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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) in Movies
May 23, 2021
Usually I would feel the urge to watch the series of films before seeing a new one. In this instance, knowing I've only seen one film (possibly two), kept me happy enough to go with this one. I wasn't convinced I had it in me to watch the whole series.
Detective Banks works alone in his departments after standing up against a corrupt cop. Now he has to partner with a rookie cop as he's thrown into a case as a spate of horrendous murders, with more than a passing resemblance to those that lie deep in the cities past, plague the PD.
The focus on the PD and Banks really worked for me, and the partnership between Banks and Schenk was strong. It transitioned the story well from being a Saw film without being a Saw film. For me that was a bonus.
Chris Rock was an interesting choice in the lead role. There are moments where he stood out and was convincing in the part, but others that gave me flashbacks to Dogma and Lethal Weapon 4. While it was an enjoyable piece of acting, it did occasionally take me out of the story.
Dynamics between the characters were pretty solid throughout, and I'd be hard-pressed to say someone didn't fit in the cast. What did put me out a little was the tension within the police department. There are some flashbacks that give you some context, but the current day points felt... too petty? But that might just be something I don't have enough knowledge of.
Not being tied to the Saw franchise probably helps. I liked the idea of this horror breaking out into a police thriller sort of thing, and I got Bone Collector and Criminal Monds vibes as I watched. Anyone who knows me will know that's a winner.
I was very entertained as I watched, but it wasn't until I got outside and was chatting about it that I kept stumbling across flaws that had thankfully escaped me while in the cinema. I did know the ending before I got there, and that didn't bother me as much as it had in other films. I think mainly because I was engaged in finding out the why of it all. Despite both of those things, it was a good film for me, but I sense a Saw purist might not agree.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2021/05/spiral-movie-review.html
Detective Banks works alone in his departments after standing up against a corrupt cop. Now he has to partner with a rookie cop as he's thrown into a case as a spate of horrendous murders, with more than a passing resemblance to those that lie deep in the cities past, plague the PD.
The focus on the PD and Banks really worked for me, and the partnership between Banks and Schenk was strong. It transitioned the story well from being a Saw film without being a Saw film. For me that was a bonus.
Chris Rock was an interesting choice in the lead role. There are moments where he stood out and was convincing in the part, but others that gave me flashbacks to Dogma and Lethal Weapon 4. While it was an enjoyable piece of acting, it did occasionally take me out of the story.
Dynamics between the characters were pretty solid throughout, and I'd be hard-pressed to say someone didn't fit in the cast. What did put me out a little was the tension within the police department. There are some flashbacks that give you some context, but the current day points felt... too petty? But that might just be something I don't have enough knowledge of.
Not being tied to the Saw franchise probably helps. I liked the idea of this horror breaking out into a police thriller sort of thing, and I got Bone Collector and Criminal Monds vibes as I watched. Anyone who knows me will know that's a winner.
I was very entertained as I watched, but it wasn't until I got outside and was chatting about it that I kept stumbling across flaws that had thankfully escaped me while in the cinema. I did know the ending before I got there, and that didn't bother me as much as it had in other films. I think mainly because I was engaged in finding out the why of it all. Despite both of those things, it was a good film for me, but I sense a Saw purist might not agree.
Originally posted on: https://emmaatthemovies.blogspot.com/2021/05/spiral-movie-review.html
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Jesus Man in Books
May 16, 2018
The Jesus Man by Keith Anthony Baird is a tough book for me to rate, if I’m being honest. It’s part of why, despite completing it last week, I’ve taken so long to write up my review. The book isn’t an easy read by any means, especially with its vast amounts of purple prose. It does, however, have a uniquely intriguing plot.
One of the major deciding factors for me when I read a book is its ability to make me feel emotion. I want a connection with the characters, even if it’s a seething hatred that I feel in the depths of my heart. With The Jesus Man, I felt loathing and disdain, but nothing beyond that. I felt disconnected, for the most part. The characters seemed to me as if they were in limbo between fully and halfway developed.
In regards to plot, Baird does an excellent job. As a horror fan, I end up reading a lot of apocalyptic books. Most of the time, the cause is a viral outbreak of zombies. It’s a cliché we deal with far too often and it’s been beaten to death time and time again. Baird goes an entirely new route, with the dredges of Hell returning to claim what should be theirs. Described as the Fallen, we know these creatures as the angels cast from Heaven in the wake of God’s love for mankind stoking rebellion among them. It’s an interesting take on the world’s post-nuclear was end and I feel that Baird did a wonderful job in this area of his book.
I do have to take a moment to appreciate one beautiful perk to Baird’s ornate writing style: his depiction of gory acts is absolutely stunning. I’m a sucker for splatterpunk, so this served as a nice treat for me. While his characters felt lacking to me (which I discovered was the author’s intent post-read), his vivid descriptions (even if heavy-handed) are breathtaking and nightmare invoking.
I’ve danced between a two and four for this book several times, so ultimately I’m going to go with a three. While I loved the concept, the difficulty of reading this book made it hard for me to enjoy.
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the major deciding factors for me when I read a book is its ability to make me feel emotion. I want a connection with the characters, even if it’s a seething hatred that I feel in the depths of my heart. With The Jesus Man, I felt loathing and disdain, but nothing beyond that. I felt disconnected, for the most part. The characters seemed to me as if they were in limbo between fully and halfway developed.
In regards to plot, Baird does an excellent job. As a horror fan, I end up reading a lot of apocalyptic books. Most of the time, the cause is a viral outbreak of zombies. It’s a cliché we deal with far too often and it’s been beaten to death time and time again. Baird goes an entirely new route, with the dredges of Hell returning to claim what should be theirs. Described as the Fallen, we know these creatures as the angels cast from Heaven in the wake of God’s love for mankind stoking rebellion among them. It’s an interesting take on the world’s post-nuclear was end and I feel that Baird did a wonderful job in this area of his book.
I do have to take a moment to appreciate one beautiful perk to Baird’s ornate writing style: his depiction of gory acts is absolutely stunning. I’m a sucker for splatterpunk, so this served as a nice treat for me. While his characters felt lacking to me (which I discovered was the author’s intent post-read), his vivid descriptions (even if heavy-handed) are breathtaking and nightmare invoking.
I’ve danced between a two and four for this book several times, so ultimately I’m going to go with a three. While I loved the concept, the difficulty of reading this book made it hard for me to enjoy.
I would like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Crow (Boston Underworld, #1) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Tough as any Irish mobster out there, Mackenzie has been fighting her way through living on the streets of Boston since she was 13. In and out of foster homes since her father's murder, she is the daughter and granddaughter of two of the best underground Irish fighters and can surely handle herself as such. When her best friend Talia disappears from the Irish mob run strip club she started working at, Mac is determined to find out what happened. On her own she is ready to take on the Russian Mafia and Irish mobsters clearly involved in some way. Deciding to go undercover... she has no idea no idea just how deep this will take her. She finds herself working for Lachlan attempting to get answers without letting on why she is really there. This book sucked me right in from page one... Lachlan was as fierce and determined as he is sexy. Mac has never let anyone in before, determined to be the tough as fighter her Dad raised, yet she simply can't stop the feelings she that continue to grow for this ferocious man... I ABSOLUTELY loved these two!? The book was absolutely fantastic and Im SO glad to have found this author! Ill surely be back for more as the book was so well written, with a fantastic storyline and characters you can't help but fall in love with. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!!
Sam (74 KP) rated Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I really quite enjoyed this. It begins with a lot of mystery which creates a gripping plot right from the start. Blue is introduced almost immediately which left me looking for clues all of the way through the book.
I worked out who Blue was quite quickly, which did leave me shouting at Simon to open his eyes and the big reveal at the end wasn’t as surprising.
I did like that it faced quite modern issues – Simon was called out on an anonymous gossip Tumblr page for his school. I’ve read quite a few books lately that take a focus on cyber bulling and I feel like it is a much-needed topic in YA fiction.
One thing I was unsure of was the justice in the book. Martin blackmails Simon over seeing his emails to Blue yet nothing actually happens to him, despite the fact that he threatened to out Simon if he didn’t do what he wanted. I feel like more could have been done with his character rather than a quick forgive and forget.
I feel like the book needed more, but that’s also why Leah on The Offbeat exists. I can’t wait to get to read it.
I worked out who Blue was quite quickly, which did leave me shouting at Simon to open his eyes and the big reveal at the end wasn’t as surprising.
I did like that it faced quite modern issues – Simon was called out on an anonymous gossip Tumblr page for his school. I’ve read quite a few books lately that take a focus on cyber bulling and I feel like it is a much-needed topic in YA fiction.
One thing I was unsure of was the justice in the book. Martin blackmails Simon over seeing his emails to Blue yet nothing actually happens to him, despite the fact that he threatened to out Simon if he didn’t do what he wanted. I feel like more could have been done with his character rather than a quick forgive and forget.
I feel like the book needed more, but that’s also why Leah on The Offbeat exists. I can’t wait to get to read it.
Alexis Taylor recommended On The Beach by Neil Young in Music (curated)
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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Zombie's Y'All in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I was excited to get this book as to review from LibraryThing since I now reside in Savannah. I wasn't disappointed. The description of the city locations were spot on and the students described the type you can find all over Savannah due to the local art college.
The story was a different take on zombies, which in this zombie infested market is hard to accomplish. The zombies are ghost zombies destroying one of Savannah's most well known attractions, it's ghosts.
The characters remind me of Carl Hiaasen's. The smart, the goofy and the clueless. All unique and entertaining. This is a very character driven novel.
My only complaint was the use of the Asian stereo type when the characters had a conversation. I did not feel this was necessary. Although, over all I would recommend this book.
The story was a different take on zombies, which in this zombie infested market is hard to accomplish. The zombies are ghost zombies destroying one of Savannah's most well known attractions, it's ghosts.
The characters remind me of Carl Hiaasen's. The smart, the goofy and the clueless. All unique and entertaining. This is a very character driven novel.
My only complaint was the use of the Asian stereo type when the characters had a conversation. I did not feel this was necessary. Although, over all I would recommend this book.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Meg (2018) in Movies
Mar 23, 2019
It's a stupid shark movie, what did you expect!?!
When a deep sea expedition unleashes a prehistoric killer mega shark, a team of divers has use their wits and skill to outwit the mega beast to survive. The animal is cunning and ferocious, so it will take all the crew has got in order to make it through.
Not sure what people were expecting. Certainly not Jaws or a classic horror movie. More like a cheesy Godzilla movie in the water. Some of it was implausible, cheesy or stupid dialogue. The CGI wasn't bad mostly, but a few parts felt very fake.
I'm sure my expectations were low based on what I heard beforehand; however, don't get me started on comparing movies to books. That is a lost cause.
Not sure what people were expecting. Certainly not Jaws or a classic horror movie. More like a cheesy Godzilla movie in the water. Some of it was implausible, cheesy or stupid dialogue. The CGI wasn't bad mostly, but a few parts felt very fake.
I'm sure my expectations were low based on what I heard beforehand; however, don't get me started on comparing movies to books. That is a lost cause.
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Mayflower Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This take on what it means to be on the Mayflower and the struggles that come along with it is very interesting. It makes what I just think of an event so much more. The character, even though it is hard to keep track at times, are relatable and you find yourself invested in their stories. The language was modern and that took away from the story for me. My only other problem was the flatness, while there was problems most of the book just felt monotonous. This could be just because I don't read much historical fiction but I am not sure.
Perfect for those fans who want to feel connected to a real event but with a fictional aspect instead of just facts. This will give them a good read that will keep you interested until the very end.
Perfect for those fans who want to feel connected to a real event but with a fictional aspect instead of just facts. This will give them a good read that will keep you interested until the very end.