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Awix (3310 KP) rated Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) in Movies
Jul 2, 2020
'Why would someone shoot at a police station?' John Carpenter's exemplary action exploitation movie is set in mid-70s Los Angeles but is basically a mash-up of a western and a zombie movie. Two convicts, a secretary and a highway patrol officer find themselves besieged in a soon-to-be-derelict police precinct by hordes of psychopathic street gang members.
One of those examples of a virtually perfect movie: an incredibly economical script with immaculate storytelling is brought to the screen with immensely charismatic performances by the three leads (you watch it now and it's genuinely baffling that none of them had more substantial movie careers). Also a fascinating mixture of old-style and new Hollywood - scenes pastiching the style of Howard Hawks movies sit alongside genuinely provocative moments like the ice cream scene. Overall, though, just a tremendously enjoyable action film, and exhibit A for the case that John Carpenter did his career backwards.
One of those examples of a virtually perfect movie: an incredibly economical script with immaculate storytelling is brought to the screen with immensely charismatic performances by the three leads (you watch it now and it's genuinely baffling that none of them had more substantial movie careers). Also a fascinating mixture of old-style and new Hollywood - scenes pastiching the style of Howard Hawks movies sit alongside genuinely provocative moments like the ice cream scene. Overall, though, just a tremendously enjoyable action film, and exhibit A for the case that John Carpenter did his career backwards.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Cockroaches (Harry Hole #2) in Books
Jul 16, 2020
Not bad
I'd be intrigued to know Jo Nesbo's rationale behind this book, as it's a bit of an unusual choice. The first Harry Hole book featured Harry going to Australia, and this second book has him in Thailand... it's a little unrealistic thats for sure and just seems a little too similar to the earlier book.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
This definitely isn't one of the best Harry Hole books, but neither is it the absolute worst. It was enjoyable enough to read although I felt like Harry as a character doesn't have as much depth and intrigue as he does in later books. Whilst all characters have to develop across a series, he seems a bit like an empty shell here. The plot too is rather weak. None of the secondary characters seem that well developed either and the story seems to jump quickly from plot points with a rather confusing and ridiculous finale, even for a Hole story.
Overall it was readable, but definitely not particularly memorable.
Sally's Cookie Addiction: Irresistible Cookies, Cookie Bars, Shortbread, and More from the Creator of Sally's Baking Addiction
Book
Baking addict and food blogger, Sally McKenney blew our culinary minds with her debut cookbook,...
Whiskies Galore: A Tour of Scotland's Island Distilleries
Book
Island whiskies have long held a fascination and a powerful emotional draw on whisky drinkers the...
A Shed of One's Own: Midlife without the Crisis
Book
For many men, middle age arrives too fast and without due warning. One day you are young, free and...
Pug: How to be the Best You
Book
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Jemaine Clement recommended Bedazzled (2000) in Movies (curated)
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Starship Troopers (1997) in Movies
Sep 22, 2020
Do you know what? Starship Troopers is a 5 star film and there's nothing anyone can say to convince me otherwise.
It's 90s sci-fi at its absolute best.
It has a great cast - Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Michael Ironside, Clancy Brown, Dina Meyer, Neil Patrick-Harris, Jake Busey - none of them feel replaceable.
It has special effects that genuinely still.homd up over 20 years later, and also a fuck tonne of genuinely horrific practical effects - some of the violence in Starship Troopers is next level, in true Paul Verhoeven style.
It has a corny yet airtight script, it's suitably cheesy when it wants to be, and wonderfully satirical throughout.
It's also got a top tier score courtesy of Basil Poledouris.
I saw this film when I was in my early teens, a few years after it released and it has always stuck with me since. Starship Troopers is perfection, fight me.
It's 90s sci-fi at its absolute best.
It has a great cast - Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Michael Ironside, Clancy Brown, Dina Meyer, Neil Patrick-Harris, Jake Busey - none of them feel replaceable.
It has special effects that genuinely still.homd up over 20 years later, and also a fuck tonne of genuinely horrific practical effects - some of the violence in Starship Troopers is next level, in true Paul Verhoeven style.
It has a corny yet airtight script, it's suitably cheesy when it wants to be, and wonderfully satirical throughout.
It's also got a top tier score courtesy of Basil Poledouris.
I saw this film when I was in my early teens, a few years after it released and it has always stuck with me since. Starship Troopers is perfection, fight me.
Sammeh Lowry (15 KP) rated Since You've Been Gone in Books
Jul 13, 2019
In a well ordered universe I wouldn't be left with so many questions! I loved this book,it's a story about friendship and finding out who you really are when your not in someone elses shadow. No matter how much you love and admire that person. As someone with social anxiety, I found Emily to be very relatable, and much braver than I if I had been handed this list.This book took me back to being a teenager and some of the summers I had, (none as eventful as this story!) A story of friendship and romance! My only little niggle is I want to know if she mends things with Dawn and Collins and if Gideon finds his perfect girl ( I have a rather large soft spot for him) In truth I wanted Emily to fall in love with him instead because he seemed so sweet, but I can't have everything!
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Strangers (2008) in Movies
Aug 19, 2020
Some decent creepy moments
The first time I watched this I remember being ridiculously creeped out, mostly from one of the final lines that explains the stranger's motives. On watching this again, it is a little disappointing.
My main issue with this film is with the actions of the main characters. None of what they do to try and save themselves makes sense, and neither of them are made out to be likeable or endearing either, to the point where you really don't care what happens to them. It's a shame as this does have some creepy moments, from the "he's behind you" type scenes to that motive reveal at the end - these were really enjoyable.
I never thought I'd say this, but in the case of The Strangers the sequel is definitely better. These two films seem like worlds apart and sadly I think this original film is lacking in a lot that the sequel gave in abundance.
My main issue with this film is with the actions of the main characters. None of what they do to try and save themselves makes sense, and neither of them are made out to be likeable or endearing either, to the point where you really don't care what happens to them. It's a shame as this does have some creepy moments, from the "he's behind you" type scenes to that motive reveal at the end - these were really enjoyable.
I never thought I'd say this, but in the case of The Strangers the sequel is definitely better. These two films seem like worlds apart and sadly I think this original film is lacking in a lot that the sequel gave in abundance.