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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Mean Season (1985) in Movies
Feb 10, 2021
The Killer Calls
The Mean Season- is a great suspense thiller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
The plot: After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).
The film was named after the term of the same name that refers to a pattern of weather that occurs in Florida during the late summer months. In order to achieve accuracy for the scenes that take place in the busy newsroom, the filmmakers used Miami Herald reporters as on-set consultants and extras and shot in the actual newsroom as opposed to recreating it on a soundstage.
Its a great crime thriller.
William Friedkin recommended Belle de Jour (1968) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Manchurian Candidate (1962) in Movies
May 8, 2021
Conspiracy thriller. In the early 1960s, war hero Raymond Shaw is feted across America for saving his comrades during the war in Korea - but those comrades are troubled by strange nightmares suggesting something completely different may have happened. Shaw has been conditioned by the Communists to become the perfect assassin, something not even he is aware of, and his new operators are about to send him into action...
Sounds a bit like a Red Scare movie, but surprisingly apolitical: the main villain seems to be more fascist than communist, and even the Russian characters appear to have corrupted by American consumerism. Instead, the focus is more on character, and the damage done to people by their experiences in wartime. An intelligent and cynical movie, well-played for the most part, and with an astonishingly good turn from Angela Lansbury. Inevitably linked in the culture to the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers in the 1960s, but still feels remarkably un-dated.
Sounds a bit like a Red Scare movie, but surprisingly apolitical: the main villain seems to be more fascist than communist, and even the Russian characters appear to have corrupted by American consumerism. Instead, the focus is more on character, and the damage done to people by their experiences in wartime. An intelligent and cynical movie, well-played for the most part, and with an astonishingly good turn from Angela Lansbury. Inevitably linked in the culture to the assassinations of the Kennedy brothers in the 1960s, but still feels remarkably un-dated.
The Trusted by Michelle Medhat is the first book in a five book series. A cross genre book that incorporates spy thriller with brilliant elements of sci-fi and fantasy too at times. The story hits the ground running and we are thrown into the action from the first page. We meet MI-6 agent Sam Noor who is part of the fight against a new terror organisation that is a threat to the whole world.They are using brand new technology to threaten everything people love. I think the world building is excellent and Michelle has created truly individual strong characters that stay with you long after you have finished the book. A story that had my adrenaline rushing all the way through, with enough action for three books never mind just the one! Am picking up the second book as soon as possible, I need to know what will happen in this series quick! Thank you to Michelle for my copy of the book today.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Scanners (1981) in Movies
Oct 12, 2020
Horror-SF from David Cronenberg. A man with psychic powers is sent to infiltrate a dangerous network of others with similar abilities: they have many subtle telepathic and telekinetic powers, such as being able to make people's heads explode.
Actually rather less graphic and icky than the film's reputation (and advertising) might suggest; the really spectacularly gory bits bookend the movie, and much of the rest of it looks like a relatively conventional thriller. The film is arguably ahead of its time in its suspicion of the military-industrial complex and big pharma; there is perhaps a subtext about the souring of 60s idealism as free-thinkers are persecuted or exploited by vested interests. Pretty good performances from the hero and the villain, but (not really surprisingly) Patrick McGoohan steals the film as the protagonist's father-figure. A thoughtful and intelligent film that isn't afraid to really go for the splatter now and then.
Actually rather less graphic and icky than the film's reputation (and advertising) might suggest; the really spectacularly gory bits bookend the movie, and much of the rest of it looks like a relatively conventional thriller. The film is arguably ahead of its time in its suspicion of the military-industrial complex and big pharma; there is perhaps a subtext about the souring of 60s idealism as free-thinkers are persecuted or exploited by vested interests. Pretty good performances from the hero and the villain, but (not really surprisingly) Patrick McGoohan steals the film as the protagonist's father-figure. A thoughtful and intelligent film that isn't afraid to really go for the splatter now and then.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Cut & Run (Cut & Run, #1) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
I really liked this.
This is only the third full-length mm romance I've read and like the other two, it was a sort of mystery/thriller.
I liked both characters. They were both really likable and I enjoyed reading their story, though the whole on again/off again thing drove me a bit potty at times, but I have to say the on again bits were both hot and sweet.
As for the bad guy, I had my suspicions from about mid-way through just because he seemed to be in the right place at the right time. I felt the ending, in regards to the bad guy, was a little bit of an anti-climax for me (but by then I was more interested in Ty's safe recovery than how the bad guy got his comeuppance)
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else these two get up to :D
This is only the third full-length mm romance I've read and like the other two, it was a sort of mystery/thriller.
I liked both characters. They were both really likable and I enjoyed reading their story, though the whole on again/off again thing drove me a bit potty at times, but I have to say the on again bits were both hot and sweet.
As for the bad guy, I had my suspicions from about mid-way through just because he seemed to be in the right place at the right time. I felt the ending, in regards to the bad guy, was a little bit of an anti-climax for me (but by then I was more interested in Ty's safe recovery than how the bad guy got his comeuppance)
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see what else these two get up to :D
Nickg24 (492 KP) rated Night Hunter (2018) in Movies
Sep 29, 2019
This film has a promising storyline.A serial killer is abducting and murdering young women in Minnesota and sex crime investigator Marshall (cavill) is leading the pursuit to catch him.A retired judge (ben kingsley) and a young girl are going round luring in paedophiles and castrating them.They both eventually meet and team up sort of (along with a female police profiler) to try and catch the killer.
This film was trying to emulate other classic cat and mouse thrillers like Seven and in parts did give it a go but ultimately failed to do so.The twist they go for when it comes to revealing the killer was ok but if you follow the story carefully you may work it out before then.
Cavill and Kingsley played their parts well and there are 1 or 2 good action sequences.A good little movie that is worth a watch if your looking for a good thriller.
This film was trying to emulate other classic cat and mouse thrillers like Seven and in parts did give it a go but ultimately failed to do so.The twist they go for when it comes to revealing the killer was ok but if you follow the story carefully you may work it out before then.
Cavill and Kingsley played their parts well and there are 1 or 2 good action sequences.A good little movie that is worth a watch if your looking for a good thriller.
Emma (53 KP) rated The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle in Books
Aug 26, 2019
Chilling and thrilling!
I've just finished this book and had to come and review it straight away! I adored this book. I loved the way that each and every character was so deeply explored. I loved the theme of fate vs choice. I loved the ending and the way that no stone was left unturned! I was worried whilst reading it, that I would be left with lots of unanswered questions. I was not disappointed!
The only fault here, is that once you pick it up, you can't put it down! It can be very difficult to keep up with all the twists and turns of this manic novel if you plan on reading it over a long course of time. But it's easy enough to skip back and remind yourself of what's been going on.
Overall, one of the best books I have ever read, and would recommend to anyone who loves a crime thriller!!
The only fault here, is that once you pick it up, you can't put it down! It can be very difficult to keep up with all the twists and turns of this manic novel if you plan on reading it over a long course of time. But it's easy enough to skip back and remind yourself of what's been going on.
Overall, one of the best books I have ever read, and would recommend to anyone who loves a crime thriller!!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated High Country Contract in Books
Aug 26, 2019
In this quick but engaging read, we are transported to the highlands of the South Island of New Zealand; a beautiful but remote backdrop to this thrilling tale of the hunter unwittingly becoming the hunted.
Once again, I am not disappointed by the writings of Lance and James Morcan; they know how to pull you in and keep you there until the end. I was however disappointed that it wasn't a bit longer ... no sooner had the action began, than it ended which was a shame as I really feel more could have been made of the terrain and the cat and mouse games between the hunter and the hunted. However, it is what it is and it's still a great thriller with interesting and believable characters.
I would recommend anyone read Lance and James' books particularly The Orphan Trilogy which is for lovers of action, espionage, conspiracy theories or just people who enjoy a flippin’ good read ... you won't be disappointed.
Once again, I am not disappointed by the writings of Lance and James Morcan; they know how to pull you in and keep you there until the end. I was however disappointed that it wasn't a bit longer ... no sooner had the action began, than it ended which was a shame as I really feel more could have been made of the terrain and the cat and mouse games between the hunter and the hunted. However, it is what it is and it's still a great thriller with interesting and believable characters.
I would recommend anyone read Lance and James' books particularly The Orphan Trilogy which is for lovers of action, espionage, conspiracy theories or just people who enjoy a flippin’ good read ... you won't be disappointed.
