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Call the Midwife - Season 3
9.3
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TV Season
Your favorite midwives return for a new season of BBC's immensely absorbing and popular, set in...
medical drama nurse doctor midwife polio bbc
Erika (17788 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 8, 2019 (Updated Jun 8, 2019)
Better than Last Stand
Last Stand didn't exactly set a high bar for the Dark Phoenix story line, and luckily, this film surpassed it. To be honest, the only reason they got my butt in a seat was for Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy.
The story goes the way you expect it to go. I'm not completely convinced Sophie Turner is a good actress. I'm also glad that they killed Raven (not a spoiler, it's common knowledge), though it wasn't quick enough in my opinion.
I'm unsure as to why Jessica Chastain was cast (or why she's ever cast in ANYTHING); her 'villain' was completely useless. The movie didn't even need that subplot, they would have had a better movie without it and her. Pro-tip: don't introduce new characters in the last film of a saga because no one will care enough about them. Seriously, I felt like my time was wasted having to watch her.
I will say, this film FINALLY gave us good scenes with the X-Men kicking some ass, all using their unique powers. They really gave Nicholas Hoult something to do, and he was great!
Finally, the reason I was there, McFassy. This was one of McAvoy's best Professor X performances, he wasn't black or white, he was more gray and it really worked. They didn't give Magneto much to do, but I loved that they introduced Genosha. This will be below the 'see more' line, so, the best flexing his power scene was when he lifted the subway through the concrete, it was almost on par with the submarine being lifted out of the sea in First Class, and pulling up the Auschwitz gate in Apocalypse.
The last scene shows the entire new saga go first circle. Of course, it's very Dark Knight Rises, but it was perfect. I'm only rating it a 6 because of that.
The story goes the way you expect it to go. I'm not completely convinced Sophie Turner is a good actress. I'm also glad that they killed Raven (not a spoiler, it's common knowledge), though it wasn't quick enough in my opinion.
I'm unsure as to why Jessica Chastain was cast (or why she's ever cast in ANYTHING); her 'villain' was completely useless. The movie didn't even need that subplot, they would have had a better movie without it and her. Pro-tip: don't introduce new characters in the last film of a saga because no one will care enough about them. Seriously, I felt like my time was wasted having to watch her.
I will say, this film FINALLY gave us good scenes with the X-Men kicking some ass, all using their unique powers. They really gave Nicholas Hoult something to do, and he was great!
Finally, the reason I was there, McFassy. This was one of McAvoy's best Professor X performances, he wasn't black or white, he was more gray and it really worked. They didn't give Magneto much to do, but I loved that they introduced Genosha. This will be below the 'see more' line, so, the best flexing his power scene was when he lifted the subway through the concrete, it was almost on par with the submarine being lifted out of the sea in First Class, and pulling up the Auschwitz gate in Apocalypse.
The last scene shows the entire new saga go first circle. Of course, it's very Dark Knight Rises, but it was perfect. I'm only rating it a 6 because of that.
Not That I Could Tell
6.8
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Book
An innocent night of fun takes a shocking turn in Not That I Could Tell, the next page-turner from...
women's fiction fiction
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Target (Will Robie #3) in Books
May 10, 2018
3.5 stars
Will Robie and Jessica Reel have been called upon again to defend their country. And, as usual this is going to be a difficult mission. This is a little different though because they have to go back through training before being deployed. Why? Well, the DCI, Evan Turner, wants them to prove their loyalties to the country. He is still having a little trouble trusting them after their last mission.
Meanwhile, in North Korea Yie Chung-Cha is preparing for a mission of her own. Raised in a labor camp in Yodok she made the way out by killing her own family and performing for the Supreme Leader. She is preparing a retaliation move on the United States for a foiled plot.
Another great book by David Baldacci. He has me on the edge of my seat again. Wanting to know what is going to happen next. I have listened to the other books in this series and was a little disappointed when the gunshots and explosions didn't jump off the page. The audio versions of the Robie books have actual gunshots and explosions that will have you ducking for cover.
This installment of Robie series, gets deeper into Jessia Reel's past, has appearances by Super Agent Vance, and Julie Getty. This story was like an unusual roller coaster ride. It takes you up gets you all excited and then the excitement dies down all to be drawn back up again. I hope there is going to be more from Robie and Reel, because they always keep me on the edge. The excitement is contagious and I can't wait for the next book.
Will Robie and Jessica Reel have been called upon again to defend their country. And, as usual this is going to be a difficult mission. This is a little different though because they have to go back through training before being deployed. Why? Well, the DCI, Evan Turner, wants them to prove their loyalties to the country. He is still having a little trouble trusting them after their last mission.
Meanwhile, in North Korea Yie Chung-Cha is preparing for a mission of her own. Raised in a labor camp in Yodok she made the way out by killing her own family and performing for the Supreme Leader. She is preparing a retaliation move on the United States for a foiled plot.
Another great book by David Baldacci. He has me on the edge of my seat again. Wanting to know what is going to happen next. I have listened to the other books in this series and was a little disappointed when the gunshots and explosions didn't jump off the page. The audio versions of the Robie books have actual gunshots and explosions that will have you ducking for cover.
This installment of Robie series, gets deeper into Jessia Reel's past, has appearances by Super Agent Vance, and Julie Getty. This story was like an unusual roller coaster ride. It takes you up gets you all excited and then the excitement dies down all to be drawn back up again. I hope there is going to be more from Robie and Reel, because they always keep me on the edge. The excitement is contagious and I can't wait for the next book.
MasterSolace (19 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 9, 2019
The Actual Phoenix Force (5 more)
Didn't guess Chastain's part
Action was good
Had a piece of DEEP Lore
GENOSHA
Ambiguous Ending
Some Retreading (3 more)
Simon Kinberg can't direct
Wonky Camera Angles
Did I say retreading?
The End is Here(Spoilers)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Dark Phoenix. A another attempt at getting it right... and... it was close. No, it was NOT perfect. Not even close. But I got enjoyment out of it.
I did NOT guess Jessica Chastain's character. I was guessing Deathbird or a physical manifestation of the Phoenix Force for Jean to talk to. But I never would've guessed Vuk, of the D'Bari. Not only left field, but ACTUALLY connected to the lore. Go look up the D'Bari, you will see what I mean.
Performances weren't bad. Sansa... I mean Sophie Turner is what I always picture Jean Grey to be, and she did well. Still impressed by McAvoy and Fassbender pulling off the younger versions.
Simon Kinberg... first time directing, right? Am I wrong? I knew he wrote... hell, he did Last Stand. But first time directing? Right? You CAN tell.
There is a slight retread of X-Men: Last Stand. But most of that is in the first act...... but I think it may be a good thing as well. It's almost like it gave Simon Kinberg a second chance to get it right. And it IS a HUGE improvement over Last Stand.
Dark Phoenix is the Last FOX X-Men movie... and sadly, it shows. Like their hearts weren't 100% in it. And they went ahead and filmed an ambiguous ending anyway. I say... BRAVO. Makes us wonder... What If?
But... now we can focus on what is next? Disney... it's your turn. Don't screq it up.
I did NOT guess Jessica Chastain's character. I was guessing Deathbird or a physical manifestation of the Phoenix Force for Jean to talk to. But I never would've guessed Vuk, of the D'Bari. Not only left field, but ACTUALLY connected to the lore. Go look up the D'Bari, you will see what I mean.
Performances weren't bad. Sansa... I mean Sophie Turner is what I always picture Jean Grey to be, and she did well. Still impressed by McAvoy and Fassbender pulling off the younger versions.
Simon Kinberg... first time directing, right? Am I wrong? I knew he wrote... hell, he did Last Stand. But first time directing? Right? You CAN tell.
There is a slight retread of X-Men: Last Stand. But most of that is in the first act...... but I think it may be a good thing as well. It's almost like it gave Simon Kinberg a second chance to get it right. And it IS a HUGE improvement over Last Stand.
Dark Phoenix is the Last FOX X-Men movie... and sadly, it shows. Like their hearts weren't 100% in it. And they went ahead and filmed an ambiguous ending anyway. I say... BRAVO. Makes us wonder... What If?
But... now we can focus on what is next? Disney... it's your turn. Don't screq it up.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Completely unnecessary and forgettable
I had little hope for this film. After the brilliance that was Days of Future Past, we were faced with the truly poor Apocalypse and I’m afraid to say that Dark Phoenix really follows in Apocalypse’s footsteps. Whilst it isn’t any worse, it isn’t any better either.
For starters, did we really need them to redo the Dark Phoenix storyline? Admittedly it has at least been done better than The Last Stand, but it’s still a very predictable and dull storyline. Even more so because we’ve seen it all before. And it isn’t helped by a terrible script and a very pointless villain that made the plot even worse. Writing Jessica Chastain’s character and that entire plot line out of the film would actually have made it slightly better. Only slightly mind.
I’m not convinced about Sophie Turner either. Like the film itself, she isn’t terrible but I don’t think she’s particularly good either. I liked the scenes with Jean showcasing her new powers, but it’s obvious that the majority of the CGI budget has gone on this and the rest of the scenes look a little poor in comparison. For me what this film is missing is the camaraderie of the X-Men being together and fighting together. Whilst this is featured in the final part (and by far one of the best scenes), it comes far too late. They’ve also relegated some of the more light hearted and funny characters like Quiksilver to bit parts, when this film is in dire need of some humour. And even Magneto is rather sidelined and the pairing of Fassbender and McAvoy was by far the best thing about these X-Men films. Yes we get a great scene with them towards the end which was marvellous, but it was too little too late.
Quite honestly I think they should’ve called it a day with the X-Men films and ended on a high with Days of Future Past. I just really hope they don’t make any more!
For starters, did we really need them to redo the Dark Phoenix storyline? Admittedly it has at least been done better than The Last Stand, but it’s still a very predictable and dull storyline. Even more so because we’ve seen it all before. And it isn’t helped by a terrible script and a very pointless villain that made the plot even worse. Writing Jessica Chastain’s character and that entire plot line out of the film would actually have made it slightly better. Only slightly mind.
I’m not convinced about Sophie Turner either. Like the film itself, she isn’t terrible but I don’t think she’s particularly good either. I liked the scenes with Jean showcasing her new powers, but it’s obvious that the majority of the CGI budget has gone on this and the rest of the scenes look a little poor in comparison. For me what this film is missing is the camaraderie of the X-Men being together and fighting together. Whilst this is featured in the final part (and by far one of the best scenes), it comes far too late. They’ve also relegated some of the more light hearted and funny characters like Quiksilver to bit parts, when this film is in dire need of some humour. And even Magneto is rather sidelined and the pairing of Fassbender and McAvoy was by far the best thing about these X-Men films. Yes we get a great scene with them towards the end which was marvellous, but it was too little too late.
Quite honestly I think they should’ve called it a day with the X-Men films and ended on a high with Days of Future Past. I just really hope they don’t make any more!