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Hell or High Water (2016)
Hell or High Water (2016)
2016 | Drama, Mystery
Classic Western in Modern Day
351. Hell or High Water. Have you ever wondered what a classic western style story would be like filmed today without much done to update the script? No, me either, until I realized that's exactly what I was watching... Story about two bank robbing brothers, Tanner and Toby Howard, raising enough cash to keep the bad bank man from taking the farm. Ya see, they struck oil on that land, not much, but enough to get by. Toby is the smart one, doing bad things for good reasons. Tanner is the wild card, doing bad things just to do bad things, but deep down, doing it for his brother! But coming up quick behind them is the law, Texas Ranger kinda law!! The old sheriff, Marcus Hamilton, just about to retire, and through pretty much intuition alone ends up in the right places at the right times, and with Marcus his Native American partner, Alberto, who is assaulted by the racist humor of the sheriff all day, but deep down, there's a bromance going on! And as Tanner and Toby continue their bank robbing ways, Tanner gets a little cocky takes on a bank full of people, shots fired, they barely escape with their lives, the townsfolk round up an armed posse to go after them chasing them up the road, but right around the corner is the sheriff, because deep down he knew where those pesky Howard boys were gonna strike next leading up to the ultimate showdown between the Texas Rangers and a couple of law breaking cowboys!! So this takes place in modern day, but it had the classic western set up. So if your looking for a modern day western, go for it, looking for Heat, or Point Break, i'd say probably not. Filmbufftim on FB
  
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
2018 | Comedy
Crazily good
I had not expected to like this film, mainly because it's a modern rom-com and most of them turn out to be pretty rubbish - but Crazy Rich Asians however is definitely not one.

It's a rom-com, so I'm afraid to say it is ridiculously predictable but I've yet to see a rom-com that isn't. However in this film it's the getting there that matters. It's funny, witty and full of a surprising amount of heart. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty much in tears by the end. It does drag a little in the middle and could have been cut a little shorter, however it's saved by a very engaging cast. It's so refreshing to see a film cast entirely made up of Asian actors and some very good ones at that. From Michelle Yeoh to Gemma Chan, it's the performances that really make this worth watching. This is probably the best modern rom-com I've seen in a long time, and while it doesn't quite match up to the classics like When Harry Met Sally, it's still a highly entertaining and emotional film.
  
Queso!: Regional Recipes for the World's Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
QUESO!: Regional Recipes for the World's Favorite Chile-Cheese Dip by Lisa Fain a cookbook dedicated queso. This book has a wide variety of different versions of one of our favorite game-time dips. Most do rely on processed cheese, but several use natural cheeses. 

The book explains the modern origin of Chile Con Queso, and tracks the history and regional differences of the dish. The recipes provided range from early appearances in magazines and Woman's clubs cooking publications, to restaurant versions that popularized the dish, and ending with modern vegan varieties.

It is a fun cookbook. Queso is incredibly comforting, delicious, and easy to make. Each recipe is presented with an explanation of the geographical origin of the version, and / or some tips on how to incorporate it into a meal. The recipes are straightforward, and easy to follow. The delicious entrees included prove that Queso is not merely a side or dip. I did not know that I needed a book completely about Chile Con Queso until I read this book.

I received this ARC from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 
  
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist (1973)
1973 | Horror
Shocking for its time
The Exorcist is one of those classics that for me is perhaps slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, for something made in the 70s it's very impressive, it's just very difficult to judge an older film when you live in more modern times.

The film itself is a very slow burner, which isn't a bad thing as it at least relies more on subtlety rather than being in your face like a lot of more modern horrors are. For me it was a little too slow in parts and I wouldn't say this was scary in the slightest. The physical effects are very good for its time, and some of the scenes are still fairly shocking even now. There are some brilliant classic lines in this too, and Linda Blair is very good as Regan. What I like the most about this film is the ending, as it isn't quite your bog standard predictable Hollywood ending and the first time I saw this I was hugely surprised (but pleased) at how this played out.

This is definitely a classic and one worth watching, just try not to judge on today's standards!
  
Show all 6 comments.
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Sarah (7798 KP) Oct 30, 2018

Popcorn is good with me, much prefer what you have in the US compared with the rubbish we have over here!

I’d agree, it’s so refreshing to watch something that doesn’t rely on CGI. I wish more modern films were like this.

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Andy K (10821 KP) Oct 30, 2018

Me too.

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Sarah (7798 KP) created a post

Nov 15, 2018  
Last night I went to see Kinky Boots the musical at the Manchester Opera House. I was so looking forward to this, and I was not disappointed. If you're ever looking for a modern, upbeat, feel good show then I'd definitely recommend this.

Like the film, it's funny (downright hilarious actually) and full of heart. I was worried about how the songs would fit in with the film not being a musical, but actually they really work. It helps that the songs aren't your typical old school theatre songs, they're more modern and pop which considering they were written by Cyndi Lauper isn't really a surprise. And the cast were just fantastic. Anyone who steps into Chiwetel Ejiofor's shoes as Lola is a brave man, but Callum Francis was absolutely brilliant. And i was envious about how good he looked in a dress. He really made this show as let's face it, everyone was there to see Lola.

If you're looking for a highly entertaining night out, I'd definitely recommend this. One of the best shows I've seen at the theatre for a long time. 10/10
     
Game Night (2018)
Game Night (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Mystery
Slapstick was solid (1 more)
Some of the dialog was quite good
Depiction of Games (some of your favorites are Risk, Scrabble, and Life.) (0 more)
Better than I expected.
We live in the golden age of games, there are amazing card games, and board games that are better than anything that was around in the 70's. Yet these people who have game nights weekly don't seem to know about anything that was invented in the last 40 years. Pictionary, and charades are go-to games for them. Please don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy playing those games to. But it would be as if there was a movie about Art appreciators , and everyone in the film had only seen art that was painted before the 1900's, just completely omitting anything modern is absurd.

It would've taken almost no effort to include a few modern board games, like Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Sushi Go, or Settlers of Catan.

   All that said, I finally watched this film and enjoyed it for the most part. Rachel McAdams was awesome, and stole the show.... Batemen was himself and solid. The cop almost derailed the movie for me he was so creepy.