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Hard Miles (Chisholm Falls, #1)
8.0
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On the run from her psycho ex, Laurel Wheeler stops in Chisholm Falls, Texas for snacks at a gas...
Contemporary Romance
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Rope (1948) in Movies
Mar 12, 2020
did i speak too soon?
Contains spoilers, click to show
If you've read my other reviews, you know that I'm currently in a Hitchcock film class. I've been dreading watching his films because of the ones I've seen, with the exception of Psycho, have been the same story told in different ways. I was equally as dreadful when it came to watching this film. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
In Psycho, while we saw a serial killer, it was almost as if Norman had no choice because he'd been overtaken, so to speak, by Norma Bates. Norman knew what had been done, what his mother had done, and he cleaned up after her, defended her, took care of her. In Shadow of a Doubt, while Uncle Charlie was also a killer, Hitchcock played with the likable villain scenario that we talked about last week. He was this dapper, well-liked, well-respected man that seemed like he could never be capable of the things he was accused. And even when he did die, only little Charly and the detective really knew the truth of who Uncle Charlie was. In Sabotage, we saw murder but it wasn't purposeful. The bomb that was meant to explode, wasn't meant to explode where it did - on a public bus, killing not only the nephew but several strangers and a puppy.
Rope is glaringly different in comparison. We see Brandon who is ecstatic, almost euphoric about what he and Phillip had done. He almost gets off on the idea that they just killed a man, a friend of theirs, and invited that man's family, friends, and fiance over for a party while that man's dead body lying there, unbeknownst to the guests. Brandon was excited by that. In contrast, Phillip is paranoid, drinking rapidly and in excess trying to calm himself down, but really only making himself more suspicious. The nuance and the contrast of Brandon and Phillip's characters are different than anything we've seen from Hitchcock thus far, but even further than that, we see Rupert come in and kind of save the day. He puts the pieces together, observant of both Brandon and Phillip's awkwardness and behavior throughout the party, then noticing the hat and the rope, he comes back and realizes what they have done. Instead of taking vengeance into his own hands, something that we saw in Sabotage, he fires 3 shots out of the window, causing passersby and neighbors to call the police. Rupert than sits next to the chest that holds David's body, almost protecting him, while he waits for the authorities to arrive for Brandon and Phillip.
This film, more than any other one besides Psycho, has been my favorite to watch and the one that kept me drawn in. This film does not fit the original narrative I've held. It's in a completely different game entirely.
In Psycho, while we saw a serial killer, it was almost as if Norman had no choice because he'd been overtaken, so to speak, by Norma Bates. Norman knew what had been done, what his mother had done, and he cleaned up after her, defended her, took care of her. In Shadow of a Doubt, while Uncle Charlie was also a killer, Hitchcock played with the likable villain scenario that we talked about last week. He was this dapper, well-liked, well-respected man that seemed like he could never be capable of the things he was accused. And even when he did die, only little Charly and the detective really knew the truth of who Uncle Charlie was. In Sabotage, we saw murder but it wasn't purposeful. The bomb that was meant to explode, wasn't meant to explode where it did - on a public bus, killing not only the nephew but several strangers and a puppy.
Rope is glaringly different in comparison. We see Brandon who is ecstatic, almost euphoric about what he and Phillip had done. He almost gets off on the idea that they just killed a man, a friend of theirs, and invited that man's family, friends, and fiance over for a party while that man's dead body lying there, unbeknownst to the guests. Brandon was excited by that. In contrast, Phillip is paranoid, drinking rapidly and in excess trying to calm himself down, but really only making himself more suspicious. The nuance and the contrast of Brandon and Phillip's characters are different than anything we've seen from Hitchcock thus far, but even further than that, we see Rupert come in and kind of save the day. He puts the pieces together, observant of both Brandon and Phillip's awkwardness and behavior throughout the party, then noticing the hat and the rope, he comes back and realizes what they have done. Instead of taking vengeance into his own hands, something that we saw in Sabotage, he fires 3 shots out of the window, causing passersby and neighbors to call the police. Rupert than sits next to the chest that holds David's body, almost protecting him, while he waits for the authorities to arrive for Brandon and Phillip.
This film, more than any other one besides Psycho, has been my favorite to watch and the one that kept me drawn in. This film does not fit the original narrative I've held. It's in a completely different game entirely.
Slayaway Camp
Games
App
“A killer puzzle! 5/5 stars” - Touch Arcade Become Skullface, a psycho slasher bent on...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Greta (2019) in Movies
Apr 24, 2019 (Updated Apr 24, 2019)
Fans of watching talented creative people slum it in productions unworthy of their abilities will find much to enjoy in this roaringly bonkers psycho-thriller. Kind young waitress (Moretz) finds a handbag on the train, returns it to the owner (Huppert), a lonely old widow. The pair soon strike up a close friendship. And then ---
Some talented people here, not least director Neil Jordan, but this film is not nearly as subtle or restrained as you might expect it to be: it can't wait to get going with the ominous strings and half-baked jump scares. Full marks to the cast for taking it as seriously as they do; Huppert is in majestic form and Moretz is not bad either. The film is never actually scary at all, but the story is so uproariously overwrought that it's an entertaining watch throughout. That doesn't change the fact that if it featured a less-distinguished cast, this would almost certainly be going direct to DVD.
Some talented people here, not least director Neil Jordan, but this film is not nearly as subtle or restrained as you might expect it to be: it can't wait to get going with the ominous strings and half-baked jump scares. Full marks to the cast for taking it as seriously as they do; Huppert is in majestic form and Moretz is not bad either. The film is never actually scary at all, but the story is so uproariously overwrought that it's an entertaining watch throughout. That doesn't change the fact that if it featured a less-distinguished cast, this would almost certainly be going direct to DVD.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Batman (1989) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Tim Burton's landmark superhero adaptation was an unavoidable media juggernaut on original release; has stood the test of time pretty well. Bruce Wayne begins his battle against crime as Batman, inadvertently creates psycho crime-lord the Joker; the two of them both take a shine to reporter Vicki Vale.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Enormously influenced by Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, clearly, but then you could say the same about every single other Batman movie since. The real innovation at the time was to create a distinctive fantasy world around Batman so he appears less absurd: hence the gothic nightmare of Gotham City's architecture, and the combination of elements of 40s and 80s fashion in the costume design. Whole film is arguably unbalanced by Jack Nicholson's not-exactly-understated performance as the Joker, though Michael Keaton does his best. Is there really anything behind all the art direction and overacting? Possibly not, but that may be missing the point.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires #3) in Books
Dec 30, 2019
Claire is still trying to survive her freshman year at TPU and adjusting to her relationship with Shane. Michael is dealing with the results of becoming a vampire, and Eve is trying to stay away from her psycho brother Jason.
This book is great. It moves at a rapid pace and introduce news characters and still keeps the momentum going.
Claire's relationship with Myrnin is fascinating, because Claire actually gets to use her skills and show how important she is to Morganville.
Amelie is still very much the Ice Queen and there is a group f wannabe vampire hunters led by a guy who calls himself Captain Obvious.
The switch from every day life in the Glass House to the conspiracies and double-crossings that make up the Morganville social elite are contrasted nicely.
This book is funny, scary, and tragic. More YA books should be this well-written. Write faster, Rachel Caine!
This book is great. It moves at a rapid pace and introduce news characters and still keeps the momentum going.
Claire's relationship with Myrnin is fascinating, because Claire actually gets to use her skills and show how important she is to Morganville.
Amelie is still very much the Ice Queen and there is a group f wannabe vampire hunters led by a guy who calls himself Captain Obvious.
The switch from every day life in the Glass House to the conspiracies and double-crossings that make up the Morganville social elite are contrasted nicely.
This book is funny, scary, and tragic. More YA books should be this well-written. Write faster, Rachel Caine!
Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated Deadly Detention (2017) in Movies
Jul 16, 2019
Yes this seems to have a Breakfast Club does horror vibe to it but it's more Dawson's Creek, if Dawson's Creeks writing went downhill and they did murder.
The acting is questionable for a movie but be perfect for a TV teen drama, the plot is paper thin but it's the ridiculous set up I have the biggest problem with.
So a bunch of stereotypes, I'm sorry I mean kids turn up on Saturday for detention but due to, I kid you not, a rabid possum incident at the school they are having detention in a former prison. WTF?!? Are rabid possums a big problem in America? Why are they using a prison? Surely there must be other schools.
So teacher is killed, kids are left with a psycho who wants something.
Murders occur off screen, very little blood and very little scare factor.
Yet somehow I started to enjoy the characters interactions with each other.
More Dawson's Creek then Wolf Creek
The acting is questionable for a movie but be perfect for a TV teen drama, the plot is paper thin but it's the ridiculous set up I have the biggest problem with.
So a bunch of stereotypes, I'm sorry I mean kids turn up on Saturday for detention but due to, I kid you not, a rabid possum incident at the school they are having detention in a former prison. WTF?!? Are rabid possums a big problem in America? Why are they using a prison? Surely there must be other schools.
So teacher is killed, kids are left with a psycho who wants something.
Murders occur off screen, very little blood and very little scare factor.
Yet somehow I started to enjoy the characters interactions with each other.
More Dawson's Creek then Wolf Creek
Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa: The Adventures of Talking Heads in the 20th Century
Book
Talking Heads have achieved the status of rock legends. With unforgettable hits including "Take Me...
Bates Motel - Season 1
7.8
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TV Season Watch
The first season of Bates Motel consisted of 10 episodes is described as a contemporary prequel to...
drama
The Model
Book
After Robert Aickman's death in 1981 the manuscript of The Model, a wintry rococo fable set in...