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Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men (2000) in Movies
Feb 28, 2018
Landmark Marvel adaptation isn't quite the movie you might expect, but still competently assembled. Main plus is that it's extremely well-cast, with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen giving it some heft and Hugh Jackman and Anna Paquin a bit of glamour. Main minus is that the film was saddled with only a modest budget (Fox had recently taken a bath on Fight Club, amongst others).
Following the Batman and Robin debacle the received wisdom at the time was that comic book movies shouldn't be all that comic booky and this certainly follows that principle. Ultra-purists may also object to the way Cyclops is sidelined as hero in favour of Wolverine (but that's what the fans wanted). But, on the whole, very solidly written and performed, decent effects, takes the characters and the story seriously. From such acorns do mighty franchises sprout...
Following the Batman and Robin debacle the received wisdom at the time was that comic book movies shouldn't be all that comic booky and this certainly follows that principle. Ultra-purists may also object to the way Cyclops is sidelined as hero in favour of Wolverine (but that's what the fans wanted). But, on the whole, very solidly written and performed, decent effects, takes the characters and the story seriously. From such acorns do mighty franchises sprout...
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Affair - Season 1 in TV
Aug 24, 2018
Excellent gripping drama/mystery. The lives of Noah's family and Alison's family become entangled when the bored wannabe author falls for the free spirit, but damaged, waitress. Brilliant depiction of the thrill and excitement of a new relationship but also the hurt inflicted on others as that is revealed.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
There is also two timeframes on the go here, which took a little getting used to - one showing the story unravelling, the other future time frame showing the investigation of a murder.
The story is told from two points of view in each episode, giving both characters' sides of the story but also adding in an interesting perspective that each person perceives events differently (what clothes people were wearing, how interactions went etc).
Slightly disappointing ending in that the murder was not solved but this leads nicely in to season 2.
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.
CKD (37 KP) rated The Runaway Jury in Books
Dec 7, 2018
This is a book about a jury in a tobacco company trial. A widow is suing a tobacco company because her husband died from lung cancer from smoking this company's cigarettes for many years. (No real tobacco companies were named in this book). At first glance, it appears that one juror (#2) is controlling the jury. But is he? Is he acting alone or is he working with someone on the outside? A woman keeps calling a jury consultant and giving information that turns out to be true - could she be working with Juror #2? One side wants/needs a verdict in favor of the tobacco company and the other side wants/needs a verdict in favor of the widow. Who will win?
Was also made into a movie in 2003 staring John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, among others.
Was also made into a movie in 2003 staring John Cusack, Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman, among others.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated The Entity (1982) in Movies
Oct 30, 2019
This was a ground breaker due to its subject matter and effects.
Hershey is great giving a career best and unguarded performance as the single mum of two molested and raped by an invisible entity.
What makes this movie effective for me is the struggle she has trying to convince those with closed minds that she had been violated and even those with scientific backgrounds become very annoying as they try to discredit her at every step.
The scenes of the attacks are very detailed and unsettling and the accompanying score makes us quite aware when it is on screen or about to attack.
Two movies in this genre gave me the creeps back in the day, this and poltergeist and although time hasn't been good to this film it was well crafted enough to still hold its ground.
Hershey is great giving a career best and unguarded performance as the single mum of two molested and raped by an invisible entity.
What makes this movie effective for me is the struggle she has trying to convince those with closed minds that she had been violated and even those with scientific backgrounds become very annoying as they try to discredit her at every step.
The scenes of the attacks are very detailed and unsettling and the accompanying score makes us quite aware when it is on screen or about to attack.
Two movies in this genre gave me the creeps back in the day, this and poltergeist and although time hasn't been good to this film it was well crafted enough to still hold its ground.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Frank Made Lunch in Books
Jul 16, 2019
This is definitely not a read for people who have a delicate stomach or are repulsed by graphic and descriptive reads.
I myself loved the fact that this book really turned my stomach and the horrific story line blew away all rational thinking. This author found the darkest recesses of his mind and invited us in for an exclusive look.
My only con with Frank Made Lunch is that it is in need of editing but even that didn't stop me from giving it the rating that I felt it deserved.
This is the BEST horror book I've read this year and trust me...... you WANT to read this. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book and would love this made into a movie. I'll end this review by saying that Frank will remain inside my mind for many years to come.
I myself loved the fact that this book really turned my stomach and the horrific story line blew away all rational thinking. This author found the darkest recesses of his mind and invited us in for an exclusive look.
My only con with Frank Made Lunch is that it is in need of editing but even that didn't stop me from giving it the rating that I felt it deserved.
This is the BEST horror book I've read this year and trust me...... you WANT to read this. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book and would love this made into a movie. I'll end this review by saying that Frank will remain inside my mind for many years to come.
Jeremy King (346 KP) rated Sausage Party (2016) in Movies
Jul 5, 2019
I knew a bit about this movie going in to it but what i knew was the tip of the iceberg. I thought this was just going to be an animated adventure with food and sex. There is more to this movie than that. The movie talks about a big day. WHITE RED AND BLUE DAY so from that July the 4th. So from that you can gather it takes place in the USA. Different cultures are represented by food or products. Without giving any spoilers here is what my take on it is. In a land of many cultures, religions and more we all have to unit and work as one to protect our freedoms. If we dont work together there is no hope. Saying that there is sex in this animation. It is ment for ADULT
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Hotel Mumbai (2019) in Movies
Dec 11, 2019
Not for the faint hearted...
I have read many negative reviews about this movie not being true to the story and if I knew more about the terrible events of 2008, then I might have more of an opinion.
As it stands I thought it was a rollercoaster 2 hour plus ride that kept me and especially my wife on the edge of our seats.
Occasionally there were a few scenes that seemed a little corny or over dramatised for the big screen but that is usually the case.
The movie itself is very intense, emotional and there are scenes of very strong violence which are definitely not for the faint hearted.
Overall Hotel Mumbai is not an easy watch at times but if you are not easily offended then I would definitely recommend giving it a go.
As it stands I thought it was a rollercoaster 2 hour plus ride that kept me and especially my wife on the edge of our seats.
Occasionally there were a few scenes that seemed a little corny or over dramatised for the big screen but that is usually the case.
The movie itself is very intense, emotional and there are scenes of very strong violence which are definitely not for the faint hearted.
Overall Hotel Mumbai is not an easy watch at times but if you are not easily offended then I would definitely recommend giving it a go.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Give It Up by Bonnie Raitt in Music
Apr 30, 2020
Rolling Stone's 495th greatest album of all time
This is only album number 6 on my trek towards listening to all 500 of Rolling Stone's greatest albums. Already I am wishing I had opted for the NME's top 500 instead, as this really isn't my bag. But the main reason I am doing this is to find hidden gems I had never heard before, which is more likely to happen listening to RS than NME.
The album title was one that stuck in my head because it really made me start to think about giving it up, coming hot on the heels of Boz Scagg's album. The 10 song mix of country and jazz really seemed to take forever to pass. There were some more bluesy songs that were listenable, but the majority not to my tastes at all.
The album title was one that stuck in my head because it really made me start to think about giving it up, coming hot on the heels of Boz Scagg's album. The 10 song mix of country and jazz really seemed to take forever to pass. There were some more bluesy songs that were listenable, but the majority not to my tastes at all.
The 1916 Diaries: Of an Irish Rebel and a British Soldier
Book
This book contains the unpublished diaries of two men writing under fire on the streets of Dublin in...