Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies

Feb 25, 2018  
Batman (1989)
Batman (1989)
1989 | Action
Tim Burton's landmark superhero adaptation was an unavoidable media juggernaut on original release; has stood the test of time pretty well. Bruce Wayne begins his battle against crime as Batman, inadvertently creates psycho crime-lord the Joker; the two of them both take a shine to reporter Vicki Vale.


Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
  
40x40

Sarah (7798 KP) rated Red Sparrow in Books

Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)  
Red Sparrow
Red Sparrow
Jason Matthews | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting slow burner
When I first started this book, I was unsure what to make of it as the writing style seemed a little odd. However I soon got into it and it's actually a very interesting read. It's definitely a slow burner, there isn't a massive amount of action and it takes it's time getting to the conclusion, but this isn't a bad thing.

The main characters are well developed, although I'm not sure how you're meant to feel towards them. I can't say I warmed to Dominika, but maybe that's the point? The plot itself is interesting and although there aren't any massive surprises, it's good enough to keep you reading regardless. My only criticism would be the ending, as it felt a little disappointing. It is probably a more realistic ending than what id hoped for, but sometimes fantasy is a good thing, especially in such a serious and dark novel.
  
The Winter King
The Winter King
Bernard Cornwell | 1995 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
9
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Gritty and authentic take on the Arthurian Legends (3 more)
Feels like a true historical tale
Interesting characters
Gripping first part to a trilogy worth getting into
The goriness might not be to everyone's tastes (0 more)
I would definitely recommend this Novel – the first book in the Warlord Trilogy. It retells the mythical story of King Arthur but in such a gritty and credibly realistic way, that it feels like a historical epic.
This story is told from the perspective of Derfel, a young soldier and loyal follower and friend of Arthur. There are many intriguing and complex characters that are woven into the tale. The battles are quite grisly, and things can be quite brutal at times, but I guess it would have been living and fighting through the dark ages.
As a Lord of the Rings fan, this is my next favourite ‘fantasy’ trilogy. If you liked ‘The Vikings’ or ‘The Last Kingdoms’ series on TV, I would highly recommend that you give this trilogy a read.
  
Twin Peaks - Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Twin Peaks - Fire Walk with Me (1992)
1992 | Drama, Mystery, Documentary
8.6 (5 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I’m always fascinated by what girls do with their trauma. Laura Palmer is a girl who is caught up in some bad shit and is a victim of sexual abuse. She understands, in some way because of her trauma, that she can never be this clean, perfect girl that everyone thinks she is, and instead of succumbing to self-hatred internally, she externalizes it and seizes control of her narrative as a bad girl, as a dirty girl, always choosing her path to destruction and chaos, which I find perverse but also can’t tear my eyes away from. The way Lynch bridges fantasy and reality and uses supernatural forces to symbolize trauma feels like a more accurate representation of the chaos that trauma wreaks in somebody’s mind and body than a cold, hard naturalistic portrayal. I love that he was able to circumvent TV censorship and really show what was going on in the dark."

Source