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Dalicat (20 KP) rated The Tin Roof Blowdown in Books

Sep 1, 2018

The Tin Roof Blowdown

James Lee Burke | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry

10.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

The sheer scale of the work (0 more)

A novel one lives rather than reads

Each of the fifteen Dave Robicheaux novels which preceded this one are masterpieces and this is the Grand Finale. The plot and characters move within the devasted landscape of New Orleans following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina. The scenes of environmental destruction are described with heartbreakingly beautiful poetic prose which serves as a counterpoint to a seering indictment of the socio-economic political landscape of the time. The extreme conditions under which the plot develops drive the characters to their limits of good and evil. The plot is as relentless as the driving force of the hurricane. Often difficult to read due to the sheer emotional weight of the work but too compelling to put down.

Kudos

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Trance (2013) in Movies

Feb 1, 2020

Trance (2013)

2013 | Mystery, Documentary

7.3

(3 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Danny Boyle is a director who rarely disappoints me even with weaker material his unique visual style makes for entertaining viewing. For me this was one of his better recent efforts and the story here is compelling with twists and turns galore (some plausible and some perhaps not so plausible) as we slowly unravel multiple plot lines connected with hypnosis and a botched art heist. The film is well paced and visually very impressive and kept me suitably hooked. The performances are also strong with James McAvoy and Vincent Cassel being the standouts but if the films plot leaves you scratching your head just a bit too much then there is always an eyebrow raising turn from Rosario Dawson that will certainly leave you with fond memories of the film.

Kudos

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Lucky Number Slevin (2006) in Movies

Feb 29, 2020

Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

2006 | Crime, Drama, Thriller

7.2

(24 Ratings)

Movie Rating

I had avoided this film up until now being put off by the awful title and hearing about Ben Kingsley's insistence of being called Sir on the poster and the credits. Stylistically it's a bit of a poor mans 'Lock Stock' but its not actually a bad film at all. A tale of mistaken identity , revenge and multiple double crossings it's quite compelling storytelling (if a tad convoluted at times) and I liked how it all came together and even explained the awful title. The cast all put in good performances but barring Lucy Liu's bubbly character are a thoroughly unlikable group of assorted villains and scum bags. All in all not sure if I would come back and re watch it but its certainly worth a couple of hours of your time.