Thugs v Dinosaurs: When Low-Budget Cinema Roars Loudest

Low-budget films have a long tradition of doing the impossible with very little, and Thugs vs Dinosaurs is a perfect example of that glorious, chaotic spirit. 

Released in 2015, with a reported budget of $3,000, this indie oddity answers a question nobody knew they needed asking: what happens when modern-day criminals, paleontologists, a group of friends and a military veteran suffering from PTSD who is searching for a missing girl, come face to face with prehistoric predators accidentally created by a former Nazi scientist?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is utter madness, and that’s exactly the point.

A Plot That Knows Exactly What It Is

The premise of Thugs v Dinosaurs is refreshingly unapologetic. A group of hardened criminals find themselves battling dinosaurs after a mysterious experiment goes very wrong. 

There’s no attempt to over-explain the science or ground it in realism. Instead, the film leans hard into its B-movie roots, delivering a storyline that exists purely to string together gunfights, roaring reptiles, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek mayhem.

This is not a film trying to be clever or prestige-driven. It knows its audience and plays directly to them.

Budget Constraints, Big Ambition

What really stands out is how much ambition is packed into such a small budget. The special effects are rough around the edges, with CGI dinosaurs that clearly won’t trouble Hollywood studios, but that’s part of the charm. Much like classic creature features and cult sci-fi from decades past, the enjoyment comes from seeing filmmakers push their resources as far as they possibly can.

The action scenes are surprisingly energetic, the pacing is brisk, and the film never lingers long enough for its limitations to become tiresome.

Performances and Tone

The cast fully commits to the absurdity of the concept. Performances are knowingly exaggerated, fitting perfectly with the over-the-top tone. Tough-guy dialogue sits comfortably alongside moments of deliberate silliness, creating a film that feels more like a late-night cult watch than a serious cinematic endeavour.

Crucially, Thugs v Dinosaurs doesn’t mock its own audience. It invites viewers in on the joke while still treating its story seriously enough to keep things moving.

Why Films Like This Matter

In an era dominated by massive franchises and endless sequels, films like Thugs v Dinosaurs remind us why independent cinema matters. They’re experimental, fearless, and unconcerned with mainstream approval. These are the films that thrive at midnight screenings, cult festivals, and streaming platforms where adventurous viewers are looking for something a bit different.

You don’t watch this film expecting polish — you watch it for fun, nostalgia, and the sheer audacity of its concept.

Final Thoughts

Thugs v Dinosaurs won’t be for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. But for fans of low-budget action, creature features, and cult cinema, it delivers exactly what it promises. It’s loud, scrappy, ridiculous, and oddly endearing — proof that sometimes all you really need is a wild idea and the confidence to run with it.

If you enjoy films that celebrate excess over elegance, this one is well worth seeking out, preferably with friends, snacks, and a healthy appreciation for cinematic chaos. 

And you'll probably be charmed by the rather special introduction music.

You can watch the full movie here at That's Books and More:-

Looking Back on World Braille Day: Why It Still Matters

Each year on 4 January, World Braille Day invites us to pause and reflect on something many sighted people rarely think about: how access to information shapes independence, dignity, and opportunity. 

As we look back on this year’s World Braille Day, it feels especially important to restate why Braille remains as relevant now as it was nearly two centuries ago.

The Legacy Behind the Dots

World Braille Day is marked on the birthday of Louis Braille, the French innovator who lost his sight as a child and went on to create the tactile writing system that bears his name. His invention was not merely a new alphabet; it was a gateway to literacy, education, and self-determination for blind and partially sighted people around the world.

Braille enabled readers to learn spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mathematics through touch — something audio alone cannot fully replace. That distinction remains crucial today.

Braille in a Digital World

One of the recurring themes of this year’s World Braille Day was the misconception that Braille is becoming obsolete. With screen readers, audiobooks, and voice assistants now commonplace, some assume tactile reading is no longer necessary.

In reality, the opposite is true.

Refreshable Braille displays, Braille note-takers, and tactile labelling systems have evolved alongside digital technology. Braille continues to support:

True literacy, rather than passive listening

Privacy, especially when reading sensitive information

Employment, where accuracy and discretion matter

Education, particularly in STEM subjects

Organisations such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People continue to champion Braille education and access across the UK, ensuring it remains embedded in modern life rather than sidelined by technology.

A Human Rights Perspective

World Braille Day is also recognised by the United Nations as part of its wider commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Access to information is a human right — and Braille is a vital tool in upholding that right for millions of people worldwide.

From medication packaging and public signage to banking, transport, and voting materials, Braille plays a quiet but powerful role in everyday autonomy.

Why Awareness Still Matters

For many people without sight loss, Braille is invisible — present but unnoticed. World Braille Day challenges that invisibility. It encourages:

Designers to think about inclusive packaging

Employers to consider accessible workplaces

Educators to support Braille literacy

Communities to value accessibility as standard, not optional

Even small steps, such as including Braille on signs or learning the basics of the Braille alphabet, contribute to a more inclusive society.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward from this year’s World Braille Day, the message is clear: progress does not mean replacement. Braille is not a relic of the past; it is a living, evolving system that continues to empower people every day.

Remembering World Braille Day is not just about honouring history, it is about recommitting to accessibility, equality, and the belief that everyone deserves full access to the written word.

https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/ways-of-communicating/braille/

Book Review: Lies by T. M. Logan

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that hook you early and refuse to let go, Lies by T. M. Logan is a gripping read that more than earns its place on your bookshelf.

A Simple Lie That Unravels Everything

The premise is deceptively straightforward: Joe Lynch receives a text from his wife saying she’s stuck in traffic. Only she’s sitting right next to him, in her own car, in a place where she shouldn't be.

Moments later, she disappears. What follows is a tense descent into doubt, secrets, and long-buried truths, where every answer only seems to generate even more questions.

Logan excels at taking an everyday situation and twisting it into something profoundly unsettling. The fear feels plausible, grounded, and all the more disturbing because it could happen to anyone.

Pacing That Demands “Just One More Chapter”

One of Lies’ greatest strengths is its pacing. Chapters are short and sharp, often ending on revelations that make it genuinely difficult to put the book down. Logan has a talent for drip-feeding information at just the right moments, ensuring the tension never dissipates.

This is very much a book that encourages late nights and missed bedtimes.

Characters You Can Believe In

Joe is an effective protagonist: flawed, emotional, and increasingly desperate as his certainties collapse. The supporting cast is equally well drawn, with relationships that feel authentic rather than convenient. As the story progresses, the question isn’t just what happened, but who can be trusted — including the narrator himself.

Themes of Trust and Deception

Beyond the central mystery, Lies explores the fragility of trust in modern relationships. The novel raises uncomfortable questions about how well we really know the people closest to us, and how easily truth can be obscured by omission, self-protection, or fear. And can you trust social media? 

It’s this emotional undercurrent that elevates the book above a standard thriller.

Verdict: A Standout Psychological Thriller

Lies is tense, smart, and relentlessly engaging. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy domestic noir, twist-heavy plots, and stories that play with perception and reality.

Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers — and a strong introduction to T. M. Logan’s wider body of work.

Have you read Lies yet? Or do you have a favourite T. M. Logan novel you’d recommend?

An Open Invitation to Authors and Publishers. Free Publicity on That's Books and More

Yes. Free Publicity on That’s Books and More.

At That’s Books and More, we believe passionately in the power of books — not just the big-name bestsellers, but the debut novels, the quietly brilliant non-fiction, the poetry collections, the niche histories, and the lovingly self-published works that deserve to be discovered.

That’s why we’re extending an open invitation to authors, self-publishers, independent presses, and established publishing houses alike to use That’s Books and More as a platform for free publicity.

Why We’re Doing This

The publishing world is more crowded than ever. Getting noticed can be difficult, expensive, and frustrating, especially for new authors and smaller publishers without large marketing budgets. 

At the same time, readers are hungry for fresh voices, untold stories, and books that don’t always get front-page treatment elsewhere.

That’s Books and More exists to bridge that gap.

Our aim is simple:

to connect books with readers who genuinely love discovering them.

What We Can Offer

We’re happy to feature your work in a variety of ways, including:

Book spotlights – introductions to new or recent releases

Author features – background, inspiration, and writing journeys

Extracts – short samples to entice readers

Interviews and Q&As – ideal for blog tours and launches

Publisher showcases – highlighting catalogues, imprints, or themed releases

There is no charge for inclusion. No hidden fees. No obligation.

Who This Is For

We welcome submissions from:

First-time and debut authors

Self-published and indie authors

Small and independent publishing houses

Larger publishers seeking broader organic exposure

Writers across all genres — fiction and non-fiction alike

If it’s a book you’re proud of, we’re interested in hearing about it.

Why Feature on That’s Books and More?

A book-focused readership actively looking for recommendations

Evergreen blog content that continues to attract readers over time

SEO-friendly posts designed for discoverability

A genuine enthusiasm for books, not pay-to-play promotion

We see this as a collaboration, not an advertisement.

How to Get Involved

If you’d like your book or catalogue featured, simply get in touch with:

A brief description of the book or project

Publication details (release date, format, ISBN if available)

Any press material you already have (optional)

We’ll take it from there and work with you to create something that does your work justice.

Let’s Celebrate Books Together

Great books deserve to be talked about — and not just the ones with the biggest marketing budgets.

If you’re an author or publisher looking for honest, enthusiastic, free exposure, That’s Books and More would be delighted to work with you.

Let’s help readers find their next favourite book.

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