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LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated The Other Guys (2010) in Movies
Sep 20, 2020 (Updated Sep 20, 2020)
"๐'๐ฎ ๐ข ๐ฑ๐ฆ๐ข๐ค๐ฐ๐ค๐ฌ ๐ง๐ญ๐บ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฐ ๐ข ๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ฃ๐ฐ๐ธ!" - Mark Wahlberg, this movie.
Hadn't seen it since the theater approximately ten years ago but still one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, and at least twenty times more quotable than either ๐๐ฏ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ film. An old-school police procedural pretty impressively melded with a more restrained McKay comedy - switching the focus (smartly, with this one) from his patented over-the-topness to squarely on the jokes. Exhibit A on why Wahlberg is one of the most underused comedic actors on the planet, dude is fully game to satirize his tough guy image and lean into it at the same time. My biggest complaint is that all the vehicle action is shot and edited like utter crap, but the stuntwork and practicals are as sound as can be and there's a pretty bitchin' little shootout near the end of this thing. Plus they blow up the Trump tower less than five minutes into it, what more can you ask for?
Hadn't seen it since the theater approximately ten years ago but still one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, and at least twenty times more quotable than either ๐๐ฏ๐ค๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ film. An old-school police procedural pretty impressively melded with a more restrained McKay comedy - switching the focus (smartly, with this one) from his patented over-the-topness to squarely on the jokes. Exhibit A on why Wahlberg is one of the most underused comedic actors on the planet, dude is fully game to satirize his tough guy image and lean into it at the same time. My biggest complaint is that all the vehicle action is shot and edited like utter crap, but the stuntwork and practicals are as sound as can be and there's a pretty bitchin' little shootout near the end of this thing. Plus they blow up the Trump tower less than five minutes into it, what more can you ask for?
David McK (3233 KP) rated Marvel's Spider-Man in Video Games
Aug 26, 2019
Well, that was thoroughly enjoyable.
Seemingly taking it's cue - especially in combat - from Rocksteady's Arkham series of Batman games, this tells a completely new, completely stand-alone story, with a Peter Parker who has been Spider-Man, now, for 8 years and so is free of any restrictions placed upon it by tying it to a particular movie or graphic novel.
While it can get a bit repetitive in places, the central mechanic of web-swinging around a populated New York - one that even has a scale able The Avengers Tower in it (question: what will happen now that the Sony/Marvel deal has broken down?) - is great fun, while the story and plot itself is actually pretty good. Yes, anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Spider-Man lore may see where parts of it are going, but the fun (in this case) is in the journey, not the destination ...
Looking forward to the inevitable sequel.
Seemingly taking it's cue - especially in combat - from Rocksteady's Arkham series of Batman games, this tells a completely new, completely stand-alone story, with a Peter Parker who has been Spider-Man, now, for 8 years and so is free of any restrictions placed upon it by tying it to a particular movie or graphic novel.
While it can get a bit repetitive in places, the central mechanic of web-swinging around a populated New York - one that even has a scale able The Avengers Tower in it (question: what will happen now that the Sony/Marvel deal has broken down?) - is great fun, while the story and plot itself is actually pretty good. Yes, anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Spider-Man lore may see where parts of it are going, but the fun (in this case) is in the journey, not the destination ...
Looking forward to the inevitable sequel.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Hancock (2008) in Movies
Apr 11, 2021 (Updated Jul 11, 2022)
"Good job" / "no, you did a good job"
You know that bit in Superman 3 (I think) where Superman goes bad?
Straightening the leaning tower of Pisa, blowing out the Olympic torch, drinking, etc?
That's pretty much how this film starts, with Will Smith's Hancock a hard-drinking, hard-living (and miserably lonely) 'superhero' more concerned about his next drink than saving the day.
However, when he recues publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), Hancock soon becomes convinced to change his way of life, voluntarily surrendering himself to the authorities (who are sick of the damage he has caused and the ensuing financial implications of the same) and going to prison until the public starts missing him and the police need his help.
There is a real surprise in the third Act of the film, which does take it in a totally different direction that it had been going up to that point.
Straightening the leaning tower of Pisa, blowing out the Olympic torch, drinking, etc?
That's pretty much how this film starts, with Will Smith's Hancock a hard-drinking, hard-living (and miserably lonely) 'superhero' more concerned about his next drink than saving the day.
However, when he recues publicist Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), Hancock soon becomes convinced to change his way of life, voluntarily surrendering himself to the authorities (who are sick of the damage he has caused and the ensuing financial implications of the same) and going to prison until the public starts missing him and the police need his help.
There is a real surprise in the third Act of the film, which does take it in a totally different direction that it had been going up to that point.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) created a post
Jan 16, 2018
Gareth von Kallenbach (971 KP) rated Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
A follow up to the 2008, โJourney to the Center of the Earth,โ here is another modern take on those beloved classic stories of the 19th century. โJourney 2: The Mysterious Islandโ is based on the idea that Jules Verneโs Mysterious Island, Jonathan Swiftโs Gulliverโs Travels and Robert Louis Stevensonโs Treasure Island, are in fact the same island which really does exist.
The movie opens up with the return of Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) getting caught by the police for climbing a satellite tower. To his chagrin, Josh is released into the custody of his stepfather Hank (Dwayne โThe Rockโ Johnson), a former Navy man who wants nothing more than to be friends with his stepson. Seanโs reason for climbing the satellite tower was to get a hold of a satellite transmission code that he believes is the key to a message from his long-lost grandfather Alexander(Michael Caine).
Sean, with the help of Hankโs Navy expertise, attempts to decode the message which eventually leads them to the Mysterious Island. Along the way, the two hire a helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman), who provides the comedic relief and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) who, of course, is the eye candy and the romantic interest for Sean.
Upon arrival at the Mysterious Island, they locate Seanโs grandfather Alexander and they discover they must trek across the island, past a volcano that erupts gold leaves and run from dangerous creatures to find Captain Nemoโs ship. All before the island sinks!
You donโt have to be a โVernianโ to know whatโs going on here. This movie was definitely geared toward a younger audience. The idea behind recreating Verneโs novels with a modern day twist was clever, however the execution was poor as the sequence of events didnโt flow from one scene to the next and the character relationships were not genuine at all. I must say, however the visual effects were stunning. as well as some of the action scenes which could have rivaled โIndiana Jonesโ or even โThe Gooniesโ with just a bit more care and attention to detail.
The movie opens up with the return of Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) getting caught by the police for climbing a satellite tower. To his chagrin, Josh is released into the custody of his stepfather Hank (Dwayne โThe Rockโ Johnson), a former Navy man who wants nothing more than to be friends with his stepson. Seanโs reason for climbing the satellite tower was to get a hold of a satellite transmission code that he believes is the key to a message from his long-lost grandfather Alexander(Michael Caine).
Sean, with the help of Hankโs Navy expertise, attempts to decode the message which eventually leads them to the Mysterious Island. Along the way, the two hire a helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman), who provides the comedic relief and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) who, of course, is the eye candy and the romantic interest for Sean.
Upon arrival at the Mysterious Island, they locate Seanโs grandfather Alexander and they discover they must trek across the island, past a volcano that erupts gold leaves and run from dangerous creatures to find Captain Nemoโs ship. All before the island sinks!
You donโt have to be a โVernianโ to know whatโs going on here. This movie was definitely geared toward a younger audience. The idea behind recreating Verneโs novels with a modern day twist was clever, however the execution was poor as the sequence of events didnโt flow from one scene to the next and the character relationships were not genuine at all. I must say, however the visual effects were stunning. as well as some of the action scenes which could have rivaled โIndiana Jonesโ or even โThe Gooniesโ with just a bit more care and attention to detail.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Monster Hunter (2020) in Movies
Jun 25, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
First off I'll start by saying that I've never played any of the Monster Hunter games so I went into this with no real point of reference.
For the most part I found 'Monster Hunter' a pretty average film, the story has been done many times before, a group of solders find themselves in another reality and try to find there way back. Excepted (Spoolers) most of the solders are killed off near the beginning and there is no explanation as to why Artemis (Milla Jovovich) comes back to life (or if there is it's a blink and miss it explanation), I'm guessing that this is something explained more in the games.
There is no real investigation to how they got there they just see a storm by a strange tower and figure that a storm brought them there so that must be the way back.
This all leads to there being almost no story, there are hints to back story's, Artemis keeps looking at a wedding ring, the Hunter (Tony Jaa) preys to icons of his (assumed) family and the Admiral (Ron Perlman) states that people from Artemis' world (earth) had been there before. But that's it, apart from one or to other one liners that's all the back story we get.
The essence of 'Monster hunter' is that it's a journey, mostly Artemis and the Hunter going from the dessert to the tower, but a journey with monsters. The monsters are part of what pushes the film (just) above average, TOHO were involved in the production of the film and, for those of you who don't know, TOHO were the people behind the original, Japanese, Godzilla monster and they have continued do monsters eve since so you know that, when they are involved the monsters are going to be more than just cannon fodder.
The other thing that raises the film up are the action scenes, especially the fights between Artemis and the Hunter.
If you have nothing better to do then maybe give 'Monster Hunter' a watch, just don't expect a master peace, there is nothing wrong with the film but I feel that I've seen it all before in other films.
For the most part I found 'Monster Hunter' a pretty average film, the story has been done many times before, a group of solders find themselves in another reality and try to find there way back. Excepted (Spoolers) most of the solders are killed off near the beginning and there is no explanation as to why Artemis (Milla Jovovich) comes back to life (or if there is it's a blink and miss it explanation), I'm guessing that this is something explained more in the games.
There is no real investigation to how they got there they just see a storm by a strange tower and figure that a storm brought them there so that must be the way back.
This all leads to there being almost no story, there are hints to back story's, Artemis keeps looking at a wedding ring, the Hunter (Tony Jaa) preys to icons of his (assumed) family and the Admiral (Ron Perlman) states that people from Artemis' world (earth) had been there before. But that's it, apart from one or to other one liners that's all the back story we get.
The essence of 'Monster hunter' is that it's a journey, mostly Artemis and the Hunter going from the dessert to the tower, but a journey with monsters. The monsters are part of what pushes the film (just) above average, TOHO were involved in the production of the film and, for those of you who don't know, TOHO were the people behind the original, Japanese, Godzilla monster and they have continued do monsters eve since so you know that, when they are involved the monsters are going to be more than just cannon fodder.
The other thing that raises the film up are the action scenes, especially the fights between Artemis and the Hunter.
If you have nothing better to do then maybe give 'Monster Hunter' a watch, just don't expect a master peace, there is nothing wrong with the film but I feel that I've seen it all before in other films.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
The last Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter Padick, also known as the Man in Black, determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of the worlds at stake, good and evil will collide in the ultimate battle as only Roland can defend the Tower from the Man in Black.
Jack Chambers is labelled as a troubled child, the visions he sees are just his way of coping with his father's death. But when he's confronted with the monsters that he's drawn he knows he needs to find the truth. Even if that truth lands him in the middle of the battle.
Yet another book that I haven't read. I know, I know. I'll sort myself out at some point. But if I'm truly honest, I've never really enjoyed Stephen King stuff. I think I mentioned before when I listened to Under The Dome, everything I've come across feels like it ends rather abruptly, and fairly often with a "Boom! Aliens!"
Knowing this was a series of books I wanted to know exactly what this film entailed... I'm not sure I'm any closer to understanding. Evidently this films has elements of several novels in the series. According to Wikipedia it "also serves as a canonical sequel to the novel series..." Honestly, the only way I'm going to understand it is to read all eight books, but with roughly 100 books in my TBR pile that's a fairly remote happening. I'll just have to convince my mum to see it so she can explain it all to me.
For something that crosses into multiple genres I was pleasantly surprised that it was easy to follow. It was an enjoyable watch. And although there were no aliens thrown in at the end, the film did feel like it ended too abruptly.
I'm not sure what the buzz is about this at the moment, but for a while there were certainly talks of another film, and/or a TV series. I really with all my heart don't want a series. Not after Under The Dome. But another film wouldn't be objectionable.
Jack Chambers is labelled as a troubled child, the visions he sees are just his way of coping with his father's death. But when he's confronted with the monsters that he's drawn he knows he needs to find the truth. Even if that truth lands him in the middle of the battle.
Yet another book that I haven't read. I know, I know. I'll sort myself out at some point. But if I'm truly honest, I've never really enjoyed Stephen King stuff. I think I mentioned before when I listened to Under The Dome, everything I've come across feels like it ends rather abruptly, and fairly often with a "Boom! Aliens!"
Knowing this was a series of books I wanted to know exactly what this film entailed... I'm not sure I'm any closer to understanding. Evidently this films has elements of several novels in the series. According to Wikipedia it "also serves as a canonical sequel to the novel series..." Honestly, the only way I'm going to understand it is to read all eight books, but with roughly 100 books in my TBR pile that's a fairly remote happening. I'll just have to convince my mum to see it so she can explain it all to me.
For something that crosses into multiple genres I was pleasantly surprised that it was easy to follow. It was an enjoyable watch. And although there were no aliens thrown in at the end, the film did feel like it ended too abruptly.
I'm not sure what the buzz is about this at the moment, but for a while there were certainly talks of another film, and/or a TV series. I really with all my heart don't want a series. Not after Under The Dome. But another film wouldn't be objectionable.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The First Purge (2018) in Movies
Mar 3, 2019
Entirely unnecessary
It really frustrates me when they make films like this that are so obviously motivated by the money only. Did we really need a prequel to the Purge films to know exactly how it all began? Of course we didn't as everything we needed to know was in the other Purge films anyway. How many people have really wanted a Purge prequel? And sadly this film is as unnecessary as you'd expect.
Most of it plays out in a similar way to the others, and is entirely predictable and lacking in originality. It doesn't even have any creepy costumes or decent deaths like the others, so it really is lacking entirely. It gets slightly more interesting towards the end with the Raid-like tower block scenes but even this seems to just be trying to replicate the Raid and all of the other films like it. The characters too are all immediately forgettable.
Unless you absolutely love the other Purge films, this really isn't worth a watch.
Most of it plays out in a similar way to the others, and is entirely predictable and lacking in originality. It doesn't even have any creepy costumes or decent deaths like the others, so it really is lacking entirely. It gets slightly more interesting towards the end with the Raid-like tower block scenes but even this seems to just be trying to replicate the Raid and all of the other films like it. The characters too are all immediately forgettable.
Unless you absolutely love the other Purge films, this really isn't worth a watch.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Chime and Punishment (Clock Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
With just two weeks to go until the townโs clock town starts ticking again, Ruth Clagan and her friends are busy getting everything ready to go. In order to help offset the expenses, they are hosting a fund raiser. However, Kim Gray, the town manager, is a no show until she is discovered crushed under the bell destined for the tower. Obviously, someone hated her. But who?
I was very surprised to see Kim was the victim, but pleasantly so since sheโs been a pain in the previous books in the series. We learn even more what a nasty character she is along the way to the satisfying climax, even if one small part of the mystery isnโt quite resolved. The characters are charming as ever, and we get to know a few different supporting players this time, which I enjoyed.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-chime-and-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was very surprised to see Kim was the victim, but pleasantly so since sheโs been a pain in the previous books in the series. We learn even more what a nasty character she is along the way to the satisfying climax, even if one small part of the mystery isnโt quite resolved. The characters are charming as ever, and we get to know a few different supporting players this time, which I enjoyed.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/08/book-review-chime-and-punishment-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Spooner (0 KP) rated The Dark Tower (2017) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018
Could have been so good!!!
Omg. If there was a book that could have been a great movie franchise,Dark Tower was that book. What the hell was Stephen King thinking with selling the rights to a no name director. I heard the only reason the director got the job was because the books helped him learn English.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.
Yeah ok so what? Just because I played a video game all the way through doesen't mean I should direct a movie version of it.
Why the hell was this a sequel to the books also? Not everyone has read the books. Newcomers aren't gonna understand this because they never read the books.
Idris Elba was a great Roland and sadly the only good thing about the movie. Matthew mccoughnahey was ok as the man in black. Honestly I thought Ray liotta would have been better.
This isn't a god awful movie,it's just a very poor take on the books. If Ron Howard had stayed on I know he would have nailed it.