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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Ghost Ship (2002) in Movies
Oct 26, 2019
Better than expected
I feel like Ghost Ship is a rather underrated horror film. It may be a little dated now and it definitely shows it in the special effects, but it’s a lot more enjoyable than current modern horrors. It starts off with a bang, and continues with a lot of gore throughout the film. It isn’t the scariest of films which is a shame, but at least it doesn’t rely on cheesy jump scares. It’s got a great cast, and I hadn’t realised Karl Urban was in this which was a nice surprised. The characters may be slightly underdeveloped and there are some characters that come to rather unsatisfying ends, but I found that the twist ending more than makes up for some of these short comings. Whatever you think this film might be, I’d be surprised if you could predict how it turns out. It reminds me a little of Event Horizon at sea, and if it had been a little creepier and satisfying, it’d actually be a very good film.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Midsommar (2019) in Movies
Jul 18, 2019 (Updated Jul 18, 2019)
A Marmite film
If you have seen the trailer then you know this is going to be an artsy, bizarre film that's different from the mainstream films. It can be equally daft, silly one minute and shocking, disturbing the next. For either reason a few people walked out of the cinema after a while. It is gory at times and as it doesn't feel like a Horror film it can have more of an impact. There are lots of visual clues throughout the film and it does have depth to it. My main problem with it is despite being arsty the outcome as a whole was still quite predictable. It's a little overly long as well. It definitely has a Wicker Man meets Get Out vibe to it. Without being as good as either of those films. Overall a film some will love or hate, but either way it will stick with you after the credits. You'll definitely be talking about it for a while.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated How to Hang a Witch (How to Hang a Witch, #1) in Books
Jan 24, 2019
Great mix of history and fiction.
I kept saying this around Halloween and I finally got around to reading it. I got to be honest I wasn't expecting much sounded a little trophie but I got to be honest I really did enjoy it from start to finish. The author is apparently related to the actual guy in the book which was a really cool take I really love the setting of Salem the author really got the detail down great and made for really interesting story. I got to be honest the plot was probably my favorite part it was a great mix of historical fiction and YA high school drama with the perfect amount of a good old myster novel.
Really my only complaint was the really tired love triangle storyline I really didn't feel like it was needed she could have easily have just been friends with one of them but that's just my personal opinion because I honestly I absolutely hate love triangles.
I'm definitely going to be chexking out book 2.
Really my only complaint was the really tired love triangle storyline I really didn't feel like it was needed she could have easily have just been friends with one of them but that's just my personal opinion because I honestly I absolutely hate love triangles.
I'm definitely going to be chexking out book 2.
Kate (493 KP) rated The House of Twelve in Books
Nov 26, 2019
I did enjoy this book. I like crime novels and was not aware this was paranormal as well but it did all make sense and tie in at the end.
Once I started reading I couldn't out the book down - I read it in a day.
The story flowed well and it was interesting to find out the back ground of each character. I did like the twist at the end when the newspaper cut outs and reports were found. It really tied everything together.
I couldn't connect with the characters but that could be because some of them weren't around long and others I just didn't feel anything for. I didn't care what happened to each character and/or when it happened.
The story reminded me of the Saw films. They were more about a game and torture which I don't like so the book was better.
The book was very well put together.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Once I started reading I couldn't out the book down - I read it in a day.
The story flowed well and it was interesting to find out the back ground of each character. I did like the twist at the end when the newspaper cut outs and reports were found. It really tied everything together.
I couldn't connect with the characters but that could be because some of them weren't around long and others I just didn't feel anything for. I didn't care what happened to each character and/or when it happened.
The story reminded me of the Saw films. They were more about a game and torture which I don't like so the book was better.
The book was very well put together.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated The Lady In The Van (2015) in Movies
Nov 30, 2019
Not as Described
If you saw this trailer, and were expect8ng an numerous tale of Maggie Smith playing an obstanant and witty old lady... you are going to be disappointed.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
While there is some humour in this film, mostly dark and subtle (Not that that is an issue) it is not as hysterical as the trailer makes out. This is one of those very annoying cases where the genre and themes of the film, we're lost on whoever cut the trailer.
Said trailer is jammed full of every joke in the film, leaving you to think, "oka y, this looks fun, this will cheer me up". Sadly, the overall feel of the film is more drama than comedy.
That said, it is a very good film, well worth a watch, with the usual perfect performance from Maggie, but do not expect to be cheered up by this film, as it is quite sad.
I liked the film, however I was disappointed as I wanted something light and witty, this brought me down man.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Black Summer - Season 1 in TV
Jan 3, 2020 (Updated Jan 3, 2020)
Simple but effective (1 more)
Gripping episodes
Zombietastic!
After hearing good things about this zombie show on Netflix I finally caught up with it.
Definitely worth putting to the top of your list. This is how a zombie series should be done. We join the start of an outbreak with a small town evacuation and join a handful of survivors trying to get to safety. What I really liked is that the episodes just follow the chaos as it unfolds. You could imagine the situations happening in this type of event. The episodes vary from around 25 - 40 minutes in length. Some are just about 1 guy trying to avoid a zombie. Another episode shows the distrust in others when things go bad. So there is great variation overall in the settings and situations that arise. It's a little low budget, more evident in some episodes. However it doesn't need big budget effects and it has a raw gritty feel which adds to the intensity. A must for Zombie and Horror fans. Season 2 is coming this year.
Definitely worth putting to the top of your list. This is how a zombie series should be done. We join the start of an outbreak with a small town evacuation and join a handful of survivors trying to get to safety. What I really liked is that the episodes just follow the chaos as it unfolds. You could imagine the situations happening in this type of event. The episodes vary from around 25 - 40 minutes in length. Some are just about 1 guy trying to avoid a zombie. Another episode shows the distrust in others when things go bad. So there is great variation overall in the settings and situations that arise. It's a little low budget, more evident in some episodes. However it doesn't need big budget effects and it has a raw gritty feel which adds to the intensity. A must for Zombie and Horror fans. Season 2 is coming this year.
Rebecca Billcliff (2409 KP) rated Friends in TV
Jan 5, 2020 (Updated Jan 28, 2020)
I feel so O.L.D.!
I loved this show growing up, never spotted the sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia all in there. However, it was a different generation, so we should give it a pass, even by today's easily offended world, it is minor, and must be judged by its time, not how it would be received today. That said, for a show with a laughter track, it is pretty good.
It does give the characters some unconventional story arcs, and has interesting situations, such as Pheopbe having her brothers triplets (Though I will not lie, now I have had a baby, the way they gloss over labour now inrages me, so I skip those episodes).
To me fair, until very recently, it was keeping its age well, showing the passage of time clearly over the 10 years with changes in styles.
Though, even at 15, I wondered how any of them kept their jobs, while off so much. Time must move differently in New York...
It does give the characters some unconventional story arcs, and has interesting situations, such as Pheopbe having her brothers triplets (Though I will not lie, now I have had a baby, the way they gloss over labour now inrages me, so I skip those episodes).
To me fair, until very recently, it was keeping its age well, showing the passage of time clearly over the 10 years with changes in styles.
Though, even at 15, I wondered how any of them kept their jobs, while off so much. Time must move differently in New York...
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated The Vanishing (2018) in Movies
Jan 8, 2020 (Updated Jan 8, 2020)
Peter Mullan is brilliant again...
Based on the true story of three lighthouse keepers who mysteriously disappeared in 1900. This is the writers interpretation of the events that occurred, as nobody knows the truth to what actually happened to the three men on the Flannan Isles.
The movie is really slow paced and quiet, so some people may find it a bit boring. For me though the acting is top notch, which is enough to keep you interested in the story.
The ever reliable Peter Mullan is brilliant again and Gerard Butler is actually really good in this one and proves he does have range as an actor.
One negative for me was that some of the more violent scenes in the movie didn't really match the tempo of the film and felt a little bit out of place. I understand that these things had to happen but I just felt they could have been done a little better.
To sum up The Vanishing is a decent enough movie but I can't help but feel it could have been much much more.
The movie is really slow paced and quiet, so some people may find it a bit boring. For me though the acting is top notch, which is enough to keep you interested in the story.
The ever reliable Peter Mullan is brilliant again and Gerard Butler is actually really good in this one and proves he does have range as an actor.
One negative for me was that some of the more violent scenes in the movie didn't really match the tempo of the film and felt a little bit out of place. I understand that these things had to happen but I just felt they could have been done a little better.
To sum up The Vanishing is a decent enough movie but I can't help but feel it could have been much much more.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Skin I Live In (La piel que habito) (2011) in Movies
Apr 7, 2020
Operatically twisted (and twisty) erotic psycho-horror-thriller-drama from Almodovar. Brilliant scientist and surgeon (Banderas) seems to be keeping a young woman (Anaya) prisoner in his house, and performing various experiments on her (even his mum thinks he is insane). But the truth turns out to be a little more complicated than it at first seems...
Initially seems like much more of a plot-driven genre movie than is typical for this director, but the familiar themes (sex, desire, obsession, family ties) soon resurface albeit in somewhat modulated form. The plot grips like a vice, the performances are superb, it looks fabulous, and the (warped) sensuality of the film makes most so-called erotic thrillers look very bland and tame. This would qualify as a masterpiece, as good as anything Almodovar has ever done, except for the ending, which feels like a significant misstep, stumbling for conventional closure in a way that just doesn't ring true or feel satisfying. Nevertheless, a brilliant piece of film-making. (Do NOT read or hear a plot synopsis before watching if you can possibly avoid it.)
Initially seems like much more of a plot-driven genre movie than is typical for this director, but the familiar themes (sex, desire, obsession, family ties) soon resurface albeit in somewhat modulated form. The plot grips like a vice, the performances are superb, it looks fabulous, and the (warped) sensuality of the film makes most so-called erotic thrillers look very bland and tame. This would qualify as a masterpiece, as good as anything Almodovar has ever done, except for the ending, which feels like a significant misstep, stumbling for conventional closure in a way that just doesn't ring true or feel satisfying. Nevertheless, a brilliant piece of film-making. (Do NOT read or hear a plot synopsis before watching if you can possibly avoid it.)
The Unmumsy Mum Diary
Sarah Turner and The Unmumsy Mum
9.0
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She's back! The Unmumsy Mum has put pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard!) once more to bring...