A My Little Pony scary story.

Such things happen.

Applejack and her family were suffering from a bad case of bad luck. It seemed like every day, something bad happens. The first bad thing that happened to them was a bad harvest. Then their collie dog, a perfectly healthy animal, developed a bad illness. Then after that, their apple cart broke in half. Just like that. “I have no idea what is happening to us” Applejack said as Twilight Sparkle paid a visit one day, “It’s like somepony put a curse on us!”. “Calm down Applejack” Twilight said “there must be an explanation to all of this. Now, tell me when it started?”. “Well I guess it started after we had that bad encounter with Midnight Sun” Applejack said.

A week earlier, Applejack and Big Mac were delivering some apples to the local shop. They had just finished emptying the cart and when they were just reversing it out onto the street again, when a large cat suddenly jumped out from behind a stack of newspapers and ran out in front of Big Mac. This caused him to jump and to lose control of the cart. It sped out of control down the street and ended up in the ornamental garden of an elderly unicorn named Midnight Sun. And by the time Big Mac and Applejack had managed to get the cart back out, the garden was completely ruined. “We’re really sorry mam,” Applejack said, “we’ll pay for the damages”. Midnight Sun did not reply. But her eyes gave away her feelings. They were angry and full of rage. “I had spent years perfecting my garden!” she snapped back at Applejack “now it is all ruined! You will be sorry for this!”

“We thought that she was going to take us to court over it” Applejack said “But luckily we payed for the damages and that was that. But then this string of bad luck began to happen and… I have a feeling that Midnight Sun is behind it” “Don’t be silly Applejack” Twilight said “there is no way a unicorn would be able to put a powerful curse on you. You are just jumping to conclusions”.

After Twilight had left, Applejack was sitting in her kitchen. She was still thinking about what Twilight had said. “Maybe I am jumping to conclusions” she thought “but perhaps Midnight Sun is behind all of the bad luck we’ve been having? But how do I even know if it’s true or not?” Then she suddenly remembered something that Granny Smith had said about finding out if a unicorn is giving you problems. “You go and find yourself a black walnut tree,” she had said “and you draw a picture of the unicorn you think is causing you grief. It does not have to be a perfect drawing, but the image of the unicorn has to be in your head while you draw it. Then you mark where their heart is with a cross. Then you take an iron nail and hammer it into the cross just an inch. Then each day, you hammer it in another inch. And if that unicorn is causing you grief, they will begin to feel pain where their heart is. And each day, it will get worse and worse and they will have to stop. Or the pain will kill them. But if they find out that it is you that is causing them pain, they will either come by or send someone else to ask or a particular item. And if you give them what they want, that breaks the spell of the nail and they will carry on tormenting you!”.

That was what her nice and kindly old grandmother had said. But Applejack knew better. “That’s just an old wives tale” she thought “it can’t be true”. Then the next day, Big Mac fell down the stairs and broke one of his front legs. This was the final straw for Applejack. It is one thing causing someone a lot of bad luck, but it is another thing to harm one of her family members. Throwing all logic out of the window, Applejack set out to end this once and for all. She borrowed a crayon from her sisters room and then got a hammer and an iron nail from the shed. She then made her way into the nearby forest and found herself a black walnut tree. She drew a picture of Midnight Sun on the tree and marked an X where her heart is. Then Applejack took the nail and hammered it in just an inch. It was only when she was walking back home when she begun to calm down. “Maybe I was just overreacting?” she thought “it properly wouldn’t work anyways”.

The next day however, a pegasus arrived at the farm while Applejack and her family were having breakfast. “I’m sorry to bother you” he said, “but Midnight Sun asked me to come here on her behalf and asks if she can borrow a cup of sugar?” Applejack froze at this. Was it a coincidence? It cannot be? But then she said, “tell her that we’re sorry but we don’t have any sugar at the moment”. Then after the pegasus had had left, Applejack went back into the forest and drove the nail in another inch. The next day the same pegasus was back. “Midnight Sun is beginning to get sick” he said, “she was wondering if you have any sugar?” “I’m sorry but I still don’t have any” Applejack said. And then she went back into the forest and drove the nail in another inch. And the next day the same pegasus returned. “Midnight Sun is getting sicker” he said, “she is wondering if you’ve got any sugar?” “Tell her that I still don’t have any!” Applejack said, “and I won’t be getting any for a long time!”. Just as the pegasus left, Big Mac turned to Applejack. “You have to stop this!” he said, “if this is really happening it will be murder!” “I’LL STOP WHEN SHE STOPS!” Applejack snapped back. And with that, she went back into the forest and drove the nail in another inch.

Later that day, Applejack was sitting in her garden. Her conscious was playing up and she was beginning to feel guilty. She wanted to go and pull the nail out. But she did not want the bad luck to remain. She was still thinking about this when she heard her front gate open and slammed shut. She looked up expecting it to be one of her relatives or friends. But instead saw Midnight Sun making her way towards her. She was struggling to stay up straight and she was clearly having breathing problems. “Maybe I am killing her?!” Applejack thought. She got up and was about to head off towards the forest, but Midnight Sun was already standing in front of her. Her eyes were ablaze with hate and rage. “First you destroyed my garden!” she said, “then you refused to give me a bit of sugar!” She swore at Applejack… and fell dead at her feet.

“I’m surprise that she died like that” Twilight said when she visited days later, “she had a bad heart. It was going to give out one day” “Well… somepony I know fought that she was the cause of the bad luck that we’ve been having” Applejack said, “and that they drew a picture of her on a tree and drove a nail into it to try and stop her”. “Oh that’s a silly superstition” Twilight said “we don’t believe in that sort of thing do we?!”.

A quick message.

Just to let you know that I have a YouTube channel now. Where I do some reviews of movies, TV shows, and fan fiction. The channel is called Gary Matrix Reviews. I will still do reviews on my blog but not as often as usual.

Ok. That's about it and I'll see you next time.

20 short scary stories.

1: We don’t mind our dog sleeping in our room at night. It’s the thing that lives in our closet that is bothered by it.

2: I don’t mind the tapping on my window. Until I found out that it was coming from inside my house.

3: I used to whistle when I fetch water from the well. Until something started whistling back.

4: I had a terrible nightmare where I was attacked by a derange person at four thirty p.m. I was glad that I finally woke up from it. However, as my clock hit 4:30, I hear hurried footsteps coming up the stairs.

5: What do you do when you are looking at a photograph and it starts smiling at you?

6: There was a message on my bathroom mirror. But I live alone.

7: Blackberries used to be my favourite fruit. Until I saw one get up and crawl away.

8: It’s great to have a phone. But it is annoying to be constantly getting phone calls from complete strangers. Especially when they are from the grave.

9: I have a new camera. But it keeps taking strange photos. In all of them, there is a strange blurred out figure in the background. I wouldn’t mind but every time I take a picture, the closer the figure gets.

10: I keep getting messages from my wife. Who had died a year ago.

11: I won a new camera and decided to test it out with my friends. But the photos turned out to be disturbing. They show how and where my friends would die. But what was more disturbing is that the photo that of me that I took by accident… shows nothing.

12: I used to collect portraits of people. Until one of them blinked.

13: It’s horrible when someone won’t stop talking about worms when you are eating spaghetti. It’s another thing when you find out that they were telling the truth.

14: I hate that constant knocking noise. But I don’t want to lift up the floorboards.

15: I went to complain about my new wardrobe. I had opened it and found that it was invested with spiders. The shop manager said that it was strange. The last owners complained that there were zombies in it.

16: There is nothing like the sound of laughing. Unless it is 2 pm and you are alone.

17: I was shocked when the announcer came over the train’s speaker. “Next stop is Purgatory”.

18: I have the ability to stop time. But I can’t restart it.

19: It is one thing finding a skeleton in your living room. It’s another thing when it starts talking to you.

20: I don’t want to blink. Cause every time I do, that statue moves closer.

TV Review: Monster in my pocket.

Release date: 1992.

Story: Deep within a mountain in Transylvania, Doctor Henry Davenport (a.k.a the Invisible Man) and his friends (Frankenstein's monster, Mummy, and Wolfman) have managed to capture all of the evil monsters and have placed them behind bars. But one of the evil monsters (Vampire) tries to escape with the help of a shrinking spell. But the spell backfires and shrinks all of the monsters and the mountain instead. And then the mountain teleports to Los Angles. Which causes all of the bad monsters to escape. Now the Invisible Man and his friends have to go and recapture them. Especially Vampire, Medusa, and Swamp Beast. But it isn't easy when they are one inch high. So the good monsters decide to visit a famous horror writer in order to get some help. But the writer is away. Apart from his daughter Carrie. Who decides to help the good monsters in their fight against the evil ones. While also trying to find a way of regaining their normal height.

My thoughts: This one off special, named the Big Scream, was the pilot for a cartoon series based on the toy line of the same name. And it is indeed a good special. It is such a shame that this didn't get a series. yet there are rumours of five or six more episodes that were created. But they are either extremely difficult to find or non-existent. I like the character designs as well. Frankenstein's monster is renamed Big Edd and looks like Franken-berry from the American cereal brand (and also has this thing were every time he gets angry, sparks fly from his head), Wolfman has a Jamaican accent, Swamp Beast is just a large blob type of creature that can separate into other versions of himself, and the Invisible Man is without his bandages (properly so that he won't be mistaken for Mummy). If this had a series, I would have liked to see them encountering other good or bad monsters (including Warlock. Who is a fan favourite). Also it is a cool concept that while trying to find a way of regaining their height, the good monsters discover that they can active that by laughter and the bad monsters can grow back through screams. This special is available on Youtube and I would recommend that you check it out.

My score: Five stars.

Film Reviews: Haxan (a.k.a Witchcraft through the ages).

Release date: September 18th 1922.

Story: This Swedish documentary style horror movie is about the study of witchcraft, devil worship, and how the misunderstanding of mental illness and diseases could have led to the hysteria of witch hunts in medieval Europe.

My thoughts: Dark, creepy, atmospheric, and bizarre. This seven part movie really catches the horror element with images depicting witches, demons, and the devil himself (played by the director himself). This film was banned in the USA and was heavily censored in other countries. In 1968, the movie was re-released in the USA in a re-edited form. Now called Witchcraft through the ages and has an narration by William S Burroughs.

Even though this is a silent era classic, this film is really not for everyone. Some people might get offended and/or horrified at the scenes of devils, witches, creepy scenery, and torture. So I would warn you before watching it.

My score: Four stars.

Film Reviews: The Fog

Release date: February 8th 1980.

Story: The costal town of Antonio bay, California is getting ready to celebrate it's 100th anniversary. But things are not so smoothly as the inhabitants wanted. For on the night of the celebrations, a strange thick fog comes in from the sea and soon ingulfs the town. But it's not the fog that is a threat... it is what's in the fog that is the main threat.

My thoughts: This is one of John Carpenter's most recognisable films. And it is great. The pirate ghosts are cool and some of the effects are impressive. If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend it.

My score: Three stars.

Youtube Reviews: The Stories of Sodor.

Series creator: Victor Tanzig.

Starting date: 20th February 2017.

Story: The train, for its type, is the most powerful vehicle on land. And the engines of Sodor are the power behind the docks, industries, and pipelines that make up the world renowned North Western Railway. Join Thomas, Edward, Percy, and all of the other Sodor engines in their daily tasks to keep their business going. For these, are the Stories of Sodor.

My thoughts: The great series is based on the popular Thomas the tank engine series. the show itself has three series, many shorts, and a fourth series is currently being made. What I like about this show is that it doesn't follow the books or the tv series at all. It kinda does it's own thing. And it isn't set in one time period. It starts after the first world war and is likely to finish in the present day. And includes many historic events as well. Including the rise in communism, the nationalization of Britains railways, world war two (which was it's own side season called The Stories of War), and even goes into detail on how the railways worked and operated at the time. I was surprised that Edward is the narrator of the show. But then I realised that it might be mainly based on the Railway book series and not the Thomas and friends show (where Thomas is the main character). The show even has characters from a similar show called Tugs.

Any dislikes?: Only a few. One of them being the swearing. I mean I wasn't expecting swear words in something based on Thomas and Friends. But in the third series and the Stories of War side season, there are times that the characters use the F and W words. Also some viewers may not like some strong issues that some episodes are centred on. Such as prejudice, war, bullying, unfairness, and other subjects like them.

Overall: It is a great show and I would recommend it.

My score: Four stars. 

Film Review: Ace Ventura. When Nature Calls.

Release date: November 10th 1995.

Story: Having failed a mission to save a racoon, Ace has left the detective business and has joined a Tibetan Monastery. But then a British correspondent visits him to ask for his help. It seems that a sacred animal of an African tribe has been taken just before a wedding is to be taken place. And if the animal is not returned, the tribe will be at war with an neighbouring tribe. Ace then takes the job and soon is traveling across Africa in order to find the missing animal. But things soon start to turn on the uncertainty side when Ace finds out what the sacred animal actually is... an albino bat

My thoughts: Not as funny as the first one but still a great film. It parodies the movie Cliff-hanger in the first part (where Ace unsuccessfully tries to rescue a racoon from a cliff face). And also some of the movie isn't even filmed in Africa. But one thing that I didn't get is Ace's fear of bats. Even though he is supposed to like all animals, yet is horrified by the near mention of bats. But still it is a good film to put on one evening.

My score: Three stars.

Film Reviews: Ace Ventura. Pet Detective

Release date: February 4th 1994.

Story: Jim Carrey stars as Ace Ventura. An over the top, eccentric, and unorthodox private investigator who specialises in animals. So one day, he gets hired to try and find out who had kidnapped a dolphin who is the living mascot for an American football team. But as he descends deeper into the investigation, he realises that there is more than meets the eye.

My thoughts: I like this film. Jim Carrey is his over the top self and the jokes do get laughs out of everyone. The only thing I didn't get is the fact that an American football team has a living animal that they use as a mascot. I'm sure that brakes a lot of animal care rules. This movie spawned a sequel, a cartoon show, and a straight to dvd sequel. Overall, it is a good movie and I would recommend it.

My score: Four stars.

Film Review: The Nutty Professor

Release date: June 28th 1996.

Story: Eddie Murphy stars as an overweight scientist Sherman Klump. Who has invented a serum that will turn anyone who drinks it into a slim ladies man. So he test it on himself and it turns him into Buddy Love. But soon things start to go wrong as he starts to develop a split personality.

My thoughts: I don't like this movie. I never found the jokes funny and most parts (the dreams especially) I found unsettling. There was a sequel to this but I'm not going to review it. Mainly because it looks worse than this one.

My score: One star.

TV Review: The Simpsons.

Release date: December 17th 1989 - present (30 seasons, 662 episodes).

Story: The many comedic happenings of a suburban family living in the fictional American city of Springfield and the people around them.

My thoughts: This was one of the first animated sitcoms to be created (the first being the Flintstones). And I have mixed feeling about this show. On one hand I like it and on the other hand I don't. There were parts that of the show that I found funny and others that I was like "Seriously why did you do that?".  The characters are ok and there are some good emotional moments and morels that can be found in it. But one of it's many flaws is that it been going on for far too long. It has thirty seasons and it is going to go on for another two. Everyone has said that the show started to go down hill by the 9nth season (with it's second episode 'The Principle and the Pauper' being one of the most hated episodes) and that the show feels like it is on it's last legs. Still this show has spawned games, a comic series, a movie, tons of merchandise, and has even created internet phenomenon's (the many incarnations of Steamed Hams sketch for example).

My score: Three stars.

YouTube Review: Turnabout Storm.

Type of video: My little pony/Ace Attorney crossover, court room drama, mystery.

Release date: 2011 - 2013 (five parts in six episodes).

Story: Rainbow Dash has been accused to murder and she is facing huge consequences if she is found guilty. It is up to the great defence attorney/investigator Phoenix Wright to prove her innocence in a court of law. Will he be able to do it? Watch and find out.

My thoughts: I found out about this when I was watching a review of this by the Mysterious Mr Enter. I then managed to find the series and give them a watch. And it is good. There are twist and turns that no one could see coming and there is some great suspense. And there is some comedy as well. If you are a fan of either My little pony or Ace Attorney, then I would give this a watch. But the episodes (apart from the first) are around one or two hours long. Just to tell you.

My score: Four stars.

Gaming Reviews: Asterix & Obelix. XXL2

Release date: June 30th 2006 (original PlayStation 2 release). November 29th 2018 (remastered PlayStation 4 release).

Type of game: Beat them up, adventure, comedy, cartoon.

Platforms: Originally release on the PS2 and Windows in 2006, it was later remastered with new graphics for the PS4, Xbox one, Nintendo Switch, and Windows (only through Steam).

Story: A rouge Roman spy named Sam Shieffer tells Asterix and Obelix that their druid friend Getafix has joined with the Romans and had helped Julius Caesar capture three other druids. Asterix doesn't believe Sam saying that Getafix wouldn't do such a thing and so he sets off with Obelix and Dogmatix to rescue him and the other druids. Who are all located at this new city that the romans have nearly finished building. A city that is centred around fun and games... named Las Vegum.

My thoughts: I never thought that there was a video game based on the Asterix comics until I found the original PS2 version in a used game section in a cheap shop. And I like it a lot. The idea of an ancient roman Las Vegas is quite interesting. They based the casinos on places that the Romans have conquered. Lutetia (the capital of ancient Gaul), Little Venetia (a parody of Venice), LuckSore (ancient Egypt), WCW, Pirate Island, and finally SeizeUs Palace. Also the Roman soldiers are dressed up as classic video game characters (including Mario, Sonic the hedgehog, Pac-man, Rayman, and there is also a centurion named Larry Craft).

Gameplay: Your mission is to visit every place in Las Vegum and rescue the captured druids. You will also have to face a final boss which is a gigantic super soldier (which the druids were forced to create). You can also collect helmets and use them to buy character upgrades and extra stuff. And also Asterix can use the magic potion which gives you extra abilities.

Any dislikes?: The fact that you'll have to fight off seemingly endless waves of enemies can get annoying. Also when you die, you'll loose every single helmet that you had collected. This is worse in the boss battles when you had collected every item available in the arena, yet get killed and you've lost everything and there is no way that you can get it back. Another annoying thing is that the Mario soldiers shoot water that can force you backwards. Which is frustrating when you are also surrounded by enemies.

My score: Four stars.

Scary story 7.

It comes at night.

Listen. Can you hear it? That faint clicking noise. Yes, you can hear it. That means only one thing… it is back again. I can hear it while laying in bed, trying to get some sleep. It’s getting closer by the minute.

What ever it is, it keeps coming over to my house at night. It then wonders around my home and then goes back to wherever it came from. All the while making that horrible clicking noise. I tried my best to ignore it, but it isn’t easy. Oh god… I can hear the gate opening and the slamming shut.

It is now at the bottom of the drive. I can hear it walking on the gravel. Getting closer and closer by the second. Thank god that I always lock the doors and windows before going to bed. That thing has tried to get inside in the past, but luckily it gives up easily.

I am now hiding underneath my covers, trying my best to ignore it. I can hear it wondering underneath my bedroom window. How the hell does it know that that’s my bedroom window, I have no idea. I can sense it looking up at it. All the while continuing that vile clicking. Why does it target me and not the other houses in the village? Surely everyone else can hear the loud clicking.

It is now trying the front door handle. I can hear it rattling as the thing is trying to force the door open. But luckily, it is strong, and it won’t give way easily.

You may be wondering, why don’t I just grab a weapon and kill it? Well the answer is simple… I have already tried to do that in the past. But it is smart. It hides when ever I go outside and there is a chance that it would try and get inside the house while I am outside. And I rather not want that to happen.

Oh… it’s given up now. I can hear it walking away now. The clicking is becoming fainter now. Finally, I can get some sleep now. Until the next night that it comes back. Back to torment me more…. Oh wait… Did I close the basement window? Oh havens above I didn’t! I have to quickly run down and… Oh no! It’s inside the house! The clicking is coming up the stairs! I have to quickly hide before…

Film Review: Blackadder Back and Forth.

Release date: 6th December 1999.

Story: On New Years eve 1999, Lord Edmund Blackadder invites Archbishop Melchett, Archdeacon Kevin Darling, Major George, and Lady Elisabeth for the celebrations. Where he tells them that he and Baldrick have invented a working time machine. And places bets on which historic item that his guests would like to have. But in reality, it is a con in order for Blackadder and Baldrick to get some money. But things become weird when it turns out that Baldrick had indeed invented a real time machine.

My thoughts: I like this tv movie. It is great to see the current incarnation of Blackadder and Baldrick traveling through time and encounter historic characters. Only for them to act themselves and, after returning back to their time, to find out that they have seriously altered history in a bad way. So if you like time travel comedies, then I would recommend giving this a watch.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder's Christmas Carol.

Release date: 23rd December 1988.

Story: In a parody of the Charles Dicken's story, Ebenezer Blackadder is the most kind and generous man in Britain. And sadly everyone keeps taking advantage of him. Until one night, he has a visit by the Spirit of Christmas, who tells him about his past incarnations and what horrible people they were. This then sets in motion that will change Ebenezer Blackadder forever.

My thoughts: What I like about this Christmas special is that Blackadder started off as a kind person. But then changed into a bad and selfish man that we all know. Which is a complete reversal of the original character in A Christmas Carol. Also there is an interesting part where Blackadder asks to see the future. And we are shown where if Blackadder is bad, his descendances will rule the entire universe. But if he remains good, they'll just ends up being a slave to Baldrick's descendant. Also Robbie Coltrane is great as the spirit of Christmas.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder. The Cavalier years.

Release date: 5th February 1988.

Story: In 1648, King Charles the first has lost the English civil war, and is in hiding at Blackadder hall. Where Lord Blackadder and his assistant Baldrick remain loyal to him. But Oliver Cromwell soon finds him and takes him to the Tower of London.

My thoughts: This 15 minute one off was a special created for the first ever Comic Relief day. Stephen Fry based his interpretation of Charles the first on the current Prince Charles. And it is interesting how Blackadder quickly change his plans from rescuing King Charles to how to get his hands on his money and wealth.

My score: Three stars.

TV Review: Blackadder goes fourth.

Release date: 28th September - 2nd November 1989.

Story: Captain Edmund Blackadder commands a group of British soldiers in the trenches of World War one. Though he would rather avoid the big push (when they finally go over the top). Along with Private Baldrick and Lieutenant George, Blackadder has to put with constant attacks from the enemy lines and having to deal with his superiors Captain Darling and General Melchett.

My thoughts: This was the first Blackadder series I have ever seen. It may still be a comedy, but this series throws some realism into it. The last episode is the best remembered. Mainly due to the fact that Blackadder and co finally go over the top. Which, with the slow motion, a minimal and downbeat piano version of the theme tune, and then the scene fades to a poppy field with birds chirping, has become not only one of the most remembered finals in tv show history, but a great tribute to all those who have served their countries during the war.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder the third.

Release date: 17th September - 20th October 1987 (six episodes).

Story: In this reincarnation, Edmund Blackadder is the butler to the Prince of Wales George the fourth. And shows what life is like in late 18th century Britain with his sidekick Baldrick.

My thoughts: This is my favourite series in the Blackadder series. Even though they mention historic events in the wrong order (such as the case in the whole run of the show), it is both funny and witty.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Blackadder two

Release date: 9th January - 20th February 1986 (6 episodes).

Story: The many happenings of Lord Edmund Blackadder during the reign of Queen Elisabeth the first.

My thoughts: This second Blackadder series is where the creators change many things. Blackadder is now the sly and cunning one while Baldrick is now the stupid one. And along with Percy, new characters were introduced. Including Queen Elisabeth the first, her advisor Lord Melchett (played by Stephen Fry), and her former nanny Nursie. And The idea of putting each series in a different time period is a cool idea.

My score: Three stars.