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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) in Movies
Nov 29, 2019 (Updated Dec 20, 2019)
The final chapter of the Star Wars prequel trilogy is definitely the high point (which isn't the highest praise...) throwing a large amount of sci-fi action at the audience, whilst bring the Star Wars narrative full circle and finally tying into the first film.
The action is over gratuitous at times, but it's still entertaining enough - the opening space battle, the climatic battle between Jedis, the harrowing Order 66 scene.
The special effects here are noticably improved from Episodes I and II, and once again, the various locations and landscapes that we're shown are stunning to look at (Kashyyyk is a good example).
The most important character arc here is of course Anakin's, as he completes his turn to the dark side and steps further towards the iconic Darth Vader. I much prefer Hayden Christensen this time around, although he's still wooden in parts - I get the feeling that he's trying his best, but George Lucas isn't giving a whole lot for him to work with.
Ewan McGregor is great once again as Obi Wan.
The biggest new character we're introduced to in ROTS is General Grievous, who's ok I guess - he's nothing more than a CGI model designed to sell merchandise, but then again, who doesn't want to see someone wield four lightsabers at once ey?
The dialogue is just about more bearable than in the other two prequel films, and the movie has a general sense of 'getting shit done' than before, and it's all the better for it and has some dark turns here and there.
There are some cringey bits of course - the unessecary Chewbacca line for one, and of course, the god awful 'NOOOOOOO' line near the end (literal sick in my mouth)
When looking back on the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, it's easy to cast them aside and say they're no good, when in reality, that's not wholly true. They have they're moments and will always be something that I'll (maybe) watch when they're on TV...
The action is over gratuitous at times, but it's still entertaining enough - the opening space battle, the climatic battle between Jedis, the harrowing Order 66 scene.
The special effects here are noticably improved from Episodes I and II, and once again, the various locations and landscapes that we're shown are stunning to look at (Kashyyyk is a good example).
The most important character arc here is of course Anakin's, as he completes his turn to the dark side and steps further towards the iconic Darth Vader. I much prefer Hayden Christensen this time around, although he's still wooden in parts - I get the feeling that he's trying his best, but George Lucas isn't giving a whole lot for him to work with.
Ewan McGregor is great once again as Obi Wan.
The biggest new character we're introduced to in ROTS is General Grievous, who's ok I guess - he's nothing more than a CGI model designed to sell merchandise, but then again, who doesn't want to see someone wield four lightsabers at once ey?
The dialogue is just about more bearable than in the other two prequel films, and the movie has a general sense of 'getting shit done' than before, and it's all the better for it and has some dark turns here and there.
There are some cringey bits of course - the unessecary Chewbacca line for one, and of course, the god awful 'NOOOOOOO' line near the end (literal sick in my mouth)
When looking back on the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, it's easy to cast them aside and say they're no good, when in reality, that's not wholly true. They have they're moments and will always be something that I'll (maybe) watch when they're on TV...
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated The Arrival (The Eslite Chronicles, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
So... it's been roughly a year since I read The Arrival's prequel, well before the author actually made it into a series. I even mentioned that it had potential to be a good series, and here we are: it's actually a series!!! I signed up ASAP when I saw it available to be reviewed on David Estes Fans and YA Book Lover's R&R program, despite the fact I should probably be knocking out some books on a certain reading challenge. *coughs* 2014 TBR Pile Challenge *coughs*
Plus, I'm really surprised I actually read this really quickly, and I'm personally thinking it's probably because I must be getting tired of not going to school or something. Or maybe my mind is still in devouring mode after reading The Forever Song and The Body In the Woods (review in June).
Either way, it's a quick read, and the prequel is actually set after the prologue in The Arrival, but before Chapter 1. It's set about 3 years after the events in the prequel, and Miranda and the other girls in Nidus are ready to break free from the compound because they discover the Eslites are there for different reasons entirely.
This is no sappy romance you usually find in other alien stories where the alien falls in love with the human while trying to get away from an enemy species that's not by the name of human. This is pure "aliens are going to take over the world, and they're a dominant species with high-tech technology." It's not like Lux or the Lorien Legacies, where the aliens are trying to be inconspicuous. The Arrival is completely different from that, even though there are romantic elements mixed in. Miranda is a determined heroine wanting to break both her and the girls currently in the compound away from the Eslites true reasons. And she's preventing other girls meeting similar fates.
Then there are a few curve balls thrown at you, which is always the biggest plus in the bowl. And there's the ending, in which I'm extremely curious about because it probably does some more table turning. Actually, that ending did do a table flip, so all I'm doing is blinking rapidly and wondering if that really just happened and the book is over. o_o
Oh, and a random thought, but Dimas really isn't as bad as I thought he would be from the prequel.
------------------------
Review copy provided by author (R&R)
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This Review and more can be found at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi5Rk5yLloA/UtliaUbdL3I/AAAAAAAACbE/J27z92_qrYU/s1600/Official+Banner.png"; /></a>
Plus, I'm really surprised I actually read this really quickly, and I'm personally thinking it's probably because I must be getting tired of not going to school or something. Or maybe my mind is still in devouring mode after reading The Forever Song and The Body In the Woods (review in June).
Either way, it's a quick read, and the prequel is actually set after the prologue in The Arrival, but before Chapter 1. It's set about 3 years after the events in the prequel, and Miranda and the other girls in Nidus are ready to break free from the compound because they discover the Eslites are there for different reasons entirely.
This is no sappy romance you usually find in other alien stories where the alien falls in love with the human while trying to get away from an enemy species that's not by the name of human. This is pure "aliens are going to take over the world, and they're a dominant species with high-tech technology." It's not like Lux or the Lorien Legacies, where the aliens are trying to be inconspicuous. The Arrival is completely different from that, even though there are romantic elements mixed in. Miranda is a determined heroine wanting to break both her and the girls currently in the compound away from the Eslites true reasons. And she's preventing other girls meeting similar fates.
Then there are a few curve balls thrown at you, which is always the biggest plus in the bowl. And there's the ending, in which I'm extremely curious about because it probably does some more table turning. Actually, that ending did do a table flip, so all I'm doing is blinking rapidly and wondering if that really just happened and the book is over. o_o
Oh, and a random thought, but Dimas really isn't as bad as I thought he would be from the prequel.
------------------------
Review copy provided by author (R&R)
Original Rating: 4.5 out of 5
This Review and more can be found at <a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com">Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<a href="http://bookwyrming-thoughts.blogspot.com"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi5Rk5yLloA/UtliaUbdL3I/AAAAAAAACbE/J27z92_qrYU/s1600/Official+Banner.png"; /></a>
John Garrett (27 KP) rated War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) in Movies
Jul 11, 2017
Story (3 more)
Mo-cap
Cgi
Woody Harrleson
Cesar's trillogy concludes in fitting style
Contains spoilers, click to show
The final instalment of mat Reeves planet of the apes prequel trilogy comes to a close in style with what I must say is a spectacular performance from Andy Serkis.
He once again portrays Cesar who is looking for a new home for the apes as the last remainig Human army are hunting them down and trying to wipe them out. After a cesars family is slane he takes the fight to the army.
This film doesn't take the easy route and zigs where it should day which makes it a compelling watch throughout.
The true stars in the film have to be the effects and animation crew. The scenery was breathtaking and the work on the apes was spectacular.
In fact all the apes were cgi and the "main ones" were all mo-capped using actors. The actors behind these guys really shone through which is an impressive feat on its own.
Woody Harrleson once plays a great foil for cesar, in the menacing yet relatable commander. Woody brings a real gravitas to a role which some actors could have turned into a cartoon villain.
All in all the final prequel or cesars story was a fitting end to a series of movies that have been compelling and full of excitement.
He once again portrays Cesar who is looking for a new home for the apes as the last remainig Human army are hunting them down and trying to wipe them out. After a cesars family is slane he takes the fight to the army.
This film doesn't take the easy route and zigs where it should day which makes it a compelling watch throughout.
The true stars in the film have to be the effects and animation crew. The scenery was breathtaking and the work on the apes was spectacular.
In fact all the apes were cgi and the "main ones" were all mo-capped using actors. The actors behind these guys really shone through which is an impressive feat on its own.
Woody Harrleson once plays a great foil for cesar, in the menacing yet relatable commander. Woody brings a real gravitas to a role which some actors could have turned into a cartoon villain.
All in all the final prequel or cesars story was a fitting end to a series of movies that have been compelling and full of excitement.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Orphan:First Kill (2022) in Movies
Oct 12, 2022
The first Orphan is great for many reasons, chief amongst them being the truly infamous and batshit plot twist. Orphan: First Kill then, has some big footsteps to follow, or precede I guess. This prequel is a little worrisome at first. Although it's great to have Esther back on our screens, the first third of First Kill treads some extremely territory. It's entertaining for sure, and the violence may be a bit more savage, but the narrative threatens to be a little rinse-and-repeat. However, I found myself with egg on my face whilst thinking this, when a new, and arguably more batshit plot twist hits in the mid section, and suddenly First Kill commands more respect.
This sharp turn in proceedings ensures that we're being shown something new, an aspect that so many horror sequels seem to glaze over.
Isabelle Fuhrman returns as Esther, and honestly, she is noticeably older even though this is a prequel. However, I can't help but admire the decision to go down this route instead of using CGI. The use of make up and camera tricks do a good job of least ensuring that it doesn't look fake.
Although it doesn't quite hit the heights of the first film, First Kill is still a good time, with one of the most underrated villains of horror, and I for one want more dammit.
This sharp turn in proceedings ensures that we're being shown something new, an aspect that so many horror sequels seem to glaze over.
Isabelle Fuhrman returns as Esther, and honestly, she is noticeably older even though this is a prequel. However, I can't help but admire the decision to go down this route instead of using CGI. The use of make up and camera tricks do a good job of least ensuring that it doesn't look fake.
Although it doesn't quite hit the heights of the first film, First Kill is still a good time, with one of the most underrated villains of horror, and I for one want more dammit.
Laura (4 KP) rated Cruel Crown: Two Red Queen Short Stories in Books
Jan 5, 2018
I enjoyed being able to see what Cal’s mother was like, and early Elara, and what happened between them. It makes sense of the difficulties between certain silver lines and why people always talked about Coriane and Elara because of their powers. It was also good to find out More about Farley. However I felt there should have been more, maybe a full book prequel to how they came about and some more about Farley & shade, an in-depth look at how Elara took the thrown after Coriane’s death. But overall I’m glad we got a sneak preview at the time before the Red Queen series
Mike Wilder (20 KP) rated House of the Dead (2003) in Movies
May 30, 2018
Don't Be Curious!
I was curious to see if it was really that bad. Damn I really need to stop being so curious! While it probably isn't the worst film ever made, it surely is one of the worst zombie ones.
At time it just seems like really bad music video. The flashes of scenes from the video game really don't help. Especially as this is meant to be a prequel of the games?
I gave this a rating of 2/10. The only reason it has a 2 not a 1 is for Jurgen Prochnow. He has some great comedic moments. Well great for this film!
Don't Be Curious!
At time it just seems like really bad music video. The flashes of scenes from the video game really don't help. Especially as this is meant to be a prequel of the games?
I gave this a rating of 2/10. The only reason it has a 2 not a 1 is for Jurgen Prochnow. He has some great comedic moments. Well great for this film!
Don't Be Curious!
Alexandra Robitu (4 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Magic world of harry potter (2 more)
Actors
Visual effects
If you're also a huge harry potter fan like me you will literally be on the edge of your seat and gasp every time you make a connection with facts from the deathly hallows book.
I absolutely loved it. However, i felt like they dragged the story too much in the 2nd movie and filled time with silly things just to keep it long.
Would love to have a debate with people on the ending if anyone's up for it.
I absolutely loved it. However, i felt like they dragged the story too much in the 2nd movie and filled time with silly things just to keep it long.
Would love to have a debate with people on the ending if anyone's up for it.
Jeannie (40 KP) rated Bumblebee (2018) in Movies
Jan 29, 2019
I quite liked it.
I really enjoyed this movie, Bumblebee is just is lovable self and i like how theres abit of a background story on him before Whitwicky. I may be a bit biased because i adore bumblebee.. it had some very funny moments and just made you fall in love with the adorable Autobot all over again.. Now im not a Cena fan (liked him in cockblockers) but i dont think he added anything to this movie his acting made my eyes roll and not in a good way. If you're a fan of transformers you will really enjoy this prequel
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