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Dave Filipi recommended The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Snowpiercer (2013) in Movies
May 8, 2021
Dystopian sci-fi movie from the director of Parasite and that film about the giant pig. After an ecological disaster, the last remnants of humanity are stuck on a train doing endless circuits of the world. What will they do when the sausage rolls and toilet paper run out?
Almost certainly the best Korean-Czech graphic novel adaptation ever made, and a pretty good film in all departments - a faint structural resemblence to The Matrix Reloaded may unsettle some viewers, but it just about holds together, and any holes in the plot are largely excused by the fact the film is clearly meant to be intepreted metaphorically. Fine cast, many interesting ideas, well-staged action; should have been a much bigger hit.
Almost certainly the best Korean-Czech graphic novel adaptation ever made, and a pretty good film in all departments - a faint structural resemblence to The Matrix Reloaded may unsettle some viewers, but it just about holds together, and any holes in the plot are largely excused by the fact the film is clearly meant to be intepreted metaphorically. Fine cast, many interesting ideas, well-staged action; should have been a much bigger hit.
David McK (3770 KP) rated Blood of Elves in Books
Oct 7, 2019
This is the first full-length Witcher novel, which I read after both the collection of short stories contained with The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
This is the novel that inspired the video game of the same name, and the upcoming (as of time of writing) Netflix adaptation, with Geralt - as the novel starts - already having taken guardianship of Ciri, and having a history with Yennefer as war begins to brew between the 'elder' races and mankind.
I think I will read some more of these to see where the story goes, although - at the moment - I think I may take a break from this particular genre of novel, having read a few of that genre in relatively close succession.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) in Movies
Aug 16, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised at how good this movie became. Based on the trailer that was released with much fanfare and lackluster reception, I didn't have high expectations.
Jim Carrey is brilliant in his role as Dr. Robotnik. The other acting in the film is plenty good enough to ensure that Carrey didn't have to carry everything on his back. The story was actually surprisingly solid given the video game nature. Although Sonic did come equipped with quite a backstory to lend to film adaptation.
I saw this film in the theatre, and then I saw it again more than once after it was released digitally, with my children. Would recommend you definitely give it a go if you are on the fence,
Jim Carrey is brilliant in his role as Dr. Robotnik. The other acting in the film is plenty good enough to ensure that Carrey didn't have to carry everything on his back. The story was actually surprisingly solid given the video game nature. Although Sonic did come equipped with quite a backstory to lend to film adaptation.
I saw this film in the theatre, and then I saw it again more than once after it was released digitally, with my children. Would recommend you definitely give it a go if you are on the fence,
It Came From The Desert (2017)
4.0
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Movie
A pulpy, action monster movie, inspired by Cinemaware's cult 1980s video game "It Came from the...
It Came From The Desert Video Games Adaptation
Howards End
7.3
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TV Show Watch
Based on E.M. Forster's classic novel, the miniseries adaptation of "Howards End" is a portrayal of...
David McK (3770 KP) rated The Iliad: A Graphic Novel in Books
Apr 4, 2026
I *think* I may have (voluntarily!) read The Iliad and The Odyssey whilst at school.
30 odd years ago.
If so, I'd forgotten how The Iliad actually ends, with the death of burial of Hector, Prince of Troy instead of the Wooden Horse and sacking of the city that many readers are probably more familiar with.
This is a graphic novel adaptation of the story, as told in The Iliad and thus ends at the same point - which, I had to say, actually took me by surprise somewhat! (Not Hector's death - I was expecting that! - but that the story ended there).
I can see this being a more attractive read that the original text to any who are not in the mood for, effectively, a 'heavy' meal.
30 odd years ago.
If so, I'd forgotten how The Iliad actually ends, with the death of burial of Hector, Prince of Troy instead of the Wooden Horse and sacking of the city that many readers are probably more familiar with.
This is a graphic novel adaptation of the story, as told in The Iliad and thus ends at the same point - which, I had to say, actually took me by surprise somewhat! (Not Hector's death - I was expecting that! - but that the story ended there).
I can see this being a more attractive read that the original text to any who are not in the mood for, effectively, a 'heavy' meal.
The Wild Robot (2024)
9.0
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*The Wild Robot** is a 2024 animated science fiction film directed by Chris Sanders, based on Peter...
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
Snow White has certainly been receiving a lot of attention this year and it’s been hard to ignore two films competing with each other to win the accolade of best cinema adaptation.
Julia Roberts has already starred in sickly sweet adaptation Mirror Mirror and here Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame takes on the lead role in the gritty, dramatic adaptation of the fairytale. But is it a good take on a children’s classic?
Snow White & The Huntsman opens as you would expect with a look back at the aforementioned Princess’ traumatic childhood, from the death of her mother, to witnessing the death of her father King Magnus, it seems like any normal child would’ve had a few problems after this but Snow seems a little more reserved.
Snow White’s father is killed at the hands of her wicked stepmother, played wonderfully by Charlize Theron who really gets her teeth into the role she’s been given and plays the character with a nice dose of evil intertwined with brief moments of sincerity. Those of you familiar with the story will no doubt know that Snow White hides with the seven dwarves to escape the clutches of her stepmother, but more on that later.
Chris Hemsworth, who seems to be getting more and more acting jobs these days does a nice job as the widowed, constantly drunk huntsman, though his accent is a little hard to assess, no doubt done to cover his Australian roots.
Hemsworth is sent by the wicked Queen to kill Snow White so that her eternal youth isn’t threatened but things run less than smoothly as he realises that he is being tricked, he and Snow then decide to go on the run, bumping into the seven dwarves along the way.
The Kingdom in which they live is beautifully realised in fabulous CGI, from the dark forest, to the towering stone walls of the castle and then further into the ‘sanctuary’ a place where people can go to relax and unwind. Fairies, badgers, foxes, rabbits, mushrooms with beady little eyes and moss covered tortoises are amongst the creatures here and ruling over them all is the spirit of the forest, a fabulous and very real looking white stag.
This is, however, where Snow White & The Huntsman falls short. Yes, the CGI is impeccable and yes the acting is good, but it all feels a little bit soulless. It’s all about the frills rather than creating a deep and meaningful story. It has the basics right but it’s impossible to care about the characters because there isn’t enough back-story. Each set piece is interspersed with a little bit of emotion, but it’s not really enough and because of this, the entire film feels disjointed.
This is made worse by the fact the film is stretched to over two hours when there isn’t really enough story to create a two hour film.
Unfortunately, these points detract from what is a wonderful and beautifully realised adaptation of a classic children’s fairytale. To compare it to Mirror Mirror would be unfair as they are both so different. Snow White & The Huntsman is like last year’s Alice in Wonderland, it all looks and sounds great, but is ultimately; decidedly average.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2012/06/07/snow-white-the-huntsman-review/
Julia Roberts has already starred in sickly sweet adaptation Mirror Mirror and here Kristen Stewart of Twilight fame takes on the lead role in the gritty, dramatic adaptation of the fairytale. But is it a good take on a children’s classic?
Snow White & The Huntsman opens as you would expect with a look back at the aforementioned Princess’ traumatic childhood, from the death of her mother, to witnessing the death of her father King Magnus, it seems like any normal child would’ve had a few problems after this but Snow seems a little more reserved.
Snow White’s father is killed at the hands of her wicked stepmother, played wonderfully by Charlize Theron who really gets her teeth into the role she’s been given and plays the character with a nice dose of evil intertwined with brief moments of sincerity. Those of you familiar with the story will no doubt know that Snow White hides with the seven dwarves to escape the clutches of her stepmother, but more on that later.
Chris Hemsworth, who seems to be getting more and more acting jobs these days does a nice job as the widowed, constantly drunk huntsman, though his accent is a little hard to assess, no doubt done to cover his Australian roots.
Hemsworth is sent by the wicked Queen to kill Snow White so that her eternal youth isn’t threatened but things run less than smoothly as he realises that he is being tricked, he and Snow then decide to go on the run, bumping into the seven dwarves along the way.
The Kingdom in which they live is beautifully realised in fabulous CGI, from the dark forest, to the towering stone walls of the castle and then further into the ‘sanctuary’ a place where people can go to relax and unwind. Fairies, badgers, foxes, rabbits, mushrooms with beady little eyes and moss covered tortoises are amongst the creatures here and ruling over them all is the spirit of the forest, a fabulous and very real looking white stag.
This is, however, where Snow White & The Huntsman falls short. Yes, the CGI is impeccable and yes the acting is good, but it all feels a little bit soulless. It’s all about the frills rather than creating a deep and meaningful story. It has the basics right but it’s impossible to care about the characters because there isn’t enough back-story. Each set piece is interspersed with a little bit of emotion, but it’s not really enough and because of this, the entire film feels disjointed.
This is made worse by the fact the film is stretched to over two hours when there isn’t really enough story to create a two hour film.
Unfortunately, these points detract from what is a wonderful and beautifully realised adaptation of a classic children’s fairytale. To compare it to Mirror Mirror would be unfair as they are both so different. Snow White & The Huntsman is like last year’s Alice in Wonderland, it all looks and sounds great, but is ultimately; decidedly average.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2012/06/07/snow-white-the-huntsman-review/
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Into the Woods (2014) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
A charming adaptation
Wolves, witches and giants all appear in the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s popular musical which takes all the best bits of our favourite fairytales and mashes them together in one engaging, song-filled rollercoaster.
However, musical movie adaptations are notoriously difficult to get right, from casting restraints to the inclusion of all the songs, transferring them to the silver screen is not something to be entered into lightly. So does director Rob Marhsall’s effort elevate itself above its peers?
Into the Woods has numerous plot threads that all end up coming together in one way or another, but the main storyline follows a baker (James Corden) and his wife, played gloriously by Emily Blunt, as they come to realise they cannot have a child.
Alas, a witch – who just so happens to live next door – has a way to provide them with what they want as long as they get a few items for her in the meantime.
An all-star cast including the likes of Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski, Lucy Punch, Johnny Depp and of course Meryl Streep all give their all in a film that is brimming with tantalising cinematography and stunning songs.
meryl-streep-into-the-woodsGenerally speaking, the female cast fares better in the singing portions of the film, although Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen had the audience in intentional fits of laughter in one particular sequence as two handsome Princes.
Unfortunately, Into the Wood’s greatest asset, its cast, is also its biggest undoing. Having so many story threads means that there isn’t any emotional attachment to the characters – despite the film’s numerous attempts to tug at the heartstrings.
Despite a deeply heartfelt performance of ‘Stay with Me’ from Meryl Streep, the film just steadily rolls itself from admittedly thrilling set piece to set piece without getting bogged down in nitty gritty character development.
Thankfully, the glorious cinematography that featured in the trailer continues throughout. An enclosed feeling makes you feel like you’re actually watching a stage show rather than a film, albeit one with a much higher budget, and this is one of its most captivating features.
Director Rob Marshall has managed to keep the pantomime feel despite the fact the audience is watching in a cinema – the locations are never overdone and everything feels nicely claustrophobic, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
However, the final act is unnecessarily long and its foray into deeper territory means the magic and sparkle is well and truly lost. This is a real shame as there are numerous moments where the film could end on a high, rather than delving into a murky and at times, incomprehensible final third.
Overall, Into the Woods is a charming adaptation of the popular musical and despite its slightly overlong running time and a disappointing final act, it manages to stay on course for a perfectly adequate, if underwhelming finale.
The entire cast have a ball with their characters with Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt being particular highlights throughout.
Parents beware however, its PG certification may be slightly too lenient for smaller children, who will no doubt be intrigued by the premise of combining our most-loved fairytales.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/01/17/a-charming-adaptation-into-the-woods-review/
However, musical movie adaptations are notoriously difficult to get right, from casting restraints to the inclusion of all the songs, transferring them to the silver screen is not something to be entered into lightly. So does director Rob Marhsall’s effort elevate itself above its peers?
Into the Woods has numerous plot threads that all end up coming together in one way or another, but the main storyline follows a baker (James Corden) and his wife, played gloriously by Emily Blunt, as they come to realise they cannot have a child.
Alas, a witch – who just so happens to live next door – has a way to provide them with what they want as long as they get a few items for her in the meantime.
An all-star cast including the likes of Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Christine Baranski, Lucy Punch, Johnny Depp and of course Meryl Streep all give their all in a film that is brimming with tantalising cinematography and stunning songs.
meryl-streep-into-the-woodsGenerally speaking, the female cast fares better in the singing portions of the film, although Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen had the audience in intentional fits of laughter in one particular sequence as two handsome Princes.
Unfortunately, Into the Wood’s greatest asset, its cast, is also its biggest undoing. Having so many story threads means that there isn’t any emotional attachment to the characters – despite the film’s numerous attempts to tug at the heartstrings.
Despite a deeply heartfelt performance of ‘Stay with Me’ from Meryl Streep, the film just steadily rolls itself from admittedly thrilling set piece to set piece without getting bogged down in nitty gritty character development.
Thankfully, the glorious cinematography that featured in the trailer continues throughout. An enclosed feeling makes you feel like you’re actually watching a stage show rather than a film, albeit one with a much higher budget, and this is one of its most captivating features.
Director Rob Marshall has managed to keep the pantomime feel despite the fact the audience is watching in a cinema – the locations are never overdone and everything feels nicely claustrophobic, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
However, the final act is unnecessarily long and its foray into deeper territory means the magic and sparkle is well and truly lost. This is a real shame as there are numerous moments where the film could end on a high, rather than delving into a murky and at times, incomprehensible final third.
Overall, Into the Woods is a charming adaptation of the popular musical and despite its slightly overlong running time and a disappointing final act, it manages to stay on course for a perfectly adequate, if underwhelming finale.
The entire cast have a ball with their characters with Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt being particular highlights throughout.
Parents beware however, its PG certification may be slightly too lenient for smaller children, who will no doubt be intrigued by the premise of combining our most-loved fairytales.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2015/01/17/a-charming-adaptation-into-the-woods-review/