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Managing IBD: A Balanced Guide to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Book
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the term that includes Crohn's disease (which can affect any...
Deviance, Disorder and Music in Modern Britain and America
Book
Deviance, Disorder and Music in Modern Britain and America is a study of the perceived collision...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Devil's Own (1997) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
I don't know what's worse: a film that's underwritten and knows it, or a film which sets up such thought-provoking themes only to immediately ditch them by the wayside (which this one is). It's so frustrating how this had most of the elements just on principle alone to be really, really good and it still wasn't. Seemingly intentionally unexciting, so much so that Brad Pitt's middle-schooler-impression-of-Daniel-Day-Lewis-from-𝘐𝘯-𝘵𝘩𝘦-𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦-𝘰𝘧-𝘵𝘩𝘦-𝘍𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 accent is actually the best part of it. Gets semi-engaging in the last 45 minutes if only because it finally gets some of the right look + feel for what this wants to be, but even then it's got no bite and is disgustingly pro-cop (a cop who shot dead an unarmed victim multiple times then tried to force everyone to cover it up and doesn't regret it can be redeemed without doing anything!). Poises itself to go over issues of oppression, nationalism, trauma, violence, and what happens when they all intersect - but never does. Harrison Ford is so bland here, too. Doesn't even care about its own story, what a fucking shame. This really coulda been something.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Housebound (2014) in Movies
Sep 21, 2020
Neither funny nor scary enough to fully accomplish what it wants to, but it's *almost* wild enough to. Hurts to go hard on this one because many of its flaws come from simply how ambitious this is on such a small budget - so it's at least always admirable in spite of them; but I can't look past how rough those first 45 minutes are nor how it largely abandons the loads upon loads of potential this premise has in favor of its eventual rug-pull twist to sort of carry the movie from there (which it at least does pretty okay). Because of this we see supporting characters who crave to be more fleshed-out and intriguing plot elements you wish they ran with more instead of more borrowed platitudes. But as aforementioned, those last 50 or so minutes are a fucking RIOT (if still painfully underdeveloped, at least it's fun to watch - with some unexpectedly potent emotion [again, underwritten though]). Even when it falls flat on its face there's a charming earnestness here that can't be denied. It's decent but far from the revolutionary cinema everyone seems to think it is - though it could have been.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Project Power (2020) in Movies
Sep 9, 2020
Another glossy but slightly underwhelming Netflix genre movie. A new drug granting temporary superpowers is being sold on the streets of New Orleans, and a maverick cop, a ex-military drifter and a teenage girl team up to put a stop to it.
Maybe some of these Netflix movies would be more impressive on a big screen where all the special effects and sound design would get an appropriate delivery and have the faculty-numbing effect this sort of film is depending on. Or maybe not, I don't know. As it is this has an interesting premise, charismatic leads and seems to genuinely want to do some social commentary about US society, the nature of power, etc etc. But that would require a level of downbeat grittiness wholly at odds with the extravaganza of lavish CGI and show-offy direction this film also wants to be, and it's the latter elements that win out. As a result it is watchable and engaging on a superficial level but you sort of lament the loss of the more interesting and restrained film this could have been instead. Hey ho.
Maybe some of these Netflix movies would be more impressive on a big screen where all the special effects and sound design would get an appropriate delivery and have the faculty-numbing effect this sort of film is depending on. Or maybe not, I don't know. As it is this has an interesting premise, charismatic leads and seems to genuinely want to do some social commentary about US society, the nature of power, etc etc. But that would require a level of downbeat grittiness wholly at odds with the extravaganza of lavish CGI and show-offy direction this film also wants to be, and it's the latter elements that win out. As a result it is watchable and engaging on a superficial level but you sort of lament the loss of the more interesting and restrained film this could have been instead. Hey ho.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Mulholland Drive (2001) in Movies
Oct 16, 2020 (Updated Nov 26, 2020)
Much prefer the manic, more grimy and hieroglyphic musings on the indiscriminate dark side(s) of Hollywood in 𝘐𝘯𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 as opposed to this one's version which is much more coherent, more calculated - but nonetheless brilliant and audacious. It's funny how at once you never know what to expect with Lynch, but you also know exactly what to expect: the unnerving alien-esque performances, reliably stunning Badalamenti score, haunting photography, dialogue that makes you feel like you're having an out-of-body-experience, etc. The way in which elements of the neo-noir at first feel totally disjointed and out-of-place with one another then eventually slide right into place is mesmerizing especially when even after the big reveal you never know where it's going to go. Even the smaller moments are parsed over with a fine-toothed comb, such as the nametag significance in the diner. Naomi Watts is galvanizing, totally aces rangy work which commands the screen every scene she's in. Second-place goes to - you guessed it - Billy Ray Cyrus! Remember when highly intelligent, daring projects like this used to get recognized by the Academy without pressure from the public?
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Wake Up With You - Single by Pugglefox in Music
Jun 25, 2019
Pugglefox is a trio of funkin’ jazz punks from Pittsburgh, PA. Not too long ago, they released a groovy indie-rock tune, entitled, “Wake Up With You”.
“I love the days when I wake up with you. Nowhere to be, and nothing to do. Wake up and show me the sun in your eyes. Oh, what a beautiful surprise. Come take a break, you’ve been working hard. I read the face on my birthday card. Kiss me in pink sheets and pain floats away. I’ll buy you flowers today. Let’s go, woo!” – lyrics
‘Wake Up With You’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who cherishes the sensual moments shared with his significant other.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with indie-rock and alternatives elements.
“‘Wake Up With You’ is about the sacred moments shared with a lover in the early mornings when all other life commitments sink away. A feeling that gets harder and harder to achieve in the fast-paced, modern world.” – Pugglefox
Pugglefox consists of Evan Isaac (keys, guitar, vocals, synth, percussion), Jordan Kaye (bass, background vocals), and Mike Mills (drums, congas).
“I love the days when I wake up with you. Nowhere to be, and nothing to do. Wake up and show me the sun in your eyes. Oh, what a beautiful surprise. Come take a break, you’ve been working hard. I read the face on my birthday card. Kiss me in pink sheets and pain floats away. I’ll buy you flowers today. Let’s go, woo!” – lyrics
‘Wake Up With You’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who cherishes the sensual moments shared with his significant other.
The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with indie-rock and alternatives elements.
“‘Wake Up With You’ is about the sacred moments shared with a lover in the early mornings when all other life commitments sink away. A feeling that gets harder and harder to achieve in the fast-paced, modern world.” – Pugglefox
Pugglefox consists of Evan Isaac (keys, guitar, vocals, synth, percussion), Jordan Kaye (bass, background vocals), and Mike Mills (drums, congas).
Dean (6927 KP) rated Hawaii Five-0 in TV
Jun 29, 2019
Cool locations (2 more)
Cast chemistry
Plenty of action
Great long running TV series
I've watched this show since the beginning, just finishing the 9th series at present. I really enjoy it. The beautiful locations of Hawaii, including the Hilton Hotel which helps sponsor the show, is a great setting. There is always plenty of action, car chases, shootouts and fights. The cast chemistry and the good stories make the show though. The cast are well known, especially those from Hawaii based Lost. Always with some comedy elements as well. Individual episodes are generally of a high standard but the story running through the series are very good. It's a shame a lot of the cast quit over equal pay for series 8 onwards. The new cast members are doing OK. I love the Halloween themed episodes each year, often like a mini horror film! I didn't see the original series but it also pays tribute with some episodes which is a nice touch. It even has an occasional cross over with NCIS: LA. Overall 9 series long and going strong. Check it out if you haven't been watching.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Proud Mary (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Mary is a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.
I've been thinking over my star ratings and I'm having trouble... I'm not sure that this film should be a 3 on my scale as I'm almost certain I wouldn't watch it again, but there were lots of different elements in it that I loved.
The music for one, lots of classic tunes to tap your toes to. Always a winner... I enjoy Taraji P. Henson in most of the things she does... Mary goes on a fun rampage, wrecking her car and killing... well, basically everyone. There are some wonderfully tender moments too where she's trying to protect Danny knowing that she's now got him into another potentially dangerous situation.
I keep mulling the film over in my head though and I'm not quite sure how this film managed to fill the time that it's on the screen. It feels like it's missing something but I can't honestly put my finger on what.
I've been thinking over my star ratings and I'm having trouble... I'm not sure that this film should be a 3 on my scale as I'm almost certain I wouldn't watch it again, but there were lots of different elements in it that I loved.
The music for one, lots of classic tunes to tap your toes to. Always a winner... I enjoy Taraji P. Henson in most of the things she does... Mary goes on a fun rampage, wrecking her car and killing... well, basically everyone. There are some wonderfully tender moments too where she's trying to protect Danny knowing that she's now got him into another potentially dangerous situation.
I keep mulling the film over in my head though and I'm not quite sure how this film managed to fill the time that it's on the screen. It feels like it's missing something but I can't honestly put my finger on what.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Häxan (1922) in Movies
Oct 6, 2019
Very strange...
This collection of 7 silent film shorts are put together in this film Haxan. It's hard to give a plot description in a silent film collection like these. They mostly have to do with witches and the belief in witchcraft through the middle ages up through the time this movie was made. There were also elements of devils and devil worship, paganism, and the occult.
The film tried to make the point some of these people and practices were strange at the time maybe due to not a great understanding of mental illness or psychological problems of those involved.
The way the movie was divided was interesting at times and boring at other times. I definitely enjoyed the sections where there were actual moving images with dialogue cards or subtitles rather than those with still images only.
Since there was no dialogue per say, it was difficult to follow at some points; however, several of the visuals were striking and even a little scary considering this movie is almost 100 years old.
I still rather enjoyed it.
The film tried to make the point some of these people and practices were strange at the time maybe due to not a great understanding of mental illness or psychological problems of those involved.
The way the movie was divided was interesting at times and boring at other times. I definitely enjoyed the sections where there were actual moving images with dialogue cards or subtitles rather than those with still images only.
Since there was no dialogue per say, it was difficult to follow at some points; however, several of the visuals were striking and even a little scary considering this movie is almost 100 years old.
I still rather enjoyed it.