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The Marinated Meeple (1853 KP) rated Game Night (2018) in Movies
Jan 2, 2019
Slapstick was solid (1 more)
Some of the dialog was quite good
Better than I expected.
We live in the golden age of games, there are amazing card games, and board games that are better than anything that was around in the 70's. Yet these people who have game nights weekly don't seem to know about anything that was invented in the last 40 years. Pictionary, and charades are go-to games for them. Please don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy playing those games to. But it would be as if there was a movie about Art appreciators , and everyone in the film had only seen art that was painted before the 1900's, just completely omitting anything modern is absurd.
It would've taken almost no effort to include a few modern board games, like Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Sushi Go, or Settlers of Catan.
All that said, I finally watched this film and enjoyed it for the most part. Rachel McAdams was awesome, and stole the show.... Batemen was himself and solid. The cop almost derailed the movie for me he was so creepy.
It would've taken almost no effort to include a few modern board games, like Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Sushi Go, or Settlers of Catan.
All that said, I finally watched this film and enjoyed it for the most part. Rachel McAdams was awesome, and stole the show.... Batemen was himself and solid. The cop almost derailed the movie for me he was so creepy.

Sarah (7800 KP) rated Love Actually (2003) in Movies
Dec 22, 2018
Heartwarmingly brilliant
Love Actually is one of those films where i never understand how people couldn’t like it. It’s so heartwarming and sweet and romantic, with such a variety of different stories centring around love and relationships. Not only that but it’s also pretty hilarious at times and very witty too, and has a phenomenal cast. The amount of acting talent in this is second to none, and how can you really go wrong with a film that has Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman and many many others in the cast? The only real negative to the cast is sadly Keira Knightley, who I’ve never rated and she isn’t very good in this, although fortunately she isn’t in it that much.
This is a Christmas film that doesn’t go too over the top with the Christmas feels (mainly thanks to Billy Mack) and for me I see it more of a rom-com first rather than a Christmas film. But it’s still a brilliant film, although it does get me hoping that an Andrew Lincoln or Colin Firth lookalike will turn up at my door one day...
This is a Christmas film that doesn’t go too over the top with the Christmas feels (mainly thanks to Billy Mack) and for me I see it more of a rom-com first rather than a Christmas film. But it’s still a brilliant film, although it does get me hoping that an Andrew Lincoln or Colin Firth lookalike will turn up at my door one day...

Awix (3310 KP) rated Personal Services (1987) in Movies
Jan 19, 2020
Not many people get a film based on their life while they're still around: prostitute and brothel madam Cynthia Payne had not one but two released in the same year (this and 'Wish You Were Here') - makes one proud to be British. A typical story of rags to riches, embellished with a vast amount of kinky sex and tawdry etablishment hypocrisy - not entirely surprisingly, the women here are the tough and clever ones, the men who come to them are awkward, fragile creatures.
One of those off-beat comedy-drama films, with a strong sense of the seedier side of life, that the UK film industry went in for quite a lot in the 1980s. This one has a strong performance from Julie Walters, but the comedy often feels strained and it can't seem to quite decide how it's going to handle the more graphic material inevitably involved - straightforwardly, or in nudge-nudge style? Tends towards the latter. Passes the time reasonably well as a slightly odd piece of entertainment; may well also be of interest as an insight into the English psyche (God help us).
One of those off-beat comedy-drama films, with a strong sense of the seedier side of life, that the UK film industry went in for quite a lot in the 1980s. This one has a strong performance from Julie Walters, but the comedy often feels strained and it can't seem to quite decide how it's going to handle the more graphic material inevitably involved - straightforwardly, or in nudge-nudge style? Tends towards the latter. Passes the time reasonably well as a slightly odd piece of entertainment; may well also be of interest as an insight into the English psyche (God help us).

Kate (493 KP) rated The IT Girl Wears An XL in Books
Mar 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It was nice to challenge the stereotypes of how girls should look. It also goes to show that curvy can be fancied and can get the guy. It also shows what society is like to those girls when they get what other girls want.
I was instantly hooked and wanted to continue reading when I could. There were 2 sides to the book as well so it didn't focus on one thing and I got to know more about each character and their past.
The book was written well and kept me intrigued.
I connected with the characters. Some I felt sorry for and some I felt disgusted because of their actions.
I think the story is aimed at mid-teens to late twenties. It is a feel good book and aimed at people who want a confidence book or just a laugh.
After reading the blurb I'm glad I decided to read the book and will definitely read the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I was instantly hooked and wanted to continue reading when I could. There were 2 sides to the book as well so it didn't focus on one thing and I got to know more about each character and their past.
The book was written well and kept me intrigued.
I connected with the characters. Some I felt sorry for and some I felt disgusted because of their actions.
I think the story is aimed at mid-teens to late twenties. It is a feel good book and aimed at people who want a confidence book or just a laugh.
After reading the blurb I'm glad I decided to read the book and will definitely read the second book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

Tim McGuire (301 KP) rated Downhill (2020) in Movies
Mar 14, 2020
404. Downhill. It has terrible reviews. Then i read them, and a lot of them seem to be hating because it's a remake of a foreign film. I didn't see it. But I liked this one, an uncomfortable comedy drama. Looking like the perfect family, Billie and Pete take the kids skiing, yay! Everything is going great, until one day at breakfast, one of the controlled avalanches goes a little out of bounds a bit and feels like a bunch of people are about to buried alive. Spoiler alert... In those seconds were they realize the snow is about to smack em hard, Billie puts her arms around her children and ducks down to protect them, Pete on the other hand, grabs his cell phone and splits, after its all over, the initial shock wears off and now Billie is left with the knowledge of what hubby did in the face of danger. Movie goes on to follow both on now their separate vacations, leading to some funny though uncomfortable situations. Check it out!! Will Ferrell was great as the slowing imploding Pete, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus was great as Billie trying to keep shit together! Filmbufftim on FB

Grant Imperfection Mitchell (0 KP) rated Mice and Mystics in Tabletop Games
Mar 15, 2020
Co-op taking away tension of competitive (3 more)
Fun for all ages after a few rule adjustments
The story its self is a rich, beautiful tale of adventure
Combat is simple
Mice and Mystics is a great story telling boardgame in a series by Jerry Hawthorne. The game follows Prince Collin and his court of advisors who turn themselves to mice to escape certain death at the hands of an evil witch.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.
The whole game plays out by reading the story that accompanies the box and then playing out scenarios depicted by board pieces and using beautifully sculpted miniatures to navigate and fight the queens rat forces, spiders and more.
Its a game for the whole family which is brilliant, although to keep things moving smoothly for younger kids some rules can be stripped back for sure. This game is imaginative, difficulty can ramp up quickly making it challenging for all level of players and even though its co-op you can always just compete for kills......Centipedes only count as one.

Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated One Past Midnight: The Langoliers in Books
Mar 28, 2020
Just Because
Stephen King does it once again with this book. The first short story in Four Past Midnight will keep readers up well past midnight trying to finish it in one sitting.
When a plane flies through a natural phenomenon mistaken for the Aurora Boralice something very strange happens. All of the passengers (including the piolet) who were awake disappear and only those who were asleep find themselves still on the plane. This mismatched group must figure out how to land the plane safely and decide what just happened. They manage to land in a strange area that resembles an airport like what they are used to but there are no people, sounds carry weird, and the food is tasteless, plus there is a chewing noise getting closer and closer to them.
When a plane flies through a natural phenomenon mistaken for the Aurora Boralice something very strange happens. All of the passengers (including the piolet) who were awake disappear and only those who were asleep find themselves still on the plane. This mismatched group must figure out how to land the plane safely and decide what just happened. They manage to land in a strange area that resembles an airport like what they are used to but there are no people, sounds carry weird, and the food is tasteless, plus there is a chewing noise getting closer and closer to them.
Fantabulously Disappointing
Having seen trailers for this film quite a while ago I had high hopes for Birds Of Prey. Unfortunately, this is one of those movies that cram packs all the decent and semi decent action sequences into 3-4 minute trailers to try and entice people into watching. So sad.
While Suicide Squad had left me feeling rather lukewarm, there were enough good points in it so that I hadn't left the cinema feeling like I'd completely wasted my money. Birds Of Prey on the other hand... My God!
It seemed more akin to a comic book version of Thelma And Louise (with a couple more tag alongs thrown in to try and simulate the girl power vibe) than anything vaguely resembling how Harley had been portrayed in Suicide Squad- or in the graphic novels for that matter.
It truly is a shame as I think Margot Robbie is quite good an actress, but I think when she'd been handed this script by her agent she should have just chucked it in the bin without a second thought.
While Suicide Squad had left me feeling rather lukewarm, there were enough good points in it so that I hadn't left the cinema feeling like I'd completely wasted my money. Birds Of Prey on the other hand... My God!
It seemed more akin to a comic book version of Thelma And Louise (with a couple more tag alongs thrown in to try and simulate the girl power vibe) than anything vaguely resembling how Harley had been portrayed in Suicide Squad- or in the graphic novels for that matter.
It truly is a shame as I think Margot Robbie is quite good an actress, but I think when she'd been handed this script by her agent she should have just chucked it in the bin without a second thought.

Awix (3310 KP) rated Star Trek Adventures in Tabletop Games
Apr 26, 2020
The latest in a very long line of Star Trek role-playing games is also one of the best. You too can don the velour jumpsuit of a Starfleet officer, explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilisations, etc. Not a good choice if you are looking for a generic science fiction roleplaying experience, as the game is specifically designed to replicate the feel and philosophy of classic Star Trek - phasering the opposition into submission is unlikely to work, using your brains and working together should produce better results.
The basic system is sound and relatively straightforward, with players and GMs having a number of ways to influence the action. However, some of the more complex mechanics and systems do take a little bit of effort to get your head around (it's generally worth it though), and I wouldn't want to embark upon even a simple ship-to-ship combat engagement without everyone involved having some kind of cheat sheet to hand. I'm not sure how many people will be looking for a 'classic' Star Trek role-playing experience, but for those who are, this is a very good bet.
The basic system is sound and relatively straightforward, with players and GMs having a number of ways to influence the action. However, some of the more complex mechanics and systems do take a little bit of effort to get your head around (it's generally worth it though), and I wouldn't want to embark upon even a simple ship-to-ship combat engagement without everyone involved having some kind of cheat sheet to hand. I'm not sure how many people will be looking for a 'classic' Star Trek role-playing experience, but for those who are, this is a very good bet.

Barry Newman (204 KP) rated The Intruder (2019) in Movies
Apr 29, 2020
This fairly generic killer thriller is one of those films where people keep doing stupid things that makes you yell at the screen. The wife is frustratingly trusting/thick and is of course sceptical of what the husband is saying , whereas the husband never thinks of contacting the police and keeps leaving the wife alone where he goes off to work despite knowing there is a potential killer lurking about. The clichés are well worn here and the lead couple are so bland and uninspiring I can’t even be bothered to look up their names, the film also has a soundtrack of loud jarring hip hop music which doesn’t fit and distracts from the mood and largely just got on my nerves.
Why I haven’t marked the film lower is solely for Dennis Quaid’s performance. He actually makes a surprisingly decent psycho and puts in a menacing and unsettling performance. He is clearly having allot of fun in the role as well. If you can overlook the flaws I have mentioned previously the film is worth a watch for his performance alone and I would certainly watch him again in similar roles, just hopefully slightly stronger material.
Why I haven’t marked the film lower is solely for Dennis Quaid’s performance. He actually makes a surprisingly decent psycho and puts in a menacing and unsettling performance. He is clearly having allot of fun in the role as well. If you can overlook the flaws I have mentioned previously the film is worth a watch for his performance alone and I would certainly watch him again in similar roles, just hopefully slightly stronger material.