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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Man on the Roof in Books
Jul 1, 2018
Hmmmm ... if I could only use one word to describe this book, it would be ... frustrating! Now don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, it's just infuriatingly annoying. Let me try and explain.
The story is basically about the murder of a young lad found suspended from a banner in a cul-de-sac of houses where we find the main suspects who, we learn, all have secrets that they don't want to come out. In comes the police to investigate the crime and the various suspects that live in the cul-de-sac. Sounds ok so far however, therein lies the problem. There are so many suspects, none of which are particularly likeable, it was difficult to keep track of who was who and who was married to who and as the secrets were revealed, whose secret was it! In addition, each of the chapters is written in different styles from different people and you don't always know who the people are ... I ended up being very confused. There's lots of description and whilst some of it is good, e.g. people's gestures and behaviour, a lot of it is unnecessary and this makes it a very long book ... well it seemed long to me.
There are some inconsistencies as well which I found annoying. For example, the names of the police officers change ... one minute they were Detective Cady Lambert and Detective Braidey Fitzsimmons and then they were Cady and Braidey and then they were Lambert and Fitzsimmons ... this may seem trivial but when you have so many characters, it's hard to keep track so changing their names throughout causes you to lose the thread of who is who.
Now don't get me wrong, as I said this isn't a bad book, it actually has the bones of being an excellent dark and gritty thriller but there's just too much going on that affects the flow of reading for me and I just think it needs tidying up.
I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book after finding my blog. I really appreciate the time and effort he has made in writing a complex story and putting it out there for people like me, who couldn't write a decent letter, to criticise and pick apart ... that is brave and I salute you Mr Stephenson and encourage you to keep going.
The story is basically about the murder of a young lad found suspended from a banner in a cul-de-sac of houses where we find the main suspects who, we learn, all have secrets that they don't want to come out. In comes the police to investigate the crime and the various suspects that live in the cul-de-sac. Sounds ok so far however, therein lies the problem. There are so many suspects, none of which are particularly likeable, it was difficult to keep track of who was who and who was married to who and as the secrets were revealed, whose secret was it! In addition, each of the chapters is written in different styles from different people and you don't always know who the people are ... I ended up being very confused. There's lots of description and whilst some of it is good, e.g. people's gestures and behaviour, a lot of it is unnecessary and this makes it a very long book ... well it seemed long to me.
There are some inconsistencies as well which I found annoying. For example, the names of the police officers change ... one minute they were Detective Cady Lambert and Detective Braidey Fitzsimmons and then they were Cady and Braidey and then they were Lambert and Fitzsimmons ... this may seem trivial but when you have so many characters, it's hard to keep track so changing their names throughout causes you to lose the thread of who is who.
Now don't get me wrong, as I said this isn't a bad book, it actually has the bones of being an excellent dark and gritty thriller but there's just too much going on that affects the flow of reading for me and I just think it needs tidying up.
I am grateful to the author for sending me a copy of his book after finding my blog. I really appreciate the time and effort he has made in writing a complex story and putting it out there for people like me, who couldn't write a decent letter, to criticise and pick apart ... that is brave and I salute you Mr Stephenson and encourage you to keep going.
Louise (64 KP) rated Now I Rise (The Conqueror's Saga #2) in Books
Jul 2, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review*
Kiersten White has beaten the second book lull. With a lot of series I have read you find that the second book is sometimes a ‘filler’ or it just not as good as it’s predecessor – This is not the case for ‘Now I Rise’, this book was darker, brutal and action packed.
I am not going to go into too much detail with this book as I don’t want to give any spoilers away. Lada is off to Wallachia with her men, she is has having a pretty hard time of convincing people to back her as being prince and then she has to contend with assassins trying to kill her. Lada’s loyal army will do anything for her, they fight for her and then follow her when she starts taking revenge on anyone that gets in her way of the throne.
Radu is still as loyal as ever to Mehmed and fantasizes that one day he will look at him the way he did Lada. He will do anything for Mehmed even if that means becoming a pawn and risking his and Nazira’s lives.
There were some great characters in this book, Nazira (Radu’s wife) she was smart, funny, had a political head on her but foremost she really truly cared for Radu. She had this warmth about her that was very much-needed as a lot of the book is dark and gritty.
Hunyadi, we hear of him a little in ‘And I Darken’ but we really get to see him in this book and though he is depicted as some awful killer that murdered Vlad Dracul and his son, we find there is more to this man and reasoning behind his motives.
This installment is much darker, bloodier and Lada is even more badass than before. I preferred this book so much more than the first one. The first book was obviously setting the scene and giving us the back story to each of their lives and this one was jammed packed with action. There is such great character development, I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Kiersten White has beaten the second book lull. With a lot of series I have read you find that the second book is sometimes a ‘filler’ or it just not as good as it’s predecessor – This is not the case for ‘Now I Rise’, this book was darker, brutal and action packed.
I am not going to go into too much detail with this book as I don’t want to give any spoilers away. Lada is off to Wallachia with her men, she is has having a pretty hard time of convincing people to back her as being prince and then she has to contend with assassins trying to kill her. Lada’s loyal army will do anything for her, they fight for her and then follow her when she starts taking revenge on anyone that gets in her way of the throne.
Radu is still as loyal as ever to Mehmed and fantasizes that one day he will look at him the way he did Lada. He will do anything for Mehmed even if that means becoming a pawn and risking his and Nazira’s lives.
There were some great characters in this book, Nazira (Radu’s wife) she was smart, funny, had a political head on her but foremost she really truly cared for Radu. She had this warmth about her that was very much-needed as a lot of the book is dark and gritty.
Hunyadi, we hear of him a little in ‘And I Darken’ but we really get to see him in this book and though he is depicted as some awful killer that murdered Vlad Dracul and his son, we find there is more to this man and reasoning behind his motives.
This installment is much darker, bloodier and Lada is even more badass than before. I preferred this book so much more than the first one. The first book was obviously setting the scene and giving us the back story to each of their lives and this one was jammed packed with action. There is such great character development, I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
I rated this 4 out of 5 stars
Ross (3284 KP) rated Priest of Bones in Books
Oct 3, 2018
Fantastic low fantasy gangster heist book
*** Disclosure: I received a free advance copy of this book in return for an honest review ***
The main character of this book believes in having "the right person doing the right job". In that case, my job will be reading this book, because I absolutely adored every single word of it.
Tomas Piety is returning to his hometown of Ellinburg (the city sometimes referred to as Old Reekie due to its tanneries - a nice little parallel to Edinburgh's "Auld Reekie") having been conscripted to fight for his country at war. Piety was previously the proud owner of a number of brothels, taverns and gambling/drugs dens and the purveyor of the finest protection racket in town. He returns with his regiment of fellow conscripts ("war is over, sling your hook") promising jobs and wealth for good honest work, only to find that his empire is not what it once was. Therein lies the plot of the book - Tomas and The Pious Men battling to take back control of the streets and properties he once oversaw.
The action is grim and nasty, and as well described as any book I can think of.
The dialogue is funny and gritty, and rivals Joe Abercrombie.
The main character has had a troubled past and has buried his own secrets.
The scope of the book is fairly small and benefits from that, not getting away from itself. There is more than enough going on to keep the action coming and the intrigue simmering along.
There is a lot of nasty, not niceness throughout this book, a feature of a lot of modern fantasy. However here the tale is told by Tomas himself, so we are treated to some of his inner monologue and get an insight into why he thinks these things need to be done. How he justifies some horrific actions and decisions defines his character well.
Frankly, this is one of the most immersive books I have read for a long time. The narration meant that for once I could truly visualise the city, the mess, the smells, the nastiness, the honour amongst gangsters. Not since the early Discworld books have I felt this so strongly.
To put it simply: I really really loved this book and cannot wait (though wait I must) for the next instalment.
The main character of this book believes in having "the right person doing the right job". In that case, my job will be reading this book, because I absolutely adored every single word of it.
Tomas Piety is returning to his hometown of Ellinburg (the city sometimes referred to as Old Reekie due to its tanneries - a nice little parallel to Edinburgh's "Auld Reekie") having been conscripted to fight for his country at war. Piety was previously the proud owner of a number of brothels, taverns and gambling/drugs dens and the purveyor of the finest protection racket in town. He returns with his regiment of fellow conscripts ("war is over, sling your hook") promising jobs and wealth for good honest work, only to find that his empire is not what it once was. Therein lies the plot of the book - Tomas and The Pious Men battling to take back control of the streets and properties he once oversaw.
The action is grim and nasty, and as well described as any book I can think of.
The dialogue is funny and gritty, and rivals Joe Abercrombie.
The main character has had a troubled past and has buried his own secrets.
The scope of the book is fairly small and benefits from that, not getting away from itself. There is more than enough going on to keep the action coming and the intrigue simmering along.
There is a lot of nasty, not niceness throughout this book, a feature of a lot of modern fantasy. However here the tale is told by Tomas himself, so we are treated to some of his inner monologue and get an insight into why he thinks these things need to be done. How he justifies some horrific actions and decisions defines his character well.
Frankly, this is one of the most immersive books I have read for a long time. The narration meant that for once I could truly visualise the city, the mess, the smells, the nastiness, the honour amongst gangsters. Not since the early Discworld books have I felt this so strongly.
To put it simply: I really really loved this book and cannot wait (though wait I must) for the next instalment.
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated Breeder (Breeder, #1) in Books
Nov 5, 2018
A dystopian future where mankind is bred in special facilities and everyone has a specific place in the world order, Breeder immediately grabbed my attention from the moment I saw the summary. It's an interesting, yet familiar premise, for fiction, but Hoyle develops and delivers her world in a unique and fresh kind of way. Her civilisation is well developed and built up slowly, which in turn encourages the reader to associate with Pria as she also learns about the real world outside of Sanctuary.
Pria is a great character who you immediately associate with. She's cautious, timid yet there's an innate curiosity in her that signposts her from the off as a character you'll be wanting to watch. Pax on the other hand is gritty, harsh and well versed in the reality of the world. He shouldn't be alive, but he is and the mystery that surrounds that fact is a superb piece of writing to filter alongside the main story. He's enigmatic and a real pleasure to read, a source of great enjoyment as you try to figure him out.
The asylum is a truly intriguing place and it draws you right into the alternative world that is presented to Pria. the new characters we meet there are great to read, each of them different and interesting in their own right. Friendly, dangerous, powerful and power hungry, there is a real mixed bag that keep you on your toes as you read and make this book even better than you might imagine.
As you get drawn further and further into Pria's turmoil, the plot moves faster and faster, just like a proverbial snowball downhill and it pulls you right into the story. The ending, as you'd expect for the first in a series, is swift and unexpected, leaving you satisfied yet needing more. It's a superb start to this new dystopian universe, and one I cannot wait to read more of. I devoured this book, ignoring family and friends when it was open in front of me and I am very excited to see where Hoyle will take this series. It's one I've added to my favourites list, and a book I am sure I am going to be recommending to friends and fans of this genre.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
Pria is a great character who you immediately associate with. She's cautious, timid yet there's an innate curiosity in her that signposts her from the off as a character you'll be wanting to watch. Pax on the other hand is gritty, harsh and well versed in the reality of the world. He shouldn't be alive, but he is and the mystery that surrounds that fact is a superb piece of writing to filter alongside the main story. He's enigmatic and a real pleasure to read, a source of great enjoyment as you try to figure him out.
The asylum is a truly intriguing place and it draws you right into the alternative world that is presented to Pria. the new characters we meet there are great to read, each of them different and interesting in their own right. Friendly, dangerous, powerful and power hungry, there is a real mixed bag that keep you on your toes as you read and make this book even better than you might imagine.
As you get drawn further and further into Pria's turmoil, the plot moves faster and faster, just like a proverbial snowball downhill and it pulls you right into the story. The ending, as you'd expect for the first in a series, is swift and unexpected, leaving you satisfied yet needing more. It's a superb start to this new dystopian universe, and one I cannot wait to read more of. I devoured this book, ignoring family and friends when it was open in front of me and I am very excited to see where Hoyle will take this series. It's one I've added to my favourites list, and a book I am sure I am going to be recommending to friends and fans of this genre.
*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
Kelly (279 KP) rated Babylon Berlin in TV
Dec 16, 2018
Realistic portal of post Great War Berlin (1 more)
Not your usual boy meets girl story
Gritty, thrilling, engaging... need I go on?!
I have not found a series in some while that I was so attached, as Babylon Berlin. I confess, I watched the subtitles version, as my knowledge of German is pretty poor, but even this did not detach from the enjoyment of the series.
Babylon Berlin follows Gereon Rath, a detective struggling to deal with the aftermath of the Great War. He is supported at times in his cases by Charlotte Ritter, an administrator by day who supplements her families income through prostitution at night. I found myself routing for both characters throughout both series 1 and 2 of Babylon Berlin, even knowing Charlottes less than legal background, which is never hidden from the viewer. There was/ is a clear attraction between the two characters, which frustratingly is never fulfilled. Both characters are played by incredibly strong actors and are fully believable throughout.
What grasped my attention from the start was the clear portrayal of poverty that people lived in post war Berlin. Despite knowing some of the issues in living standards, I was drawn to the accuracy of the portrayal, many other stories set in this era would seek to romanticise the period at the end of the Weimar’s golden era, however the stark reality of degradation, sickness, depression and crime is always at the forefront of the story, and the political complexity of the time is covered well. This makes the the series very dark at times.
I was also surprised by the lack of Nazi input there is across season 1 and 2. We see lots about involvement of communists within the political system in the series, but there are only a small handful of references to the brown shirts - this is in stark contrast to what we are taught in schools, where the impression is given that by the late 1920s, Nazi involment is promenant in German society. This actually challenged my thinking on the subject, allowing me to realise that this is still a period, where, although the Nazis are known, they are not yet that popular.
I cannot wait until season 3 is released in order to find out what is next in store for Gereon and Charlotte. This truly is German production at its best.
Babylon Berlin follows Gereon Rath, a detective struggling to deal with the aftermath of the Great War. He is supported at times in his cases by Charlotte Ritter, an administrator by day who supplements her families income through prostitution at night. I found myself routing for both characters throughout both series 1 and 2 of Babylon Berlin, even knowing Charlottes less than legal background, which is never hidden from the viewer. There was/ is a clear attraction between the two characters, which frustratingly is never fulfilled. Both characters are played by incredibly strong actors and are fully believable throughout.
What grasped my attention from the start was the clear portrayal of poverty that people lived in post war Berlin. Despite knowing some of the issues in living standards, I was drawn to the accuracy of the portrayal, many other stories set in this era would seek to romanticise the period at the end of the Weimar’s golden era, however the stark reality of degradation, sickness, depression and crime is always at the forefront of the story, and the political complexity of the time is covered well. This makes the the series very dark at times.
I was also surprised by the lack of Nazi input there is across season 1 and 2. We see lots about involvement of communists within the political system in the series, but there are only a small handful of references to the brown shirts - this is in stark contrast to what we are taught in schools, where the impression is given that by the late 1920s, Nazi involment is promenant in German society. This actually challenged my thinking on the subject, allowing me to realise that this is still a period, where, although the Nazis are known, they are not yet that popular.
I cannot wait until season 3 is released in order to find out what is next in store for Gereon and Charlotte. This truly is German production at its best.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Black Hawks in Books
Nov 11, 2019
A gritty story that emerges gradually and organically
The Black Hawks follows Vedren Chel, a young knight-in-training whose training is floundering and he is disengaged. His place in the corrupt country, and its class system, is dubious, and suddenly thrown into doubt when his home city is invaded. He sees the chance to escort young cowardly Prince Tarfel across country as his way out of his dead-end role. Sadly for him, they are kidnapped by the Black Hawk company, a crew of mercenaries as likely to call you an inventive swear-word as to instantly gut you.
The story is one that emerges over time, as Chel and the Black Hawks' journey changes and develops into more of a righteous quest. While I tend to prefer books where I can visualise the overall plot early on, I really enjoyed this and the way everyone was on the back foot the whole time. It gave me, as the reader, the feeling of being unaware and at the mercy of this harsh world, as it did for the characters in the story.
The characters themselves are largely well-developed. Chel is an interesting main character, being morally strong but largely useless in a fight. I was oddly glad that his battle skills barely improved throughout the book, I was at one point dreading chapters of sword forms and stances. He contrasts well with the Black Hawks, who are a grim company of morally corrupt selfish head-cases who are somewhat loyal to each other, but at the same time out for themselves. Within the crew each has their own place, their own skills and their own defined personality. It was a little hard initially to remember each of them, but I quickly got to know them well. Their different skills were well used in the action scenes as the company fought against other crews of mercenaries and corrupt government/church officials.
The plot is strong here. As said earlier, it develops over time with twists and turns and treachery and moral corruption throughout.
While the ending was a little bit of a surprise and a let-down, it felt overall the right way to end this first book in the series.
I had some issues with the pacing, but on the whole really enjoyed this book.
The story is one that emerges over time, as Chel and the Black Hawks' journey changes and develops into more of a righteous quest. While I tend to prefer books where I can visualise the overall plot early on, I really enjoyed this and the way everyone was on the back foot the whole time. It gave me, as the reader, the feeling of being unaware and at the mercy of this harsh world, as it did for the characters in the story.
The characters themselves are largely well-developed. Chel is an interesting main character, being morally strong but largely useless in a fight. I was oddly glad that his battle skills barely improved throughout the book, I was at one point dreading chapters of sword forms and stances. He contrasts well with the Black Hawks, who are a grim company of morally corrupt selfish head-cases who are somewhat loyal to each other, but at the same time out for themselves. Within the crew each has their own place, their own skills and their own defined personality. It was a little hard initially to remember each of them, but I quickly got to know them well. Their different skills were well used in the action scenes as the company fought against other crews of mercenaries and corrupt government/church officials.
The plot is strong here. As said earlier, it develops over time with twists and turns and treachery and moral corruption throughout.
While the ending was a little bit of a surprise and a let-down, it felt overall the right way to end this first book in the series.
I had some issues with the pacing, but on the whole really enjoyed this book.
JT (287 KP) rated Green Lantern (2011) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
You feel that had The Green Lantern arrived on the scene in 2011 not competing with a host of other super hero films, such as Thor, X-Men: First Class and Captain America, it might have had a better welcome.
For me the super hero genre really is bordering a mass overkill, what with this years upcoming Avengers getting so much press its hard to turn a corner without seing one of Iron Man, Hulk or Thor adoring a billboard or poster somewhere.
So it’s a shame then that Hollywood’s Mr. Nice guy, Ryan Reynolds, was given a role so bland and pointless it was almost insulting.
Director Martin Campbell’s previous outings Casino Royale and Edge if Darkness were deep gritty affairs and he really should have carried that over into this, there was so much flamboyant colour you wondered if Joel Schumacher had some how been a part of it.
That isn’t to say that during some stages the film was not enjoyable. Test pilot Hal Jordan is given the power bestowed on him by a mysterious ring with a back story shoe horned into an opening five minute monologue, if you’re not paying attention its going to be a little confusing.
The action and special effects are very good, with the Green Lantern able to concoct a wide range of objects from his mind ranging from missile launchers, swords and even a necklace, all transferred through the power and energy of the ring.
The less so, well Reynolds is surrounded by characters that only really dip their toe into the water of the film. With thousands of Green Lanterns we only really here from two, Tomar-Re and Kilowog voiced by Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan respectively.
Mark Strong as Sinestro on first glance has the look of someone bound to step over to the evil side, and maybe that is to come if a sequel is due at some point.
Peter Sarsgaard’s large headed villain only serves as an entrée before Hal has to tackle the large bellowing cloud that is Parallax, an entity that thrives on sucking out the fear of its victims.
The film has its moments, but it never really has the energy that so many other super hero films have. Perhaps that fact that the back story of Hal is not nearly as exciting as say Spider-man, Batman or any of the Avengers for that matter.
For me the super hero genre really is bordering a mass overkill, what with this years upcoming Avengers getting so much press its hard to turn a corner without seing one of Iron Man, Hulk or Thor adoring a billboard or poster somewhere.
So it’s a shame then that Hollywood’s Mr. Nice guy, Ryan Reynolds, was given a role so bland and pointless it was almost insulting.
Director Martin Campbell’s previous outings Casino Royale and Edge if Darkness were deep gritty affairs and he really should have carried that over into this, there was so much flamboyant colour you wondered if Joel Schumacher had some how been a part of it.
That isn’t to say that during some stages the film was not enjoyable. Test pilot Hal Jordan is given the power bestowed on him by a mysterious ring with a back story shoe horned into an opening five minute monologue, if you’re not paying attention its going to be a little confusing.
The action and special effects are very good, with the Green Lantern able to concoct a wide range of objects from his mind ranging from missile launchers, swords and even a necklace, all transferred through the power and energy of the ring.
The less so, well Reynolds is surrounded by characters that only really dip their toe into the water of the film. With thousands of Green Lanterns we only really here from two, Tomar-Re and Kilowog voiced by Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan respectively.
Mark Strong as Sinestro on first glance has the look of someone bound to step over to the evil side, and maybe that is to come if a sequel is due at some point.
Peter Sarsgaard’s large headed villain only serves as an entrée before Hal has to tackle the large bellowing cloud that is Parallax, an entity that thrives on sucking out the fear of its victims.
The film has its moments, but it never really has the energy that so many other super hero films have. Perhaps that fact that the back story of Hal is not nearly as exciting as say Spider-man, Batman or any of the Avengers for that matter.
JT (287 KP) rated Out of the Furnace (2013) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Cast for so long in the trademark cowl of Batman and posing around Gotham City as the slightly disturbed and flamboyant billionaire Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is back deep in his gritty acting roots.
Bale plays Pennsylvania steel mill worker Russell, a man living a simplistic hard working way of life. His brother on the other hand, Rodney (Casey Affleck), is back from a tour in Iraq. He’s visibly scared and not in the least bit interested in anymore manual labour. Inciting that the country owes him a something for his sacrifice he gets into debt gambling and desperate for cash to pay off his short fall he takes bare knuckle fist fights organised by loan shark friend John Petty Willem Dafoe.
Things move from bad to worse in a surprise addition to the plot, which sees Russell endure some time behind bars and in the process loses his sick father as well as seeing girlfriend Lena (Zoe Saldana) fall into the arms of local cop Forest Whitaker. When Russell steps outside of prison for the first time he has yet another problem facing him, in the form of local drug kingpin and all round nasty, Harlan DeGroat brilliantly played by Woody Harrelson.
DeGroat is not one to be crossed as even the local police keep their distance but Rodney heads straight into the lion’s den when he accepts a fight and then is propositioned to take a dive during it; something that he is not willing to do.
The relationship between the brothers is enthralling and totally believable. Both Bale and Affleck give controlled and sharp performances feeding off each other as the tension between them rises. The film attempts to broach the subject of the working classes, while at the same time portraying the life of the retired marine who has come back home full of nightmares and is left forgotten only to crumble into himself.
It’s a strong cast, with Harrelson’s villain commanding the screen with gusto while the likes of Saldana, Defoe and Sam Shepard play mere bit parts. But with this much talent on show not everyone can feature front and centre. The film’s setting is a perfect post-industrial stomping ground for battles both in the illegal ring and out of it, while a moody soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment to the narrative that is moving and rough around the edges.
Bale plays Pennsylvania steel mill worker Russell, a man living a simplistic hard working way of life. His brother on the other hand, Rodney (Casey Affleck), is back from a tour in Iraq. He’s visibly scared and not in the least bit interested in anymore manual labour. Inciting that the country owes him a something for his sacrifice he gets into debt gambling and desperate for cash to pay off his short fall he takes bare knuckle fist fights organised by loan shark friend John Petty Willem Dafoe.
Things move from bad to worse in a surprise addition to the plot, which sees Russell endure some time behind bars and in the process loses his sick father as well as seeing girlfriend Lena (Zoe Saldana) fall into the arms of local cop Forest Whitaker. When Russell steps outside of prison for the first time he has yet another problem facing him, in the form of local drug kingpin and all round nasty, Harlan DeGroat brilliantly played by Woody Harrelson.
DeGroat is not one to be crossed as even the local police keep their distance but Rodney heads straight into the lion’s den when he accepts a fight and then is propositioned to take a dive during it; something that he is not willing to do.
The relationship between the brothers is enthralling and totally believable. Both Bale and Affleck give controlled and sharp performances feeding off each other as the tension between them rises. The film attempts to broach the subject of the working classes, while at the same time portraying the life of the retired marine who has come back home full of nightmares and is left forgotten only to crumble into himself.
It’s a strong cast, with Harrelson’s villain commanding the screen with gusto while the likes of Saldana, Defoe and Sam Shepard play mere bit parts. But with this much talent on show not everyone can feature front and centre. The film’s setting is a perfect post-industrial stomping ground for battles both in the illegal ring and out of it, while a moody soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment to the narrative that is moving and rough around the edges.
James Bagshaw recommended track Trouble by The Music Machine in Ultimate Turn On by The Music Machine in Music (curated)
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Nobody (2021) in Movies
May 5, 2021
Choreography (1 more)
Bob Odenkirk
Nobody knows what it's like...
If you’ve seen the trailers for Nobody, then you already know exactly the type of movie that you are in for. That is not a slight against the movie, it is just to say that there are no great twists here or subversion of audience expectations. The question in looking at Nobody for review is; does it fulfil its purpose and deliver on that intention? Thankfully, the answer is hell yes, it does!
If like me you are a Better Call Saul fan, then you will have a pre-conceived notion of who Bob Odenkirk is as an actor at this stage in his career. That was my one main concern going into this film; can Odenkirk pull off being a believable badass at this stage in his life? Again, the answer is hell yes, he can!
Odenkirk is phenomenal as Hutch Mansell in this movie, he delivers in both the role of a washed up nobody leading an unfulfilled life and as an unrelenting killing machine. He really looks the part after the two years he spent training for this role and although a stuntman was used in a few brief instances, Odenkirk does nearly all of his own stunt work in the film. After seeing some of the stunts performed in the movie, this fact is extremely impressive for a guy pushing 60.
Derek Kolstad’s writing in Nobody is also huge factor in what makes this film great. Kolstad also wrote the John Wick movies, so we already know that the guy knows how to write action. What I really appreciated though was the pacing of the action and the pacing of the movie overall. There is enough set-up to the character of Hutch that we are invested in him by the time that the first punch is thrown. I also enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek nature present in a lot of the film’s scenes.
The action choreography is as intense and exhilarating throughout the movie as you would expect. Something that I did really like though was how brutal and gritty the fight sequences were. In the John Wick movies, although the action is exciting to watch, it sometimes feels a bit too clean and smooth, whereas here it is a lot rougher and more visceral.
Check out the rest of my review here - https://www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com/review-nobody/
If like me you are a Better Call Saul fan, then you will have a pre-conceived notion of who Bob Odenkirk is as an actor at this stage in his career. That was my one main concern going into this film; can Odenkirk pull off being a believable badass at this stage in his life? Again, the answer is hell yes, he can!
Odenkirk is phenomenal as Hutch Mansell in this movie, he delivers in both the role of a washed up nobody leading an unfulfilled life and as an unrelenting killing machine. He really looks the part after the two years he spent training for this role and although a stuntman was used in a few brief instances, Odenkirk does nearly all of his own stunt work in the film. After seeing some of the stunts performed in the movie, this fact is extremely impressive for a guy pushing 60.
Derek Kolstad’s writing in Nobody is also huge factor in what makes this film great. Kolstad also wrote the John Wick movies, so we already know that the guy knows how to write action. What I really appreciated though was the pacing of the action and the pacing of the movie overall. There is enough set-up to the character of Hutch that we are invested in him by the time that the first punch is thrown. I also enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek nature present in a lot of the film’s scenes.
The action choreography is as intense and exhilarating throughout the movie as you would expect. Something that I did really like though was how brutal and gritty the fight sequences were. In the John Wick movies, although the action is exciting to watch, it sometimes feels a bit too clean and smooth, whereas here it is a lot rougher and more visceral.
Check out the rest of my review here - https://www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com/review-nobody/