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Kelly (279 KP) rated The Umbrella Academy in TV
Feb 24, 2019
The cast (2 more)
The soundtrack
Dark humour
Wow!! I was hooked
I confess, I knew little about The Umbrella Academy before picking up the series on Netflix, but I am so glad I did. The series combined dark humour with an intriguing plot line and sprinkled a great sound track into the mix to create a truly unique show.
The series centres around a family, purchased as children by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, and their mission to discover the cause of their fathers death as well as preventing the imminent apocalypse. Each of the children (adults in most cases by the time the series is set) have unique super powers, with the exception of Vanya, who has be partially excluded from family affairs as a result.
The casting of the show couldn’t have been any better, with a mix of characters you can take seriously and others who add a touch of humour to the show. Notably Robert Sheehan, who plays Klaus - I have been a fan of his work since Misfits, and Cameron Britton, who plays Hazel (An assassin who falls for Agnes, a waitress who is significantly older than himself). The series was well acted and a wide range of emotions were shown by the actors.
The only real downfall to the series was that it was so short (and ended on a cliff hanger, so please, please renew the show Netflix). I was left wanting more after episode 10.
I highly recommend watching this.
The series centres around a family, purchased as children by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, and their mission to discover the cause of their fathers death as well as preventing the imminent apocalypse. Each of the children (adults in most cases by the time the series is set) have unique super powers, with the exception of Vanya, who has be partially excluded from family affairs as a result.
The casting of the show couldn’t have been any better, with a mix of characters you can take seriously and others who add a touch of humour to the show. Notably Robert Sheehan, who plays Klaus - I have been a fan of his work since Misfits, and Cameron Britton, who plays Hazel (An assassin who falls for Agnes, a waitress who is significantly older than himself). The series was well acted and a wide range of emotions were shown by the actors.
The only real downfall to the series was that it was so short (and ended on a cliff hanger, so please, please renew the show Netflix). I was left wanting more after episode 10.
I highly recommend watching this.

Vegas (725 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Feb 20, 2020
Very strong cast (1 more)
The black humour
A fun horror rather than a gory horror
I really enjoy horrors, thrillers and dramas set predominantly in mansions, stately homes castles, chateaux etc so it gets off to a good start. The setting has a feel of a cross between Clue and the original Sleuth... Both of which are among my favourite films...
Marrying into a family who made their money through games all new family members have to play a random game, most harmless but draw one card and you are in for a bumpy ride, and might not see the night through...
An oddball bunch of family members make this a fun horror movie rather than a gory or suspenseful one, even though there is a lot of blood and gore it doesn't feel like it, it's certainly not like watching the Saw franchise, the black humour works brilliantly alongside the serious moments and you can really get behind Samara Weavings character, trying to remain alive in a cat and mouse chase around the Mansion with her portrayal of newlywed Grace who instead of spending her wedding night with her husband ends up playing a scary and dangerous game of hide and seek with her new family...
A well made film that delights with its humour, made stronger by the cast and not a stereotypical usage of the usual, lone girl (potential) victim/survivor seen in other horror films.
Marrying into a family who made their money through games all new family members have to play a random game, most harmless but draw one card and you are in for a bumpy ride, and might not see the night through...
An oddball bunch of family members make this a fun horror movie rather than a gory or suspenseful one, even though there is a lot of blood and gore it doesn't feel like it, it's certainly not like watching the Saw franchise, the black humour works brilliantly alongside the serious moments and you can really get behind Samara Weavings character, trying to remain alive in a cat and mouse chase around the Mansion with her portrayal of newlywed Grace who instead of spending her wedding night with her husband ends up playing a scary and dangerous game of hide and seek with her new family...
A well made film that delights with its humour, made stronger by the cast and not a stereotypical usage of the usual, lone girl (potential) victim/survivor seen in other horror films.

Alanna (227 KP) rated The Accidental Further Adventures of the Hundred-Year-Old Man in Books
May 8, 2019
Humour (3 more)
Main character
Unique
Does not take anything seriously
The last book felt madder (1 more)
The previous was funnier
A step down from the previous but still excellent
I picked up the first book as I loved History and the first one includes many different people from modern History like Hitler and Stalin. I loved the ridculousness of history being told through the main character and how they fit in.
I think the reason I do not like this one as much is because it deals with politics today (which bores me easily) and ends up being a politcal opinion piece instead of a piece of entertainment.
Even though I still enjoyed it I dud not have as much fun as the previous.
If you like books that do not take much seriously and have perculiar writing style then definately get this book. The poltical aspects are still sprinkled with the same humour the first book had.
I think the reason I do not like this one as much is because it deals with politics today (which bores me easily) and ends up being a politcal opinion piece instead of a piece of entertainment.
Even though I still enjoyed it I dud not have as much fun as the previous.
If you like books that do not take much seriously and have perculiar writing style then definately get this book. The poltical aspects are still sprinkled with the same humour the first book had.

Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated St. Osmunds (2013) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
Strong ideas, but misses the mark
St Osmunds is a mixture of found footage and traditional shooting, following two guys that are making a documentary about an Insane Asylum that closed under mysterious circumstances.
There is some nicely placed humour at times, and a great red-herring/meta humour joke quite early on that really surprised me, and the dialogue is actually not the worst, considering how badly low budget horror treats scripts normally.
The plot is ambitious, at times quite interesting but all too often it falls a little short of its goal, leaving the viewer confused as to what is happening.
This may just be due to inexperience on behalf of those involved, or a deliberate attempt to at making a mysterious film, but either way its a slightly chaotic ride.
This is a film for people interested in interesting concepts and twists, but not one if you are expecting a high budget affair.
There is some nicely placed humour at times, and a great red-herring/meta humour joke quite early on that really surprised me, and the dialogue is actually not the worst, considering how badly low budget horror treats scripts normally.
The plot is ambitious, at times quite interesting but all too often it falls a little short of its goal, leaving the viewer confused as to what is happening.
This may just be due to inexperience on behalf of those involved, or a deliberate attempt to at making a mysterious film, but either way its a slightly chaotic ride.
This is a film for people interested in interesting concepts and twists, but not one if you are expecting a high budget affair.

Charleigh Cooke (4 KP) rated Venom (2018) in Movies
Oct 13, 2018
Before going to see this film there was a lot of speculation about it not being a great film, mostly because spiderman does not feature.
However, I was very pleased with the outcome of this film. I went in with an open mind and remained hooked throughout. I loved the origin story of both the symbiote and Eddie Brock, and by the way, Tom Hardy played the role to perfection.
There was plenty of light humour through the film which was unexpected. This helped bring the film together and created a good example of how a little bit of humour goes a long way in pleasing an audience.
I am eager to see the next installment of venom as the ending, as with almost every marvel film, left me wanting more and hanging on the edge of my seat.
I would highly recommend this film, and it is really worth a watch.
However, I was very pleased with the outcome of this film. I went in with an open mind and remained hooked throughout. I loved the origin story of both the symbiote and Eddie Brock, and by the way, Tom Hardy played the role to perfection.
There was plenty of light humour through the film which was unexpected. This helped bring the film together and created a good example of how a little bit of humour goes a long way in pleasing an audience.
I am eager to see the next installment of venom as the ending, as with almost every marvel film, left me wanting more and hanging on the edge of my seat.
I would highly recommend this film, and it is really worth a watch.

Rache (174 KP) rated The Psychopath Test in Books
Dec 10, 2018
Fascinating psychology (1 more)
Dark humour
Humorous Gonzo Journalism
Contains spoilers, click to show
Jon Ronson, the author of Men Who Stare at Goats, dives into the psychology behind the PCL-R, also known as the Bob Hare Psychopath Checklist (revised). Having heard about the checklist, Ronson self diagnoses as a psychopath, and decides to find out more. From talking to high-powered businessmen, to discussing brain scans of psychopaths' brains with an experimental psychologist who has a psychopath's brain scan, this is a fascinating dive into the psychology of psychopathy.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Jon Ronson book if it didn't include Ronson's special brand of gonzo, self-deprecating humour, which ties the whole book together into a cohesive story that will keep you reading "just one more page" until the end.
The only reason I gave this book a rating of 9 and not a 10 is because I have also read Men Who Stare at Goats, which is even better.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Jon Ronson book if it didn't include Ronson's special brand of gonzo, self-deprecating humour, which ties the whole book together into a cohesive story that will keep you reading "just one more page" until the end.
The only reason I gave this book a rating of 9 and not a 10 is because I have also read Men Who Stare at Goats, which is even better.

To Kill a Mockingbird
Book
'Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a...

Goodbye Mr Chips
Book
Mr Chipping is a quiet, unassuming teacher at Brookfield Grammar School - a wholly conventional...

Lizzie Jeffreys (2 KP) rated Red Hood and the Outlaws: Volume 5 in Books
Nov 19, 2017
With gorgeous artwork, emotional writing, action packed fighting scenes and unnerving plot twists, the fifth volume of this fantastic comic series will leave readers on the edge of their seats and gasping for more.
Unfortunately one of the more underrated of DC's series, Red Hood and the Outlaws is perfect for those who appreciate dark humour, magic, and love in all its forms; as well as gratuitous well-earned and specacular butt whoopings.
Unfortunately one of the more underrated of DC's series, Red Hood and the Outlaws is perfect for those who appreciate dark humour, magic, and love in all its forms; as well as gratuitous well-earned and specacular butt whoopings.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Martian (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2017
Great film
This is Ridley Scott's best film in years. Considering it's about one man stranded on Mars, it's surprisingly interesting, full of humour and intrigue. Matt Damon puts in a great performance holding a lot of the film on his own, although the supporting cast are fantastic too. It has a really good soundtrack and is also very close to the original book by Andy Weir. One of the best films of 2015.
Kimmic (814 KP) Feb 25, 2019
Kelly (279 KP) Feb 25, 2019