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Awix (3310 KP) rated Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2015) in Movies
Jun 6, 2018
Indie drama (with occasional mildly comic overtones) with a rather convoluted genesis (I'm not going through that again). Lonely Japanese woman believes she can change her life by locating the lost ransom money from the (wholly fictional) movie Fargo, sets off for Minnesota.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.
Brilliant, vanity-free performance by Rinko Kikuchi, who draws you in as a troubled but still engaging character; there are many moving moments. Much of the film is set in urban Tokyo and captures a real sense of the alienation which has such a negative impact on many people in Kumiko's situation. The US end of the film is slightly lighter in tone, equally well written, directed and performed.
Still, even if you've seen Fargo, I imagine this is a rather different and unsettling film, particularly the conclusion. It's ultimately about isolation, delusion, madness and death, and cheerful writing and polished production can only mitigate that so much. But still a very watchable oddity.
ClareR (6101 KP) rated The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah: The Autobiography in Books
May 26, 2018
Lyricist. Writer. Activist.
What a life this man has had! He had a hard start, living in one of the least affluent areas of Birmingham (UK), and running away with his mother to escape a violent father. The 1980s saw race riots, miners strikes and demonstrations against police brutality. Zephaniah and his dub poetry were at the forefront. By the 1990s he was a household name, and not just at home in the UK - he travelled and performed around the world.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
I really admire this man. He hasn't had an easy life: he was in borstal as a teen, lived a life of crime for a while and decided for himself that he didn't want to live his life as a criminal where he would most certainly end up dead. HE turned his life around. He stands by his beliefs as well. A brilliant, self taught man, who sets a sterling example for all.
Melissa Parsons (14 KP) rated The Hobbit in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Brilliant adventure (1 more)
Must read before Lord of the rings
Amazing novel
The Hobbit is another master piece but the now deceased master of fantasy: Tolkein. If you ever see the J. R. R Tolkein name on a novel your guaranteed for a ride that you will not want to get off. May be slow to start but that can be a good thing. I know this recently was made in to a movie series but I do wish that this had been done before Lord of The Rings as the Hobbit gives us the background and shows us Bilbo as a younger man. Now I’m not gonna give any spoilers as I believe it’s a novel best experienced yourself but I will say this: anyone afraid of spiders needs to be prepared cause this book does contain giant spiders in a part of it.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Westworld - Season 2 in TV
Jul 2, 2018
Often brilliant, frequently confusion
Much like with season 1, I frequently found myself completely confused with what was going on in Westworld season 2. I struggled with the interwoven timelines, and usually wound up reading those online articles with titles such as '5 burning questions I have after watching episode x of Westworld' or 'Explaining that ending in Westworld'. There are occasions though where I can watch an entire episode and fully understand it! They tend to be the episodes that focus on a very small number of characters, telling their side of the story, and making me realise overall just what an incredible show this is. Despite my frequent confusion, I love the bold direction the story has headed in throughout the season, building on the groundwork laid in season 1. It's also clear from the finale that there are even more elaborate directions left to explore. I just hope that I manage to understand them!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Nice Guys (2016) in Movies
Sep 9, 2018
Great pairing makes this worth watching
What makes this film work is the brilliant pairing of Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. They’re very much like the odd couple, but they’re absolutely hilarious together and along with a pretty funny script, this is what makes this film so good. Ryan Gosling’s cowardice and girly screaming had me in hysterics throughout. And although Russell Crowe is playing to type as the hard man, he’s the perfect foil to Gosling’s character.
The 70s LA setting, whilst reminiscent of other LA based period films, really works too and is much better than any modern day setting. The real issue with this film is the plot - it seems a little bit silly and far fetched, and also a little bit confusing. It needed a much stronger crime plot to support the rest of the film. But despite this, it’s really worth watching for Gosling and Crowe alone, just be wary of the plot!
The 70s LA setting, whilst reminiscent of other LA based period films, really works too and is much better than any modern day setting. The real issue with this film is the plot - it seems a little bit silly and far fetched, and also a little bit confusing. It needed a much stronger crime plot to support the rest of the film. But despite this, it’s really worth watching for Gosling and Crowe alone, just be wary of the plot!
Ross (3284 KP) rated Better Call Saul - Season 4 in TV
Oct 31, 2018
Following his disbarment and the death of his brother Chuck, Jimmy (Saul) tries to come to terms with life after lawyering. He soon finds himself partaking in various scams to make ends meet or, more telling, to alleviate the boredom of working in the world's quietest cellphone store. Jimmy's activities, and Kim being dragged into them shows the human desire to take risk and seek excitement, the thrill of winning against unassailable odds by bending the rules. More and more Jimmy becomes Saul.
Meanwhile, Mike oversees the construction of Gus Fring's underground meth lab and we start to see how the former cop, who has dealt out street justice and used his skills against some low-lifes and druglords, also starts to break more rules and will go beyond in order to protect his own interests, and keep his own honour.
Brilliant, arty but engaging series telling two stories that for now are distinct, but will start to overlap more eventually.
Meanwhile, Mike oversees the construction of Gus Fring's underground meth lab and we start to see how the former cop, who has dealt out street justice and used his skills against some low-lifes and druglords, also starts to break more rules and will go beyond in order to protect his own interests, and keep his own honour.
Brilliant, arty but engaging series telling two stories that for now are distinct, but will start to overlap more eventually.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Slaughterhouse Rulez (2018) in Movies
Nov 2, 2018 (Updated Nov 2, 2018)
Absolutely awful
A fracking site close to a private school deep in the countryside causes a sinkhole to appear. From which, a bunch of subterranean creatures emerge and begin munching on the teachers and pupils. It's then up to a group of them to band together and do whatever it takes in order to save the school.
Slaughterhouse Rulez boasts an impressive cast, including Michael Sheen, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Pegg and Frost are even credited as executive producers, so you'd be forgiven for expecting something along the lines of the brilliant three flavours Cornetto trilogy. Unfortunately, it comes nothing close, and I cannot believe those 3 had anything to do with this. The characters are mostly lazily written stereotypes and it's not at all funny. The creatures themselves have good potential, but due to poor editing they don't even come across as scary. It's just not very good at all. Such a disappointment.
Slaughterhouse Rulez boasts an impressive cast, including Michael Sheen, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Pegg and Frost are even credited as executive producers, so you'd be forgiven for expecting something along the lines of the brilliant three flavours Cornetto trilogy. Unfortunately, it comes nothing close, and I cannot believe those 3 had anything to do with this. The characters are mostly lazily written stereotypes and it's not at all funny. The creatures themselves have good potential, but due to poor editing they don't even come across as scary. It's just not very good at all. Such a disappointment.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Small Hand in Books
Nov 14, 2018
After browsing through the shelves at my local library I spotted this book and knew I recognised the author's name...the brilliant author who wrote The Woman in Black (which I read quite recently and very much enjoyed) so I thought I would pick this one up.
The Small Hand is a nice, enjoyable ghost story which unfortunately lacked a certain chill, I did not find it to be scary in any way and I found that perhaps I was somewhat spoilt by the rollercoaster of The Woman in Black. I got a bit bored part way through with the constant diversions and the lack of depth, I wanted more meat that was sadly missing from this short book, this made it feel rushed or if there were pages missing.
I would still say that if you enjoy ghost stories please do give this one a read, it's not bad but in my opinion it just wasn't that great either.
The Small Hand is a nice, enjoyable ghost story which unfortunately lacked a certain chill, I did not find it to be scary in any way and I found that perhaps I was somewhat spoilt by the rollercoaster of The Woman in Black. I got a bit bored part way through with the constant diversions and the lack of depth, I wanted more meat that was sadly missing from this short book, this made it feel rushed or if there were pages missing.
I would still say that if you enjoy ghost stories please do give this one a read, it's not bad but in my opinion it just wasn't that great either.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Father Ted in TV
Dec 23, 2018
A classic
I grew up watching Father Ted and loved it then, and I can't believe that over 20 years on, the original few series are still being shown on tv. They really don't make sitcoms like this anymore, it's such a classic and can beat any modern day sitcoms hands down.
You'd never think a comedy about priests on a small island would work, but its absolutely hilarious - mainly due to a great script and a fantastic cast and characters. Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle are such loveable comedic characters, it's hard not to like this show.
It's showing it's age a little now, unsurprising consider it first came out in 1995. Its a shame really that they were never able to make any more series, but in a way this is probably better than them taking it too far (or god forbid doing a modern day series). But it's still brilliant.
You'd never think a comedy about priests on a small island would work, but its absolutely hilarious - mainly due to a great script and a fantastic cast and characters. Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle are such loveable comedic characters, it's hard not to like this show.
It's showing it's age a little now, unsurprising consider it first came out in 1995. Its a shame really that they were never able to make any more series, but in a way this is probably better than them taking it too far (or god forbid doing a modern day series). But it's still brilliant.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I, Tonya (2017) in Movies
Dec 30, 2018
Great performances
I missed out on watching this when it was out at the cinema and I’m really disappointed I did, especially as it is actually quite good.
I didn’t know anything about true story about Tonya Harding, so for me this film was a real eye opener. It’s a fascinating story and the film features some great performances from both Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan. However it’s Alison Janney that steals the entire film as the mother from hell, she’s horrible yet absolutely hilarious too. The way this film unfolds using a documentary style storytelling really works and makes for such an entertaining film. The film drags a little during certain parts, and it’s a little ambiguous as to whether you should feel truly sorry for Tonya or not, especially with the conflicting stories between her and Jeff. But it’s the brilliant cast and the unique story telling theta really make this film worth watching.
I didn’t know anything about true story about Tonya Harding, so for me this film was a real eye opener. It’s a fascinating story and the film features some great performances from both Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan. However it’s Alison Janney that steals the entire film as the mother from hell, she’s horrible yet absolutely hilarious too. The way this film unfolds using a documentary style storytelling really works and makes for such an entertaining film. The film drags a little during certain parts, and it’s a little ambiguous as to whether you should feel truly sorry for Tonya or not, especially with the conflicting stories between her and Jeff. But it’s the brilliant cast and the unique story telling theta really make this film worth watching.
