Latest news with #rural
Washington Post
32 minutes ago
- General
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Partner doesn't greet neighbors
Dear Eric: My partner and I (35 years) are fortunate to have multiple residences. We have always 'lived together apart.' It's unconventional, but it works for us. My primary residence is in a large urban condominium building and his is rural in a small town. We're always together on weekends (we alternate the destination) but apart during the week.
Geek Vibes Nation
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Consumed' Blu-Ray Review - Supernatural Creature Feature Impresses With Practical Effects
Trapped between a madman and a skin-stealing monster, a married couple must fight to make it out of the woods alive. For in-depth thoughts on Consumed, please see my colleague Cameron Ritter's review from its original theatrical release here. Video Quality Consumed makes its Blu-Ray debut with a sturdy 1080p video presentation that showcases the rural cinematography well. The remote shooting locations provide crystal clear and occasionally upsetting textural details. Some moments are intentionally hazy to capture the headspace of our protagonist as she has nightmares about her health and squares off against the creature. The presentation reveals a significant amount of depth while traversing the woods. The image has a somewhat cold quality about it, yet the rich colors of the forest nonetheless make a big impression. The film employs some complex hues in the expanses of nature which delivers a very stark image. Black levels exhibit discrete signs of banding in some of the darkest enclaves, but primarily they maintain their depth. The flesh tones are natural with a favorable amount of detail present in close-ups. This Blu-Ray is a grand representation of this movie that should more than please fans. Audio Quality Brainstorm Media gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that effortlessly executes all of the creepy sonic elements. Environmental sounds of the world creep through the room in a very immersive manner. When the characters move through the woods, some distinct ambient details flesh out the setting to nice effect. Thrilling moments only come in sporadic bursts, but key developments deliver some exquisite texture to the proceedings. The nimble and effective sound design blooms with careful utilization of the surround speakers. Dialogue always comes through crisp and clear without being overpowered by any competing sounds. The score is capably balanced while maintaining its fidelity. The audio track provides a terrific experience that brings this narrative to life without issue. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Audio Commentary: Director Mitchell Altieri and writer David Calbert provide an informative commentary track in which they discuss the movie and production in depth. The pair discusses incorporating folklore into the narrative, the collaborative nature of the set, the performances, the shooting locations, and more. Interview with Creature Effects Supervisor Jim Ojala: A 17-minute interview is provided in which the creative discusses his involvement in the movie, crafting a memorable creature design, challenges faced along the way, and more. Behind The Scenes Footage: A nearly 38-minute selection of fly-on-the-wall footage captured during the production. Creating The Creature Effects: A nearly 32-minute piece that dives deeper into the creation of the special effects. Still Gallery (3:08) Original Trailer (1:45) Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Don R. Lewis is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the creatives, themes, and plot developments, which strengthens your appreciation overall. Final Thoughts Consumed has a very promising premise that finds our protagonists battling creatures and internal struggles in equal measure. It has become less common to see practical effects used to conjure up a thrill, but director Mitchell Altieri and his team take the care to create tangible nightmares that stick in your memory more than most fully CGI sludge. This portion of the production is the best element in the end, as the script feels rather rote and repetitive. The performers bring what they can to the material, but it does not handle the mythical lore at the center of the narrative with enough creativity. The movie is fine for a fleeting distraction, but it does not hold up as a great film. Brainstorm Media has released a Blu-Ray featuring an excellent A/V presentation and a wonderful assortment of special features. Consumed is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: Brainstorm Media and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
The Herald
20 hours ago
- General
- The Herald
Koukamma by-election: ANC in Koukamma wins by-election
The ANC in Koukamma retained Ward 5 in Wednesday's by-election in the Sarah Baartman district municipality. The ANC's Clive Witbooi clinched the victory after receiving 1,225 of the votes cast. A total of 2,482 votes were cast. The ANC won with 49.66% of the votes, followed by the Patriotic Alliance with 36.2%, and the DA trailing in third place with 11.39%. Sarah Baartman regional chairperson Deon de Vos said the ANC was excited about the win. 'It was work because it is the third time we're contesting this ward in one term. 'We contested the ward during the 2021 local government elections, then again in the 2023 by-elections, and now in 2025. 'This is a very rural ward so we got a lot of support from the district and province. 'We feel excited for people to put trust in the ANC, notwithstanding challenges with service delivery issues. 'We congratulate the volunteers who did a great job. 'We commit to serve the people as best as we can with the councillor to deal with service delivery issues,' De Vos said. The by-election was held due to a vacancy in the ward, after the death of the previous ward councillor. De Vos said the previous councillor died in a motor vehicle accident, along with a volunteer. 'At the time of his death, he had been in the position a year and six months. He was a very good councillor.' The Herald
Irish Times
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Times
Escape to the country: Period farmhouse on 9.5 acres in rural Leitrim for €350,000
Address : Gubnaveagh, Aghacashel, Co Leitrim Price : €350,000 Agent : REA Brady View this property on This charming extended farmhouse in rural Leitrim looks as though it has been torn from the pages of a storybook. With the cut-stone walls visible from the exterior and throughout the interior of this home, it spoke to one of the owner's fascination with medieval knights and castles, he says. The owners, speaking to The Irish Times from their home in Germany, bought this charming property in 2013 and they have stayed here frequently over the last 12 years, as have members of their family, and that is evident from the comfortable, characterful appearance of the home. It is with heavy hearts that they have now decided to sell it as they are approaching their 80s and their children are too busy to spend much time at their Irish home. It is now on the market seeking €350,000 through REA Brady . It is being sold fully furnished, so a potential new owner could move straight in and make their own stamp on the home over time. [ Meticulously restored Marino midterrace for €635,000 Opens in new window ] Driveway Gubnaveagh, Aghacashel, Co Leitrim Gubnaveagh, Aghacashel, Co Leitrim Gubnaveagh, Aghacashel, Co Leitrim Gubnaveagh, Aghacashel, Co Leitrim On an extensive 9½ acres surrounded by trees and rolling green hills, it was the landscape that was the main attraction for the owners. They had lived for a time in north Leitrim, so they were no stranger to the county's verdant terrain. They were also drawn to the tranquillity of the area and have been additionally charmed by those who live close by, saying they have always been extremely friendly and helpful. READ MORE Extending to 205sq m (2,206sq ft), the farmhouse has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and is C1 Ber rating – the owners added insulation when they moved in. Approached by a tarmacadam driveway and electric gates added by the owners, the striking property unfolds behind its red front door. You enter into the sittingroom where the open fire is one of the owners' favourite features, and you can imagine curling up in front of it with a book on a cold evening. This room opens out to an outdoor patio via French doors. To the right of the sittingroom is a large bathroom with a shower and a free-standing bath to the front and a double bedroom to the rear. A spacious kitchen/livingroom sits on the opposite side of the property and has a wood-burning stove as well as a range cooker. Beyond that a utility room and the second double bedroom – with a feature cast-iron fireplace – completes the ground floor. Accessed from a stairway in the sittingroom, the first floor is like a hotel suite with a spacious livingroom that is perfect for entertaining. It is set out with a dining and seating area and features a big window overlooking the grounds and an eye-catching timber ceiling. The main bedroom is also on this floor with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite shower room. Sittingroom Kitchen/livingroom Landing Upstairs seating area Upstairs dining space Main bedroom Double bedroom There is a substantial outbuilding where one of the owners stores tools and cuts firewood. This is a versatile space for a hobbyist or craftsman; it could be used as a workshop or artist's studio. This rural idyll is about a 15-minute drive from Ballinamore town and 25 minutes from Carrick-on-Shannon. It is likely to attract prospective buyers looking for a turnkey period home on extensive landscaped grounds in Ireland's northwest.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
‘I've never seen this happen in my life before'
The small farming community of Rosenort has been grappling with chaos on a rural road. CTV's Joseph Bernacki reports.
