading this novel by Dennis E. Taylor last night. It is the fourth book in the Bobiverse series. I have reviewed the others previously and given them strong reviews. But what of this one?

Well, dear readers, to fully appreciate each novel, I recommend reading them in order. It’s a big Universe after all, and so many stories to be told.

The Bobs are copies of the digitally stored personality of a dead human (“Bob”), carried in self-replicating Von Neumann probes. The original mission to explore new worlds was originally tied to saving humanity.

With each replication, there is a drift from the original personality. At this stage, some bobs are the thirtieth generation or more. This has led to factions forming within the Bobiverve, such as Star Trek and the Skippies.

Starfleet believes that the Bobiverse should cease its interaction with biologicals, especially those that don’t engage in space travel, calling it the Prime Directive.

The Skippies want to build a superintelligent AI from scratch.

Each new Bob replicant has an individual name. One of them, Bender, hasn’t been heard from in a very long time. More than a hundred years ago, Bender set out for the stars and was never heard from again. There has been no trace of him despite numerous searches by his clone-mates. Now Bob is determined to organize an expedition to learn Bender’s fate—whatever the cost.

Bob (more or less the original) goes on the same journey where he picks up an alien signal. He deduces that Bender would have followed it. It leads to the discovery of a giant megastructure – rivers that encircle a star. Inside, live a pre-steam civilization, the Quinlans.

The discovery creates a stir throughout the Bobiverse. Starfleet believes that the Quinlans should be left alone, citing the Prime Directive, but Bob would never stop his search for Bender.

It leads to war in the Bobiverse and an epic journey through a truly new world.

I give “Heaven’s River” five stars out of five. Although long, it engages from start to finish. You meet interesting new characters and catch up on old ones. It is very immersive, allowing you to fully engage with the new Quinlan civilization. It has the necessary reveals and plot twists to keep the reader going.

Have you read this novel?

Let me know what you thought in the comments.

Distant Love (Part 41)

Derek’s heart misses a beat with the anguish in her voice. “I’m sorry, Nathalie. I couldn’t tell you what I was about to do. It would only get you in trouble. You were the best friend I ever had.”

“Don’t be a fool, she’s not….” The message cackles before it stops altogether.

Maeve glances at him, but he looks ahead.

“Where’re now, Maeve? Any ideas? We can’t stay here.”

There is a moment of silence, then she says, “Why not Earth? My aunt lives somewhere in Haroldswick in the Shetland Islands. It’s remote, and we can trust her. We’ll never be found.”

Derek smiles, “Never heard of it but that’s probably a good thing. I’ll put in the coordinates for Earth. It’s going to take a couple of hours.”

An hour later, the ship has stopped its acceleration. The harness automatically removes from Derek’s wheelchair, and Maeve unstraps her belt.

A moment later, she throws her arms around Derek’s neck and presses her lips against his. “You saved me. Nobody has done something like that for me before. You’re a hero.”

Derek gazes into her eyes, “Anything for you, love. You have the rest of our lives to make it up to me.”

They laughed and began to kiss once more.