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Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Mars Room: A Novel in Books
May 6, 2019
Rambling and unclear
I really struggled reading this book. It isn't an extraordinarily long book, but it feels like it as the entire thing drags on and rambles on far too much. You know if someone tells you a story in real life and they go into far too much detail and you're just begging for them to shut up and get to the point? That's pretty much how this book is. It rambles off into completely irrelevant and unnecessary stories about the characters, but then doesn't bother later down the line to let us find out what happened to some of them. For a book that has chapters from the point of view of numerous different characters it really does not do a good job in tying any of these up. There is even one character who has very short, disturbing chapters who I'm pretty sure is never named, and having finished the book I still havent got a clue who this is meant to be. It's all very confused.
This had potential with the plot, but sadly it was very poorly executed. I really had to force myself to finish this one and the only satisfaction I got at the end was that it was finally finished.
This had potential with the plot, but sadly it was very poorly executed. I really had to force myself to finish this one and the only satisfaction I got at the end was that it was finally finished.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Upgrade (2018) in Movies
May 20, 2019
Unexpectedly good
Well I have to say that this film was rather a pleasant surprise. I’d been expecting a rather low budget trashy sci-fi but instead I got an action packed, gory and strangely humorous film - which was a complete surprise until I saw it had been directed by Leigh Whannell, then it all made a little more sense.
Don’t get me wrong, this is quite like a good old B movie and does have a slightly dodgy script at times but the rest of the film more than makes up for it. The whole interaction between Grey and Stem is brilliant, very quick and witty and often pretty funny, and the camera work and robotic style of the fight scenes works really well, especially with the blood and gore thrown in too. The acting too from Logan Marshall Green is very good, and he isn’t an actor I’ve seen much from. My only criticism is the ending, I wouldn’t say it was entirely predictable but it didn’t come as a huge surprise. But then I’ve read far too many books and seen far too many films.
Also, was I the only one wishing Alan Tudyk did the voice of Stem? He’s such a good voiceover actor.
Don’t get me wrong, this is quite like a good old B movie and does have a slightly dodgy script at times but the rest of the film more than makes up for it. The whole interaction between Grey and Stem is brilliant, very quick and witty and often pretty funny, and the camera work and robotic style of the fight scenes works really well, especially with the blood and gore thrown in too. The acting too from Logan Marshall Green is very good, and he isn’t an actor I’ve seen much from. My only criticism is the ending, I wouldn’t say it was entirely predictable but it didn’t come as a huge surprise. But then I’ve read far too many books and seen far too many films.
Also, was I the only one wishing Alan Tudyk did the voice of Stem? He’s such a good voiceover actor.
Lumos (380 KP) rated The Cuckoo's Calling in Books
Jun 12, 2018
It was a real struggle for me to get through this book. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and envisioning what was happening. Normally, "British-isms" are 100% my thing but I feel like the references in this book were far too colloquial for me to find quaint. It took me almost twice as long to get through this book as it would have for another book of comparable size. I could feel the judgement from my friends when they asked what I was reading and I would respond.. yet again... that I was still reading Cuckoo's Calling. Even more judgement would come when someone would ask if I liked it and I would tell them that I was not enjoying it. "But why continue then?" ... It's what I do. I can't give up on books. Even if I am processing them at a snail's pace. Much less one written by JK Rowling. I knew there had to be a light in this book somewhere. That eventually instead of responding "nothing" when asked what is happening in the book so far, I'd be able to excitedly account all the details and events of the story. This did happen eventually... with the last 100 pages or so..
Gail (4 KP) rated Common Ground: Kayla and Taylor's Story in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Common Ground by Alice Rachel
Four Star
What if one day we wake up and the world wasn’t the same? You wake up and realize you can no longer do what you want or be who you truly are. Or you wake up and you already know that this is as far as you go. That no matter how hard you work your dreams don’t matter. This book made me really sad. To think that after we have moved so far ahead we end up right back where we started. Women with no rights, Gay's hiding from the world and men calling all the shots. Your daughters married off for status and the poor treated as if they’re scum under your boots. This book made you think about all the advantage we have now and how people fought to be free. The author did really well with how she presented her characters. There was too much tragedy for me. I don’t think Kayla should’ve had to go through her heartache to understand or join the cause. Taylor was hot and so mysterious. His character had you constantly guessing on what he would do next or how he would respond. A very interesting read.
Four Star
What if one day we wake up and the world wasn’t the same? You wake up and realize you can no longer do what you want or be who you truly are. Or you wake up and you already know that this is as far as you go. That no matter how hard you work your dreams don’t matter. This book made me really sad. To think that after we have moved so far ahead we end up right back where we started. Women with no rights, Gay's hiding from the world and men calling all the shots. Your daughters married off for status and the poor treated as if they’re scum under your boots. This book made you think about all the advantage we have now and how people fought to be free. The author did really well with how she presented her characters. There was too much tragedy for me. I don’t think Kayla should’ve had to go through her heartache to understand or join the cause. Taylor was hot and so mysterious. His character had you constantly guessing on what he would do next or how he would respond. A very interesting read.
Joe Julians (221 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018 (Updated Jun 20, 2018)
Superbly Tense
Full review here:
Just a quick one as I've already filmed a review for this that said all I needed to say, but this is, for the most part, a wonderful film. The way it's shot really works well, every shadow and corner of the screen demands your attention. It's so tense too. A lot of times it will build you up for a jump scare that never comes and as a result, I was left with baited breath for far longer than I have been in most movies. This is a horror that knows what it's doing and knows exactly how to make the most of every second of screen time. Toni Collette is incredible here too and it's one of the best performances I've seen in a while.
It's just a shame the ending is such a letdown. Narratively it works, it just shows too much and goes too far and the end result is a tad silly. I wouldn't write the whole film off as I loved what came before it, but it's a shame it drops the ball so much in its final few minutes. Until then, this had 10/10 written all over it for me.
Just a quick one as I've already filmed a review for this that said all I needed to say, but this is, for the most part, a wonderful film. The way it's shot really works well, every shadow and corner of the screen demands your attention. It's so tense too. A lot of times it will build you up for a jump scare that never comes and as a result, I was left with baited breath for far longer than I have been in most movies. This is a horror that knows what it's doing and knows exactly how to make the most of every second of screen time. Toni Collette is incredible here too and it's one of the best performances I've seen in a while.
It's just a shame the ending is such a letdown. Narratively it works, it just shows too much and goes too far and the end result is a tad silly. I wouldn't write the whole film off as I loved what came before it, but it's a shame it drops the ball so much in its final few minutes. Until then, this had 10/10 written all over it for me.
Entry number 7 (of 9) in Donald Jacks Bartholomew Bandy series (Canadian First World War air ace), set - this time - in India, in the mid 1920s (1925, to be precise).
Having - inadvertently - previously saved the life of Prince Khoosie of the state of Jhamjarh, this novel starts with Bandy travelling to that continent to help them set up their own air force: an air force that is viewed with some misgivings by the (British) powers-that-be, who are convinced that it will be used against them and who refuse to heed any warnings about an uprising that is planned by another Indian state, even going so far as to take their side against Jhamjarh.
As things turn out, of course, the British government have it all backwards …
As I've said before, I found the quality of these novels to have declined in direct proportion to their settings: for my money, the earlier books (set during and just after WW1) are far superior to these later instalments. Having said that, I did find this one to be more enjoyable than its immediate predecessor, with a few laugh-out-loud moments and a further insight into just how Bandy's First World War experiences have affected him
Having - inadvertently - previously saved the life of Prince Khoosie of the state of Jhamjarh, this novel starts with Bandy travelling to that continent to help them set up their own air force: an air force that is viewed with some misgivings by the (British) powers-that-be, who are convinced that it will be used against them and who refuse to heed any warnings about an uprising that is planned by another Indian state, even going so far as to take their side against Jhamjarh.
As things turn out, of course, the British government have it all backwards …
As I've said before, I found the quality of these novels to have declined in direct proportion to their settings: for my money, the earlier books (set during and just after WW1) are far superior to these later instalments. Having said that, I did find this one to be more enjoyable than its immediate predecessor, with a few laugh-out-loud moments and a further insight into just how Bandy's First World War experiences have affected him
Michael Packner (32 KP) rated Child's Play 2 (1990) in Movies
Jun 22, 2019
The final fight in the toy factory is one of the best in slasher history. (4 more)
Chucky is even better the second time around
The kills continue to be inventive
The film successfully keeps the dark tone from the first
The film finds a perfect balance of darkness and humor
Close your eyes and count to seven. When you wake you'll be in heaven.
Child's Play 2 is the perfect horror sequel. The film takes everything that made the first one great and ups the ante without going too far. More violence, more gore, more comedy, and more Chucky. Yes, part 2 saw Chucky starting to find his footing as a king of zing with the one liners before he kills you, but it wasn't until Bride of Chucky that I felt they took it too far. It's great to have Alex Vincent back as Andy and Christine Elise steps into the series as Kyle, Andy's foster sibling with a rocker chick edge. The kills are great and the suspense is still there. The film is not quite as dark as the original, but the tone is still on point. The climax in the toy factory is one of the best, at least in slasher history. Definitely a must watch in the Child's Play series.
Child's Play 2 is the perfect horror sequel. The film takes everything that made the first one great and ups the ante without going too far. More violence, more gore, more comedy, and more Chucky. Yes, part 2 saw Chucky starting to find his footing as a king of zing with the one liners before he kills you, but it wasn't until Bride of Chucky that I felt they took it too far. It's great to have Alex Vincent back as Andy and Christine Elise steps into the series as Kyle, Andy's foster sibling with a rocker chick edge. The kills are great and the suspense is still there. The film is not quite as dark as the original, but the tone is still on point. The climax in the toy factory is one of the best, at least in slasher history. Definitely a must watch in the Child's Play series.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 3 in TV
Jul 6, 2019
Getting better with age
I've loved all 3 seasons of ST so far but this is the best so far. It's just just sublime. All the characters get depth and development whilst introducing a few new ones. The nostalgia shown in this is superb and unapologetic. At one point Mike and Lucas are having a convo about coka cola classic vs new coke and (very post modern tongue firmly in cheek) Lucas says 'classic is good but the remake is better'. Terminator, evil dead, back 2 the future, day of the dead, invasion of the body snatchers and many more are lovingly referenced with possibly the greatest and funniest being a brilliant neverending story shout out. The gore and horror is there in spades with more a focus on body horror and some very 'Lovecraftian' scenes which are equally awesome & disgusting. Steve & Dustin are the stars and continue their great team up from season 2 and honestly I think a spin off where they have a detective agency would be an amazing show that needs to be made!! It'll make u laugh, it'll make u cry but you will love it...PS keep watching for a post credits scene in last episode! Season 4 I cant wait!!!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Cube 2: Hypercube (2002) in Movies
Apr 5, 2020
A little too out there
The first Cube film for me was always an underrated low budget cult classic, and definitely a precursor for the likes of Saw etc. The original was a great idea with just enough maths and science to make it believable and not completely ridiculous. Sadly the same can’t be said about this sequel.
They’ve gone far too over the top on the science that whilst it does make some sense, it makes the whole idea of the cube a completely silly and ridiculous idea. And the ending itself as far as the cube goes is just laughably bizarre. There’s also the general plot and story, which seems to have left out all of the bits from the original that made it interesting - like the scary traps and numbered doors. Some of the characters are interesting, others are just carbon copies from the original or completely pointless and forgettable. You can tell they’ve got a bigger budget with the amount of CGI in this, it’s just a shame it’s rather poor and lacks the punch of the physical traps used in the original.
This is a rather sorry excuse for a sequel, and not one I’d recommend watching. The third film and prequel Cube Zero is a much better watch.
They’ve gone far too over the top on the science that whilst it does make some sense, it makes the whole idea of the cube a completely silly and ridiculous idea. And the ending itself as far as the cube goes is just laughably bizarre. There’s also the general plot and story, which seems to have left out all of the bits from the original that made it interesting - like the scary traps and numbered doors. Some of the characters are interesting, others are just carbon copies from the original or completely pointless and forgettable. You can tell they’ve got a bigger budget with the amount of CGI in this, it’s just a shame it’s rather poor and lacks the punch of the physical traps used in the original.
This is a rather sorry excuse for a sequel, and not one I’d recommend watching. The third film and prequel Cube Zero is a much better watch.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated American Ultra (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Jesse Eisenberg plays a “stoned” cold killer without a memory in the new action comedy American Ultra. But when the pompous government weasel played by Topher Grace decides to eliminate the asset, Stoner Eisenberg finds himself running for his life and yet relying on secret spy skills he didn’t know he had. Think Jason Borne meets Pineapple Express. Only with way more low budget action and far less stoner humor. Which is a shame because American Ultra doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. If it would have made a commitment to either the action or the stoner comedy, we would could have and a solid movie in either direction, but instead we just get, meh.
That isn’t to say the film is bad. I went in with low expectations and enjoyed myself. It has some chuckles but they are few and far between. Kristen Stewart seems right at home with her performance of Eisenberg’s girlfriend who is caught up in the ride and helps him along the way. While Jesse Eisenberg and Topher Grace are not menacing and their action sequences seem stiff and awkward. However this film makes it clear that it doesn’t take itself seriously and thus if you just go along with the ride you may enjoy it.
That isn’t to say the film is bad. I went in with low expectations and enjoyed myself. It has some chuckles but they are few and far between. Kristen Stewart seems right at home with her performance of Eisenberg’s girlfriend who is caught up in the ride and helps him along the way. While Jesse Eisenberg and Topher Grace are not menacing and their action sequences seem stiff and awkward. However this film makes it clear that it doesn’t take itself seriously and thus if you just go along with the ride you may enjoy it.