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Genuine sympathy for Katy Tur
Katy Tur gives you an inside look at the strangest political campaign, maybe in history. Following Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, Tur had the unfortunate task of interviewing Trump or dealing with his chief aids throughout this period.
Tur tells us what it was like reporting on an exhaustive daily basis and of how she felt on a professional basis and personal level. As a female journalist, she became a target for his bullying and outright 'weird' behaviour at times. She shares with us how she felt being singled out at rallies for ridicule and hateful remarks by the then presidential candidate, and of how vulnerable she and her colleagues felt at one particular venue when the behaviour of a baying mob of loyal supporters had been supported and even encouraged by Trump.
Packed amidst the vengeful, rhetoric of Trump's speeches or condemnation of pretty much anyone distasteful to his sensibilities Tur manages to inject a fair amount of humour in the form of her inner dialogue which lightens what could have been an overbearing political tirade.
Intelligently written, fast paced, and intensely compelling, I was engrossed, fascinated and repulsed in equal measure by the book. While it doesn't shed any new light on Trump's character, it vindicates much of what is said in Michael Woolf's controversial book Fire and Fury.
Tur tells us what it was like reporting on an exhaustive daily basis and of how she felt on a professional basis and personal level. As a female journalist, she became a target for his bullying and outright 'weird' behaviour at times. She shares with us how she felt being singled out at rallies for ridicule and hateful remarks by the then presidential candidate, and of how vulnerable she and her colleagues felt at one particular venue when the behaviour of a baying mob of loyal supporters had been supported and even encouraged by Trump.
Packed amidst the vengeful, rhetoric of Trump's speeches or condemnation of pretty much anyone distasteful to his sensibilities Tur manages to inject a fair amount of humour in the form of her inner dialogue which lightens what could have been an overbearing political tirade.
Intelligently written, fast paced, and intensely compelling, I was engrossed, fascinated and repulsed in equal measure by the book. While it doesn't shed any new light on Trump's character, it vindicates much of what is said in Michael Woolf's controversial book Fire and Fury.
A pleasant surprise
This was always going to be up against it, as Stephen King's book is an epic and there's no way the entire book can be put into 2 films. However as a part 1, this film actually does a pretty good job.
Yes there are things missing from the book, this isn't really a surprise. And they have changed some parts of the story too, and although I don't necessarily agree with these changes, the majority of them don't really have a detrimental effect to the story. And a lot of these changes still hint and nod to the book (e.g. Eddie's broken arm, "beep-beep Richie" etc). The kids themselves I mainly loved and they were well cast, the humour was great. Although I do think Beverly looked a little too old? I also liked some of the exposition and explanatory scenes which happened differently in the book, yet still worked in this.
Despite the old school type scares, I actually found myself quite scared and creeped out at times, which I wasn't expecting. My only issue is I didn't like Pennywise's front teeth, I found them really off putting and didn't look very good. And I think some of the CGI was a little over the top.
So all in, a surprisingly good adaptation. Actually can't wait to see the next chapter.
Yes there are things missing from the book, this isn't really a surprise. And they have changed some parts of the story too, and although I don't necessarily agree with these changes, the majority of them don't really have a detrimental effect to the story. And a lot of these changes still hint and nod to the book (e.g. Eddie's broken arm, "beep-beep Richie" etc). The kids themselves I mainly loved and they were well cast, the humour was great. Although I do think Beverly looked a little too old? I also liked some of the exposition and explanatory scenes which happened differently in the book, yet still worked in this.
Despite the old school type scares, I actually found myself quite scared and creeped out at times, which I wasn't expecting. My only issue is I didn't like Pennywise's front teeth, I found them really off putting and didn't look very good. And I think some of the CGI was a little over the top.
So all in, a surprisingly good adaptation. Actually can't wait to see the next chapter.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated 127 Hours (2010) in Movies
Feb 25, 2019
Probably the best that it could have been...
Contains spoilers, click to show
Danny Boyle is a director with an eye for the modern. visceral styles, sharp editing and the belief that the combination of both will draw the audience into the action, emotion and mood of the situation at hand. There's no doubt that the stunning true story of adventurer Aron Ralston's accident resulting in his right arm becoming trapped under a rock in the middle of nowhere, required a special director and a style as described above.
Did he pull it off? It's a though sell, 90 minutes of a man and rock but I think it was done about as well as it could have been. The story is interesting and told with a sense of humour and a philosophical attitude appropriate for the subject matter, but it all boils down to the moment when he performs his DIY surgery, a plot point that may well sell the film to most people, as it sold news papers back in 2003.
Overall, well told, very well acted by James Franco as Ralston and along with Boyle's signature direction and jukebox soundtrack, whilst not blowing my skirt up, it made my wife cry, myself cringe and was as well conveyed as this story of a man trapped quite literally between as rock and hard place, ever could have been.
Did he pull it off? It's a though sell, 90 minutes of a man and rock but I think it was done about as well as it could have been. The story is interesting and told with a sense of humour and a philosophical attitude appropriate for the subject matter, but it all boils down to the moment when he performs his DIY surgery, a plot point that may well sell the film to most people, as it sold news papers back in 2003.
Overall, well told, very well acted by James Franco as Ralston and along with Boyle's signature direction and jukebox soundtrack, whilst not blowing my skirt up, it made my wife cry, myself cringe and was as well conveyed as this story of a man trapped quite literally between as rock and hard place, ever could have been.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Mar 13, 2019
Good but nothing special
I feel a little let down by Captain Marvel. It isn't a bad film but neither was it up to the standard of other Marvel films. And I'm not entirely sure why.
Something about this felt a bit meh and lacklustre, especially the first half hour or so. And even when Nick Fury comes in, it still feels like there's something missing at times. Brie Larson is good and I do quite like her, Samuel L Jackson is great as a less serious rookie Fury and the rest of the supporting cast too are good. Although there could have been a little more Jude Law. The star of the show is definitely Goose by far, and this film would've been a lot worse off without him in it. I think the major issue with me is it seemed to be lacking in humour. And when there was jokes and one liners, the majority of these fell flat. It seemed to be lacking a bit if the usual Marvel pizzazz. The soundtrack is pretty good though.
My only other criticism is the weak excuse that has been put forward to explain her absence in the rest of the Marvel universe so far. I've never read any back story or comics etc so I dont know if it's it ties in with them, but it was a little disappointing.
Something about this felt a bit meh and lacklustre, especially the first half hour or so. And even when Nick Fury comes in, it still feels like there's something missing at times. Brie Larson is good and I do quite like her, Samuel L Jackson is great as a less serious rookie Fury and the rest of the supporting cast too are good. Although there could have been a little more Jude Law. The star of the show is definitely Goose by far, and this film would've been a lot worse off without him in it. I think the major issue with me is it seemed to be lacking in humour. And when there was jokes and one liners, the majority of these fell flat. It seemed to be lacking a bit if the usual Marvel pizzazz. The soundtrack is pretty good though.
My only other criticism is the weak excuse that has been put forward to explain her absence in the rest of the Marvel universe so far. I've never read any back story or comics etc so I dont know if it's it ties in with them, but it was a little disappointing.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated A Series of Unfortunate Events - Season 1 in TV
Apr 20, 2019
This is how you adapt a book to a tv show!
A Series of Unfortunate Events is one of my all-time favorite book series and when I found out Netflix was going to be making it into a TV show I'm not going to lie I was excited. The books are just so fun and strange and wonderful that I really wanted to put full faith into them to do a really good adoption and let me tell you I was not let down. From the very first opening of the very first scene you knew they were going to stay true to the book. The set design was absolutely perfection the casting was even better somehow Neil Patrick Harris meet such a perfect Count Olaf and the three actors that played the baudelaire children you're absolutely amazing.
I blew through the first season in the first day in one sitting because I just could not stop watching! I wanted to cry because of just how an amazing of a job adapting the books. It was almost word for word correct abd what was changed was foe the best and I didn't mind at all!
And best of all they kept all the dark humour of the books!
Also they ended on thw perfect book/episode.
I blew through the first season in the first day in one sitting because I just could not stop watching! I wanted to cry because of just how an amazing of a job adapting the books. It was almost word for word correct abd what was changed was foe the best and I didn't mind at all!
And best of all they kept all the dark humour of the books!
Also they ended on thw perfect book/episode.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Coco (2017) in Movies
Jan 24, 2018
Beautifully made
I feel like this is a Pixar film that has really flown under the radar. It's been pretty poorly advertised from what I've seen (or haven't seen more like), and this seemed to be reinforced by the fact that there was only half a dozen people in my peak time showing less than a week after release.
I don't understand why though as this is a really good film. The animation is superb, which shouldn't be a surprise considering it's Disney and Pixar, but it's still a marvel to watch. The amazing detail and vibrant colours. The story itself is interesting although maybe a tad predictable in places, I didn't feel as though there was as much humour as there usually is in a Disney/Pixar film. But Miguel is such a likeable protagonist and Dante the dog is pretty loveable too, but I wanted more from him! It had me almost wanting to dance in my seat at times and then towards the end I was really struggling not to shed a tear. It's an emotional story and a very good one at that. It might not be my favourite of Pixar films, but it's definitely fairly high on the list. It's just a shame it may not reach as many people as it should.
I don't understand why though as this is a really good film. The animation is superb, which shouldn't be a surprise considering it's Disney and Pixar, but it's still a marvel to watch. The amazing detail and vibrant colours. The story itself is interesting although maybe a tad predictable in places, I didn't feel as though there was as much humour as there usually is in a Disney/Pixar film. But Miguel is such a likeable protagonist and Dante the dog is pretty loveable too, but I wanted more from him! It had me almost wanting to dance in my seat at times and then towards the end I was really struggling not to shed a tear. It's an emotional story and a very good one at that. It might not be my favourite of Pixar films, but it's definitely fairly high on the list. It's just a shame it may not reach as many people as it should.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001) in Movies
Feb 17, 2018 (Updated Feb 17, 2018)
Four's a crowd
Twenty-sixth Godzilla movie (also eleventh Mothra movie, eighth Ghidorah movie and third Baragon movie, in case anyone's counting) recruits director Shusuke Kaneko, helmsman of the brilliant 90s Gamera trilogy; results are (perhaps inevitably) disappointing. A new incarnation of Godzilla threatens Japan, but a young tabloid TV journalist encounters a mysterious old man in an equestrian safety helmet who tells her of three legendary Guardian Monsters who will defend the country against this menace (Baragon is also a Guardian Monster but not famous enough to get his name in the title).
Some interesting innovations: first film to address (even obliquely) issues of Japanese culpability for events of the Second World War, first film where King Ghidorah is a good guy, first film with a scene set in Godzilla's intestinal tract. However, the end result is let down by a fatally uncertain tone - seemingly serious scenes of death and carnage are intercut with knockabout cheesy humour and in-jokes (in the English dub at least). The retro feel of the movie, hearkening back to the 60s films of the series, is not unwelcome, but its take on the formula is just plain weird. Most importantly it lacks the mythic grandeur of the Kaneko Gamera trilogy. Still better than the films which immediately preceded it, though.
Some interesting innovations: first film to address (even obliquely) issues of Japanese culpability for events of the Second World War, first film where King Ghidorah is a good guy, first film with a scene set in Godzilla's intestinal tract. However, the end result is let down by a fatally uncertain tone - seemingly serious scenes of death and carnage are intercut with knockabout cheesy humour and in-jokes (in the English dub at least). The retro feel of the movie, hearkening back to the 60s films of the series, is not unwelcome, but its take on the formula is just plain weird. Most importantly it lacks the mythic grandeur of the Kaneko Gamera trilogy. Still better than the films which immediately preceded it, though.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Ibiza Undead (2016) in Movies
Oct 24, 2018
Watchable to pass the time...
It is like a less funny version of the Inbetweeners mixed with the Walking Dead on a party Isle...
If you are a gamer think of Dead Island with nightclubs...
I didn't expect much from the story and if I'm honest I was right, the humour worked in places and there were some good bits, but not enough to save it. The intentionally irritating friend was very irritating, in a way that I'm sure wasn't the writers hadn't intended. One character disappears midway through the film for a large chunk and it makes you wonder why the character was there in the first place only for him to reappear near the end.
Not enough was done to make you care about the characters - It didn't really make a difference if they would make it off the Island or end up as Zombie fodder, you didn't really find yourself willing them on - I know it's a 'comedy,' but whatever you are watching you should feel something for the characters.
That being said, it passed the time with something I didn't have to think about, after watching a couple of series that required subtitles recently I just wanted to Zombie out in the chair to wind down.
I've seen definitely seen better but I have also seen far worse...
If you are a gamer think of Dead Island with nightclubs...
I didn't expect much from the story and if I'm honest I was right, the humour worked in places and there were some good bits, but not enough to save it. The intentionally irritating friend was very irritating, in a way that I'm sure wasn't the writers hadn't intended. One character disappears midway through the film for a large chunk and it makes you wonder why the character was there in the first place only for him to reappear near the end.
Not enough was done to make you care about the characters - It didn't really make a difference if they would make it off the Island or end up as Zombie fodder, you didn't really find yourself willing them on - I know it's a 'comedy,' but whatever you are watching you should feel something for the characters.
That being said, it passed the time with something I didn't have to think about, after watching a couple of series that required subtitles recently I just wanted to Zombie out in the chair to wind down.
I've seen definitely seen better but I have also seen far worse...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in TV
Nov 27, 2018
Hugely entertaining, with a bit of artistic license
I’ve just started watching the original series of CSI again from the start, and like the many times I’ve seen it before, I absolutely love it. From the opening title sequence set to The Who’s ‘Who Are You’ and the numerous sweeping panoramas of the bright lights of Vegas, CSI for me was always one of the better crime shows out there. And instead of focusing on dashing detectives, for a change it instead chooses to look at the science behind the crimes. It has engaging and well developed characters, and even the less prominent lab characters are more than just two dimensional extras, even developing into some of the main stars in later series. The crimes are a little bit bonkers, filled with equal parts of blood and gore and humour, and there are some very thrilling multi-episode serial killers thrown in across the many seasons.
It is a little bit far fetched, but you’d be bored if it actual stuck to reality. The forensics are very advanced and not entirely realistic (I studied forensics at uni, not quite as flashy as it appears on screen), but again, it’s nothing more than a bit of artistic license. My only criticism is that I mich preferred this series with the original cast. It was never quite the same after Grissom left.
It is a little bit far fetched, but you’d be bored if it actual stuck to reality. The forensics are very advanced and not entirely realistic (I studied forensics at uni, not quite as flashy as it appears on screen), but again, it’s nothing more than a bit of artistic license. My only criticism is that I mich preferred this series with the original cast. It was never quite the same after Grissom left.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Change of Fortune (Ladies of Distinction, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
It is a well known fact that I ADORE Jen Turano. In fact, my friends like to tease me about my "That's Jen Turano" face from when I met her in Nashville last summer. However, I only discovered her books in January of 2015 with After a Fashion. Ever since, I have been building my library and now own all her books and have finally been able to start catching up on reading them!
A Change of Fortune is filled with the quirky humour that I have grown to love in Jen's writing. Fun characters, mystery, wit, and romance. A fun quick read that is sure to lift your spirits and bring a smile (or two) to your face. There are also plenty of situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails. You won't want to put it down until you know the ending. While Hamilton and Eliza must deal with hurts and betrayals from the past, God uses the troubling circumstances to bring them closer to Himself.
Set in New York City, 1880. The Gilded Age is one of my favorites to read. The fashion, the society, the adventure, is something you won't want to miss! A Change of Fortune is the first full length book in Jen's first series, Ladies of Distinction. Don't miss her other fabulous books.
A Change of Fortune is filled with the quirky humour that I have grown to love in Jen's writing. Fun characters, mystery, wit, and romance. A fun quick read that is sure to lift your spirits and bring a smile (or two) to your face. There are also plenty of situations that will keep you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails. You won't want to put it down until you know the ending. While Hamilton and Eliza must deal with hurts and betrayals from the past, God uses the troubling circumstances to bring them closer to Himself.
Set in New York City, 1880. The Gilded Age is one of my favorites to read. The fashion, the society, the adventure, is something you won't want to miss! A Change of Fortune is the first full length book in Jen's first series, Ladies of Distinction. Don't miss her other fabulous books.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) Jan 15, 2018
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) Jan 15, 2018