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Awix (3310 KP) rated Freaks (1932) in Movies
Feb 29, 2020 (Updated Feb 29, 2020)
Tod Browning's notorious horror movie remains problematic and uncomfortable to watch nearly a century on from its release. The plot is much more the stuff of a melodrama than a traditional horror movie: a vain and greedy trapeze artist and her lover plot to murder a gullible man enamoured of her for his fortune. What makes the film so queasily memorable is the fact that many of the characters are sideshow 'freaks' of different kinds.
Severely hampered by the fact that many of the cast aren't professional actors, and it shows; also by the fact that several of them don't have English as a first language (some of the dialogue is so heavily accented to be unintelligible). The existing version of the film is fairly thin on plot, too. There is strange tension between the script, which takes pains to make clear that the deformed characters are people, not monsters, and the way that the camera voyeuristically dwells on their physical abnormalities - it's there again in the climax, where the trapeze artist clearly deserves some kind of retribution, but the sequence of the 'freaks' closing in on her is deeply disturbing. A uniquely unsettling movie, and perhaps that's for the best.
Severely hampered by the fact that many of the cast aren't professional actors, and it shows; also by the fact that several of them don't have English as a first language (some of the dialogue is so heavily accented to be unintelligible). The existing version of the film is fairly thin on plot, too. There is strange tension between the script, which takes pains to make clear that the deformed characters are people, not monsters, and the way that the camera voyeuristically dwells on their physical abnormalities - it's there again in the climax, where the trapeze artist clearly deserves some kind of retribution, but the sequence of the 'freaks' closing in on her is deeply disturbing. A uniquely unsettling movie, and perhaps that's for the best.
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated Ozma of Oz in Books
Apr 30, 2021
If you've seen the 1985 movie Return to Oz you will no doubt recognise elements of this book. While the Gump and Pumpkin Head were pulled from The Marvelous Land of Oz (the previous Oz book.) Pretty much the rest of the movie was taken from this book.
Ozma of Oz configure the perfectly peculiar style from the first two. As I suspected would be the case, also starts to tie loose ends together from the previous works so it definitely starts feeling like the series is one cohesive whole. Because so much of it was familiar from the movie it's hard for me to evaluate the book on its own merits. This is diffent from other adaptations because it wasn't a diet adaptation, so it's impossible to say "Movie did X better while book did Y better." and unlike WWoO the story isn't an institution.
Ultimately it was an enjoyable entry.
Ozma of Oz configure the perfectly peculiar style from the first two. As I suspected would be the case, also starts to tie loose ends together from the previous works so it definitely starts feeling like the series is one cohesive whole. Because so much of it was familiar from the movie it's hard for me to evaluate the book on its own merits. This is diffent from other adaptations because it wasn't a diet adaptation, so it's impossible to say "Movie did X better while book did Y better." and unlike WWoO the story isn't an institution.
Ultimately it was an enjoyable entry.
starwarsluvr (236 KP) rated Divergent in Books
Jan 29, 2018
My best friend told me to read these. When I first started I wasnt sure.. it reminded me of hunger games which I wasnt a fan of for the books. . love the movie but not the point. But I decided to try this anyways and am glad I did. I loved this. . some confusion in it some parts made me mad but overall loved. I've already started the 2nd and loving it also
Rachel Howser Roberts (96 KP) rated Coco (2017) in Movies
Jun 24, 2018
Beautiful depiction of Mexican culture
Contains spoilers, click to show
The animation in this movie is beautiful. I love the use of color! The story is cute, if predictable. The music is upbeat and catchy. There were a few things that bothered me. Why does the whole family go by the last name Rivera? Shouldn’t the family branches have taken the men’s last names? Also why doesn’t De La Cruz know that Miguel is not his great-great-grandson?
Annie Baker recommended I Vitelloni (1953) in Movies (curated)
Awix (3310 KP) rated Transit (2018) in Movies
Aug 16, 2019 (Updated Aug 16, 2019)
Anna Seghers' novel of life in France following the German invasion of 1940 updates to the present day with disturbing ease. There is much talk of 'occupation' and 'cleansing' but the director wisely keeps things unspecified as Franz Robowski's character steals a dead man's identity in an attempt to escape Europe, only to find emotional entanglements pose almost as great a problem as international borders.
Understated, with various echoes of other films - you can see why it's being compared to Casablanca, but this is a much heavier and more intense movie. Still quite engrossing to watch, mainly because of the performances. There are also shades of Kafka - you are only allowed to stay in one hotel if you can prove you don't want to stay there - and also Antonioni's The Passenger, although the existentialism of the film's theme is kept muted. Concentrates on telling a story rather than putting over a message, and as a result is effective and sometimes moving.
Understated, with various echoes of other films - you can see why it's being compared to Casablanca, but this is a much heavier and more intense movie. Still quite engrossing to watch, mainly because of the performances. There are also shades of Kafka - you are only allowed to stay in one hotel if you can prove you don't want to stay there - and also Antonioni's The Passenger, although the existentialism of the film's theme is kept muted. Concentrates on telling a story rather than putting over a message, and as a result is effective and sometimes moving.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated The Stuff (1985) in Movies
Oct 1, 2020
Here we have an 80s horror that looks cheap, has a crappy sound mix, involves questionable acting from all involved, a lot of shots that feel like corners were cut, and a ridiculous premise, and it's pretty damn glorious.
The Stuff is wonderful low budget horror. The practical effects are brilliant, and the dialogue is so damn stupid. It's vintage Larry Cohen in short.
The only actual criticisms I have involves Paul Sorvino's character. Even in an over the top cheese fest such as this, his character is severely out of place, and the general fun of the film takes a bit of a dive when he's introduced, casual racism and all. Also, the ending sort of appears from no where.
Any other criticisms are good-bad criticisms. For example, a lot of the dialogue seems improvised, and it's awkward as fuck, but kind of adds to the overall quirkiness of this insane killer dessert B-Movie.
The Stuff is great. Also looks legit tasty.
The Stuff is wonderful low budget horror. The practical effects are brilliant, and the dialogue is so damn stupid. It's vintage Larry Cohen in short.
The only actual criticisms I have involves Paul Sorvino's character. Even in an over the top cheese fest such as this, his character is severely out of place, and the general fun of the film takes a bit of a dive when he's introduced, casual racism and all. Also, the ending sort of appears from no where.
Any other criticisms are good-bad criticisms. For example, a lot of the dialogue seems improvised, and it's awkward as fuck, but kind of adds to the overall quirkiness of this insane killer dessert B-Movie.
The Stuff is great. Also looks legit tasty.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated P2 (2007) in Movies
Dec 30, 2020
Escape From The Garage
P2- is a really good movie. I liked the suspense, thrills, its psychological espect, the horror and the mystery.
The plot: Angela (Rachel Nichols) is working late on Christmas Eve. When she finally decides to leave, she goes down to the parking garage to get her car, but it won't start. Thomas (Wes Bentley), the garage's security guard, offers to help. He also invites Angela to dinner, but she refuses. Thomas, crazed, knocks her out. She wakes up in Thomas' office, chained to a chair and in different clothes. Now Angela must fight for her life in order the escape from the garage.
The film re-unites Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, and Franck Khalfoun, who had previously worked together as director, writer and actor, respectively, on the 2003 horror film High Tension. According to Aja, when asked about the comparisons with Tension, he said: "With a strong plot in the vein of High Tension, P2 gives us a chance to further explore the survival aspect of the terror movie."
P2 was featured in an ad campaign on the social networking website Myspace, where a trailer for the film could also be streamed.
Its a really good horror thriller.
The plot: Angela (Rachel Nichols) is working late on Christmas Eve. When she finally decides to leave, she goes down to the parking garage to get her car, but it won't start. Thomas (Wes Bentley), the garage's security guard, offers to help. He also invites Angela to dinner, but she refuses. Thomas, crazed, knocks her out. She wakes up in Thomas' office, chained to a chair and in different clothes. Now Angela must fight for her life in order the escape from the garage.
The film re-unites Alexandre Aja, Grégory Levasseur, and Franck Khalfoun, who had previously worked together as director, writer and actor, respectively, on the 2003 horror film High Tension. According to Aja, when asked about the comparisons with Tension, he said: "With a strong plot in the vein of High Tension, P2 gives us a chance to further explore the survival aspect of the terror movie."
P2 was featured in an ad campaign on the social networking website Myspace, where a trailer for the film could also be streamed.
Its a really good horror thriller.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Witness (1985) in Movies
Feb 21, 2021
Very classy romantic drama-thriller. When a young Amish boy witnesses a brutal murder, it leads to detective John Book uncovering widespread corruption in his own department. He is forced to hide out amongst the Amish, and finds he is drawn to their way of life almost despite himself.
This is a classic movie, but also one of those films which looks deceptively simple and straightforward: there are no staggering plot twists, no big set pieces (except for the one where some people build a barn) - it's one of those very brave films with the confidence to take its time and let the characters and story grow and breathe. The contrast between the ugliness of the big city and the quiet consolations of the Amish lifestyle is carefully achieved; Harrison Ford seizes the chance to lead the movie and give a proper acting performance (this got him his Oscar nomination). A great film; didn't quite make me want to go and live on a farm, but a close thing.
This is a classic movie, but also one of those films which looks deceptively simple and straightforward: there are no staggering plot twists, no big set pieces (except for the one where some people build a barn) - it's one of those very brave films with the confidence to take its time and let the characters and story grow and breathe. The contrast between the ugliness of the big city and the quiet consolations of the Amish lifestyle is carefully achieved; Harrison Ford seizes the chance to lead the movie and give a proper acting performance (this got him his Oscar nomination). A great film; didn't quite make me want to go and live on a farm, but a close thing.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Moms' Night Out (2014) in Movies
Aug 20, 2020
Mom's Night Out combines the most prolific Christian film makers of its time to make a comedy centered around a mother at wits end who decided to attempt to have one night out with her lady friends that goes hilariously wrong at every turn.
While similar stories have been told before, it's actually refreshing that I have the option to watch this particular movie with my younger kids whereas I am not able to in many cases due to either language or extremely vulgar content.
Patricia Heaton provides a different tone of her ability as a preachers wife who is attending the night out and finds herself disclosing a quasi sordid past which aligns well with the story while also adding a bit of comic gold. Trace Adkins' sweet sweet baritone is included and is shockingly probably the biggest voice of reason as a hardened biker.
Definitely a movie I could recommend for families. Kids will stay interested and parents won't be bored out of their minds for the duration.
While similar stories have been told before, it's actually refreshing that I have the option to watch this particular movie with my younger kids whereas I am not able to in many cases due to either language or extremely vulgar content.
Patricia Heaton provides a different tone of her ability as a preachers wife who is attending the night out and finds herself disclosing a quasi sordid past which aligns well with the story while also adding a bit of comic gold. Trace Adkins' sweet sweet baritone is included and is shockingly probably the biggest voice of reason as a hardened biker.
Definitely a movie I could recommend for families. Kids will stay interested and parents won't be bored out of their minds for the duration.