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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Medusa Touch (1978) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Rather ropey Omen rip-off with Richard Burton, Lino Ventura and Lee Remick (told you so). A French detective seconded to the London police (zis is ze co-production, bien sur) investigates the life of a writer and noted grump who has just had his head bashed in (Burton); the victim believed he had the power to cause disasters and gradually le inspecteur comes to agree with him.
Some genuinely interesting ideas, but a peculiar narrative structure and obviously low budget are definite limiting factors. Film makes good use of its biggest asset, Richard Burton, who gives his various misanthropic rants 110% and seems to be genuinely off his head (one wonders if he spent most of the shoot wrecked). Playing spot the cameo is also somewhat entertaining. Climax is a bit disappointing though; the whole film is never quite as chilling, powerful, or convincing as it thinks it is.
Some genuinely interesting ideas, but a peculiar narrative structure and obviously low budget are definite limiting factors. Film makes good use of its biggest asset, Richard Burton, who gives his various misanthropic rants 110% and seems to be genuinely off his head (one wonders if he spent most of the shoot wrecked). Playing spot the cameo is also somewhat entertaining. Climax is a bit disappointing though; the whole film is never quite as chilling, powerful, or convincing as it thinks it is.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Molly's Game (2017) in Movies
Jan 17, 2018
Either you are in or you are out
The true story of Molly Bloom who was an Olympic class skier who ended got injured which ended her career. She moved to California cause she wanted to spread her wings and ended up working as a bottle hostess and then working for a real estate company whose owner got her controlling his high stakes poker game filled with stars and clebs. Once she got the hang of it and was threatened of being fired she spread her wings even more and branched out her own game to only get her self into the life of high stakes poker (which she only ran the games) and drugs. She ended up having Russian mob attendees in which the FBI claimed she did money laundering but, she denies that and Italian mob personal who just wanted to be "partners." Once she found out she was in way too deep she got out only to be implicated by certain other players in her circle who claimed they were forced into the game when they came under indictment for their own troubles. After two years of not running the game she is picked up by the FBI and is being charged with a slew of charges. Will she rat everyone out or will she keep their secret.
If you don't known the story first look her up on wiki and read about her and her father first cause that plays a lot in the movie.
If you don't known the story first look her up on wiki and read about her and her father first cause that plays a lot in the movie.
Kyera (8 KP) rated This Adventure Ends in Books
Feb 1, 2018
This Adventure Ends started off by speaking to my little sarcastic, witty heart and introducing us to a funny, female character. Its crazy, but yes girls can be funny. The humorous person in your novel does not have to be a guy. It is your classic high school story where a new girl moves to town and makes friends but of course, the friends all have drama and secrets.
Sloane is also a singer and loves to read, so basically, this is starting to sound like my life. I joke, sort of, but she is a relatively normal, relatable high school girl. It really made me miss taking voice lessons even though theyre not expressly featured in the book. A lot of the events are more just telling the reader that it happened, than showing them what happened.
Im sure most readers can relate to this line in the book:
He looks at me for a moment and then says, Maybe Ill just watch the movie.
Those are fighting words, I say.
It just speaks to how relatable the author makes the book, from fanfics and fandom to high school sports and friends. This book gives you feels and might even cause a tear of joy. All of the effort that Sloane goes through, the love that Vera and Gabe have for their mother, just comes together in one poignant moment and its beautiful.
The friendships are authentic, from their ups and downs to the simple fun they have together. The characters are likable and relatable and although theres some typical, adorable teen romantic cuteness, it fits in the story and I approve.
Recommended to teen/young adult readers who enjoy cheery contemporary novels about family, friendship and high school.
Sloane is also a singer and loves to read, so basically, this is starting to sound like my life. I joke, sort of, but she is a relatively normal, relatable high school girl. It really made me miss taking voice lessons even though theyre not expressly featured in the book. A lot of the events are more just telling the reader that it happened, than showing them what happened.
Im sure most readers can relate to this line in the book:
He looks at me for a moment and then says, Maybe Ill just watch the movie.
Those are fighting words, I say.
It just speaks to how relatable the author makes the book, from fanfics and fandom to high school sports and friends. This book gives you feels and might even cause a tear of joy. All of the effort that Sloane goes through, the love that Vera and Gabe have for their mother, just comes together in one poignant moment and its beautiful.
The friendships are authentic, from their ups and downs to the simple fun they have together. The characters are likable and relatable and although theres some typical, adorable teen romantic cuteness, it fits in the story and I approve.
Recommended to teen/young adult readers who enjoy cheery contemporary novels about family, friendship and high school.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated To Sin With a Stranger (Seven Deadly Sins, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
After reading the second, I decided I should probably read the first. After reading the second, which immediately captured my attention, I found it so difficult to get into this novel. It starts out with Siusan sewing up Sterlings knuckles, which I had to actually skip over because I could not stomach reading about it.
After that the story progresses with Sterling actually fighting some Irish man to win money to help support his siblings. After Isobel interrupts the fight and is embarrassed by Sterling, he goes on to win the fight and donate some of his winnings to Isobels cause. Sterling then makes the bet at Whites and proceeds to woe Isobel.
Honestly, I grew bored with this novel. I actually found myself skipping over passages and conversations without meaning to. It was actually depressing after reading the <i>The Most Wicked of Sins</i>, which had me hooked. I loved reading about Ivy and Nicks developing relationship and them falling in love. Sterling and Isobels story, however, was just flat. I dont why, but I just found that I could not care less about them falling in love, or Sterling seducing Isobel.
I was greatly disappointed.
After that the story progresses with Sterling actually fighting some Irish man to win money to help support his siblings. After Isobel interrupts the fight and is embarrassed by Sterling, he goes on to win the fight and donate some of his winnings to Isobels cause. Sterling then makes the bet at Whites and proceeds to woe Isobel.
Honestly, I grew bored with this novel. I actually found myself skipping over passages and conversations without meaning to. It was actually depressing after reading the <i>The Most Wicked of Sins</i>, which had me hooked. I loved reading about Ivy and Nicks developing relationship and them falling in love. Sterling and Isobels story, however, was just flat. I dont why, but I just found that I could not care less about them falling in love, or Sterling seducing Isobel.
I was greatly disappointed.
Jackjack (877 KP) rated Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018) in Movies
Apr 7, 2020
Noah Centineo movie again!
This is a pull on your heart strings kind of romantic film.
It all starts with a young highschool girl, she's not the pretty one she's not the popular one, but she has brains. The popular girl in school thought it would be funny to give her number to a good looking guy (Noah Centineo) instead of her own. End result being Sierra finally gets to have a phone connection with this hot jock, knowing he thinks it's Veronica the popular girl she cuts a deal she will help the popular girl become or atleast seem smart in return she helps her get closer to the guy, not that it would work out cause he would have to find out adventurly.
For people with confidence issues, for people that don't love themselves this film is a great one to get into. It just shows how the shallow can have there own problems and the low self-esteemed can have it all. We all remember being young and starting to talk to someone the late night phone calls, the butterflies, just getting to know someone and having that romantic connection. It's a cute film
Definitely worth the watch.
It all starts with a young highschool girl, she's not the pretty one she's not the popular one, but she has brains. The popular girl in school thought it would be funny to give her number to a good looking guy (Noah Centineo) instead of her own. End result being Sierra finally gets to have a phone connection with this hot jock, knowing he thinks it's Veronica the popular girl she cuts a deal she will help the popular girl become or atleast seem smart in return she helps her get closer to the guy, not that it would work out cause he would have to find out adventurly.
For people with confidence issues, for people that don't love themselves this film is a great one to get into. It just shows how the shallow can have there own problems and the low self-esteemed can have it all. We all remember being young and starting to talk to someone the late night phone calls, the butterflies, just getting to know someone and having that romantic connection. It's a cute film
Definitely worth the watch.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Entangled Lives in Books
Jun 5, 2019
In Entangled Lives by Imran Omer we meet orphan Raza, and his pregnant girlfriend who are forced apart when Raza is sent to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Growing up his life was hard, and it seems it’s not getting any easier with age. As the story unfolds, reporter Rachel Brown gets first hand experience of the horrors of war, and through her point of view were are given her part of the story, and what happens when their paths cross, not just once, but twice.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Doctor Strange (2016) in Movies
Feb 22, 2018 (Updated Feb 5, 2021)
The fourteenth movie in Marvel's meta-franchise is an impressively faithful attempt at adapting a challenging book for the screen. If the story of a brilliant, arrogant man undergoing a personal trauma and discovering his inner hero seems a little familiar, that's only because the studio has used it as the basis of at least two other movies before, but it's a solid structure imaginatively employed here.
Cumbersome Bandersnatch leads the movie with the charisma you'd expect; the lack of a really strong villain is a bit of a problem but also a frequent issue for Marvel. Visual effects give the impression of Ditkoesque imagery without slavishly copying it; may cause migraines/motion sickness in delicate viewers. You almost get the sense that Marvel are doing a Dr Strange movie at this point just to tick a box, but if nothing else it promises to move this series in some interesting new directions. More movies should have a harpsichord on the soundtrack.
Cumbersome Bandersnatch leads the movie with the charisma you'd expect; the lack of a really strong villain is a bit of a problem but also a frequent issue for Marvel. Visual effects give the impression of Ditkoesque imagery without slavishly copying it; may cause migraines/motion sickness in delicate viewers. You almost get the sense that Marvel are doing a Dr Strange movie at this point just to tick a box, but if nothing else it promises to move this series in some interesting new directions. More movies should have a harpsichord on the soundtrack.
Purrsistently (46 KP) rated Hospital Sketches in Books
Jun 21, 2018
It was a good thing to have read but it strongly underscored a painfully ignorant romanticized view of war that Americans are so fond of. She did not see children shot on the road in cold blood, she did not see officers give their men permission to rape any woman who disrespected them. She did not see the pow camps, did not see grandmothers and babies dead of exposure in the snow. She did not see the factory worker women (largely woc) kidnapped, raped over many days, and then abandoned hundreds of miles from home with nothing. There were no “white saviors” here or anywhere. War is not Romantic. Even the “Just Cause” lies on a bed of sending boys with little (if any) stake in the disagreement to maim and kill and torture other boys like themselves because old men can’t be bothered to work out their disputes at a table and instead delight in laying waste to their Nation’s youth.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Blues Brothers (1980) in Movies
Jun 20, 2018
We're on a mission from God!
If you ever just want to put yourself in a good mood, put on The Blues Brothers. There is really something for everyone in it.
Do you like musicals? Do you like car chases (one of the most epic of all time)? Do you like comedies? Do you like epic road films? Do you like Carrie Fisher with a flamethrower?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the film for you.
After his brother Jake gets out of prison, Elwood Blues and his newly freed brother visit a church where they discover it is going to close unless they can raise enough money to keep it running. Through a profound religious experience, Jake discovers he must get his old rhythm and blues band back together to raise money for this noble cause.
The film truly is perfect in every way!
Do you like musicals? Do you like car chases (one of the most epic of all time)? Do you like comedies? Do you like epic road films? Do you like Carrie Fisher with a flamethrower?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the film for you.
After his brother Jake gets out of prison, Elwood Blues and his newly freed brother visit a church where they discover it is going to close unless they can raise enough money to keep it running. Through a profound religious experience, Jake discovers he must get his old rhythm and blues band back together to raise money for this noble cause.
The film truly is perfect in every way!
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Conspiracy Theory (1997) in Movies
Jul 22, 2020
The Theory of Conspiracies
Conspiracy Theory- is a good movie, a little long and dated but its still a good movie. Both Mel Gibson and Juila Roberts do a good job and Partick Stewart as the villian, was cool to see. Cause he doesn't play alot of villian roles, so it was nice to see him play as the villian.
The plot: New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.
Its has good drama, suspense, thrills and some action, but its still a good movie.
The plot: New York City cabbie Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is an expert on paranoid conspiracy theories. He is also infatuated with government lawyer Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who permits his attention because he once rescued her from a mugging. However, when Jerry is captured and put through psychotic tests by Dr. Jonas (Patrick Stewart), he realizes there is an actual conspiracy. After escaping, Jerry enlists Alice's help, but she wonders whether he has uncovered a real threat or is just insane.
Its has good drama, suspense, thrills and some action, but its still a good movie.