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Sam Hill (23 KP) rated Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
Right from the start this movie feels like something made by people who know, and love Pokemon, and their love shines through in the quality of production. The movie is perfectly balanced in terms of exposition for those who have barely heard of Pokemon, and those (probably smaller) people who've dragged them along to watch it.
The start is a little slow and the lead character Tim (Justice Smith) starts the movie very much not wanting to be there, which turns out to be a fantastic complement to Ryan Reynold's Pikachu when he eventually turns up, very much a kid friendly Deadpool pushing his unwilling accomplice into investigating the mysterious circumstances of Tim's dad.
The CGI representations of Pokemon was spot on, they move naturally and look just the right side of realistic.
Also as a side note the movie very nicely ties up all the loose ends in the movie, there was no cliff hanger or set up for a sequel, and no massive gaping plot holes to endlessly niggle at your conscience.
Well worth a watch, especially if you, or your kids, are Pokemon fans.
The start is a little slow and the lead character Tim (Justice Smith) starts the movie very much not wanting to be there, which turns out to be a fantastic complement to Ryan Reynold's Pikachu when he eventually turns up, very much a kid friendly Deadpool pushing his unwilling accomplice into investigating the mysterious circumstances of Tim's dad.
The CGI representations of Pokemon was spot on, they move naturally and look just the right side of realistic.
Also as a side note the movie very nicely ties up all the loose ends in the movie, there was no cliff hanger or set up for a sequel, and no massive gaping plot holes to endlessly niggle at your conscience.
Well worth a watch, especially if you, or your kids, are Pokemon fans.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Terminator: Dark Fate (2019) in Movies
Oct 25, 2019 (Updated Oct 25, 2019)
Expectations for this sixth Terminator movie were so low that even with a breathe-on-it-and-it-collapses plot, this is an startlingly effective sequel. A young girl finds herself the target of an assassination machine from the future, but a cyborg soldier has also been sent back to protect her. But this is not the first time round the time loop, and survivors from a previous version of this story find themselves drawn into the conflict...
So, yes, the plot only just manages to hold together, and the film is saddled with a leadenly reductionist message to put across - but it smartly identifies the one reproducible element of Terminator 2 that was really distinctive (Sarah Connor's transformation into an unhinged bad-ass) and plays that for all it's worth, accompanying it with some cracking action and fight sequences. Arnie doesn't show up until quite late on, but is so effective when he does it really unbalances the film (he plays the comedy inherent in his role as a Terminator who's been living undercover in suburbia for decades with great aplomb). Still not exactly brilliant, but streets ahead of the ones with Christian Bale and Jason Clarke.
So, yes, the plot only just manages to hold together, and the film is saddled with a leadenly reductionist message to put across - but it smartly identifies the one reproducible element of Terminator 2 that was really distinctive (Sarah Connor's transformation into an unhinged bad-ass) and plays that for all it's worth, accompanying it with some cracking action and fight sequences. Arnie doesn't show up until quite late on, but is so effective when he does it really unbalances the film (he plays the comedy inherent in his role as a Terminator who's been living undercover in suburbia for decades with great aplomb). Still not exactly brilliant, but streets ahead of the ones with Christian Bale and Jason Clarke.
Fred (860 KP) rated Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) in Movies
Jan 22, 2019
Almost all of the classic characters are here! (2 more)
Roger is a great new "classic" character
Bob Hoskins & Christopher Lloyd are great!
A masterpiece of American animation
The movie starts with a cartoon that could just about pass as one of our favorite cartoons from the 40s (if not for the computer-hand-drawn objects within) & from there, it's non-stop. We're treated to a noir, but very colorful, detective story filled with American animations best characters. Characters from different studios share the screen for the first time ever. Bugs & Mickey, Donald & Daffy & a scene at the end which has just about everybody. The mixture of live-action with animation is nothing short of remarkable & a great technical achievement. Of course, they would not seem to interact so well if not for the human actors themselves. A lot of times, even today, when actors are working against nothing, they seem to stare to the wrong spot or past the character. But in Roger Rabbit, it's not the case. Hoskins is great at keeping this illusion. I heard there may be a sequel in the works & hope that it's true. Hopefully, they get the rights to Popeye this time.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Leprechaun Returns (2019) in Movies
Jul 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 11, 2020)
I think I sort of enjoyed this? Maybe?
I'm not a Leprechaun veteran by any means. I saw the first one years ago and that's about it, and I seem to remember that being pretty average.
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
As far as I can gather, Leprechaun Returns is a direct sequel to that original movie, discounting the many other sequels that followed.
"It's so bad that it's good" is an often used term that doesn't quite apply to LR.
There's certainly some fun to be had - the kills are fairly over the top and imaginative and the Leprechaun himself can be amusing at times, throwing limericks and rhymes all over the place whilst gleefully killing off the mostly annoying characters.
There's even a character from the original thrown into the mix, which I'm sure is a lovely inclusion for proper fans of the franchise.
Other than that, it's a pretty run-of-the-mill, unscary, teen horror movie.
It's the very meaning of mediocre, but for some reason I found myself satisfyingly entertained by the times the credits rolled.
I may even seek out the older sequels!
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated The Long War in Books
Nov 20, 2019
Taking up the story a generation after the events in The Long Earth, this book investigates the impact of human expansion on the races that already inhabit the stepwise worlds, in particular the Trolls and Beagles.
As with human colonisation throughout history, mankind has embraced the Long Earth and made the assumption that it is 'theirs' to do with as they want. And as history shows, this usually doesn't end well for the existing natives.
This then is an exploration of this in the context of the Long Earth, the potential for conflict arising from both mankind and the other sentient races and raising questions about how to co-exist. The title is a little misleading as there is no war as such, but it does set the tone.
As with the first book, the main interest in this is with the investigation of the different Earths that can be conceived, and how sentient races could be very different from us not only physically but also in their social norms, philosophy and ambitions.
This didn't measure up to the first book but it's not a bad sequel by any means
As with human colonisation throughout history, mankind has embraced the Long Earth and made the assumption that it is 'theirs' to do with as they want. And as history shows, this usually doesn't end well for the existing natives.
This then is an exploration of this in the context of the Long Earth, the potential for conflict arising from both mankind and the other sentient races and raising questions about how to co-exist. The title is a little misleading as there is no war as such, but it does set the tone.
As with the first book, the main interest in this is with the investigation of the different Earths that can be conceived, and how sentient races could be very different from us not only physically but also in their social norms, philosophy and ambitions.
This didn't measure up to the first book but it's not a bad sequel by any means
JT (287 KP) rated Annabelle Comes Home (2019) in Movies
Mar 2, 2020 (Updated Mar 10, 2020)
The Conjuring Universe has grown steadily over the years. The introduction of Annabelle was a sinister spin-off for a genre that was kicked started in terrifying style by James Wan. Since then it’s been up and down. The Conjuring spawned a sequel, with one more scheduled for next year. The Nun was introduced (poorly in my opinion) and with this, Annabelle has her trilogy.
Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are back again. The opening events serve as a continuation of the first film. When they leave their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace), in the hands of babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) and her friend Daniela (Katie Sarife) the inquizitive trio release the unwanted entity into the house.
These films are a mine field of jump scares and elongated tension. But that seems to be lacking as it takes time to really get going. When it does it is nothing that we haven’t experienced before. There are a few effective moments. Ghosts with coins on their eyes and a woman in a wedding dress provide some spine chilling scenes – but that is as far as it goes.
Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) are back again. The opening events serve as a continuation of the first film. When they leave their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace), in the hands of babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) and her friend Daniela (Katie Sarife) the inquizitive trio release the unwanted entity into the house.
These films are a mine field of jump scares and elongated tension. But that seems to be lacking as it takes time to really get going. When it does it is nothing that we haven’t experienced before. There are a few effective moments. Ghosts with coins on their eyes and a woman in a wedding dress provide some spine chilling scenes – but that is as far as it goes.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011) in Movies
Mar 20, 2020
Now... I know Herge himself chose Spielberg as the only director for Tintin before Herge passed away.
Instead of choosing to go with one adventure, or even two that were sequels/two-parts, the decision was made to mash up The Crab with the Golden Claws, and the Secret of the Unicorn. Tintin originally met Captain Haddock in the Crab with the Golden Claws (1941), not the Secret of the Unicorn (1943). Needless to say, I was completely confused. Tintin and Haddock were already friends, and Tintin bought the Unicorn as a gift... It was just bizarre to me. Why and how was that decision made? Yes, there were tons of homages to the adventures of Tintin overall, but the plot just felt all over the place.
I also did not dig the animation/mo-cap, it was very off-putting and distracting. Thank god the technology was improved in Ready Player One.
I think I was expecting too much. I wouldn't be remotely interested in a sequel for this. Maybe Spielberg will try it again? It would work better as a television series anyway, you've got 23 complete adventures, the stories need another chance.
Instead of choosing to go with one adventure, or even two that were sequels/two-parts, the decision was made to mash up The Crab with the Golden Claws, and the Secret of the Unicorn. Tintin originally met Captain Haddock in the Crab with the Golden Claws (1941), not the Secret of the Unicorn (1943). Needless to say, I was completely confused. Tintin and Haddock were already friends, and Tintin bought the Unicorn as a gift... It was just bizarre to me. Why and how was that decision made? Yes, there were tons of homages to the adventures of Tintin overall, but the plot just felt all over the place.
I also did not dig the animation/mo-cap, it was very off-putting and distracting. Thank god the technology was improved in Ready Player One.
I think I was expecting too much. I wouldn't be remotely interested in a sequel for this. Maybe Spielberg will try it again? It would work better as a television series anyway, you've got 23 complete adventures, the stories need another chance.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Crank (2006) in Movies
Jul 29, 2019
First Person Video Game
People forgot that hardcore henry was not the first, first person movie. It seems like people were like oh my god hardcore henry was this first person film, and its the first one and its shot like a video game and your in the charcters shoes.
Crank came out many years before hardcore henry and was a first person film, your in cranks shoes and it is shot like a video game, it is basically a video game. The plot even sounds like a video game.
The plot: Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away, then he awakes the next morning to a phone call that informs him he has been poisoned and has only an hour to live unless he keeps adrenaline coursing through his body while he searches for an antidote.
This film and its sequel i would highly reccordmend, not alot of people talk about these films.
It has action, drama, susepense, comedy, adventure. Hardcore henry is a copy and paste movie minus the everything that crank had.
Dont watch hardcore henry, watch this movie instead.
Crank came out many years before hardcore henry and was a first person film, your in cranks shoes and it is shot like a video game, it is basically a video game. The plot even sounds like a video game.
The plot: Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away, then he awakes the next morning to a phone call that informs him he has been poisoned and has only an hour to live unless he keeps adrenaline coursing through his body while he searches for an antidote.
This film and its sequel i would highly reccordmend, not alot of people talk about these films.
It has action, drama, susepense, comedy, adventure. Hardcore henry is a copy and paste movie minus the everything that crank had.
Dont watch hardcore henry, watch this movie instead.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Child's Play 2 (1990) in Movies
Aug 4, 2019
An enjoyably stupid step down from the first one
Child's Play 2 picks up pretty much where the first is left off, with Chuckys body being recovered and refurbished ready for a re sell.
Of course it doesn't take long for Chucky to escape, and head off on a murder spree to get back to Andy (the same kid from the first one)
This sequel straight up lacks the same quality that the first one boasts. The acting is pretty terrible for the most part (although it nice to see Twin Peaks veteran Grace Zabriskie), and the movie hasn't aged as well as the first.
It still has it's charms though. Chucky is ten times more foul mouthed than before, and the movie wastes little time in setting him loose.
I found it to be fairly boring for the most part, but the whole final act makes up for it.
The final showdown in a Good Guys factory is absolutely ludicrous, but it's part of what makes this series so iconic, and gives the film much needed boost ensuring that it ends on a high note.
Of course it doesn't take long for Chucky to escape, and head off on a murder spree to get back to Andy (the same kid from the first one)
This sequel straight up lacks the same quality that the first one boasts. The acting is pretty terrible for the most part (although it nice to see Twin Peaks veteran Grace Zabriskie), and the movie hasn't aged as well as the first.
It still has it's charms though. Chucky is ten times more foul mouthed than before, and the movie wastes little time in setting him loose.
I found it to be fairly boring for the most part, but the whole final act makes up for it.
The final showdown in a Good Guys factory is absolutely ludicrous, but it's part of what makes this series so iconic, and gives the film much needed boost ensuring that it ends on a high note.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Purge: Election Year (2016) in Movies
Apr 17, 2020
Olympus Has Fallen: White House Down
The Purge: Election Year- is a good sequel to anarchy. Like i said before this one and two are my favorite out of the whole franchise. These two really define this franchise as a whole. Cause it adds more suspense, more thrills, and more purging. Plus Frank Grillo is back which is a plus. I really like his charcter, like i said before he is a anti-hero, he wants to save people, but at the same time he only wants to save himself. He is the only charcter that i actually like and care about because he has a story ark.
The plot: Roan is a U.S. Senator campaigning for the U.S. Presidency, promising executive action to end the annual purge nights. Former police sergeant Leo Barnes is now head of security for Roan. The New Founding Fathers of America's (NFFA) and their candidate, Minister Edwidge Owens, view Roan as a threat; under the pretense of regaining public trust, they revoke immunity for government officials, including her, on Purge night.
Its a really good movie, i like it alot.
The plot: Roan is a U.S. Senator campaigning for the U.S. Presidency, promising executive action to end the annual purge nights. Former police sergeant Leo Barnes is now head of security for Roan. The New Founding Fathers of America's (NFFA) and their candidate, Minister Edwidge Owens, view Roan as a threat; under the pretense of regaining public trust, they revoke immunity for government officials, including her, on Purge night.
Its a really good movie, i like it alot.