Search
Search results
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Snowman (2017) in Movies
Feb 11, 2018 (Updated Feb 11, 2018)
Where was Aled Jones?!
Misfiring Scandi crime thriller which was part of Michael Fassbender's attempt to appear in as many dud movies as possible in 2017. There's a serial killer on the loose and a brilliant detective with a troubled personal life (gee, where do they think of these new ideas?) gets on the case.
The film's plot is really lacking in focus and it engages in the usual casual misogyny that seems to be perfectly acceptable on-screen; a baffling subplot featuring flashbacks with Val Kilmer is arguably a mistake (then again, this film is not exactly short of mis-steps). The film's pretensions to be a serious drama are not much helped by the extent to which the Magic Wand of Improbable Coincidences has been waved over the script. It is all a bit grim and muddled.
The film's plot is really lacking in focus and it engages in the usual casual misogyny that seems to be perfectly acceptable on-screen; a baffling subplot featuring flashbacks with Val Kilmer is arguably a mistake (then again, this film is not exactly short of mis-steps). The film's pretensions to be a serious drama are not much helped by the extent to which the Magic Wand of Improbable Coincidences has been waved over the script. It is all a bit grim and muddled.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Baby Driver (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Criminal Records
Edgar Wright's high-energy jukebox thriller may be your last chance to see Kevin Spacey in a new movie. Brilliant young music-loving hearing-impaired getaway driver ends up in hock to criminal mastermind; must decide whether to run for it with his lovely new girlfriend or carry out one last job with some rather suspect associates.
Slightly retro crime thriller with a central gimmick - action sequences are frequently choreographed to the soundtrack - that isn't quite as innovative as it thinks it is. As technically proficient as you would expect from Wright; what's unusual is that the film has a degree of heart you wouldn't expect, not to mention an impressively twisty-turny plotline - just who the main bad guy will turn out to be is not at all clear until quite late on. Good performances all round, too.
Slightly retro crime thriller with a central gimmick - action sequences are frequently choreographed to the soundtrack - that isn't quite as innovative as it thinks it is. As technically proficient as you would expect from Wright; what's unusual is that the film has a degree of heart you wouldn't expect, not to mention an impressively twisty-turny plotline - just who the main bad guy will turn out to be is not at all clear until quite late on. Good performances all round, too.
KarenRC (6 KP) rated Watching You in Books
Jul 23, 2018
This story focuses around this small neighbourhood with lots of strong characters, each with their own storyline to deal with. It feels like a lot, but once I had got my head round them all, this book drew me right in and I was hooked. It starts off with a body in a kitchen, then goes back and does a brilliant job of revealing the story, very slowly, by going back to the beginning of the timeline and working back through. The intermittent police reports from the day after the murder is an excellent addition, as it adds to the slow reveal as you start to realise who the body isn’t! It was a bit of a slow start, but once it got going the suspense, intrigue and twists are coming thick and fast right up until the very last page!
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Affair - Season 1 in TV
Aug 24, 2018
Excellent gripping drama/mystery. The lives of Noah's family and Alison's family become entangled when the bored wannabe author falls for the free spirit, but damaged, waitress. Brilliant depiction of the thrill and excitement of a new relationship but also the hurt inflicted on others as that is revealed.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
Sep 10, 2018
First off, no this is not as good as the first film. But then it never could be. The first film had no expectations around it, it could go crazy with a narrow storyline, some origin work, and fill the rest with gags. Since its success, the sequel was always going to have to be bigger and pack more punch. And it certainly does that.
The comedy is still there in droves, both the 4th wall breaks and crude one liners.
The action has stepped up quite a lot, as has the SFX budget. The opening fight scene in Japan is exquisite, as is the end battle ("CGI battle scene").
The formation of X-Force was awesome and not the major feature I was dreading.
Quite simply, this is more of a superhero movie with Deadpool overlaid on top to brilliant effect.
The comedy is still there in droves, both the 4th wall breaks and crude one liners.
The action has stepped up quite a lot, as has the SFX budget. The opening fight scene in Japan is exquisite, as is the end battle ("CGI battle scene").
The formation of X-Force was awesome and not the major feature I was dreading.
Quite simply, this is more of a superhero movie with Deadpool overlaid on top to brilliant effect.
Vegas (725 KP) rated The Big Bang Theory in TV
Sep 11, 2018
Sheldon (3 more)
The cast
The script
The Humor
Brilliant
Probably one of the funniest shows of all time, Sheldon and Leonard two nerdy geniuses have their lives turned upside down when they get a new neighbor, beautiful, blond, aspiring actress and waitress at the Cheesecake Factory - Penny...
The socially awkward Sheldon steels the show but would be nothing without a very strong cast around him.
It is quite difficult to pick up if you start part way through, as I did initially, and hated it, but having been persuaded to watch it from the start, getting to know the characters and how they develop over the seasons, I've found there are not many series that come close to the constant high quality and funny scripts over so many seasons as this one does.
The socially awkward Sheldon steels the show but would be nothing without a very strong cast around him.
It is quite difficult to pick up if you start part way through, as I did initially, and hated it, but having been persuaded to watch it from the start, getting to know the characters and how they develop over the seasons, I've found there are not many series that come close to the constant high quality and funny scripts over so many seasons as this one does.
Kristie (106 KP) rated The Brilliant Death in Books
Sep 18, 2018 (Updated Sep 18, 2018)
Great storyline
The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta is a great young adult fantasy novel with a unique storyline. The designs inside the book and the cover art are absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see what the final version of this book will look like. I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop as the story goes on, and the rich setting of this world. I really enjoyed learning about the strega and their history alongside Teodora as she learns about her self and how she came to have her unique magic. I loved how Teo and Cielo's love develops and unfolds through the story and I can't wait to see what is next for them. The story had an amazing ending that already has me anticipating book two in this epic new fantasy series.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Killing Eve in TV
Oct 13, 2018
Smart, funny, stylish & just a little bit bonkers
I’m beyond surprised that a show like this has come out of the BBC. It’s darkly and laugh out loud funny, and so ridiculously smart and stylish. Jodie Comer is absolutely phenomenal as Villanelle, she’s wondrously funny and plays a psychopath worryingly well. Her accents are brilliant, and I was shocked to see of all places that she’s from Liverpool. And Sandra Oh is surprisingly charismatic too.
The series starts off very strongly and the first few episodes are fantastic, however I did think it got a little bit strange and maybe a little too serious as the episodes moved along. Whilst this isn’t a huge problem, I did think it lost some of the magic from earlier in the series. I’d be intrigued to see how the second series pans out.
The series starts off very strongly and the first few episodes are fantastic, however I did think it got a little bit strange and maybe a little too serious as the episodes moved along. Whilst this isn’t a huge problem, I did think it lost some of the magic from earlier in the series. I’d be intrigued to see how the second series pans out.
Courtney (149 KP) rated Forensics: The Anatomy of Crime in Books
Nov 28, 2018
Brilliant for forensic lovers
First I should say, I’ve never been a fan of non-fiction. It’s for this reason that this book has been sat on my shelf for around a year just waiting to be read. I finally got around to reading it and I have to say, this really dug into the depths of my interest in crime and the forensic aspect of this.
I loved how this book was set out, going through in the order in which events take place when a real life crime is committed and dedicating a chapter to each stage, providing real life examples along the way which really keeps you engrossed.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who is in the slightest interested in crime in general or just specific aspects such as fire scenes, toxicology and pathology.
I loved how this book was set out, going through in the order in which events take place when a real life crime is committed and dedicating a chapter to each stage, providing real life examples along the way which really keeps you engrossed.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who is in the slightest interested in crime in general or just specific aspects such as fire scenes, toxicology and pathology.
This is a wonderfully comprehensive book for anyone wanting to learn, or for anyone with basic knowledge who wants to expand their skills.
As someone who can crochet and often gets asked for help to learn I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not only are there the usual how to make this stitch, but every stitch has a project to make so you can thoroughly practice than skill before moving on. There is also a mistakes guide... I often get sent pictures titled "what have I done wrong" and this book even has sections about the common mistakes, brilliant for someone who doesn't have a crocheter on the other side of social media.
Another nice surprise was the addition of tunisian crochet, great to see it in there when it has such a similar skill set.
All round a very good book.
As someone who can crochet and often gets asked for help to learn I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not only are there the usual how to make this stitch, but every stitch has a project to make so you can thoroughly practice than skill before moving on. There is also a mistakes guide... I often get sent pictures titled "what have I done wrong" and this book even has sections about the common mistakes, brilliant for someone who doesn't have a crocheter on the other side of social media.
Another nice surprise was the addition of tunisian crochet, great to see it in there when it has such a similar skill set.
All round a very good book.