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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated A Quiet Place: Part II (2021) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
Y'all get scared too easily lmao. Let's not act like the first one was a genius piece of filmmaking or anything - it just had a solid premise you could wring a metric ton of mileage out of and wasn't afraid to provide lots of fun, goofy, intense thrills in an age of comically over-serious pity parties saturating the horror movie market. I really enjoyed it, but with its sequel the switch from horror/thriller to drama/thriller really took a toll imo. Because what made these work was never the characters, of which I honestly couldn't tell you a single name of nor more than one defining personality trait now two entries later - it was the gimmick, carried so efficiently by the marvelous performances at the forefront. Here the acting still rips (except for Blunt, who along with her character seems totally lost with nothing to do rather than just kind of awkwardly wing it) but the gimmick seems to just try and retrace the steps of the first movie while adding in a deathly simplistic, extraneous story since this one has no real clue what to do with itself... for some reason. And maybe it's just me but this one also looks so much worse. That all being said, this works best when it depicts moments of peace and/or normalcy being immediately brutalized by swift, sweeping violence - it knows exactly how to play them, that shit is *awesome*. Both times it lets these (admittedly kind of lamely designed) creatures wreak havoc on unsuspecting, populated areas it's a total riot. Also features a pretty neat three-way thriller sequence in the middle that's decently cool, too. A perfectly serviceable distraction.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Lies Lies Lies in Books
Aug 17, 2019
Good Twisty Domestic Thriller
A true page turner of a domestic thriller. Despite some hard to read content it was a book I tore through. Some good twists in and some hard hitting themes are dealt with.
Millie is the “miracle” daughter of Daisy and Simon; conceived after a long battle with infertility. Despite the perfect family appearance there are truths covered up by lies and after one fateful night their lives will change forever. The story is told through the alternating perspective views of Daisy and Simon as they reevaluate everything in their lives.
Early on this book deals with Simon and his ever increasing dependence on booze and it’s done in a very hard hitting way giving a really gritty feeling of the life as, and life living with an alcoholic. In particular viewing things from Simon’s perspective offered a really interesting perspective.
I found some of this uncomfortable to read and just wanted to shake the characters into facing their reality head on rather than avoiding difficult conversations with each other. Daisy became a bit too much of a useless protagonist I understand some things are difficult to face up to but throughout the book she really is useless. Unfortunately this is the second book in a row I’ve read with a very weak female lead in it, I don’t mind some vulnerability but show some backbone please or its just too frustrating to read.
The twists are interesting in this although I guessed one of the big ones early on it was still an interesting read and the “baddie” really did make my skin crawl. All in all an uncomfortable but worthwhile thriller, I just would of liked Daisy to be a more developed character.
Millie is the “miracle” daughter of Daisy and Simon; conceived after a long battle with infertility. Despite the perfect family appearance there are truths covered up by lies and after one fateful night their lives will change forever. The story is told through the alternating perspective views of Daisy and Simon as they reevaluate everything in their lives.
Early on this book deals with Simon and his ever increasing dependence on booze and it’s done in a very hard hitting way giving a really gritty feeling of the life as, and life living with an alcoholic. In particular viewing things from Simon’s perspective offered a really interesting perspective.
I found some of this uncomfortable to read and just wanted to shake the characters into facing their reality head on rather than avoiding difficult conversations with each other. Daisy became a bit too much of a useless protagonist I understand some things are difficult to face up to but throughout the book she really is useless. Unfortunately this is the second book in a row I’ve read with a very weak female lead in it, I don’t mind some vulnerability but show some backbone please or its just too frustrating to read.
The twists are interesting in this although I guessed one of the big ones early on it was still an interesting read and the “baddie” really did make my skin crawl. All in all an uncomfortable but worthwhile thriller, I just would of liked Daisy to be a more developed character.
Extinction
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An epic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Douglas Preston, perfect for fans of...
Sarah (7800 KP) rated I am Pilgrim in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Gripping and thrilling
This book is an entirely unexpected revelation. I've seen the good reviews but just assumed it was yet another run of the mill crime/murder mystery thriller (I may have skim read the synopsis), but I couldn't have been more wrong.
It starts off fairly slowly, but a part of the way in I was hooked. Its a gripping and truly thrilling tale of espionage, terrorism and with a little bit of murder mystery thrown in too. Its well written for the most part and Scott/Brodie/Pilgrim is an interesting and likeable main character. The story itself is so detailed and descriptive, you can't doubt any of it and once it gets going, it really progresses at a very quick pace. The fact that it has links to 9/11 too was also very well done and quite emotional.
My only criticisms are some of the actions of Pilgrim are a little dumb or unbelievable at times, especially considering he's meant to be one of the best. But other than that, this is a fantastic, albeit maybe slightly too long, thriller that really keeps you hooked.
It starts off fairly slowly, but a part of the way in I was hooked. Its a gripping and truly thrilling tale of espionage, terrorism and with a little bit of murder mystery thrown in too. Its well written for the most part and Scott/Brodie/Pilgrim is an interesting and likeable main character. The story itself is so detailed and descriptive, you can't doubt any of it and once it gets going, it really progresses at a very quick pace. The fact that it has links to 9/11 too was also very well done and quite emotional.
My only criticisms are some of the actions of Pilgrim are a little dumb or unbelievable at times, especially considering he's meant to be one of the best. But other than that, this is a fantastic, albeit maybe slightly too long, thriller that really keeps you hooked.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Anon (2018) in Movies
May 14, 2018 (Updated May 14, 2018)
Anon Starter
Well-styled but ultimately sluggish, laborious and derivative sci-fi thriller. Clive Owen plays a troubled cop in a somewhat dystopian future where (basically) attaching everyone's audio-visual sensory centres to the internet has eliminated crime. Or has it? Someone has come up with a way of editing themselves out of the system, allowing them to kill with impunity.
A decent idea, I suppose, but rather implausible and also not nearly as original as everyone seems to think; the thriller plotline is largely neglected in favour of ruminations on the nature of fact and truth, secrecy and privacy, guilt and memory: none of these produce any insights or anything really memorable, and the film's pretensions to being a serious movie are kind of undermined by the gratuitous nudity required of many of the female cast. Looks okay, and Owen is always watchable, of course, but I was waiting impatiently for it to end well before it actually did. I'll choose an interesting bad film over a boring one any day of the week, and Anon's worst crime is that it's simply really dull.
A decent idea, I suppose, but rather implausible and also not nearly as original as everyone seems to think; the thriller plotline is largely neglected in favour of ruminations on the nature of fact and truth, secrecy and privacy, guilt and memory: none of these produce any insights or anything really memorable, and the film's pretensions to being a serious movie are kind of undermined by the gratuitous nudity required of many of the female cast. Looks okay, and Owen is always watchable, of course, but I was waiting impatiently for it to end well before it actually did. I'll choose an interesting bad film over a boring one any day of the week, and Anon's worst crime is that it's simply really dull.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction in Books
May 22, 2019
Espionage. Assassins.Middle East.
Homeland meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
The story is led by a strong female protagonist who is pitted against her nemesis. To stop him, Petra must confront her past and the traumatic experience that took her out of the field.
This was a well thought out, well written intricate international thriller. The main character, Petra, is an intelligent and independent woman who is forced to overcome her fears and PTSD from a failed field op in order to prevent a massive terrorist attack.
Ms. Guha does a great job weaving the political landscape of the today’s Middle East with a future (2021) that she’s created. It’s a refreshing change from the majority of spy thrillers in that the author stays away from all the typical clichés that can slow a fast paced thriller down. A great first novel.
Very good strong characters and loved the plot.
Really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review
Homeland meets Syriana in the near future.
When the CIA intercepts intelligence on a terrorist attack in Kuwait, Petra Shirazi, a former field agent, comes face to face with the Ahriman, one of Iran's deadliest assassins.
The story is led by a strong female protagonist who is pitted against her nemesis. To stop him, Petra must confront her past and the traumatic experience that took her out of the field.
This was a well thought out, well written intricate international thriller. The main character, Petra, is an intelligent and independent woman who is forced to overcome her fears and PTSD from a failed field op in order to prevent a massive terrorist attack.
Ms. Guha does a great job weaving the political landscape of the today’s Middle East with a future (2021) that she’s created. It’s a refreshing change from the majority of spy thrillers in that the author stays away from all the typical clichés that can slow a fast paced thriller down. A great first novel.
Very good strong characters and loved the plot.
Really enjoyed this and highly recommend!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Kisscut (Grant County, #2) in Books
Jun 18, 2019
A disturbingly good thriller
The second in the Grant County series this book continues with the high shock value of the crimes involved. Seriously if you are squeamish or don’t want to be reading about rape, genital mutilation, paedophilia, child abuse, and/or suicide then you should probably avoid.
In this outing medical examiner Sara Linton and her on / off partner police chief Jeffery Tolliver investigate a tragic teenage argument that leads to the uncovering of a series of very dark secrets in the town. But with those around the victim closing ranks it’s tough to get to the bottom of who is responsible for some pretty disturbing stuff.
We get to see a bit more of the Sara and Jeffrey relationship dynamic; but more interesting in this book is the ongoing recovery of Detective Lena Adams. The horrendous experiences that were covered in the previous book in the series “Blindsighted” are taking their toll on Lena. I would recommend reading this series in order to fully get the back story to this.
Despite the uncomfortable nature of some of the subject matter this is another well written thriller from Slaughter.
In this outing medical examiner Sara Linton and her on / off partner police chief Jeffery Tolliver investigate a tragic teenage argument that leads to the uncovering of a series of very dark secrets in the town. But with those around the victim closing ranks it’s tough to get to the bottom of who is responsible for some pretty disturbing stuff.
We get to see a bit more of the Sara and Jeffrey relationship dynamic; but more interesting in this book is the ongoing recovery of Detective Lena Adams. The horrendous experiences that were covered in the previous book in the series “Blindsighted” are taking their toll on Lena. I would recommend reading this series in order to fully get the back story to this.
Despite the uncomfortable nature of some of the subject matter this is another well written thriller from Slaughter.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Klute (1971) in Movies
Jul 21, 2019
Great 70s thriller!
Another great thriller from Alan J. Pakula, director of All the President's Men, The Parallax View and Presumed Innocent starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.
A down and out call girl teams up with a private detective to try and solve a missing persons case.The two end up in a torrid relationship both persons seemingly using each other for their own gains. The investigation has several twists and turns through some drug addicts, an unsavory pimp and even some disco nightclubs. Tensions mount as the call girl herself becomes a target of the mysterious vigilante.
I love 70s thrillers like Play Misty for me, Blow Out, Dressed To Kill and this film. Something about the characters talk to each other and also seeing the vintage hairstyles, wardrobes, cars and music always puts you right in the mood.
Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland are perfect together onscreen as they both portray somewhat unsavory characters in this film but you are still rooting for them. Those who don't like slow developing stories might be bored; however, I thought it was well put together and worth the wait.
Highly recommended!
A down and out call girl teams up with a private detective to try and solve a missing persons case.The two end up in a torrid relationship both persons seemingly using each other for their own gains. The investigation has several twists and turns through some drug addicts, an unsavory pimp and even some disco nightclubs. Tensions mount as the call girl herself becomes a target of the mysterious vigilante.
I love 70s thrillers like Play Misty for me, Blow Out, Dressed To Kill and this film. Something about the characters talk to each other and also seeing the vintage hairstyles, wardrobes, cars and music always puts you right in the mood.
Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland are perfect together onscreen as they both portray somewhat unsavory characters in this film but you are still rooting for them. Those who don't like slow developing stories might be bored; however, I thought it was well put together and worth the wait.
Highly recommended!
365Flicks (235 KP) rated Stairs (2019) in Movies
Nov 2, 2019
Toby Osmond (3 more)
Story
Tom Paton
Alana Wallace
Don't Go Down
This movie is everything you would hope for in a Tom Paton flick and a hell of a lot more. A high concept psychological horror/thriller like you wouldnt believe that plays in the sci-fi genre realm. So yeah its a mind melding genre bending smorgasboard.
With Samantha Schnitzler and Bently Kalu (Ben Garrett) doing arguably a fair chunk of the heavy lifting, I am always happy to see these guys share the screen. Bently just seems to have this protective nature when his characters interact with Sam's, Schnitzler is always on point as a total Bad Ass and this time gets to play with her more emotional side.
This movie is more than an actioner, its more than a thriller... Stairs lives in many genres while silently making its own. I have said it before and I will say it one more time, the team behind this movie just took one hell of a step in their already solid game to that next level. Lets just hope it doesnt send them back to the start (see what I did there).
With Samantha Schnitzler and Bently Kalu (Ben Garrett) doing arguably a fair chunk of the heavy lifting, I am always happy to see these guys share the screen. Bently just seems to have this protective nature when his characters interact with Sam's, Schnitzler is always on point as a total Bad Ass and this time gets to play with her more emotional side.
This movie is more than an actioner, its more than a thriller... Stairs lives in many genres while silently making its own. I have said it before and I will say it one more time, the team behind this movie just took one hell of a step in their already solid game to that next level. Lets just hope it doesnt send them back to the start (see what I did there).
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Passengers in Books
Mar 5, 2020
Now that was a thriller that had me totally hooked. It's fairly relentless from the beginning and with the audiobook, I listened to read between 6 different narrators (all of a high standard) I couldn't put it down.
You do have to be willing to suspend a good level of belief for this one but, with some brilliant writing and plenty of different moving parts, it's easy to let yourself get swept along. Set in the not too distant future 8 driver-less cars are hijacked and it's broadcast around the world for all to chime in on who lives and who dies.
I tend to find books that try to tackle the issues around social media or that use social media heavily in their storyline painful to read; causing much eye-rolling, but this was so well written I didn't have any issues for a change with its use. Although I felt the end let up too much on the earlier pace I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.
I'll be checking out some more John Marrs ASAP based on this; it was a great ride (pardon the pun.)
You do have to be willing to suspend a good level of belief for this one but, with some brilliant writing and plenty of different moving parts, it's easy to let yourself get swept along. Set in the not too distant future 8 driver-less cars are hijacked and it's broadcast around the world for all to chime in on who lives and who dies.
I tend to find books that try to tackle the issues around social media or that use social media heavily in their storyline painful to read; causing much eye-rolling, but this was so well written I didn't have any issues for a change with its use. Although I felt the end let up too much on the earlier pace I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller.
I'll be checking out some more John Marrs ASAP based on this; it was a great ride (pardon the pun.)