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Kelly (279 KP) rated Ghost Stories (2018) in Movies
Jan 15, 2019
This would not be out of place in the Twilight Zone
In a time where the audience has become accustomed to jumpy Hollywood horrors, it’s hard to create a horror that provokes the viewer. Ghost stories does this well.
The film itself follows paranormal sceptic, professor Phillip Goodman, as he tries to unpick and denounce three separate cases. The bulk of the film centres around these three cases, all three cases play on the audiences inner fears of the unknown - I’m sure we have all scared ourselves at some point by objects that look differently to what they are in the shadows of the night! To me, the second case, Simon’s story, was the most disturbing simply for how jumpy and scared the character Simon clearly was with the situation. I was a little confused by the ending to Mike’s story, although I understand that it was necessary to move the story to the next stage, I did feel that more explanation was needed.
The format of this film played out like an episode of the Twilight Zone, including the unexpected twist in the end. This too me was what made the film more compelling. Following the big reveal, I spent a little time revisiting each of the cases, and some of the unusual behaviours of the characters and apparitions made more sense.
The acting within the film was good and believable- I am a fan of Martin Freeman, which did draw me to the movie, and although some of the script was a little bizarre, he did act well.
In conclusion, the film was not scary enough to lose sleep over, however it is disturbing enough to make me think and consider my own views on the paranormal.
The film itself follows paranormal sceptic, professor Phillip Goodman, as he tries to unpick and denounce three separate cases. The bulk of the film centres around these three cases, all three cases play on the audiences inner fears of the unknown - I’m sure we have all scared ourselves at some point by objects that look differently to what they are in the shadows of the night! To me, the second case, Simon’s story, was the most disturbing simply for how jumpy and scared the character Simon clearly was with the situation. I was a little confused by the ending to Mike’s story, although I understand that it was necessary to move the story to the next stage, I did feel that more explanation was needed.
The format of this film played out like an episode of the Twilight Zone, including the unexpected twist in the end. This too me was what made the film more compelling. Following the big reveal, I spent a little time revisiting each of the cases, and some of the unusual behaviours of the characters and apparitions made more sense.
The acting within the film was good and believable- I am a fan of Martin Freeman, which did draw me to the movie, and although some of the script was a little bizarre, he did act well.
In conclusion, the film was not scary enough to lose sleep over, however it is disturbing enough to make me think and consider my own views on the paranormal.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Chimera Vector (The Fifth Column #1) in Books
Nov 11, 2019
The Chimera Vector is a fast, brutal and engaging techno thriller. Sophia is an operative for the secretive Fifth Column, a network not related to any government that seeks to eliminate terrorists and corrupt governments.
When the extraction from a mission goes wrong, Sonia questions their real motives. Just whose side are they one? And which side is she on?
The questions of motives and who is working for who runs through the book with many double and even triple (and more) crosses happening. This really does keep the reader on their toes. Because everything is filtered through Sophia's perception it's never clear who can really be trusted - if anyone - it is only clear who Sophia trusts as the story moves on.
This moves at some pace too, with some terrific set pieces across the world. The momentum only increases as once the stakes are revealed the second half of the book is essentially one long action sequence which puts any Hollywood blockbuster to shame. The only other author I can really compare this too is Matthew Reilly, it is just as fast and fun.
Obviously there is a fair amount of suspension of disbelief expected on the part of the reader but the idea of a shadowy organisation carefully orchestrating what happens in the world is a compelling one. It also tends to sound like an arms catalogue at times - every gun and piece of combat equipment is described in detail. And I did get quite overwhelmed with the word 'flashbang' at points.
If you are looking for something that's fast paced, engaging without being too involving, clever without being smug about it and a plot that will keep you guessing, you can't go far wrong with this.
When the extraction from a mission goes wrong, Sonia questions their real motives. Just whose side are they one? And which side is she on?
The questions of motives and who is working for who runs through the book with many double and even triple (and more) crosses happening. This really does keep the reader on their toes. Because everything is filtered through Sophia's perception it's never clear who can really be trusted - if anyone - it is only clear who Sophia trusts as the story moves on.
This moves at some pace too, with some terrific set pieces across the world. The momentum only increases as once the stakes are revealed the second half of the book is essentially one long action sequence which puts any Hollywood blockbuster to shame. The only other author I can really compare this too is Matthew Reilly, it is just as fast and fun.
Obviously there is a fair amount of suspension of disbelief expected on the part of the reader but the idea of a shadowy organisation carefully orchestrating what happens in the world is a compelling one. It also tends to sound like an arms catalogue at times - every gun and piece of combat equipment is described in detail. And I did get quite overwhelmed with the word 'flashbang' at points.
If you are looking for something that's fast paced, engaging without being too involving, clever without being smug about it and a plot that will keep you guessing, you can't go far wrong with this.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Bombshell (2019) in Movies
Jan 19, 2020
I had zero expectation going into this film. I like Charlize Theron, so that was the main reason I watched it. Her prosthetics did make her look exactly like Megyn Kelly.
My biggest issue was the subject matter. My parents are super conservative, so Fox News is what I grew up watching (and always questioned). It's obvious everyone in Hollywood (aside from a few), hate Fox News so much that it's palpable. Personally, I can detect bias and think for myself, so I think all news channels are terrible. I want to know where the Harvey Weinstein movie is.... I believe the saying is, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Anyway, that was my biggest hitching point. I am so glad that they just talked about the harassment, and did not show most of it. I believe instead of using the fake, made up character of 'Kayla' was unnecessary. I would have preferred the use of someone who had actually been harassed. Kate McKinnon was annoying as ever, and she added absolutely nothing to the film.
Honestly, it held my attention, even though it was semi-eye roll inducing. Personally, I know why Megyn Kelly did not speak up until years later, because I've been harassed at 2 different employments. You just block it out and get through the day. I did think the trouser thing was hilarious, not allowing the females to wear them. I had an employer tell me that once, and my response was to tell them to go suck an egg.
So, I guess in summation, the aspects I liked of it were situations I could relate to. The hype for this film is not justified, in my eyes.
My biggest issue was the subject matter. My parents are super conservative, so Fox News is what I grew up watching (and always questioned). It's obvious everyone in Hollywood (aside from a few), hate Fox News so much that it's palpable. Personally, I can detect bias and think for myself, so I think all news channels are terrible. I want to know where the Harvey Weinstein movie is.... I believe the saying is, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Anyway, that was my biggest hitching point. I am so glad that they just talked about the harassment, and did not show most of it. I believe instead of using the fake, made up character of 'Kayla' was unnecessary. I would have preferred the use of someone who had actually been harassed. Kate McKinnon was annoying as ever, and she added absolutely nothing to the film.
Honestly, it held my attention, even though it was semi-eye roll inducing. Personally, I know why Megyn Kelly did not speak up until years later, because I've been harassed at 2 different employments. You just block it out and get through the day. I did think the trouser thing was hilarious, not allowing the females to wear them. I had an employer tell me that once, and my response was to tell them to go suck an egg.
So, I guess in summation, the aspects I liked of it were situations I could relate to. The hype for this film is not justified, in my eyes.
JT (287 KP) rated Chloe (2010) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
As sexual thrillers go this is hardly up there with the best of them, in fact it boarder lines on B-movie soft porn. Director Atom Egoyan is no stranger to this type of erotic genre having previously helmed such films as Exotica and Where The Truth Lies. But this latest turn lacked something in the plot and it just seemed to fall at the last hurdle.
With three exceptional acting talents, more so from Seyfried whose role in this as the sexy femme fatal is a far cry from Mamma Mia. For Moore it was a role that may have caused much whispering in Hollywood if anything for the lesbian clinch mid way through.
From the outset it looks as if we are going to be in for a great little thriller. Moore’s Catherine is desperate to find out if her husband (Neeson) is as honest as he says he is. But she is apparently drawn into Chloe’s sexual tales and meets up with her on countless occasions to have the events graphically recited back to her like some x-rated book club.
This is where the film seems to lack the tension that we might have been hoping for, with the exception of maybe a little flurry at the end. It never really digs its nails underneath the skin and claws at us, we hope that it will arrive at some point but alas it never does. The ending is disappointing.
However, Seyfried’s sheer beauty is not for question, she is curvaceous and captivating and her scenes with Moore are extremely sensuous, one in particular will make you sit bolt up right in your seat.
At the end of it all you’ll walk away flustered, but it certainly won’t be from the gripping suspense.
With three exceptional acting talents, more so from Seyfried whose role in this as the sexy femme fatal is a far cry from Mamma Mia. For Moore it was a role that may have caused much whispering in Hollywood if anything for the lesbian clinch mid way through.
From the outset it looks as if we are going to be in for a great little thriller. Moore’s Catherine is desperate to find out if her husband (Neeson) is as honest as he says he is. But she is apparently drawn into Chloe’s sexual tales and meets up with her on countless occasions to have the events graphically recited back to her like some x-rated book club.
This is where the film seems to lack the tension that we might have been hoping for, with the exception of maybe a little flurry at the end. It never really digs its nails underneath the skin and claws at us, we hope that it will arrive at some point but alas it never does. The ending is disappointing.
However, Seyfried’s sheer beauty is not for question, she is curvaceous and captivating and her scenes with Moore are extremely sensuous, one in particular will make you sit bolt up right in your seat.
At the end of it all you’ll walk away flustered, but it certainly won’t be from the gripping suspense.
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