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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Palo Alto (2014) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
Flooringly seismic, as someone who was around this exact age in this exact time period - this is the perfect representation of high school in 2012/2013 to a T. I'm always put off by how high school kids in movies from around this time never talk right, and even when its ever so close there's still just that slight amount of "out-of-touch adult writes how they think teens speak" jargon which completely takes me out of it. Not here, the way people talk to each other here is scarily dead-on to how me and my shithead friends used to talk to each other to the comma. The fact that there's no clear-cut good or bad guys, just varying degrees of shitty; those tiny but thick iPod touches that had the messaging apps with the grey background and green messages; weird fake meme-sounding music abound parties with lethal amounts of alcohol... trades in the (still tantalizing in its own way) metaphorical cringe that these movies usually have and finally depicts high schoolers from this time as the snaky, rash, social-status obsessed psychopaths that we were - the type who would sooner ask for mouthwash after they vomited up hours worth of alcohol rather than water. The déjà vu I felt during this was unreal, and beyond that it's the movie equivalent to an opiate - not to mention daring, economical, accurate, and cautiously brisk with tremendous performances across the board (Nat Wolff holy *shit*). What happens when you stick a bunch of emotionally unstable sociopaths who don't like each other (or are at least fooled into thinking they do) into a 5-days-a-week institution and leave them to their own devices in the early 2010s. I fucking *lived* this movie - which may even be the best one directed by a Coppola.
The God Game
9.0
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You are invited! Come inside and play with G.O.D. Bring your friends! It’s fun! But remember...
technothriller Texas high school teens sci-fi
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Take Me Home Tonight (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
If you’re planning an 80’s party anytime soon, make sure to download the soundtrack to Take Me Home Tonight. The opening montage alone reminded me of everything I loved about the 80’s. It also gave us a glimpse of Matt Franklin’s high school years. Matt, played by Topher Grace, was the kid voted as “Smartest” in his class, one who existed on the outer fringes of high school popularity, who always had his eye on the most popular girl in school, Tori Fredreking, but could never muster up the courage or find that “in” to catch her attention.
Unsure of where his life is taking him, Matt decides to take a break from MIT during the summer of ’88 and ends up working at Suncoast Video. Of course, who should come strolling in to his store one day but Matt’s high school crush herself. Hoping to impress her, Matt ditches his Suncoast nametag, and tells Tori, played by Teresa Palmer (a deadringer for Kristen Stewart, if Kirsten were blond and more animated), that he works for Goldman-Sachs. Tori’s a banker herself, it turns out, and her curiousity is finally piqued and she encourages him to attend Kyle Masterson’s annual Labor Day party.
Matt relies on his twin sister Wendy, played by Anna Faris, and their best friend Barry, an intense Dan Fogler, to help him build on this “in” and finally get Tori’s phone number. But Matt isn’t the only one having to deal with the confusing transition into adulthood. Wendy has to decide if she wants to pursue her Masters or settle down with her boyfriend Kyle, while Barry just got fired from his car salesman job. The three of them decide to attend the end-of-summer party thrown by Wendy’s boyfriend Kyle, played by Parks & Rec’s Chris Pratt, all with the intent of “living in the now.” Apparently living in the now means commiting grand theft auto, experimenting with cocaine, perpetuating a lie and crashing a bankers’ party.
Despite the silly hijinks, Matt isn’t hard to root for, especially given Topher Grace’s signature sympathetic awkwardness. Fogler’s comic foil to Grace’s straight-man dances precariously along the line between funny and WTH? When the movie about Sam Kinnison’s life is ever made, Fogler should be given serious consideration.
There’s good chemistry between the cast and there’s just enough sweet romance to balance out the outrageous situations. Silly, predictable entertainment, made more fun by the nostalgic soundtrack, this movie is tamer than most of the R-rated comedies of recent note. Think any John Hughes movie meets Hot Tub Time Machine.
Unsure of where his life is taking him, Matt decides to take a break from MIT during the summer of ’88 and ends up working at Suncoast Video. Of course, who should come strolling in to his store one day but Matt’s high school crush herself. Hoping to impress her, Matt ditches his Suncoast nametag, and tells Tori, played by Teresa Palmer (a deadringer for Kristen Stewart, if Kirsten were blond and more animated), that he works for Goldman-Sachs. Tori’s a banker herself, it turns out, and her curiousity is finally piqued and she encourages him to attend Kyle Masterson’s annual Labor Day party.
Matt relies on his twin sister Wendy, played by Anna Faris, and their best friend Barry, an intense Dan Fogler, to help him build on this “in” and finally get Tori’s phone number. But Matt isn’t the only one having to deal with the confusing transition into adulthood. Wendy has to decide if she wants to pursue her Masters or settle down with her boyfriend Kyle, while Barry just got fired from his car salesman job. The three of them decide to attend the end-of-summer party thrown by Wendy’s boyfriend Kyle, played by Parks & Rec’s Chris Pratt, all with the intent of “living in the now.” Apparently living in the now means commiting grand theft auto, experimenting with cocaine, perpetuating a lie and crashing a bankers’ party.
Despite the silly hijinks, Matt isn’t hard to root for, especially given Topher Grace’s signature sympathetic awkwardness. Fogler’s comic foil to Grace’s straight-man dances precariously along the line between funny and WTH? When the movie about Sam Kinnison’s life is ever made, Fogler should be given serious consideration.
There’s good chemistry between the cast and there’s just enough sweet romance to balance out the outrageous situations. Silly, predictable entertainment, made more fun by the nostalgic soundtrack, this movie is tamer than most of the R-rated comedies of recent note. Think any John Hughes movie meets Hot Tub Time Machine.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated 21 Jump Street (2012) in Movies
Dec 17, 2017
Much better than expected
Mainstream comedies really aren't my thing, but I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with this film. I wasn't expecting much, but its actually pretty funny.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum work really well together, although you do have to suspend all disbelief that they could ever be mistook for high school students. Which in all fairness is referred back to in the film for a few laughs. The other cast work well too, and there's a fun surprise cameo from original Jump Street star Johnny Depp.
The plot itself is silly but a bit of fun. Having the two leads switch characters by mistake leaving Tatum as the science geek and Hill as the all star sports player makes it so much funnier. I also think the school environment with the environmentally friendly students as the cool kids is a great idea. The comedy too also doesn't rely solely on crude jokes which is a refreshing change, and I do think Ice Cube is one of the funniest things about this film.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum work really well together, although you do have to suspend all disbelief that they could ever be mistook for high school students. Which in all fairness is referred back to in the film for a few laughs. The other cast work well too, and there's a fun surprise cameo from original Jump Street star Johnny Depp.
The plot itself is silly but a bit of fun. Having the two leads switch characters by mistake leaving Tatum as the science geek and Hill as the all star sports player makes it so much funnier. I also think the school environment with the environmentally friendly students as the cool kids is a great idea. The comedy too also doesn't rely solely on crude jokes which is a refreshing change, and I do think Ice Cube is one of the funniest things about this film.
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Sex Education in TV
Feb 10, 2019
Gillian Anderson (2 more)
All the main cast
Scripting
Sex Education Season 1
Otis (Asa Butterfield) may seem like your typical socially awkward high school student except that he lives with his mum Jean (Gillian Anderson) who is sex therapist. When social outcast and bad girl Maeve (Emma Mackey) find out about this she decides they are going to set up an underground sex therapy service for the students of their school, Otis agrees hoping the boost his popularity.
This show has a large story line that runs through all the episodes, but each episode is its own story focusing in on different students and their problems.
The script is funny and down to earth and the casting is phenomenal. The whole show has a slight 80's vibe to it but could quite easily be in modern day life as well.
I am so glad they have decided that this show is worthy of a second season and I can't wait to see what they do with it.
This show has a large story line that runs through all the episodes, but each episode is its own story focusing in on different students and their problems.
The script is funny and down to earth and the casting is phenomenal. The whole show has a slight 80's vibe to it but could quite easily be in modern day life as well.
I am so glad they have decided that this show is worthy of a second season and I can't wait to see what they do with it.
Chrissy (8 KP) rated Bewitching Hannah in Books
Jan 25, 2018
Bewitching Hannah is a page turner about 16-year-old Hannah. It tells an amazing tale of how her life changes, challenges she faces, and survival. Hannah has lost both of her parents, and goes to live with her Aunt J. When she starts school, she makes new friends, and frenemies. Although dealing with these high school mean girls does not happen in the normal fashion.
Hannah has spent her entire life trying to be ordinary. With help from her new friends, a new love, and her aunt, she comes to terms with the fact that she is anything but ordinary. She embraces who and what she is to save the ones she loves and all the people in her town.
This is a powerful tale of self-acceptance with magical elements. There are characters you grow to love, and others you grow to hate. An incredible read, one that I couldnt put down.
I voluntarily received an early reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Hannah has spent her entire life trying to be ordinary. With help from her new friends, a new love, and her aunt, she comes to terms with the fact that she is anything but ordinary. She embraces who and what she is to save the ones she loves and all the people in her town.
This is a powerful tale of self-acceptance with magical elements. There are characters you grow to love, and others you grow to hate. An incredible read, one that I couldnt put down.
I voluntarily received an early reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Skeleton Takes a Bow (Family Skeleton Mystery #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Georgia has reluctantly agreed to let Sid, her best friend the skeleton, star in the play at her daughter’s high school. Okay, star might be the wrong word since Sid’s skull is playing the part of Yorick in Hamlet. Either way, he’s excited to get out of the house. However, when he is accidently left at the school overnight, he hears a murder. With no body, the police won’t take Georgia seriously. Can Sid and Georgia track down the killer when they don’t know who the victim is?
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This is a fun dip into the light end of the paranormal spectrum since Sid is the only paranormal element in the book. The plot is different from a normal cozy, and as a result appears to wander a bit at the beginning, but the author uses all those elements in the end before bringing us to a logical climax. Meanwhile, the characters are fun, charming, and fully fleshed out. Yes, even Sid.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-review-skeleton-takes-bow-by-leigh.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6) in Books
Apr 26, 2020
I died on a Thursday-killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul. The good news? He didn't get it. The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school... Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life...
It was ok! I usually devour these books but this took a little longer. I’m so bored of Nash and things were just meh. I was a little disappointed and got a little bored in places! But still gotta love a Vincent book!
It was ok! I usually devour these books but this took a little longer. I’m so bored of Nash and things were just meh. I was a little disappointed and got a little bored in places! But still gotta love a Vincent book!
CM
Computational Mathematics, Numerical Analysis and Applications: Lecture Notes of the XVII 'Jacques-Louis Lions' Spanish-French School
Mariano Mateos and Pedro Alonso
6.0
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Book
The first part of this volume gathers the lecture notes of the courses of the "XVII Escuela...
Developing Expression in Brass Performance and Teaching
Book
Developing Expression in Brass Performance and Teaching helps university music teachers, high school...