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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Escape Room (2019) in Movies
Sep 15, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
In short, Escape Room is actually a pretty tight thriller with a really disappointingly shitty ending.
It's disappointing because I found myself unexpectedly enjoying the bulk of the movie, even if it doesn't carry a lot of substance.
It's a more recent entry into the currently popular and seemingly unending PG-13 corner of horror. This of course means little in the way of gore or scares, something that I would usually take issue with, but managed to get on board with in this instance.
The set up is resemblant of Saw, but the later films in that franchise are evidence that more gore certainly doesn't make for a better film. With the focus here not being on violence but the actual puzzles the characters have to work through, I found it to be fairly engaging.
The set pieces and room designs are imaginative, and a lot of these moments are suitably tense.
The cast are decent as well - Taylor Russell, Tyler Labine and Nik Dodani are likeable, and I always enjoy Deborah Ann Woll whenever she pops up in things.
My main gripe however is the plot. The premise is really straightforward, not much room for error in that respect, so the inclusion of a faceless Hostel-esque corporation who caters to rich people who profit from this whole thing is just dumb. It's feels lazy, unnecessary, and more than anything, really tacked on and rushed. The ending flies by in an attempt to hastily set up a sequel rather than focusing on ending this film in a satisfying manner. It's a real shame because the majority of the film is relatively entertaining, and the climax just de-rails it completely.
Escape Room is worth watching for the Saw meets Cube premise, but ultimately ends up being a bang average thriller.
It's disappointing because I found myself unexpectedly enjoying the bulk of the movie, even if it doesn't carry a lot of substance.
It's a more recent entry into the currently popular and seemingly unending PG-13 corner of horror. This of course means little in the way of gore or scares, something that I would usually take issue with, but managed to get on board with in this instance.
The set up is resemblant of Saw, but the later films in that franchise are evidence that more gore certainly doesn't make for a better film. With the focus here not being on violence but the actual puzzles the characters have to work through, I found it to be fairly engaging.
The set pieces and room designs are imaginative, and a lot of these moments are suitably tense.
The cast are decent as well - Taylor Russell, Tyler Labine and Nik Dodani are likeable, and I always enjoy Deborah Ann Woll whenever she pops up in things.
My main gripe however is the plot. The premise is really straightforward, not much room for error in that respect, so the inclusion of a faceless Hostel-esque corporation who caters to rich people who profit from this whole thing is just dumb. It's feels lazy, unnecessary, and more than anything, really tacked on and rushed. The ending flies by in an attempt to hastily set up a sequel rather than focusing on ending this film in a satisfying manner. It's a real shame because the majority of the film is relatively entertaining, and the climax just de-rails it completely.
Escape Room is worth watching for the Saw meets Cube premise, but ultimately ends up being a bang average thriller.
Girl Talk by Lesley Gore
Album
Ace follow up their recent release of Lesley Gore's Magic Colors The Lost Album with this expanded...
ClareR (5996 KP) rated A Feast for Crows in Books
Nov 15, 2017
Can I give this more than 5 stars? No? Well it deserves it!
I was gripped from beginning to end. Putting it down was a problem, and with a book this size it does make cooking the family dinner a bit tricky one-handed! Some real 'gasp out loud' moments (one of which I tried to explain to my husband whilst he was watching the Vuelta. Unsurprisingly, it didn't go down well, but he's a tolerant chap after all these years with me!) and the usual blood and gore. I love this series, but if GRRM hasn't released The Winds of Winter by the time I finish A Dance with Dragons, I may have to have a little cry! At the rate I'm reading these though (because I keep getting distracted with other books), he has a while...
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Slither (2006) in Movies
Jan 9, 2018
Cheesy gruesome goodness (1 more)
Practical effects
Before writer/director James Gunn made us familiar with Star Lord and Rocket, he wrote and directed this fantastic creepy gory thriller starring Nathan Fillion, Elizabeth Banks and Michael Rooker.
The film starts out with a similar first act to The Blob, then quickly goes its own way. Slowly, little, juicy caterpillar creatures make their way through the small town and infect the inhabitants while the main creature infects another group of townspeople.
You have to like B movie quality cheese and gore to enjoy this movie, but I thought it was a lot of fun. The actors definitely do not take it too seriously, but you find yourself squirming in your seat once all hell has broken loose.
I return to the film often when I need to lighten my mood.
The film starts out with a similar first act to The Blob, then quickly goes its own way. Slowly, little, juicy caterpillar creatures make their way through the small town and infect the inhabitants while the main creature infects another group of townspeople.
You have to like B movie quality cheese and gore to enjoy this movie, but I thought it was a lot of fun. The actors definitely do not take it too seriously, but you find yourself squirming in your seat once all hell has broken loose.
I return to the film often when I need to lighten my mood.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Kick-Ass Vol. 1 in Books
Sep 6, 2017
Well it is pretty damn kick-ass.
I didn't read the comic until after the movie came out and at the time I still hadn't really delved very deep into comic books just yet only reading a few here and there but I really think Kick-Ass was a great start because holy hell did I freaking love it the blood, the gore, the action and all the smart ass remarks definitely drew me. What can I say I love asshole characters and this comic is chalk full of them.
I loved hit-girl the most she was even more bad-ass in the comics the only thing I genuinely didn't care for and the reason I couldn't give this a full 10/10 was Big Daddy all I can say is I'm so glad they changed it for the film.
I loved hit-girl the most she was even more bad-ass in the comics the only thing I genuinely didn't care for and the reason I couldn't give this a full 10/10 was Big Daddy all I can say is I'm so glad they changed it for the film.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Halloween (2018) in Movies
Feb 28, 2019
Michael Myers is back but unfortunately for him so is Laurie Strode!
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was on board with this as soon as I saw the trailer showing a more grizzled badass Laurie and that really is the highlight of this film. There are 2 twists in this film. 1 is quite unnecessary but leads to quite a glorious head squash which is the standout bit of gore. The second twist is excellent, paying homage to the original we get scenes similar to those from the first but roles reversed so that Laurie takes Michael's place and is stalking him showing her evolution from victim to prepared survivor/hunter. So yeah not a perfect film but a really solid effort. Hopefully leads to a new run of films with Laurie and her brood.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Hell Fest (2018) in Movies
Mar 5, 2019
This generations scream? No - but still ok!
Not to be confused with the very similar 'Blood fest' this slasher has a group of teenagers who go to a horror theme park at Halloween where they start to get picked off my a masked killer. This film is better than 'Blood fest' mainly due to better/cleverer gore and death scenes and a much better killer. What let's it down is highly forgettable and annoying characters (yes - I'm looking at you Bex Taylor Klaus) so you don't really care who survives. The real highlight is the killer and the film keeps them wrapped in mystery and hands us one of the most interesting endings in a long time. Nowhere near a game changer but definitely worth a watch.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hellboy (2019) in Movies
Apr 11, 2019 (Updated Apr 11, 2019)
Headbanging new take on Mike Mignola's demonic superhero. Hellboy, summoned to end the world but raised to protect it, has to do battle with vampires, man-eating giants, murderous occultists, pig-headed fairies and an evil sorceress from Arthurian legend. Scores highly on the 'ugh' front with a lot of gore.
Directed by Neil Marshall, so taste and restraint are not much in evidence, while the script is extremely variable and most of the performances not much cop either. Were-beasts fight fairies, demons fight vampires, none of it makes a great deal of sense, and there's little sign of the wit and style of Guillermo del Toro's films about these characters. In the end the film has plenty of energy and a sense of humour about itself which keep it just about watchable, but it's still a bit of a disappointment.
Directed by Neil Marshall, so taste and restraint are not much in evidence, while the script is extremely variable and most of the performances not much cop either. Were-beasts fight fairies, demons fight vampires, none of it makes a great deal of sense, and there's little sign of the wit and style of Guillermo del Toro's films about these characters. In the end the film has plenty of energy and a sense of humour about itself which keep it just about watchable, but it's still a bit of a disappointment.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Thir13en Ghosts (2001) in Movies
Jun 18, 2018 (Updated Jun 30, 2021)
Another cool Dark Castle entertainment horror re-make. Didn't know of the original until I saw some reviews mention it. This reminded me a lot of the House on Haunted Hill remake made 2 years earlier. It's fun, not too serious, has a good mix of humour and gore/kills. The cast is ok and well known with Shannon Elizabeth and Matthew Lillard, but it was a nice surprise to see Tony Shalhoub (Monk) appear in this. What really makes this film enjoyable in my opinion, along with House on Haunted Hill, is the set design, make up and ghoulish characters created. Both films have a great wacky house setting, good SFX and the ghosts in this look awesome. A great way to enjoy 90mins. So if you liked House on Haunted Hill you will like this just as much.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Blade (1998) in Movies
Jul 21, 2019
Bloody vampires
Blade- was the start of the blade triolgy. Personality to me, i think the second one is the best. But i do like this one as well.
The plot: A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother's death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after are in search of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race.
I thought wesley snipes as blade was a good choice. I liked him alot in the this film and the second one. The threed one not so much.
Blade mixs vampires with action, violence, gore, survival, horror and demons togther.
Overall this film was a good start to a underrated triolgy.
The plot: A half-mortal, half-immortal is out to avenge his mother's death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after are in search of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race.
I thought wesley snipes as blade was a good choice. I liked him alot in the this film and the second one. The threed one not so much.
Blade mixs vampires with action, violence, gore, survival, horror and demons togther.
Overall this film was a good start to a underrated triolgy.