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Awix (3310 KP) rated Hellraiser (1987) in Movies
May 20, 2020 (Updated May 21, 2020)
Iconic horror; progenitor of many mostly lousy sequels. An unscrupulous adventurer attempts to escape the clutches of sado-masochistic entities by recruiting his adulterous sister-in-law to provide the raw meat for his renewal (it was the 80s, everyone behaved like that under Thatcher).
Not quite the film an unsuspecting viewer might expect: the focus is mainly on the screwed-up Cotton family, especially nasty Uncle Frank; Pinhead, for all that he is on the poster, is in a very minor role (billed as 'Lead Cenobite'). Visually striking and with some interesting ideas, but the low budget is obvious and this is equally obviously a British movie desperately trying to appeal to an American audience. Where the film falls down is in its lack of focus and the fact that its central metaphor or argument is unclear (beyond the fact that the Cottons are a very dysfunctional bunch). Still, there have been worse debuts from writer-directors; it's just that not many of them go on to have nine sequels.
Not quite the film an unsuspecting viewer might expect: the focus is mainly on the screwed-up Cotton family, especially nasty Uncle Frank; Pinhead, for all that he is on the poster, is in a very minor role (billed as 'Lead Cenobite'). Visually striking and with some interesting ideas, but the low budget is obvious and this is equally obviously a British movie desperately trying to appeal to an American audience. Where the film falls down is in its lack of focus and the fact that its central metaphor or argument is unclear (beyond the fact that the Cottons are a very dysfunctional bunch). Still, there have been worse debuts from writer-directors; it's just that not many of them go on to have nine sequels.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Dec 16, 2017 (Updated May 28, 2018)
I did read non-spoilery reviews prior to seeing the film this morning, and I was afraid I was going to hate it. In the end, I was entertained, so that was all that mattered. I'll go see it a few more times, and my opinion may change.
Rey's true parentage (if it's not contradicted in the next film), was completely anti-climactic. We got no backstory on Snoke. Who is Snoke? I did like that my favorite force ghost was brought back, and I appreciated that the character wasn't computer generated. I'm still waiting for force ghost Anakin to make an appearance to slap the crap out of Ben Solo. The excursion to Canto Bight was, strange? Unneeded? Laura Dern's character was semi-pointless. The character wasn't really likeable enough to care what she did or didn't do.
I was surprised that they did not take the opportunity to kill off Leia. They let the past die, just not completely.
***After seeing this a second time... I disliked it even more.
Rey's true parentage (if it's not contradicted in the next film), was completely anti-climactic. We got no backstory on Snoke. Who is Snoke? I did like that my favorite force ghost was brought back, and I appreciated that the character wasn't computer generated. I'm still waiting for force ghost Anakin to make an appearance to slap the crap out of Ben Solo. The excursion to Canto Bight was, strange? Unneeded? Laura Dern's character was semi-pointless. The character wasn't really likeable enough to care what she did or didn't do.
I was surprised that they did not take the opportunity to kill off Leia. They let the past die, just not completely.
***After seeing this a second time... I disliked it even more.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires #3) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This is my favorite book in the series so far because the plot FINALLY focuses on Claire's schooling. When her schedule got replaced with harder classes, I went just a bit green with envy - I'm a nerd at heart, even though I haven't been to school in years. I also love that we get more background information about the town of Morganville, such as its purpose and an explanation of the more mystical aspects of the town. Myrnin was quite a fascinating character, and I would not have minded if the text spent more time on Claire's studies with him, as well as her advanced class studies. (And yes, my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series was the classroom stuff.)
I didn't like that this book did not have Eve's journal entries at the end like previous books have done. Those previously gave me clues into her mind and her relationship with Michael, as well as a taste of what happens in the next book, so I was rather disappointed when I realized it was missing.
I'm hoping that future books go into more detail about what the journals cover as well as what exactly the red crystals are and how they affected Claire. I'm hoping that the drama with Eve's brother Jason gets resolved quickly as I find him just plain annoying and obnoxious. The ending had me exclaiming out loud, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4).
I didn't like that this book did not have Eve's journal entries at the end like previous books have done. Those previously gave me clues into her mind and her relationship with Michael, as well as a taste of what happens in the next book, so I was rather disappointed when I realized it was missing.
I'm hoping that future books go into more detail about what the journals cover as well as what exactly the red crystals are and how they affected Claire. I'm hoping that the drama with Eve's brother Jason gets resolved quickly as I find him just plain annoying and obnoxious. The ending had me exclaiming out loud, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4).
ArecRain (8 KP) rated A Woman Worth Ten Coppers (Shadowed Path, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I could not put this book down. From the first chapter, I was hooked. So many secrets surround Honus and Yim, and, as the reader, I wanted so much to figure out each and every one right along with the protagonists. However, I felt like nothing ever happened.
First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.
I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.
The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.
If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.
First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.
I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.
The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.
If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.
Gaz Coombes recommended track Nights by Frank Ocean in Blond by Frank Ocean in Music (curated)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2006) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020
At its best a celebration of life, people, and all they have to offer - which also acts as one of countless reminders why Lauryn Hill is such a force to be reckoned with. At its worst - I confess - rather dull, and when it makes you begrudgingly want to admit that charity-stealing P.O.S. Wyclef Jean is actually one hell of a talented musical artist (that piano rendition of "If I Was President" is so great it's actually chilling). Not what I expected, seems to be content with just being chill rather than being the powerhouse of fun and emotion it could have been - and that's okay - still has some good musical numbers, funny moments, and a whole truckload of talent as well as some essential and incredibly timely words of wisdom that are just as potent (if not, maybe even moreso) today than they ever were in the 21st century. Has a certain calm energy about it that feels like a nice warm stroll along your hometown, but that's all it ever really feels like. Obviously the words, ideas, lives, enjoyment, talent, and music are important, relevant, and absolutely crucial 100%. But I can't mistake powerful presences/material for the memorable and amazing execution this wasn't really given. Make no mistake, I still definitely dig it and the feelings expressed throughout I will not soon forget - but as a film watch it sort of treads water. Though I can't dislike any film which features a live Kanye rendition of "Jesus Walks".
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Love, Death & Robots in TV
Apr 17, 2019
Amazing visuals and a little something for everyone
I really just watched rhis on a whom when I noticed how short the episodes ,less then 20 mintues each, were since I had no idea what I wanted to watch and I really got to say I was not disappointed. Love Death + Robots is a really awesome anthology series that has a little something for everyone and depending on who you ask most people are going to have a different favorite episode. Mine personally was episode 4 Suits.
The visuals on this show are gorgeous almost all are animated but some like episode 3 The Witness are so realistic looking you almost can't tell it's not actual people on screen. Then you also have other episodes like episode 5 Sucker of Souls which is very simple and rough animation but which I was still a fan of.
My only real complaint was how a lot of the episodes handled the female characters. Just your typical over sexualized taken on woman which in 2019 really is outdated and I expect better by now.
The visuals on this show are gorgeous almost all are animated but some like episode 3 The Witness are so realistic looking you almost can't tell it's not actual people on screen. Then you also have other episodes like episode 5 Sucker of Souls which is very simple and rough animation but which I was still a fan of.
My only real complaint was how a lot of the episodes handled the female characters. Just your typical over sexualized taken on woman which in 2019 really is outdated and I expect better by now.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
May 21, 2019
Tough watch...
Let me preface by saying I'm a fan and thoroughly enjoyed the Harry Potter franchise. The first of the Fantastic Beast series was passable at best so my expectations were low, to say the least heading into the sequel. And this film hit that low spot like a dart to a bullseye. I enjoy many of the actors and actresses in the movie, too. Redmayne does a great job and I really don't mind Johnny Depp as Grindelwald. But this movie is just a dark and confusing slog from start to finish. Every time you get to the point where you think you're about to give up on caring, they are like "Look, we have a cute creature." These little cute distractions are the highlight and lone fun part of the film. My ending thought with the closing credits was the same as it was for its predecessor: I wish Deathly Hallows would have been the end of this franchise. This is just blasphemy to Potterheads everywhere.
Leah Rothwell (170 KP) rated The Devil Rides Out in Books
Oct 8, 2018
Hauntingly amazing
This is the first time I’ve read this book, I read it because my grandfather did the cover illustrations for this edition and I can honestly say this book is amazing. I didn’t connect with it when I was younger but now I’m older I am amazed at how haunting this book is.
The suspense is there, the panic leaps between you and the book all the time and it’s amazing.
This isn’t my typical genre of book to read but now I can’t stop at just this one.
It’s not a particularly long book but it doesn’t miss anything, you won’t be grasping at the next one, you’ll just be taken by this one and transported like it’s the first book you’ve ever read.
I can’t say I found anything bad about this book because I didn’t. I will definitely be rereading it and moving onto the other two books in the ‘trilogy’ that Wordsworth Editions printed. I hope they are as satanic as this book, creepy but breathtaking.
The suspense is there, the panic leaps between you and the book all the time and it’s amazing.
This isn’t my typical genre of book to read but now I can’t stop at just this one.
It’s not a particularly long book but it doesn’t miss anything, you won’t be grasping at the next one, you’ll just be taken by this one and transported like it’s the first book you’ve ever read.
I can’t say I found anything bad about this book because I didn’t. I will definitely be rereading it and moving onto the other two books in the ‘trilogy’ that Wordsworth Editions printed. I hope they are as satanic as this book, creepy but breathtaking.
