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Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Man in the High Castle in Books
Jan 8, 2018
Great idea, not very well executed
I was sorely disappointed on this book. I’ve never seen the tv show either, so had nothing whatsoever to bias my views. On paper this is a fantastic idea for a dystopian future, I just felt that it wasn’t very well excecuted or, I’m ashamed to say, very well written either.
I found that I cared very little for the characters, and the plot itself seemed very plodding and boring at times. I read to the end as it was only short and I kept hoping for more, but it never delivered. Yes the ending was good, but could’ve been so more much more. I’m actually very frustrated as this is such a great idea, i love dystopian future novels and this could’ve been so much better than it is. I like Philip K Dick, but I keep imagining how differently this story could’ve been told in the hands of another author.
I found that I cared very little for the characters, and the plot itself seemed very plodding and boring at times. I read to the end as it was only short and I kept hoping for more, but it never delivered. Yes the ending was good, but could’ve been so more much more. I’m actually very frustrated as this is such a great idea, i love dystopian future novels and this could’ve been so much better than it is. I like Philip K Dick, but I keep imagining how differently this story could’ve been told in the hands of another author.
David McK (3180 KP) rated Next (2007) in Movies
Feb 14, 2021
Hmmm ... I'm not really sure what to say about this.
Other than it stars Nicolas Cage (who doens't go as overboard in this as he normally does), Jessica Biel and Julianne Moore, and is based on a short story by prolific sci-fi author Philip K Dick (who wrote works that become the basis for both Total Recall (based on "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale") and Blade Runner (based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"), to namedrop but two), with Nic as a Las Vegas magician who can see no further than 2 minutes into his own future.
Except where it concerns Jessica Biel's character (who he has not yet met as the film begins).
Decent enough premise, then, with some decent enough action scenes - even if they won't blow you away - and a decent enough twist ending (even if I want to know what happens Next).
In fact, maybe that single word sums it up: Decent.
Not spectacular.
Other than it stars Nicolas Cage (who doens't go as overboard in this as he normally does), Jessica Biel and Julianne Moore, and is based on a short story by prolific sci-fi author Philip K Dick (who wrote works that become the basis for both Total Recall (based on "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale") and Blade Runner (based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep"), to namedrop but two), with Nic as a Las Vegas magician who can see no further than 2 minutes into his own future.
Except where it concerns Jessica Biel's character (who he has not yet met as the film begins).
Decent enough premise, then, with some decent enough action scenes - even if they won't blow you away - and a decent enough twist ending (even if I want to know what happens Next).
In fact, maybe that single word sums it up: Decent.
Not spectacular.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies
Mar 15, 2018 (Updated Mar 15, 2018)
Last scene was the only good scene
I may be able to speak for many who saw this film and thought what the heck was that about? Natalie Portman, a biologist, ventures into unknown territory after her husband, played by Oscar Isaac, mysteriously reappears after a year completely oblivious to where he had been. In a bid to seek answers, she teams up with a group of women for what can only be described as a suicide mission.
This may have gone far past Philip K. Dick territory in bizarreness. Most of the film felt inconsequential, with strange atmospheric music, and confusing sequences of events. It definitely seemed like the director tried incredibly hard to create an intelligent science fiction thriller in the same vein as @Solaris (2002) or @Arrival (2016), but the weak plot just seemed to refract his overall intention (see what I did there?)
The last few scenes were probably the most gripping, and rather unnerving. But unfortunately two scenes does not make a film.
This may have gone far past Philip K. Dick territory in bizarreness. Most of the film felt inconsequential, with strange atmospheric music, and confusing sequences of events. It definitely seemed like the director tried incredibly hard to create an intelligent science fiction thriller in the same vein as @Solaris (2002) or @Arrival (2016), but the weak plot just seemed to refract his overall intention (see what I did there?)
The last few scenes were probably the most gripping, and rather unnerving. But unfortunately two scenes does not make a film.
Robots vs. Fairies
Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe
Book
A unique anthology of all-new stories that challenges authors to throw down the gauntlet in an epic...
The Book of Etta
Book
In the gripping sequel to the Philip K. Dick Award-winning novel The Book of the Unnamed Midwife,...
Benedick Lewis (3001 KP) rated Total Recall (1990) in Movies
Aug 15, 2018
Arnold is great in it (2 more)
Sharon Stone looks great
Great are they or aren’t they plot
One of Arnie’s best
By 1990 Schwarzenegger was in full stride and could do no wrong. He even tried his hand in comedy (Twins) with Danny De Vito and won audiences. Futuristic sci fi is where Schwarzenegger’s real strength is (The Running Man, Terminator Franchise, Eraser, Predator..) and the perfect example of this (other than Terminator 2) is Total Recall. It has everything from very quotable lines to an intriguing story which raises the bar on previous Schwarzenegger entries (originally a Philip K Dick story). The basic story line is a construction worker call Doug Quaid dreams of going to Mars but when he finally gets the chance things might not all be what they seem. Is he a secret agent? Is he on Mars? Did he get a divorce? And will those people get air? Sure it looks dated now but this was considered one of the most expensive movies made at the time and the dated graphics can be sidelined for seeing what happens to Schwarzenegger’s Quaid. If you buy the special edition dvd, you’re in for a treat also as Schwarzenegger provides his take on what a commentary is. Check it out.
American Literature in the World: An Anthology from Anne Bradstreet to Octavia Butler
Book
American Literature in the World is an innovative anthology offering a new way to understand the...
James Marsters recommended Blade Runner (1982) in Movies (curated)
Chameleo: A Strange but True Story of Invisible Spies, Heroin Addiction, and Homeland Security
Book
A mesmerizing mix of Charles Bukowski, Hunter S. Thompson, and Philip K. Dick, Chameleo is a true...