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Awix (3310 KP) rated The New Mutants (2020) in Movies

Aug 31, 2020

The New Mutants (2020)

2020 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi

5.5

(25 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Absolutely the last gasp of the original X Men movie franchise essentially gets a dump release, which to be honest it deserves. Five young people with burgeoning mutant powers are confined in a spooky old hospital; they variously squabble and bond while creepy things happen around them.

Interesting idea to do a horror movie using Marvel characters: the problem is that this one isn't very frightening (flat characters and too much bland CGI); the script and performances aren't strong enough to support the introspective tone and inert feel of the movie. Plus, the story is built around a conceit which is very, very easy to guess if you're familiar with these characters. A couple of half-decent performances and the climax (when it most resembles a conventional superhero movie) acquires a certain momentum, but it feels very drab and pointless. Maybe the corporate politics that have kept the film stuck on a shelf for years haven't helped, but I doubt this could ever have been much more impressive.

Kudos

Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Devil You Know in Books

May 23, 2020

The Devil You Know

Emma Kavanagh | 2020 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

I have read a couple of books by Emma Kavanagh - Hidden and The Missing Hours - that I have enjoyed but, unfortunately, not this one quite as much.

Having said that, I found the plot was different and interesting, the twists and turns were great and kept me guessing, wrongly most of the time, and the sense of tension was good. The characters were ok but no one really stood out for me and I felt they were a little unforgettable and I found the descriptive writing style became a tad tedious and I admit to skim-reading some parts. This is what let it down for me in the end - I got a little bored but persevered and so pleased I did because the ending was great.

I may not have enjoyed this book quite as much as I would have liked but it certainly will not put me off reading Emma's books in the future.

Thank you Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest and unbiased review.