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Darren (1599 KP) rated All Good Things (2010) in Movies
Jan 21, 2020
Verdict: Lacks Focus
Story: All Good Things starts as we see David Marks (Gosling) the son of a property tycoon Sanford (Langella) who meets Katie (Dunst) who eventually becomes his wife, only for the perfect marriage to take a turn when Katie learns David doesn’t want to have kids.
The marriage continues to spiral out of control after Katie gets pregnant, with her disappearance being the reason why David sees his own life come under the spotlight, with people believing her murdered her and he doesn’t help his case.
Thoughts on All Good Things
Characters – David Marks comes from a property tycoon family who could have walked into any job for his father, he decides to go away from this lifestyle, dating a woman before marrying her, which shows a darker side to his nature, or is he just cold, he are never let into see if he is a calculated person or just somebody dealing with the issues bought on from his mother’s suicide. Katie is the woman David marries, she does give up her career and after learning of his own life decision, spirals out of control with drinks and drugs, before disappearing without a trace. Sanford is the father of David who wants him to remain in the wealthy lifestyle following in his footsteps over anything else. We do see many other people who are involved in the lives who have been involved in the lives even if the names have been changed.
Performances – We have a brilliant cast on paper here with Ryan Gosling in the leading role, where he really doesn’t show his skills, Kirsten Dunst does the most with her character, only it seems we don’t get the right outlet for the character, where we also seem to waste Frank Langella too.
Story – The story follows a heir to a successful business that marries a women his family don’t approve of, only for her to go missing, with him being the prime suspect in the disappearance. The problems mount up quickly in this story because we do spend way too much time focusing on the early relationship and not enough time on the investigation to what might have happened, this is clearly the more interesting side of the story that we need to get watching before needing to care that much about their relationship as a hole.
Crime/Mystery/Romance – The crime is more about if, buts or maybes, with no concrete evidence to what might have happened, which shows in the mystery not being solved in the film, while the romance starts strong before showing why it might not have worked out.
Settings – The film uses a couple of settings which shows us the luxury lakeside house the couple have, while showing how they interact with people on a social occasion in the big parties.
Scene of the Movie – Strange new friendship.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not enough focus on the disappearance investigation.
Final Thoughts -This does feel like a film that gets caught up following the wrong part too easily, we don’t seem to get any clues to what did actually happen, just following the man’s life for large parts both before and after the disappearance.
Overall: Disappointing mystery.
Story: All Good Things starts as we see David Marks (Gosling) the son of a property tycoon Sanford (Langella) who meets Katie (Dunst) who eventually becomes his wife, only for the perfect marriage to take a turn when Katie learns David doesn’t want to have kids.
The marriage continues to spiral out of control after Katie gets pregnant, with her disappearance being the reason why David sees his own life come under the spotlight, with people believing her murdered her and he doesn’t help his case.
Thoughts on All Good Things
Characters – David Marks comes from a property tycoon family who could have walked into any job for his father, he decides to go away from this lifestyle, dating a woman before marrying her, which shows a darker side to his nature, or is he just cold, he are never let into see if he is a calculated person or just somebody dealing with the issues bought on from his mother’s suicide. Katie is the woman David marries, she does give up her career and after learning of his own life decision, spirals out of control with drinks and drugs, before disappearing without a trace. Sanford is the father of David who wants him to remain in the wealthy lifestyle following in his footsteps over anything else. We do see many other people who are involved in the lives who have been involved in the lives even if the names have been changed.
Performances – We have a brilliant cast on paper here with Ryan Gosling in the leading role, where he really doesn’t show his skills, Kirsten Dunst does the most with her character, only it seems we don’t get the right outlet for the character, where we also seem to waste Frank Langella too.
Story – The story follows a heir to a successful business that marries a women his family don’t approve of, only for her to go missing, with him being the prime suspect in the disappearance. The problems mount up quickly in this story because we do spend way too much time focusing on the early relationship and not enough time on the investigation to what might have happened, this is clearly the more interesting side of the story that we need to get watching before needing to care that much about their relationship as a hole.
Crime/Mystery/Romance – The crime is more about if, buts or maybes, with no concrete evidence to what might have happened, which shows in the mystery not being solved in the film, while the romance starts strong before showing why it might not have worked out.
Settings – The film uses a couple of settings which shows us the luxury lakeside house the couple have, while showing how they interact with people on a social occasion in the big parties.
Scene of the Movie – Strange new friendship.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Not enough focus on the disappearance investigation.
Final Thoughts -This does feel like a film that gets caught up following the wrong part too easily, we don’t seem to get any clues to what did actually happen, just following the man’s life for large parts both before and after the disappearance.
Overall: Disappointing mystery.
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Lee (2222 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy in TV
Mar 4, 2019
I hadn’t even heard anything about The Umbrella Academy before, let alone read any of the Dark Horse comic series on which this Netflix show is adapted from. The premise, and the trailer for the show, didn’t initially appeal to me if I’m honest. But, it turns out that Netflix have only gone and done it again, turning out yet another binge worthy little gem of a show.
The setup for Umbrella Academy is that one day in 1989, 43 babies were born to mothers who were not pregnant when that day began. An eccentric billionaire, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, purchases seven of those babies and raises them, training them to become a powerful crime fighting team. Living with them at the Umbrella Academy is an android Nanny, who the children refer to as Mom, and a well spoken elderly chimpanzee butler called Dr Pogo (impressive work from Weta, the team behind the recent Planet of The Apes trilogy). Each child is known only by a number given to them by their ‘Father’, Sir Reginald – Number 1 through to Number 7 – ranked in order of their usefulness to him!
Fast forward to present day and the team have all but disbanded, with what’s left of them living out problem filled adult lives. Number 1 (now known as Luther) has been living on the moon for the past 4 years. He possesses super strength and has a very bulky appearance, wearing roll neck jumpers and a long coat. Number 2 (now Diego) is a vigilante and a bit of a knife expert. Number 3 (Allison) is now a famous actress, gifted with the ability to alter reality with her voice. Number 4 (Klaus) is a junkie who can communicate with the dead. Number 5 is able to perform small teleportations, or time jumps, but has been missing since they were all teenagers. Number 6 (Ben) was killed prior to the events in this show and Number 7 (Vanya) is believed not to have any special abilities, always being neglected and overlooked by the others while growing up. When news reaches them all that Sir Reginald has died, they all return to the academy.
The opening episode of The Umbrella Academy is packed full of thrills, mystery and a very exciting setup for the remainder of the season. We get a taste of the childrens abilities and teamwork, impressively taking out a bunch of bad guys. Then in present day, Number 5 suddenly appears from a portal in the sky. He claims to have spent decades living in a post-apocalyptic future, having jumped there all those years ago, but unable to return. He survived there until the age of 58, but on his return to present day he returned to his 13 year old appearance. We get a glimpse of the apocalyptic world that Number 5 arrived in and discover that whatever causes it is due to happen in just a few days from present day.
From there, the show suffers with what a lot of high concept shows tend to suffer from – second episode drag. That’s not to say that it’s boring, but we begin to delve into some of the Daddy issues that the various team members have, along with issues some of them have with each other and it’s a sharp contrast to the impressive opening episode. If I’m honest, by the end of episode 3 I was considering giving up, but I stuck with it. I really grew to like this dysfunctional family, and as the show dips back and forth between their teenage years and the present day, I really became invested in the show and its characters. They begin to band together to work through their issues and try and find a way of working out what causes the impending apocalypse, and how to stop it.
There are certainly consequences which play out throughout the season though. We discover that during his time in the future, Number 5 became involved in an organisation which works to correct events in time in order to ensure the destined timeline plays out as it should. Because of Number 5’s return to the present, he is now being hunted by a pair of black suited assassins called Hazel and Cha-Cha. Consequently, the body count in this show is pretty high, usually accompanied by a killer soundtrack!
I’m glad I stuck with it, because the whole thing soon became compulsive viewing, building to an incredibly entertaining and satisfying finale. With the apocalypse imminent, the whole team finally work together once more – a few twists and turns along the way, and a great cliffhanger setting things up for another season. I really loved everything about this show and the way that something so completely bonkers is presented so well, so believable and so intense.
The setup for Umbrella Academy is that one day in 1989, 43 babies were born to mothers who were not pregnant when that day began. An eccentric billionaire, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, purchases seven of those babies and raises them, training them to become a powerful crime fighting team. Living with them at the Umbrella Academy is an android Nanny, who the children refer to as Mom, and a well spoken elderly chimpanzee butler called Dr Pogo (impressive work from Weta, the team behind the recent Planet of The Apes trilogy). Each child is known only by a number given to them by their ‘Father’, Sir Reginald – Number 1 through to Number 7 – ranked in order of their usefulness to him!
Fast forward to present day and the team have all but disbanded, with what’s left of them living out problem filled adult lives. Number 1 (now known as Luther) has been living on the moon for the past 4 years. He possesses super strength and has a very bulky appearance, wearing roll neck jumpers and a long coat. Number 2 (now Diego) is a vigilante and a bit of a knife expert. Number 3 (Allison) is now a famous actress, gifted with the ability to alter reality with her voice. Number 4 (Klaus) is a junkie who can communicate with the dead. Number 5 is able to perform small teleportations, or time jumps, but has been missing since they were all teenagers. Number 6 (Ben) was killed prior to the events in this show and Number 7 (Vanya) is believed not to have any special abilities, always being neglected and overlooked by the others while growing up. When news reaches them all that Sir Reginald has died, they all return to the academy.
The opening episode of The Umbrella Academy is packed full of thrills, mystery and a very exciting setup for the remainder of the season. We get a taste of the childrens abilities and teamwork, impressively taking out a bunch of bad guys. Then in present day, Number 5 suddenly appears from a portal in the sky. He claims to have spent decades living in a post-apocalyptic future, having jumped there all those years ago, but unable to return. He survived there until the age of 58, but on his return to present day he returned to his 13 year old appearance. We get a glimpse of the apocalyptic world that Number 5 arrived in and discover that whatever causes it is due to happen in just a few days from present day.
From there, the show suffers with what a lot of high concept shows tend to suffer from – second episode drag. That’s not to say that it’s boring, but we begin to delve into some of the Daddy issues that the various team members have, along with issues some of them have with each other and it’s a sharp contrast to the impressive opening episode. If I’m honest, by the end of episode 3 I was considering giving up, but I stuck with it. I really grew to like this dysfunctional family, and as the show dips back and forth between their teenage years and the present day, I really became invested in the show and its characters. They begin to band together to work through their issues and try and find a way of working out what causes the impending apocalypse, and how to stop it.
There are certainly consequences which play out throughout the season though. We discover that during his time in the future, Number 5 became involved in an organisation which works to correct events in time in order to ensure the destined timeline plays out as it should. Because of Number 5’s return to the present, he is now being hunted by a pair of black suited assassins called Hazel and Cha-Cha. Consequently, the body count in this show is pretty high, usually accompanied by a killer soundtrack!
I’m glad I stuck with it, because the whole thing soon became compulsive viewing, building to an incredibly entertaining and satisfying finale. With the apocalypse imminent, the whole team finally work together once more – a few twists and turns along the way, and a great cliffhanger setting things up for another season. I really loved everything about this show and the way that something so completely bonkers is presented so well, so believable and so intense.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Minding the Light (Nantucket Legacy #2) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship’s hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. “Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?” he whispers in despair. Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn’t defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and “mind the Light,” finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be–honorable, wise, faithful–she finds herself falling in love with him. But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren’s business partner, cousin, and best friend–and Daphne’s fiancé. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high? Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.
My Thoughts: This is the sequel to Phoebe's Light, we are introduced to her great grandaughter's Jane and Daphne. We are taken back to the Island of Nantucket where whaling is the mainstay of life. That means years, yes years that wives are away from their husbands, and life continues on without them. This novel is full of history, and Suzanne Woods Fisher has done an excellent job of research on the Quaker's and the Nantucket way of life.
In this novel, we are introduced to the Quaker religion and the ways of the people or "friends". It is a wonderful read, full of mystery, love, heartbreak, and turns of events. Suzanne Woods Fisher brings up themes of slavery, hypocrisy, and forgiveness.
The characters are entertaining, easy to love (or hate), she draws the reader in and writes an enjoyable storyline that keeps the reader on their toes. Full of history, the reader learns as they read along. I did enjoy reading Great Mary's journals and learning about the past history of the family and the island of Nantucket. In the end, we are left to ponder what "Minding the Light" means to us.
The reader will learn much from this book, and think about the issues that were covered in this story. This book comes highly recommended.
My Thoughts: This is the sequel to Phoebe's Light, we are introduced to her great grandaughter's Jane and Daphne. We are taken back to the Island of Nantucket where whaling is the mainstay of life. That means years, yes years that wives are away from their husbands, and life continues on without them. This novel is full of history, and Suzanne Woods Fisher has done an excellent job of research on the Quaker's and the Nantucket way of life.
In this novel, we are introduced to the Quaker religion and the ways of the people or "friends". It is a wonderful read, full of mystery, love, heartbreak, and turns of events. Suzanne Woods Fisher brings up themes of slavery, hypocrisy, and forgiveness.
The characters are entertaining, easy to love (or hate), she draws the reader in and writes an enjoyable storyline that keeps the reader on their toes. Full of history, the reader learns as they read along. I did enjoy reading Great Mary's journals and learning about the past history of the family and the island of Nantucket. In the end, we are left to ponder what "Minding the Light" means to us.
The reader will learn much from this book, and think about the issues that were covered in this story. This book comes highly recommended.
Gail (4 KP) rated Chasing Ever After in Books
Jun 4, 2018
I was so excited to get to read more about this dysfunctional family. In this book we see hope of something new and beautiful. Ace and Sadie have been dancing around the possibilities of an “us” for two years now. Jax and Ky are getting married in Hawaii and it seems like the perfect time for Ace to make a move. Sadie doesn’t trust Ace and she is an ice queen every time he is near. One word from his mouth and she is disgusted. Is that really how she feels or is it a cover for her true feelings?
I have to confess that I was disappointed in how the guys past was held against them. Sure they should’ve been less willing to poke anything but it shouldn’t be used as a tool to make them feel less about themselves. We all have a past and that past shouldn’t be a weapon to hold back our future. Why should I wish to change my past just to win your love and affection? You should accept me for me and if I am showing you how I have changed and continue to change, you shouldn’t be upset about something that happened before I met you and wanted a relationship.
From Sadie's view I didn’t agree with how she handled any of their time together. She was always cold and pushing him away. Yet he stayed and kept trying. I don’t think she appreciated that. Yes she was hurting and man it flipping sucked what happened to her. (Gosh how can you write about so much loss?) But there was nothing in her past that gave me the impression that she couldn’t trust Ace. Yes his past was yuck but for two years the guy was practically your shadow.
I loved his loyalty and his willingness to just keep trying no matter how she tried to shake him off. Sadie had redeeming qualities also they just got overshadowed by her attitude. I haven’t lost a child but I have lost someone I loved. So I feel her pain but it didn’t stop me from loving again. Ace had issues but not enough for me to understand Sadie's side. I’m glad it ended well. If she would’ve dragged him along anymore I would’ve had to slap her. Maybe I missed the point but the whole waiting for sex isn't for everyone.
I have to confess that I was disappointed in how the guys past was held against them. Sure they should’ve been less willing to poke anything but it shouldn’t be used as a tool to make them feel less about themselves. We all have a past and that past shouldn’t be a weapon to hold back our future. Why should I wish to change my past just to win your love and affection? You should accept me for me and if I am showing you how I have changed and continue to change, you shouldn’t be upset about something that happened before I met you and wanted a relationship.
From Sadie's view I didn’t agree with how she handled any of their time together. She was always cold and pushing him away. Yet he stayed and kept trying. I don’t think she appreciated that. Yes she was hurting and man it flipping sucked what happened to her. (Gosh how can you write about so much loss?) But there was nothing in her past that gave me the impression that she couldn’t trust Ace. Yes his past was yuck but for two years the guy was practically your shadow.
I loved his loyalty and his willingness to just keep trying no matter how she tried to shake him off. Sadie had redeeming qualities also they just got overshadowed by her attitude. I haven’t lost a child but I have lost someone I loved. So I feel her pain but it didn’t stop me from loving again. Ace had issues but not enough for me to understand Sadie's side. I’m glad it ended well. If she would’ve dragged him along anymore I would’ve had to slap her. Maybe I missed the point but the whole waiting for sex isn't for everyone.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (2017) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Over countless decades the legend of King Arthur has been depicted across a range of mediums. The timeless tale of love, betrayals, action, and adventure has remained a popular and enduring tale ever since it was first introduced.
Director Guy Ritchie has crafted a very different take on the tale as he even contributed to the screenplay for the film. As such “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, is brimming with many of his signature elements ranging from a caper story and characters who are filled with quirks and issues.
Charlie Hunnam plays Arthur who is orphaned at an early age when his family is betrayed by his Uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). Arthur is raised in a London brothel with no knowledge of his true lineage.
Arthur learns combat and life on the streets and quickly learns how to make money through various dealings, some of which are not exactly on the level. This is where Ritchie shows his trademark style as there is a caper element to the early part of the story and a scene of Arthur and his pals walking through the aftermath of an event is complete with his signature, start, stop, and rewind moments that made up his recent “Sherlock Holmes” films.
Naturally events put Arthur and Vortigern against each other when Arthur is able to pull the legendary Excalibur from a stone as part of a test imposed on all young men of a certain age.
With his true identity in place, Arthur is marked by his Uncle as he is the only threat to his power and this forces Arthur into the protection of the resistance where he must embrace his past and find his destiny.
The film does take some liberties with the Arthurian Legend and does go a bit heavy on the FX especially with the inclusion of giant creatures which made me think at times I was watching something from the “Lord of the Rings”. The film does drag in parts but does rebound with a finale that seemed very video game esque, but sets up future films well. The cast is strong and there is plenty to like about the film as long as you are willing to be patient with the pacing of the film.
http://sknr.net/2017/05/10/king-arthur-legend-sword/
Director Guy Ritchie has crafted a very different take on the tale as he even contributed to the screenplay for the film. As such “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, is brimming with many of his signature elements ranging from a caper story and characters who are filled with quirks and issues.
Charlie Hunnam plays Arthur who is orphaned at an early age when his family is betrayed by his Uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). Arthur is raised in a London brothel with no knowledge of his true lineage.
Arthur learns combat and life on the streets and quickly learns how to make money through various dealings, some of which are not exactly on the level. This is where Ritchie shows his trademark style as there is a caper element to the early part of the story and a scene of Arthur and his pals walking through the aftermath of an event is complete with his signature, start, stop, and rewind moments that made up his recent “Sherlock Holmes” films.
Naturally events put Arthur and Vortigern against each other when Arthur is able to pull the legendary Excalibur from a stone as part of a test imposed on all young men of a certain age.
With his true identity in place, Arthur is marked by his Uncle as he is the only threat to his power and this forces Arthur into the protection of the resistance where he must embrace his past and find his destiny.
The film does take some liberties with the Arthurian Legend and does go a bit heavy on the FX especially with the inclusion of giant creatures which made me think at times I was watching something from the “Lord of the Rings”. The film does drag in parts but does rebound with a finale that seemed very video game esque, but sets up future films well. The cast is strong and there is plenty to like about the film as long as you are willing to be patient with the pacing of the film.
http://sknr.net/2017/05/10/king-arthur-legend-sword/
KalJ95 (25 KP) rated God of War in Video Games
Jan 3, 2020
The most gripping and emotionally engaging narrative in years. (2 more)
Combat is brutal and satisfying.
The one take camera is an astonishing achievement.
Powerful Playstation Epic.
Back in 2015, gaming hit its peak, and the new generation really came into full effect. Bloodborne, MGS V: The Phantom Pain, Rise of the Tomb Raider, just some games to hit the same year, but what really made me question just how incredible video games could become, was The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Since then, I found games that reached similar levels, but never peaked as much as that. Until God of War.
God of War engaged with me so much because at the time I was trying with my other half to have a child, and persistent family issues meant I no longer spoke to my father. Following the story of Kratos and Atreus really hit home, and I've never felt so gripped and emotionally attached to fictional characters. Every beat of the narrative is put there to for purpose, and to carry weight along this epic journey with a father and son. It packs so much intensity at times it becomes enthralling, almost addictive to continue its 25 hour length. This, I suppose, you could say is it's one part of two contained within the game.
Of course, there are levels upon levels to examine within this masterpiece, but simplifying it within two aspects seems the most appropriate way. The second is the combat.
God of War is brutal, bloody, bold. The simplicity to master the move sets is so brilliant and often bonkers. Throwing your trusty Leviathan Axe, and calling it back never, ever gets boring, and pushes you to become more intelligent with its system. The more the game enters its next stage, a curveball hits you, and you have to learn what you know already, and add even more creativity. By the end, you should be an expert. That is until you meet the Queen Valkyrie. That's all I'll say.
God of War is a masterpiece. Sure, there could of been a little more meat on the bone when it came to the endgame, more side mission content. But the story is so perfect, so masterful, it deserves every bit of praise it gathers.
God of War engaged with me so much because at the time I was trying with my other half to have a child, and persistent family issues meant I no longer spoke to my father. Following the story of Kratos and Atreus really hit home, and I've never felt so gripped and emotionally attached to fictional characters. Every beat of the narrative is put there to for purpose, and to carry weight along this epic journey with a father and son. It packs so much intensity at times it becomes enthralling, almost addictive to continue its 25 hour length. This, I suppose, you could say is it's one part of two contained within the game.
Of course, there are levels upon levels to examine within this masterpiece, but simplifying it within two aspects seems the most appropriate way. The second is the combat.
God of War is brutal, bloody, bold. The simplicity to master the move sets is so brilliant and often bonkers. Throwing your trusty Leviathan Axe, and calling it back never, ever gets boring, and pushes you to become more intelligent with its system. The more the game enters its next stage, a curveball hits you, and you have to learn what you know already, and add even more creativity. By the end, you should be an expert. That is until you meet the Queen Valkyrie. That's all I'll say.
God of War is a masterpiece. Sure, there could of been a little more meat on the bone when it came to the endgame, more side mission content. But the story is so perfect, so masterful, it deserves every bit of praise it gathers.
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