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Josh Huitt (29 KP) rated A Clockwork Orange (1971) in Movies
Jun 23, 2019
Did it end? Was that the ending? (1 more)
Why did they have to use Singing in the Rain..... now it's never gonna be the same
Contains spoilers, click to show
So, I thought for this review i would make up some new words to expand your vocabulary.... but let's be serious, I'm a lazy reviewer. So, plot.... Alex and his friends get drunk on milk and go on an escapade. They befriend a homeless man and a couple. Alex gets chastised for being a bit naughty and has a eye widening television experience. He meets up with some old friends and...... oh wait, that was the end of the movie? Well.... ok then. Why does Stanley Kubrick just... I don't think he finishes movies. He just gets to a point and goes 'yeah, I'm done now'. Overall, interesting watch. One to show your friends.
Lee (2222 KP) rated Seoul Station (2016) in Movies
Jan 21, 2019
Nowhere near as good as it's live action companion
Seoul Station is an animated prequel to 'Train to Busan', one of my favourite movies in recent years. It is written and directed by the director of that movie too. Set in and around Seoul Station at night, the movie begins with an elderly homeless man who staggers towards the station, weak and bleeding from a wound. The beginning of the zombie apocalypse, which then unfolds throughout the night.
I found this movie to be nowhere near as interesting or as intense as Train to Busan. No characters of note to get behind and I didn't really like the animation style either. To be honest, it took me two or three sittings to complete it, I just found it a real struggle. Stick with the far superior Train to Busan.
I found this movie to be nowhere near as interesting or as intense as Train to Busan. No characters of note to get behind and I didn't really like the animation style either. To be honest, it took me two or three sittings to complete it, I just found it a real struggle. Stick with the far superior Train to Busan.
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Into the Night in Books
Sep 24, 2020
Our protagonist in this story is Gemma, she moved from a little town to Melbourne, leaving her family behind, to try and start her life fresh. She is assigned to a couple of murders, first of all, we have a homeless man stabbed in an alley, followed shortly by a stabbing of a movie star. Are these murders related? Who stabbed the celebrity and why? These questions followed me all the way throughout the pages of this novel.
I really liked Gemma in this book. In the first book I didn’t support her actions, and couldn’t understand her behaviour, but in this book, she explained her actions a little better, and I was able to have a better glimpse into her inner personality. I really liked that the author chose the characters who are hard to read and incredibly disturbed, they give the book this mysterious aura, and as a reader, I like the challenge of trying to figure them out. 😀 I really enjoyed the variety and diversity of the characters as well, from homeless and poor, to rich and famous, and everything in between. 🙂 I did like the parts, where Gemma was sharing her personal feelings, they allowed to get to know her better, but in some places, these parts were a bit too long, and my mind tended to wander off…
The narrative is told from a single perspective, and there is quite a lot happening in this book. The spotlight is on the famous actor’s death, but there are other two cases (homeless man and an escort), which remain in the shadows for most of the time, appearing just briefly here and there. The investigation is going on quite slowly, but paired with other murders and Gemma’s life, the story didn’t drag to me. Even though I missed more twists, I did like the turns author brought to this book, they were quite unexpected to me.
I really liked the writing style, I think it was creative and very well thought through, with decent length chapters, which made my reading experience very enjoyable. I liked the setting of this book, it changed between different places, and I appreciate that the author skipped the unimportant events. I thought that I figured out the reasoning for the murders halfway through the book, but I was really happy to be proved wrong. 😀 I really liked the ending of this book, I think it concluded this story nicely, however, I still couldn’t fully figure out what Gemma wants. 😀
So, to conclude, I can see author’s improvement in this book, the characters picked for this novel are challenging and intriguing, the plot is very creatively layered and complex, filled with unexpected discoveries. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking for a different thriller, where the protagonist is as important as the investigation. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
I really liked Gemma in this book. In the first book I didn’t support her actions, and couldn’t understand her behaviour, but in this book, she explained her actions a little better, and I was able to have a better glimpse into her inner personality. I really liked that the author chose the characters who are hard to read and incredibly disturbed, they give the book this mysterious aura, and as a reader, I like the challenge of trying to figure them out. 😀 I really enjoyed the variety and diversity of the characters as well, from homeless and poor, to rich and famous, and everything in between. 🙂 I did like the parts, where Gemma was sharing her personal feelings, they allowed to get to know her better, but in some places, these parts were a bit too long, and my mind tended to wander off…
The narrative is told from a single perspective, and there is quite a lot happening in this book. The spotlight is on the famous actor’s death, but there are other two cases (homeless man and an escort), which remain in the shadows for most of the time, appearing just briefly here and there. The investigation is going on quite slowly, but paired with other murders and Gemma’s life, the story didn’t drag to me. Even though I missed more twists, I did like the turns author brought to this book, they were quite unexpected to me.
I really liked the writing style, I think it was creative and very well thought through, with decent length chapters, which made my reading experience very enjoyable. I liked the setting of this book, it changed between different places, and I appreciate that the author skipped the unimportant events. I thought that I figured out the reasoning for the murders halfway through the book, but I was really happy to be proved wrong. 😀 I really liked the ending of this book, I think it concluded this story nicely, however, I still couldn’t fully figure out what Gemma wants. 😀
So, to conclude, I can see author’s improvement in this book, the characters picked for this novel are challenging and intriguing, the plot is very creatively layered and complex, filled with unexpected discoveries. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking for a different thriller, where the protagonist is as important as the investigation. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Garth Davis recommended The Lovers on the Bridge (1991) in Movies (curated)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Cross My Heart (Hearts, #5.75) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
This has been borrowed from the Kindle Unlimited library.
This one follows Liam, the youngest Cross brother, and Iris, a waitress at Liam's older brother's restaurant. It seems Liam has been watching Iris for a while, almost from the start of her time working for Lee and has been intrigued by her. Iris is homeless and struggling for every penny she earns so she can begin renting someplace. She acts tough and stays disconnected from her colleagues as she doesn't know how they'll take her living situation but then Liam takes a serious interest in her and she struggles to keep him at length.
This was actually super cute for such a short read. I still love all the Cross family and Liam has changed a lot from that little punk in Lee's story.
I liked the Bowie thing that Iris had going on and that Jareth is my favourite version of him, too. I love Labyrinth. It's been one of my favourite films since I was a kid.
I'm looking forward to the last book and Trevor's full story.
This one follows Liam, the youngest Cross brother, and Iris, a waitress at Liam's older brother's restaurant. It seems Liam has been watching Iris for a while, almost from the start of her time working for Lee and has been intrigued by her. Iris is homeless and struggling for every penny she earns so she can begin renting someplace. She acts tough and stays disconnected from her colleagues as she doesn't know how they'll take her living situation but then Liam takes a serious interest in her and she struggles to keep him at length.
This was actually super cute for such a short read. I still love all the Cross family and Liam has changed a lot from that little punk in Lee's story.
I liked the Bowie thing that Iris had going on and that Jareth is my favourite version of him, too. I love Labyrinth. It's been one of my favourite films since I was a kid.
I'm looking forward to the last book and Trevor's full story.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Dirty Heads in Books
Jan 5, 2024
3 of 220
Kindle
Dirty Heads
By Aaron Dries
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story of a boy who dreamed of becoming a man… But dreamed up a monster instead
You’re on the run. Marked. Don’t think about the kid you used to be when you’re homeless and dumpster-diving in the rain. Just eat whatever you find to keep your engine full. Because the shadow with too many teeth wants you tired.
You’re easier to catch when you’re tired.
It has hunted you since the summer of 1994, back when we confessed who we were through mixtapes. When every movie at the video store had dirty heads. You were thirteen and thought you knew who you were. Only the shadow with too many teeth knew you better. It still does. And it won’t stop. Not until you come home.
Back to where it all began.
I’ve never read anything like it. It was just one of those books where you are shook to the core but can’t stop reading. So so good. This was so brilliantly written.
Kindle
Dirty Heads
By Aaron Dries
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story of a boy who dreamed of becoming a man… But dreamed up a monster instead
You’re on the run. Marked. Don’t think about the kid you used to be when you’re homeless and dumpster-diving in the rain. Just eat whatever you find to keep your engine full. Because the shadow with too many teeth wants you tired.
You’re easier to catch when you’re tired.
It has hunted you since the summer of 1994, back when we confessed who we were through mixtapes. When every movie at the video store had dirty heads. You were thirteen and thought you knew who you were. Only the shadow with too many teeth knew you better. It still does. And it won’t stop. Not until you come home.
Back to where it all began.
I’ve never read anything like it. It was just one of those books where you are shook to the core but can’t stop reading. So so good. This was so brilliantly written.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hummingbird (aka Redemption, Crazy Joe) (2013) in Movies
May 16, 2019
Well, if anyone was going to play an ex-special forces homeless man who interferes romantically with a nun and turns up to a knife fight carrying a spoon, it was going to be Jason Statham. The plot of this one honestly feels a bit like a mix-tape of the best bits from the great man's back catalogue (Chinese gangsters, people trafficking, mob enforcement, improbable threats) but it's put together with skill and conviction.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
It does have that slightly crazy quality you often get in J-Stat films, but for me this is the source of much of their charm, and this one also manages to address some slightly deeper topics than usual and even ends up with a bit of gravitas and emotional depth. It almost feels like a drama as much as an action film, and you genuinely do care for the characters by the end of it. Definitely one of the better Statham vehicles, although one has to wonder about the film's fairly blatant attempts to position him as a gay icon - is J-Stat on board with this? Has anyone even thought to tell him? Good fun either way.
Mayhawke (97 KP) rated The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey in Books
Feb 9, 2018
A good Christmas story without the mawkishness
I have nine children. I bought this book for the oldest two - over twenty years ago It is a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated, with a great Christmas story: Jonathon Toomey - a cold and unfriendly man, since the loss of his wife and child takes in a homeless woman and her son in the middle of winter, with - for grown ups - a predictable outcome.
This story is not especially original, but it is the way in which it is told rather than the story itself that makes it stand out. I dislike sugary sentimentalism and one of the problems I have buying childrens books (particularly Xmas ones) is that the market is so over-loaded with 'sugar' that it's verging on a serious case of diabetes. This book is not sugary, nor even particularly sentimental. It tells a fine story, calmly and with dignity.
It has been a popular story with all the varied personalities in the family, which has to say something about breadth of appeal, and as it was re-issued in 2015 It seems to be weathering social change as well.
This story is not especially original, but it is the way in which it is told rather than the story itself that makes it stand out. I dislike sugary sentimentalism and one of the problems I have buying childrens books (particularly Xmas ones) is that the market is so over-loaded with 'sugar' that it's verging on a serious case of diabetes. This book is not sugary, nor even particularly sentimental. It tells a fine story, calmly and with dignity.
It has been a popular story with all the varied personalities in the family, which has to say something about breadth of appeal, and as it was re-issued in 2015 It seems to be weathering social change as well.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated The Chocolate Clown Corpse (A Chocoholic Mystery, #14) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Clowns are the theme for the annual winter carnival in Warner Pier, which is ironic since the man who ran the clown themed store in town was murdered about a month before it starts. Since that store was next door to TenHuis Chocolade, Lee Woodyard is hoping to buy it to expand the business. That’s how she meets the family and gets further involved when evidence begins appearing suggestion the homeless man who has been arrest for the murder might be innocent. But if he is innocent, who actually did it?
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The book started out a little slowly, but once it gained speed, I found it hard to put it down, as always. I did spot the ending a little early, but I was having so much fun I didn’t mind. Lee, her husband Joe, and the new characters are great, but I do wish we could see more of the supporting cast – another common complaint when it comes to this series. Still, fans of Lee’s will gobble this book down like always.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-chocolate-clown-corpse-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated You Were Never Really Here (2018) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
286. You Were Never Really Here. One intense movie! Intense soundtrack, intense action, intense subject matter. We meet a guy named Joe, sure he looks homeless, but in reality he's a war veteran that lives with his aging mother. The audience gets just a few glimpses of Joe's background and they aren't pretty. Now he's dedicated his life to rescuing missing and exploited children, and more importantly for those that hire him, he punishes those responsible, very brutally, weapon of choice: ball-peen hammer. And the one case the film focuses on, turns out to be very sinister indeed. Joaquin Phoenix is intense as Joe, a man unafraid of violence, but extremely tormented by his past. Definitely worth a watch. (Side note: If you watch it, towards the beginning of the movie Joe exits his house, you can hear in the background a small dog barking like crazy. Joe pauses for a moment, twitches just a bit, camera cuts to his mom watching him out the front window, you hear the dog bark one final time, yelps as in pain and goes silent... Do you think Joe killed the doggy???) Filmbufftim on FB