Search
Search results
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Black Christmas (2019) in Movies
Dec 19, 2019
Horrendous
There are a lot of films that are so bad they're good, but unfortunately Black Christmas is so bad it's terrible. There is nothing redeemable about this film at all. I came out of the cinema after watching this feeling frustrated, exasperated and bored as hell.
This is the worst example of a horror film I've seen in a long time. The scares arent scary and despite the fact that it's a 15 certificate there's no blood or gore either. There's no tension, no suspense - there is literally nothing in this film that makes it an even halfway decent horror. It starts off slowly and doesn't get any better, and the acting and script are truly awful. Even Imogen Poots who I've previously thought was good in other films is terrible in this too. 30 minutes into this film I would've happily walked out and not cared about the outcome. And the worst thing about this is the plot and the completely irrational actions of the characters. The men vs women plot is trying to be modern and relevant, but actually comes across as preachy and beyond stupid. And some of the actions and decisions by characters in this film had me nearly shouting at the screen in exasperation.
This film was only 100 minutes long but it felt more like 100 hours. I went to see this purely because I was intrigued as to whether it turns out exactly like the trailer, and sadly I wasn't wrong. Don't waste a couple of hours of your life watching this, just watch the 2 minute trailer instead - it sums up the entire thing and is actually a lot more exciting! This is without a doubt the worst film I've seen at the cinema all year.
This is the worst example of a horror film I've seen in a long time. The scares arent scary and despite the fact that it's a 15 certificate there's no blood or gore either. There's no tension, no suspense - there is literally nothing in this film that makes it an even halfway decent horror. It starts off slowly and doesn't get any better, and the acting and script are truly awful. Even Imogen Poots who I've previously thought was good in other films is terrible in this too. 30 minutes into this film I would've happily walked out and not cared about the outcome. And the worst thing about this is the plot and the completely irrational actions of the characters. The men vs women plot is trying to be modern and relevant, but actually comes across as preachy and beyond stupid. And some of the actions and decisions by characters in this film had me nearly shouting at the screen in exasperation.
This film was only 100 minutes long but it felt more like 100 hours. I went to see this purely because I was intrigued as to whether it turns out exactly like the trailer, and sadly I wasn't wrong. Don't waste a couple of hours of your life watching this, just watch the 2 minute trailer instead - it sums up the entire thing and is actually a lot more exciting! This is without a doubt the worst film I've seen at the cinema all year.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Window Breaks in Books
Mar 1, 2020
Dripping with tension and atmosphere
Well, that certainly was a page-turner with non-stop action from the sound of breaking glass to the sickening crack of metal against bone.
Tom, his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Holly, have been through it. First their teenage son, Michael, and his girlfriend, Fiona, die in a road traffic collision when Michael was driving and if that wasn't bad enough, Holly is viciously attacked by a mugger. What's needed is for them to getaway and take Tom's boss up on his offer of time away at his secluded and secure lodge in Scotland ... what could possibly go wrong?
Written mainly from Tom's perspective, we are taken on a thrilling journey of survival; we are lulled into a false sense of security when Tom and his family arrive at the lodge but are quickly plunged into a nightmare when they are awoken by the sound of someone walking on broken glass. When Tom goes to investigate, what he sees makes his heart drop to his toes and so it begins đ°
Tom's voice is a breath of fresh air because he is not your usual macho Bear Grylls hero, he is a "normal" husband and father ... vulnerable, fearful and afraid but determined to protect his family despite not being particularly brave, strong or fit ... this made him more real somehow and because of this, you are never quite sure how this was going to end.
With an easy to read, flowing style, this book is dripping with tension and atmosphere with many hold-your-breath moments that had me gripped and eagerly flipping my KindleÂŽ ... I couldn't read fast enough.
Recommended reading for action/thriller/suspense lovers.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
Tom, his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Holly, have been through it. First their teenage son, Michael, and his girlfriend, Fiona, die in a road traffic collision when Michael was driving and if that wasn't bad enough, Holly is viciously attacked by a mugger. What's needed is for them to getaway and take Tom's boss up on his offer of time away at his secluded and secure lodge in Scotland ... what could possibly go wrong?
Written mainly from Tom's perspective, we are taken on a thrilling journey of survival; we are lulled into a false sense of security when Tom and his family arrive at the lodge but are quickly plunged into a nightmare when they are awoken by the sound of someone walking on broken glass. When Tom goes to investigate, what he sees makes his heart drop to his toes and so it begins đ°
Tom's voice is a breath of fresh air because he is not your usual macho Bear Grylls hero, he is a "normal" husband and father ... vulnerable, fearful and afraid but determined to protect his family despite not being particularly brave, strong or fit ... this made him more real somehow and because of this, you are never quite sure how this was going to end.
With an easy to read, flowing style, this book is dripping with tension and atmosphere with many hold-your-breath moments that had me gripped and eagerly flipping my KindleÂŽ ... I couldn't read fast enough.
Recommended reading for action/thriller/suspense lovers.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest review.
JT (287 KP) rated The Boy (2016) in Movies
Mar 2, 2020 (Updated Mar 3, 2020)
Gripping in parts but not a standout
d put off watching this for some time, but when I caught the trailer for Brahms: The Boy II which on the face of it looked quite good, I had to give the original one a go.
Having seen Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead for as many seasons as I could stand before I gave up on it, she always stood out as a talented actress.
Here she plays Greta Evans who is looking to escape an abusive past and finds sanctuary in a small English village as a nanny for a wealthy couple and their 8-year old boy, Brahms.
Turns out that young Brahms is a doll and parents Mr and Mrs Heelshire care for him just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20-years earlier.
The Boy is a horror film that does little to ignite the nerves but it does hold a degree of suspense. Greta, unconvinced by Brahms flaunts a set of strict rules set by the parents and itâs only then that things start to get eerie.
With no one to turn to except local deliveryman Malcolm (Rupert Evans), she is convinced there is something more to Brahms than just his creepy blank stare. And she would be right, as the little wooden boy goes full Pinocchio and starts moving about, or does he?
While itâs daft I did find myself gripped in certain parts although Iâm not sure it warranted a sequel but a sequel it has got â just donât expect a standout horror film.
Having seen Lauren Cohan as Maggie in The Walking Dead for as many seasons as I could stand before I gave up on it, she always stood out as a talented actress.
Here she plays Greta Evans who is looking to escape an abusive past and finds sanctuary in a small English village as a nanny for a wealthy couple and their 8-year old boy, Brahms.
Turns out that young Brahms is a doll and parents Mr and Mrs Heelshire care for him just like a real boy, as a way to cope with the death of their actual son 20-years earlier.
The Boy is a horror film that does little to ignite the nerves but it does hold a degree of suspense. Greta, unconvinced by Brahms flaunts a set of strict rules set by the parents and itâs only then that things start to get eerie.
With no one to turn to except local deliveryman Malcolm (Rupert Evans), she is convinced there is something more to Brahms than just his creepy blank stare. And she would be right, as the little wooden boy goes full Pinocchio and starts moving about, or does he?
While itâs daft I did find myself gripped in certain parts although Iâm not sure it warranted a sequel but a sequel it has got â just donât expect a standout horror film.
JT (287 KP) rated Chloe (2010) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
As sexual thrillers go this is hardly up there with the best of them, in fact it boarder lines on B-movie soft porn. Director Atom Egoyan is no stranger to this type of erotic genre having previously helmed such films as Exotica and Where The Truth Lies. But this latest turn lacked something in the plot and it just seemed to fall at the last hurdle.
With three exceptional acting talents, more so from Seyfried whose role in this as the sexy femme fatal is a far cry from Mamma Mia. For Moore it was a role that may have caused much whispering in Hollywood if anything for the lesbian clinch mid way through.
From the outset it looks as if we are going to be in for a great little thriller. Mooreâs Catherine is desperate to find out if her husband (Neeson) is as honest as he says he is. But she is apparently drawn into Chloeâs sexual tales and meets up with her on countless occasions to have the events graphically recited back to her like some x-rated book club.
This is where the film seems to lack the tension that we might have been hoping for, with the exception of maybe a little flurry at the end. It never really digs its nails underneath the skin and claws at us, we hope that it will arrive at some point but alas it never does. The ending is disappointing.
However, Seyfriedâs sheer beauty is not for question, she is curvaceous and captivating and her scenes with Moore are extremely sensuous, one in particular will make you sit bolt up right in your seat.
At the end of it all youâll walk away flustered, but it certainly wonât be from the gripping suspense.
With three exceptional acting talents, more so from Seyfried whose role in this as the sexy femme fatal is a far cry from Mamma Mia. For Moore it was a role that may have caused much whispering in Hollywood if anything for the lesbian clinch mid way through.
From the outset it looks as if we are going to be in for a great little thriller. Mooreâs Catherine is desperate to find out if her husband (Neeson) is as honest as he says he is. But she is apparently drawn into Chloeâs sexual tales and meets up with her on countless occasions to have the events graphically recited back to her like some x-rated book club.
This is where the film seems to lack the tension that we might have been hoping for, with the exception of maybe a little flurry at the end. It never really digs its nails underneath the skin and claws at us, we hope that it will arrive at some point but alas it never does. The ending is disappointing.
However, Seyfriedâs sheer beauty is not for question, she is curvaceous and captivating and her scenes with Moore are extremely sensuous, one in particular will make you sit bolt up right in your seat.
At the end of it all youâll walk away flustered, but it certainly wonât be from the gripping suspense.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
The newest installment of The Hunger Games series brings us to District 13 after Katniss Everdeen has been rescued from the Games and whisked off to supposed safety.
The movie is huge and sweeping and grabs the viewer from the very start.
Unlike the first two films, it could conceivably stand alone, and the viewer would âget itâ without having read the books.
I read all 3 books back to back in 15 hours, back before the first movie was released. The Mockingjay â Part 1 makes me want to go re-read the books all over again.
All the main characters are back; Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gail Hawthorne, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch,
and Donald Sutherland as President Snow. Mockingjay introduces Julianne Moore as President Coin.
A lot of the movie is based on Katniss watching screens to see what is going on in the capital, but there are enough outside action scenes throughout the film to ensure you donât just feel like youâre watching a film of someone watching tv.
I didnât, and donât think anyone in the theatre had any teary eyed moments like I did in the first two films. This movie was less emotionally heart wrenching, and had much more of a ârally the troopsâ feel, but thatâs what the goal was. I certainly was rooting for Katniss in the action scenes and at several points in the film I jumped in my seat.
I didnât really âlikeâ the ending scene, but understand why it was ended there. Mockingjay part 1 completely builds suspense for what will be Mockingjay 2, and again, drives me to want to re-read the books.
I would give this movie 4.75 out of 5 stars.
The movie is huge and sweeping and grabs the viewer from the very start.
Unlike the first two films, it could conceivably stand alone, and the viewer would âget itâ without having read the books.
I read all 3 books back to back in 15 hours, back before the first movie was released. The Mockingjay â Part 1 makes me want to go re-read the books all over again.
All the main characters are back; Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Liam Hemsworth as Gail Hawthorne, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch,
and Donald Sutherland as President Snow. Mockingjay introduces Julianne Moore as President Coin.
A lot of the movie is based on Katniss watching screens to see what is going on in the capital, but there are enough outside action scenes throughout the film to ensure you donât just feel like youâre watching a film of someone watching tv.
I didnât, and donât think anyone in the theatre had any teary eyed moments like I did in the first two films. This movie was less emotionally heart wrenching, and had much more of a ârally the troopsâ feel, but thatâs what the goal was. I certainly was rooting for Katniss in the action scenes and at several points in the film I jumped in my seat.
I didnât really âlikeâ the ending scene, but understand why it was ended there. Mockingjay part 1 completely builds suspense for what will be Mockingjay 2, and again, drives me to want to re-read the books.
I would give this movie 4.75 out of 5 stars.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
When it comes to food, opinions on colors, flavors, and textures are dynamic. No two foodies are the same. Throughout the world culinary differences abound; even ideas of what constitutes a food can be disparate. Blurring the line between history and the future, favorite dishes get modern twists and contemporary chefs discover innovation by studying the foods of yesteryear.
Films always have a location, but while âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is set in small town France, the story really exists at the crossroads of two fiercely independent culinary traditions. Throughout the film, Indian and French cuisines feed the visual storytelling and nourish the scenes.
As the leading man, Hassan, actor Manish Dayal plays a convincing chef struggling between two cultural and culinary worlds. But it is the support of Papa, Hassanâs can-do attitude driven father, played by actor Om Puri, and Michelin star obsessed know-it-all neighbor Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) that invigorate the screen.
Simple yet engaging, plot is not where âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ excels. Opting to focus on subtle interpersonal scenes, the film lacks twists, suspense, and grand surprises. Instead âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ explores the joys, sorrows, and revelations that happen when two culinary histories and lifestyles meet. The journey highlights the challenges faced with preserving tradition while also carving a new path.
Consumables garnish almost every moment of character interaction; food plays a role in careers, conflicts, and mutual understanding. It could be easy, and not entirely wrong, to write-off this picture as a feel good foodie flick. However, just like a good croissant, âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is worth more than a deceptively uncomplicated a first glance; it contains flavorful and complex layers upon further examination. Be it a story of coincidence, lucky, or fate, âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is worth a taste if not a feast.
Films always have a location, but while âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is set in small town France, the story really exists at the crossroads of two fiercely independent culinary traditions. Throughout the film, Indian and French cuisines feed the visual storytelling and nourish the scenes.
As the leading man, Hassan, actor Manish Dayal plays a convincing chef struggling between two cultural and culinary worlds. But it is the support of Papa, Hassanâs can-do attitude driven father, played by actor Om Puri, and Michelin star obsessed know-it-all neighbor Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) that invigorate the screen.
Simple yet engaging, plot is not where âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ excels. Opting to focus on subtle interpersonal scenes, the film lacks twists, suspense, and grand surprises. Instead âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ explores the joys, sorrows, and revelations that happen when two culinary histories and lifestyles meet. The journey highlights the challenges faced with preserving tradition while also carving a new path.
Consumables garnish almost every moment of character interaction; food plays a role in careers, conflicts, and mutual understanding. It could be easy, and not entirely wrong, to write-off this picture as a feel good foodie flick. However, just like a good croissant, âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is worth more than a deceptively uncomplicated a first glance; it contains flavorful and complex layers upon further examination. Be it a story of coincidence, lucky, or fate, âThe 100 Foot Journeyâ is worth a taste if not a feast.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Bag Man (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Sometimes it sucks to be a delivery guy when you donât know what you are
carrying in a tightly sealed leather bag. Anything can happen when too many
people are interested in what The Bag Man is carrying when it gets a
limited theatrical run starting Feb 28th.
When Jack (John Cusack) is a fixer/hitman under the employ of Dragna
(Robert De Niro), a crime lord â tasked to bring a leather bag to a seedy
hotel â the people he runs into are more shadier than he is. All he has to
do is to wait for the arrival of this gangster and not look at whatâs
inside.
Both the movie and night is long while Jack fends for himself. His dealings
with the motel manager (beautifully played by Crispin Glover) is far more
interesting than the lady of the night, Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), he meets.
Together what they end up in is a cat and mouse game of nearly everybody
from this sleepy hole-in-the-wall after them. Everyone is interested in
what the bag contains, and this Macguffin never strays far from the plot.
Even though the concept of whatâs in the bag is hardly original, this
narrative device will keep some people â characters included â invested
in wondering whatâs so important about it. When the contents are revealed,
will whatâs revealed be King Midasâ gold or the evils from Pandoraâs Box?
This loose thriller has its moments where viewers will be glued to the
suspense but ultimately, itâs this movieâs pacing that slows the action
down. Losing 10-15 minutes might help in keeping the tale tight.
That can help everyone, audience included, from not losing interest. Sooner
or later, the cat has to be let out of the bag.
carrying in a tightly sealed leather bag. Anything can happen when too many
people are interested in what The Bag Man is carrying when it gets a
limited theatrical run starting Feb 28th.
When Jack (John Cusack) is a fixer/hitman under the employ of Dragna
(Robert De Niro), a crime lord â tasked to bring a leather bag to a seedy
hotel â the people he runs into are more shadier than he is. All he has to
do is to wait for the arrival of this gangster and not look at whatâs
inside.
Both the movie and night is long while Jack fends for himself. His dealings
with the motel manager (beautifully played by Crispin Glover) is far more
interesting than the lady of the night, Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), he meets.
Together what they end up in is a cat and mouse game of nearly everybody
from this sleepy hole-in-the-wall after them. Everyone is interested in
what the bag contains, and this Macguffin never strays far from the plot.
Even though the concept of whatâs in the bag is hardly original, this
narrative device will keep some people â characters included â invested
in wondering whatâs so important about it. When the contents are revealed,
will whatâs revealed be King Midasâ gold or the evils from Pandoraâs Box?
This loose thriller has its moments where viewers will be glued to the
suspense but ultimately, itâs this movieâs pacing that slows the action
down. Losing 10-15 minutes might help in keeping the tale tight.
That can help everyone, audience included, from not losing interest. Sooner
or later, the cat has to be let out of the bag.
Cliffhanger!
Book
App
BINGE ON insanely addictive FREE chat stories that people âcanât stop readingâ. Snoop on...
Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler
Book
The Vatican's silence in the face of Nazi atrocities remains one of the great controversies of our...
The Blackbird Season
9.0
Rate It
Book
New York Times bestselling author Kate Morettiâs latest is the story of a scandal-torn...
fiction mystery thriller
Lee (2222 KP) Dec 19, 2019
Sarah (7798 KP) Dec 19, 2019