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Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies

Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)  
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Final main-sequence entry in a film series that made a lot of noise about celebrating difference is likely to be met with indifference (at best). The sense that the X-Men franchise has finally run out of steam is only emphasised by the fact that this is another swing at the Dark Phoenix storyline, which somehow manages to be even less satisfying than the first time they did it.

A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
  
TK
Tarnished Knight (The Lost Stars, #1)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Spin-off from <i>The Lost Fleet</i> series, with this taking place after the events off/concurrently with those of [b:The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier Dreadnaught|9676849|The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier Dreadnaught (The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier, #1)|Jack Campbell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388524088s/9676849.jpg|14564728] (and it's sequels).

Following the defeat of the Syndicate Worlds at the hands of 'Black Jack' Geary, more and more former Syndicate Worlds are rising up against their old masters - this novel concentrating on one such world, that of Midway.

However, neither former CEOs Artur Drakon or Gwen Iceni are sure if they can trust the other ...

As a spin-off, this introduces almost-entirely new characters, along with some mentioned in passing, or who have had a small role in previous novels. It also makes occasional reference to those earlier novels - particularly to 'Black Jack' Geary himself and some of his actions, even though he is entirely absent from the story.
  
Bob &amp; Carol &amp; Ted &amp; Alice (1969)
Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
1969 | Comedy, Drama, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
When I hear anything about Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, it's usually in the manner of "omgz orgy movie" but that's completely glossing over what I think makes this movie so great. Yes, it's about a couple's journey into sexual freedom, but the thing that elevates this film to five stars for me is the exploration by the characters into their own senses of intimacy.
As the film unfolds, we get to watch each character evolve and work through their own insecurities and feelings in a way that I think is sorely absent in today's world. In real time, we can see them identify the feeling they are having, trace it to it's source, and push past it towards a resolution.
The performances, especially Natalie Woods' as Carol, are chock full of great nonverbal expressions that bring the subtext of the film to life.
What Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice has to offer is a masterclass in the subtleties of human expression and it is a joy to watch.