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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Castlevania - Season 1 in TV
Mar 20, 2020
The first season of Castlevania could be more accurately described as a 'teaser-season'. It's four episodes acts as a set up for what is to come, introducing us to the key players in the war between man and vampire.
The episodes run for around 25 minutes, meaning that the season has a limited time to establish what it needs to, and it does this pretty effectively. A decent script ensures that the three main protagonists Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso) and Alucard (James Callis) are all immediately likable, and even gives an incredibly sympathetic villain in Dracula. There's also a nice sense of humour running underneath all of the dramatics.
The animation style shows signs of budget restriction on occasion, but for the most part is easy to take in. A lot of close ups on characters show off some nice detail, long shots of locations look great, as do the combat scenes. To darker colour choices work well with the gothic setting, and the frequent strong violence.
Above all, this short but sweet season leaves the viewer wanting more, which was surely the aim in the first place!
The episodes run for around 25 minutes, meaning that the season has a limited time to establish what it needs to, and it does this pretty effectively. A decent script ensures that the three main protagonists Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), Sypha (Alejandra Reynoso) and Alucard (James Callis) are all immediately likable, and even gives an incredibly sympathetic villain in Dracula. There's also a nice sense of humour running underneath all of the dramatics.
The animation style shows signs of budget restriction on occasion, but for the most part is easy to take in. A lot of close ups on characters show off some nice detail, long shots of locations look great, as do the combat scenes. To darker colour choices work well with the gothic setting, and the frequent strong violence.
Above all, this short but sweet season leaves the viewer wanting more, which was surely the aim in the first place!
Vegas (725 KP) rated Stan & Ollie (2018) in Movies
Mar 21, 2020
Great portrayal of two greats
Coogan and Reilly star as the legendary double act, both actors must has spent hours perfecting Laurel and Hardys mannerisms, speech and comic timing as their portrayal of their respective characters are spot on...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
This is the story of the latter part of their career, on a tour of the UK with the possibility of a new film as a dangling carrot to perform...
The comic routines during the stage parts of the film are almost as well performed as the real thing, yet coupled with the humour, is an underlying sadness of two stars trying to regain what they once had, and it's this that stops it being a feel good film as it is quite moving and sad if you are a fan of the duo...
It is interesting to see how their relationship is strained at times yet in spite of that how much they obviously cared for each other...
I don't know if the stars won any awards for their playing of Stan & Ollie, but if they didn't, they should have...
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Dracula in TV
Apr 10, 2020
I missed this over Christmas so was quite chuffed to win a copy in a Smashbomb give away.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
After watching all 3 episodes I have to say it takes some serious liberties with the source material (particularly in the devisive third episode) but as a whole I really enjoyed this. I am a fan of Sherlock (particularly the early episodes) so I liked what the team did here. The look is suitably gothic with a nice stream of dark humour running through. The production values and special effects were also quite impressive for a beeb production. I had never heard of Claes Bang before this but I have to say he was a brilliant bit of casting as Dracula.. charismatic and brooding.
Allot of people seem to hate episode 3 bringing Dracula to the present day but I personally found that episode allot of fun and an improvement over the slightly slow 2nd episode. (The first was the best by far though)
Overall though the series isn't quite something that will be regarded as a classic in years to come but I had fun watching it and will certainly recommend it.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Men in Black International (2019) in Movies
Apr 27, 2020
Meh In Black
A fourth instalment of the MIB series isn’t a film anyone was really crying out for but never the less here it is. Unfortunately its watchable but ultimately quite underwhelming. All though they aren’t a patch on Smith and Jones I thought Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson weren’t actually bad casting and they do successfully replicate the chemistry they had in ‘Thor – Ragnarok’ and certainly try their best but are sadly let down by some pretty weak writing. The plot is messy and convoluted and the humour feeling pretty forced where the original was sharp and snappily written , it’s certainly a job to have any real emotional investment in what is going on . The effects let it down a bit as well with the alien creatures looking as obviously CGI as they did in the over 20 year old original. It’s not terrible though , you can certainly get some enjoyment out of it if you are in the mood for something fast moving and undemanding but you might struggle to remember what it was all about a couple of hours later. Hopefully the franchise ends here.
Ronnie (304 KP) rated Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian: Bk. 5 in Books
Apr 23, 2020
The great prophecy tells that the fate of the world will rest in Percy Jackson’s hands when he turns sixteen. In the summer leading up to his sixteenth birthday Kronos’s evil army of monsters rampages through New York, with only Percy and his demigod friends to try and defeat them. What will become of the great prophecy, in the final instalment of the Percy Jackson series.
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
I loved this book! I put off reading it for ages because I struggled to get through the battle of the labyrinth, but once I picked up the last Olympian, I couldn’t put it down. I loved all the action, the fighting between Percy and Kronos. It was amazing getting to see more of everyone’s past, especially Luke and Annabeth’s. Seeing the demigods speak to their godly parents was so new and a wonderful thing to see. I have to say that my favourite part of the book was the humour. Even in the middle of an epic battle with the Titan lord someone would find something funny to say or Percy would come up with a comedic anecdote. I can’t wait to start reading the Heroes of Olympus series!
The Reason I Jump: One Boy's Voice from the Silence of Autism
8.2
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Book
The No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller.Written by Naoki Higashida when he was only...
The Truth of Spirits: A Medium's Journey from Panic to Peace
Carmel Joy Baird and Tiffany Grabski
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World-renowned medium Carmel Joy Baird shares the powerful story of how she overcame extreme panic...
Train to Nowhere: One Woman's Adventures in WWII
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Train to Nowhere is a war memoir seen through the sardonic eyes of Anita Leslie, a funny and...
Wrecking Ball
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Wrecking Ball is a captivating and humorous memoir by Billy Vunipola, arguably the most potent...
The Boy from Nowhere
Gregor Fisher and Melanie Reid
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The warm, funny memoir of Gregor Fisher, the much loved Scottish actor best known for Rab C....