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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Taken in Books

Oct 18, 2020  
Taken
Taken
Lisa Stone | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Having previously read and enjoyed "Stalker" by Lisa Stone, I certainly wasn't going to pass the opportunity to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.

What we have in "Taken" is a complex and gripping story of the abduction of 8 year Leila whose life is far from perfect being the daughter of a mother (Kelsey) prostituting herself and fighting addiction who has already had her older children taken from her.

Told from multiple points of view, we get a real insight into all the main characters which is not as confusing as it sounds believe me ... it works really well and, I believe, it makes the characters more believable and memorable.

The pace is perfect, the plot is absorbing, despite it being a little unrealistic in parts, and I did get the twist fairly early on but it was such that I continued to question myself until it was revealed.

Overall, a thought-provoking and enjoyable read which deals with some difficult subjects that, sadly, are prevalent within today's society but without the usual gratuitous violence which made a refreshing change.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK / HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an unbiased review.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Honest Thief (2020) in Movies

Oct 24, 2020  
Honest Thief (2020)
Honest Thief (2020)
2020 | Action, Crime, Drama
7
6.7 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
Decent crime thriller. Liam Neeson plays the In-and-Out Bandit (snigger), who has nicked $9 million out of some obscure principle, and also because he enjoys it. When he wants to settle down with his new lady friend, he tries to negotiate his surrender, but comes up against corruption in the FBI and finds himself framed for murder...

Looks like another one of those movies where some bad guys really tick off Neeson, leading up to the moment where he gets on the phone to them and does his 'I'm coming for you!' speech. And this one is a bit like that, but the violence is employed sparingly and it has a rather neat plot, too. The characters have a bit more depth than you might expect, too - Neeson is giving the same performance as usual, but not an actual bad one, while everyone else manages to find something interesting to work with: Jai Courtney is actually really impressive as his character gradually loses it. It's still a fairly modest genre movie, but it's better than the usual Neeson vehicle and genuinely involving and enjoyable.
  
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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Lost Boys (1987) in Movies

Jan 15, 2021 (Updated Jan 15, 2021)  
The Lost Boys (1987)
The Lost Boys (1987)
1987 | Comedy, Horror
10
8.3 (65 Ratings)
Movie Rating Watch
There's is just straight up nothing I don't like about The Lost Boys.

Corey Feldman's decision to put on a deep voice for the whole runtime, Kiefer Sutherland's mullet, the absolutely banging soundtrack (oiled up beefcake saxophone guy and all)
The whole movie is dripping with atmosphere from the opening shot, it's extremely 80s vibe being constantly undercut with a darker edge, and buzzing with the excitement of youth and freedom.
It's always stuck in my mind as a horror that kids could watch, but every time I revisit The Lost Boys, I'm always taken aback by the sudden bursts of violence. It brings it own additions to the vampire horror genre, being that sure, it's gets bloody here and there, but the adolescent story that's woven throughout, and it's frequently funny and warming screenplay gives it a unique touch that is hard to successfully imitate.

The Lost Boys is Joel Schumacher's finest work (followed by Falling Down of course) and is a film that is so of its era, but still manages to feel fresh. Absolutely love it. Now excuse me whilst I go and listen to Cry Little Sister on repeat.