Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Oct 21, 2017
Growing up in the 1980's means I can relate to much of the references in this book such as Blade Runner, Ferris Bueller's Day Out etc. but it seems to be laid on too thick as if it's trying to go along with this new revival of the era (Stranger Things, Ghostbusters).
Also as a non-gamer, this virtual world appears fatuous and vapid, hence the author seems to be gearing this book towards a new generation of players rather than those who were actually living during this time.
The character development and context of much of the book is poor, as Wade seems to have skills that materialise from nowhere, we just have to accept that he had indeed "read this and that". Overall, this book was clearly made to be a film, so it's unsurprising that Steven Spielberg has bought the rights.
Michael Morpurgo: War Child to War Horse
Book
Discover the true life story of favourite storyteller Michael Morpurgo, in this biography specially...
Under the Dome
Book
The second season of the television adaptation of UNDER THE DOME will receive its UK premiere on...
War Horse
Michael Morpurgo and Francois Place
Book
Before the Steven Spielberg film, before the National Theatre production, there was the classic...
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Book
For many, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (CE3K) is not so much a movie as a religious...
Ready Player One
Book
Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg. It's the year 2044, and the real...
Sci-Fi Utopia
Dane Cook recommended Halloween (1978) in Movies (curated)
Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert and David Bordwell
Book
Roger Ebert has been writing film reviews for the "Chicago Sun-Times" for over forty years. In fact,...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Bridge of Spies (2015) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
When suspected spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), is arrested New York Tax Attorney James Donovan (Tom Hanks) is asked to provide Abel with a competent defense so the United States can show the world that Abel was given a fair trial and due process despite the charges against him.
Although hesitant what defending an accused spy will bring hatred to him and his family, Donovan takes up the task and despite a judge and process that wants to railroad this to a conviction in spite of possible illegal search and seizure, Donovan is able to avoid the death penalty for his client and even files an appeal before the Supreme Court as he is convinced his client was convicted on evidence that was illegally obtained.
At the same time, a young Air Force pilot named Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), is shot down by the Russians in a U-2 spy plane and is paraded by the Russians on television before being convicted of being a Spy.
This situation increases and already tense situation and when the East German government starts to build the Berlin Wall and takes an American student prisoner for espionage, back channels contact Donovan to discuss a possible exchange of prisoners.
Now since this cannot be done by any official sanction of the U.S. or Russian governments, Donovan must in secret travel to Berlin and meet with figures to obtain a release. The U.S. wants Powers and considers the student an expendable throw in but Donovan is resolute to bring them both home in exchange for his client Abel.
The film is beautifully shot and masterfully acted with top performance by Hanks and the leads. The events are fairly close to the historical accounts I studied as a child and Spielberg is wise to let the story and the characters drive the film and not create over impassioned speeches or tacked on action sequences to build the drama.
The film is an early contender for several Oscar nominations as far as I am concerned as is one of the best movies of 2015.
http://sknr.net/2015/10/16/bridge-of-spies/
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies
Apr 5, 2018
Fun Tidbit: All of the cast were given a Raptor model, signed by Steven Spielberg as a gift. It looked very frightening, and Ariana Richards has it in her house to shock anyone coming in, like a guard at the gate. Jeff Goldblum's model has a prime spot in his house and is a cherished object. Laura Dern put her Raptor model in her son's room near his crib. When he was older and saw it he screamed like never before. She had to put it in storage, but hopes one day, the two will be friends.
Here's 2 awesome movie posters:


