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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Giovanni's Room in Books
Sep 4, 2017
This is one of those great works of literature where despite loathing the protagonist, the prose is so magnificent you can see past it - almost. It definitely reminded me of Nabokov's renowned tale Lolita where you detest Humbert Humbert, but it's still a masterpiece.
This is the story of an American David, set in the 1950s-1960s, who begins a tumultuous love affair with an Italian man in Paris, while deciding whether to marry his fiancee. He is arrogant, selfish, spoilt and horribly flawed to the point you just think he's more evil than misguided. He can't admit to himself that he is gay, but instead strings along everyone around him and says he's punishing himself. In the end, his lack of character destroys everyone around him including himself but in a very different way. Massively misogynistic at times and I'm not sure if it was the author's intention or a reflection of how he also sees women. Beautifully written nonetheless.
This is the story of an American David, set in the 1950s-1960s, who begins a tumultuous love affair with an Italian man in Paris, while deciding whether to marry his fiancee. He is arrogant, selfish, spoilt and horribly flawed to the point you just think he's more evil than misguided. He can't admit to himself that he is gay, but instead strings along everyone around him and says he's punishing himself. In the end, his lack of character destroys everyone around him including himself but in a very different way. Massively misogynistic at times and I'm not sure if it was the author's intention or a reflection of how he also sees women. Beautifully written nonetheless.
Sam (228 KP) rated A Quiet Place (2018) in Movies
Mar 2, 2019
Suspenseful (2 more)
Thrilling
Captivating
An Edge of Your Seat Thriller
Nothing creates more suspense than taking away all the sound on the room. You ever walk through the house completely silent in the dead of night clinging to a hairbrush after hearing a sound downstairs? That is how I felt sitting at the edge of my seat as I glued myself to the theater's screen. There most have been no more than five works spoken throughout this film and the effect was stunning. The silence pulled you into the story and kept you focused on the screen as you pieced everything together, the visual effects are carefully planned and there's such careful details placed into the overall world this movie has created that you can't help but be in awe by the end of the film. The ending fills you with hope and a sense of accomplishment that you can't help but share with the characters. It was truly complete ending to the film and an overall masterpiece.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated The Usual Suspects (1995) in Movies
Jan 16, 2018
EPIC
A group of 5 criminals who are always rounded up whenever a big crime is committed (hence the title.) They ending working together to commit a few crimes together when they are tracked down by a man working for a notorious crime figure named Kaisar Soze (sorry if badly misspelled) who begins to blackmail then to do one last deadly job and they can have their lives back. This all leads to amazing dramatic ending. The movie is full of major twists and turns and if you blink you might miss a huge plot point.
This is a movie that can never and should never be remade because you can't recreate a masterpiece. The twist I never saw coming and there are few actors today who could even play Kaisar Soze. This is a must see movie for all crime lover alike and anyone who likes a mystery.
This is a movie that can never and should never be remade because you can't recreate a masterpiece. The twist I never saw coming and there are few actors today who could even play Kaisar Soze. This is a must see movie for all crime lover alike and anyone who likes a mystery.
Lukas Griffith (3 KP) rated Jean-Claude Van Johnson - Season 1 in TV
Jan 22, 2018
Van Damme Amazing!
Jean claude van johnson is not your typical Van Damme actioner, its a masterpiece and nothing like you would expect to see from Action star Jean Claude Van Damme. His performance his brilliant and honestly Emmy Award worthy. The show is so beautifully crafted and entertaining. You don't even have to be a fan to love this work of art. Given the fact that Van Damme has went from Action packed blockbusters to some time to time well crafted straight to dvd's as he fell off the big screen and into the low budget dvd action delites, he is on the rise to come back in a big way. JCVD is brilliant and has the talent to entertain and make you laugh and cry at the same time, his acting is at his all time best. JCVJ should not be missed and more attention is needed so that their will definitely be more to come. A must see.
Joe Julians (221 KP) rated Daddy's Home 2 (2017) in Movies
Feb 6, 2018 (Updated Feb 6, 2018)
The first Daddy's Home was hardly a comedic masterpiece. It was sub par for the most part and only really borderline enjoyable thanks to a cast that seemed enthusiastic and game to play a part in it. For the sequel, like Bad Mom's (a franchise where it's first movie was actually great) it has decided to bring in the grandparents. That didn't work out well for A Bad Mom's Christmas and it doesn't work for Daddy's Home 2 either.
There's nothing wrong with the performances in this one as such. Nobody is all that great, but they do the best they can with the material. The material however is the problem. This script is dire. It's a comedy without any jokes, a christmas movie without any heart and a family story where almost everyone is unwittingly unlikeable. I can't think of a single joke, a single moment that made me laugh and when a film contains Farrel, Wahlberg, Gibson and Lithgow- that's unforgivable.
There's nothing wrong with the performances in this one as such. Nobody is all that great, but they do the best they can with the material. The material however is the problem. This script is dire. It's a comedy without any jokes, a christmas movie without any heart and a family story where almost everyone is unwittingly unlikeable. I can't think of a single joke, a single moment that made me laugh and when a film contains Farrel, Wahlberg, Gibson and Lithgow- that's unforgivable.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Shining in Books
Mar 7, 2018 (Updated Mar 7, 2018)
Another King masterpiece
I'm ashamed to say that I've only just read The Shining for the first time, and I'm regretting taking so long to get around to it.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
It's a brilliant and creepy supernatural tale, with great characters and development. It works well by switching between the viewpoints of each of the 4 main characters, and the transformation and depth of Jack especially is very well written. The plot itself is very interesting without verging on the side of bizarre (which a lot of supernatural/horror stories tend to do).
I've read King really hates the Kubrick film adaptation and now having read the book, i can see why. The film is almost a bare bones version of the book with barely a passing resemblance to the original story. Character development and depth is so prevalent in this book yet majorly lacking in the film.
If you like the film, read the book to see how it's really meant to be done.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated Artifice in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I had been meaning to read this graphic novel for a while, having heard good things about how it used a sci-fi / action story to talk about homophobia, racism, free will, first love, and self-acceptance; and in light of recent current events, it seemed like the perfect time. The artwork is absolutely wonderful, and perfectly captures all the nuances of the story, which is pretty great in itself. While it can occasionally feel a little predictable, the tale of Deacon and Jeff was sweetly romantic and contained many moments that I found very relatable, in spite of the science fiction setting and sporadic bursts of violence. In a way, this story is similar to recent British hit anthology show "Black Mirror", in that it uses its sci-fi setting to tell a deeply human story to great effect. While it may fall a little short of being a masterpiece, it is a great comic, and one I would love to see continued.
Bubba Gee (147 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
Marvels Magnum Opus
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is absolutely Marvels masterpiece, brilliantly writen,brilliantly acted all around a great finisher to what has been an epic journey.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
From the start when they come up with the plan to reverse the effects of the snap.
To the middle where the execution comes in.
To the end with the epic and I mean epic battle.
We see a new side to a few characters,
Tony Stark is the most human he has ever been.
Captain America commits his first ever selfish act but we can forgive that as everything he's given up in the pursuit of justice, it seems fair recompense.
The way Black Widow sacrifices her life for Hawkeye is so absolutely selfless.
And of course Fat Thor is hilarious.
This will always be in my top ten films of all time and is absolutely the best finisher I have ever seen to a saga.
Marvel wins the world in films.
The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) rated A Feast for Odin in Tabletop Games
Jan 9, 2020
use of polyominos (Tetris pieces) (3 more)
Theme
ridiculously large amount of choices, and all seem viable
Art and Design
Uwe Rosenbergs masterpiece in modern gaming
Full Disclosure: I've only played it 4 times, two player with my wife... but we love it so far. The depth of the game is intimidating with so many pieces and a large price tag. But wow, you get so MUCH in the box.
The thought process that you can focus on Whaling, and Raiding, or maybe you want to do a little animal breeding and making clothing, maybe you prefer to mine the mountains, and craft items from the stone, maybe you want to trade goods with other islands, and hunt. there is so much to do and you can't do it all but focusing on a few things and being really good at it, that is the game.... I cannot recommend this game enough it's the best new game I played last year (2019)
The thought process that you can focus on Whaling, and Raiding, or maybe you want to do a little animal breeding and making clothing, maybe you prefer to mine the mountains, and craft items from the stone, maybe you want to trade goods with other islands, and hunt. there is so much to do and you can't do it all but focusing on a few things and being really good at it, that is the game.... I cannot recommend this game enough it's the best new game I played last year (2019)
Joseph: Portraits Through the Ages
Book
The complex and dramatic story of Joseph is the most sustained narrative in Genesis. Many call it a...