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Stephen (210 KP) rated As Above So Below (2014) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019 (Updated Mar 2, 2019)
Worthy Of A Watch
Contains spoilers, click to show
As I watched this tonight, all I could think of was ‘Tomb Raider meets The Descent’ - although much more emphasis is placed on the Tomb Raider element, which, when the film is classed as a horror movie just ends up watering down the horror element. Don’t get me wrong, there are some excellent ‘jump off the sofa’ moments, however a lot of what could have been achieved (e.g. the claustrophobic terror of ‘The Descent’) has been lost and overwhelmed by the Tomb Raider element, and to be honest this lets the film down slightly as some of the storyline is just plain stupid. I mean, OK it’s fine to search for an ancient relic, but finding the Philosopher’s Stone and then using it to heal fellow team members is just a bit too silly in my opinion.
Whilst I felt the film was well crafted, it does suffer from the annoying ‘camera jerking all over the place’ syndrome, meaning it’s sometimes virtually impossible to work out what is going on, and also means that when something scary is happening, it fails as you can’t see what it is you’re supposed to be scared by.
Overall, the film was enjoyable apart from the above mentioned negatives - oh, and the ending just SUCKS - a complete letdown.
Whilst I felt the film was well crafted, it does suffer from the annoying ‘camera jerking all over the place’ syndrome, meaning it’s sometimes virtually impossible to work out what is going on, and also means that when something scary is happening, it fails as you can’t see what it is you’re supposed to be scared by.
Overall, the film was enjoyable apart from the above mentioned negatives - oh, and the ending just SUCKS - a complete letdown.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 18, 2018 (Updated Mar 18, 2018)
So, the best advice I can give while watching this movie is to not compare it to the previous Lara Croft films.
I wasn't completely sold on Vikander as Lara, and she wasn't honestly that believable in the role. Maybe that can improve in the next films (if they're made), as this was essentially an origin story.
One thing that bothered my throughout was Lara's boots; it seems like a stupid thing to complain about, but the heel on them was ridiculous. Though, a positive thing on her costuming is that she was actually wearing a bra, unlike Jolie in the other films.
Walter Groggin's performance was a little pedestrian, I was expecting/hoping for a Django Unchained performance. But it wasn't, he seemed to be sleepwalking throughout the movie.
Now, the story: It was interesting, but a little clunky. They probably could have worked on that a little more. I was glad they took it out of the supernatural realm.
In the end, and right now, I'm really torn on whether or not I liked it. Maybe I need to see it again? I was entertained, at the very least.
**Also can we talk about Vikander's scary giraffe neck in the poster? CRAZY looking. In fact, I'm going to add the other poster so I don't have to look at it again.**
I wasn't completely sold on Vikander as Lara, and she wasn't honestly that believable in the role. Maybe that can improve in the next films (if they're made), as this was essentially an origin story.
One thing that bothered my throughout was Lara's boots; it seems like a stupid thing to complain about, but the heel on them was ridiculous. Though, a positive thing on her costuming is that she was actually wearing a bra, unlike Jolie in the other films.
Walter Groggin's performance was a little pedestrian, I was expecting/hoping for a Django Unchained performance. But it wasn't, he seemed to be sleepwalking throughout the movie.
Now, the story: It was interesting, but a little clunky. They probably could have worked on that a little more. I was glad they took it out of the supernatural realm.
In the end, and right now, I'm really torn on whether or not I liked it. Maybe I need to see it again? I was entertained, at the very least.
**Also can we talk about Vikander's scary giraffe neck in the poster? CRAZY looking. In fact, I'm going to add the other poster so I don't have to look at it again.**
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest in Books
Dec 7, 2018
creepy, scary haunted house
Blissful beginnings for a young couple turn into a nightmare after purchasing their dream home in Wales in 1989. Their love and their resolve are torn apart by an indescribable entity that pushes paranormal activity to the limit. Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest is the prequel to the bestselling A Most Haunted House. Dare you step inside...
Whether you are a believer in the paranormal or not you shall enjoy reading this book. This is a very well written story and it is based around the authors’ own experience he had living in a haunted house in Wales. The writer had over 20 years’ worth of evidence. There are incidents and events that still linger long after you finish reading that will keep you thinking long into the night.
This book for me is just brilliant and I love the paranormal as I grew up in a haunted house and have my own experiences as well. This book just grabs you and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere of the book is not for the faint hearted and easily scared but if you are be sure to read with all the lights on. You simply cannot go wrong if what you're looking for is an intense and spooky story.
Many thanks to John Hunt Publishing and Net Galley for an ARC.
Whether you are a believer in the paranormal or not you shall enjoy reading this book. This is a very well written story and it is based around the authors’ own experience he had living in a haunted house in Wales. The writer had over 20 years’ worth of evidence. There are incidents and events that still linger long after you finish reading that will keep you thinking long into the night.
This book for me is just brilliant and I love the paranormal as I grew up in a haunted house and have my own experiences as well. This book just grabs you and doesn’t let go. The atmosphere of the book is not for the faint hearted and easily scared but if you are be sure to read with all the lights on. You simply cannot go wrong if what you're looking for is an intense and spooky story.
Many thanks to John Hunt Publishing and Net Galley for an ARC.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Witch In The Window (2018) in Movies
Nov 9, 2018
Performances from father and son (1 more)
Exploration of a complex relationship
Not at all scary, but actually rather enjoyable
This is a Shudder original, and I was expecting a fairly standard haunted house scenario, and the setup doesn't disappoint in this regard.
A father has bought an old country house to renovate and sell, and bring his son out with him, who was recently found looking at 'unsavoury' things on the internet which had traumatised him.
The spooky house elements are fairly predictable, and there are lots of metaphors for the house being alive, the boiler being its 'heart' etc
However, what I actually ended up enjoying was the father-son relationship as they explore the flaws in their characters and come to realise the strength they both possess.
The movie actually becomes more of an exploration of weakness, be it, curiosity, fear of loss, fear of failure, and it is quite engrossing watching the two main leads bouncing off of eachother.
The supernatural element is largely unexplained, and honestly serves little purpose other than to bring father and son closer together, and to provide the grounding for a bittersweet ending.
This is a surprisingly good movie, but not at all what I thought I was in for when I started it up!
A father has bought an old country house to renovate and sell, and bring his son out with him, who was recently found looking at 'unsavoury' things on the internet which had traumatised him.
The spooky house elements are fairly predictable, and there are lots of metaphors for the house being alive, the boiler being its 'heart' etc
However, what I actually ended up enjoying was the father-son relationship as they explore the flaws in their characters and come to realise the strength they both possess.
The movie actually becomes more of an exploration of weakness, be it, curiosity, fear of loss, fear of failure, and it is quite engrossing watching the two main leads bouncing off of eachother.
The supernatural element is largely unexplained, and honestly serves little purpose other than to bring father and son closer together, and to provide the grounding for a bittersweet ending.
This is a surprisingly good movie, but not at all what I thought I was in for when I started it up!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Doctor Sleep (2019) in Movies
Oct 31, 2019
Shine on
So I recently watched The Shining again to prepare for this. I've not read the book so can't compare it to that. It's mainly set some 30 years after the events of The Shining with Danny now a grown man and struggling in life. He finally finds a calling and seems to settle in a small town where he can use his Shine in a positive way. He discovers a new child with a great power and also of a group who want to hunt her down exploit her power.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
For a long film it did whizz by as the story was very interesting. It's a different type of horror film to the original. Although it's still dark and disturbing in its content. We learn more about those with this power and the evil group who hunt down those with the power. It's good to see the overlook hotel again but in some ways this film didn't really need visit the old location. I guess it does give it more of a connection to the original. Although a couple of scenes there really would have been better cut out.
Overall it's a very interesting, entertaining film that might not be scary as such. It is very dark and menacing. A great expansion on the Shining universe.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated House on Haunted Hill (1999) in Movies
Jul 17, 2019 (Updated Jul 17, 2019)
Sweet Dreams
So this movie excist, house on haunted hill should of never been remade or touching in the first place, the oringal is a classic with vincent price introducing the movie and also starring in it.
Who stars in this one ohh fanke janssen, geoffrey rush who is a good actor but wasted in this movie, Taye diggs i never heard of him since the early 2000's, and ali larter who was only good in heroes. So not a good start.
The plot: A millionaire with theatrical tendencies, Stephen Price (Geoffrey Rush) invites a number of people to stay in a vast creepy building that used to be an insane asylum. Stephen, accompanied by his bitter wife, Evelyn (Famke Janssen), offers a million dollars to anyone who can stay the whole night without leaving out of fear. When Stephen and Evelyn become trapped with their guests, they quickly realize that the house really is haunted -- and the spirits dwelling within are very angry.
This movie is not scary, not oringal, not celver, not haunted, its not good.
Also for no pair of reason sweams by marlyon manson plays for no pair of reason, not once but twice. Once when the guess are driving to hill house and once at the end cridits.
Dont watch this movie it is a waste of your time, just watch the oringal movie.
Who stars in this one ohh fanke janssen, geoffrey rush who is a good actor but wasted in this movie, Taye diggs i never heard of him since the early 2000's, and ali larter who was only good in heroes. So not a good start.
The plot: A millionaire with theatrical tendencies, Stephen Price (Geoffrey Rush) invites a number of people to stay in a vast creepy building that used to be an insane asylum. Stephen, accompanied by his bitter wife, Evelyn (Famke Janssen), offers a million dollars to anyone who can stay the whole night without leaving out of fear. When Stephen and Evelyn become trapped with their guests, they quickly realize that the house really is haunted -- and the spirits dwelling within are very angry.
This movie is not scary, not oringal, not celver, not haunted, its not good.
Also for no pair of reason sweams by marlyon manson plays for no pair of reason, not once but twice. Once when the guess are driving to hill house and once at the end cridits.
Dont watch this movie it is a waste of your time, just watch the oringal movie.
Really plays with your emotions (2 more)
Creepy
Twists and turns
Stalking through the eyes of the stalker!
Joe is just an ordinary man who works in a book store - or that is was he wants everyone to think.
Joe becomes fixated with women, and uses modern technology to stalk them, strategically placing himself in their way in order to get them to notice him, whilst at the same time getting rid of the opposition (literally). The series has him following Beck, an aspiring writer.
The cast was well picked, with particular credit to Penn Badgley, who plays Joe- who makes a really believable butter wouldn’t melt book guy, frequently turning into psychopathic killer!
The script uses dark humour very well, which add a little light heartedness into an otherwise very dark story. It is also truest scary from a personal perspective, as to how much information Joe is able to use form people’s fb/ twitter (e.t.c.) accounts!
What I particularly enjoyed about this show, was that it is primarily shown through the perspective of Joe, an unusual twist, as on one side we really want to support Joe (being the main character), and we are forced to try to empathise with him, however, deep down, we know that he is a truest dark character.
I do hope that there will be a second series of this.
Joe becomes fixated with women, and uses modern technology to stalk them, strategically placing himself in their way in order to get them to notice him, whilst at the same time getting rid of the opposition (literally). The series has him following Beck, an aspiring writer.
The cast was well picked, with particular credit to Penn Badgley, who plays Joe- who makes a really believable butter wouldn’t melt book guy, frequently turning into psychopathic killer!
The script uses dark humour very well, which add a little light heartedness into an otherwise very dark story. It is also truest scary from a personal perspective, as to how much information Joe is able to use form people’s fb/ twitter (e.t.c.) accounts!
What I particularly enjoyed about this show, was that it is primarily shown through the perspective of Joe, an unusual twist, as on one side we really want to support Joe (being the main character), and we are forced to try to empathise with him, however, deep down, we know that he is a truest dark character.
I do hope that there will be a second series of this.
Merissa (13950 KP) rated Guardian in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Goddess Fish Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!
There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.
Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
Holy Smoke, this book will give you something new to read. The story starts with 17-year-old Maggie suffering from being bullied by a jock, Serge. As you read, you find out that Maggie has strange abilities although she is quite content and able to deal with them. What makes this all the better is that her dad knows and helps too. There is no absentee parenting with this pair!
There is no slacking off in this book, you are literally carried from one thing to another. It has multiple layers and is woven together so well, that you will go where the book takes you instead of trying to figure it out beforehand.
Along with trying to solve a murder and not being killed in the process, you also have teenage angst in there of the uncertainty of knowing if someone likes you or not. There are also humorous moments, scary moments, tragic moments and sad. This book basically has it all.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I really hope there is more to come. Favourite line of the book has to be right at the end - "Who knew I'd have to die to start living?" Excellent stuff and highly recommended.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Gate II: Trespassers (1992) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
Was hoping for better
I was a huge fan of the original The Gate when I was a kid and rewatched recently and still enjoyed. I am not sure I even knew they made a sequel until recently which makes sense now that I have seen it.
Glenn's friend Terry returns with two other annoying teen jerks and a pretty girl to summon another small demon into our dimension from theirs. It is all fun and games at first when they realize they can get their wishes granted like getting a vintage Corvette or lots of cash, but the fun soon fades when their gifts turn into shit. I mean literal shit (kind of weird). Things get scary then when two of the teens start transforming into weird creatures and Terry and girl "friend" have to band together to save humanity.
I don't mind dated movies since I am now dated myself, but this one just didn't work. Filmmakers of the original were surprised when it was a moderate hit, so they slapped this script together just to get something out there and it shows. The characters are one dimensional and not very funny or interesting and the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
The final 20 minutes kind of saves the film a little with some cool creature effects, but by then it is too late.
Glenn's friend Terry returns with two other annoying teen jerks and a pretty girl to summon another small demon into our dimension from theirs. It is all fun and games at first when they realize they can get their wishes granted like getting a vintage Corvette or lots of cash, but the fun soon fades when their gifts turn into shit. I mean literal shit (kind of weird). Things get scary then when two of the teens start transforming into weird creatures and Terry and girl "friend" have to band together to save humanity.
I don't mind dated movies since I am now dated myself, but this one just didn't work. Filmmakers of the original were surprised when it was a moderate hit, so they slapped this script together just to get something out there and it shows. The characters are one dimensional and not very funny or interesting and the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
The final 20 minutes kind of saves the film a little with some cool creature effects, but by then it is too late.