Search
Search results
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
At its best a celebration of life, people, and all they have to offer - which also acts as one of countless reminders why Lauryn Hill is such a force to be reckoned with. At its worst - I confess - rather dull, and when it makes you begrudgingly want to admit that charity-stealing P.O.S. Wyclef Jean is actually one hell of a talented musical artist (that piano rendition of "If I Was President" is so great it's actually chilling). Not what I expected, seems to be content with just being chill rather than being the powerhouse of fun and emotion it could have been - and that's okay - still has some good musical numbers, funny moments, and a whole truckload of talent as well as some essential and incredibly timely words of wisdom that are just as potent (if not, maybe even moreso) today than they ever were in the 21st century. Has a certain calm energy about it that feels like a nice warm stroll along your hometown, but that's all it ever really feels like. Obviously the words, ideas, lives, enjoyment, talent, and music are important, relevant, and absolutely crucial 100%. But I can't mistake powerful presences/material for the memorable and amazing execution this wasn't really given. Make no mistake, I still definitely dig it and the feelings expressed throughout I will not soon forget - but as a film watch it sort of treads water. Though I can't dislike any film which features a live Kanye rendition of "Jesus Walks".
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Black Christmas (2019) in Movies
Dec 17, 2020
Fuck I really hated this.
Ignoring the politics side for a moment - it's a hugely poor horror film. It's devoid of any scares, it cuts away from any gore, and perhaps worst of all, it has the audacity to be called "Black Christmas" - which is quite simply one of the best slashers ever made.
Did this film even start as a Black Christmas remake? It basically goes: Men are shit - some people get killed offscreen - weird supernatural twist - oh shit, it's Black Christmas, better throw in a glass unicorn sculpture.
The supernatural part is something I'm not mad at actually - at least it tried something different rather than being a straight re tread.
Then of course, there's the aformentioned politics, which is what most people's issue is with this film. Feminist messages in horror movies can be hugely effective - the original Black Christmas does it well for example - but I can't help but feel that the message this version putting out there is severely mishandled. As a guy, I am willing to hear how I'm wrong in this instance, but it feels sooooo over the top with what it's trying to do. It's not too hard to be on board with for the most part, but the final scenes really go for it - I mean the lines "you're insane!" "No, we're just men" - really!? It just feels very in the nose to me.
Other than that, this film is turd. It gets a star for Imogen Poots and the creative snow angel death scene at the start. Watch the original instead.
Ignoring the politics side for a moment - it's a hugely poor horror film. It's devoid of any scares, it cuts away from any gore, and perhaps worst of all, it has the audacity to be called "Black Christmas" - which is quite simply one of the best slashers ever made.
Did this film even start as a Black Christmas remake? It basically goes: Men are shit - some people get killed offscreen - weird supernatural twist - oh shit, it's Black Christmas, better throw in a glass unicorn sculpture.
The supernatural part is something I'm not mad at actually - at least it tried something different rather than being a straight re tread.
Then of course, there's the aformentioned politics, which is what most people's issue is with this film. Feminist messages in horror movies can be hugely effective - the original Black Christmas does it well for example - but I can't help but feel that the message this version putting out there is severely mishandled. As a guy, I am willing to hear how I'm wrong in this instance, but it feels sooooo over the top with what it's trying to do. It's not too hard to be on board with for the most part, but the final scenes really go for it - I mean the lines "you're insane!" "No, we're just men" - really!? It just feels very in the nose to me.
Other than that, this film is turd. It gets a star for Imogen Poots and the creative snow angel death scene at the start. Watch the original instead.
Betwixt (Betwixt and Between #1)
7.0
Rate It
Book
A Paranormal Women's Fiction with a bit of class, and a lot of sass, for anyone who feels like age...
Merissa (13176 KP) rated Crashed (Gold Hockey #12) in Books
Jul 28, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
CRASHED is the twelfth book in the Gold Hockey series but you can read it as a standalone as I have.
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! Highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 28, 2021
Fanny is single and happy to be so after she has spent ten years trying to piece her heart back together. It feels broken all over again when the man she has been trying to forget comes back into her life. Brandon has more regrets about Fanny than he knows what to do with, but one thing is sure. He loves her and wants her back.
This is another winner for Elise Faber. Not only does she have a couple of fantastic characters in Fanny and Brandon, but the story itself sweeps you off your feet. My heart broke for Fanny as she remembered, and the reader found out, just what had happened to hurt her so badly. But then it also broke for Brandon, for forgetting so much. The other characters support them and move the story forward.
I was able to read this as a standalone although I am now left wanting ALL the others, including Scar and Kaydon's story which is due next! Fanny and Brandon have made me smile, laugh, and feel sorrow, so it's only right that I recommend you have all the feels I did! Highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 28, 2021
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Watchmen in Books
Jul 21, 2017
The characters (4 more)
The ending
The art work
How dark and real the whole story feels
Characters that are so flawed they feel real.
Can freaking drag (1 more)
Way too much dialog at times.
You either love it or hate it but it does change how you see super heroes.
This is one comic book I honestly believe everyone should read but art the same time don't make it your first like I tried to do because HOLY hell does thing drag along at some points but at about half way it finally sinks its teeth in and does not let you go.
To date I think this has one of the best conclusions I've ever read. And you definitely find your looking at superheroes different after reading this.
To date I think this has one of the best conclusions I've ever read. And you definitely find your looking at superheroes different after reading this.
Merissa (13176 KP) rated All Hallows' Moon (Seasons of the Moon #2) in Books
Jul 31, 2017
All Hallows' Moon (Seasons of the Moon #2) by S.M. Reine
The second book in the series follows closely and seamlessly from the first book. Rylie has moved to her aunt's in the country as a) she feels more comfortable in the country now and b) she thinks it will be safer as she is still struggling with trying to live with the wolf inside her. Seth makes a reappearance and it also shows just how you CAN'T choose your family!
The story is once again excellently written, the characters become more in depth and well-rounded and the pace is once again very well paced and smooth.
Book 3 is ready to start tonight!
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The story is once again excellently written, the characters become more in depth and well-rounded and the pace is once again very well paced and smooth.
Book 3 is ready to start tonight!
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Cassie (47 KP) rated The Missing - Season 1 in TV
Jul 31, 2017
writing (2 more)
direction
cast/acting
I started watching this show (on Starz in the US) because I like limited series. Limited series are awesome because they're kind of like long movies, long enough to know the characters, but without having to worry about show runners milking old story lines. The first episode of this series feels both fast and slow. You learn a lot, but it doesn't come screaming at you. The suspense builds the further in you get and the intrigue increases along with it. I think I enjoyed the characters and their development more than the actual overall plot. However, it was still a good story all in all. A good mystery/crime drama to satiate your needs.
Kevin108 (2 KP) rated Alien: Covenant (2017) in Movies
May 5, 2018
Visuals (2 more)
Sound/music
Michael Fassbender's dual roles
Script (2 more)
Overall story
Character choices
So much potential...
I will admit to being in the minority of those who enjoyed Prometheus. Flawed? Yep. But at least it was trying something new and wasn't a strict retread of Alien. It offered some thought-provoking ideas, great performances, amazing visuals and some genuine sci-fi terror.
Then comes Covenant. The shame is that instead of it being Prometheus 2 it became Alien 5, offering nothing new to the table.
Some of the performances are great, particularly Michael Fassbender (nothing new) but the characters make stupid decisions, the story is built on too many coincidences and it all feels like something you've already seen and seen done better.
Then comes Covenant. The shame is that instead of it being Prometheus 2 it became Alien 5, offering nothing new to the table.
Some of the performances are great, particularly Michael Fassbender (nothing new) but the characters make stupid decisions, the story is built on too many coincidences and it all feels like something you've already seen and seen done better.
A book written to attempt to address disability and the exclusion of wheelchair users but feels more of a slap in the face rather than supportive in its tone. Firstly, Where am I coming from with this statement. I have grown up around wheelchair users and those with a wide range of disabilities, both physical, mental and learning. The choice of an outdated invalid chair rather than a modern, brightly coloured sports chair was the first thing that jumped out at me, and possibly someone without my close association with this area would think this my first overreaction, however, when this book is aimed at inclusion, this image is not in line with that thought. Overall, I would not recommend this book.
Ruth Frampton (577 KP) rated Roxy the Raccoon: A Truth & Tails Story in Books
Apr 10, 2018
A book written to attempt to address disability and the exclusion of wheelchair users but feels more of a slap in the face rather than supportive in its tone. Firstly, Where am I coming from with this statement. I have grown up around wheelchair users and those with a wide range of disabilities, both physical, mental and learning. The choice of an outdated invalid chair rather than a modern, brightly coloured sports chair was the first thing that jumped out at me, and possibly someone without my close association with this area would think this my first overreaction, however, when this book is aimed at inclusion, this image is not in line with that thought. Overall, I would not recommend this book.