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JT (287 KP) rated Grave Encounters (2011) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
Found footage is here to stay
Even though it has been done to death over the last few years there is still something unnerving about found footage horror. Now and again I like to go back and dip my toe in it if anything for the enjoyment of scaring myself shitless for a few minutes.
Recently I came across Grave Encounters. For the first half, it’s a tense thriller the second it completely loses its way, nothing more than abject horror. The premise is too good to be true. While taping an episode of their ghost hunting reality show a group of paranormal investigators get a little more than they bargained for inside an abandoned mental hospital.
Watching an empty space in the dark via night vision camera may seem like flogging of a dead horse but as an audience, we still find ourselves hypnotised. The standard set up unravels brief character development, although we don’t really care too much as we know they aren’t going to be around for much longer.
As the group move from one room to the next with increased frustration that nothing is manifesting itself the shit really hits the fan when they discover they can’t actually get out. Cause for panic as each one is picked off leaving one loner to discover the horrors the hospital is hiding.
It’s not all bad. The acting is more solid than most and there are some good scares, many however are all too predictable. It’s safe to say that found footage genre is here to stay, all that needs to be done is to weed out the good from the downright awful.
Recently I came across Grave Encounters. For the first half, it’s a tense thriller the second it completely loses its way, nothing more than abject horror. The premise is too good to be true. While taping an episode of their ghost hunting reality show a group of paranormal investigators get a little more than they bargained for inside an abandoned mental hospital.
Watching an empty space in the dark via night vision camera may seem like flogging of a dead horse but as an audience, we still find ourselves hypnotised. The standard set up unravels brief character development, although we don’t really care too much as we know they aren’t going to be around for much longer.
As the group move from one room to the next with increased frustration that nothing is manifesting itself the shit really hits the fan when they discover they can’t actually get out. Cause for panic as each one is picked off leaving one loner to discover the horrors the hospital is hiding.
It’s not all bad. The acting is more solid than most and there are some good scares, many however are all too predictable. It’s safe to say that found footage genre is here to stay, all that needs to be done is to weed out the good from the downright awful.
Rachel P (2 KP) rated The Underground Railroad in Books
Jan 4, 2018
This book was an excellent history lesson. I seriously learned things I didn't previously know about our nation during slavery. I would highly recommend the book for that reason.
It was easy to read and hard to put down, but I also found it very impersonal. There were a lot of "action sentences" and not much reflection or introspection. The book is written in third person, which may be why I found myself reading about rape and mistreatment without flinching. I also considered maybe the author was trying to show the reader that most people born into slavery during that time had become so accustom to seeing other people mistreated that they showed very little reaction. Either way, it's not a novel that will cause you to reflect on it for weeks to come, which is ultimately what I expected.
It was easy to read and hard to put down, but I also found it very impersonal. There were a lot of "action sentences" and not much reflection or introspection. The book is written in third person, which may be why I found myself reading about rape and mistreatment without flinching. I also considered maybe the author was trying to show the reader that most people born into slavery during that time had become so accustom to seeing other people mistreated that they showed very little reaction. Either way, it's not a novel that will cause you to reflect on it for weeks to come, which is ultimately what I expected.
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Marvel's Jessica Jones - Season 2 in TV
Apr 10, 2018
My unpopular opinion for today is that I was not impressed by Jessica Jones Saeson 1. A lot of people's highlight is Kilgrave, but I found him one-note and boring. And the lead character, Jessica, doesn't really grow and neither do the characters around her.
Enter Season 2, characters that actually change throughout the story. And not just Jessica. Hogarth, Trish, Malcolm. They all experience real growth and I interesting ways.
I was blown away by the midseason twist. That was when I was totally sold.
I will admit that I was a little disappointed with the ending, of for no other reason than found it anticlimactic. That's the final point it didn't get. But as far as keeping me involved in the characters for 13 episodes, I think they nailed it. Can't wait for Season 3.
Enter Season 2, characters that actually change throughout the story. And not just Jessica. Hogarth, Trish, Malcolm. They all experience real growth and I interesting ways.
I was blown away by the midseason twist. That was when I was totally sold.
I will admit that I was a little disappointed with the ending, of for no other reason than found it anticlimactic. That's the final point it didn't get. But as far as keeping me involved in the characters for 13 episodes, I think they nailed it. Can't wait for Season 3.
Chloe (514 KP) rated Rampage (2018) in Movies
Mar 14, 2019
underated
I found this film very underrated. everything from the especial affects to the actor has a big box office hit written all over it and on top of that it has a great plot. and yet to my surprise this movie did not make it up there with the big movies of the year.
I found myself so disappointed that those around me had not watched the movie and I had no one to talk about it with this is honestly my biggest complaint and its not even about the movie more about the lack of advertisement of this movie.
I would recommend this film to anyone kids and adults; family's and singles. Although to be honest maybe I'm a little biased due to this film including Dwayne Johnson but then isn't everyone biased when it comes to him?
I found myself so disappointed that those around me had not watched the movie and I had no one to talk about it with this is honestly my biggest complaint and its not even about the movie more about the lack of advertisement of this movie.
I would recommend this film to anyone kids and adults; family's and singles. Although to be honest maybe I'm a little biased due to this film including Dwayne Johnson but then isn't everyone biased when it comes to him?
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated Fallen Academy: Year One: Volume 1 in Books
May 13, 2019
Great story (1 more)
Characters with different personalities
I picked this book up due to some friends who said it was good. I didn't think much about it until the story sucked me in. I really enjoyed the take the author had on the Heaven versus Hell aspect and how it affects humanity. This book had me wanting to finish it in one sitting. I enjoyed how Brielle and Lincoln seemed to be at each other's throat constantly. Brielle and Shea were my favorite character duos. I found it inspiring on how much Brielle was willing to risk, not just to ensure her freedom but to protect those she cared about. This book held suspense, romance, comedy and lots of action. I found it hard to put down and even more upsetting when my Kindle died. I definitely recommend it to everyone.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2652 KP) rated Blackberry Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #17) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It's been four months since Hannah last found a dead body, and the only thing on her mind is getting her mother to settle on something for her wedding. That is until a sever summer storm forces Hannah to lose control of her car and hit a man, killing him. But no one recognizes him. Who is he? And what was he doing in Lake Eden?
There is little that changes in the lives of the characters, but I still enjoyed visiting them again since I found them their normal charming selves. The cliffhanger at the end definitely made me want the next book out soon. Can't believe I have to wait a year to find out what happens next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-blackberry-pie-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There is little that changes in the lives of the characters, but I still enjoyed visiting them again since I found them their normal charming selves. The cliffhanger at the end definitely made me want the next book out soon. Can't believe I have to wait a year to find out what happens next.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/03/book-review-blackberry-pie-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #3) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
This book was good, but it wasn't as good as the first 2. There was just something lacking. Maybe I just couldn't relate to Annah 100% or maybe it was the fact that the plot wasn't as fast-paced as the first books.
I found Annah to be a tad bit annoying. She was too much of a do-gooder & I found it frustrating.
I liked the fact that Gabry, Catcher and Elias were featured in this book though. I just wish Mary would've been in it if only for a brief appearance.
Overall, this is a great book (as well as a great series). Even though the plot wasn't as fast paced as the first 2 books, it was still good. It does convey human emotion very well.
Fans of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series won't be disappointed.
I found Annah to be a tad bit annoying. She was too much of a do-gooder & I found it frustrating.
I liked the fact that Gabry, Catcher and Elias were featured in this book though. I just wish Mary would've been in it if only for a brief appearance.
Overall, this is a great book (as well as a great series). Even though the plot wasn't as fast paced as the first 2 books, it was still good. It does convey human emotion very well.
Fans of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series won't be disappointed.
Moodyhydra (3 KP) rated The Tattooist of Auschwitz in Books
Oct 2, 2018 (Updated Oct 2, 2018)
Amazing
This book was a beautifull and horrifying read all at once. A true story from the mouth of a survivor.
I found myself smiling at the stolen moments shared between new lovers and then crying at the horrors and injustice these poor people endured, and that the lucky (if we can all them that) survived. The horrors they had to see and things they had to do to survive and then live with after is something we will never understand. This story is not only one of horror and death, but also of bravery, resilliance and above all LOVE. To know that love can be found even in a place like this the darkest of places was inspiring. The way it was written was beautifull and respectfull to the memory of those it involved. Definitely a book everyone should read.
I found myself smiling at the stolen moments shared between new lovers and then crying at the horrors and injustice these poor people endured, and that the lucky (if we can all them that) survived. The horrors they had to see and things they had to do to survive and then live with after is something we will never understand. This story is not only one of horror and death, but also of bravery, resilliance and above all LOVE. To know that love can be found even in a place like this the darkest of places was inspiring. The way it was written was beautifull and respectfull to the memory of those it involved. Definitely a book everyone should read.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Nov 9, 2018
✵✵✵ <b>2.5 Mediocre Stars</b>
This was a fairly entertaining book overall but I found it so slow to start. I must admit I did struggle a bit in the beginning as not a lot happened.
I got swept up in the hype when it came to this book so I couldn't resist giving it a go. It has often been compared to [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] however, Gone Girl it is not. It doesn't have the same break-neck speed and the characters are somewhat lacking.
The main character got on my nerves immensely...I got tired of her acting like a wet lettuce all of the time. That aside I found the plot to be ok and the twists ok but that's all this book was to me really...ok.
This was a fairly entertaining book overall but I found it so slow to start. I must admit I did struggle a bit in the beginning as not a lot happened.
I got swept up in the hype when it came to this book so I couldn't resist giving it a go. It has often been compared to [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] however, Gone Girl it is not. It doesn't have the same break-neck speed and the characters are somewhat lacking.
The main character got on my nerves immensely...I got tired of her acting like a wet lettuce all of the time. That aside I found the plot to be ok and the twists ok but that's all this book was to me really...ok.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Thank You for Smoking in Books
Nov 14, 2018
This book was an ok read, it took me quite a while to get into it as the writing style is very different to what i'm used to. I found the story to be quite jumbled and sometimes I just had no idea which of the characters were speaking, I had to sometimes read a page a couple of times in order for it to sink in. Some of it a found quite funny but other bits I didn't really understand. The novel is very political, which probably explains why I kept losing interest (not to say it wasn't interesting at all- which is why I gave it 3 stars, I did like it, mainly because it was just different). The story had some good twists but I do believe that the ending was very unrealistic.