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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Thing (2011) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
An unnecessary prequel
The problem with most prequels is they feel the need to overexplain things that aren't necessary. A certain amount of ambiguity is good for a film, and often allows the watcher to come up with their own theories. And this is the main problem with this prequel - did we need to know exactly what happened to the Norwegian team? No not really, as we saw enough in the original to use our imagination. So this prequel for me was entirely unnecessary.
It also didn't help that the plot was for the most part very similar to the original, which begs the question why make something so similar? The creature designs etc were very good, creepy and pretty scary and very in keeping with the original, but they completely ruined it with the horrendous cgi. Why they didn't stick with physical effects I'll never know, as it made the creature just look shoddy. The ending is potentially also a bit of a plot hole as it then doesn't tie in to the original.
There are a few things in this that could've been improved, but even with that, it'd still be an unnecessary prequel.
It also didn't help that the plot was for the most part very similar to the original, which begs the question why make something so similar? The creature designs etc were very good, creepy and pretty scary and very in keeping with the original, but they completely ruined it with the horrendous cgi. Why they didn't stick with physical effects I'll never know, as it made the creature just look shoddy. The ending is potentially also a bit of a plot hole as it then doesn't tie in to the original.
There are a few things in this that could've been improved, but even with that, it'd still be an unnecessary prequel.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Hot Fuzz (2007) in Movies
Aug 24, 2018
Hilarious
I've re-watched this again recently and it's just as funny now as it was when I first saw it in the cinema.
It's hilarious, full of wit and British humour. Not only is it a brilliant comedy, it's a great action and mystery flick too. The pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works as well here as it did in Shaun of the Dead, and there's a great supporting cast in Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine and the rest, including those blink and you'll miss it cameos.
Whilst I work for a large urban police force, there are a lot of areas of policing I recognise in this film, which for me makes it even funnier watching it back. From having to bring cake (bribes) in for colleagues, to the old school Vauxhall cars, office banter and the more onerous side of policing, they really have done their research. Although I can safely say I've never met an officer quite as dedicated as Angel! But I do reckon a lot of our new recruits have the same view of policing as Danny does...
Such an entertaining film that doesn't get old.
It's hilarious, full of wit and British humour. Not only is it a brilliant comedy, it's a great action and mystery flick too. The pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works as well here as it did in Shaun of the Dead, and there's a great supporting cast in Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine and the rest, including those blink and you'll miss it cameos.
Whilst I work for a large urban police force, there are a lot of areas of policing I recognise in this film, which for me makes it even funnier watching it back. From having to bring cake (bribes) in for colleagues, to the old school Vauxhall cars, office banter and the more onerous side of policing, they really have done their research. Although I can safely say I've never met an officer quite as dedicated as Angel! But I do reckon a lot of our new recruits have the same view of policing as Danny does...
Such an entertaining film that doesn't get old.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Boy (2016) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
The boy done...ok actually
When me and the missus first saw a trailer for this movie, we actually laughed.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Damnation - Season 1 in TV
Sep 20, 2018
Performances all round are pretty great (1 more)
Set design and costumes are really cool
Well, I'll Be Damned
I read the synopsis for Damnation when it was first released and it didn't grab me at all. A show about a farmer's strike just sounded extremely boring to me. Then I saw the trailer and decided to give the show a chance and I'm glad I did.
The show moves at a decent pace and tells the story of two brothers both masquerading as something they are not. The way that the show develops is interesting and keeps you hooked until the end of the season.
Unfortunately it was recently announced that Netflix aren't going ahead with a second season of the show, which is really disappointing considering the way that Season 1 ended and I would have loved to have seen where this show would go in the future.
The show could always be picked up by someone else and we could still see this story continue, but until then we have at least 1 season of solid television that is well worth checking out.
The show moves at a decent pace and tells the story of two brothers both masquerading as something they are not. The way that the show develops is interesting and keeps you hooked until the end of the season.
Unfortunately it was recently announced that Netflix aren't going ahead with a second season of the show, which is really disappointing considering the way that Season 1 ended and I would have loved to have seen where this show would go in the future.
The show could always be picked up by someone else and we could still see this story continue, but until then we have at least 1 season of solid television that is well worth checking out.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Sucker Punch (2011) in Movies
Sep 20, 2018
All style, no substance
Apologies in advance to all of the male Smashbombers, but this film basically feels like a teenage boy’s fantasy. I saw it when it first came out at the cinema and wasn’t impressed in the slightest, but I thought I’d give it another go in case I was wrong. Unfortunately I wasn’t.
Girls wearing barely anything, mental asylums, brothels, monsters, war zones, robots, dragons, zombies.... did nobody stop to think that this was maybe a bit too much? Zack Snyder has compared this to Alice in Wonderland, but it is far from it. The plot could’ve worked better if it had just stuck to a girl resorting to a inner fantasy world to escape reality in a mental asylum, but instead it just gets far too ridiculous and silly. Visually it looks very good, although I don’t think the CGI looks quite as good on the small screen as you’d hope, and the soundtrack is great, it’s just a shame the rest of the film is so dull and laughably bad. You’ve got some great actors in here (even a brief cameo from Jon Hamm) but they really are wasted in this.
Girls wearing barely anything, mental asylums, brothels, monsters, war zones, robots, dragons, zombies.... did nobody stop to think that this was maybe a bit too much? Zack Snyder has compared this to Alice in Wonderland, but it is far from it. The plot could’ve worked better if it had just stuck to a girl resorting to a inner fantasy world to escape reality in a mental asylum, but instead it just gets far too ridiculous and silly. Visually it looks very good, although I don’t think the CGI looks quite as good on the small screen as you’d hope, and the soundtrack is great, it’s just a shame the rest of the film is so dull and laughably bad. You’ve got some great actors in here (even a brief cameo from Jon Hamm) but they really are wasted in this.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption MC, #2) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
There is never a doubt with these two... I have no words... just simply amazing <3
Where do I even start?! Thankfully NOT being able to share spoilers will make writing my review a bit easier ;-) Still a wreck days later, just as one usually is after finishing one of Pepper's books. All I kept thinking was.. "Where the hell does she come up with this!?" LOL This woman has such depth to her stories, her characters... you can't help but be truly wrapped up in each one as you read them. They are truly unique, every one, twists and backgrounds that will just blow your mind!?
We saw met Kill in Jethro's and Nila's stories then heard the start to his & Cleo's story in Ruin & Rule. Sin & Suffer is just one more to add to her incredible list of accomplishments... Kill's undying loyalty to Cleo, even after he thought she was gone... the connection they had to one another, the bits they took of one another, even when they didn't know why.. all just so beautiful. There is never a doubt with these two... I have no words... just simply amazing <3
We saw met Kill in Jethro's and Nila's stories then heard the start to his & Cleo's story in Ruin & Rule. Sin & Suffer is just one more to add to her incredible list of accomplishments... Kill's undying loyalty to Cleo, even after he thought she was gone... the connection they had to one another, the bits they took of one another, even when they didn't know why.. all just so beautiful. There is never a doubt with these two... I have no words... just simply amazing <3
Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Oct 27, 2018 (Updated Oct 27, 2018)
Dc best movie to date
I have been a fan of wonder woman since I was a little girl. I would sit in front of the tv watching Linda Carter go from Diana to wonder woman with a spin. When I first heard that a movie was definitely happening I was happy but real leary. When gal gadot was cast I was one who just didn't see how she could be diana, but the more I saw for her own movie the more I was on board. This movie was everything it should of been (just wish Lynda Carter would of had a cameo or something) all the characters were likable and the scenes with the amazons were amazing. If there was any flaw I would have to say Ares did not look as good as he could of. Chris pine was great and him and gadot had great chemistry. I am hoping the sequel which will take place in 1984( when I was 9) will be just as good. DC should take a look at this and use what made this good into all their love action movies
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Exorcist (1973) in Movies
Oct 30, 2018
Shocking for its time
The Exorcist is one of those classics that for me is perhaps slightly overrated. Don't get me wrong, for something made in the 70s it's very impressive, it's just very difficult to judge an older film when you live in more modern times.
The film itself is a very slow burner, which isn't a bad thing as it at least relies more on subtlety rather than being in your face like a lot of more modern horrors are. For me it was a little too slow in parts and I wouldn't say this was scary in the slightest. The physical effects are very good for its time, and some of the scenes are still fairly shocking even now. There are some brilliant classic lines in this too, and Linda Blair is very good as Regan. What I like the most about this film is the ending, as it isn't quite your bog standard predictable Hollywood ending and the first time I saw this I was hugely surprised (but pleased) at how this played out.
This is definitely a classic and one worth watching, just try not to judge on today's standards!
The film itself is a very slow burner, which isn't a bad thing as it at least relies more on subtlety rather than being in your face like a lot of more modern horrors are. For me it was a little too slow in parts and I wouldn't say this was scary in the slightest. The physical effects are very good for its time, and some of the scenes are still fairly shocking even now. There are some brilliant classic lines in this too, and Linda Blair is very good as Regan. What I like the most about this film is the ending, as it isn't quite your bog standard predictable Hollywood ending and the first time I saw this I was hugely surprised (but pleased) at how this played out.
This is definitely a classic and one worth watching, just try not to judge on today's standards!
Debbiereadsbook (1570 KP) rated The Arts of Love: Stories of Sensual Creativity in Books
Dec 10, 2018
a fabulous little collection!
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
16 short stories, written by the same author, based around love and the Arts. Music, acting, writing and everything inbetween.
A 16 book collection was never going to get 16 individual reviews, so here's what I thought about them all, as a whole.
I rather enjoyed it!
It's a great collection of shorts, average about 15 pages each, some a little shorter or longer, but that gives you just enough for each story, I thought, to give you a brief connection, a glimpse into these people's lives.
Some stories are a bit more explicit, some almost clean, in my opinion. Mostly written from one person's view, in the third person.
Each short is well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience.
This is the first I've read of this author, and I'd like to read more. Something much longer than these shorts, just to see what they can do with more pages!
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent reading, thank you.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
16 short stories, written by the same author, based around love and the Arts. Music, acting, writing and everything inbetween.
A 16 book collection was never going to get 16 individual reviews, so here's what I thought about them all, as a whole.
I rather enjoyed it!
It's a great collection of shorts, average about 15 pages each, some a little shorter or longer, but that gives you just enough for each story, I thought, to give you a brief connection, a glimpse into these people's lives.
Some stories are a bit more explicit, some almost clean, in my opinion. Mostly written from one person's view, in the third person.
Each short is well written, and well delivered. I saw no spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading experience.
This is the first I've read of this author, and I'd like to read more. Something much longer than these shorts, just to see what they can do with more pages!
A thoroughly enjoyable Sunday afternoon spent reading, thank you.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
David McK (3633 KP) rated Star Wars, Vol. 7: The Ashes of Jedha in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The newest (at the time of writing) entry in Marvel's on-going Star Wars series, that sees Luke, Han, Leia et al travel to the planet of Jedha between the events of 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strikes Back': the planet, that is, that first appeared in the relatively-recent movie 'Rogue One' and on which the might of the Death Star was first practiced.
As such, Jedha is now a ruined planet under Imperial Occupation, with this collection (of issues number 38-43) also covering the effects of Saw Garrera's partisan group: another relatively recent addition to the whole Star Wars canon!
While Luke tries to learn more about being a Jedi as Leia seeks to form an alliance with the remaining members of that partisan group and as Han grows into a leadership role, the Empire tightens their grip on the planet.
I must admit to being a bit lost at first: although this is vol 7 in the series, the 'read in order' on the inside jacket actually places this after 'The Screaming Citadel': maybe if I'd read that, this might flow better?
As such, Jedha is now a ruined planet under Imperial Occupation, with this collection (of issues number 38-43) also covering the effects of Saw Garrera's partisan group: another relatively recent addition to the whole Star Wars canon!
While Luke tries to learn more about being a Jedi as Leia seeks to form an alliance with the remaining members of that partisan group and as Han grows into a leadership role, the Empire tightens their grip on the planet.
I must admit to being a bit lost at first: although this is vol 7 in the series, the 'read in order' on the inside jacket actually places this after 'The Screaming Citadel': maybe if I'd read that, this might flow better?
Andy K (10823 KP) Jul 28, 2018