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Rowan Atkinson recommended This Is Spinal Tap (1984) in Movies (curated)
ClareR (5596 KP) rated Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation in Books
Sep 8, 2020
Kindred is the story of a black woman who is repeatedly transported from her 1970s apartment to Antebellum Maryland - and it’s not a place where any black person would really want to be.
I haven’t read the original novel, so I can’t compare them - but this is really good in its own right. It’s rich in both dialogue and artistry - the pictures are at times graphic (when Dana, the lead character, is whipped and her ensuing injuries), and there is talk of the white plantation owner raping ‘his’ slaves. Dana learns that her purpose is to keep the plantation owners son, Rufus, alive - which isn’t easy when he seems set on doing things that put his life in danger. Dana learns that Rufus is in fact her great great (great?) grandfather, and he has yet to sire the child that will ensure Dana’s existence.
This isn’t a book for the faint-hearted, and I’m so glad I’ve read it - all thanks go to my local library, who have started providing graphic novel ebooks. A graphic novel habit is an expensive one, so it’s great that they’re able to do this!
I haven’t read the original novel, so I can’t compare them - but this is really good in its own right. It’s rich in both dialogue and artistry - the pictures are at times graphic (when Dana, the lead character, is whipped and her ensuing injuries), and there is talk of the white plantation owner raping ‘his’ slaves. Dana learns that her purpose is to keep the plantation owners son, Rufus, alive - which isn’t easy when he seems set on doing things that put his life in danger. Dana learns that Rufus is in fact her great great (great?) grandfather, and he has yet to sire the child that will ensure Dana’s existence.
This isn’t a book for the faint-hearted, and I’m so glad I’ve read it - all thanks go to my local library, who have started providing graphic novel ebooks. A graphic novel habit is an expensive one, so it’s great that they’re able to do this!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Kong: Skull Island (2017) in Movies
Mar 18, 2019
Considering no-one has managed to make an entirely satisfactory King Kong movie since the early 1930s, and also bearing in mind that the same company's Godzilla movie left a bit to be desired, my expectations for this one were low, to put it mildly. Government survey team, aided by semi-unhinged Vietnam veterans (the setting is the 1970s), fly off to unexplored tropical island and discover all manner of weird wildlife awaiting them, including the greatest of great apes.
Truth be told, ostensible stars Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson feel a bit surplus to requirements (Sam Jackson, John Goodman and John C Reilly chew the scenery quite satisfactorily), but in all other respects this is a hugely enjoyable pulp monster movie that isn't afraid to relax and have some fun. It does feel a bit odd to do a Kong movie entirely set on the island, but the story hangs together well, there are some interesting creatures, and the set-up for the next Godzilla movie is well handled. Doing a monster movie in the style of a Vietnam film is also an inspired touch. Raises the bar for the rest of the films in this series; highly entertaining stuff.
Truth be told, ostensible stars Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson feel a bit surplus to requirements (Sam Jackson, John Goodman and John C Reilly chew the scenery quite satisfactorily), but in all other respects this is a hugely enjoyable pulp monster movie that isn't afraid to relax and have some fun. It does feel a bit odd to do a Kong movie entirely set on the island, but the story hangs together well, there are some interesting creatures, and the set-up for the next Godzilla movie is well handled. Doing a monster movie in the style of a Vietnam film is also an inspired touch. Raises the bar for the rest of the films in this series; highly entertaining stuff.
ClareR (5596 KP) rated The Great Alone in Books
Feb 6, 2018
This was my second Kristin Hannah book, and it is set in very different circumstances to the last one (the last one was The Nightingale, set during World War 2). This is set during the 1970s in Alaska, in the back of beyond.
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
This is a story of survival: Leni and her mother survive the violence of Leni's Vietnam War vet father (who is suffering from PTSD after being held as a prisoner by the enemy). Cora, Leni's mother, will not leave him, saying that she loves him and needs him, and repeatedly pays the price. Leni loves Alaska and her boyfriend Matthew, but tragic circumstances take her away from both for a number of years. Many years later, under different circumstances, she is able to return.
I think I really like Kristin Hannah books. The way she describes the surroundings in Alaska: the wildness, the beauty, the unpredictability. I've read a couple of books recently set in the cold, snowy arctic circle, and this only made me want to actually see it myself even more!
I know I'm only two books in to my Kristin Hannah experience, but I can't say as there is anything about either of them that I didn't like. I'll be hunting down more!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975) in Movies
Mar 24, 2018 (Updated Mar 25, 2018)
Final movie in the first Godzilla series often gets some stick for supposedly killing off the original continuity, but is actually not that bad. Bacofoil-wearing aliens team up with mad scientist and his cyborg daughter to conquer the world; there are many opportunities for evil laughter at the planning meetings. The usual strategy of using giant monsters as invasion weapons is employed, despite it having utterly failed in at least five previous movies.
Original director Honda comes back and at least ensures this film has a degree of dignity and craft to it: pretty good monster suits and model work, but the back projection is terrible. There's slightly more focus on character than usual (particularly that of the tragic cyborg girl), which the film seems unsure how to handle. To be honest, one of the main problems is that it's not really about Godzilla any more - he just turns up to fight the bad guys at the end and everyone else takes him for granted. By no means the worst Godzilla movie even of the 1970s, but you can see why Toho decided to take a break. Best line (possibly in the whole of cinema): 'Please kill me - Mechagodzilla's brain is installed in my stomach!'
Original director Honda comes back and at least ensures this film has a degree of dignity and craft to it: pretty good monster suits and model work, but the back projection is terrible. There's slightly more focus on character than usual (particularly that of the tragic cyborg girl), which the film seems unsure how to handle. To be honest, one of the main problems is that it's not really about Godzilla any more - he just turns up to fight the bad guys at the end and everyone else takes him for granted. By no means the worst Godzilla movie even of the 1970s, but you can see why Toho decided to take a break. Best line (possibly in the whole of cinema): 'Please kill me - Mechagodzilla's brain is installed in my stomach!'
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Looking for Alex in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo Book Diary is pleased to recommend this well written intriguing drama as a 4* emotional read.
Marian Dillon’s Looking for Alex grabbed me from the first time I read the synopsis and the plot had me hooked, to the point I sat up until the early hours reading to discover what happened next.
The story is about two friends Beth and Alex, their friendship and the dynamics of their relationship. I felt the flitting between present day and flashbacks to 1970s interrupted the flow of the story but the compelling characters held my interest. The author described the locations vividly and cleverly transports the reader through time and place.
I was gripped more by the present day chapters as the flashbacks were much slower paced.
The author sympathetically captures the turmoil of the teenage years and relationships formed in shaping our adult lives.
Great writing by a great author. When I was asked by Marian Dillon to read and review her book I was not aware of her or her books. I am thankful for the opportunity to read this very talented author and look forward to reading more of Marian Dillon.
Review also published on www.momobookdiary.com and www.amazon.co.uk
Marian Dillon’s Looking for Alex grabbed me from the first time I read the synopsis and the plot had me hooked, to the point I sat up until the early hours reading to discover what happened next.
The story is about two friends Beth and Alex, their friendship and the dynamics of their relationship. I felt the flitting between present day and flashbacks to 1970s interrupted the flow of the story but the compelling characters held my interest. The author described the locations vividly and cleverly transports the reader through time and place.
I was gripped more by the present day chapters as the flashbacks were much slower paced.
The author sympathetically captures the turmoil of the teenage years and relationships formed in shaping our adult lives.
Great writing by a great author. When I was asked by Marian Dillon to read and review her book I was not aware of her or her books. I am thankful for the opportunity to read this very talented author and look forward to reading more of Marian Dillon.
Review also published on www.momobookdiary.com and www.amazon.co.uk
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Amityville: The Awakening (2017) in Movies
Jan 27, 2019
Not much (2 more)
Stays within the Amityville realm
Shows footage from DeFeo's crimes and mentions the Amityville history/"haunting"
Slow and drags on (8 more)
Boring
Tense in a teen angst way
Poor character relationships
One-dimensional characters
Vague plotlines
Visually too dark to see most action
Unoriginal
Flat acting
Drags on and on and on and blah.
If you expect a family to move into the Amityville house where DeFeo murdered his family in the 1970s and be haunted or possessed by a ghost, demon, poltergeist, etc., you are 100% correct. That premise could be interesting but unfortunately, this film falls short. It is tense because of the relationships between the characters and not from suspense. It's pretty boring and relies on a few jump scares and flashes of horror. The storyline is unoriginal and poorly done. The lighting is so dark that it's difficult to see the last 30 minutes of the action. You might as well be listening to an old-fashioned radio show or horror podcast instead. This movie is problematic from beginning to end. There are much better films out there with a similar premise so unless you're extremely bored and like to torture yourself, avoid this one.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Murder, etc. in Podcasts
Oct 22, 2019
Very drawn out (1 more)
Hard to understand some interviews
In Depth True Crime for the hardcore
A True-Crime podcast looking back on the murder of a narcotics cop and his father in the 1970s. The whole series is about this one crime looking at the larger picture of what was going on in Greenville SC at the time and if the wrong man; Charles Wakefield; was sent to death row for the crime.
This podcast leaves no stone unturned and the amount of investigation and time put into it is truly inspiring. Unfortunately, I don’t really have the attention span for it, I think I prefer my true crime in much broader brushstrokes this was just too dragged out to hold my interest. Many of the interviews are understandably with very old individuals who I found difficult to understand (accents may be an issue for me as well.) I’m sure for some who really want to be totally in on everything this will appeal. There is a whole community really invested in this investigation.
I’ve listened to 17 episodes but fallen asleep during many of them and i don’t think I’m going to finish it. If they do a summary episode may return for that.
This podcast leaves no stone unturned and the amount of investigation and time put into it is truly inspiring. Unfortunately, I don’t really have the attention span for it, I think I prefer my true crime in much broader brushstrokes this was just too dragged out to hold my interest. Many of the interviews are understandably with very old individuals who I found difficult to understand (accents may be an issue for me as well.) I’m sure for some who really want to be totally in on everything this will appeal. There is a whole community really invested in this investigation.
I’ve listened to 17 episodes but fallen asleep during many of them and i don’t think I’m going to finish it. If they do a summary episode may return for that.
David McK (3233 KP) rated The Three Musketeers in Books
Jan 18, 2020
Let me start by saying that this is (was) one of the few novels I had abandoned, finding it very hard going and plodding.
And, truth be told, I still haven't actually read it.
You might be wondering, then, why I'm reviewing it?
Because, thanks to a well-known Amazon-owned subsidiary, I've now listened to it!
The subject of a fair-few movies over the years (most noticeably the 1970s Michael York duo The Three/Four Musketeers), I have to admit to being somewhat surprised at just how closely that Michael York fronted film actually sticks to the source material, with the first half of the novel (The Queens Diamonds) virtually transposed straight to the screen. And, as a result, I found this portion not really all that engaging, perhaps due to (over)familiarity.
However, things picked up once we got past the halfway point, and into more unfamiliar territory, before (roughly) the final third of the novel, which obviously served as the inspiration for The Four Musketeers (where d'Artagnan actually becomes one such).
Full of swashbuckling romance and acts of derring do, this - like many other classics - is one of those novels that you read simply so that you can say you've read it!
And, truth be told, I still haven't actually read it.
You might be wondering, then, why I'm reviewing it?
Because, thanks to a well-known Amazon-owned subsidiary, I've now listened to it!
The subject of a fair-few movies over the years (most noticeably the 1970s Michael York duo The Three/Four Musketeers), I have to admit to being somewhat surprised at just how closely that Michael York fronted film actually sticks to the source material, with the first half of the novel (The Queens Diamonds) virtually transposed straight to the screen. And, as a result, I found this portion not really all that engaging, perhaps due to (over)familiarity.
However, things picked up once we got past the halfway point, and into more unfamiliar territory, before (roughly) the final third of the novel, which obviously served as the inspiration for The Four Musketeers (where d'Artagnan actually becomes one such).
Full of swashbuckling romance and acts of derring do, this - like many other classics - is one of those novels that you read simply so that you can say you've read it!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Suspiria (2018) in Movies
Feb 19, 2020
What did I Just Watch?????
Suspiria- i forgot that this movie came out in 2018. I did watch the oringal film, i dont remember what happened but i watched it. So ill most likely i have to watch it again, at some point. In the meantime i watched the remake and it was something. It was something alright. I couldnt tell you what happen, but it was something. Something that i wont watch again, not for a long time or ever. Yes i did some of the psychological espects of the film and some of the horror was good, but overall it was whats that word im looking for, oh yea something.
The plot: Young American dancer Susie Bannion arrives in 1970s Berlin to audition for the world-renowned Helena Markos Dance Co. When she vaults to the role of lead dancer, the woman she replaces breaks down and accuses the company's female directors of witchcraft. Meanwhile, an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe uncover dark and sinister secrets as they probe the depths of the studio's hidden underground chambers.
I have nothing else to say in the review but just this, skip it or watch it if you watched and liked the oringal. For me it was something.
The plot: Young American dancer Susie Bannion arrives in 1970s Berlin to audition for the world-renowned Helena Markos Dance Co. When she vaults to the role of lead dancer, the woman she replaces breaks down and accuses the company's female directors of witchcraft. Meanwhile, an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe uncover dark and sinister secrets as they probe the depths of the studio's hidden underground chambers.
I have nothing else to say in the review but just this, skip it or watch it if you watched and liked the oringal. For me it was something.