Search
Search results
Agatha: The Real Life of Agatha Christie
Anne Martinetti, Guillaume Lebeau and Alexandre Franc
Book
In December 1926, renowned crime novelist Agatha Christie vanished, sending shockwaves through...
Charlemagne and His Legend in Early Spanish Literature and Historiography
Ryan D. Giles and Matthew Bailey
Book
The historical point of departure for this volume is Charlemagne's ill-fated incursion into Spain in...
The Queen of Wishful Thinking
Book
THE QUEEN OF FEEL-GOOD FICTION! 'Every time you discover a new Milly book, it's like finding a pot...
Blood Sisters: The Next Addictive Thriller from the Bestselling Author of My Husband's Wife
8.0
Rate It
Book
THREE LITTLE GIRLS SET OFF TO SCHOOL ONE SUNNY MORNING. WITHIN AN HOUR, ONE OF THEM IS DEAD. 'So...
contemporary mystery psychological thriller
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Triple Threat (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Action Movie All-Stars Galore
Triple Threat is a 2019 martial arts movie directed by Jesse V. Johnson, and written by Joey O'Bryan and Paul Staheli with screenplay written by Dwayne Smith. It was produced by Kungfuman Culture Media, Hamilton Entertainment, Arclight Films, FJ Media Group, Gamegoo Pictures, WWE Studios, TF1 Series Films, and Ingenious Media. The movie stars Tony Jaa, Tiger Chen, Iko Uwais, Scott Atkins, and Michael Jai White.
In Thailand, Payu (Tony Jaa) and Long Fei (Tiger Chen) are enlisted by a soldier named Deveraux (Michael Jai White), on a humanitarian mission to free prisoners. Deveraux's crew shoot up the village, including a soldier named Jaka's (Iko Uwais) wife to accomplish their real mission, to free their leader, Collins (Scott Atkins), a mass terrorist. A crime syndicate places a hit on a billionaire's daughter, making her the target of Collins and his squad of elite assassins. Jaka uses Payu and Long Fei as bait to draw out Collins while they all protect the girl from the assassins.
This movie was a smorgasbord of action. Probably one of the best action movies of the year, if you're judging it solely on its fighting scenes. It was awesome to see so many great movie martial artists in one movie, it was like an Expendables movie. I loved these actors in their own respective movies, so it was a real treat to see them all come together for this one film. That being said the acting wasn't the best when it came to the scenes that weren't action sequences and the plot/story could have been more developed. But I still enjoyed it. I'm usually a sucker for revenge movies anyway though. If you're looking for a great action movie full of awesome martial arts fighting, then this is the movie for you. I give this movie a 7/10.
In Thailand, Payu (Tony Jaa) and Long Fei (Tiger Chen) are enlisted by a soldier named Deveraux (Michael Jai White), on a humanitarian mission to free prisoners. Deveraux's crew shoot up the village, including a soldier named Jaka's (Iko Uwais) wife to accomplish their real mission, to free their leader, Collins (Scott Atkins), a mass terrorist. A crime syndicate places a hit on a billionaire's daughter, making her the target of Collins and his squad of elite assassins. Jaka uses Payu and Long Fei as bait to draw out Collins while they all protect the girl from the assassins.
This movie was a smorgasbord of action. Probably one of the best action movies of the year, if you're judging it solely on its fighting scenes. It was awesome to see so many great movie martial artists in one movie, it was like an Expendables movie. I loved these actors in their own respective movies, so it was a real treat to see them all come together for this one film. That being said the acting wasn't the best when it came to the scenes that weren't action sequences and the plot/story could have been more developed. But I still enjoyed it. I'm usually a sucker for revenge movies anyway though. If you're looking for a great action movie full of awesome martial arts fighting, then this is the movie for you. I give this movie a 7/10.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Retribution (A Claire Whitcomb Western #1) in Books
Nov 8, 2020
I am lucky enough to be a part of D.V. Berkom's advance reader team and I was sent a copy of this prior to it's release on 20-Nov-2020 for which I will be eternally grateful because what we have here is an introduction to what I believe will be another excellent series featuring a strong female character.
I am not normally one for reading westerns, in fact I usually give them a wide berth and don't even bother reading the blurb but given I have read several of D.V. Berkom's books featuring the excellent Leine Basso, when I was asked if I would like to receive an advance copy, I thought why the heck not and I was so pleased I did.
Claire, her husband Josiah and 3 children move to the Wild West in search of a new life however, tragedy strikes when Josiah and the children are brutally killed and Claire is left alone. It soon transpires that Claire is being accused of the murders and so she teams up with Mart and Thomas to clear her name and seek revenge.
This is a fast paced read with excellent characters, great setting and exciting plot. If I have one complaint, it's that it's over way too quickly; I was left wanting to read more now ... oh well, I will just have to wait to see what scrapes and adventures Claire finds herself mixed up in and how her character develops as she roams the Wild West on her trusty steed, Rose.
Thank you to D.V. Berkom for writing another absolute cracker, for giving me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and for introducing me to another genre ... now hurry up and get the next one finished 😉
I am not normally one for reading westerns, in fact I usually give them a wide berth and don't even bother reading the blurb but given I have read several of D.V. Berkom's books featuring the excellent Leine Basso, when I was asked if I would like to receive an advance copy, I thought why the heck not and I was so pleased I did.
Claire, her husband Josiah and 3 children move to the Wild West in search of a new life however, tragedy strikes when Josiah and the children are brutally killed and Claire is left alone. It soon transpires that Claire is being accused of the murders and so she teams up with Mart and Thomas to clear her name and seek revenge.
This is a fast paced read with excellent characters, great setting and exciting plot. If I have one complaint, it's that it's over way too quickly; I was left wanting to read more now ... oh well, I will just have to wait to see what scrapes and adventures Claire finds herself mixed up in and how her character develops as she roams the Wild West on her trusty steed, Rose.
Thank you to D.V. Berkom for writing another absolute cracker, for giving me the opportunity to broaden my horizons and for introducing me to another genre ... now hurry up and get the next one finished 😉
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Fast & Furious (2009) in Movies
Jun 14, 2021
Fast and Furious, the fourth film in the 'The Fast and the Furious' franchise takes us back to the basics, the original cast are reunited, if only for a short time in some cases and the plot is closer to '2 Fast, 2 Furious'.
Fast and Furious is more of a sequel to the second film and is set before the third film but does acknowledge it with a scene at the start where, to avoid being caught with Dom, Han goes off to Tokyo.
Fast and Furious feels more like it belongs in the franchise than it's predecessor, the cars are there, as are the gratuitous scantily clad women although not at the same level and Dom and Paul are back trying to stop a crime lord, although both for different reasons.
As with all the previous films, 'Fast and Furious' builds on the theme of family but this time it also tackles revenge and, to a smaller extent betrayal.
If you watch this franchise for the cars and racing then you may be a bit disappointed, there is some racing but not as much as as the previous films and the 'car talk' is kept to a couple of scenes.
As an action film with car chases Fast and Furious isn't bad; There is a bit of a plot, the story telling isn't to bad, it moves at a decent pace, it doesn't rely on sex and keeps the violence to a minimum and still manages to keep the franchise's gimmick, the cars and racing. It's also nice that it still acknowledges 'Tokyo Drift' even though the film seems not to be very well liked amongst the fans of the franchise.
Fast and Furious is more of a sequel to the second film and is set before the third film but does acknowledge it with a scene at the start where, to avoid being caught with Dom, Han goes off to Tokyo.
Fast and Furious feels more like it belongs in the franchise than it's predecessor, the cars are there, as are the gratuitous scantily clad women although not at the same level and Dom and Paul are back trying to stop a crime lord, although both for different reasons.
As with all the previous films, 'Fast and Furious' builds on the theme of family but this time it also tackles revenge and, to a smaller extent betrayal.
If you watch this franchise for the cars and racing then you may be a bit disappointed, there is some racing but not as much as as the previous films and the 'car talk' is kept to a couple of scenes.
As an action film with car chases Fast and Furious isn't bad; There is a bit of a plot, the story telling isn't to bad, it moves at a decent pace, it doesn't rely on sex and keeps the violence to a minimum and still manages to keep the franchise's gimmick, the cars and racing. It's also nice that it still acknowledges 'Tokyo Drift' even though the film seems not to be very well liked amongst the fans of the franchise.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Furious 7 (2015) in Movies
Jun 21, 2021
5 years after Fast and Furious 6 and following on from Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift (F&F 3), Hobbs, Dom and his family find themselves under attack from a new enemy. Deckard Shaw, brother of Owen Shaw (from Fast and Furious 6) is out for revenge and Dom and co need to find him before he finds them, unfortunately the only way to do this is to is to rescue the inventor of a of top spy device.
Fast and Furious 7 takes the team into the realms of James Bond as they team up with a shadow ops team and, to match the ramped up story line the action is bigger with more guns, missiles and fist fights but less street racing.
Unlike most of the other films there is no set up for a sequel, due to the fact that Paul Walker, the actor who plays Brian O'Conner died during the making of it so the film end on a high note , giving Brian a good, Happy ending.
Even though we are now on the 7th film about car racing I can say that the franchise is still entertaining. Even though the same characters are in most of the films they manage to keep entertaining and don't feel like the same thing being done over and over, part of this is due to the increasingly over the top action and storylines and the fact that, at least some of the characters have growth through out the franchise.
Furious 7 is bigger and louder than the previous films, not only with the fights and chases but also with the stunts and still delivers what you would expect so if you liked the others then you can't go wrong with this.
Fast and Furious 7 takes the team into the realms of James Bond as they team up with a shadow ops team and, to match the ramped up story line the action is bigger with more guns, missiles and fist fights but less street racing.
Unlike most of the other films there is no set up for a sequel, due to the fact that Paul Walker, the actor who plays Brian O'Conner died during the making of it so the film end on a high note , giving Brian a good, Happy ending.
Even though we are now on the 7th film about car racing I can say that the franchise is still entertaining. Even though the same characters are in most of the films they manage to keep entertaining and don't feel like the same thing being done over and over, part of this is due to the increasingly over the top action and storylines and the fact that, at least some of the characters have growth through out the franchise.
Furious 7 is bigger and louder than the previous films, not only with the fights and chases but also with the stunts and still delivers what you would expect so if you liked the others then you can't go wrong with this.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated The Purge: Anarchy (2014) in Movies
Jul 14, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
The Purge Anarchy is the second film in the Purge franchise and shows more of the effect the purge is having on the general populous.
The film follows three groups who are all out during the annual purge for different reasons but who are forced to come together to help each other.
Some of the questions raised in the first film are expanded on, is the Purge really a way to help stop normal crime or is there a more sinister reason. It also raises the question, Is there any good reason to purge? We see it used as a way to make money, an excuse to behave in 'base' ways and a way to get revenge.
Purge Anarchy follows the main protagonists as they make their way to safety and has some of the sense of suspense the first movie has but also has a lot more violence, a lot of which is in the background as the group try to avoid it.
'Class' is also brought up with an anti-purge group producing media saying that the true purpose of the purge is really just a way of getting rid of the lower class and the poor, with more evidence of this as the film progresses.
Over all the Purge Anarchy is a good movie, it looses some of the tension of the first film by widening the area the film is set but, if they had just done another home invasion film it would have been 'more of the same' and taking it out into the streets enables the franchises law to grow. There are a few questions left at least partly unanswered but there are (at time of writing) three more films and a series so hopefully these are answered later.
The film follows three groups who are all out during the annual purge for different reasons but who are forced to come together to help each other.
Some of the questions raised in the first film are expanded on, is the Purge really a way to help stop normal crime or is there a more sinister reason. It also raises the question, Is there any good reason to purge? We see it used as a way to make money, an excuse to behave in 'base' ways and a way to get revenge.
Purge Anarchy follows the main protagonists as they make their way to safety and has some of the sense of suspense the first movie has but also has a lot more violence, a lot of which is in the background as the group try to avoid it.
'Class' is also brought up with an anti-purge group producing media saying that the true purpose of the purge is really just a way of getting rid of the lower class and the poor, with more evidence of this as the film progresses.
Over all the Purge Anarchy is a good movie, it looses some of the tension of the first film by widening the area the film is set but, if they had just done another home invasion film it would have been 'more of the same' and taking it out into the streets enables the franchises law to grow. There are a few questions left at least partly unanswered but there are (at time of writing) three more films and a series so hopefully these are answered later.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Prom Night (1980) in Movies
Sep 19, 2019
Halloween 1.5
Fairly forgettable slasher/horror film with a lot of similarities to the original Halloween which had been released only 2 years earlier also starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Maybe at the time, all the now predictable horror cliches had not been overdone as they have been these days, but it was still mostly a bore.
After several children murder another girl in an abandoned building, they decide to keep their crime as a secret. Years later the children are now in high school when a mysterious stranger now decides to look them up and make them pay for the dastardly deed. They don't notice subtle clues immediately as the stranger starting calling them with his "spooky voice". The night of the prom is different though, as he decides to take his revenge on them one at a time after there is plenty of disco dancing of course.
Were audiences easier to please back in 1980? Clearly this was a cash grab of a film coming right on the heels of a much better ground breaking entry into the horror genre. This killer is pretty boring in comparison to others even of the same time period. No Captain Kirk or hockey masks here. The guy just wears all black with a black ski mask.
The soundtrack of disco tunes and the prom dancing scene with Jamie Lee strutting her stuff with her date was the highlight for me. It was also funny, yet not funny to see Leslie Nielsen in a dramatic role. It's hard to believe his career would change forever the same year when Airplane! was released.
I would pass if I were you.
After several children murder another girl in an abandoned building, they decide to keep their crime as a secret. Years later the children are now in high school when a mysterious stranger now decides to look them up and make them pay for the dastardly deed. They don't notice subtle clues immediately as the stranger starting calling them with his "spooky voice". The night of the prom is different though, as he decides to take his revenge on them one at a time after there is plenty of disco dancing of course.
Were audiences easier to please back in 1980? Clearly this was a cash grab of a film coming right on the heels of a much better ground breaking entry into the horror genre. This killer is pretty boring in comparison to others even of the same time period. No Captain Kirk or hockey masks here. The guy just wears all black with a black ski mask.
The soundtrack of disco tunes and the prom dancing scene with Jamie Lee strutting her stuff with her date was the highlight for me. It was also funny, yet not funny to see Leslie Nielsen in a dramatic role. It's hard to believe his career would change forever the same year when Airplane! was released.
I would pass if I were you.
