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Mothergamer (1589 KP) rated That 90s show in TV
Feb 3, 2023
It's not bad, there are some cameos from some of the original cast. Red and Kitty frankly are the best thing about the show. It is cool to see Eric and Donna's daughter making her own memories in Point Place. However, I feel that the show only being set during Summer vacation detracts from the story a bit because it misses a whole year of events. I guess we'll see how that goes if it gets a season two.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Bedazzled (2000) in Movies
Jul 14, 2024
Comedy film remake (I've never seen the original) from 2000 starring Brendan Fraser - here, at the height of his popularity following The Mummy films - and Liz Hurley, with the former playing a nerdy office worker who sells his soul to the devil (Liz Hurley) in exchange for seven wishes in order to gain the affection of a co-worker - wishes which, of course, never quite work out as he intended!
The result is an amusing enough 'feel good' comedy.
The result is an amusing enough 'feel good' comedy.
David McK (3600 KP) rated Stormrider (Rigante #4) in Books
May 19, 2024
<2024 update>
It's been a few years since I last read this, with the added time between now adding (to me) additional depth to the character of The Moidart and to Gaise Macon's often fractured relationship with him.
<original review>
The final book in the Rigante series and, while it may not be as good as the others, it still nicely round off the series. The blurb on the back of the book is a bit misleading, though ...
It's been a few years since I last read this, with the added time between now adding (to me) additional depth to the character of The Moidart and to Gaise Macon's often fractured relationship with him.
<original review>
The final book in the Rigante series and, while it may not be as good as the others, it still nicely round off the series. The blurb on the back of the book is a bit misleading, though ...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Last Airbender (2010) in Movies
Aug 8, 2019
The four elemental nations once got along thanks to the help of the master of the elements, the Avatar. But that was in the past. Long ago the Avatar disappeared and the power hungry Fire Nation has since been destroying all other nations in an attempt to develop their natural element wielding skills. But the discovery of a mysteriously tattooed boy, Aang, found in the ice by a young waterbender, Katara, and her brother, Sokka, may mean there is a way to achieve peace and once again unite the elements.
The first Avatar movie very closely follows the story of the first season, called Book One, of the original television show. However the translation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon into film has taken some very serious criticism for changes made in the race of the actors who portray the lead characters.
To make fans further iffy about the film the plot moves so quickly that at times the lead characters directly state the story to one another, a distracting and very obvious plot device. Furthering the film’s strange execution is the poor over-acting that fills almost every “emotional” scene. While this strong form of drama is very accurate to the original cartoon, the impact is lost in the translation to the big screen.
Still some things about seeing “The Last Airbender” as a film are really fun. The costumes and environments are both true to the original story. Adding to the fun are clever real world adaptations of the original show’s details, such as Aang’s Airbender tattoos. But where the film really excels is in the elemental battles that define the frequent and large-scale action sequences. Part fantasy and part martial art inspired, these fight scenes help to define the characters while providing visual speed to the otherwise overly paced film.
Fans will enjoy seeing the ideas of “The Last Airbender” executed in live action, but there is no real need for 3D. The film does show some of the character developing talent M. Night Shyamalan is known for, but the rushed pace and forced drama is hard to ignore.
The first Avatar movie very closely follows the story of the first season, called Book One, of the original television show. However the translation of the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon into film has taken some very serious criticism for changes made in the race of the actors who portray the lead characters.
To make fans further iffy about the film the plot moves so quickly that at times the lead characters directly state the story to one another, a distracting and very obvious plot device. Furthering the film’s strange execution is the poor over-acting that fills almost every “emotional” scene. While this strong form of drama is very accurate to the original cartoon, the impact is lost in the translation to the big screen.
Still some things about seeing “The Last Airbender” as a film are really fun. The costumes and environments are both true to the original story. Adding to the fun are clever real world adaptations of the original show’s details, such as Aang’s Airbender tattoos. But where the film really excels is in the elemental battles that define the frequent and large-scale action sequences. Part fantasy and part martial art inspired, these fight scenes help to define the characters while providing visual speed to the otherwise overly paced film.
Fans will enjoy seeing the ideas of “The Last Airbender” executed in live action, but there is no real need for 3D. The film does show some of the character developing talent M. Night Shyamalan is known for, but the rushed pace and forced drama is hard to ignore.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) in Movies
Feb 23, 2022
The very concept of Leatherface not taking kindly to artisan bakeries and influencer inspired sushi bars is one that is absurdly tantalising, but it arrives at a point in this up-and-down franchise where no-one involved seems to be sure what they're trying to achieve.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a film that has been advertised as a true sequel to Tobe Hoopers groundbreaking original, ignoring all other sequels, prequels, and remakes that have come and gone over the years, similar to Halloween (2018) and Candyman (2021).
The main issue is then, of course, that it couldn't be further away from the original in terms of general tone if it tried. The claustrophobia, the implication of unspeakable violence that is never shown, the overall arthouse style, essential ingredients of '74, are nowhere to be found. Instead, we're presented with an unsubtle splatter flick that reeks of the unpleasantness of most mid-00s slashers. It's a far cry from what a lot of '74 fans love, but once this fact is accepted, there's a fair amount of fun to be found in what we've been given.
Let me be clear, I absolutely did not hate TCM. The writing is atrocious, the characters are almost exclusively unbearable, the return of the original films final girl is poorly handled and ultimately wasted, and it half arses attempts to tackle serious subjects such as gun violence and gentrification, but, some truly gorgeous cinematography, air tight pacing, and copious amounts of gore go someway in making up for its negatives.
Seriously, there is an ungodly amount of gore. As mentioned, it's light-years away from the originals subtlety, but I can respect it's ambition to go for the jugular. I mean, there is an actual, literal, chainsaw massacre, during a scene that made me say "Jesus Christ" out loud a couple of times.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is far different to what I, and I imagine plenty of other '74 fans, expected and wanted, but at the end of the day, it's an easy to watch, super gory, and fun slasher that is what it is. Leave your thinking cap at the door, and I'm sure you'll find it entertaining at the very least, and remember, the original still exists!
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a film that has been advertised as a true sequel to Tobe Hoopers groundbreaking original, ignoring all other sequels, prequels, and remakes that have come and gone over the years, similar to Halloween (2018) and Candyman (2021).
The main issue is then, of course, that it couldn't be further away from the original in terms of general tone if it tried. The claustrophobia, the implication of unspeakable violence that is never shown, the overall arthouse style, essential ingredients of '74, are nowhere to be found. Instead, we're presented with an unsubtle splatter flick that reeks of the unpleasantness of most mid-00s slashers. It's a far cry from what a lot of '74 fans love, but once this fact is accepted, there's a fair amount of fun to be found in what we've been given.
Let me be clear, I absolutely did not hate TCM. The writing is atrocious, the characters are almost exclusively unbearable, the return of the original films final girl is poorly handled and ultimately wasted, and it half arses attempts to tackle serious subjects such as gun violence and gentrification, but, some truly gorgeous cinematography, air tight pacing, and copious amounts of gore go someway in making up for its negatives.
Seriously, there is an ungodly amount of gore. As mentioned, it's light-years away from the originals subtlety, but I can respect it's ambition to go for the jugular. I mean, there is an actual, literal, chainsaw massacre, during a scene that made me say "Jesus Christ" out loud a couple of times.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is far different to what I, and I imagine plenty of other '74 fans, expected and wanted, but at the end of the day, it's an easy to watch, super gory, and fun slasher that is what it is. Leave your thinking cap at the door, and I'm sure you'll find it entertaining at the very least, and remember, the original still exists!
DaveySmithy (107 KP) rated Twisters (2024) in Movies
Dec 4, 2024
A Solid Sequel That Doesn’t Fully Capture the Storm
As a long-time fan of the original Twister (1996), I went into Twisters (2024) with a mix of excitement and trepidation. How could this sequel live up to the raw, chaotic energy of its predecessor, a film that turned storm chasing into an adrenaline-fueled spectacle? The answer, for better or worse, is that it doesn’t quite match it, but it does enough to stand on its own.
Let’s start with what works. The visual effects are undeniably stunning. The tornadoes in this film are some of the most terrifyingly realistic I’ve ever seen on screen. They’re bigger, meaner, and more chaotic than ever, and the sequences where characters are caught in their destructive path are genuinely breathtaking. If you go into Twisters just wanting jaw-dropping destruction, you won’t be disappointed.
The cast also delivers solid performances. Daisy Edgar-Jones brings a grounded vulnerability to her role as a young meteorologist trying to prove herself, while Glen Powell’s charismatic storm chaser injects some much-needed levity into the film. Their chemistry isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s believable enough to keep the human drama engaging.
However, where Twisters falters is in its attempt to replicate the heart of the original. The 1996 film had a quirky charm and a ragtag group of storm chasers you couldn’t help but root for. In contrast, the characters here feel a bit more polished and conventional, and the film takes itself too seriously at times. It’s missing some of the playful chaos and oddball humor that made the original so endearing.
The plot, while serviceable, is also a bit formulaic. The stakes are high, but the story doesn’t take many risks, and it occasionally leans too heavily on nostalgia. I couldn’t help but feel that some moments—especially the callbacks to the original—were more about fan service than moving the story forward.
That said, Twisters does succeed as a modern disaster movie. It’s thrilling, visually spectacular, and worth seeing on a big screen. While it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of its predecessor, it’s an enjoyable
Let’s start with what works. The visual effects are undeniably stunning. The tornadoes in this film are some of the most terrifyingly realistic I’ve ever seen on screen. They’re bigger, meaner, and more chaotic than ever, and the sequences where characters are caught in their destructive path are genuinely breathtaking. If you go into Twisters just wanting jaw-dropping destruction, you won’t be disappointed.
The cast also delivers solid performances. Daisy Edgar-Jones brings a grounded vulnerability to her role as a young meteorologist trying to prove herself, while Glen Powell’s charismatic storm chaser injects some much-needed levity into the film. Their chemistry isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s believable enough to keep the human drama engaging.
However, where Twisters falters is in its attempt to replicate the heart of the original. The 1996 film had a quirky charm and a ragtag group of storm chasers you couldn’t help but root for. In contrast, the characters here feel a bit more polished and conventional, and the film takes itself too seriously at times. It’s missing some of the playful chaos and oddball humor that made the original so endearing.
The plot, while serviceable, is also a bit formulaic. The stakes are high, but the story doesn’t take many risks, and it occasionally leans too heavily on nostalgia. I couldn’t help but feel that some moments—especially the callbacks to the original—were more about fan service than moving the story forward.
That said, Twisters does succeed as a modern disaster movie. It’s thrilling, visually spectacular, and worth seeing on a big screen. While it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of its predecessor, it’s an enjoyable
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Saw II (2005) in Movies
Dec 29, 2017
The best Saw sequel
Let's face it, they never should have attempted to make a Saw sequel. The original film was so original and interesting with such an unforeseen twist, that it shouldve been left alone. But sadly the Saw films have now turned into yet another franchise that will never die.
That said, this first sequel isn't half bad and is by far the best out of all of them. The story is fairly interesting and the end twists do come as a surprise. The problem lies with Jigsaw's motives being a little patchy with Eric Matthews, and the main issue is it will never match the originality of the first film. It also changes how you feel about Jigsaw himself. In the first film until the end, he is just a mysterious voice and figure with a creepy doll and that's a good thing. With this sequel (and all of the others), they're trying to add depth to his character and they just end up overcomplicating things. Especially with all of this "helpers" Less is definitely more in this case.
That said, this first sequel isn't half bad and is by far the best out of all of them. The story is fairly interesting and the end twists do come as a surprise. The problem lies with Jigsaw's motives being a little patchy with Eric Matthews, and the main issue is it will never match the originality of the first film. It also changes how you feel about Jigsaw himself. In the first film until the end, he is just a mysterious voice and figure with a creepy doll and that's a good thing. With this sequel (and all of the others), they're trying to add depth to his character and they just end up overcomplicating things. Especially with all of this "helpers" Less is definitely more in this case.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Pokémon GO in Apps
Dec 30, 2017
Just as addicting as the original show but got pretty repetitive really fast
Okay I was into this when it first came out just like everybody else was the amount of hours and him out of walking I did trying to catch Pokemon is frankly ridiculous but it was just so much fun and something you can honestly say you've been waiting since being a kid in the 90s to be able to do. It was such a original and fun idea but quickly I grew bored with it you can only catch so many zubats before the game started feeling repetitive and just plain boring I didn't really play too much after the first few updates the game stopped working for me I was never finding Pokemon and all that pretty boring so I can honestly say I gave up pretty fast.
I really do think in the future that I can by myself playing this again if there's a really big surge interest but I don't really feel like I'm missing out on much while not playing anymore.
I really do think in the future that I can by myself playing this again if there's a really big surge interest but I don't really feel like I'm missing out on much while not playing anymore.
Dr Dystopian (526 KP) rated The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition in Video Games
Jan 8, 2018 (Updated Jan 8, 2018)
Improved graphics from the original (2 more)
Runs better on the PS4 than on previous generation
Still a fantastic game even after 5 years
Worth playing if you missed out before
Ultimately this is a fantastic game and easily one of the best of the previous generation of consoles and so is 100% worth picking up if you either missed the initial release or are wanting a second round of it on this generation!
Improved graphics and a more powerful console make the game look and perform better than the original and there is still so much to do in this game it that countless hours can be lost to it. Due to its age the price for it is very reasonable with it often being found in sales which makes it a bargain purchase.
As always with Bethesda games there are the typical glitches and odd mechanics or bizarre AI behaviour despite the games age however this doesn't typically detract from an otherwise amazing game.
Improved graphics and a more powerful console make the game look and perform better than the original and there is still so much to do in this game it that countless hours can be lost to it. Due to its age the price for it is very reasonable with it often being found in sales which makes it a bargain purchase.
As always with Bethesda games there are the typical glitches and odd mechanics or bizarre AI behaviour despite the games age however this doesn't typically detract from an otherwise amazing game.