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Mekkin B. (122 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Oct 9, 2017
Boring male power fantasy with little to no character development
It's hard to tell who is meant to be the protagonist of this film, the young boy, Jake, or the Gunslinger. Sure, we're introduced to Jake first, and only really meet the Gunslinger towards the end of Act 1, which should signal that it's Jake.
But Jake is boring. SO BORING. He doesn't really have any character flaws. Oh sure, he has problems, expositionally convenient plot device "visions", but no real, tangible character elements. He reacts violently towards another kid at school, but this isn't treated as a flaw and this isn't a movie where Jake is going to learn that there's a better solution than violence. At best he's going to learn that it's bad to use your fists to solve problems - guns are much more efficient.
The Gunslinger is presented with all the hallmarks of a protagonist. He's got a defined past and a defined character flaw. He's consumed with thoughts of revenge and will let the world burn around him to get it. The problem is, the story never gives him a point where he actually has to make a choice between revenge and something better.
The villain, while fun, seems to have no internal motivation whatsoever. Why does he want to destroy the universe? Because that's what semi-omnipotent bad guys want to do, I guess.
And I get it, he's called the Gunslinger, he shoots guns. It's all very straightforward. But that doesn't mean it's not still kind of boring to watch EVERY problem they encounter get solved by just shooting at it enough while every single woman in the movie exists to be murdered, assaulted, and grossly sexualized by the villain.
It used every trope in the book, it used them badly, and the script was just...not good.
But Jake is boring. SO BORING. He doesn't really have any character flaws. Oh sure, he has problems, expositionally convenient plot device "visions", but no real, tangible character elements. He reacts violently towards another kid at school, but this isn't treated as a flaw and this isn't a movie where Jake is going to learn that there's a better solution than violence. At best he's going to learn that it's bad to use your fists to solve problems - guns are much more efficient.
The Gunslinger is presented with all the hallmarks of a protagonist. He's got a defined past and a defined character flaw. He's consumed with thoughts of revenge and will let the world burn around him to get it. The problem is, the story never gives him a point where he actually has to make a choice between revenge and something better.
The villain, while fun, seems to have no internal motivation whatsoever. Why does he want to destroy the universe? Because that's what semi-omnipotent bad guys want to do, I guess.
And I get it, he's called the Gunslinger, he shoots guns. It's all very straightforward. But that doesn't mean it's not still kind of boring to watch EVERY problem they encounter get solved by just shooting at it enough while every single woman in the movie exists to be murdered, assaulted, and grossly sexualized by the villain.
It used every trope in the book, it used them badly, and the script was just...not good.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Basket Case (1982) in Movies
Oct 26, 2019
Basket full o' fun!
What would your life be like if you were a former conjoined twin, couldn't tell anyone about it, and then also carried around your now separated deformed, menacing killer twin in a wicker basket?
Thus the premise of this entertaining, yet goofy 80s horror comedy.
Awkward, nerdy Duane Bradley comes to stay at a low rate hotel with a scummy array inhabitants in search of a normal life. He is always carrying this large basket which he holds dearly, but won't let anyone look inside. The basket occasionally makes unusual sounds and shimmies every once in a while, but its contents remain a mystery.
He goes to a doctor's office only to unleash the basket contents on the unsuspecting physician. Turns out his now unattached deformed brother survived their separation operation and is now a menacing, killer globule out for revenge. The killing spree continues for the other doctors and random hotel inhabitants, but then Barry meets a girl he likes. She likes him back. Barry struggles to keep his new love away from his brother who can also read his thoughts.
Will love survive?
Along with films like Braindead, Society or even Re-Animator, Basket Case makes its case as a cult 80s classic. Yeah fine, the dialogue and acting are cheesy and sometimes over the top, but the gore and interesting practical effect kills are there for fun. The creation of the basket creature was interesting and not something I had seen before. Once the revenge plot element was revealed, you are sort of rooting on the separated twins to continue and complete their quest of carnage just so you can see more clever murder sequences.
If you don't take it seriously it's pretty fun.
Thus the premise of this entertaining, yet goofy 80s horror comedy.
Awkward, nerdy Duane Bradley comes to stay at a low rate hotel with a scummy array inhabitants in search of a normal life. He is always carrying this large basket which he holds dearly, but won't let anyone look inside. The basket occasionally makes unusual sounds and shimmies every once in a while, but its contents remain a mystery.
He goes to a doctor's office only to unleash the basket contents on the unsuspecting physician. Turns out his now unattached deformed brother survived their separation operation and is now a menacing, killer globule out for revenge. The killing spree continues for the other doctors and random hotel inhabitants, but then Barry meets a girl he likes. She likes him back. Barry struggles to keep his new love away from his brother who can also read his thoughts.
Will love survive?
Along with films like Braindead, Society or even Re-Animator, Basket Case makes its case as a cult 80s classic. Yeah fine, the dialogue and acting are cheesy and sometimes over the top, but the gore and interesting practical effect kills are there for fun. The creation of the basket creature was interesting and not something I had seen before. Once the revenge plot element was revealed, you are sort of rooting on the separated twins to continue and complete their quest of carnage just so you can see more clever murder sequences.
If you don't take it seriously it's pretty fun.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Walters Rifle (Haunted Collection #2) in Books
Mar 29, 2021
45 of 250
Kindle
Walters Rifle ( Haunted Collection book 2)
By Ron Ripley
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The gleaming muzzle of a rifle burns with an insatiable desire, and its new owner is all too happy to comply....
Haunted items are traversing the country, and their ghosts are wreaking havoc on their new owners. At the center of the chaos is an old rifle possessed by a blood-thirsty specter, who dreams of massacres at every turn. Meanwhile, lurking in a nearby mailbox is an antique novel possessed by a monster who takes pleasure in agonizing, heart-stopping torture.
Stefan Korzh's plan is unraveling flawlessly, and he can't imagine a better way of seeking revenge on the world. But Victor Daniels and Jeremy Rhinehart won't let that happen. Recovering from their grisly encounters with the dead, they're more prepared than ever before. They work on finding the sources of bloodshed and imprisoning the crazed collectibles.
With murderous ghosts continuing to raise the death toll, Victor and Jeremy have their hands full. They race against time to stop the mayhem and save innocent bystanders. Fueled by their quest for revenge, each step brings them toward the culprit behind all the horror. But as they get closer to catching this madman, they discover how dangerous Stefan Korzh truly is....
So I’m such a drip and didn’t realise it was an ongoing series so that answers the end of my review of the first book! So more haunted objects are sold into the world with horrifying results. It’s getting a little more personal and now he has little Annie back. Also Stefan has seriously pissed off daddy! I still think it was very rushed like the first book. Walters rifle could have featured a little more. Still a decent horror read.
Kindle
Walters Rifle ( Haunted Collection book 2)
By Ron Ripley
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
The gleaming muzzle of a rifle burns with an insatiable desire, and its new owner is all too happy to comply....
Haunted items are traversing the country, and their ghosts are wreaking havoc on their new owners. At the center of the chaos is an old rifle possessed by a blood-thirsty specter, who dreams of massacres at every turn. Meanwhile, lurking in a nearby mailbox is an antique novel possessed by a monster who takes pleasure in agonizing, heart-stopping torture.
Stefan Korzh's plan is unraveling flawlessly, and he can't imagine a better way of seeking revenge on the world. But Victor Daniels and Jeremy Rhinehart won't let that happen. Recovering from their grisly encounters with the dead, they're more prepared than ever before. They work on finding the sources of bloodshed and imprisoning the crazed collectibles.
With murderous ghosts continuing to raise the death toll, Victor and Jeremy have their hands full. They race against time to stop the mayhem and save innocent bystanders. Fueled by their quest for revenge, each step brings them toward the culprit behind all the horror. But as they get closer to catching this madman, they discover how dangerous Stefan Korzh truly is....
So I’m such a drip and didn’t realise it was an ongoing series so that answers the end of my review of the first book! So more haunted objects are sold into the world with horrifying results. It’s getting a little more personal and now he has little Annie back. Also Stefan has seriously pissed off daddy! I still think it was very rushed like the first book. Walters rifle could have featured a little more. Still a decent horror read.
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Mariafrancesca (30 KP) rated A Pocketful of Crows in Books
Mar 30, 2019
Magical
This is a powerful story inspired by the Child Ballads and it couldn't be more current. It covers the themes of womanhood, independence, relationships and, of course, revenge. The existence of the Free Folk is for sure a lonely one, it is the price to pay for being independent and free and walk the Earth in the skin that they prefer. But our young protagonist, fierce but naive, is ready to give all of that up in order to try the most forbidden thing for her kind: the love of a man. In a magical and eerie background, she will learn how much the promises of an entitled man are worth and she will have to come to terms with her feelings, all the things she has lost and this person she has become in order to find herself again.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Spilled Blood in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Olivia Hawk is 16 years old and has been accused of killing Ashland Steele. Ashland is the daughter of Florian Steele. Mr. Steele is the largest employer in the small town of Barron, Minnesota. Olivia lives in the neighboring town of Croix and these cities have been at each other's throats for quite some time. The reason, Florian Steele's company.
This is another new author for me. This book was very shocking and pulled at my heart strings. It's a story of loss, revenge, sacrifice, love, sickness, family. Makes you asks questions like: What am I willing to do to save my child? what will I do for my brother's love? What will I do to save my company? What will I do without my wife? Who is killing all these people? To find the answers you have to read the book.
This is another new author for me. This book was very shocking and pulled at my heart strings. It's a story of loss, revenge, sacrifice, love, sickness, family. Makes you asks questions like: What am I willing to do to save my child? what will I do for my brother's love? What will I do to save my company? What will I do without my wife? Who is killing all these people? To find the answers you have to read the book.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Red Velvet Revenge (Cupcake Bakery Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The summer heat is killing business for Fairy Tale Cupcakes, so when Mel and Angie get an offer to sell cupcakes at a rodeo in the mountains, it seems like a great idea. However, when someone is shot at the opening parade, they begin to wonder what they’ve landed in the middle of this time.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I found the first quarter of this book very slow since it sets up several things that could have been handled in a few pages or a couple of chapters max. Once the story does get started, it moves along at a great clip, however. The characters, both old and new, are wonderful, and the climax actually made me tear up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-red-velvet-revenge-by-jenn.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.