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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated A Good Day To Die Hard (2013) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
To me, the original Die Hard (1988) was the birth of the modern action movie that we now take for granted. We have a seeming normal everyman in Bruce Willis, playing a likable but tough as nails NYPD cop John McClane, who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. (Yes, Story if his life.) The street smart hero uses whatever resources he could muster to become a thorn in the side of an intelligent and sophisticated villain, while dropping a few comedy one-liners along the way. This being the 5th installment of the Die Hard series the formula seems to be working, only not as well as past films in the series.
As a fan of the series there are many things this film does well. The soon to be 58 Willis is still as likeable as ever as John McClane. The film does a good job of making fun of his age just enough to make you feel that he is old, but not TOO old. The improbable action is as big as ever which leads to mass destruction in typical John McClane fashion. This action helps the 97min runtime feel fast paced and fun. Also Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher) plays John’s son CIA agent Jack McClane and actually plays strong against Willis. The whole father-son dynamic is interesting and gives some new depth to this familiar character. This dynamic leads up to a redeeming moment for John McClane that makes you wonder if this is Willis’s swan song in the series and if the reins are being passed to Courtney?
As a fan of the series there are many things this film does not do well. Perhaps the most notable are the lack luster one-liner jokes that always seem to stand out in the previous films. They exist, however they are not really that funny. Also the same joke was recycled over and over that by the end I do not recall laughing about anything in the final 40 mins of the film. Perhaps my biggest complaint is that the villain in this film is vanilla. So plain that I do not care to even look up his name. Just know that if you are a fan of the film he is nowhere near the Brilliance of the characters Hans Gruber or even Simon Gruber in previous films. And for this series that is a big problem. We know John McClane is a bad ass, but what is the point of all his destruction if he is not using it to stomp someone who is equally menacing.
In the end I can say that this film is a guilty pleasure that I enjoyed. It is far from a good movie but fans of the series and anyone just looking to watch a run of the mill action flick will be entertained. Leading up to this film I watch the previous four films and I have to say that this film is better than Die Hard 2: Die Harder and Live Free and Die Hard but behind the Die Hard With A Vengeance and far behind the original Die Hard. If you have never seen a Die Hard film, do yourself a favor and use the price of admission to rent the original.
As a fan of the series there are many things this film does well. The soon to be 58 Willis is still as likeable as ever as John McClane. The film does a good job of making fun of his age just enough to make you feel that he is old, but not TOO old. The improbable action is as big as ever which leads to mass destruction in typical John McClane fashion. This action helps the 97min runtime feel fast paced and fun. Also Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher) plays John’s son CIA agent Jack McClane and actually plays strong against Willis. The whole father-son dynamic is interesting and gives some new depth to this familiar character. This dynamic leads up to a redeeming moment for John McClane that makes you wonder if this is Willis’s swan song in the series and if the reins are being passed to Courtney?
As a fan of the series there are many things this film does not do well. Perhaps the most notable are the lack luster one-liner jokes that always seem to stand out in the previous films. They exist, however they are not really that funny. Also the same joke was recycled over and over that by the end I do not recall laughing about anything in the final 40 mins of the film. Perhaps my biggest complaint is that the villain in this film is vanilla. So plain that I do not care to even look up his name. Just know that if you are a fan of the film he is nowhere near the Brilliance of the characters Hans Gruber or even Simon Gruber in previous films. And for this series that is a big problem. We know John McClane is a bad ass, but what is the point of all his destruction if he is not using it to stomp someone who is equally menacing.
In the end I can say that this film is a guilty pleasure that I enjoyed. It is far from a good movie but fans of the series and anyone just looking to watch a run of the mill action flick will be entertained. Leading up to this film I watch the previous four films and I have to say that this film is better than Die Hard 2: Die Harder and Live Free and Die Hard but behind the Die Hard With A Vengeance and far behind the original Die Hard. If you have never seen a Die Hard film, do yourself a favor and use the price of admission to rent the original.
Awix (3310 KP) rated X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) in Movies
Jun 6, 2019 (Updated Jun 6, 2019)
Final main-sequence entry in a film series that made a lot of noise about celebrating difference is likely to be met with indifference (at best). The sense that the X-Men franchise has finally run out of steam is only emphasised by the fact that this is another swing at the Dark Phoenix storyline, which somehow manages to be even less satisfying than the first time they did it.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
A thin script and lacklustre direction are mainly to blame; there is the odd decent moment but they are not strung together effectively. Most of the X-Men feel like cardboard cut-outs this time. The usual charisma and acting skill is also largely absent, with only Michael Fassbender making much of an impression. I think it's fair to say that without the X-Men series there would not have been the MCU movies, so this franchise's place in history is assured - but the superhero movie has, ironically, evolved, and this film feels very tired and irrelevant.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated The Blood King (Inferno Rising #2) in Books
Jun 12, 2021
Characters (2 more)
The flying & use of powers
Sky fights
I predicted things (1 more)
Too stubborn on the wrong things
This is the second book of the series. I have not read the first, but was able to follow along fairly well while realizing that this wasn't the first part if the story. I didn't get lost and was able to piece together most of the missing information. The few gaps I still had that book one probably filled didn't detract me from enjoying the story.
Stubborn characters are great, mostly.
The characters where fun and there are a lot of humorous bits, as well as, steamy ones.
I won't be buying this series (unless I get it secondhand cheap) but I would check it out at the library. And can see how others would love it.
It has a bit more romance than I usually like and I did know this so I didn't (tried not to) over bias myself.
Stubborn characters are great, mostly.
The characters where fun and there are a lot of humorous bits, as well as, steamy ones.
I won't be buying this series (unless I get it secondhand cheap) but I would check it out at the library. And can see how others would love it.
It has a bit more romance than I usually like and I did know this so I didn't (tried not to) over bias myself.
Stacy (3 KP) rated The Black Witch in Books
Jun 17, 2018
Very well written and will leave you begging for the sequel!!
This is an amazing book...the first series I have been super excited about in a long time. The characters are very multi-dimensional with good and bad traits. You take a journey with the main character, Elloren, and see the world and other characters the way she does. The author is phenomenal at showing versus telling so you see the world that she has created and feel the history behind all of the cultures.
I have not been this excited about a series since Harry Potter. I have read this book 3 times and cannot wait until The Light Mage and The Iron Flower are available!!!
I have not been this excited about a series since Harry Potter. I have read this book 3 times and cannot wait until The Light Mage and The Iron Flower are available!!!
Becs (244 KP) rated The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas in Books
Aug 9, 2018
Emotional yet exciting read.
Okay, why did I wait to pick this series up. Seriously. It's just so good! Sarah J. Maas just knows how to pull at your heart strings and every emotion known to man (and woman). I cried, I cursed at the characters, I was happy. I was not expecting this serious to be held dearly to my heart so soon. But only being a book in, this is a series that I will read over and over again. Well-written, great plot, a great background of the characters. I can't wait to see where Celaena's adventure takes her!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Jan 11, 2021
4.5 stars
I wasnt sure about this for a long time. I started book three in the authors Throne of Glass series and had to put it on hold because I wasn't in the mood and that has to be about a year ago now and I still haven't picked it back up.
But this, though the start dragged so little, quickly pulled me in. Once she got taken by the fae--not my favourite creature to read about at all--I was quickly engrossed in it. The storyline was weaved together brilliantly and I was hooked.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series but it'll have to wait till it gets cheaper in price, I think.
I wasnt sure about this for a long time. I started book three in the authors Throne of Glass series and had to put it on hold because I wasn't in the mood and that has to be about a year ago now and I still haven't picked it back up.
But this, though the start dragged so little, quickly pulled me in. Once she got taken by the fae--not my favourite creature to read about at all--I was quickly engrossed in it. The storyline was weaved together brilliantly and I was hooked.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this series but it'll have to wait till it gets cheaper in price, I think.
Samantha (67 KP) rated The Wicked Will Rise in Books
Jul 7, 2017
Pete? (1 more)
Lots of action at the start but not a lot in the remainder of the novel
Will they?
This novel starts with the same level of action that is expected from the previous instalment in the series, although this quickly diminishes as the story continues. I found the majority of this story to be whimsical but lacking any action as the author attempts to build the story to a grand finale which never quite happens.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Power (Keatyn Chronicles book 9) in Books
Aug 2, 2018
Like always this this series this book just picks up where the last one left off. Although not necessarily with the same character.
I will admit it can be a bit frustrating at times knowing both peoples perspective of the same situation and waiting for them to just be honest about their feelings with each other. However I guess it is realistic as people are rarely open about their feelings quickly or until they are sure they won’t get hurt.
I will admit it can be a bit frustrating at times knowing both peoples perspective of the same situation and waiting for them to just be honest about their feelings with each other. However I guess it is realistic as people are rarely open about their feelings quickly or until they are sure they won’t get hurt.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Weak Without Him (Weakness) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
DNF@19%
It's been almost 18 month since I read the first book in this series and I'd forgotten pretty much everything that went on, though some of it came back to me as I read this.
I gave the first book 5 stars but really struggled with the style of this. My tastes have probably changed in the last year but it felt rather stilted and unlike other books we didn't really get a recap of previous events.
Not for me.
It's been almost 18 month since I read the first book in this series and I'd forgotten pretty much everything that went on, though some of it came back to me as I read this.
I gave the first book 5 stars but really struggled with the style of this. My tastes have probably changed in the last year but it felt rather stilted and unlike other books we didn't really get a recap of previous events.
Not for me.
Bookworm1985 (2 KP) rated Station 19 - Season 1 in TV
Jun 25, 2019
Love this series
I started watching this after I caught up with greys anatomy - I love this programme its one of my favs and leaves u wanting more. The most recent season has been the best but hardest to watch towards the end and I can't wait for the next season to see how the characters cope with changes