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David McK (3623 KP) rated The Rocketeer (1991) in Movies
Sep 21, 2020
I remember having an old game, back in the day (late 80s) in the Amiga: Rocket Ranger.
The reason I mention that?
Because it very well could have acted as inspiration for this 1991 film.
(edit: I've just discovered it's actually based on a lesser known graphic novel of the same name! Presumably so is Rocket Ranger ...)
Released in the wake of Batman, and a good couple of decades before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this stars a post-Bond Timothy Dalton on villain duty, with Bill Campbell taking on the role of Cliff Secord (who becomes The Rocketeer) and Jennifer Connolly as his love interest.
Set in 1938, this - apparently, like the comics - takes inspiration from the pulp serials of old, with director Joe Johnston bringing the same verisimilitude to the setting as he would his (much) later "Captain America: The First Avenger". Unfortunately, the film is a bit too po-faced for its own good - missing the wryness of, say, an Indiana Jones - an suffered somewhat from an unfortunate release window, sandwiched right between "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".
The reason I mention that?
Because it very well could have acted as inspiration for this 1991 film.
(edit: I've just discovered it's actually based on a lesser known graphic novel of the same name! Presumably so is Rocket Ranger ...)
Released in the wake of Batman, and a good couple of decades before the birth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this stars a post-Bond Timothy Dalton on villain duty, with Bill Campbell taking on the role of Cliff Secord (who becomes The Rocketeer) and Jennifer Connolly as his love interest.
Set in 1938, this - apparently, like the comics - takes inspiration from the pulp serials of old, with director Joe Johnston bringing the same verisimilitude to the setting as he would his (much) later "Captain America: The First Avenger". Unfortunately, the film is a bit too po-faced for its own good - missing the wryness of, say, an Indiana Jones - an suffered somewhat from an unfortunate release window, sandwiched right between "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day".
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Galaxy of Terror (1981) in Movies
Oct 20, 2020
Listen, I enjoy a trashy Roger Corman horror effort as much as the next person, but Galaxy of Terror is a chore to get through.
These films are known for being cheap, but they usually have a sort of charm to them, that I just found lacking here. The main issue is that it's not very cohesive. Various aspects of the narrative are so unexplained and seemingly random, that it's ultimately super boring, and very easy to zone out. I mean, I watched it earlier today and I've already forgotten how it ended...
Even the usually reliable gore is mostly rubbish, with the exception of a couple of half decent practical effects.
The only aspects that I found positive was seeing Sid Haig, Robert Englund, and Grace Zabriskie in early roles and some of the synth music is fun but other than that, it's straight up bollocks.
A lot of films tried to ride the coat tails of Alien following it's release and Galaxy of Terror does nothing more than remind you that you could be watching that instead.
Final note - definitely in the running for Most Misleading Movie Poster Ever.
These films are known for being cheap, but they usually have a sort of charm to them, that I just found lacking here. The main issue is that it's not very cohesive. Various aspects of the narrative are so unexplained and seemingly random, that it's ultimately super boring, and very easy to zone out. I mean, I watched it earlier today and I've already forgotten how it ended...
Even the usually reliable gore is mostly rubbish, with the exception of a couple of half decent practical effects.
The only aspects that I found positive was seeing Sid Haig, Robert Englund, and Grace Zabriskie in early roles and some of the synth music is fun but other than that, it's straight up bollocks.
A lot of films tried to ride the coat tails of Alien following it's release and Galaxy of Terror does nothing more than remind you that you could be watching that instead.
Final note - definitely in the running for Most Misleading Movie Poster Ever.
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Irreplaceable You (2018) in Movies
Dec 18, 2020
Most films about cancer end with the patient dying, but this one starts with her already passed. We are then thrown into how Abigail and Sam first met, right back from the first time Abigail bit Sam as a child.
One day when Abigail goes to the Dr's thinking she is pregnant, she learns she is not pregnant but has stage 4 cancer. Even though it's mentioned at the start, you still feel so sad for her as the couple are so young and happy.
After going to a cancer support group, Abi worries that Sam will go through 'a slut phase' after she's gone, so she sets about trying to find him a new girlfriend.
I thought the movie was mediocre at best. There was a few scenes with over the top humour which ruined the feel of the movie for me. For example the scenes with the Dr at the hospital and the support group, the awful cheesy humour was not necessary. I did enjoy the scenes with Abi and Myran though, but I felt there was no chemistry between Abi and Sam which was a real shame.
One day when Abigail goes to the Dr's thinking she is pregnant, she learns she is not pregnant but has stage 4 cancer. Even though it's mentioned at the start, you still feel so sad for her as the couple are so young and happy.
After going to a cancer support group, Abi worries that Sam will go through 'a slut phase' after she's gone, so she sets about trying to find him a new girlfriend.
I thought the movie was mediocre at best. There was a few scenes with over the top humour which ruined the feel of the movie for me. For example the scenes with the Dr at the hospital and the support group, the awful cheesy humour was not necessary. I did enjoy the scenes with Abi and Myran though, but I felt there was no chemistry between Abi and Sam which was a real shame.
Merissa (13373 KP) rated The Secrets We Keep in Books
Sep 26, 2019
The Secrets We Keep is a story that deals with the aftermath of suicide, with the addition of a May-to-December couple of main characters. This is NOT a light read. It is somber and full of reflection.
That side of the story is really well written. The emotions that pour off each page with make you stop and think. However, for me, I found it overshadowed the romance side of things. I didn't really feel a connection between our main two. There was no build up to them individually, rather just a carry on from the feelings they were dealing with regarding Lacy. There is an epilogue with them, so you do get something, it just didn't exactly work for me.
The writing, though, is wonderful, and there were no mistakes that disrupted my reading. The story is a great one, and the pacing is smooth. The characters themselves will interest and intrigue you. I have no hesitation in recommending this book!
* 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!
That side of the story is really well written. The emotions that pour off each page with make you stop and think. However, for me, I found it overshadowed the romance side of things. I didn't really feel a connection between our main two. There was no build up to them individually, rather just a carry on from the feelings they were dealing with regarding Lacy. There is an epilogue with them, so you do get something, it just didn't exactly work for me.
The writing, though, is wonderful, and there were no mistakes that disrupted my reading. The story is a great one, and the pacing is smooth. The characters themselves will interest and intrigue you. I have no hesitation in recommending this book!
* 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!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Before Jamaica Lane in Books
Sep 3, 2019
I fell in love with this series several years ago now with the first book in the series On Dublin Street where we met Joss and Braden and their amazing group of friends. I have read this series out of order, having read book 4, Fall from India Place, before this one but it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, although some storylines arc through all the books.
I was really enjoying this up until the 65-70% mark before it all went to hell. Yeah, they have to have something that tears them apart or it would be a boring book, but at the same time it annoys the heck out of me. Things were going so well.
I had tears silently pouring from my eyes for a good ten minutes as I read their falling out and the obvious pain they were both in but I really wanted to smack Nate in the face a few times.
Never the less, they worked things out in the end--obviously!--and end up another great couple in this amazing series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I was really enjoying this up until the 65-70% mark before it all went to hell. Yeah, they have to have something that tears them apart or it would be a boring book, but at the same time it annoys the heck out of me. Things were going so well.
I had tears silently pouring from my eyes for a good ten minutes as I read their falling out and the obvious pain they were both in but I really wanted to smack Nate in the face a few times.
Never the less, they worked things out in the end--obviously!--and end up another great couple in this amazing series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Brave New World in Books
Sep 10, 2019
Interesting idea, but poorly executed
I tried to read this many years ago, and I remember getting a couple of chapters in and giving up, but I couldn't recall why so decided to give it another go.
I can now see why I gave up on this book. The plot itself is a great idea, and similar in a way to the wonderful 1984. However unlike 1984, I found this book to be very poorly executed and i just couldn't get into the writing style at all. I love the idea of a dystopian future, but a lot of the features of this future society feel like they've been named by a child and a lot aren't explained enough to truly comprehend what's going on. The writing style too comes across as very confused and I really struggled with it. The characters are a good idea and flawed, but rather underdeveloped. In fact the whole book feels quite underdeveloped and its only a chapter or so at the end that I truly enjoyed.
I really wish this had been better written, as it's a fantastic idea for a novel.
I can now see why I gave up on this book. The plot itself is a great idea, and similar in a way to the wonderful 1984. However unlike 1984, I found this book to be very poorly executed and i just couldn't get into the writing style at all. I love the idea of a dystopian future, but a lot of the features of this future society feel like they've been named by a child and a lot aren't explained enough to truly comprehend what's going on. The writing style too comes across as very confused and I really struggled with it. The characters are a good idea and flawed, but rather underdeveloped. In fact the whole book feels quite underdeveloped and its only a chapter or so at the end that I truly enjoyed.
I really wish this had been better written, as it's a fantastic idea for a novel.
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Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Man of Steel (2013) in Movies
Aug 18, 2020 (Updated Aug 18, 2020)
Contains spoilers, click to show
I have been a HUGE Supes fan since I was very young. I was sooooo excited when I saw that this movie was being made and I was even more excited to find out that Snyder was in control.
While there are a couple of things that kind of threw me off (I'm talking to you crazy skull scene) I thoroughly enjoyed the film as a whole. I liked that they included some of the story that took place on Krypton and gave some humanity (yes I see the irony of "humanity") to Supes parents and people as a whole. Even Zod, who until now has only been portrayed (though done so with excellence) as a cold, mostly heartless soldier of fortune.
The biggest hiccup for me was the final climax. That's not how Superman does things. Plain and simple, he doesn't kill for any reason. He always finds another way.
I do think that this is a great movie and I have viewed it several times, It made me feel things for characters that until now were completely tertiary or non existent and that alone deserves praise.
While there are a couple of things that kind of threw me off (I'm talking to you crazy skull scene) I thoroughly enjoyed the film as a whole. I liked that they included some of the story that took place on Krypton and gave some humanity (yes I see the irony of "humanity") to Supes parents and people as a whole. Even Zod, who until now has only been portrayed (though done so with excellence) as a cold, mostly heartless soldier of fortune.
The biggest hiccup for me was the final climax. That's not how Superman does things. Plain and simple, he doesn't kill for any reason. He always finds another way.
I do think that this is a great movie and I have viewed it several times, It made me feel things for characters that until now were completely tertiary or non existent and that alone deserves praise.
The Marriage Pact
7.6
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Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock...
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The Romanov Ransom
Clive Cussler and Robin Burcell
8.5
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Treasure-hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo’s search for a Romanov fortune brings them into perilous...
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