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Ross (3284 KP) rated The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) in Movies
Sep 17, 2018
The trailer and title do the film no justice - better than expected
On the surface, the storyline to this film is nothing new - child loses parents, child moves in with creepy distant relative in creepier house, weird things happen (Miss Peregrine, Series of Unfortunate Events etc etc)
However, I think this variation on that story is carried out in a much scarier way - should the word "necromancy" ever really be used in a kids film?
The film is definitely a case of style over substance as the plot is quite thin, but the film is enjoyable. There are pretty much no laughs to be had.
I'm not actually sure who the target market for this film is - the film in general is too scary for under 7s, over 10s won't like it because the main character is too young/childish. Seems like a very narrow market being aimed at.
Overall, an enjoyable film but nothing stands out about it and Jack Black's comedy talents are wasted (he actually made it feel like a sequel to Goosebumps).
However, I think this variation on that story is carried out in a much scarier way - should the word "necromancy" ever really be used in a kids film?
The film is definitely a case of style over substance as the plot is quite thin, but the film is enjoyable. There are pretty much no laughs to be had.
I'm not actually sure who the target market for this film is - the film in general is too scary for under 7s, over 10s won't like it because the main character is too young/childish. Seems like a very narrow market being aimed at.
Overall, an enjoyable film but nothing stands out about it and Jack Black's comedy talents are wasted (he actually made it feel like a sequel to Goosebumps).
A little gem
What a little gem this is - totally gripping, full of atmosphere, tension and general creepiness all set in the stunning but isolated Scottish island of Rum which creates a sense of trepidation all on its own.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
This book can be likened to a classic who-dunnit story - a group of people trapped together in an isolated location with a possible murderer amongst them - it's your job to try and work out who it is from the drips of clues amongst the red herrings provided by the author and I have to give Ms Taylor a round of applause because I didn't figure it out until it was right in my face! and, to be honest, that doesn't happen too often.
Excellent characters - some nice, some not so nice - absolutely perfect setting, great story line and ideal pace makes this a great read and one I have little hesitation in recommending to all psychological thriller lovers out there.
A very big thank you to Avon Books UK via NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
David McK (3587 KP) rated Aliens: Nightmare Asylum in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second entry in the ALiens series of books/comics released in the aftermath of Aliens (the movie) but before Alien3, that continues the story of Newt and Hicks (sorry: Billie and Wilks) from [b:Aliens: Earth Hive|343281|Aliens Earth Hive|Steve Perry|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1366133734s/343281.jpg|333628]: a novel in which (spoiler!) scientists thought it would be a good idea to bring an Alien Queen to planet Earth while a military expedition is en-route to their home-planet, with the Alien on Earth then escaping and over-running the planet.
On reading this, this seems to have a more claustrophibic setting than the expanse, starting with Billie, Wilks and Bueller trapped on a cargo-spaceship heading towards an unknown destination: a ship that also contains three of the Aliens. When they get to their destination, things don't get any better, as they encounter a crazy general with an insane plan to control 'his' Aliens to take back planet Earth - a plan which, of ocurse, does not go by the book.
In short: pure sci-fi junk food.
On reading this, this seems to have a more claustrophibic setting than the expanse, starting with Billie, Wilks and Bueller trapped on a cargo-spaceship heading towards an unknown destination: a ship that also contains three of the Aliens. When they get to their destination, things don't get any better, as they encounter a crazy general with an insane plan to control 'his' Aliens to take back planet Earth - a plan which, of ocurse, does not go by the book.
In short: pure sci-fi junk food.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Dec 23, 2018
I finally saw this film yesterday, and I'm not going to nitpick the historical inaccuracies that much. The only one that really bothered me was Mary having a Scottish accent when she was raised in France. I did roll my eyes at some of them, but honestly, I'm not going to b about it.
The costumes were absolutely beautiful, and I really liked the general story line. Though, I can live my entire life without seeing another damn birth scene in a film. They're all the same, please cut it out film industry.
All of the actors were well suited to their roles, and I did overall enjoy it. The film starts out with the execution scene (not a spoiler alert, it happened in the 1580s), and I was slightly confused as to why Mary hadn't aged at all, but it's definitely explained in the end. It was very effective story telling. This film definitely had the aim of rehabilitating Mary's image, and I believe it was mostly successful. I would definitely see this film again.
The costumes were absolutely beautiful, and I really liked the general story line. Though, I can live my entire life without seeing another damn birth scene in a film. They're all the same, please cut it out film industry.
All of the actors were well suited to their roles, and I did overall enjoy it. The film starts out with the execution scene (not a spoiler alert, it happened in the 1580s), and I was slightly confused as to why Mary hadn't aged at all, but it's definitely explained in the end. It was very effective story telling. This film definitely had the aim of rehabilitating Mary's image, and I believe it was mostly successful. I would definitely see this film again.
Lenard (726 KP) rated The Current War (2017) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
The Current War is the true story of the race to give incandescent light to the people of America. After Thomas Edison patented the lightbulb, he gave a demonstration on how to light a 20-block radius using direct current. On the way home from securing funding from his benefactor JP Morgan in Washington, he spurned a dinner with George Westinghouse, a famous industrialist. That evening, Westinghouse came up with a plan to give electricity to cities around the country using the alternating current which unlike direct current can use power lines built above ground. Nikola Tesla also plays a part in the battle between Westinghouse and Edison as the pioneer of AC who worked for Edison to develop new ideas. The battle led to the formation of General Electric when Edison could no longer compete against the affordability and ingenuity of alternating current. The story is sort of interesting, but it does not really carry a feature film. The performances are okay, but the drama is not worthy of the talents. There is no flash of directorial skill just workmanship.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Scream - Season 2 in TV
Nov 9, 2019
Bigger, better, badder (1 more)
Halloween special extended episode
Superior sequel series
Finally got round to watching both series at long last. This is set just a few months after the events of the first series. Is there a copycat killer in town, is there an accomplice on the loose or is Brandon James on the prowl?
Much like the sequel discussion in Scream 2 and raised again in the series this is better than series 1 for me. The same cast, now known as the Lakewood 6 are trying to get on with their lives when someone decides to pick up the knife and start a new killing spree. I found the pace a lot better this time round across the series without any slow episodes despite being 3 episodes longer. There are plenty of red herrings again and twists along the way. Finished with an extended Halloween special episode this is a great series for fans of the film and Slasher films in general. Still on Netflix now.
Much like the sequel discussion in Scream 2 and raised again in the series this is better than series 1 for me. The same cast, now known as the Lakewood 6 are trying to get on with their lives when someone decides to pick up the knife and start a new killing spree. I found the pace a lot better this time round across the series without any slow episodes despite being 3 episodes longer. There are plenty of red herrings again and twists along the way. Finished with an extended Halloween special episode this is a great series for fans of the film and Slasher films in general. Still on Netflix now.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Only Good Indians in Books
Mar 25, 2020 (Updated Mar 25, 2020)
A well written and superbly crafted horror story
The Only Good Indians is a well written and superbly crafted horror story which takes place in the northwestern US and has characters from the Blackfeet and Crow tribes. Four young Blackfeet men embark on a badly planned and illegal elk hunt which results in a violation of tribal values and the desecration of nature. Ten years later, an entity exacts her revenge in a chilling, suspenseful and brutal fashion. The characters are incredibly well developed given the length of the novel, and the reader develops sympathy for them. The reader also empathizes with the perspective of the entity who pursues the four men. This story has great depth in its exploration of themes of cultural identity, tradition, social justice, revenge and respect for the natural world. Horror readers will love this, but I would also recommend this book for readers of fiction in general. I can see why this The Only Good Indians is receiving so much critical acclaim.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators in Books
Mar 28, 2020 (Updated Mar 28, 2020)
Going into this book, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it or not. I haven't actually read Ronan Farrow's articles in general, so I didn't know how his writing style was. Journalistic writing is sometimes hit or miss in book form.
Honestly, now I'll read his articles. This book encompassed the Weinstein scandal, and other creeps like him. It was thorough, and engaging throughout. In the author's note, it is stated that the violence these women were subjected to was presented exactly how they told it, with all the details. My stomach hurt after reading the descriptions, and I read very violent Nordic Noir novels. I like being presented with everything, so while it made my stomach hurt, I feel like it was all completely necessary as part of this story.
I also really liked his journey to get this published, and now... honestly, I don't even want to watch NBC News (as I sit here watching Dateline).
This is, by far, one of the best books that I've read this year.
Honestly, now I'll read his articles. This book encompassed the Weinstein scandal, and other creeps like him. It was thorough, and engaging throughout. In the author's note, it is stated that the violence these women were subjected to was presented exactly how they told it, with all the details. My stomach hurt after reading the descriptions, and I read very violent Nordic Noir novels. I like being presented with everything, so while it made my stomach hurt, I feel like it was all completely necessary as part of this story.
I also really liked his journey to get this published, and now... honestly, I don't even want to watch NBC News (as I sit here watching Dateline).
This is, by far, one of the best books that I've read this year.
David McK (3587 KP) rated Traitors or Rome (Eagle #18) in Books
Mar 29, 2020
Book number 18 in Simon Scarrow's long-running Macro and Cato series, which means he's catching up on Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe for sheer proliferation of books with the same central character(s) (and that's a good thing).
Following on from the previous novel ("The Blood of Rome"), Macro and Cato are still in charge of the Praetorians, and still on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire (Syria), with Cato then tasked with making a dangerous journey into Parthia to deliver Rome's demands to the ruler of that nation while the recently-married (at the start of the novel) Macro, under General Corbulo, lays siege to the small kingdom of Thapsis in the mountains which has risen in revolt against Rome.
I have to say, with a title like 'Traitors of Rome' and with the extremely mercenary (historical) nature of the Praetorian Guard, I first thought - when I saw the title - that the Traitors of Rome would themselves prove to be the Praetorians themselves!
That's not the case, however, read the novel to finds out what is ...
Following on from the previous novel ("The Blood of Rome"), Macro and Cato are still in charge of the Praetorians, and still on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire (Syria), with Cato then tasked with making a dangerous journey into Parthia to deliver Rome's demands to the ruler of that nation while the recently-married (at the start of the novel) Macro, under General Corbulo, lays siege to the small kingdom of Thapsis in the mountains which has risen in revolt against Rome.
I have to say, with a title like 'Traitors of Rome' and with the extremely mercenary (historical) nature of the Praetorian Guard, I first thought - when I saw the title - that the Traitors of Rome would themselves prove to be the Praetorians themselves!
That's not the case, however, read the novel to finds out what is ...
David McK (3587 KP) rated 1917 (2020) in Movies
Feb 13, 2020 (Updated Oct 17, 2020)
Sam Mendes World War One epic, which follows - in virtually one long tracking shot - two British soldiers sent on a mission across No Mans Land and enemy territory to deliver a message to stop their comrades (including one of the soldiers older brother) from walking into a trap.
Undeniably beautifully shot, showing the true horrors of the war - this does, however, require a serious amount of buy-in from the viewer: just why would a British General send only tow soldiers to deliver such an important message (especially against the clock), when it could have been delivered far quicker, easier and safer by the Royal Flying Corp??
Putting that aside for the moment, the only other recent movie I can think of that even attempts to show the trenches during World War One is 2017's 'Wonder Woman'. Remember the stand-out scene where Diana charges heroically across No Mans Land, under fire from the Germans the entire way? This is nothing like that.
Undeniably beautifully shot, showing the true horrors of the war - this does, however, require a serious amount of buy-in from the viewer: just why would a British General send only tow soldiers to deliver such an important message (especially against the clock), when it could have been delivered far quicker, easier and safer by the Royal Flying Corp??
Putting that aside for the moment, the only other recent movie I can think of that even attempts to show the trenches during World War One is 2017's 'Wonder Woman'. Remember the stand-out scene where Diana charges heroically across No Mans Land, under fire from the Germans the entire way? This is nothing like that.