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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Beautiful Creatures (2013) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Hollywood has seemed to turn to books these days for inspiration to try and bring audiences the latest and greatest to the big screen. Has the industry turned to teen novels to solely follow in the footsteps of the widely known Twilight Saga success to in turn bring more money to the box office? It certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea to do so. With the success of the over saturated archetype of vampires and zombies, the path through the supernatural teen based stories has now led us to witches, or should I say casters. Based on the best selling American young adult series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Beautiful Creatures is the first novel in the best selling series. The story is based in a small conservative town of Gatlin, South Carolina and is at first about Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich) a seventeen year old young man who lives with his father that is stuck in morning over the death of his wife and the house keeper Amma (Viola Davis) who is also the towns all knowing librarian. Ethan dreams and hopes that one day he will break free of the small town of Gatlin and go to college far away. Lately though, he has been having a recurring dream of a young woman waiting for him on a Civil War battlefield. Every time he is close to reaching her a lightning bolt strikes just like a gunshot and he dies. Thankfully, it is only a dream but he doesn’t seem to be able to think about anything else other than the woman in his dreams and falls in love with this mystery woman, hoping one day he will be united with the girl of his dreams.
With the beginning of the first day of school a newcomer named Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) seems to be an outcast because of her families history. Capturing the attention of Ethan he becomes more and more intrigued with her, despite the awful things that the other classmates are saying about her. Lena is the niece of Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons), the owner of the one and only mysterious Gothic Ravenwood Manor. Lena has uncontrollable powers proving that some of what her classmates have been saying is true. Lena has until her sixteenth birthday to undergo the Claiming, a process that throughout the years makes a caster go to the light side or the dark side. The film also features an allstar cast such as: Alden Ehrenreich, (“Tetro”), Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Emma Thompson, Rounding out the cast are Eileen Atkins, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, Tiffany Boone, Rachel Brosnahan, Kyle Gallner, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Sam Gilroy.
The film Beautiful Creatures is a supernatural love story with some of the same ideas and themes as most of these supernatural teen movies based off of best selling novels. However, Beautiful Creatures was a refreshing take on the story of two young lovers, one who is human and the other who is a supernatural being. The scenery and use of the deep southern backdrops added to the mystery of the story. I have not read the book though I plan to, I am unable to comment on how close the movie was to the book. The special effects in the film were not overdone or out of place and were appropriate to each specific scene. Some comedic relief is found throughout the film and is not out of place. The flow of the story is also flawless including the music used for the soundtrack.
This film has been rated PG-13 for violence, scary images and some sexual material. I would recommend this to audiences of a variety of ages from young teen to older adult. Yes this film may have some similarities to other teen/supernatural films but all in all it is a film I definitely would recommend to our readers and I can’t wait for the second installment.
With the beginning of the first day of school a newcomer named Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert) seems to be an outcast because of her families history. Capturing the attention of Ethan he becomes more and more intrigued with her, despite the awful things that the other classmates are saying about her. Lena is the niece of Macon Ravenwood (Jeremy Irons), the owner of the one and only mysterious Gothic Ravenwood Manor. Lena has uncontrollable powers proving that some of what her classmates have been saying is true. Lena has until her sixteenth birthday to undergo the Claiming, a process that throughout the years makes a caster go to the light side or the dark side. The film also features an allstar cast such as: Alden Ehrenreich, (“Tetro”), Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Emma Thompson, Rounding out the cast are Eileen Atkins, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, Tiffany Boone, Rachel Brosnahan, Kyle Gallner, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Sam Gilroy.
The film Beautiful Creatures is a supernatural love story with some of the same ideas and themes as most of these supernatural teen movies based off of best selling novels. However, Beautiful Creatures was a refreshing take on the story of two young lovers, one who is human and the other who is a supernatural being. The scenery and use of the deep southern backdrops added to the mystery of the story. I have not read the book though I plan to, I am unable to comment on how close the movie was to the book. The special effects in the film were not overdone or out of place and were appropriate to each specific scene. Some comedic relief is found throughout the film and is not out of place. The flow of the story is also flawless including the music used for the soundtrack.
This film has been rated PG-13 for violence, scary images and some sexual material. I would recommend this to audiences of a variety of ages from young teen to older adult. Yes this film may have some similarities to other teen/supernatural films but all in all it is a film I definitely would recommend to our readers and I can’t wait for the second installment.
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Suswatibasu (1702 KP) rated Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) in Movies
Oct 26, 2017
Grim, not for kids!
My first reaction was how can they call this a teen movie? It's so graphically brutal, from harvesting young people, to zombies, this should definitely not be geared towards a younger audience.
There are certain similarities with the Hunger Games series, with the younger generation in the future, seen as expendable. And unlike the first, where there was more action, this starts opening itself to a larger cast and more developed plot. As with any trilogy, the middle tends to be an explainer for the first and set up for the third film. Is it the best of movies? Probably not, given that HG was far better, but it's not bad.
There are certain similarities with the Hunger Games series, with the younger generation in the future, seen as expendable. And unlike the first, where there was more action, this starts opening itself to a larger cast and more developed plot. As with any trilogy, the middle tends to be an explainer for the first and set up for the third film. Is it the best of movies? Probably not, given that HG was far better, but it's not bad.
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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Secrets of Skin and Stone in Books
Dec 12, 2017
First off, I loved the cover and at first i found myself intrigued by the story and Gris but as I continued to read this I found myself having a difficult time getting through it as it appeared to become a dull read and maybe that's my fault as I went in with the expectation of getting at least the creeps but it didn't happen. I will warn readers that this does contain some self-harm issues which at times can be very descriptive.
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes via Entangled Teen and NetGalley and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes via Entangled Teen and NetGalley and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
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Elvis Fox (24 KP) rated Thoroughbreds (2017) in Movies
Apr 29, 2019 (Updated Apr 29, 2019)
Olivia Cooke (2 more)
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anton Yelchin
Thoroughbred For A New Generation
With its striking visuals and cleverly paced plot points, this modern day cat and mouse teen Crime Thriller will leave you speechless by the end credits. Anya Taylor-Joy's performance more than makes up for the film's weaker plot points as she brings a sense of vulnerability to the character that otherwise may have felt less memorable if portrayed by any other actress. As usual Olivia Cooke delivers a fabulously balanced performance mixed with dead pan that just makes sense given the subject matter. I feel this chic mystery will garner a cult following in the years to come and it rightly deserves so.
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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Fright Night (1985) in Movies
Jun 8, 2018 (Updated Oct 7, 2019)
What would you do if a vampire moved in next door?
Young Charlie Brewster loves his horror movies, especially those shown by his hero and former B horror star, Peter Vincent. Imagine his surprise when he sees a strange man move in next door, coffin and all. Then, young girls in the neighborhood start disappearing. What is Charlie to do?
I couldn't get enough of this film when I was a teen, partially because I love campy horror movies and I also love Roddy McDowall so it was an amazing combination. The plotline, characters and special effects were great and there was never a dull moment.
Those campy horror fans should check it out.
I couldn't get enough of this film when I was a teen, partially because I love campy horror movies and I also love Roddy McDowall so it was an amazing combination. The plotline, characters and special effects were great and there was never a dull moment.
Those campy horror fans should check it out.
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Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Avengers: Infinity War (2018) in Movies
Oct 29, 2018
Marvel keeps getting better and better can they top them with this movie in my opinion yes they did. Will Thanos complete his master plan???? The makeup for Thanos was a little off putting at first. Chris helmswoth, Chris Evans (with a beard), and Chris Pratt just those three alone how could you go wrong. The cliffhanger left us hanging in a good way but at the same time you go wtf. Preteen or teen Groot whatever you want to go by was a little off putting to me, but as a parent of teens it was like looking in a mirror. Definitely another homerun for marvel. Can't wait until the sequel
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Danielle Chaplin (81 KP) rated Goddess of Legend in Books
Jun 17, 2019
Inspiring
This was the 2nd book that I read in the Goddess series and it was just as good as the first one I read. I love how strong and thought out the female characters are, how they tend to be more mature women that are still finding themselves rather than the clichéd teen dramas, and the attention to detail that Cast puts into the world building.
This is a retelling of a sorts of the Legend of King Arthur and is simply brilliant. If you enjoy retellings of fairytales and myths then you really must read this series, please note that it isn't for younger readers as it has explicit content.
This is a retelling of a sorts of the Legend of King Arthur and is simply brilliant. If you enjoy retellings of fairytales and myths then you really must read this series, please note that it isn't for younger readers as it has explicit content.
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Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Evil Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil, #1) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of The Evil Queen from Harlequin TEEN (US Canada) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this one more than I actually did.
The righting is great and a lot of it is really evocative but the character of Every came off as about 12 or so. Her reactions didn't strike me as realistic for a high schooler at all.
The dialogue is a bit cheesy at points but I'm not gonna complain to much because what's a fairy tale without some cheese?
I did enjoy the story but the sensual parts did come off a bit awkward to me on account of the MC seeming so young.
I wanted to like this one more than I actually did.
The righting is great and a lot of it is really evocative but the character of Every came off as about 12 or so. Her reactions didn't strike me as realistic for a high schooler at all.
The dialogue is a bit cheesy at points but I'm not gonna complain to much because what's a fairy tale without some cheese?
I did enjoy the story but the sensual parts did come off a bit awkward to me on account of the MC seeming so young.
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Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Storm and Fury (The Harbinger, #1) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of Storm and Fury from Netgalley and Harlequin Teen in exchange for an honest review.
Sexy shapeshifting gargoyle boys! Count me in!
I was initially confused because this one jumps right into the story. Turns out it's a spin-off, so that explains a lot.
It started of a little slow but once the action starts it doesn't really let up.
I really liked Trinity. She could have easily been an obnoxious Chosen One type but the book managed to avoid that.
Also Trinity is disabled which I appreciate so much as a disabled woman. Every bit of representation matters and I love the matter of fact way a degenerative disease is s dealt with.
Sexy shapeshifting gargoyle boys! Count me in!
I was initially confused because this one jumps right into the story. Turns out it's a spin-off, so that explains a lot.
It started of a little slow but once the action starts it doesn't really let up.
I really liked Trinity. She could have easily been an obnoxious Chosen One type but the book managed to avoid that.
Also Trinity is disabled which I appreciate so much as a disabled woman. Every bit of representation matters and I love the matter of fact way a degenerative disease is s dealt with.
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Ross (3284 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 4 in TV
Apr 2, 2020
Utterly messed up
After a disappointing teen-angst third series, AHS got back to its best in this series. A truly twisted but generally likable cast of misfits interact wonderfully to give a glimpse into the treatment of travelling freakshows in small-town America. The ring-mistress' desire for fame weighed up against the freaks' desire for mere acceptance adds a delicious conflict that bears fruit in every episode. Meanwhile the freaks are being hunted by someone looking to sell their body parts to a museum, and Twisty the clown is getting frustrated with his unwilling audience's lack of appreciation for his terrifying yet mediocre act.
Thrilling, despicable and horrific in equal measure.
Thrilling, despicable and horrific in equal measure.