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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Molly's Game (2017) in Movies

Jul 8, 2019

Perfectionism, pressure, drive, success – “Molly’s Game” tells the story of a woman pushed to achieve these qualities by her father (Kevin Costner) throughout her childhood and adolescence. The pressure to become perfect went far with Molly (Jessica Chastain), who grows up to become an Olympic-class skier and scores astronomically on the law school entrance exam.

But Molly doesn’t go to law school, and she doesn’t win the gold medal. She comes in fourth and slides into the seedy world of high stakes gambling, where her clever mind and charming appearance take her far. She becomes a leader of an underground world, filled with money, greed, and glamour.

Her gambling ring included players that were famous, wealthy, and in some cases criminal. She became the target of an FBI investigation, that revealed how little she was actually in the know about her own game.

Chastain does a great job in her role as Molly. Her striking features and strong demeanor exude a woman in charge. Particularly enjoyable is the performance by Michael Cera as Player X, a celebrity poker player who always plays in the big leagues. Cera, does a great job of making you wonder which celebrity Player X was, and why he was so heavily involved in the high stakes gaming world. It is a nice switch u for Cera into a more serious kind of role.

The consequences of Molly’s choices unfold rapidly. Making it fast paced and suspenseful, without a dull moment.

The style of the film paints a pretty picture of an ugly scene, with each shot appearing beautifully smooth and gliding transitions that grab a viewer’s focus.

“Molly’s Game” is a must see for anyone who loves a good crime-thriller, especially one based on a tell all of a real human experience in a wild reality.

Kudos

Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) in Movies

Nov 18, 2019

A True Classic

Not that we don’t already know what E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is about but: A young boy finds himself in trouble with special agents when he befriends a stranded alien.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Steven Spielberg does a wonderful job with achieving more with less. He doesn’t shoot for break-your-neck special effects, rather he gives it to you in glimpses. We see the lights from E.T.’s spaceship, but we only see the actual spaceship flying for a second or two. E.T.’s ability to make things take flight is never overdone and always used in necessary circumstances. Outside of the special effects, there are a number of touches here and there, again small nuances, that make this film great. One of my favorites occurs when E.T. sees a kid in Yoda costume and starts following him.

Conflict: 10

Entertainment Value: 10

Memorability: 10
These scenes have been recounted and retold in a number of different ways. This movie set the precedent on how we see and interact with life outside of Earth. The relationship between Elliott and E.T. is unforgettable.

Pace: 10
Spielberg is a true master of storytelling as he aces pacing yet again. There are no dull moments and the few lulls are there for a reason. Exposition and character development are handled within the context of the moving story itself as it should be.

Plot: 10

Resolution: 10

Overall: 100
I had someone tell me once that not only was E.T. not that great, but it was pretty terrible in retrospect. My reply: What crack are you smoking? This movie is not only great, but it’s one of the all-time greats. Believe it.

Kudos

James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Starve Acre in Books

Nov 24, 2019

Starve Acre

Andrew Michael Hurley | 2019 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Horror

9.3

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

The writing, the writing is beautiful (0 more)

Will scare a few people (0 more)

His others were good. This is exceptional

I have enjoyed Andrew Michael Hurley's previous books very much but he has surpassed himself with Starve Acre. This is a dark and suturing read that gives you the same feels as Iain Banks' masterpiece The Wasp Factory. Anyone who was fans of the exceptional read as well as possibly Neil Gaimen's folk horror will find pleasure in this read.
I love it when you are so into a book you sprint upstairs when you get in from work to read a few pages before starting the evenings cooking etc, as I did with Starve Acre.
It's hard to tell you what happens in the story without giving away plot twists but this is a book of the supernatural, of a future dictated to by the past and of a family grieving trying to rationalise feelings and hurt. It is a place where they will remain outsiders and a tree that holds the mystery of it all.
Everything about this book should make it a classic. Its presentation and cover is beautiful. Michael-Hurley's writing is beautiful capturing the darkness in a way that is delicate and sweet which only makes the horror more shocking. The Lonely and Devil's Day were very good, but the writing here is some f the best I have ever read and the story is incredible. He has now become of a level that the next book he releases I standing outside the book shop at 9am and taking a day off work to read it, he is simply that good.
Miss this book at your peril, this is better than Stephen King and the rest. Andrew Michael-Hurley is now the true king!