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Taryn K (441 KP) rated Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) in Movies
May 4, 2018
Mostly good, a little bad, and some distinctly ugly...
This is, overall, a very good movie. It's a little bit jarring now to see how over the top some of the behavior is, but it's fun and the effects are very impressive in many parts, like the Wonkawash scene and the little room with the piano that I still haven't figured out how they accomplished.
Sometimes it seems as if they go out of their way to make sure we know how poor Charley is, and how much better off everyone else is, and how spoiled and entitled they are. It works, especially with the Oompa Loompas to point out how absurd their behavior is, but sometimes it just seems kind of much.
The road to the ending is hard, but well worth it.
Sometimes it seems as if they go out of their way to make sure we know how poor Charley is, and how much better off everyone else is, and how spoiled and entitled they are. It works, especially with the Oompa Loompas to point out how absurd their behavior is, but sometimes it just seems kind of much.
The road to the ending is hard, but well worth it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated I Scream, You Scream in Books
May 25, 2018
You’ll Scream for This Debut
Tally Jones is trying to get her new ice cream shop off the ground, but business has been slow. It’s so slow, she’s agreed to cater the dessert for Wayne, her ex-husband, at the picnic his company puts on each fall. The morning after the picnic, Wayne’s new girlfriend is found dead in bed. When gossip and the police begin to look at Tally, she knows she has to find the truth. Can she clear her name?
I felt right at home with these characters within just a few chapters. Tally is wonderful, and the rest of the cast of regulars are just as much fun. The suspects were strong as well. Unfortunately, the mystery wasn’t quite as strong, especially in the first half. Still, it did pick up in the second half and provide some good surprises before we reached the logical climax. Add in enough talk about ice cream to make me drool and you’ve got a perfect book to enjoy during the summer.
I felt right at home with these characters within just a few chapters. Tally is wonderful, and the rest of the cast of regulars are just as much fun. The suspects were strong as well. Unfortunately, the mystery wasn’t quite as strong, especially in the first half. Still, it did pick up in the second half and provide some good surprises before we reached the logical climax. Add in enough talk about ice cream to make me drool and you’ve got a perfect book to enjoy during the summer.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Unsane (2018) in Movies
Feb 5, 2019
Starts off well, but with a poor ending
I’ll start off by saying I’m really impressed with the fact that this was filmed on a iPhone. Yes it’s pretty obvious in parts that it’s been done on a phone, and it gives the film a certain look, but I quite liked it. It really fit in with the overall tone of the film.
Claire Foy is a great actress and she is one of the main reasons this is watchable, and there’s a fun cameo from Matt Damon. The story itself starts off well and the first half of the film is actually very intriguing and thrilling. It makes you wonder what’s going on and it’s quite creepy and disturbing. The main problem with this film though is that the second half is a massive letdown. It wasn’t the ending that I’d expected or hoped for, and it was beyond predictable and just a bit ridiculous. It’s such a shame that the ending is stupid, as otherwise this would be a great film.
Claire Foy is a great actress and she is one of the main reasons this is watchable, and there’s a fun cameo from Matt Damon. The story itself starts off well and the first half of the film is actually very intriguing and thrilling. It makes you wonder what’s going on and it’s quite creepy and disturbing. The main problem with this film though is that the second half is a massive letdown. It wasn’t the ending that I’d expected or hoped for, and it was beyond predictable and just a bit ridiculous. It’s such a shame that the ending is stupid, as otherwise this would be a great film.
Dean (6921 KP) rated The House of the Dead: Overkill in Video Games
Feb 24, 2019
Great graphics (2 more)
Variety of levels and enemies
Very funny!
A bloody good shooter!
An excellent light gun game for the Wii. One of the best I've played on any console and definitely the most fun. The best House of the Dead game for me, this was the first game that really sold the light gun gaming on the Wii.
The graphics are very good, it's quite a big game compared to other gun games. Some levels could take a good 15-20 minutes to complete. The music is groovy, there are plenty of guns to use. There is plenty of replay value with mini-games, various achievements to go for.
The thing that stands out the most is the humour. The whole feel is a tongue in cheek '70's grindhouse, Horror B Movie vibe. It works, the voice acting is good and it will probably make you laugh.
Overall it is a little easy on the normal levels but it's so enjoyable. If you like Horror films and light gun games you'll love this.
The graphics are very good, it's quite a big game compared to other gun games. Some levels could take a good 15-20 minutes to complete. The music is groovy, there are plenty of guns to use. There is plenty of replay value with mini-games, various achievements to go for.
The thing that stands out the most is the humour. The whole feel is a tongue in cheek '70's grindhouse, Horror B Movie vibe. It works, the voice acting is good and it will probably make you laugh.
Overall it is a little easy on the normal levels but it's so enjoyable. If you like Horror films and light gun games you'll love this.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated The Lorax in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Environmental Morality Tale for Kids
Meet the Once-ler. Back in the past, he found a forest of Truffula Trees. Through ingenuity, he found a way to make these trees into something that everyone could use. However, the Lorax shows up to try to warn him of the dangers that might cause. Will the Once-ler listen?
I had this book as a kid, and we read it many times while I was growing up. Rereading it as an adult, I was struck again by just how dark this book is. There is a clear environmental message to the book. I do wish it were more even handed, but I realize this is a picture book for kids, and a morality tale at that. The pictures and creatures are pure Dr. Seuss and are fun. The story, while told in rhyme, features some of Dr. Seuss’s made up creatures, so it isn’t early reader friendly, but as kids are ready to tackle something more challenging with the help of adults, this book would be great.
I had this book as a kid, and we read it many times while I was growing up. Rereading it as an adult, I was struck again by just how dark this book is. There is a clear environmental message to the book. I do wish it were more even handed, but I realize this is a picture book for kids, and a morality tale at that. The pictures and creatures are pure Dr. Seuss and are fun. The story, while told in rhyme, features some of Dr. Seuss’s made up creatures, so it isn’t early reader friendly, but as kids are ready to tackle something more challenging with the help of adults, this book would be great.
Awix (3310 KP) rated King Kong (2005) in Movies
Mar 5, 2019
Audacious film-maker attempts to mount spectacular entertainment featuring giant ape, finds he's bitten off more than he can chew - handily, this covers both the plot of King Kong and the movie itself. The equivalent of one of those bloated Harry Potter books written when JK Rowling was so successful no-one was brave enough to say 'this needs an edit': movie is exhaustingly long with a lot of dead wood in every department.
Main problem is that Jackson and his co-writers seem to think they are making Titanic rather than a pulp monster movie: this film takes itself very, very seriously considering the subject matter; sorely needs a sense of humour. Only really comes to life in the big set-piece CGI sequences, most of which are original to this film - Jackson is obviously having fun during the sauropod stampede and the bit with the giant man-eating crabs, not so much the rest of the time. Technically superior in every department to the 1976 version, but still less entertaining somehow.
Main problem is that Jackson and his co-writers seem to think they are making Titanic rather than a pulp monster movie: this film takes itself very, very seriously considering the subject matter; sorely needs a sense of humour. Only really comes to life in the big set-piece CGI sequences, most of which are original to this film - Jackson is obviously having fun during the sauropod stampede and the bit with the giant man-eating crabs, not so much the rest of the time. Technically superior in every department to the 1976 version, but still less entertaining somehow.
Awix (3310 KP) rated GoldenEye (1995) in Movies
Mar 16, 2019 (Updated Mar 16, 2019)
Probably the best action thriller named after a duck ever. There was a time when a long gap between Bond films was highly unusual, and the six year absence of the commander from the big screen led some to suggest that maybe the series had had its day. The main achievement of GoldenEye is to take all the classic elements of a Bond film, spruce them up a bit, and produce a film which is fresh and entertaining.
Everyone is clearly working very hard to make this film a success, particularly Pierce Brosnan (even if his hair isn't quite right yet). Makes the obligatory attempt at updating Bond for the 'modern world' but doesn't get dogmatic about it and mostly just worries about entertaining the audience, which is surely as it should be. The tank chase surely features on anyone's list of great Bond sequences; director Martin Campbell would go on to make the hard-edged Casino Royale, which is probably a better film, but this is much more fun.
Everyone is clearly working very hard to make this film a success, particularly Pierce Brosnan (even if his hair isn't quite right yet). Makes the obligatory attempt at updating Bond for the 'modern world' but doesn't get dogmatic about it and mostly just worries about entertaining the audience, which is surely as it should be. The tank chase surely features on anyone's list of great Bond sequences; director Martin Campbell would go on to make the hard-edged Casino Royale, which is probably a better film, but this is much more fun.
Jessi Bone (48 KP) rated Adventures in Patchland: Boom! Boom! in Books
Mar 18, 2019
The Boom is coming and Hoppe has what it takes to save Patch Land if he can only believe in himself. With his friends B and Pen by his side, they venture through patches in search for the Great Roth Tree. On their Adventures, they meet magical fairies that give them gifts of love, courage, and fearlessness. Hoppe is tested in ways that will change him and his friends forever.
This adorable tale of adventure introduces children to a maple bacon bush and how in the land of fairies anything is possible. I find the tale quite entertaining with bouts of laughter and fun. Hoppe and Pen get themselves to quite a bit of trouble and thank goodness they have good friends. This is a wonderful tale of fantasy and adventure for all ages to include kids as young as 8. This book is only 54 pages long but Vivan Shade has a wonderful storyline along with Rosemarie Gillen illustrations it leads you on a tale that will develop into quite an adventure with the continuing tales.
This adorable tale of adventure introduces children to a maple bacon bush and how in the land of fairies anything is possible. I find the tale quite entertaining with bouts of laughter and fun. Hoppe and Pen get themselves to quite a bit of trouble and thank goodness they have good friends. This is a wonderful tale of fantasy and adventure for all ages to include kids as young as 8. This book is only 54 pages long but Vivan Shade has a wonderful storyline along with Rosemarie Gillen illustrations it leads you on a tale that will develop into quite an adventure with the continuing tales.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Chump at Oxford (1940) in Movies
Mar 24, 2019 (Updated Mar 24, 2019)
Disjointed L&H slapstick comedy, one of their last films for Hal Roach. Originally made as a 40-minute 'streamlined feature' and was extended to 62 minutes by the addition of an opening section which is a tidied-up remake of their 1928 short From Soup to Nuts; naturally, this has no connection with the rest of the story. Stan and Ollie try their hands at catering (badly), stop a robbery (accidentally) and as a reward are sent to Oxford University to better themselves. They antagonise the local students which leads to some surprising revelations as to Stan's past.
The individual sections are not too bad, but the episodic nature of the film means it feels longer than an hour; there are some good bits, but also a sense of the boys having run out of ideas and either repeating themselves or trying too hard. Spotting Peter Cushing (this is possibly the best-known of the films he made while in Hollywood for a couple of years as a young man) adds to the fun, though.
The individual sections are not too bad, but the episodic nature of the film means it feels longer than an hour; there are some good bits, but also a sense of the boys having run out of ideas and either repeating themselves or trying too hard. Spotting Peter Cushing (this is possibly the best-known of the films he made while in Hollywood for a couple of years as a young man) adds to the fun, though.
Amy Louise Davison (118 KP) rated One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) in Movies
Mar 25, 2019 (Updated Mar 25, 2019)
The character 'Billy' (1 more)
Mac
This is the first time I've seen this film and I did not know the ending which is rare for such an iconic movie like this. No spoilers for me.
The ending upset me a lot!
Billy is very sweet and likeable and is probably my favourite character.
Mrs Ratched makes me so angry, and it's clear to see why she won an Oscar for her role. She is silently devious and unbelievably controlling.
Mac is a slow burner. You're unsure of him in the beginning, unsure whether to like him but by the end I must say i loved him!
Chief, Martini and Cheswick are some of the other cast members and they are very rounded, likeable characters.
Mac brings a sense of rebellion and fun into these men's lives, he doesn't go about a lot of stuff the right way but he treats these men with respect and dignity. He becomes their friend, he sticks up for them and doesn't treat them as if they're stupid or crazy. He treats them like an equal and it's lovely.
The ending upset me a lot!
Billy is very sweet and likeable and is probably my favourite character.
Mrs Ratched makes me so angry, and it's clear to see why she won an Oscar for her role. She is silently devious and unbelievably controlling.
Mac is a slow burner. You're unsure of him in the beginning, unsure whether to like him but by the end I must say i loved him!
Chief, Martini and Cheswick are some of the other cast members and they are very rounded, likeable characters.
Mac brings a sense of rebellion and fun into these men's lives, he doesn't go about a lot of stuff the right way but he treats these men with respect and dignity. He becomes their friend, he sticks up for them and doesn't treat them as if they're stupid or crazy. He treats them like an equal and it's lovely.