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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated The Breakfast Club (1985) in Movies
Mar 22, 2018
Classic 80's
Five teenagers form a bond while dealing with their personal issues during Saturday detention.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 7
The Breakfast Club gets off to a decent start as you're introduced to all the players, quickly getting a small taste of each of their personalities. Principal Vernon (Paul Gleason) gets off to a roaring start where you come to hate him fairly quickly. The first ten minutes was enough to make me want to learn more about each of these characters and what in the world landed them in detention in the first place.
Characters: 10
All six of the primary characters had a solid foundation with their own personal story that made them unique. It fleshes out the idea that you never know what people are going through no matter how great their life must seem. Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) was the star wrestler and one of the most popular kids at his school. On the surface, he seemed to have it all together but ultimately he was suppressed by the desire to make his father happy. The characters all had their own story that defined them.
I appreciate that each of the characters had their share of flaws as well. I found myself hating them and loving them at the same time, sometimes with only a few minutes in between. It's the mark of real, well-developed characters you can actually get behind.
Cinematography/Visuals: 7
Conflict: 10
Genre: 8
What are we calling this? Comedy? Drama? 80's film? While it certainly has its share of funny moments, I would consider it more of a drama. As dramas go, particularly 80's dramas, I think the film ranks right up there as a solid one that provides its share of conflict and depth.
Memorability: 9
Pace: 10
Plot: 9
Resolution: 5
Overall: 85
While The Breakfast Club hit me with the typical 80's vibe, it steps it up a notch by hitting you with serious issues to chew on. There are real moments here that leave an impact.
Acting: 10
Beginning: 7
The Breakfast Club gets off to a decent start as you're introduced to all the players, quickly getting a small taste of each of their personalities. Principal Vernon (Paul Gleason) gets off to a roaring start where you come to hate him fairly quickly. The first ten minutes was enough to make me want to learn more about each of these characters and what in the world landed them in detention in the first place.
Characters: 10
All six of the primary characters had a solid foundation with their own personal story that made them unique. It fleshes out the idea that you never know what people are going through no matter how great their life must seem. Andrew Clark (Emilio Estevez) was the star wrestler and one of the most popular kids at his school. On the surface, he seemed to have it all together but ultimately he was suppressed by the desire to make his father happy. The characters all had their own story that defined them.
I appreciate that each of the characters had their share of flaws as well. I found myself hating them and loving them at the same time, sometimes with only a few minutes in between. It's the mark of real, well-developed characters you can actually get behind.
Cinematography/Visuals: 7
Conflict: 10
Genre: 8
What are we calling this? Comedy? Drama? 80's film? While it certainly has its share of funny moments, I would consider it more of a drama. As dramas go, particularly 80's dramas, I think the film ranks right up there as a solid one that provides its share of conflict and depth.
Memorability: 9
Pace: 10
Plot: 9
Resolution: 5
Overall: 85
While The Breakfast Club hit me with the typical 80's vibe, it steps it up a notch by hitting you with serious issues to chew on. There are real moments here that leave an impact.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Birds in the Air in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Birds in the Air by Frances O'Roark Dowell is a wonderful story. I loved the book from the first page to the last page. The book involves a woman whose family moves to a small town in the mountains. Her husband and daughter settle in quickly with job and school, but Emma needs something to do. Finding an old quilt in an attic trunk is the catalyst for searching out the local quilt shop. She is not a quilter to start with, but that quickly changes. Through a series of events, she ends up learning to quilt as well as becoming the publicist for the local guild's quilt show. Some of the members do not agree that an outside should have such an important role. Conflict with another guild member creates a disaster for the quilt show, and help comes from an unlikely source. The story is interesting and told in an easy to read style, and I found it difficult to put down. I also like that Emma is happily married, as many of these series begin with a divorce so the woman can find her own way. I like that a married woman can also find her own way while having a family and a committed relationship.
There are several reasons I loved this book.
First, the characters. The characters are realistic and true to life. Second, I could related to the life styles characterized by several of the characters. Third, I like how Frances uses quilting terms through out the book. Fourth, I like that the author brought the conflict of "quilt divas" to the story which brings to like the quilting industry that not everyone is kind at all times. The author brings past quilting history and highlights how functions in a community both in the past and in current times. I love how the author makes community building such a central theme in the story. Lastly, fifth, the authors deals with quilting controversy within the story and it makes the story appear that much more realistic.
I received this book from Milton Falls Media, Inc. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
There are several reasons I loved this book.
First, the characters. The characters are realistic and true to life. Second, I could related to the life styles characterized by several of the characters. Third, I like how Frances uses quilting terms through out the book. Fourth, I like that the author brought the conflict of "quilt divas" to the story which brings to like the quilting industry that not everyone is kind at all times. The author brings past quilting history and highlights how functions in a community both in the past and in current times. I love how the author makes community building such a central theme in the story. Lastly, fifth, the authors deals with quilting controversy within the story and it makes the story appear that much more realistic.
I received this book from Milton Falls Media, Inc. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Polaris Uprising (Polaris, #1) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Polaris Uprising] has a similar plot line of many teen dystopian novels. It seems that the author [Jennifer Ibarra] borrowed the best parts of many and created her own. This is not a bad thing. In fact it helps to get YA readers to try new books.
The plot is set after a war in which the current leadership came to power and had promised to keep the people from want. Although the leader is called a president he is not democratically elected, in fact it represents a monarchy as he is prepping his youngest daughter to take his place when she come of age. His oldest daughter is a doctor who has just come of age and will marry her 'match'.
In this novel the idea that the state takes care of everything including your decisions is a driving force. It has let to the uprising as people want some freedom back. The sisters get entangled in this conflict. The question is what side will they take?
The plot is set after a war in which the current leadership came to power and had promised to keep the people from want. Although the leader is called a president he is not democratically elected, in fact it represents a monarchy as he is prepping his youngest daughter to take his place when she come of age. His oldest daughter is a doctor who has just come of age and will marry her 'match'.
In this novel the idea that the state takes care of everything including your decisions is a driving force. It has let to the uprising as people want some freedom back. The sisters get entangled in this conflict. The question is what side will they take?
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Monsters (2010) in Movies
May 4, 2018
Whack
When a probe crash lands in Central America, large creatures form and begin to take over. Journalist Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy) is hired by his boss to find his daughter, who is stranded in Central America, and bring her home.
Acting: 8
Very strong performances from the two stars of the film. The acting was far from the problem here. It was everything else. Whitney Able plays Sam Wynden, the woman Andrew was hired to rescue. Her display of emotions are well-ranged and believable. You can feel her dismay, her fear as she moves from one scene to the next. Truly a talent that I enjoyed watching work in her craft.
Beginning: 10
Characters: 1
Cinematography/Visuals: 3
Conflict: 3
Genre: 0
Memorability: 2
Pace: 1
Plot: 7
Resolution: 5
Overall: 40
Nothing eventful really happens for the majority of the film. Like nothing. Not even exaggerating. I could rip this film apart, but you see the numbers. I don't need to waste my time. Don't waste yours either. Stay away from Monsters. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Acting: 8
Very strong performances from the two stars of the film. The acting was far from the problem here. It was everything else. Whitney Able plays Sam Wynden, the woman Andrew was hired to rescue. Her display of emotions are well-ranged and believable. You can feel her dismay, her fear as she moves from one scene to the next. Truly a talent that I enjoyed watching work in her craft.
Beginning: 10
Characters: 1
Cinematography/Visuals: 3
Conflict: 3
Genre: 0
Memorability: 2
Pace: 1
Plot: 7
Resolution: 5
Overall: 40
Nothing eventful really happens for the majority of the film. Like nothing. Not even exaggerating. I could rip this film apart, but you see the numbers. I don't need to waste my time. Don't waste yours either. Stay away from Monsters. Don't say I didn't warn you.