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Mel (490 KP) rated Snow, Glass, Apples in Books
Oct 9, 2019
I'm a huge Neil Gaiman fan so I'd read the short story 'Snow Glass Apples' previously and enjoyed it. Although I've read most of his graphic novels with some of the recent adaptations of short stories I've not been sure if having a graphic novel version was really adding value. So when I saw there was a new adaptation of this one I had a look through before deciding to buy. All I can say is that the artwork is beautiful, Colleen Doran has done an excellent job bringing this to life, with sensitive handling of the more graphic details. I'd definitely recommend this, it's a lovely addition to any collection.
The Essential Collection
Book
This superb collection of classic Victorian literature features the most notable works of Charles...
Trying to Live Happily Ever After
6.0
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Book
Cinderella & Red Riding Hood face today's problems. Can they deal with it all? If you were...
Montage as Perceptual Experience: Berlin Alexanderplatz from Doblin to Fassbinder
Book
Alfred Doblin's novel Berlin Alexanderplatz and its film adaptations by Jutzi and Fassbinder are...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) in Movies
Feb 17, 2018 (Updated Feb 17, 2018)
It's doubtful whether anybody ever wished for a lavish Indiana Jones-style adventure film concerning Sherlock Holmes' youth, but if they had then this would have answered it nicely. Good production values, well-mounted action, ground-breaking use of CGI in some sequences.
The film explicitly acknowledges it's not sticking to the Conan Doyle canon, but still comes closer to the pulpy tone of some of the original stories than many more superficially faithful adaptations, and many very famous actors have been much worse as Sherlock Holmes than Nicholas Rowe is here. Writer Chris Columbus went on to do the first couple of Harry Potter films, which have a very similar tone to this. Rather charming, and very difficult to dislike.
The film explicitly acknowledges it's not sticking to the Conan Doyle canon, but still comes closer to the pulpy tone of some of the original stories than many more superficially faithful adaptations, and many very famous actors have been much worse as Sherlock Holmes than Nicholas Rowe is here. Writer Chris Columbus went on to do the first couple of Harry Potter films, which have a very similar tone to this. Rather charming, and very difficult to dislike.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Misery (1990) in Movies
Oct 11, 2018
Brilliant
I need to be very honest now, despite being a massive film and Stephen King fan, I have never seen Misery until now. I’ve read the book many times, but for some reason I never got round to watching the film, and I’m pretty ashamed of myself.
This is one of the best Stephen King adaptations out there. Kathy Bates is phenomenal as Annie, she plays her perfectly. James Caan would never have been my first choice as Paul Sheldon, but he does very well. The entire film is so true to the book, it’s surprisingly good. Whilst I wouldn’t call it a horror film, it’s definitely one of the best thriller films out there despite its age. I can’t fault this film at all.
This is one of the best Stephen King adaptations out there. Kathy Bates is phenomenal as Annie, she plays her perfectly. James Caan would never have been my first choice as Paul Sheldon, but he does very well. The entire film is so true to the book, it’s surprisingly good. Whilst I wouldn’t call it a horror film, it’s definitely one of the best thriller films out there despite its age. I can’t fault this film at all.
Contemporary Musical Film
Kevin J. Donnelly and Beth Carroll
Book
In recent years there has been a remarkable resurgence in the success of film musicals. Since the...
Ghost Stories of an Antiquary: Volume 1
M.R. James, Leah Moore and John Reppion
Book
Curl up by the fire and enter the sinister, supernatural world of Montague Rhodes James, the master...
Mel (490 KP) rated Codename Villanelle (Killing Eve #1) in Books
Oct 6, 2019
I admit that I picked this book up because I'd been watching the TV series. Unlike some others who I'd seen review this before I didn't mind too much that the book wasn't as detailed and didn't match up 100% with the TV series. You have to accept that tv/film adaptations and the original books are very different mediums and try and judge them accordingly. I must admit I don't always succeed in this myself but I usually manage better when the book comes second.
I did like the fact that the book is more focused on Villanelle rather than Eve, I liked having that different viewpoint. Definitely worth a quick read if you fancy a bit more to sit alongside the series.
I did like the fact that the book is more focused on Villanelle rather than Eve, I liked having that different viewpoint. Definitely worth a quick read if you fancy a bit more to sit alongside the series.
An interesting take on the tale
If you take for granted that the makers of this short series have taken some liberties with the classic tale, then you will enjoy this adaptation all the more. My wife, who hasn't read the book and barely remembers the Gary Oldman film, really enjoyed this series. I, who have read and loved the book and a few prequel/sequel attempts, enjoyed it a little less. However, for what it is, it's a very clever and witty interpretation of the story.
The three episodes are largely standalone and in a different setting. The first episode we are in familiar territory with Jonathan Harker in Castle Dracula. Here the makers explored Harker's passive imprisonment and gradual blood-draining far more than in other adaptations, giving the viewer a real confused, frustrated and claustrophobic feeling. The second episode takes place on the Count's journey to the UK. Again previous adaptations have skipped over this, and the crew's gradual diminution, which was a bigger factor of the book. This is when Dracula's psychological twisting and sick sense of humour start to feature more heavily, with some good head-scratching twists.
The third episode covers Dracula's time in the UK, but not as you've ever seen before. I thought this part was brilliant, but won't give any spoilers. The main features of this part of the original story are retained (Dracula's mutual obsession with Lucy Westenra), but Dracula is now revealed like never before, with some of his weaknesses explored and exposed for what they are.
Like I say, if you can accept the liberties taken, this is a great adaptation with a really sassy Dracula.
The three episodes are largely standalone and in a different setting. The first episode we are in familiar territory with Jonathan Harker in Castle Dracula. Here the makers explored Harker's passive imprisonment and gradual blood-draining far more than in other adaptations, giving the viewer a real confused, frustrated and claustrophobic feeling. The second episode takes place on the Count's journey to the UK. Again previous adaptations have skipped over this, and the crew's gradual diminution, which was a bigger factor of the book. This is when Dracula's psychological twisting and sick sense of humour start to feature more heavily, with some good head-scratching twists.
The third episode covers Dracula's time in the UK, but not as you've ever seen before. I thought this part was brilliant, but won't give any spoilers. The main features of this part of the original story are retained (Dracula's mutual obsession with Lucy Westenra), but Dracula is now revealed like never before, with some of his weaknesses explored and exposed for what they are.
Like I say, if you can accept the liberties taken, this is a great adaptation with a really sassy Dracula.