Search
Search results
Dean (6925 KP) rated The Kingdom (2007) in Movies
Nov 7, 2018
This is a very good film, well made with some great actors. Recommended by a friend and glad I saw it. It has a political edge to it about terrorism and links between the West and Middle East because of oil. There are some great action scenes and the final shootout is very well directed. Go see it!
Detailed Characters (3 more)
Thought Provoking
Descriptive
Interesting Plotline
An Entertaining Terror
I won't lie, I absolutely loved this book, an interesting take on a future look into America. Sadly, it doesn't look good either, rather it's unbelievably bleak.
This book exaggerates many of the controversal issues we see today, addressing things such as gun control, terrorism, and media. I defiently recommend this book to anyone!
This book exaggerates many of the controversal issues we see today, addressing things such as gun control, terrorism, and media. I defiently recommend this book to anyone!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Arlington Road (1999) in Movies
May 9, 2020
Tense and thrilling
I remember watching this film many years ago and thinking it was rather good, so I was very interested in watching it again to see how it has fared, and overall it's still a very good film.
The plot of this film is a very serious one, and at the time this film was released in 1999, domestic terrorism was a big concern. It's strange to watch now as domestic terrorism has, probably rightly so, been succeeded by international terrorism and extremism, but for me this is what made the film even more interesting and tense. There are some great performances in this from Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins - a film is automatically good whenever these two are in it. The ending was what I remember shocking me the most when I was younger, and whilst it's not quite as shocking as I'd thought, I do think how this film ended was rather great (if not very bleak and unhappy).
This film does look a little dated now, and some of the special effects probably didn't look their best even back in 1999. This is a very bleak and serious film, it probably isn't quite as relevant now as it was back then which may lessen the impact a little, but it's still a very interesting film to watch.
The plot of this film is a very serious one, and at the time this film was released in 1999, domestic terrorism was a big concern. It's strange to watch now as domestic terrorism has, probably rightly so, been succeeded by international terrorism and extremism, but for me this is what made the film even more interesting and tense. There are some great performances in this from Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins - a film is automatically good whenever these two are in it. The ending was what I remember shocking me the most when I was younger, and whilst it's not quite as shocking as I'd thought, I do think how this film ended was rather great (if not very bleak and unhappy).
This film does look a little dated now, and some of the special effects probably didn't look their best even back in 1999. This is a very bleak and serious film, it probably isn't quite as relevant now as it was back then which may lessen the impact a little, but it's still a very interesting film to watch.
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated American Assassin (2017) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Great, another terrorism thriller
Just what the world needs, another ill-timed terrorism-based thriller – you can almost hear the groans can’t you? It seems the movie-going public just can’t get enough of these accounts of urban terrorism.
Last year’s diabolical London Has Fallen inexplicably took over $200million at the box office and the better-received Unlocked also performed well commercially. All of this in spite of the constant threat posed by terrorism across the globe.
Now, there’s a new kid on the block. American Assassin. But does this film based on the novel of the same name do enough to be different?
When Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton) takes CIA black ops recruit Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) under his wing, they receive an assignment to investigate a wave of random attacks on both military and civilian targets. After discovering a pattern of violence, Hurley and Rapp join forces with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative who wants to start a global war.
Michael Cuesta’s film is propped up by a nicely shot opening in which Dylan O’Brien’s Mitch comes up against Islamic terrorists while on holiday with his fiancé. Naturally, she’s brutally murdered and it becomes Mitch’s life-ambition to hunt down terrorist cells across the world.
Yes, you heard me right. That’s the plot. Ridiculous in every way and frankly, a little boring, American Assassin is a poor excuse for a film riddled with dreadful dialogue, phoned-in performances and uninspiring camerawork.
What makes it worse is that Maze Runner rising star Dylan O’Brien thought it would be a good idea to helm such a vehicle. He performs well but feels at odds with the film’s dark tone and is in serious danger of doing a post-Abduction Taylor Lautner and tanking his promising career. Michael Keaton’s bizarre effort here is the polar opposite of his genuinely menacing turn in Spider-Man: Homecoming only two months ago.
The rest of the cast might as well be made of cardboard they’re that uninteresting and while globe-trotting should evoke some visual joy, the scenery feels flat, hampered by a dull colour palette and the fact it’s been done to death already.
As American Assassin steamrolls to a 70s-esque Bond finale, we’re subjected to some torturous CGI, though Cuesta does well to ramp up the tension a little, but it’s the subject matter once again that proves a sticking point.
In a world where our fears of urban terrorism are greater than ever, should we be classing films like this as ‘entertainment’? Take the opening sequence for example, as nicely choreographed as it is, the parallels to the dreadful Tunisian beach attack of 2015 linger in the back of my mind and I find it all very much in poor taste.
Overall, American Assassin is yet another addition to the already overstuffed terrorism thriller genre that adds absolutely nothing new. The performances are dull, the story is flat and the cinematography is uninspired. Poor Dylan O’Brien left the Maze for this?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/09/15/american-assassin-review/
Last year’s diabolical London Has Fallen inexplicably took over $200million at the box office and the better-received Unlocked also performed well commercially. All of this in spite of the constant threat posed by terrorism across the globe.
Now, there’s a new kid on the block. American Assassin. But does this film based on the novel of the same name do enough to be different?
When Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Michael Keaton) takes CIA black ops recruit Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) under his wing, they receive an assignment to investigate a wave of random attacks on both military and civilian targets. After discovering a pattern of violence, Hurley and Rapp join forces with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative who wants to start a global war.
Michael Cuesta’s film is propped up by a nicely shot opening in which Dylan O’Brien’s Mitch comes up against Islamic terrorists while on holiday with his fiancé. Naturally, she’s brutally murdered and it becomes Mitch’s life-ambition to hunt down terrorist cells across the world.
Yes, you heard me right. That’s the plot. Ridiculous in every way and frankly, a little boring, American Assassin is a poor excuse for a film riddled with dreadful dialogue, phoned-in performances and uninspiring camerawork.
What makes it worse is that Maze Runner rising star Dylan O’Brien thought it would be a good idea to helm such a vehicle. He performs well but feels at odds with the film’s dark tone and is in serious danger of doing a post-Abduction Taylor Lautner and tanking his promising career. Michael Keaton’s bizarre effort here is the polar opposite of his genuinely menacing turn in Spider-Man: Homecoming only two months ago.
The rest of the cast might as well be made of cardboard they’re that uninteresting and while globe-trotting should evoke some visual joy, the scenery feels flat, hampered by a dull colour palette and the fact it’s been done to death already.
As American Assassin steamrolls to a 70s-esque Bond finale, we’re subjected to some torturous CGI, though Cuesta does well to ramp up the tension a little, but it’s the subject matter once again that proves a sticking point.
In a world where our fears of urban terrorism are greater than ever, should we be classing films like this as ‘entertainment’? Take the opening sequence for example, as nicely choreographed as it is, the parallels to the dreadful Tunisian beach attack of 2015 linger in the back of my mind and I find it all very much in poor taste.
Overall, American Assassin is yet another addition to the already overstuffed terrorism thriller genre that adds absolutely nothing new. The performances are dull, the story is flat and the cinematography is uninspired. Poor Dylan O’Brien left the Maze for this?
https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/09/15/american-assassin-review/
Dean (6925 KP) rated Skyfall (2012) in Movies
Aug 25, 2017
Javier Bardem is a great villian (2 more)
Return of the Aston Martin DB5
Great action scenes and chases
Bringing Bond up to date
A very good Bond indeed, better than the last, not sure about best ever though. Once again there is a bit more realism with this effort than most of the franchise, this time with cyber terrorism part of the main threat. There is plenty of action, references to many of the other Bond films, and some great acting as well. What's not to like?!?
Michael Imperioli recommended Brazil (1985) in Movies (curated)
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated 7 Days In Entebbe (2018) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
It’s an act of terrorism that leads to possibly one of the most daring rescue missions ever attempted in Entebbe starring Rosamund Pike, Daniel Bruhl and Eddie Marsan.
Entebbe is based on true events starting back in June 1976, the film follows the rescue attempt of 248 hostages when their commercial airline, Air France 139, is highjacked and diverted to an airport that has been long abandoned in Entebbe, Uganda, the passengers now become the very bargaining power that the terrorists need for a deadly political standoff.
Entebbe is based on true events starting back in June 1976, the film follows the rescue attempt of 248 hostages when their commercial airline, Air France 139, is highjacked and diverted to an airport that has been long abandoned in Entebbe, Uganda, the passengers now become the very bargaining power that the terrorists need for a deadly political standoff.
Good plot twists (1 more)
Some good action scenes
Cracking Thriller
Finally got around to watching one of the most talked about TV shows of last year. It centres around the Personal Protection Officer to the Home Secretary. The first few episodes were very exciting with some great action scenes. The later episodes concentrating more on investigating various plotlines and conspiracies. It's interesting as we get a look into how the Police, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence services work. It all feels very realistic in terms of how the various teams work for the Home Office. There are plenty of twists and turns, the tension will have you gripped to your seat. Perfect for a short tense series.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Soft Apocalypse in Books
Jan 12, 2018
This was the second time I have read [Soft Apocalypse] by [Will McIntosh]. It was as good the second time. Now I usually do not read books twice because there are way too many books I want to read but since this is set in Savannah where I moved in July I figured I would read it again.
The idea that society collapses due to economics is not too far fetched. The eco terrorism may be a little harder to buy but still well within the realm of possibility. The message that as human we have good and bad but really never give up is a prevalent theme in this story. I recommend it to anyone looking for a thought provoking read.
The idea that society collapses due to economics is not too far fetched. The eco terrorism may be a little harder to buy but still well within the realm of possibility. The message that as human we have good and bad but really never give up is a prevalent theme in this story. I recommend it to anyone looking for a thought provoking read.
PhoebeLV (147 KP) rated Noughts and Crosses: Book 1 in Books
Aug 8, 2020
The Story (1 more)
The Characters
Favourite Book Series
Noughts and Crosses is a modern take on Romeo and Juliet; two people want to be together, however, it is seen as wrong as one of them is black (Cross) and the other person is white (Nought). Noughts and Crosses explores a range of serious happenings, including terrorism and racism.
Malorie Blackman writes very well; she has to be one of my favourite authors. I showed a whole range of emotions whilst reading this series.
This book has also been made into a BBC show. It is not exactly the same (which is good), but it is pretty much the same.
Overall, I would recommend this book, if this is the sort of thing you are interested in.
Malorie Blackman writes very well; she has to be one of my favourite authors. I showed a whole range of emotions whilst reading this series.
This book has also been made into a BBC show. It is not exactly the same (which is good), but it is pretty much the same.
Overall, I would recommend this book, if this is the sort of thing you are interested in.