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Mike Allred recommended Gimme Shelter (1970) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3932 KP) rated Sandstorm (Sigma Force, #1) in Books
Jul 26, 2021
The first in [author:James Rollins|38809] 'Sigma Force' series (effectively, scientists with guns) in which, I felt, the author was trying to get his feet somewhat - for my money, this was just not as smooth, as entertaining or as gripping as some of the later entries.
I don't know whether or not that is because this one is burdened with the world-building; with introducing Sigma Force and the Guild and, effectively, laying the groundwork for the later entries.
Starting with a (literal) bang - an explosion in the British Museum - this is soon off to Arabia to investigate the mystery of a vanished ancient city that once belonged to the Queen of Sheba, as a gigantic megastorm brews up over the desert.
Think Indiana Jones, throw in a touch of 'Sahara' and add a soupcon of James Bond/Jason Bourne and, I think, you're more-or-less there.
I don't know whether or not that is because this one is burdened with the world-building; with introducing Sigma Force and the Guild and, effectively, laying the groundwork for the later entries.
Starting with a (literal) bang - an explosion in the British Museum - this is soon off to Arabia to investigate the mystery of a vanished ancient city that once belonged to the Queen of Sheba, as a gigantic megastorm brews up over the desert.
Think Indiana Jones, throw in a touch of 'Sahara' and add a soupcon of James Bond/Jason Bourne and, I think, you're more-or-less there.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ooh... You Are Awful (1972) in Movies
Sep 7, 2020
More lowest-common-denominator farce from the British film industry of yore. A con man who specialises in disguises, trying to locate the big score he and his dead partner made, must track down a group of women each of whom has vital clues to its whereabouts tattooed on her backside, while being pursued by the Mafia and London gangsters.
Nearly as horrendous as it sounds: some of these films make late-period Carry Ons look quite sophisticated. The plot takes a long time to get going and doesn't end up reaching anywhere worth the trip, despite the presence of various familiar faces from film and TV of the period. Has a weird sort of innocence to it despite all the smut, and Emery is a good enough comic to raise a few laughs even from material as thin and questionable as this. But, in general, oh dear.
Nearly as horrendous as it sounds: some of these films make late-period Carry Ons look quite sophisticated. The plot takes a long time to get going and doesn't end up reaching anywhere worth the trip, despite the presence of various familiar faces from film and TV of the period. Has a weird sort of innocence to it despite all the smut, and Emery is a good enough comic to raise a few laughs even from material as thin and questionable as this. But, in general, oh dear.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Layer Cake (2004) in Movies
Oct 5, 2020
British crime thriller. A highly professional and goal-oriented businessman in the drugs trade finds his well-organised life falling into chaos when he gets mixed up with stolen Ecstasy, Serbian war criminals and a missing heiress. Could he be forced to become something he despises - an actual gangster?
Looks a bit like a Guy Ritchie movie - and not without reason, for Matthew Vaughn produced the early Ritchie films - but the tone is (thankfully) more measured and serious. The plot is nothing very distinctive, although the subtext about Craig's character having to adopt the brutal methods of the people he encounters has some interest. Good performances from a strong cast; Michael Gambon is scary as a gang boss, but it's Daniel Craig's movie. This is apparently the performance that swung Bond for him, but the film deserves to be recognised on its own merits.
Looks a bit like a Guy Ritchie movie - and not without reason, for Matthew Vaughn produced the early Ritchie films - but the tone is (thankfully) more measured and serious. The plot is nothing very distinctive, although the subtext about Craig's character having to adopt the brutal methods of the people he encounters has some interest. Good performances from a strong cast; Michael Gambon is scary as a gang boss, but it's Daniel Craig's movie. This is apparently the performance that swung Bond for him, but the film deserves to be recognised on its own merits.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Saint Maud (2020) in Movies
Oct 16, 2020
Outstanding British psycho-horror movie; if you want to experience an approximation of what it's like to be in the head of someone in the process of going utterly nuts, this is the movie for you. A devout nurse with a troubled past starts a job caring for an abrasive, dying ex-dancer; she believes God has sent her to this place, but when events suggest otherwise, she finds it impossible to accept...
Initially seems like another of those post-horror movies we keep hearing about: lots of ominous atmosphere and creepy intensity, but not much that's explicitly scary to start with (this changes). Powered along by an extraordinary performance from Morfydd Clark, who plays one of the most unsettling movie loons in recent years, but extremely well scripted and directed too. Genuinely gripping and unsettling, with an ending that hits like a hammer. This is one hell of a movie.
Initially seems like another of those post-horror movies we keep hearing about: lots of ominous atmosphere and creepy intensity, but not much that's explicitly scary to start with (this changes). Powered along by an extraordinary performance from Morfydd Clark, who plays one of the most unsettling movie loons in recent years, but extremely well scripted and directed too. Genuinely gripping and unsettling, with an ending that hits like a hammer. This is one hell of a movie.
Erika (17789 KP) rated The Great British Bake Off in TV
Oct 25, 2020 (Updated Oct 25, 2020)
I absolutely LOVE Bake Off! There are not enough words to describe how much I love watching it. I first saw Bake Off when I was heading home on a British Airways flight six years ago (yes, I remember), and have been hooked every since. I did prefer when it was aired on PBS, rather than Netflix here in the US.
I am super confused as to why the name of this show was changed to 'Baking Show'. I still call it Bake Off because it's the fricken name.
The challenges are fun, and the casts each year are super entertaining. While I did really like Mel and Sue as the presenters, I love Noel, and my brother and I constantly hunt for The Mighty Boosh references (Old Gregg reference are our fav). I think Matt Lucas was a good choice for this series, but I'm still lukewarm on him.
I am super confused as to why the name of this show was changed to 'Baking Show'. I still call it Bake Off because it's the fricken name.
The challenges are fun, and the casts each year are super entertaining. While I did really like Mel and Sue as the presenters, I love Noel, and my brother and I constantly hunt for The Mighty Boosh references (Old Gregg reference are our fav). I think Matt Lucas was a good choice for this series, but I'm still lukewarm on him.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Blithe Spirit (2020) in Movies
Jan 23, 2021
Blithe Spirit is gentle British romantic comedy that is based off a play by Noel Coward. Gentle is the key word here, Blithe Spirit is a slow tale that tries to focus on the relationships of the three main characters. Even the humour is quite mild.
There are a few familiar faces in the film but that's no surprise, as the saying goes 'Welcome to England, we have 20 actors, 4 sets and 14 Doctors'.
There was something a bit 'Cheep', I can't quite place my finger on it but there are a few times that the sets look a bit to like sets.
Even from this version you can see how the original is an inspiration for later films such as Ghost.
I you want a slow paced film with an entertaining story and light laughs and totally inoffensive then Blithe Sprit is worth a look.
There are a few familiar faces in the film but that's no surprise, as the saying goes 'Welcome to England, we have 20 actors, 4 sets and 14 Doctors'.
There was something a bit 'Cheep', I can't quite place my finger on it but there are a few times that the sets look a bit to like sets.
Even from this version you can see how the original is an inspiration for later films such as Ghost.
I you want a slow paced film with an entertaining story and light laughs and totally inoffensive then Blithe Sprit is worth a look.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Darkest Hour (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.
Gary Oldman... well what can I say? Is there nothing that this man can't do? I still now, after having seen it, can't reconcile him playing this part in my head. He really shone through in Darkest Hour, he succeeded in rallying the audience to the edge of their seats. Seeing him perform "We shall fight on the beaches"... was incredible.
I'm no history buff, I can't tell you what was accurate, and honestly I don't think I want to know which bits fit the bill exactly and which were ad-libbed for effect. It was immensely enjoyable to watch, fun and ignites just a bit of national pride within you.
Gary Oldman... well what can I say? Is there nothing that this man can't do? I still now, after having seen it, can't reconcile him playing this part in my head. He really shone through in Darkest Hour, he succeeded in rallying the audience to the edge of their seats. Seeing him perform "We shall fight on the beaches"... was incredible.
I'm no history buff, I can't tell you what was accurate, and honestly I don't think I want to know which bits fit the bill exactly and which were ad-libbed for effect. It was immensely enjoyable to watch, fun and ignites just a bit of national pride within you.
A Less Green and Pleasant Land: Our Threatened Wildlife
Chris Packham and Norman MacLean
Book
Disentangling the facts from the hype, this 'Domesday book' of the British and Irish countryside...
Barking Mad: Two Centuries of Great Dog Stories
Tom Quinn and Nicola L. Robinson
Book
Barking Mad taps into the British passion for dogs by bringing together a unique collection of...