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Lenard (726 KP) rated Pet Sematary (2019) in Movies
Apr 9, 2019
A Boston doctor moves his family to what is believed to be a quiet town in Maine. He soon discovers that the town has a secret past and supernatural powers. A good horror movie requires an atmosphere and a good movie based on the book makes you want to read the book to see what was left out. Neither requirement is met in this version of "Pet Sematary." The setting of the atmosphere I may have missed due to longer credits attached to "Shazam" that my gig required me to view. When I entered the theater, the family was already in their Maine house. In the short time I was not there, two things were established, the gas trucks that constantly careen through the town, a ominous sign of accidents to come and the family move to Maine to get away from the hustle of the city. The shadow of death could not have come until I was already in the theater. This aspect of the family dynamic was firmly established later when Ellie sees an animal dead on the road. The titular pet cemetary was also introduced while I was in attendance. The directors did not set up any foreboding specters for the cemetary or the family past, a sign of people in need of paying attention to their own creation. Throughout the film, there should be moments that terrify you from Church to the zombie child to Judd's mysteriously dead wife. None of these approach master level suspense.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated The Spirit in Question in Books
Oct 3, 2018
Murder in the Haunted Theater
Lila has been talked into working on a play that her university is putting on this semester. The play is Puzzled: The Musical written by Tolliver Ingersoll, a fellow professor at Stonedale University, and it's being directed by Jean Claude Lestronge, who is visiting the college for the semester. Putting the play on is proving to be a struggle, but things get more interesting when someone is shot during a planned blackout. That's when Lila starts to hear some stories about the history of this particular theater. Could that have something to do with what is currently happening? Or is there a more modern motive for murder?
There is a lot happening in this book, and at times, the plot appears to ramble as a result. The murder definitely takes a back seat to some of the other things going on, but I never found myself getting board since everything was entertaining. And the various bits and pieces do begin to tie together the further we get into the book. Because we get so many new characters, we don't see much of most of the series regulars, but the new characters are all developed enough to make us care about the outcome, and Lila continues to be a strong lead. And the play! I was laughing at the little bits we did learn about it over the course of the book. Heck, the song titles alone are great. It looks like a fun spoof of the mystery genre that I would go see if I could.
There is a lot happening in this book, and at times, the plot appears to ramble as a result. The murder definitely takes a back seat to some of the other things going on, but I never found myself getting board since everything was entertaining. And the various bits and pieces do begin to tie together the further we get into the book. Because we get so many new characters, we don't see much of most of the series regulars, but the new characters are all developed enough to make us care about the outcome, and Lila continues to be a strong lead. And the play! I was laughing at the little bits we did learn about it over the course of the book. Heck, the song titles alone are great. It looks like a fun spoof of the mystery genre that I would go see if I could.
Improv Nation: How We Made a Great American Art
Book
From the best-selling author of Fosse, a sweeping yet intimate—and often hilarious—history of a...
Art History
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated A Midnight Puzzle in Books
May 18, 2024
Litigious Customer Murdered
Secret Staircase Construction is being sued by their latest customer. He maintains that his wife’s accidental fall down the stairs was the result of their shoddy construction. Tempest Raj doesn’t believe a word of it and thinks he may have tried to kill his wife and blame them. Before they can figure out what to do the man dies at the theater where Tempest is preparing for her farewell tour – a theater with a connection to the Raj family’s tragic past. While the police are initially looking elsewhere, Tempest knows it is just a matter of time before they look at her family. Can she figure out what really happened?
This book wraps up an arc that Tempest has been on, which means fans of the series will be satisfied. If you are new to the series, there is some background, but you might not fully understand some of what happens here. The pacing in this book is off, with things a little slow in the second act. Unfortunately, it means that the third act, while it does logically wrap things up, also feels very rushed. We needed a little more time to fully absorb the twists. Still, I love the premise of this series, and Tempest and her friends and family are always a joy to spend time around. As usual, there are a couple of recipes at the end. Fans will be looking forward to the next entry when they finish this one.
This book wraps up an arc that Tempest has been on, which means fans of the series will be satisfied. If you are new to the series, there is some background, but you might not fully understand some of what happens here. The pacing in this book is off, with things a little slow in the second act. Unfortunately, it means that the third act, while it does logically wrap things up, also feels very rushed. We needed a little more time to fully absorb the twists. Still, I love the premise of this series, and Tempest and her friends and family are always a joy to spend time around. As usual, there are a couple of recipes at the end. Fans will be looking forward to the next entry when they finish this one.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Dumb and Dumber (1994) in Movies
Jan 6, 2018
Want hear the most annoying sound in the world.
Ok. This the Jim Carey we kind of grew up with. Crazy,zany,funny, no limits in this character for him. Jeff Daniels reaches in and pulls out his inner Carey in this wacky film about two idiots who take a cross country trip to return a briefcase to woman they both don't know. I don't believe I have laughed so hard in a theater in my life and I still crack up every time I watch it. I can't wait til one day my daughter is old enough to see it and understand the comedy. Danger lurks around each corner but, being the idiots they are they slip right around it.
The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) created a poll
May 22, 2019
Heathere' (25 KP) rated The Fox and the Hound (1981) in Movies
Mar 21, 2018
If you've never seen this movie, do it now
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is one of my favorite Disney movies and I still remember watching it in the theater when I was 7 or 8 years old. I cried then and cry every time I watch it. Tod is a fox who was orphaned and raised by Widow Tweed. Amos Slade is Widow Tweed's neighbor and owner of Copper, a hound dog. Tod and Copper meet up and become fast friends, unaware that they are meant to be enemies. There is great music, a great story and a wonderful message about friendship. Best of all, it doesn't focus on beautiful princesses looking for a hero.
Erika (17789 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies
Dec 22, 2018
Wow. This documentary was amazing. The restoration work, and the care that was taken with the footage is awe-inspiring. The Fathom Event showing had a short 30 minute program afterwards where Peter Jackson gave more insight into what all was done.
At first, it's all in black and white, when the colorization portion started, there was a collective gasp in the full theater. It was definitely reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in terms of the overall reveal.
The use of the actual veterans talking about life during the Great War were really interesting to hear, and though they used dozens of people, they were blended together seamlessly. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait until I can purchase it.
At first, it's all in black and white, when the colorization portion started, there was a collective gasp in the full theater. It was definitely reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, in terms of the overall reveal.
The use of the actual veterans talking about life during the Great War were really interesting to hear, and though they used dozens of people, they were blended together seamlessly. I absolutely loved it, and can't wait until I can purchase it.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Holmes and Watson (2018) in Movies
Dec 30, 2018 (Updated Dec 30, 2018)
How and why was this film made?
This movie was the most boring, unfunny 1 hr and 31 minutes of my life. Why on Earth was this film made? The theater I was in had 3 other people in it and NO ONE laughed during the film. In my opinion, Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, both of whom were in meaningless roles would have been far better as the comedic versions of Holmes and Watson. If I had actually paid to see this movie, I would have been pissed. Luckily, I have an AMC subscription which has already paid for itself this month.
I cannot recommend this movie to anyone, and hopefully it's kicked out of theaters next week to make way for something else.
I cannot recommend this movie to anyone, and hopefully it's kicked out of theaters next week to make way for something else.
Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated The Lodge (2019) in Movies
Mar 4, 2020 (Updated Mar 4, 2020)
I think the movie distributor must have gotten lost in a snowstorm, but The Lodge finally made it to theater here in Hawaii. And like a snowstorm, this movie will chill you to your bones. I love going into movies without knowing much about it, but know this, The Lodge is truly terrifying and will leave you frozen in your seat as credits roll; pun intended. The direction and scripture from Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz twas amazing. Alicia Silverstone gives a mind blowing performance! As does the rest of cast. Elvis Presley would be so proud of the performance given by his granddaughter Riley Keough. If you do not see The Lodge, that is one sin you will have to repent.