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Dean (6927 KP) rated Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) in Movies
May 9, 2022 (Updated May 23, 2022)
Horror elements (2 more)
Some unexpected cameos
Great action scenes
Probably need to see Wanda Vision series to understand it more (1 more)
Main plot line isn't that great
Something a little different
Well after Spider-Man No way home I had very high hopes for this and really enjoyed the first Dr Strange film.
Following closely on from No way home as more about the multi verse is discovered. With Sam Raimi directing there are some nice Horror theme touches throughout the film. So making this a bit different to the normal Marvel fare. I was a bit surprised at the plot direction of the main story, having not seen Wanda Vision series. I imagine that would fill in a lot of gaps before seeing this. There are plenty of nice surprises through the various Multiverses.
Still it has amazing visuals and action scenes as you expect from Marvel filling out the blockbuster standard you expect. Definitely one to see on the big screen.
Following closely on from No way home as more about the multi verse is discovered. With Sam Raimi directing there are some nice Horror theme touches throughout the film. So making this a bit different to the normal Marvel fare. I was a bit surprised at the plot direction of the main story, having not seen Wanda Vision series. I imagine that would fill in a lot of gaps before seeing this. There are plenty of nice surprises through the various Multiverses.
Still it has amazing visuals and action scenes as you expect from Marvel filling out the blockbuster standard you expect. Definitely one to see on the big screen.

Dean (6927 KP) rated Jurassic World: Dominion (2022) in Movies
Jun 14, 2022
Jurassic Park cast (2 more)
Nostalgia in various ways
New Dinosaurs
Covering old ground (1 more)
Plot isn't the best
Fun for fans
Potentially bringing the Jurassic World series to a close. This is one fans will appreciate more than others. After the Dinosaurs escape and mix in the real world, life has to find a way to adapt. There are still shady companies and characters around who are up to no good.
It's good to see a new real world setting for the dinosaurs and there is plenty of actions scenes. Good to see some totally different species and some old favourites. Towards the end it does start to all feel a bit familiar and like a reboot of some previous plot elements from the Jurassic Park films. Fun to see all the main cast back together along with some easter egg type nods to the other films. Overall maybe not the grand finale most would have hoped for but still a fun film to enjoy.
It's good to see a new real world setting for the dinosaurs and there is plenty of actions scenes. Good to see some totally different species and some old favourites. Towards the end it does start to all feel a bit familiar and like a reboot of some previous plot elements from the Jurassic Park films. Fun to see all the main cast back together along with some easter egg type nods to the other films. Overall maybe not the grand finale most would have hoped for but still a fun film to enjoy.

David McK (3576 KP) rated Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) in Movies
Jul 11, 2022
When you think of Moses (in film, that is), you probably think of Charlton heston in 'The 10 Commandments'.
Not a former-Batman in the lead role.
Yet that is exactly what this is, with Christian Bale taking on the lead role in a film that portrays Moses as more of a General than any other I have come across.
All the key elements of the story are here: Moses's heritage (NB, the film starts without him knowing such), his wanderings, the burning bush, the plagues of Egypt, the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandment, with the film going to great pains to, shall we say, 'muddy the waters' somewhat in just what is going on, with OT God being portrayed as a youngster and also only appearing to Moses after he hits his head and being invisible/inaudible to any others.
Which is a choice, to say the least.
Still, this is an enjoyable enough flick!
Not a former-Batman in the lead role.
Yet that is exactly what this is, with Christian Bale taking on the lead role in a film that portrays Moses as more of a General than any other I have come across.
All the key elements of the story are here: Moses's heritage (NB, the film starts without him knowing such), his wanderings, the burning bush, the plagues of Egypt, the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandment, with the film going to great pains to, shall we say, 'muddy the waters' somewhat in just what is going on, with OT God being portrayed as a youngster and also only appearing to Moses after he hits his head and being invisible/inaudible to any others.
Which is a choice, to say the least.
Still, this is an enjoyable enough flick!

David McK (3576 KP) rated Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) in Movies
Jul 25, 2022
The fourth solo outing for Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder (after "Thor", "Thor: The Dark World" and "Thor: Ragnorak") which double downs on the goofiness that Taika Waititi brought to the prevus instalment.
To this films detriment, I felt: the humour felt, at times, forced, with Thor (again, at times) coming across as more of a buffoon than I would prefer.
This also see's the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster - last seen in The Dark World, before dumping Thor off-screen - with elements of the plot heavily influenced by the 2014 run of comics that sees her lifting Mjolnir.
Christian Bale is also suitably menacing as Gorr the God Butcher, but is seemingly in a different movie to everyone else! Those shadow creatures are bound to give kids nightmares ...
In short, the scary bits are scarier than in many a previous Marvel movie, whilst the funny bits (attempt to be) funnier than any previous!
To this films detriment, I felt: the humour felt, at times, forced, with Thor (again, at times) coming across as more of a buffoon than I would prefer.
This also see's the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster - last seen in The Dark World, before dumping Thor off-screen - with elements of the plot heavily influenced by the 2014 run of comics that sees her lifting Mjolnir.
Christian Bale is also suitably menacing as Gorr the God Butcher, but is seemingly in a different movie to everyone else! Those shadow creatures are bound to give kids nightmares ...
In short, the scary bits are scarier than in many a previous Marvel movie, whilst the funny bits (attempt to be) funnier than any previous!

Dean (6927 KP) rated Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) in Movies
Feb 25, 2022 (Updated Feb 25, 2022)
Unlikeable characters (2 more)
Very short
A massacre of ideas
Nothing new
Thought I'd give this a go as it's been a while since the previous versions. Other than setting it in the current time with influencers and current technology, this offers nothing new. Just a bunch of unlikeable characters to the predictable slaughter.
Following on the recent Halloween films trend of making a sequel to the original set decades later. We have a cameo from the original film final girl who has gone Linda Hamilton bad ass up for revenge. With some real T2 elements in some scenes. A very weak plot line as she and leatherface must be in their 70's now as nearly 50 years have passed from the original.
Gore fans will probably like it and fans of TCM films in general, for others there is no real depth to it and full of Slasher film clichés. Shame as it had potential but ends up a bit of a mess.
Following on the recent Halloween films trend of making a sequel to the original set decades later. We have a cameo from the original film final girl who has gone Linda Hamilton bad ass up for revenge. With some real T2 elements in some scenes. A very weak plot line as she and leatherface must be in their 70's now as nearly 50 years have passed from the original.
Gore fans will probably like it and fans of TCM films in general, for others there is no real depth to it and full of Slasher film clichés. Shame as it had potential but ends up a bit of a mess.

Dean (6927 KP) rated Fast & Furious 9 (2021) in Movies
Jun 25, 2021 (Updated May 22, 2023)
Big cast (1 more)
Good chase locations
Unbelievable stunts (1 more)
Space?!
Good if not in top gear
Another decent entry which ticks the Fast & Furious check list set by the recent entries. Good to see more of the Fast cast of previous films on show here. There are some good chase scenes in various locations around the globe. We also get a peak at Dom's early life.
On the down side some of the cast deserve more screen time, also feels quite different not having the Rock in this entry.
The franchise in recent entries has had crazy stunts and this has some again which seem far fetched even by the usual standards. Even sending cars into space now.
It will satisfy fans of the series as a whole, even if it's not quite as good as some of the other films. Hopefully Fast 10 will combine the best elements of the franchise altogether to get back on track.
On the down side some of the cast deserve more screen time, also feels quite different not having the Rock in this entry.
The franchise in recent entries has had crazy stunts and this has some again which seem far fetched even by the usual standards. Even sending cars into space now.
It will satisfy fans of the series as a whole, even if it's not quite as good as some of the other films. Hopefully Fast 10 will combine the best elements of the franchise altogether to get back on track.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2377 KP) rated Murder at Beechwood in Books
Feb 7, 2025
Did a Baby Leads to Murder?
In late June 1896, Emma Cross is surprised to find a newborn baby boy left on her doorstep. Her efforts to figure out where he came from lead her to Beechwood and the guests that Mrs. Astor is entertaining. But when a lawn party ends in tragedy, Emma quickly realizes that murder was involved. Does it relate to the baby? Or is another motive involved?
I’ve quickly become addicted to these historical mysteries. One reason is the expert way that real and fictional characters interact seamlessly on the page. All of them are well drawn, and I’ve gotten caught up in their ongoing stories. The plot of this one was good with several ingenious elements. The ending was a bit rushed, but it worked for me. Despite the summer vacation vibes, this book does get serious, but it is worth it. I’m hoping I can book the next in the series soon.
I’ve quickly become addicted to these historical mysteries. One reason is the expert way that real and fictional characters interact seamlessly on the page. All of them are well drawn, and I’ve gotten caught up in their ongoing stories. The plot of this one was good with several ingenious elements. The ending was a bit rushed, but it worked for me. Despite the summer vacation vibes, this book does get serious, but it is worth it. I’m hoping I can book the next in the series soon.

Cops & Robbers (Parker City Mystery #5)
Book
Spring, 1985… Just north of Parker City in the small town of Wakeville, a string of robberies...
Mystery Police Procedural Dual Timeline Elements Series