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Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
1993 | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Three Crazy Witches Who Can Sing!
Wow! I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed this movie as much as I did! When I first heard about this movie, I was a bit intrigued about what this movie was all about. So, when I finally watched this movie, I was completely hooked! I liked the fact that the movie tackled the subject of sibling relationships and how important it is to care about your siblings, no matter how annoying they can be. This was best shown between the Sanderson Sisters, Thackery and his little sister Emily and Max and his little sister Dani. The Sanderson Sisters are like the negative side of the sibling relationship as Winifred abuses her younger sisters Mary and Sarah and wouldn't think of protecting them. Thackery and Emily are on the more positive side of the sibling relationship as Thackery truly cares about his sister Emily, although he failed to save her. And then we have Max and Dani who are in the middle as they argue with each other a lot, but they would do anything to protect each other. I also loved the way that the movie had a nice balance between horror and comedy as I laughed out loud during the Sanderson Sisters' crazy antics and yet, I was a bit scared for the children being threatened with death throughout this film. Especially during the scene where Emily, a little girl , ends up dying at the beginning of the movie. I especially loved the actors' performances in this film, with the Sanderson Sisters being the best part of the film. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy did a fantastic job at portraying the Sanderson Sisters as they were so hilarious and entertaining to watch! I also enjoyed Thora Birch's performance as Dani as she made Dani quite snarky yet energetic at the same time.

The only issues that I had with this film was that I felt that the protagonists were a bit too flat and I wished that they had explained the backstories of some of the characters. Even though Max and Allison were interesting characters, they weren't as entertaining as the Sanderson Sisters and the only protagonists that were pretty entertaining were Dani and Binx the Cat. Also, I would like to know how the Sanderson Sisters became witches in the first place (although it was implied that the Devil gave them their powers).

Overall, "Hocus Pocus" is a fantastic film that both children and adults will enjoy! It balances horror and humor very well and it has some of the best performances from Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy!
  
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Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) in Movies

Oct 15, 2017 (Updated Oct 15, 2017)  
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
2017 | Action, Comedy
Amazing fight cinematography (4 more)
Fun gadgets
British manners vs. American straightforwardness
Doesn't take itself too seriously
ELTON JOHN
ROXIE NOOOO (0 more)
Just as fun as the first
Oh man. This movie was just as great as the original. I've heard it didn't get great reviews because it wasn't much different than the first, but why does it need to be much different? The first was a hilarious spy movie romp in an almost parody of James Bond movies, and this one was no different. With improbably back-from-the-dead characters, an amazing cameo by Elton John, and the fantastic fight choreography and cinematography of the first film, this one was a winner in my book. It was only marred by some unexpected character deaths that I am very sad about.

It took me a moment to place Eggsy's girlfriend - since she was only in the last like ten minutes of the first movie - but I was utterly delighted when I realized who she is. I was very happy to see that she wasn't just a throwaway character like so many Bond girls.

If you enjoyed the first one, you'll also enjoy this one. I'm hoping there will be a third, as there's still hope for something from this one to not be quite as it seems. And they could rectify that in a third movie.
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Little Big Planet 3 in Video Games

Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)  
Little Big Planet 3
Little Big Planet 3
2014 | Platform, Puzzle & Cards
Lots of fun
This is such a quirky and fun game. It isn’t just for kids either, as an adult you can have so much fun playing this!

The main story mode is lengthy and full of unique and interesting levels that vary in difficulty. Sackboy and his friends are such adorable and silly characters to play, and it’s great to have the option to play as all of them as they each have their own unique abilities. The graphics too are very impressive and full of life and colour. And it has the voices of Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry to make it even better.

The best thing about this though is the multiplayer story mode. My boyfriend and i had hours of fun playing this together, and playing with someone else gives it an extra level of difficulty as well as frustration, especially if that person keeps dying and you don’t...

Conversely though, some of the multiplayer options are the downside to this game. Some of the areas in story mode are only accessible with a certain number of players, sometime 3/4 and how often do you play with that many people? It means you can’t complete all of the game.

Still that aside, this is a fantastic couch co-op game for all ages.
  
Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
App Rating
Fantastic story (7 more)
Decent graphics for the time
Comfortable 60 hours worth of game play
Challanging
A number of well know places from the Star Wars universe
The ability to choose the light or dark side
Intro to an entirely new Star Wars era
Decent supporting characters
Possibly the greatest Star Wars game ever made
Comfortably one of if not the best Star Wars games ever made.

The game has a rich and compelling storyline with interesting quests taking you to various locations recognisable from Star Wars lore. The supporting characters are decent and interesting in their own right and aid to progress the story of your own character whilst also developing themselves.


The combat mechanics works well and are challenging without being frustrating and the graphics, at the time, were great.


There is very little negative to say about this game as it's one of those that you start playing and don't want to put down. With the various progression options for your own character as you choose the light or dark side you are able to open other dialogue options and interact with others in different ways making the game worthy of at least another play through.


A game that stands the test of time and whilst looking a little dated graphically now it's still every bit as enjoyable to play especially if you've note had the pleasure to already!
  
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
2003 | Role-Playing
Fantastic story (7 more)
Decent graphics for the time
Comfortable 60 hours worth of game play
Challenging
A number of well known places from the Star Wars universe
The ability to choose the light or dark side
Intro to an entirely new Star Wars era
Decent supporting characters
Possibly the greatest Star Wars game ever made
Comfortably one of if not the best Star Wars games ever made.

The game has a rich and compelling storyline with interesting quests taking you to various locations recognisable from Star Wars lore. The supporting characters are decent and interesting in their own right and aid to progress the story of your own character whilst also developing themselves.


The combat mechanics works well and are challenging without being frustrating and the graphics, at the time, were great.


There is very little negative to say about this game as it's one of those that you start playing and don't want to put down. With the various progression options for your own character as you choose the light or dark side you are able to open other dialogue options and interact with others in different ways making the game worthy of at least another play through.


A game that stands the test of time and whilst looking a little dated graphically now it's still every bit as enjoyable to play especially if you've note had the pleasure to already!
  
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Rachel (48 KP) rated What Alice Forgot in Books

May 27, 2017  
What Alice Forgot
What Alice Forgot
Liane Moriarty | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.4 (15 Ratings)
Book Rating
Surprisingly Surprising!
Usually if I see the word's 'romance' 'love' or 'moving' on a book I immediately think "Nope!" and find something else.

I got this book after reading 'A Husband's Secret', which is fantastic, and wanted to read more of Liane Moriarty's novels.
I'm so glad that I did as I enjoyed this story just as much as her latest work.

Yes - this novel does have romance in it and isn't as tense or fast paced as her latest work but it does have a lot of other things in common with it. Really fleshed out character's that act in a believable way, a whiff of mystery, the main narrative accompanied by a few other character's voices and the power to make you try to imagine just how you might cope with the problems that are experienced within the story.

If, like me, you are allergic to so called 'chick lit' then please don't be put off from reading any of Liane Moriarty's work. They really are thought provoking, gripping tales and I look forward to discovering more of her work. Perhaps I won't be so hasty to put a book down if any of those dreaded words are on the cover next time, I could well be missing out on a gem of a book
  
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
2016 | Drama
Casey affleck (1 more)
Michelle williams
Harrowing Oscar worthy film
Tough, Emotional and beautifully acted Manchester By the sea proves to be one of my favorite films of the last few years and this is mainly down to the fantastic acting of Casey Affleck.

The film centres on Afflecks character Lee Chandler who receives bad news that his brother has died and must return to his home town to be a guardian for his orphaned nephew. This causes issues with his nephew Patrick as Lee wants to move back to Boston and there is clearly a traumatic reason Lee does not want to stay in Manchester.

Casey was overlooked in the wrongfully dismissed gone baby gone, but I feel here he may finally get the plaudits he deserves and must be a front runner for the Oscars. Affleck gives an emotionally charged nuisanced performance that manages to not only hit you in the feels but plays a reclusive man dealing with trauma with silence and looks......hard to do but he pulls it off.

Michelle Williams although plays nothing but a side character here is captivating in every scene she is in and gives an emotionally charged honest performance.

overall this film is difficult to watch but I found it truly captivating. This is due to the emotionally heavy plot and Oscar worthy performances.
  
Sing Street (2016)
Sing Street (2016)
2016 | International, Drama, Musical
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Great music (1 more)
Great acting
Feels too short (0 more)
The new commitments
This unashamedly small but brilliant movie set in 80s Ireland was the film of 2016 for me. Due to the size and marketing of this movie it sadly didn't receive the audience in cinema it deserved. Thank God for Netflix.

This follows the tale of Connor who's struggling working class parents pull him from private school and into the harsh reality of 80s public school run by a hard nosed priest and bullys. He meets a young beauty Raphina and convinces her he has a band to try and win her over.

This movie does not try and be something it's not and almost having a small budget and unknown cast helps make everything seem real. the acting is fantastic which is something indie films usually lack performances are great especially from Brendon the older brother.

the real star of this film however is the original music used by the titular band. It is 2 parts 80s nostalgia and 1 part genius. I truly belive the song Drive it like you stole it is Oscar worthy and deserves a nod in the least.

I would recommend this film to anyone and suggest people of all ages to watch this film with lots of heart and lots of great music.
  
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
2017 | Action, Adventure
Tom Holland (2 more)
The villain (thank god)
The script
No real stakes (1 more)
Not enough fighting scenes
Spiderman has never been better
Contains spoilers, click to show
Tom Holland is fantastic. Never has writing a review been so releaving. After the car wrecks that were the first 2 amazing Spiderman movies we finally get a great depiction of the friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. Tom played both the quick witted Spiderman and nerdy Peter Parker fantastically and actually looks like a high school kid.

Michael Keaton plays another winged comic book character in the vulture who unlike other marvel villains added some gravitas and was not just a throw away. He played almost a sympathetic villain where you understand his motivations.


The story was solid. We actually got to see a teenage Peter Parker with teenage worries in high school rather than trying to skip over his school life quickly in other iterations of the character. His high school sidekick Ned was a great comic relief and in my opinion created most of the laughs in this film.


One major worry going in was that iron man would steel the show. Luckily Robert Downey Jr was used almost sparingly and was there in just a mentoring capacity which was good to see.


Overall this was a funny, charming story with a great portrayal of one of the world's most loved characters.