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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Beast (2022) in Movies
Sep 24, 2022
More Tension Than I Anticipate
We are witnessing the after-effects of the COVID PANDEMIC shutdown in 2020 as the films that are being released at the tail end of summer/early fall of 2022 are not the most scintillating of efforts and thus, one must lower their expectations to have a good time at the Cineplex.
Such is the case with the “Cujo in Africa” killer lion saga BEAST starring Idris Elba as a widowed father of two teenage girls. The threesome head back to the African Village where the deceased mother was born and raised - to connect to their roots - unaware that poachers have unwittingly created a rogue, killer lion who is feasting on the humans in the area.
Directed by Batasar Kormakur (2 GUNS) and written, perfunctorily, by Ryan Engle (RAMPAGE) BEAST is a pretty by-the-book “wild animal goes after human” story with the first 1/3 of this 90 minute epic being the setup (in this case, clumsily setting up the daughter’s anger at their father who “was not there” as their mother was dying). Do you think the upcoming adventure is going to bring these 3 closer?
The middle third of the film is the hook where we put these 3 (and their friend, played by Sharlto Copley - DISTRICT 9) into harm’s way in such a way that they are trapped and must contend with the BEAST. And the final 1/3 is the payoff - how does this group conquer the BEAST?
Pretty mechanical, right?
Well…a funny thing happened while watching this film… I found myself invested in these characters, well…at least some of them, and I was genuinely interested and intrigued and (at times) a little on the edge of my seat as I watched them attempt to get out of their predicament.
Credit for this has to go to Director Kormakur who uses his camera to beautifully capture the Africa landscape that these folks are trapped in. It is a loving picture of Africa that Kormakur has drawn and it made the slow parts of this film (and there are plenty) bearable just by being able to look at the background.
Also helping this film is the friendship and camaraderie shown between Elba’s character and Copley’s character. These are 2 good actors looking like they actually are enjoying their time together and their actions on screen mirror their personalities that are drawn thinly and quickly during the first part of the film.
Fairing less well are the 2 daughters, played by Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley. They are, for the most part, 1 dimensional “typical teenagers” who have a bone to pick with their father and don’t shy away from picking at that bone - and each other - throughout the course of this film.
But, enough about all of that, what one goes to see in these types of films is the animal attacks and Director Kormakur traps our foursome in and around a jeep while the BEAST attacks and attacks and attacks - and these scenes are shot very professionally and actually manage to ratchet up the tension as the CGI Lion goes after it’s victims.
There are enough plot holes to drive the aforementioned Jeep through in this film and sometimes the characters - especially the 2 teenage girls - make VERY dumb decisions, but the tension of the attack scenes and the work of Elba and Copley makes this film a decent (enough) viewing experience.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars out of 10 and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Such is the case with the “Cujo in Africa” killer lion saga BEAST starring Idris Elba as a widowed father of two teenage girls. The threesome head back to the African Village where the deceased mother was born and raised - to connect to their roots - unaware that poachers have unwittingly created a rogue, killer lion who is feasting on the humans in the area.
Directed by Batasar Kormakur (2 GUNS) and written, perfunctorily, by Ryan Engle (RAMPAGE) BEAST is a pretty by-the-book “wild animal goes after human” story with the first 1/3 of this 90 minute epic being the setup (in this case, clumsily setting up the daughter’s anger at their father who “was not there” as their mother was dying). Do you think the upcoming adventure is going to bring these 3 closer?
The middle third of the film is the hook where we put these 3 (and their friend, played by Sharlto Copley - DISTRICT 9) into harm’s way in such a way that they are trapped and must contend with the BEAST. And the final 1/3 is the payoff - how does this group conquer the BEAST?
Pretty mechanical, right?
Well…a funny thing happened while watching this film… I found myself invested in these characters, well…at least some of them, and I was genuinely interested and intrigued and (at times) a little on the edge of my seat as I watched them attempt to get out of their predicament.
Credit for this has to go to Director Kormakur who uses his camera to beautifully capture the Africa landscape that these folks are trapped in. It is a loving picture of Africa that Kormakur has drawn and it made the slow parts of this film (and there are plenty) bearable just by being able to look at the background.
Also helping this film is the friendship and camaraderie shown between Elba’s character and Copley’s character. These are 2 good actors looking like they actually are enjoying their time together and their actions on screen mirror their personalities that are drawn thinly and quickly during the first part of the film.
Fairing less well are the 2 daughters, played by Leah Jeffries and Iyana Halley. They are, for the most part, 1 dimensional “typical teenagers” who have a bone to pick with their father and don’t shy away from picking at that bone - and each other - throughout the course of this film.
But, enough about all of that, what one goes to see in these types of films is the animal attacks and Director Kormakur traps our foursome in and around a jeep while the BEAST attacks and attacks and attacks - and these scenes are shot very professionally and actually manage to ratchet up the tension as the CGI Lion goes after it’s victims.
There are enough plot holes to drive the aforementioned Jeep through in this film and sometimes the characters - especially the 2 teenage girls - make VERY dumb decisions, but the tension of the attack scenes and the work of Elba and Copley makes this film a decent (enough) viewing experience.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars out of 10 and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Diary of Pelly D in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I found this book while browsing at my local library. i tried reading it once, and it seemed so trivial and unimportant. i returned it and forgot about it.
a year later, i saw it again and thought "what every happened to Pelly D after she got kicked out of her holo-pool and lost her street-side friend?" so i borrowed it again and read it through in a few hours.
i got a lot more out of it the second time, i'll say that much right away.
this book has a lot of hidden messages in it, and it's not something you can really say in words, let alone out loud. so the author used this book to paint a picture of something. it's more than fiction, it's a statement. like Orwel's <i> 1984,</i> or Harper Lee's <i> To Kill a Mocking Bird </i>. it's main focus isn't Pelly D, it's actually judgment, prejudice, and politics.
but, it also has the lighthearted addition of a teenage girl who really couldn't give a rat's poo about anyone but herself.
i won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but i will recommend it. i'll also say this: the ending is good, but it doesn't wrap up the story like most books do. it's well written (aside from the missing letters, which is part of the futuristic style of speech and writing used in the book. example: "v" instead of "very" or "cd" instead of "could.") and the characters are very real.
take a step forward, go onward and upward, and plunge into a very deep book.
a year later, i saw it again and thought "what every happened to Pelly D after she got kicked out of her holo-pool and lost her street-side friend?" so i borrowed it again and read it through in a few hours.
i got a lot more out of it the second time, i'll say that much right away.
this book has a lot of hidden messages in it, and it's not something you can really say in words, let alone out loud. so the author used this book to paint a picture of something. it's more than fiction, it's a statement. like Orwel's <i> 1984,</i> or Harper Lee's <i> To Kill a Mocking Bird </i>. it's main focus isn't Pelly D, it's actually judgment, prejudice, and politics.
but, it also has the lighthearted addition of a teenage girl who really couldn't give a rat's poo about anyone but herself.
i won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it, but i will recommend it. i'll also say this: the ending is good, but it doesn't wrap up the story like most books do. it's well written (aside from the missing letters, which is part of the futuristic style of speech and writing used in the book. example: "v" instead of "very" or "cd" instead of "could.") and the characters are very real.
take a step forward, go onward and upward, and plunge into a very deep book.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated A Deep Dark Secret in Books
May 10, 2018
It's a terrible thing when children are abused. It's more terrible when they are abused by a family member. The worst is when that family member is a parent. The person you are supposed to trust the most with your life.
Jillian Mitchell was 7 years old when her step-father started to molest her. It was one of the happiest and saddest days of her life. The day her baby sister, Layla, was born.
The abuse continued for 5 years. Starting with touching and escalating to oral sex and naked pictures. Byron, her step-father told her that if she told anyone, they wouldn't believe her and that they would blame her. And that if she wasn't going to do it, then he would get her little sister(who is now 5) to do it.
Jillian lived with this secret and never told anyone, not even her closest friend. When an incident at school, leads Jillian to find out she is not the only one in this situation, she finds the courage to stand up to her step-father (who she thought of as her real father from the beginning) and get him out of her life for good!
This is a great book and helps us understand that effects that abuse can have on children and their life as adults. Everyone handles it differently and more need to know that it is alright to speak out about it. I believe that if more children were not afraid to tell the secret, then we would have a lot less abuse out there and the cycles of teenage pregnancy and suicide would decrease.
Jillian Mitchell was 7 years old when her step-father started to molest her. It was one of the happiest and saddest days of her life. The day her baby sister, Layla, was born.
The abuse continued for 5 years. Starting with touching and escalating to oral sex and naked pictures. Byron, her step-father told her that if she told anyone, they wouldn't believe her and that they would blame her. And that if she wasn't going to do it, then he would get her little sister(who is now 5) to do it.
Jillian lived with this secret and never told anyone, not even her closest friend. When an incident at school, leads Jillian to find out she is not the only one in this situation, she finds the courage to stand up to her step-father (who she thought of as her real father from the beginning) and get him out of her life for good!
This is a great book and helps us understand that effects that abuse can have on children and their life as adults. Everyone handles it differently and more need to know that it is alright to speak out about it. I believe that if more children were not afraid to tell the secret, then we would have a lot less abuse out there and the cycles of teenage pregnancy and suicide would decrease.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Revolution in Books
Feb 27, 2019
As someone who has dealt with multiple tragic losses, depression and anxiety all at the same time, this book really hit me with the emotions. I was feeling them all with this amazingly written novel from a truly talented author. From the start, Ms. Donnelly had me hooked. I picked this book up at the local used bookstore just to have something to read, not knowing the emotional connections I would have with all the characters.
Andi and Alexandrine are beautifully chiseled with their flaws and their pain and sadness. Both characters, while one in the present and one in the past, really tore at my heart. Alexandrine's character wrote in her journal, but the tragic loss she endured, the heartache she was dealt became mine. Andi's teenage mind, her rebelliousness, was so much like my own and the way she dealt with her pain, her loss, was so familiar to me.
That takes an incredible author to get me to connect so fully with their characters. This story of an epic revolution of mind, soul, and events, will really cocoon the reader. I stayed up long into the night, turning page after page, reveling in one world and then the next in an instant. These characters, this story line, this author deserve 4 stars and high recommendations from me, so that is what they are getting. I absolutely can not wait until I get my hands on another amazing story from this very talented author.
*I Purchased a copy of this book for my collection and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Andi and Alexandrine are beautifully chiseled with their flaws and their pain and sadness. Both characters, while one in the present and one in the past, really tore at my heart. Alexandrine's character wrote in her journal, but the tragic loss she endured, the heartache she was dealt became mine. Andi's teenage mind, her rebelliousness, was so much like my own and the way she dealt with her pain, her loss, was so familiar to me.
That takes an incredible author to get me to connect so fully with their characters. This story of an epic revolution of mind, soul, and events, will really cocoon the reader. I stayed up long into the night, turning page after page, reveling in one world and then the next in an instant. These characters, this story line, this author deserve 4 stars and high recommendations from me, so that is what they are getting. I absolutely can not wait until I get my hands on another amazing story from this very talented author.
*I Purchased a copy of this book for my collection and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Midge (525 KP) rated The Buried Girl in Books
Mar 5, 2019
A Chilling Psychological Thriller with Gothic Elements
This book caught my eye as I loved the synopsis and I read a lot of books from this genre, although I haven’t read any of the author, Richard Montanari’s books before. “The Buried Girl” is a chilling psychological thriller with some added Gothic elements.
When the wife of a New York psychologist, Will Hardy, is murdered he moves into Godwin Hall, a dusty, shut-up mansion in the small town of Abbeville, Ohio, with his teenage daughter, Bernadette.
At the same time, Abbeville Chief of Police Ivy Holgrave is investigating the death of a local girl. She is convinced this may only be the latest in a long line of murders dating back decades, including her own long-missing sister.
But what place does Will's new home have in the story of the missing girls and why does he have past memories of Godwin Hall? Is the diary of a young woman, written over a century earlier, linked to the killings?
Richard Montanari writes a wonderfully atmospheric and compelling novel. Tense and suspenseful, the many threads of the story slowly begin to link together, central to which is Godwin Hall. Both the characterisation and the plot are superb with the three main characters damaged, but starting the process of recovery. I am hoping that there will be a sequel to this novel as it was a fantastic read which I highly recommend to lovers of thrillers and crime fiction.
{Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins UK/Witness Impulse for the free copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
When the wife of a New York psychologist, Will Hardy, is murdered he moves into Godwin Hall, a dusty, shut-up mansion in the small town of Abbeville, Ohio, with his teenage daughter, Bernadette.
At the same time, Abbeville Chief of Police Ivy Holgrave is investigating the death of a local girl. She is convinced this may only be the latest in a long line of murders dating back decades, including her own long-missing sister.
But what place does Will's new home have in the story of the missing girls and why does he have past memories of Godwin Hall? Is the diary of a young woman, written over a century earlier, linked to the killings?
Richard Montanari writes a wonderfully atmospheric and compelling novel. Tense and suspenseful, the many threads of the story slowly begin to link together, central to which is Godwin Hall. Both the characterisation and the plot are superb with the three main characters damaged, but starting the process of recovery. I am hoping that there will be a sequel to this novel as it was a fantastic read which I highly recommend to lovers of thrillers and crime fiction.
{Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins UK/Witness Impulse for the free copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Art Something in Books
Jun 6, 2019
Art Something (Strange Art #1) by Devon Layne is the first instalment of the Strange Art series, in which the main protagonist, a teenager called Arthur Étrange, lives in his own world where he expresses himself through his art. This causes most of his school mates to think him a little odd, hence his need to escape from the social side of life and immerse himself in his art.
His older sister, Morgan, not only loves and truly understands Art, but guides and protects him through the teenage trial and tribulations of life. So when she is due to go back to college Morgan worries how he’ll cope without her. Her answer? She decides to introduce Art to her friend, Annette, in the hope they’ll hit it off together. They do!
Although it’s not high on action, there is conflict in the form of issues teenagers can relate to. For example, Art’s lack of self-confidence and insecurities are exposed to the reader via his innermost thoughts and feelings. The threesome also provides that key support system to help Art overcome these obstacles with the love and understanding of two girls who have his best interests at heart.
This coming of age story is also my first ‘taboo’ book which explores a very loving and highly erotic, consensual polyamory relationship between brother, sister and their friend. Admittedly, this is not something I’d usually read, having said that, Devon Layne is a talented writer and this is a beautiful and sensual story encompassing a controversial subject. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
His older sister, Morgan, not only loves and truly understands Art, but guides and protects him through the teenage trial and tribulations of life. So when she is due to go back to college Morgan worries how he’ll cope without her. Her answer? She decides to introduce Art to her friend, Annette, in the hope they’ll hit it off together. They do!
Although it’s not high on action, there is conflict in the form of issues teenagers can relate to. For example, Art’s lack of self-confidence and insecurities are exposed to the reader via his innermost thoughts and feelings. The threesome also provides that key support system to help Art overcome these obstacles with the love and understanding of two girls who have his best interests at heart.
This coming of age story is also my first ‘taboo’ book which explores a very loving and highly erotic, consensual polyamory relationship between brother, sister and their friend. Admittedly, this is not something I’d usually read, having said that, Devon Layne is a talented writer and this is a beautiful and sensual story encompassing a controversial subject. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.
Kaz (232 KP) rated Captain Marvel (2019) in Movies
Jun 8, 2019
I'm a fan of the Marvel films (I've never read any of the comics), but I have felt that of late, they have been a bit formulaic. Although 'Captain Marvel' does deliver on some of those things that you expect from a Marvel film, it gives the viewer something different.
Captain Marvel portrayed a strong, but also likable woman and I really liked the empowering message this film sends across.
I really enjoyed the twists and unexpected turns this film has. Captain Marvel's origin story wasn't told in a linear way and I think that this made a refreshing change from how Marvel uses an entire film to explore this. We were drip fed some of the details within the action itself, which left you trying to work everything out for yourself.
There are some great action sequences in this and generally, this was very exciting. I loved the interactions between Captain Marvel, Nick Fury and particularly, the cat!
I also enjoyed the 90's references, it reminded me of my teenage years ( but it also made me feel a bit old too!).
My only negative observations would be that, although I liked that Captain Marvel's origin story was told in a different way, I found it to be a little confusing at times. I also thought that the first half an hour was a little bit slow.
However, this picked up and ended up being a really enjoyable film. I look forward to seeing 'Captain Marvel' in future Marvel films.
Captain Marvel portrayed a strong, but also likable woman and I really liked the empowering message this film sends across.
I really enjoyed the twists and unexpected turns this film has. Captain Marvel's origin story wasn't told in a linear way and I think that this made a refreshing change from how Marvel uses an entire film to explore this. We were drip fed some of the details within the action itself, which left you trying to work everything out for yourself.
There are some great action sequences in this and generally, this was very exciting. I loved the interactions between Captain Marvel, Nick Fury and particularly, the cat!
I also enjoyed the 90's references, it reminded me of my teenage years ( but it also made me feel a bit old too!).
My only negative observations would be that, although I liked that Captain Marvel's origin story was told in a different way, I found it to be a little confusing at times. I also thought that the first half an hour was a little bit slow.
However, this picked up and ended up being a really enjoyable film. I look forward to seeing 'Captain Marvel' in future Marvel films.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Saint Anything in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Sydney is a high school kid with a seemingly average life - navigating homework and a new school and typical teen problems. Except that Sydney is at a new school because she's trying to escape the shadow of her older brother, Peyton, who has recently gone to jail for injuring a local kid while driving drunk. For her whole life, Sydney has felt like her parents have focused on Peyton and his antics - and even with him in jail, it seems like nothing has changed. At her new school, Sydney meets Layla Chatham, a member of the Chatham family. They run the local pizza parlor near her new school and soon Sydney feels comfortable and nearly adopted by her Layla and her parents, her older sister, Rosie, and her brother, Mac. They are everything her family is not.
This was a good book, with a typical Dessen teenage drama and love story plot, but it wasn't anything earth-shattering. Sydney is a good kid and I liked her character, and I very much liked Layla and Mac, as well. Sydney's back-story with her brother is a good one, but seems a little unbelievable at times, and her rigid mother is almost too uptight and clueless. Her father is totally spineless and frustrating. For much of the story, you're waiting for something to happen and then when it finally does, it all seems a bit anti-climatic and it all gets fixed up rather quickly to seem truly plausible.
Still, a fun little read, but I do prefer "Lock and Key" or "Someone Like You." (However, I feel like a sequel featuring the Chathams would somehow be awesome.)
This was a good book, with a typical Dessen teenage drama and love story plot, but it wasn't anything earth-shattering. Sydney is a good kid and I liked her character, and I very much liked Layla and Mac, as well. Sydney's back-story with her brother is a good one, but seems a little unbelievable at times, and her rigid mother is almost too uptight and clueless. Her father is totally spineless and frustrating. For much of the story, you're waiting for something to happen and then when it finally does, it all seems a bit anti-climatic and it all gets fixed up rather quickly to seem truly plausible.
Still, a fun little read, but I do prefer "Lock and Key" or "Someone Like You." (However, I feel like a sequel featuring the Chathams would somehow be awesome.)
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Life of the Party (2018) in Movies
Jan 18, 2019
Mother/daughter relationship (1 more)
No fat-bashing
Contains spoilers, click to show
I went into this movie with few expectations and was pleasantly surprised that Melissa McCartney's character wasn't completely ridiculous and over-the-top. It was easy to feel empathy for this sympathetic character who returns to school to finish her archaeology degree as an adult-student following a big change in her life. Her daughter also attends the university and instead of the typical teenage response of angst and embarrassment, she obviously loves her mom and they have a great relationship. This movie is sweet and has heart. There are some silly situations, but most are benign. For the most part, I enjoyed this movie.
I would have given this a higher rating but took away a star for promoting dangerous practice.
I have a bit of a problem when it comes to the frat initiation scene because people are ignorant, i.e. the Bird Box challenges, and will attempt stupid feats they see in movies. The scene in question involves someone being spanked with a wooden paddle. Some may think it is a harmless prank, however, if attempted in real life by amateurs, it can cause real physical damage to a person, from kidney injuries, broken skin, and broken bones, and it should not be attempted at home. Especially not drunken revelers. Just the idea of pledging to a frat, sorority or team tends to make young people think of humiliating or painful acts to inflict upon others so anything that may encourage undeveloped minds to engage in hazing practices gets a thumbs down from me.
Otherwise, a fun movie.
I would have given this a higher rating but took away a star for promoting dangerous practice.
I have a bit of a problem when it comes to the frat initiation scene because people are ignorant, i.e. the Bird Box challenges, and will attempt stupid feats they see in movies. The scene in question involves someone being spanked with a wooden paddle. Some may think it is a harmless prank, however, if attempted in real life by amateurs, it can cause real physical damage to a person, from kidney injuries, broken skin, and broken bones, and it should not be attempted at home. Especially not drunken revelers. Just the idea of pledging to a frat, sorority or team tends to make young people think of humiliating or painful acts to inflict upon others so anything that may encourage undeveloped minds to engage in hazing practices gets a thumbs down from me.
Otherwise, a fun movie.
Merissa (13319 KP) rated End Of Normal in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from Barclay Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Olivia starts the day as an average teen, worrying about boys and pushing the boundaries her parents have given her - the 'skinnyness' of her jeans in this instance. It's a normal day at school and the evening looks to be like one of many. However, there is a beautiful meteor shower which draws the attention of everyone and that is when the nightmare begins.
This tale is cleverly woven using the right amount of teenage angst and general panic that you imagine would ensue in situation like this. I know that I probably wouldn't just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well"! This is a Young Adult so everything in it is 'gentle' and consists of kisses and cuddles, nothing more although this is not a problem for me. Something that happens not long after chaos descends surprised me, enough so that it brought tears to my eyes. I cannot allow myself to believe that that part is done although I am concerned about a possible triangle in the future (I don't like them!) if what I want to believe is true. This was not the end of the shocks reading this book as they come one after the other.
The writing will take you along as it weaves and twists its tale. S.C. Arscott has done an amazing job with her story and the characters. They are not perfect, they have their flaws, but they are strong and consistent. The tale is only beginning so I recommend you read this one and then start waiting impatiently for the story to continue.
Olivia starts the day as an average teen, worrying about boys and pushing the boundaries her parents have given her - the 'skinnyness' of her jeans in this instance. It's a normal day at school and the evening looks to be like one of many. However, there is a beautiful meteor shower which draws the attention of everyone and that is when the nightmare begins.
This tale is cleverly woven using the right amount of teenage angst and general panic that you imagine would ensue in situation like this. I know that I probably wouldn't just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well"! This is a Young Adult so everything in it is 'gentle' and consists of kisses and cuddles, nothing more although this is not a problem for me. Something that happens not long after chaos descends surprised me, enough so that it brought tears to my eyes. I cannot allow myself to believe that that part is done although I am concerned about a possible triangle in the future (I don't like them!) if what I want to believe is true. This was not the end of the shocks reading this book as they come one after the other.
The writing will take you along as it weaves and twists its tale. S.C. Arscott has done an amazing job with her story and the characters. They are not perfect, they have their flaws, but they are strong and consistent. The tale is only beginning so I recommend you read this one and then start waiting impatiently for the story to continue.