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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Mercy (2018) in Movies
Feb 13, 2018
A little depressing
I think the problem with this film is that it's a little too depressing. It's a true story that hasn't been hollywood-ised, and it comes across as very bleak and sad.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Performance wise, Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz do well and they come across as endearing and likeable characters. The issue is that the story feels like it's missing something. It hurries along at a rather speedy pace and although it doesn't at least linger too long, I feel like there's more to Donald Crowhurst's story and life than they tell us. The score at times seems a little misplaced, seeming ominous in what should be a fairly light hearted scene. The scenes towards the end of the film that really highlight the loneliness and madness are done well and some are actually quite harrowing to watch. This is definitely not a feel good film.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Surrogates (2009) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019 (Updated Aug 9, 2019)
I didn't know too much about the story when I saw this. Surprised it doesn't seem to be well known and got some bad reviews? It did feel like a mix of films from the likes of Gamer, Total Recall, Matrix, Blade Runner, irobot and even A.I. In the near future people plug in using their brains to control a robot which effectively they use to live their day to day lives. No danger of disease, accidents, violence and of course you can look like whatever you want to through your surrogate. Until someone found a way of destroying the robot also kills the controller while they are plugged in! This has a good cast, cool effects and was enjoyable to watch. Highly unoriginal though and it did feel like a collection of ideas from the mentioned films. Never the less this is still an entertaining film worth checking out!!
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Black Phone (2022) in Movies
Jun 23, 2022
Retro feel (1 more)
Cinematography
Don't hang up!
Good to see this after a long delay for it's release, think I saw a trailer late summer last year. Wasn't sure what to expect, looked a lil low budget more of an indie thriller.
Well it definitely exceeded expectations. Set in 1978 the whole look and feel of the film is great. It visually looks like it was made around that time with a strong retro vibe to it. Story wise it felt like a Stephen King adaptation. There is a strong element to the likes of Stand by me or even Stranger Things in terms of growing up and friendship while over coming a difficult time. Along with a supernatural twist and ideas from the genre, it has a great combination which together make it a really enjoyable watch. Check it out if you are a Stephen King fan especially.
Well it definitely exceeded expectations. Set in 1978 the whole look and feel of the film is great. It visually looks like it was made around that time with a strong retro vibe to it. Story wise it felt like a Stephen King adaptation. There is a strong element to the likes of Stand by me or even Stranger Things in terms of growing up and friendship while over coming a difficult time. Along with a supernatural twist and ideas from the genre, it has a great combination which together make it a really enjoyable watch. Check it out if you are a Stephen King fan especially.
Domonique (0 KP) rated Sleeping Beauties in Books
May 12, 2018
This was so good!! Super long, though I shouldn't be surprised as it is a Stephen King/Own King novel, but I thought it would go by quicker if I was listening to it as an audiobook, but that was not the case! Even still though, it was so good. The idea that all of the women have feel asleep and the men have to learn to fend for themselves, I would love to see a world like that. Of course, being female, I'd be asleep as well, but I think its definitely an interesting concept. I loved the characters, especially the character of Evie because she was so fascinating and the idea of a supernatural woman taking the futures of all women into her hands and being even more powerful that a man, that's some heady stuff.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Forbidden Kingdom (2008) in Movies
Apr 30, 2019
Jet Li v Jackie Chan ...well for one scene at least. This is a great martial arts, fantasy film that seemed to not get a cinema release?! I find that very strange considering this is the first film to feature Chan and Li together. It has the same fight choreographer from The Matrix, Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger! The fights are truly awesome. Add some humour, a little adventure, good SFX and an all round good cast, makes for a great film. The start reminds me of some of the great fantasy films of my childhood like Never ending story. It's no coincidence that the old martial arts series Monkey is on the TV towards the start, as this film has a similar feel to it as that. So if you like the sound of any of that check this out.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Robocop (1987) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Murphy's Law
Heavy metal action satire from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven that established him as one of the world's leading SF directors. The story is functional, if hardly original - dedicated cop is shot to pieces by bad guys, rebuilt as an armoured cyborg by heartless corporation, struggles to reclaim his humanity - but what makes it special is Verhoeven's ability to turn the movie on a dime, switching the mood from black comedy to sincere drama in a moment.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
The setting is futuristic, but few films capture the look and feel of the 80s quite as effortlessly as Robocop. There are a few wobbles in the plotting and some uninspired supporting performances, but this is directed with heart and intelligence. At least as good as The Terminator or Aliens; would probably be much better remembered if any of the sequels had been any good.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four in Books
Jul 10, 2018
So, I was 90% sure that I had already read this book but now that I have reread it I am not sure.
I read this book back in middle school right after I read "Gathering Blue" and all I remember was that it was sad and that I liked it. Now that I am 27, I figured I needed to try it out again. I'm definitely glad that I read this again. I didn't remember anything. It was like a brand new book.
First off, the characters were fascinating and I loved the depressing feeling of this book. If you're in a bad mood, this definitely isn't the book to read. I found myself angry, depressed, and frustrated throughout most of the book. The dystopian feel of the book was really good.
All in all, it was a good book.
I read this book back in middle school right after I read "Gathering Blue" and all I remember was that it was sad and that I liked it. Now that I am 27, I figured I needed to try it out again. I'm definitely glad that I read this again. I didn't remember anything. It was like a brand new book.
First off, the characters were fascinating and I loved the depressing feeling of this book. If you're in a bad mood, this definitely isn't the book to read. I found myself angry, depressed, and frustrated throughout most of the book. The dystopian feel of the book was really good.
All in all, it was a good book.
Commune: Designed in California
Roman Alonso, Steven Johanknecht and Pamela Shamshiri
Book
One of America's leading interior design firms, Commune was established in Los Angeles in 2004 by...
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Salmon Fishing in the Yemen in Books
Oct 7, 2020
I promised myself I'd read this before allowing myself to see the movie. I have to say, it was certainly a fun ride, and yet one that I think might make a good film. However, there do seem to be a few things that wouldn't translate.
That said, Torday certainly knows how to write sympathetic characters and put them in interesting situations. This one doesn't tie all the loose ends up at the end, and we wonder what happens with some of these people. That could be a good thing, but I somehow feel this concluded a touch too quickly - and perhaps a nice epilogue would have helped conclude just one or two things that felt a bit too unfinished. Even so, the style is solid and unique - and nothing like the other book of his I read - The Girl on the Landing!
That said, Torday certainly knows how to write sympathetic characters and put them in interesting situations. This one doesn't tie all the loose ends up at the end, and we wonder what happens with some of these people. That could be a good thing, but I somehow feel this concluded a touch too quickly - and perhaps a nice epilogue would have helped conclude just one or two things that felt a bit too unfinished. Even so, the style is solid and unique - and nothing like the other book of his I read - The Girl on the Landing!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Immoral: Tales of a Vampire Hunter (#1) in Books
Jan 12, 2021
DNF at 39%
When I saw this advertised on one of the many e-book discount emails I get, I thought it sounded really good and I downloaded it straight away. When I started it, I still thought it was pretty good. It just kinda went a bit downhill from there.
There was no build up to any of the sex. It was like meet, say a few words, go back to the hotel and have sex. I didn't get it.
Then came the second vampire. There was just an instant connection and instead of fighting it because you're mortal enemies, you run off together...? I gave up after that.
I didn't feel a connection to the characters or for their "relationship". Not for me at all. I like to read the romance and I couldn't find it in this.
When I saw this advertised on one of the many e-book discount emails I get, I thought it sounded really good and I downloaded it straight away. When I started it, I still thought it was pretty good. It just kinda went a bit downhill from there.
There was no build up to any of the sex. It was like meet, say a few words, go back to the hotel and have sex. I didn't get it.
Then came the second vampire. There was just an instant connection and instead of fighting it because you're mortal enemies, you run off together...? I gave up after that.
I didn't feel a connection to the characters or for their "relationship". Not for me at all. I like to read the romance and I couldn't find it in this.