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Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Popstar Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) in Movies
Mar 7, 2018
Donkey Roll All Day
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is a mockumentary following the life and times of hit maker Connor4Real (Andy Samberg). If you can manage to give in to its absolute absurdity, you are in for a major treat. Despite its short lull where a couple punchlines fall flat, Popstar has quickly risen to become one of my favorite comedies.
Not only is it funny, it's consistently funny. One minute you're laughing at something then something else ridiculously stupid happens and you're cracking up all over again. The hilarity ensues from the jump as you learn Connor4Real's history and the breakup of his former group The Style Boyz. Two words: Limo Scene. Just plain classic.
The cameos are countless and absurdly funny. The music is classic, the kind that gets stuck in your head, but in a good way. Saying too much else will ruin the experience. Just watch it. I give it a solid 98.
Not only is it funny, it's consistently funny. One minute you're laughing at something then something else ridiculously stupid happens and you're cracking up all over again. The hilarity ensues from the jump as you learn Connor4Real's history and the breakup of his former group The Style Boyz. Two words: Limo Scene. Just plain classic.
The cameos are countless and absurdly funny. The music is classic, the kind that gets stuck in your head, but in a good way. Saying too much else will ruin the experience. Just watch it. I give it a solid 98.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Designated Survivor - Season 1 in TV
Feb 15, 2018
Right from the first episode we are thrown into the thick of it as Tom Kirkman, an architect appointed to the US cabinet, is the appointed "designated survivor" - a member of government securely housed elsewhere during important events in case of a large scale attack. As he is watching the State of the Union Address, the unthinkable happens and the capitol building, with every other serving member of government inside, is blown up.
The first few episodes show Kirkman try and acclimatise with his new role and the task of reassuring citizens and finding those responsible. The series quickly adds a 24-style anti-terror task force to the mix, and the action flows thick and fast from there.
This is one of the more interesting, gripping and original series of recent years. A few annoying little plot holes in the last episodes (no CCTV in the white house?!, security checkpoints fail, boats vanishing) but otherwise excellent.
The first few episodes show Kirkman try and acclimatise with his new role and the task of reassuring citizens and finding those responsible. The series quickly adds a 24-style anti-terror task force to the mix, and the action flows thick and fast from there.
This is one of the more interesting, gripping and original series of recent years. A few annoying little plot holes in the last episodes (no CCTV in the white house?!, security checkpoints fail, boats vanishing) but otherwise excellent.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Sex Object: A Memoir in Books
Mar 18, 2018
Similar to many feminist experiences
Jessica Valenti is usually very articulate and analytical in her columns, which is why her memoir feels a shade different from her usual style.
I understand that the premise is to show how sexism doesn't happen in a vacuum and that an accumulation eventually wears down a person thus accepting their situation and even relenting to further abuse. Which is why by the half way point, Valenti herself seems bored of having to replay every terrible sexual incident, and the events become repetitive to the point of desensitization.
As a person, it's horrifying to go through it, as a reader - especially a female one - it does feel like I do not need hear about the details to understand it's happening. Perhaps writing this memoir is a cathartic experience for Valenti, we'll never know. It is sad, especially when she gives up on being herself and caters to everyone else, but that is something a lot of feminist memoirs reveal.
I understand that the premise is to show how sexism doesn't happen in a vacuum and that an accumulation eventually wears down a person thus accepting their situation and even relenting to further abuse. Which is why by the half way point, Valenti herself seems bored of having to replay every terrible sexual incident, and the events become repetitive to the point of desensitization.
As a person, it's horrifying to go through it, as a reader - especially a female one - it does feel like I do not need hear about the details to understand it's happening. Perhaps writing this memoir is a cathartic experience for Valenti, we'll never know. It is sad, especially when she gives up on being herself and caters to everyone else, but that is something a lot of feminist memoirs reveal.
Dana (24 KP) rated Howl and Other Poems in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I don't overly enjoy poetry for the most part, but I have to say, I really enjoy Allen Ginsberg's writing.
I had previously read "Howl" and "A Supermarket in California" which I very much enjoyed. The other poems, being new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ginsberg has a very interesting writing style that is very vivid. I love how he speaks directly to his fellow poets in some of his poems. In writing them in, he is giving them an even greater form of immortality.
I enjoyed the poem "America." It's asking the citizens of America what the war is worth, but America is also asking things of him that he wouldn't be able to live up to. He questions his own writing in this as well.
Ginsberg has a very musical beat to his poems that makes you have to keep reading. It pulls you along, especially when you read it out loud.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little book of poems.
I had previously read "Howl" and "A Supermarket in California" which I very much enjoyed. The other poems, being new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed.
Ginsberg has a very interesting writing style that is very vivid. I love how he speaks directly to his fellow poets in some of his poems. In writing them in, he is giving them an even greater form of immortality.
I enjoyed the poem "America." It's asking the citizens of America what the war is worth, but America is also asking things of him that he wouldn't be able to live up to. He questions his own writing in this as well.
Ginsberg has a very musical beat to his poems that makes you have to keep reading. It pulls you along, especially when you read it out loud.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little book of poems.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Wonder Wheel (2017) in Movies
Mar 12, 2018 (Updated Mar 12, 2018)
Not-bad-by-his-recent-standards-at-least Woody Allen melodrama (NB: theme park attractions are not central to plot). Frustrated former actress trapped in unhappy marriage with Fred Flintstone lookalike starts an affair with intellectual lifeguard, becomes insanely jealous when her stepdaughter also catches her lover's eye.
One of Allen's more theatrical movies - it certainly seems to have been made on a relatively low budget. Feels very much like a pastiche of Tennessee Williams or Eugene O'Neill, only considerably less subtle. At least as a character piece focused on a (somewhat) older woman there are fewer of the more problematic Allen tropes on display, and no sign of a laboured message or theme. Film is carried by a tremendous performance from Kate Winslet; Juno Temple is also good in a supporting role. Watchable stuff, certainly for Allen's remaining followers, although you do still wish he'd just make one more all-out comedy in the old-school style.
One of Allen's more theatrical movies - it certainly seems to have been made on a relatively low budget. Feels very much like a pastiche of Tennessee Williams or Eugene O'Neill, only considerably less subtle. At least as a character piece focused on a (somewhat) older woman there are fewer of the more problematic Allen tropes on display, and no sign of a laboured message or theme. Film is carried by a tremendous performance from Kate Winslet; Juno Temple is also good in a supporting role. Watchable stuff, certainly for Allen's remaining followers, although you do still wish he'd just make one more all-out comedy in the old-school style.
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Marvel's Jessica Jones - Season 1 in TV
Mar 14, 2018
film noir style (3 more)
amazing character development
strong female characters
perfect casting
She'll kick your ass, steal your wallet and all without spilling her drink
Jessica Jones Season 1 was such an amazing take on the comic books and really just gave me what I've been missing from the Marvel Universe. Krysten Ritter was not someone I would have picked to play Jessica Jones but she took the role by the horns and really just blew me away.
The show has some of the not only best female characters I've come across but has some of the best relationships between female characters which a lot of tv shows and movies miss out on for some reason.
For me though David Tennant was just the one that stole the entire show every time he was on screen he just drew you in and you just could not look away from him.
The show has some of the not only best female characters I've come across but has some of the best relationships between female characters which a lot of tv shows and movies miss out on for some reason.
For me though David Tennant was just the one that stole the entire show every time he was on screen he just drew you in and you just could not look away from him.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) in Movies
Apr 2, 2018
All style, no substance
It's a shame that Luc Besson has resorted to this. Considering his previous films, this should have been so much better.
The opening title scene starts off fairly well, it's just a shame that it then goes badly downhill with the introduction of Valerian and Laureline. The script is terrible and very cringeworthy, and it isn't helped by the lack of real chemistry between Dane DeHaan and Cara Delavigne. The plot is very weak and really drags out its 2+ hour run time, and it's very predictable. I have no idea as to why they felt the need to include Ethan Hawke and Rihanna, as their part of the plot was filler at best and could've easily been removed with little effect to the overall outcome. The visual effects are fantastic, it's just a shame they've concentrated on this instead of sorting out the horrendous script and weak plot.
The opening title scene starts off fairly well, it's just a shame that it then goes badly downhill with the introduction of Valerian and Laureline. The script is terrible and very cringeworthy, and it isn't helped by the lack of real chemistry between Dane DeHaan and Cara Delavigne. The plot is very weak and really drags out its 2+ hour run time, and it's very predictable. I have no idea as to why they felt the need to include Ethan Hawke and Rihanna, as their part of the plot was filler at best and could've easily been removed with little effect to the overall outcome. The visual effects are fantastic, it's just a shame they've concentrated on this instead of sorting out the horrendous script and weak plot.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Red Sparrow in Books
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)
An interesting slow burner
When I first started this book, I was unsure what to make of it as the writing style seemed a little odd. However I soon got into it and it's actually a very interesting read. It's definitely a slow burner, there isn't a massive amount of action and it takes it's time getting to the conclusion, but this isn't a bad thing.
The main characters are well developed, although I'm not sure how you're meant to feel towards them. I can't say I warmed to Dominika, but maybe that's the point? The plot itself is interesting and although there aren't any massive surprises, it's good enough to keep you reading regardless. My only criticism would be the ending, as it felt a little disappointing. It is probably a more realistic ending than what id hoped for, but sometimes fantasy is a good thing, especially in such a serious and dark novel.
The main characters are well developed, although I'm not sure how you're meant to feel towards them. I can't say I warmed to Dominika, but maybe that's the point? The plot itself is interesting and although there aren't any massive surprises, it's good enough to keep you reading regardless. My only criticism would be the ending, as it felt a little disappointing. It is probably a more realistic ending than what id hoped for, but sometimes fantasy is a good thing, especially in such a serious and dark novel.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Sem Rasto (Darby McCormick #1) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I have absolutely no idea how I came across this book. I'm glad I did, though. It was very well-written, and the character of Darby McCormick was fleshed out very thoroughly. I don't normally read many books of this genre, though I do watch shows like Criminal Minds.
The reveal as to the final villain felt somewhat off, - if I hadn't been reading an ebook, I probably would have flipped back to figure out what clues I had missed. That isn't quite as simple on an ereader, so I didn't, but I did spend time thinking it over. I read the book very quickly, when I wasn't feeling well, so it's entirely possible that I did miss something that I would have ordinarily caught.
I'll look for another book in the series to see if it is more intellectually satisfying for me, since I did like Darby and the overall writing style was enjoyable.
The reveal as to the final villain felt somewhat off, - if I hadn't been reading an ebook, I probably would have flipped back to figure out what clues I had missed. That isn't quite as simple on an ereader, so I didn't, but I did spend time thinking it over. I read the book very quickly, when I wasn't feeling well, so it's entirely possible that I did miss something that I would have ordinarily caught.
I'll look for another book in the series to see if it is more intellectually satisfying for me, since I did like Darby and the overall writing style was enjoyable.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Feb 12, 2018
Third time's a charm
Wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said that to cast one actor as Spider-Man is a sound artistic choice, but to cast three in only fifteen years is possibly taking the mickey? Hey ho. Marvel Studios bring all their usual skill to this latest addition to the series, and the result is as entertaining as you'd expect.
They do make quite a big deal out of the fact that Spider-Man is back in continuity with the Avengers (et al), much more so than happens in the other MCU films, but I suppose it's forgivable. The movie's two big innovations are to basically tell the story as a goofy 80s-style high school comedy, and to actually have a genuinely strong and memorable villain (Michael Keaton makes a real impression as another sort of birdman). Solid script; also very funny; doesn't quite supplant memories of the Sam Raimi-Tobey Maguire films, but stands comparison to them very well.
They do make quite a big deal out of the fact that Spider-Man is back in continuity with the Avengers (et al), much more so than happens in the other MCU films, but I suppose it's forgivable. The movie's two big innovations are to basically tell the story as a goofy 80s-style high school comedy, and to actually have a genuinely strong and memorable villain (Michael Keaton makes a real impression as another sort of birdman). Solid script; also very funny; doesn't quite supplant memories of the Sam Raimi-Tobey Maguire films, but stands comparison to them very well.