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Awix (3310 KP) rated The 5th wave (2016) in Movies
Jun 13, 2018
Thick-headed attempt to secure a slice of that lucrative post-Hunger Games YA demographic pie wastes the talents of Chloe Grace Moretz, Liev Schrieber, and various CGI technicians. Aliens show up and start conquering the world really slowly, starting by shutting down Instagram and moving on to floods, bird flu, etc etc. Plucky teenage girl sets out to save her young sibling while juggling the attentions of a couple of carefully-differentiated young hunks.
Painfully obvious and derivative, leadenly assembled; mostly just plain bad. What moves it beyond the inept and into the realms of the regrettable is a plotline about child soldiers - if this is trying to make a real-world point it does so with incredible crassness, though it may well be the film simply doesn't operate on that level of awareness. So-so box office returns means it appears we may be spared the threatened sequels; who know, maybe there is a God.
Painfully obvious and derivative, leadenly assembled; mostly just plain bad. What moves it beyond the inept and into the realms of the regrettable is a plotline about child soldiers - if this is trying to make a real-world point it does so with incredible crassness, though it may well be the film simply doesn't operate on that level of awareness. So-so box office returns means it appears we may be spared the threatened sequels; who know, maybe there is a God.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies
May 31, 2018
Why do we like dinosaurs so much?
Just when Spielberg was on a minor low after the critical and box office disappointment of "Hook" in 1991, he decided to make not only A movie about dinosaurs, but THE movie about dinosaurs to turn things around.
The original Jurassic Park is a modern marvel of cinema in many ways, but mostly the ground-breaking visual effects. Yeah, there had been other movies with prehistoric beasts, but none that integrated them seamlessly with human actors before this film.
What a great idea (based on the book) of having human beings visit a remote coming soon amusement park and watch what happens when everything goes wrong.
There are so many iconic scenes, I can't even begin to list them. The T-Rex, the raptors, the spitting ones. It was all just magic.
The tension build to the ultimate climax will never be beaten even with the 27 sequels.
The original Jurassic Park is a modern marvel of cinema in many ways, but mostly the ground-breaking visual effects. Yeah, there had been other movies with prehistoric beasts, but none that integrated them seamlessly with human actors before this film.
What a great idea (based on the book) of having human beings visit a remote coming soon amusement park and watch what happens when everything goes wrong.
There are so many iconic scenes, I can't even begin to list them. The T-Rex, the raptors, the spitting ones. It was all just magic.
The tension build to the ultimate climax will never be beaten even with the 27 sequels.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies
Jun 23, 2018 (Updated Jun 23, 2018)
Where was the action?
Being late to the party as usual, I just finished watching this film for the first time tonight.
I can't believe how well this movie did at the box office compared to the actual quality of the film. You'll never say a MCU doesn't look beautiful, have gorgeous sets, costumes and good casting, but that is just not enough these days.
Being completely unfamiliar with the Black Panther comics I was going in cold, but it seemed like some of the characters just weren't that interesting or had any place to go. There were extended periods within the film where not much happens and I felt bored. Some of the CGI was also sketchy at best.
I have been on record being not the biggest MCU fan in general and if this is the highest grossing of all of them, that just isn't right.
I guess I should watch Infinity War now.
I can't believe how well this movie did at the box office compared to the actual quality of the film. You'll never say a MCU doesn't look beautiful, have gorgeous sets, costumes and good casting, but that is just not enough these days.
Being completely unfamiliar with the Black Panther comics I was going in cold, but it seemed like some of the characters just weren't that interesting or had any place to go. There were extended periods within the film where not much happens and I felt bored. Some of the CGI was also sketchy at best.
I have been on record being not the biggest MCU fan in general and if this is the highest grossing of all of them, that just isn't right.
I guess I should watch Infinity War now.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Pirate Vishnu in Books
Jul 27, 2018
Jaya’s Second Treasure Hunt Hits Close to Home
Jaya Jones has yet to live down the fame of her first treasure hunt when a man walks into her office with a second treasure map. This one appears to have the location of a treasure in San Francisco, but it’s the connection to Jaya’s family that peaks her interest. The map was drawn by her great-granduncle. A dead body only complicates Jaya’s quest. Can she stay alive long enough to learn what is going on?
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
I always enjoy finding a twist on the murder mystery theme, and this is a good one. The treasure hunt is as important as figuring out who the killer is, and between the two, the pages fly by. The twists get bigger the further into the book we get. I did think one stretched believability just a bit, but it was a minor deal. The characters are strong, and I’m curious where the complications in Jaya’s love life will go.
Sue (5 KP) rated Hair of the Dog in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Winery owner and amateur sleuth Penny Lively is knee deep in another murder. There is trouble at the veterinarian’s office where Cousin Annie is being accused of murder. She is found standing over the body of her business partner and holding the murder weapon. It is not what it looks like so Penny is on the case to find the real murderer and clear Annie’s good name.
The book has a lot of great suspects to choose from; the grieving widow, the fired vet tech, an old friend that’s in love with the grieving widow, a flirty business rep, and a bookkeeper with memory problems. Just when you think you know who the murderer could be, another murder takes place. The characters are quirky and enjoyable, the pace of the book is good, and the plot/mystery has enough twists and turns.
This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone without much confusion.
The book has a lot of great suspects to choose from; the grieving widow, the fired vet tech, an old friend that’s in love with the grieving widow, a flirty business rep, and a bookkeeper with memory problems. Just when you think you know who the murderer could be, another murder takes place. The characters are quirky and enjoyable, the pace of the book is good, and the plot/mystery has enough twists and turns.
This is the third book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone without much confusion.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Zodiac (Zodiac, #1) in Books
Dec 3, 2018
It was an interesting read. Does it contain a love triangle? Yes. Does it have a heroine that is in over her head? Yes. Does it some times want you to take said heroine and shake her? Sometimes. Is it complete fantasy that has little to nothing to do with real science? Yes. Does it have anything to do with the Zodiac? No???? Sorta????? Does it have space travel? Yes.
I really liked the book. it is loosely based on the zodiac meaning it has all the 12 signs plus the 13th one no one talks about. And like astrology would have it each sign is aligned with an element and personality trait. And the leader or at least a very important political office is given to someone who can read he stars and predict the near future. Our heroine is unfortunate in that she is not only young and new at her job she is cursed to know that she will never be believed.
I really liked the book. it is loosely based on the zodiac meaning it has all the 12 signs plus the 13th one no one talks about. And like astrology would have it each sign is aligned with an element and personality trait. And the leader or at least a very important political office is given to someone who can read he stars and predict the near future. Our heroine is unfortunate in that she is not only young and new at her job she is cursed to know that she will never be believed.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Mortal Engines (2018) in Movies
Dec 26, 2018 (Updated Dec 26, 2018)
I'm not sure what the movie studio was thinking releasing this film against Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Maybe it would have had a better chance released the first weekend of December, or maybe this next February.
I really liked the story, I haven't read the book at all so I have nothing to measure it against. The visual effects were pretty cool, and I was entertained most of the time.
I absolutely loved the female leads, and this film did not fail at the box office due to strong female leads, Hollywood.
Robert Sheehan was one of my favorites, though i kept calling this film Mortal Instruments... Since he was in that film and the villainous character was also named Valentine.
Sadly, I feel like this film fell victim to timing, and there is a chance it could become more successful upon Blu-Ray release, like Live, Die, Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow.
I really liked the story, I haven't read the book at all so I have nothing to measure it against. The visual effects were pretty cool, and I was entertained most of the time.
I absolutely loved the female leads, and this film did not fail at the box office due to strong female leads, Hollywood.
Robert Sheehan was one of my favorites, though i kept calling this film Mortal Instruments... Since he was in that film and the villainous character was also named Valentine.
Sadly, I feel like this film fell victim to timing, and there is a chance it could become more successful upon Blu-Ray release, like Live, Die, Repeat: Edge of Tomorrow.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Rocky (1976) in Movies
Jun 23, 2019
The Italian stallion
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is a small-time boxer from Philadelphia, chosen by reigning world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) who after losing his opponent due to injury, is looking for a challenge like no other and an opportunity to give a nobody a chance at the title. Trained by former bantamweight champion Mickey Goldmill (Burgess Meredith). Rocky enters a relationship with Adrian (Talia Shire), the wallflower sister of his problematic alcoholic work pal Paulie (Burt Young).
Rocky is a 1976 boxing based drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone.
Budget: $1 million
Box office: $225 million
produced by: Irwin Winkler; Robert Chartoff
Music by: Bill Conti
Fun fact: stallone pitched the idea to producer's stating he wanted to be the lead, they said no.
Producer's offered to buy the script of him so they could pick their choice of lead, he said no.
Rocky is a 1976 boxing based drama film directed by John G. Avildsen, written by and starring Sylvester Stallone.
Budget: $1 million
Box office: $225 million
produced by: Irwin Winkler; Robert Chartoff
Music by: Bill Conti
Fun fact: stallone pitched the idea to producer's stating he wanted to be the lead, they said no.
Producer's offered to buy the script of him so they could pick their choice of lead, he said no.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Witness for the Prosecution in TV
Jan 20, 2019 (Updated Jan 20, 2019)
Do not compare this to the original.
Watching the original Witness for the Prosecution (1957), I remember being genuinely shocked by that twist, because it came out of nowhere.This film just didn't build the story up to
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.
This adaptation is alright, it's nothing to write home about. There were too many shots of Toby Jones walking through allies or in his dungeon-like office. I felt like this went on too long, and the added length didn't necessarily add anything to the story.
I feel like with a lot of these modern adaptations of Christie's novels, they're tending to insert sex scenes when they're genuinely aren't needed and just slow up the story. It actually makes it hard for me to suggest the new adaptations to my mother, who hates when Christie's work is altered in that particular way.
Skip this one, and watch the original film with Tyrone Powers and Marlene Dietrich.
Merissa (12911 KP) rated Witch Hunt (Preternatural Affairs, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Poor Cèsar. He just can't catch a break at the moment. He catches a criminal, goes out for a drink to celebrate and then things get a bit blurry. He wakes up with a hangover from hell and an apartment that's been trashed. What would you do?
This story all takes place during one week as Cèsar tries to figure out what's going on, who he can trust but more importantly who he can't. You are kept on your toes throughout the book as you wonder if that person was involved, or did that person have something to do with it. Cèsar has one helluva week.
Witch Hunt is full of twists and turns and gives you an insight into the Office of Preternatural Affairs and the Union, who we have met from the other side in the Descent series. It is a highly entertaining tale that is not as dark as some of S.M. Reine's previous works. Recommended.
This story all takes place during one week as Cèsar tries to figure out what's going on, who he can trust but more importantly who he can't. You are kept on your toes throughout the book as you wonder if that person was involved, or did that person have something to do with it. Cèsar has one helluva week.
Witch Hunt is full of twists and turns and gives you an insight into the Office of Preternatural Affairs and the Union, who we have met from the other side in the Descent series. It is a highly entertaining tale that is not as dark as some of S.M. Reine's previous works. Recommended.