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Lee (2222 KP) rated Instant Family (2019) in Movies
Jan 24, 2019 (Updated Jan 24, 2019)
A very funny, heartwarming drama about adoption
On paper, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Instant Family is going to be just like so many other movies you've seen over the years. A couple without children of their own decides to adopt and end up with three troubled siblings of varying ages. And when you read that it's from director/co-writer Sean Anders, along with Mark Wahlberg, who worked together on both of the 'Daddy's Home' movies, you'll think you've got a pretty good idea of the tone and direction this movie is going to follow. Luckily though, while there are some genuinely very funny moments in this movie, it also manages to successfully blend it with some serious human drama and emotion and a fantastic set of characters.
Instant Family is based on the real life experience of the director Sean Anders and the adoption process he went through with his wife. In the movie, the couple are called Pete and Ellie (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne), who earn their living by flipping houses (buy, renovate, sell). After Ellie has an argument with her sister regarding kids, they begin thinking about having children of their own. Worried about their age, they begin looking into fostering, with a view to eventually adopting an older child.
They visit an adoption agency, where they are joined by a number of other couples and single parents all looking to find out more and begin their journey to becoming parents. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro are social workers, there to guide them all through the process. A very funny double act, providing a lot of the movies hilariously well timed lines. In fact, all of the other potential adopters are well written and funny, continuing to crop up throughout the movie as we revisit how everyone is getting on with their fostered children. None of this is zany, particularly goofy or over the top though - it's made very clear that many of the children in the foster system have had a pretty awful life so far, and this honest piece of reality is never downplayed.
At a meet-and-greet with potential adoptive children, organised as an outdoor event in a park, Pete and Ellie are drawn to Lizzie (Isabela Moner), a fiery teenage girl who is hanging out with the other older kids - separated from the main gathering, having resigned themselves to the notion that they're never going to get chosen by the prospective parents. When the couple mark her down as a potential for fostering, they learn that she actually comes as part of a package, having a younger brother Juan and even younger sister Lita. Pete and Ellie decide to go for it and foster all three, convinced they can make a difference in these kids lives.
There follows a period of new parents being thrown in at the deep end - the stressful night time routine, the problems with getting kids to eat and dress properly, problems at school etc. But again, it's not over the top - rooted in reality and successfully managing to walk the line between comedy and drama without resorting to exaggerated comedy set pieces. The problems experienced are made all the more challenging as the couple trying to care for and raise children who haven't had a great start in life, and have been used to a very particular way of living. Made even more difficult when the children's birth mother appears on the scene later in the movie.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. There are more laugh out loud moments than any movie I've seen in recent years that bills itself as a comedy, but at the same time it's also a really heartwarming feel-good drama. So many enjoyable characters too, and with a sharp script that brings out the best in them all. Hugely enjoyable.
Instant Family is based on the real life experience of the director Sean Anders and the adoption process he went through with his wife. In the movie, the couple are called Pete and Ellie (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne), who earn their living by flipping houses (buy, renovate, sell). After Ellie has an argument with her sister regarding kids, they begin thinking about having children of their own. Worried about their age, they begin looking into fostering, with a view to eventually adopting an older child.
They visit an adoption agency, where they are joined by a number of other couples and single parents all looking to find out more and begin their journey to becoming parents. Octavia Spencer and Tig Notaro are social workers, there to guide them all through the process. A very funny double act, providing a lot of the movies hilariously well timed lines. In fact, all of the other potential adopters are well written and funny, continuing to crop up throughout the movie as we revisit how everyone is getting on with their fostered children. None of this is zany, particularly goofy or over the top though - it's made very clear that many of the children in the foster system have had a pretty awful life so far, and this honest piece of reality is never downplayed.
At a meet-and-greet with potential adoptive children, organised as an outdoor event in a park, Pete and Ellie are drawn to Lizzie (Isabela Moner), a fiery teenage girl who is hanging out with the other older kids - separated from the main gathering, having resigned themselves to the notion that they're never going to get chosen by the prospective parents. When the couple mark her down as a potential for fostering, they learn that she actually comes as part of a package, having a younger brother Juan and even younger sister Lita. Pete and Ellie decide to go for it and foster all three, convinced they can make a difference in these kids lives.
There follows a period of new parents being thrown in at the deep end - the stressful night time routine, the problems with getting kids to eat and dress properly, problems at school etc. But again, it's not over the top - rooted in reality and successfully managing to walk the line between comedy and drama without resorting to exaggerated comedy set pieces. The problems experienced are made all the more challenging as the couple trying to care for and raise children who haven't had a great start in life, and have been used to a very particular way of living. Made even more difficult when the children's birth mother appears on the scene later in the movie.
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did. There are more laugh out loud moments than any movie I've seen in recent years that bills itself as a comedy, but at the same time it's also a really heartwarming feel-good drama. So many enjoyable characters too, and with a sharp script that brings out the best in them all. Hugely enjoyable.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated A United Kingdom (2017) in Movies
Oct 1, 2017
One of the greatest love stories in the past century
Rarely can you make a claim that a true relationship is the greatest love story in the past century until you hear about Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth.
As an African chieftain of Bechuanaland, now Botswana, Khama was studying law in the UK before meeting Ruth, a secretary and daughter to a British Army captain. Even after the Second World War interracial couples faced much prejudice, but none so much as a king of a British protectorate and an ordinary white woman.
Facing many trials and tribulations, even exile from his own country thanks to the British relationship with the then apartheid nation of South Africa, the couple attempt to endure endless hardships to be the rightful rulers of Botswana.
It's always magnificent when you hear these stories are based on real life events. The Notebook has nothing on this.
As an African chieftain of Bechuanaland, now Botswana, Khama was studying law in the UK before meeting Ruth, a secretary and daughter to a British Army captain. Even after the Second World War interracial couples faced much prejudice, but none so much as a king of a British protectorate and an ordinary white woman.
Facing many trials and tribulations, even exile from his own country thanks to the British relationship with the then apartheid nation of South Africa, the couple attempt to endure endless hardships to be the rightful rulers of Botswana.
It's always magnificent when you hear these stories are based on real life events. The Notebook has nothing on this.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Athletico Mince in Podcasts
Jan 9, 2018
On the surface this is a football podcast. I wouldn't normally listen to those but the allure of Bob Mortimer was too much to resist.
The first couple of episodes are very football focused (pun intended) and just need to be endured. They are very much finding their feet and settling into a pattern.
After that we are off into the realms of Bob's imagination as his features ("wife's questions", "Gangs of the EPL", "Scottish tales" etc etc) emerge into the world. All of these features show the kind of quirky comedy that Reeves and Mortimer are known for, but for once it is clear how much of this Bob contributes.
The features are all hilarious or at the very least entertaining and the result of two football fans talking a bit about football but generally just larking about.
Possibly my favourite podcast.
The first couple of episodes are very football focused (pun intended) and just need to be endured. They are very much finding their feet and settling into a pattern.
After that we are off into the realms of Bob's imagination as his features ("wife's questions", "Gangs of the EPL", "Scottish tales" etc etc) emerge into the world. All of these features show the kind of quirky comedy that Reeves and Mortimer are known for, but for once it is clear how much of this Bob contributes.
The features are all hilarious or at the very least entertaining and the result of two football fans talking a bit about football but generally just larking about.
Possibly my favourite podcast.
Ameeka (131 KP) rated Power Rangers (2017) in Movies
Jul 7, 2017
Casting was great (1 more)
Cameo at the end
Slow to suit up (3 more)
More effort put into action sequences than on the storyline
Character introductions felt a little forced
As the movie progressed, it felt more generic
Promising origin movie
A nice modern take on the cheesy 90s series that fleshes out its characters with unique traits and different stories. May resemble The Breakfast Club more in that sense, but doesn't abandon the source material with the action and lore. Saban's Power Rangers offers enough action and fun to compensate for its semi-cheesy concept. The character buildup does its job for most of the characters, and the first couple of acts of this picture takes its time morphing into shape. The finale is where all the fun happens; however it speeds up too quickly for its own good. Some characters like Elizabeth Banks' suffered from from a sufficient lack of character development.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Boom Beach in Apps
Apr 24, 2018
Good graphics (1 more)
Good mix of characters and bases to beat
Great mobile game.... Until you hit the top level
This has been a regular game on my phone for over a year. To start with it's great fun building your base, levelling up your defences and warriors. There are daily bases to attack as well as other players bases. You can join a task force to attack huge bases that take numerous attacks.
The down side once your troops and base are max level there is little to do. There isn't enough variety in the daily missions. The task force bases are very limited as there are only a couple you'll likely be able to beat with everyone attacking. Other bases are too easy.
I would give it a 9 to start but a 6 at the top level, so about 7.5 is fair.
The down side once your troops and base are max level there is little to do. There isn't enough variety in the daily missions. The task force bases are very limited as there are only a couple you'll likely be able to beat with everyone attacking. Other bases are too easy.
I would give it a 9 to start but a 6 at the top level, so about 7.5 is fair.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Alternative 3 in TV
May 4, 2019 (Updated May 4, 2019)
One of the great TV hoaxes, from back when such things were still considered an acceptable jape. Made, for the most part, with great care and attention to detail, the result is very convincing and unsettling viewing - although the presence of fairly well-known actors in a couple of roles does kind of blow the gaffe a bit, long before the end.
Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.
Some people will argue that claims that this is a hoax are just a smokescreen and the makers either stumbled onto the truth or were trying to blow the whistle on a real conspiracy, which is why this show vanished into obscurity for a long while after its transmission. I really don't know, but parts of the story here do seem eerily close to reality, 40 years on, and the questions Alternative 3 raises about how much to trust the media are still pertinent today.
Suspenseful (3 more)
Creepy Factor
The Twist
Soundtrack
Some scenes were a bit slow to begin with (1 more)
Unanswered Questions
On the edge of my seat, another fantastic horror from Jordan Peele!
Finally got around to watching this. After watching "Get Out" I saw this was another horror film from the director Jordan Peele. After watching the trailer I wanted to get it watched straight away but never got around to it.
I'm glad I've finally got it watched. I was on the edge of my seat once the main story began with the gore and the suspense. It wasn't what I expected at all but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed "Get Out" as it has a similar feel with a different story.
It had twists and turns throughout keeping the story flowing but there were a couple of questions that were left unanswered.
I'm glad I've finally got it watched. I was on the edge of my seat once the main story began with the gore and the suspense. It wasn't what I expected at all but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed "Get Out" as it has a similar feel with a different story.
It had twists and turns throughout keeping the story flowing but there were a couple of questions that were left unanswered.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Bad Romance in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Well rounded and in-depth, Bad Romance feels like a true novel and not just an excuse to write a stepbrother romance. That is a trope that can go wrong very quickly but that author managed to juggle it well along with the rest of the novels drama.
It is easy to get caught up in the passion and emotions of Bad Romance. I found myself burning with rage at the useless parents, especially since they felt realistic. At first, the lead couples personalities annoyed me, but it was rewarding to watch their story unfold.
If you are looking for a romance filled with passion, both in and out of the bedroom, Bad Romance is definitely for you. If the stepbrother trope puts you off, dont be. Their parents were barely married before he left so there was no creepy of gross factor attached.
It is easy to get caught up in the passion and emotions of Bad Romance. I found myself burning with rage at the useless parents, especially since they felt realistic. At first, the lead couples personalities annoyed me, but it was rewarding to watch their story unfold.
If you are looking for a romance filled with passion, both in and out of the bedroom, Bad Romance is definitely for you. If the stepbrother trope puts you off, dont be. Their parents were barely married before he left so there was no creepy of gross factor attached.
Sapphire Jane Sawkins (3 KP) rated The Cows in Books
Jan 28, 2018
This isn't my usual genre of book but something about the cover intrigued me. Since starting it, I have struggled to put it down, I immediately felt a connection with the three main characters and wanted to know more.
There was a couple of minor moments in which I felt another proof read would have done it justice in order to iron out a few mistakes. Near the end of the book, something happened out of the blue, I completely didn't expect it. However finding out about it was very abrupt and almost felt like the chapter should have ended with me questioning what the result was. (Sorry, trying not to put any spoilers in.)
Overall it was an easy, funny read, that tackled some serious issues in a light hearted way. It has certainly inspired me to get up and get what I want from life!
There was a couple of minor moments in which I felt another proof read would have done it justice in order to iron out a few mistakes. Near the end of the book, something happened out of the blue, I completely didn't expect it. However finding out about it was very abrupt and almost felt like the chapter should have ended with me questioning what the result was. (Sorry, trying not to put any spoilers in.)
Overall it was an easy, funny read, that tackled some serious issues in a light hearted way. It has certainly inspired me to get up and get what I want from life!
Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) rated Zombicide: Black Plague in Tabletop Games
Mar 8, 2018
On the Table: ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Board Game Review
The fourth standalone board game in CoolMiniOrNot and Guillotine Games’ hit zombie killin’ franchise is finally here! This time, things get more than a little medieval in what may very well be the best ‘Zombicide’ adventure yet.
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/
I’ve heard good things about ‘Zombicide’ for a few years now, but since I had already owned a couple of other zombie-themed board games, I didn’t really feel the need to add one more to my collection. But when I saw the ‘Zombicide: Black Plague’ Kickstarter campaign launch last summer, I just couldn’t stop myself from jumping in and making a pledge. I’m glad I did because this is a fun and tension filled game that really captures the essence of a zombipocalypse.
Reviewer: Tom Landy
Read the full review here: https://www.highdefdigest.com/blog/zombicide-black-plague-board-game-review/