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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Dreamcatcher (2003) in Movies
Nov 9, 2019
A little bonkers
I’ve read the book, and I still found this film to be bonkers and completely crazy. So I really don’t know how anyone who hasn’t read the book can watch this film and have a clue what’s going on.
To be fair, even for Stephen King this story is a bit far fetched and a slightly confusing mix of genres. The film follows the basic plot from the book although obviously missing a lot of the more detailed aspects. It has a good and very decent cast, although sadly some like Timothy Olyphant and Jason Lee. And I’m really not entirely sure how I feel about Morgan Freeman being the bad guy, he definitely feels a little miscast. The effects in this are rather poor too, even when considering it was made in 2003!
Overall it’s not a bad film and watchable if you’ve read the book, but the crazy plot isn’t made any less sane and I really don’t think the boys friendship is highlighted as much as it should be like it has in some of King’s other films (IT and Stand By Me for example).
To be fair, even for Stephen King this story is a bit far fetched and a slightly confusing mix of genres. The film follows the basic plot from the book although obviously missing a lot of the more detailed aspects. It has a good and very decent cast, although sadly some like Timothy Olyphant and Jason Lee. And I’m really not entirely sure how I feel about Morgan Freeman being the bad guy, he definitely feels a little miscast. The effects in this are rather poor too, even when considering it was made in 2003!
Overall it’s not a bad film and watchable if you’ve read the book, but the crazy plot isn’t made any less sane and I really don’t think the boys friendship is highlighted as much as it should be like it has in some of King’s other films (IT and Stand By Me for example).
Ross (3284 KP) rated One Word Kill in Books
Dec 4, 2019
Nothing original but a good read
Mark Lawrence has stepped out of the fantasy bubble into this loosely sci-fi trilogy set in the 1980s. 15 year old Nick is diagnosed with cancer and while undergoing chemotherapy starts to have strange visions and deja vu. A mysterious figure seems to be stalking him and his D&D friends, and he ends up planning a siege to help this person from the future.
The story is very short (a little over 200 pages on kindle), but is quite heavy on the 80s references and D&D gameplay. The story itself is nothing new but with a little more head-scratching time travel/parallel universe pseudo-science crammed in. The twists throughout the story are fairly predictable and cliched.
The dialogue also doesn't feel like authentic 80s teenager speech to me, a few too many Americanisms ("hey" instead of "hi", "do it, already" etc).
A reasonably enjoyable short book, but a little Stranger Things bandwagon-jumping to me. I'm not sure whether the other two books carry on the story or how, so I will be interested to see where they go from here.
The story is very short (a little over 200 pages on kindle), but is quite heavy on the 80s references and D&D gameplay. The story itself is nothing new but with a little more head-scratching time travel/parallel universe pseudo-science crammed in. The twists throughout the story are fairly predictable and cliched.
The dialogue also doesn't feel like authentic 80s teenager speech to me, a few too many Americanisms ("hey" instead of "hi", "do it, already" etc).
A reasonably enjoyable short book, but a little Stranger Things bandwagon-jumping to me. I'm not sure whether the other two books carry on the story or how, so I will be interested to see where they go from here.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Bombshell (2019) in Movies
Jan 20, 2020
Based-on-fact drama exposing the reality of sexual harassment in the American media, from the director of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (feel that cognitive dissonance!). When a broadcaster is hired from right-wing network Fox News, she resolves to sue the founder, causing ructions throughout the organisation. It's actually a bit more wide-ranged and discursive than that, touching on various issues connected to attitudes towards the media and the exploitation of woman. Not explicitly anti-Trump, but the mood music is certainly not supporting him - I doubt many of the red cap brigade will find much here to enjoy.
To be honest, I was kind of expecting something more like The Big Short or Vice - angry and smart, but also blackly funny and formally creative. After a fairly sparky first act this just becomes quite a serious drama about sexual harassment. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but the thing is that it does become a bit issue-led. Some very good performances, though, and the prosthetics are fun too, I suppose (most of these people are unknown in the UK, though - did like Malcolm McDowell's Rupert Murdoch). Very watchable.
To be honest, I was kind of expecting something more like The Big Short or Vice - angry and smart, but also blackly funny and formally creative. After a fairly sparky first act this just becomes quite a serious drama about sexual harassment. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but the thing is that it does become a bit issue-led. Some very good performances, though, and the prosthetics are fun too, I suppose (most of these people are unknown in the UK, though - did like Malcolm McDowell's Rupert Murdoch). Very watchable.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018) in Movies
Jan 22, 2020
I am genuinely surprised at how much I love this movie. Normally, I am a firm advocate for film adaptations sticking to the book and if they don't, I find myself getting really upset (Dumplin' is a great example of this), but I thoroughly love this movie. The changes that were made are ones that I love. I don't mind it not sticking to it entirely because the general feel of the story is still there. I get the same feeling watching the move that I got reading the book and I think that's most important.
Additionally, this cast is incredible. I love Lana Conder, I think she's incredible. I love almost everything Noah Centineo is in and he's the exact guy that I imagined for Peter. (Same with Lana and Lara Jean). I think that they have great chemistry and I'm excited to see how that plays out even further when the next movie comes out in February.
I really love this series. I know some people don't, I'm not sure why honestly, but I love it and I definitely see myself watching these movies every now and again when I just need a good, heartwarming love story.
Additionally, this cast is incredible. I love Lana Conder, I think she's incredible. I love almost everything Noah Centineo is in and he's the exact guy that I imagined for Peter. (Same with Lana and Lara Jean). I think that they have great chemistry and I'm excited to see how that plays out even further when the next movie comes out in February.
I really love this series. I know some people don't, I'm not sure why honestly, but I love it and I definitely see myself watching these movies every now and again when I just need a good, heartwarming love story.
Kate (493 KP) rated The IT Girl Wears An XL in Books
Mar 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It was nice to challenge the stereotypes of how girls should look. It also goes to show that curvy can be fancied and can get the guy. It also shows what society is like to those girls when they get what other girls want.
I was instantly hooked and wanted to continue reading when I could. There were 2 sides to the book as well so it didn't focus on one thing and I got to know more about each character and their past.
The book was written well and kept me intrigued.
I connected with the characters. Some I felt sorry for and some I felt disgusted because of their actions.
I think the story is aimed at mid-teens to late twenties. It is a feel good book and aimed at people who want a confidence book or just a laugh.
After reading the blurb I'm glad I decided to read the book and will definitely read the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I was instantly hooked and wanted to continue reading when I could. There were 2 sides to the book as well so it didn't focus on one thing and I got to know more about each character and their past.
The book was written well and kept me intrigued.
I connected with the characters. Some I felt sorry for and some I felt disgusted because of their actions.
I think the story is aimed at mid-teens to late twenties. It is a feel good book and aimed at people who want a confidence book or just a laugh.
After reading the blurb I'm glad I decided to read the book and will definitely read the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Blinded by the Light (2019) in Movies
Apr 26, 2020
Clumsy and unoriginal
Watching this film would never be my choice, as despite my love of musicals I've never been particularly interested in the music of Bruce Springsteen. And I'm afraid to say this film hasn't changed my opinion on this either.
This film is so cheesy and cliched that I spent most of the time watching it cringing in horror. It seems to copy virtually every other type of film that has come before it that looks at coming of age in a Muslim and Pakistani background - it's like a poor version of East is East, with barely any laughs & a bit of Springsteen thrown in. The production values in this too are rather poor. You can tell it's low budget, from the dodgy dance scenes to the cinematography as a whole.
There is a decent cast thrown into this like Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon and Dean Charles Chapman but I felt like they were sadly underused and letdown by the poor and ridiculously cheesy script. There are some likeable parts in this that makes it a little bit feel good but overall I could've quite happily turned this off and not felt like I was missing out.
This film is so cheesy and cliched that I spent most of the time watching it cringing in horror. It seems to copy virtually every other type of film that has come before it that looks at coming of age in a Muslim and Pakistani background - it's like a poor version of East is East, with barely any laughs & a bit of Springsteen thrown in. The production values in this too are rather poor. You can tell it's low budget, from the dodgy dance scenes to the cinematography as a whole.
There is a decent cast thrown into this like Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon and Dean Charles Chapman but I felt like they were sadly underused and letdown by the poor and ridiculously cheesy script. There are some likeable parts in this that makes it a little bit feel good but overall I could've quite happily turned this off and not felt like I was missing out.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Hidden Fortress (1958) in Movies
Apr 28, 2020
Historical epic from Kurosawa. A motley group including two scumbag peasants, a wilful young princess, and an imposingly lethal warrior try to make their way through enemy territory while carrying a large stash of gold. Much more famous for its influence on the stellar conflict saga than its own merits, this movie doesn't have the inspired simplicity of premise or the economy of a film like Seven Samurai or Yojimbo, but is still rewarding provided you can get on its wavelength.
There are many good things about this film - Mifune, the compositions, some stunning epic set-pieces - but on the other hand it will probably feel very slow to a modern viewer, with a lot of wandering about that doesn't really seem necessary. At its heart the film is about the contrast and conflict between the noble and honorable concerns of the princess and her general and the completely selfish and amoral outlook of the peasants, and this is nicely achieved without feeling too heavy-handed. Suffice to say everyone learns something by the end. In the end, though, this is mid-table Kurosawa.
There are many good things about this film - Mifune, the compositions, some stunning epic set-pieces - but on the other hand it will probably feel very slow to a modern viewer, with a lot of wandering about that doesn't really seem necessary. At its heart the film is about the contrast and conflict between the noble and honorable concerns of the princess and her general and the completely selfish and amoral outlook of the peasants, and this is nicely achieved without feeling too heavy-handed. Suffice to say everyone learns something by the end. In the end, though, this is mid-table Kurosawa.
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