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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Living Daylights (1987) in Movies
Sep 22, 2020
Fifteenth Bond movie is obviously trying to toughen the franchise up a bit after the knockabout fun of the last couple of Roger Moore films: Dalton's 007 is a hardened assassin who is repeatedly despatched on missions to execute people. Nevertheless, the producers hedge their bets by still including a few sight gags and comedy bits here and there. The plot is one of the franchise's knottiest, which isn't necessarily a bonus: possibly as a result of this, it's quite hard to work out who the evil mastermind is - Joe Don Baker gets the big confrontation and death scene, but Jeroen Krabbe has a lot more screen time.
Still, all the globetrotting, fights and chases and so on you would expect from a Bond film in the classic style, and Dalton brings enough of the literary Bond to the screen to make this satisfying for people who like the franchise in slightly grittier mode. Has a certain value as a historical oddity, given it concludes with Bond teaming up with (essentially) the Taliban to attack an airbase in Afghanistan. Dalton arguably never got a proper crack of the whip as Bond; in this film he shows enough promise to make that a real cause for regret.
Still, all the globetrotting, fights and chases and so on you would expect from a Bond film in the classic style, and Dalton brings enough of the literary Bond to the screen to make this satisfying for people who like the franchise in slightly grittier mode. Has a certain value as a historical oddity, given it concludes with Bond teaming up with (essentially) the Taliban to attack an airbase in Afghanistan. Dalton arguably never got a proper crack of the whip as Bond; in this film he shows enough promise to make that a real cause for regret.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Reaping (2007) in Movies
Sep 21, 2020
You'd think a movie about Hilary Swank and Idris Elba fighting the ten biblical plagues would have been somewhat more exciting, no? Can't think of many other ways they could have made this less thrilling or scary (one of those lazy farts that actively tries to make its jumpscares predictable) - but points for God-tier southern bible-belt madman David Morrissey and frightening wounded animal-esque AnnaSophia Robb, neither of whom are used nearly enough. Might possibly be one of the most tame R-ratings in cinema history, purposefully skipping out on the gore and ick like it's trying desperately to hold onto the PG-13 rating it doesn't have. Has a couple nice-looking shots, and (finally) starts getting quite creepy + fun in the back end but it still looks like shit. Seriously, I hope that when the plagues do start hitting planet Earth they at least aren't this contrived and badly-rendered. I'm also convinced that this script was still on the first draft when this empty drag was made because not only is it full of holes but none of the numerous last-minute twists were climactic and just seemed to rush themselves right out the door. Not even that awful just... not really of any value.
Kristina (502 KP) rated Behind Closed Doors in Books
Dec 7, 2020
It was a little difficult to get past the "proper" tone of voice, but I've noticed that books with *English?British* spelling - such as favourite and realise, instead of favorite and realize - all have that certain way of writing. This isn't the fault of the author, so much as me being used to a more informal perspective when it comes to books. Despite this, I really, truly enjoyed Behind Closed Doors. I started it around 10 o'clock at night, wanting to read something to pass a couple of hours away without getting too interested, and found myself reading until it was finished. It was a quick read, not too short, but also not as long as other novels. Not necessarily fast paced, the story kept up a steady stream of surprises. I found myself intrigued and desperate to know how Grace would escape Jack, while saving Millie in the process. Granted, I was able to predict most of what would happen by the last 3-4 chapters, I was still very interested in seeing exactly how everything would play out. Behind Closed Doors wasn't dark and mysterious, but it had me figuratively biting my nails in curiosity over what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed my first B A Paris experience.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Nun (2018) in Movies
Oct 26, 2020
Have the exact same problems with this as I do with 𝘈𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦 but cranked up to 11. A lot of overloud, vexatious noise plastered crudely with bargain bin visuals and lifeless acting with nothing going on underneath it. I think this movie maybe has less than seven seconds total of half-decent material cumulatively, one of the very worst things ever created for the screen. At a mere 96 minutes it felt like I was growing cobwebs in my seat from the ungodly slow de-spinning of this piece of shit's collective nothingness. Some have found inspiration in its Italian horror vibe but not only do I think it looks terrible and feels more like rip-off than homage, but is the bar really so low that this bland, unmistakably modern (in the worst ways) visual dogshit passes off as nostalgic? Easily the worst entry (so far) in a franchise that has no business being a franchise with really only one notably good movie under its belt. The only pseudo-memorable thing about this is when I saw it in the theater and the old couple in front of me were complaining the entire time because they thought it was going to be a Christian movie.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated This Is Crazy (This is, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
DNF @ 41%
I picked this up after finishing the authors Hollywood Prince book a few months ago.
This starts with Zara at home getting a surprise visit from her boyfriend, only it's not a good surprise - he's come to dump her. A couple of weeks later, he's engaged to someone else and Zara decides to tweet his favourite hockey player and ask him to crash her ex's wedding with her. Surprising, he replies almost straight away, agreeing to do it.
I struggled to get into this from the start. I don't know if it was the influx of female characters near the beginning when i was struggling to figure out who was who and how everything related or something else but I wasn't feeling it at all.
I did like Evan's one track mind in his pursuit of Zara: flowers, cupcakes, other treats and calling her "Sweet Zara" all the time. Flying across the country to visit her, FaceTiming her whenever he could. It was very full on, equally stalker-like and sweet at the same time... But it wasn't enough for me to keep going with this.
I don't think I'll be picking up another book by this author for a while.
I picked this up after finishing the authors Hollywood Prince book a few months ago.
This starts with Zara at home getting a surprise visit from her boyfriend, only it's not a good surprise - he's come to dump her. A couple of weeks later, he's engaged to someone else and Zara decides to tweet his favourite hockey player and ask him to crash her ex's wedding with her. Surprising, he replies almost straight away, agreeing to do it.
I struggled to get into this from the start. I don't know if it was the influx of female characters near the beginning when i was struggling to figure out who was who and how everything related or something else but I wasn't feeling it at all.
I did like Evan's one track mind in his pursuit of Zara: flowers, cupcakes, other treats and calling her "Sweet Zara" all the time. Flying across the country to visit her, FaceTiming her whenever he could. It was very full on, equally stalker-like and sweet at the same time... But it wasn't enough for me to keep going with this.
I don't think I'll be picking up another book by this author for a while.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Touch of Regret (The Collectors #1) in Books
Dec 15, 2020
207
Kindle
Touch of Regret ( The Collectors book 1)
By Autumn Reed
Review will be posted in comments via Smashbomb once read
The day I truly started to live, I sentenced him to die.
At 24, I'd resigned myself to a simple life following in my mother's footsteps. I would manage the antique shop she left me and marry a kind, stable man. Most importantly, I would never tell a soul about my psychic abilities.
But with a single, intentional touch and a vision of the past, I set events in motion that expose my secret. I'm part of a world I never knew existed, and my new allies are dismantling my carefully constructed walls.
Except, those walls had a purpose - they kept me hidden.
Now, my abilities make me a target. And my mere existence is endangering everyone I care about.
My name is Adele Rose, and I know nothing but regret.
Well I wasn’t expecting that! The first couple weeks f chapters seem very run of the mill romance but once it gets going it’s a very intriguing well written story. The characters are strong and you’re left asking more and more questions. The story is interesting and leaves you wanting to keep reading. Highly recommended!! Even with a cliffhanger!
Kindle
Touch of Regret ( The Collectors book 1)
By Autumn Reed
Review will be posted in comments via Smashbomb once read
The day I truly started to live, I sentenced him to die.
At 24, I'd resigned myself to a simple life following in my mother's footsteps. I would manage the antique shop she left me and marry a kind, stable man. Most importantly, I would never tell a soul about my psychic abilities.
But with a single, intentional touch and a vision of the past, I set events in motion that expose my secret. I'm part of a world I never knew existed, and my new allies are dismantling my carefully constructed walls.
Except, those walls had a purpose - they kept me hidden.
Now, my abilities make me a target. And my mere existence is endangering everyone I care about.
My name is Adele Rose, and I know nothing but regret.
Well I wasn’t expecting that! The first couple weeks f chapters seem very run of the mill romance but once it gets going it’s a very intriguing well written story. The characters are strong and you’re left asking more and more questions. The story is interesting and leaves you wanting to keep reading. Highly recommended!! Even with a cliffhanger!
Darren Fisher (2447 KP) rated Shark's Paradise (1986) in Movies
Dec 12, 2020 (Updated Dec 12, 2020)
"Get your damn hands off me or I'll give you a social disease you wouldn't believe...!"
This is a pretty crazy Australian made for TV film. Throw in every film cliché you can mention, some extremely bad 80's fashion, hilariously bad dialogue, speed boats, car chases and you get the Aussie equivalent of Miami Vice with sharks... well almost. It's great fun and there's never a dull moment. Don't expect much shark action though. Apart from a couple of brief scenes at the beginning and the end the sharks are barely in it. Not that it really matters. The idea that a mad genius(?) is holding a city to ransom with the threat of sending 100's of sharks to their coastlines to decimate the public is fun but the loop hole is massive (erm... just stay out the bloody water!). When our leading lady is hanging off the feet of a helicopter it is so glaringly obvious it's a stunt double (twice the size of the actress and more 'blokey' looking). I laughed my ass off all the way through. An added bonus is the soundtrack, featuring the likes of Split Enz, INXS and The Hoodoo Gurus and The Church among others. Trashy fun. Neat!
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Skyscraper (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
A lot of people in the last couple of days had been saying "it's The Rock's Die Hard!" and I just went, meh, sure it is... but it is. The only thing it's missing is Christmas... and a vest top that adjusts to it's surroundings.
This one does what it says on the tin, it's a genuinely enjoyable watch. Despite the fact you know bits from the trailer and you know what's going to happen because, well, that's what these movies do, you are still on the edge of your seat with the action. Some laughs as well as the action made for a very fun watch.
Much like Rampage, I will be seeing this one when I need to get out of doing housework (and now the heat) and I'm out of new films to see.
On the Die Hard note... yep... some bits are carbon copies of it, but the villain will never live up to Hans Gruber. He was nowhere near as entertaining and his accent was way too believable.
A hat trick for Dwayne Johnson here: Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle, Rampage and now Skyscraper. He's involved in some very entertaining films these days and I can't wait for the next one.
This one does what it says on the tin, it's a genuinely enjoyable watch. Despite the fact you know bits from the trailer and you know what's going to happen because, well, that's what these movies do, you are still on the edge of your seat with the action. Some laughs as well as the action made for a very fun watch.
Much like Rampage, I will be seeing this one when I need to get out of doing housework (and now the heat) and I'm out of new films to see.
On the Die Hard note... yep... some bits are carbon copies of it, but the villain will never live up to Hans Gruber. He was nowhere near as entertaining and his accent was way too believable.
A hat trick for Dwayne Johnson here: Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle, Rampage and now Skyscraper. He's involved in some very entertaining films these days and I can't wait for the next one.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Oh No! - Single by EMAN8 in Music
Jul 10, 2019
EMAN8 (Brandyn Burnette) is an LA-based artist from Saint Louis, MO. Not too long ago, he released a groovy urban pop tune, entitled, “Oh No!”.
“Baby, you so sick you make me nausea. Please forgive me I’m just being cautious. I know that you got a couple of options. Lately, you’ve been checking all my boxers. All my homies told me not to fall for it. Put me on the court and I’ma ball for it. I just need to know if you are all in. I know that you’re drunk that’s why you’re calling.” – lyrics
‘Oh No!’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who has high hopes for a problematic relationship which he shares with his significant other.
Apparently, he can’t believe what she tells him and can’t decipher if it’s a nightmare or dream that he has fallen deeply into.
Later, he admits that this was everything he ever wanted, but every day feels like it’s haunted.
‘Oh No!’ contains a cautionary storyline, harmonious vocals, and groovy instrumentation flavored with urban R&B and hip-hop elements.
EMAN8 hopes to emanate the true authentic vibration of his experiences, soundscapes, and songwriting.
His name comes from his Jamaican middle name “Emanate”, which means to come forth.
“Baby, you so sick you make me nausea. Please forgive me I’m just being cautious. I know that you got a couple of options. Lately, you’ve been checking all my boxers. All my homies told me not to fall for it. Put me on the court and I’ma ball for it. I just need to know if you are all in. I know that you’re drunk that’s why you’re calling.” – lyrics
‘Oh No!’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who has high hopes for a problematic relationship which he shares with his significant other.
Apparently, he can’t believe what she tells him and can’t decipher if it’s a nightmare or dream that he has fallen deeply into.
Later, he admits that this was everything he ever wanted, but every day feels like it’s haunted.
‘Oh No!’ contains a cautionary storyline, harmonious vocals, and groovy instrumentation flavored with urban R&B and hip-hop elements.
EMAN8 hopes to emanate the true authentic vibration of his experiences, soundscapes, and songwriting.
His name comes from his Jamaican middle name “Emanate”, which means to come forth.
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Forged Redemption (Tribal Spirits #5) in Books
Oct 1, 2019
Forged Redemption is the fifth and final book in the Tribal Spirits series, and we finally get Drew's story. Drew and Ally were a couple way back when, before they even really knew about mates. As such, they were together, they broke up, rinse and repeat. These two somehow find the time to sew their relationship back together, through distrust and mortal peril! As well as that, the ultimate battle is drawing to a close, and no one knows who will live to see the outcome.
As with all of Katherine McIntyre books, this was an absolute winner! The writing is tight with no unnecessary parts. Everything is there for a reason! The relationship between Ally and Drew is sensitively written considering their pasts. There are steamy moments that add to the story, definitely not distracting from the arc storyline.
I am sad to see this series come to an end, but at the same time, I am excited to see what Ms. McIntyre will bring next. I highly recommend both this finale and the whole series!
* 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!
As with all of Katherine McIntyre books, this was an absolute winner! The writing is tight with no unnecessary parts. Everything is there for a reason! The relationship between Ally and Drew is sensitively written considering their pasts. There are steamy moments that add to the story, definitely not distracting from the arc storyline.
I am sad to see this series come to an end, but at the same time, I am excited to see what Ms. McIntyre will bring next. I highly recommend both this finale and the whole series!
* 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!