Search
Search results

The Battle For England: Women at war in Medieval England (Wars of the Magna Carta #1)
Book
Medieval England is under siege… Perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Alison Weir and...
Historical Fiction Medieval England

The Home For Unwanted Girls
Book
Philomena meets The Orphan Train in this suspenseful, provocative novel filled with love, secrets,...
Historical Fiction 1950s

Erika (17789 KP) rated Captain Blood (1935) in Movies
May 20, 2018
Captain Blood is absolutely, one of my favorite films. I actually own it in HD and it's always on my tablet to watch while I'm traveling.
Captain Blood is based upon the book by Rafael Sabatini. Sabatini has written some great books that have also been made into movies, such as Scaramouche and The Sea Hawk. Errol Flynn plays the main character, Peter Blood, who was a doctor during the English Revolution. Blood is arrested and sent to the colony of Jamaica because he was perceived as a traitor. Blood escapes with other slaves (not a spoiler, seriously, this film was made in 1935), and becomes a pirate. Pirate adventures occur, and once Blood's name is finally cleared, it is a happily ever after. The last scene is probably my favorite in the entire movie.
Captain Blood is based upon the book by Rafael Sabatini. Sabatini has written some great books that have also been made into movies, such as Scaramouche and The Sea Hawk. Errol Flynn plays the main character, Peter Blood, who was a doctor during the English Revolution. Blood is arrested and sent to the colony of Jamaica because he was perceived as a traitor. Blood escapes with other slaves (not a spoiler, seriously, this film was made in 1935), and becomes a pirate. Pirate adventures occur, and once Blood's name is finally cleared, it is a happily ever after. The last scene is probably my favorite in the entire movie.

Dean (6927 KP) rated Paintball (2009) in Movies
Apr 28, 2019
I feared the worst when I heard of this and saw a trailer. It looked like a really low budget, poorly acted horror film with an odd plot. Actually after watching it, I did enjoy it. It has some long sequence shots, the paintball attack near the start is pretty good, making you feel in the middle of the action. Some of the actors are a bit poor, but overall this was quite an entertaining watch. It has some ideas similar to other films, and takes a last man standing take on the horror film. Made in and backed by Spanish producers and largely Spanish actors with a few English faces to boot. Considering the low budget it's a decent enough film. If you were having seconds thoughts check it out!

Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Passion of the Christ (2004) in Movies
Apr 1, 2018
Still holds up years later
While I would not consider myself to be a religious person, I did enjoy Mel Gibson's film quite a bit. I was able to follow along with the story despite not knowing the events through many recent churchgoing experiences.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.
I have no problem with subtitled films either. Just like an English-speaking movie, the story just has to be interesting or compelling and this film is both.
I understand those who find this film controversial or do not enjoy, but, as with all movies, this is just one man's interpretation of events like any movie. The subject matter is what some people object to if their beliefs differ from Gibson's.
If you disliked originally, give it another chance.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
What you'd call the economy tour
Archetypal Hammer horror movie from the studio's imperial mid-60s period; unwise English tourists in Transylvania ignore warnings from bad-ass local abbot (Andrew Keir) and spend the night at Castle Dracula. They think they're there as guests; actually they're a kind of walk-in buffet organised by Dracula's butler to help get his boss back on his feet.
A bit of a slow start, but atmospheric and effective, with some good sequences in the second half. Keir stands in for Peter Cushing with his usual authority and charisma. Christopher Lee isn't in it that much, but is good when he appears - there are differing explanations of just why he doesn't have any dialogue. Everybody's idea of what a Hammer horror movie should be like.
A bit of a slow start, but atmospheric and effective, with some good sequences in the second half. Keir stands in for Peter Cushing with his usual authority and charisma. Christopher Lee isn't in it that much, but is good when he appears - there are differing explanations of just why he doesn't have any dialogue. Everybody's idea of what a Hammer horror movie should be like.

FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Aug 31, 2018
Alicia Vikander Lights up the Screen
Following up his powerful Norwegian disaster movie THE WAVE with this big budgeted English language debut reboot of the video game to big screen series TOMB RAIDER, director Roar Uthaug delivers a fun, fast-paced new take on the series.
Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander picks up the baton left by our previous Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie and has a blast in what is essentially a female spin on INDIANA JONES and NATIONAL TREASURE.
While the film gets pretty ridiculous as it continues, the eye-catching effects and sharp visual visual style, as well as terrific turns by Dominic West and Walton Goggins as her father and the film's villain respectively keep you invested, even if you'll forget it almost as quickly as you've seen it.
Academy Award winner Alicia Vikander picks up the baton left by our previous Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie and has a blast in what is essentially a female spin on INDIANA JONES and NATIONAL TREASURE.
While the film gets pretty ridiculous as it continues, the eye-catching effects and sharp visual visual style, as well as terrific turns by Dominic West and Walton Goggins as her father and the film's villain respectively keep you invested, even if you'll forget it almost as quickly as you've seen it.

Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated High Tension (Switchblade Romance) (2005) in Movies
Jan 8, 2019
Overall... Everything... (1 more)
Some damn fine use of a concrete saw
So let me get this straight...
Contains spoilers, click to show
So. Right odf the hop. I must say I appreciate a French movie that splices in some English from it's actors. Good on ya.
This movie kicks off about 15 or so minutes in.... With some desecration of a severed head... And an immediate beheading....
From there on out its brutality and fine special effects that take over. A beautifully placed twist near the end provides an unexpected, at least to me, WHAT THE FUCK moment.
All in all this is a must watch for all foreign horror fans... Its right up there woth fellow French films Martyrs and Inside.... As well as Korea's I Saw The Devil.
This movie kicks off about 15 or so minutes in.... With some desecration of a severed head... And an immediate beheading....
From there on out its brutality and fine special effects that take over. A beautifully placed twist near the end provides an unexpected, at least to me, WHAT THE FUCK moment.
All in all this is a must watch for all foreign horror fans... Its right up there woth fellow French films Martyrs and Inside.... As well as Korea's I Saw The Devil.

David McK (3562 KP) rated American Gods in Books
Jan 28, 2019
I don't get it: what's all the fuss about?
Written by an English-man now living in America, I'm aware that this has won numerous awards and is on the top of many peoples favourite reads, but for me? Not so much.
I found it tedious, dull, and un-involving, with the idea of new and old Gods fighting it out itself done better (and more enjoyably) elsewhere.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who asked for a Neil Gaiman book, pointing them instead towards the far superior (IMO) [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328433738s/16793.jpg|3166179] or (even better!) [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990].
Written by an English-man now living in America, I'm aware that this has won numerous awards and is on the top of many peoples favourite reads, but for me? Not so much.
I found it tedious, dull, and un-involving, with the idea of new and old Gods fighting it out itself done better (and more enjoyably) elsewhere.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who asked for a Neil Gaiman book, pointing them instead towards the far superior (IMO) [b:Stardust|16793|Stardust|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328433738s/16793.jpg|3166179] or (even better!) [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1392528568s/12067.jpg|4110990].

David McK (3562 KP) rated The Splintered Kingdom (The Bloody Aftermath of 1066, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second 1066 book (as an aside: what do you call this series? 'The Bloody Aftermath of 1066' sounds too long for a series title!), this is set roughly a year after the events of the first, and so is circa 1070.
As the novel begin, Tancred a Dinant is now a Lord in his own right with lands and vassals of his own, along the Welsh border. It is not long, however, before he is summoned by his own liege Lord Robert Malet to help put down rebellion after rebellion, as the English counties continue to rise against the Norman occupiers (of which Tancred is one), leading to his involvement in the infamous 'harrying of the North' by the end of the story.
Just as strong and enjoyable as the first entry!
As the novel begin, Tancred a Dinant is now a Lord in his own right with lands and vassals of his own, along the Welsh border. It is not long, however, before he is summoned by his own liege Lord Robert Malet to help put down rebellion after rebellion, as the English counties continue to rise against the Norman occupiers (of which Tancred is one), leading to his involvement in the infamous 'harrying of the North' by the end of the story.
Just as strong and enjoyable as the first entry!
Beetle Rider (341 KP) May 21, 2018
Erika (17789 KP) May 22, 2018