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David McK (3687 KP) rated The Golden Child (1986) in Movies
Apr 14, 2024
Well, that hasn't aged very well.
Mid 80s Eddie Murphy vehicle, with Eddie playing the part of an investigator who specialises in finding lost children and who is hired to find the mystical 'Golden Child', who has been kidnapped from a remote Tibetan monastery and who is supposed to save mankind from themselves.
What follows is a strange blend of (mild) horror, oriental mysticism and crime movie as Murphy is in the case.
Definitely an 80s movie in soundtrack, attitude and fashion.
Mid 80s Eddie Murphy vehicle, with Eddie playing the part of an investigator who specialises in finding lost children and who is hired to find the mystical 'Golden Child', who has been kidnapped from a remote Tibetan monastery and who is supposed to save mankind from themselves.
What follows is a strange blend of (mild) horror, oriental mysticism and crime movie as Murphy is in the case.
Definitely an 80s movie in soundtrack, attitude and fashion.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Wrong Turn (2021) in Movies
Mar 6, 2021
Well now, I watched this reboot of the semi popular Wrong Turn series with absolutely no knowledge of what was going to happen, expecting it to be more of the same, and was gobsmacked when it turned out to be a genuinely excellent slice of modern horror.
Firstly, the usual body count teenagers are all very well written. There's enough character building to care when they start to die, their reactions to said deaths are believable and human, and they are a set of protagonists who want to survive, not just cannon fodder. Lead actress Charlotte Vega has a huge part in this positive.
The regular set of cannibals are nowhere to be seen, and the antagonists this time around are a secluded community of mountain hunters known as The Foundation. They live off the natural earth and become entangled with the main characters after one of their ranks is killed in self defence. The narrative explores these two groups, and how both make decisions based on assumption of character and class. It's an interesting notion that elevates this movie beyond your standard slasher.
The leader of The Foundation, named Venable, is a genuinely imposing character. He has some great monologues, and actor Bill Sage really leans into the role. I'm hoping a sequel gets made just to see more of this dude as well as Charlotte Vega.
The gore on display is pretty damn impactful, only showing what it needs to, but making sure it sticks in your head. The whole runtime boasts some gorgeous cinematography as well, the filming location of the Ohio trail providing some breathtaking scenery.
I don't know what else to say. I was expecting the same old shit, and was instead presented with a great looking, well paced, and powerful horror feature that had me glued to the screen until the credits finished (the credit scene is a fantastic way to end things by the way so be sure to stick around.)
Well played Wrong Turn, well played.
Firstly, the usual body count teenagers are all very well written. There's enough character building to care when they start to die, their reactions to said deaths are believable and human, and they are a set of protagonists who want to survive, not just cannon fodder. Lead actress Charlotte Vega has a huge part in this positive.
The regular set of cannibals are nowhere to be seen, and the antagonists this time around are a secluded community of mountain hunters known as The Foundation. They live off the natural earth and become entangled with the main characters after one of their ranks is killed in self defence. The narrative explores these two groups, and how both make decisions based on assumption of character and class. It's an interesting notion that elevates this movie beyond your standard slasher.
The leader of The Foundation, named Venable, is a genuinely imposing character. He has some great monologues, and actor Bill Sage really leans into the role. I'm hoping a sequel gets made just to see more of this dude as well as Charlotte Vega.
The gore on display is pretty damn impactful, only showing what it needs to, but making sure it sticks in your head. The whole runtime boasts some gorgeous cinematography as well, the filming location of the Ohio trail providing some breathtaking scenery.
I don't know what else to say. I was expecting the same old shit, and was instead presented with a great looking, well paced, and powerful horror feature that had me glued to the screen until the credits finished (the credit scene is a fantastic way to end things by the way so be sure to stick around.)
Well played Wrong Turn, well played.
Wittsend (43 KP) rated Slenderman, Slenderman, Take this Child in Books
Aug 2, 2017
Amazing read!!!!! I could not put the book down. I was unsure how this horror story was going to play out as I am not familiar with the myth but can say that it was very well written and not in the slightest gory. This story is very chilling, creepy, fast paced, and above all nail biting exciting. The writer has created characters that drew me in from the beginning, from Jemima, her Great Uncle Tomaz, crazy Mary (homeless lady), the kids at school (bullies/school crushes), to the hateful school governess. These characters were beautifully crafted and well written.
NOTE: A few may find the sexual element of this book unsettling; however, I think the author was tactful in writing about the taboo subject in this horror novel and handled it very well.
NOTE: A few may find the sexual element of this book unsettling; however, I think the author was tactful in writing about the taboo subject in this horror novel and handled it very well.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Battleship (2012) in Movies
Feb 10, 2018
Hit
I was pleasantly surprised at this, fearing another alien film closer to Skyline, this was a lot more like Independence Day at sea!! The SFX are really great and certainly has a impressive feel to it. There is plenty of action and a mix of humour as well with a well chosen cast. Yep it seems to skip a bit of the story early on in the film, unless I missed a 1 year later text pop up? At times it could almost be an advert for the American Navy, past and present. It manages to pay homage to the Battleship game as well in one scene, and Brooklyn Decker is great eye candy. If you enjoy a no-brainer, fun action film....like Independence day, then you'll have a blast!
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers in Books
Jul 10, 2018
What to say... What to say...
I read this book for my book club. Mary Roach is an interesting writer that has always intrigued me. I was excited to read one of her books, but I will admit this is the one book that held no interest to me. The information in this book was fascinating but unfortunately it was a subject line that didn't hold my interest well.
With all of that said, I did rate this book high. It was extremely well researched and I enjoyed it for the most part. Mary Roach has a way to drag you (kick & screaming) into the book even when it is a subject line that you don't like.
All in all, this was well researched, with a lot of not so pretty details.
I read this book for my book club. Mary Roach is an interesting writer that has always intrigued me. I was excited to read one of her books, but I will admit this is the one book that held no interest to me. The information in this book was fascinating but unfortunately it was a subject line that didn't hold my interest well.
With all of that said, I did rate this book high. It was extremely well researched and I enjoyed it for the most part. Mary Roach has a way to drag you (kick & screaming) into the book even when it is a subject line that you don't like.
All in all, this was well researched, with a lot of not so pretty details.
Elski (281 KP) rated Love, Simon (2018) in Movies
Nov 12, 2018
A teen angst rom-com for the modern age. It follows formula plot points well trodden except that Simon (played charmingly by Nick Robinson) is gay. This was a big step forward for a major studio such as 20th Century Fox to give it the mainstream film treatment it deserves.
There's some great music and a likeable cast, and plenty of humour.
On first watch you're kept guessing on who the mystery love interest Blue is and end up just as relieved/pleased as Simon when the truth is revealed.
Jennifer Garner as Simon's Mum gives a perfect speech at one point that makes me well up each time I see it. It stands up well to repeat viewings. A recommendation for anyone to watch, not just for teens.
Thanks to Smashbomb for the dvd!
There's some great music and a likeable cast, and plenty of humour.
On first watch you're kept guessing on who the mystery love interest Blue is and end up just as relieved/pleased as Simon when the truth is revealed.
Jennifer Garner as Simon's Mum gives a perfect speech at one point that makes me well up each time I see it. It stands up well to repeat viewings. A recommendation for anyone to watch, not just for teens.
Thanks to Smashbomb for the dvd!
Charlotte (184 KP) rated An Eye for a Lie (Inspector Richter #1) in Books
Jun 17, 2019
A strong start to a crime series!
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
An Eye for a Lie is a brilliant, gripping story that hooks you from the start.
I love a good crime mystery and this definitely falls into that category for me.
Richter is a well written, multi-layered character, although I didn't warm to him straight away but he totally grew on me.
Vessa is pretty cool, admittedly she falls for men like I fall for chocolate, but she's very insightful and has an intelligence that seems to have skipped a few members of the SFPD.
I'm impressed with how well Cy Wyss has managed to keep me entertained and engaged throughout, details are well balanced so I wasn't overwhelmed or bored. It was fab as it brought out the detective in me.
Josh Burns (166 KP) rated Until Dawn: Rush of Blood VR in Video Games
Jun 21, 2019
Take a ride on this VR horror rollercoaster through madness
Rush of Blood is a spin off of the original Until Dawn. It dives into the psyche of one of the characters and revisits several locations as well as taking you to new ones via a roller coaster. There is a very creepy atmosphere as well as really good jump scares. Your mind warps your environment between the asylum from the other 2 games and an insane carnival ride. Gameplay is basic but incredibly fun, you ride the roller coaster, shooting your enemies as well as collectibles. It's not overly long or difficult but has great replayability trying to get collectibles, trying alternate paths, beating old scores, or just enjoying it. It uses the DS4 or Move Controllers.
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