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Awix (3310 KP) rated Dirty Work (1933) in Movies
Feb 19, 2019
A cautionary tale of hubristic science operating beyond the constraints of morality, and poor health and safety standards too. Stan and Ollie's latest venture is sweeping people's chimneys for them; they pitch up at the home of mad scientist Professor Noodle who is working on a rejuvenation elixir.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Not quite one of the boys' first-rate shorts - obviously there is boundless potential in the notion of Laurel and Hardy as chimney sweeps (Ollie falls down the chimney, off the roof, etc, etc, while Stan destroys the interior decorations of the house), but the mad scientist plotline feels oddly grafted on and the concluding scenes are peculiar rather than funny. First two-thirds makes the film more than worthwhile, though.
Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Red Dwarf in TV
Jun 2, 2019
Some of the best British TV moments
Red dwarf is one of my all time favourite TV shows. The chemistry between the characters, particularly Rimmer and Lister, is sublime. The first season was a really good introduction, but in my opinion has not aged too well. There are still some absolutely brilliant moments, but the series feels very much like its finding its feet. Season three to six are some of the greatest TV episodes I've ever seen, and Season five and Six in particular are excellent. Season 7 and 8 were so-so, and the later ones were starting to return to some of the old magic.
CHILLFILTR (46 KP) rated On the Corner Where You Live by The Paper Kites in Music
Jun 5, 2019 (Updated Jun 5, 2019)
https://chillfiltr.com/blog/2018/7/31/the-paper-kites-deep-burn-blue
This one feels just a bit throwback at first, with the analog-sounding synth on 8th-note repeat, and the guitar reverb has that little hint of Miami Vice. But then the baritone vocal hits, and then the alto harmony, and the whole song starts feeling warm and blanket-like, with a slightly muted band sound tucked under a wooly delay-reverb.
By the end: the hook is etched into your brain, the vocals feel like the pondering sound of your own inner vision, and the drums feel underwater. This song is a simple, infectious melody, delivered with impeccably groomed vocals, and a smooth late-night catharsis.
This one feels just a bit throwback at first, with the analog-sounding synth on 8th-note repeat, and the guitar reverb has that little hint of Miami Vice. But then the baritone vocal hits, and then the alto harmony, and the whole song starts feeling warm and blanket-like, with a slightly muted band sound tucked under a wooly delay-reverb.
By the end: the hook is etched into your brain, the vocals feel like the pondering sound of your own inner vision, and the drums feel underwater. This song is a simple, infectious melody, delivered with impeccably groomed vocals, and a smooth late-night catharsis.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Exploding Kittens in Tabletop Games
Mar 7, 2018
Bonkers but entertaining
With a name like Exploding Kittens, you expect nothing other than something completely bizarre, and that's really what you get.
It reminds me a lot of Uno in a way, although i had been expecting something more like Top Trumps. It's a very fun yet completely bonkers card game, although the rules are fairly lengthy and it does take a while to get used to. It's not a game that can keep you entertained indefinitely, but once you get used to playing it it's good for a few fun rounds. It's a nice new spin on a card game, and one that feels like it has been made for adults for a change.
It reminds me a lot of Uno in a way, although i had been expecting something more like Top Trumps. It's a very fun yet completely bonkers card game, although the rules are fairly lengthy and it does take a while to get used to. It's not a game that can keep you entertained indefinitely, but once you get used to playing it it's good for a few fun rounds. It's a nice new spin on a card game, and one that feels like it has been made for adults for a change.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Deadly Currents (An RM Outdoor Adventures Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a man dies on new river ranger Mandy Tanner's watch, she's naturally upset. But when it turns out to be murder, she feels compelled to investigate.
I enjoyed this first book in a series if for no other reason because I enjoyed the river rafting background. I did find Mandy a little too hard to take at times as she seemed to overreact to those around her. I could see her side, but even so it seemed like a bit much. Still, I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-deadly-currents-by-beth.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I enjoyed this first book in a series if for no other reason because I enjoyed the river rafting background. I did find Mandy a little too hard to take at times as she seemed to overreact to those around her. I could see her side, but even so it seemed like a bit much. Still, I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-deadly-currents-by-beth.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (1974) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)
Somewhat atypical late-period Hammer horror; feels a bit like a pilot for a TV show but is none the worse for that. Dope-smoking, katana-swinging action man Kronos does battle with a vampire that feeds off youth itself.
Works hard to avoid the usual clichés, with some great moments of black comedy along the way. References to other Hammer films from around the same time will please the faithful. Action choreography by doyen of swordmasters William Hobbs means that the fight sequences (especially the climactic duel) are considerably better than you'd expect from such a low-budget movie. Should have been the start of a series, but Hammer had run out of money.
Works hard to avoid the usual clichés, with some great moments of black comedy along the way. References to other Hammer films from around the same time will please the faithful. Action choreography by doyen of swordmasters William Hobbs means that the fight sequences (especially the climactic duel) are considerably better than you'd expect from such a low-budget movie. Should have been the start of a series, but Hammer had run out of money.
Darren DrRock Rogerson (4 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Apr 2, 2018
Finally a decent Spiderman movie
Tom Holland is a spectacular Spiderman he is the closest to the comic version out of all the actors to portray the character. I was unsure about Michael Keaton as Toomes/Vulture at first but he was excellent. The addition of Tony Stark and Happy was a great idea but not necessarily needed, it feels they were added to get the bums on seats in case it failed. All in all, the action and thrills you expect from Marvel/Disney and then some. I loved the Sam Raimi trilogy, and i cant wait to see what Jon Watts can do with his incarnation of Spidey
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Century: Eastern Wonders in Tabletop Games
Aug 5, 2018
Multiple direction trading (3 more)
Modular board
Tactical moving
Easy to understand trading
Century spice road in another dimension
Ok finally played this one. If century spice road feels like splendor to you. This will be a better version. Now you move around a board “sailing” island to island setting up markets with trading posts. You have to set up combos in order and also claim them before other people. But moving more than one space costs you resources so it has to be worth it. There is very little blocking so it’s mostly just a racing game. Around making conversions and trades. Working toward a goal and beating the other players to it. I liked it.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) in Movies
Oct 11, 2018
An unnecessary sequel
As with all sequels, this one is pretty unnecessary. Whilst as sequels go it isn’t terrible, it just feels like it’s repeating the same old things over again, and not very well either. This film seems to have upped the ante on the gore and the body count, but it’s nowhere near as scary or creepy. It’s still quite entertaining and funny, it’s just not a patch on the original and the little twist at the end is a lame.
I’m shocked to see how many famous people are in this that I forgot about, namely Jack Black and Milton Dammers himself, Jeffrey Combs. Just a shame they couldn’t make this as good as the original.
I’m shocked to see how many famous people are in this that I forgot about, namely Jack Black and Milton Dammers himself, Jeffrey Combs. Just a shame they couldn’t make this as good as the original.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated The Grinch (2018) in Movies
Nov 21, 2018
Illumination's sweet adaptation of The Grinch (2018) opts not to shrink the title character's heart the whole three sizes. #Review
Prematurely Christmassy – and I don’t mean that in a Grinchy way – Illumination’s take on “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” is as warm and sweet as a hot mug of cocoa that’s mostly marshmallow. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it definitely feels like this is a movie that will find its real home on home video next Christmas rather than unceremoniously dumped in early November where it's left looking longingly at the distant, cosily festive light of December, much the same way its title character regards the town of Whoville from afar....
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusGrinch
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusGrinch