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LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) in Movies
Jan 6, 2022
There's a point in TGC where the two main characters are storming an enemy base, stylishly dispatching, blowing up and shooting all manners of henchman, robots, robot dogs, and cowboys with electric whips, all whilst Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright" blasts out in the background, and then the actual Elton John fly-kicks some poor fucker in the face, and everything is so off-the-rails bat-shit that it all clicks into place.
Sadly, it's takes two hours of often fun, but definitely bloated runtime to get there.
It lacks the finesse and hard hitting impact of the first entry and it's memorable set pieces and doesn't feel as tight.
It's still entertaining mind, but the finished product comes across as a little wayward in it's pursuit of non-stop absurdity, and no amount of spy-fingering at Glastonbury Festival can mask that.
Sadly, it's takes two hours of often fun, but definitely bloated runtime to get there.
It lacks the finesse and hard hitting impact of the first entry and it's memorable set pieces and doesn't feel as tight.
It's still entertaining mind, but the finished product comes across as a little wayward in it's pursuit of non-stop absurdity, and no amount of spy-fingering at Glastonbury Festival can mask that.
Steven Sklansky (231 KP) rated Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) in Movies
Oct 5, 2017
The Action (2 more)
The Cast
The Robot Dogs
Crazy, Outrageous and Bloody Good Fun
Walking into the this movie I was expecting great things. I loved the first one and was actively waiting for number 2. Like all sequels unfortunately it did not live up to the first one. I am not saying it was a bad movie, because it was still fantastic, but it just did not have the same pop as the first.
Some of my favorite things about this movie was the action. Spy movies always have a way of make the crazy look very good. The gadgets they use I wish existed in real life because I would like one of each. Or maybe they are real and CIA and MI6 just keep them hidden from the real world. But as for the action the I was done so well. The fight scenes were done so seamlessly. My personal favorite was the fight scenes with the lassos, I know it was all mostly special effects but I was amazing to see it pulled off.
Comedy in the is movie is fantastic, they got the right group of actors together. Julianne Moore played one hell of a bad ass bad guy. I mean eating someone it just insane. But who knows, maybe I would eat people if it were legal. Her robot dogs were the best, I wish I had a set. Unfortunately they had to be charged to be effective. I think this is the first movie I have seen where robots needed to be charged and were not just ready to be used. Fun twist.
All and all, if you loved the first one, see this one. Just don't go in thinking this one will be better, go in thinking this is going to be a fun action movie.
Some of my favorite things about this movie was the action. Spy movies always have a way of make the crazy look very good. The gadgets they use I wish existed in real life because I would like one of each. Or maybe they are real and CIA and MI6 just keep them hidden from the real world. But as for the action the I was done so well. The fight scenes were done so seamlessly. My personal favorite was the fight scenes with the lassos, I know it was all mostly special effects but I was amazing to see it pulled off.
Comedy in the is movie is fantastic, they got the right group of actors together. Julianne Moore played one hell of a bad ass bad guy. I mean eating someone it just insane. But who knows, maybe I would eat people if it were legal. Her robot dogs were the best, I wish I had a set. Unfortunately they had to be charged to be effective. I think this is the first movie I have seen where robots needed to be charged and were not just ready to be used. Fun twist.
All and all, if you loved the first one, see this one. Just don't go in thinking this one will be better, go in thinking this is going to be a fun action movie.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Impractical Jokers in TV
Oct 28, 2019
It's harmless fun (2 more)
It's silly in a serious world
The guys actually seem like really nice guys.
They keep it fresh
So I've played the game snog marry avoid using these guys and I genuinely couldn't avoid any so for fun I have included what I said in the game lol.I've seen every episode atleast 3 times yet I am still so entertained.
Sal - he's the looker, the sassy dude. He gets some hilarious punishments because he just wears his heart on his sleeve.
I would love to be mates with Sal, feel like he'd be fun to date too, but I Couldn't marry him, his quirks would be so annoying long term lol.
Joe - he is just fearless. He will embrace any punishment and rarely refuse. He also seems like a really great dad and husband. He also actively encourages people to rescue dogs instead of buying them and you get to meet his adoreable dogs on the show.
I couldn't say I'd want to marry him as he seems just so in love with his beautiful wife but I'd love a husband like him.
Murr - He takes so much stick bless him but doesn't stop him being so funny. Especially when he annoys Sal. He just seems like someone you'd want in your life, someone that doesn't take things to heart and can laugh at themselves.
I'd want him as a brother, not my type in the slightest but he's so lovely I'd want to help find him someone lol.
Q - Now. Right, Q can be fearless, goofy and hilarious but one thing for me stands out. He has aged WELL. To my knowledge he is the oldest of the group and he kind of used to make me cringe with his long hair and baby face.
Then, he shaved his head and grew a beard, he just became so fit to me lol I'd definitely marry him.
Sal - he's the looker, the sassy dude. He gets some hilarious punishments because he just wears his heart on his sleeve.
I would love to be mates with Sal, feel like he'd be fun to date too, but I Couldn't marry him, his quirks would be so annoying long term lol.
Joe - he is just fearless. He will embrace any punishment and rarely refuse. He also seems like a really great dad and husband. He also actively encourages people to rescue dogs instead of buying them and you get to meet his adoreable dogs on the show.
I couldn't say I'd want to marry him as he seems just so in love with his beautiful wife but I'd love a husband like him.
Murr - He takes so much stick bless him but doesn't stop him being so funny. Especially when he annoys Sal. He just seems like someone you'd want in your life, someone that doesn't take things to heart and can laugh at themselves.
I'd want him as a brother, not my type in the slightest but he's so lovely I'd want to help find him someone lol.
Q - Now. Right, Q can be fearless, goofy and hilarious but one thing for me stands out. He has aged WELL. To my knowledge he is the oldest of the group and he kind of used to make me cringe with his long hair and baby face.
Then, he shaved his head and grew a beard, he just became so fit to me lol I'd definitely marry him.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2103 KP) rated Buried to the Brim in Books
Jan 29, 2020
Brimming with Fun, Doggone It!
Cousins Scarlett and Viv have an unusual new client for their hat shop. Betty Wentworth, Scarlett’s fiancé Harrison’s aunt, is about to enter a dog show with her dog, Freddy, and she is hoping that a top hat will launch him from second place to first place this year. At first Viv, who designs the hats, is reluctant, but soon she is on board, and everyone is delighted with the results. However, the contest weekend gets off to a rocky start during the cocktail party that kicks things off when Betty gets into an argument with Gerry Swendson, the owner of the dog food company that sponsors the show. The next morning, Freddy is the one to find Gerry’s very dead body. With the police looking at Betty, Scarlett begins digging in, trying to figure out who else had motive. It quickly becomes apparent that this dog show is far from cute. But who committed murder?
It’s been a couple of years since the last book in this series came out, and it was wonderful to catch up with these old friends. Some time has passed for them as well, but the relationships were as great as ever. We saw plenty of the supporting characters and I loved every minute of it. The mystery was just as strong, with plenty of suspects and a fantastic ending. I did find one thing near the climax pushed me out of the book and I didn’t remember a few instances of very mild swearing in earlier books, but both are worth noting only in passing. The running gags involving puns were always one of my favorite things in the series, and it is as delightful as ever here. And the dogs! There are some very cute moments with the dogs here. Fans of the series will be delighted to get to revisit these characters.
It’s been a couple of years since the last book in this series came out, and it was wonderful to catch up with these old friends. Some time has passed for them as well, but the relationships were as great as ever. We saw plenty of the supporting characters and I loved every minute of it. The mystery was just as strong, with plenty of suspects and a fantastic ending. I did find one thing near the climax pushed me out of the book and I didn’t remember a few instances of very mild swearing in earlier books, but both are worth noting only in passing. The running gags involving puns were always one of my favorite things in the series, and it is as delightful as ever here. And the dogs! There are some very cute moments with the dogs here. Fans of the series will be delighted to get to revisit these characters.
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Straw Dogs (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Successful actress Amy Sumner (Kate Bosworth) is returning from her big city life to her southern hometown of Blackwater. Along with Amy is her well-educated and wealthy husband, David Sumner (James Marsdon). David quickly finds this vacation is filled with tension, particularly when it comes to Amy’s ex-boyfriend, Charlie (Alexander Skarsgård), who is not ready to be out of her life. So it is up to the weakling Harvard hero to protect his relationship, home, and way of life in a town he doesn’t quite understand.
A remake of the 1971 thriller classic of the same name, “Straw Dogs” has lost a lot of its appeal and logic with time. It still has gory moments and the plot is very similar to the original but many of the base thrills have been lost in the move to a present day setting.
This film asks the viewers to suspend disbelief, ignore a number of unfinished back-stories, and stand behind characters who are not engaging or believable. Details, both big and small miss the mark. James Marsdon is incorrectly suited as the shy bumbling academic. The house is a seeming fortress for no apparent reason. The side stories, interesting detractions from the overly built tension between the two leading males, are left unresolved.
Additionally, the themes are awkward and incomplete. There are literary throwbacks and some blatant social commentary but all of the film’s depth is lost on an audience who has no reason to care. Viewers will be preoccupied wondering what the point of the film is.
Sure, the story is engrossing and it does force self-analysis, but the modern adaptation would have benefitted from serious editorial cuts. Had the film been completed in a quarter of the time it might have actually managed to be thrilling!
Unbalanced, vapid, and pointless as a thriller “Straw Dogs” falls prey to the unnecessary remake trap. For a real psychological thrill it would be better to opt for the original.
A remake of the 1971 thriller classic of the same name, “Straw Dogs” has lost a lot of its appeal and logic with time. It still has gory moments and the plot is very similar to the original but many of the base thrills have been lost in the move to a present day setting.
This film asks the viewers to suspend disbelief, ignore a number of unfinished back-stories, and stand behind characters who are not engaging or believable. Details, both big and small miss the mark. James Marsdon is incorrectly suited as the shy bumbling academic. The house is a seeming fortress for no apparent reason. The side stories, interesting detractions from the overly built tension between the two leading males, are left unresolved.
Additionally, the themes are awkward and incomplete. There are literary throwbacks and some blatant social commentary but all of the film’s depth is lost on an audience who has no reason to care. Viewers will be preoccupied wondering what the point of the film is.
Sure, the story is engrossing and it does force self-analysis, but the modern adaptation would have benefitted from serious editorial cuts. Had the film been completed in a quarter of the time it might have actually managed to be thrilling!
Unbalanced, vapid, and pointless as a thriller “Straw Dogs” falls prey to the unnecessary remake trap. For a real psychological thrill it would be better to opt for the original.
Lenard (726 KP) rated The Call Of The Wild (2020) in Movies
Feb 24, 2020
It Wears Its Heart in the Right Place
I love Jack London's writing. It is so nice to read a story with language that is so straightforward. Caught between the romantic period, when writers used flowery prose and were paid per word, and the stream-of-consciousness movement, where narrators spoke in a manner of events as they were happening right at that moment, London's naturalism was a change of pace for readers.
Buck is the housebroken dog of a San Francisco judge who was indulged as any child of wealth would be in the 1890s. Alaska was harsh environment for man and beast. When money was offered for dogs who could work in Alaska as sled dogs for supplies to mining outposts, Buck is kidnapped. Along the way, Buck begins to learn the lineage of his forebears, the wolves, as he adapts to his new life in the frozen tundra.
The movie itself as adapted in 2020 avoids a lot of the hardships that Buck faces in his new life, but he is given a kindly old sage who looks out for him throughout the movie. It also includes a Snidely Whiplash-like literal gold-digger who comes to Alaska with little knowledge of Alaska or gold prospecting. This character is two-dimensional and portrayed as "evil." Also, the character of Spitz, an Alaskan malamute who leads the sled team and serves as an antagonist for Buck, is given very little screentime.
Last observation, during the film, as Harrison Ford lay on the ground in one of the final scenes, I looked into his eyes and saw not the 77-year-old Harrison Ford who has become a mentor to the film community, but the 30-year-old carpenter who just wanted to drag race a teenager in American Graffiti. He still has within his eyes, the look of hunger that acting feeds. And, he didn't need de-aging SPX to look younger than he is.
Buck is the housebroken dog of a San Francisco judge who was indulged as any child of wealth would be in the 1890s. Alaska was harsh environment for man and beast. When money was offered for dogs who could work in Alaska as sled dogs for supplies to mining outposts, Buck is kidnapped. Along the way, Buck begins to learn the lineage of his forebears, the wolves, as he adapts to his new life in the frozen tundra.
The movie itself as adapted in 2020 avoids a lot of the hardships that Buck faces in his new life, but he is given a kindly old sage who looks out for him throughout the movie. It also includes a Snidely Whiplash-like literal gold-digger who comes to Alaska with little knowledge of Alaska or gold prospecting. This character is two-dimensional and portrayed as "evil." Also, the character of Spitz, an Alaskan malamute who leads the sled team and serves as an antagonist for Buck, is given very little screentime.
Last observation, during the film, as Harrison Ford lay on the ground in one of the final scenes, I looked into his eyes and saw not the 77-year-old Harrison Ford who has become a mentor to the film community, but the 30-year-old carpenter who just wanted to drag race a teenager in American Graffiti. He still has within his eyes, the look of hunger that acting feeds. And, he didn't need de-aging SPX to look younger than he is.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Killer Shrews (1959) in Movies
May 3, 2019 (Updated May 3, 2019)
Well, it was inevitable, wasn't it? When you make a list of those wild creatures that inspire sheer terror in everyday folk, forget about sharks, snakes, spiders, wolves, and the rest - shrews! Shrews are the really scary little buggers. Or so the makers of this film appear to have decided. Unconvincing ship captain (Best) ends up on a hurricane-wracked island populated by mad scientists and the giant, savage shrews they have spawned; much utter nonsense ensues.
Bad acting is compounded by post-synched dialogue and the impressive range of accents on display from the cast, but the thing is that this isn't just a monster movie where the monsters are shrews, it's a shrew-based monster movie where the shrews are realised by a combination of dogs in costume and sabre-toothed glove puppets. Genuinely very funny to watch; objectively deserves a very low score but highly entertaining if you're in the mood.
Bad acting is compounded by post-synched dialogue and the impressive range of accents on display from the cast, but the thing is that this isn't just a monster movie where the monsters are shrews, it's a shrew-based monster movie where the shrews are realised by a combination of dogs in costume and sabre-toothed glove puppets. Genuinely very funny to watch; objectively deserves a very low score but highly entertaining if you're in the mood.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Annie (1982) in Movies
Jan 21, 2018
Everyones favorite redhead
The story or a orphan who believes that her parents are going to be coming back to her ends living with the richest man in the world (Daddy Warbucks) who just happens to despise kids and dogs. The woman who runs the orphanage Mrs Hannagain treats the girls worst than endangered slaves is only housing them for the money she gets from the state and ususes it to buy booze.
Warbucks offers an insane amount of money if someone can prove they are Annie's long lost parents and the only way that can be done is by having the other half of a locket that annie has. Miss Hannigan has the other piece because (well not going to tell ya that part) and trys to hatch a plan to get Annie and all of the money.
The movies based off the musical that is filled song, dance and great cast.
Warbucks offers an insane amount of money if someone can prove they are Annie's long lost parents and the only way that can be done is by having the other half of a locket that annie has. Miss Hannigan has the other piece because (well not going to tell ya that part) and trys to hatch a plan to get Annie and all of the money.
The movies based off the musical that is filled song, dance and great cast.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated The Very Very Very Long Dog in Books
Jun 16, 2018
The Very Very Very Long Dogby Julia Patton is a cute book about a dogs adventure through town. The story is funny and light hearted. This story teaches to accept everyone no matter their differences.
Bartleby lives in a bookstore and has many friends. The friendly dog makes everyone smile when he goes out with his friends; however, he often has no idea what his back portion is doing since he is so long. His friends usually patch things up when he causes many problems, but one day, he makes a very big mess, and even ends up attacking his own bottom. Thank goodness his friends figure out a solution to the problem so that Bartleby doesn't have to remain in the bookstore.
I enjoyed how loyal this dog's friends remain to him and how they work to come up with a solution to his problem. The illustrations are unique. The book touches on being yourself and embracing your uniqueness.
Bartleby lives in a bookstore and has many friends. The friendly dog makes everyone smile when he goes out with his friends; however, he often has no idea what his back portion is doing since he is so long. His friends usually patch things up when he causes many problems, but one day, he makes a very big mess, and even ends up attacking his own bottom. Thank goodness his friends figure out a solution to the problem so that Bartleby doesn't have to remain in the bookstore.
I enjoyed how loyal this dog's friends remain to him and how they work to come up with a solution to his problem. The illustrations are unique. The book touches on being yourself and embracing your uniqueness.
This is a novella, which I think threw a lot of people who were expecting a full length book. What surprised me, is how rounded the characters were in only 132 pages.
The main character, Scott, realises he is losing weight at an alarming weight, and the strange thing is, is that he looks exactly the same. He seeks the advice of a friend - a retired doctor who is as clueless as he is.
Meanwhile, he has an encounter with some new neighbours, a married lesbian couple whose dogs have been using his lawn as their toilet. DeeDee, one of the women, is very defensive, blows it out of proportion and wants nothing to do with him. But after a local 12K race, this all changes.
What happens though, to a man who continues to lose weight? What will happen when he hits zero?
I really enjoyed this. I really liked the characters, and the ending was quite something!!
The main character, Scott, realises he is losing weight at an alarming weight, and the strange thing is, is that he looks exactly the same. He seeks the advice of a friend - a retired doctor who is as clueless as he is.
Meanwhile, he has an encounter with some new neighbours, a married lesbian couple whose dogs have been using his lawn as their toilet. DeeDee, one of the women, is very defensive, blows it out of proportion and wants nothing to do with him. But after a local 12K race, this all changes.
What happens though, to a man who continues to lose weight? What will happen when he hits zero?
I really enjoyed this. I really liked the characters, and the ending was quite something!!
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) Jan 6, 2022