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Red Sparrow (2018)
Red Sparrow (2018)
2018 | Mystery, Thriller
A Sexy spy thriller that would have been better without the SEXY
The new Jennifer Lawrence spy thriller RED SPARROW is being advertised as a "sexy" thriller, and if you watch the trailers for it, you would think it was a Jason Bourne/Mission Impossible-type of action thriller - with "sexy" action - and you would be misled and disappointed.

For, RED SPARROW, is a sexy, intelligent, inner-workings, "out-smart-the-other-guy" type of spy thriller in more of the mode of a John LeCarre novel (like TINKER, TAILOR, SOLIDER, SPY). It does have some action and some GRAPHIC torture scenes, but I would not classify it as an action film, so those looking for that will be bored.

RED SPARROW follows the tale of Bolshoi Ballet Prima Ballerina, Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) who, after an accident ends her ballet career, is drawn into the deadly world of International Intelligence by her Uncle and must her her body as well as her mind to survive.

This is billed - and shot - as a "sexy" thriller with "SEXY" being the primary driving force - and that is too bad, for I found the sex and nudity to be gratuitous and didn't really drive the narrative forward. When the film stopped focusing on this aspect and focused on the mystery - and misdirection - at hand and Dominika's ability to outsmart and outhink those around her, that the film really catches it's footing and is quite good.

Unfortunately, you have to sit through the first 1/2 of this film - the training portion - and that is filled with gratuitous sex and sexual conquest and using your sex to disarm the enemy. It's an unfortunate choice that almost took me out of the movie, so when the (really) good second half of the film came about, I was surprised by it.

But if you can get through that, you'll be rewarded by a pretty good, pretty smart, pretty INTELLIGENT thriller.

Letter Grade: B (C for the 1st half, A for the 2nd half)

7 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list

Nov 19, 2017
Two old friends debate the issues that accompany aging; an old friend of thriller readers (Jack Reacher) shows a softer side; a new story about Humpty Dumpty gets told with a twist - just some of the books out this week:

There is something for everyone this week, from difficult, essential history to fiction set in the 18th century to several new books for young readers.


GOOD NIGHT, PLANET

GOOD NIGHT, PLANET

Liniers

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

In this tender, funny tale for early readers from internationally renowned cartoonist Liniers, a...


children
Tumble & Blue

Tumble & Blue

Cassie Beasley

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

From the New York Times bestselling author of Circus Mirandus comes the magic-infused story of a...


children science fiction fantasy
Stars Beneath Our Feet

Stars Beneath Our Feet

David Barclay Moore

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother's death...


children
After the Fall

After the Fall

Dan Santat

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Book

After the fall, Humpty Dumpty is a broken egg. Life is tough: he's so afraid of heights, he can't...


children comedy
A Moonless, Starless Sky: Ordinary Women and Men Fighting Extremism in Africa

A Moonless, Starless Sky: Ordinary Women and Men Fighting Extremism in Africa

Alexis Okeowo

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

'Absolutely essential reading, period' Alexandra Fuller, bestselling author of Don't Lets Go to the...


history social issues culture
and 6 other items
     
     
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Fearless (6 KP) rated Split (2016) in Movies

Jun 30, 2017  
Split (2016)
Split (2016)
2016 | Horror, Thriller
Storyline moves fairly quickly and stays interesting, there is a supernatural element to this film that I did not expect! Major points for that! (0 more)
The ending blows chunks and some of the victim acting is weak (0 more)
Fun little psychological thriller
  
Point Blank (2011)
Point Blank (2011)
2011 | Action, International, Mystery
7
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Relentless pace (1 more)
Good story
Cool French action thriller
A decent French action film I stumbled upon. Likened to Taken it was very good, with a simple plot with some good twists. The action doesn't let up and tension builds very quickly.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Limitless (2011) in Movies

Feb 10, 2018  
Limitless (2011)
Limitless (2011)
2011 | Mystery, Sci-Fi
7
6.5 (17 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A good film with an interesting if far fetched plot. It has a decent cast and a few good twist and turns. Not as much action as I thought more of a thriller towards the end. However still enjoyable overall.
  
Finders Keepers
Finders Keepers
Stephen King | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.1 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
Really true thriller
I really enjoyed the second book to the bill Hodges ret-det story. I thought there was a lot of heartbreak and turmoil involved but I still really enjoyed it. Now reading the final chapter of bill hodges.
  
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Daniel1980 (18 KP) created a post

Mar 29, 2018  
So I've just watched Unsane, a brilliant but disturbing horror/thriller movie. Read my review to see more!

*This review is all my own work, please don't reproduce without my permission thank you

https://howicksfilmreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2018/03/unsane.html?m=1
     
The Number 23 (2007)
The Number 23 (2007)
2007 | Mystery
7
6.4 (10 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Jim Carrey in a very different role (0 more)
Surprisingly good
A very good thriller with Jim Carrey doing very well in a non-comic role for a change! If you like Stir of Echoes, Secret Window you should like this too!
  
The Client (1994)
The Client (1994)
1994 | Action, Drama, Mystery
A great thriller based on the book by John Grisham. A kid witnesses the suicide of a lawyer for the mafia and gets caught up in a case to bring them down....if the mafia don't get him first. Great film.