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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated The Tuscan Child in Books
Mar 16, 2018
Can Joanna Solve the Mystery of Her Father’s Past?
When Hugo Langley dies, his daughter Joanna finds a letter in his possession addressed to someone named Sofia in Italy. It references “our beautiful boy.” Joanna knows her father was shot down in the Tuscany region during World War II, but does this letter mean she has a half-brother? Intrigued, Joanna sets out to learn about that time in her father’s life. What will she learn?
This book switches back and forth from Hugo’s story in 1944 and Joanna’s journey in 1973. The chapters are clearly labeled, so it is never hard to follow which time period we are in. While this is not a traditional mystery by any means, we do learn what happened back then and how it plays out in the more “modern” setting. This book is just as much about Joanna’s growth, and she lead a cast of very strong characters I quickly fell in love with as I read.
This book switches back and forth from Hugo’s story in 1944 and Joanna’s journey in 1973. The chapters are clearly labeled, so it is never hard to follow which time period we are in. While this is not a traditional mystery by any means, we do learn what happened back then and how it plays out in the more “modern” setting. This book is just as much about Joanna’s growth, and she lead a cast of very strong characters I quickly fell in love with as I read.
Sarah (126 KP) rated The Sixth Sense (1999) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
One for the Must-See List
I remember when I first saw this film how completely shocked I was with the twist at the end. I'm not one for trying to guess what the ending is, whodunnit, etc. so it was a big surprise for me.
It's not a film I would class as a horror; although there are some moments that might make you jump, it's not scary in a traditional sense. The scares are more psychological (although there is some gore), and the story is actually quite moving in some ways; I found myself quite upset at the stories of some of the ghosts, and when reflecting after the "twist in the tale".
I think this is certainly a film that everyone should watch at least once. On a second watching, even though you are aware of the 'surprise' you are able to look out for more clues and hints as to what is to come, so it definitely stands up to repeated viewings.
It's not a film I would class as a horror; although there are some moments that might make you jump, it's not scary in a traditional sense. The scares are more psychological (although there is some gore), and the story is actually quite moving in some ways; I found myself quite upset at the stories of some of the ghosts, and when reflecting after the "twist in the tale".
I think this is certainly a film that everyone should watch at least once. On a second watching, even though you are aware of the 'surprise' you are able to look out for more clues and hints as to what is to come, so it definitely stands up to repeated viewings.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated St. Osmunds (2013) in Movies
Sep 12, 2018
Strong ideas, but misses the mark
St Osmunds is a mixture of found footage and traditional shooting, following two guys that are making a documentary about an Insane Asylum that closed under mysterious circumstances.
There is some nicely placed humour at times, and a great red-herring/meta humour joke quite early on that really surprised me, and the dialogue is actually not the worst, considering how badly low budget horror treats scripts normally.
The plot is ambitious, at times quite interesting but all too often it falls a little short of its goal, leaving the viewer confused as to what is happening.
This may just be due to inexperience on behalf of those involved, or a deliberate attempt to at making a mysterious film, but either way its a slightly chaotic ride.
This is a film for people interested in interesting concepts and twists, but not one if you are expecting a high budget affair.
There is some nicely placed humour at times, and a great red-herring/meta humour joke quite early on that really surprised me, and the dialogue is actually not the worst, considering how badly low budget horror treats scripts normally.
The plot is ambitious, at times quite interesting but all too often it falls a little short of its goal, leaving the viewer confused as to what is happening.
This may just be due to inexperience on behalf of those involved, or a deliberate attempt to at making a mysterious film, but either way its a slightly chaotic ride.
This is a film for people interested in interesting concepts and twists, but not one if you are expecting a high budget affair.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Near Dark (1987) in Movies
Oct 20, 2018
Vampires without vampires
The cast of Aliens (I think this movie was directed by James Cameron's former spouse lol) reunites one year later in this stylized vampire flick even though they never mention the "V" word.
A young man falls into an unusual new crowd in his small town. He finds out more about them including their hatred for sunlight. His new friends have a proclivity to bloody violence to which he does not appreciate especially when his family gets involved. His loyalties are tested when events turn violent and he has to decide who's team he's on.
Geeing Bill Paxton and Lance Henrikson together again was just fantastic; however made me miss Bill even more. He steals every scene he is in just like Aliens and is sheer joy to watch.
The film is a unique take on the traditional bloodsucking genre and very entertaining.
A young man falls into an unusual new crowd in his small town. He finds out more about them including their hatred for sunlight. His new friends have a proclivity to bloody violence to which he does not appreciate especially when his family gets involved. His loyalties are tested when events turn violent and he has to decide who's team he's on.
Geeing Bill Paxton and Lance Henrikson together again was just fantastic; however made me miss Bill even more. He steals every scene he is in just like Aliens and is sheer joy to watch.
The film is a unique take on the traditional bloodsucking genre and very entertaining.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies
Feb 9, 2020
This is certainly very different in tone to the previous films and doesn’t really feel like a traditional Rambo film. It’s more of a formulaic action revenge film that borrows heavily from ‘Taken’ and unfortunately does nothing to dispel the Trumpian stereotype of a Mexico populated solely by violent criminals. So no it’s not a brilliant film by any means but it still certainly kept me entertained for 90 minutes with plenty of switch your brain off thrills. I’m a big fan of Stallone and I enjoyed his performance here and I couldn’t help but feel for Rambo as he has the tiny bit of happiness he’d manage to find taken away and is forced back into a world of death and violence. The violence when it comes is incredibly graphic and quite satisfying especially in the finale as Rambo dispatches with the bad guys on his booby trapped ranch. All in all though one of the weaker films in the series but still an enjoyable ride.
TL
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