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Awix (3310 KP) rated Deadpool (2016) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Not the first R-rated superhero movie, nor the first superhero comedy film, nor even the first movie to feature Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, but it does a good job of appearing to do something new and different, and has lots of good jokes. Garrulous mercenary volunteers for special procedure in attempt to fend off terminal illness; basically ends up with cancer as a super-power.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Nightmare Stacks: A Laundry Files Novel in Books
Feb 23, 2018
Another fun entry in the Laundry Files series, this one is narrated by Dr. Schwartz, from the previous novel. Poor Alex is trying to come to grips with his sudden career change and living life as a PHANG (vampire, to the rest of us). He has also fallen into social interactions with an actual female person, which is vastly unusual in his life. In fact, having a social life is rather foreign.
There are a fair number of cringe-worthy scenes, if you (like me) are embarrassed when anyone else is. Of course, this is a comedy/horror/science fiction/fantasy series, so there are the requisite horrid things in the plot. If you've gotten this far in the series, I shouldn't need to warn you about that. I really wouldn't choose this volume as an entry point if I were you.
There are a fair number of cringe-worthy scenes, if you (like me) are embarrassed when anyone else is. Of course, this is a comedy/horror/science fiction/fantasy series, so there are the requisite horrid things in the plot. If you've gotten this far in the series, I shouldn't need to warn you about that. I really wouldn't choose this volume as an entry point if I were you.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Sleeper (1973) in Movies
Mar 11, 2018 (Updated Mar 11, 2018)
One of the best of Woody Allen's early pure comedies. Allen (basically playing the same character as always) wakes up in 2173 and is recruited by rebels seeking to bring down an oppressive totalitarian regime.
Simply a very funny film; a much more visual comedy than you would expect from Allen - I have seen suggestions that the whole thing is intended as a homage to Benny Hill - but there are the usual one-liners (also a few slightly dodgy stereotype-based jokes). Very much a spoof of late 60s/early 70s SF movies like THX-1138 and 2001; the SF content is surprisingly solid courtesy of uncredited script consultancy from Isaac Asimov (this may well be the first SF movie to deal with the concept of cloning). Worth watching just for the sequence with the banana and the chicken.
Simply a very funny film; a much more visual comedy than you would expect from Allen - I have seen suggestions that the whole thing is intended as a homage to Benny Hill - but there are the usual one-liners (also a few slightly dodgy stereotype-based jokes). Very much a spoof of late 60s/early 70s SF movies like THX-1138 and 2001; the SF content is surprisingly solid courtesy of uncredited script consultancy from Isaac Asimov (this may well be the first SF movie to deal with the concept of cloning). Worth watching just for the sequence with the banana and the chicken.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Robocop (1987) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Murphy's Law
Heavy metal action satire from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven that established him as one of the world's leading SF directors. The story is functional, if hardly original - dedicated cop is shot to pieces by bad guys, rebuilt as an armoured cyborg by heartless corporation, struggles to reclaim his humanity - but what makes it special is Verhoeven's ability to turn the movie on a dime, switching the mood from black comedy to sincere drama in a moment.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Real Genius (1985) in Movies
Jun 8, 2018
80s Comedy fun!
When you are super smart and your parents want you to go to college at 15, you hope you get a roommate like Chris Knight. Super smart, of course, but he has also learned street smartz and how to relax and have fun as well as work. Now the smart club, faces the challenge of getting a large, high-powered laser beam to work. What's it all for?
Maybe a little far-reaching plot aside, the film has so many funny moments like ice in the hallways, a random guy living in your closet and swimming with student beauticians not to mention a great 80s soundtrack, it is hard not to love it. I have to admit, every time I hear "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" I think of "Real Genius".
Maybe a little far-reaching plot aside, the film has so many funny moments like ice in the hallways, a random guy living in your closet and swimming with student beauticians not to mention a great 80s soundtrack, it is hard not to love it. I have to admit, every time I hear "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" I think of "Real Genius".
Andy K (10821 KP) rated 9 to 5 (1980) in Movies
Jul 6, 2018
He's a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot!
One of the movies I have watched the most times in my life, I probably watched this every week when I was between the ages of 10 and 12 (showing my age here).
I watched again recently and the movies still has the magic.
If ever you want revenge or want to give it to your overbearing, jerkoff boss, this is the movie for you.
The teaming of Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton is so perfect as the three secretaries bent on revenge and Dabney Coleman rounds it out as the loser, backstabbing, chauvinist who everyone hates.
The three ladies imagine what it would be like to do him in, then through hilarious turns of events actually begin to do so.
A true comedy classic!
I watched again recently and the movies still has the magic.
If ever you want revenge or want to give it to your overbearing, jerkoff boss, this is the movie for you.
The teaming of Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton is so perfect as the three secretaries bent on revenge and Dabney Coleman rounds it out as the loser, backstabbing, chauvinist who everyone hates.
The three ladies imagine what it would be like to do him in, then through hilarious turns of events actually begin to do so.
A true comedy classic!
Ross (3282 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.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Counting on You in Books
Oct 2, 2018
Counting on You
“She wasn’t the most boring person in the world, but she wasn’t exactly ready to start booking stand up routines at the comedy club either.”
Counting on You begins with our female lead, Hayleigh who is a successful maths teacher in her late twenties but has had some difficulty dating. Scratch that, she hasn’t dated since her high school boyfriend left her with a sour taste in her mouth. After an awkward first date at a dive bar, Amarillo Sour, she meets our male lead Ian; an app developer at Link digital who is Conveniently working on a dating app that is at the pinnacle of his career. This book follows Ian as he helps Hayleigh navigate the murky waters of the online dating world.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/08/counting-on-you-by-laura-chapman.html
Counting on You begins with our female lead, Hayleigh who is a successful maths teacher in her late twenties but has had some difficulty dating. Scratch that, she hasn’t dated since her high school boyfriend left her with a sour taste in her mouth. After an awkward first date at a dive bar, Amarillo Sour, she meets our male lead Ian; an app developer at Link digital who is Conveniently working on a dating app that is at the pinnacle of his career. This book follows Ian as he helps Hayleigh navigate the murky waters of the online dating world.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/08/counting-on-you-by-laura-chapman.html
Dean (6921 KP) rated Cashback (2007) in Movies
Oct 5, 2018
A charming little British comedy, originally a short film that won a lot of awards. So they decided to just expand it a lil to a full length film. Starring Michelle Ryan in a small role, the cast is largely unknown. It also caused a stir when released as it featured a topless model (Keeley Hazell) although very briefly. It does have a few nude scenes, but they are actually quite artfully done. It's a good story, with some nice ideas right from the opening break up scene. It uses a lot of different techniques film wise, the idea of freezing time is done well. It is quite funny, add a great soundtrack and I have to say I prefer this over 500 days of summer which was a bit similar in theme. Check it out.
David McK (3169 KP) rated Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I read this on recommendation from my dad, and, I must admit, while I went in not expecting much from it, I was actually quite pleasantly surprised and found it to be quite enjoyable.
I beleive there is now something like 18 books in the eries; this is the very first that introduces us to the central character of Amelia Peabody: a Victorian heiress at the turn of the century. I'm also not really sure how to classify this novel, as it combines elements of mystery, action/adventure, romance and comedy, with the central character of Amelia herself being a bit of a know-it-all (she's always right, even after the fact).
Will I read more in the series? Probably, but I don't know if they are books I would go out of my way to look for.
I beleive there is now something like 18 books in the eries; this is the very first that introduces us to the central character of Amelia Peabody: a Victorian heiress at the turn of the century. I'm also not really sure how to classify this novel, as it combines elements of mystery, action/adventure, romance and comedy, with the central character of Amelia herself being a bit of a know-it-all (she's always right, even after the fact).
Will I read more in the series? Probably, but I don't know if they are books I would go out of my way to look for.