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Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Tower of Terror (1997) in Movies
Jan 19, 2018
Disney tv movie can't remember if it was a wonderful world of Disney or a Disney channel movie based on the tower of terror ride. It is the anniversary of the disappearance of kid actor Sally shine and 4 other people who disappeared when lightning hit the Hollywood tower hotel. Disgraced reporter buzzy played by Steve Guttenberg gets a visitor and decided to go there to take a story with his niece played by Kristen dunst. Is the story true, are there ghosts, evil forces, or nothing but dust in this tower only watching it will you find out. A little cheesy but good Disney fare.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Battle of the Sexes (2016) in Movies
Oct 2, 2018
Interesting with some great acting
It's worrying to think that the events in this film happened in the 70s, and whilst a lot of things have changed, these sort of opinions towards women still haven't been completely eradicated. That said, this film does a great job with this particular story and as it's not one i knew much about, I found it really interesting.
Both Emma Stone and Steve Carell are fantastic in this. Carell especially is hilariously bonkers and engaging to watch. The story itself is fairly motivating, if not slightly depressing and disturbing regarding women's rights and treatment. I have no issue with any of the romantic side of this film, and I think knowing the motivations and backstory of the characters helps, however I felt some of the romance side was a little forced and could've been dealt with a little better. This could've been due to the excessive amount of close up camera shots that got a little unnerving after a while.
This is a good interesting film and definitely one to watch, although it's not one you'd ever need a repeat viewing of.
Both Emma Stone and Steve Carell are fantastic in this. Carell especially is hilariously bonkers and engaging to watch. The story itself is fairly motivating, if not slightly depressing and disturbing regarding women's rights and treatment. I have no issue with any of the romantic side of this film, and I think knowing the motivations and backstory of the characters helps, however I felt some of the romance side was a little forced and could've been dealt with a little better. This could've been due to the excessive amount of close up camera shots that got a little unnerving after a while.
This is a good interesting film and definitely one to watch, although it's not one you'd ever need a repeat viewing of.
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated The Meg (2018) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Now I have to say that I’ve been looking forward to seeing The Meg ever since I first saw the trailer a while back and at the time I had no idea that the movie was based on a series of books by Steve Alten, with this movie based on the first book, “MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror“, suffice to say I’ll be grabbing some of them to read very soon. Shark movies have become a little stale of the last few years and to be honest they have never thrilled me as much as Jaws, but The Meg certainly adds a whole new twist to the shark movie.
Joey Santiago recommended Album by Public Image Ltd in Music (curated)
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Little Miss Sunshine (2006) in Movies
Mar 24, 2021
Adorably heartwarming
Film #17 on the 100 Movies Bucket List: Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is a quirky gem of an indie film from 2006 that whilst a favourite of mine and Oscar nominated, has likely flown below the radar for many mainstream viewers. Which is a huge shame as this is such a fun, heartwarming and enjoyable film
Directed by husband and wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Little Miss Sunshine follows the life of the dysfunctional Hoover family from New Mexico. The Hoovers are a family of unfortunates, misfits and losers, and probably one of the most realistic family depictions you’ll ever seen on screen outside of reality TV. There’s Sheryl (Toni Collette), the harassed mum who keeps her family fed on fast food. Dad Richard (Greg Kinnear) who’s trying to peddle a failing business that focuses on teaching others the secrets to success. Grandpa Edwin (Alan Arkin), an ageing hippie with a drug habit that has been kicked out of his retirement home. Sheryl’s brother Frank (Steve Carell), a gay man currently recovering from a suicide attempt after his partner left him. Son Duane (Paul Dano) who’s goal to get into flight school has led him to take a vow of silence. And finally there’s young daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin), who’s obsession with beauty pageants leads the family to take a cross country trip in an ageing VW van to help her compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. Along the way, the family encounter a variety of mishaps and events that can potentially change their lives.
The Hoover family for the most part are ridiculously lovable and this is entirely down to their flaws that they are so likeable. Aside from Dad Richard who has a number of questionable ethics and morals that demean others, the family and their unique quirky personalities are the main reason why this film is so enjoyable. And the fact that the entire family are all brought together by young Olive across the span of the film makes this incredibly heartwarming. Olive is an underdog and being realistic, not the type of girl who you’d see in your typical American beauty pageant, but you still find yourself rooting for her all the same.
The cast are fantastic and while you can always rely on Toni Collette, Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear, it’s Steve Carell and Abigail Breslin that shine brightest. Until this, I didn’t think Steve Carell could do serious and especially not a role that like. But he excels, bringing a sad, intelligent air to Frank and personally I think this is his best role to date. And then there’s Abigail Breslin, a 9 year old who steals the show and pulls the entire cast and film together. Together with a clever, well written script, the cast pull together a heartwarming and surprisingly funny film where emotions and family are key to an eventful road trip.
What I enjoyed the most about Little Miss Sunshine is that while the journey the family take is obviously most important, we do at least get the joy of seeing Olive enter the beauty pageant and this is such a fitting end to the story. There may be some slightly unbelievable or predictable events that occur across the journey (the police traffic stop being one), but ultimately you come out of this feeling incredibly satisfied and rather warm and fuzzy inside. One of the most enjoyable family road trip movies I’ve ever seen.
Little Miss Sunshine is a quirky gem of an indie film from 2006 that whilst a favourite of mine and Oscar nominated, has likely flown below the radar for many mainstream viewers. Which is a huge shame as this is such a fun, heartwarming and enjoyable film
Directed by husband and wife team Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Little Miss Sunshine follows the life of the dysfunctional Hoover family from New Mexico. The Hoovers are a family of unfortunates, misfits and losers, and probably one of the most realistic family depictions you’ll ever seen on screen outside of reality TV. There’s Sheryl (Toni Collette), the harassed mum who keeps her family fed on fast food. Dad Richard (Greg Kinnear) who’s trying to peddle a failing business that focuses on teaching others the secrets to success. Grandpa Edwin (Alan Arkin), an ageing hippie with a drug habit that has been kicked out of his retirement home. Sheryl’s brother Frank (Steve Carell), a gay man currently recovering from a suicide attempt after his partner left him. Son Duane (Paul Dano) who’s goal to get into flight school has led him to take a vow of silence. And finally there’s young daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin), who’s obsession with beauty pageants leads the family to take a cross country trip in an ageing VW van to help her compete in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant. Along the way, the family encounter a variety of mishaps and events that can potentially change their lives.
The Hoover family for the most part are ridiculously lovable and this is entirely down to their flaws that they are so likeable. Aside from Dad Richard who has a number of questionable ethics and morals that demean others, the family and their unique quirky personalities are the main reason why this film is so enjoyable. And the fact that the entire family are all brought together by young Olive across the span of the film makes this incredibly heartwarming. Olive is an underdog and being realistic, not the type of girl who you’d see in your typical American beauty pageant, but you still find yourself rooting for her all the same.
The cast are fantastic and while you can always rely on Toni Collette, Alan Arkin and Greg Kinnear, it’s Steve Carell and Abigail Breslin that shine brightest. Until this, I didn’t think Steve Carell could do serious and especially not a role that like. But he excels, bringing a sad, intelligent air to Frank and personally I think this is his best role to date. And then there’s Abigail Breslin, a 9 year old who steals the show and pulls the entire cast and film together. Together with a clever, well written script, the cast pull together a heartwarming and surprisingly funny film where emotions and family are key to an eventful road trip.
What I enjoyed the most about Little Miss Sunshine is that while the journey the family take is obviously most important, we do at least get the joy of seeing Olive enter the beauty pageant and this is such a fitting end to the story. There may be some slightly unbelievable or predictable events that occur across the journey (the police traffic stop being one), but ultimately you come out of this feeling incredibly satisfied and rather warm and fuzzy inside. One of the most enjoyable family road trip movies I’ve ever seen.
Saoirse Ronan recommended Three Amigos! (1986) in Movies (curated)
BookInspector (124 KP) rated Alive (The Craftsman #0.5) in Books
Sep 24, 2020
I know that this short story was a teaser for Sharon Bolton’s book “Craftsman”, but I listened to it after I read the book itself, and I actually recommend doing it that way, for me, it gave different perspective towards the characters and quite a bit of confusion, to be honest.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
It tells you the stories of three teenagers, Susan, Steve and Patsy, and how they vanished. And I think they were awesome. Their stories are absolutely engrossing, making “Craftsman” even more dark and sinister. I loved the way Sharon Bolton poetically describes the moon, and I loved the way she made those three stories so twisty and intriguing. It is told from multiple perspectives and really opens up these characters to the reader.
So, without spoiling it for you, if you read Craftsman by Sharon Bolton, you have to listen/ read this little story as well.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Lincoln Myth (Cotton Malone, #9) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Well as usual Steve Berry does it again, with a little help from Cotton Malone that is! I have yet to read a book by Berry that I had an easy time putting down & I can' imagine that I will ever find one. Malone is one of my favorite characters of all time. And the plots that Berry weaves around him are top notch, fast paced, & not easy to figure out. The Lincoln Myth is no exception to this formula.
The plot of this book centers around Lincoln and a secret deal he may or may have not made with Brigham Young during the Civil War. Calling this The Lincoln Myth is spot on. So many questions are raised & it really makes you think. All of the theories presented are so well researched & written that as a reader you almost forget that it is just a fictitious story & books like that are the best kind to read.
The plot of this book centers around Lincoln and a secret deal he may or may have not made with Brigham Young during the Civil War. Calling this The Lincoln Myth is spot on. So many questions are raised & it really makes you think. All of the theories presented are so well researched & written that as a reader you almost forget that it is just a fictitious story & books like that are the best kind to read.
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated Steve Jobs (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Steve Jobs is written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Danny Boyle, stars Micheal Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Now that those formalities are out of the way I will just come out and say it. Steve Jobs is the best dramatic bio-pic I have seen. In fact, it is the best movie I have seen this year. Acted fantastically to the point of realism, the film takes the typical three act story arc and shows us the life of Steve Jobs at three periods of his life right before a product launch where we see Jobs as both innovator and villain alike. Each period consist of the 30-45 minutes of visually stimulating and aggressive cinematography leading up to each product launch and how the major people in Job’s life come in and out of those moments. These moments reveal that seemingly simple interactions with Jobs lead to a constant chess match of words and minds to maintain the reality distortion field of a seemingly great man but seemingly not a very good person. Clearly the film takes some Hollywood liberties, but with the screenplay based off the authorized biography of the same name by Walter Isaacson, the film Steve Jobs is probably the most realistic portrayal we may see of the man himself.
That portrayal is delivered splendidly by Michael Fassbender. Fassbender’s performance though each phase of the film is scary. That is to say he plays the egotistical narcissist to perfection. We get real moments of a cold and calculating manipulative intelligent person with quiet moments of compassion here or there. During arguments, Fassbender knows how to delivers bombs out of moments where you would not expect them and at points those arguments feel like high speed action scenes in an otherwise action less film. It is quite remarkable to witness.
Seth Rogen (uncredited) delivers the best dramatic performance of his career as Steve Wozniak. Michael Stuhlbarg likewise delivers a solid performance that stands in this film. While Jeff Daniels, coming off a great performance in the recently successful film The Martian, delivers an outstanding nuanced performance here across from Fassbender. When the two of them are on screen together it is as if they are speaking high prose to each other, albeit at times screaming. I would not be surprised if Daniels is nomination on his work for this film.
Finally we come to Kate Winslet who plays marketing executive Joanna Hoffman. To me she delivered the most fantastic performance in this film. Perhaps because she was the likable better half to Fassbender but more importantly we see this woman who is the only one to stand up to and in a sense understand Steve Jobs’s reality distortion field and work in and out of it as she desperately tries to hold everything together. We she her grow as someone who clearly loves and admires this man however recognizes his faults and is willing to call him out on them. Winslet reminds us yet again why she is one of the best actress in Hollywood and I predict she will be taking home a little gold statue to go with her performance in this film.
If you are still on the fence about watching this film, let me push you off it. Watch it. That may not mean in theaters, which is perhaps my only small complaint about this film. This is the type of film that would be great if it was released same day on digital distribution so you could watch it a few times from home over a few days while you think about it. But at some point you owe it to yourself to be amazed by the fantastic performances and cinematography of this film. While it may not be something you have to see on the big screen, it is absolutely worth the full price of admission. Do not miss it.
Now that those formalities are out of the way I will just come out and say it. Steve Jobs is the best dramatic bio-pic I have seen. In fact, it is the best movie I have seen this year. Acted fantastically to the point of realism, the film takes the typical three act story arc and shows us the life of Steve Jobs at three periods of his life right before a product launch where we see Jobs as both innovator and villain alike. Each period consist of the 30-45 minutes of visually stimulating and aggressive cinematography leading up to each product launch and how the major people in Job’s life come in and out of those moments. These moments reveal that seemingly simple interactions with Jobs lead to a constant chess match of words and minds to maintain the reality distortion field of a seemingly great man but seemingly not a very good person. Clearly the film takes some Hollywood liberties, but with the screenplay based off the authorized biography of the same name by Walter Isaacson, the film Steve Jobs is probably the most realistic portrayal we may see of the man himself.
That portrayal is delivered splendidly by Michael Fassbender. Fassbender’s performance though each phase of the film is scary. That is to say he plays the egotistical narcissist to perfection. We get real moments of a cold and calculating manipulative intelligent person with quiet moments of compassion here or there. During arguments, Fassbender knows how to delivers bombs out of moments where you would not expect them and at points those arguments feel like high speed action scenes in an otherwise action less film. It is quite remarkable to witness.
Seth Rogen (uncredited) delivers the best dramatic performance of his career as Steve Wozniak. Michael Stuhlbarg likewise delivers a solid performance that stands in this film. While Jeff Daniels, coming off a great performance in the recently successful film The Martian, delivers an outstanding nuanced performance here across from Fassbender. When the two of them are on screen together it is as if they are speaking high prose to each other, albeit at times screaming. I would not be surprised if Daniels is nomination on his work for this film.
Finally we come to Kate Winslet who plays marketing executive Joanna Hoffman. To me she delivered the most fantastic performance in this film. Perhaps because she was the likable better half to Fassbender but more importantly we see this woman who is the only one to stand up to and in a sense understand Steve Jobs’s reality distortion field and work in and out of it as she desperately tries to hold everything together. We she her grow as someone who clearly loves and admires this man however recognizes his faults and is willing to call him out on them. Winslet reminds us yet again why she is one of the best actress in Hollywood and I predict she will be taking home a little gold statue to go with her performance in this film.
If you are still on the fence about watching this film, let me push you off it. Watch it. That may not mean in theaters, which is perhaps my only small complaint about this film. This is the type of film that would be great if it was released same day on digital distribution so you could watch it a few times from home over a few days while you think about it. But at some point you owe it to yourself to be amazed by the fantastic performances and cinematography of this film. While it may not be something you have to see on the big screen, it is absolutely worth the full price of admission. Do not miss it.
