Search
Search results
Dean (6927 KP) rated Bronson (2009) in Movies
Feb 5, 2018
Not what I was expecting! A great performance by Tom Hardy as the title character, but the monologue style delivery for the majority of the film was quite odd and bizarre at times, although that fits the character well. Only seems to focus on a few key moments of all his time in prison, with very few facts or dates? Could have been a lot better I think.
Edgar Wright recommended Peeping Tom (1960) in Movies (curated)
Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Jul 13, 2019
Spider-Man: Far From Home was amazing! Great follow up to not only Homecoming, but also Endgame. Can't really say too much about the movie itself as I don't want to give any spoilers, but great story. Loving Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Jake Gyllenhaal was amazing as always as Mysterio. I'll tell you what's not a mystery, that you should get to your friendly neighborhood theater to see Far From Home. Oh, and definitely hang around for a couple of key post credit scenes.
Otway93 (580 KP) rated Resident Evil (2021) in Movies
Feb 13, 2022
Story (1 more)
Nostalgic
Casting (1 more)
Character Traits
A fun film, but not without obvious flaws.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is a great film. It attempts to combine key elements from the first 3 Resident Evil games into one movie, which kind of works, and kind of doesn't at the same time. Expect a lot of familiar moments and memorable key moments from the story of Raccoon City, but also don't get too excited because a lot of key moments and characters are missing entirely.
The film should have been two films really, the first covering the Mansion Incident, and the second covering the outbreak in Raccoon City.
The characters, while being most of the best known characters from the original game, are present yet at the same time not quite right. The casting, while not terrible, did make some mistakes, mostly in Tom Hopper's portrayal of Wesker, he just seems far too young for the role. But that isn't the only issue. The character's personalities are not as you remember them.
Chris comes across as very arrogant and annoying, Jill comes across as quite sassy, and poor Leon, the rookie cop seems to be a bumbling fool there for comic relief.
The best written and acted character by a long way is Claire, who comes across as the little rebel we know and love.
All in all, definitely worth a watch, and I will definitely watch it again. But if you are a huge Resident Evil nerd such as myself, it will certainly have it's moments for you, but don't go in expecting to see the entire story of Raccoon City unfold before your eyes.
Also, don't forget to keep watching the credits...
The film should have been two films really, the first covering the Mansion Incident, and the second covering the outbreak in Raccoon City.
The characters, while being most of the best known characters from the original game, are present yet at the same time not quite right. The casting, while not terrible, did make some mistakes, mostly in Tom Hopper's portrayal of Wesker, he just seems far too young for the role. But that isn't the only issue. The character's personalities are not as you remember them.
Chris comes across as very arrogant and annoying, Jill comes across as quite sassy, and poor Leon, the rookie cop seems to be a bumbling fool there for comic relief.
The best written and acted character by a long way is Claire, who comes across as the little rebel we know and love.
All in all, definitely worth a watch, and I will definitely watch it again. But if you are a huge Resident Evil nerd such as myself, it will certainly have it's moments for you, but don't go in expecting to see the entire story of Raccoon City unfold before your eyes.
Also, don't forget to keep watching the credits...
Hazel (1853 KP) rated The Professor (McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>
<i>The Professor</i>, a legal thriller by American author Robert Bailey, is a well-written novel about an investigation into a fatal car crash. A collision between a speeding truck and a family car resulted in the death of all four people in the vehicles. The mother of one of the deceased is determined to find out the truth about what happened and so enlists the help of an old friend, Thomas McMurtrie, the Professor.
Although everything revolves around the upcoming trial, the story is really focused on two people in particular. One is the aforementioned Professor and the other is an ex-student of his, Rick Drake. Tom used to be a lawyer but after persuasion from Coach Paul Bryant he took up a position at the University of Alabama teaching law. Now at 68 years old he is forced into retirement. Rick Drake, on the other hand, is a young and struggling lawyer, who after punching Tom due to his hot headedness is finding it difficult to pick up work. Putting aside their differences, the two of the come together to try and win this court case. The opposition, however, seem determined to make that impossible by using any means possible.
The prologue initially misled me. It explains how Tom became a professor in 1969 by detailing his meeting with Coach Paul Bryant who is more often referred to as the Man. This title, as well as the capitalization, led me to believe that he would be a sinister, untrustworthy character in this story. That turned out not to be the case – nor was he even in it, having long passed away. He was known as the Man in the same way that Tom is known as the Professor, due to respect and admiration.
There were times when I did not like what was happening in the novel, particularly the murders of Rick’s key witnesses, but once the trial actually began it got really exciting with the pace picking up as I hoped that everything would resolve itself.
For those who love crime novels this is a definite read. I cannot be entirely sure but the caption on the back cover “The First McMurtrie & Drake Investigation” implies that this could become a series rather than a standalone story; in which case it would be interesting to discover what the pair do next.
<i>The Professor</i>, a legal thriller by American author Robert Bailey, is a well-written novel about an investigation into a fatal car crash. A collision between a speeding truck and a family car resulted in the death of all four people in the vehicles. The mother of one of the deceased is determined to find out the truth about what happened and so enlists the help of an old friend, Thomas McMurtrie, the Professor.
Although everything revolves around the upcoming trial, the story is really focused on two people in particular. One is the aforementioned Professor and the other is an ex-student of his, Rick Drake. Tom used to be a lawyer but after persuasion from Coach Paul Bryant he took up a position at the University of Alabama teaching law. Now at 68 years old he is forced into retirement. Rick Drake, on the other hand, is a young and struggling lawyer, who after punching Tom due to his hot headedness is finding it difficult to pick up work. Putting aside their differences, the two of the come together to try and win this court case. The opposition, however, seem determined to make that impossible by using any means possible.
The prologue initially misled me. It explains how Tom became a professor in 1969 by detailing his meeting with Coach Paul Bryant who is more often referred to as the Man. This title, as well as the capitalization, led me to believe that he would be a sinister, untrustworthy character in this story. That turned out not to be the case – nor was he even in it, having long passed away. He was known as the Man in the same way that Tom is known as the Professor, due to respect and admiration.
There were times when I did not like what was happening in the novel, particularly the murders of Rick’s key witnesses, but once the trial actually began it got really exciting with the pace picking up as I hoped that everything would resolve itself.
For those who love crime novels this is a definite read. I cannot be entirely sure but the caption on the back cover “The First McMurtrie & Drake Investigation” implies that this could become a series rather than a standalone story; in which case it would be interesting to discover what the pair do next.
Debbiereadsbook (1650 KP) rated The Unquiet Spirit (Spirited Encounters #1) in Books
Jan 27, 2026
couldn't see where this was going!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Once in a while, a review request comes through that is a little out of my normal reads, and the blurb piqued my interest. This is one of those times!
Kate is left a house, and she runs to it, after her love life is left in tatters. As a historian, she can work from home, so moving to Cornwall is no real hardship. That the house has a ghost, however, is another matter. And just what is up with her new neighbour, Tom?
For a long time, I couldn't see where this was going, with the ghost, the diary, the connection between them and Tom's extended family, I really couldn't and I do LOVE being kept on my toes! I really did not see how it was going to come together, and when it did?? So not what I was expecting.
It's well written, the spooky bits come across wonderfully and the blossoming romance is very much faded to black. Not totally clean, but it's all behind closed doors.
BUT
Only Kate has a say and I would love to have heard from Tom at key points along the way. I always want to hear from everyone but I think here, it's needed.
I've not read anything by this author before, I might look at her back list! This is what I love MOST about reviewing: finding new-to-me authors with back lists.
4 very VERY good stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Once in a while, a review request comes through that is a little out of my normal reads, and the blurb piqued my interest. This is one of those times!
Kate is left a house, and she runs to it, after her love life is left in tatters. As a historian, she can work from home, so moving to Cornwall is no real hardship. That the house has a ghost, however, is another matter. And just what is up with her new neighbour, Tom?
For a long time, I couldn't see where this was going, with the ghost, the diary, the connection between them and Tom's extended family, I really couldn't and I do LOVE being kept on my toes! I really did not see how it was going to come together, and when it did?? So not what I was expecting.
It's well written, the spooky bits come across wonderfully and the blossoming romance is very much faded to black. Not totally clean, but it's all behind closed doors.
BUT
Only Kate has a say and I would love to have heard from Tom at key points along the way. I always want to hear from everyone but I think here, it's needed.
I've not read anything by this author before, I might look at her back list! This is what I love MOST about reviewing: finding new-to-me authors with back lists.
4 very VERY good stars.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Toy Story 4 (2019) in Movies
Jul 7, 2020
Funny, Heartwarming, And Beautifully Animated
Toy Story 4 is a 2019 CG/comedy movie directed by Josh Cooley and based on screenplay written by Andrew Stanton, and Stephany Folsom; along with John Lasseter, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Valerie LaPointe, and Martin Hynes. It was produced by Picard Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Keanu Reeves.
Woody (Tom Hanks) and the other toys are happy in their new life after Andy donates his toys to Bonnie; but Woody worries Bonnie will feel overwhelmed at school when she starts kindergarten. Woody sneaks into her backpack and recovers her arts and crafts supplies when a classmate throws them away. She uses the supplies, including a spork Woody grabbed to create a handmade toy she names "Forky" (Tony Hale). And when Bonnie and her family go on a road trip, Forky jumps out of the window setting off a chain of events that will change the group forever.
This movie was funny, stunningly animated, and emotionally touching. They really were shooting to impress with the amount of detail they had in this movie, from the glossy porcelain shine of Bopeep, to the fur on the cat, to all the other toys little details. I liked how the action was very character driven and how the storytelling was really well done. The character growth/arc for Bopeep was one of my favorites and I really enjoyed the cast of new characters and how they were incorporated as well like, Keanu Reeves and Key and Peele. This was such a great movie and it got me choked up at the end of the movie and I couldn't find anything to really complain about but then I read an article that made me question how I felt about it and what I saw. I'll see if I can add the link to it at the end of my review. It ultimately made me drop my rating by a point, I almost gave this movie a 9, but I give it a 8/10. But I do give it my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
Here is the link to the article: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/theres-a-problem-with-toy-story-4-opinion/1100-6468073/
Woody (Tom Hanks) and the other toys are happy in their new life after Andy donates his toys to Bonnie; but Woody worries Bonnie will feel overwhelmed at school when she starts kindergarten. Woody sneaks into her backpack and recovers her arts and crafts supplies when a classmate throws them away. She uses the supplies, including a spork Woody grabbed to create a handmade toy she names "Forky" (Tony Hale). And when Bonnie and her family go on a road trip, Forky jumps out of the window setting off a chain of events that will change the group forever.
This movie was funny, stunningly animated, and emotionally touching. They really were shooting to impress with the amount of detail they had in this movie, from the glossy porcelain shine of Bopeep, to the fur on the cat, to all the other toys little details. I liked how the action was very character driven and how the storytelling was really well done. The character growth/arc for Bopeep was one of my favorites and I really enjoyed the cast of new characters and how they were incorporated as well like, Keanu Reeves and Key and Peele. This was such a great movie and it got me choked up at the end of the movie and I couldn't find anything to really complain about but then I read an article that made me question how I felt about it and what I saw. I'll see if I can add the link to it at the end of my review. It ultimately made me drop my rating by a point, I almost gave this movie a 9, but I give it a 8/10. But I do give it my "Must See Seal Of Approval".
Here is the link to the article: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/theres-a-problem-with-toy-story-4-opinion/1100-6468073/
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2476 KP) rated “N” is for Noose in Books
Jul 6, 2019
Overcomes a Slow Start to be Entertaining
P.I. Kinsey Millhone has been hired to ease the mind of a widow. No one is questioning that Tom Newquist died of a heart attack, something brought on by his poor health habits. However, his widow, Selma, is convinced that something was bothering her husband in the last few weeks of his life, and she needs to know what that was. The problem is, she has no clue where Kinsey might begin to look, and none of Tom’s friends or co-workers in the Nota Lake Sheriff’s office are willing to speak ill of the man or have any clue what might have been bothering him. So Kinsey digs into his life, hoping to find some thread she can unravel. Was Tom hiding something? Can Kinsey figure out what it was?
Since this is a mystery, you know that Kinsey will eventually uncover something. The key word here in eventually. The first part of the book is very slow, and we are over a quarter of the way in before we begin to see evidence that there is something for Kinsey to uncover. However, the further it goes along, the more we get drawn in to another great mystery, and by the climax I was glad I had stuck with the book. We do get a little time in Kinsey’s native Santa Teresa, and it is nice to see the series regulars however briefly. Not that this book is lacking strong characters. The new cast are outstanding and help pull us into the story even before the plot takes off. While I don’t recommend this book as an introduction to the series, I think series fans will be thankful they stuck with the book until the end.
Since this is a mystery, you know that Kinsey will eventually uncover something. The key word here in eventually. The first part of the book is very slow, and we are over a quarter of the way in before we begin to see evidence that there is something for Kinsey to uncover. However, the further it goes along, the more we get drawn in to another great mystery, and by the climax I was glad I had stuck with the book. We do get a little time in Kinsey’s native Santa Teresa, and it is nice to see the series regulars however briefly. Not that this book is lacking strong characters. The new cast are outstanding and help pull us into the story even before the plot takes off. While I don’t recommend this book as an introduction to the series, I think series fans will be thankful they stuck with the book until the end.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Venom (2018) in Movies
Oct 11, 2018
It doesn't make a lot of sense to make a film about a Spider-Man baddie that doesn't even mention Spider-Man, but then it doesn't strike me as an especially good move to make a superhero movie where the protagonist is a cannibalistic blob with teeth, and Venom manages to be both; welcome to 2018. TV reporter torches his own career, decides to investigate dodgy tycoon, ends up sharing his body with bad-tempered man-eating alien blob with teeth - looking on the bright side he can now shoot tentacles out of his armpits.
Generally a very good reminder of all the reasons why Sony were so wise to hand the actual creative side of the Spider-Man movies back to Marvel, because the script of this movie goes clunk-clunk-clunk from beginning to end; character motivations change in the twinkling of an eye and key plot points are merrily ignored when they become inconvenient. The only reason to watch the movie is Tom Hardy, who finds unexpected reserves of comedy in rather unlikely places. Still a bit of a mess though, certainly compared to the main sequence Marvel films.
Generally a very good reminder of all the reasons why Sony were so wise to hand the actual creative side of the Spider-Man movies back to Marvel, because the script of this movie goes clunk-clunk-clunk from beginning to end; character motivations change in the twinkling of an eye and key plot points are merrily ignored when they become inconvenient. The only reason to watch the movie is Tom Hardy, who finds unexpected reserves of comedy in rather unlikely places. Still a bit of a mess though, certainly compared to the main sequence Marvel films.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Pinocchio (2022) in Movies
Oct 13, 2022
Another day, another "live action retelling" of a Disney classic that manages to disappoint. With the exception of Maleficent and most of The Jungle Book (and I guess Aladdin wasn't completely horrible), these Disney remakes have been duds, thanks to the general air of hollow souless-ness that surrounds them. This is precisely the main detriment with Pinocchio. It's existence in the first place invites comparisons to the original, a truly beloved animation. In turn, this remake offers nothing of value. Anything new on display feels vapid, and everything familiar is far superior within the source material. You have to ask "well what was the point"? It was the same with Mulan. It was the same with Cinderella. It was the same with The Lion King, and I have no doubt that it will be the same with Hercules when that eventually arrives. Disney seem content with shitting out lifeless rehashes for a quick buck and it's probably not going to change.
Tom Hanks tries his best. Monstro looks kind of cool. Jiminy Cricket being voiced scarily accurately by Joseph Gordon Levitt is low key hilarious. Otherwise, this movie is only good for fire wood.
Tom Hanks tries his best. Monstro looks kind of cool. Jiminy Cricket being voiced scarily accurately by Joseph Gordon Levitt is low key hilarious. Otherwise, this movie is only good for fire wood.