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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Jonah Hex (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
DC is at it again spinning comic book heroes, or better yet anti-heroes, into film adaptations. Moreover, the company is maintaining their one-of-a-kind knack for providing lead characters with bad vocals. In this case the raspy voice belongs to the traumatized lead character, a Bounty Hunter named Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin), who has a story to tell, in brutal and confusing detail.
The film mixes the lore of the Old West, vaguely historical aspects of post-Civil War America, and weapons from a very steampunk-the-Industrial-Revolution. The resulting environment is more explosive than the dynamite that is apparently everywhere.
Filled with ideas that trail off into the dust, it quickly becomes clear that this film was finished in a rush. There are too many characters that lack compelling, if any, back-story. The tale that remains is disjointed and drags. All the buzz about the leading lady, Lilah (Megan Fox), was over minimal participation in the film. Sure she looks nice, and wears a steampunky outfit while performing a few quick stunts, but the resulting character (and poor acting) is not worth the media hype.
The few well-played and interesting characters, aside from the brash but tends-to-grow-on-you Jonah, all have bit parts. Among the best performances are Hex’s best friend, Jeb Turnbull (Jeffery Dean Morgan), one of President Grant’s cohorts, Lieutenant Grass (Will Arnett), and the store owner and gun-runner, Smith (Lance Riddick). Most surprising is that the frequent scenes with screen veteran John Malkovich, as lead bad guy Quentin Turnbull, result in a drab uninterested character that completely fails to engage the audience. It is almost a shockingly poor performance for Malkovich.
But hey, the melding of comic book history with actual film shots in the beginning was some of the best work out there for explaining a complex and multi-media adapted back-story. Additionally, the bold uses of color, costume, sets and scenery made the film visually interesting to watch. But with a budget as big as this film had it is hard to accept there wasn’t a better story to tell.
The film mixes the lore of the Old West, vaguely historical aspects of post-Civil War America, and weapons from a very steampunk-the-Industrial-Revolution. The resulting environment is more explosive than the dynamite that is apparently everywhere.
Filled with ideas that trail off into the dust, it quickly becomes clear that this film was finished in a rush. There are too many characters that lack compelling, if any, back-story. The tale that remains is disjointed and drags. All the buzz about the leading lady, Lilah (Megan Fox), was over minimal participation in the film. Sure she looks nice, and wears a steampunky outfit while performing a few quick stunts, but the resulting character (and poor acting) is not worth the media hype.
The few well-played and interesting characters, aside from the brash but tends-to-grow-on-you Jonah, all have bit parts. Among the best performances are Hex’s best friend, Jeb Turnbull (Jeffery Dean Morgan), one of President Grant’s cohorts, Lieutenant Grass (Will Arnett), and the store owner and gun-runner, Smith (Lance Riddick). Most surprising is that the frequent scenes with screen veteran John Malkovich, as lead bad guy Quentin Turnbull, result in a drab uninterested character that completely fails to engage the audience. It is almost a shockingly poor performance for Malkovich.
But hey, the melding of comic book history with actual film shots in the beginning was some of the best work out there for explaining a complex and multi-media adapted back-story. Additionally, the bold uses of color, costume, sets and scenery made the film visually interesting to watch. But with a budget as big as this film had it is hard to accept there wasn’t a better story to tell.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated 21 Jump Street (2012) in Movies
Dec 17, 2017
Much better than expected
Mainstream comedies really aren't my thing, but I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with this film. I wasn't expecting much, but its actually pretty funny.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum work really well together, although you do have to suspend all disbelief that they could ever be mistook for high school students. Which in all fairness is referred back to in the film for a few laughs. The other cast work well too, and there's a fun surprise cameo from original Jump Street star Johnny Depp.
The plot itself is silly but a bit of fun. Having the two leads switch characters by mistake leaving Tatum as the science geek and Hill as the all star sports player makes it so much funnier. I also think the school environment with the environmentally friendly students as the cool kids is a great idea. The comedy too also doesn't rely solely on crude jokes which is a refreshing change, and I do think Ice Cube is one of the funniest things about this film.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum work really well together, although you do have to suspend all disbelief that they could ever be mistook for high school students. Which in all fairness is referred back to in the film for a few laughs. The other cast work well too, and there's a fun surprise cameo from original Jump Street star Johnny Depp.
The plot itself is silly but a bit of fun. Having the two leads switch characters by mistake leaving Tatum as the science geek and Hill as the all star sports player makes it so much funnier. I also think the school environment with the environmentally friendly students as the cool kids is a great idea. The comedy too also doesn't rely solely on crude jokes which is a refreshing change, and I do think Ice Cube is one of the funniest things about this film.
Mike Carlson (115 KP) rated The Amazing Spider-Man: Died In Your Arms Tonight in Books
Mar 18, 2018
Issue 600, plus
This 4-issue collection circles ASM #600 and Aunt May's wedding to J. Jonah Jameson Sr. While there is a lot of creative talent here, many of the stories involve peripheral stuff. Half of the book focuses on Uncle Ben's method of raising Peter, how Ben and May met, the Spider-Mobile, playground kids verbalizing what it would be like to be Spider-Man, Jessica Jones' inspiration, and a tongue-in-cheek couch session for Spidey's changes over the years. All of it is well- handled...just not my first choice for superhero reading.
The book really shines in two stories in particular. The first, "Peter Parker Must Die" has Peter dealing with a Ben Reilly repercussion called Raptor. The second,"Last Legs", contains the return of a physically inferior Doc Ock that wants the leave a lasting legacy. This issue was really good, and even the follow-up, which was a wedding aftermath issue due to a surprise wedding guest, was pretty entertaining.
The book really shines in two stories in particular. The first, "Peter Parker Must Die" has Peter dealing with a Ben Reilly repercussion called Raptor. The second,"Last Legs", contains the return of a physically inferior Doc Ock that wants the leave a lasting legacy. This issue was really good, and even the follow-up, which was a wedding aftermath issue due to a surprise wedding guest, was pretty entertaining.
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Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sweet Liar (Candy #2) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
*A copy of this book was received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Hmm... It's taken me a few days to read this, mainly because of work but also because it didn't go how I expected.
So, I read the first book Like Candy a week or so ago and I was loving the blossoming relationship between Candy and Jonah but I wasn't so keen on the other half of the plotline, the dad thing.
Unfortunately that was what this followed up on, especially after that cliffhanger ending from the last one. I needed an explanation but I also wanted more of the romance.
We did get it, along with an emotional rollercoaster, but the main plotline in this was around Candy's father.
It didn't grab me like the first book did but I'll admit to having a good old cry at the end.
There were nice bits and not so nice bits and together it was alright. It was a good ending to the story--and I'm assuming it is the last one?
Hmm... It's taken me a few days to read this, mainly because of work but also because it didn't go how I expected.
So, I read the first book Like Candy a week or so ago and I was loving the blossoming relationship between Candy and Jonah but I wasn't so keen on the other half of the plotline, the dad thing.
Unfortunately that was what this followed up on, especially after that cliffhanger ending from the last one. I needed an explanation but I also wanted more of the romance.
We did get it, along with an emotional rollercoaster, but the main plotline in this was around Candy's father.
It didn't grab me like the first book did but I'll admit to having a good old cry at the end.
There were nice bits and not so nice bits and together it was alright. It was a good ending to the story--and I'm assuming it is the last one?
Merissa (12969 KP) rated Abundant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #3) in Books
Jun 8, 2021
ABUNDANT MOON is the third book in the Gladstone Shifters series and it focuses on the good things that have happened to the Pack. In particular, the number of babies being born.
The timeline is a bit jumpier than the other two, simply because it skips ahead to the important dates. This is good because it means a) you don't miss out on anything and b) you're not bogged down with 'filler' until the right time comes.
Although this story mainly is about peace and prosperity, my heart broke for Lance and Jonah. I really want these two to get their HEA so I'm hoping for at least one of them in the next book. I think I've figured out who Jonah's might be... possibly? To be honest, I don't care. I love these stories and have no hesitation in recommending them.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The timeline is a bit jumpier than the other two, simply because it skips ahead to the important dates. This is good because it means a) you don't miss out on anything and b) you're not bogged down with 'filler' until the right time comes.
Although this story mainly is about peace and prosperity, my heart broke for Lance and Jonah. I really want these two to get their HEA so I'm hoping for at least one of them in the next book. I think I've figured out who Jonah's might be... possibly? To be honest, I don't care. I love these stories and have no hesitation in recommending them.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS (1975)
4.5
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