Search
Search results
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) in Movies
Mar 18, 2019
Much-mythologised musical spoof of 50s American pop-culture probably isn't quite as transgressive or shocking as everyone thinks it is, or it would really like to be. Newly-engaged couple Brad and Janet end up at the mansion of the peculiar Dr Frank N. Furter where equally strange experiments are in progress, not to mention dance routines.
Very distinctive if nothing else, even if Richard O'Brien's claims that it's a mash-up of Hammer horror and the Carry On films seems a bit spurious on reflection. The plot is, frankly, incoherent, and becomes increasingly peripheral as the film continues - this is basically just a collection of pastiche rock 'n' roll songs belted out with great gusto by a cast who are really going for it. Luckily, most of the songs are really good. I'm not entirely sure why this has become the type specimen of the modern cult movie, but it's entertaining enough to watch.
Very distinctive if nothing else, even if Richard O'Brien's claims that it's a mash-up of Hammer horror and the Carry On films seems a bit spurious on reflection. The plot is, frankly, incoherent, and becomes increasingly peripheral as the film continues - this is basically just a collection of pastiche rock 'n' roll songs belted out with great gusto by a cast who are really going for it. Luckily, most of the songs are really good. I'm not entirely sure why this has become the type specimen of the modern cult movie, but it's entertaining enough to watch.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Shout (1979) in Movies
Apr 15, 2019
Watchable sort-of horror movie, distinguished by a good cast. These days we'd probably call it a post-horror movie, but they didn't have those back in the 1970s (maybe it's a pre-post-horror movie). An innocent couple are terrorised by a stranger who claims to have magical powers, including a deadly shout.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
No-one in The Shout behaves remotely like a real person would, and the title is a bit misleading as the actual Shout itself (while a big moment and fairly well-staged when it comes) doesn't have much to do with the plot. But it does have a very good cast and the various strangenesses of the story can be explained by the fact this is a tall tale being told by the inmate of an insane asylum. Not the great lost British horror film some would have you believe it is, but a curious and distinctive tale.
Merissa (13782 KP) rated What Really Matters in Books
May 7, 2019
What Really Matters by M.A. Innes
What Really Matters is the first book by M.A. Innes I have read, and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! I have read age-play books before, but this one was of a younger 'boy' than I have previously read, much younger. Although it didn't do anything for me, I found the writing to be completely sympathetic to the couple, ensuring the reader wasn't shocked or horrified. Instead, you read how they are both unsure, but through communication and finding out what worked for them, they are able to come up something they are both into.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, this was an unexpected delight that took me out of my comfort zone. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading, this was an unexpected delight that took me out of my comfort zone. Definitely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Awix (3310 KP) rated For Your Eyes Only (1981) in Movies
May 10, 2019
First of the 80s Bonds takes a step back from the camp excesses of the previous couple of entries and tries for a more Connery-esque, down to earth style; the results are impressive if perhaps a little too bland for this to really qualify as a Great Bond Movie.
Roger Moore's search for a missing component of a missile defence system (it's a Maguffin) takes him all around the Med and up into Italy; highlights include various inventive chases and other set pieces - everyone seems to be trying hard to do something original, which is nice. Also includes a scene where Bond rebuffs a hot young blonde who turns up in his bed, possibly the most out-of-character moment in the entire series. The lack of a really memorable villain also counts against it, but this is still possibly the best of the Moore Bonds, and the best of the decade.
Roger Moore's search for a missing component of a missile defence system (it's a Maguffin) takes him all around the Med and up into Italy; highlights include various inventive chases and other set pieces - everyone seems to be trying hard to do something original, which is nice. Also includes a scene where Bond rebuffs a hot young blonde who turns up in his bed, possibly the most out-of-character moment in the entire series. The lack of a really memorable villain also counts against it, but this is still possibly the best of the Moore Bonds, and the best of the decade.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Lion (2016) in Movies
May 14, 2019
Based-on-a-true-story drama transcends the fact it looks rather like a big long advert for Google Earth and becomes something genuinely moving. A five year old child gets on the wrong train one night in India, and finds himself in a strange city hundreds of miles away, unable to speak the local language. After various hair-raising experiences he is adopted by a nice couple from Tasmania. Many years later, and apparently settled in his new life, he finds the urge to find his home still lingers...
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Definitely a film of two halves, with the second one being a bit more internal and short on actual incident - nevertheless, strong performances from the cast keep this very involving and watchable. Covers a lot of the same ground as Slumdog Millionaire, but puts its own spin on it; the climax is honestly rather affecting. Probably won't rock your world but still a well-made movie.
Film and stuff (30 KP) rated Don't Breathe (2016) in Movies
May 15, 2019
Scared the sh*t out of me
Director: Fede Alvarez
Writers: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues
Stars: Stephen Lang, Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette
What's it about?
Alex is a young carer for his father who has resorted to burglary to pay his way. He and his two friends decide to hit the house of a blind man who is sitting on a potential $300k so they can give up crime for good. What they get however is a deadly surprise.
Is it scary?
Gripping, tense and suspenseful. Stephen Lang is on top form.
What were the best bits?
If you ever want to see a man embody a murderous animal then this is for you.The way in which Silence is used to build tension is fantastic. The sense of dread for these helplessly out matched burglars is terrifying. All I'll say is "the pitch black scene"
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's right up there with the best
Writers: Fede Alvarez, Rodo Sayagues
Stars: Stephen Lang, Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette
What's it about?
Alex is a young carer for his father who has resorted to burglary to pay his way. He and his two friends decide to hit the house of a blind man who is sitting on a potential $300k so they can give up crime for good. What they get however is a deadly surprise.
Is it scary?
Gripping, tense and suspenseful. Stephen Lang is on top form.
What were the best bits?
If you ever want to see a man embody a murderous animal then this is for you.The way in which Silence is used to build tension is fantastic. The sense of dread for these helplessly out matched burglars is terrifying. All I'll say is "the pitch black scene"
How does it compare to other horrors?
It's right up there with the best
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated When Dimple Met Rishi in Books
May 23, 2019
I've seen this book get raved about online, but it just didn't sound that exceptional - yet another young adult romance. Contemporary, at that. But I finally read it for the Year of the Asian Challenge, and I am SO. GLAD. I DID.
Rishi Patel stole my heart. Which, as a demisexual, is completely unexpected. But he's just the exact right combination of sweet, romantic, totally geeky, and confident. He is absolutely my favorite character in this book. I like Dimple. But I adore Rishi.
I loved that both Dimple and Rishi tried to help each other achieve their dreams. I wish they'd both been a little more communicative about how they did so, but it was still cute to see them so invested in each other's life goals, as a couple should be!
This is a super cute romance, and it deserves all the rave reviews it got. I definitely need to read the sequel (about Rishi's younger brother) now.
Rishi Patel stole my heart. Which, as a demisexual, is completely unexpected. But he's just the exact right combination of sweet, romantic, totally geeky, and confident. He is absolutely my favorite character in this book. I like Dimple. But I adore Rishi.
I loved that both Dimple and Rishi tried to help each other achieve their dreams. I wish they'd both been a little more communicative about how they did so, but it was still cute to see them so invested in each other's life goals, as a couple should be!
This is a super cute romance, and it deserves all the rave reviews it got. I definitely need to read the sequel (about Rishi's younger brother) now.
Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Samsung Galaxy S8 in Tech
May 28, 2019
So far, the S8 and the S8+ are simply the best phones I have ever had. The screen is beautiful, the operation is quick and accurate, the memory capacity is brilliant, and even the battery life, with fairly rigorous use (at full display setting etc), is pretty decent.
I say pretty decent; just by tweaking it slightly, and having slightly lower screen resolution (only noticable if you watch films) or extends it by a good few hours. By turning full power saving on (and even still having Facebook, WhatApp etc with notifications, and with light use) I have taken it camping on a Friday, and had enough battery to navigate my way home on the Monday.
For someone who wants a tablet, and a phone, go for the S8+ and just get that. They are absolutely brilliant, and although they are now a couple of years old, they are still right at the too of the leagues (in my opinion).
I say pretty decent; just by tweaking it slightly, and having slightly lower screen resolution (only noticable if you watch films) or extends it by a good few hours. By turning full power saving on (and even still having Facebook, WhatApp etc with notifications, and with light use) I have taken it camping on a Friday, and had enough battery to navigate my way home on the Monday.
For someone who wants a tablet, and a phone, go for the S8+ and just get that. They are absolutely brilliant, and although they are now a couple of years old, they are still right at the too of the leagues (in my opinion).
Dean (6927 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Jun 3, 2019
Monster Mash
I didn't see many reviews before seeing this so had an open mind. So long as there was plenty of action I think I would be satisfied. I saw it on Screen X which was good, although only some keys scenes are on the extra screens as well. I used to enjoy the old Godzilla vs films back in the day, so wanted something that captured the spirit of those films.
The biggest problem for me is for a 2 hour film you'd expect tons of action scenes and Godzilla battles. In reality there are only a few. They are very good, but bogged down in between human story content that slows the pace down. It needed to have a couple of more monster fights really. Compared to other recent similar films like Rampage or the Pacific Rim films it didn't add anything new. A decent action film that could have been shorter and better.
The biggest problem for me is for a 2 hour film you'd expect tons of action scenes and Godzilla battles. In reality there are only a few. They are very good, but bogged down in between human story content that slows the pace down. It needed to have a couple of more monster fights really. Compared to other recent similar films like Rampage or the Pacific Rim films it didn't add anything new. A decent action film that could have been shorter and better.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Hairspray (2007) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Quite a bizarre entry on the countdown but stick with me and all will become clear.
In the winter of 2007, I went through a hard break-up and believe it or not, the remake of Hairspray really helped me through it.
It wasn’t all plain sailing however; the DVD was bought by my former lover for us to both watch at some point in the future. Alas that wasn’t meant to be and the box sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks completely unloved as I tried to come to terms with my loneliness.
Eventually I decided to pop the DVD on and was blown away by how well written and beautifully acted the whole film was. From John Travolta’s amazing turn as Edna Turnblad to Michelle Pfeiffer’s villainous Velma Von Tussle, it was the cheerful uplift that I so desperately needed at that time.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/08/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon-2/
In the winter of 2007, I went through a hard break-up and believe it or not, the remake of Hairspray really helped me through it.
It wasn’t all plain sailing however; the DVD was bought by my former lover for us to both watch at some point in the future. Alas that wasn’t meant to be and the box sat on my shelf for a couple of weeks completely unloved as I tried to come to terms with my loneliness.
Eventually I decided to pop the DVD on and was blown away by how well written and beautifully acted the whole film was. From John Travolta’s amazing turn as Edna Turnblad to Michelle Pfeiffer’s villainous Velma Von Tussle, it was the cheerful uplift that I so desperately needed at that time.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/08/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon-2/