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Awix (3310 KP) rated Eighth Grade (2018) in Movies
Apr 30, 2019 (Updated Apr 30, 2019)
There's something a little bit ironic, don'cha think, about someone who got his start as a first-wave YouTuber making a film basically criticising the effects of social media on young people's lives, but hey, so it goes. Bo Burnham's feature debut as director is a forensically well-observed and excruciatingly difficult-to-watch comedy-drama about a teenage girl struggling to cope with the demands of modern life.
Very, very impressive performance from Elsie Fisher, who's in virtually every scene, and a witty and thoughtful script (Burnham again). May be of interest to future anthropologists in its detailing of the way that social media exacerbate generation gaps and generally prevent people from communicating with each other; one of several ironies the film points out. Manages to be bleak to the point of depressing for most of its duration but still turns it around for a credibly warm and quite moving conclusion. Very relatable no matter what year you were born in.
Very, very impressive performance from Elsie Fisher, who's in virtually every scene, and a witty and thoughtful script (Burnham again). May be of interest to future anthropologists in its detailing of the way that social media exacerbate generation gaps and generally prevent people from communicating with each other; one of several ironies the film points out. Manages to be bleak to the point of depressing for most of its duration but still turns it around for a credibly warm and quite moving conclusion. Very relatable no matter what year you were born in.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Terminal Uprising (Book Two of the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse) in Books
May 9, 2019
Wit (3 more)
Descriptions of Earth
the escapes
Doc
slow at times (1 more)
ends too soon
Mops & Co. are at it again. Four months of avoiding the Krakau, Mops and her team embark on a mission to the most feared place in the galaxy: Earth. What her team learns will change them and the Alliance forever.
There are not as many alien life forms as it focuses mostly on the Krakau and humans however there are still some fun life forms that you get to meet, as well as, getting to know the Prodryans better. These space janitors are great at sweeping away lies to get to the truth. Cleaning up other people's messes is just all in a day's work. Just as witty and humorous as the first book. Unlike the first book this one is also a little more serious. There is more times the pace is slow although that doesn't mean there isn't some great action.
There are not as many alien life forms as it focuses mostly on the Krakau and humans however there are still some fun life forms that you get to meet, as well as, getting to know the Prodryans better. These space janitors are great at sweeping away lies to get to the truth. Cleaning up other people's messes is just all in a day's work. Just as witty and humorous as the first book. Unlike the first book this one is also a little more serious. There is more times the pace is slow although that doesn't mean there isn't some great action.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Léon: The Professional (1994) in Movies
May 13, 2019
Cult thriller that gave the world Natalie Portman and briefly turned Luc Besson into someone with Hollywood clout; it's still almost certainly his best film. A troubled young girl (Portman) is orphaned by drug dealers and is taken under the wing of a supernaturally gifted hitman (Reno); he has issues of his own. Slowly the relationship between the two of them deepens, but the question of vengeance against the man who killed her family (Oldman) refuses to go away.
Stylish and witty, with great performances from the three leads; genuinely affecting in a way that most Besson movies simply are not. Surprisingly little action for what's supposedly a thriller but still very involving; the theatrical cut delicately skips around what's really going on in Leon and Mathilda's relationship. Knock a point off if you're watching the director's cut, which trades some of the subtlety for extra scenes which add a mixture of hokeyness and pure ick.
Stylish and witty, with great performances from the three leads; genuinely affecting in a way that most Besson movies simply are not. Surprisingly little action for what's supposedly a thriller but still very involving; the theatrical cut delicately skips around what's really going on in Leon and Mathilda's relationship. Knock a point off if you're watching the director's cut, which trades some of the subtlety for extra scenes which add a mixture of hokeyness and pure ick.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated BlacKkKlansman (2018) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Powerful
I have to be honest, I haven't seen a lot of Spike Lee's work although I loved Inside Man when that came out. So I wasnt entirely sure what to expect with this film, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
This is definitely a strange film. It packs a powerful message but then is full of moments of sheer hilarity, which is definitely welcome in otherwise heavy scenes. But for the most part this doesn't detract from the true story this is telling. To be frank, some of this film is very disturbing to watch and the last 5/10 minutes that link to more recent events is harrowing and almost verging on overkill. The acting is second to none, especially Adam Driver and John David Washington, and the script and dialogue are very clever and witty. I do think this may be a little heavy handed at times and a little too long, but it's still a powerful and moving film.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Mar 15, 2018
One of the most moving books I've ever read. The story of two teenagers falling in love is hardly anything new, but the fact that one has survived cancer (and lost a leg in the process) and the other is suffering from an almost certainly uncurable cancer adds a new, and heartbreaking wrinkle to the story. The characters all come off as very grounded in reality, and while capable of some witty dialogue, don't come off as unbelievably clever as say, the teens in "Juno". The illness itself is treated very realistically as well, with every bit of suffering arising throughout the book, while never being allowed to take over entirely. Due to the somewhat brief length of the book and also largely to how addictively well-written it is, I finished it in 2 sittings. One of the most beautiful love stories I've ever read, and one that will stick with me for a long time to come.
What an incredible story! This was my first book by BJ Harvey and I can surely say I'll be back for more. I LOVED these characters! Callum is not the typical male rich slut found in most erotic novels, having come from a good home and family but this book is entirely from his POV, which was a much-welcomed change. He comes from a pure place that makes his secret sexual desires seem dirty and forbidden to him. Lucia, on the other hand, is a force of nature and I LOVED her beyond words! Again, unlike your typical female lead. She is strong, witty, independent and confident... all the things Callum truly needs in his life. When they push limits together their bond is tested.. yet I never thought for a second these two wouldn't make it.. their connection so palpable, I hoped it would only make them stronger. Incredible love story - Highly recommended!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) in Movies
Oct 23, 2019
Another customarily superb animation from Aardman. Strange goings-on at Mossy Bottom Farm presage the first contact between alien life and, er, sheepkind, as Shaun the Sheep befriends an excitable alien who is stranded on Earth. Can the flock get her home before she falls into the clutches of the sinister Ministry for Alien Detection?
Not quite the utterly perfect gem that the first movie was, but still tremendously enjoyable and made to the highest possible standards, both of animation and scripting (one of the best jokes comes at the very, very end of the film). Also manages to be surprisingly poignant in places - but mostly it's just witty and fun by turns. Many references to classic sci-fi fill the movie; some are obvious, others are buried in the background or only appear for a second or so - you have to be some kind of obsessive to get them all, but I would imagine this film is fun for regular type people too.
Not quite the utterly perfect gem that the first movie was, but still tremendously enjoyable and made to the highest possible standards, both of animation and scripting (one of the best jokes comes at the very, very end of the film). Also manages to be surprisingly poignant in places - but mostly it's just witty and fun by turns. Many references to classic sci-fi fill the movie; some are obvious, others are buried in the background or only appear for a second or so - you have to be some kind of obsessive to get them all, but I would imagine this film is fun for regular type people too.
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